"After Becoming the Protagonist's Scumbag Alpha Ex-Wife" (ABO) - Chapter 25

“And what about my bl00d test results?” Qin Ran asked calmly, turning to Professor Song. “Any abnormalities? Was the drug you mentioned in my system?”

Since Wen Qingyun had already drawn the drug into a syringe, it was possible she had injected some—or at least intended to. Qin Ran needed to be sure.

“President Qin,” Professor Song replied, “based on the preliminary bl00d test, your results are mostly within normal range. There’s no trace of the drug you were concerned about. If it had been injected recently, we would have detected it.”

Qin Ran blinked, then let out a breath—thank goodness!

So Wen Qingyun hadn’t injected her with the neurotoxic drug after all. She really had just been bluffing.

All that threatening posture, that cold-blooded demeanor—it had all been an act. And Qin Ran had fallen for it, wasting a good deal of emotional energy over nothing.

Maybe Wen Qingyun didn’t have time to inject it because she’d woken up too soon?

Whatever the reason, this was good news.

“However,” Professor Song added, just as she began to relax, “your creatinine and bl00d urea nitrogen levels are concerning. They suggest mild kidney impairment. You should get a full check-up at a hospital.”

Qin Ran froze, her brief relief shattered. Kidney dysfunction? What kind of bad joke is this?!

The woman who originally occupied this body never even crossed any lines—how could she already have kidney issues?

Was it from staying up too late? Smoking? Drinking? Bottled-up stress?

She was still so young, hadn’t even enjoyed life properly yet—and her kidneys were already failing?

“President Qin, this is only a preliminary result. There’s no need to panic,” Professor Song reassured her. “Just get a more detailed evaluation from a hospital. It’s not a serious illness—completely treatable.

Avoid any, uh, sexual activity for now, and give it time. Recheck the numbers later—they’ll likely improve. Even young people need to learn moderation,” he added with the candid bluntness of an older Alpha.

“…Thank you, Professor Song,” Qin Ran said weakly, feeling worse than before.

Avoid sexual activity? She hadn’t even had any to begin with!

This was just too unfair.

“President Qin, don’t mention it,” Professor Song continued. “But since you are here, there’s something else I’d like to discuss with you. I heard about a development today that’s been causing some waves in the institute. I hope you don’t mind me being direct.”

Qin Ran looked at him, not interrupting.

“Our research institute has always been very strict about recruitment. Even a regular research assistant has to go through multiple rounds of interviews—written tests, practical assessments, academic credentials, peer-reviewed papers, and research outputs. Every box must be checked.

Your decision to name Ms. Wen Qingyun a chief specialist—don’t you think that was a bit rushed?

You’re free to appoint her as a corporate executive if you like—that’s not my place. But the title of chief specialist shouldn’t be handed out so casually. It affects the reputation of our entire institute.”

His words were earnest, though clearly laced with concern. Since the title had already appeared on the company’s internal organizational chart, the news had spread.

Other researchers had resumes a mile long. Wen Qingyun, on the other hand, had only her name—there was nothing on record for her in any academic database. It was beyond irregular.

Professor Song had been at the institute for many years and knew a bit about Wen Qingyun’s situation. As soon as he saw the announcement, he felt Qin Ran was making a huge mistake.

“Thank you for your input, Professor Song,” Qin Ran replied. “Yes, appointing Ms. Wen did happen rather suddenly. But that doesn’t mean she’s unqualified. In fact, I believe this shows our institute’s openness to unique talents. If you’re still uncertain, I can arrange a meeting between the two of you. Once you talk to her, you’ll see just how capable she is.”

Qin Ran wouldn’t usually bother explaining herself, but Professor Song was one of the top three chief specialists. He deserved the courtesy of a proper answer.

Wen Qingyun had demanded the title as a condition for Qin Ran’s safety—so of course, she’d agreed. But truthfully, Wen Qingyun was more than capable of holding that position.

“Very well. I’ll wait for your arrangement,” Professor Song said, though his expression was mixed.

He said the words, but his heart felt heavy.

Ever since Qin Ran had taken over the company, many of her decisions had rubbed him the wrong way.

The current chief specialists were all seasoned experts in their fifties or older. And now she wanted to appoint a twenty-something Omega with health issues? It was simply hard to accept.

To him, it seemed obvious that President Qin’s so-called “kidney issue” stemmed from something else entirely—namely, being blinded by lust. An S-rank Omega who truly wanted something… well, who could refuse?

And there had even been rumors that Su Yuecha was about to be promoted to chief specialist.

Wen Qingyun didn’t even have a university diploma. Compared to her, even Su Yuecha would look overqualified.

Professor Song sighed internally. With a leader like this, the research institute he’d served for over two decades might soon fall apart, but he didn’t press the issue further.

Qin Ran knew he didn’t believe her, but she didn’t push it either. She’d deal with it once Wen Qingyun regained consciousness.

After seeing Professor Song off, Qin Ran returned to her office, only to find several people standing just outside the door. It looked like they were waiting specifically for her.

“What are you all doing here?” she asked.

“President Qin,”  a man at the front with a polite smile continues, “our new inhibitor research project has shown results—we’re entering the next phase. You mentioned before that if things went well, you’d promote Dr. Su to chief specialist.

We’re just here to make sure you haven’t forgotten. We’ve already started planning the celebration!”

“…Ah.” Qin Ran was speechless. The original ‘Qin Ran’ really knew how to make things difficult for herself.

She wasn’t sure whether Su Yuecha had the ability to be a chief specialist—but she was sure about her character, and that was enough for Qin Ran to say no.

She was planning to fire Su Yuecha altogether.

Before today, she hadn’t really cared about Su Yuecha’s position at the institute. But after everything that had happened, she had no patience left.

Still, Su Yuecha was in charge of the inhibitor project. If she were fired, Qin Ran wasn’t sure who would take over—and there were many follow-up tasks to consider.

“I make my decisions carefully,” Qin Ran finally said. “Dr. Su has done well, yes. But in my opinion, she’s not quite ready to be a chief specialist.”

“So what you’re saying, President Qin,” the man with the glasses asked, “is that you don’t intend to promote Dr. Su after all?”

“I don’t have any such plans at the moment,” Qin Ran said coldly, looking at the man.

“President Qin, I don’t know what Dr. Su did to displease you, but I heard we added a new Chief Specialist today. That person—your wife—has no project achievements, no academic degree, and is mentally ill. Do you really think someone like that is qualified to be a Chief Specialist? If so, what does this title even mean anymore?”

The man stared at Qin Ran with a serious look. He was the deputy lead of the new inhibitor research project and one of Su Yuecha’s admirers. To him, she was a goddess.

Seeing his goddess being treated unfairly filled him with righteous anger—and a desire to speak up.

“President Qin, our institute partners are with the biopharmaceutical companies and not with the entertainment agencies. The biopharmaceutical industry is a serious business—if we make mistakes, people can die. For the sake of the institute’s reputation, I implore you to reconsider. Don’t you all agree?” He added, turning to the others.

Some nodded in agreement; others stayed silent but clearly shared his opinion.

Qin Ran looked at the group. Most of them were from the inhibitor research team, and now that the project had entered a critical stage, she couldn’t afford to fire them and let the company suffer losses.

They didn’t understand the situation and naturally didn’t trust Wen Qingyun. Some of them were likely being stirred up behind the scenes.

If Su Yuecha wasn’t behind this, Qin Ran wouldn’t believe it.

Su Yuecha couldn’t take her down, so now she was targeting the work environment?

“All right, quiet down!” Qin Ran raised her voice. “Don’t judge someone you don’t understand. I understand why you doubt Ms. Wen Qingyun. In ten days, she will prove herself to all of you. She will prove that her abilities surpass those of anyone in this institute. Now get back to work!”

Everyone fell silent. The strong words spoken by Qin Ran left everyone in disbelief.

Without another word, Qin Ran swiped her card, entered her office, and closed the door.

The group dispersed. Most of them returned to the inhibitor lab.

Inside, Su Yuecha was red-eyed but still intently mixing reagents, with Guan Jingyi assisting her.

“Dr. Su, you were right. President Qin really chose a mentally unstable person over you for Chief Specialist. It’s absurd. This institute is doomed!” The bespectacled man from before said angrily.

“I… during President Qin’s last heat period, she tried to… I refused her. I expected this,” Su Yuecha said with a bitter smile, eyes growing redder. “Thank you all for standing up for me. But please, don’t go any further. We all have families. Jobs like these are hard to come by. Don’t risk yours because of me.”

“Unbelievable! Qin Ran is going too far!” the man said furiously. He’d always been jealous when Su Yuecha was nice to Qin Ran, and now this?

“Dr. Zhao, please don’t confront President Qin over this. It might cost you your job. I probably won’t be staying much longer either. The CEO of QYZ Company invited me before, but I didn’t go because I didn’t want to leave you all. Looks like now I have no choice. Thank you for all your help. It’s been a pleasure working together,” Su Yuecha said with teary eyes and a smile.

QYZ was a biopharma firm even stronger than Wen Corp. Jumping ship to them was definitely a step up—but the way Su Yuecha phrased it made it sound like she was being forced out.

“Then there’s no point in staying here! If you resign, I’m resigning too!” Dr. Zhao said immediately.

“Dr. Su, wherever you go, I’ll follow,” said a younger researcher, blushing.

“With your skills, you’ll thrive anywhere. Take me with you! We’ll start fresh together,” another chimed in.

Su Yuecha’s lips curved in a barely perceptible smile.

The new inhibitor project was about to enter production. If the whole team quit, she’d love to see how Qin Ran planned to handle that.

*****

Meanwhile, back in her office, Qin Ran found that Wen Qingyun had woken up. She was hugging her arms and sitting stiffly on the couch, looking lost.

Wen Qingyun realized she’d lost control again.

She remembered what happened during her episodes. It wasn’t like she went mad or lost her mind—someone had just triggered an emotional extreme, tipping her into rage and instability.

This time, the trigger had been Su Yuecha. Just seeing her had caused a rush of poisonous memories: the soft voice, the innocent act, the seemingly delicate Omega—wrapped around a vicious core.

“That crazy woman scares me. Can you keep her away from me? Maybe put her in the greenhouse?”

“Rou Rou can’t walk straight or talk properly… probably inherited it.”

“If my dad falls ill from taking care of me, I wouldn’t want to live. How pitiful.”

“Qin Ran promised to marry me after the divorce. Why won’t you just sign the papers? Are you trying to be her burden? Rou Rou’s a shame? How cruel can you be?!”

Wen Qingyun wanted to tear all of that apart. But afterward, she always felt deeply ashamed. She didn’t want anyone to see her like that.

Because anyone who saw… would call her crazy.

She wanted to run away—but she couldn’t.

And once again, it had been Qin Ran who held her, calming her down.

The faint trace of Qin Ran’s pheromones still lingered. In her most vulnerable moment, it had become her lifeline.

But pheromones were just chemistry.

Qin Ran couldn’t be trusted.

Wen Qingyun kept denying her, even as she heard the noise from outside.

She hadn’t realized that asking for Chief Specialist status would stir up such a storm. She just wanted unrestricted lab access.

Now, everyone was comparing her to Su Yuecha again.

Wen Qingyun didn’t even know how to gauge her own level anymore. She’d dropped out of school after getting pregnant and, due to her mental health, she had stayed home reading ever since.

She hadn’t expected Qin Ran to trust her so much—to say she was better than anyone in the institute?

“You heard what they said, right?” Qin Ran’s voice brought her back. “You’re not going to lose confidence now, are you? Thinking of giving up the Chief Specialist role?”

Wen Qingyun didn’t answer. She didn’t know.

“I’ve arranged for Professor Song to talk with you. If you don’t want to meet him in person, you can talk via messaging. Just show him what you’ve got—research, old papers, anything. If you can convince him, he’ll convince everyone else. You’ve got this.”

Qin Ran’s tone softened. She truly meant it this time. Not only did she want to raise favorability, but she also wanted to prove her own judgment.

After all, in just three months, Wen Qingyun would be handpicked by the National Academy of Sciences and become a nationally recognized treasure.

Wen Qingyun stared at her for a long moment.

Then she reached for the tablet and typed:

“Thank you. I’ll find a way to help with your kidney issue.”

Qin Ran saw the first two words and was touched—until she read the rest and completely broke down.