Mark Me, Okay? - Chapter 11

“Wasabi flavor?” Luan Li was baffled by Qi Xiangxing’s random remark. She didn’t have the energy to ponder what strange thoughts were running through Qi’s mind as she supported her toward the infirmary.

The stairwell leading down from the rooftop was narrow and dimly lit. Few people came up here, and even fewer bothered to clean. Dust coated every surface, making it barely any better than the rooftop.

The enclosed space trapped scents, and Qi Xiangxing could faintly detect a subtle fragrance, though the musty air made it impossible to pinpoint whether it was Luan Li’s pheromones.

Her omega instincts were slowly overwhelming her. She lifted a trembling hand, clutching desperately at the front of Luan Li’s shirt. Her usually bright, clear eyes were now tinged with red, the corners flushed a delicate pink. She gasped for air, as if the atmosphere had thickened into something tangible.

Luan Li quickly caught the scent of the omega in her arms—warm, milky, and faintly sweet. The aroma soon filled the stairwell, and a faint blush crept across Luan Li’s pale cheeks. Her fingers trembled as her gaze dropped to Qi Xiangxing’s exposed neck, where a soft, pinkish gland lay just beneath the skin.

Her hand moved on its own, fingertips brushing against the slightly firm gland. The heat of Qi Xiangxing’s skin seared into her touch.

Beneath her fingers lay everything that mattered.

“Luan Li… am I sick…?” Tears spilled uncontrollably down Qi Xiangxing’s face. Weak and breathless, she slumped against Luan Li, her voice thick with distress. Her beautiful eyes brimmed with helplessness.

“Luan Li…” She sniffled, pressing her full weight against her. “If I really have some terminal illness… there’s a book in my desk—The Self-Cultivation of a Fierce Alpha—take it. Consider it my last gift to you.”

“Waaahhh… am I dying…?”

Sobs wracked her body as if she were pouring out all the grievances she’d held inside. She clung to Luan Li desperately. “Don’t let anyone see me like this… waaahhh…”

Luan Li: …Since when were you this afraid of death?

She took a deep breath, forcing down the restless desire stirring in her chest. Tightening her grip, she hauled Qi Xiangxing—who was nearly collapsing—back into her arms and whispered softly, “Don’t be scared, Xingxing.”

The vulnerable gland swayed temptingly before her eyes. Luan Li gritted her teeth, suppressing the heat rising within her, and half-carried Qi Xiangxing out of the cramped stairwell.

The girl’s soft yet sturdy body pressed against hers, her heartbeat frantic, breaths uneven. Qi Xiangxing’s pheromones seemed to pierce straight through her, solid and inescapable.

She carried her all the way to the infirmary, where the school doctor stood with hands in pockets, scrutinizing Qi Xiangxing’s flushed, panting form on the bed. After a thoughtful pause, the doctor leaned in closer.

The moment unfamiliar pheromones hit her, Qi Xiangxing’s eyes flew open. She shot the doctor a wary glare before turning tearfully to Luan Li and wailing—

“Luan Li! Luan Li!”

“Luan Li, Luan Li, Luan Li!”

“Luan Li!!!”

Each cry grew louder than the last, until it finally carried a note of grievance.

“Wuwuwu… Luan Li, are you abandoning me?! Did you sell me off to this alpha? Wuwuwu… Luan Li!”

The female alpha doctor in a white coat raised an eyebrow, curled her lips, and flashed a teasing smile. “That’s right, sold to me. Now I’m going to slice you up for experiments.”

Qi Xiangxing pouted, looking even more aggrieved. Before she could utter another word, Luan Li swiftly stepped in from outside, signaling her with a glance to shut up while offering the school doctor an apologetic smile.

“Tch.”

Oddly enough, Qi Xiangxing’s mood stabilized considerably after Luan Li entered. She sniffled, glared fiercely at the school doctor, then cautiously inched closer to Luan Li.

“I know what’s going on with her,” the school doctor said with a snap of her fingers, eyeing Qi Xiangxing’s reddened eyes with a light chuckle. “Have you two heard of pheromone dependency syndrome?”

Qi Xiangxing and Luan Li: ???

Luan Li soothingly patted Qi Xiangxing’s shoulder before turning to the doctor and asking softly, “What do you mean?”

“It’s hard to say,” the female alpha doctor replied, folding her arms. “I’ll write you both a leave slip. You should go to the People’s Hospital together for a check-up.”

Luan Li froze. “I have to go too?”

The doctor raised a brow and pointed at Qi Xiangxing, who was docilely clinging to Luan Li but snarled at the mere sight of her. “Do you really think she can go alone in this state?”

Like a golden retriever—well-behaved beside its owner but barking at anyone else who approaches.

Once outside the infirmary, Qi Xiangxing felt much better after a breath of fresh air.

Luan Li held their leave slips and tugged at her. “Hurry up, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Recalling her earlier behavior, Qi Xiangxing flushed crimson. Unsure of what had come over her, she stole a glance at Luan Li and muttered, “You’re not allowed to tell anyone about what just happened!”

Luan Li stifled a laugh but feigned confusion. “Earlier? What happened earlier?”

Qi Xiangxing exhaled in relief—only for Luan Li to add, barely suppressing her amusement, “Oh, right. You mentioned gifting me that book from your drawer—The Self-Cultivation of a Dominant Alpha.” She paused, then continued nonchalantly under Qi Xiangxing’s stunned gaze,

“Should you bring it to me, or should I come pick it up?”

“Luan Li!!!”

What an absolute jerk!!!

Qi Xiangxing glared at Luan Li’s retreating back, her inner magic wand waving furiously—Whoosh whoosh! May Luan Li lose her memory!

Meanwhile, Qin Qing and Yue Qiu were discussing class management in their office. Upon seeing the infirmary leave slips, they promptly approved the request.

In fact, after noticing Qi Xiangxing’s pitiful state, Qin Qing even patted her head sympathetically. “Poor kid, go on. Do you need me to drive you there?”

Qi Xiangxing’s face burned as she avoided Qin Qing’s gaze. “It’s fine, teacher. I can ride my bike.”

“How could we let you ride the bike?” Yue Qiu’s lips twitched as she recalled Qi Xiangxing’s wobbly cycling when she’d driven past her on the way to school. Patting Luan Li’s shoulder, she said: “Luan Li, show some alpha spirit—you ride and take her with you.”

“Be careful!” Qin Qing reminded them.