Chapter 55
The streetlights ahead were broken, leaving a stretch of pitch darkness. She could vaguely see a dark figure in the distance, and momentarily, a red balloon drifted upward. She walked over and reached out to catch it.
Unexpectedly, the streetlights suddenly flickered on. The brilliant glare stung her eyes, and before she could adjust, she felt a heavy weight pressing against her. She lurched backward, and when she opened her eyes, the Omega was sprawled on top of her. She was lying on the grass, with Jiang Cha’s body pressed tightly against her own.
It was the first time she had been pinned down by such a warm, soft figure. Under the lights, Jiang Cha’s back was to the glow, her face a blur of drunken haze. Xiao Yun dazed for a moment, then handed over the balloon.
“Your heart.” She left out the word “balloon.” Being pressed so closely by this soft bundle, she could smell a nearly intoxicating pheromone with every breath. She felt a surge of sensation and felt utterly disheveled.
She prayed silently for Jiang Cha to get up.
Instead, Jiang Cha murmured softly, “It’s for you.”
For her? Was buying this heart balloon a gift for her, a reward for securing the sponsorship?
Before she could ask, that backlit face—with lips as soft as a peach—pressed down without warning, carrying the heavy scent of roses.
A spring breeze blew past, chilly and crisp. She could feel every hair on her body stand on end, swaying in the wind. Those cool, red lips pressed against hers unexpectedly, like a current of icy electricity that sizzled upon contact, setting her entire body on fire. These were the “Peach Lips of April,” and she had no idea how to partake of such fruit.
In that instant, she held her breath, her pupils dilating. She couldn’t describe the feeling of those lips; one moment they were like a succulent peach, the next like a rosebud just beginning to bloom—a rose coated in a fine mist, moist, slightly cool, and laced with a trace of sensuality.
For a split second, she wanted to bite back, to feel the juice burst, or to sample the pheromones to calm her restless heart.
The moment Jiang Cha kissed the lips she had long desired, she felt as if she had been jolted awake by lightning. Her pupils dilated, and she was shocked by her own boldness. But Xiao Yun’s lips were so soft and hot, like chocolate on the verge of melting, and they carried a faint scent of wine. She quickly closed her eyes, admitting her own craving. She craved the feeling of being in Xiao Yun’s arms; she felt safe there. She craved those lips, those hands—she wanted to hold them forever. She craved everything about her. She didn’t want to leave.
Her mouth filled with saliva, and Jiang Cha desperately wanted to swallow.
Keeping her eyes closed, she feigned a drunken stupor and let out a soft moan. She could almost feel the other person’s eyes fluttering rapidly in panic. She tilted her head back, breaking the kiss, and then rolled over to lie on the grass.
She decided right then: she would pretend she was drunk and that the kiss had been a clumsy accident. She squeezed her eyes shut, terrified that Xiao Yun might spot a flaw in her act.
After a few moments of lying there, the person beside her stood up abruptly.
Xiao Yun panted heavily, holding the balloon, not knowing which way to turn. She looked left and right, paced two circles on the grass, and then walked off in the other direction with the balloon.
Hearing the footsteps recede, Jiang Cha opened one eye halfway and watched Xiao Yun’s retreating back. She hoped she would just go home. Don’t come back, don’t come back. After such an embarrassing event, it would be best if they both pretended nothing happened.
Just as she was thinking this, people passed by on the bridge, chattering.
“There’s a beautiful woman lying on the grass.”
“Let’s check on her. It’s not safe for a woman to be alone at night.”
Xiao Yun had walked about ten meters, her lips still tingling from the touch. Her heart was in a state of uncontainable agitation. She wondered: Was Jiang Cha intentional, or just drunk? Or was it a way of thanking me? Regardless, she couldn’t face her yet.
But after a few steps, she remembered that beautiful silhouette on the grass. Under the lights, in her black dress with her legs exposed just enough, her proud figure and the face half-hidden by dark hair were so alluring.
No, she couldn’t leave her there.
She hurried back and saw Jiang Cha still in that graceful pose, her hair unkempt. She assumed she was indeed passed out.
“Jiangjiang.” Xiao Yun stood over her, trying to wake her. It was strange—she could walk on her own just a moment ago; why couldn’t she get up now?
Jiang Cha didn’t move, letting out two low whimpers that sounded like drunken groans. Xiao Yun squatted down and poked her shoulder with her middle finger. “Jiangjiang.”
Jiang Cha kept her eyes shut tight, her lips pursed slightly beneath her hair, remaining motionless. She was determined: I can’t wake up. If I wake up, how do I explain?
After two pokes failed, Xiao Yun seemingly gave up. She reached out to grip Jiang Cha’s waist, and Jiang Cha cooperated by leaning against Xiao Yun’s back. The back was warm and comfortable. She climbed on, and as Xiao Yun’s hot hands supported her thighs, she couldn’t help but shiver.
They hadn’t walked far when a passerby called out, “Miss, it’s not right to pick up a drunk girl off the street in the middle of the night.”
The speaker was a concerned citizen of Shuncheng, a middle-aged female Omega with permed hair and a floral shirt. She stood with hands on hips, looking disdainful. “You look like a clean, well-mannered Alpha, yet here you are picking up a drunk Omega under a bridge! Tell me, are you trying to mark her?”
Xiao Yun blinked in shock and hurriedly explained, “Auntie, I didn’t just ‘pick her up.’ She’s my wife.”
The auntie glared, hands still on hips. “Ha! I just saw her lying on the grass alone. You saw no one was around, stared at her legs with lecherous eyes, and when she didn’t wake up after you called her twice, you decided to take her home! Young lady, I’ve been around the block; that look in your eyes doesn’t fool me! Planning to take her somewhere deserted to mark her? I tell you, no way!”
Xiao Yun frowned. “Auntie, I am truly her legal spouse. I’m not taking her somewhere deserted, and I’m definitely not marking her.”
The meddling citizen covered her nose. “Oh my, you’ve got a silver tongue. If she’s your wife, I’m her mother! Look at the pheromones on both of you—what were you doing, having a picnic? Put her down this instant!”
Xiao Yun didn’t want to argue, so she ignored her and kept walking.
But as she moved, the auntie began to scream, “Help! Kidnapping! A clean-looking Alpha is stealing a person! You can’t judge a book by its cover—what a dark heart! Who knows what this poor, beautiful Omega will suffer! Everyone, come save her!”
With that roar, four or five citizens immediately surrounded them. Judging by the large folding fans in their hands, they were all “Square Dancing Grandmas.” Urban legends say these grandmas are not to be trifled with; they are fit, have plenty of free time, and are extremely coordinated. They quickly restrained the Alpha’s arms and legs and, in the chaos, pulled Jiang Cha right off her back.
Xiao Yun sighed. “Jiangjiang, wake up!”
Jiang Cha was being held by a kind-hearted grandma. She didn’t want things to escalate this far, so she coughed, pretended to be startled awake, and slowly opened her eyes.
Citizen A: “She’s awake!”
Citizen B: “Dear, don’t be afraid. We’re helping you. Tell us where you live, and we’ll send you back.”
Xiao Yun still wouldn’t give up. “Jiangjiang, tell them I’m your Alpha!”
Jiang Cha rubbed her temples, blinked, and locked onto Xiao Yun’s face. Then she pointed at Xiao Yun with a giggle. “Wife… hehe… hug me, wife.”
Xiao Yun gave a “see?” look. “See? She really is my wife.”
Citizen A: “Don’t believe her! The girl is drunk. Call the police; we can’t let the human trafficker get away!”
Shuncheng’s police were efficient. After a siren blast, Xiao Yun was pushed into a police car by the “heroic” citizens. Two cars arrived; Jiang Cha was taken in the other by the kind grandmas. Xiao Yun sat in the back of her patrol car with a young officer who kept a stern eye on her every move.
Fine. She was defenseless. She just watched the Shuncheng nightscape go by until they reached the station.
Fortunately, the station was very competent. It didn’t take long to verify their identities, and Jiang Cha was returned to her arms immediately.
“Our apologies, Miss Xiao. A misunderstanding, a total misunderstanding.”
The meddling auntie looked guilty. “Sorry about that, young lady.”
Though it was a comedy of errors, Xiao Yun felt a sense of belonging; the citizens and police were friendly and protective. She smiled and said, “It’s okay, Auntie. You were just being helpful.”
Hearing those words, the tips of Jiang Cha’s ears turned red. She was currently leaning in Xiao Yun’s arms, her head against her neck, feeling the strong pulse of her carotid artery. Xiao Yun’s broad-mindedness made her feel even more self-reproachful, and her infatuation grew deeper.
Yunyun is truly gentle and meticulous.
Just as she thought this, she felt herself lifted into the air. An arm went under her knees as Xiao Yun picked her up in a bridal carry.
Xiao Yun: “The car is here. I’m leaving now.” And so, she was carried into the car.
Back home, Xiao Yun placed Jiang Cha on the bed and took off her high heels before finally sitting down to catch her breath.
Jiang Cha appeared to be fast asleep. Her small face was mostly covered by her seaweed-like hair, but her red lips peeked through the strands—vibrant and striking.
Xiao Yun’s throat felt a bit itchy, as if the sensation of that kiss still lingered. She wondered if Jiang Cha would remember it when she woke up. Her heart pounded. She blinked and looked away, deciding to make a hangover soup to distract herself.
She realized she hadn’t really done much for Jiang Cha, while Jiang Cha often made loquat paste for her. Friendship is built on these small gestures of reciprocity.
In the middle of the night, she fumbled around the kitchen and found ginger, sugar, and vinegar. She boiled some water and followed the steps she researched: ginger shreds, sugar, and aged vinegar in specific proportions. She studied the recipe while gently stirring the pot.
When it was done, she poured it into a bowl and took a sniff. A sharp, sour scent hit her. Can this really cure a hangover? Or will it just cause vomiting? She took a sip and shivered from the intensity of the spice and acid.
With 10,000 doubts, she carried the bowl—which looked like something out of a poison plot—to the bedroom. The Omega had to get up early tomorrow; if she didn’t have some hangover soup, she’d have a headache.
Jiang Cha was still lying there. Hearing the door open, she quickly closed her eyes and adjusted her breathing. Because her eyes were closed, she only felt someone approach, followed by a strange, pungent, sour smell.
The redness on the Omega’s face had mostly faded. Her breathing was steady, though her brow was furrowed from the noise.
“Jiangjiang,” Xiao Yun whispered. “Wake up and take your medicine.”
The Omega let out a soft “mhm,” clutching the quilt and making a sound like a sleepy kitten. Seeing she was semi-conscious, Xiao Yun sat at the head of the bed, supported the Omega’s waist and back, and lifted her up. She let Jiang Cha lean against her.
She used her left hand to scoop a spoonful of the soup, blew on it, and tested the temperature with her own lips. It was just right. She brought it to Jiang Cha’s lips. Jiang Cha opened her eyes slightly and saw the dark liquid with two ginger shreds floating in it. She swallowed hard. Oh god, I hate ginger water.
A gentle command came from behind her: “Drink up. I made this hangover soup for you. If you don’t drink it, you’ll have a headache tomorrow.”
The sour smell was off-putting, but Jiang Cha decided to take a sip. The sharp acidity hit her tongue, but as it went down, it actually had a sweet aftertaste—it wasn’t as bad as it looked. The warm liquid soon settled in her stomach, chasing away the slight chill in her body.
But after three more spoons, she couldn’t take any more. Her body and mouth were in rebellion. She squirmed, and as the next spoonful approached, she buried her face in Xiao Yun’s neck, clutching her collar. “Yunyun… no more.”
“One more. Just the last one.”
Xiao Yun patiently guided the spoon. The Omega reluctantly turned her head, her moist lips gently closing over the spoon. Her lips moved as she slowly took in the dark soup, looking very much like a kitten drinking water.
However, this “kitten” had her brows knit in disgust. As she finished the last bit, she coughed slightly, and a bit of the dark liquid remained on her alluring red lips.
Xiao Yun’s breath hitched. Her fingers tightened on the bowl. She stared at those red lips for a moment. The bowl tilted, and some of the soup spilled onto Jiang Cha, sliding from her neck down into her translucent nightdress.
It was… exhausting! Feeding someone medicine had resulted in a cold sweat. Xiao Yun hurriedly looked away, using her hand to wipe the liquid from the corner of Jiang Cha’s mouth. The softness of the lips made her body shiver. She stared at them for a few seconds before taking a deep breath and laying Jiang Cha back down.
Her heart felt as if it had stopped beating. “Feel better?” Xiao Yun’s voice was raspy.
Jiang Cha’s eyes were still hazy, but her stomach felt much more settled. She had broken into a sweat, and the alcohol was leaving her system. Suddenly, looking at Xiao Yun, she felt awkward. They had rolled on the grass and kissed. She didn’t know where to look, but she desperately wanted to see Xiao Yun’s expression—to know how she felt after being kissed.
Xiao Yun looked calm, almost unresponsive. Her narrow eyes were unfocused before she glanced back. Jiang Cha looked away quickly.
“Just now,” Xiao Yun said suddenly. “On the grass, you…”
Jiang Cha’s heart leaped. She hoped this wouldn’t be discussed. “On the grass? What grass?” she asked, rubbing her head with a shifty gaze.
Xiao Yun locked onto her face for a moment. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”
A sigh of relief.
“Can you shower on your own?” Xiao Yun asked after a silence.
“Yes. You go first; I’ll rest a bit more.”
“Okay.”
Once Xiao Yun went in, Jiang Cha sat up with a start. She looked at the red heart balloon floating at the foot of the bed, not knowing whether to be happy or worried. She shouldn’t be thinking about Xiao Yun. She was entering the production camp tomorrow. Perhaps in these three months, she could organize her feelings and let this sprout wither in the soil.
When Xiao Yun came out, smelling of fresh fragrance, Jiang Cha felt herself weakening again as she drew near. Xiao Yun seemed to sense the gaze and looked back. Jiang Cha looked down immediately. “Go shower.” “Oh.”
Jiang Cha grabbed her pajamas and walked into the bathroom, trying to act natural. After her shower, she found Xiao Yun had changed the sheets. She climbed into the clean, comfortable bed, which smelled of sun-dried cotton.
Sometimes she wondered about Xiao Yun. She didn’t act like a “spoiled miss” at all, doing even these chores herself. The more she thought, the harder it was to let her go. This mix of love and hesitation, of wanting to give up and wanting to hold on, was an emotion she carried alone. No one else would understand.
Xiao Yun seemed to be asleep, her breathing shallow. Jiang Cha pulled the quilt over her head and eventually fell into a difficult sleep.
She slept until 10:00 AM the next day. The production van had been waiting outside for a while. Jiang Cha had actually woken up early to get ready. She remembered Xiao Yun had an early shift at 6:00 AM and said she’d come back to see her off, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Her luggage was ready. She waited until Xiao Ke called, then had the butler take her bags down. It seemed Xiao Yun wouldn’t make it back in time.
Butler Mei explained the situation as they walked. Jiang Cha just gave a dull “okay.” The butler could tell she was in a bad mood but didn’t know how to comfort her. Why did the Second Miss—who was usually so attentive—choose this critical moment to work overtime at the hospital? After all, the Madam was going to be gone for three months. Was a patient more important than her wife?
At breakfast, the Madam had been silent. Only the Third Miss came to say goodbye. The Chairman and Eldest Miss weren’t there, so it felt very lonely. But as a butler, she couldn’t comment on the master’s business; she could only wonder in silence.
The car arrived. The luggage was loaded. Everything was ready for the Madam to board. But the Madam kept looking around, especially toward the road, as if expecting someone. Her eyes were full of hope. It made Butler Mei’s heart ache.
Only Xiao Yu dared to speak. “Sister-in-law, it’s time to go. Have a safe trip.”
Jiang Cha withdrew her gaze and said “okay.” Up until now, there hadn’t even been a WeChat message. She didn’t know if she was coming to see her off at all. Somehow, her heart had become incredibly sensitive after realizing Xiao Yun “liked someone else.” Every bit of Xiao Yun’s kindness gave her immense hope, and every bit of distance made her suffer.
She bit her lip and ducked into the car, trying to steady her mindset. If she wasn’t coming, Jiang Cha had to reign in her heart. Her career, her mother, her independence—all of it was more important than Xiao Yun.
The driver closed the door. Xiao Ke looked back. “Sister Jiang, shall we depart?”
Jiang Cha crossed her legs, adjusted her hair, and nodded slowly. “Let’s go.” She closed her eyes, intending to catch up on some sleep.
The car had only moved about ten meters when it came to a screeching halt. She lurched forward, her drowsiness vanished. Opening her eyes, she saw a car parked in front of them. The driver was about to get out and yell.
A person stepped out of the car. She was wearing a white lab coat, a mask, and a single ponytail. She was carrying a large bag and running toward the van, panting as she pulled off her mask. Jiang Cha’s fingers gripped the leather seat, her nails leaving deep marks.
The back door was pulled open, and Xiao Yun sat down, bringing with her the scent of spring. She was out of breath, pulling items out of the bag.
“I was so worried! I thought you’d already gone far. Thank goodness.”
Fine sweat was on Xiao Yun’s forehead. She had likely sprinted straight from the operating table; she hadn’t even had time to change her clothes.
“Why are you here?” Jiang Cha asked.
Xiao Yun opened the bag and took out a pack of patches. “These—a four-month supply of scent-blocking patches. It should be enough.” Then a box of pills: “Suppression lozenges, for double protection.” Finally, she pulled out a blue liquid: “If it’s an emergency, you’ll need an injection. Do you have a doctor there?”
Jiang Cha was dazed. The “large fish” in her heart had completely stirred the peaceful waters. She nodded rapidly. “We do.”
“You went back to the hospital… to get medicine for me?”
Xiao Yun blinked. “Yeah. I also bought some snacks for you to eat on the road.”
Xiao Yun was babbling about something, but all Jiang Cha noticed was how her heavy breathing sounded nice, how her flushed face looked good, and how her narrow eyes were vibrant. Especially in the white lab coat—it highlighted her cool, elegant aura.
Without listening further, Jiang Cha reached out and threw her arms around her, pressing her body tightly against Xiao Yun’s.
Xiao Yun was stunned. “Jiangjiang?”
Jiang Cha buried her head in that warm neck and said softly, “I understand. I’ll use them well.”
Xiao Yun was embarrassed by the sudden hug, especially with the driver and Xiao Ke in the front. They seemed to be pretending they saw nothing.
“Alright, time’s running out,” Xiao Yun reminded her, coughing slightly.
“I’ll miss you, Yunyun.” Jiang Cha’s face was against her neck, her hot breath making Xiao Yun shiver.
Comments 0
You must be logged in to comment.
No comments yet. Be the first!