Ruan Mei’s period of unconsciousness was actually very brief, only a few minutes.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself being pulled and shoved into a car.
“Hurry up and go!”
A familiar voice sounded again, filled with anxiety, as if speaking to someone else.
Ruan Mei groggily opened her eyes. She must have been lying flat on the back seat of the car. She could only see a familiar figure beside her, her school uniform clad body looking very thin.
She blinked and tried hard to sniff, sensing that the cloying sweet smell in the air had mostly dissipated. Only then did she realize she was now in an enclosed vehicle.
“Second Young Master, where should we go?”
“As far away from here as possible! Quickly!”
Second Young Master? But you’re clearly a woman?
Ruan Mei felt an icy hand pry open her mouth and feed her a pill. The taste was somewhat similar to the inhibitor pills she usually took.
After a moment, Ruan Mei felt someone grasping her hand, anxiously whispering, “Are you okay? Ruan Mei, how are you?”
Ruan Mei tried to open her mouth to speak, but when she did, her throat was so hoarse it hurt: “Mmm… I…”
She only managed two words before she started coughing violently, her whole body convulsing like a shrimp.
The familiar female voice in front of her said, “It’s good that you’re awake. It’s fine, don’t be scared, just rest a bit.”
Something cool touched her lips. Ruan Mei subconsciously opened her mouth, and a straw was inserted, delivering a sip of very cool green tea that moisturized her dry throat.
After drinking a few sips, Ruan Mei lay back down, feeling the very slight bumps of the vehicle. Her rationality finally began to return.
So what just happened? That sweet smell, the strangeness in her body… Did an Omega go into heat right on the street? Did it attract me to the point of almost losing control?
So this is the flaw of an Alpha? Being unable to control oneself, easily tempted by pheromones, it feels like things can go wrong very easily.
Ruan Mei never wanted to experience that feeling of almost losing consciousness and being swept away by a wild scent again.
She quietly turned her head to look. The person beside her was indeed Fang Zhishui.
Fang Zhishui was looking out the window, one hand resting reassuringly on Ruan Mei’s shoulder, the other hanging by the seat, clenched into a fist.
Ruan Mei had a little urge to keep pretending to be unconscious.
She knew she was aroused, and she knew Fang Zhishui had definitely seen it and given her the inhibitor pill.
This meant the secret she had been trying so hard to conceal since transmigrating had been discovered by the very person she most wanted to hide it from.
“You…”
Fang Zhishui turned to look at her. Her face was hidden in the shadows, her expression completely unreadable. Her voice dragged out, as if she didn’t know how to speak.
“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re thinking correctly.”
Ruan Mei answered, exhausted in body and spirit, and sat up, leaning against the car window.
At this moment, the car cabin was filled with a very strong strawberry scent, as if someone had accidentally knocked over a bottle of strawberry milk; the strawberry aroma was continuously rising.
Ruan Mei decided to just lean into it. Smelling her own pheromones, she found them somewhat pleasant.
“You know what I’m thinking?”
Fang Zhishui’s voice was calm, without any trace of shock, sounding like casual small talk.
“Aren’t you thinking, ‘How could Ruan Mei be an Alpha? She’s too weak, unable to resist the pheromones of just some random Omega on the street, and needed me to save her…’”
Ruan Mei felt deeply uncomfortable, and her voice carried a hint of impatience as she imitated Fang Zhishui’s tone poorly.
She felt that now that the secret was out, Fang Zhishui definitely wouldn’t have a good impression of her, and might mock her next. So, she preemptively threw out some self-deprecation to leave the other person speechless.
After Ruan Mei finished speaking, there was indeed a long silence in the car. This made Ruan Mei even more certain; Fang Zhishui must be secretly laughing at her right now.
“You’re wrong, I wasn’t thinking that.”
Fang Zhishui suddenly spoke, her voice gentle and her tone tolerant.
Ruan Mei couldn’t help but turn to look at her. Fang Zhishui’s lips curved into a slight smile, her head tilted slightly. Against the dense night, illuminated by the blurry neon lights outside the window, she actually had a very gentle appearance.
“I was just wondering whether to take you to the hospital for a check-up to see if your body was affected. Then, I need to take you home so your grandmother doesn’t worry. As for the fact that you’re an Alpha…”
Fang Zhishui paused, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
Ruan Mei opened her mouth and asked in disbelief, “You… You knew a long time ago? When did you find out?”
Fang Zhishui smiled faintly and nodded quietly, her eyes still focused intently on Ruan Mei: “I had my suspicions for a long time, but seeing you fight those thugs is what officially confirmed it.”
Ruan Mei’s mouth fell open. She felt like a complete fool.
“So you knew all along… I even intentionally pretended to be a Beta afterward, and you didn’t… Ugh, forget it, I really am an idiot!”
Ruan Mei slumped back into the seat, feeling like she wanted to dig a hole and bury herself.
“You’re not an idiot; on the contrary, you’re quite smart. If today’s emergency hadn’t happened, I might never have had the chance to reveal this to you. You kept up the pretense too well before.”
Fang Zhishui chuckled.
“…What exactly happened today?”
Ruan Mei could only awkwardly change the subject.
“Over on Rainbow Street, a highly qualified Omega unexpectedly went into heat. Many Alphas nearby were attracted, but your reaction was the most intense.”
Fang Zhishui explained patiently.
“So I’m just the most useless one, right? Can’t even control myself against such a simple temptation…”
Ruan Mei hung her head dejectedly, wanting even more to dig a hole and bury herself.
“Quite the opposite.”
Ruan Mei suddenly looked up and saw Fang Zhishui’s smiling face: “Only Alphas with excellent or higher qualifications are more sensitive to Omega pheromones. This is related to the qualifications of both the Alpha and the Omega. Your condition today proves your qualification is at least excellent or above; more specific details require a hospital test.”
Ruan Mei listened, silent for a long moment before replying, “So I’m actually Excellent grade?”
Ruan Mei knew the grades for Alphas and Omegas were: General, Normal, Better, Excellent, and Top-tier. The higher the grade, the rarer they were. All the Alphas and Omegas in her class were only General grade.
She was actually… that powerful?
While Ruan Mei was still in disbelief, she heard Fang Zhi Shui continue, “Also, most Omegas don’t go into heat immediately after differentiation; it usually happens half a year or a year later. Alphas, however, can sense an Omega in heat as soon as they differentiate, and even undifferentiated individuals can be affected by the pheromones of an Omega in heat, potentially causing premature differentiation. Therefore, an Omega’s heat cycle must be strictly monitored by themselves, their families, and the school. I don’t know why this Omega’s heat was so sudden today.”
Ruan Mei murmured. She had read this knowledge in school biology books, but Fang Zhishui’s explanation was much more in depth. Right now, she was still caught between shock and curiosity.
Fang Zhishui then added, “Where do you live? I’ll take you home.”
Ruan Mei gave the address and then quietly curled up in the back seat, blinking, occasionally glancing at Fang Zhishui.
Fang Zhishui would occasionally return her gaze, a smile in her eyes.
As they got close to her home, Ruan Mei couldn’t help but ask, “Why didn’t you ask me why I was hiding my identity?”
Fang Zhishui looked over, her eyes deep: “Everyone has things they don’t want others to know. I will continue to help you keep it a secret, if you need me to.”
Ruan Mei met her gaze and felt as if Fang Zhishui’s eyes contained a deep, swirling abyss, constantly drawing her in.
She suddenly felt that Fang Zhishui’s words seemed to imply she wanted Ruan Mei to ask further.
It was as if Fang Zhishui herself was hiding a secret, tempting Ruan Mei to ask about it.
Ruan Mei hesitated, her guard against the female lead not completely down yet. Although it seemed more likely now that they would become friends, variables always existed.
It was better to be cautious. She remained silent for the rest of the quiet drive.
This sudden, rushed journey seemed long, but when Ruan Mei finally got out of the car and asked the time, she realized it was only around eleven o’clock.
Only an hour had passed, but Ruan Mei felt like she had lived through a century.
The car stopped, and Fang Zhishui got out first, helping to open the car door for Ruan Mei.
Ruan Mei hopped out and quickly walked toward her grandmother, who was waiting at the door. She lowered her head sheepishly and said, “Grandma… I’m sorry, I’m late, and my phone died. You must have been worried.”
Grandma looked Ruan Mei up and down, extended her withered hand, and pulled Ruan Mei into a hug, stroking the back of Ruan Mei’s head tremblingly: “It’s good that you’re back, that you’re safe…”
Ruan Mei was held quietly for a moment before wriggling free from her grandmother’s embrace and pointing toward the roadside: “This is my classmate’s car she drove me back.”
Fang Zhishui stood beside the luxury car, her demeanor very elegant. She stepped forward, bowed slightly to Grandma, and then stood up straight: “Hello, Grandma. I am Ruan Mei’s deskmate, the top student in our grade. My name is Fang Zhishui. It is an honor to meet you. Ruan Mei often praises you at school.”
This speech was delivered so properly that even Grandma, who was usually sharp tongued, could find no fault with it.
Grandma scrutinized Fang Zhishui with a stern gaze, which the latter met calmly, appearing neither servile nor overbearing.
Grandma suddenly spoke up: “Classmate Fang, thank you for today. But I have something to say, and I hope you don’t associate with our Mei Mei anymore. Our family is poor, and we have nothing to say to rich people like you, nor can we be friends. I will talk to your teacher and have your seats separated. Alright, we’re going in.”
Ruan Mei:
Grandma immediately grabbed Ruan Mei’s head and pulled her toward the room. Ruan Mei felt like she had missed a couple of episodes of a TV drama. Grandma’s movements were forceful, and despite struggling for a while, Ruan Mei could only look back from under her grandmother’s armpit.
Fang Zhishui remained standing in place, her expression calm, but the suppressed sadness in her eyes was indeed very obvious.
Ruan Mei’s heart ached fiercely. She looked up and argued with her grandmother: “Grandma, Classmate Fang is my friend. She even helps me with my schoolwork. We are classmates; why can’t we be friends…”
Grandma, however, abruptly threw Ruan Mei inside and turned to close the door, her back to Ruan Mei. Her tone was icy and severe: “Don’t play with those rich people they’re ruthless. You’re dumb; you’ll only be taken advantage of! If I catch you playing with her again, I’ll break your legs!”
Ruan Mei turned on the light in the room and noticed that her grandmother’s body was trembling slightly.
She panicked immediately and rushed forward to check: “Grandma, why are you shaking? Are you not feeling well? Did your old illness flare up?”
Grandma slowly turned around, her face pale, and the cloudy corners of her eyes seemed to hold tears, but upon closer inspection, they were gone.
Grandma gently waved her hand: “I’m old, and my health isn’t good. I can’t control you anymore… But if you truly get involved with those rich people, I’ll use up what little life I have left to break your legs, do you understand?”
Ruan Mei supported Grandma while crying and laughing at the same time, nodding: “Okay, okay, I understand.”
Grandma added, “You have to swear!”
Ruan Mei pointed at the light bulb overhead and said with a playful smile, “Alright, I swear to the light that I won’t make friends with rich people. Is that good enough?”
Grandma pursed her lips and then added, “Not friends, and definitely not lovers or spouses. Marriage requires a match in social standing; you must remember this. I don’t oppose young love, but if you ever start dating, tell me first. I’ve seen many people in my life; I can help you vet them. If you dare to date behind my back…”
Ruan Mei quickly interjected with a smile, “Then you can break my legs!”
Grandma turned and affectionately flicked Ruan Mei’s nose. The worry on her face finally broke into a smile.
After coaxing the old child to sleep, Ruan Mei went to her room, plugged in her phone, and after thinking it over, sent a message to Fang Zhishui:
【Don’t mind what my grandmother said. She just has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. It’s not directed at you; I’m sorry.】
Fang Zhishui’s reply was almost instantaneous:
【It’s okay.】
Ruan Mei had just put down her phone and poured herself a glass of water when her phone screen lit up again a new message.
【Merry Christmas.】
Fang Zhishui’s message arrived precisely at 12:01 AM. If she hadn’t sent it, Ruan Mei would have forgotten it was Christmas Eve.
Ruan Mei’s lips curved into a smile, and her fingers flew across the screen as she typed:
【Yup! You too, Merry Christmas! Keep it up, oh!】
Fang Zhishui quickly replied:
【See you tomorrow, good night.】
Ruan Mei, beaming, tapped her fingers on the phone like playing the piano:
【Okay, good night, see you tomorrow!】
The phone fell silent. After washing up, Ruan Mei lay in bed, thinking about whether the news of the excellent Omega going into heat would spread throughout the school tomorrow, and if any Alphas in the school, like her, had been affected… Thinking about this, she drifted off to sleep.
The next day, Ruan Mei woke up, stretched, and looked out the window, suddenly letting out a loud shout:
“Ah!”
Barefoot and in her pajamas, she jumped off the bed and rushed to the window, looking out with particular excitement, completely forgetting how cold it was in the house without heating.
Outside, large, fluffy snowflakes were falling a blizzard of snow. The ground was covered in a blanket of white, soft, and fluffy snow. Since it was so early, there wasn’t a single footprint; the whole world was brilliantly white and transparent!
It was snowing! The first snow of this winter, and it was falling on Christmas Day how magical!
Ruan Mei pressed against the window for a while, finally too cold to stay there. She quickly scrambled back into bed, changed into her clothes in a rush, bundled herself up tightly, and ran to wash up.
Grandma was already awake, shakily getting out of bed, calling out, “Mei Mei, let me heat up a cup of milk for you before you go!”
Ruan Mei answered verbally, but in reality, she opened the newly purchased refrigerator, casually grabbed a pouch of milk, poked a hole in it with a straw, and left with it in her mouth.
Grandma’s legs weren’t steady, and when she came out, she could only see Ruan Mei’s receding back. She stamped her foot anxiously, “You little rascal, wear more clothes! Your umbrella! Take your umbrella, and wear a hat!”
Ruan Mei rushed out the door quickly, leaving her grandmother’s nagging behind. She stepped directly into the snow, looked at the footprints she left, and burst into laughter.
In her past life, Ruan Mei had lived in the South and had never seen such heavy snow. At this moment, she was overly excited, not at all like the original body who should have grown up in the North.
But… who cares! This was goose feather snow! The kind you only see in textbooks! The snow on the ground was thick and fluffy, a vast, rolling expanse of white it was too beautiful!
Ruan Mei played with the snow all the way to school and saw the students gathered at the school gate, also chasing and fooling around.
The homeroom teacher, Zhang Fan, did not show up for morning self-study, and the whole class was like untamed horses, running wild in the snow.
Ruan Mei had rushed out, so she didn’t have a hat or gloves, only a red scarf wrapped around her black down jacket. She threw herself onto the snow, leaving a human silhouette imprinted on the ground.
“Hahaha! Come look!”
Ruan Mei now had quite a few friends in class, both boys and girls. Several of them followed Ruan Mei, also throwing themselves onto the snow to make human shapes, creating a joyful scene.
Just as Ruan Mei was surveying the large expanse of snow on the playground, planning where to start “ruining” it, Fang Zhishui’s voice reached her ear:
“It’s just snow, why are you so happy?”
Ruan Mei turned her head and flashed a huge, beaming smile at Fang Zhishui:
“Happy! Extremely happy!”
Ruan Mei’s cheeks were rosy and full, the blush brought on by the cold clearly visible, shining brightly along with her brilliant smile. Despite the overcast sky, she seemed to radiate a fierce light.