After the Cannon Fodder A Accidentally Marked the Paranoid Female Lead - Chapter 2

Ming Sian wasn’t sure what kind of mood she should have while facing He Yining. Facing the enemy who killed her? Of course not—nothing had started yet.

She only knew that the woman before her was extremely dangerous.

Both parties maintained a safe distance, but the soundproofing in the private booth was excellent. Without the noisy music, all her focus was on He Yining; this was a woman who required her highest level of concentration.

She could even see the sapphire brooch on He Yining’s suit lapel. Regarding her arrival, He Yining merely lowered her eyes to taste the red wine in her crystal glass; perhaps finding the flavor unsatisfactory, a trace of displeasure flickered in her eyes.

The female Beta in the suit hurried to the bar counter to pour a new glass.

Only then did Ming Sian notice several decanters on the bar, ready to serve different red wines at a moment’s notice to meet He Yining’s requirements.

The luxurious decor of the booth made her feel as if she were wrapped in wealth; everywhere her eyes landed was a pile of money. “The Royal” bar lived up to its name, filled with imperial-level extravagance.

Up close, she could clearly feel that He Yining and she belonged to two different worlds. Just the custom red silk dress the woman wore was something Ming Sian might not be able to afford even after two years of part-time bar work—unless a wealthy sugar mommy gave her a massive tip.

He Yining leaned back on the leather sofa with her legs crossed. Her hemline was slightly rolled up, revealing a small section of her ankle, which was indeed as white as jade.

Her jet-black long hair fell naturally over her shoulders. The strands from her ears to her chest were slightly curled; when she looked up, the curls trembled slightly, revealing the necklace wound around her cool, white neck.

It was a golden snake chain with scales so realistic they looked live. The snake’s head was set with emeralds for eyes, making the piece look vivid. The tail was strung with a gold-woven “Lulutong” (lucky barrel bead) encrusted with many small diamonds, and a thumbnail-sized emerald was set right in the center. From the design to the meticulous weaving, this necklace must have taken a craftsman months to complete.

Despite being draped in gold and jade, she didn’t look tacky at all—only elegantly noble.

Though it was just a fleeting glance, He Yining’s overall image left a deep impression on Ming Sian’s heart, far more stunning than their first encounter. She should describe this woman as “soul-stirring.”

On the wrist He Yining used to hold her wine, she wore a multi-layered string of agarwood prayer beads. She gently swirled her glass, her eyes sizing Ming Sian up with great interest.

“Are you from Anning?”

Her voice was cold like spring water hitting stones, extremely clear and melodic, making one’s heart go numb for a moment.

“Anning Law Firm” was the name of He Yining’s personal firm.

Ming Sian met her gaze. The two were locked in a staring match, neither willing to look away first, as if competing. Ultimately, it was He Yining who looked away first, her gaze landing on Ming Sian’s hands.

Ming Sian’s well-defined hands were placed in front of her stomach, her right pinky moving inadvertently. Even if her face successfully masked her nervousness, her hands honestly betrayed her.

Ming Sian’s face gradually flushed. Why was she looking at her hands!

She spoke with a raspy voice: “I was before. I’m not anymore.”

She had resigned. From the moment she quit, she was no longer a member of Anning Law Firm.

However, He Yining’s gaze was too scorching, roaming over her body and making her feel very uncomfortable. Could her guess be right—had the other person actually set her sights on her long ago? Not because she liked her as a person, but because she liked the “honesty” of the original host.

Otherwise, given He Yining’s status, why would she bother seeing a second-year student with no family background or connections?

Ming Sian couldn’t figure out why He Yining was looking at her with such an intense, slightly ambiguous gaze. It shouldn’t be like this between them.

He Yining sat on the sofa like a queen issuing orders; her interest in Ming Sian was palpable.

Why wasn’t she saying anything? Staying in this stalemate was somewhat awkward.

He Yining’s finger moved slightly. “Sit.”

Ming Sian wasn’t afraid. How could a “bad girl” be afraid!

A bad girl also wouldn’t obediently cross her hands over her stomach looking all weak.

She sat on a sofa about two meters away from He Yining, hands on her knees, body slightly turned to face her directly.

Compared to her, her roommate Cheng Cheng was as stiff as a wooden board, only daring to sit on the very edge of the seat.

“Do you want a drink?” He Yining asked casually.

Ming Sian shook her head. “Lawyer He can just speak plainly.”

She could feel her internal tension. It would be strange not to be nervous—after all, this was the woman who might kill her. No matter how beautiful she was, she was poisonous.

He Yining didn’t look at her, but turned to Cheng Cheng instead. “Classmate, I have something to say to Student Ming Sian.”

The tone was extremely gentle, yet it gave an impression that refusal was not an option.

Cheng Cheng stood up hurriedly. “Ah? Okay, I actually wanted to go out and play anyway.”

He Yining gave a light chuckle and said to the Beta in the suit: “Take good care of this classmate.”

Wait, everyone’s leaving?

Ming Sian looked at her roommate for help, but the girl didn’t even glance back as she followed the other woman out.

In the booth with only two people, even the breathing belonged only to each other.

“Speak. Why did you resign?” With only the two of them left, He Yining’s cold voice rang out again.

Ming Sian was puzzled. “I was just an assistant to your assistant. I shouldn’t be important enough for Lawyer He to inquire personally, right?”

The original host usually did legal clerical work at the firm—organizing files, archiving, or proofreading for basic grammar errors, typos, and formatting. She also did basic legal research, case searches, or helped record case information. She even had to serve tea and water to clients.

No matter how you calculated it, her job was easily replaceable. Her monthly salary was 20,000—the reason it was 10% to 50% higher than ordinary firms was because it was Anning Law Firm.

20,000 seemed like a lot, but between school housing, meals, various transportation costs, and daily expenses like books and study materials, even the most frugal lifestyle cost 15,000 a month. During that time, she couldn’t eat out or have any entertainment; she didn’t even dare to catch a minor illness.

With a 20,000 salary, the burden on her shoulders was much lighter. If it weren’t necessary, she really wouldn’t want to quit, but He Yining was too dangerous.

He Yining looked at her calmly. “I suggest you check your contract with the firm before deciding whether to leave.”

She had no intention of explaining further to Ming Sian; instead, she was dissatisfied with Ming Sian’s avoidance of the question.

How did this woman manage to use such a cold tone to say even colder words?

Ming Sian had no doubt that if she dared not to show up tomorrow, the other would dare to sue her. For a law firm, filing a lawsuit was all too easy.

Damn! What kind of contract did the original host sign?

She cursed inwardly, her mind filled with countless questions. When exactly did He Yining start targeting her? Even if He Yining didn’t “know” her well, she definitely wasn’t a stranger. A grand lawyer from three generations of the He family had no need to condescend for a part-time student.

There were too many questions in her mind, and a little of it showed in her large eyes. The corners of her eyes tilted up slightly, making her look innocent and charming. Coupled with her confusion, she exuded an uncarved rustic quality. Her small “aegyo-sal” (under-eye bags) added a touch of liveliness, giving her an overall pure and ethereal aura.

He Yining thought to herself: If these eyes shed tears, would she have a fragile, worldly-ignorant look?

Ming Sian had no idea that a picture of her crying was appearing in the woman’s mind. She only knew that until she figured out the contract, she had to go to work obediently.

Having finished what she had to say, she prepared to get up and leave. Suddenly, the sound of a wine glass hitting the floor and shattering echoed behind her.

She turned back quickly to see a layer of crimson rapidly spreading across He Yining’s cool white skin. Her forehead was beaded with sweat, and even her fingertips were trembling.

He Yining seemed to have entered her “Heat” period.

This was an ABO world. Male and female were the primary genders, and ABO was the secondary gender. Betas had no pheromones and were balanced in all abilities, making up the majority of humanity.

Alphas had “Rut” periods, and Omegas had “Heat” periods. Compared to an Alpha’s rut, an Omega’s heat was more terrifying. Pheromones would be released uncontrollably, affecting nearby Alphas and even other Omegas, throwing the entire environment into chaos. Furthermore, an Omega’s consciousness is blurred during heat, and they might lose their reason. During this time, if they suffer anything or encounter a “malicious marking,” their whole life could be ruined.

Therefore, laws regarding the protection of Omegas were very comprehensive. As a law student, Ming Sian knew exactly what to do when encountering an Omega in heat: it was best to inject them with a suppressant before the pheromones spread, or simply run.

Because Alphas are easily influenced by Omega pheromones and are the first to lose control of their actions, she would face detention or even more severe punishment afterward.

The woman in front of her was He Yining. If she actually did something, it was possible the woman would kill her.

A fresh, sweet fragrance began to drift through the air of the booth. Even though only a tiny bit of pheromones had been released, she felt an unbearable sensation. A burning heat surged up to her cheeks; she didn’t even need to check to know her face was very red.

Ming Sian exhaled. While trying to restrain herself, she still couldn’t overcome her conscience. If she ran away and He Yining encountered some other Alpha with ill intentions, what would happen?

She approached He Yining and asked in a low voice, “Where is the suppressant?”

“Don’t worry about it so much.” The only reply she got was He Yining’s cold stubbornness.

Ming Sian was speechless. Even in this state, she still didn’t want her to interfere. She said mercilessly, “I’m from the mainland; I don’t understand Cantonese.”

Having watched many Hong Kong films since childhood, combined with her excellent language talent, she was at a level where she couldn’t quite speak Cantonese fluently but could understand it perfectly. She was just pretending not to understand.

Even in this state, the eldest Miss He was still icy, but how could she know that when she spoke Cantonese, it wasn’t actually as cold and harsh as she thought?

“Ming Sian, if you dare to do anything to me, you will never be free for the rest of your life,” He Yining threatened coldly. Perhaps due to the pheromones, her tone actually gained a hint of “soft and waxy” sweetness.

“Get out!”

What a stubborn woman.

Ming Sian raised an eyebrow. “Fine.”

Since the other didn’t need her help, there was no need for her to be here.

However, just as her hand touched the doorknob, He Yining’s cold voice rang out again: “Hey! Come back.”

Stinky woman, calling me like a dog!

[Author’s Note]

Ming Sian: Whoever likes He Yining is a dog!

He Yining: Oh?

Ming Sian: Woof!