"After Becoming the Protagonist's Scumbag Alpha Ex-Wife" (ABO) - Chapter 12

The old woman didn’t say a word to Qin Ran the entire ride, and Qin Ran didn’t bother trying to warm up to someone clearly giving her the cold shoulder.

She’d come to realize something—no matter how normally she behaved toward Wen Qingyun or Aunt Fu, they always assumed she was putting on an act, always watching her with suspicion.

So why waste the effort?

She’d done everything she could: put the divorce into motion, made her intentions clear. She would let her actions speak for themselves.

As Qin Ran stared out the window, her mind drifted. The closer they got to the Pheromone Therapy Management Center, the more familiar the scenery became.

Her mood grew complicated.

She had a special attachment to that place.

Qin Ran had met her first love—her white moonlight—while working at the center. The girl hadn’t been a soothing therapist, but a junior student researching the application of soothing techniques. At the time, she had participated in a few therapy sessions as a patient and had received Qin Ran’s treatment.

Strangely enough, they’d once even been in the same room—Qin Ran had accidentally marked her—but she still didn’t know what the girl looked like.

That night, all she had was a vague memory: her build, her height, the scent of her pheromones. Beyond that, she knew nothing—not even her name.

Five years ago, pheromone therapy was still in its early stages. If the patient was an Omega, privacy was heavily protected. After all, having an Alpha release their pheromones onto an unfamiliar Omega could be dangerous—if the therapist lacked self-control or acted in bad faith, it might throw the Omega into a vulnerable state and even trigger a heat.

So, during therapy, the two sides were physically separated. All personal details were kept confidential.

The night Qin Ran accidentally marked her was surreal, like a fever dream. She never even figured out how the girl had found her off-campus address. In the darkness, overwhelmed by the sweet, rich scent of her Omega pheromones, Qin Ran had been unable to think straight.

She only blamed herself for being too caught up in the moment—too lost in it. By the time she awoke, the girl had already disappeared. She never even caught a glimpse of her face.

She had fled like a frightened rabbit—and never came back.

Qin Ran searched everywhere. Even up until the moment she transmigrated into this story world, she hadn’t found a single clue.

After the transmigrator took over her body, she never visited the therapy center again. So of course, there was no new information.

Now, trying to find her was like fishing for a needle in the ocean.

Qin Ran often wondered how she was doing. After being marked so suddenly, how had that soft, timid Omega managed to carry on? How did she face the people around her, the whispers?

Qin Ran didn’t dare imagine it.

More than anything, she wanted to find her—just to see if she was okay. But she had no trail to follow.

She wasn’t even sure if the management center could offer any leads.

Regular soothing therapists didn’t have access to a patient’s personal information.

Maybe things had changed now—perhaps there were new regulations. Qin Ran intended to ask around and find out.

About forty minutes later, they arrived at the Pheromone Therapy Management Center.

Compared to the modest five-story building it had been five years ago and the center had grown significantly. Now, three multi-story buildings stood tall, each with over ten floors.

It seemed the field had flourished. The place was busy, the parking lots filled with vehicles.

Aunt Fu went off to consult someone right away.

Qin Ran took a moment to look around, marveling at how much the place had changed—then got straight to business.

The center now used a hospital-style registration system. Patients could choose to book with specialists, but most of the appointments were already full and required advance reservations.

She browsed the list of available therapists on the reservation machines but didn’t see the Alpha she was looking for. So she asked one of the staff guides for assistance.

“All registered therapists affiliated with our institution are listed in that machine—even those from out of town,” the guide explained. “There’s no one named Liao Zhiyi. Are you sure you’ve got the name right?”

“Uh…” Qin Ran was at a loss.

According to the original plot, the therapist in question was hired a year later by the National Academy of Sciences to treat Wen Qingyun. If the Academy had recruited her, she must’ve been one of the best. How could she not even be registered here?

“ Are you sure every therapist is on that list?” Qin Ran asked again.

“Hmm… not exactly,” the staff member said after a pause. “Some senior-level therapists have a very specific client base, and there are a few who are licensed but don’t actively practice. Those names wouldn’t show up in the public list. We wouldn’t be able to look them up from here.”

When Qin Ran heard what the staff guide said, she figured the person she was looking for probably didn’t want to work in the industry full-time and had chosen not to appear on the public list.

That complicated things. If she couldn’t find her in the short term, she’d have to wait another year—and she didn’t have that kind of time.

“I heard patient records are highly confidential here. What level of access is required to view their information?” she asked, switching focus from Liao Zhiyi to general access.

“Don’t worry. As long as you’re receiving treatment here, your personal information will never be disclosed without your explicit consent,” the staff member assured her confidently. “Only members of the center’s governing council have permission to view patient records. All council members are carefully vetted leaders in the field and strictly uphold professional ethics. You have nothing to worry about—our center has never had a single data leak.”

Qin Ran’s expression darkened. Only council members had access? How long would it take to reach that level?

“If I joined the council, would I be able to view the records of registered therapists too?” she asked, a thought forming in her mind.

“Of course. The council oversees all the licensed soothing therapists,” the guide replied.

Qin Ran frowned. Whether she wanted to find Wen Qingyun’s destined Alpha, Liao Zhiyi, or track down her own first love, the only real way was to get into the council. That was the only route to access their information.

It seemed she had no choice—she’d have to become a soothing therapist and try to work her way up.

“What’s the process for becoming a pheromone soothing therapist?” she asked.

She had a beginner’s certificate from five years ago, but it had long since expired—it was only valid for three years.

The staff member was momentarily surprised. He thought she was here to seek treatment, not to take the exam.

The profession has become more and more in demand over the past few years. Soothing therapists were part of a growing industry. In the early days, tons of people wanted to test if they had what it took, but the pass rate had been abysmally low—over 90% were eliminated.

Eventually, they raised the exam fees and lengthened the intervals between tests to thin out the crowd.

“If you want to take the exam, come register with me and pay the fee. The standard test happens once every six months and costs 10,000 yuan. If you want to take the expedited test, we can schedule you for tomorrow morning. That costs 50,000 yuan. A mid-level and a junior-level therapist will be assigned to assess you. If you pass, you’ll be granted provisional therapist status. After treating five mild cases here at the center, you’ll be officially certified as a junior-level therapist.

Your future ranking will be evaluated by the council, based on your treatment results and the number of patients you handle,” the guide explained.

Qin Ran followed the staff member to register and opted for the expedited test.

The cost was steep, but time was more valuable to her than money.

Thinking of money, Qin Ran recalled something from the strange memories the system had dumped into her before disappearing—something about a reward account for her missions in the other world. The system had given her a website, a username, and a password. She hadn’t logged in yet, but apparently, there was a balance in that account. She figured it would be enough to cover her expenses.

After receiving her exam materials, she saw that Aunt Fu was still inside a consultation room, so she asked a few more questions. About half an hour later, Aunt Fu finally came out.

She looked noticeably more relaxed, as if she’d received some hopeful information that restored a bit of her confidence.

“Were you able to book a therapist?” Qin Ran asked.

“Yes. A mid-level therapist,” Aunt Fu replied flatly.

Thanks to the consultation, she now held a sliver of hope. Maybe a pheromone therapist really could help treat Wen Qingyun’s condition.

But she had no intention of discussing any of that with Qin Ran. She quickened her pace, eager to get back to the Wen estate and check on Wen Qingyun.

The two returned to the villa shortly after. Wen Qingyun had already woken up, and Rou Rou was in the room chatting with her.

Whenever Rou Rou was present, Wen Qingyun’s expression was always calm, her eyes were clear and lucid.

Aunt Fu waited a moment, then had A’mei take Rou Rou out of the room. She sat down beside Wen Qingyun and told her about the therapist appointment.

“I read through several case studies—some patients with depression and mania were completely healed through pheromone therapy. Qingyun, will you come with me tomorrow to give it a try?” Aunt Fu asked gently.

“No, I don’t want to!” Wen Qingyun’s face was visibly pale, and she gestured vehemently, expressing her resistance. Aunt Fu quickly pulled her into a hug to comfort her.

“Qingyun, I know you don’t want to go out. I know you’re scared of meeting strangers. But the therapy sessions are separated—you won’t even see the therapist.

Just think about it: if you can really take care of yourself again, you’ll be able to fight for custody of Rou Rou. You can finalize the divorce with Qin Ran faster.

It’s good for you, too. I didn’t understand all this before, but now I do. That’s why I’m insisting you try. Qingyun, do you understand? You’re a strong girl. Don’t be afraid—I’ll be right here with you,” Aunt Fu said softly.

Her voice was warm and quietly giving Wen Qingyun strength.

Wen Qingyun’s expression shifted, as if she were standing on the edge of something terrifying, trying to summon the courage to leap. Something deep inside her was pushing her forward.

She couldn’t let Rou Rou be taken away. She had to divorce Qin Ran—as soon as possible.

After a long silence, Wen Qingyun finally nodded.