After Differentiating into an Alpha, I Marked My Love Rival - Chapter 5

The physical anomalies were becoming increasingly apparent, now impossible to ignore. Ji Yongshu’s fingertips pressed against her scorching scent gland, her heartbeat accelerating inexplicably as if trying to burst from her chest.

The sweet peach fragrance in the air grew thicker, almost tangible in its viscosity, threatening to overflow at any moment.

Fortunately, the apartment was equipped with the latest purification system, effectively containing the potent pheromones within the room and preventing any commotion.

As an SS-class omega, even the slightest leakage of Ji Yongshu’s pheromones could have a profound impact on any alpha who caught a whiff.

While compatibility between alphas and omegas played a crucial role—theoretically, higher compatibility meant greater susceptibility to each other’s pheromones—once an omega reached Ji Yongshu’s level, compatibility became almost negligible.

An SS-class omega like her would never have zero compatibility, even with the lowest-ranking alpha.

Ji Yongshu had experienced heats before, but none had ever been this unbearable. Not only was she unable to control her pheromones, but even her arms felt too weak to lift.

Generally, alphas possessed strong territorial instincts, instinctively repelling each other’s pheromones.

But few knew that a similar, albeit milder, repulsion existed between omegas.

This subtle aversion stemmed from an inherent competitive dynamic between those of the same secondary gender—an instinct ingrained in their very bones, beyond conscious control.

Just as alpha-alpha relationships required suppressing instincts to love one another, omega-omega relationships demanded the same restraint.

Thus, Ji Yongshu had always believed she could never tolerate another omega’s pheromones. After all, the higher one’s rank, the stronger the aversion to their own kind.

Yet she couldn’t deny it—when she caught Jiang Zhiluo’s pheromones in the bar earlier, she hadn’t felt repulsed. Instead, she’d been inexplicably drawn to them.

That was why, despite her fury, she had done nothing and simply stormed off.

She could deceive Meng Chuyu, but not herself. She didn’t even know whether Jiang Zhiluo was aware of it.

When that green-tea-scented omega pinned her against the door and boldly took liberties, Ji Yongshu hadn’t felt disgust or rejection—only an inexplicable anticipation and excitement.

It was as if she had been craving more.

Ji Yongshu was furious at Jiang Zhiluo’s audacity, but even more so at her own body for responding to an omega’s touch.

And not just any omega—this was the woman who had seduced her fiancée, her nominal rival in love.

She hated her own weakness.

She suspected foul play in the private room. How else could an omega affect her like this?

Yet her body’s reactions reminded her that she might bear some responsibility too.

The thought filled her with shame and frustration, like cotton forcibly stuffed into her skull, making her temples throb painfully.

She withdrew her fingers from her scent gland and massaged her temples. Only when the throbbing dulled slightly did she pick up her phone again.

She dialed Xie Yangqing’s number once more.

“Miss Ji, is there anything else you’d like to add?”

Xie Yangqing assumed she was still calling about the previous matter and took the initiative to ask as soon as the call connected.

Ji Yongshu leaned her head against the back of the sofa, her gaze drifting absently toward the ceiling. “No.”

“Xie Yangqing, help me schedule a medical checkup.”

Xie Yangqing was surprised but didn’t show it. “What kind of examination do you need?”

Ji Yongshu paused. “For my gland and pheromones.”

Xie Yangqing also fell silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his tone was noticeably more serious. “Are you feeling very unwell?”

He knew Ji Yongshu was approaching her estrus cycle, but this wasn’t her first time experiencing it. Xie Yangqing had already prepared suppressants and concentrated alpha pheromones for her in advance.

Even though Ji Yongshu had gotten engaged three months prior.

Logically, her first estrus after the engagement should have been spent with Zhou Yi, but since neither party was particularly willing, Ji Yongshu had decided to rely on suppressants again this time.

From adulthood until now, Ji Yongshu had gone through several estrus cycles, each time without incident. This was the first time she had ever felt unwell.

“I don’t know what’s wrong. It just feels different from usual.”

Her voice carried an unmistakable weariness. “Just schedule it for me first, and don’t tell my father.”

It seemed she intended to keep it a secret.

Ji Yongshu knew Xie Yangqing regularly reported her status to her father—an unspoken understanding between them.

Xie Yangqing obeyed her father, but he also obeyed Ji Yongshu.

And deep down, he knew very well whose orders took precedence.

“Don’t worry.”

Ji Yongshu understood his meaning. He would help her conceal the checkup, but if the results revealed any problems, he would definitely inform her father.

“As soon as possible. Jiang Zhiluo’s matter can wait.”

Her own well-being was more important.

Xie Yangqing nodded. “Understood.”

After hanging up, Ji Yongshu let out a heavy sigh.

Xie Yangqing acted quickly. By the next day, he had secured an appointment for her. Since her father couldn’t know, he chose a discreet hospital.

He booked the checkup under someone else’s name. That day, Ji Yongshu took half a day off and, wearing a mask, entered the hospital with Xie Yangqing by her side.

Xie Yangqing was a beta—unable to detect pheromones and unaffected by Ji Yongshu’s scent—so she trusted him completely.

When she stepped out of the car, her legs gave way slightly, and she swayed before Xie Yangqing steadied her.

He only used his arm to support her back, withdrawing his hand as soon as she regained her balance.

Ji Yongshu didn’t think much of it, merely rubbing her temples and muttering, “I feel so exhausted.”

Her limbs were as weak as noodles, every step threatening to make her collapse.

That she could still walk steadily was purely due to sheer willpower.

Xie Yangqing’s expression, however, darkened.

As a beta, he shouldn’t have been able to smell pheromones. Yet, when he had steadied Ji Yongshu just now, he had distinctly caught a faint scent of peaches from her.

Had her pheromones really grown this potent?

Xie Yangqing couldn’t care less about propriety anymore, his expression turning grave as he stared at the back of Ji Yongshu’s neck, where an omega inhibitor patch remained firmly in place.

Even with the inhibitor patch on, her pheromones had leaked so strongly that even he, a beta, could detect them.

Just how severe was this situation?

Ji Yongshu herself seemed unaware, only feeling more exhausted than yesterday. After just a few steps, beads of sweat had already formed on her forehead.

“I can’t go on. Xie Yangqing, support me.”

Ji Yongshu felt grateful once again that Xie Yangqing was just a beta.

Xie Yangqing pressed his lips together. “Let’s hurry inside.”

Ji Yongshu assumed he was merely concerned for her and didn’t think much of it.

The hospital was highly private, catering only to select clients. With few people inside, Ji Yongshu soon reached her destination.

The examination wasn’t complicated, but waiting for the results took some time. Ji Yongshu ended up lying down in the ward for a nap, drifting into a heavy, disoriented sleep. When she awoke, she felt lost in time.

She heard soft murmurs outside, birds chirping by the window, and sunlight streaming in, casting irregular shapes on the floor.

Ji Yongshu tried to raise her arm to shield her eyes from the light, but her limbs felt too weak to move. Her eyes flew open in alarm as she looked down—her arm was perfectly fine.

That momentary loss of control had given her the terrifying illusion that her arm had vanished.

After fully regaining consciousness, her body finally obeyed her again. Clearing her throat, she recognized Xie Yangqing’s voice among those speaking outside.

“Xie Yangqing!” she called.

Seconds later, the ward door opened, and Xie Yangqing entered. “Miss Ji, you’re awake.”

Ji Yongshu sat up, pushing aside the blanket, her cheeks still faintly flushed from the long sleep.

“Are the test results ready?”

Xie Yangqing hesitated at her question, studying her face. He noticed something sharper, more commanding in her features now.

He sighed inwardly.

“They’re ready.”

Ji Yongshu sensed something from his expression, tension creeping into her voice. “What do they say?”

Xie Yangqing was still weighing his words—this wasn’t a minor issue.

But Ji Yongshu cut through his hesitation. “Just say it. I can handle it.”

What couldn’t she handle at this point?

Xie Yangqing exhaled, lowering his voice. “Your physiology… has undergone some changes.”

Ji Yongshu frowned. “Meaning?”

Xie Yangqing said, “You may be experiencing secondary differentiation.”

Secondary differentiation.

Ji Yongshu stared blankly at Xie Yangqing, her lips trembling slightly, utterly at a loss for words.

A person’s primary s3x was determined at birth, while their secondary gender—alpha, beta, or omega—manifested around age fifteen. This developmental process was called differentiation.

Secondary differentiation referred to a rare phenomenon where an already differentiated individual underwent further changes, transitioning from one secondary gender to another.

Typically, this involved shifts between alpha and omega.

It’s about undergoing a secondary differentiation from alpha to omega, or from omega to alpha.

However, such cases are extremely rare—perhaps not even one in hundreds of thousands.

Ji Yongshu never expected to be so “lucky” as to be that one in hundreds of thousands.

Having lived as an omega for so many years, she had long resigned herself to the fate of eventually marrying an alpha.

Yet fate had played a cruel joke on her.

Why did she have to undergo secondary differentiation?

And why did it have to happen now—just three months after she got engaged to another alpha?

Her mind was in chaos, but she forced herself to stay calm and think about what to do next.

“Did the doctor say how long the differentiation process might take?”

Xie Yangqing nodded, pleased with Ji Yongshu’s composure and rationality.

She would handle this situation well—he was certain of it.

He knew she had the capability, regardless of her gender.

“Likely within a month.”

A month.

She didn’t have much time left.

Ji Yongshu hadn’t yet told her parents, but she could already guess—the Ji family would never allow her to marry an alpha, and likewise, the Zhou family would never accept an alpha either.

The alliance between the two families was meant to strengthen both sides, a move with no downsides.

Unless, of course, Ji Yongshu differentiated into an alpha.

She had to consider the Ji family’s interests—and her own.

She had to break off the engagement with Zhou Yi.

But the fault absolutely could not lie with her.

Ji Yongshu lifted her gaze to meet Xie Yangqing’s, and they spoke in unison:

“Jiang Zhiluo.”