After the Divorce, My Ex-Wife Suddenly Became an Alpha - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Shallow Moonlight

The door closed behind her with a soft click, returning the room to silence.

Chi Yuejing stood close to the hospital bed. Gu Jinxi lay there with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Her face looked a little weary, and a damp strand of hair clung to her temple, soaked with sweat.

Chi Yuejing could hear her own heartbeat, gently rising and falling in rhythm with the other woman’s breathing. The sensation stirred a mix of frustration and inexplicable heartache, like a gentle stream flowing quietly through her chest.

Just moments ago, when she couldn’t find her anywhere, she had been frantic with worry. The moment she pushed open that door and saw her kneeling on the ground, hands covered in bl00d, Chi Yuejing felt her heart clench as if someone had struck it hard. A dark fury had flooded her mind—she had wanted to kill whoever dared to hurt her.

There was a bandage wrapped around the hand resting outside the blanket. Her fingers looked delicate and pale, like withered petals. After a moment’s hesitation, Chi Yuejing stepped forward and gently took her hand.

Gu Jinxi’s hand was soft, with a faint coolness to it. Afraid to hold too tightly, Chi Yuejing cradled it as though it were something fragile and precious. A faint fragrance of white iris drifted from their interlocked fingers, soothing her tense nerves.

Sensing the subtle trace of pheromones, the person on the bed let out a soft whimper and stirred slightly.

Although Alphas couldn’t provide direct pheromone comfort like an Alpha-Omega pair, one with higher spiritual power could use their pheromones to offer emotional soothing to their partner.

Gu Jinxi felt dazed and feverish, heat rushing through her veins, leaving her muscles aching. Her body was desperate for an outlet, for release.

Half-conscious, she turned her head and caught the faintest whiff of something sweet.

The scent was elusive, hovering in the air like a dream, drawing her senses toward it like a thread pulling at her nerves. She wanted more.

So fragrant.

The aroma seemed to bloom from their joined hands, teasing her heightened Alpha senses. Just as she was trying to inhale more of it, she felt the hand move, as if it wanted to pull away.

She couldn’t let it go. Not when it was the only comfort she had.

Gu Jinxi reflexively tightened her grip, trying to keep hold of that source of warmth.

Her long lashes quivered. Slowly, she opened her eyes—and met a pair of beautiful, clear peach blossom eyes.

Chi Yuejing was standing right beside the bed, watching her with focused eyes. Her right hand was still outstretched, fingers gently intertwined with hers in a tender, intimate grip.

“Um, the doctor said…” Faced with Gu Jinxi’s awakening, Chi Yuejing looked unexpectedly flustered. “Your pheromones were reacting… so I thought maybe I could help soothe you a little.”

Gu Jinxi blinked, startled. So that sweet smell was her pheromone. Seeing her hesitation, Chi Yuejing assumed she was offended by her forwardness, and a hint of sorrow flashed through her gaze.

“I’m sorry. That was presumptuous of me. You just looked so uncomfortable…” she whispered and began to pull her hand back.

The moment that warmth left her palm, Gu Jinxi felt a strange sense of loss. Her previously calm emotions rippled wildly again. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“Wait,” she said softly. “…Hold me a little longer.”

Chi Yuejing didn’t reply—just let out a quiet “Mm.” Gu Jinxi felt her hand gently tighten around hers, warm fingers enclosing her own in a careful, protective clasp.

The air conditioning hummed softly as it blew cool air into the room. Distant voices echoed faintly, indistinct like bubbles rising from deep water. The scent of white iris lingered clean and fresh, swept into a field of blooming orange blossoms, swaying gently in the breeze.

Heartbeats thudded like drumbeats, echoing across this fragrant, dazzling field of flowers.

After a long while, Gu Jinxi suddenly spoke. “Chi Yuejing.”

The woman’s hand gave a slight twitch. “Yes?”

“Can I hold you?”

Chi Yuejing froze for a second. She lowered her gaze and saw that Gu Jinxi had sat up at some point. Her face was still flushed from the episode, and her dark eyes shone brightly as she looked at her. Her eyes curved upward at the corners, with a faint red hue tracing her brows like delicate makeup—stunning and hard to look away from.

Chi Yuejing felt her heartbeat falter at the sight. She stared, entranced, and then heard Gu Jinxi add, “You smell so good.”

As she said that, the hand in her palm shifted—then reversed its grip to grasp Chi Yuejing’s wrist. In the blink of an eye, the world tilted, and she was suddenly pulled down into Gu Jinxi’s arms on the hospital bed.

Gu Jinxi looked down at her. Her eyes were slightly glazed, her cheeks painted with the color of cherry blossoms. The Alpha’s instincts urged her closer to this woman radiating such a comforting scent.

She could hear Chi Yuejing’s heartbeat clearly—so close and strong, echoing in her ears. Her eyes were filled with an emotion Gu Jinxi couldn’t quite name, as if an entire galaxy shimmered within them, spilling out starlight.

The scent of white iris grew more intense, wrapping around her like a velvet cocoon. Drawn in by its pull, Gu Jinxi slowly lowered her head, inching toward the source of that mesmerizing fragrance.

The woman’s breath was soft, like spring rain—gentle and warm. For a moment, Chi Yuejing could even feel her eyelashes brushing her skin like tiny feathers, tickling her nerves with a tantalizing stroke, leaving her breathless and dazed.

Then something soft brushed against her lips.

Like a snowflake drifting down and melting upon contact—brief, fleeting.

It took Chi Yuejing a moment to realize what had just happened. When she did, a rush of bl00d surged through her veins, heating her entire body.

Gu Jinxi thought she must have lost her mind.

She had always prided herself on her rationality and self-control. But maybe her strength had been drained, or maybe those eyes were just too gentle. Driven by instinct and desire—she kissed Chi Yuejing.

Chi Yuejing looked stunned. Her peach blossom eyes stared unblinking at Gu Jinxi, heat burning behind them like twin nebulae holding a universe of emotion. Her heartbeat thundered so loud it felt like it might scorch through Gu Jinxi’s chest.

After a few seconds, Gu Jinxi felt a hand press softly against her back—not forceful, but firm. It guided her down again, as Chi Yuejing wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed her lips gently to hers.

This kiss lasted longer than the first. When they finally pulled away, both were slightly breathless. Gu Jinxi felt like the scent of white iris had soaked into every inch of her skin, leaving her relaxed and weightless—

Except for the burning heat still lingering on her cheeks.

“Jinxi…” she heard Chi Yuejing whisper close to her ear.

The voice was so near it felt like an invisible hand had pinched her earlobe, sending a surge of heat straight through her.

Gu Jinxi murmured, “Mm,” finally beginning to feel the full weight of her pounding heart. The hand around her waist was warm, and Chi Yuejing’s gaze burned with an intensity she couldn’t resist.

“Ah!” She suddenly shot up from the bed, panicked. “I almost forgot—the starship transport proposal! I haven’t handed it to General Geling yet!”

Before Chi Yuejing could respond, Gu Jinxi had already leapt out of bed, hastily strapped her personal terminal to her wrist, and exclaimed, “I—I’ll be right back!”

The door swung open and then shut behind her with a creak, leaving behind a flurry of confusion.

“…”

A squad of heavily armed military police stood in the corridor. Xia Wanwan was sitting by the door. When she saw Gu Jinxi come out, she stood up excitedly. “Senior! Are you okay?”

Gu Jinxi nodded. “What about Xiao Rou?”

Xia Wanwan gave her a reassuring look. “She’s fine. Thanks to your calmness, she only suffered a bit of shock. After the suppressant injection, she regained consciousness and said she wants to thank you and Colonel Chi in person.”

She guided Gu Jinxi toward another room. “Don’t worry. These are Central Military Police. The guests downstairs have no idea anything even happened. General Stia and General Geling are discussing countermeasures now. They won’t let whoever’s behind this off the hook…”

At the mention of that, Gu Jinxi’s curiosity was piqued. Who would go so far to orchestrate such a vicious trap? When Xia Wanwan revealed the culprit, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “It was him?!”

She’d initially thought the target would’ve been someone more politically sensitive—like General Geling Rou.

Xia Wanwan seethed. “It wasn’t just Zeng Jiyuan. Military officer Yang Pei leaked the General’s schedule, and the banquet server… they’ve all been arrested in secret. Pheromone inducers are banned substances—how dare he use them in a place like this? Zeng Jiyuan is far too reckless!”

As an Omega, Xia Wanwan had been taught all her life to protect herself from such dangers. Pheromone inducers could be fatal for Omegas. Fortunately… General Geling Rou had encountered Gu Jinxi.

The one person who—no matter what—would never harm an Omega.

They arrived at General Geling Rou’s room. Outside in the sitting area, General Geling Xing and General Stia were deep in conversation.

When they saw Gu Jinxi, General Geling stood up with a rare smile and said sincerely, “Miss Gu, about today… I don’t even know how to thank you.”

He only had one Omega sister. If something had happened to her under his protection—no matter how thoroughly he avenged her—it would never erase his guilt.

Gu Jinxi shook her head. “No need for that, General. Anyone would have done the same. If anything, I feel ashamed—it was because of me that Xiao Rou was targeted…”

General Geling waved it off. “The guilty party is the one to blame, not you. Still, I won’t forget this. If there’s anything you ever need, just let me know.”

Gu Jinxi hesitated, then smiled. “Actually… there is something. I came here tonight for that previous proposal.”

She blinked and added, “But this isn’t a favor. Please handle it as business—I’ll pay what it’s worth. As for any other debts, we’ll settle those later.”

“Hahaha!” General Geling laughed heartily. Gu Jinxi’s clear separation of personal and professional matters pleased him. “I’ve heard of your ‘Velvet Blade’ reputation, Miss Gu. Don’t worry—the starship transport deal is strictly business.”

Relieved, Gu Jinxi sent him the documents and left them to their meeting while she went to check on Geling Rou.

Since this incident had now reached the Central Military Commission, the matter of Zeng Jiyuan’s punishment was out of her hands. Her current priority was completing the military contract. Only then could she finally shake off the “Interrogation Bureau” shadow hanging over her.

After staying a while, she left the hospital. Night had fallen. The ballroom was quieting down, and guests were trickling out.

Outside, city lights sparkled like stars, flickering gently in the breeze like playful fireflies. Gu Jinxi saw the bustle of traffic, and standing quietly at the crosswalk was Chi Yuejing.

In the crowd, she stood still and poised, her back straight, long hair tied in a low ponytail swaying slightly in the wind—graceful against the quiet blue of the night.

It had only been a short time since they parted, yet seeing her again stirred something different in Gu Jinxi’s heart. Her heartbeat pounded loud, deafening in her ears.

As if sensing her gaze, Chi Yuejing turned around.

The streetlights bathed her serene, jade-like face in a soft glow. She looked at Gu Jinxi, and her eyes lit up.

Then, she walked over, stopped before her, and asked in a gentle voice—

“Going home, Jinxi?”