I’m Allergic to Pheromones - Chapter 26

After the heavy rain came a clear, bright day.

When Nan Ju woke up, her mind felt numb. She had slept, yet it felt like she hadn’t—her dreams had been filled with bizarre and surreal absurdities. Struggling to wake, she couldn’t recall a single fragment, leaving her utterly disoriented.

Her phone, buried under the blankets, was warm to the touch. A glance at the time revealed it was barely past six in the morning.

Even the dogs in the villa wouldn’t dare wake up this early.

Clutching her groggy head, Nan Ju sat up in bed, bare feet touching the wooden floor. Propping her forehead on one hand, her dark hair cascaded messily around her, its inky depths contrasting sharply with the soft, pale skin of her exposed arms. As she moved, half of her strikingly beautiful yet slightly pallid face came into view.

Her features—eyes, brows, bone structure—were all breathtakingly gorgeous.

The hem of her nightgown swayed gently as Nan Ju walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and drew back the plain white curtains that pooled on the floor. The lush, rain-soaked garden scenery unfolded before her.

The downpour had stripped flowers and leaves from their branches, scattering them across the garden paths. An ornate pavilion with upturned eaves bore antique wind chimes that tinkled softly in the breeze, while birds chirped intermittently, flitting among the branches.

A few servants were tidying the garden with tools, and Nan Ju spotted Xia Duo among them—the young girl stood with hands on hips, energetically directing something.

Unlike a certain mistress of a 1,500-square-meter villa, who dragged herself out of bed in the morning like a dispirited little orange.

The dispirited little orange pressed her throbbing temples and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. By the time she emerged, Xia Duo had just arrived to knock on her door.

“I’m up, come in.”

The door opened, and Xia Duo blinked in surprise at Nan Ju, who was already dressed and wrestling with a hair clip. “Miss, why didn’t you call for help if you were awake? Did you not sleep well?”

“No, I just woke up on my own,” Nan Ju quickly replied, afraid Xia Duo would summon a small army of maids again. The last time, a dozen servants had practically fought to escort her into the bathroom—a spectacle she’d rather not relive.

As a proud successor of socialism, how could she indulge in such decadence?

To be fair, Xia Duo’s concern wasn’t unfounded. Ever since Nan Ju had crossed over, the number of personal attendants had dwindled drastically. Aside from Xia Duo, the rest had been reassigned elsewhere, leaving the young maid anxious about losing favor and being “banished to the cold palace.”

Honestly, getting to admire the young mistress’s peerless beauty up close every day was a privilege!

Otherwise, the staff wouldn’t go out of their way to pass by the main building constantly—some even loitered along the garden paths Nan Ju frequented.

A bunch of Beta servants with eight hundred schemes each—utterly shameless!

Xia Duo glanced briefly out the window before stepping forward. “Let me help, Miss. You’ll break your hair if you tug like that.”

She genuinely pitied the strands suffering under Nan Ju’s rough handling. Even a beauty’s hair deserved gentle care.

She couldn’t bear such cruelty.

Nan Ju, who had been wrestling with the tangled clip, flushed slightly and let Xia Duo take over.

Tall for an Omega, Nan Ju stood a full head taller than Xia Duo even in flat indoor slippers. The maid had to rise slightly on her toes to reach.

“Wait, I’ll sit down.” Conscience-stricken, Nan Ju lowered her long lashes and moved to sit on the bed, making it easier for Xia Duo to work.

From her elevated position, Xia Duo gradually slowed the motion of removing her hairpin, her gaze frequently darting downward.

Nan Ju, engrossed in her phone, suddenly asked, “Enjoying the view?”

“It’s lovely!”

The young maid nodded vigorously before realizing her slip, freezing awkwardly in place until she heard a soft, brief chuckle.

“Finished?”

“Y-yes.” Flustered, Xia Duo held up the already removed hair clip, carefully smoothing her hair. “Would Miss like a particular hairstyle? I’ve recently learned some beautiful updos.”

“Just tie it all up—a high ponytail for some energy.”

In the end, Nan Ju sported an unusually high ponytail, the multicolored hair tie visible without even tilting her head.

Enthralled by the beauty before her, Xia Duo couldn’t help remarking, “If Miss were still in school, the homeroom teacher would definitely pick on you.”

Nan Ju raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because such a high ponytail is too eye-catching.” Xia Duo giggled. “Young female teachers would want to snatch your hair tie right off.”

Nan Ju touched the rebellious short hairs at her crown with rare pride. “Can’t help being this good-looking.”

Pretty students always face their share of troubles.

Breakfast remained Nan Ju’s favorite Cantonese dim sum—a serving of rice noodle rolls, a plate of chicken feet in black bean sauce, and some steamed shrimp dumplings, just the right amount.

Bai Wan, forbidden from outdoor play due to the rain-dampened ground, raced circles around the dining table, occasionally clinging to Nan Ju’s ankle for play.

A gentle nudge from her foot elicited theatrical whimpers from the pup.

The little dog grew quickly—no longer the fluffy, short-legged ball of fur when first rescued, now showing hints of elegant features.

With bare legs safe from canine mischief today, Nan Ju absently pinned the dog with her foot and inquired about household matters. “The storm last night—any damage?”

Housekeeper Aunt Pei stepped forward. “The garden shed flooded and lost a corner to fallen branches. Many plants were damaged, and the mailbox blew off its post.”

“Have workers handle the heavy debris if needed. Rebuild the shed higher. Leave the mailbox for now.”

She’d grown weary of receiving certain love letters anyway.

Persistent whimpers drew Nan Ju’s gaze beneath the table, where she found the silly pup treating her foot as a massage tool—rolling belly-up, face nuzzling like some lovestruck fool.

“You’re such a pervert, Bai Wan,” Nan Ju muttered, reclaiming her foot with cold efficiency as her departure time loomed thirty minutes away.

—

At 9 AM sharp, en route to work, Nan Ju received an unexpected WeChat from Nan Xing:

Starry Nan Who Can’t Multiply: Sis, look—this tent’s smiling at me!

Opening the image, Nan Ju had no words.

In the picture, the tables and chairs at the parking lot entrance were overturned, scattered everywhere. A colorful sun umbrella lay pitifully on the ground, its ribs twisted and exposed, with a WeChat payment QR code pinned beneath it.

One could easily imagine how delighted a certain chuunibyou girl—who always arrived earlier than the entire company—must have been upon seeing this scene.

Nan Ju even suspected the girl was currently dancing wildly at the parking lot entrance.

Capitalist Owes Me 50 Billion: It’s “tent,” not “account shed.” Do you even collect parking fees correctly?

“How could that be?!”

The girl, who had been squatting at the parking lot entrance grinning foolishly while texting Nan Ju, immediately jumped up in anger, the charms on her chest bag jingling noisily.

Nan Xing furiously tapped her phone, sending a long string of messages, glaring at the screen as if demanding a sincere apology.

Ten minutes passed. Nan Ju didn’t reply.

“Damn it!!!”

“Uh, Second Miss, what are you doing squatting here?” A tall figure walked past. Nan Xing impatiently looked up, then frowned.

“You’re that cake assistant from my sister’s side?”

The bespectacled man adjusted his glasses and calmly replied, “My name is Rice. The assistant you’re referring to is named Rice Cake. She’s a female Beta.”

“Same difference, they’re both food.” Nan Xing waved dismissively, shifting slightly but still refusing to stand. Her eyes, however, suddenly sparkled with excitement.

“Why are you here? Did my sister suddenly grow a conscience and send you to rescue me from this hell?”

The assistant took a step back and shook his head.

“No, I just took a taxi to work because I was worried about the heavy rain today. The cab just left.”

Nan Xing’s face fell. Her hopeful gaze instantly turned disdainful, her tone icy. “Then why are you still here?”

Damn it! Even a lowly assistant could take a taxi to work, while she had to ride the bus!

Don’t think I didn’t notice you stepping back!

No wealthy heiress in the world had it worse than her!

“Why aren’t you leaving yet?”

The more Nan Xing thought about it, the more indignant she became, taking her frustration out on the innocent assistant. Unfazed, he pointed at the overturned tables, chairs, and sun umbrella still lying on the ground and said meaningfully, “These will block the colleagues driving in later. Should I help you set them up?”

“If you set them up, how am I supposed to escape this hell?” Nan Xing gritted her teeth, shooting him an angry glare. “Mind your own business! Even my sister doesn’t care about me—”

“Sounds like you’ve got a real talent for arguing. Want to quit the parking lot and work at a construction site instead?”

“Sis!” Nan Xing looked up, instantly brightening. She sprang up and dashed to the roadside, pressing her face against the open car window with a pitiful expression. “Sis, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever.”

Nan Ju raised an eyebrow, eyeing the girl—who had dyed her hair purple again—with mild amusement. “Why were you waiting for me?”

“Look, last night’s storm knocked everything over. How am I supposed to work like this? How can the company function properly?” Nan Xing spoke with righteous indignation, then moved her head aside to let Nan Ju see the mess at the parking lot entrance. With a pleading look, she added, “Right, sis?”

Nan Ju met her gaze, the slight arrogance in her upturned eyes unwavering. Her tone remained calm. “Right about what? That you want to go argue at a construction site?”

“Waaah, I just want to go inside the company with you!”

The chuunibyou girl who had exhausted all her tricks finally couldn’t hold back anymore. With teary eyes, she clung to the car window, refusing to let go, attempting to melt her sister’s iron-clad heart with her pitiful puppy-dog eyes.

She’d seen it before—that’s exactly how the silly dog at Nan Ju’s house acted when begging for attention.

Admittedly, Nan Xing had stumbled upon the right approach by accident. Nan Ju had always been more susceptible to soft tactics than hard ones.

“Move aside. How am I supposed to get out with you blocking the door?”

!!

Nan Xing hurriedly stepped aside, standing next to the assistant who hadn’t left yet. Though there was a significant height difference between them, their eyes shone with similar excitement.

Nan Ju naturally recognized her own assistant and gave a slight nod. “Go ahead to the company. If you see Nian Gao, tell her to wait for me in the office.”

The assistant nodded earnestly, straightening her posture to leave her boss with an impression of utmost reliability.

Nan Xing puffed her cheeks as she watched, unconsciously tugging at the strap of her chest bag and scuffing her shoes against the ground, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Sis…”

Nan Ju, being much taller and not paying full attention, didn’t catch what she said. Tipping her chin up slightly, she spoke with the lecturing tone only an older sister could muster. “Speak properly. What’s with the mumbling?”

The silly younger sister jolted, her words tumbling out in a rush.

“Sis, your legs are so white.”

“Uh, no—I mean, your legs are so long.”

Faced with Nan Ju’s increasingly bewildered expression, the foolish girl frantically waved her hands, babbling incoherently.

“Ah, no, no—I meant your skirt is so short and your butt is so perky… Ugh, just scold me already…”

Nan Ju…

No matter how many times it happened, Nan Xing possessed some magical ability to render her speechless. Was this the charm of a chuunibyou girl?

Unable to resist, she reached out and tugged at the messy little ponytail sticking up crookedly at the back of Nan Xing’s head.

“Look up.”

Her cool, detached voice was like glass beads scattered across a spring day, rolling and bouncing on the floor—clear and refreshing.

Nan Xing instinctively obeyed, lifting her head. Only then did she truly see, free from distractions, the person standing before her.

A high ponytail swung energetically at the back of her head, fully revealing a strikingly beautiful face. A black bodycon dress cinched her waist tightly, while her long, straight legs were clad in pristine white socks tucked into sneakers.

Hers wasn’t the unhealthy beauty of the overly praised “pale, young, and thin” trend, but a well-proportioned, slightly voluptuous loveliness.

Nan Xing stared dumbfounded at her sister, who outshone even the sunlight, and blurted out a soul-searching question.

“Sis, how could Su Wei bear to break off the engagement with you?”

“Hmm?”

The long-legged, perky-butted, high-ponytailed “Little Tangerine” let out a soft hum, prompting Nan Xing to quickly backtrack. “I mean, why aren’t you wearing heels to work?”

Nan Ju glanced down casually. “I’m the boss now.”

Who would dare say anything to her?

“Sis, you’re so badass!” Nan Xing exclaimed enviously, seizing the opportunity to cozy up. “It’s almost nine. Let’s go together.”

Nan Ju shot her a cool look before shaking out the jacket in her hands and slipping it on, her voluminous ponytail swinging through the air with a stylish flourish.

“Keep up.”

Nan Ju swiped her way through security all the way to the office, where she promptly left Nan Xing to her own devices.

“Stay put. Don’t wander off.”

The female assistant who had been waiting in the office entered, bringing Nan Ju a cup of lemon fruit tea. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the purple-haired girl sitting on the sofa with the posture of an elementary school student and paused in surprise.

“What would Miss Nan Xing like to drink?”

Nan Xing sat with her back straight, casually brushing aside her bangs with an air of aloofness.

“Iced Americano.”

In novels, domineering CEOs always drank iced Americanos—it had an air of sophistication.

Nan Ju held her sweet-and-sour fruit tea without a word, but her gaze spoke volumes.

Iced Americano? Was that even fit for human consumption?

The assistant, who had caught the silent exchange between the two, hesitated briefly before deciding to steer clear of this battlefield of wills.

She was just a lowly assistant, unworthy of meddling in the power struggles of the wealthy.

“Miss, I’ve already contacted the orphanage. We can arrange a charity painting event this weekend, but they mentioned the director is currently hospitalized and won’t be able to attend.”

Nan Ju’s fingers paused on the financial report as she frowned.

“Hospitalized?”

When she visited last night, they’d only said the director was away on business.

The assistant nodded: “She fell while going downstairs and is currently being treated at City People’s Hospital. I called the hospital—the injuries aren’t serious and should heal completely.”

“Thank you for your efforts. Who’s managing the orphanage now?”

“A nun named Mary. She’s agreed to our filming request and having the children create some artwork.”

Nan Xing, who had been eavesdropping while struggling to take a second sip of her dreadful iced Americano, couldn’t resist turning around. Kneeling on the sofa and peering over the backrest, she asked eagerly: “What orphanage? What filming? I want to go too!”

“What do you know that makes you want to go?” Nan Ju raised an eyebrow, openly threatening: “Would you rather go back to wearing that vest and collecting parking fees?”

The purple-haired girl shrank back momentarily like a scolded puppy, then boldly retorted: “What if they’re lying to you? People these days are terrible—all smiles to your face while scheming behind your back. They’ll put on an even bigger show when cameras are around. We should visit unannounced—those places are full of troubled kids.”

Nan Ju flexed her fingers, conceding her silly sister might have a point, and looked over.

“One word from me and you have ten in reply!”

Nan Xing’s mouth twisted petulantly before she disappeared behind the sofa again.

“Here’s what we’ll do, Nian Gao—transfer all today’s tasks to Mifan and go check the orphanage for me.” Nan Ju frowned slightly as she gave instructions, then reconsidered. “Actually, wait—I’ll go with you during my lunch break.”

She could stay in the car while the assistant investigated thoroughly inside. That way she wouldn’t risk running into Bai Cha.

This wasn’t sneaking around—she was simply making a brief stop on her way home from work.

After a moment’s thought, Nan Ju looked ahead and added: “Since you’re so curious, you can come along too.”

Nan Xing’s head popped up again like a jack-in-the-box, eyes shining like an excited puppy’s: “Really?”

Nan Ju nodded.

She couldn’t show her face there, and the assistant would have to maintain professional decorum. Nan Xing’s fearless personality made her perfect for this—leaving her alone in the office would be like leaving eight million dollars unattended.

“I’ll go after my morning meetings. You wait here playing games—no wandering off.” Nan Ju checked her phone and stood gracefully, the assistant following her out of the office.

The polished floors reflected their passing figures. A CEO with high ponytail and sneakers was an uncommon sight, drawing numerous glances along the way.

Nan Ju’s face was cold, her delicate chin slightly raised, utterly unaware of her striking beauty.

In the break room, Lin Guoguo stealthily peeked around the doorframe, using her employee badge to cover one eye as she whispered in admiration, “So cool, young mistress.”

Behind her, a colleague screwing a bottle cap on shot her a disdainful look. “I get that you’re the young mistress’s die-hard fan, but do you really have to hide every time you see her?”

“You don’t understand. It’s like being overwhelmed by proximity to something cherished.” Lin Guoguo waved her badge, her face flushed as she argued earnestly, “Isn’t the young mistress beautiful? Isn’t she strong? Isn’t a gorgeous, badass older sister just irresistible?”

“I get all that, but… weren’t you supposed to be in today’s meeting too?” The colleague pointed down the hallway sympathetically. “The young mistress just headed to the conference room…”

Lin Guoguo: “!!!”

—

The car wound through streets dappled with swaying tree shadows before stopping beneath a towering, dense banyan tree.

Nan Xing leaned over from the passenger seat to look back. “Sis, you really aren’t coming? Their grilled sausages and rice cakes are amazing!”

Nan Ju kept typing on her laptop, using the spare moments to handle work, not even glancing up as she replied, “No. Hurry up.”

The purple-haired girl puffed her cheeks in disappointment before turning to the assistant, Nian Gao. Unable to refuse the eager request, the assistant settled for ordering a bottle of ice water.

The convenience store’s curtain jingled as Nan Xing bounded inside, chattering away at the cashier with a rapid-fire order: “One grilled sausage, one rice cake, one Orleans grilled chicken rice ball, and a thick bacon cheese toast—heat that up for me. I’ll grab two waters.”

The moment she left, the car seemed to fall into sudden silence. The assistant discreetly studied Nan Ju’s expression in the rearview mirror, surprised.

She’d expected impatience, but it seemed rumors couldn’t always be trusted.

The woman looked up just then, massaging her stiff neck before meeting the assistant’s gaze, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.

“What is it? You seem like you have something to say.”

The assistant, who’d been teased about her name during their first meeting, hesitated briefly before deciding to be bold.

“I thought you didn’t like the second young miss.”

Holding the company’s authority and majority shares, barring Nan Xing from entering the offices, dumping her at a parking lot toll booth—none of it seemed like actions born of sisterly affection.

No publicity was needed; everyone in the company knew the Nan family had two daughters, their looks and treatment worlds apart. If Nan Ju had been the brightest white moon in the night sky since birth, then Nan Xing was but a faint, indistinguishable star.

How could starlight compete with the radiant moon?

“She’s my sister.” Nan Ju closed her laptop, her tone indifferent. “I’d rather discipline her myself than let others do it.”

To Nan Ju, Nan Xing wasn’t some irredeemable child—just impulsive, naive, and not the sharpest tool in the shed. But she was quick to back down when challenged, and that alone made her worth saving.

She had no desire to see this sister, forever obsessed with dyeing her hair wild colors, end up pushed into an inescapable mire by dubious friends as in the original story.

A purple head bobbed behind the convenience store’s glass. Nan Ju chuckled softly, turning her gaze to the busy road with its endless stream of cars. “If they don’t listen, just give them a beating. Every child deserves a complete childhood.”

The assistant fell silent.

So, this was the legendary sisterly bond?

Carrying a bottle of water and some snacks, Nan Xing felt a sudden chill down her spine as she approached the checkout counter. Her grip loosened, and the mineral water tumbled to the ground, rolling toward a pair of worn-out black canvas shoes with peeling edges.

Her legs are so thin, like she hasn’t eaten properly.

Chasing after the rolling bottle, Nan Xing caught sight of the bony ankles hidden inside those shoes and instinctively thought.

“Can you grab that for me? Thanks.”

The figure standing behind the door curtain didn’t move. Nan Xing frowned, about to repeat herself, when the person bent down and picked up the water for her.

The next second, a short, disheveled girl with flushed cheeks pushed through the door curtain and walked in.

Bai Cha stretched her arm out stiffly, her slender fingers clutching the water bottle as she handed it over—cold and silent.

Does her family not have enough laundry detergent? Nan Xing couldn’t help but wonder.

If she dares to mock me or look at me with disdain, I’ll smash this bottle right into her forehead. Bai Cha gritted her teeth.

“Oh, thanks.”

Nan Xing noisily dumped the items in her arms onto the counter, then hurried over to take the water, her eyes darting uncontrollably toward the other girl.

“What are you looking at?”

The girl, who had been turned away grabbing bread from the shelf, suddenly spun around with a hostile glare.

“Uh… I was just thinking your eyes are really pretty.” Nan Xing, pinned under that gaze, felt her hair stand on end and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

Bai Cha frowned, her fingers itching.

“That’ll be 157. How would you like to pay?” The tactful cashier smoothly diffused the sudden staring contest between the two short girls. Nan Xing quickly pulled out her phone to pay, hearing the threatening snort behind her loud and clear.

Little runt, acting all high and mighty.

She muttered under her breath, grabbing the bag full of groceries and turning to leave—only to lock eyes again with Bai Cha, who had already picked out her items and was heading to the counter.

Seeing the other girl holding nothing but a small bag of bread, Nan Xing’s brain short-circuited. For some reason, thinking about what she had planned for the day, she decided that doing good deeds should start with small acts. She pulled out a rice ball from her bag and offered it earnestly.

“Here, take this. Bread alone won’t fill you up.”

Bai Cha gave her a strange look, her tone icy.

“Who the hell are you? Idiot!”

“Move. I need to pay.”

The door curtain rattled loudly as it was shoved aside. Nan Xing, having tried to do a good deed for the first time, stomped back to the car in a huff. Without waiting for anyone to ask, she immediately started complaining.

“Ugh, I’m so mad! I ran into this nasty little runt at the convenience store. I tried to give her food for free, and she refused! Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!”

Her assistant glanced at the overflowing bag of snacks at Nan Xing’s feet and asked curiously, “Was she a beggar?”

“No! I just thought she looked so skinny, buying only a bag of bread—it was pitiful! So I figured I’d do a good deed.” Nan Xing angrily tore open a snack bag, burning her fingers on the steam and pinching her ears in frustration. “Tell me, isn’t she an idiot for turning down free food?”

Nan Ju, playing Candy Crush on her phone, couldn’t help but retort, “How would you react if a stranger suddenly handed you food?”

“What, does this idiot think I’m a beggar?! I have money to buy my own damn food!”

Nan Ju didn’t bother responding, simply turning her face toward the window to calm herself.

“She showed remarkable restraint by not punching you. Next time you see her, apologize.”

Leaves drifted down gently. The moment Nan Ju turned away, a small, frail figure emerged from the convenience store, walking past the car window with her head bowed beneath the trees.

She didn’t see her, and she didn’t see her either.