After a Disabled Alpha Marked a Yandere Female Lead - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: VIP

Zhu Qingluo senses something is off. Did Jiang Yun really discover her pretense of being unconscious? She tries to recall if she made any mistakes, but can’t find a moment where she slipped up. She wonders why, if Jiang Yun knew she was awake, she still proceeded with the “examination.”

As she’s deep in thought, Jiang Yun gently releases her wrist, as if her previous words were just to herself. Zhu Qingluo feels a soft touch on her hair, and her heart returns to its normal rhythm.

Suddenly, Jiang Yun stops all movement, seemingly distracted by something. A quiet moment passes before Zhu Qingluo hears her get up and walk away. She’s left alone, completely ignored. This surprises her; she was expecting to be given a nutrient injection.

Peeking through her eyelashes, she sees the doctor and Liu Zi. The doctor is expertly administering a nutrient injection to Liu Zi. They don’t speak, a sign that this has been planned. Zhu Qingluo doesn’t understand why Jiang Yun would go through the trouble of having Liu Zi take her place if she wasn’t going to give her the injection anyway.

At that moment, a large screen lights up, showing information about the research center’s partners. Among the portraits, Zhu Qingluo spots Xie Ke. She’s always believed that Jiang Yun and Xie Ke were close due to their collaboration, but now she questions if that’s truly the case.

A lazy voice behind her startles her, “You’re awake?” A faint clinking sound follows as Jiang Yun places a vial back in a cabinet. Zhu Qingluo glances at the cabinet filled with medicine. She instinctively checks her pocket and finds that the vial she had hidden is gone.

“Liu Zi was too careless,” Jiang Yun says, adjusting the vials. “She must have dropped it outside.”

Zhu Qingluo, confused, plays along. “What happened? Weren’t you going to give me a nutrient injection?”

“It’s nothing,” Jiang Yun replies, taking off her white gloves. “Didn’t you say that if the first batch of nutrient agents had issues, you’d take responsibility?” She smiles, “It’s only three to five years. I’ll wait with you, okay?”

The atmosphere is tense, but Zhu Qingluo knows this is a better outcome for her. However, as she’s about to agree, she catches Jiang Yun’s gaze and a strange feeling washes over her. Jiang Yun’s behavior is more inscrutable than before. Zhu Qingluo momentarily wishes she had received the injection, thinking it would have given her a sense of peace.

“Okay,” she hears herself say. Jiang Yun’s eyes deepen in satisfaction.

No one mentions their previous confrontation. Zhu Qingluo feels a lingering warmth on her wrist from the earlier “examination.” “Can I ask you a question?” she asks nonchalantly.

“Mm.”

“What made you change your mind?” She’s referring to Jiang Yun switching the test subject from her to Liu Zi.

Jiang Yun doesn’t answer immediately. “Does it matter?” she says with a smile. Zhu Qingluo realizes the outcome is what’s important and shakes her head, “My apologies.”

She notices Liu Zi standing in front of the screen, blocking her view. Liu Zi, looking pale with a bandaged arm, asks about her condition. Zhu Qingluo feigns confusion, saying she must have fallen asleep. Relieved that Zhu Qingluo isn’t suspicious of the water, Liu Zi’s guilt lessens. She escorts Zhu Qingluo out, and as they leave, Zhu Qingluo tries to steal another glance at the screen, but is blocked again.

Zhu Qingluo goes to her room. As her back disappears, Jiang Yun’s warm smile vanishes, replaced by a cold, shadowy expression.

…

At 2:30 a.m., Jiang Yun sits in her dimly lit room. A moonlight ray illuminates a report on her desk: a bl00d analysis showing Zhu Qingluo’s compatibility with a special substance is 99%. Only the two of them know this secret.

Her gaze drifts to a photo of a much younger Zhu Qingluo. She takes it, smiling at the girl’s serious expression. She places the photo on top of another report, this one for Liu Zi, who received the injection earlier.

Jiang Yun leans back, recalling the “examination” and a new thought takes shape: Zhu Qingluo is afraid of pain. It’s something she noticed before but never paid attention to until now.

Zhu Qingluo’s question, “What made you change your mind?” echoes in her mind. The answer is simple: she doesn’t know. Jiang Yun puts the reports away and sinks into her chair, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a commotion outside breaks the silence. Jiang Yun’s frown deepens, and she finds the doctor. “Is everything taken care of?” she asks. The doctor nods, then shakes her head in a panic. “It’s all done, but… you need to see this.”

Jiang Yun goes to the hallway and sees a fire flickering in the storage room below. Servants are rushing to put it out.

“It was fine when I left,” the doctor says, trying to clear her name. “Don’t worry, I’ve already moved out all the important equipment.”

Ignoring her, Jiang Yun finds Liu Zi, who’s covered in soot. “What happened?” Jiang Yun asks.

“I just saw Miss Zhu go in,” Liu Zi says, her face etched with worry. “I just went to get some water, and when I turned around, she was gone…”

Jiang Yun’s face pales. Her heart plummets as she pushes past Liu Zi and rushes into the burning room. “Miss!” Liu Zi yells.

The fire is contained, but the room is large and filled with equipment, making it difficult to find anyone.

“Luo Luo?” No answer.

Panic seizes Jiang Yun. A fire burns inside her, an invisible, consuming flame. Her mind conjures up the worst scenarios. Given Zhu Qingluo’s physical condition, where could she be? What if she fainted or got trapped? Jiang Yun searches frantically, her body feeling weak when she can’t find her.

Then, she hears the distinct sound of a wheelchair rolling over debris. Through the smoke and flames, Zhu Qingluo appears, completely unharmed and not covered in soot. She’s been helping organize the equipment and just returned from the restroom.

“It’s dangerous here. What are you looking for?” Zhu Qingluo asks, disapprovingly. She assumes Jiang Yun is searching for something important.

“I found it,” Jiang Yun says, her gaze fixed on Zhu Qingluo.

“What?” Zhu Qingluo is confused. Jiang Yun then cups her face, gently tilting it up. She feels a rough substance on her cheek—dust and ash. As they lock eyes, Zhu Qingluo’s heart races. Is Jiang Yun looking for her?

Before she can process the thought, Jiang Yun sways and collapses into her arms. Zhu Qingluo awkwardly catches her, her palms feeling the warmth and softness of Jiang Yun’s body. Her heart skips a beat as Jiang Yun’s head rests on her chest.

Just then, the fire is extinguished. The air is still smoky, but no longer suffocating. Liu Zi and others rush in, their attention focused entirely on Jiang Yun. A doctor asks Zhu Qingluo a few brief questions before leaving to attend to Jiang Yun.

Zhu Qingluo is left alone with some cleaning staff. After a while, she wheels herself out. The fire was put out in time, and most of the equipment was undamaged.

Later, the butler investigates and finds that the fire was caused by an overturned alcohol lamp, but the surveillance cameras were conveniently broken. The incident is ruled an accident.

Jiang Yun is diagnosed with minor smoke inhalation and temporary unconsciousness, but is otherwise fine. The household is relieved, but a bit somber.

Zhu Qingluo is unaffected. With the nutrient agent issue resolved, she returns to her normal routine. She sees the butler talking to a private doctor and waits for the doctor to leave before approaching.

The butler’s expression of concern immediately changes to his usual strict demeanor. “Were you trying to harm the young miss?” he asks.

“An accusation without evidence,” Zhu Qingluo says coolly.

The butler is angry. He knows Jiang Yun ran into the fire for Zhu Qingluo, and didn’t mention a single word about the expensive potions. He doesn’t understand Jiang Yun’s actions and blames Zhu Qingluo. But he has no proof.

Zhu Qingluo meets his gaze without flinching.

“This is all because of you,” the butler grumbles. He sighs, “The young miss has been very calm all these years. She wouldn’t put herself in danger like this. The last time this happened was when the old madam was still alive…”

“Is Miss Jiang calm?” Zhu Qingluo asks, raising an eyebrow. She’s found Jiang Yun to be anything but.

“Ah, yes,” the butler says, still lost in memory. “She is.”

“What happened last time?”

The butler’s expression darkens. “Nothing, just old history.” He then turns and walks away. Zhu Qingluo knows he’s only acting this way because he cares for Jiang Yun, so she doesn’t take it to heart.

Later that afternoon, she hears that Jiang Yun has woken up. The air in the living room smells of a calming incense.

Zhu Qingluo finds Jiang Yun lounging on the sofa in a silk robe, which is loosely tied at her waist. Jiang Yun looks a bit sleepy. She rubs her hair, and the sleeve of her robe slides down, revealing her pale arm. Her collarbone is clearly visible with each breath.

She looks over at Zhu Qingluo. “Why did you take so long?” The words sound like a reprimand, but the tone is playful.

“I was talking to the butler before I came up,” Zhu Qingluo explains. In reality, the butler had cornered her, warning her not to say anything to Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun is unbothered, showing no interest in their conversation. The room falls silent. Zhu Qingluo recalls the fire and feels a bit awkward. Jiang Yun’s behavior is illogical: she doesn’t want to end the engagement, but she risked her life for her? This is not how you treat an “Alpha tool.”

Zhu Qingluo thinks about the other things Jiang Yun has done for her, like sending Liu Zi to be her assistant, and the hat and the yellow gemstone. Maybe those gestures were genuine. Her feelings become complicated.

Jiang Yun holds out her teacup to Zhu Qingluo. “Don’t be so nervous.”

Zhu Qingluo lowers her gaze, takes the cup, and sips it. Their fingers touch briefly. Jiang Yun doesn’t let go. Zhu Qingluo understands and opens her mouth to drink directly from the cup. Jiang Yun watches her.

After Zhu Qingluo takes a sip, Jiang Yun finally lets go, her fingers brushing Zhu Qingluo’s hand. The tea seems to calm her. She feels relaxed. Jiang Yun’s demeanor has shifted, she seems more approachable and homey. Zhu Qingluo knows this is a facade, but she plays along.

“I had a dream yesterday,” Jiang Yun says, looking out the window. “When I first moved into this house, I was surrounded by people who were very kind to me. One day, I fell down the stairs, but my mother only fired the nanny…”

Zhu Qingluo realizes this is not a dream. She thinks of Freud and concludes, “The ‘many people’ were all like the nanny, with ulterior motives?”

Jiang Yun remains silent.

The atmosphere is comfortable, and Zhu Qingluo decides to take a chance. “If they all had ulterior motives, does that include Xie Ke?”

Jiang Yun smiles, puts a finger to her lips, and shushes her. Zhu Qingluo is surprised. Jiang Yun already knows. She thinks about the original plot, where Xie Ke and others plotted to seize Jiang Yun’s inheritance, and how the flawed nutrient agent would make Jiang Yun dependent on Xie Ke.

Zhu Qingluo shivers, realizing how many secrets she now knows. She wonders what her role is in all of this.

“Why are you telling me this?” she asks, her expression serious.

“I wanted to talk to someone, and I found you were not bad. If you don’t want to… then just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

Jiang Yun seems completely at ease, as if she’s just talking about the weather. Zhu Qingluo can’t just pretend she didn’t hear. The silence stretches between them. Jiang Yun sinks back into the sofa, closing her eyes, a lonely expression on her face.

“You can go,” she says in a tired voice.

Normally, Zhu Qingluo would leave. But now, she feels brave. “That’s not what I meant,” she says softly.

The temperature in the room seems to drop, then slowly returns to normal. Jiang Yun half-opens her eyes, her gaze suggesting that Zhu Qingluo shouldn’t force herself.

Zhu Qingluo’s heart relaxes. She understands that Jiang Yun doesn’t really want her to leave. She wheels her chair closer. “Miss Jiang, if you have any worries, I am willing to listen.”

She sees that Jiang Yun’s teacup is empty and refills it, holding it out to her. Jiang Yun watches her, unmoving. Zhu Qingluo pushes her wheelchair closer, so she can hold the cup to Jiang Yun’s lips.

The faint scent of Jiang Yun’s body envelops her. Jiang Yun slowly raises her arm, her fingers gently pressing down on Zhu Qingluo’s wrist, then leans forward and sips from the cup. The robe is loose, revealing her pale skin. Zhu Qingluo looks down, avoiding her gaze. Jiang Yun drinks slowly, her eyes on Zhu Qingluo.

The corner of Jiang Yun’s mouth is wet. Zhu Qingluo instinctively wipes it away with her thumb. Jiang Yun’s lips brush against her finger, soft and warm. Zhu Qingluo’s hand freezes before she pulls it away.

Jiang Yun smiles meaningfully. “Thank you.”

Zhu Qingluo tightens her grip on the cup and places it back on the table, trying to appear calm. She decides to leave. Jiang Yun watches her, her gaze dropping to the wheelchair. The old chair, stained by the fire, is now also showing signs of wear and tear.

…

The next morning, Zhu Qingluo wakes up to find her wheelchair gone. She recalls nothing unusual from the night before, other than seeing Liu Zi last. She rings the bell, her thoughts racing.

Liu Zi arrives, showing no surprise when she hears the news. “The house is getting some new furniture. The butler probably got confused and put it in storage.”

This sounds ridiculous. “I can’t be without it,” Zhu Qingluo says, her face serious.

Liu Zi promises to check the warehouse. Zhu Qingluo is left alone and opens her phone. She sees messages from her family group chat, including one from her father, Zhu Jianghai, asking her to be a spy for him. Zhu Qingluo knows he wants her to find out how much Jiang Yun inherited. She deletes the messages and closes the app.

She looks out the window and sees Jiang Yun sitting in the hallway opposite her room. She’s holding a small brush, carefully touching up her wheelchair. Zhu Qingluo is surprised. Jiang Yun is treating her wheelchair like a major project. The morning’s frustration melts away.

Jiang Yun must not have slept either. Zhu Qingluo feels a complex mix of emotions.

Suddenly, Jiang Yun looks up, her eyes meeting Zhu Qingluo’s. Zhu Qingluo instinctively pulls back, avoiding the gaze.

Ten minutes later, Jiang Yun appears at her door, as elegant and poised as ever. “The wheelchair is fixed. It needs two more hours to set.”

“Okay,” Zhu Qingluo says, surprised. It’s hard to believe Jiang Yun would condescend to fix her wheelchair. She can’t help but pinch herself, confirming this isn’t a dream.

“Are you not feeling well?” Jiang Yun asks with a smile.

“No,” Zhu Qingluo replies, looking at her. Jiang Yun is still as friendly as she was after their talk. She even returned the yellow gemstone.

“What exhibition will this exquisite piece be in, and which buyer will it end up with?” Jiang Yun asks, looking at the jewelry on a wooden stand.

“If you like it, you can have it,” Zhu Qingluo says.

Jiang Yun’s gaze sharpens as she touches the gemstone. “I only want what’s most precious.” Zhu Qingluo assumes she’s not interested and says nothing.

As Zhu Qingluo talks about her designs, Jiang Yun skillfully guides the conversation. She sits next to Zhu Qingluo, releasing a warm, friendly aura.

Zhu Qingluo notices how close they are. Jiang Yun watches her, her eyes drifting to her lips as she speaks. Sometimes Zhu Qingluo feels like Jiang Yun isn’t listening, but whenever she stops, Jiang Yun seamlessly picks up the conversation, showing that she was paying attention.

After a half hour, the conversation ends. Zhu Qingluo is thirsty. Jiang Yun hands her a glass of water. As she takes it, their hands brush. Zhu Qingluo sips the water, and Jiang Yun smiles. “Am I good to look at?”

Zhu Qingluo chokes. She puts the glass down and looks away. She feels a strange sensation in her body and looks towards the call bell, but Jiang Yun’s body is blocking it.

“What do you want?” Jiang Yun asks.

“I need to call someone in.” Zhu Qingluo reaches for the bell, but Jiang Yun gently holds her wrist.

“I’m right here,” Jiang Yun says playfully. “What help do you need?”

Zhu Qingluo’s mind clears. “What… are you trying to do?” she asks cautiously.

Jiang Yun’s smile fades. “You’re still on guard against me.”

Zhu Qingluo looks at her, and her heart softens. “I need to go to the bathroom,” she says softly.

Jiang Yun’s expression freezes. She looks at Zhu Qingluo’s flushed ears.

“I understand,” Jiang Yun says, getting up.

Zhu Qingluo doesn’t know what’s happening until Jiang Yun lifts her by the armpits. A strong, familiar scent envelops her. Jiang Yun carries her into the bathroom. Zhu Qingluo struggles a bit, then stops when she feels a cold sensation on the back of her neck. Jiang Yun sets her down.

“You’ve already seen me, haven’t you?” Jiang Yun says casually.

Zhu Qingluo remembers marking Jiang Yun and her cheeks burn. But she knows this situation is different.

“Hurry up,” Jiang Yun says, a faint smile on her lips.

Zhu Qingluo sits on the toilet. She was in a hurry, but now, with Jiang Yun watching her, she can’t go.

“Or do you need help with this too?” Jiang Yun’s gaze falls to her waist, and she reaches for her belt. Zhu Qingluo grabs her hand.

Jiang Yun looks at her, her eyes a deep, pure black. Zhu Qingluo seems calm and rational. Jiang Yun is momentarily stunned, a different emotion rising in her. “No, I can do it myself,” Zhu Qingluo says, her palm over Jiang Yun’s hand.

Jiang Yun looks at their clasped hands, then slowly withdraws hers and leaves the room. The door closes.

Zhu Qingluo thinks Jiang Yun has left. Two minutes later, she asks, “Are you still out there?”

Silence.

She’s disappointed but not surprised. The door opens. Jiang Yun stands in the sunlight. She studies Zhu Qingluo for a moment, then steps inside and bends down. Zhu Qingluo instinctively puts her arms around her neck, making it easier for Jiang Yun to lift her. Zhu Qingluo appreciates the gesture, even if it’s strange.

The small incident doesn’t seem to have affected Jiang Yun. Afterwards, Zhu Qingluo becomes more cautious in their conversations, holding back some of her thoughts.

Time flies. The sun shines brightly. Zhu Qingluo sees her “new” wheelchair. It looks perfect, as if it was never in a fire. She tests it out. It feels familiar and comfortable. She was attached to her old wheelchair, so she’s surprised and a little moved that Jiang Yun didn’t throw it away.

As Jiang Yun is about to leave, Zhu Qingluo calls out to her. “Miss Jiang,” she says, a sincere smile on her face. “Thank you.”

Jiang Yun stops, her hand on the doorknob. This simple thank-you feels different coming from Zhu Qingluo. It’s not a polite formality, but genuine gratitude. A strange emotion swells inside her chest, as if everything she’s done has suddenly gained meaning.

The feeling isn’t bad. Jiang Yun turns to her, a teasing smirk on her face. “I just want you to be more presentable when you go out with me.”

Zhu Qingluo is momentarily stunned. Then she understands the hidden meaning. “I understand,” she says, sitting up straight.

Jiang Yun stares at her, then opens the door and leaves.

The room grows quiet. Zhu Qingluo’s hand touches the metal armrest. The quality is a huge improvement from her old one. She thinks about all the things Jiang Yun has done for her. She’s gotten a lot of benefits. As for Jiang Yun’s last remark, she decides to just go along with it.

Her phone lights up. Zhu Qingluo remembers her father’s messages. She’s been busy and has been putting off dealing with him. But before he can contact her, Jiang Yun suggests they go out together for a party hosted by Xie Ke. The plan was set during their last meeting, so Zhu Qingluo can’t refuse.

The news dampens her mood. Knowing the true relationship between Jiang Yun and the others, she can’t help but sense a conspiracy.