"After Becoming the Protagonist's Scumbag Alpha Ex-Wife" (ABO) - Chapter 21

Wen Qingyun was taken to the archive room. A temporary visitor badge was clipped to the front of her clothes—not enough to swipe her in or out, just to mark her as a guest. She needed an escort every time she entered or exited.

The access card Qin Ran was arranging for her was only for a basic researcher role. She’d be granted top-level access only within the archive room. A clean, unused lab would be cleared out for her, but she’d only have entry to that specific space. Anything else she needed would require direct approval from Qin Ran.

Qin Ran had indeed allowed her into the institute—but it came with strict limitations, as if she already knew Wen Qingyun had other intentions for being here.

Still, Wen Qingyun remained calm and unaffected. She sat at a computer in the archive room and began searching through digital files.

A short while later, someone else entered the room. She wore the white-and-blue uniform issued to researchers, had short hair cut just below the ears, had thick glasses perched on her nose, and carried a stack of documents. Her demeanor seemed a little nervous.

If Su Yuecha had been there, she would’ve recognized her immediately—this was Guan Jingyi, the same woman who had driven her earlier.

A faint blush rose on her cheeks as she glanced around and made her way to Wen Qingyun.

“Qingyun, you’re really out… That’s great,” Guan Jingyi said in a quiet voice. It was clear they knew each other.

“Jingyi, thank you for coming. Could you take me to a lab? I want to run a few tests. But if it’s too much trouble, it’s okay,” Wen Qingyun typed out on the computer and showed her.

“I’ll take you. It’s not trouble at all. This place used to be your family’s—you should’ve had full access to begin with,” Guan Jingyi said. Although she appeared timid, her eyes conveyed a strong sense of quiet defiance.

“Thank you,” Wen Qingyun typed and gave her a small nod of appreciation.

“There’s a small private lab next to the suppressant development room. No one uses it. I’ll take you there. Just tell me what you need—I’ll get it for you,” Guan Jingyi whispered.

Wen Qingyun pulled out her tablet and typed out a list of items she needed, sending it to Guan Jingyi via the internal messaging app.

“Okay, I’ll take you there first,” Guan Jingyi replied after reading the list. She paused for a beat, then gave Wen Qingyun a serious nod.

Guan Jingyi led the way while Wen Qingyun followed in her wheelchair. After leaving the archive room and crossing a hallway, they soon arrived at a lab. Guan Jingyi opened the door for her to enter.

“I’ll get the materials you need. Wait here,” she said before leaving.

Wen Qingyun gave her thanks and then intertwined her hands and gently rubbed her fingers.

Her long, pale fingers were beautiful—but they trembled slightly, making precise actions difficult.

She frowned for a moment but soon relaxed. For now, she didn’t need exact precision.

Soon, Guan Jingyi returned, carrying a small box.

“Will you be okay? Do you need any help?” she asked as she opened it.

“No, thank you. You can go do your own work,” Wen Qingyun typed back.

“Alright. I’ll hang a ‘Lab Out of Order’ sign on the door—no one will come in. If you need anything, message me,” Guan Jingyi said.

Wen Qingyun nodded.

“Qingyun,” Guan Jingyi hesitated as she turned to leave. “Fu Ma reached out to me earlier, so I know a bit about your situation. I may not be able to do much to help, but there’s one thing I want to tell you—Qin Ran has a close relationship with Su Yuecha, the head of the suppressant project.

If you’re really planning to divorce her, you can use that as leverage. I will monitor your situation closely. I’m Su Yuecha’s assistant researcher. I promise I’ll find a way to help.”

“Alright, thank you,” Wen Qingyun replied calmly with a line of typed words. Her expression remained unchanged.

She had already known.

After all, Su Xiaorong had been living in the Wen family’s villa for a long time, and Su Ma (Aunt Su) had been acting high and mighty for months. Su Yuecha often came by as well. How could she not have noticed?

Once Guan Jingyi finished speaking, she said goodbye and left the lab, leaving Wen Qingyun alone.

Wen Qingyun paused, then began carefully unpacking the items from the small box.

*****

Back in a nearby office, Qin Ran was growing increasingly uneasy.

Her glands, which were already sensitive, were immediately triggered by the pheromones Su Yuecha had released. The suppressant patch on her neck might as well have been useless—everything she had sprayed earlier had lost its effect.

She could feel the bl00d vessels around her neck gland pulsing, the area burning and aching, with the pain spreading toward her head.

Her pheromones were no longer the calm, gentle kind typical of a therapist—they had begun to carry the scent of desire, meant to attract an omega. It was dangerous and provocative.

Qin Ran was suppressing it with all her might, like trying to cage a wild beast clawing to break free.

But the more she held it back, the more painful it became.

Qin Ran’s face slightly flushed, and a cold sweat spread across her forehead.

According to the story’s original plot memory, “Qin Ran” had always used suppressants over the past five years due to issues with her body—but she hadn’t expected this estrus to hit so violently that it seemed unbearable.

Five years ago, her estrus periods had been mild and easily manageable. Her pheromones rarely even leaked out, and a few sprays of a standard suppressant would get her through it.

But now… this body was no longer normal.

“President Qin, are you alright? You don’t look so good,” Su Yuecha’s voice called out.

“Get out!” Qin Ran snapped, glaring at Su Yuecha and pointing toward the door. Her hand trembled as she fumbled through her briefcase, shakily pulling out a suppressant spray and a new patch. She tore off the old patch and sprayed a generous amount on her gland, then pressed the new one in place.

“President Qin, why are you angry? I was only worried about you. Is your estrus starting? Doing this won’t help—you should know by now that standard suppressants don’t work on your glands anymore, right?”

Su Yuecha’s tone was slow and deliberately sweet, laced with seductive undertones as she slowly stood up and walked toward Qin Ran. The scent of her pheromones—thick, heady gardenia—grew stronger.

Qin Ran tried to get up and move away, but a sharp pain in her glands made her stumble.

“Jianjian-jie,” Su Yuecha said gently, “you’re feeling so uncomfortable right now, and you still won’t let me help you? Every time you go into estrus, I always have high-grade suppressants prepared for you. This time is no different.”

As she spoke, she pulled out a small glass vial and waved it in front of Qin Ran’s eyes.

“Give it to me,” Qin Ran rasped with a hoarse voice. She had originally intended to push Su Yuecha away, but seeing that vial stirred an uncontrollable craving inside her. Her hand reached out toward it.

“Of course I’ll give it to you,” Su Yuecha said softly. “It’s just… I’m still hurt. The other day you said you wanted to completely cut ties with me. Was that just something you said in the heat of the moment? I haven’t been able to sleep since then.”

She pulled her hand back and took a step away, staring at Qin Ran with a look of sorrow.

“Su Yuecha, I’ve made myself very clear—I will not have any improper relationships with anyone while I’m still married! Give me the suppressant!” Qin Ran growled.

Su Yuecha maintained a sweet, pitiful expression, yet her entire presence emanated something far from purity. Her pheromones were blatant with undisguised seduction.

She hadn’t expected Qin Ran to be this unyielding. Even in this state, she refused to back down. It was completely different from how she used to behave.

“‘Improper relationship’? How can you say that?” Su Yuecha’s tone became more urgent. “You and your wife don’t even love each other. You haven’t shared a bed in five years—let alone marked her.”

“Jianjian-jie, you must be suffering so much right now. There’s no one else here—just you and me. I even sent Assistant Wang away. You can do whatever you want to me. Don’t be mad at me anymore. Let’s not fight over something so small.”

She wasn’t panicked—her voice was soft and her demeanor was fragile. But every word dripped with possessiveness and manipulation.

Qin Ran, panting and trembling, glared at her.

“If you don’t want this job anymore, just say it! If you won’t give me the suppressant, I’ll go to another researcher and get a sample of the new suppressant prototype!” she said through gritted teeth, forcing herself up. The scent of omega pheromones in the office was overwhelming, making her dizzy.

Her own pheromones were already on the brink. Now entangled with Su Yuecha’s, they were stirring into a chaotic storm of agitation.

“The new suppressant? There are some prototypes, but I’m the only one who has the access. No one else does,” Su Yuecha replied calmly. “And besides, it’s not a stronger version. It wouldn’t be very effective on you.

Running out there won’t help. You’ll only end up grabbing someone at random and biting them for a mark.

The halls are filled with cameras. Do you really want someone to catch you in that state? You’d rather suffer like this than say one soft word to me? Do you hate me that much?” Su Yuecha spoke with a bright and unwavering expression.

In the past, Qin Ran would’ve caved long before this point—just at the onset of estrus, she’d already started speaking softly and making promises. But not today. Today’s Qin Ran was a complete revelation.

To be honest, this version of her—with her damp hair sticking to her temples and eyes red and full of restraint—gave off a cold, ascetic beauty. It only made So Yuecha want to ruin her even more.

Qin Ran’s eyes were now red, and her vision started to blur. Her whole body was wracked with discomfort. She didn’t want to stay in this pheromone-filled office another second. Clenching her jaw through the pain in her glands, she stumbled toward the door.

“You really don’t want it? Come back, and I’ll give it to you,” Su Yuecha said, holding up the vial.

Qin Ran gave her a last glance—full of disgust, refusal, and sheer willpower. Then she swiped her card and walked out without looking back.

The vial in Su Yuecha’s hand almost shattered from her grip. She hadn’t expected this. Qin Ran really was choosing pain over submission!

Su Yuecha didn’t want to go out reeking of pheromones. She quickly suppressed her own scent and sprayed a masking agent. She activated the room’s pheromone purification system and then went after Qin Ran.

Qin Ran was still in control—for now. But if she didn’t use a suppressant soon, she’d completely lose the ability to think straight. Her instincts would take over, and she’d be consumed with only one urge: to find someone and mark them.

Fine. Then I’ll be the patient hunter, Su Yuecha thought. When the time comes, I’ll catch her myself and drag her into the rest lounge.

But as she reached the hallway, Qin Ran was already gone!

Su Yuecha quickened her pace, wondering if Qin Ran had turned a corner or ducked into another room.

While Su Yuecha was looking for her outside, Qin Ran had already slipped into a small laboratory.

She hadn’t seen Assistant Wang when she came out, and no one was in sight.

Walking quickly, she noticed a room labeled with a sign: “Equipment Malfunction—Out of Order.” She swiped in and entered.

Based on what Su Yuecha had said earlier, no one else had a high-grade suppressant. So now, all Qin Ran could do was find a place to ride it out.

She shut the door behind her, panting heavily. Sure enough, the room was empty.

The door couldn’t be locked from the inside. As long as someone had clearance, they could come and go freely.

Qin Ran caught her breath, then dragged a cabinet filled with glass equipment to block the entrance before sliding to the floor, gasping for air.

She didn’t notice that, at the far end of the lab behind a workbench, someone else was crouching behind a set of instruments.

Both of their faces turned pale as their eyes turned to each other.

It was Wen Qingyun.