“Manman!” Xie Xiaomo flipped on the light and hurriedly got out of bed.
The girl’s previously pale face was flushed with an abnormal, feverish color. Xie Xiaomo reached out and touched her forehead; it was burning hot.
“Manman, you have a fever. Did you catch a cold?” Xie Xiaomo wasn’t sure if she caught a cold from the sea breeze on the way from the cliff to the villa or from the shower, but the fever was undeniable.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to go downstairs to find the first aid kit for fever reducers. Although making a noise in the middle of the night would definitely alert Manager Shui, she had to bring Manman’s fever down immediately. She would just tell Manager Shui that she had caught a chill during the day and felt feverish.
“No, it’s not…” The girl bit her lip, seemingly finding it difficult to speak. “I… I don’t have a cold. My… heat period has started.”
HEAT PERIOD!!!
Xie Xiaomo, who had never been marked, instantly flushed bright red. She knew perfectly well what a heat period meant for an Omega.
“I… I’ll go find you an inhibitor.”
Xie Xiaomo hastily opened the other suitcase. She was an Alpha, and she also had rut periods or could be stimulated. She carried inhibitor patches, inhibitor sprays, and block patches with her.
She quickly found an inhibitor patch, saw the large word ALPHA on it, and remembered it was exclusively for Alphas! She was an Alpha and had no Omega partner, so where would she have Omega inhibitor patches?
To make matters worse, as the smell of chocolate in the room grew stronger, the gland at the back of her neck reacted. A strange and exciting urge surged through her body.
Xie Xiaomo turned and looked at the weak, soft Omega on the sofa. Her marking teeth were itching.
Such a delicious, tasty Omega!
Even more dangerously, Manman let out a muffled groan from her throat…
SMACK! Xie Xiaomo quickly slapped a block patch on herself.
The girl muttered vaguely, “Chen Ping and the others… had some. They used it on me before.”
A light bulb went off in Xie Xiaomo’s head. Manman must have gone through heat periods more than once while locked up here. If Chen Ping and the others had them, they must have been given to them by Manager Shui. That meant the villa definitely stocked Omega inhibitor patches.
“Wait for me. I’ll be right back.”
Xie Xiaomo turned on her phone’s flashlight and quickly walked downstairs, trying to keep her steps as light as possible.
She searched a row of cabinets one by one, finally stopping in front of one drawer. She remembered that yesterday, when she grazed her arm on a tree branch while riding the horse, Manager Shui took a Band-Aid from this very drawer.
The drawer opened, and sure enough, it held the first aid kit.
Xie Xiaomo was thrilled. She pulled out the entire kit and put it on the table to search. Diarrhea medicine, cold medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, burn and cut ointment… Inhibitor patch!! Xie Xiaomo’s heart leaped when she saw the word OMEGA on the packaging. She grabbed a few and shoved them into her pajama pocket.
Just as she was about to look for faster-acting inhibitor spray, SNAP! The light came on.
The sudden, blinding white light made Xie Xiaomo freeze.
“Miss?” Manager Shui voice sounded from the stairs. “What are you doing here?”
Xie Xiaomo: “!!!”
“Nothing. I think I’m coming down with a cold. I came to look for some cold medicine.”
Xie Xiaomo casually picked up a box of cold medicine from the kit and walked toward the stairs, slightly hunching her body.
Manager Shui stared intently at the young lady without blinking.
Xie Xiaomo’s heart pounded. Did he realize she was faking it?
She felt like she had a target painted on her back, and her palms were sweaty. She had no choice but to push on, trying to keep her face composed. Just as she passed Manager Shui and was about to step onto the stairs.
“Wait!”
Xie Xiaomo’s heart shot up to her throat.
She slowly turned around. “What is it?”
“Miss, stop making a fuss. Don’t take medicine if you don’t have a cold. Mr. Xie is determined to get you off the island this time. Cold or not, you must take the boat tomorrow.”
Xie Xiaomo: “…”
“Hmph! Fine, I’ll go! I’ll be back!” Xie Xiaomo stomped upstairs with the box of cold medicine.
Manager Shui shook his head, walked over, and placed the first aid kit back into the cabinet.
Back in the room, Xie Xiaomo let out a huge sigh of relief. Thank goodness Manager Shui hadn’t noticed.
She placed the box of cold medicine on the desk and walked over to the sofa to touch Manman’s forehead.
Her forehead was even hotter. The blush on Manman’s face was deeper. Her eyes were tightly closed, and her long eyelashes fluttered restlessly. Sensing Xie Xiaomo’s proximity, Manman, in her confusion, leaned into her hand. Like a kitten, she pressed her burning cheek against Xie Xiaomo’s palm.
The soft touch, the strong scent of chocolate permeating the air… Even with the block patch on, in such a high concentration of Omega pheromones, a jolt shot through Xie Xiaomo’s heart. The frantic excitement made her heart race, and her Alpha primitive instincts caused her blood to churn.
Right now, if she applied just a little force, she could pull this Omega girl, who smelled of pheromones, into her arms and bite her delicious gland.
“So hot, uncomfortable… I’m so uncomfortable…” Manman began tugging at her clothes.
“Manman, bear with it. It will be over soon.” Xie Xiaomo quickly pulled Manman up, helping her sit upright. Then, she pulled an inhibitor patch from her pocket and tore it open. Ignoring the taboo of A/O difference and what she should and shouldn’t see, she lifted the long hair at the back of Manman’s neck.
On the white neck, the gland was already swollen and red. High-concentration pheromones had condensed into liquid, trailing down in small streams and soaking the area around the gland.
Xie Xiaomo could only look for a moment before looking away in embarrassment. After she applied the inhibitor patch to the gland, she picked up Manman and placed her on the bed.
“Manman, you’ll be fine. It will be over soon.”
The Omega pheromones flooded the room, sealing the small space. Xie Xiaomo got up and went to the window, gently pushing it halfway open. Afraid Manager Shui would hear any noise, she moved very, very softly.
The fresh sea breeze, carrying the sound of waves hitting the shore, poured in, immediately dissipating much of the Omega pheromone smell in the room.
The crisis was temporarily averted.
Once the chocolate scent had mostly dissipated, Xie Xiaomo closed the window.
The inhibitor patch must have taken effect. Manman on the bed was asleep, her breathing steady, and the abnormal flush on her face had faded.
Xie Xiaomo covered her with the blanket, then lay down on the sofa, pulling the throw blanket over herself. She turned to watch Manman’s sleeping face. The girl lay quietly on the bed, sweet and soft, adorable like a ball of white mochi.
The softest part of Xie Xiaomo’s heart was touched. She watched the mochi for a long time, the corners of her lips turning up.
In the morning, a loud phone alarm went off.
Whoosh! Xie Xiaomo started awake, reached out, pressed the snooze button, and sat up.
“You’re awake.”
Xie Xiaomo: “…”
She turned her head. Manman, who knows when she woke up, was already dressed in new clothes, her beautiful long hair draped over her shoulders. Her skin was snow-white. She stood elegantly by the wardrobe.
Xie Xiaomo threw off the blanket and stood up. “When did you wake up? Also, are you feeling better?” Xie Xiaomo pointed to the back of her own neck.
“Much better.” Manman’s face flushed. “…Thank you for yesterday.”
“It’s nothing. That was sudden. I apologize if I was disrespectful yesterday. Please don’t be angry.”
“No, I’m not angry. You helped me. How could I be angry?”
Xie Xiaomo curved her lips. “I’ll go get ready, and then we’ll go down together.”
Manman nodded. “Mhm.”
“Today will be uncomfortable for you. You’ll have to stay cramped inside the suitcase, unable to move much. The boat ride will take about five to six hours. You definitely won’t be able to use the restroom in the suitcase. You might also have to go without eating or drinking. Can you handle that?”
“Yes, I can. I can go without eating or drinking all day and night.”
Hearing this, Xie Xiaomo looked at her intently. She didn’t know how many times Manman had gone without food or water during her three years of captivity. But after today, she would be free.
“I’ll go get ready then. There are three more inhibitor patches on the desk. Take them with you.”
“Mhm.”
Xie Xiaomo quickly washed up and packed a small suitcase with her laptop, a few clothes, and two bottles of liquor.
Then came the large suitcase. “Manman, please get in.”
Manman curved her lips and smiled at her. Bathed in the morning light, Xie Xiaomo noticed for the first time that she had a pair of very faint dimples, adding a touch of vibrant charm to her pure cuteness.
Xie Xiaomo felt her heart pound again.
The suitcase was large, and the girl was slender and small. Wearing an undershirt and a slim, light jacket, she easily fit herself inside, curled up.
Xie Xiaomo helped her adjust her posture and tied up her beautiful long hair. Last night, she was too focused on rescuing her to notice, but now, her fingertips brushed against her hair. Xie Xiaomo realized her hair was even softer and lovelier than she had imagined.
“Is this okay?”
“Yes.”
Xie Xiaomo handed her a bottle of water. “If you get really thirsty, just wet your throat.”
She closed the zipper, leaving a small gap where Manman’s nose was so she could breathe.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, I can do it.”
Xie Xiaomo pushed the two suitcases to the stairs. Just as she was about to go downstairs, Manager Shui, having finished setting out breakfast, saw her and came up to help.
Seeing him reach for the larger suitcase, Xie Xiaomo, terrified he would notice the anomaly, immediately rushed forward and hugged the suitcase. “This has my treasures in it! They’re all rare, limited-edition figurines! My private collection! No one touches it!”
Manager Shui’s lip twitched. He turned and picked up the smaller suitcase instead.
The large suitcase, including Manman inside, weighed about a hundred pounds. Fortunately, Xie Xiaomo was an Alpha. Although lifting a hundred pounds was tiring, it wasn’t overly difficult.
She set the suitcase down, casually leaning the large one against the small one, and walked over to eat breakfast with a relaxed expression.
Manager Shui packed sandwiches, fruit, and drinks.
“Miss, you’ll have to make do with a simple lunch on the boat.”
“Fine, I know.” Xie Xiaomo deliberately made a demand. “Next time, tell Old Sha to catch some fresh seafood so we can have a barbecue on the boat. Oh, and give him a few bottles of high-end red wine to keep on the boat for me. And preferably two beautiful Omega hostesses on the boat.”
Manager Shui: “…”
The young lady doesn’t do any serious work all day, just idles around. But she sure knows a lot about eating, drinking, and having fun. She’s nothing like Mr. Xie! Finish your meal and get back home. Don’t bother me on the island!
Sure enough, as soon as Xie Xiaomo finished eating, Manager Shui urged her to leave.
Xie Xiaomo was more than happy to go. She lifted the large suitcase, got into the golf cart driven by Manager Shui, and set off for the pier.
They arrived at the pier at 7:55 AM. The boat was already waiting.
Manager Shui carried the cooler bag with lunch and the small suitcase onto the boat first. Xie Xiaomo picked up the large suitcase, preparing to board.
Suddenly, Manager Shui stopped, his gaze fixed on the large suitcase.
Xie Xiaomo instantly tensed up. “What’s wrong?”
Manager Shui didn’t answer. He reached out a hand toward the large suitcase.
Xie Xiaomo panicked. “Don’t touch my suitcase!”
Manman inside, although unable to see, heard Xie Xiaomo’s voice and immediately went completely still, tensing her body and holding her breath.
Manager Shui’s hand, however, landed unhesitatingly on the zipper. Xie Xiaomo’s heart was in her throat!
Did Manager Shui realize there was something wrong with the suitcase?!
But Manager Shui simply closed the small gap in the zipper, sealed it tightly, and clipped the lock shut.
“Miss, since these are your treasures, you need to be careful. Watch out when getting on and off the boat.”
Xie Xiaomo: “…”
In some ways, Manager Shui was very conscientious. Unfortunately, he was absolutely loyal to her uncle! Even if her uncle told him to jump into the sea now, he would do it without blinking.
“Thank you, Manager Shui. You know I’m usually careless and a bit clumsy.” With that, Xie Xiaomo successfully boarded the boat with her suitcase.
Manager Shui sternly instructed Old Sha: “You are not to let Miss run wild. Don’t bring anyone else to the island without my notification. Otherwise, you know Mr. Xie’s temper.”
Old Sha was slightly speechless. It was difficult being caught between Mr. Xie and Miss Xie.
Xie Xiaomo rested her hand on the suitcase, hoping Manager Shui would leave quickly. “The waves seem a bit rough today. Can we reach K City in six hours?”
Old Sha: “It’s fine. These aren’t rough waves. We’ll get to K City in less than six hours.”
Manager Shui glanced at the young lady, thinking she didn’t want to leave again. “Miss, you behave yourself on the way back. Old Sha, start the boat.”
With that, Manager Shui disembarked.
Xie Xiaomo was eager for the boat to leave immediately. She didn’t know how long Manman could endure being sealed inside the suitcase.
The moment the boat started moving, Xie Xiaomo smiled and waved goodbye to Manager Shui on the shore, then turned and went inside the cabin.
Old Sha and the crew were in the cockpit. Xie Xiaomo quickly unzipped the large suitcase. “Manman, are you alright?”
The girl was already red-faced from being suffocated in the narrow, sealed space.
As the sea wind rushed in, the girl popped out halfway, gasping for air, greedily breathing in the fresh air.
“Are you okay?”
The girl nodded. Although being cramped in the suitcase was uncomfortable, her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Are we off the island?”
“Yes, we’re off the island. We’re on the sea. We’ll reach K City in about five hours.”
“Thank you, Xie Xiaomo.”
Xie Xiaomo’s lips curled up, hearing her name spoken. “I’m happy I could help you.”
A few minutes later, Xie Xiaomo checked her watch. She figured Manager Shui must be close to the cliffside prison with the meal by now and would soon discover the situation. The frantic calls would start coming to Old Sha’s phone.
She needed to figure out a way for Old Sha not to answer the phone.
“Manman, I need to go to the front for a minute. I’ll be right back.”
The girl retracted into the suitcase. Xie Xiaomo zipped it up, leaving her a small gap.
She thought for a moment, took a bottle of liquor from the small suitcase, and went to the cockpit.
Old Sha and the other crew member greeted her.
Xie Xiaomo: “Old Sha, I need to talk to you about something.”
Old Sha handed the helm to his subordinate and followed Xie Xiaomo outside. On the deck, the two leaned on the railing to talk.
Old Sha: “Miss Xie, what is it?”
Xie Xiaomo: “Old Sha, I have a friend who wants to go out to sea and have a party on a boat. I think your boat is perfect. What do you say? Will you take the job?”
Old Sha’s face lit up at the prospect of new business. “Yes, I’ll take it. If it’s Miss Xie’s friend, I’ll definitely take the job.”
Just as he was about to ask more questions, his phone suddenly rang. The loud ring stubbornly persisted, sounding anxious over the noise of the waves.
Xie Xiaomo knew exactly who was calling him.
“Old Sha, catch!” Xie Xiaomo pulled the bottle of liquor from her pocket and tossed it toward Old Sha. “This is liquor that costs tens of thousands per bottle!”
“Ah! Don’t throw it!” Old Sha was holding the phone. He saw Manager Shui name on the screen and was about to answer when the bottle of fine liquor came flying at him. He fumbled to catch the bottle.
Plop! The phone slipped out of his palm and fell into the sea.
“Your phone fell!” Xie Xiaomo cried out, though she was delighted inside. “I’m so sorry, Old Sha. I’ll buy you a new one in K City! The latest model!”
Old Sha was initially frowning and sighing, but when Miss said she would buy him the latest model, he was instantly happy, hugging the expensive bottle of liquor. “Oh, Miss, that’s too much trouble for you.”
“It’s no trouble at all. How could it be trouble? It was my fault that your phone fell into the sea.”
With Old Sha’s phone at the bottom of the sea and them out on the water, no one could reach them now.
Xie Xiaomo was now completely worry-free.
Old Sha: “That was Manager Shui calling. I wonder what it was about.”
“What else could it be? He must have been reminding you to take good care of me. Who cares? Call him back when you get a new phone ashore.”
Old Sha: “That’s true. I’ll do that.”
“This is really good liquor. I brought it specifically for you to taste. You drink it now. If you like it, I’ll bring you more next time.”
Old Sha’s eyes shone. “Thank you, Miss.”
He felt again that Miss Xie was so much better than her uncle—kind, polite, and generous.
“You enjoy your drink, then. I’ll go back to the cabin and rest for a bit. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Alright, alright, Miss. You go ahead and sleep. I’ll call you when we’re close.”
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