If this had happened to someone else, it might have been touching. But Shi Wei Yue’s first reaction was to immediately take off the clothes and inspect them.
No loose threads, no damage the fabric was smooth and sturdy. She turned on the desk lamp, adjusted it to the second setting, and carefully examined the dress again, finding nothing suspicious.
Though she found it hard to believe the big villain could be so kind, Shi Wei Yue could now at least confirm that Wen Ruxing probably wouldn’t play tricks on her over something like this.
Which meant Wen Ruxing had gone out of her way to have a new dress custom-made for her in such a short time, just for a family gathering?
Shi Wei Yue’s emotions were complicated.
It wasn’t that she was so easily swayed by a pretty new dress, but she was genuinely surprised that something like this could come from Wen Ruxing.
According to the script provided by the system, Wen Ruxing was described as “cold, unapproachable, with an abnormal thought process, moody and unpredictable.” This was why she had almost no friends, most people she knew were either mere acquaintances or outright enemies.
After spending these past few days with her, Shi Wei Yue still struggled to associate Wen Ruxing with words like “gentle” or “considerate.” Yet this silent gesture of buying her new clothes unexpectedly filled in the missing warmth, making Wen Ruxing seem more… human.
And a little less detestable.
No, to be precise, what she disliked was this controlled life. As for Wen Ruxing herself, Shi Wei Yue didn’t actually have that much of a problem with her. She’d met plenty of people with sharp tongues, Wen Ruxing was just one of them, and not even the worst.
Back at home, everything food, clothes, opportunities had always gone to her brothers first. She’d endured her parents’ inexplicable anger, watched helplessly as her older sister dropped out of school at a young age to work, handing over most of her earnings to contribute to their younger brother’s future bride price. All Shi Wei Yue could do was play the obedient, docile child until she was old enough to change her name and move to another city.
Even then, her family’s relentless search for her had stirred up endless drama, leaving her no peace.
Compared to that, wasn’t her current situation much better?
Whatever Wen Ruxing’s intentions were, the meticulous design and perfect fit showed that this wasn’t just some random pick. And honestly, this was the first time anyone had ever bought clothes for her. It felt meaningful.
Lost in thought, Shi Wei Yue sat on the sofa for a long time until drowsiness finally overtook her. Clutching the new dress, she headed to her room.
With a soft click, the nightlight turned off, and the spacious living room was once again bathed in the hazy darkness of moonlight. Just as silence settled in, it was broken by deliberately light footsteps.
Across from Shi Wei Yue’s door, another bedroom door quietly opened. Only after catching the faint sound of running water did Wen Ruxing cautiously descend the stairs and approach the sofa, picking up the clothes that still carried a trace of warmth.
The moment she closed the door behind her, Wen Ruxing’s heartbeat involuntarily quickened. As usual, she locked the door but this time, the feeling was entirely different.
She and Shi Wei Yue had a contractual marriage, agreeing not to interfere with each other. However, to minimize family control and disturbances, she disguised herself as an Alpha in daily life, which was quite inconvenient. Firstly, an Omega’s pheromones were vastly different from an Alpha’s. If exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Over the years, Wen Ruxing had always been cautious, preparing well before her Heat period arrived. She kept suppressants and pheromone soothing agents in the hidden compartment of her room. She had managed this way for so long without any major mishaps.
Yet, for some reason, she had high standards for Alpha pheromones not necessarily related to rank, but rather because she detested the overly aggressive scents many Alphas carried, the strong sense of inherent dominance that made her instinctively recoil.
Wen Ruxing still remembered that Shi Wei Yue’s pheromones used to be heavily alcohol-laced, so pungent it made her dizzy and nauseous. After one whiff, she disliked it intensely and blacklisted it. But for some reason, the woman’s pheromones had quietly changed over time.
It wasn’t a drastic shift pheromones were like a calling card for Alphas and Omegas, subtly shifting with personality, mood, and state. It might also have been because she previously disliked Shi Wei Yue’s clashing, spoiled temperament. Now that the other woman had toned it down, she seemed slightly more tolerable.
In any case, pheromone soothing agents were no match for a real Alpha’s scent. Since her differentiation, Wen Ruxing had secretly searched for a suitable Alpha, but to no avail. Coincidentally, when the Wen family faced trouble and sought the Shi family’s help, she proposed a marriage alliance. Shi Wei Yue agreed, with the condition that they wouldn’t interfere in each other’s lives. Wen Ruxing accepted temporarily, treating it as a period of laying low.
Now, her Heat period was approaching.
Alpha pheromones lingered longer than high-end perfumes. Wen Ruxing casually picked up a coat and pressed it to her nose. The intoxicating scent of pear blossom wine immediately seeped into her senses, teasing the Omega’s nerves.
She hadn’t expected the pheromones on this coat to be so potent. Unprepared, her legs weakened, and she sank to her knees on the cold floor.
This was the first time she had truly savored Shi Wei Yue’s pheromones, the fresh, delicate pear blossom wine suited the woman’s appearance perfectly.
Shi Wei Yue was the type of delicate beauty with soft features graceful, slender, and elegant. Her eyes sparkled when she smiled, like a little white rabbit, even appearing somewhat cute. What mischief lurked beneath that surface, however, was unclear.
The relentless invasion of pheromones into her olfactory nerves made her recall that night’s events.
The woman seemed dim-witted and indeed was just as foolish. Despite her reputation as a flirt, she didn’t even know how to put on a finger cot. Wen Ruxing couldn’t tell if she was pretending, only that she ended up guiding her step by step, aligning properly, and catching a glimpse of the woman’s crimson-red earlobes under the dim light.
Even under the influence of the suppressants, Shi Wei Yue hadn’t lost control. Instead, she had been considerate of Wen Ruxing’s feelings, her gentle movements contrasting with her flustered demeanor.
That night hadn’t been particularly satisfying, but it had shifted her impression of Shi Wei Yue, just a little.
The icy floor did nothing to stop the rising heat in her body. Feeling the warmth surging through her veins, Wen Ruxing slowly pushed herself up with the support of the wall, gritted her teeth, and stumbled into the bathroom.
Before long, the sounds inside the bathroom were drowned out by the rushing water and the soft strains of instrumental music.
**
Shi Wei Yue was usually particular about sleeping in unfamiliar beds, but last night she had been utterly exhausted. After a shower, she lit some sleep-inducing incense and finally managed to sleep soundly until dawn.
By eight in the morning, the housekeeper had already arrived to clean and prepare breakfast. After freshening up, Shi Wei Yue went downstairs but couldn’t find the old clothes she had left on the sofa. She walked to the kitchen door and asked the housekeeper:
“Aunt Zhang, where are the clothes I left on the sofa?”
Wen Ruxing had woken up early today and was currently watering the flowers on the balcony. Her voice tightened slightly as she answered:
“I threw them in the washing machine.”
The marital home had been purchased with equal contributions from both parties. Since it was an arranged marriage, Wen Ruxing didn’t want to take advantage, she feared being dominated in their married life. While the original owner had paid for the house, Wen Ruxing had covered the equally expensive renovation costs.
Yesterday had been too rushed for Shi Wei Yue to take a proper look. Only now did she notice that despite the villa’s opulent exterior, the interior was decorated in a refreshingly simple style.
The living room walls were covered in silver-white wallpaper, with subtle rose patterns growing denser toward the corners. The morning sunlight streaming in made the silver-petaled roses seem to bloom against the walls, their edges delicately traced in dark gold, shimmering faintly.
The living room was arranged with thoughtful spacing, nowhere felt too empty, yet everywhere was open and bright. The small extended terrace was mainly used for drying clothes, while the upstairs open balcony served as a flower room. Here, potted plants adorned the space, including a cluster of fox-tail lilies, their pink petals glistening with dew in the morning light. A woman in loungewear stood beside them, carefully wiping each leaf.
Wen Ruxing’s loose-fitting loungewear long sleeves and a flowing dress still hinted at her slender figure.
Her long hair cascaded freely, and the small teardrop mole at the corner of her eye stood out against her fair complexion. Paired with her mesmerizing, cat-like eyes, she exuded a natural, alluring charm.
Perhaps her mind wasn’t fully awake yet, but for a fleeting moment, Shi Wei Yue had an absurd thought.
Wen Ruxing, almost seemed like her wife.
The “wife” she imagined wasn’t any specific person but rather a role she had never considered before. Shi Wei Yue had never been in a relationship, romance simply hadn’t factored into her life plans. She wasn’t a lonely person; compared to the elusive concept of “love,” she preferred returning home after work to enjoy her own company, as long as she had freedom and time.
She had never questioned her sexual orientation because she’d never been attracted to anyone before. After transmigrating into this situation, there had been no other solution but to go along with what happened between her and Wen Ruxing.
Still, having a “wife” like this would surely make home life anything but peaceful.
Even now, remembering how Wen Ruxing had chatted amiably over dinner, silently drugged her, and watched with amusement as she struggled in agony sent a chill crawling down Shi Wei Yue’s spine.
Wen Ruxing was an extraordinarily composed individual, with remarkable self-control and nerves of steel. Shi Wei Yue had no doubt that if she had actually done anything to Wen Ruxing that day, the latter could have easily turned the tables and reported her.
Regardless of the circumstances, as long as the outcome was pinned as marital rape, the Shi family was unlikely to intervene just to salvage their reputation. In that case, Wen Ruxing could have easily taken control, reversing their positions entirely.
Shi Wei Yue had encountered all sorts of people, from the righteous to the unscrupulous, but this woman was the only one who felt so dangerously inscrutable.
At this thought, the faint flicker of agitation faded, leaving only wariness behind.
Wen Ruxing seemed to sense her gaze but met it calmly. She pocketed the tissue and walked toward the dining table with unhurried steps, as if engaging in a normal conversation with her wife:
“We should head back for lunch. If there’s nothing else, let’s get ready and go, dear.”
At home, Wen Ruxing usually couldn’t be bothered to put on an act, and they mostly lived separate lives. The housekeeper, hearing this, looked up in surprise at Wen Ruxing. Meeting her inexplicable smile, Shi Wei Yue’s heartbeat faltered for a moment, but she didn’t back down.
Shi Wei Yue smoothly shifted the topic as if nothing were amiss:
“You’ll be joining the film crew soon, right? I’ve prepared a gift for you, keep an eye out for the delivery, dear.”