After Marking The Female Lead, The Cannon Fodder Became The Daughter-in-law of a Wealthy Family - Chapter 1

The sweetness of cherry wine filled the air, bordering on decadence. Occasionally, hints of lime would cut through the richness, offering a fleeting moment of clarity but only to be swept away again in the heady swirl of romance.

A slender, snow-white arm stretched out from the messy edge of the bed. Scattered across it were faint red marks, enticing the imagination…

The next second—

It was pulled back, as if swept into an even deeper and heavier wave.

Shhh—

…

Lu Ningshuang was in big trouble!!

The moon hung high in the sky. The bedroom was silent, save for the lingering scent of pheromones that curled softly around the tip of her nose.

She slowly sat up and turned to look beside her—

There, lying quietly, was a stunning woman.

Dark hair, red lips—such a breathtaking beauty.

Her long black hair fell lazily across her cheek, hiding most of her face. She could only see a glimpse of her porcelain skin. Even with her eyes closed, she radiated an almost indulgent allure—too extravagant, too perfect.

The dim, hazy light gave her face a softer glow and made everything feel just a bit more intimate.

Before Lu Ningshuang could take a long, good look at the person beside her, the woman’s lashes fluttered slightly, as if she was about to open her eyes.

What now?

Panic surged in Lu Ningshuang’s chest.

Should she… run?

Before she could make a decision, the woman’s eyes slowly opened.

******

At first, Qin Yushu’s gaze was still hazy and unfocused. The faint yellow light from the bedside lamp shimmered in her eyes like warm glass. As she adjusted, her vision settled on the shadow hovering near the bed—on Lu Ningshuang.

“Mm…”

The woman let out a soft hum, low and smooth—not the sugary sweetness typical of an Omega, but something deeper, calmer, and incredibly alluring.

Sigh.

Lu Ningshuang knew very well that the beauty before her was weak and fragile. Still, she couldn’t help but be captivated.

This serves her right.

If you’re going to die beneath a peony, well… at least it’ll be a beautiful death—ahem.

“Y-You’re awake,” Lu Ningshuang said softly, surprised by the sound of her own voice. It was timid and even a little nervous.

Her voice was far too weak.

She cleared her throat and tried again, a little louder this time. “You just woke up. Are you thirsty? Want some water?”

Qin Yushu finally turned her eyes toward her. After watching her for two seconds, she replied calmly, “Sure.”

“Huh?”

Qin Yushu shifted slightly upright, one eyebrow raised. “Didn’t you just ask me that?”

Her voice was clearer now—low, slow, and smooth. “Or were you just saying it to sound polite?”

Lu Ningshuang: “……”

Well… yes.

She had only said that to ease the awkwardness, but the way the beauty looked at her—so focused—left her no room to escape.

“Of course not.” Lu Ningshuang quickly covered and obediently getting up to pour her a glass of water.

The room lights were brighter now.

When she handed over the glass to Qin Yushu, Lu Ningshuang couldn’t help sneaking another glance at the beauty leaning against the headboard.

Up close, she realized that Qin Yushu’s eyes were a deep and pure black—so dark that they seemed untouched by any impurity.

They reminded her of a cold, bottomless pool, but when they softened, they rippled gently like spring water.

She had snowy skin, dark hair, and lips painted a soft, decadent red. She was breathtaking to begin with, but right now—even more so.

The blanket had slipped down to just ten or so centimeters below her shoulder. Her long hair fanned out loosely, and her slender neck was exposed. Her delicate collarbones and pale shoulders were dusted with scattered red marks, like plum blossoms in the snow.

Lu Ningshuang couldn’t help but admire the view—and got caught.

“Do you like what you see?” Qin Yushu asked.

Lu hadn’t poured too much water. She is afraid that the woman might spill it while still sleepy. When it came to taking care of people, Lu Ningshuang was naturally thoughtful.

Qin Yushu drank about half of it. Her fingers rested lightly on the glass that magnified their pale elegance. 

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Honest-Little-Lu instinctively nodded. “Yes. You’re beautiful.”

Qin Yushu raised her eyes and gave her a sideways glance. “Sweet talker.”

Qin Yushu’s slightly wavy hair, combined with her striking features, perfectly embodied the classic femme fatale.

That kind of aura was usually seen on Alpha women—but clearly, this Omega didn’t fall short either.

Yes, she was an Omega.

And as an Alpha, Lu Ningshuang could confirm that better than anyone. The lingering scent of pheromones in the air was more than enough proof.

Lu Ningshuang frowned. “I was just being honest.”

Qin Yushu looked at her for a moment. Her eyes were deep—so deep that it made Lu Ningshuang uncomfortable. Lu Ningshuang stood awkwardly, unsure of where to place her hands or feet.

Then Qin Yushu asked, “Aren’t you going to rest? Still full of energy?”

“I was going to take a shower,” Lu replied softly.

“Oh,” the beautiful Qin Yushu responded nonchalantly.

Lu stared at her face again. Maybe it was because her brain was not focused—or maybe she’d simply been blinded by her beauty—but she suddenly blurted out:

“Do you… want to go first?”

After all, that kind of activity wasn’t exactly a solo affair.

“Together?” Qin Yushu finished the sentence for her.

Huh?

HUH?!?!

Before Lu Ningshuang could even react, Qin Yushu looked her dead in the face, her voice tinged with teasing curiosity. “Thinking of a little lovers’ shower?”

WHAT?!

Lu Ningshuang’s head immediately started shaking like a rattle drum. “No, no, I didn’t mean that—!”

Her fair face turned a bright red.

It was quite endearing.

Qin Yushu thought.

However, President Qin was determined to hold her accountable. The corners of her lips lifted, and her smile was half-mocking. “Didn’t expect it, kid. You’ve got a wild side.”

“……”

Lu Ningshuang’s face was like a boiling kettle—red and steaming.

Fortunately, President Qin knew when to stop. After thoroughly enjoying the Alpha’s embarrassment, she let up.

“Go on then.”

This little Alpha was soft and fair—just her type. And frankly… she hadn’t exactly gone easy on her earlier. However, she didn’t seem to mind the situation. In fact, she’d quite enjoyed herself. She had a feeling the other girl did too.

Ah, college girls—always full of surprises.

Qin Yushu started to seriously consider whether this arrangement could be… extended. After all, going through heat every month as an adult was no fun.

And here was someone she liked, who was easy to manage. From what she’d gathered before and from how Lu Ningshuang had acted tonight…

Lu Ningshuang wasn’t the most skilled individual.

The pheromones in the air seemed to thicken again. Lu Ningshuang glanced once more at the thoughtful beauty on the bed.

“You really don’t want to go?”

Qin Yushu looked up. “Seems like you really…”

Lu Ningshuang immediately caught on. “No! I really didn’t mean it that way!”

“I’ll go by myself. I won’t bother you.”

As she watched Lu Ningshuang go toward the bathroom, Qin Yushu said, with a tone full of meaning, “Troublesome thing.”

Then added, “Keep it down.”

“Mhm, mhm.” Lu Ningshuang responded quickly, not looking back. “I’ll be careful; I won’t wake you.”

Qin Yushu felt thoroughly relaxed. After a long day filled with numerous challenges, Qin Yushu was finally experiencing a surge of fatigue.

Omegas really didn’t have it as easy as Alphas.

“When you’re done, stay a bit. I have something to talk to you about tomorrow.”

But the bathroom door had already shut, and Lu Ningshuang didn’t hear the last part.

Inside, the bathroom was filled with steam.

Lu Ningshuang wiped a hand across the fogged-up mirror and saw her own reflection—

She had almond eyes, soft brows, loose hair, and lips that were a shade between pink and red—not too bold, not too dull. She had a quiet, natural charm.

Compared to the strikingly glamorous beauty lying in the bedroom, Lu Ningshuang’s face was… more the gentle, first-love type—pure, delicate, like a white daisy.

Sigh.

Though she was a true-blue Alpha, Lu Ningshuang didn’t quite look the part. In fact, her appearance more closely aligned with that of an Omega.

It was hard to say if that was good or bad.

Her looks had brought her plenty of perks growing up—but just as many headaches.

That being said, if she had to choose, she still preferred the kind of beauty Qin Yushu had.

Anyway, this wasn’t the time to be thinking about preferences.

She leaned forward, and as her eyes lowered, she noticed the faint marks on her shoulders and collarbone.

The marks were clear and obvious.

Well, of course.

They’d gone that far, after all. The other woman had been absolutely irresistible. How could she have come out unscathed?

They were both in deep.

But staring at the marks now, Lu Ningshuang blanked out for a moment.

How had things ended up like this?!

A sudden jolt of awareness hit her.

She remembered—she was just a cannon fodder character in an ABO romance novel.

According to the original plot, she would accidentally run into the female lead, an Omega, during her heat. Lu Ningshuang, with good intentions, would try to help her, but helping a heat-struck Omega? That kind of “good luck” wasn’t something a side character like her could afford.

Before she could even get the Omega to a hospital, the domineering Alpha male lead would swoop in and—rightfully, naturally—take the heroine off her hands.

And then?

They’d go through all the standard tropes: fated encounter, mistaken identity, one-night stand, emotional entanglement… The romance arc would kick off in full force.

Meanwhile, Lu Ningshuang?

She’d be sent straight to jail that night for “improper action” toward the heroine.

After all, how dare a mere cannon fodder Alpha lay a hand on the female lead?

At that point in the book, the main couple would be tangled up in silk sheets at a five-star presidential suite, while she sang sad prison songs behind bars.

In this kind of novel, assistants and cannon fodder didn’t even count as people. 

But now—

What was she supposed to do now that this ridiculous fluffy rom-com had come true? And worse—she was the one who’d spent the night with the heroine?

HELP.

The storyline had glitched out. She didn’t meet the female lead randomly on the road. The domineering Alpha never showed up. Instead, she—a cannon fodder—was forced into the male lead’s role!

In the original version, just touching the heroine would have landed her in jail.

And now?

Her hands, her mouth, her eyes—every inch of her body would probably need to be flayed and sacrificed to atone for this sin…

Even a clean death would’ve been a mercy. More likely, she’d be strung up and tortured—over and over—until she begged for it to end.

Just thinking about the male lead’s overbearing, possessive personality made Lu Ningshuang shiver.

She needed to run. 

She had to get out of here.

What if the male lead made a dramatic comeback? She couldn’t get caught red-handed!

There was no time for hesitation.

She pondered nervously in the bathroom a while longer. When she finally came out, Qin Yushu had already fallen asleep.

Lu Ningshuang tiptoed around the room and quietly packed up all her things. Before leaving, Lu Ningshuang took one final look at the sleeping beauty, who was still in bed.

Finally, some peace of mind.

She went downstairs and paid for the suite, booking it until the next day at noon to ensure Qin Yushu could get a proper rest.

Lu Ningshuang didn’t believe in Alpha supremacy or think ABOs should follow some natural hierarchy. She just felt this was between two people. Since she was the one slipping away in the night, it would be way too shameless to leave Qin Yushu stuck with the bill.

The kind of shamelessness that would make you wake up in the middle of the night muttering, “I’m scum.” 

However, after scanning the code and noticing the poor state of her bank account, Lu Ningshuang left quietly.

Her thoughts shifted in a… questionable direction.

Maybe… being shameless wasn’t the worst idea?

After all, this little expense probably meant nothing to someone like Qin Yushu.

Staying alive matters most.

*****

Surprisingly, Lu Ningshuang actually slept quite well that night.

Maybe it was because she was used to stress that she had a high tolerance.

The next day:

Lu Ningshuang went to work like a model employee.

She was a senior in university, just under half a year from graduation, and currently completing her internship.

Her major was Software Engineering—and for now, she still had a full head of hair, thanks to a decent aptitude and a short time on the job.

For her internship, she’d picked a local mid-sized game company.

As a student from a 211 university, with solid technical skills, a friendly personality, and a deceptively sweet appearance, Lu Ningshuang got along well with her team despite being the newbie.

The morning passed without any incident.

Until lunch break.

“Lu Ningshuang? Who’s Lu Ningshuang?” A sharply dressed Beta woman appeared at the department entrance, calling out directly.

Lu Ningshuang raised her hand and stood up. “That’s me.”

Fresh out of school, she still carried a bit of that classroom instinct. After more than ten years of student life, hearing her name automatically made her stand up and raise her hand.

Soft and a little dorky.

The Beta in the fitted blazer gave her a neutral look. “Come with me.”

Once Lu Ningshuang stepped out, the office buzzed with speculation.

“Isn’t that the new assistant to President Qin? What’s she doing here looking for Lu? Are they related?”

“I heard that President Qin isn’t just anyone—she’s the heiress of the entire Tiansheng Group. She is the only daughter of the big boss and is destined to inherit the whole company in the future.”

“Damn! Has Lu truly been keeping that level of background undisclosed? That’s deep cover!”

*****

While in the elevator with the woman who called her earlier, Lu Ningshuang tried to get some information.

“Assistant Jiang, um… May I ask why you’re here to see me?”

“President Qin wants to see you.”

Last night, after recalling the novel’s original plot, Lu Ningshuang had pieced it all together—this newly parachuted-in company executive, President Qin, was none other than the female lead of the novel:

The Omega Qin Yushu.

But now, she still forced herself to put on a surprised expression and asked politely, “May I ask why President Qin is looking for me? If I could get a heads-up, I’d be better prepared to respond.”

Lu Ningshuang exuded an innocent, gentle demeanor, and her charming personality had helped her navigate numerous challenging situations in her life.

But it seemed that Assistant Jiang was immune to her charms.

No matter how she tried to fish for clues, Assistant Jiang just replied blandly, “You’ll know once you get there.”

Lu Ningshuang could only look up and watch the elevator numbers climb.

Floor by floor, the elevator ascended—while her soul? Her soul was frozen solid, as cold as a decade-old fish slab at the supermarket.

“President Qin is inside, waiting for you.”

With that, Assistant Jiang turned and walked off.

Well, dead is dead. Might as well go early and get reincarnated. Or hey, maybe she won’t even die?

Standing outside the president’s office, Lu Ningshuang tried frantically to hype herself up, then finally reached out and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

A cool, low voice came from inside—not quite the same as last night, but familiar enough to make her heart skip.

Lu Ningshuang’s fingers rested on the cold metal handle. She gave it a push and stepped inside.

The first thing she saw was a cascade of jet-black hair. Silky, soft, and just like last night, it almost pulled her back into that dizzying dream.

She quickly forced herself to look out the window instead.

It’s daytime. Focus!

While Lu Ningshuang’s mind was running in circles, President Qin didn’t even bother to look up

Still buried in a document, she said offhandedly, “Close the door.”

Obedient-as-ever, Lu Ningshuang did exactly as she was told.

Wait a second… maybe… just maybe… This isn’t that bad right?!

Quick! Someone help her up! There’s still hope for her!!

Click—

The door shut.

When she turned back, Qin Yushu had already set down the document on the table. She leaned back slightly. Her posture was elegant and commanding, the very image of a woman completely in control.

Behind her was a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, letting in warm spring sunlight.

It was just past noon, and the light bathed Qin Yushu in a soft, golden glow—except for her eyes. Those deep, black eyes remained untouched by the warmth, just as piercing as the night before.

From this distance, and with the light behind her, it was hard to tell what kind of emotion was hidden in her eyes.

Neither of them spoke.

Tap, tap—

Qin Yushu’s pale fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk. In the quiet room, the sound was sharp, each tap landing like a strike to the chest.

Her eyes suddenly sharpened.

“Miss Lu—still planning to run?”

Lu ‘Clueless Beyond Belief’ Ningshuang:

“Huh?????”