At noon, before the fourth-period bell had even rung, many students were already growing restless. The sporadic sounds of backpacks being zipped in the classroom drowned out the music teacher’s explanation of basic musical notes.
The music teacher, understanding the situation, closed her lesson plan with a gentle smile. “Everyone, please sit quietly for half a minute. Wait for the bell before you leave.”
Che Xiayun slumped over her desk, her stomach growling incessantly. She had never felt so hungry before. She finally understood the truth: height and appetite were directly proportional, and taller people really did find it harder to gain weight.
After half a morning of adjustment, her carefree nature had already lessened her fear of Ma Qingyu. She decided to take things one step at a time.
“Ding-ding-ding!” The students rose to their feet almost instantly. Taking advantage of her strategic seating, Che Xiayun grabbed Shi Xiaoya’s arm and was the first to dash out through the back door.
Dragging Shi Xiaoya down the stairs with her, Che Xiayun moved so quickly it felt like flying. All she could think about was getting home to eat. She was still a child, after all, having only recently undergone differentiation, her body was still growing.
Driver Zhang was waiting punctually at the school gate, the glossy black luxury car parked in the most conspicuous spot. Che Xiayun was among the first to reach the school entrance, her long legs giving her a distinct advantage as she strode briskly, creating a gust of wind as she exited the gate. Driver Zhang immediately stepped forward, bowing slightly as he opened the car door. “Young Master.”
“Mhm.” Che Xiayun bundled the breathless Shi Xiaoya, who had been struggling to keep up, into the back seat before sliding in herself. “Let’s go home.”
The luxury car weaved smoothly through the traffic, heading toward the villa district. Inside, Shi Xiaoya, who had only just processed the situation, timidly asked, “Young Master, are you taking me home to have a meal with you?”
Che Xiayun saw nothing unusual about it and nodded. “Yes, we’re going home to eat.”
Driver Zhang glanced at Shi Xiaoya in the rearview mirror, surprised. Everyone employed or contracted by the Che family knew that in the main villa, only Aunt Xu had ever shared a meal at the same table as the Young Master. In their minds, she was the only one with that privilege.
And Shi Xiaoya was the second.
Shi Xiaoya’s face instantly paled, and she stammered, “Young Master, this… this isn’t proper.”
Che Xiayun furrowed her delicate brows. “What’s proper? I don’t care. At home, what I say goes.”
Shi Xiaoya wrung her small hands anxiously, struggling to form words. “B-but…”
Che Xiayun cut her off. “Oh, right. Ma Qingyu said she’s coming back to eat with us too.”
Shi Xiaoya’s eyes widened, reddening at the rims as she nearly burst into tears. “Madam… is also eating with you?”
Che Xiayun rolled her eyes. “It’s not like we’re going to eat you. Why are you crying?”
Shi Xiaoya quickly sniffled. “I’m not crying.”
“Good.”
Che Xiayun pulled out her phone and started browsing food videos.
About ten minutes later, Driver Zhang parked the car and opened the door for her. “Young Master, we’re home.”
Che Xiayun put her phone away and cheerfully headed toward the main entrance, with Shi Xiaoya trailing behind, head lowered.
Aunt Xu was waiting at the door with a maid. “Welcome back, Young Master. Madam is already inside.”
Che Xiayun handed her uniform blazer, tie, and vest to the maid, keeping only her white shirt. “Mhm. Aunt Xu, bring Xiaoya to eat with us later.”
“Ah?” Only then did Aunt Xu notice the small figure trailing behind her. She quickly responded, “Of course.”
Che Xiayun changed her shoes and socks, then stepped out of the entryway and glanced inside. Ma Qingyu was leaning lazily against the back of the sofa, wearing a pair of round, gold-rimmed chain glasses and holding an unfamiliar magazine in her hand.
Aunt Xu led Shi Xiaoya to a side room.
Che Xiayun loosened the button at her collar, walked over to the coffee table, and poured herself a glass of water. “Ma Qingyu, when did you become nearsighted?”
Ma Qingyu slightly lifted her gaze, set down the magazine, and looked at her. Pointing to her V-neck white silk casual shirt that revealed her collarbone, she said, “I’m not nearsighted. It’s for the look.”
Che Xiayun caught a glimpse of her collarbone and felt a sudden jolt in her heart. Pretending nothing had happened, she simply said, “Oh,” then gulped down the plain water in one go. “Let’s go, time to eat.”
“Mm.” Ma Qingyu adjusted her glasses. As she stood up, her collar opened slightly, revealing a patch of fair skin. Every movement she made exuded the irresistible charm of a 3S-level omega.
As soon as Che Xiayun stepped into the dining room, she was greeted by the rich aroma of chicken soup. Six dishes were laid out on the table. In the center was a clay pot of sea cucumber and chicken stew, surrounded by southern-style fried meatballs, sautéed beef shreds with coriander, stir-fried bamboo shoots with eel, plain sautéed monkey head mushrooms, and stir-fried three delicacies.
Three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and one soup each dish was a feast for the eyes and the palate. Che Xiayun eagerly pulled out a chair and sat down, picking up the smooth bamboo chopsticks. She quickly targeted the southern-style fried meatballs, picked one up without waiting for it to cool, and popped it into her mouth. With a light bite, the meatball burst open, releasing a rich, savory, and fragrant juice that was both scalding and delicious.
Even though it was a bit too hot, Che Xiayun chewed while inhaling sharply. The meatball was coated in a sweet and salty sauce, with a tender texture and authentic flavor.
So good!
Satisfied, she finished one meatball and took a mouthful of rice. When she looked up, she found Ma Qingyu staring at her.
She hadn’t noticed before, but now it gave her a start. Ma Qingyu’s gaze was clearly fixed on her collarbone. Che Xiayun choked on her mouthful of rice, struggling to chew a couple of times. Had her fair, delicate collarbone finally caught the attention of this devil? She asked bitterly, “What are you looking at?”
Ma Qingyu lowered her eyes, concealing the last trace of emotion. She picked up her chopsticks and pointed toward the plain sautéed monkey head mushrooms in front of Che Xiayun. “I can’t reach that dish.”
Hearing this, Che Xiayun’s heart leaped with relief. Oh, she was just eyeing the dish, and here I was overthinking it. How embarrassing.
She glanced at the monkey head mushrooms in front of her, picked up the plate, and placed it in front of Ma Qingyu, swapping it with the stir-fried bamboo shoots with eel. “Here, you can reach it now.”
“Mm.” Ma Qingyu nodded slightly, picked up a piece of monkey head mushroom, and placed it on her bowl of rice. Softly, she said, “Let’s eat.”
Aunt Xu arrived with Shi Xiaoya a minute or two later, smiling as she watched Che Xiayun devouring her food. “Young mistress, eat more.”
Che Xiayun looked up from her meal. “Sit, let’s eat together.”
“Alright.” Aunt Xu seated Shi Xiaoya next to Ma Qingyu and took the seat beside Che Xiayun.
Shi Xiaoya ate rather hesitantly, making no sound, her chopsticks hovering only over the two dishes in front of her.
As she ate, Che Xiayun noticed this. She picked up the communal spoon, scooped up a southern-style fried meatball, and was about to place it in Shi Xiaoya’s bowl when she noticed Ma Qingyu’s gaze fixed on her once again.
The meatball spun through the air in a neat arc before landing in Ma Qingyu’s bowl. Che Xiayun forced a smile and said, “This meatball is really delicious.”
Ma Qingyu glanced at her slender, strong fingers and licked her lips. “Thank you.”
Aunt Xu, who had been observing their subtle interaction, smiled until crow’s feet appeared at the corners of her eyes. “Young Master, if you like it, I’ll have the kitchen make more for dinner tonight.”
“Mm, let’s have it again tonight,” Che Xiayun replied gloomily, keeping her head down as she shoveled rice into her mouth, afraid of catching Ma Qingyu’s attention again.
Ma Qingyu ate the meatball Che Xiayun had given her in small, delicate bites, savoring the lingering flavor. As a gesture of reciprocity, she ladled a bowl of sea cucumber and chicken soup and gently placed it in front of the alpha, who was still focused on her meal. “You can have some soup after you finish eating. It’s good for your health.”
As soon as Che Xiayun looked up, she saw the sea cucumbers piled high on the surface of the soup, there seemed to be more of them than chicken. Instantly, she recalled the medicinal benefits of sea cucumbers: they were known to nourish an alpha’s glands and enhance pheromones.
Here we go again!
But she was a perfectly normal alpha!
Considering there were outsiders present, Che Xiayun decided not to argue with Ma Qingyu about it. She resolved to find an opportunity to clarify things with her later.
After finishing her last bite of rice, Che Xiayun picked up the bowl of soup. Using a porcelain spoon, she scooped up a piece of sea cucumber and placed it in her mouth. Chewing gently, she found it soft yet springy, with a pleasant chewiness. The savory broth blended perfectly with the seafood’s natural flavor, creating an exquisite taste.
The chicken, sourced from young free-range birds less than six months old, was tender and succulent, neither tough nor mushy. The resulting broth was light yet rich in flavor.
After finishing the soup, Che Xiayun felt comfortably full. She leaned back in her chair, gently patting her slightly rounded stomach with contentment.
Not long after she finished, everyone else had also completed their meals.
Che Xiayun, like a smug little cat that had successfully snatched a treat, ambled lazily over to the sofa. She curled up, hugging a cushion, and rested with her eyes half-closed.
Ma Qingyu sat in a nearby armchair, scrolling through her phone. Her gaze, however, drifted from Che Xiayun’s striking, almost Eurasian features to the delicate collarbones that rose and fell gently with each breath beneath her collar.
If only… Her red lips parted slightly, and she swallowed, feeling a twinge of guilt as she averted her eyes, her ears warming slightly.
Che Xiayun remained oblivious to Ma Qingyu’s intense, almost predatory gaze. She simply lounged lazily on the sofa, fully embracing her role as a carefree slacker.
Life like this was simply wonderful.
Ma Qingyu traced the edge of her phone with her fingers, stealing a glance at the drowsy Che Xiayun. Her fingertip hovered over a particular app icon on the screen before tapping it open. The app displayed functional items and stylish, sensual clothing. In her mind, she replaced the models posing in these outfits with Che Xiayun’s face, and her cheeks grew increasingly warm…
After the lunch break, Che Xiayun returned to Shengzhe High School with Shi Xiaoya, while Ma Qingyu headed to Jing University for her classes.
The afternoon’s two-hour Comprehensive Physical Education Basics class felt like a punishment to Che Xiayun, who had been a certified homebody before transmigrating. If not for the fact that half of the class was free activity time, Young Master Che would have seriously considered skipping it.
Inside a private changing room in the alpha locker room, Che Xiayun took off her alpha uniform and changed into the school’s standard alpha athletic set. She checked her reflection in the mirror not bad, she looked quite energetic.
The sports uniform consisted of a white pure cotton T-shirt, a blue and white nylon jacket with an embroidered school emblem, and black sports pants with white trim and elastic cuffs.
While the formal uniform came with black leather shoes, the sports uniform did not include standardized footwear due to varying shoe requirements for different athletic activities.
Che Xiayun wore a pair of black-and-white running shoes. After checking her attire, she had just stepped out of the changing room when a strikingly handsome female alpha, almost as tall as her, suddenly popped into view, blocking her path. “Tsk, tsk, tsk, you actually showed up for class today.”
Jiang Shuai held an all-black tennis racket, a lollipop dangling from her lips, and sported long hair with blue and green highlights, the very picture of a rebellious youth.
Che Xiayun bumped her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “If you can come, why can’t I?”
“Fair enough,” Jiang Shuai shoved the tennis racket into her arms. “I’m going to change. Let’s play a couple of rounds later.”
Che Xiayun quickly grabbed her, tone turning sharp. “I didn’t bring my racket today. Are you trying to take advantage of me?”
The school-issued tennis rackets were hardly sufficient for seasoned players like them, and the balls were just ordinary training ones, barely passable for a casual game.
Jiang Shuai raised an eyebrow. “Who’s taking advantage? We can swap rackets.”
Che Xiayun pointed to her temple, feigning injury. “I’m hurt here. Shouldn’t you cut me some slack?”
Jiang Shuai punched her shoulder playfully and laughed. “Cut the crap. A tiny scratch like that, and you’re already whining.”
Che Xiayun grinned, pretending to be wounded. “What? I’ve been disfigured doesn’t that deserve you letting me use your racket?”
Jiang Shuai scoffed in disdain. “Fine, I’ll treat you to drinks tonight.”
Recalling the original host’s memories, Che Xiayun remembered how they had sneaked out for drinks several times behind their families’ backs. With their good looks, they often found themselves surrounded by omega sisters at the bar, unable to escape.
It sounded fun. In her previous life, she’d been too busy with research to ever visit a bar. Now was the perfect chance. “Deal,” she agreed. “Let’s go for drinks tonight.”