Chapter 15
Shen Shu had already walked over to the French windows, the breeze stirring her dark hair. She nodded slightly, her lips parting. “Is that so?”
Xu Jinnan realized that while Shen Shu appeared to believe her, she had been testing her.
After all, Xu Jinnan had just promised not to involve anyone close to Shen Shu. Chen Xiaxia was her cousin. Any sign of impropriety would have shattered the fragile trust between them.
This was the true protagonist: insecure, always seeking out corners and window seats, trusting no one but herself, a perpetually wary fox maintaining a safe distance.
Xu Jinnan’s gaze shifted from Shen Shu, taking in her surroundings.
The room was spacious, with a pleasant view through the French windows. The decor was the same champagne color as the rest of the villa, the bed covered with a grayish-blue silk blanket.
A sudden thought struck Xu Jinnan. Where am I supposed to sleep?
Later that evening…
Xu Jinnan looked at the thin blanket on the floor. Well, at least it’s something.
Zhou Pei had brought her toiletries. As Xu Jinnan entered the bathroom, a familiar sweet scent filled the air.
Milk-scented shower gel.
Shen Shu, with her cold and aloof exterior, preferred the scents of vanilla and milk.
The contrast, a blend of allure and innocence, was strangely enticing.
…
Stepping out of the bathroom, Xu Jinnan exhaled, a wave of heat washing over her despite the air conditioning.
She saw Shen Shu sitting at the vanity table with a blue document, occasionally glancing at her phone, seemingly discussing something with someone.
Xu Jinnan didn’t interrupt her. Just then, Lu Yun called.
Xu Jinnan stepped onto the balcony.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were back in the hospital? Professor Qin said you need to rest. Why are you at the Shen’s? You should be recovering at home! Come back immediately!”
Xu Jinnan, prepared for this, launched into her rehearsed explanation.
Lu Yun’s anger subsided slightly, then she said, “Is this Shen Shu jinxing you? You’ve been in and out of the hospital since you got married.”
Xu Jinnan glanced at Shen Shu inside. “It has nothing to do with her.”
“No, I’m going to consult a fortune teller. I didn’t like her face from the start. It’s fine to play around, but don’t let her ruin your life…”
“…” Xu Jinnan’s voice cooled. “I’ll be back in a few days.”
She asked about the bidding process, and Lu Yun’s tone immediately changed, filled with pride and relief. “Nannan, how did you know about that land in the urban development plan? Those shareholders were stunned when they heard you were the one who saved the deal!”
As Lu Yun spoke, Xu Jinnan felt a wave of heat and loosened her collar.
After hanging up, she noticed Shen Shu was gone. She walked into the room and heard the shower running.
She unbuckled her belt, letting her silk robe fall to her waist, revealing a knee-length gray slip dress underneath.
Xu Jinnan checked the air conditioning; it seemed fine.
But she was getting hotter.
Shen Shu emerged from the bathroom to find Xu Jinnan sprawled on the floor under the air conditioner, her robe loose around her waist, her cheeks flushed, a white bandage stark against her pale arm, fanning herself with a tissue.
“What are you doing?” Shen Shu asked.
“…” Xu Jinnan wiped the sweat from her forehead. “I exercised a bit. I’m a little hot.”
She finally realized what was happening.
Especially now that Shen Shu was out of the bathroom, her heart was pounding erratically.
Shen Shu watched as Xu Jinnan retreated to the bathroom again, a damp patch spreading across the back of her gray slip dress. The air conditioning was set to 18 degrees Celsius. What kind of exercise made her this hot?
Half an hour later, Xu Jinnan emerged, feeling weak. She lay down on the thin blanket on the floor, turning her face away. “Your mother won’t suddenly come in, will she?”
Shen Shu looked down. Even though this wasn’t the same Xu Jinnan, seeing this formerly arrogant, cruel, and unstable person lying meekly on the floor felt surreal.
“She won’t if you’re here,” Shen Shu replied, implying that Wei Wuqing would come in if Xu Jinnan wasn’t there.
“Good night,” Xu Jinnan murmured.
After soaking in cold water for half an hour, she hadn’t expected the soup to be so potent. Falling asleep quickly seemed like the safest option.
Just as she was drifting off, a soft knock came at the door.
“Jinnan-jie, are you asleep?”
Xu Jinnan: “…”
She didn’t answer. Chen Xiaxia tried again. “Cousin, can you call her for me? I need to talk to Jinnan-jie.”
Xu Jinnan sat up with a groan, glancing at Shen Shu, who was sitting up in bed, reading. Shen Shu lowered her gaze and called out, “She’s asleep.”
“It’s important,” Chen Xiaxia insisted.
“Deal with it yourself,” Shen Shu said, this time to Xu Jinnan.
The knocking continued. Xu Jinnan frowned, a warning on her lips. As she reached for the door handle, Chen Xiaxia suddenly opened the door. “I really need…”
Xu Jinnan rushed to the bed and lifted the blanket.
The mattress dipped as she practically threw herself on top of Shen Shu, pinning her down. Just as Shen Shu’s hand reached for Xu Jinnan’s bare shoulder, Chen Xiaxia opened the door.
She saw Shen Shu in bed, the shape of another person clearly visible under the covers. It was obvious what they were doing.
The figure under the covers moved, and the silk blanket slipped down, revealing Xu Jinnan’s furious face.
“Were you not taught any manners?”
Chen Xiaxia’s face flushed crimson. “I…”
Xu Jinnan supported herself with one arm to avoid touching Shen Shu, but her gaze fell on Shen Shu’s slightly parted, rosy lips.
The skin beneath Shen Shu’s palm was burning hot. She pulled her hand away, a wave of discomfort washing over her as she inhaled Xu Jinnan’s pure, sunny scent. “Get out,” she said coldly.
As soon as Chen Xiaxia left, Xu Jinnan rolled off Shen Shu, wincing in pain. She checked her bandage; it wasn’t bleeding. “We can’t let her see us sleeping separately.”
Was she explaining herself? Shen Shu paused. “Okay.”
“You don’t lock your door?” Xu Jinnan asked.
When Shen Shu stayed at home, Wei Wuqing would often knock on her door late at night, asking about company matters. So, whenever she was here, Shen Shu would lock her door, regardless of whether Wei Wuqing intended to disturb her or not. It had become a habit.
She hadn’t expected Chen Xiaxia to come looking for Xu Jinnan, much less barge in.
Shen Shu looked away from Xu Jinnan’s sweaty forehead. “I forgot.”
“…”
Understanding dawned on Xu Jinnan. She studied Shen Shu for a moment, then left the room. A few minutes later, she returned, locked the door, and settled back onto the floor.
“No one will bother us now. Go to sleep.”
Soon, the lights went out, and the room was bathed in moonlight.
Shen Shu’s breathing evened out. Xu Jinnan opened her eyes, unable to sleep.
She’d pulled her slip dress up to her thighs, but the heat wouldn’t subside.
She got up quietly and went to the bathroom, then suddenly felt a warm trickle from her nose.
As she tilted her head back, dabbing her nose with a tissue, she saw Shen Shu standing at the doorway in the mirror.
Xu Jinnan’s expression remained neutral. “Too much nourishment, I guess. Nosebleed.”
“From the scent gland nourishing soup?” Shen Shu asked.
“Yes.”
Even if it was meant for Alphas, it was still a potent tonic. As an Omega, and a patient at that, it wasn’t surprising that she was reacting this way. Or so she thought.
“Is that so? But scent gland nourishing soup only works on Alphas. For Omegas, it’s no better than vitamin C.” Shen Shu looked at her intently. “Didn’t you know?”
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