Chapter 21: Choking on Milk Because Big Sister is Too Beautiful

Holding a warm, fragrant beauty in her arms all night, Little Dog slept soundly.

The morning was far from ideal. Lu Zhixia opened her eyes and stretched lazily, only to find herself stared down by a pair of stunning heterochromatic eyes.

Her first instinct was to widen her own eyes and scoot backward.

Realizing Shen Wanqing was cradled in her arms, she jolted upright and tumbled off the bed with a thud.

A knock came from the door, and Yan Fanghua called out, “Wanqing, everything alright?”

“It’s fine.” Shen Wanqing gazed calmly at the person sprawled on the floor. As Lu Zhixia’s dazed expression gradually cleared, she scrambled to her feet, pretending nothing had happened. “You keep sleeping.”

“Hold it.” Shen Wanqing sat up, her voice lazy. “You held me all night and that’s it? Just walking away?”

Lu Zhixia froze in place, too embarrassed to turn around, her ears burning red. She stammered, “I-I was just going to the bathroom in the middle of the night and forgot…”

It wasn’t a lie. It had been ages since she’d slept in the second bedroom, so she’d stumbled back to the master from the bathroom with her eyes closed.

“And that’s your excuse for hugging me?” Shen Wanqing gave her no room to retreat. Lu Zhixia couldn’t recall last night’s details anymore. She whipped around, arguing righteously, “I was asleep—who knows what happened? Maybe you crawled into my arms.”

Shen Wanqing watched her flushed face and stubborn denial, a meaningful smile curling her lips. “Didn’t realize you were so good at making things up.”

Lu Zhixia headed for the door. Shen Wanqing lay back down casually and reminded her, “A lone Alpha and Omega sharing a room—if Professor Yan catches us, make sure you’ve got your story straight.”

Lu Zhixia halted, glancing at the time. It was still early, so she flopped onto the long sofa nearby instead, grumbling, “This is all your fault—taking my bed.”

Even breaths soon rose from the sofa.

Shen Wanqing stayed awake until dawn. Not long after she closed her eyes, a puff of warm breath brushed her face.

Peeking through narrowed lids, she saw Lu Zhixia staring at her like an oversized dog.

Her big eyes blinked rapidly, leaning in close as if checking whether she was awake.

Lu Zhixia sniffed, the sound reaching Shen Wanqing’s ears.

Just like last night, she was sniffing around like a little puppy, drawn to her scent.

Shen Wanqing heard her murmur, “It seems… different.”

At first, Shen Wanqing had no idea what she meant. Then she sensed the restless puppy hovering nearby.

Lu Zhixia sniffed her face, then her earlobe, then her neck, before moving to the nape… Shen Wanqing got it—she was smelling her pheromones.

Lu Zhixia took a full circuit, noting how the pheromone concentration varied around the glands.

The strongest spot drew her most, though she couldn’t bring herself to sniff there outright—it would make her seem like a total creep.

Still, the Udumbara fragrance was utterly captivating.

Cool and refreshing, rich yet not cloying, like the smooth, velvety chocolate she adored.

This was the first time Lu Zhixia had encountered a scent that lingered without giving her a headache. She was utterly entranced, a craving bubbling up for more.

Of course, it was just a thought. She’d read in books that the more you liked a pheromone, the more you had to restrain yourself—otherwise, it could backfire, even consume you entirely in the worst cases.

Lu Zhixia stared with her big eyes for ages, muttering, “How’s she not awake yet?”

Her gaze wandered, landing on Shen Wanqing’s jade-like hand. After scrutinizing it for a moment, she spotted a faint scar on the pinky finger.

Gently lifting it, Lu Zhixia saw the mark circled the entire digit—probably from some deep childhood injury. She whispered, “Who knew she was such a troublemaker as a kid.”

Footsteps echoed back and forth outside from her mother. Unable to stay crouched any longer, Lu Zhixia crept to the door, peeking out. Leaving now would mean certain discovery.

Finally spotting her mother setting breakfast on the table, Lu Zhixia returned to the bedside and crouched down, whispering, “Shen Wanqing… Shen Wanqing.”

She looked downright ghostly doing it, like she was summoning a spirit. Shen Wanqing turned away to hide her amusement.

Lu Zhixia stood and prodded Shen Wanqing’s shoulder with her fingertip. “Shen Wanqing, time to get up—it’s late!”

Her finger pecked away like a woodpecker, then started tracing circles, annoying Shen Wanqing until she could no longer feign sleep. She rolled over, opening her eyes with a clear, limpid gaze.

“You’re finally awake,” Lu Zhixia said with relief. “Hurry and get up to distract Professor Yan—otherwise, she’ll notice I didn’t sleep in the second bedroom.”

Shen Wanqing remained lying there, asking coolly, “Are you asking me for a favor?”

“Who’s asking? This is for both our sakes,” Lu Zhixia shot back. “You don’t want Professor Yan finding out we came out of the same room, right?”

“I don’t mind.”

“…”

Lu Zhixia puffed up indignantly. “You’re in my bed, and you’re saying that?”

“Then call me ‘Big Sister’ properly, and I’ll do it.”

Lu Zhixia’s big eyes locked with those heterochromatic ones in a standoff. Hearing her mother knock on the second bedroom door, she dropped her gaze, took a deep breath, and muttered curtly, “Big Sister.”

“Look at me,” Shen Wanqing said, her hands clasped behind her head as she offered some guidance. “Put some feeling into it. Say it properly.”

Lu Zhixia lifted her chin slightly, exhaling the stuffiness from her chest. Then she suddenly leaned forward, planting her hands on either side of Shen Wanqing.

Their eyes met. Lu Zhixia’s gaze was soft and gentle, a smile playing at the corners of her eyes and lips.

Those affectionate eyes stirred ripples in Shen Wanqing’s heart. She pressed her lips together.

Lu Zhixia parted her soft lips and called out “Big Sister” in a voice laced with coquettish charm—a hint of playful reproach, three parts laughter, five parts flirtation, and just a touch of sly mischief. “Satisfied now?”

Shen Wanqing raised a hand to block her face, dodging those deep, loving eyes. She sat up smoothly. “Time to get up.”

Shen Wanqing crept to the door to peek out, while Lu Zhixia watched her from the bed.

“Come here.” She beckoned with a wave, and Lu Zhixia hurried over in a few steps.

They were very close now, Lu Zhixia’s shoulder brushing against hers. The scent of Ambergris Pheromone enveloped her completely, and from right above came a soft whisper. “Where’d they go?”

“To the kitchen,” Shen Wanqing replied quietly as she eased the door open. “I’ll head to the kitchen. You go to the bathroom.”

Their teamwork was seamless. Shen Wanqing kept Yan Fanghua occupied with conversation in the kitchen.

By the time they emerged, Lu Zhixia was yawning as she stepped out of the bathroom.

“You two woke up at just the right time,” Yan Fanghua said without a hint of suspicion. “Go wash up and have breakfast.”

Lu Zhixia splashed some water on her face and came out. Shen Wanqing slipped into the bathroom and shut the door softly. Only then did a faint blush creep onto her cheeks, tinting even her earlobes pink.

Those beautiful eyes of hers, when filled with warmth, were like spring water glistening on flower petals—radiant and dazzling.

Her dark pupils held some inexplicable magnetism, drawing people in. Shen Wanqing splashed cool water on her face, the chill briefly cooling her rising desire. But soon, the heat returned to her skin.

Her face had felt a little hot all morning—Lu Zhixia had noticed it too.

At the breakfast table, Lu Zhixia kept stealing glances with her peripheral vision. Earlier, she’d thought Shen Wanqing was just embarrassed by her teasing.

Now it didn’t seem that way. The straightforward alpha was puzzled. While her mother was serving rice, she finally asked, “Did you put on makeup this morning?”

Shen Wanqing didn’t look up. “No,” she replied coolly.

After the meal, Shen Wanqing helped Yan Fanghua try on her wedding dress, while Lu Zhixia was shooed off to clean the kitchen.

Once Yan Fanghua was dressed, she kept calling for Lu Zhixia to come look. Lu Zhixia stood at the kitchen doorway, her hands still dotted with water droplets. She grinned. “Gorgeous. You look like a fairy.”

“Ah!” Yan Fanghua sighed wistfully, stroking the gown’s fabric with a bittersweet smile. “I guess I have no regrets in this life now.”

After her trial, Yan Fanghua learned it was Shen Wanqing’s favorite style and insisted she try it on too.

Once the mother-daughter duo was done fussing, Yan Fanghua called out again. “Little Xia, Little Xia, come quick and see!”

“Coming!” Lu Zhixia grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge, took a big gulp, and appeared at the door.

Yan Fanghua provided the fanfare. “Ta-da! Wanqing, turn around!”

Lu Zhixia was stunned by the sight. That mouthful of milk slipped her mind entirely.

Bathed in brilliant sunlight, Shen Wanqing’s profile was gilded in gold.

As her long lashes lifted, each fine strand shimmered with its own halo.

Those thick lashes fluttered like a butterfly’s wings, fanning a fresh breeze that pounded firmly against Lu Zhixia’s heart.

Thump, thump, thump. Each heartbeat shook her chest. Her pulse raced wildly.

Shen Wanqing turned slowly to face her.

Those stunning heterochromatic eyes sparkled with otherworldly light.

The amber one gleamed brightly, shining like a jewel; the black one was like polished obsidian, captivating and intense.

In that moment, those dazzling eyes seemed capable of stealing souls.

“Does it look good?” Yan Fanghua asked. Lu Zhixia opened her mouth to answer on instinct.

But then she remembered the milk still in her mouth. She tried to speak and swallow at the same time.

The result? Lu Zhixia choked hard. Yan Fanghua patted her back to help her catch her breath, chiding her with concern. “How old are you? Still choking on milk like a baby.”

Shen Wanqing’s lips curved up slightly. She looked down at the gorgeous gown, and for the first time, she felt a spark of longing.

Maybe one day in the future, she could be someone’s bride.

Too bad that someone—Little Dog—was now slurping water like mad to clear her throat.

With her face flushed red, Lu Zhixia mopped the floor and didn’t dare glance at Shen Wanqing again.

Finally, Yan Fanghua demanded photos. She snapped a bunch with her own phone before letting Shen Wanqing change out of it.

Lu Zhixia peeked at her mother’s phone from the side. Something flickered in her eyes, her lips twitching. In the end, she said nothing.

Today was the day for wedding photos, and the studio was the one Shen Wanqing had picked.

Shen Wanqing tagged along the whole time, and Lu Zhixia was roped in too.

Lu Zhixia drove, with the other two in the back. She glanced over her shoulder. “Mom, use your phone for navigation.”

Yan Fanghua didn’t even look up as she passed it over. She flipped through the wedding dress photos on the tablet Shen Wanqing was holding—style after style, each one unique and gorgeous.

“Mom, unlock it.” Lu Zhixia handed her the phone, and Yan Fanghua opened it with her fingerprint.

She bent her head over the device. After it buzzed once, she tapped Yan Fanghua’s screen a few times before propping the phone up on its stand.

Lu Zhixia was in high spirits the whole drive, humming some cheerful tune under her breath.

Shen Wanqing caught snatches of it from the back seat now and then, and Yan Fanghua noticed too. She murmured softly, “I’m the one taking the wedding photos, but she’s more excited than I am.”

Mother and daughter shared a quiet laugh in the back. Up front, Lu Zhixia flashed a wide grin, baring her little white teeth.

They were nearing the photo studio when Yan Fanghua’s phone rang—Shen Tingyun, already there.

The car eased to a stop. Lu Zhixia hopped out and pulled a suitcase from the trunk, stuffed full of pricey gowns.

Shen Wanqing looped her arm through Yan Fanghua’s as they headed inside, Lu Zhixia trailing behind like a faithful sidekick.

Shen Tingyun’s beard was neatly trimmed, lending him an air of refined handsomeness. He stood with Yan Fanghua like a match made in heaven—talented man, beautiful woman.

Shen Wanqing hung back, watching the pair on the platform strike poses at the photographer’s direction. She chimed in with tips here and there, earning a grin from the photographer. “Who knew? You’ve got an eye for this.”

Lu Zhixia perched nearby, gaze flicking between the stage and her phone.

Shen Wanqing slipped off to the restroom midway. Lu Zhixia dragged a chair into the corner, fought down the itch for a smoke, and fished a chocolate from her pocket to nibble on instead.

She glanced around, then tapped open her chat with Mom.

A stunning wedding portrait filled the screen, so captivating it held her eyes prisoner.

“Too beautiful, too beautiful,” Lu Zhixia murmured in awe as she stared. It outshone every sample on display in the studio.

She zoomed in. Shen Wanqing’s features were perfection itself—not a touch too full, not a hint too gaunt, just right.

Her red lips parted slightly, plump and glossy. When her chin tilted up just so, she looked utterly seductive.

Unthinkingly, Lu Zhixia’s own lips pouted in echo of the image.

She had kissed those lips before, but never paused to truly savor them. Each time, it had come out of nowhere—heart pounding, mind blank.

Lu Zhixia smacked her lips with a wistful sigh. Then someone nudged her shoulder lightly.

She whipped her head around on instinct, and warm lips pressed over hers. Lu Zhixia’s body melted into a puddle of tingles on the spot.

~~~