Intoxicated by Her Pheromones - Chapter 18

At the same time.

In the dimly lit basement, a tightly bound figure was firmly restrained on a chair.

The white light hanging overhead illuminated her pale face.

Song Qing strode in with long steps, her eyes icy as she took in the sight of the person tied up in the center of the room.

Without hesitation, she walked over and roughly grabbed the person’s chin, forcing them to open their eyes after feigning unconsciousness for so long.

“You’re here,” the person said through gritted teeth, their eyes filled with mockery as they took in Song Qing’s furious expression.

“Why did you betray me?”

“There was never any loyalty to begin with, so how can you call it betrayal?” The assistant smirked in amusement, the usual fear she displayed in Song Qing’s presence now gone, replaced by a calm resignation.

From the moment she had accepted this mission, she had been prepared.

Even if Song Qing didn’t kill her…

That person… wouldn’t let her go either.

Even if she had done it for her sake… that person would still show no mercy. Their eyes had never tolerated even the slightest flaw, and though she had helped them this time, she had still violated their principles.

But she didn’t care.

As long as that person was happy, she was happy.

“What a bold claim—no loyalty, so no betrayal. Then tell me, who do you serve? Who ordered you to do this? Out of respect for our past, if you cooperate, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

“No need. I won’t say a word.” The assistant smiled faintly, unafraid of death.

The thought of that person’s figure only deepened her disgust for Song Qing standing before her.

“I really don’t understand why she took a liking to you.”

“What?” Song Qing frowned.

“Nothing. You don’t need to know. You’re simply not worthy of her. Just do it. I won’t say anything.”

With that, the assistant closed her eyes and fell silent, waiting for the release that would end her suffering.

But Song Qing had no intention of granting her that mercy.

“You want to die? It won’t be that easy. After finally catching you, do you really think I’d let you die so quickly?”

“And that person you mentioned just now… she’s from Anxiang, isn’t she?”

Song Qing’s gaze flickered with an unreadable emotion as she spoke, gradually piecing things together.

“It seems I wasn’t wrong after all. But there’s one thing you’ve misunderstood.”

“What?”

“It’s not that I’m not worthy of her—it’s that I never had any intention of matching with her in the first place.”

Song Qing spoke arrogantly, looking down at the assistant with disdain.

“You’re the one who treats her like a treasure. To me, she’s nothing but a disgusting insect, only capable of dirty tricks and laughable schemes.”

“You’re the disgusting one! How dare you call her methods dirty? What right do you have to judge her? Do you think you’re so great?”

“Am I not?” Song Qing smirked, tilting her head. “If I weren’t, then why would she like me? Don’t you find your own words ridiculous?”

“If I’m no good, and she likes someone like me… then how much better can she possibly be?”

“Besides, I’m naturally better than someone like her who only knows how to resort to underhanded tricks behind people’s backs. And you’d better pray I don’t catch her, because when I do, I won’t let her off.”

Song Qing’s smile vanished as she finished speaking with a dark expression, then left without hesitation.

The person remained motionless on the stool.

At first glance, it seemed like they couldn’t move.

In reality, they didn’t dare move because something was coiled around their neck.

The cool, soft sensation pressed against their throat.

Su Shu emerged silently.

Like a ghost, she appeared before the person.

Then she reached out, and just as her hand was about to touch their face, a small black snake slithered out from behind their neck, crawling onto her hand before winding itself around her own neck.

The snake nuzzled affectionately against Su Shu—a stark contrast to the force it had used to restrain the other person. Yet even so, the person remained shaken.

After all, they’d seen this snake kill before.

“Explain yourself. Why did you do it?”

Su Shu asked softly, stroking the little creature around her neck without even sparing a glance at the person beside her.

“I just… wanted to help you. Wanted you to remember me.”

The person took a deep breath before speaking.

Su Shu frowned and finally looked at them.

“Help me? Make me remember you? Do you even hear yourself?”

“I do.”

“Then why say something so ridiculous? You think that was helping me?” Su Shu’s gaze darkened as she stepped closer, her oppressive aura bearing down on the person.

It felt like an invisible hand was tightening around their throat, making it hard to breathe.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused me? And since when do my affairs concern you? Who do you think you are, daring to ‘help’ me?”

Su Shu spoke as though she’d heard a joke.

The thought of how this person had ruined her original plan made her eyes sharpen with fury.

“I’ve never met someone as foolish as you. And how did you even get through that door to leave the inhibitor? I told you to destroy it.”

“Why did you secretly keep it? Who put you up to this?”

“No one.”

The person shook their head.

They looked up at Su Shu—unattainable, untouchable—their eyes filled with longing.

“Just like how you love Song Qing, I… I love you too, in my own wretched way. But your eyes are only ever on her. I couldn’t stand it, so I thought… even if you hated me, at least I’d leave some mark on your heart.”

The words poured out as though a floodgate had opened.

“I guessed the door’s password myself. As for the inhibitor… you gave it to me. I couldn’t bear to throw it away. I wanted to keep it as a memento. But the more I looked at it, the more resentful I became.” Their gaze met Su Shu’s scrutinizing eyes, and the desire in their heart burned hotter.

“Because I couldn’t accept that you never saw me. So… I wanted you to notice me. Even if it had to be this way.”

“I know that with me like this, you definitely won’t keep me around anymore, but dying by your hand is my greatest honor,” the person said, their eyes shining brightly as they looked at Su Shu, just like how Su Shu had once adored Song Qing.

Su Shu didn’t respond. Staring at the foolish, overestimating stupidity before her, she couldn’t even be bothered to spare a glance.

Because everything that person had said was nothing more than a ridiculous joke in her eyes.

All that talk about loving her, about just wanting her to remember them—

It was nothing but the laughable, self-indulgent words of someone incapable of holding onto the one they loved.

Just like she used to be. So stupid.

But thankfully, she had woken up now.

She would never be that foolish again.

By Song Qing’s side…

It could only be her. Otherwise, no one else would be allowed to stay.

She wouldn’t let go.

Her eyes filled with resolve, Su Shu gave the person a cold glance.

She didn’t speak.

With a light tap of her finger, the small pet hanging around her neck darted out like black lightning, coiling around the person’s throat.

The sensation of suffocation was unbearable. The person’s eyes bulged as they stared at Su Shu, as if desperately trying to sear her image into their memory—before their breath soon stilled.

But Su Shu never once looked at them.

Once the little pet had completed its task, it obediently slithered back to Su Shu.

She patted its head without even a glance at the corpse before walking away.

…

The next day, when Song Qing arrived with He Sheng, they found the person already dead.

The body had stiffened, the face twisted and ghastly. Song Qing observed it coldly, recalling the arrogance the person had displayed before she left, and already had a suspect in mind.

But she couldn’t help feeling shocked.

Still, this proved that her earlier decision not to act rashly had been the right one.

Otherwise, who could guarantee that this person’s fate wouldn’t become hers?

“I never expected it to be her. But this… it wasn’t your doing, was it?”

“No. I didn’t plan to act so soon. It must have been that person cleaning house.”

“That’s what I thought. But that person… is ruthless.”

He Sheng pointed out the purple strangulation marks on the corpse’s neck.

Song Qing studied them silently.

Then, abruptly, she remembered how the person had remained completely silent when she left. “When did she die?” she asked.

“Around 10:30 last night.”

“Hm.” Song Qing fell quiet, a chill creeping down her spine as a certain possibility crossed her mind.

“What’s wrong? You look pale.”

“Nothing. Just realizing that this time, I might have really hit a steel wall. I need to figure something out.”

“It is a steel wall. So, I suggest you lay low for a while. Didn’t some variety show invite you? Might as well take it and stay out of sight.”

“That’s what I was thinking. But I can’t hide forever, so I’ll probably need your help more and more.”

“That’s no problem. I’ve got nothing going on lately—just call me if you need anything.”

He Sheng then recalled her phone call with Ye Zi yesterday, where Ye Zi had mentioned the new omega Song Qing had taken in. Curiosity stirred.

“By the way, what’s really going on with you? Are you actually planning to settle down with that omega?”

“Yeah, I’ve got that in mind, and I’m not bored with her yet. Plus, I need her to be afraid, so I’ll keep her around for now,” Song Qing said nonchalantly, a smile tugging at his lips as he thought of Su Shu.

“And the control is in my hands. I can do whatever I want—she won’t be able to refuse me this time.”

“Just be careful. Don’t end up getting too involved yourself.”

“Not a chance. She’s just an ordinary omega—how could I ever get tangled up with her? I just need some company for a while, otherwise why would I even pick her?”

Song Qing smirked, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.