Chapter 60
Shen Shu’s long eyelashes fluttered against her cheek like raven feathers, her sweet scent filling the air, her lips warm and soft against Xu Jinnan’s.
Xu Jinnan felt like she was standing on the edge of an erupting volcano, her breath coming in short, rapid gasps. She deepened the kiss slightly, savoring the moment.
She felt Shen Shu trembling in her arms, her hand instinctively tightening around her wrist. Just as she was about to lose herself in the kiss, the intoxicating scent of Shen Shu’s pheromones, stronger than ever before, filled her senses.
A sharp tingling sensation shot through her scent gland, and she abruptly pulled away.
The warmth vanished from Shen Shu’s lips, and her heart seemed to skip a beat as she opened her eyes, a flicker of confusion and disappointment in her gaze.
“Shu Shu,” Xu Jinnan asked, her voice slightly breathless, “is your heat cycle coming soon?”
Shen Shu looked at her for a moment, the desire in her eyes fading. While she understood Xu Jinnan’s concern, she couldn’t deny the sting of rejection.
She couldn’t describe the feeling, a strange mix of shame and embarrassment.
She looked away, leaning against the car window. “Yes,” she murmured.
“Did you bring your suppressants?”
Shen Shu’s gaze fixed on the scenery outside. “I don’t need them yet,” she replied calmly.
Xu Jinnan’s heart sank. Even without hearing the subtle coldness in Shen Shu’s voice, she knew she was upset. It had been Xu Jinnan’s fault. The memory of her previous rut, the terrifying loss of control, had triggered an instinctive reaction, the tingling in her scent gland a warning sign.
“Shu Shu,” she began, wanting to apologize, but Shen Shu turned away, her voice flat. “I’m going to sleep.”
Xu Jinnan touched her nose. “Okay… sleep well,” she said, then offered Shen Shu a pillow, but received no response.
Her lips tingled, remembering the warmth and softness of Shen Shu’s.
Shen Shu must have thought she had deliberately pulled away. How could she make amends? Should she kiss her again?
The thought crossed her mind, but she dismissed it.
Their earlier kiss had been spontaneous, a natural progression of the moment. But now, she was afraid of being too forceful, of scaring Shen Shu.
She had made that mistake too many times in her previous life.
—
It was past 4 p.m. when they left Qucheng, the afternoon traffic heavy, and they were stuck in a jam for half an hour after exiting the highway. By the time they reached Shen Shu’s apartment, it was already 10 p.m.
Exhausted from the long drive, Shen Shu went to take a shower without even asking if Xu Jinnan wanted to go first.
After her shower, she went straight to her bedroom, closing the door, not speaking to Xu Jinnan.
Xu Jinnan took a quick shower, then knocked on Shen Shu’s door, but Shen Shu simply said, “I’m going to sleep.”
She didn’t know how to explain herself. If she mentioned the rut, she would have to reveal her Alpha identity.
And Shen Shu’s therapy appointment slip was still in her drawer, a reminder of her aversion to Alphas.
What would happen if she found out?
But she had to tell her eventually.
She didn’t want to keep it a secret.
She just needed a little more time, since she was the one who had initiated their… connection.
Her thoughts were a jumble. She was usually decisive, but when it came to Shen Shu, she always overthought things, wanting to find the perfect approach.
The thought of Shen Shu’s hurt expression, the potential rejection, made her anxious.
She didn’t want to see that look on Shen Shu’s face.
She stood outside Shen Shu’s door for a while, then, deciding not to mention the kiss, which would only make things more awkward, and seeing how tired Shen Shu was, she let her rest.
Back in her room, she sent Shen Shu a few messages.
[I was wrong today.]
After a few minutes:
[Good night. See you tomorrow.]
She put down her phone, staring at the ceiling. Shen Shu seemed genuinely upset this time. How could she make amends?
How could she convince her it hadn’t been intentional?
If it hadn’t been for the sudden tingling in her scent gland, triggering an instinctive reaction, she would have lost control in that enclosed space, her desire overwhelming.
Of course, it had only been a fleeting thought.
She had intended to stop after the kiss.
The image of Shen Shu’s alluring eyes, her lips slightly parted, flashed through her mind, and she bit her lip, suddenly unsure.
Her restless thoughts kept her awake most of the night, her body damp with sweat.
—
In the next room, Shen Shu sat up in bed, her heart pounding, and turned on the light.
She had just had a strange, unsettling dream.
She was in an unfamiliar place, a small, square courtyard with white walls and black tiles. She couldn’t see much else, only that she was standing in the center, unable to move.
Then, she felt someone approaching.
She wanted to run, but her legs were frozen.
The footsteps stopped behind her…
Then, she was lifted off the ground, a terrifying sensation of weightlessness, her body suspended in midair, her heart pounding with fear.
She woke up with a gasp.
Even before her mind fully cleared, she was reminded of the woman she had seen yesterday, Xu Jinnan’s aunt.
A chill ran down her spine.
She had never met this woman before, had no memory of any interaction with the Xu family.
But the feeling… was undeniably familiar. She had met this woman before, she was sure of it.
Her unease intensified as she remembered that face peering through the car window.
Then, she heard a soft noise from outside the bedroom.
The walls were thin, and she could almost picture Xu Jinnan walking to the kitchen island and pouring herself a glass of water.
She hadn’t even bothered boiling the water; it was the leftover water from this morning.
It must be ice-cold by now.
Xu Jinnan was drinking cold water again.
Shen Shu frowned. Wasn’t that bad for her stomach, especially in this weather?
Then, she remembered the kiss in the car, and her thoughts shifted.
Let her drink whatever she wants. It’s not my concern.
—
Shen Shu woke up early again, at 6 a.m., to get ready for her makeup call.
Xu Jinnan, having slept late, didn’t hear her leave. She heated some milk, ate a piece of toast, and went to the office.
As she stepped out of the elevator on the 26th floor, she glanced through the glass wall of the office area across the hall and saw Shen Shu standing near the back, rehearsing a scene with Xia Chun.
Xia Chun was wearing a long dress and a trench coat, while Shen Shu was in her usual business attire.
Xu Jinnan hadn’t read much of Full Dress yet, so she didn’t know the details of the scene.
Back in her office, she saw Cai Ying’s messages in the group chat.
Cai Ying: [Shu Shu, are you free today? I miss you! @Shen Shu]
Cai Ying: [@Xu Jinnan It doesn’t really matter if you’re free or not, but I’ll ask anyway, are you free to cook?]
Xu Jinnan: “…”
Seriously?
While she was used to Cai Ying’s two-faced behavior, sometimes, she really wanted to slap this child.
She didn’t reply immediately, even though she knew from Tong Jia that Shen Shu would be done with work before dinner.
She put her phone aside and focused on her work.
About twenty minutes later, her phone rang. It was a notification from Shen Shu in the group chat.
Shen Shu: [What do you want to eat? And where?]
Cai Ying: [Let’s go to your place! I’m tired of eating out. Xu Jinnan’s cooking is better. But it’s fine if she’s not free.]
Cai Ying: [@Xu Jinnan Hello? Are you there?]
Xu Jinnan, after about thirty seconds, replied: [I’m free. What do you want?]
Cai Ying: [Sour fish soup, lobster thermidor, pork ribs with potatoes, stir-fried pork with green peppers, and… Shu Shu’s favorite salt and pepper shrimp!]
Xu Jinnan: “…” She’s not holding back.
Cai Ying: [Let me know when you’ll be home, so I can time the delivery.]
Xu Jinnan: [Okay.]
She checked the time. She wouldn’t have time to go grocery shopping, so she asked Viola to pick up the ingredients from a nearby supermarket.
—
As Viola arrived at the supermarket, she saw Tong Jia standing by the entrance with a folding chair.
“Miss Tong,” she said, greeting her.
Tong Jia’s eyes widened as she saw the large lobster in Viola’s shopping bag. “Wow, someone’s having a feast! Grocery shopping during work hours?”
Viola smiled. “I can’t cook. I’m shopping for my boss.”
Tong Jia nodded, and they entered the elevator together, joining a small crowd waiting.
As they stepped inside, Tong Jia’s folding chair slipped, and she instinctively reached for it, but Viola had already caught it.
“I’ll carry it for you,” Viola said, easily lifting the chair.
Tong Jia, slightly embarrassed, thought, She’s quite thoughtful.
Viola was half a head taller than her, and Tong Jia had to tilt her head back slightly. “Thanks, sis,” she said.
“You’re welcome, Miss Tong,” Viola replied.
As they stepped out of the elevator, Viola placed the chair in Shen Shu’s designated resting area, then returned to Xu Jinnan’s office.
“I’ll treat you to afternoon tea sometime,” Tong Jia called out after her.
Viola turned around, smiling. “I look forward to it, Miss Tong.”
—
As soon as Shen Shu finished filming, Tong Jia hurried over, complaining about being treated unfairly. Xu Jinnan got a feast, while she only got stir-fried vegetables.
She wanted a feast too.
She sent the same complaint to Xu Jinnan, who was in a meeting.
Xu Jinnan didn’t say much, simply telling her to come over with Shen Shu for dinner.
Tong Jia: [Are you and Shu Shu fighting?]
Xu Jinnan: [Is it that obvious?]
Tong Jia: [Very. Why else would you be messaging me, asking when she’ll be done, when you’re practically in the same building?]
Xu Jinnan: […We are having a little disagreement. My fault.]
Tong Jia: [Make amends!]
Xu Jinnan: [How?]
Tong Jia: […]
Tong Jia: [Gifts, flowers, kisses… or just pin her against a wall! You’re asking me? Aren’t you the expert, Teacher Xu?]
Xu Jinnan: “…”
—
At 7 p.m., Xu Jinnan started preparing dinner, arriving home an hour early. Cai Ying arrived even before Shen Shu and Tong Jia, the apartment already filled with the aroma of food.
At 8 p.m., the four of them sat down to dinner. Although it was their first meeting, Tong Jia and Cai Ying hit it off immediately, bonding over their shared experiences with “scumbags,” raising their glasses in solidarity.
“All cheaters should be chemically castrated!” Cai Ying declared.
“I couldn’t agree more! Jia-jie, you’re my new best friend! If you ever need anything, just ask! I’ll always have your back!”
Tong Jia threw her arms around Cai Ying. “You’re the best, little sis!”
“Jia-jie, do you have any hobbies? I love reading novels,” Cai Ying said, leaning closer to Tong Jia, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Do you read?”
Tong Jia’s eyes lit up. “What a coincidence! What genres do you like? I just started reading recently. Do you read fanfiction?”
“What a coincidence! Have you read anything by Little Bunny?”
“What a coincidence! I’m reading Little Bunny right now!”
Their enthusiastic exchange left no room for anyone else to speak.
Xu Jinnan: “…”
If she remembered correctly, the story was about her and Shen Shu. She even remembered the first chapter, where the “sickly, domineering CEO Omega,” Nannan, was tied to a chair by the “Alpha,” Shu.
She glanced at Shen Shu, who, while slightly more responsive than last night, was still quiet, only speaking when directly addressed by Cai Ying or Tong Jia.
“Have some shrimp,” Xu Jinnan said, placing a peeled shrimp in Shen Shu’s bowl.
Shen Shu didn’t reply, but she ate the shrimp, a sign of a slight thaw in their relationship.
—
After dinner, Tong Jia and Cai Ying were practically sworn sisters, their shared personalities and boisterous laughter filling the apartment.
It wasn’t until 9:30 p.m. that their chatter finally subsided.
Cai Ying, slightly tipsy after a bottle of fruit wine, rested her chin on her hand. “Let’s play Landlord!” she suggested.
“Look at the time,” Xu Jinnan said.
Tong Jia, protective of her new “little sister,” wasn’t having it. “Let’s play! I’ll play with you! Shu Shu, you can sleep in tomorrow. How many rounds?” Knowing she couldn’t convince Xu Jinnan, she turned to Shen Shu.
Shen Shu hesitated, and Xu Jinnan, seeing her wavering, knew she wouldn’t refuse.
Not wanting to put her in a difficult position, she said, “I’ll play if you play.”
Shen Shu paused, not looking at Xu Jinnan. “It’s getting late. Just a few rounds,” she said.
“Yay!” Cai Ying exclaimed, jumping up.
Just as Xu Jinnan was about to suggest going downstairs to buy a deck of cards, Cai Ying retrieved one from her bag. “I played with my friends the other day and forgot to take it out. Perfect timing!”
To avoid a repeat of the KTV incident, Xu Jinnan set some ground rules before they started – a standard game, no funny business.
Tong Jia looked at her, as if offended. “Little Cai is still young! Do you think I would suggest anything inappropriate?”
“Yes,” Xu Jinnan replied flatly.
Tong Jia: “…”
They played Landlord, and Tong Jia, surprisingly creative when it came to games, suggested a new set of rules.
Since it was getting late, they would only play ten rounds, the overall winner determined by the total number of wins, not individual rounds.
The landlord played against the other three players.
The other three players teamed up against the landlord.
If the landlord lost, they lost.
If the other three players lost, they would play rock-paper-scissors, and the loser would be considered the overall loser of the round.
And at the end, the person with the most losses would have to wash the feet of the person with the fewest losses.
“…Wash feet?”
Even Xu Jinnan was impressed by Tong Jia’s creativity.
“Don’t worry, there’s another option. If CEO Xu loses, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to wash either mine or Little Cai’s feet, so if Little Cai and I win, you can transfer us ten thousand yuan each, and vice versa. As for Shu Shu, we’re both Omegas, so we can wash each other’s feet,” Tong Jia explained.
“Why do you assume I’ll lose?” Xu Jinnan asked, smiling.
She had never lost a game involving numbers.
And she could count cards.
She couldn’t lose.
She turned to Shen Shu, who, after a brief glance at Cai Ying, who winked at her, realized this was a setup.
Shen Shu: “…”
What are they up to?
Xu Jinnan had a photographic memory and a sharp mind. Cai Ying and Tong Jia’s plan to team up against her was unlikely to succeed.
But Shen Shu didn’t say anything – it was a childish plan, but she still wanted to see if Xu Jinnan would lose.
Clearly, Cai Ying and Tong Jia had underestimated her.
They hadn’t anticipated her card-counting skills and her uncanny luck, as she became the landlord for three consecutive rounds.
No matter how good their hands were, Xu Jinnan always managed to win.
As the fourth round began, Xu Jinnan received a message from Tong Jia.
Tong Jia: [CEO Xu, can’t you tell Little Cai and I are trying to help you? Make your wife happy, then you can make amends.]
Tong Jia: [Stop winning! If you keep winning, your wife will have to wash your feet!]
Tong Jia: [Little Cai and I are working so hard to feed you cards! And it’s not like we’re actually going to make you wash our feet!]
Xu Jinnan: […I know.]
She was just afraid of being too obvious and having Shen Shu realize what they were doing.
Tong Jia: [You don’t understand Omegas at all! The more deliberately you lose, the happier she’ll be! It shows you care! You’re not the expert anymore, are you? All those fancy moves in bed, but clueless when it comes to relationships?]
Xu Jinnan: “…………”
She glanced at Tong Jia, who immediately bit her lip, then, after playing a card, sent another message. [But you’re still my one and only, sacred and inviolable teacher – Teacher Xu.]
Their silent exchange made Xu Jinnan reconsider. Tong Jia had a point.
For the rest of the game, she deliberately avoided playing cards Shen Shu couldn’t beat and fed her as many winning cards as possible.
By the last two rounds, it was obvious to everyone except Shen Shu what they were doing.
Shen Shu: “…”
She felt a strange mix of emotions.
She was still slightly annoyed, but also amused, and even a little touched.
The outcome was predictable.
Xu Jinnan lost; Shen Shu won.
“Whether or not you wash her feet, and when and how, is up to you two,” Tong Jia said as she was leaving, leaning in close to Xu Jinnan. “But no matter what, you have to send us a photo. It’s the rule. No cheating.” Her breath smelled faintly of alcohol, but she was sober.
Xu Jinnan: “…” As if I would send you a photo of that.
—
After seeing Tong Jia and Cai Ying off, Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu returned to the apartment.
Cai Ying was staying over, so Shen Shu changed the bedsheets in the guest room.
It was almost 11 p.m. when Shen Shu and Cai Ying finished getting ready for bed. Xu Jinnan was the last one.
After her shower, she glanced at the open guest room door. “Get some sleep,” she called out to Cai Ying.
Cai Ying poked her head out, her eyes sparkling. “CEO Xu~ I didn’t mean to peek into your closet, but can I admire your handbags?”
“Sure, take whatever you want,” Xu Jinnan replied.
“Really?” Cai Ying grinned. “Even the limited edition ones?”
“Of course.”
While Xu Jinnan liked her bags, she wasn’t particularly attached to them.
It didn’t matter.
Cai Ying jumped up and down excitedly. “Xu Jinnan, you’re the best! There are so many I couldn’t get my hands on! Don’t worry, I’ll only choose one! I’m not greedy~” She dashed towards the closet before even finishing her sentence, humming happily.
Xu Jinnan chuckled. Now she’s being nice to me?
She walked over to the bedroom and opened the door. Shen Shu was sitting on the bed, and their eyes met briefly before Shen Shu looked away.
Xu Jinnan sat down beside her. “Still mad?”
“No,” Shen Shu replied calmly, though there was still a hint of annoyance in her voice, much less than before.
“Don’t worry about what happened earlier. I know they were doing it on purpose.” And I know you were too.
She had deliberately controlled her tone and her reactions, not wanting to seem overly sensitive. It was just a kiss, interrupted… it was nothing.
Xu Jinnan looked at her for a moment, then leaned closer. “How can I make it up to you?” she asked softly, her voice husky.
Shen Shu looked up at her. “Anything?”
“Anything,” Xu Jinnan replied, meeting her gaze.
Just then, Cai Ying’s excited voice echoed from the next room.
“Xu Jinnan! This red square bag is a limited edition! Can I have this one?!”
Xu Jinnan had brought so many bags from the hotel that she hadn’t even looked through them properly.
And she usually preferred darker colors.
“Sure, whatever—” she began, then suddenly stopped. “Wait a second,” she said, hurrying to the guest room.
“It’s so heavy! There’s something else inside… huh?” Cai Ying, standing on a stool, had just unzipped the red square bag when Xu Jinnan snatched it from her.
Cai Ying: “…?”
“Choose something else. Not this one,” Xu Jinnan said.
The bag, though not large, was surprisingly heavy.
She had suddenly remembered. Most of the bags in the closet weren’t from the hotel, but from the old apartment. And the red square bag – wasn’t that the one she had used to carry those… items on her wedding night?
“You tricked me! You gave me hope, then crushed it! How could you? That’s so mean!” Cai Ying exclaimed.
“Two bags, three bags, even. Just not this one,” Xu Jinnan said.
“Don’t lie to me! If you lie again, you’re dead.”
Xu Jinnan nodded, then carried the bag back to Shen Shu’s bedroom.
Just as she opened the door, Shen Shu emerged, and they collided.
The bag fell to the floor, its contents spilling out – a collection of items that made Shen Shu’s face flush.
A coiled rope landed at her feet.
She glanced down at it, then, as Xu Jinnan closed the door, her eyes met Xu Jinnan’s, her gaze intense and questioning.
As if continuing their earlier conversation: Anything?
Or perhaps asking: Is this what you meant by “anything”?
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