Chapter 37

Hearing her words, Ji Jie wasn’t angry. She crossed her legs and said leisurely, “Then don’t you want to know about my aunt’s business?”

Bai Manruo turned to look at her, half-believing and half-doubting as she asked, “You know?”

Ji Jie raised her chin confidently: “Of course. I am her biological niece, after all. I definitely know more than you.” She leaned in close to Bai Manruo and whispered, “I can tell you anything you want to know, but you must swear not to tell my aunt that I said it.”

Bai Manruo narrowed her eyes, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally nodded: “Fine. I swear I won’t tell Miss Ji. But why are you suddenly being so kind?” She remembered when she had called earlier to ask about Miss Ji, Ji Jie had acted like she didn’t know anything.

Naturally, it was to play matchmaker for her and her aunt, but Ji Jie wasn’t foolish enough to tell her the truth. She gave a little cough and explained calmly, “I didn’t know you well before. Who knew if you had some ulterior motive for prying into my aunt’s affairs? But it’s different now—I trust you.”

After hearing her reason, Bai Manruo propped up her chin and pondered for a while. She thought Ji Jie wasn’t wrong; to her, she was indeed an outsider, not someone particularly familiar. It was normal to be guarded when inquiring about private matters.

Ji Jie silently observed her expression out of the corner of her eye and said, “Weren’t you always asking about Aunt’s illness? Actually, I don’t know much either, but I know someone who definitely does.”

Hearing this, Bai Manruo immediately looked up and asked, “Who?”

Medical Room

Bai Manruo looked at the doctor in front of her and felt a sense of familiarity. A flash of memory crossed her mind—she remembered now; this was the same doctor who had treated her back injury.

While Bai Manruo was reminiscing, Ji Jie leaned back lazily in her chair, seemingly unintentionally lifting her head to cast a meaningful look at Dr. Wang.

Dr. Wang received her gaze, nodded slightly, and rubbed her hands nervously under the table. She and Butler Li had both been with Ji Yingqing for over a decade and had practically watched Miss Ji Jie grow up. She knew Ji Jie’s personality—she wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted.

After a series of “threats and bribes” from Ji Jie yesterday, Dr. Wang had been forced to yield and promised her: if Miss Bai inquired about the Young Mistress, she would stick to the “tall tale” Ji Jie had fabricated.

Fortunately, the story Ji Jie made up wasn’t anything serious—at most, it was a harmless prank. Dr. Wang could only agree for now and planned to apologize to Miss Bai later.

Bai Manruo smiled politely and asked, “Hello, Dr. Wang. I’d like to inquire about Miss Ji’s illness. I wonder if it’s convenient for you to talk about it?”

Hearing her question, Dr. Wang instinctively glanced at Ji Jie beside her, wiped the cold sweat from her palms, and smiled: “Miss Ji’s condition is quite complex and can’t be explained clearly in a short time. However, I know you care about her. You can simply understand it as: Miss Ji’s illness is related to Alpha pheromones.”

Bai Manruo recalled the glass test tubes she had seen on the fourth floor; they were indeed filled with Alpha pheromones. She continued, “I am an Alpha. My pheromones affect Miss Ji. Is this influence beneficial for her?”

Dr. Wang picked up an examination report and handed it to her, saying, “This is the analysis report of your pheromones. Your pheromones have a far greater effect on Miss Ji than you imagine. You don’t need to worry—the effect is beneficial.”

Dr. Wang pushed up her glasses and looked at her, thinking that this Alpha was vital to the Young Mistress’s condition. She had studied for over ten years to help alleviate the distress caused by Pheromone Deficiency Syndrome, but it only treated the symptoms, not the root cause.

However, since this Alpha arrived at the castle, she hadn’t heard the emergency bell for a long time, and all the test data showed that the Young Mistress’s condition was gradually stabilizing.

Dr. Wang could swear on her life that everything she had said so far was true. But for the next part, she met Ji Jie’s gaze and swallowed nervously.

Bai Manruo read the report carefully and asked earnestly, “Then what can I do to help Miss Ji alleviate her condition and make her less uncomfortable?”

Hearing her words, Dr. Wang sighed inwardly. Just as Miss Ji Jie expected, this Alpha, knowing her pheromones were beneficial, would definitely ask for a treatment method.

Dr. Wang gave a light cough to hide the guilt on her face, furrowed her brow, and said, “There is a way, but…”

Bai Manruo asked anxiously, “But what?”

Dr. Wang said, “But pheromones are substances that influence and reflect changes in a person’s behavior, emotions, psychology, or physiological mechanisms. Treatment is very complex.”

Dr. Wang glanced subconsciously at Ji Jie and continued, “Because your pheromones are beneficial to Miss Ji, the effect is minimal in the short term. Therefore, long-term companionship is necessary to alleviate the condition. Moreover, Miss Ji has lived alone in the castle for many years and rarely comes into contact with Alphas. When her condition flares up, she relies on medication for control, but these drugs have significant side effects. Over time, it’s detrimental to both her illness and her mood.”

After listening to Dr. Wang’s explanation, Bai Manruo fell into thought, murmuring, “Needs long-term companionship.”

Ji Jie, who had been watching silently from the side, finally moved. She pulled her chair forward and spoke up: “Based on Dr. Wang’s meaning, your pheromones have a huge effect on my aunt’s illness. Then you should move to the third floor and live with my aunt from now on.”

Bai Manruo’s head snapped up as she looked at Ji Jie in shock. Realizing her reaction was too big, she adjusted her expression and shook her head decisively: “No.”

“Why not? Do you want to watch my aunt continue to suffer? You heard Dr. Wang just now—as an Alpha, your pheromones are better than any medicine. Are you really going to stand by and watch her in pain?”

Hearing her words, Bai Manruo hesitated. She certainly didn’t want that, but the act of living and sleeping together was too intimate. Even if she were willing, she didn’t know if the boss would agree.

Ji Jie saw through her thoughts at a glance, patted her chest, and said confidently, “Don’t worry. As long as you are okay with it, I guarantee Aunt will be willing too.”

Bai Manruo was wavering. After thinking for a while, she spoke slowly, “You don’t need to worry about this anymore. I’ll handle it myself.” She was afraid Ji Jie would come up with some other bad idea; she’d feel more at ease handling it herself.

Ji Jie shrugged: “Fine.” It doesn’t matter, as long as you live with my aunt, that’s enough, she thought, but didn’t say it aloud.

Ji Jie curled her lips into a smirk. She [Read on BaiLianTales]didn’t believe that living and sleeping together every day, being inseparable, wouldn’t lead to feelings over time!

“Oh, right. Dr. Wang also mentioned that mood is very important for recovery. Before you came, my aunt stayed alone in the castle every day—nothing but work.” After speaking, Ji Jie took two movie tickets from her bag and handed them over. “I happen to have two tickets. I originally wanted to invite Huanxin, but I’m giving them to you now. Consider it a small contribution toward treating my aunt’s illness.”

Looking at the movie tickets stuffed into her hand, Bai Manruo felt a surge of nervousness at the thought of inviting Miss Ji to a movie.

Seeing the plan proceeding smoothly, the joy in Ji Jie’s eyes was unmistakable. She actively offered suggestions: “The movie starts at 8:30. Don’t rush back after it’s over. You can go shopping with my aunt, visit the ocean park, go to a dessert shop to make a cake, have a candlelight dinner, and then…”

“Candlelight dinner?” Bai Manruo narrowed her eyes. The more she listened, the more something felt off. She looked at Ji Jie with a half-smile: “These all sound like things couples do on a date.”

Ji Jie didn’t feel guilty at all and said righteously, “Dr. Wang said mood also affects the illness. You don’t want to see my aunt uncomfortable, do you?”

Bai Manruo pondered for a moment, picked up the two tickets, and spoke slowly: “Thanks.”

Ji Jie raised an eyebrow and silently curled her lips into a smile. Checkmate. She knew that with this reason, Bai Manruo would never refuse.

Near dinner time, Bai Manruo straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and headed upstairs. Holding the two movie tickets, she knocked on the door: “Miss Ji.”

“Come in.”

Ji Yingqing looked up from her computer. Seeing Bai Manruo coming to find her was a surprise; she had thought the girl would hide for a few days because of what happened last night.

Bai Manruo held out the tickets and got straight to the point: “If Miss Ji isn’t busy tonight, could you accompany me to a movie?”

Hearing this, Ji Yingqing’s brow rose slightly. Her gaze drifted to [Read on BaiLianTales]Bai Manruo’s reddened earlobes. After thinking for a few seconds, she reached out and took the tickets: “Alright.”

Half an hour later, the two set off for the cinema.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Bai Manruo looked at the person beside her. The boss’s clothes were in the same color palette as hers—both in light blue. She didn’t know if it was a coincidence or chemistry. She looked down at the clothes she had chosen, and her lips curled up slightly. She was in a very good mood.

When they arrived, Bai Manruo stood at the ticket gate. Seeing the affectionate couples in pairs all around her, she felt a wave of confusion. Could it be Valentine’s Day today?!

Impossible. Bai Manruo frantically pulled out her phone to check, letting out a sigh of relief when she saw it wasn’t. However, she usually didn’t see such a high proportion of couples at the movies. Bai Manruo walked forward with a slight frown; as she looked for their screening room, a bad premonition rose in her heart.

Ji Yingqing followed beside her, her lips curving slightly. The moment she stepped into this cinema, she realized it was different from ordinary ones.

Bai Manruo pushed open the door to their room, and a faint scent of roses wafted out, mixed with other perfumes.

What is the meaning of this???

The moment she saw the room, Bai Manruo froze in place. It was a spacious, bright private suite, decorated entirely in pink tones. The circular sofa was covered in rose petals. This room was clearly intended for couples.

Bai Manruo took a deep breath, the words squeezing out from between her teeth: “Ji. Jie.”

Ji Yingqing walked inside, glancing at the heart-shaped balloons on the wall. Her lips curled up slightly as she toured the suite unhurriedly, commenting: “The room choice isn’t bad.”

Seeing the boss seemed to be in a good mood, the tiny bit of embarrassment and panic in Bai Manruo’s heart vanished. She sat down next to her: “As long as Miss Ji likes it.”

Ji Yingqing leaned back lazily on the sofa, her gaze resting on bailiantales.comthe girl’s profile. She murmured softly, “Mm, I like it.”

Bai Manruo was busy fiddling with the movie player and didn’t notice her gaze.

“Done!” Bai Manruo tossed the instruction manual aside and sat back excitedly.

The sofa was huge, yet their shoulders were pressed together, their fair, smooth skin touching ever so slightly. Ji Yingqing’s peripheral vision rested on Bai Manruo, who was huddled close to her. Seeing these unconsciously displayed intimate physical gestures, a gentle smile appeared in her deep grey eyes.

The movie began. Hearing the eerie nursery rhyme at the start, Bai Manruo swallowed nervously. Ji Jie actually picked a horror movie??!

Five minutes into the movie, Bai Manruo was leaning closer and closer to the side, almost falling into Ji Yingqing’s arms. Ji Yingqing, sensing her fear, leaned toward her, using her body to block her view, and reached out to turn off the movie.

Bai Manruo immediately sat up straight, shaking her head while pretending to be calm: “No, no. I was just a tiny bit startled by the eerie music at the beginning. It probably won’t be scary later.”

Bai Manruo sat closer to her, reminding herself that she came to see the movie for Miss Ji’s sake; she had to finish it no matter how scared she was.

However, when the movie reached its most terrifying part, Bai Manruo completely dropped her forced facade, jumping up from the sofa and diving into Ji Yingqing’s arms.

Ji Yingqing looked at the person in her embrace, patted her back, and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. Since she’s so afraid of horror movies, why did she choose this one?

Until the movie ended, Bai Manruo remained in Ji Yingqing’s arms, not yet recovered. She was buried in the crook of Ji Yingqing’s neck, her hot breath brushing against the exposed skin, making the other’s heart itch.

Ji Yingqing’s arms were around her waist, and their pressed-together heartbeats thudded wildly in the private space.

It wasn’t until Bai Manruo recovered that she [bailiantales.com]realized her compromised position. She scrambled off her, stammering: “I… I… Miss Ji…”

Ji Yingqing considerately poured her a glass of water: “It’s fine.”

Seeing the boss didn’t mind, Bai Manruo breathed a sigh of relief. While drinking water, she thought about the rest of the itinerary: dinner after the movie, and if there was time, they could visit the underwater world.

Leaving the cinema, Bai Manruo sought Ji Yingqing’s opinion, saying gently: “Miss Ji, let’s eat out tonight, okay?”

Ji Yingqing nodded without hesitation: “Alright.” It seemed no matter what she suggested, the answer would be yes.

Bai Manruo entered the restaurant address into the navigation, buckled her seatbelt, and shouted happily: “Let’s go~”

Seeing her so excited, Ji Yingqing was infected by her mood and unconsciously laughed along with her.

They returned to the castle past 11:00 PM.

Bai Manruo returned to her room and flipped through the photos on her phone. Suddenly, she remembered another matter—she had been so caught up in dinner and the movie that she almost forgot about moving to the third floor.

When she first came to the castle, the boss had climbed into her bed and she had mistaken her for a criminal. At that time, the boss looked pained and weak; if it hadn’t been for her pheromones working on her, the boss wouldn’t have come back three nights in a row.

The pained image of the boss’s episode surfaced in Bai Manruo’s mind, and she couldn’t help but feel heart-stricken.

Thinking about it this way, what was a little embarrassment compared to the boss’s illness!

She finished her mental preparation, stopped dawdling, and headed upstairs hugging her blanket.