“Senior, you seem a bit out of it today. Did something happen?” Bai Ling’s voice carried a hint of concern. “If you’re feeling unwell, why not take the afternoon off and go home? If anything comes up with the experiment, I’ll message you.”
Qin Wei, wearing safety goggles and a white lab coat, remained composed. She exuded a calm charm, even though she had already miscalculated several sets of data. Qiao Lin’s voice echoed in her mind:
“There is a ninety percent chance of recurrence.”
This meant that even if she received a permanent mark and then had it removed, she didn’t believe she’d be among the lucky ten percent. The allergy would return. Her only solution was to ensure Zhongli Tang gave her stable temporary marks over the next three months.
However, many variables could change during that time, things beyond her control.
A flash of ruthlessness crossed Qin Wei’s eyes as she pursed her lips. She wouldn’t let that happen.
“Senior? You’re spacing out again,” Bai Ling prompted.
Qin Wei snapped back to reality and offered a small smile. “It’s nothing. I already took the morning off; it wouldn’t be fair to the rest of you if I kept staying away. I was just lost in thought. I’m fine, but thank you.”
“Oh… as long as you’re okay. I was just worried.” Bai Ling felt her heart flutter at the smile, feeling a sudden wave of nervousness.
They were both part of Professor Qin’s research group. The old professor’s selection process for graduate students was notoriously harsh. Despite this, students applied in droves to access resources and knowledge far beyond standard textbooks. Many students had been scolded into quitting, but Qin Wei was different; Professor Qin never uttered a single harsh word to her.
Bai Ling hadn’t understood why at first, but she eventually realized that Qin Wei’s hard work and talent in this field were far from ordinary.
“Then you definitely didn’t hear what I just said,” Bai Ling said, pulling her thoughts back. “The undergraduate freshmen orientation is in a week. The university wants a student from our research group to give a speech. It’s on Sunday, and the lab is closed. The rest of us have agreed, if you have no objections, I’ll let the school know.”
“Forget it,” Qin Wei replied, finding it a bit troublesome.
“Do you have plans that day?” Bai Ling asked, testing the waters with a mix of feigned grievance and genuine curiosity. “Going out on a date with an Alpha?”
Qin Wei paused. “I’m not dating anyone.”
“Don’t be mad, I was just asking blindly,” Bai Ling said, missing the underlying meaning. “Actually, we thought that if you didn’t go, none of us would. Your grades are obvious to everyone, ours don’t even compare. If we’re going to speak to the freshmen, it should be someone truly excellent.”
“Grades are built step by step. In my heart, you are all excellent. Don’t put yourselves down like that,” Qin Wei said earnestly, her gaze deep and sincere.
Whether out of embarrassment or something else, Bai Ling’s cheeks turned pink, and she could feel them heating up.
“Then I’ll take that as a yes. Just write a short speech and stand on stage for a bit. It’s not much trouble.”
Since the conversation had reached this point, Qin Wei had no reason to refuse and nodded helplessly.
With her work nearly finished, Qin Wei had no desire for further small talk. She returned to her research, the world around her fading away.
“Hey, I’ve noticed you’re like a little daughter-in-law whenever you’re around her,” a nearby female Omega teased with a knowing smile.
Bai Ling immediately shot back, “Nonsense… don’t you think Senior is very gentle?”
The other Omega nodded. “True. But I’m warning you, nothing is possible between two Omegas. No one can beat nature. Things like that are common, but they aren’t even worth reporting in third rate tabloids.”
“Where is your head at?” Bai Ling muttered, instinctively glancing back at Qin Wei.
Qin Wei was taking samples from the freezer and placing them into an instrument to check their activity and reaction. She watched them for half an hour.
Failure.
Qin Wei closed her eyes. The prolonged eye strain caused a dull ache, and two reflexive tears squeezed out.
The lab’s main computer hummed loudly. She was the only one left. If it weren’t for the mandatory closing time, she would have stayed to continue. After checking that all windows and doors were locked, she left. At the entrance, she passed a person wearing a mask whose face she couldn’t see, she didn’t pay them any mind and walked right past.
Capital University was a top-tier institution. Even in the evening, a few students could be seen walking about. The dim yellow streetlights stretched their shadows into swaying, mysterious shapes. A soft breeze carried a hint of chill, swirling the dust on the ground.
Qin Wei walked slowly, enjoying her solitude, but she soon sensed something was off.
Following behind, Zhongli Tang’s pace was even slower, a dangerous glint in her eyes. She wanted to see just how long it would take for Qin Wei to notice her. She had to admit she felt a slight sting of annoyance; even her fans could recognize her through the most elaborate disguises, yet the person she shared a bed with had walked right past her without a word.
Watching Qin Wei’s slender, elegant back get further away with no sign of turning around, Zhongli Tang felt that spark of annoyance flare into a restless agitation.
Qin Wei stopped. Zhongli Tang instinctively stopped as well.
Judging by her movements, Zhongli Tang figured she was messaging someone. Who? A friend? A classmate? A teacher?
To be honest, she didn’t know if Qin Wei had any close friends. To avoid bothering her, Qin Wei never talked much about her own life.
In truth, even if she had, Zhongli Tang wouldn’t have listened.
Just as Zhongli Tang was speculating about the recipient, her own phone chimed. It was a message from Qin Wei, just a photo of a streetlight. There were no words.
It seemed like a simple act of sharing something beautiful with someone she liked, but Zhongli Tang saw another meaning: Qin Wei missed her.
Zhongli Tang let out a soft, amused chuckle. She had never met anyone sillier than Qin Wei. She had these little hidden feelings but refused to say them out loud, thinking about her even while walking. The irritation vanished instantly.
Fine, since she’s this silly, it’s okay if she didn’t recognize me.
Qin Wei hadn’t just sent the photo to Zhongli Tang, nor did she expect a reply. Her perception had always been sharp, she had known someone was following her at a distance since she left the lab.
[Zhongli Tang: Turn around.]
Qin Wei was confused. Her slowed pace quickened, and just as a hint of bewilderment appeared in her eyes, she found herself pulled into Zhongli Tang’s embrace.
The faint scent of ebony wood wafted out, stirring dormant memories. Zhongli Tang couldn’t help but pull her closer.
Realizing it was her, Qin Wei didn’t resist. Instead, she reached up and draped her arms over Zhongli Tang’s shoulders. To an outsider, they looked like any other couple on campus.
Zhongli Tang pulled down one side of her mask. She wasn’t wearing an anti-bite collar. A sudden kiss pressed against Qin Wei’s lips…soft, lingering, and as fleeting as a breeze.
Under the assault, Qin Wei could only passively accept, letting out small whimpers to express her feelings.
When Zhongli Tang finally released her, Qin Wei felt a fleeting trance, wondering if her allergy was acting up again otherwise, why would she feel so breathless?
“What’s wrong? Not talking? Are you shy?” Zhongli Tang asked in a low voice, looking down to gauge her reaction.
“There are too many people here. I’m afraid if we’re seen, it’ll cause trouble…”
Zhongli Tang explained, “You really are a good student, all school and no romance. This place is called the ‘Lovers’ Woods.’ Have you really never been here? Look around you.”
Lovers’ Woods. A place where she and Xu Sui used to come.
Qin Wei looked around and indeed saw several couples. No one was paying them any attention. She breathed a small sigh of relief. “You know so much, sister. But how did you get in here anyway?”
“Qin Wei.”
Zhongli Tang cut off her own train of thought, her eyes narrowing.
Whenever she used her full name, Qin Wei knew Zhongli Tang was either angry or on the verge of it. But she didn’t know what she had said wrong. Was it wrong to compliment someone?
“What is it?” Qin Wei’s eyes were full of innocence, shimmering like stars, her kissed lips moist and red.
Zhongli Tang applied a bit of pressure as she rubbed Qin Wei’s lip, saying through gritted teeth, “Do you really not know that I went to university here?”
Qin Wei looked even more lost. “But there isn’t a performing arts department here.”
“Baidu Baike never said I studied performing arts.” Zhongli Tang’s gaze looked like it wanted to swallow her whole.
This is how she ‘likes’ someone? Something that could be found with a simple search, and she knew nothing!
It was hard to describe exactly how Zhongli Tang felt.
Qin Wei pursed her lips, reacting quickly. “But so many things online are fake. I searched for you, but there were so many scandals and so many people who like you… I didn’t believe what they said, but I didn’t want to see it either. I’d rather hear these things from you yourself.”
“Is that so?”
Zhongli Tang actually believed her. It made sense, how could Qin Wei not like her? No one wants to see scandals involving the person they like. It was understandable.
“Really. Don’t you believe me?” Qin Wei looked up, her cold demeanor replaced by an overflowing look of adoration. There was even a hint of a shimmer in her eyes, making one want to tease and bully her.
No one could resist such a lure.
Zhongli Tang was no exception.