A few minutes later, the woman wrapped casually in a bathrobe pushed open the door, her long, wet hair still dripping as it draped carelessly over her shoulders.
Drops of water trailed down her collarbone and disappeared into the neckline of her robe. Wen Ruxing’s fair skin was flushed from the steam of the bath, her cheeks and neck tinged with a rosy hue. Her long, delicate lashes were also dotted with moisture, the droplets clinging conspicuously between the thick, raven-black strands before trickling down the corners of her eyes.
The close proximity made their slight height difference all the more apparent. Wen Ruxing had to tilt her head up slightly to meet her gaze, and from Shi Wei Yue’s vantage point, the first thing that caught her eye were those slightly downturned eyes. Normally sharp and intimidating, their usual edge was softened by the faint redness at the corners, and her lips, glistening with moisture, looked as if they had been coated with a glossy lip tint, soft and dewy, as though they could be squeezed to release water.
She was crying.
That was Shi Wei Yue’s first thought.
The dampness welling in her eyes threatened to spill over, blurring the line between tears and lingering moisture from the bath. Yet, it lent Wen Ruxing’s striking beauty an air of vulnerability, softening her usually fierce demeanor.
For a fleeting moment, even Shi Wei Yue felt a pang of sympathy but it was quickly overtaken by a surge of schadenfreude. As she gazed at the woman before her with red-rimmed eyes, she couldn’t help but think to herself, So even Wen Ruxing has days like this.
The future Alpha antagonist, who had always been domineering and formidable in her presence, was now on the verge of tears.
Though inwardly delighted, years of practiced composure kept Shi Wei Yue’s emotions in check. She schooled her expression into one of concern, completely at odds with her true feelings, and leaned in slightly to ask,
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
Her voice was gentle.
Unaware that the Alpha before her was actually an Omega in disguise, Wen Ruxing had let her guard down at home, neglecting to wear a Suppressant patch. After all, having something stuck to the back of her neck to conceal the small protrusion was uncomfortable, especially when it rubbed against her skin as she moved. The woman before her tilted her head slightly, her expression solicitous, but the faint scent of pear blossom wine emanating from her acted like an invisible catalyst, reigniting the Omega’s previously subdued blood.
Wen Ruxing could feel the heat surging through her veins once more.
“I’m fine.”
After a pause, she replied stiffly, determined not to let Shi Wei Yue notice her compromised state.
“What do you want?”
The antagonist adopted her usual unapproachable, don’t-bother-me demeanor, but this time, Shi Wei Yue wasn’t intimidated. Instead, her gaze lingered on those faintly reddened eyes.
WenRuxing’s eyes were narrow and slightly upturned at the outer corners, yet their rounded center softened their inherent sharpness. The tear mole beneath her right eye added a touch of delicate allure. Without the embellishment of makeup, her eyes were clear and bright, and the damp strands of hair clinging to her face lent the usually intimidating figure a more human, almost tender quality.
Though it was hardly the time, Shi Wei Yue couldn’t help but recall their first meeting. In the throes of passion, the tear mole at the corner of Wen Ruxing’s eye had seemed tinged with a faint blush, like the hue of sweet red beans, tempting enough to make one want to pluck and taste it.
An inexplicable itch stirred in her chest.
If she dwelled on it any longer, her expression would betray her. The atmosphere grew awkward, and Shi Wei Yue hurriedly changed the subject.
“Nothing much, I was just going to make something simple to fill my stomach and came to ask if you’d like some.” She then glanced at Wen Ruxing and added, “Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned.”
**
Having moved out right after coming of age, Shi Wei Yue had developed strong adaptability and practical skills.
During the summer after high school graduation, she used her carefully saved money to buy a train ticket, packed her bags, left home, and found a job that provided room and board. While working, she taught herself various skills. After graduating from university, she found a shared apartment near her internship. The rented place had a small kitchen, and since her roommate couldn’t cook, the modest space became her domain.
She wasn’t skilled at elaborate dishes, but Shi Wei Yue’s specialty was congee. She could whip up a pot of porridge in countless variations, earning endless praise from her roommate at the time. The roommate often bought her treats to foster goodwill and secure more meals.
The kitchen, decorated in a clean and minimalist style, was much brighter than her tiny living space. With the ceiling light on at night, the entire kitchen was bathed in bright illumination.
It was already quite late, and Shi Wei Yue didn’t feel like firing up the stove. She figured stir-fried dishes might be hard to digest at this hour. To avoid stomach trouble later, she simply turned on the rice cooker’s quick-cook mode and prepared half a pot of congee, enough for two.
The snowy white rice was mixed with a bit of glutinous rice, simmered until each grain bloomed open. As soon as the two bowls were placed on the table, the sweet, fragrant aroma of the rice wafted into their noses.
The table, neatly cleaned by the housekeeper, held a fresh bouquet of water roses in a transparent glass vase, their trimmed stems and leaves pleasing to the eye. Shi Wei Yue’s cooking wasn’t just about taste, it was also visually appealing. The two bowls of porridge, placed just so, exuded the ambiance of a high-end restaurant, a testament to the aesthetic of the decor. The presentation alone was enough to whet the appetite.
When Wen Ruxing, who had just come downstairs, saw the two bowls of congee on the table, she was visibly surprised.
The original owner of this body seemed like a pampered young lady who’d never lifted a finger. Since their marriage, she had rarely eaten at home, usually dining out with friends or doing who-knows-what. Naturally, Wen Ruxing had never paid much attention.
But earlier, she had assumed Shi Wei Yue was just teasing, using the offer of food as an excuse to cover up the real reason for knocking on her door. Wen Ruxing hadn’t expected Shi Wei Yue to actually know how to cook, even if it was just congee, it was still surprising.
Meeting Wen Ruxing’s scrutinizing gaze, Shi Wei Yue remained much calmer this time. She had already prepared an explanation and spoke with ease:
“I learned it a long time ago. Didn’t feel like calling the housekeeper today, so I thought I’d give it a try.” Shi Wei Yue paused. “Want to taste it?”
Even though she was confident in her skills, she was curious to hear someone else’s opinion besides her former roommate’s. Shi Wei Yue felt a flicker of anticipation but kept her expression neutral as she pushed a bowl and spoon to the other side of the table. She watched as Wen Ruxing took a seat before pulling out her own chair and sitting down.
Wen Ruxing picked up a small spoon, scooped up some congee, and first brought it to her nose to inhale the aroma before slowly tasting it.
The woman’s dining manners were elegant, she gently sipped the broth, confirmed the temperature, and then savored the warm porridge. In an instant, the sweetness of rock sugar blended with the fragrance of rice, delivering a rich, soft, and complex flavor to her taste buds. Unlike the meticulously crafted delicacies served outside, the simplest foods could often conquer the stomach most effectively.
A warm current spread from the tip of her tongue throughout her body, greatly soothing the hunger in her stomach. Wen Ruxing wasn’t in good condition today, aside from her approaching heat period, she hadn’t had a drop of water all afternoon while scheming and strategizing with others, leaving her utterly exhausted.
Earlier, while showering, she had caught whiffs of Shi Wei Yue’s lingering pheromones on the clothes, which had already eased her mood considerably. Now, with her taste buds conquered as well, she found herself unconsciously viewing the other woman in a slightly more favorable light.
She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but ever since that night, Shi Wei Yue didn’t seem as domineering and cold as before. Instead, she had retracted her sharp edges, much like the change in her pheromones, making her less detestable.
There had been many reasons for her previous dislike of Shi Wei Yue. It was easy to find flaws in someone when you were looking for them, but once that filter of aversion faded, seeing things objectively didn’t seem so difficult either.
That night, Shi Wei Yue had drugged her, but she had gotten her revenge. Wen Ruxing didn’t feel she had lost out on anything. Yet, in Shi Wei Yue’s perception, she should have been just an Alpha. Under the suppression of pheromones, Alphas typically wouldn’t feel desire for someone of the same primary gender. So why had Shi Wei Yue drugged her? What was the benefit?
The bowl of porridge was quickly finished by Wen Ruxing.
The big villain didn’t offer any praise or rewards from start to finish, but the way she kept her head down, silently sipping the porridge in small mouthfuls, was somewhat like a cat retracting its claws into its paws, hiding its sharpness and revealing an adorable docility.
After finishing the last bit in her own bowl, Shi Wei Yue looked up, only to realize Wen Ruxing had been studying her for who knew how long. Those cat-like eyes, shimmering under the light, carried a natural allure, even without smiling, they seemed to beckon.
Wen Ruxing asked:
“Didn’t you dislike sweets?”
Her speaking style had always been concise, but her words were sharp, leaving no room for evasion.
Did the original owner dislike sweets? Shi Wei Yue didn’t recall that detail. She hadn’t thought too deeply about it, simply making the porridge to her own taste after all, few people disliked something as simple and delicious as sweet congee.
Flustered, Shi Wei Yue lifted her head but was caught off guard, nearly colliding with Wen Ruxing, who had leaned in closer. The woman was now uncomfortably near, seemingly unaware she had crossed their safe distance. Amid the sweet scent of rock sugar, Shi Wei Yue caught a whiff of pear blossom wine her pheromones.
She had forgotten to apply a Suppressant patch as soon as she got home.
The lips facing her, moistened by the sweet rice porridge, bore no lip balm but glistened with a natural, tender redness, like translucent jelly. A faint, lingering fragrance stirred her sensitive nerves, easily sparking the impulsive thought of wanting to take a bite.
Wen Ruxing’s voice was soft, as if afraid of disturbing someone, though the spacious room held only the two of them. As the distance closed, warmth surged forward, and Shi Wei Yue inexplicably felt a strange thrill.
“Was it for me?”
The ambiguous atmosphere swirled by her ear, their proximity now so close that a mere tilt of the head would bring them into contact.
At the critical moment, Shi Wei Yue realized she didn’t actually reject Wen Ruxing’s initiative to kiss her, she only felt some instinctive embarrassment. Her hands gripped the armrests of the chair, her breathing slightly quickened. Just as she hesitated whether to accept this inexplicable kiss from the villain, the lips stopped mere inches away from hers.
The woman’s gaze turned cold as she looked at her, like a bucket of icy water poured over her head, completely shattering the ambiguous atmosphere from before. Before Shi Wei Yue could react, Wen Ruxing sneered and raised her knee, withdrawing from the position where she had nearly been kneeling on her lap.
“Let’s skip the meaningless pretense between us. Just say it, what exactly do you want?”