After Accidentally Marking My Stepsister's White Moonlight (GL, ABO) - Chapter 13

The matter of staying overnight was thus settled. Ye Wenjin opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out, resigning herself to the fact that she would be staying.

Yet, the idea of spending the night still left her feeling somewhat uneasy.

Truth be told, compared to the number of servants in the Yin household, the staff in this villa was remarkably sparse.

Perhaps she simply hadn’t seen the others, but at the moment, the vast villa was eerily quiet, devoid of any lively presence.

Ye Wenjin guessed that Jian Mo might dislike too much disturbance. From their brief interactions, she had noticed that Jian Mo preferred tranquility and disliked noisy environments.

That would explain the lack of people in the villa.

And precisely because of the quiet surroundings, the discomfort in Ye Wenjin’s heart gradually dissipated, though she still felt a little restrained.

Even though she was staying over, it was still relatively early. Sitting stiffly on the sofa, too self-conscious to even check her phone, she looked like a mushroom sprouting from the couch.

“Would you like to work out?”

Jian Mo’s voice was gentle, and every time she spoke, Ye Wenjin found it soothing.

But this time, upon hearing the content of her words, Ye Wenjin blinked in confusion. “Work out?”

Jian Mo gave a slight nod. “Mm, there’s a gym at home.”

It was just that Ye Wenjin was so tense—Jian Mo suggested exercise to prevent her from actually turning into a mushroom.

“Didn’t you say you ate too much for dinner? The gym can help you burn off the extra calories.”

Ye Wenjin’s eyes immediately brightened. After a moment of thought, she asked cautiously, “Sister, is there an empty room?”

Jian Mo looked at her. “Don’t like the gym?”

Ye Wenjin shook her head, a little shy. “No, it’s just that I’m more used to practicing martial arts. After that, I usually follow up with dance exercises—it burns calories faster. I’m not very familiar with gym equipment.”

Whenever she consumed too many calories, she preferred extending her practice sessions to burn them off. A few extra rounds of training could expend even more energy than a gym session.

Jian Mo’s gaze flickered. “Come, I’ll take you.”

To Ye Wenjin’s surprise, there really was an empty room. Delighted, she followed along.

But she had assumed it would be just an ordinary spare room. The moment Jian Mo turned on the lights, however, Ye Wenjin froze in shock.

Because the room before her wasn’t empty at all—it was a full-fledged dance studio.

Floor-to-ceiling mirrors covered two walls, and a ballet barre stood in front of them, fully equipped.

Ye Wenjin stood dumbfounded for a long moment before finally snapping out of it. “This… is this a dance studio?”

Jian Mo gave a soft hum. “Go ahead. The housekeeper will bring you practice clothes. The AC remote is here—adjust it as you like. Just don’t practice too late.”

Ye Wenjin nodded blankly.

She still hadn’t fully processed it. Only after Jian Mo disappeared from sight did she suddenly come to her senses, a big question mark hovering over her head.

Jian Mo’s home… had a dance studio?

Was it for yoga? Or did Jian Mo also practice dance?

Ye Wenjin couldn’t figure it out, so she decided not to dwell on it. Taking off her shoes, she stepped inside.

The weather had turned chilly after the recent rain, and practicing in thin clothes right away might lead to a cold. So, she found the AC remote and set it to a comfortable temperature.

Before long, the room gradually warmed up, and even the floor became pleasantly heated. Just as Ye Wenjin was searching for suitable music, there was a knock at the door. She hurried to open it and found the butler standing there.

“Miss Ye, these are the items you requested.”

The butler handed her a set of practice clothes along with shoes, accompanied by a thermos of warm water and several pieces of candy—an exceptionally thoughtful gesture.

Surprised by such thorough preparations, Ye Wenjin accepted the items with a mix of gratitude and slight embarrassment. After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously asked, “You…”

She opened her mouth but realized she didn’t know the butler’s name, leaving her momentarily at a loss for how to address him.

The butler, ever perceptive, said kindly, “Miss Ye, you may call me Butler Wu.”

Ye Wenjin exhaled in relief. “Butler Wu, I… actually wanted to ask about these things…”

She looked at the practice clothes in her hands, puzzled as to why Jian Mo would have such items here, her curiosity piqued.

Butler Wu smiled. “Miss Ye, there’s no need to worry. These are all clean.”

Ye Wenjin blinked. “That’s not what I meant… Well, thank you for bringing them over.”

Butler Wu’s expression remained unchanged, his smile steady, his eyes seemingly capable of understanding everything.

Hearing Ye Wenjin’s words, he nodded and said, “It’s my duty. I won’t disturb you further, Miss Ye.”

Ye Wenjin nodded and watched as Butler Wu left before turning back into the room.

She felt somewhat perplexed. She could tell Butler Wu had understood what she wanted to ask, but it seemed he didn’t wish to elaborate.

Realizing this, Ye Wenjin quickly understood—she might have overstepped by asking something she shouldn’t have. Fortunately, Butler Wu didn’t seem to mind, maintaining his usual courteous demeanor.

Perhaps it’s best not to be too curious, she thought.

With that, she set the matter aside and focused on her practice.

Though she had been practicing these past two days, she had been somewhat lax compared to before. Now that she had a proper place to train, she couldn’t afford to be careless.

By the time Ye Wenjin finished, she glanced at the clock—it was already past ten.

It was getting late, and she had to return to school for classes the next day. She should wash up and go to bed.

With that in mind, she got up and began tidying the room, turning off the lights and the air conditioning before slipping on her jacket and stepping out.

Since she planned to wash up and sleep right after returning, she decided not to change clothes now—they’d need washing anyway.

It was quite late when she stepped out, and the villa was even quieter than before. Everyone must have gone to bed.

Ye Wenjin paused mid-step, suddenly remembering something—she wasn’t familiar with this place. She didn’t know where her room was or where to go to wash up. Embarrassed, she froze in place.

Just as she debated whether to call for someone, Butler Wu approached unhurriedly.

“Miss Ye, what a coincidence. I was just coming to remind you that it’s getting late.”

Feeling a little awkward, Ye Wenjin said, “I’m sorry to trouble you, Butler Wu. I was actually looking for you.”

Butler Wu nodded knowingly. “Please follow me. Your room is on the third floor.”

Ye Wenjin quickly followed, relieved.

As they walked, she hesitated for a moment before asking softly, “Butler Wu, has… Sister already gone to bed?”

Butler Wu shook his head. “Miss Momo is still working.”

Previously, due to the sudden change to a new environment, Ye Wenjin had been tense and hadn’t noticed Butler Wu’s way of addressing Jian Mo. Now that she did, she felt a sudden wave of emotion.

“I see. It feels like Butler Wu and Sister are as close as family. You have a very good relationship.”

After all, in her understanding, whether it was butlers or servants, none seemed to address their employers as intimately as Butler Wu did.

The Yin family was even stricter, requiring rigid adherence to rules.

Yin Yu was the head of the household, so the servants addressed her as “Family Head” or “President Yin.” Yin Feifei was called “Young Miss,” and Ye Shuyao was “Madam.” As for her, she was just an ordinary “Miss Ye.”

Given this limited perspective, discovering Butler Wu’s way of addressing Jian Mo left her both surprised and moved.

Butler Wu’s gaze softened. “Miss Momo treats us all very well. We’ve watched her grow up, and she’s kind-hearted, never fussing over formalities.”

Ye Wenjin couldn’t help but agree, especially with the strict Yin family as a comparison. To the servants, Jian Mo’s household must seem like paradise.

“Sister really is very kind,” she said.

Butler Wu’s smile remained, but her eyes grew even warmer as she looked at Ye Wenjin.

This girl has good judgment.

“Yes, Miss Momo is perhaps too kind-hearted, alas—”

She suddenly sighed, making Ye Wenjin think something had happened. Instinctively, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Butler Wu looked troubled. “I was just thinking about Miss Momo’s past… Ah, never mind. It’s better not to talk about it. If she finds out I told you, she’d surely scold me.”

If Butler Wu hadn’t brought it up, Ye Wenjin wouldn’t have been curious. But seeing her expression, curiosity flared up inside her.

Though she wanted to ask what had happened, she knew her limits and what questions to avoid.

Since Butler Wu said so, it must be something she wasn’t supposed to know. Best not to invite trouble.

Resolved, Ye Wenjin nodded obediently. “Alright, let’s not talk about it then.”

Butler Wu gave her a surprised look, not expecting her to resist asking. Just as she was about to say something, they reached the third floor.

As soon as she stepped onto the third floor, Ye Wenjin caught the sharp scent of winter plum.

She paused, sensing the pheromones laced in the fragrance, and forced herself to stop.

“Butler Wu, I can’t go any further.”

Suppressing the urge stirred by the pheromones, she even took a step back.

Butler Wu immediately noticed something was wrong and grew serious. “Miss Momo… Oh no, her pheromones are unstable again. Miss Ye, please go downstairs. I’ll bring the suppressants.”

Ye Wenjin quickly nodded and turned to leave.

Even though she moved fast, she could still feel Jian Mo’s pheromones clinging to her.

Those pheromones extended like tendrils, probing her body. In just two seconds, she could feel the glands on the back of her neck growing restless, eager to respond.

Not daring to linger, Ye Wenjin quickened her pace. Only when she reached the first floor did the probing pheromone tendrils finally begin to fade.

Yet the faint scent of winter plum still lingered on her, reluctant to fade away.

Ye Wenjin felt slightly relieved but not entirely at ease. She gazed worriedly at the third floor, fearing something might happen to Jian Mo.

Even though she knew Butler Wu had gone to fetch the suppressants, her concern remained.

She had heard of pheromone disorders before—conditions usually caused by intense stimuli during differentiation or unstable pheromones shortly after differentiation, followed by further agitation.

In any case, pheromone disorders could flare up unpredictably, bringing severe pain during episodes.

Ye Wenjin never expected Jian Mo to suffer from such an ailment.

Her eyes fixed anxiously on the third floor as she awaited the outcome, her mind inevitably wandering: What had Jian Mo been through? How had this condition developed?

And… there was something else odd.

Whether it was Butler Wu or the other servants she had seen, they were all quite elderly, likely having lived in the Jian household for a long time.

Yet she hadn’t seen Jian Mo’s family, nor had anyone mentioned them. Could that be the reason? Ye Wenjin frowned deeply in thought.

Lost in her musings, a sudden commotion erupted from the third floor—a loud crash, as if something had fallen.

Ye Wenjin grew frantic. She was about to call for Butler Wu to ask what had happened when his voice reached her first, urgent and strained.

Without hesitation, she dashed upstairs while responding.

The two met at the second-floor landing, but before Ye Wenjin could speak, Butler Wu grabbed her hand and pulled her upward.

“Miss Ye, I know you and Mo Mo share a close bond. Right now, she’s rejecting all outsiders—even I, a Beta, can’t get near her. You’re the only one who can deliver the suppressants to her.”

Ye Wenjin’s heart clenched. “But I—”

Butler Wu’s expression was grave. “Don’t overthink it. Mo Mo already told us before—your pheromone compatibility is exceptionally high. Perhaps only you can approach her now. Once the suppressant takes effect, she’ll calm down.”

With no time to waste, Ye Wenjin gave a firm nod.

“Understood. I’ll go in right away.”

Butler Wu led her to the door and gently pushed it open.

In an instant, Ye Wenjin saw Jian Mo bracing herself against the desk, her face strained with unconcealed agony.

The items on the desk were now scattered across the floor. Hearing the noise, Jian Mo turned toward her.

The aggressive winter plum scent that surged toward Ye Wenjin suddenly retracted its thorns, curling around her like a tender embrace.

In that moment, the air filled with the intoxicating fragrance of rosemary.

Click.

The door closed behind her.