I’m Allergic to Pheromones - Chapter 30

“Hello?”

In the Elegance Bar, Su Wei answered the phone, her brow twitching slightly as she single-handedly pressed down the flailing Ming Lian beside her—using brute force to silence her.

“The alley entrance, right? I’ll be there immediately.”

After struggling for a bit, Ming Lian finally managed to sit up from the couch, smoothing down her messy hair with a huff. “Are you trying to suffocate me?”

Su Wei didn’t even glance at her, checking the location on WeChat before frowning. “Something’s come up. I have to go.”

“You’re not taking me anywhere anymore?” Ming Lian watched gloomily as the other woman stood up decisively and walked away, instantly experiencing what it meant to be abandoned by a fickle, heartless friend.

Su Wei remained completely unmoved, casually grabbing her suit jacket as she strode off without hesitation.

Left alone at the table, Ming Lian found herself awkwardly locking eyes with a masked stranger.

The woman glanced at her phone and said, “My ride’s here. I should go too. I’ll compensate you for the damages tomorrow.”

Ming Lian’s expression grew even more aggrieved.

Her friend ignored her, and even this Omega wasn’t interested in spending more time with her. Had her top-tier charm lost its appeal?

“No need. Most of it was my fault anyway,” Ming Lian replied. “But I’m curious—do you also prefer flat-chested women?”

The woman looked slightly surprised, hesitating before answering, “Either is fine? I care more about pretty faces.”

Like the one she’d run into in the restroom earlier—that had been just her type.

“Fair enough.” Sensing the other woman had no intention of pursuing anything further, Ming Lian didn’t press. “Where’s your car? I’ll walk you out.”

The woman nodded lightly.

—

By the time Su Wei drove to the alley entrance, the moment she stepped out of the car, the chaotic mix of pheromones in the air made her instinctively furrow her brows.

The scents were scattered by the night breeze, but for an Alpha with keen senses like Su Wei, she could easily pick out the lingering traces in the wind.

Low-tier, weak pheromones—and more than one.

Standing at the mouth of the alley, she hesitated briefly before calling Nan Ju. The ringtone sounded almost immediately—clear and ethereal, echoing from somewhere very close.

She looked up, narrowing her eyes as the sound grew nearer. Footsteps emerged from the depths of the alley, accompanied by the faint clinking of something like a pendant.

A soda can rolled out from the darkness, shattering the silence of the late night.

From the shadowed depths of the narrow alley, Nan Ju stepped out, one arm cradling someone while the other covered their ears. Her gaze was as cold as a biting March wind.

Su Wei instinctively ended the call, startled by the visible injuries on Nan Ju’s face. She took a few quick steps forward but suddenly stopped, her expression shifting strangely.

“What are you holding?”

Hot breaths brushed against Nan Ju’s neck as Bai Cha panted weakly, her face flushed, fingers clutching Nan Ju’s hair so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Nan Ju adjusted her grip, urgency in her voice. “I think she’s presenting.”

Su Wei’s face paled instantly.

“Get in the car!”

The partition in the back seat was quickly raised, doing its best to contain the overflowing pheromones.

Su Wei frowned as she turned the ignition key, tugging at her neatly tied tie in discomfort, feeling a tightness in her chest. “Can we go to the nearest hospital? She seems to be a Beta.”

Nan Ju tried to peel the girl off herself, but to no avail. Bai Cha clung to her like a boneless kitten, soft whimpers escaping her throat.

Though Nan Ju couldn’t make out her murmurs, she could clearly sense the girl’s fear and unease—like a cat in distress, desperate for a safe corner to hide in, away from prying eyes.

Despite the lingering chill of the March night, Nan Ju was drenched in a thin layer of sweat.

Helpless, she could only hold the girl in her arms, gently patting her back and murmuring reassurances. “She might be an Alpha? I’m not sure.”

The last time they were in the car together, the kid had seemed to assume she’d present as an Alpha.

But strangely, when Bai Cha had clung to her in the alley, Nan Ju hadn’t caught the usual pungent scent—just a faint, watery pheromone, spreading like ripples, isolating the surrounding chaotic odors.

“An Alpha?” Su Wei glanced in the rearview mirror as she started the car. “Impossible. I didn’t smell her pheromones.”

Alphas were naturally antagonistic toward each other. No Alpha in the midst of presentation would allow another near them.

Su Wei could feel her own pheromones stirring, aggressive and ready to suppress—even attack—the unstable kid in the back seat. But she hadn’t detected any opposing pheromones.

This couldn’t be an Alpha or an Omega.

If it were an Alpha, she would’ve yanked Nan Ju away immediately, never letting her near someone so volatile during presentation.

The girl’s delicate neck rested limply against Nan Ju’s shoulder, her hair spilling loose to reveal a slender, snow-white nape. The movement caused fresh bl00d to seep from Nan Ju’s injured temple, staining Bai Cha’s T-shirt in dark red smudges.

Nan Ju stroked the girl’s spine soothingly, her tone firm. “Take us to my family’s research institute. Not the hospital.”

—

The research institute was brightly lit.

Bai Cha was rushed into the medical ward, the red light above the door flickering on as Nan Ju and Su Wei were left outside.

The surroundings were eerily silent. The walls and ceiling of the institute were made of a special material, a sterile silver-white that exuded clinical detachment.

Nan Ju stood motionless on the gleaming floor, her gaze fixed on the tightly shut door, her expression dazed, as if she hadn’t fully processed everything yet.

Su Wei studied her for a moment, wanting to ask about Nan Ju’s pheromones, but her eyes lingered on the other woman’s paper-pale face instead. “You didn’t wear red lipstick because you didn’t want anyone to notice how awful you look, did you?”

“What?” Nan Ju blinked, turning to her in confusion.

She looked utterly disheveled—her high ponytail askew, strands of hair pulled loose, her face, hands, and knees covered in injuries that stood out starkly against her fair skin.

The lipstick on her lips had long been eaten away, as she had been biting them compulsively to calm herself down during the journey. Now her lips were swollen and chapped, like she’d been eating crimson rose petals, making her pale complexion appear even more frighteningly ghastly.

Su Wei couldn’t help but let her gaze linger on that face before glancing down at the bloodied knees smeared with dirt. Her eyelid twitched: “You’re injured. You should get those wounds treated first.”

Nan Ju shook her head stubbornly: “I’ll wait here.”

Left with no choice, Su Wei found an available staff member from the research institute to bring over a first aid kit.

The wound cleaning process was rather brutal, so Su Wei didn’t stay to watch, instead going to the restroom alone.

Though female, she was also an Alpha, and some discretion was necessary. Moreover, whether it was because she’d spent too much time in the car with that child undergoing differentiation, her whole body felt uncomfortable, her pheromones restlessly agitated.

It was just a Beta going through differentiation—it shouldn’t have provoked such a strong reaction in her.

The water rushed noisily from the tap as the usually composed Su Wei bent over to splash cold water on her face.

By the time she’d reined in her turbulent pheromones and returned, Nan Ju had already had her wounds treated and was sitting obediently on a chair by the wall near the medical room’s entrance.

The cut near her eye was covered with a band-aid, her knees and fingers wrapped in gauze. Only her bitten lips remained untreated, a small scab forming where they’d broken, looking startlingly vivid at a glance.

Su Wei lowered her head, completely removing her shirt’s tie and holding it in her hand as she leaned silently against the wall.

This didn’t seem like an appropriate time for conversation.

“Talk to me, Su Wei,” Nan Ju said softly, her gaze fixed on the medical room door. “It’s too quiet.”

She was afraid.

The domineering CEO hesitated briefly when called by name before speaking.

“Is this the kitten you mentioned?”

She wasn’t blind, nor was she some clueless corporate tycoon. From their afternoon meeting in the office to when she’d invited Nan Ju to the bar, the other had been visibly distracted and unusually sharp—unlike the Nan Ju she knew.

She wasn’t good at this, had never comforted a distressed Omega before; that was her friend Ming Lian’s specialty. Su Wei had thought inviting her for some hot water at a familiar bar might help her relax. She hadn’t anticipated so many events unfolding tonight.

The medical room door remained firmly shut as Su Wei racked her brains, only managing to say, “Don’t worry.”

“She might hate me now.”

Nan Ju looked down at her fingers, unconsciously pinching her nails, feeling an ache in her chest.

She’d found the kitten, yet her heart remained bitter. The public phone number never connected; she was always one step too late.

The flower market was vast, and unfamiliar with this strange city, she could only have others search while suppressing her sharp anxiety and following Su Wei’s suggestion to the bar.

She’d checked the map—the bar they went to was the closest to where she’d last seen Bai Cha by the river holding a rose. In fact, it was the only one nearby.

If the little one hadn’t gone into hiding, she’d most likely be selling flowers near the bar at night.

She had no choice but to cling to such a slim hope.

As Nan Ju had guessed, the other person had indeed gone to the bar, but they had circled around and missed each other. If she had been even a step later, the person lying in the medical room now wouldn’t just be suffering the pain of differentiation—it could have been far worse.

Nan Ju blamed herself entirely.

She had been too arrogant, too cold, and too rational.

Bai Cha resembled her younger self, but she wasn’t just a reflection.

She was even more stubborn, even prouder, shining like the brightest star in the vast darkness.

For the first time, Nan Ju saw her own flaws with such clarity.

She had thought she had paved every possible path, waiting patiently for her little kitten to come to her with a flower branch in the spring. But a single storm had shattered all that peace.

The moment she decided to live in this world from the book, she should have stopped treating it as just a simple ABO yuri novel.

Even paper-thin characters had breath, emotions—they could laugh and cry, just like her. They were living, breathing people.

When you step into someone’s life, you should be prepared for everything.

The Omega, weighed down by self-loathing, hung her head low, her high ponytail drooping as if she wanted to bury herself in the ground.

Su Wei saw a glimpse of her past self in her and couldn’t help but soften for a moment. “Do you know the normal symptoms of differentiation?”

The dejected figure lifted her head, eyes slightly red, looking utterly pitiful.

Su Wei almost laughed but suppressed it with a light cough. “Minors in differentiation are highly unstable. They can’t control the overflow of pheromones and instinctively lash out at those around them. Whether Alpha, Omega, or Beta, they all act out during differentiation—usually quite dramatically.”

Nan Ju didn’t quite understand, her confusion evident, which made Su Wei sigh.

“Did you hand in blank sheets for your ABO gender education classes? During differentiation, minors can’t be easily approached by anyone except their parents or siblings. Anyone else risks triggering a pheromone collapse or failed differentiation. Without family, they’re usually sent to the hospital for sedatives and forced isolation.”

Su Wei, having spoken more than usual, exhaled heavily. “Your little kitten punched a researcher in the face when they tried to pull her away earlier.”

After saying this, Su Wei lowered her eyes, a hint of envy in her voice.

“I’ve never seen a differentiating minor grow attached to a stranger with no bl00d ties. She must have been really happy you protected her.”

“If you feel guilty, just make sure to protect her properly from now on.”

Unfixable mistakes were the ones that left lasting scars, but in Su Wei’s eyes, this wasn’t an irreparable regret.

“Attached, huh?” Nan Ju stared at the tightly shut door in the distance, her mind filled with the image of Bai Cha clinging to her neck, crying softly like a kitten.

That unbearable sorrow, yet too stubborn to show even a hint of vulnerability in front of others—her tears had soaked Nan Ju’s neck, the damp warmth still lingering on her skin, sticky and scalding.

Nan Ju instinctively raised her hand to touch the side of her neck, feeling a slight dampness. A shadow of something unreadable flickered through her eyes.

At that moment, the door to the medical room swung open, and several researchers dressed in white with masks emerged.

Both women stepped forward immediately. Unable to contain herself, Nan Ju grabbed the nearest researcher: “Where’s my person?”

The researcher, sporting a black eye from a heavy punch that left him unable to open his left eye, replied miserably: “She’s calmed down after receiving a placebo and is now in the isolation room.”

“Where’s the isolation room? Take me there.”

“Wait, Miss Nan Ju—you can go, but this young lady can’t.” The researcher swiftly blocked Su Wei from following, removing his mask with a serious expression. “That child has differentiated into an Omega. Alphas aren’t permitted in the isolation area.”

Nan Ju was stunned.

Su Wei frowned in confusion: “But I didn’t detect her pheromones at all?”

Only Betas lack pheromones—they don’t even have scent glands.

The researcher shook his head: “She’s a genuine Omega. The gland at the back of her neck is nearing maturity, and the pheromone levels we detected were extremely high. She must have been forcibly sent into heat by Alpha pheromones before differentiation.”

“As for why her scent isn’t detectable, we find that puzzling as well and need further observation.”

Nan Ju couldn’t help but frown: “I’m an Omega—I can go to the isolation room, right? Stop wasting time and take me there now.”

Just as the researcher opened his mouth, ready to lecture with his usual know-it-all attitude, his expression changed abruptly as his professional demeanor crumbled: “Miss Nan Ju, please don’t grab my collar like that!”

—

The research institute’s isolation room was lined with layers of thick, specialized glass. Bai Cha was its first occupant.

Standing outside the yellow boundary line, Nan Ju gazed at the figure lying on the stark white hospital bed. She reached out to touch the transparent glass, her voice hoarse: “When will she wake up?”

“In about two hours.”

The disheveled researcher stood awkwardly to the side, cautiously studying Nan Ju’s expression before choosing his words carefully: “Miss Nan Ju, may I ask about her parents’ whereabouts?”

“She’s an orphan—she has no parents.” Nan Ju refused to look away, her tone unreadable. “Why do you ask?”

The researcher stepped closer, choosing his words carefully: “She showed resistance to the placebo—we had to administer six doses before she calmed down. Without parents, she’ll have to rely on placebos until adulthood, but excessive use can cause side effects.”

“What kind of side effects?” Nan Ju turned sharply, her gaze piercing. “Why did this happen?”

“Because her differentiation wasn’t normal—she was forcibly sent into heat by multiple Alpha pheromones during differentiation. We also suspect her constitution might differ from ordinary children.” The researcher glanced at Bai Cha inside, unconsciously touching his untreated eye. “Overuse of placebos can affect physiological responses during adulthood, particularly regarding heat cycles—it mainly puts excessive strain on the body. But once she’s an adult, finding a compatible Alpha to bond with should resolve it.”

The research institute was equipped with an independent medical team. The researchers were relieved that all team members were Betas, largely unaffected by pheromones, otherwise Bai Cha’s reaction would have been even more severe.

Nan Ju listened in silence, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

“I understand. Send me today’s test results. Go get your eyes treated.”

“Understood. You can take her away in an hour.”

The polished floor reflected fleeting shadows as people came and went. After everyone had left, Nan Ju entered her fingerprint and opened the isolation room door.

Inside, the temperature-controlled air conditioning hummed softly. There were no unnecessary potted plants or flowers—only the faint sound of machinery at work. Bai Cha was buried under a large blanket, her entire body sinking into the soft whiteness.

Nan Ju sat by her bed, watching for a long while before reaching out to touch the girl’s nose.

A faint, warm breath brushed against her fingers—alive, vital.

The unease in her heart instantly settled. Unable to resist, Nan Ju let her gaze linger on that small, flower-like face. The delicate lines of her brows and eyes, the faint flush on her lips and cheeks—she looked pitifully fragile.

But Nan Ju had seen her stubborn, unyielding side. No other Omega was as sensitive and thorny as Bai Cha.

She had a feeling that while becoming an Omega might be many people’s dream, it was never Bai Cha’s.

“Stubborn little thing.”

“Come on, I’m taking you home.”

The institute didn’t allow Su Wei into the isolation room. When Nan Ju emerged, carefully cradling the kitten-like figure wrapped tightly in a blanket, Su Wei was still sitting obediently in the same chair, her long legs encased in tailored suit pants strikingly noticeable.

“Sorry to keep you waiting so long.”

The cool-faced woman shook her head. The tie that had been draped over her wrist earlier was now neatly fastened back onto her shirt. Su Wei stood and approached, taking the small silver case of suppressants from Nan Ju’s hands.

“I can’t escort you back. Here’s the key—can you drive yourself?”

As soon as she spoke, the white blanket shifted slightly, emitting a weak, kitten-like sound. Su Wei’s brows twitched, and she instinctively stepped back, putting distance between them.

“No need. I called home to have the car brought over—it’s waiting at the institute’s entrance.” Nan Ju glanced down at the girl bundled in her arms. At the sound of Su Wei’s voice and her approach, Bai Cha frowned faintly and instinctively curled deeper into Nan Ju’s embrace.

“Let’s go. She’s about to wake up.”

The two walked out of the institute together, Su Wei leading the way in silence—opening doors, pressing elevator buttons, escorting them all the way to the entrance.

A red Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked by the roadside. A middle-aged woman glanced around anxiously before spotting them and hurrying over.

“Young Mistress.”

Aunt Pei stared in surprise at the white bundle in her delicate young mistress’s arms. “What are you carrying? Is it heavy? Let me take it.”

“No, I can manage.” Nan Ju frowned and sidestepped, instinctively unwilling to let anyone else touch Bai Cha.

The kitten wouldn’t like that.

From the side, Su Wei caught a glimpse of a delicate profile peeking out from the blanket—small, with long, thick lashes like tiny fans.

Something stirred in her chest, and she couldn’t help but tilt her head for a better look. But as Nan Ju shifted, the face disappeared from view again.

At this moment, the middle-aged woman who had been completely focused on Nan Ju finally noticed there were other people present.

“Miss Su Wei?”

Su Wei nodded. “Aunt Pei, it’s been a while.”

“It’s late, you should head back. Next time we meet, we’ll discuss your pheromone situation.”

Nan Ju’s heart skipped a beat. Meeting Su Wei’s calm, unreadable gaze, she realized her unusual pheromones had been exposed tonight. She nodded, “Thank you for today.”

The moment Su Wei heard “thank you,” her scalp prickled. She instinctively took two steps back and firmly refused, “Just don’t send me any more chrysanthemums.”

Nan Ju froze for a moment before her entire face lit up with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll remember that.”