Her Pheromones Smell Like Sparkling Water (GL) - Chapter 20

By then, the sky outside had already grown dim. The fading glow at the edge of the horizon was being slowly swallowed by the oncoming night, casting a soft light over the quiet paths of campus.

Shang Ranzhu couldn’t walk fast in her combat boots, and she had no intention of letting go. Still holding Shen Tingjun’s hand, she strolled leisurely down the small path in front of their dorm. Their shadows stretched across the ground, leaning toward each other like they were linked.

Sweat was beginning to form in Shen Tingjun’s palm, sticking uncomfortably against Shang Ranzhu’s skin. She didn’t know what exactly she was clinging to, but she let the girl hold her hand like that as they kept walking.

But this walk… was dragging on far too long. And the handholding… was lasting far too long.

It created a haze of unspoken tension between them—thick, slow, and growing heavier by the second.

Shen Tingjun knew it. Ever since she met Shang Ranzhu, the desire buried deep inside her was waking up again—an Omega’s longing for an Alpha, locked away for eleven years, now trembling on the edge of release.

But…no, not yet.

She wasn’t ready. Not yet.

“All right, time to let go now.” Shen Tingjun’s voice was directed at Shang Ranzhu, but it also sounded like she was trying to talk herself down from crossing an invisible line in her heart.

Shang Ranzhu hesitated, reluctant to release her grip. She offered a flimsy excuse: “Let’s just hold hands a little longer—it’s cold out.”

Shen Tingjun also paused, tempted, but still resisted the urge. She gently pulled her hand back. “It wouldn’t be good for anyone to see us together.”

“…Okay.” Shang Ranzhu knew she had no reasonable excuse to keep holding on. She let go, albeit reluctantly.

The air between them shifted into something faintly awkward. Both of their hands suddenly felt oddly empty, stuffed into their own pockets, fingers curled in on themselves.

After a few moments, Shang Ranzhu tried to lighten the mood and start a conversation. “Miss Shen, how come your little sister is here?”

“She hadn’t seen me in a while and brought me a few things. Since she knows I live alone, she decided to stay with me for a few days.”

“Oh… so you’ve been with her these past few days?” Shang Ranzhu asked carefully, probing for something more.

“Mhm.” Seeing Shen Tingjun nod just as she’d hoped, Shang Ranzhu let out a quiet sigh of relief. “That’s good, then.”

Shen Tingjun had already found something off with Shang Ranzhu since the moment she’d argued with Nianlan at the door. She looked at her curiously. “What’s with you today?”

Shang Ranzhu gave a silly smile. “Nothing. I just think you’re safer when you’re with your sister.”

But Shen Tingjun shook her head in disagreement. “Safe? What’s so safe about it? Kids your age are always way too naughty. Nianlan’s barely grown up and has been dragging me into long chats every night about the Omega she’s crushing on.”

Hearing the word Omega made Shang Ranzhu tense up. “Do you… have any Omega you like?”

Shen Tingjun immediately thought of that bottle of suppressant Shang Ranzhu had seen the other day. She eyed her warily. “Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“I’m just… curious,” Shang Ranzhu mumbled vaguely.

She couldn’t exactly say, I want to know about that secret little Omega you’re hiding—come on, tell me what you like about her.

That would be way too obvious.

“No.” Shen Tingjun shook her head honestly.

Shang Ranzhu tried again, subtly, “Then what kind of Omega do you like?”

Shen Tingjun tilted her head, glancing sideways at her. There was a glint of mischief in her eyes as she curled her lips into a half-smile. “Tall, slim, pretty—preferably a girl.”

That answer sounded oddly familiar to Shang Ranzhu, but she couldn’t quite place it. It felt a little too generic. “That’s too broad.”

“Is it?” Shen Tingjun stared straight into her eyes, pretending to think about it seriously. After a moment, she added, “Well… preferably someone who doesn’t dress so revealingly.”

As she spoke, she reached out a finger and tapped lightly on the cutout diamond-shaped slit at Shang Ranzhu’s waist. She touched the sliver of soft, pale, pink-tinted skin exposed there. She had been wanting to do that since Shang Ranzhu walked through the door.

Alphas were generally more muscular and less slender than Omegas, but Shang Ranzhu was the exception. Her waist was even narrower than Shen Tingjun’s—so slim, smooth, and tempting. It fits perfectly into her hand.

The funny thing was, Shang Ranzhu herself didn’t even seem to realize it. She just went around, flaunting that slender waist of hers—sometimes deliberately, sometimes not—and practically seduced people without even knowing it.

It was too much.

Shen Tingjun’s soft fingertip rested gently on the cool skin at her waist, leaving faint traces of warmth. The cold air made her nerve endings hypersensitive, and it sent shivers straight to Shang Ranzhu’s heart.

Then, ignoring the allure of her bare skin, Shen Tingjun slid her finger down and hooked it under the hem of the dress, tugging it over to cover the exposed waist.

“There. That’s better.”

She even gave her waist a light, playful pat afterward.

Shang Ranzhu peeked down at Shen Tingjun through her lashes. Beneath those long lashes, her eyes sparkled like stars—twinkling just for her.

And just like that, Shang Ranzhu’s heart was completely and utterly captured.

“…Anything else?” she asked in a daze.

“Hm? Anything else?” Shen Tingjun looked at her, puzzled.

“What other traits do you like in an Omega?” Shang Ranzhu continued.

Shen Tingjun let out a sigh. This little brat really was persistent. She reached out and ruffled her hair with a gentle touch. “I don’t know yet. I haven’t met one I really like. Maybe I’ll tell you when I do… or maybe it’ll turn out to be an Alpha.”

*****

The fifty-day training passed quickly. They always said there was no autumn in the north and winter came early. By the end of October, the cold winds had already been lingering.

And yet, even after all that time, Shang Ranzhu still hadn’t found Shen Tingjun’s so-called secret lover. Over those days, she’d practically become her shadow—following her everywhere and matching her routine. The only thing left was sharing a bathroom or crawling into the same bed.

Back home, Shang Ranzhu was full of frustration. After dinner, instead of resting, she climbed onto the roof to stargaze.

Half-reclining on the red brick tiles, she clasped her hands together and made a wish. Somewhere out there, some nameless meteor—please help me find Shen Tingjun’s secret lover.

And drop something heavy on her.

“You look so down,” her mother said.

Liu Lihua had noticed something was off ever since Ranzhu got home. After dinner, the girl disappeared, and she had a good guess where to find her.

Sure enough, there she was on the rooftop—just like every time she had something on her mind.

Shang Ranzhu glanced at her mother awkwardly making her way across the sloped roof. She waved her off. “You wouldn’t get it.”

“Pfft.” Liu Lihua plopped down beside her, legs crossed like a street boss. “Try me. Tell your mom what’s going on—maybe I can help you out.”

Shang Ranzhu gave her a sideways glance. Her mom did have two extra decades of life experience. Maybe it really wouldn’t hurt to talk.

“So… my friend, she’s recently fallen for someone. But that someone… might already have a partner. What should she do?”

Liu Lihua grinned as soon as she heard that opening. She pulled up one leg and was ready to dish out some wisdom. “What kind of partner? You mean like a girlfriend or what?”

“No, it’s more like… a bed partner,” Shang Ranzhu said carefully, choosing her words. Then she quickly added, “But she’s not that kind of person. She has good character, really. I think it’s just one bed partner. I mean, she’s an Alpha, not young anymore, she probably has… needs, right?”

Liu Lihua blinked, a little surprised. Then she let out a sigh. “Huh. I wouldn’t have guessed… Tingjun doesn’t seem like the type to have a bed partner…”

Shang Ranzhu didn’t catch the shift in her mom’s tone and continued, “Doesn’t she? Chen Ming said she does.”

“And why does Chen Ming think that?” Liu Lihua asked.

“A few days ago at the hospital, I found an Omega-only suppressant in her coat pocket… and she had a really strong reaction when I noticed it. I told Chen Ming about it, and she thought maybe… maybe she has a little secret lover or something…” As she spoke, Shang Ranzhu slumped onto Liu Lihua’s shoulder looking very heartbroken.

Her entire day of “investigating” Shen Tingjun’s mysterious lover had really just been a cover-up for the fact that she was consumed by jealousy—possessive to the point of madness.

Because when you truly like someone, how could you possibly tolerate them being with anyone else?

Liu Lihua gently stroked her daughter’s head, pondering the situation. From her point of view, Shen Tingjun didn’t seem like the type to be reckless or sleep around.

“She might not have gotten it for a lover,” she said patiently. “What if it was for a friend? Or a family member? You young people… always jumping to conclusions. Not everything’s about lovers and flings, you know. Can’t you think simpler, be a little pure and innocent?”

“Really?” Shang Ranzhu looked at her with big, hopeful eyes, as though she’d found a lifeline.

Liu Lihua nodded firmly. “You think your mom would steer you wrong? If I knew you liked someone scummy, you think I’d push you to go after them?”

Shang Ranzhu met her mom’s gaze—and suddenly realized she’d slipped. She waved her hands frantically. “No, it’s not Shen Tingjun!”

“Mm-hmm. Sure.” Liu Lihua didn’t believe a word. She stood up to leave.

“Mooom! It really isn’t!” Shang Ranzhu shouted, desperate to cover her tracks.

But Liu Lihua wasn’t buying it. With one hand on the attic door, she smiled and cheered her on: “Mommy’s rooting for you! Bring Tingjun home one day, alright?”

Shang Ranzhu’s entire face turned red—so red that it looked like she might start bleeding from her ears. She lay on her bed for a long time, completely unable to recover from the embarrassment. Never in her life had she felt so humiliated. She’d been completely played by her mother  without even noticing it.

Absolutely disgraceful… for an Alpha!

Just then, her phone vibrated twice on her chest. Liu Lihua had sent her a link to an article. When Shang Ranzhu read the title. Upon reading it, her toes curled in secondhand shame.

“Shocking! Every pair of double-Alphas who read this article ended up together! Regret it forever if you don’t click!”

What kind of garbage title is this?! Clearly some bait to attract nosy old folks!

Why would she send this to me…

With a pounding head, Shang Ranzhu covered her forehead and furiously jabbed at her screen:

[Mom, thanks, but I really don’t need this.]

Immediately, the typing indicator popped up. A moment later, a nearly 60-second voice message landed:

[Zhuzi, don’t just reject your mom like that. Go on, take a look. I actually think it makes a lot of sense—I even showed your dad, and he agreed! You know what really touched me? It said—]

Shang Ranzhu didn’t finish listening. Three more 60-second voice messages followed, and she instantly tapped to silence the playback.

Fine! I’ll read it, okay?!

And she did. To her horror, the article was… actually pretty well-written.

It broke down all the difficulties of Alpha-Alpha pairings from multiple angles: inability to have children, no possibility of bonding via marking, lack of legal protection for their relationship, and more.

At the end, the author even dedicated a whole section to the dynamics of power, positioning, and—well—intimate compatibility between two Alphas.

Shang Ranzhu skimmed through a few diagrams, and just like that, her face went red all over again.

Some of these explanations are even more thorough than what I’ve read in certain… books.

But one particular line stuck with her:

In every double-Alpha relationship, there still needs to be someone who takes the “Omega role.”

Because where there is strength, there also needs to be softness.

Shang Ranzhu fell into deep thought.
There’s no way Shen Tingjun would be the one to play the Omega, right?

No matter how aloof or indifferent she usually appeared, when it came to things that challenged her Alpha pride… Shen Tingjun would definitely want to be the dominant one.

So does that mean… I have to be the Omega?!

Shang Ranzhu groaned and covered her face.
But I’ve always dreamed of being an Alpha since I was a kid. I’m supposed to be the strong one! I’m a fierce Alpha!

But then she remembered Shen Tingjun’s susceptible period. That night she was drunk, those half-lidded peach blossom eyes filled with desire…

She imagined Shen Tingjun leaning over her again, hands and lips claiming her body—leaving behind mark after mark that belonged to her and her alone.

To be honest… that sounded kind of…

Tempting.

Fine… I’ll be the Omega.

Flushed from head to toe, Shang Ranzhu was defeated by her own imagination.

*****

On the day the production crew headed to the northeast for filming, Shang Ranzhu stood in front of the mirror, tugging up the zipper on a soft, conservative dress she would never have worn in her entire life.

Am I really going to play the Omega in this Alpha-on-Alpha relationship?

She smoothed the fabric, sighing over the slightly bulky, completely un-sexy design.

Whatever. If it’s for Miss Shen… I’ll wear it.

Gritting her teeth, she avoided every reflective surface along the way and dashed into her van.

“Zhuzi, what are you wearing?” Chen Ming’s jaw dropped. Was this really the same little seductress Shang Ranzhu, who would never cover up her legs if she could help it?

This artsy long dress wrapped her body modestly but perfectly. It outlined her figure while revealing just a hint of restrained, forbidden temptation—like something beautiful you weren’t allowed to touch.

It suited her… But something felt off.

“I changed styles. Got a problem?” Shang Ranzhu awkwardly pushed her wavy curls back, trying to act calm.

 “Let’s go already.”

Chen Ming was dying to laugh, but she knew if she did, she’d get smacked. So she held it in so hard that her face turned even redder than Ranzhu’s.

It wasn’t until they arrived at the production base that she and Xu Yiren finally dared to snicker.

“Does it look that bad?” Shang Ranzhu was starting to lose confidence under their stares.

Xu Yiren rested her head on her palm and carefully suggested, “It’s not bad, it’s just… Zhuzi, this style really isn’t you. When I picked you to play Chun Ming, this wasn’t the vibe I had in mind.”

“As long as it looks good.” Shang Ranzhu didn’t care about the rest. She couldn’t wait for Shen Tingjun to see her in this new outfit. Hopefully, it would hit her right in the heart—make her fall instantly in love.

“Where’s Miss Shen?” she asked.

“No idea. Couldn’t find her earlier,” someone said as others shook their heads.

Just then, a young girl raised her hand. “I saw her! She went that way—towards the props storage.”

“What’s she doing there? That place is filthy.”

“No clue. She was alone and kind of sneaky, like she was purposely avoiding us.”

…

Shang Ranzhu didn’t care to listen to the gossip. She just thanked them quickly, lifted her skirt, and hurried off toward the props room, looking both nervous and excited.

The path was a mess—crates, props, and all kinds of things from the newly arrived crew littered the area, making it nearly impossible to walk.

Her long skirt tangled around her legs, and her hair kept falling into her face, blocking her vision. It was so annoying.

But the further in she went, the more familiar the scent in the air became.

As if guided by fate, she stopped in front of a room labeled 1009.
From the crack in the door, the scent of pheromones spilled out, rich and impossible to ignore.

Shang Ranzhu sniffed.

Mint.

The top notes of that scent—soft and fizzy like sparkling water—curled into her nostrils.

She knew this smell.

She’d smelled it a few months ago, when Shen Tingjun had pushed her down to the ground and shattered a bottle of sparkling water all over the floor.

So that heat she’d felt back then—that restlessness in her chest—it wasn’t just her imagination. It was the scent of an Omega’s pheromones.

There was an Omega in their house back then?

Shen Tingjun really had been hiding an Omega!

No wonder she’d been stocking up on so much sparkling water from her place—it was to cover up the Omega’s scent after… after doing “happy things” with her secret lover!

The realization hit Shang Ranzhu like a lightning bolt, and suddenly anger surged in her chest.

You liar, Shen Tingjun. You deceived me so badly!

Her heart thumped with betrayal and jealousy. She was so angry that she could barely breathe. Without thinking, she grabbed the hem of her long, restrictive skirt and ripped it clean off, freeing her legs to move.

She stormed toward the door of Room 1009, her hand already on the handle.

Shen Tingjun, you two-faced player—

Let’s see how smug you are when I catch you red-handed with your little Omega!