Chapter 101: You Can’t Deceive Me

Footsteps and muffled voices drifted intermittently down the corridor. If Lu Zhixia had ears right now, they’d be standing straight up in terror.

Her phone suddenly rang—Shen Wanqing’s. Lu Zhixia jumped.

Shen Wanqing had already let go of her, but the gland was fully knotted now, with no sign of loosening anytime soon.

Deep-seated cravings clamored inside her. Lu Zhixia was scared out of her wits on one hand, while her body followed its instincts on the other.

Her eyes screamed refusal, her lips protested, but she didn’t skip a single motion she was supposed to make.

Shen Wanqing picked up the call and switched it to speakerphone. It was Yan Fanghua.

Her plane had just landed, and she was on her way—about half an hour out, traffic willing.

Lu Zhixia’s spine turned to ice. Judging by their past experiences with knotting and marking, it always took at least an hour from the initial lock to full release.

Shen Wanqing gazed at her bright red face, her voice mild as she replied, “Everything’s fine. Take your time getting here—she’s awake.”

Yan Fanghua wanted to speak to her directly, but Shen Wanqing pushed the phone away, her breathing still coming in heavy gasps.

Lu Zhixia drew a deep breath, parted her lips, but her throat was too hoarse for any sound to escape.

“Little Xia, how are you holding up?” Yan Fanghua’s voice cracked with tears. “You’re really okay? Say something, Little Xia.”

She paused there, steadying herself until she finally managed a raspy “Mom.”

Hearing that faint voice pushed Yan Fanghua into outright sobs.

While soothing her mom, Lu Zhixia had to brace her body against the overwhelming waves crashing through her from the knotted gland.

“Mom, I’m really fine,” Lu Zhixia reassured her, only to be met with a heartfelt maternal scolding. Her mother was worried sick, but that didn’t stop the genuine anger. “How could you run off into the wilderness all alone like that? Mom has only one baby in this world—what would I do if something happened to you?”

Seconds ticked by agonizingly. Shen Wanqing leaned back against the pillow, her gaze steady and appraising as it lingered on Lu Zhixia.

Lu Zhixia was well and truly stuck now, riding a tiger she couldn’t dismount—tied together as they were.

She was desperate to end the call, but her mom kept on lecturing without end, clearly intending to stay connected the whole drive over.

The gland gripped tight, leaving Lu Zhixia’s limbs trembling softly. She took another deep breath. “Mom, drive safe. I’ll be waiting. Gotta hang up now.”

“Hold on a sec.”

“…”

Next, Yan Fanghua asked if they’d eaten and what they might want.

Food was the last thing on Lu Zhixia’s mind—every bit of her focus was locked on Shen Wanqing.

She stole a glance and realized that Shen Wanqing’s eyes weren’t their usual icy cool.

They shone like pure moonlight, soft and captivating, flushing her cheeks and sending her heart into a wild thrum.

The flirtation and raw affection in that gaze were thick as syrup. A sweet warmth bubbled up inside Lu Zhixia.

And there was this electric buzz, just like downing a shot of strong baijiu—surging hot, packing a punch, full-bodied and utterly addictive.

“Mom, we’ll talk when you get here.” Unable to hold back any longer, Lu Zhixia hit end call.

Shen Wanqing tossed the phone aside and checked the time. “You’ve got ten minutes.”

Head bowed, Lu Zhixia let out a throaty whine. “Guess I’ll have to really put my back into it, then.”

Just how much? Shen Wanqing would later describe it as her bones rattling loose.

Too frantic, too urgent—worried about Mom bursting in any second, and with someone knocking at the door besides… Lu Zhixia’s hospital marking session was nothing short of heart-pounding.

Time was short and the stakes high, so she only dared go once.

Even after the gland released, the knot took time to fully unwind. Shen Wanqing’s phone pinged: Yan Fanghua had reached the hospital entrance.

Lu Zhixia yanked desperately several times, dragging the half-reclining Shen Wanqing flat onto her back.

“Why aren’t you freaking out?” Lu Zhixia demanded, baffled. Shen Wanqing replied leisurely, “Freaking out changes nothing—it just won’t open.”

“Professor Yan’s almost here!” Lu Zhixia reminded her. “What if she sees us like this?”

“You’re the one who fucked me. You tell me,” Shen Wanqing said bluntly, leaving Lu Zhixia blushing crimson and utterly tongue-tied.

She’d dreamed of marking her, never imagining she’d wake up doing it for real. Talk about a dream coming true too fast.

Time pressed in tighter. Lu Zhixia swore she could already hear her mother’s footsteps closing in.

Fresh off the intense workout and now in a panic, she was drenched in sweat—while Shen Wanqing lounged there like it was nothing, scrolling idly on her phone.

Lu Zhixia tugged experimentally again, the gland clinging with heartbreaking reluctance. Actually getting scared now, she called out, “Shen Wanqing.”

Shen Wanqing glanced up from the screen, her eyes warm, her tone still its usual faint drawl. “What is it?”

“Put the phone down! What if Professor Yan walks in?”

“Just tell her the truth.”

Lu Zhixia stared in disbelief. “And say what, exactly?”

“Whatever’s really on your mind.”

“Are you sure I can really say it?” Lu Zhixia swatted away Shen Wanqing’s phone and leaned in close. “You’re serious about this?”

“What else?”

“But Professor Yan won’t agree.”

Shen Wanqing wasn’t about to sit this one out. She sat up again, wrapped her arms around Lu Zhixia, and played along. “Yeah, Professor Yan won’t agree. What are you going to do about it?”

“I-I…” Up close, Lu Zhixia caught the scent of udumbara. Her heart steadied a little, and her memories came flooding back. She said glumly, “Let’s not even get into Professor Yan. You haven’t agreed yet, so what’s there to talk about…”

“What if I do agree?” Shen Wanqing bumped her forehead against Lu Zhixia’s. Lu Zhixia looked like she’d just heard something unbelievable. “What did you say?” she blurted out.

“I said I agree. So how are you going to face Professor Yan?” Shen Wanqing watched as her eyes lit up in an instant, sparkling with pure joy. She was truly delighted, her face radiating smiles she couldn’t hide, and she started firing off questions nonstop.

“You agree?”

“Really?”

“You’re really going to date me?”

“You’re really going to be with me?”

“Why?”

“Didn’t you say no before?”

“Why’d you suddenly change your mind?”

“Are you tricking me?”

“You’re just pitying me, aren’t you?”

“You… Ow!” Her ear got twisted. Shen Wanqing said helplessly, “Are you the queen of a million whys or what?”

“Wuu.” Lu Zhixia looked utterly pitiful. “Shen Wanqing, you can’t fool me.”

“When have I ever fooled you?”

Lu Zhixia still couldn’t wrap her head around it. She’d completely forgotten her earlier worries. The knot in her gland hadn’t fully released yet, and her mother was probably due any minute.

She had no idea what had made Shen Wanqing change her mind. A massive wave of joy crashed over her, making any attempt at rational thought impossible.

Lu Zhixia hugged Shen Wanqing tightly, burying her face in the crook of her neck and murmuring, “I love you, Shen Wanqing. I’ll treat you right, for the rest of our lives.”

People in the throes of new love, their hearts brimming with happiness, always make those grand, eternal vows with such ease.

Lu Zhixia meant every word, but reality had a way of being cruel. Shen Wanqing didn’t let her forget. “What about Professor Yan?”

True to her straightforward nature, Lu Zhixia’s solution was exactly what Shen Wanqing had anticipated.

She’d just tell her outright: Mom doesn’t approve? Too bad—she was going to be with Shen Wanqing anyway.

She even uttered some truly rebellious words: if her mother pushed too hard, she’d never go home again. If Mom wouldn’t accept it, they’d sever ties—she’d still choose Shen Wanqing.

Her love burned fierce and hot. Shen Wanqing could feel it. But she harbored her own quiet concerns.

A roaring blaze that could ignite the love between them across vast plains would, just as easily, scorch everything in its path—including family ties.

“You only have one mom,” Shen Wanqing reminded her.

“And I only have one you.” Lu Zhixia bowed her head. “As long as you love me, I’ll go all in. No one but you can tear us apart.”

A knock sounded at the door. Lu Zhixia flinched, and at that exact moment, her gland finally released.

Shen Wanqing smiled with a hint of mischief. “No one can tear us apart?” She flicked the gland, which hadn’t yet returned to normal.

Blushing furiously, Lu Zhixia said, “That’s different.”

She quickly slipped into the clothes and pants Shen Wanqing had set out ahead of time, hopped off the bed to crack the window for some fresh air, then glanced back and whispered, “Is that Professor Yan? She sure took her time.”

Peering toward the door as she spoke, she frowned in confusion. “Why’s she just knocking and not coming in?”

Shen Wanqing rose, smoothed her clothes, stepped off the bed, and unlocked the door with a click.

Lu Zhixia let out a quiet sigh of relief. “You’re so mean, not warning me sooner.”

“With that tiny shred of courage you’ve got?” Shen Wanqing turned back, her voice calm. “If you don’t have a better plan, let me handle it. Don’t do anything stupid.”

Lu Zhixia had no clue what Shen Wanqing was scheming. The knocking resumed, followed by Yang Zhiqiao’s voice. “Still not up?”

Eyes wide, she whispered, “It’s not Professor Yan?”

Shen Wanqing opened the door. Lu Zhixia had already scrambled back into bed, resuming her patient act.

Yang Zhiqiao scanned the two of them, sensing something off. The air was thick with pheromones—far too enticing.

“I knew I smelled something good. Even with my cold, I caught it all the way down the hall.” It was Yang Zhiqiao’s first time encountering two pheromones mingled like this: blended yet distinct, layering one over the other, the scent shifting in gradients at the edges of her nostrils.

She sniffed. “Hey, my nose is clearing up. Can pheromones actually cure a cold?”

Shen Wanqing dragged over a chair for her. Yang Zhiqiao thanked her, then fixed her wide eyes on Lu Zhixia and sighed. “Your cheeks are so flushed. Running a fever? Anything hurt?”

Lu Zhixia’s flush was all from the marking earlier. She mumbled vaguely, playing up her lack of energy.

Yang Zhiqiao was sharp as a tack. She stared into Lu Zhixia’s eyes and said, “But your eyes are sparkling. You look full of vim and vigor. Could this be the physique of a top-tier alpha? Your breaths are so deep and steady—your lung capacity must be incredible.”

Lu Zhixia was speechless. How had this turned into a medical analysis?

Thankfully, Yan Fanghua arrived soon after, carrying bags of food and drinks. “Wanqing, come on, everyone’s eating. It’s still hot.”

Lu Zhixia caught sight of Shen Wanqing’s calm expression. Their eyes met, and the gaze Shen Wanqing sent her was soft and deeply affectionate.

Damn, that look was too seductive. Lu Zhixia’s heart raced, and she felt an overwhelming urge to pull Shen Wanqing into her arms.

There was something irresistible about being watched by the person you liked, her eyes crinkling with a gentle smile.

“What are you staring at?” Yan Fanghua plopped down beside her like a wall, blocking her view.

As Lu Zhixia’s doting mom-figure spoon-fed her porridge, the usual nagging came along for the ride.

After a bit of lecturing, Yan Fanghua paused, puzzled. “There’s something off about you today, kiddo.”

“Huh?” Lu Zhixia wondered if her gaze had been too obvious. Yan Fanghua patted her head and said, “Normally by now, you’d be bristling like an angry cat. But today you’re all smiles—what gives?”

Well… how could Lu Zhixia not be happy? She’d done her best to hide her joy, but Shen Wanqing had agreed to be with her!

The head scan came back clear, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Yan Fanghua spotted the Star Wish Bottle on the bed and wondered where it had come from.

Lu Zhixia didn’t have time to hide it. She glanced at Shen Wanqing, snatched up the bottle, and declared, “I felt like making it.”

She was straightforward like that—too lazy to come up with excuses. “I want to” was enough to conquer the world.

Sure enough, Yan Fanghua called her childish but didn’t press the issue.

Shen Wanqing quietly told Yang Zhiqiao to continue her trip. She and Yan Fanghua had things covered here.

Yang Zhiqiao was reluctant to leave at first—Yan Fanghua saw it as a chance to build their bond—but burdening an outsider with caregiving wasn’t right.

So Yang Zhiqiao departed, leaving just the three of them in the room.

Fresh off confirming their relationship, Lu Zhixia was buzzing with excitement, yet plagued by self-doubt.

She even wondered if Shen Wanqing had only agreed because of her injury—to comfort her.

While Yan Fanghua stepped out to grab more food, Lu Zhixia sat up stealthily and grabbed Shen Wanqing’s hand. “Shen Wanqing, I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why are you so fierce?”

Shen Wanqing chuckled. “Fierce how? Tell me.”

“I’m Sister’s Little Dog—the fragile kind. Sister has to cherish and pamper me.” She whined playfully, and Shen Wanqing replied, “Alright.”

“Do you like me?”

“I like you.”

“Do you love me?”

“I love you.”

Lu Zhixia blinked, thought for a moment, and said, “Now I need to test it.”

Before Shen Wanqing could process that, soft lips were pressing against hers. Their breaths mingled, a lingering warmth spreading between lips and teeth.

She leaned in, ready to savor the sweet candy, when Lu Zhixia abruptly pulled back. Her dark eyes gleamed with eager anticipation as she asked, “Did your mind go completely blank just now?”

Shen Wanqing recalled something Lu Zhixia had mumbled in a daze once before. She got the picture.

Lu Zhixia held up her index finger, her dark eyes fixed intently on Shen Wanqing. Deep in those eyes lingered a cautious flicker of uncertainty. “Even a split second counts.”

“Do you want the honest truth?” Shen Wanqing asked softly.

Lu Zhixia sensed danger and clapped her hands over her ears. “Nope! Don’t wanna hear it—it’s like a turtle chanting sutras!”

“…”

Shen Wanqing took hold of her hand and gently freed her rosy little ear. Her heterochromatic eyes shone brightly, locking onto Lu Zhixia as she enunciated clearly, “I love you.”

“So your mind really didn’t go blank?”

She paused, considering. “It was too brief.”

With that, the Little Dog lunged forward eagerly, capturing her lips and claiming a deep kiss.

They were lost in the fervent passion when the door suddenly swung open. Yan Fanghua, who had returned sooner than expected, stood frozen in the doorway, utterly dumbfounded.