After Wang Ruo confessed, everything became much easier to deal with.
The reason the police hadn’t found any evidence of someone behind the scenes was because the Omega, Yang Li, had hidden her second phone very well. Before the incident, in exchange for Wang Ruo’s promise to protect the others, she had thrown her backup phone into the sea.
Without that device, there was no new evidence and no way to verify her claims.
But while Yang Li had nothing left, Wang Ruo’s phone still held clues.
Even deleted messages could be recovered during a forensic check. Once the police scanned her device, the truth would come out.
Before pushing her to turn herself in, Ling Jiao asked,
“Why did you arrange to meet with Guan Qing?”
Wang Ruo was stubborn at first and refused to speak. Only after Ling Jiao pressured her with both threats and temptations did she reluctantly admit,
“Guan Qing’s family has connections. I wanted to use her to find out if Yang Li had betrayed us.”
Ling Jiao pressed further.
“You and Shen Yuwei never had any deep grudge. Why would you go so far to target her?”
She remembered meeting Wang Ruo once at the villa garden and didn’t think she was the type to scheme like this. That meant she probably wasn’t the mastermind. Someone else was likely behind it.
Her thoughts drifted to Lou Xiaoyu, who had a close relationship with Wang Ruo.
Earlier, Ling Jiao and Shen Yuwei had teamed up to scam Lou Xiaoyu out of ten million yuan. That could easily explain the motive.
Ling Jiao narrowed her eyes.
“Guan Qing is Shen Yuwei’s fiancée. What made you so sure she’d help you?”
Wang Ruo smirked coldly but stayed silent.
The answer was clear enough. It had to do with intimacy and mutual interests. Watching Wang Ruo grit her teeth with absolutely no hint of grace or self-control, Ling Jiao suddenly recalled something from a few nights ago. She had seen Guan Qing helping a petite woman in a gown into the main hall.
Could that woman have been Wang Ruo?
Was it really such a coincidence?
Ling Jiao hadn’t thought much of it before, but now, everything pointed to something deeper. In the novel, it was written that later on, Wang Ruo successfully seduced Guan Qing. Could it have already begun?
The police investigation would take another day or two. After thinking things over, Ling Jiao made a decision.
“Here’s the plan. Go ahead and meet her like you originally intended. Say what you planned to say. I promise you this won’t bring trouble to you or your family.”
When it comes to feelings, it’s better to cut ties early. Dragging them out only brings chaos.
Since she had chosen to call Shen Yuwei her sister, Ling Jiao couldn’t just watch her fall into a trap. If she could help her see the truth now, maybe she wouldn’t end up heartbroken later.
Wang Ruo clearly hesitated, tempted by the offer.
After Yang Li was caught, the rush of excitement had worn off, replaced by nights of regret and fear. She was terrified that Yang Li might name them all.
“Fine,” she agreed without hesitation. She understood Ling Jiao’s motive and had no reason to say no.
She reconnected with Guan Qing and arranged to meet her three days later.
Ling Jiao returned to school and headed to Shen Yuwei’s dormitory, only to find a crowd at the door. Shen Xiaoxiao was there too, directing people to move things in and out.
Several Omegas leaned out from the balcony, craning their necks to see what was going on.
Whispers reached Ling Jiao’s ears.
“I heard the school is making Shen Yuwei move out of the Omega dormitory.”
“Figures. Everything at this school revolves around money.”
“Exactly. Now that the rightful owner is here, they can’t let someone else keep the room. It just wouldn’t make sense.”
Ling Jiao looked closely and saw Shen Yuwei standing at the doorway, her expression calm.
The people sent by school administration were carefully carrying out her packed belongings. Maybe Shen Xiaoxiao had asked them to be gentle.
With a look of sympathy, Shen Xiaoxiao said,
“Sister, there’s nothing I can do. This was the school’s decision.”
“If you don’t have a place to stay right now…” she offered sweetly,
“I can rent a place for you off-campus.”
Shen Yuwei couldn’t argue with her. After all, the room had originally belonged to Shen Xiaoxiao.
“No need,” Ling Jiao said, stepping forward and pushing past the crowd.
“Don’t pretend to be kind. I don’t need your fake generosity.”
Shen Xiaoxiao took a breath, her eyes filling with unshed tears.
“I didn’t do anything to you.”
Ling Jiao smiled and casually put her arm around Shen Yuwei’s shoulder, speaking like a protective big sister.
“What do you mean, you didn’t offend me? Yuwei is my sister now. If you bully her, you’re bullying me. You think that doesn’t count as offending me?”
The onlookers were stunned.
Everyone knew about the Alpha in Zone A who used to chase after Shen Yuwei. It had even become a running joke, with people teasing Shen Yuwei about whether she liked Ling Jiao or not.
Shen Yuwei had made it clear that she disliked her. Nothing ever happened between them.
Who would have thought that this Alpha could bend so easily? Since she couldn’t be a lover, she settled for being a sister. Just a few days ago, Shen Yuwei treated her like trash and wouldn’t go near her. Now they were walking arm-in-arm like close friends?
The crowd was amazed by her strategy. Clearly, this was next-level thinking.
Shen Xiaoxiao’s delicate face looked even more fragile without makeup. Her teary-eyed look evoked sympathy from many onlookers, who began whispering about how cruel Ling Jiao was. How could an Alpha treat a soft-spoken Omega like this? It was completely uncalled for and unchivalrous.
Ling Jiao raised her brow and smiled.
“Yuwei, let’s go.”
Shen Yuwei nodded and followed her down the stairs.
Ling Jiao called Wan Qing to send Shen Yuwei’s things to a hotel.
“My place is a bit messy right now. I need to clean up before I can invite you. Just stay at the hotel for a couple of days.”
Shen Yuwei hesitated.
“Is that really okay?”
“Or do you want to drag your suitcase back to the Shen house in embarrassment?”
That was out of the question.
“Or maybe,” Ling Jiao added, “you want to rent a place by yourself? That’s fine too. Didn’t I give you sixty thousand yuan? Finding a place should be easy. Spend a few thousand, or even ten thousand, and you’ll be set.”
Shen Yuwei fell silent.
She hadn’t even gotten that sixty thousand back from Guan Qing yet.
“Stay at the hotel I arranged. I’ll knock another ten thousand off your debt,” Ling Jiao said generously.
“That brings your total down to four hundred thousand. You sure you don’t want to think about it?”
The Shen family had already cut off her allowance. Now she only got a few thousand a month for meals through the school card. She had nothing else to her name.
Pressed by the reality of money, Shen Yuwei sighed and agreed.
For the next few days, Ling Jiao had meals with her regularly. On the third day, she invited her to a high-end Western restaurant.
The restaurant was running a promotion. Certain couple meals for Alpha and Omega pairs were twenty percent off, and they also gave away free fruit, pastries, and side dishes. Ling Jiao wanted to take advantage of the offer and asked Shen Yuwei,
“Can we pretend just for today?”
Ling Jiao was the one paying, and Shen Yuwei just had to eat. After thinking it over, she nodded.
Ling Jiao linked her arm through hers, fingers intertwined, and confidently walked into the restaurant. The hostess at the door smiled brightly and came forward with a menu.
“A beautiful Alpha and Omega couple. What a perfect match. Your visit truly brings light to our humble establishment.”
Shen Yuwei wasn’t used to lying. Her ears turned red from embarrassment.
Ling Jiao stayed calm.
“These, these, and these,” she said, pointing at the menu.
“These dishes are all fifty percent off. All you need to do is take a commemorative photo together.”
Ling Jiao said calmly,
“I’m fine with it.”
Shen Yuwei stared at her. The hostess stared at Shen Yuwei. After a long pause, Shen Yuwei finally responded with a light press of her lips.
“I’m fine with it too.”
They were seated by the glass window. Ling Jiao pulled out her phone, plugged in her earphones, and started listening to music.
The food hadn’t arrived yet. Shen Yuwei felt a little bored.
“Want to listen too?” Ling Jiao leaned forward and handed her one of the earbuds. The movement was intimate, their breaths brushing lightly against each other.
Ling Jiao didn’t seem to care about such closeness and had always been indifferent to the conventional boundaries between Alphas and Omegas.
Shen Yuwei, on the other hand, had been taught from a young age that she shouldn’t get close to anyone besides her fiancée. The sudden intimacy made her scalp tingle. She drew in a quiet breath and tried her best to appear calm.
After spending time with Ling Jiao these past days, she was confident Ling Jiao wouldn’t take advantage of her.
She took the earbud and placed it in her ear. The song playing was a recently popular Alpha-Omega breakup ballad. Shen Yuwei couldn’t understand why Ling Jiao would enjoy this kind of music.
Her expression was strange, but she said nothing.
Not far away, Guan Qing arrived as scheduled and was now sitting with Wang Ruo, whose back faced Shen Yuwei and Ling Jiao. Wang Ruo looked slightly nervous as they began to talk.
“You said you had something important to discuss?” Guan Qing asked.
Wang Ruo frowned slightly and got to the point.
“I was hoping you could use your connections to reassure the police handling Yang Li’s case. Let her know the promise still stands.”
Suddenly, the music in the earbud changed. Then came the voice of Wang Ruo.
Shen Yuwei froze. Her expression shifted as she heard those words. She didn’t need to think twice to realize the campus bullying incident couldn’t have involved only Yang Li.
Wang Ruo.
In the recording, Guan Qing sounded hesitant.
“That might be too risky. If they find out, he could lose his job.”
Wang Ruo laughed lightly.
“He won’t. Just drop a subtle hint. Tell him not to drag innocent people down with him.”
The conversation continued clearly through the earbud.
A server arrived with two glasses of coconut jelly drinks. She winked at Ling Jiao with a knowing smile. Ling Jiao glanced at her, confused by the reaction.
The coconut drink tasted rich and creamy, likely imported directly from its place of origin. The flavor was smooth and slightly sweet, leaving a lingering aftertaste. Ling Jiao took several sips in quick succession.
She looked across the table at Shen Yuwei, who was clearly suppressing her anger. For some reason, Ling Jiao’s heart began to race uncontrollably, almost as if it were about to burst from her chest.
Shen Yuwei, meanwhile, was lost in what she was hearing, frozen in place and unable to eat.
In the recording, Wang Ruo’s voice turned low and suggestive.
“As long as you help me with this… Didn’t you want to end your engagement with Shen Yuwei? I can help. Not only that… I’ve had feelings for you for a long time.”
There was an unmistakable tone of flirtation in her voice. Guan Qing hesitated, unable to bring herself to refuse.
Wang Ruo continued sweetly,
“I heard your father’s company is having cash flow problems. If you break off your engagement with Shen Yuwei and choose me, I’ll convince my father to patch that gap for your family. You’ll be free of Shen Yuwei, you’ll have me, and you’ll get the Wang family’s investment. It’s a win-win-win situation. Why not go for it?”
“If you agree, I’ll give you some time to handle things with Shen Yuwei. That way, you can walk away clean, without ruining your reputation.”
Guan Qing had been overwhelmed with work lately. She hadn’t wanted to attend this meeting, but came out of obligation to the Wang family. She never expected a deal this tempting to fall into her lap. It felt like a dream. Every word Wang Ruo said hit her weak spots perfectly.
Shen Yuwei’s expression was blank. Her fists were clenched tightly.
Guan Qing loved her. There was no way she would betray her just for these promises. No matter what Wang Ruo said, Guan Qing would never agree.
Then came the voice in her ear.
“Are you sure you’re not lying to me?”
That single question shattered all of Shen Yuwei’s remaining hope.
“I can sign a contract with you,” Wang Ruo said.
“Put everything in black and white.”
“I…”
Suddenly, the earbud went silent. Ling Jiao frowned and removed it.
The next moment, inside the elegant restaurant, Wang Ruo’s excited voice rang out.
“You agreed? You really agreed? I’m so happy!”
Shen Yuwei’s head snapped toward the sound.
There she was, seated by the window, wearing a dress that Shen Yuwei herself had once picked out and gifted her.
Wang Ruo looked ecstatic, like a child who had finally gotten the candy she had waited so long for.
Guan Qing had agreed to abandon her. To be with Wang Ruo. Just like that, years of love had been thrown away.
Shen Yuwei couldn’t believe it.
Fury surged up inside her. She slammed her palm on the table. A loud crack followed as the glass shattered. Many people in the restaurant turned toward the sound.
Including Guan Qing.
She stared at Shen Yuwei in shock, eyes full of guilt and hesitation, unable to meet her gaze.
Shen Yuwei bit her lip and stood up, ready to confront her on the spot.
Just as she stood, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
She turned back and her eyes widened.
Ling Jiao’s condition was clearly wrong. Her brows were furrowed, her face flushed unnaturally, and she let out a soft, pained sound. Her eyes had lost their usual clarity and were now dazed and unfocused.
“Don’t… don’t go,” she murmured, her voice confused and weak.
There was a faint, intoxicating scent in the air.
Shen Yuwei immediately understood what had happened. As someone who had once been drugged with a heat-inducing suppressant, she recognized the symptoms right away.
At first, the drug made the Alpha try to endure it. Then, they would lose control of their mind. Once their body could no longer hold back, their pheromones would explode, and no one could predict what might happen next.
If Ling Jiao’s pheromones went out of control here in this crowded restaurant, she would humiliate herself in front of everyone.
Some Alphas, if not properly soothed, could even suffer long-term side effects.
In that moment, a scale appeared in Shen Yuwei’s mind, teetering back and forth.