After Marking the Villain Professor (ABO, GL) - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“You wouldn’t guess it, but our Boss Xu has quite a temper,” Zhou Yutao teased, guiding Xu Man’s hand to her body.

In the darkness where nothing could be seen, the sensation from her palm was intoxicating.

Unpracticed, Xu Man was slow to undress her, but even so, Zhou Yutao’s outer layer was shed in the earlier chaos, leaving just her inner garment.

The skin under Xu Man’s hand was soft, and other places were even softer.

Under the influence of pheromones, Xu Man’s briefly clear mind fogged again with Zhou Yutao’s actions.

How could she think to answer her question?

Alpha instincts drove Xu Man to take control, wanting to pin down the omega and bite her neck again, like before.

But as she moved, Zhou Yutao’s voice sounded in her ear: “Don’t move.”

Not harsh, but the fear of that voice felt bone-deep. Xu Man froze instantly.

Even now, her hand was being led by Zhou Yutao to dangerous territory.

Zhou Yutao’s lips curved slightly. She kissed along the alpha’s ear, moving to her lips, then parting them.

The first marking couldn’t let Xu Man, this novice alpha, take charge, or she’d suffer more.

Even after watching that video all night as ordered, Xu Man was still clumsy in practice.

Just like how, despite chopping so many zombie limbs, Xu Man’s fear was evident when killing the small zombie today.

So, even though she was busy with Liu Ming’s bl00d, Zhou Yutao made time to come.

The result was surprising.

Not only did she sense no fear of zombies in Xu Man, but this usually mild-tempered alpha was so upset over Xu Si’s claim that Liu Ming kissed her that she bit Zhou Yutao’s lip until it bled.

This Xu Man was new to Zhou Yutao, and it delighted her.

It meant Xu Man was starting to care about her.

Without much effort, she cared this much. If they grew closer, would Xu Man be utterly devoted?

Sun Xiahe was right—Xu Man was a kind alpha, and the kinder someone was in the apocalypse, the easier they were to manipulate.

Thinking of her, Zhou Yutao’s eyes darkened. She bit down slightly, not hurting Xu Man but exciting her more.

At first, it was chaotic.

With Zhou Yutao’s patient guidance, Xu Man learned gentleness. In Xu Man’s gentle movements, Zhou Yutao finally felt the importance of an alpha to an omega, her long-disordered pheromones finding relief.

Even her recent work-related exhaustion eased.

A liked alpha was far better than her suppressants or patches, which were mildly toxic and lost effectiveness over time.

Lately, patches and suppressants had little effect, which was why her family arranged blind dates and why she urgently wanted to develop an AO converter.

But thankfully, she hadn’t used it, or how could she be with this fascinating alpha?

Before eight in the morning, sunlight pierced the clouds, streaming into the room.

Today was a rare clear day since the zombie virus outbreak.

Waking up, Xu Man was dazed. Blinking twice, she recalled the previous night, her face flushing rapidly.

In the quiet room, she could almost hear Zhou Yutao’s soft scolding, calling her a fool when overwhelmed.

So, what was their relationship now?

Last night’s “punishment” wasn’t punishment—it was what lovers or spouses did.

Xu Man mulled it over, deciding she needed to ask Zhou Yutao clearly. Gathering her courage, she looked beside her, but Zhou Yutao was gone, the cold sheets indicating she’d left long ago.

The morning after their intimacy, she left without a word.

Xu Man’s flushed face paled.

What did this mean?

Did last night’s closeness mean nothing to her? Why do it, then?

Perhaps to Zhou Yutao, it was just revenge.

Xu Man felt a pang of grievance.

Her first intimate partner was different, after all.

She wasn’t the type to think touching an omega as an alpha was taking advantage.

After one night, her emotions were even more tangled, her thoughts consumed by Zhou Yutao.

Getting up and tidying the messy bed, Xu Man found a note.

‘Manman, you did well last night. Past debts are cleared.’

The sharp, bold handwriting matched Zhou Yutao’s unmasked nature.

It stopped Xu Man’s overthinking.

She finished tidying, folded the note, and pocketed it before opening the door.

As soon as she did, the living room was in chaos.

“Get out of the way! This doesn’t concern you! I don’t want to kill anyone—get lost!”

“If you don’t, we’ll all die!”

“I’m not gonna live much longer anyway!”

A student named Wang Wei held a knife to another student, Shi Yong’s, neck, his eyes bloodshot, emotions wild.

As he spoke, the sharp blade nicked Shi Yong’s neck, drawing bl00d.

One look at Wang Wei showed his mental state had collapsed.

Shi Yong, sweating coldly, kept apologizing. “I’m sorry, Brother Wei, I was wrong. Please let me go. I didn’t mean it, really.”

“Professor Zhou’s so capable. Find her—she’ll have a way.”

Wang Wei ignored him, forcing back the surrounding students and dragging Shi Yong downstairs.

“Wang Wei, calm down. We’re classmates—talk it out.”

“Yeah, yesterday was fine. What’s wrong?”

“Put him down, and we’ll sit and talk.”

“Where are you taking Shi Yong? It’s dangerous outside with zombies everywhere.”

“Professor Zhou said we’re going to South City this afternoon. Aren’t you coming?”

“Wang Wei, don’t be rash!”

The others anxiously tried to dissuade him.

With Xu Yi and Qi Rui absent, no one expected trouble among the students on the day they were to leave for South City.

Xu Man’s door opening drew attention.

Someone immediately said, “Boss Xu, you’re here! Quick, help talk him down.”

Though unaware of the details, Xu Man didn’t want a tragedy unfolding before her. She stepped forward and asked Wang Wei, “Are you infected with the zombie virus?”

It was a guess, as Qi Rui’s team checked everyone after yesterday’s zombie killing, and no one was injured.

Wang Wei paused.

Seeing a chance, Xu Man continued, “Calm down. Don’t be afraid. Professor Zhou’s working on an antidote. She’s amazing—trust her.”

Though it was a long way off, she wasn’t lying.

Saving someone came first.

No one noticed Zhou Yutao, Qi Rui, and Zheng Rong emerging from the kitchen, standing by the stairs, with Qi Rui’s gun aimed at Wang Wei.

Before leaving for South City, he wouldn’t let anyone trouble Professor Zhou. If needed, he’d eliminate risks to avoid greater danger on the road.

As Qi Rui prepared to pull the trigger, Zhou Yutao raised a hand and shook her head. “Wait.”

They didn’t know what happened, and these students called her Professor.

Maybe Manman could handle it.

Thinking of Xu Man’s certainty that she’d develop the antidote, Zhou Yutao’s eyes softened with a smile.

Despite Liu Ming’s immune bl00d, she was stumped by this sudden virus. Honestly, she doubted herself for the first time after developing so many drugs.

But Xu Man truly believed in her. This alpha was increasingly fascinating, in every sense, making her heart itch.

They’d been intimate many times last night, and though she thought it was enough then, now she craved her alpha pheromones again.

Perhaps Xu Man’s resolute demeanor, or maybe Wang Wei’s belief in Zhou Yutao, softened his fearful, desperate eyes. The knife at Shi Yong’s neck loosened slightly.

There was hope of saving Shi Yong, but no one expected Shi Yong’s lack of cooperation. In panic, he tried to run, enraging Wang Wei.

In his agitation, Wang Wei grabbed Shi Yong, slashing his neck deeply.

A scream rang out, bl00d spurted, and Wang Wei tumbled down the stairs, leaving bl00d everywhere.

The scene shocked everyone, including Xu Man.

Even Zhou Yutao, used to gore, blinked rapidly.

She wasn’t scared, just worried for Xu Man, less than a meter from Wang Wei.

Zhou Yutao stepped forward.

Qi Rui and Zheng Rong stopped her. “Professor Zhou, it’s dangerous.”

He’d killed someone!

The thought hit everyone.

Unlike killing zombies yesterday, this was a living person, someone they’d spent days with, who’d laughed two hours ago about killing more zombies and going to South City.

“No, no, it’s his fault!” Wang Wei grew more frenzied, swinging his knife wildly.

Caught off guard in her shock, Xu Man was nicked on the arm. The pain snapped her back, and she instinctively subdued Wang Wei.

Fortunately, her arm wound wasn’t severe. Her recent training paid off, and her alpha strength, greater than a normal human’s, let her knock the knife from Wang Wei’s hand.

As the others pinned Wang Wei down, Xu Man heard Zhou Yutao’s voice.

“Does it hurt?”

Zhou Yutao took her hand.

It did hurt—she rarely got injured growing up.

But in front of Zhou Yutao, Xu Man shook her head. “It’s fine.”

If she admitted pain over this, Zhou Yutao would think her weak.

Zhou Yutao’s face darkened slightly, releasing Xu Man’s wound. “Is that so? Manman’s so brave, it doesn’t hurt. No need for medicine, then.”

She’d seemed ready to tend to Xu Man herself.

Xu Man instantly regretted her words.

How had she missed such a chance?

As she struggled for words, Xu Si popped up. “It hurts! Our boss has never been hurt growing up—her skin’s delicate. How could it not hurt? Professor Zhou, check her wound. Blow on it, comfort her, or she’ll cry. For all the supplies she’s given you.”

Xu Man’s pale face slowly reddened.

She’d always thought Xu Si caused trouble, but why did his words seem so right this time?

Though he meant the original owner, who was indeed delicate.

Shamefully, Xu Man hoped Zhou Yutao would comfort her, blow on her wound.

Embarrassed by these thoughts and knowing she shouldn’t, she couldn’t refute Xu Si, only sneaking a glance at Zhou Yutao.

Who caught her in the act.

Zhou Yutao took her hand again, inspecting the wound. “So Manman likes to say one thing and mean another.”

Xu Man lowered her head, silently agreeing.

Just then, Zheng Rong ruined the moment. “It’s just a scratch. Let Xu Wu handle it, Professor. Your time’s valuable—there’s much to do.”

Like moving the precious drugs from the basement or dealing with Sun Xiahe, the omega infected with the zombie virus.

Zheng Rong remembered Xu Wu treating his wound last time.

It left a deep impression—she was a living nightmare, making treatment hurt more than the injury.

Xu Wu was Boss Xu’s subordinate, perfect for this.