The bedroom was filled with the fresh scent of white tea, growing stronger as the Omega approached.
Without Ling Tingyu by her side these past few days, Lu Xian had grown unaccustomed to the absence of her pheromones.
“I’ve been staying home all this time, didn’t go anywhere. I’ve been really well-behaved…” Lu Xian turned her face stiffly to the side, her fair, slender neck tensing in an elegant curve. The words felt embarrassingly childish as they left her lips.
Ling Tingyu’s warm palm cupped Lu Xian’s face, forcing her to meet her gaze. “Oh? Then what have you been doing at home all this time?”
The distance between them was dangerously close. The Omega’s gaze was magnetic, and Lu Xian’s back pressed tightly against the door as she softened her breathing. “Nothing much, just eating and sleeping.”
Ling Tingyu frowned slightly, unsatisfied. “Nothing else?”
Lu Xian nodded firmly. “Nothing else.”
Ling Tingyu’s eyes dropped to Lu Xian’s lips. “Seems like my earlier punishment wasn’t enough.”
The Alpha’s lower lip bore a small, unbloodied cut. Ling Tingyu’s fingers tightened under Lu Xian’s chin as she leaned in, sucking gently at the wound until the metallic tang of blood coated her tongue before finally pulling away.
Lu Xian whimpered at the sharp sting, her voice muffled. “It hurts…”
But even through the pain, she couldn’t understand why Ling Tingyu had suddenly punished her. She truly hadn’t done anything besides eat and sleep.
Ling Tingyu licked the blood from her lips. “Did you miss me at all these days?”
“I—”
Lu Xian hesitated, carefully considering. She had been worrying about Ling Tingyu’s health, hoping she’d recover soon but was that the kind of “missing” Ling Tingyu meant?
Impatience flickered in Ling Tingyu’s eyes as the silence stretched. Within seconds, her gaze turned icy.
Sensing the Omega’s darkening mood, Lu Xian swallowed nervously and softened her voice. “Jiejie…”
“Hm?” Ling Tingyu waited.
Lu Xian whispered, “I missed you every day.”
The term of endearment seemed to please Ling Tingyu.
A faint smirk curled her lips, but she pressed further. “How exactly did you miss me?”
“……” Lu Xian hadn’t expected the follow-up question. She had no experience with romance, how was she supposed to answer?
And this Omega in front of her seemed to have a hidden ruthless streak, completely unlike the Ling Tingyu described in the novel.
Her face burned red as she struggled for a response.
Ling Tingyu’s dissatisfaction deepened. “If you missed me, why didn’t you message me?”
The barrage of questions left Lu Xian utterly flustered, teetering on the edge of panic. “I… I didn’t want to disturb your rest.”
Ling Tingyu scoffed. “So that’s how much you missed me?”
Her tone was frigid, laced with unmistakable disappointment, as if she’d already given up on expecting anything from Lu Xian.
Before Lu Xian could respond, Ling Tingyu took half a step back. “If I hadn’t come back today, were you planning to leave without a word?”
“That’s not true! I was going to tell you!” Lu Xian had planned to inform Ling Tingyu once she returned or message her if she didn’t. She would never just disappear.
But Ling Tingyu’s thoughts had already spiraled elsewhere. “So you were planning to leave?”
Given Lu Xian’s current qualifications and connections, landing a well-paying, suitable role was nearly impossible. Saving enough in a month to buy a gift on her own? Even harder.
Lu Xian didn’t hesitate and gave a firm “Mhm”: “This is very important to me.”
Ling Tingyu’s gaze turned icy: “Are you sure?”
Lu Xian responded with another “Mhm.”
Ling Tingyu should have known Lu Xian had plans to leave her, but she never expected it to happen so soon.
Silent, Ling Tingyu suddenly thought of something and opened the study door to check. The fabricated documents that had been slandering her, previously stored in the desk drawer, were all gone.
Her heart sank. She had naively believed Lu Xian wouldn’t be so cruel to her, but it seemed Lu Xian was dead set on her decision.
When Lu Xian noticed Ling Tingyu emerge from the study, she could feel the cold aura radiating from her.
What on earth had happened?
“Lu Xian,” Ling Tingyu called.
“Mhm,” Lu Xian replied.
Ling Tingyu stared at her and said coldly, “If you leave, don’t ever come back.”
“Mhm…?” Lu Xian looked up in confusion. Had she just been rejected by Ling Tingyu?
When it came to acting spoiled, being sweet, or living off someone else’s wealth, Lu Xian knew she couldn’t compare to the original owner. Still, she never imagined Ling Tingyu would abandon her so quickly.
Her heart shattered, but she could only force herself to say, “If you need me to sign divorce papers later, I’ll cooperate fully. I won’t cause you any trouble.”
Divorce must have been part of Lu Xian’s plan all along, and now she was pretending to be the victim.
Ling Tingyu found it laughable. Suppressing the trembling in her hands, she said, “I hope you keep your word.”
Without another word, Ling Tingyu grabbed her things and had her assistant drive her back to her own place.
The room suddenly felt empty. Lu Xian slumped onto the sofa, murmuring, “How did things turn out like this…?”
Though this was an outcome she had anticipated, she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.
Compared to the original owner, it seemed she was even less likable to Ling Tingyu.
Lu Xian sighed. Maybe leaving was for the best. This body had already changed souls, she shouldn’t have been maintaining this superficial marital relationship with Ling Tingyu in the first place.
Wen Tian brought over a cup of warm water and signed carefully, [Why did Tingyu-jiejie leave? Did you two fight?]
Lu Xian shook her head.
Wen Tian let out a relieved sigh.
Lu Xian added, “We’re getting a divorce.”
Wen Tian’s eyes widened in shock. [What happened?]
Lu Xian didn’t know how things had escalated to this point either. All she knew was that no matter what, this was the only possible outcome, it had just happened sooner than expected.
So she chose to accept it. “Don’t ask.”
Wen Tian lowered her gaze, visibly upset.
Lu Xian glanced at her and said, “I’m leaving tomorrow. I might need to find you another place to stay.”
Wen Tian nodded. [It’s okay, I can go back home.]
“No,” Lu Xian insisted. “I still have some money left. Let’s rent a place nearby first.”
Wen Tian quickly refused. [Renting in the city is expensive. It’s fine, I can stay at home.]
“You absolutely cannot go back home,” Lu Xian said firmly. “I’m about to join a show soon, so don’t worry about the money.”
[But…] Wen Tian hesitated, then signed, [Do you have Lu Li-jiejie’s contact info?]
Lu Xian frowned. “Why do you need her?”
Wen Tian explained, [She left something at my place. I want to return it before I move out, or I might never see her again.]
Lu Xian initially thought about delivering it for her, but then she remembered she might run into Ling Tingyu and decided against it.
She handed Wen Tian the contact details. “After you return it, don’t contact her again.”
Wen Tian nodded.
The dinner was prepared lavishly, but unfortunately, Ling Tingyu left without even glancing at it.
Lu Xian had little appetite. After washing up, she returned to her room.
Only after Lu Xian had gone back to her room did Wen Tian lock the bedroom door nervously and send a text to Lu Li.
[Lu Li jiejie, it’s Wen Tian.]
After waiting a long time with no reply, Wen Tian dialed Lu Li’s number. She had no idea what Lu Li was doing, but the call rang for a long time without being answered. Just as she was about to hang up again, Lu Li finally picked up.
Lu Li’s low voice came through: “Hello, who is this?”
Wen Tian held her breath and tapped her phone twice, producing a soft knock knock sound.
No one spoke, and the strange noise made Lu Li frown before decisively hanging up.
Beep beep beep…
[…]
Wen Tian couldn’t speak, so phone calls without video were too difficult for her.
She was about to give up when, a few minutes later, Lu Li called back.
Wen Tian hurriedly answered, and Lu Li asked, “Wen Tian?”
Wen Tian nodded, then realized Lu Li couldn’t see her.
Lu Li said, “You can text me. I’ll read it.”
Wen Tian quickly typed and sent: [Lu Li jiejie, it seems like Lu Xian and Tingyu jiejie had a fight. Did you know?]
Lu Li: “No, what happened?”
Wen Tian hesitated, not immediately replying, prompting Lu Li to call her name again.
Wen Tian’s ears tingled slightly as she sent the message she had prepared: [It seems like they’re getting divorced. Lu Xian is moving out tomorrow.]
After sending it, she belatedly realized her actions might have been too abrupt. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked Lu Li but perhaps only Lu Li jiejie could help save their marriage.
However, things didn’t go as Wen Tian had hoped. Upon seeing the message, Lu Li chuckled and said, “Good for them.”
Wen Tian facepalmed. So that’s how Lu Li jiejie felt about it.
Lu Li: “Anything else?”
Having lost hope in Lu Li, Wen Tian replied dejectedly: [No.]
Lu Li: “Then I’m hanging up.”
Just before the call ended, Wen Tian suddenly had an idea.
[Wait!]
Lu Li paused: “Hm?”
Wen Tian felt a bit embarrassed but was also afraid Lu Li would refuse: [Lu Li jiejie, since Lu Xian is leaving and can’t take me, but my parents aren’t back yet and I have nowhere to stay… Could I stay with you for a while?]
Lu Li stared at the message, her gaze darkening.
She had heard from Ling Tingyu about Wen Tian, how the girl had been harassed by a neighbor while home alone during summer break, which was why Lu Xian had taken her in.
But now that Lu Xian was leaving with no money or place to stay, Wen Tian really was a problem.
Afraid Lu Li might refuse, Wen Tian sent a pitiful-looking sticker.
Lu Li reluctantly agreed: “Fine, fine.”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
Hearing Lu Li’s agreement, Wen Tian could hardly believe it. After hanging up, she was so excited she rolled around on the bed, her cheeks flushed.
This way, Wen Tian could not only get closer to Lu Li jiejie but also help gather information about Tingyu jiejie’s situation, acting as a bridge between them.
No matter what, she was determined to protect Lu Xian and Tingyu jiejie’s marriage.
The next morning.
Lu Xian contacted a rental agent to help Wen Tian find a place in the morning.
Wen Tian, drowsy, texted: [I don’t want to go. I already talked to a friend, I can stay at her place.]
Lu Xian disagreed, worried Wen Tian might sneak back to her own home.
“No. Find a place first, then stay there until I come back.”
Wen Tian frowned: “Don’t you believe me? Here, look at the chat history.”
She shoved the prearranged chat interface toward Lu Xian: “I really did make plans with my friend. She’s very nice, you don’t need to worry.”
As Lu Xian scrolled through the messages, Wen Tian secretly unfolded a handwritten note for the agent to see: “Miss, we’ve been kicked out by our families and don’t have much money. Are there any affordable yet decent places in the city center? Our budget is about 500 per month.”
The agent glanced at the note and stormed off angrily: “What bad luck! Why look downtown if you can’t afford it?”
By the time Lu Xian returned the phone to Wen Tian, the agent was already gone.
Lu Xian looked at Wen Tian: “Where’d she go?”
Wen Tian shrugged, not planning to explain.
Judging from the chat history between Wen Tian and her friend, the friend did seem genuinely welcoming, and they’d grown up together.
Lu Xian temporarily set aside his concerns: “I’ll take you to your friend’s place and buy some gifts to thank them.”
Wen Tian grew impatient: “You’re really being so naggy. My friend won’t mind, just relax already.”
“It’s almost time, you should go. My friend will pick me up, and I’ll call if anything comes up.”
Lu Xian pushed the suitcase out the door: “Then I’m off. We’ll talk about finding a place when I get back.”
Wen Tian noticed Lu Xian’s mouth: “Your lips might need some foundation to cover that.”
Lu Xian touched his lower lip the broken skin still stung slightly.
“It’s fine, no need to cover it.”
Wen Tian nodded slowly.
Now that he was actually leaving, Lu Xian felt somewhat reluctant. The next time he’d see Ling Tingyu would probably be during the divorce proceedings.
After exiting the upscale neighborhood, Lu Xian hailed a taxi by the roadside.
Not far away, inside a black luxury car.
Ling Tingyu’s high nose bridge supported sunglasses that concealed the redness in her eyes, her pale hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.