Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Powerful Sister (GL, ABO) - Chapter 9
While Ye Zhixun was running, two sports students joined her.
After over two hours and twenty kilometers, the two sports students collapsed from exhaustion.
Ye Zhixun was still running.
The two students sat on the steps, watching her like she was some kind of monster, waiting to see when she would finally give out.
Ye Zhixun’s clothes were soaked through, from the inside out. Even though her outfit shielded her from the rain, she still looked like she had been pulled out of water.
Her legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead. Every breath sent a sharp pain through her lungs.
Yet, despite all this, Yu Li’s image still hadn’t left her mind.
It was hard to return to her usual calm, steady state.
Her emotions were no longer under control.
At this moment, Ye Zhixun and Yu Qi probably shared the same feeling.
It was too difficult.
As if it had been carved into her bones.
Her stamina continued to drain until she felt like she might collapse at any moment. When she finally reached her limit, her mind went blank.
At this level of exhaustion, she should be able to fall asleep as soon as she got back.
Just as she was thinking this, the phone in her zippered pocket vibrated.
It was the phone Yu Li had given her so naturally, it was a message from Yu Li.
With just that single vibration, Ye Zhixun’s already weak and exhausted legs faltered, and she stumbled, falling onto the track.
The two sports students let out a sigh of relief and stood up, clapping she had finally reached her limit.
But then, to their shock, Ye Zhixun pulled out her phone, glanced at it, and suddenly seemed to be reinvigorated. She quickly got up and started running again even faster than before!
What kind of monster was this?!
The two students were stunned.
Ye Zhixun had seen the location Yu Li sent her.
Being summoned, her instincts kicked in. No matter how exhausted she was, she had to get there immediately.
In a secluded café near the school, Yu Li sat alone in a private room.
Qin Nanzhen had been sent off to handle other tasks, and due to yesterday’s incident, Secretary Zhu had been temporarily reassigned. A new secretary had been brought in, along with two additional bodyguards all of whom Yu Li had stationed in the next room.
The private room was quiet now.
Yu Li glanced at her tablet for a while before lifting her gaze to look out the window.
According to the location tracker, the person she was waiting for was almost there and moving quite fast.
She hadn’t given Ye Zhixun a specific time, but the girl had clearly come straight from the track.
Soon, Yu Li spotted a tall, slender figure turning onto the street where the café was located.
A hood was pulled over her head, with a few damp strands of hair sticking to her forehead. Her expression was tense, lips pressed into a thin line, dark eyes fixed straight ahead. Her posture was upright as she walked, her upper body barely moving while her hips and long legs propelled her forward with large, even strides as if she had been specially trained for it.
Having attended numerous fashion shows, Yu Li had an eye for movement. In her opinion, this young alpha walked quite elegantly.
Paired with her aloof demeanor, she carried a similar aura to runway models cool and composed.
Yu Li suddenly remembered she had only sent the location, not the room number. She lowered her head to type out another message.
When she looked up again, the once-cool figure was now fumbling to check her phone, her steps noticeably more hurried and uneven as she sped toward the café.
Watching Ye Zhixun disappear from view, Yu Li returned to reading the information on her tablet.
Ye Zhixun knocked and entered, bracing herself for whatever judgment awaited her. But when the door opened, she was met with the sight of a woman in a light oatmeal-colored sweater, reclining leisurely in her chair.
The side profile showed slightly curled hair partially covering the face. From this angle, the eyes weren’t clearly visible only long lashes, a delicately upturned nose, and fair skin…
Ye Zhixun thought she had already expelled these images through physical exhaustion, yet they came rushing back.
Her fingertips seemed to recall the sensation of that omega’s skin, while her nostrils still caught whiffs of that rich pheromone scent.
Ye Zhixun pinched herself to regain clarity.
[How dare you even think about this?]
[Are you trying to get yourself killed?]
[Forget this immediately!]
“Hello, sister!” Ye Zhixun stood at attention and bowed respectfully to Yu Li.
Yu Li glanced up, finding it amusing how this alpha treated her like some revered elder with such formal greetings. Is this how young people behave nowadays?
“Sit,” Yu Li said, gesturing to the seat beside her.
When she’d messaged Ye Zhixun earlier, Yu Li hadn’t been in the best mood. Having just endured a massive online backlash though she was accustomed to such storms and had anticipated this one, it still affected her.
Seeing Ye Zhixun still energetic enough to go running, she’d summoned her over. Partly to inhale her pheromones, but also to vent some frustration.
Now, however, no trace of pheromones lingered on the girl just the scent of water and sweat. Any pheromones had likely evaporated completely.
Ye Zhixun sat rigidly, feeling like she was perched on hot coals.
“Sister, I haven’t told anyone. Have you decided how to punish me? I’m willing to accept any consequences,” Ye Zhixun finally asked after biting her lip.
Just give me the verdict already.
“Oh, I haven’t decided yet,” Yu Li replied, easily reading Ye Zhixun’s thoughts.
With the isolation room already cleaned, Ye Zhixun keeping the secret essentially meant holding leverage over her. And yet this child’s mind was still preoccupied with receiving “punishment”?
“Eat this first.” Just as Ye Zhixun was about to speak again, Yu Li’s voice interrupted.
Only then did Ye Zhixun notice two desserts and two cups of coffee on the table.
[Is it poisoned?]
[Is eating these the punishment?As these thoughts flashed through her mind, two sharp taps sounded, Yu Li’s fingers impatiently rapping the table in urging.
Yu Li had attended Hong Kong University herself years ago, and this café nearby used to suit her tastes. But even now that she’d ordered, she still had no appetite.
Rather than let it go to waste, she’d have Ye Zhixun finish it all.
Under Yu Li’s insistent gaze, Ye Zhixun had no choice but to start eating.
Having previously made desserts and coffee for Yu Li, Ye Zhixun had done extensive research. This café’s offerings were decent, but mass-produced without personalized customization so rather mediocre in flavor.
Not that Ye Zhixun was particularly picky about food.
Besides, after running so long and burning so much energy, she was starving. She could easily polish off not just these two desserts, but several more.
What Yu Li found utterly unappetizing and couldn’t bear to touch, Ye Zhixun devoured cleanly.
Yu Li couldn’t help marveling inwardly what an impressive appetite. No wonder she had such stamina.
“Alright, you can go now,” Yu Li said once Ye Zhixun finished.
Seeing the girl’s obedient yet nervous demeanor had somewhat soothed Yu Li’s mood. The earlier frustration she’d taken out on Ye Zhixun had dissipated.
Best to send her back now, no point tormenting her further.
The poor thing looked utterly pitiful.
Ye Zhixun had stuffed herself with sweets, thinking it was some mysterious punishment, only to be told she could leave.
Baffled, Ye Zhixun didn’t know what to make of it.
“I’ll call you when I’ve made up my mind,” Yu Li added.
Ye Zhixun’s expression fell.
She suspected Yu Li was tormenting her this way.
Fine, she had to admit it was working.
“Sister, then… I’ll be going,” Ye Zhixun said, rising to leave.
The desserts and coffee had no adverse effects on her. With food in her stomach, she even felt like she could go for another run.
But she still had afternoon classes, and her clothes were soaked through it was time to head back for a shower and change.
After Ye Zhixun left, Yu Li departed as well.
Mid-afternoon, Yu Li received a call from Qin Shuangxue.
“Miss, the housekeeper your younger sister mentioned has been found. Come to Victoria Harbour Court this afternoon. I’ll have her cook for you,” Qin Shuangxue told Yu Li.
Yu Li’s stomach was painfully empty, so she naturally agreed.
Later that afternoon, after finishing work, Yu Li returned to Victoria Harbour Court. Qin Shuangxue had taken the housekeeper to the supermarket to buy Yu Li’s favorite ingredients, preparing a full table of dishes.
Yu Li tried a few bites.
Just like before, she threw it all up.
“Were the previous meals and cake really made by you? Tell me the truth,” Qin Shuangxue questioned suspiciously.
“I… I…” The housekeeper stammered, visibly sweating from nerves.
“Let her go,” Yu Li waved dismissively at Qin Shuangxue.
After escorting the woman out, Qin Shuangxue returned, still fuming.
“Your younger sister, how could she lie about something like this? And you’re still so patient with her, not even blaming her,” Qin Shuangxue grumbled.
“It was probably just a coincidence. Let’s just go with the IV drip,” Yu Li murmured, sinking into the couch. She had already been feeling unwell, and vomiting again left her even more drained, her expression listless.
“Ah, right the food delivered yesterday is still in the fridge. It’s not very fresh anymore, but… maybe try it again? There’s still quite a bit of cake left,” Qin Shuangxue suddenly remembered, heading to the kitchen to retrieve it.
Yu Li pressed her fingers to her temples, lost in thoughts about company matters as she slumped deeper into the sofa.
Qin Shuangxue returned with the cake originally a small six-inch one. She had sampled some yesterday, and Yu Li had eaten a portion, leaving about half.
“Give it another try? If it wasn’t a coincidence, we absolutely must find that cook,” Qin Shuangxue insisted.
Yu Li recalled the taste from yesterday.
After some hesitation, she decided to test it again to see if it had been a fluke.
She took a few bites. Perhaps because it had been sitting too long, it didn’t taste as good as yesterday, but at least she didn’t vomit.
“Seems it wasn’t a coincidence after all. I’ll make some calls no, forget asking your sister. I’ll go straight to the housekeeping agency,” Qin Shuangxue said, observing Yu Li’s reaction.
“Aunt Qin, don’t bother,” Yu Li spoke up, still focused on the cake.
“Hmm?” Qin Shuangxue turned to her, only to see Yu Li using a fork to fish out a small, sealed box from within the cake.