Chapter 11
“Say that again?”
“Miss Xu, you’ve differentiated into an Alpha.”
Xu Jinnan raised an eyebrow slowly. What was going on?
If she remembered correctly, she’d just sworn to Shen Shu last night that she was an Omega.
Professor Qin continued, “Secondary differentiation occurs in one in ten billion people, and only forty percent of those differentiate into Alphas.”
Xu Jinnan remained silent.
“You’re an S-class, and your rank might even increase after it stabilizes.”
Xu Jinnan still didn’t speak.
“…”
Xu Jinnan had only read half of the novel and knew the rest through her friend’s spoilers. This was completely unexpected and threw a wrench in her plans.
She’d been honest with Shen Shu because being an Omega would put her more at ease than being an Alpha.
Ignoring last night’s incident was one thing, but now… there was no going back.
It was like a reformed con artist committing another crime before their probation even started.
Who would believe a con artist’s words? Who would dare believe them?
“Miss Xu, you’re really different now.”
Professor Qin hadn’t expected this reaction. “This isn’t a bad thing for you…” He spoke carefully.
Xu Jinnan had pretended to be an Alpha while she was an Omega. Now, she had actually differentiated into an Alpha, a one-in-ten-billion occurrence.
This wasn’t a bad thing; it was a miracle.
This heiress was truly hard to please.
As he was thinking this, he heard Xu Jinnan sigh softly.
“You’re responsible for maintaining domestic harmony, Professor Qin.”
“…?”
Xu Jinnan explained her predicament.
“So, you don’t want your wife to know you’ve differentiated into an Alpha because you just told her you were an Omega?”
“Yes.”
Whether Shen Shu had believed her yesterday or read the Omega report didn’t matter. What mattered was that changing her story now would likely backfire.
Besides, Shen Shu was deeply wary of Alphas. This would only push her further away.
Xu Jinnan instructed him to pretend this hadn’t happened. It would be their secret.
She preferred negotiation, resorting to other methods only when necessary.
Professor Qin might have to consider Lu Yun’s reaction, so she even prepared a script for him.
Professor Qin: “Ideally, this information shouldn’t be shared with anyone outside your immediate family. Secondary differentiation is extremely rare, and your safety could be compromised if the news gets out.”
Xu Jinnan listened, understanding his reasoning.
While there was a genuine concern for her safety, Professor Qin also wanted to keep this rare case of secondary differentiation under wraps for research purposes.
It explained his earlier expression – the mixture of gravity and excitement.
They both had something to gain from this arrangement.
Xu Jinnan recalled her unusual reactions to Shen Shu. “So, because I’ve become an Alpha, I…” She searched for a less crude way to phrase it. “…lose control around Shen Shu.”
Including their wedding night.
“The doctor mentioned smelling Alpha pheromones that night. I suspect you were already experiencing symptoms of differentiation. But because the process wasn’t complete, and you’d never experienced it before, you weren’t aware of your pheromones… Coupled with Miss Shen being in heat, it was a volatile combination.” Like dry tinder, ready to ignite.
Even though Shen Shu had used a suppressant, contact with Alpha pheromones during her heat would have been overwhelming.
“However, your reaction isn’t solely due to you being an Alpha and her being an Omega.” Professor Qin continued, “Last time, I wasn’t sure about the secondary differentiation, so I advised you to avoid contact with Miss Shen for your health.” He handed Xu Jinnan the reports. “But now it’s different. We conducted a pheromone compatibility test. Your pheromone match with Miss Shen is nearly ninety-nine percent. That’s the real reason.”
Shen Shu was like a drug. One Xu Jinnan couldn’t afford to touch.
“Don’t worry, the previous incidents occurred because we didn’t understand the situation. Now that we know, with the right medication, it won’t happen again. And…” Professor Qin added, after medication, not only would she not have to avoid her Omega wife, but being close to her would stimulate her Alpha pheromones, which would benefit the stabilization of her differentiation.
Xu Jinnan stared at the ceiling, wondering if Shen Shu had seen that report, and how she’d reacted.
It didn’t matter how she reacted.
Xu Jinnan closed her eyes. She wished she’d finished reading the book.
At noon, the rain intensified. Xu Jinnan was about to eat her lunch when a knock came at the door.
Wei Wuqing entered, her face etched with concern. “Oh dear, back in the hospital again? I rushed over with Shu Shu as soon as I heard.” After Xu Jinnan’s change in demeanor, Wei Wuqing’s act was even more convincing.
Xu Jinnan’s gaze shifted past Wei Wuqing to the figure behind her. Shen Shu’s expression was calm, unreadable.
She was wearing a button-down shirt, the top button fastened, her dark hair tucked behind one ear. An alluring touch of sensuality softened her aloof appearance.
Shen Shu approached with a food container, opened it, and placed it on the small table.
“Shu Shu, how can you let Nannan stay in the hospital alone? Her hand is injured. As her wife, you should be here taking care of her,” Wei Wuqing chided.
Xu Jinnan glanced at the chicken soup, then looked up at Shen Shu, wiggling her bandaged hand.
“…”
Shen Shu poured the soup into a small bowl. “The nurses here are excellent. They’ll take better care of her than I can.”
Wei Wuqing shot her a look. “That’s not the same! You’re staying tonight. I’ll have someone bring you whatever you need. Stay here with Nannan for a few days.”
Seeing Shen Shu’s slight frown, Xu Jinnan, not wanting to push it, said, “No need, I’ll be discharged tomorrow.”
“Perfect! Shu Shu can stay with you tonight, and then take you home tomorrow. Your hand needs time to heal, and Shu Shu has always been pampered; she’s not good at cooking. So… since we haven’t had the post-wedding banquet yet, why don’t you both come stay with us for a few days? I’ll make sure you get plenty of nutritious meals.”
…
After Wei Wuqing left, beaming, Shen Shu turned to Xu Jinnan, silently questioning her agreement.
Xu Jinnan took a sip of soup, then looked up. “People were gossiping about the wedding. If news of me staying at your house gets out, they’ll be less likely to talk.”
Shen Shu finally voiced her long-held suspicion: “What’s your goal?”
Xu Jinnan didn’t answer immediately.
She studied Shen Shu for a moment, then said slowly, “HP didn’t win the bid. I got the land. If you’re still interested, you can contact Zhou Pei. She’ll agree to whatever terms HP offered you.”
Shen Shu’s face paled. How did Xu Jinnan know about her deal with HP?
This reaction was expected.
Shen Shu and the head of the city planning committee had grown up in the same orphanage. Before the bidding, Shen Shu had inadvertently learned about the urban development plans from him.
The Shen family, like Xu Tao, hadn’t been interested in the project. But after the incident with the original Xu Jinnan, Shen Shu had chosen to partner with HP, the Xu family’s rival.
She’d sold the information to the Han family in exchange for equity.
It was the beginning of HP and Shen Shu’s alliance against the Xu family.
“Shen Shu.” Xu Jinnan moved the table aside and sat on the edge of the bed, the distance between them shrinking. “I don’t love you.”
The color had returned to Shen Shu’s face. She smiled coldly. “Of course you don’t. You just want to torment me.”
“That was before. I don’t think that way anymore,” Xu Jinnan replied.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Then will you divorce me?”
“Yes.”
The answer was immediate, without hesitation.
Shen Shu was taken aback, but only for a second.
“But that wouldn’t benefit you,” Xu Jinnan continued. “Your mother, Mrs. Wei, has been using our families’ connection to her advantage in the business world… If we divorce now, who will pick up the pieces?” Not only would no one help, but they would likely take advantage of their downfall.
Shen Shu had married her for the sake of her family.
She was a rational person, and her question about divorce had been a test.
Xu Jinnan knew this. She was simply laying things out in the open.
Sometimes, honesty made things easier.
She was sincere in her desire to help Shen Shu, but she also wanted her to understand: forcing her into this marriage had been wrong, but the Shen family’s reliance on her was a reality. More importantly, they needed to be on the same side, not enemies.
“Perhaps we can cooperate,” Xu Jinnan suggested.
“Cooperate?” Shen Shu traced her fingertip, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks, obscuring her expression.
“I want to inherit the Xu family business, but as you know, I have two older half-siblings.” Before, she hadn’t cared about what others thought, maintaining her true self except in front of Lu Yun. But Professor Qin’s words had given her pause – You’re really different now.
Shen Shu wasn’t foolish. Unconditional help would only arouse suspicion.
She needed leverage.
As expected, this statement had a greater impact on Shen Shu than anything she’d said before.
“My reputation isn’t great. To improve my image, I need a stable marriage. And your reputation is impeccable. I need your help. Of course, I’ll help you in return.” She added, “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you again.”
After a long silence, Shen Shu asked, “How can I be sure you’re telling the truth?”
“We can draft a legally binding postnuptial agreement. You set the terms, and I’ll sign it.”
Shen Shu finally seemed to waver.
This girl is tough, Xu Jinnan thought. Cautious, intelligent, and unforgiving.
Watching Shen Shu contemplate, Xu Jinnan tapped her fingers against her hand and asked casually, “Did you see the contents of my bag yesterday?”
“Yes.”
“…”
That was it?
“Xu Jinnan.”
Xu Jinnan looked up.
“Even if you are an Omega, you wouldn’t change overnight.” Forget the divorce; offering a postnuptial agreement was completely out of character. Shen Shu continued, “Unless you…” Her eyes held a knowing look.
Xu Jinnan felt like she was about to hit the bullseye, even though it was impossible. She waited.
Shen Shu said, “Have multiple personalities.”
“I… you’re very perceptive.”
Leave a Reply