A White Cloud (GL ABO) - Chapter 4

The Seven Stars Hotel’s restroom gleamed with opulent decor.

Tomb Cheng paused briefly upon entering; she was startled by the golden-green tiles reflecting her silhouette.

Silver-white tassels hung in the air, swaying with the breeze from the opening door, creating a melodic chime.

The Alpha restroom stood empty.

Tomb Cheng positioned herself at the sink, removed her formal coat, and placed it aside.

She turned on the faucet to wash her hands.

Water trickled gently from the pipe, the only sound in the quiet restroom.

Tomb Cheng gazed at the person in the mirror, as if seeing a stranger.

Her strict military uniform had been replaced by refined clothing.

Her hair, once tied up per military regulations, now fell loosely over both shoulders.

She truly had retired, left the military.

Tomb Cheng felt a sudden return to the confusion of her 17-year-old self.

From enlisting as a conscript after high school graduation, earning commendations to enter military academy, serving at the border after graduation, to retiring now—a full decade had passed.

By spring’s end, Tomb Cheng would turn 27.

She felt past years slip through her fingers like water, vanishing in an instant.

Tomb Cheng removed the glasses from her nose, placing them on her coat.

She splashed cool water on her face several times before stopping.

At that moment, someone pushed open the restroom door from outside.

Two crisp clicks of high heels echoed in her ears.

The pheromone filtration system in the Alpha restroom hummed to life.

Tomb Cheng lifted her head from the sink.

Water droplets clung to her forehead, dripping downward.

With her vision, impaired below 0.8 after an injury, she saw only a blurred figure of a graceful woman in the mottled light.

Before she could react, Shen Zhiqing stepped forward, raising a tissue to wipe the water from Tomb Cheng’s hair and cheeks.

“Miss,” Tomb Cheng said warily, stepping back instinctively.

Her blurred vision heightened her caution.

Shen Zhiqing caught her arm as she raised it, her voice like a spring breeze rustling through willows, light and soothing in Tomb Cheng’s ear.

“Don’t move,” she said.

The familiar voice and faint pheromone scent stopped Tomb Cheng’s defensive stance.

Shen Zhiqing quickly wiped her dry, picked up the silver-framed glasses from the coat, and cleaned them of water.

She lifted her hand to place the glasses back on Tomb Cheng’s nose.

The world snapped into focus.

Tomb Cheng saw Shen Zhiqing’s face, glowing softly pink under the light, her breath filled with the sweet scent of an Omega.

Shen Zhiqing, at 172 cm and wearing heels, tilted her head slightly to meet Tomb Cheng’s gaze.

Her fingertips nervously clutched the hem of her skirt.

The tall Alpha’s presence felt overwhelmingly intense.

A faint aroma of cherry wine gradually filled the restroom.

Tomb Cheng froze, then stepped back half a pace, keeping two people’s distance from Shen Zhiqing.

She frowned and said, “You shouldn’t be in the Alpha restroom, Senior.”

Zhiman had chosen an indigo suit for her.

The suit pants followed her slender legs to her ankles, paired with glossy black Chelsea boots.

Her upright posture made her appear even taller and striking.

The Alpha’s cold, distant rejection caught Shen Zhiqing off guard.

In the past, Tomb Cheng always treated her with utmost courtesy.

Even after that chance encounter following a rejection, Tomb Cheng remained kind and friendly.

Now, a single sentence and gesture stretched a chasm between them.

Shen Zhiqing’s long lashes trembled, her lips pursed as she considered for half a second.

Then, as if unbothered, she lifted her head and said, “You’ve grown taller.”

As an Alpha, Tomb Cheng was expected to grow taller, and as a doctor, Shen Zhiqing knew this.

In this setting, she grasped at past memories to spark a conversation, unsure what else could hold Tomb Cheng’s attention, even briefly.

The irritation between Tomb Cheng’s refined brows lingered.

She couldn’t fathom what Shen Zhiqing was doing or guess her intentions.

They stood in silence, neither speaking.

Tomb Cheng’s gaze settled on the butterfly pendant dangling from Shen Zhiqing’s hairpin.

Following it, she noticed Shen Zhiqing’s delicate earlobe glowing red under the light.

Her elegant neck, bare of any jewelry, stood out strikingly.

In the past, Tomb Cheng loved kissing there.

Each time her lips lingered, Shen Zhiqing would embrace her and whisper sweet words in her ear.

Only then did Tomb Cheng feel a sliver of Shen Zhiqing’s affection for her.

Shen Zhiqing observed her too.

The person before her differed vastly from the figure in Xu Yiyi’s drawings or on the communicator.

This was the real, tangible Tomb Cheng.

“Senior,” Tomb Cheng said, her face stern as she called out.

Shen Zhiqing, unable to contain her joy, was about to respond when Tomb Cheng grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the innermost stall.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

Shen Zhiqing steadied herself, realizing Tomb Cheng half-held her in her arms.

She looked up to see Tomb Cheng staring tensely at the stall door’s gap.

“Hey, what’s the plan later?” a voice asked.

“Old Zhao booked a room at Golden Splendor; we’re heading there,” another replied.

“Nice, Old Zhao! A lovely wife at home, a night butterfly outside, huh?” a third teased.

“Hahaha…” they laughed.

Several Alphas spoke candidly about their escapades, oblivious to the pair in the corner stall.

Shen Zhiqing’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Golden Splendor was Huajing’s infamous pleasure lounge, known for its stunning Alphas and Omegas.

These people… Shen Zhiqing had no interest in prying into others’ private lives.

She lowered her head, burrowing into Tomb Cheng’s chest.

Her forehead rested against the cool silk of Tomb Cheng’s white shirt, easing the heat on her face.

After the Alphas left, Tomb Cheng looked down at her, frowning.

“Let’s go out first,” she said.

Tomb Cheng’s hands maintained a respectful distance throughout.

As she stepped back, Shen Zhiqing lost the warmth of her embrace.

Tomb Cheng turned away, one hand slightly bent, her coat draped over her arm.

Her other hand paused on the lock.

“Don’t follow me to the Alpha restroom again,” she said.

Shen Zhiqing had heard similar words before, but under entirely different circumstances.

She bit her lip and grabbed Tomb Cheng’s coat hem.

“Then don’t leave,” she said.

“Don’t leave again.”

“Please?”

Tomb Cheng turned back, staring incredulously at the woman before her.

A surge of anger rose at Shen Zhiqing’s words.

She wanted to pull away and leave, but Shen Zhiqing moved faster.

Using her shorter stature, she hooked her arms around Tomb Cheng’s neck, pulled her close, and rose on her toes to kiss the lips she had longed for.

***

Watching Tomb Cheng lead Xu Yiyi to the car, Shen Zhiqing felt both joy and bitterness.

She rejoiced at seeing Tomb Cheng again after half a month.

She felt bitter knowing Xu Yiyi truly was Tomb Cheng’s daughter.