Category: Inferior A After Having a Baby with the Top Boss

Chapter 42: “Are You An Omega?” p2

Xue Xun looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar environment and decor. Arriving at the shooting training room on the first floor, she took off her red coat because of the indoor temperature. She sat down unceremoniously on the brown leather sofa and poured herself a cup of hot tea.

“Oh, some people really put on airs, not even greeting their Jiejie.”

Although Zhu Yiqiao rarely addressed Xue Xun this way, it didn’t prevent her from perfectly imitating Lan Lubai’s performance.

After letting Xue Xun act for a while, Zhu Yiqiao, who was in front, took off her goggles, put down the simulation training gun, and walked towards her, taking off her gloves.

“Get to the point.”

Xue Xun conjured a blue rose with her fingertips: “Our Colonel Zhu’s skills haven’t diminished after three years of retirement. This rose is for Colonel Zhu, who hit every bullseye.”

The white gloves landed in the trash can.

Zhu Yiqiao looked up and said, “Xue Xun.”

The blue rose instantly scattered into blue petals, then turned into tiny blue particles, and finally disappeared into thin air.

Xue Xun said slowly, “When I went to Dr. Tang’s, I accidentally glanced at Ming Fei’s medical records. Is she also from your world?”

“Mm.”

Xue Xun rested her chin on one hand, the red crystal bracelet on her exposed wrist like a small red snake coiled around her fair skin.

“What is she?”

Xue Xun raised an eyebrow, guessing, “An omega?”

Zhu Yiqiao didn’t speak.

Xue Xun asserted, “I guessed right, didn’t I? Based on your description of the Ole Empire, Teacher Xiao Fei is definitely an omega. That’s great, since you hate alphas, I’m betting all on Teacher Xiao Fei!”

Zhu Yiqiao: “Betting?”

Xue Xun smiled brightly: “Well, isn’t it because Min Man insists that you two are just in a normal cooperative relationship, and Lubai insists that it’s definitely not? I agree with Lubai, so the three of us made a bet.”

“Yiqiao, why don’t you also bet on your own heart?”

Zhu Yiqiao’s emotionless voice rang out: “As public officials, leading the way in gambling, the two executives have too much free time.”

“Chief Judge Zhu, you’re being too harsh. How is this gambling? As citizens of the Independent State of Yi Meng, the two executives and I strictly abide by laws and regulations, regularly pay…”

Xue Xun wanted to continue arguing, but suddenly thought of something, her voice gradually lowering.

Even her green eyes dimmed a little.

After a long silence, Zhu Yiqiao asked, “Did you find any clues this time?”

Xue Xun looked away: “Nothing.”

This was her eighth year in this world, and also the eighth year since she was separated from her lover. Although they had been trapped in a horde of zombies before transmigrating, already forced into a desperate situation, she still believed—

That no matter where they were in the world,

Her wolf cub would come to her.

After the physical examination at the hospital, Ming Fei took Ming Zaozao to the commercial street to buy all the materials needed to make the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum before returning in the self-driving car.

Because they woke up early, Ming Zaozao fell asleep after watching cartoons for a while on the way back.

Ming Fei covered her with a soft blanket and recorded the scenery along the way with her phone.

Ming Zaozao happened to wake up when they arrived at the villa.

After getting out of the car, Ming Fei held Ming Zaozao’s hand with her left hand and carried the purchased materials and other daily necessities in her right hand.

Both mother and daughter were wearing light apricot scarves, except Ming Zaozao’s scarf had a little bear on the end, while Ming Fei’s was simpler and more mature.

Ming Zaozao entered the living room two steps ahead of Ming Fei. Just as she was about to greet Zhu Yiqiao, she saw a stranger with red hair and green eyes.

“Eh?”

She was a little surprised, because this auntie, with a red pearl necklace around her neck, really looked like a mermaid from a fairy tale.

Xue Xun waved at her: “Hello, Zaozao, come here, Auntie.”

After reacting, Ming Zaozao politely greeted both of them and ran towards Xue Xun.

Ming Fei, two steps behind, smiled politely at Xue Xun. Xue Xun returned the smile and took out the gifts she had prepared for the mother and daughter.

Thanks to Ming Zaozao, the little social butterfly, the three chatted back and forth.

During this time, Zhu Yiqiao remained silent, her gaze only lingering on the packaging of the materials for a moment.

Soon, the dutiful 0619 came to remind Ming Zaozao that the new game she had reserved on the holographic game console was online. Ming Zaozao really wanted to play this game and had been asking 0619 if it was ready yet since the game’s official release.

Hearing 0619’s reminder, she waved to the three of them and happily went to the toy room on the second floor with her gifts.

Only the three adults remained in the living room, and the lively atmosphere instantly became quiet.

Fortunately, Xue Xun didn’t let the silence become awkward.

She asked curiously, “Teacher Xiao Fei, can I ask you a question?”

Ming Fei nodded: “Mm.”

“Are you an omega?”

Ming Fei, having just received the gift, although she knew beforehand that Xue Xun was a transmigrator from a post-apocalyptic world, was still a little stunned by this unexpected question.

Suppressing her emotions, she said, “No, I’m an alpha.”

Xue Xun, who was tasting her hot tea, almost choked. After coughing twice, she subconsciously looked at Zhu Yiqiao.

She thought, based on her understanding of Zhu Yiqiao, perhaps she needed to change her bet. After all, in Zhu Yiqiao’s eyes, most alphas belonged in the garbage dump, as that was where trash like them belonged.

Her surprise was obvious, and Ming Fei couldn’t help but ask, puzzled,

“Xue Xun Jiejie, what’s wrong?”

Xue Xun explained, “Nothing, just a little surprised.”

This surprise was no less than the first time she heard in the apocalypse that a rabbit had suddenly mutated and gained overwhelming combat power, not only able to kick humans flying with one kick but also bite off the heads of zombies.

The display screen suddenly lit up, and Xue Xun picked up her phone and walked towards the second floor.

“You two chat, I’ll take this call and go play games with Zaozao.”

The number of people decreased again, leaving only two in the living room.

Ming Fei picked up the crafting materials and approached Zhu Yiqiao, preparing to go to the craft room on the second floor after asking for Zhu Yiqiao’s opinion.

“I took Zaozao to the commercial street and bought the materials for the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum.”

She looked at Zhu Yiqiao, her voice lacking the previous tension: “Jiejie prefers the original version of the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum, right?”

Zhu Yiqiao didn’t answer directly, but instead asked slowly,

“What did you just call Xue Xun?”

Ming Fei recalled: “…Xue Xun Jiejie?”

She hadn’t originally intended to address her this way, but Xue Xun had given her a very expensive gift and suggested this form of address. Facing Xue Xun’s smiling gaze, she could only swallow her own thoughts.

Moreover, Xue Xun was six years older than her, so calling her “Jiejie”… seemed reasonable.

But Zhu Yiqiao’s next words stunned her.

“Change it.”

The stunned Ming Fei didn’t think too much about it, assuming Zhu Yiqiao simply didn’t like the form of address.

“Mm, okay.”

After replying, she repeated her question: “Jiejie, do you like the original version of the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum?”

Zhu Yiqiao: “Mm.”

She agreed, but didn’t say she disliked the modified version, only asking Ming Fei another question after she received the answer.

“Besides Zaozao, have you given the original version of the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum to anyone else?”

Ming Fei’s eyes flickered slightly, her voice a little low: “Mm.”

Zhu Yiqiao calmly asked, “Who?”

Chapter 42: “Are You An Omega?” p1

The next day, as soon as the alarm rang, Ming Fei, who had already made plans for the day, got out of bed and washed up without delay, like a robot receiving a command.

Then, she picked up the sleepy Ming Zaozao and tied her hair while Zaozao washed up.

After getting dressed in the cloakroom, Ming Fei went downstairs with Ming Zaozao and left a message for Zhu Yiqiao on the third floor through 0619.

Because of the Yuan Xiu matter, and Ming Zaozao’s upcoming regular physical examination, Ming Fei had made an appointment for a full checkup at the First Hospital in the city center last night after sending a message to Zhu Yiqiao.

On the way from the living room to the garage, the cold wind instantly blew away Ming Zaozao’s sleepiness.

“Mommy~”

Ming Fei responded softly: “Mm?”

Ming Zaozao buried her face in Ming Fei’s neck and yawned.

“Baby is not cold, is Mommy cold?”

Ming Fei’s lips curved upwards: “No.”

“Mommy learned the magic of not being afraid of the cold!”

Ming Fei’s eyes crinkled with laughter: “Then what magic has Zaozao learned recently?”

The mother and daughter chatted innocently. Arriving at the garage, the black self-driving car quickly headed towards its destination.

Although it was a public holiday, medical staff were still working in some clinics at the hospital. According to the labor law of the Independent State of Yi Meng, these medical staff received five times the normal salary on public holidays and also enjoyed legal rest rights, with their working hours reduced by an hour and a half.

The examinations in the physical examination room were mostly assisted by intelligent robots, and there were very few medical staff on duty.

Because some tests required fasting, Ming Fei postponed breakfast by half an hour. But perhaps because they woke up early, Ming Zaozao’s stomach grumbled as soon as she finished the first test.

But she was very well-behaved, neither crying nor making a fuss. Even when pricked by a needle, she just hugged Ming Fei tightly, her round eyes like polished black glass.

After completing all the fasting blood tests as quickly as possible, Ming Fei took Ming Zaozao to the restaurant where her friend Li Xing had made a reservation.

As soon as they entered the restaurant, Ming Zaozao’s stomach grumbled again.

She touched her deflated belly and asked Ming Fei, puzzled,

“Is Mommy hungry?”

Ming Fei wasn’t actually hungry, but she nodded to appease her: “My tummy grumbled too, just a little quieter.”

Ming Zaozao believed her: “Then let’s hurry upstairs!”

“Okay.”

Guided by the hotel’s service robot, they went up to the private room 808 on the eighth floor. The door slowly opened, and Ming Zaozao immediately saw her favorite jujube cake on the dining table.

She happily ran towards Li Xing.

“Auntie Xing!”

The room temperature was comfortable. Ming Fei followed a few steps behind, taking off her coat and scarf and hanging them on the coat rack before walking towards the dining table.

Li Xing was rolling up Ming Zaozao’s sleeves. Seeing her friend approaching, her gossip senses tingled.

“Teacher Xiao Fei looks very happy~”

Ming Fei sat opposite them and, as usual, tried to change the subject: “How are things going with you and Secretary-General Wei recently?”

“Same as usual.” Li Xing said with a smile, “Still trying to change the subject with me?”

Ming Fei smiled sheepishly: “Let’s eat breakfast, Zaozao is hungry.”

The two chatted casually. Ming Zaozao was the most focused eater, her deflated belly regaining its roundness, her eyes brighter than they had been at the hospital.

After finishing her food, she tapped away on the display screen of her smartwatch, prompting Li Xing to ask,

“Zaozao, are you chatting with the robot at home?”

Ming Zaozao shook her head: “It’s Pretty Auntie!”

After saying that, she took off the smartwatch, unfolded the foldable display screen, turned it towards the two adults, and showed them her chat with Zhu Yiqiao.

[Zaozao: [Little lamb eating grass.gif]]

[Auntie: Zaozao, eat your fill.]

[Zaozao: [Two little bears hugging.gif]]

[Zaozao: [Sun comes out, fishing.gif]]

[Auntie: Zaozao, do you want to go fishing?]

[Zaozao: [Strawberry bear nodding.gif]]

[Auntie: I’ve asked 0619 to prepare.]

Seeing the screen full of emoji exchanges, Li Xing smiled: “Chief Judge Zhu is quite patient, chatting with Zaozao so enthusiastically.”

Ming Zaozao nodded: “Auntie is good to Baby!”

Ming Fei, having just finished her porridge, put down her spoon and looked over.

Ming Zaozao got down from her chair, hopped over to Ming Fei, and said in a childish voice,

“Mommy, can Baby add a few more for you?”

The so-called “add” referred to adding emojis. Ming Zaozao loved using these cartoon emojis. Whenever she received text messages from her mother or aunties, she would convert them to voice and then reply with emojis.

Sometimes it was voice messages, but more often than not, it was cartoon emojis that clearly expressed the meaning.

Ming Fei opened her phone and let her daughter add emojis: “Okay.”

“Mm-hmm!” Ming Zaozao looked up. “Baby will add moving ones for Mommy, a little bunny rolling around, so cute!”

Ming Fei stroked her little head: “Thank you, Zaozao.”

Room 808 had an excellent view. Sitting by the window on the right side, one could see the chilly Lake Gabe, the Saint Youla Flame Seed statue leading to the main urban area, and the North Harbor Hover Bridge spanning two nearby suburban areas.

Xi He City, the capital, was vast and expansive like a chessboard, and these easily recognizable natural landscapes and man-made structures were important pieces on the board.

Ming Fei looked around for a moment and was about to take a picture with her phone when she remembered that Ming Zaozao was still holding her phone.

She leaned closer to Ming Zaozao: “Zaozao.”

“Mommy!”

Ming Zaozao turned the phone to show her: “Mommy, look, Baby added so many for you!”

Ming Fei’s gaze shifted to the chat page.

[[Little rabbit eating carrots.gif]]

[[Little rabbit very angry.gif]]

[Zhu Yiqiao: What’s wrong?]

Seeing Zhu Yiqiao’s reply after receiving the two animated emojis, Ming Fei froze.

Then—

[[Puppy secretly peeking.gif]]

[[Puppy angrily bumping into you.gif]]

[Zhu Yiqiao: Zaozao?]

[Zhu Yiqiao: Have you finished breakfast?]

These animated emojis were all very cute, vastly different from the smiling emoji Ming Fei had frequently used a few months ago. She originally thought she had gotten used to these cartoon emojis, but seeing Zhu Yiqiao’s replies, she still felt a little embarrassed.

The tips of her ears even turned slightly pink.

She played a cartoon on her smartwatch, and Ming Zaozao’s attention was immediately captured, completely immersed in the cartoon world.

Meanwhile, she picked up her phone and explained to Zhu Yiqiao, her long eyelashes casting curved shadows beneath her eyes.

[Sorry, I disturbed you just now.]

[Zaozao is testing the newly added emojis. She’s already finished breakfast. I’ll take her back after the rest of the checkup.]

Looking at the sent message, Ming Fei hesitated for a moment, then added a static emoji she already had.

[[Kitten bowing apologetically.jpg]]

Before receiving a reply, Ming Fei heard her friend’s teasing voice.

“What is Teacher Xiao Fei doing?”

Ming Fei gave a brief explanation, her peripheral vision never leaving the chat page.

As a lecturer at Q University’s Philosophy Department, Li Xing’s area of expertise was classical philosophy. She suddenly looked at her friend Ming Fei seriously and said thoughtfully,

“Have I ever told you about Ferenya?”

Although Ming Fei wasn’t interested in philosophy, she had heard her friend mention many famous philosophers, and she believed that reading and learning more was necessary, because those whose names were recorded in compulsory courses must be shining stars in the history of human progress.

But she had never heard of this Ferenya.

“No,” she said.

Li Xing rested her chin on her clasped hands and said with interest, “The name Ferenya doesn’t appear in classical philosophy textbooks. She liked to study ethics and was once a university music teacher. She and her partner, Avabini, were rivals since childhood.”

“They confirmed their relationship at 20 and got married at 22.”

“Guess how Ferenya usually addressed her in Avabini’s letters?”

Hearing this, Ming Fei was a little puzzled, but she didn’t interrupt her friend’s enthusiasm. After some thought, she said a few common terms of endearment.

“Wrong.”

“Incorrect.”

“Unfortunately, still wrong.”

After several attempts were rejected, the answer to this question gradually aroused Ming Fei’s curiosity.

She tried again: “Could it be… Jiejie?”

Li Xing shook her head: “No.”

“Ferenya, who was extremely serious in the eyes of her students, was as obedient as a student in front of Avabini. She even addressed her lover as—Teacher.”

Li Xing teased, “When you replied to Chief Judge Zhu just now, you looked like a student called upon by the teacher. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought you were chatting with your own teacher.”

Ming Fei’s ears felt hot, and she suddenly remembered what had happened last night.

She thought, facing a fool who hadn’t taken specialized physiology classes and didn’t know anything, Zhu Yiqiao not only said she would teach her but also guided her step by step. These actions did… resemble a teacher.

Her phone suddenly vibrated, and Ming Fei looked down.

[Zhu Yiqiao: Apology accepted, but the kitten doesn’t need to bow.]

Inside the villa area, several kilometers away from the First Hospital.

After the highly secure door opened automatically, a flamboyant, red, modified hovercar drove into the garage.

Xue Xun took off her ruby-studded glasses. As soon as she poked her head out, she saw 0619.

0619 said, “Long time no see, Ms. Xue. Although the roses in the garden have withered after three months, your beauty is even more—”

Xue Xun got out of the car gracefully: “Stop, switch personality modes.”

When it spoke again, 0619’s tone was clearly much calmer: “Okay, please follow me.”

“Mm.”

Chapter 41: “Jiejie, Is This Pressure Okay?”

The silver-white security door opened automatically from the inside.

Countless rays of light streamed outwards, elongating Ming Fei’s shadow on the floor.

Ming Fei put her phone back into her pajama pocket, trying to appear more composed. But the moment she actually stepped into the master bedroom on the third floor, she still stiffened, her steps almost clumsy, like an experimental robot in its early stages of development.

After she fully entered the room, the security door automatically closed behind her.

This was the first time Ming Fei had entered Zhu Yiqiao’s bedroom. She maintained her politeness, not glancing around this private space.

As she stepped onto the soft carpet, she saw Zhu Yiqiao sitting by the sofa.

She didn’t hesitate, walking towards Zhu Yiqiao.

At this moment, Ming Fei had clearly entered the second phase of experimental development, her movements more agile, her expression no longer stiff.

Soon, she stopped in front of Zhu Yiqiao: “…Jiejie.”

Zhu Yiqiao, having just finished washing up, was wearing a plain black nightgown, the ends of her long, curly hair still damp.

She wore a pheromone bracelet identical to Ming Fei’s. The black nightgown was fastened by a single tie, her delicate, jade-like collarbone faintly visible.

Faintly, Ming Fei smelled a very light woody scent.

So faint that her pheromone bracelet didn’t react at all.

Ming Fei guessed that she must have been mistaken and suppressed her doubts, quietly observing Zhu Yiqiao’s movements.

“Is Zaozao asleep?” Zhu Yiqiao asked.

Ming Fei nodded: “She fell asleep twenty minutes ago.”

“Mm.”

Zhu Yiqiao closed the thick book in her hand and finally looked up at the person in front of her. Her gaze was still devoid of any particular emotion, like a calm sea, only likely to surge with waves after darkness fell.

Outside the window, the night was as cool as water, pitch black. In early November in the Independent State of Yi Meng, light snow had begun to fall, and the sleet weighed down the plants in the garden.

Ming Fei didn’t sit down, standing straight like a student called upon by the teacher.

After careful consideration, she decided to be more proactive.

After all, finishing early meant she could go back to sleep with Ming Zaozao sooner, and it wouldn’t delay Zhu Yiqiao’s rest either.

Therefore, Ming Fei, who usually waited, observed, and hid behind her safety valve, took the initiative today.

She asked, “Jiejie, what… should I do?”

“You don’t know anything at all?”

Ming Fei, having thought it through, was honest: “Mm. I roughly understand the concept of pheromone guidance, but the teacher didn’t explain the steps to us, and the basic physiology textbook didn’t cover this either.”

“Mm.”

Perhaps because she was in her private domain, Zhu Yiqiao’s voice was tinged with laziness.

She said, “I’ll teach you.”

Ming Fei had a serious learning attitude: “Sorry to trouble you, Jiejie.”

She asked, puzzled, “Then what should I do for the first step?”

“Do you see that cabinet over there?”

“Mm.”

“Go get the white gloves.”

Ming Fei replied, “Okay.”

She moved quickly. After bringing the item Zhu Yiqiao had specified, she watched as Zhu Yiqiao put on the white gloves from the Trial Court. For some reason, a strange sense of danger arose in her heart, as if those gloved hands would strangle her neck in the next moment.

Then, leaning down, revealing canine teeth, biting through her carotid artery, and finally slowly swallowing her whole.

Ming Fei was amused by her own absurd imagination.

She smiled, and Zhu Yiqiao, having put on the gloves, issued the next instruction.

“Sit next to me.”

“Okay.”

After sitting down, because they were closer, the tension and sense of danger in Ming Fei’s heart intensified.

She couldn’t explain why, her emotions all written on her face. When Zhu Yiqiao noticed that she was almost turning into the curled-up kitten emoji, a hint of confusion flickered in her eyes.

“Are you scared?”

Ming Fei shook her head seriously: “No.”

Zhu Yiqiao, remembering what Ming Zaozao had said, asked: “Afraid of pain?”

Ming Fei’s confidence wavered slightly: “No.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yiqiao didn’t press further, explaining, “Tonight is just a checkup. Dr. Tang said your gland’s condition is special, and it needs to be checked every night recently.”

“Jiejie, can I check it myself?”

“Do you know how?”

Of course, she knew how to simply look, but as for a proper checkup, that was another matter.

Ming Fei didn’t speak, pulling her long hair forward and adjusting the detection function of her pheromone bracelet to the highest level before turning her head and removing the suppressor patch, allowing Zhu Yiqiao to examine her gland.

“Is this okay?”

“Mm.”

Because she was facing the French window, Ming Fei could not only feel Zhu Yiqiao’s fingertips touching her, but also see her meticulous expression through the reflection in the window.

When Zhu Yiqiao’s fingertips touched the edge of her gland, Ming Fei could still pretend to be calm. As they gradually moved upwards along the edge, Ming Fei’s eyelashes trembled. When they reached the scar in the center, Ming Fei’s sweet pheromones overflowed.

The room was immediately filled with the scent of sweet pears.

“…Sorry, Jiejie.”

Zhu Yiqiao: “No need to apologize.”

“Mm.”

Ming Fei pursed her lips, feeling like a patient avoiding treatment. She had clearly wanted to write down “actively treat” in her diary every day this afternoon, but now, the checkup had just begun, and she was already softly asking,

“Jiejie, are you done checking?”

Zhu Yiqiao asked, “Does it hurt here?”

Ming Fei sensed for a moment: “No.”

“Here?”

Ming Fei answered truthfully, “It’s a little itchy.”

After asking two more similar questions, Zhu Yiqiao finally removed her fingertips from Ming Fei’s gland. She handed Ming Fei a prepared medical wipe, indicating for her to wipe the gland on the back of her neck.

“Thank you, Jiejie.”

Ming Fei quickly turned around and wiped, the tips of her ears noticeably red, even her long, loose hair couldn’t hide it.

Her thoughts began to wander—

Because if she continued to focus on her gland at this moment, having just undergone the examination, she would probably overheat.

She stared at the corner of the garden under the night light, the hazy snow and the red Bingjiao roses complementing each other, like a bonfire suddenly lit in the snow.

A unique and romantic beauty.

Ming Fei decided to pick two bunches of roses tomorrow morning, trim them, and put them in a glass vase on her and Ming Zaozao’s desks.

After carefully wiping her gland clean, Ming Fei turned around, about to politely express her thanks and leave, when she noticed that Zhu Yiqiao had suddenly become motionless.

Although Zhu Yiqiao’s expression and aura hadn’t changed, Ming Fei felt something was wrong.

She asked keenly, “Jiejie, are you feeling unwell?”

Zhu Yiqiao changed the subject: “Tonight’s checkup is over.”

The implication was that she could leave.

But Ming Fei was a little worried. She moved closer to Zhu Yiqiao and asked directly,

“What’s wrong, Jiejie?”

Zhu Yiqiao: “Don’t want to leave?”

Ming Fei shook her head and then nodded.

As their eyes met, Ming Fei didn’t look away, maintaining eye contact with Zhu Yiqiao, letting her scrutinize her.

After a minute-long standoff, Zhu Yiqiao softly revealed the reason for her discomfort.

“My shoulder was injured by a gunshot. Even after treatment in the medical pod, there’s still some aftereffect. Sometimes it hurts when the weather is bad.”

“You go back and rest first, I’ll be fine in a while.”

Ming Fei didn’t leave. She was usually very obedient, but sometimes very persistent. She sat next to Zhu Yiqiao, her eyes filled with concern, her voice lacking the tension from the gland examination.

“I’ve learned massage, Jiejie, do you mind if I take a look?”

Zhu Yiqiao suddenly thought of Ming Zaozao.

When they first lived together in Hui Fu Garden, Ming Zaozao had proudly said that her mommy could do anything and was the most amazing person in the world.

After getting to know Ming Fei during this time, and learning that she was the intelligent and delicate Skwiatowy, Zhu Yiqiao had gained a new understanding of her.

Therefore, she wasn’t surprised to hear that Ming Fei knew how to massage.

She just asked, “Where did you learn it?”

Ming Fei explained, “When I first joined the research institute, I worked with another professor to develop an elderly care robot, which is now widely used. When testing its massage function, I learned a little from the professional masseuse.”

She smiled shyly, “Of course, I’m still far from a professional masseuse, but if Jiejie needs it, I will study harder.”

Zhu Yiqiao: “Okay.”

“Then I’ll go prepare a hot compress for Jiejie.”

“Mm.”

Ming Fei moved quickly. Guided by Zhu Yiqiao, she went into the bathroom, got a towel, and prepared the hot compress in about five minutes.

Before proceeding to the next step, she asked,

“Jiejie, do I need to wear gloves?”

Zhu Yiqiao didn’t say whether she needed to or not: “Begin.”

“Okay.”

Ming Fei was extremely focused, her gaze never wavering. While massaging, it was as if she wasn’t touching Zhu Yiqiao’s shoulder, but the robot core components she usually worked with. She wasn’t distracted by anything else from beginning to end.

There were no inappropriate or presumptuous thoughts, just occasional questions.

“Jiejie, does it hurt here?”

“Jiejie, is this pressure okay?”

“Jiejie, how does it feel now?”

…

When asking such questions, her almond eyes were clear and bright, filled with unconcealed concern. Anyone meeting such a gaze would soften.

Zhu Yiqiao’s expression remained unchanged, only answering her questions slowly and calmly. After the pain in her shoulder gradually subsided, the massage ended.

Ming Fei, having completed her task, smiled.

Before leaving, she repeatedly confirmed with Zhu Yiqiao whether it was effective and reminded her to cover herself with the blanket when sleeping to avoid catching a cold.

Her serious expression was even a little cute.

Zhu Yiqiao said calmly, “Mm, I know.”

“Then I’ll go downstairs. Jiejie, if you feel uncomfortable, just send me a message.”

At this moment, Ming Fei really resembled a canine, her eyes only on Zhu Yiqiao. If she had a fluffy tail, it would probably be wagging.

She seriously assured her, “I’ll keep my communication open.”

“Mm.”

Ming Fei: “Goodnight, Jiejie.”

“Goodnight.”

The large master bedroom fell silent again. The display suddenly lit up, and Zhu Yiqiao checked her messages, finding one from Ming Fei, who had just left.

[I want to pick some roses and put them in the study tomorrow. Jiejie, do you need any?]

[[Kitten offering flowers.jpg]]

Zhu Yiqiao lowered her head and replied. As she left the sofa area, her gaze swept over the cabinet on the right.

—There, the intelligent massage therapy machine that Dr. Tang had brought her was placed. It was much better than Ming Fei’s treatment and much more effective.

But strangely…

She hadn’t mentioned it at all.

And when Ming Fei tentatively offered, she didn’t immediately refuse.

Chapter 40: Pheromone Guidance p2

After dinner, Ming Fei watched cartoons with Ming Zaozao in the living room.

At first, she watched even more attentively than Ming Zaozao, but gradually, her attention began to wander, and Ming Zaozao started playing with Lego on the carpet.

Ming Fei didn’t leave.

She picked up the smart reader, clicked on the e-book library, and connected to the public network, trying to search for information on the ancient creature W1215304 from the ancient book.

But after twenty minutes of trying, she still found nothing.

Then, she logged into the Independent State of Yi Meng’s public data network and searched for relevant information again.

This attempt also ended in failure.

The two consecutive search failures didn’t make Ming Fei lose patience. She reopened the electronic version of the ancient book, located page 113, and stared at the introduction of the ancient creature on this page again and again.

Because she was so focused, she didn’t even notice her daughter moving to her side.

“Eh?”

Ming Zaozao said in surprise, “Mommy, why are you looking at this?”

Ming Fei caught a hint of strangeness in her daughter’s tone, as if she had seen this thing before.

She asked, “This? Zaozao, do you know it?”

Ming Zaozao nodded: “Mm-hmm! Baby has seen it.”

The question was confirmed, but Ming Fei froze, because this was clearly related to the mysterious research institute. And her daughter had actually seen this ancient creature, which only existed in ancient books, without her knowing.

This made Ming Fei, worried about her daughter’s safety, feel a chill down her spine.

She quickly hugged Ming Zaozao, checked her body and limbs for injuries, and asked anxiously, “Where did you see it, Zaozao?”

Ming Zaozao hummed: “Mommy, it was Auntie Yuan next door.”

“Once, Aunt Wang took Baby downstairs to play, and we met Auntie Yuan in the elevator.” Ming Zaozao, eating milk candy, struggled to organize her words. “Baby greeted her, and she was wearing a black bracelet with this on it.”

After checking, Ming Fei felt a little relieved. If it wasn’t so late now, she would even want to take Ming Zaozao to the hospital for a full checkup.

Ming Fei postponed this plan until tomorrow morning and placed the reader in front of Ming Zaozao, asking her to take another look.

“Zaozao, are you sure it’s this one?”

Ming Zaozao patted her round belly and assured her, “It’s this one! Baby is sure. Baby asked Auntie Yuan what it was, and she said… it was a magical animal!”

Hearing this, Ming Fei was even more certain that Ming Zaozao probably hadn’t made a mistake.

Because, besides this, Yuan Xiu, who lived in Hui Fu Garden, was a teacher at W University next door, and her research area was paleontology. And she had heard the information registrar downstairs mention that Yuan Xiu hadn’t originally been in the paleontology department, but had later transferred to W University’s Institute of Paleontology for some unknown reason.

Although she wasn’t yet sure if Yuan Xiu was related to the research institute, Ming Fei immediately sent this important information to Zhu Yiqiao.

She clearly described the whole story and attached a link to Yuan Xiu’s profile on W University’s official website. After sending the message, Ming Zaozao leaned against her, causing Ming Fei to accidentally touch an emoji.

So, an extra image was added to her message—

[[Little rabbit knocking on the door.jpg]]

“Mommy, Baby is sleepy~”

“Mm, then let’s go upstairs and rest.”

Ming Zaozao acted coquettishly: “Baby wants to sleep with Mommy tonight!”

“Okay.”

Ming Zaozao smiled like a bright sunflower.

Ming Fei picked up her daughter with one arm, no longer caring about retracting the little rabbit emoji. After returning to the bedroom on the second floor and washing up, Ming Fei softly told Ming Zaozao a bedtime story.

“…The king in the fairy tale finally defeated…”

Soon, Ming Zaozao fell asleep.

The room was quiet, the bed warm and comfortable, and the little one in her arms was still warm, all of which made Ming Fei drowsy.

Just as her consciousness was fading, the phone on the other side suddenly vibrated with a new message.

Ming Fei’s sleepiness instantly vanished.

She picked up her phone and glanced at it, finding that it was a message from Zhu Yiqiao.

[Thank you, I’ll have someone look into it.]

This message was received at 9:40 pm. She was washing up at the time, and after coming out, she hadn’t looked at her phone, picking up a storybook and coaxing Ming Zaozao to sleep.

And the latest message was received a minute ago.

[Come upstairs.]

Ming Fei rubbed her eyes and replied, a little puzzled,

[Is it about Yuan Xiu?]

The other party’s reply made Ming Fei’s remaining sleepiness disappear completely.

[Pheromone guidance.]

Ming Fei’s eyelashes trembled, like a little sparrow that had strayed into a lotus pond, flapping its wings helplessly.

…So soon?

She didn’t know anything, hadn’t prepared anything.

Calling her a blank slate wasn’t an exaggeration.

Because of her anxiety and nervousness, Ming Fei remembered the question she had asked that afternoon.

At that time, she had asked Zhu Yiqiao for a reason, and Zhu Yiqiao had directly listed the various pheromone disorders that could be caused by not undergoing pheromone guidance.

All the listed pheromone disorders were, without exception, extremely serious, eventually even leading to a shortened lifespan and death.

And Zhu Yiqiao had frankly said that she didn’t want Ming Zaozao to lose her mother, and told her that pheromone guidance was also compensation for her cooperation in acting intimate and playing the part.

Perhaps she had been too surprised at the time, or perhaps too confused and bewildered, that in the end, she had blurted out a question to Zhu Yiqiao.

“If it were someone else, would you also help them like this?”

The moment the words left her mouth, she didn’t even understand why she had asked that. She subconsciously wanted to apologize, because this question had crossed the line, and it also made her seem ungrateful and unreasonable, like a fool who didn’t know her place or appreciate her kindness.

But Zhu Yiqiao actually answered her.

“—No.”

After saying that, Zhu Yiqiao left, leaving her alone in the room, still in a state of confusion.

Now, another message popped up in the notification box.

[Come directly to the bedroom.]

Ming Fei’s ears felt hot after reading the message.

She repeatedly edited her reply, typing and deleting, deleting and typing again, and finally only sent two words and an emoji.

[Okay.]

[[Kitten teleporting.jpg]]

Before getting out of bed, Ming Fei covered the sleeping Ming Zaozao with the blanket and placed the little lamb plush toy she had brought with her on Zaozao’s right side. As the door closed, Ming Fei’s shadow flitted across the corridor.

The sensor wall lamp along the corridor automatically turned on.

She walked towards the stairs leading to the third floor, her heart beating faster and faster as she approached her destination.

Finally arriving at the bedroom on the third floor, Ming Fei glanced at the heart rate data on her pheromone bracelet and found that her heart rate had reached 130 beats per minute.

This was really… too fast.

She pursed her lips, not pressing the doorbell, but choosing to send a message to Zhu Yiqiao.

[Jiejie, I’m outside the bedroom door.]

[[Kitten peeking.jpg]]

In the dim light, Ming Fei was still looking down at the chat window, and the security door, the next moment after the message was sent, opened as if it had sensed her presence.

A new message arrived immediately.

[Come in.]

Chapter 40: Pheromone Guidance p1

Although her knowledge of differentiation was limited, combined with the supplementary explanation that followed, the so-called pheromone guidance and co-regulation weren’t difficult to understand.

Ming Fei was stunned.

She even suspected that she had misheard, because… judging from Zhu Yiqiao’s expression, she didn’t seem to be against pheromone guidance.

As they looked at each other in silence, Ming Fei’s chaotic thoughts gradually cleared.

She first asked the most important question: “…Jiejie, I want to know why the doctors in this world would make such a judgment? Do they know about the existence of the Ole Empire?”

Zhu Yiqiao’s tone remained unchanged, as if she was stating a commonplace fact.

“Mm.”

“Not them, but a very small number of people, led by the King.”

“Dr. Tang, who diagnosed your condition, is the chief researcher at the National Academy of Sciences, and also my personal physician.”

She continued unhurriedly, “Besides us, there are other transmigrators from different space-times in this world, such as Xue Xun, whom you met at the hotel in Taiya. She comes from a post-apocalyptic world.”

Ming Fei, suddenly receiving so much important information, completely forgot about pheromone guidance.

She asked uncertainly, “The end of the world?”

“Mm.”

Ming Fei had read several classic apocalyptic novels and knew that this world had experienced a virus crisis a hundred years ago, but when asked to imagine a real apocalypse, she still shook her head with pity.

Because life was precious, respectable, and supremely important.

After learning that Xue Xun actually came from a post-apocalyptic world, she expressed her admiration from the bottom of her heart: “Ms. Xue is truly amazing.”

After saying that, she remembered the most crucial matter, the tips of her porcelain-white ears tinged with a light glaze pink.

“…Jiejie, is pheromone guidance the only option?”

“Mm.”

Ming Fei didn’t even dare to look at her. After all, the previous practice and intimacy were just an act, clearly stipulated in the contract. Every time they practiced or put on an act, she required herself to be a dutiful Party B, completing all tasks based on fulfilling her obligations seriously.

And pheromone guidance was an additional need of hers as Party B, not included in the contract.

Zhu Yiqiao had no obligation to help her.

Ming Fei tentatively asked, “Will there be any life-threatening danger if I don’t undergo pheromone guidance?”

Zhu Yiqiao asked in return, “What if there isn’t?”

Ming Fei’s eyes lit up: “Then there’s no need for guidance. I’ll find a way to adjust myself.”

Zhu Yiqiao, standing three steps away, looked down at Ming Fei. Her gaze swept over Ming Fei’s bandaged palm, and she suddenly remembered the scene in the hovercar.

The alpha, who should have lost control, didn’t hesitate to injure herself to maintain her consciousness and rationality, and even comforted her.

This was very much in line with… the impression Skwiatowy had left on her.

Meeting again in a different space-time after nearly thirteen years, she wasn’t actually as calm and indifferent as she appeared. After all… Skwiatowy was different from other friends in her heart.

Intelligent.

Gentle.

Delicate.

A thirteen-year-old girl who could be described with these words, and who hadn’t even differentiated yet. And because of the three-year age difference, she had treated Skwiatowy as a little sister who needed protection.

She had even thought, in the eleventh month of knowing her, that if they had the chance to meet in the future, after Skwiatowy differentiated into an omega, she would definitely give her a gun and teach her how to use it to protect herself before leaving.

But she hadn’t expected—

That Skwiatowy would differentiate into an alpha, and that in their first meeting in the Independent State of Yi Meng, Skwiatowy would point a gun at her head.

“Jiejie.”

The voice of the person in front of her brought Zhu Yiqiao back to her thoughts, and then the question came again.

“…Can I really do that?”

Zhu Yiqiao felt that Ming Fei’s thoughts were really easy to guess.

Her emotions and thoughts were all written in her eyes, and sometimes even directly on her face.

Like now, Ming Fei’s eyes were filled with a smile, the joy of not needing pheromone guidance, and even a hint of expectation for her affirmation.

And these smiles and expectations vanished with her next answer.

“—No.”

She explained, “Pheromone guidance is the best solution at the moment. If you don’t undergo guidance and let your pheromones remain in an extreme state, it might induce pheromone disorders and other pheromone-related illnesses.”

The burning hope was extinguished.

Ming Fei still clung to the remaining spark, trying to find other solutions.

“Does Dr. Tang think pheromone guidance is possible between two alphas?”

“Yes.”

Ming Fei, forced into a corner, her clear almond eyes filled with complex and difficult emotions, didn’t hide her doubts, but asked directly,

“Then… why is Jiejie willing to help me?”

“Although I don’t know the specific steps of pheromone guidance, I remember the teacher saying that it’s a rather intimate pheromone contact, and Jiejie just said that it would be accompanied by some intimate contact if necessary.”

Zhu Yiqiao asked in return, “Do you need a reason?”

Ming Fei explained, “Because Jiejie has helped me so many times, but I haven’t really helped Jiejie, and… you also added a new rule prohibiting me from releasing pheromones in front of you before. I thought you hated my pheromone scent, so I wanted to understand the reason.”

“If it’s a mutually beneficial exchange of help, even if you don’t guide me, I would be very willing to help you.”

Zhu Yiqiao calmly looked at Ming Fei.

She didn’t plan to tell Ming Fei now that she was One Raccoon Hill from “Supporters of the Rose,” because after her omega mother changed her identity, everything belonging to Eloris had been erased.

Including the identity of One Raccoon Hill.

This wasn’t part of her plan back then. Her original plan was indeed to fake her death, change her identity, and apply to the Southern Military Academy, but she hadn’t planned to disappear from Tree of Mystical Jade’s world.

But her mother had arranged everything for her before she died, and she hadn’t had time to tell the housekeeper who sent her away—that she wanted to keep one account, at least for one more day.

Before she could make this request, all the data had been erased as quickly as possible by the people her mother had arranged.

At that time, the matter was settled, and she could only try to register a new account on “Supporters of the Rose” after settling down at the Southern Military Academy and find Tree of Mystical Jade to explain the reason for her disappearance.

But when she logged into “Supporters of the Rose,” she found that Tree of Mystical Jade’s account… had been deleted.

From then on, the orange cat avatar and the white dog avatar never lit up again in the snowy nights, worlds apart.

Now, a long time had passed, and she wasn’t sure what telling Ming Fei her identity would bring.

Happiness or sadness.

Surprise or shock.

Faced with this uncertainty, she decided to keep it a secret and not disturb Ming Fei’s current life.

---

When Ming Zaozao returned to the villa, she was greeted by Ming Fei’s gentle smile.

The cold wind blew, flipping up the hood of Ming Zaozao’s coat. She ran towards Ming Fei, the little panda backpack behind her swinging its long tail, and the ears on both sides flapping in the wind.

“Mommy!!”

Ming Fei picked her up, her eyes crinkling with a smile: “Zaozao has grown taller.”

“Mm-hmm!” Ming Zaozao proudly raised her head. “Baby has grown two centimeters. Auntie Manman said that Baby will grow another twenty centimeters soon!”

“Wow.” Ming Fei pretended to be amazed. “So amazing.”

Ming Zaozao’s round eyes curved into crescents with her smile, her dimples deepening. As Ming Fei raised her hand to readjust her hat, she gave Ming Fei a kiss on the cheek.

“Baby missed Mommy so much.”

Ming Fei said, “I missed Zaozao very much too.”

Ming Zaozao became even happier, chattering about the new toys she had received recently all the way, and only noticing the white gauze on Ming Fei’s palm after entering the living room.

Both mother and daughter sat on the sofa.

Ming Zaozao frowned with worry: “Mommy, what happened here?”

Of course, Ming Fei couldn’t tell Ming Zaozao that she had intentionally cut herself. So, she decided to make up a white lie to divert Ming Zaozao’s attention and make her happier.

“I accidentally fell, it will be completely healed in a few days.”

Ming Zaozao’s face crumpled, the smile in her eyes instantly disappearing.

She held Ming Fei’s injured left hand, then lowered her head and blew on it, murmuring softly,

“Blow, blow, pain fly away.”

“Mommy, no more pain.”

Ming Fei’s heart softened, and she pinched her daughter’s little round face with her other hand.

The usually quiet 008 was recording this moment with its recording function. 0619 was patrolling the villa area outside in the garden. Zhu Yiqiao, having finished her urgent official business, happened to see this scene as she came downstairs.

She stopped in her tracks.

At the same time, Ming Fei, noticing Zhu Yiqiao from the corner of her eye, greeted her calmly.

“Jiejie, are you done with your work?”

Zhu Yiqiao replied, “Mm.”

Ming Zaozao also looked over: “Pretty Auntie, Baby is back!”

Zhu Yiqiao walked towards them: “Zaozao, did you have fun at Auntie Min Man’s house?”

“Super fun~”

Ming Zaozao, having blown away the pain, got down from the sofa and reached out to Zhu Yiqiao, wanting to be held.

Zhu Yiqiao picked her up.

Then—

Ming Zaozao asked softly, “Auntie, when did Mommy fall?”

Ming Fei winked at Zhu Yiqiao, hinting that she should say two days ago.

Zhu Yiqiao said softly, “Two days ago.”

Ming Zaozao nodded, seemingly still worried about it, and even said to Zhu Yiqiao,

“Auntie, next time you go to work with Mommy, can you help remind Mommy?”

“Mommy is very afraid of pain, super afraid of pain, Baby doesn’t want her to get hurt.”

Zhu Yiqiao replied, “Okay.”

“Then pinky promise!”

“Mm.”

Ming Fei, watching them make a pinky promise, felt a little embarrassed by her daughter secretly saying that she was super afraid of pain.

But it was true.

Her pain receptors were more sensitive than ordinary people’s. Ordinary pain felt several times stronger on her, so much so that during the time her gland was injured, every time the pain flared up, it would torment her to tears.

Fortunately, the other people in the ward knew that the pain level of a damaged gland was the highest, and even painkillers were useless against it.

So no one said she was a crybaby, and the nurse would even give her an extra pack of wet wipes to wipe her face.

 

Chapter 39: Ming Fei Is Actually—

Before Chief Zhu of the Southern Military Academy appeared, Princess Eloris of the northern Anrui family, for various reasons, had to attend the Omega Noble Academy.

At that time, Princess Eloris was only sixteen years old. Her striking black hair and blue eyes, and her beautiful, aggressive face, made her accustomed to wearing a custom-made mask during her studies.

She would get full marks in every course, be gentle and polite in front of the teachers, and get along amicably with her fellow omega classmates in public.

But in reality—

She was a member of the Mehertaer faction.

Since its establishment, the Omega Noble Academy had served the Ole Empire and was a loyal supporter of royal power and the Kerry Declaration. The Mehertaer faction, however, had openly opposed the Kerry Declaration for hundreds of years, their philosophy and actions diametrically opposed to those of the Omega Noble Academy.

Eloris, who received awards from the Omega Academy during the day, would switch identities at night, logging into the Mehertaer faction’s intranet, completely free from the rules of the Omega Academy.

And all of this destined her to never become friends with the other omegas at school.

Most omegas had been trained by the school to be tools, taking pride in marrying excellent alphas. They attended impractical courses day after day, like beautiful and fragile porcelain.

Once they left the safety of their protective bubble and faced the storm alone, they would waver, stumble, fall, and even shatter.

Eloris had tried to discuss topics other than alphas with the omegas, but most of them showed little interest and even looked at her strangely.

Those looks seemed to say—

How could Princess Eloris say such things?

Has Princess Eloris gone mad? Has she become a freak?

So, Eloris never had any other communication with the omegas at school.

Life in the northern region of the Ole Empire was peaceful. Although nearly half of the year was accompanied by heavy snow, the Anrui family castle was always protected from the wind and snow.

However, one day, Eloris saw her omega mother come home amidst the wind and snow, her mother’s pale fingertips colder than the snowflakes on her hat.

Eloris didn’t know what had happened.

It wasn’t until she heard her two mothers arguing at night that she learned that her alpha mother had been unfaithful again.

Eloris didn’t know how to persuade her omega mother to divorce, because she had already tried fifty-two times when her alpha mother first cheated.

No matter how she tried to persuade her, her omega mother remained silent.

Soon, the arguing in the living room stopped, and Eloris quietly returned to her study.

Her long black curly hair fell onto the desk. Eloris pursed her lips, her gaze fixed on the photo under the lamp.

After a moment, she put the family photo into the drawer, then took out her communicator and logged into the Mehertaer faction’s intranet, checking the latest news.

The snowy night was quiet, and soon it was bedtime. Eloris returned to her bedroom and lay down.

When the door was pushed open, Eloris closed her eyes.

She was already very skilled at pretending to be asleep, because her omega mother would occasionally come to her room to check if she had gone to bed on time, to ensure she had enough energy to study for the new courses the next day.

This night was like any other, her omega mother only staying for a minute.

When the door clicked softly closed, Eloris, pretending to be asleep, opened her eyes.

She would usually use this fragmented free time for strength training, to ensure she could join the Southern Military Academy after completing her plan.

But perhaps because her mothers’ argument and tears lingered in her mind, she took out her communicator and quietly looked at the window. Seeing a hazy glow, she opened “Supporters of the Rose” for the first time.

This was a platform created by supporters of the Mehertaer faction.

Unlike the members of the Mehertaer faction, the supporters were often restricted by certain conditions and couldn’t truly join the faction.

The reason Eloris knew about the existence of “Supporters of the Rose” was entirely because many members of the Mehertaer faction had recommended this platform on the intranet, and many members were even very active on it.

Opening the regular registration page of “Supporters of the Rose,” Eloris randomly chose a system cat avatar and entered a four-character nickname. Without adding any text to her personal introduction, she clicked on the homepage.

Unlike the solemn atmosphere of the Mehertaer faction’s public network, the atmosphere on “Supporters of the Rose” was relaxed and friendly, and many supporters were closely following the new developments of the Mehertaer faction.

After reading some of the supporters’ interpretation posts, Eloris was about to exit “Supporters of the Rose.”

Just as her fingertip was about to touch the exit button, her gaze paused on the nickname of a recommended account.

[Tree of Mystical Jade]

If she remembered correctly, this nickname should come from the same book as hers, and that book wasn’t a bestseller, and very few people read it now.

But Eloris liked it, because the content of that book was rich and colorful, and it didn’t involve anything about the Ole Empire, not even a hint of implicit domestication.

Curiosity made her gaze linger on the nickname for a moment.

But it was only for a moment. She didn’t even click on the personal page of “Tree of Mystical Jade,” just glanced at it and exited “Supporters of the Rose.”

The second time she logged in was after the Mehertaer faction announced the new regulations for the North.

Eloris saw the nickname “Tree of Mystical Jade” again in the likes list of a post.

Then, the nearby recommendations system of “Supporters of the Rose” … even recommended “Tree of Mystical Jade” to her.

The nearby recommendations function of “Supporters of the Rose” had many recognized bugs. For example, the North and South, two regions half a world apart, were also considered adjacent areas in “Supporters of the Rose.”

Eloris was about to exit when a new message popped up in the notification box.

[22:45, December 27, user Tree of Mystical Jade liked your new post ^^]

Eloris was a little confused because she hadn’t posted anything. What did “Tree of Mystical Jade” like?

She clicked on the detailed page of the system message and saw that she… had automatically published a post ten minutes ago.

[Today is the sixteenth day since One Raccoon Hill registered on Supporters of the Rose. Nice to meet everyone ^^]

Eloris had already been lying in her soft and comfortable bed.

After seeing the automatically published post, she quickly got out of bed and took out her cherished book, confirming that the name “Tree of Mystical Jade” did indeed come from the same book as hers, even the same chapter and page. Without much hesitation, following the principle of reciprocity, she clicked on the system dog avatar of “Tree of Mystical Jade.”

Coincidences followed one after another.

The personal page of “Tree of Mystical Jade” was also blank, with only an automatic system message identical to hers.

[Today is the sixteenth day since Tree of Mystical Jade registered on Supporters of the Rose. Nice to meet everyone ^^]

She closed the book and liked the automatic post of “Tree of Mystical Jade.”

The next moment—

A new system notification popped up.

[Tree of Mystical Jade followed you~]

Princess Eloris, who had received full marks in social etiquette class at the Omega Noble Academy, had never met anyone who liked to read “Records of Ancient Mountains.” Not only did she follow back this “Tree of Mystical Jade” who registered on the same day as her, but she also took the initiative to send a message.

[One Raccoon Hill: Hello, do you also like to eat pears?]

Pears were Eloris’s favorite fruit, but her alpha mother believed that pears were too common, too ordinary, and too cheap to reflect the noble style of the Anrui family, let alone be a noble’s favorite.

Therefore, her alpha mother concealed her true preference and publicly declared that her favorite was Lizhu, the most expensive specialty of the Ole Empire.

And in the description of “Records of Ancient Mountains,” One Raccoon Hill was covered with pear trees, and there were many raccoon cats guarding the mountain. Whenever the pear trees blossomed and bore fruit, One Raccoon Hill would be filled with sweet pears.

So, Eloris, who loved pears, used this as her nickname.

Tree of Mystical Jade replied very quickly.

[Tree of Mystical Jade: What a coincidence, hello, pears are delicious. The Tree of Mystical Jade is a divine tree that grows on the top of One Raccoon Hill, representing freedom and courage. Its branches and leaves are not made of wood and leaves, but jade and crystals, signifying indestructibility.]

[Tree of Mystical Jade: Of course~ the main reason for choosing this nickname is—my name happens to have a character related to jade and crystals ^^]

Eloris understood and replied.

[One Raccoon Hill: I understand, sorry to disturb you.]

The white system dog avatar moved.

[Tree of Mystical Jade: No disturbance at all, nice to meet you.]

Eloris politely replied.

[One Raccoon Hill: Nice to meet you too.]

[Tree of Mystical Jade: [Happy.jpg]]

Eloris exited “Supporters of the Rose.”

---

A month later, when Eloris logged into “Supporters of the Rose” again, she had made significant progress in her secret plan.

As soon as she logged in, the system’s automatic reminder message popped up.

[Congratulations to One Raccoon Hill, today is the thirtieth day since you and Tree of Mystical Jade followed each other! Send a message to continue your friendship~]

Eloris accidentally clicked the reminder message, and the system automatically redirected her to Tree of Mystical Jade’s personal page.

She was about to exit when she noticed that Tree of Mystical Jade had posted a new update at noon today.

It was a clear and straightforward picture.

There was nothing else in the picture, only a beautiful drum.

Eloris had seen this kind of drum when she was a child. At that time, she had traveled to the remote border with her omega mother, and her mother bought one for her because she liked it. But her orchid drum had been lost on the way back, and it was different from the one in the picture.

The drum in the picture was more exquisite and eye-catching, every detail perfectly crafted, and the color was also a little different.

Eloris glanced at the number of followers Tree of Mystical Jade had and found that after a month, she was still the only one. She liked the picture.

Then—

She sent another message.

[One Raccoon Hill: Hello, sorry to disturb you. May I ask where you bought this drum?]

Tree of Mystical Jade happened to be online, the white system dog avatar lit up.

[Tree of Mystical Jade: Hello, do you like it?]

Eloris replied honestly.

[One Raccoon Hill: Mm.]

[One Raccoon Hill: Did you buy it near the border?]

[Tree of Mystical Jade: No~]

[Tree of Mystical Jade: I made it myself :)]

Eloris had originally thought that Tree of Mystical Jade was about the same age as her. After receiving this new message, she guessed that the other party might be a professional drum maker with extensive experience in the field.

[One Raccoon Hill: Hello, may I ask how old are you?]

[Tree of Mystical Jade: Thirteen.]

Eloris paused, realizing that the other party was three years younger than her. She suppressed the urge to order one.

Perhaps because she seemed very interested, Tree of Mystical Jade sent her a few more messages.

[Tree of Mystical Jade: Thank you for liking it.]

[Tree of Mystical Jade: I accidentally spilled some grape juice on it while making it, so I just dyed the whole drum surface light purple. You can’t see the purple indoors, but it becomes more obvious in sunlight~]

[Tree of Mystical Jade: I named it the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum ^^]

Attached to the message were two pictures taken in sunlight. Eloris clicked on them and looked, finding the drum even more exquisite.

And someone who could make such a beautiful drum definitely wouldn’t be an alpha. She thought.

So, the sixteen-year-old One Raccoon Hill and the thirteen-year-old Tree of Mystical Jade gradually opened up to each other, talking about the orchid drum. Although most of the time it was Tree of Mystical Jade who sent more messages, One Raccoon Hill’s replies were few and concise.

But as supporters of the Mehertaer faction, they did have more contact from then on.

As the frequency of their chats gradually increased from once a month, to once every half a month, once a week, once every three days, and finally to once every two days, almost six months had passed.

In the tenth month—

When Eloris logged into “Supporters of the Rose,” the system, which sent a reminder every month, promptly sent her a notification.

[Congratulations to One Raccoon Hill, today is the 240th day since you and Tree of Mystical Jade followed each other! Send a message to continue your friendship~]

So—

After staring at Tree of Mystical Jade’s name for a moment, Eloris changed her nickname for the contact.

[Skwiatowy]

This was a word from a remote tribe in the South, meaning “little flower drum.”

In the eleventh month, there was a particularly heavy snowfall in the North.

In the twelfth month, another scandal broke out in the Anrui family in the North.

At the beginning of the thirteenth month, the heavy snow in the North buried Eloris Anrui, the princess, and the grape-faced bellflower orchid drum that hadn’t yet been received, sent by Tree of Mystical Jade.

From then on, the snow sealed away Eloris and One Raccoon Hill, and a new outstanding top student appeared in the Southern Military Academy.

---

Time flew by.

At the beginning of the thirteenth year after they lost contact, the memories belonging to One Raccoon Hill were awakened again. Zhu Yiqiao, who had been the Chief Judge for two years, at the peak of her power, and always calm and collected, was momentarily stunned.

Because all of this was too coincidental.

As coincidental as the initial genetic match.

Could this alpha, who came from the same world as her, met her in the same country after transmigrating, and had a daughter with her by chance, really be… Skwiatowy?

The moment their eyes met, Zhu Yiqiao stared intently at the person on the bed.

Ming Fei, being stared at, was a little confused. She looked away, glancing at her surroundings, and after confirming that she was back in the villa in the Independent State of Yi Meng, she looked back at Zhu Yiqiao, who was walking towards her.

It was already five o’clock in the afternoon.

The setting sun hung at the edge of the sea level, dyeing the sunset orange, gold, and warm yellow, like fragrant popcorn that hadn’t been evenly colored after popping.

A few rays of sunlight streamed through the French windows of the balcony, falling on Zhu Yiqiao’s white shirt.

Her proportions were excellent, a perfect nine-head-to-body ratio. The top button of her shirt, usually buttoned to the top, was now undone. The hem was tucked into her belt, and she wore dark boots that matched the Trial Court uniform.

Noble, cold, sharp, like a drawn blade.

Ming Fei, waking from her sleep, watched her approach and gave her a light smile.

“Jiejie.”

Zhu Yiqiao stopped three steps away from the bed.

“Mm.” Her voice was low as she replied and asked, “Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Ming Fei shook her head: “I feel okay now.”

Then, she asked, “How long was I unconscious?”

“Twenty hours.”

Ming Fei was a little surprised, but didn’t show it, after all, her symptoms were very strange, and there was no cure in this world.

She just asked, “Does Zaozao know?”

“She just found out that we’re back.”

Ming Fei said, “Then I’ll go pick Zaozao up.”

Zhu Yiqiao looked at her, and Ming Fei inexplicably felt that her gaze was a little complicated, suddenly thinking that perhaps her condition was very bad.

She tentatively asked, “…Is my situation very serious?”

Zhu Yiqiao didn’t say a word.

Ming Fei moved her wrist and realized that the pheromone bracelet was a different model, and there was a band-aid on the back of her hand, clearly indicating that she had been given some kind of injection before waking up.

Looking at her bandaged palm, her thoughts spiraling towards the worst-case scenario, Zhu Yiqiao suddenly enlarged the photo of Ming Zaozao holding the drum and asked,

“Did you make this drum?”

Ming Fei looked up, a little puzzled, but still nodded honestly.

“Mm, I did.”

For a moment, Ming Fei felt that Zhu Yiqiao’s gaze became even more complicated.

“Why is it different from the previous one?”

Ming Fei’s eyes were clear as she said, “When I first made it for Zaozao, I couldn’t find the right materials, so I had to make a modified version for her to play with. Last time, Jiejie said you liked that drum, and she wanted to give it to you. When I went to buy the materials again, I happened to find them.”

“But I thought Jiejie would prefer the modified version, so I only made an original version for Zaozao.”

Zhu Yiqiao asked again, “What kind of drum is this?”

Ming Fei said, word by word, “It’s a flower drum I designed myself when I was thirteen. Its name is the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum.”

Just as she finished speaking, the few rays of sunlight faded, and the sensor lights in the room automatically turned on.

After a moment of silence, Ming Fei finally heard Zhu Yiqiao answer the question she was most concerned about, her condition.

“…It’s not serious.”

“The doctor said that with active treatment, you’ll recover.”

Ming Fei’s attention was completely focused on the last sentence—with active treatment, you’ll recover.

She immediately decided to write down the twelve words “follow the doctor’s orders, take medicine on time, and actively treat” in her memo pad, diary, and daily to-do list.

The flame of hope was burning.

Ming Fei asked happily, “Jiejie, then how should I treat it?”

“—Pheromone guidance and co-regulation.”

Zhu Yiqiao looked at her and said, “If necessary, it will be accompanied by intimate acts, such as holding hands, hugging, and kissing, for guidance.”

Chapter 38: Temporary Marking Doesn’t Work p2

Ming Fei, in her dream, stood at the door of the ward, calmly watching her seventeen-year-old self. Soon, she heard the slightly childish yet exceptionally firm voice again.

“Why should I regret it? I won’t regret any decision I make.”

The beta nurse paused: “That soldier from the military department you saved, they haven’t come to visit you, have they?”

In the public perception of the Ole Empire, such a thing was truly not worth it, so much so that the other patients in the ward also looked over.

An elderly person said,

“Little girl, do you know how many opportunities an A-level alpha has to get ahead in life?”

“The Empire pours a lot of resources into A-level alphas every year. As long as you seize even a small opportunity, you won’t be at the bottom of society anymore. But now that you’ve become the lowest level alpha, you can no longer enjoy those resources and opportunities.”

“What a pity, such a readily available bright future is gone just like that!”

A middle-aged person with flaxen curly hair said, “Indeed, and your future employment will also be greatly restricted. I’m afraid you’ll never be able to get promoted again.”

At that time, Ming Fei had already, through her own abilities, exceptionally received an acceptance letter from the best university in the Ole Empire.

She didn’t argue with the people around her. After thanking the nurse who changed her dressing, she took her black water bottle and umbrella and left the ward.

This was her first time at the city hospital, and she wasn’t familiar with her surroundings, occasionally having to look at the signs to know where she was.

Guided by the signs, she walked along the stone path of the hospital’s inpatient department and slowly arrived under the ginkgo tree at the east gate of the hospital.

And she sat down to rest on the stone bench beside the ginkgo tree.

A gentle breeze brushed against her delicate face. Her neck and wrist were wrapped in white gauze, and the loose hospital gown made her look very thin.

Like a malnourished child.

She unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip of warm water, and her pale lips regained some color, but her pale face still made her look sickly.

A grand migration was taking place beside the stone bench, and Ming Fei, noticing this, began to intently watch the ants moving house.

This area was relatively remote, with few passersby.

After an unknown amount of time, little Ming Fei suddenly looked up at the dark sky. After seeing the thick dark clouds completely covering the dome, she softly reminded the black ants who were still busy moving,

“It’s going to rain soon.”

“Come on, you have to hurry up.”

After saying that, she seemed to frown in distress.

She even muttered softly, “Why can’t humans help the ants move?”

Fortunately, the ants cooperated very efficiently, completing their relocation just before the downpour arrived. When the last ant also entered the hole, little Ming Fei smiled at their success, her mood clearly improving a lot.

The downpour arrived with the wind, and little Ming Fei, holding a cheap umbrella commonly found at street stalls, quickly disappeared into the rain with her thin figure.

—

Inside the villa in the Independent State of Yi Meng.

The corridor on the second floor was very quiet, only 0619 occasionally making announcements.

In the master bedroom, decorated in the style of Hui Fu Garden, Ming Fei was lying on the bed with her eyes closed, her long, thick eyelashes casting shadows beneath her eyes.

And Zhu Yiqiao stood a few steps away, watching her and listening to Dr. Tang, who knew the inside story, explain the situation.

“Colonel Zhu.”

Compared to the title of Chief Judge, Dr. Tang preferred to call Zhu Yiqiao Colonel: “Your… friend’s situation is quite special. Her gland should be damaged after the injury.”

“After being damaged, it can no longer secrete pheromones or have heat cycles like a normal alpha.”

Dr. Tang glanced at the person on the bed: “Her pheromone secretion now will definitely not be as smooth as a normal alpha’s, which is why there are sometimes mild and sometimes intense fluctuations.”

“In order not to exceed her tolerance, I suggest guiding her slowly, step by step.”

Zhu Yiqiao opened her lips and said, “Guiding?”

“You can also understand it as leading.” Dr. Tang explained, “Using your pheromones to guide her step by step, instead of letting her control or release them herself, is the safest approach.”

Dr. Tang didn’t say much more. After all, in their ABO world, this kind of guidance was almost like flirting. Although it was just a suggestion, the intertwining of pheromones would indeed be more intimate, almost like a hug or kiss for ordinary humans.

A person’s emotional perception could affect their pheromones, and pheromones would correspondingly transmit the perceived reaction back to the person.

Zhu Yiqiao’s expression was indifferent: “Then what about her heat cycle?”

“In my opinion, it’s best for your… friend to use a proper marking to get through her first heat cycle.”

“You know, suppressants can develop resistance, and even normal alphas or omegas need to increase the dosage. And her gland is severely damaged, with very strong rejection. If she uses suppressants to get through it, it might cause adverse reactions.”

Dr. Tang shook her head: “It might cause other problems with her gland.”

Zhu Yiqiao: “I understand.”

In the silence, Dr. Tang hesitated to speak.

After a moment of hesitation, she still said, “You have been using suppressants for a long time. If this continues, it might affect your health. If possible, it’s better to use the guiding method to get through your heat cycle.”

“If my calculations are correct, the pheromone compatibility between you two should be very high.”

“Her pheromones like you very much, and you should also—”

Zhu Yiqiao said, “Thank you for your hard work, Dr. Tang.”

Dr. Tang smiled, gave a few more precautions, and then said goodbye to the transmigrated Chief Judge.

0619 dutifully saw Dr. Tang out, and the room immediately fell silent.

Zhu Yiqiao worked on official business on the sofa in the bedroom, glancing at the sleeping person from time to time.

An hour and a half passed quickly.

Zhu Yiqiao, having finished her work, got up and walked to the balcony, looking down at the garden below. As a white bird landed on a flowering branch, flapping its wings, the returning 0619 received a message from Min Man.

0619 projected the message onto the display screen for Zhu Yiqiao to read.

Zhu Yiqiao looked back.

[Min Man: Yiqiao, I’m getting ready to bring Zaozao over.]

The second message was a photo taken by Min Man, and 0619 thoughtfully enlarged it.

Ming Zaozao in the photo had just finished packing her things. She was clearly happy after learning that her mother was coming back, her eyes, so similar to Ming Fei’s, curving into crescents with a smile. She held a teddy bear plush toy in one hand and the handmade drum Ming Fei had made for her in the other.

Zhu Yiqiao’s gaze focused on Ming Zaozao’s smiling face. Just as she was about to look away, her eyes suddenly paused on the surface of the grape-faced bellflower orchid drum.

“Zoom in on the lower right corner of the photo.”

0619, receiving the command, immediately zoomed in on the area of the drum.

The high-definition photo clearly showed the drum’s surface and the bells on the side. The one Ming Zaozao was holding was extremely similar to the one Zhu Yiqiao had seen in the toy room in Hui Fu Garden, but the details were completely different.

After repeatedly examining the drum’s material, the embroidered patterns, and the bells hanging on both sides, Zhu Yiqiao finally came to a conclusion.

This was—

The grape-faced bellflower orchid drum from her memory.

Every single detail was a perfect match.

Her eyes flickered slightly, and she subconsciously looked back at the sleeping person on the bed.

And Ming Fei, who had been sleeping soundly, happened to wake up. When Zhu Yiqiao looked back at her, she also happened to look up at Zhu Yiqiao.

At this moment, all was silent, even the flowers swaying in the wind stopped.

Their eyes met, their gazes colliding.

Chapter 38: Temporary Marking Doesn’t Work p1

Inside the pear-scented car, Ming Fei herself also sensed the abnormality in her pheromones.

The usual sweetness was now tinged with bitterness and sourness, like an unripe pear that had ripened too early, or perhaps overripe and starting to spoil.

She couldn’t quite understand her current situation, only deducing that it probably wasn’t a full heat cycle, because the high fever that had just subsided hadn’t returned.

But she was definitely uncomfortable, especially with the burning sensation behind her gland intensifying the pain.

…What should she do?

The temporary marking seemed to have stopped working.

And there were no extra suppressants in the car.

What should she do?

Was she just going to be a human air freshener, constantly emitting pheromones?

Ming Fei couldn’t think of a solution, and the release of her pheromones was accelerating.

Just as she was about to ask Zhu Yiqiao to speed up the hovercar so she could go back to the hotel and try the suppressants, the familiar high fever returned.

Eh?!!

Ming Fei’s eyes widened, and her slender, white fingers clenched the corner of her clothes.

Realizing the situation was getting worse, she immediately looked at Zhu Yiqiao in the driver’s seat.

“…Jiejie,” she said, “Could you stop the car and let me out by the roadside?”

The bracelet on Zhu Yiqiao’s wrist was already set to the highest level of suppression. She showed no outward sign, but her pheromones were constantly trying to surge out, attempting to soothe the pear scent.

“What are you planning to do?”

Ming Fei quickly explained, “We are both alphas. I know my pheromones will definitely affect you, but I don’t want that. You’ve helped me so many times, and I have no reason to affect you, offend you, or harm you when I can’t offer you any help.”

“After I get out of the car, I’ll find a hotel and get a room as an isolation room. Transport robots aren’t as fast as hovercars. If it’s convenient for Jiejie, I would like to… trouble you again to bring me two suppressant injections.”

Zhu Yiqiao turned to look at her, ripples appearing in her usually calm eyes.

“—Ming Fei.”

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

Ming Fei was already very uncomfortable. The uncontrolled pheromones, the returning high fever, and the burning sensation in her gland made her thoughts chaotic.

Even though her body was being scorched by hellfire, she didn’t lose control, only slightly furrowing her brows, her red lips pressed into a thin line.

She replied, “I know.”

“Have you forgotten the consequences I told you about last time?”

“But there’s no better solution.” She insisted, “And, I don’t think this is a premonition of a heat cycle, just that the burning sensation in my gland is much more severe than the fever, probably because my gland was injured.”

“Don’t worry, Jiejie, I can handle it.”

Zhu Yiqiao, sensing the surging pear scent, was skeptical of her pale explanation.

…A burning sensation in the gland?

If the gland was damaged, such an abnormal reaction could indeed occur.

The effect of the reverse temporary marking was minimal, but it should still be able to alleviate it.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yiqiao sat next to Ming Fei. Before Ming Fei could react, she took off the pheromone bracelet from her wrist and put it on Ming Fei’s.

“Let’s try a temporary marking first.”

Ming Fei, seeing her insistence, was both grateful and at a loss.

Because her pheromones and her limited knowledge of differentiation told her that frequent temporary markings in a short period would lead to both parties developing illusions of intimacy and dependence.

Zhu Yiqiao wasn’t her partner and had no reason to go this far for her.

She couldn’t accept Zhu Yiqiao’s help with a clear conscience, especially since Zhu Yiqiao had already helped her so many times. She already owed her a great debt of gratitude.

So, she tried to communicate with Zhu Yiqiao, letting her know the effects of frequent temporary markings.

But just as she was about to speak, she felt an… indescribable burning sensation in her gland. This burning sensation was different from the initial one, causing her pain and discomfort, but also making her lose her rationality and ability to think, intensifying her blurred consciousness.

But Ming Fei would never allow herself to lose control, let alone cross the line.

She resisted and endured, and when she found that her condition was worsening, she leaned over and took out a carving knife from the storage compartment on the right side of the car seat, left there by someone.

As the hovercar passed the statue of Winfella, a symbol of freedom and hope, Ming Fei, without hesitation, cut her palm with the sharp blade.

Instantly, a wound appeared on her flawless white palm.

Bright red blood immediately welled up, like a strange blood moon, casting a shadow of suppressed tenderness over this cruel and bloody scene.

“…Jiejie.”

The blood and pain made Ming Fei exceptionally clear-headed at this moment. Her first words were still out of consideration for Zhu Yiqiao.

“…Stop the car.”

The slight furrow in her brow had smoothed out, her gaze filled with forbearance and gentleness. She even comforted Zhu Yiqiao, who had faced life and death on the battlefield, telling her not to be afraid and promising that she wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.

Zhu Yiqiao found this moment utterly absurd.

She pursed her lips and snatched the knife from Ming Fei’s hand, preventing her from hurting herself again.

But as she reached for the carving knife, which Xue Xun had left in the hovercar, it fell to the ground with a clang, pushing the strange atmosphere in the car to its peak.

Instantly—

The rich pear scent receded like a tide.

A warm sensation touched her shoulder, a few strands of hair falling onto her dark uniform. Zhu Yiqiao looked at Ming Fei, who had fallen unconscious against her shoulder, a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

Chief Judge Zhu, whom the media described as aloof, indifferent, untouchable, and unattainable, didn’t immediately push the person aside.

She even took out medical supplies from the first aid kit and bandaged Ming Fei’s wound while making a call.

Soon, the call connected on the display screen.

“Boss, calling me during my break, is there something on your mind? Professional love advisor Xiao Lan is here to answer your questions. But the price is double during break time~”

Zhu Yiqiao’s expression was unreadable: “Return trip.”

Lan Lubai was a little surprised: “Although everything has been dealt with, aren’t our tickets for tomorrow? Even robots need rest, right? Did something happen?”

“Arrange my private aircraft, we’re returning in half an hour.”

Lan Lubai didn’t ask any further questions: “Okay, I understand.”

---

“Beep—”

The door suddenly opened, and the doctors entered the ward, looking at the patient in bed number 3 with pity.

“Little one, we are very sorry about your differentiation result.”

“If your gland hadn’t been injured, you would have become the most valued A-level alpha in the Ole Empire, the highest level alpha in the differentiation rankings.”

“But now, we can only regretfully inform you that you have become a defective alpha with a damaged gland, and your differentiation level is F.”

In this dream, Ming Fei clearly heard the answer she had given at the time.

“—Okay, thank you, doctor.”

The alpha in the hospital bed calmly accepted this fact, without a ripple of emotion in her dark almond eyes, as if it was just an ordinary matter that wouldn’t affect her life at all.

Perhaps because she appeared too indifferent, the beta nurse who was changing her dressing couldn’t help but ask,

“Xiao Fei, do you regret it?”

—Did she regret saving someone who had nothing to do with her?

—Did she regret that her gland was damaged because of this, and that she was now labeled a disabled, defective alpha?

—Did she regret the pain in her gland that tormented her to tears every night after the injury?

Chapter 37: Ineffective p2

The hovercar arrived at the Abisaro Library fifteen minutes later.

The changing weather blurred the dark ink of the sky, dyeing it a light gray.

Ming Fei held Zhu Yiqiao’s hand as they got out of the car. After facial recognition on the first floor, she released Zhu Yiqiao’s hand.

“Jiejie, I want to go to the thirteenth floor.”

Zhu Yiqiao said, “I’ll wait for you in Area A.”

“Okay.”

Entering the library, Ming Fei was like a blue whale returning to the sea.

She had been to the Abisaro Library during her first business trip to Taiya, but time was limited then, and she could only stay for half an hour, so she hadn’t been able to finish reading many materials, leaving her with some regrets.

And at that time, the ancient Abisaro Library hadn’t yet opened online browsing, still maintaining its traditional offline reading mode.

But almost two years later, in response to public demand, the Abisaro Library had opened online browsing channels. Only some very old and precious classical books still needed to be found in the library, and after registering with the librarian, one could obtain a time-limited electronic version.

Ming Fei took the elevator to the thirteenth floor, a smile in her eyes.

She looked at the unique decoration and design style of the thirteenth floor, and then, according to her pre-planned schedule, used the search system to find the books she wanted to read.

It took her half an hour to find all the books.

She carefully placed the heavy books into the automatic rolling book cart and controlled the cart towards the registration desk on the thirteenth floor, expressing her needs to the librarian.

The librarian had gray hair, wore black-framed glasses, and had a kind face, patiently helping her find the electronic versions of these sixty books.

Ming Fei waited quietly, using this time to sit down and open the illustrated guide to paleontology on the far right.

This ancient book was out of print, and only the Abisaro Library still had a copy. Because it was precious, her movements were very light and careful as she flipped through the pages. The librarian, glancing at her from the corner of her eye, gradually became certain that she was a book lover.

Because of this cherishing attitude, the librarian’s gaze became even kinder, and she searched even faster.

Ming Fei didn’t notice the librarian’s change. She was immersed in the knowledge of the book. When she casually flipped to page 113, her gaze paused.

Because—

The illustration of the creature in the book made her feel inexplicably familiar.

It was an extinct ancient creature. People at the time hadn’t even given it an official name, only using a series of numbers to represent its existence.

[W1215304]

In the notes on the left side of the page, the author described it as a creature with unclear abilities, able to accurately predict disasters before they occurred, and capable of fission and proliferation to achieve immortality, and even…

The following introduction was too old and blurred into a mess.

Ming Fei stared at the illustration without blinking. In a flash, the scene at St. Gesali that night flashed through her mind.

She suddenly looked up and told the librarian that she would be back later, then quickly took the elevator down to the first floor with the book.

Area A was sparsely populated, and she quickly found where Zhu Yiqiao was and strode towards her.

Because she was a little anxious, a faint blush crept up her cheeks, but it was completely covered by the mask, so it wasn’t visible at all.

“…Jiejie!”

Zhu Yiqiao looked up: “Mm?”

Ming Fei sat next to her, then directly opened the book to page 113, pointed at the illustration of the creature, and explained to Zhu Yiqiao in a low voice,

“At St. Gesali that night, before I fired, I saw a ring on Bai He’s right pinky finger. The pattern on the ring was exactly the same as this illustration.”

The color of Zhu Yiqiao’s eyes deepened.

She didn’t doubt Ming Fei’s words. After carefully reading the description of the creature on this page, she went with Ming Fei to the library’s office on the twentieth floor and directly presented her Trial Court credentials, requesting to take the book back for further examination.

The library director, knowing the seriousness of the matter, naturally didn’t dare to refuse.

As they left the twentieth floor, Zhu Yiqiao looked at Ming Fei in the elevator mirror and said calmly,

“You did very well.”

Not just right, not just correct, but very well.

This was the second time Ming Fei had heard Zhu Yiqiao’s approval. She smiled shyly, her dimples faintly visible.

“Any citizen of the Independent State of Yi Meng would do the same.”

“I really like the Independent State of Yi Meng,” she whispered. “I hope it can continue to develop healthily.”

“Jiejie has helped me many times. I’m very happy to be able to help Jiejie.”

The elevator reached the thirteenth floor, and Zhu Yiqiao only replied, “It will.”

Entering the thirteenth floor, Ming Fei first thanked the librarian who had transferred the electronic versions, then returned the books according to her memory.

She had a good memory and quickly put the books back, finding their original locations without looking at the search system prompts.

In a short while, fifty-nine books were returned.

Light snow began to fall. As the two left the library, Ming Fei felt a strange sensation in the gland on the back of her neck.

As they sat in the back of the hovercar, and the door automatically closed, the strange feeling in her gland became more pronounced.

Ming Fei hesitated to speak.

When she looked at Zhu Yiqiao for the second time, Zhu Yiqiao, who had already noticed her movements, turned and asked,

“What’s wrong?”

The next moment, the surging pear scent answered the question for Ming Fei.

This time, the pear scent was extremely unusual, as if a switch had been flipped, becoming exceptionally rich, the sweetness mixed with bitterness and a hint of unripe tartness.

When Zhu Yiqiao sensed the familiar pear scent, a dark glint flashed in her usually calm eyes.

Because—

The reverse temporary marking had completely worn off.

Having once been a member of the Ole Empire’s royal family, she knew that the speed at which the marking had worn off on Ming Fei was far too… abnormal. Even renewing the reverse temporary marking would have little effect.

The situation was urgent, and she had to make a decision at this moment.

Chapter 37: Ineffective p1

Under the temperature control system of the hovercar, the cabin was warm and comfortable.

As the enchanting floral fragrance lingered, and the atmosphere grew increasingly strange and tense, Zhu Yiqiao, sitting in the driver’s seat, remained indifferent, like a snow-covered sniper rifle hidden in the snow, concealed and ready to fire.

Cold, calm, dangerous, ready to fire a precise and deadly bullet at any moment.

She appeared extremely indifferent, not even frowning, without any outward display of emotion.

Only the pheromone bracelet on her wrist flashed a warning red light twice.

She opened her lips and said, “Xue Xun, is this why you used your ability in public?”

The red-haired, green-eyed woman smiled, her slightly upturned fox eyes full of charm.

“Yiqiao, Yiqiao.”

She said, “Speaking to your Xue Jiejie like this, aren’t you afraid of hurting Xue Jiejie’s feelings?”

She deliberately drew out her words, her voice alluring: “Or are you saying—”

Lan Lubai made a surprised sound, looking at the display screen and suddenly saying, “Eh? There are investigation results from the Bai family.”

Zhu Yiqiao: “Report.”

“The Trial Court’s investigation results are as follows—”

Lan Lubai’s voice became more serious: “After a two-day investigation in Silla by the investigation and enforcement departments, a total of 130 members of the Bai family were screened and investigated. Only Bai He’s mother knew about Bai He’s regular contact with people outside the country. The other 129 people were unaware of Bai He’s actions, and no evidence of their involvement was found.”

“According to Bai He’s mother’s testimony, Bai He had been secretly traveling to Sisi for a long time five years ago. At that time, she had also curiously asked Bai He about the reason for going to Sisi, and Bai He only explained that she was going to discuss business cooperation with her university roommates and have reunions with other classmates who had settled in Sisi.”

“Because Bai He did attend university in Sisi, and the results of the investigation conducted by Bai He’s mother confirmed this, her mother didn’t investigate further.”

“In addition, according to her mother, Bai He didn’t show any unusual behavior in her daily life, nor did she have any special contact with anyone else.”

Lan Lubai encrypted the document and uploaded it to the intranet: “Investigation report complete.”

The pheromone bracelet on Zhu Yiqiao’s wrist had returned to normal. As light and shadows flickered, the hovercar was three minutes away from its destination.

“Inform the Sisi government of the investigation results through the Secretariat, and have the investigation department go to Sisi and present a search warrant to investigate everyone who has had contact with Bai He.”

Lan Lubai said, “Okay.”

Zhu Yiqiao said coldly, “In addition, have the intelligence department investigate the latest movements of the Ministry of International Trade of Moli and the Kail family.”

“Okay.”

Hearing this, Xue Xun, sitting next to them, played with her red wavy hair and said meaningfully, “Moli is adjacent to Sisi’s northern coastline. If Bai He used business dealings with people in Sisi as a cover, she definitely couldn’t avoid Moli.”

She pretended to sigh: “Oh, I just came back from vacation and encountered such a terrible thing. It’s still better to live life offline.”

Lan Lubai: “You were on vacation for more than two months. Everyone in the Trial Court has been working overtime on this matter.”

Xue Xun retorted, “I’m just a businesswoman reeking of money, how can I compare to the Trial Court, which serves the country and its people? Besides, Yiqiao doesn’t look like she’s been working overtime. On the contrary, she looks radiant and happy in love.”

After saying that, she smiled brightly: “Oh~ and she even has a cute little darling now.”

“Xue Xun—”

The person called by her name raised her hand: “I’m just telling the truth. I even prepared gifts for your two little cuties.”

Zhu Yiqiao looked at her: “Get to the point.”

Xue Xun lowered her hand, conjured another flower with her ability, and her casual demeanor finally turned serious.

The flower in her hand was a magnificent red, its petals heart-shaped and several times larger than ordinary petals. The pistil in the center was delicate and fragrant, its scent intoxicating.

“I can’t sense anything.”

She shook her head and said, “Those who awakened their abilities in the apocalypse can sense the presence of others through their abilities. I’ve already tried on the way here. There are no ability users in Taiya who have transmigrated from the apocalypse.”

Lan Lubai put on her cap: “Then that means there might not be any transmigrators in the research institute.”

Eight years ago, there was an anomaly in the sky, and the scientists at the time couldn’t explain the specific cause.

Lan Lubai was still in the military academy at the time and didn’t pay attention to this anomaly at all. It wasn’t until she went to the front lines and met her friend Zhu Yiqiao, and later joined the Ares Special Forces and was about to retire, that—

An accident.

Revealed her friend’s secret to her and Min Man.

—Zhu Yiqiao was a transmigrator.

They were very surprised at the time, but not to the point of dropping their jaws, after all, she wasn’t an alien with six eyes and ten legs.

Later, after learning about the various aspects of the country her friend came from, she, as a citizen of the Independent State of Yi Meng, who had grown up in a free, equal, open, and inclusive environment, couldn’t understand the Ole Empire in another dimension.

She and Min Man both felt that it was a kind of madness.

So, the more they learned, the more they felt sorry for their younger “sister.”

After quickly accepting this information, they also learned from their friend that the King of the Independent State of Yi Meng had long known about all this, and that there was another transmigrator besides her.

—Xue Xun, from another apocalyptic world.

---

Ming Fei took the elevator downstairs early and waited in the lobby on the first floor for two minutes.

When the silver hovercar stopped by the streetlight, she immediately put on her mask and walked outside.

Even though it was a rare sunny day, the cold wind was still biting.

Ming Fei pulled her scarf tighter and quickened her pace.

The distance of five or six meters quickly closed.

When Ming Fei approached the hovercar and stopped, the back door opened from the inside, and two figures stepped out.

One of them was Lan Lubai, whom she had just met recently.

The other one was a stranger, her red hair, red attire, and red accessories very eye-catching. The ten-centimeter-high red heeled boots made a slight sound as they stepped on the snow-covered road.

Lan Lubai smiled: “Good afternoon, Teacher Xiao Fei, how’s your cold?”

The corners of Ming Fei’s eyes curved upwards: “Thank you for your concern, I’m almost recovered.”

Lan Lubai was about to introduce Xue Xun when the latter spoke first.

“Hello, I’m Xue Xun, the founder of Dejade.”

Ming Fei wasn’t familiar with the name, but the brand Dejade left a deep impression on her.

Besides the fact that Dejade was the largest real estate developer in the Independent State of Yi Meng, another important reason was—before moving out of Hui Fu Garden, it was there that Zhu Yiqiao had called the game console a lie detector, later apologized to her and returned the braided rope bracelet she had dropped, and even… asked if she had someone she liked.

Ming Fei met Xue Xun’s gaze and then politely looked away.

She introduced herself: “Hello, my name is Ming Fei. I’m currently a lecturer at Q University.”

Xue Xun: “Teacher Xiao Fei is young and promising. That introduction is too modest.”

Ming Fei didn’t know how to respond, as the person in front of her was a complete stranger, and she didn’t know the relationship between Xue Xun and Zhu Yiqiao. Also, her social skills were really average, and even with 008’s help in studying for social skills class, she couldn’t even get a passing grade.

As she was considering how to respond, the hovercar suddenly beeped, reminding them to get in.

Ming Fei, like a stiff robot, felt relieved upon hearing the hovercar’s reminder, as if she had been rescued.

She smiled: “Then I’ll get in the car first, goodbye.”

Lan Lubai hummed in response: “Goodbye, Teacher Xiao Fei.”

Xue Xun waved as if teasing a kitten: “See you next time, Teacher Xiao Fei~”

Ming Fei softly repeated her goodbyes, then bypassed the two and got into the hovercar.

The car was usually clean and odorless, but today there was a rich floral fragrance. Ming Fei didn’t ask any questions, just took off her mask and greeted Zhu Yiqiao with a light smile.

“Jiejie.”

“Mm.”

The hovercar sped away. As they passed through the Roda 103 public area, Ming Fei received a video call invitation from her daughter, Ming Zaozao.

She glanced sideways at Zhu Yiqiao and, after confirming that she wasn’t working, softly asked,

“Jiejie, are you free now? Zaozao is calling me.”

“Project it onto the display screen.”

“Okay.”

The display screen switched from the latest news of ten countries to Ming Zaozao’s round face.

She was very close to the camera. Seeing Ming Fei, her eyes lit up, calling out to Ming Fei first, then to Zhu Yiqiao beside her.

“Good morning, Mommy~”

“Good morning, Pretty Auntie~”

They both responded. Ming Zaozao immediately began inquiring about Ming Fei’s condition. She was really worried about Ming Fei, asking repeatedly just to make sure Ming Fei wasn’t feeling unwell.

Ming Fei soothed her: “I’m almost fully recovered. I’ll be back to pick you up tomorrow evening.”

“Really?”

“Mm.” Ming Fei’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Has Zaozao been listening to Auntie Min Man these past two days?”

Ming Zaozao stood up, holding her plush toy, and showed Ming Fei all the gifts she had received, like a proud little peacock.

“Baby has been very obedient!”

“Aunties, Grandmas, they all gave Baby so many presents!”

“They want Baby to visit them often and make delicious food for Baby every day.”

Ming Fei chatted with Ming Zaozao in a gentle voice. Halfway through the journey, Ming Zaozao, who had to go have breakfast, reluctantly hung up the video call.

The car suddenly became very quiet. Ming Fei was about to read again, but as she opened her e-book library, she heard Zhu Yiqiao’s voice.

“What did you eat for lunch?”

Ming Fei, who had given up on eating at the restaurant, looked at Zhu Yiqiao, wanting to speak but hesitating, like a puppy caught with its paw in the cookie jar.

“Did you go into the kitchen?”

Ming Fei’s eyelashes fluttered as she nodded: “Mm.”

She explained, “I originally planned to eat out before going back, but there weren’t any dishes suitable for patients in the restaurants, and the only suitable thing in the hotel was plain porridge, but I wanted vegetable porridge, so…”

Ming Fei felt a strange sense of nervousness, after all, Zhu Yiqiao had just added a new rule to the contract yesterday, and she, as Party B, had violated it the very next day.

Zhu Yiqiao’s voice was emotionless.

“This is the only time, don’t let it happen again.”

“Mm!” Ming Fei’s happiness was written all over her face. “Thank you, Jiejie.”

Zhu Yiqiao didn’t say anything in response.

She looked at the news on the display screen. Seeing the news about a multi-person physical altercation that had unexpectedly occurred at an event in Silla, she couldn’t help but think of the person quietly reading next to her.

Ming Fei was probably the most polite, most obedient, and gentlest person she had ever met.

She always had the words “thank you” on her lips, politely saying “thank you” to everyone except Ming Zaozao, even to the robots at home.

When she accidentally bumped into the robot dog, she would even squat down and pat the robot dog’s head, then apologize to it, as if she really felt sorry.

Compared to those alphas who would fight on the simulated battlefield or use pheromones to provoke at the slightest disagreement, Ming Fei seemed to have a better temper than a rabbit.

But when everyone thought she was so good-tempered that they could push her around at will, she would show another side, calm, decisive, and sharp.

A rabbit would bite when angry, and Ming Fei would calmly hold a gun and make a precise shot.

…