After The Mission Failed, The Scumbag Alpha Ran Away - Chapter 9

9: Your Highness, I’m Marking You

Jiang Youbai briefly skimmed through Lou Huaiche’s past interviews.

She had always been a sharp and ambitious person, never shying away from expressing her ambitions and future plans in various programs, firmly showcasing her fearless and unyielding attitude.

Netizens particularly loved to criticize her, dragging her out to bash every now and then. No matter how baseless or unfounded the rumors were, as long as they were tied to Lou Huaiche, they became unforgivable sins, warranting repeated public condemnation.

Jiang Youbai had only investigated her family background and hadn’t paid attention to these online rumors. Influenced by aristocratic thinking, she had always believed that online public opinion was merely a means to seek vanity for oneself.

After all, as a high-ranking royal and an Alpha, it was difficult for her to truly understand the struggles of an Omega.

Jiang Youbai glanced at her schedule and realized she could free up three days.

In Lou Huaiche’s publicly announced itinerary, there was a two-day variety show. Jiang Youbai added this show to her plans.

The system asked Jiang Youbai, “Host, have you finally decided to start winning over the villain?”

Jiang Youbai narrowed her eyes. “We’ll see.”

Planning before acting had always been her modus operandi.

She had to be cautious, to think thrice before taking a single step, to consider a hundred moves ahead with each step taken.

For twenty years, she had trodden on thin ice. She couldn’t afford to ruin everything in one move.

The title of “Prince” didn’t just represent her alone—it also signified everyone behind her.

The old retainers of the former Crown Princess had spared no effort, staking their lives to ensure she survived to adulthood, successfully differentiated into an Alpha, and obtained the status of heir.

Behind the glory was a path paved with bones and drenched in bl00d.

Jiang Youbai had no right to be willful. She carried the hopes and aspirations of countless people. She didn’t have to be brilliant, but she absolutely couldn’t afford to be careless.

Jiang Qingxian, who had been reading beside her, suddenly looked up and asked, “Cousin, I heard you grew up in the palace as a child.”

Jiang Qingxian rarely initiated conversations with her, so Jiang Youbai found it odd. “Yes, I lived in the palace until I was ten.”

After ten, the old emperor found an excuse to cast her out to fend for herself.

Jiang Qingxian murmured, “I’ve only seen my father twice.”

Her voice was soft, carrying an indescribable emotion.

This wasn’t an easy topic to respond to, so Jiang Youbai smiled gently and pretended not to hear. “Your Highness, what did you say?”

Jiang Qingxian snapped out of it, hesitated, and slowly shook her head, changing the subject. “The capital is very different from Fawang Star. The moon is brighter in one’s homeland.”

“Your Highness, it is indeed good to return home,” Jiang Youbai replied.

Jiang Qingxian blinked. She was introverted and sensitive, so she naturally understood that Jiang Youbai had caught the underlying meaning of her words but chose not to engage.

Whether overtly or covertly, they were ironclad opposites.

A sense of loss washed over Jiang Qingxian, and she lowered her eyes. “Yes.”

Their outing didn’t last long before they were summoned to the palace by the emperor.

Jiang Qingxian had been back in the capital for half a month but hadn’t officially moved into the palace yet. After spending half a month touring the capital with Jiang Youbai, this was her first summons from the emperor.

And it was a joint summons with Jiang Youbai.

The two were hastily called into the palace, only to wait an entire day without seeing the emperor. As night fell, they were sent back exactly as they had arrived.

Jiang Youbai maintained a smile on her face. After leaving the palace, she sent a message to Chi Ruo: “Got any food?”

Chi Ruo replied: “What’s wrong? Did your uncle summon you again but refuse to see you?”

“Not just me. He didn’t see Jiang Qingxian either. We spent the whole day counting floor tiles in the palace.”

Chi Ruo’s exasperation was practically palpable through the screen: “Your uncle is really something. But no, I don’t have food. Figure it out yourself.”

Jiang Youbai casually sent another message: “I’m going to participate in a variety show in a couple of days.”

Chi Ruo: “?”

The chat box repeatedly displayed “The other party is typing…” for six or seven minutes before Chi Ruo sent Jiang Youbai an advertisement. When Jiang Youbai opened it, she laughed.

[Introduction to the Capital’s Psychiatric Specialty Hospital]

Chi Ruo called her immediately: “Jiang Youbai! Have you lost your mind? Did your uncle drive you crazy? Or am I hallucinating? Is this the largest madhouse in the universe?”

Jiang Youbai said, “I have my reasons. I’m not lying. Help me arrange it.”

Grumbling, Chi Ruo hung up. A while later, she asked, “What show? I’ll set it up for you.”

She sounded every bit the image of a hapless victim.

The next morning, the emperor didn’t assign Jiang Youbai any tasks, so she decided to take her textbooks and attend classes at the university.

The preparatory class building was in a separate college. Jiang Youbai took a small path, and by the time she reached the classroom, the lecture was almost over.

Jiang Youbai called out from the doorway, “Reporting.”

The professor at the podium looked up and locked eyes with her. It was the same professor from the first day.

The professor adjusted his glasses and gave Jiang Youbai a long look. “Come in.”

Jiang Youbai said to the system, “I feel like his face is covered in swear words.”

The system ignored her.

The classroom had fifty seats. Jiang Youbai scanned the room and spotted Lou Huaiche among the students. She casually walked over and sat down beside her.

Jiang Youbai whispered, “Miss Lou.”

Lou Huaiche was slumped over the desk, her spirit seemingly drained. When Jiang Youbai sat down, she slowly lifted her eyes to glance at her but didn’t react.

Her cheeks were flushed as if drunk, her body limp against the desk. Despite her disheveled state, her sharp aura remained undiminished.

Jiang Youbai reached under the desk, took Lou Huaiche’s wrist, and pressed her fingers against it.

Lou Huaiche’s pulse was racing.

Jiang Youbai lowered her eyes, concealing her emotions.

Her own heartbeat was just as fast.

About ten days after the temporary mark, both of them had entered their sensitive periods.

After an Alpha marks an Omega, if their compatibility is high and they go too long without a second mark, both are prone to physiological sensitivity.

Symptoms include lethargy, tachycardia, insomnia, and extreme emotional instability.

The higher the compatibility between an Alpha and Omega, the longer the delay in the second mark, and the more severe the effects of the sensitive period.

Initially, Jiang Youbai thought she was the only one in the sensitive period. Since Lou Huaiche hadn’t contacted her, she decided to tough it out alone.

But after seeing her yesterday, she had faintly caught the scent of pheromones on Lou Huaiche and guessed that she might also be in the sensitive period.

Lou Huaiche’s constitution seemed unique—her symptoms were more severe than Jiang Youbai’s, and they had worsened after their meeting.

Seeing Lou Huaiche in such a dazed state, Jiang Youbai couldn’t help but click her tongue.

Lou Huaiche’s heart probably belonged to Jiang Qingxian, and Jiang Youbai herself had no romantic inclinations either. “Same bed, different dreams” perfectly described their situation.

Despite these thoughts, Jiang Youbai still held Lou Huaiche’s hand.

With her marking Alpha sitting beside her and offering comfort, Lou Huaiche’s discomfort eased slightly.

Once she felt a bit better, she found the energy to pester Jiang Youbai, grumbling softly, “Who told you to mark me? Now I’m suffering like this.”

Jiang Youbai replied, “You did.”

Lou Huaiche suddenly grabbed Jiang Youbai’s hand and bit down hard.

Caught off guard, Jiang Youbai hissed in pain and tried to pull away twice, but Lou Huaiche didn’t let go. “Lou Huaiche, what are you doing?”

After biting for a good ten seconds, Lou Huaiche finally released her. She looked at Jiang Youbai’s pained expression and slowly smiled, her lips red and teeth white—stunningly beautiful. “Marking you.”

Jiang Youbai: “…”

Had Lou Huaiche lost her mind?

Jiang Youbai looked up and met the furious, dark expression of the professor.

The professor’s face was covered in swear words.