After Differentiating into an Alpha, I Marked My Love Rival - Chapter 20

“White, white moonlight?”

 

Jiang Zhiluo was stunned.

 

A wave of panic surged within her. Could it be that Ji Yongshu already knew about her feelings?

 

No, that shouldn’t be the case.

 

They had only met a few times.

 

She admitted there were moments during these encounters when she failed to control her emotions, but Ji Yongshu shouldn’t have guessed her feelings so quickly.

 

Hadn’t she always thought Jiang Zhiluo liked Zhou Yi?

 

Wait!

 

Zhou Yi.

 

Jiang Zhiluo’s anxious heart immediately calmed. How could she have been so foolish as to think Ji Yongshu had discovered her feelings?

 

That “white moonlight” Ji Yongshu mentioned must be referring to Zhou Yi.

 

When Jiang Zhiluo first heard Ji Yongshu mention “white moonlight,” she had panicked so much she couldn’t think straight.

 

Now that she’d regained her composure, she realized how ridiculous her earlier assumption had been.

 

How could the person who made Ji Yongshu so jealous and resentful possibly be herself?

 

“Are you talking about Zhou Yi?” she tentatively asked.

 

The moment Ji Yongshu heard that name, her breathing noticeably quickened. The redness that had just subsided returned to her eyes.

 

Her crimson gaze fixed on Jiang Zhiluo, her jaw clenched so tightly her facial muscles tensed, trembling visibly even to Jiang Zhiluo.

 

Every alpha has an intense possessiveness toward their omega. No alpha in their sensitive period could remain indifferent upon hearing another’s name from their omega’s lips.

 

Ji Yongshu was no exception.

 

“You dare mention that scumbag alpha’s name in front of me?”

 

Ji Yongshu’s voice seemed squeezed from her throat, dripping with venomous resentment: “I knew it. Even after we’re married, you still can’t forget her.”

 

Jiang Zhiluo: ??

 

“W-wait a minute!”

 

Though she had silently accepted Ji Yongshu calling her “wife” earlier, when exactly had they gotten married?

 

What kind of script had Ji Yongshu concocted for herself?

 

Completely baffled, Jiang Zhiluo asked, “When… did we get married?”

 

Ji Yongshu’s eyes couldn’t simply be described as red anymore. She stared at Jiang Zhiluo with an expression of pained disbelief.

 

“You’ve even forgotten our wedding anniversary.” Ji Yongshu let out a self-mocking laugh, her lips trembling as she murmured: “It was all my wishful thinking…”

 

Jiang Zhiluo was speechless.

 

Just what delusions had Ji Yongshu been entertaining?

 

How would she know when their wedding anniversary was!

 

Jiang Zhiluo felt wronged too. Though she truly wished to marry Ji Yongshu, they actually had no relationship whatsoever—where would an anniversary come from?

 

Ji Yongshu hadn’t even consulted her about this script.

 

But the alpha was clearly already immersed in the agony of a cheating wife. Jiang Zhiluo feared if she didn’t interrupt soon, Ji Yongshu might start planning their divorce settlement.

 

“Jiejie!” Jiang Zhiluo cut through her delusions.

 

The omega’s eyes brimmed with tender affection. Though her cheeks burned crimson, she met Ji Yongshu’s gaze with solemn determination: “I don’t like Zhou Yi.”

 

“I do have a white moonlight, but that person isn’t Zhou Yi.”

 

Jiang Zhiluo paused. Even though she knew Ji Yongshu wasn’t fully conscious right now, confessing her feelings directly in front of the person she loved still made her unbearably shy.

 

The omega’s voice grew softer than before: “It’s you.”

 

Ji Yongshu watched her silently, taking in the shyness and adoration on the omega’s delicate face.

 

After confessing, Jiang Zhiluo felt heat radiating from her entire body. She had to get up and open the window in the room to let air circulate, afraid she might faint from the heat otherwise.

 

Opening the window also conveniently gave her a way to hide her embarrassment.

 

Only after she sat back down did Ji Yongshu speak: “Was everything you just said true?”

 

Jiang Zhiluo quickly nodded. Worried Ji Yongshu might not believe her, she added with flushed cheeks, “If I didn’t like you, why would I marry you?”

 

After all, this marriage arrangement was something Ji Yongshu had assigned to her—it wasn’t her own idea!

 

While soothing Ji Yongshu’s emotions, Jiang Zhiluo comforted herself internally: It’s fine. Ji Yongshu won’t remember any of this anyway.

 

She could say whatever she wanted.

 

Ji Yongshu seemed convinced by this explanation. That made sense—if her wife really didn’t like her, why would they be married?

 

She didn’t look anything like that scumbag Zhou Yi, so it wasn’t like her wife could mistake her for Zhou Yi’s replacement.

 

The alpha knelt back down on the carpet, pulling the discarded orange plushie into her arms and nuzzling it affectionately against her cheek.

 

Jiang Zhiluo thought to herself—her emotions came and went so quickly. So easy to placate.

 

Just like a child throwing a tantrum. Give them a little treat, and they’ll stop crying obediently.

 

This side of her sister was adorable too.

 

Too bad it was a limited edition—only during her rut.

 

Once these few days passed, Ji Yongshu would revert to the dignified, aloof young mistress of the Ji family—always rational, always composed.

 

But Jiang Zhiluo didn’t feel regret. The Ji Yongshu she had fallen for in the first place was that untouchable snow-capped mountain peak. This version of Ji Yongshu was just an unexpected delight.

 

She loved every facet of Ji Yongshu. Even the earlier version brimming with hostility—Jiang Zhiluo adored her just the same.

 

So, her sister had so many different sides to her.

 

Jiang Zhiluo felt like a dragon who had suddenly stumbled upon a priceless treasure. She wanted nothing more than to hide this precious gem carefully in her cave, shielding its brilliance from prying eyes.

 

Yet at the same time, she knew Ji Yongshu didn’t belong to her yet. She had no right to stop Ji Yongshu from shining brightly.

 

Ji Yongshu had no idea what her “wife” was thinking, but she could still see the tenderness in Jiang Zhiluo’s expression.

 

Under that scorching gaze, the alpha slowly closed her eyes.

 

She was exhausted.

 

The suppressants were finally taking effect.

 

Ji Yongshu no longer craved omega pheromones with the same desperate intensity as before. The faint tea fragrance from the plushie was enough to soothe her now.

 

Hugging the toy tightly, she rested her cheek against its soft body, eyes shut as if already fast asleep.

 

Jiang Zhiluo wanted to move her to the bed—sleeping on the carpet might make her catch a chill—but she was afraid of disturbing her.

 

Ji Yongshu had only just calmed down. What if she grew restless again if woken?

 

Jiang Zhiluo hesitated for a long time before finally whispering softly, “Jiejie?”

 

Ji Yongshu showed no reaction, not even a flicker of her eyelids.

 

Yet Jiang Zhiluo had a strange intuition—she felt Ji Yongshu wasn’t actually asleep, just ignoring her.

 

She didn’t know where this odd feeling came from, but she decided to trust her instincts.

 

After hesitating for two seconds, she tried a different address.

 

“Yongshu, why don’t you go sleep in bed?”

 

Her voice was as soft as if coaxing a child.

 

Ji Yongshu still ignored her.

 

Calling her “Jiejie” didn’t work, and “Yongshu” didn’t either.

 

Suddenly, she seemed to understand what Ji Yongshu wanted to hear.

 

Jiang Zhiluo’s fingers twisted together unconsciously, nervously pinching her fingertips—a clear sign of her inner turmoil.

 

She stared at the strands of hair falling beside Ji Yongshu’s arm for a long while. After an intense internal struggle, she finally decided to follow her heart.

 

“Wife, be good and go sleep under the covers, okay?”

 

The next second, Ji Yongshu abruptly lifted her head.

 

Though her face showed unmistakable drowsiness, her alert expression made it clear she hadn’t truly been asleep.

 

Jiang Zhiluo bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she repeated in a tone both coaxing and pleading, “Okay?”

 

Ji Yongshu’s eyes sparkled brightly. She shook her head excitedly, her hair swaying across her cheeks with the movement.

 

“Okay!”

 

Her voice rang out cheerfully—if she’d had a tail, it would surely have been wagging wildly by now.

 

Jiang Zhiluo coughed lightly, as if to cover her embarrassment. “Then—”

 

Before she could finish, Ji Yongshu had already thrown back the covers and burrowed in, wrapping herself tightly—along with the orange plush toy—until only her head peeked out.

 

She’d kept her phone on the nightstand the whole time, now angling it slightly to ensure she remained centered on screen.

 

Jiang Zhiluo exhaled in relief and continued soothing her, “Close your eyes and sleep now. I won’t hang up.”

 

Ji Yongshu obediently shut her eyes, appearing genuinely ready to sleep.

 

A faint smile touched Jiang Zhiluo’s lips as she quietly watched the woman’s fluttering eyelids.

 

Not even a minute passed before Ji Yongshu peeked open one eye, sneaking a glance toward the phone—only to meet Jiang Zhiluo’s gaze directly.

 

Caught pretending, Ji Yongshu guiltily tugged the covers up to hide half her face.

 

“I’m really sleeping now,” she murmured, as if speaking to Jiang Zhiluo or perhaps just to herself.

 

Jiang Zhiluo’s eyes softened with affection. “Mm.”

 

Ji Yongshu added insistently, “You can’t hang up until I’m asleep.”

 

“Okay,” Jiang Zhiluo promised, never looking away. “Sleep. I’ll stay with you.”

 

Exhaustion soon took over. Once Ji Yongshu closed her eyes again, her breathing gradually slowed into the deep, even rhythm of true sleep.

 

Through the screen, Jiang Zhiluo gently traced her fingers over the sleeping woman’s cheek, her whisper almost inaudible.

 

“Goodnight, jiejie.”

 

——

 

10:00 AM.

 

In the dimly lit room, the cocooned blanket shifted slightly as a bare arm emerged.

 

Ji Yongshu rubbed her throbbing temples, remnants of sleep still lingering in her eyes.

 

She yawned and was about to prop herself up when her body suddenly froze, her facial expression turning utterly bewildered.

 

Last night?!