Mark Me, Okay? - Chapter 18

“Chairperson…” Zeng Yu knew he had made a mistake. He’d already heard about today’s incident from others and understood Luan Li was upset with him for casually swapping duties with Yan Jing. Now, he was looking for an opportunity to apologize.

Luan Li glanced at him calmly. “Is there something you need?”

Strangely enough, Zeng Yu wasn’t afraid when teachers or department heads lost their temper—what truly unsettled him was Luan Li’s indifferent gaze like this. Already feeling guilty, his nerves worsened. He swallowed hard before stammering, “Chairperson, today’s incident was my fault.”

“It certainly was,” Luan Li nodded, slightly amused by his flustered demeanor. “Why are you so nervous?” The tall young man, standing over six feet, seemed oddly restrained in her presence.

Zeng Yu hesitated before murmuring, “I didn’t realize it would be this serious…” At the time, Yan Jing had approached him about the matter. Since he didn’t want to make the trip across two academic buildings to find Luan Li, he’d happily delegated the task to her.

Who could have predicted Yan Jing would cause such a scene?

Now, he was left in an awkward position.

“Actually… it’s not that bad,” Luan Li sighed. Taken alone, the incident wasn’t particularly significant. But anything related to Qi Xiangxing never seemed trivial in her eyes.

Xingxing, why do you keep avoiding me? Are you so certain my answer isn’t what you want to hear?

“If there are no major issues to discuss, today’s meeting is adjourned,” Luan Li announced from the front of the conference room, standing before a microphone. She disliked overly formal procedures, preferring simplicity—even this small meeting room had been something she’d repeatedly declined until the faculty advisor insisted.

“Chairperson, with midterms about twenty days away, shouldn’t we organize some bulletin board activities?” a department head raised their hand.

Luan Li considered this, resting her hands on the dark red mahogany table. “The school is placing greater emphasis on these midterms. Let’s postpone extracurricular activities until after exams. From this week until midterms conclude, all Student Council work for our sophomore class will be suspended.”

She paused before adding, “We’ll reconvene after exams at this same time. Focus on your studies—you’ve all worked hard. Let’s aim for excellent results!”

Turning to the two vice-chairpersons seated nearby, she asked, “Anything to add?”

Yan Jing was absent, so Zeng Yu exchanged a glance with the other vice-chair before responding, “Nothing from us.”

“Very well. Meeting adjourned if there are no further questions.” Luan Li offered them a smile, though internally her thoughts were in turmoil, eager to rush home and share her answer with Qi Xiangxing.

“Goodbye, Chairperson!” the group chorused as they dispersed.

Gathering her belongings, Luan Li exited the school gates and exhaled deeply, quickening her pace toward home. Her route took her past the entrance of City A People’s Hospital when, inexplicably, she glanced toward the building—spotting a familiar figure cycling into the medical complex.

Her pupils constricted sharply as panic flooded her chest—

Why was Xingxing going to the hospital? Was she hurt?

Thinking of Qi Xiangxing’s reckless riding, Luan Li’s heart pounded with anxiety. Without a second thought, she sprinted toward the hospital.

But the distance was too great. By the time she arrived, she saw Qi Xiangxing riding away on her bike, a bag of medicine dangling from the handlebars.

Gasping for breath, an indescribable emotion surged in Luan Li’s chest—she had missed her by just one step. A sudden fear gripped her: What if she was always one step behind Qi Xiangxing from now on?

“Huh? Aren’t you that little alpha with pheromone dependency syndrome?” Just as Luan Li turned to leave, a surprised voice called out from behind.

She turned and saw her school nurse arm-in-arm with the doctor who had treated her and Qi Xiangxing before.

“Luan Li?” The nurse raised an eyebrow. “Qi Xiangxing just left.”

They already knew them both.

“Yeah, did you two have a fight?” the doctor asked curiously. “What happened? Come on, you’re an alpha—can’t you give in a little to your omega?”

Luan Li sensed something off. Why were these two so certain she was here for Qi Xiangxing? How did they even know they’d fought?

Before she could voice her confusion, the nurse spoke coldly, half-warning, half-reminding her, “Long-term inhibitor use is bad for an omega’s health, especially one with pheromone dependency syndrome who still has two heats a month. Even if you’re fighting, you can’t mess with her body like this!”

Luan Li’s eyes widened.

The doctor nodded in agreement. “Exactly! Look at that poor omega—her eyes were all red, like she’d been crying. If you upset her, you should apologize! A high-tier S-class omega in heat is dangerous if left alone.”

Luan Li’s expression darkened. “Did she get a lot of suppressants?”

The doctor hesitated. “…Not much.”

Luan Li relaxed slightly.

“Just a six-month supply.”

Luan Li: ???

The doctor shrugged. “She asked me what the maximum prescription was for an adult omega. I said half a year’s worth, so that’s what she got. She’s of age—what else could I say?”

Luan Li’s face paled, her beautiful eyes reddening. She rushed to the roadside, hailed a taxi, and sped straight home.

“Lili, weren’t you in a meeting today? Why are you back so early?” Mrs. Qi, watering the flowers in the yard, looked surprised as Luan Li dashed over from the side path.

She had just stopped Qi Xiangxing on her way home, asking why Luan Li wasn’t back yet. But Qi Xiangxing had sniffled, looking like she was holding back tears, and quickly replied, “She’s in a meeting!” before bolting upstairs.

“It ended early.” Luan Li exhaled deeply, forcing a smile. “Auntie, is Xingxing home?”

“She is! She rushed back right after school and then went out again like a thief—no idea what she was up to.” Mrs. Qi beamed. “Are you staying with us tonight?”

“I’m coming over now.” Luan Li took a deep breath and stepped into Qi Xiangxing’s yard.

“Let me call her for you,” Mrs. Qi offered, heading inside to fetch Qi Xiangxing.

Luan Li quickly stopped her, “No need, Auntie! I’ll go straight there. She’s probably studying—we shouldn’t disturb her.”

Aunt Qi smiled and said, “Alright then. Thank you so much, Lili. Stay for dinner at our place tonight.”

Luan Li nodded in agreement.