After Transmigrating as a Scum Alpha, a Cold Omega Stole My Heart - Chapter 21.1

Wrapped in a scorching body heat, a rhythmic, hot breath continuously assaulted the back of her neck. Despite wearing the anti-bite device, Cheng Lingxue could not stop the waves of trembling coursing through her.

Her pupils flickered as complex emotions clashed and intertwined in her eyes. Her face turned pale. Finally, with a trembling hand, she grabbed Xie Shuyun’s arm:

“Xie Shuyun… let go… release me…” Her cold voice was raspy, and the breath at the end of her sentence wavered with anxiety and trepidation.

However, the person behind her had clearly not regained consciousness. Like a restless large dog, she kept nuzzling her cheek against Cheng Lingxue’s neck, letting out a satisfied sigh:

“So cool… feels good… soft… and smells so nice…”

The moment those words were uttered, the awkward tension shattered instantly. Cheng Lingxue was so exasperated she almost laughed; it turned out she was being treated as a cold-compress body pillow.

She slapped away Xie Shuyun’s “dog head,” ignoring the muffled whimpers of grievance. She pushed the girl back onto the bed and forcibly pried away the hands wrapped around her waist. She noted that, aside from the nuzzling, the other’s hands hadn’t tried anything inappropriate, otherwise…

Cheng Lingxue lowered her eyes, masking the turbulent undercurrents within. She tucked Xie Shuyun’s arms back under the covers and wrapped her tightly in the quilt. Restless even when sick—you deserve to be bundled up this tightly.

Though she grumbled internally, Cheng Lingxue continued to use the towel to wipe away the hot sweat forced out of Xie Shuyun’s body. Feeling the cooling patch turn warm, she quickly peeled it off and replaced it with a fresh one. She sat there for nearly two hours until the family doctor returned, only then realizing how much time had passed.

Watching the doctor diagnose Xie Shuyun, Cheng Lingxue stood not far behind, her mind a mess as her thoughts drifted.

She didn’t understand why she could sit here and care for Xie Shuyun for so long. Previously, she had wished for nothing more than for the other to stay far away; she had even felt a desire to eliminate her during her most excessive moments.

But now, looking at Xie Shuyun’s flushed face—the way her features contorted and she murmured protests while being injected—she actually felt a twinge of heartache. She wanted to tell the doctor to be gentler, not to hurt her.

I’ve really gone mad… Cheng Lingxue rubbed her throbbing temples. Thinking about the change in their relationship made her mind feel like a tangled mess of hemp.

She didn’t know whether to be happy about Xie Shuyun’s change or grateful for her own transformation. This allowed Cheng Lingxue to realize that perhaps some things truly can change, provided there is a turning point. And… some people seem to be worth looking forward to.

“The temperature has dropped slightly. Although there’s still a low fever, she’s much better and out of the danger zone.” The doctor’s voice pulled Cheng Lingxue’s attention back. She stepped forward and asked softly:

“Does she still need medicine?”

“I just gave her an injection. Unless her temperature remains high in two hours, there’s no need for more medication. If her temperature normalizes and she’s conscious, you can let her take a quick shower; washing off the sweat will be more comfortable.”

The doctor spoke while packing her instruments, her eyes sweeping over Cheng Lingxue. She knew this Omega girl—the Xie family’s adopted daughter. Rumors said she had a bad relationship with the Xie family’s daughter, but looking at them now, that was clearly a lie. If they were on bad terms, why would she be here taking care of her?

Since the rumors were wrong, it was necessary to maintain good terms with the adopted daughter. With this in mind, a kind smile appeared on the doctor’s face:

“Miss Cheng, you were the one taking care of the Eldest Miss just now, right? Wiping her sweat and changing the patches frequently really helped bring the fever down. Thank you for your hard work.”

Cheng Lingxue’s mouth parted slightly. She hesitated for a moment before lowering her head:

“It was only what I should do.” Thinking about how she had stopped the maids from doing it and insisted on doing it herself—even asking them to leave when it came to wiping Xie Shuyun down—she felt a wave of bashful annoyance.

Of course, this annoyance wasn’t directed at the doctor, but at the person innocently lying on the bed. To be able to attract ‘bees and butterflies’ even while sick—truly impressive.

“For a sick person, having someone familiar nearby increases their sense of security and can reduce symptoms. It seems the Eldest Miss trusts Miss Cheng very much,” the doctor added, which made Cheng Lingxue feel quite uneasy.

Xie Shuyun trusted her? Cheng Lingxue didn’t feel she had done anything to earn that trust. She pinched her fingertips lightly, composed herself, and saw the doctor out before returning to Xie Shuyun’s side.

Just as the doctor said, the flushed face was no longer as red. She lightly touched Xie Shuyun’s cheek; the skin indented under her finger-pad. The temperature was indeed no longer scorching, having dropped to a reasonable range.

However… Cheng Lingxue looked at Xie Shuyun’s face. It was smooth to the touch with great skin. She thought that since her physique was firm, her cheeks would feel hard, but they were unexpectedly soft and springy. Since it’s soft here… then other places…

Cheng Lingxue turned her face away, beginning to doubt herself. How did my thoughts…

To prevent her mind from wandering, she picked up a book to read and distract herself. Naturally, she didn’t neglect her duty of monitoring the patient.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Shuyun, who had been unresponsive, finally moved. Her eyes slowly opened, no longer as dazed and unfocused as before.

Cheng Lingxue quickly put down her book and stood by the bed. Having learned her lesson, she didn’t get too close, but reached out to pat the girl’s face:

“Are you awake?”

“Mmm… ugh…” A groan came from Xie Shuyun. She struggled as if trying to get out of bed. Seeing this, Cheng Lingxue immediately stopped her:

“Don’t move around. You just woke up and still have a fever. If you feel unwell anywhere, I’ll call the doctor.” Cheng Lingxue observed her state, unsure if she had heard correctly, so she repeated herself. This time, Xie Shuyun had a significant reaction; her wandering gaze finally landed on her.

“I feel like… I’m dying…” Xie Shuyun’s voice sounded like a machine without lubricant—raspy, unpleasant, and as thin as a thread.

She wasn’t lying. This was the first time she had felt so miserable. Not only was her entire body sore and weak, but she felt both cold and hot. Her skin was damp and sticky, which was incredibly uncomfortable. Her nose was blocked, making it hard to breathe, and her throat was dry with a lingering, nauseating bitterness—likely from the medicine she was given earlier.

For the healthy Xie Shuyun, who rarely got sick, experiencing all of this felt worse than death. Her consciousness had felt like it was floating away, almost like an out-of-body experience. She even felt like she saw the orphanage director waving gently at her…

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t recall the person’s face. Just as she was trying to remember, she felt as if a giant hand had grabbed her, causing her to fall rapidly and crash to the ground. Seeing stars, she returned to reality.

…Truly tragic.

Suddenly, Xie Shuyun felt a pinch on her nose. She looked up to see Cheng Lingxue looking at her with some indignation. Her cold tone was unusually heated, but the heat came from anger.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

This sight left Xie Shuyun a bit dazed. At the same time, she captured a flash of vulnerability in Cheng Lingxue’s eyes. It dawned on her: for someone like Cheng Lingxue who had experienced the pain of life-and-death separation, the word “death” was likely her greatest taboo. What was I saying such things in front of her for?

“Sorry… I was talking nonsense, don’t take it to heart…” Her already stuffed nose was being pinched by Cheng Lingxue, making her speech even more muffled. However, Xie Shuyun was breathing through her mouth now anyway, so it was no big deal. She stayed there and let the other pinch her, hoping it would help her vent her anger.

After this brief interaction, Xie Shuyun felt she had regained some strength. With Cheng Lingxue’s help, she managed to sit up. She leaned against the pillow Cheng Lingxue stuffed behind her, and a cup of water was placed in her hand.

“Drink some water to moisten your throat.” Cheng Lingxue had placed a small straw in the cup to make it easier for Xie Shuyun to drink and to prevent her from spilling it if her hands were weak.

The warm water flowed down her throat, feeling much better and washing away the bitter residue. Xie Shuyun let out a long sigh. Only now did she realize how soothing a simple drink of water could be.

She looked up at the clock—it was actually 3:00 AM! It was so late; since when had Cheng Lingxue been taking care of her? And she had stayed up until this hour!

“Lingxue, thank you. It’s very late. I think I’m fine now, why don’t you go rest? If I need anything, I’ll just ask the maids.”

Hearing this, Cheng Lingxue’s hand, which was wringing out a towel, paused. She couldn’t help but think of those young maids outside who kept trying to come in and take her place.

The fake smiles they directed at her and the way they looked at the unconscious Xie Shuyun—it wasn’t worry… it was lust! Who knew what would happen if she left her in their hands? Perhaps she should mention to Qin Yu that some people appeared loyal on the surface but were far too restless in the dark.

“I’m fine, and I’m not tired. Just worry about yourself.”

Xie Shuyun couldn’t help but scratch her cheek. If she had known the original owner’s body was so fragile, she wouldn’t have run in the rain. She should have insisted on calling Qin Yu to pick them up. The initial sprint in the rain was exhilarating, but it turned into a tragedy afterward.

Just as Cheng Lingxue picked up a book and opened it to the page she was on, she looked up and saw Xie Shuyun looking dejected and full of regret. She pursed her lips.

She suddenly remembered that the reason the other got sick seemed to be her fault. If she hadn’t refused to call a car, Xie Shuyun wouldn’t be suffering like this.

Thinking of this, her fingertips turned white as she held the page, and her brows knit slightly. Although she didn’t know if Xie Shuyun’s expression was related to this, Cheng Lingxue felt she had to say something.

Sipping her water, Xie Shuyun pulled at the collar of her pajamas. Seeing the layer of thin sweat on her skin, a flash of disgust crossed her eyes. The clothes felt like they had a smell; should she take a shower?

“…Sorry…”

Hearing these words, Xie Shuyun looked confused. She turned her head to see the cold girl with her book resting on her closed legs, her fists clenched on top.

Her usually straight back was leaned forward, her head slightly lowered, and her hair hung down by her cheeks. She looked like a cat that had lost its pride, even her “tail” seemed limp. Her eyes were vacant and full of guilt.

“Hey, don’t be like that. It’s my own physical issue. I didn’t realize my body was so weak.” Xie Shuyun waved her hands hurriedly. She was used to Cheng Lingxue’s cold persona; this guilty look was not only unfamiliar, but she didn’t want to see it. In her heart, the girl should be full of confidence.

“I usually work out, could it be a constitutional issue? It seems I shouldn’t just be giving you tonic soup; I need to drink some too.”

Hearing that Xie Shuyun could still joke and seeing the nonchalant look on her face, Cheng Lingxue felt complex emotions. She nodded, accepting the clumsy change of topic, but added:

“You’ll have to drink two bowls then.”

She figured that for an Alpha’s appetite, two bowls of tonic soup shouldn’t be an issue. Getting like this just from some rain meant her body was indeed quite weak. Should she search the internet for ways to improve Xie Shuyun’s health? No… that was the butler’s job, or at most something Xie Shuyun’s future Omega should consider. Why was she thinking so much?

“Then I’ll just hope I don’t get a nosebleed.” Xie Shuyun rubbed her nose helplessly, feeling worried about her future life.

However… this was the first time she had sat peacefully with Cheng Lingxue like this. It wasn’t because of a competition or school schedule, but because Cheng Lingxue chose to sit by her side.

Despite her physical discomfort, and even though the other didn’t say much, Xie Shuyun felt very happy and refreshed. She couldn’t help but steal several glances at Cheng Lingxue.

First glance: She didn’t notice, score.

Second glance: Hmm… she still hasn’t noticed, I’ll look one more time.

Her supposedly stealthy movements did not escape Cheng Lingxue’s sharp eyes. Watching her secret delight out of the corner of her eye, Cheng Lingxue felt speechless. She turned her head and met the peeking gaze directly. Sensing the other’s awkward attempt to look away, she let out a dry cough and pointed to the bathroom:

“The doctor said if you feel like you’ve recovered enough, taking a shower would be more comfortable.”

“Really? I can get out of bed?” Xie Shuyun’s eyes lit up with surprise.

“…Mhm… but…”

Cheng Lingxue wanted to say more, but Xie Shuyun had already eagerly rolled over and was scrambling toward the edge of the bed. Cheng Lingxue quickly stood up and moved toward her.

Just as she suspected, Xie Shuyun had overestimated her recovery speed. If it weren’t for Cheng Lingxue’s quick reaction, she would have tumbled straight off the bed—likely face-first. Even though there was a thick carpet, she couldn’t afford a fall right now.

“Whoa!” Thinking her body had suddenly gone limp and she was about to fall, Xie Shuyun was about to close her eyes in fear when she felt herself fall into a soft embrace. She let out a cry of surprise.

She didn’t even have time to enjoy the soft sensation or notice if Cheng Lingxue still smelled of coconut milk—or how that scent compared to her memories.

Right now, Xie Shuyun only thought about how she was covered in sweat and didn’t want the girl to be stained by her scent. With a sudden burst of strength, she forcibly rolled out of Cheng Lingxue’s arms. As a result, her energy was once again drained. she slumped on the bed, gasping for air like a dead fish.

Looking at her hands and then at Xie Shuyun, Cheng Lingxue hesitated before asking:

“Should you wait until tomorrow to wash?”

This suggestion caused a struggle to appear on Xie Shuyun’s face. Just as she was about to nod, she heard a light chuckle from above. Thinking she had heard something unbelievable, she tried to turn around. However, despite her efforts, she only saw the girl’s elegant back. She didn’t give up and asked in a low voice:

“Hey… did you just laugh?”

The question floated in the air like a feather without receiving a response. The girl’s pace didn’t falter as she entered the bathroom, leaving Xie Shuyun lying on her side, her eyes darting around, certain she hadn’t misheard.

After a while, she saw Cheng Lingxue come out with a basin of water. It was steaming slightly and had a clean towel draped over it.

“Since you can’t get out of bed, just wipe down for now. It’ll at least be more comfortable.”

Watching Xie Shuyun happily accept the basin, Cheng Lingxue added:

“Do you need me to call a maid to help you?”

“Huh? No, I can do it myself.” Xie Shuyun was stunned by the question before waving her hand.

Even though they were both female, being naked in front of someone else was uncomfortable enough—let alone having help with a bath? That was simply shameful.

Besides, there were multiple genders here; if some blunder occurred, it would be hard to clean up. After her experience with the original owner’s persistent “bad peach blossoms,” Xie Shuyun felt she should be careful. She had no desire to deal with romantic issues right now; she just wanted to lay low until she could exit the story gracefully.

As she thought this, she stole a glance at Cheng Lingxue and saw the girl’s gaze sweeping between the basin and her. She quickly added:

“I can do it myself. Why don’t you go back to your room and rest?” If she didn’t want others to do it, she certainly didn’t want Cheng Lingxue to do it. She wouldn’t even be able to breathe; she’d probably suffocate to death.

“I’ll wait here. Call me when you’re done.” Recalling how Xie Shuyun had almost tumbled off the bed, Cheng Lingxue was not going to leave.