After the Maniacal Alpha Settled Down, She Had a Wife and Daughter - Chapter 22

The small woods were located in the back hills of the base. Although called a small woods, the area was not small and was divided into a front section and a back section. It was primarily used as a training ground for outdoor survival skills and team collaboration training, essentially an artificial “wilderness environment.”

The students had been here more than once, but coming here alone at night was quite scary, especially for someone with a quiet personality like Sheng Nanxi. Yu Sui heard the sound of dead leaves under her feet and couldn’t help but hesitate.

“She usually doesn’t like outdoor programs during training. She probably wouldn’t hide in a place like this, would she?”

Chu Jiayun had been walking quickly, holding her hand, and only let go when they reached the edge of the woods. She walked ahead, scanning around with a flashlight. Regarding Yu Sui’s doubt, she had initially asked herself the same question.

“I deduced this based on the few psychological tests I conducted on her. When asked about environments that give her a sense of security, she mentioned keywords related to quietness, isolation from the outside world, and plants.”

Yu Sui didn’t remember being asked these questions. Chu Jiayun almost guessed what she was pondering without turning back and proactively explained: “These questions are quite subtle and do not directly mention the word ‘security’ to avoid being misled by fixed thinking.”

“I see.” Yu Sui wanted to ask a few more questions, but realized that the top priority was to find Sheng Nanxi first. Her doubts could wait. “If she wants quietness and plants, why not the garden?”

There was a large garden near the student dormitories, and the environment was excellent. The weather had been warming up recently, and many people went there for a walk and to relax at night.

“Sheng Nanxi is subconsciously strong-willed and cannot accept her failure, so she is likely to choose a place where she feels powerless to be alone.”

“What kind of strange logic is that?”

Chu Jiayun slightly curled her lips silently and said helplessly: “Strong-willed and fragile people often torment themselves this way.”

Yu Sui no longer doubted. She had indeed seen Sheng Nanxi go for extra physical training alone and run at night on the track alone. She had offered to accompany Sheng Nanxi in her practice, but she was rejected, and Sheng Nanxi told Yu Sui to read properly in the dorm.

However, after a careful search in the front section, Sheng Nanxi was nowhere to be seen. Yu Sui gripped the flashlight in her hand, her worry deepening: “If she’s not here, did she go to the back section?”

Training usually took place in the front section. The back section had more obvious wilderness characteristics. Instructors repeatedly emphasized not to go there unless there were special circumstances, especially not alone, as there were potential dangers.

Chu Jiayun slowed down, took out her phone again, and reread the relevant information. Yu Sui didn’t dare to disturb her and didn’t feel safe leaving her alone here to continue to the back section.

The surroundings were terrifyingly silent. The occasional crunching of dead branches underfoot could startle a person. Yu Sui felt that if she hadn’t been an SS-class Alpha, she wouldn’t be as calm and composed as she was now.

Chu Jiayun suddenly asked her: “Did she ever mention this place to you? For example, how did she describe the woods after your training sessions?”

Yu Sui thought back carefully. She shook her head at first, then suddenly paused and said uncertainly: “Once, during a rainy day flag-finding training, she failed to meet the standard. She was depressed for a long time afterward. Later, she said she wished there was an eave to shelter under and let her rest, so she wouldn’t be exhausted.”

Eave? Rest? Chu Jiayun pieced these words together and thought of a place. At the same time, Yu Sui also thought of it.

The two looked at each other and simultaneously voiced their idea: “The Supply Station!”

This was a place specially used to store supplies, where students could go to the bathroom and briefly adjust. It required an instructor’s approval and escort to visit. It was essentially a temporarily built wooden cabin, but it was the most sought-after place for students who came to the woods for training.

When they hurried over, they indeed found Sheng Nanxi squatting in a corner outside the cabin. Both Yu Sui and Chu Jiayun sighed in relief, but Sheng Nanxi, who was hugging herself, didn’t react much to their appearance. Her eyes only casually glanced at them before returning to her original state.

Chu Jiayun held back Yu Sui, who was about to rush over, and said softly: “Her reaction is likely that she has shut herself off. She has a delayed perception of external changes, so you mustn’t stimulate her.”

Yu Sui frowned, trying hard to restrain herself: “She’s been here alone for so long. Any further delay might be very bad.”

“Now that we’ve found her, the rest can be taken slowly.” Chu Jiayun observed Sheng Nanxi’s state while also considering Yu Sui’s emotions. During this period, every student was her focus.

She slightly loosened her grip on Yu Sui’s hand but didn’t completely let go. Chu Jiayun reassured her: “She’s just unable to untangle some knots temporarily. Don’t treat her as someone incapable; you need to believe in her.”

Yu Sui nodded and slowly approached Sheng Nanxi with her. The moonlight was blocked by their figures, forcing Sheng Nanxi’s confused eyes to lift again and look at them.

Chu Jiayun squatted down with Yu Sui, meeting Sheng Nanxi’s gaze. Her eyes were gentle, and her expression was calm, with no hint of accusation or obvious relief, as if they were friends who had met by chance here, no different from meeting anywhere else.

“How does it feel to be here alone, contemplating problems?”

Chu Jiayun’s tone was very relaxed, as if she were genuinely curious about the experience. Sheng Nanxi silently shook her head and said hoarsely: “Not very good.”

“Would you like to talk to us?”

Sheng Nanxi shook her head again, hugging herself tighter. Yu Sui felt anxious. She had only been home for a short time. How did Sheng Nanxi become like this!

“Nanxi, if you have something bothering you, you can tell us. We will definitely keep your secret and be your loyal garbage bin.”

Sheng Nanxi didn’t look at Yu Sui but didn’t resist her approach either. She was just less responsive and less interactive than usual, like a beautiful porcelain doll, or a lifeless puppet.

Yu Sui no longer forced her to reveal her thoughts and simply sat on the ground with her, regardless of how dirty or cold the ground was. Chu Jiayun got up to notify Bai Jiling, and to avoid the content of the conversation affecting Sheng Nanxi, she deliberately walked a few steps away.

Seeing her walk away, Yu Sui immediately leaned close to Sheng Nanxi: “Nanxi, the instructor is not here. You can tell me anything.”

Unexpectedly, Sheng Nanxi remained silent, which made Yu Sui feel helpless. Her ability to make friends was limited. In the orphanage, she mostly exchanged the occasional hidden snack to deepen friendships. After growing up, she was only focused on studying and working and had even less energy for such things.

She didn’t have a good way to deal with Sheng Nanxi’s situation. Seeing her friend’s helpless look, she genuinely felt heartbroken and was more certain that she truly regarded Sheng Nanxi as an important friend.

She was at a loss and didn’t dare to pressure Sheng Nanxi too much. Unexpectedly, the other person suddenly spoke: “A Sui, I differentiated into an Omega.”

With a trembling, weak voice, mixed with faint sobs, Sheng Nanxi wanted to cry but couldn’t.

Yu Sui was not surprised by this, but the fact that Sheng Nanxi was willing to tell her indicated that she was opening up her defenses. In Chu Jiayun’s words, this was a good thing.

“Omegas also have their advantages. Although it’s not quite what you expected, don’t lose hope for the future.” Yu Sui stammered, feeling that her words were powerless.

After all, most of the students who came to the base believed they would become Alphas, and top-tier ones at that.

Sheng Nanxi had been excellent since childhood, only to stumble in this most crucial matter. The higher you fly, the harder you fall. Yu Sui was burning with anxiety and dared not speak carelessly, afraid of fanning the flames.

“No matter how good an Omega is, in my family’s eyes, it’s equivalent to being worthless.” After Sheng Nanxi said the most difficult sentence, the rest of the outpouring was much easier.

Yu Sui listened quietly as she spoke. The words that had been bottled up for a long time finally found an outlet, and Sheng Nanxi’s emotions were slowly recovering. Chu Jiayun stopped nearby, unwilling to interrupt, but she heard the conversation between the two clearly.

At the end of her speech, Sheng Nanxi chuckled self-deprecatingly and forlornly: “I feel like I’ve let down many people’s expectations of me. Even if I can accept it myself, I don’t know how to face them.”

Yu Sui roughly understood. Sheng Nanxi, this obedient child, was most worried about disappointing her family, and as a result, the pressure she was under became overwhelming, so she chose to escape.

“The differentiation result is not something you can decide yourself. Does becoming an Omega negate all your past efforts and excellence? It doesn’t matter what others think. We just need to be ourselves. Besides, are all the Omegas in the world not excellent or wonderful?”

“Does it really not matter? A Sui, when you become an Alpha and I am an Omega, we will be completely different people. I won’t be able to do the things you can. I won’t even be able to share a room with you, or use the restroom together. Even when we go out to play, we have to avoid prolonged time alone.”

“You will always be my good friend. That won’t change because of the differentiation result!”

Sheng Nanxi sniffled: “Thank you, A Sui. At least you make me feel like I haven’t been abandoned.”

Just then, Bai Jiling and the others rushed over. Sheng Nanzhu’s suit jacket was draped over his forearm, and there was a lot of sweat on his forehead. His normally neat hair was slightly messy. Seeing Sheng Nanxi and Yu Sui huddled in the corner, he suddenly lost his temper.

“Nanxi, running out alone late at night, do you know how worried everyone is about you!”

Sheng Nanxi lowered her head, wringing her hands: “I’m sorry. I disappointed everyone.”

Sheng Nanzhu already knew Sheng Nanxi’s differentiation result from Bai Jiling. He was indeed disappointed, as she carried the earnest expectations of the family. He was an A-class Alpha and naturally hoped his sister could be even more outstanding. The Sheng family indeed lacked an S-class.

But since things couldn’t be changed now, he didn’t want to say too much in front of outsiders. After all, he still had to maintain the Sheng family’s reputation.

Sheng Nanzhu suppressed his anger and said to Bai Jiling: “I’ll take Nanxi back tonight. I’ll have someone come tomorrow to handle the paperwork.”

Sheng Nanxi had completed her differentiation, and she could indeed leave the base. Since her family had come to pick her up, Bai Jiling had no reason to stop them.

Yu Sui was still worried. She got up and ran to Yu Mu, whispering: “Sis, why don’t we let Nanxi stay at our place for a few days?”

Yu Mu was surprised, clearly not having considered this suggestion.

“Look at her brother’s attitude just now. I’m afraid she’ll be hit with another blow when she goes home.”

Yu Mu looked at Sheng Nanxi’s forlorn and helpless appearance and also felt sorry for her, but she couldn’t snatch her away in front of Sheng Nanzhu.

“I need to go back and discuss it with Dad. Besides, now that she has differentiated, it’s not appropriate for her to stay at our house.”

Yu Sui was stunned. Yu Zhongqing and Yu Mu were both Alphas, plus herself. It would indeed be like leading a sheep into a tiger’s den.

Chu Jiayun saw Yu Sui’s worries and concerns. Just as Sheng Nanzhu was about to take Sheng Nanxi away, she suddenly spoke up to stop him.

“Sheng Nanxi’s situation is still unstable. As her psychological counseling instructor, I have the responsibility to take care of her emotional changes before and after differentiation. I suggest she stays at the base for a few more days until she is stable before going home.”