After Teasing the Villain and Running Away - Chapter 19

The overwhelming pressure of alpha pheromones spread through the air, casting a heavy and oppressive atmosphere over the space. Nearby alphas were already affected, trembling uncontrollably as if their feet were rooted to the ground, unable to move.

The others glanced warily at Xin Ran, who wore a disdainful expression, and reluctantly retreated further away.

Xin Ran swept her intimidating gaze across the room, thoroughly satisfied with the result. But when her eyes landed on Jiang Ruosheng, who stood right in front of her yet remained completely unaffected, she froze.

Jiang Ruosheng’s expression was icy, a mocking smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Using such methods to intimidate others—if you become the next heir of the Xin family, I doubt anyone would be convinced.”

Emotions flared, and Xin Ran’s pheromones surged violently. Some omegas, unable to withstand the pressure, collapsed to the ground.

“Could it be that you’re actually—”

Ruan Xin descended the stairs with a frown, her mood low. Every time she had to play the role of someone meek and easy to manipulate while dealing with those unfamiliar “relatives,” it was an exhausting and mind-numbing ordeal.

Her black high heels clicked against the steps, revealing delicate ankles as the graceful omega rested one hand on the staircase railing. Her alluring eyes, though listless, were enough to capture any alpha’s attention.

Once downstairs, Ruan Xin instinctively scanned the crowd for a familiar figure. Spotting Xin Ran and Jiang Ruosheng standing close together as if engaged in an intimate conversation, her brows furrowed. But before she could take a step forward, an unwelcome guest blocked her path.

“Miss Ruan, you look absolutely radiant tonight. Would I have the honor of sharing a drink with you later?” The man stood tall, his figure completely obscuring the two people Ruan Xin had been watching.

Annoyed, Ruan Xin shot him a glance but forced a gentle smile onto her face. “Young Master Qi, you’re such a busy man. Surely you wouldn’t have time to spare for me.”

Masking her impatience, she turned to walk around Qi Zhi.

“If Miss Ruan is willing, of course I have time.” Qi Zhi’s eyes gleamed as his lecherous gaze roamed over Ruan Xin, lingering on the elegant curve of her waist and hips.

Disgust flickered in Ruan Xin’s eyes before she widened them in feigned fear, covering her mouth. “But I’m so afraid Miss Lin would be angry. I’ve heard all the omegas who get close to Young Master Qi end up incurring her jealousy. My standing in the Xin family isn’t high to begin with—if I offend Miss Lin…”

At the mention of his fiancée, Qi Zhi grimaced in frustration. But the sight of Ruan Xin’s alluring figure made his heart waver, unwilling to give up. “Where did you hear such nonsense? You just returned to the country. Lin Yan and I may be engaged, but there’s no real affection between us. Just a drink and some conversation—what does it have to do with her?”

Ruan Xin: “Really? But I heard… No, it’s just not possible.”

She nearly slipped up. Seeing the beauty’s dejected expression, Qi Zhi’s face darkened as his mind immediately jumped to the culprit—Xin Ran.

Who else in the Xin family would deliberately spread rumors about him being a philanderer afraid of his fiancée? It had to be Xin Ran, his longtime rival. It wasn’t surprising that Ruan Xin, having just returned, might have heard some things about S City from her.

“It was Xin Ran, that wolf in sheep’s clothing, wasn’t it? Xiao Ruan, you’re so naive—you mustn’t believe a word she says. She told you all this just to keep you from interacting with others.”

Seeing Ruan Xin still somewhat dazed, Qi Zhi’s protective instincts for the delicate beauty surged. “Follow me, I’ll introduce you to other scions from prominent families. As for Xin Ran, sooner or later, I’ll make her pay.”

Ruan Xin lowered her eyes and nodded obediently.

At that moment, an overwhelming Alpha’s pressure emanated from the corner. Ruan Xin frowned, covering her nose—it was the scent of Xin Ran’s pheromones.

Qi Zhi’s expression darkened as the oppressive force made him extremely uncomfortable. He turned his head toward the source of the pheromones. “What the hell is Xin Ran doing… Holy sh1t?!”

Within a few breaths, the pheromones suddenly dissipated. All the guests held their breath as they looked toward the eye of the storm—Jiang Ruosheng.

Her right hand held an empty wine glass, frozen in a pouring gesture. The remnants of orange juice trickled down the sides, leaving only a few drops clinging to the rim before succumbing to gravity and falling onto Xin Ran’s soaked neck and dress.

Her tied-up hair was completely drenched, exuding a sickly sweet juice scent. The orange juice stained the pristine white gown with a large, unsightly blotch, as if the fiery intensity of tequila had been ruthlessly extinguished.

Feeling the water from her hair still seeping into her collar, Xin Ran stiffened, unable to process that she had become the humiliated one. Shock was written all over her face and in her widened pupils.

“How dare you?”

In stark contrast, Jiang Ruosheng, who had boldly drenched Xin Ran in orange juice, remained expressionless, as if nothing had happened. She calmly placed the glass on the nearby table, her sweeping gaze carrying an air of condescending arrogance.

“You dared to threaten me with the Jiang family, so why wouldn’t I dare to pour juice on you?” Her voice was low, each word seeming to grind out between clenched teeth. “The Jiang family is my bottom line. To protect it, I’ll go all out. And you—who aren’t even the official heir of the Xin family yet—probably don’t have that kind of weight.”

The Xin family had numerous branches, their internal relationships tangled and complex. With Xin Chengguang gravely ill these past few years and power fragmented, the situation had worsened. Even if Xin Ran did become the heir, the Xin family wouldn’t be her personal fiefdom.

Xin Ran was seething when suddenly, Jiang Ruosheng raised her voice. “President Xin must be drunk—she couldn’t even control her pheromones. She should be sober now.”

“Getting drunk before the banquet even starts? Xin Ran, you’re a mess right now.” The one who spoke was Qi Zhi, who had deliberately come to witness Xin Ran’s disgrace. He laughed heartily, as if the frustration in his chest had dissipated all at once.

“Jiang Ruosheng, this is the Xin family. You can’t act so recklessly here,” Xin Ran hissed through gritted teeth, her eyes blazing.

Jiang Ruosheng replied, “There are many alphas and omegas present. I merely stopped President Xin from losing control—it’s not a slight against the Xin family.”

No one heard their private exchange, but Xin Ran’s domineering pheromones had left the others visibly displeased.

Ruan Xin glanced at the murmuring crowd before stepping closer to Jiang Ruosheng, her expression concerned. “Sister, you should go change. This is too undignified—after all, it’s the Xin family’s banquet, and so many people are watching…”

Xin Ran’s face fell as she watched the two standing side by side, one playing the dutiful wife. With a cold snort, she shot them a warning glare before turning to go upstairs and change.

Ruan Xin tilted her head to look at Jiang Ruosheng’s icy expression. “Did she bully you?”

The back of her neck felt slightly warm, the fully marked area seemingly sensing that familiar trace of pheromones, yearning to pierce through the skin in desperate craving.

Though not a single lingering trace of tobacco scent remained in the air, her body’s reaction couldn’t possibly be mistaken.

Jiang Ruosheng had just released her pheromones—briefly, yes, but Xin Ran’s fading pheromones were undoubtedly her doing.

This also meant Jiang Ruosheng was truly furious.

Her expression tightened slightly as she watched Xin Ran storm off, her gaze flickering with unreadable emotions.

Perhaps, whether Ruan Xin had sought her out or not, she was already entangled in this game.

If Xin Ran really became the head of the Xin family, she would never let her off.

“Jiang Ruosheng, you’ve got some nerve. Next time you run into Xin Ran, she’ll definitely pay you back.” Qi Zhi strolled over, his words directed at Jiang Ruosheng, but his large, wandering eyes were fixed on Ruan Xin beside her.

Jiang Ruosheng gave him a cool glance. The second young master of the Qi family—playful, flirtatious, and increasingly notorious for his womanizing. After his arranged marriage with Miss Lin of Cheng Tie Construction, he had only grown more dissolute.

“Master Qi, don’t you worry about Miss Lin getting angry while you’re loitering here?”

The familiar remark made Qi Zhi frown, but before he could respond, Jiang Ruosheng suddenly took Ruan Xin’s hand and draped it over her arm.

Ruan Xin beamed, leaning against Jiang Ruosheng’s shoulder the moment their hands connected. Their auras melded seamlessly, making them look perfectly matched.

Ignoring Qi Zhi’s stunned expression, Jiang Ruosheng felt the soft pressure against her arm as Ruan Xin entwined their fingers, making them appear like a couple deeply in love to any onlooker.

She felt uncomfortably warm and tried to pull away, but Ruan Xin’s grip was unyielding.

“Mind your professionalism.”

“Auntie, this is Jiang Ruosheng.” Before long, Ruan Xin dragged her before a striking, radiant woman.

The woman, likely in her thirties, wore a bold red dress that exuded authority. She studied Jiang Ruosheng with an inscrutable expression before remarking lightly, “So this is her…”

Jiang Ruosheng had never met Xin Chengbi before, but given how familiar she seemed with Ruan Xin, her sister’s intel must have been accurate.

Xin Chengbi hummed. “Hmm… she does… look the part.”

What? Before Jiang Ruosheng could process the words, Xin Chengbi clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Today’s banquet is held to welcome my niece, Ruan Xin, back to the country.” Xin Chengbi smiled, her eyes—curved and alluring—bearing a resemblance to Ruan Xin’s, with the same upward tilt at the corners that radiated charm and sensuality.

“At the same time, I have some wonderful news to share.” Xin Chengbi turned to the two women standing arm-in-arm, the meaningful glint in her eyes sending a foreboding chill down Jiang Ruosheng’s spine.

She tried to step back, but Ruan Xin’s grip only tightened. Meeting those deep, swirling black eyes—like a vortex threatening to pull her under—Jiang Ruosheng couldn’t escape.

Then came Xin Chengbi’s announcement.

“She’s getting engaged—”