My Alpha Has a Split Personality - Chapter 22

Chi Yunhan clutched her phone, glancing down at the screen before looking up again. She turned the brightness to maximum, repeating the motion several times until her eyes ached from the glare.

 

Lu Xiangyuan pointed at her social media feed and said, “Darling, don’t worry too much. I’ve already posted in my circle—there’ll be plenty of single Alphas signing up. I’ll screen them thoroughly and pick the strongest yet gentlest one for you.”

 

“Xiangyuan,” Chi Yunhan swallowed hard.

 

Lu Xiangyuan patted her shoulder. “Don’t be sad. There are plenty of fish in the sea—why pine for just one Alpha? There wasn’t any emotional foundation between you two anyway.”

 

As a science student, she was using all her rhetorical skills to comfort her best friend, putting more effort into this than she ever had for her college entrance exam essays. Lu Xiangyuan held a milk tea up to Chi Yunhan’s lips. “Here, sweetie, take a sip.”

 

Chi Yunhan sucked on the straw, the sweetness hitting her tongue. Coming back to her senses, she choked slightly, and Lu Xiangyuan quickly handed her a tissue. “Feeling better? If you’re sad, just let it all out and cry.”

 

Wiping her mouth, Chi Yunhan looked at Lu Xiangyuan seriously and asked, “Do you think there are Alphas out there who might not have much money but would still sell everything they own to marry someone, giving all their earnings to their omega?”

 

Lu Xiangyuan wanted to say probably not. Most Alphas she’d met had been judgmental, looking down on omegas. In her experience, they were all quite pragmatic, loving themselves most—none would go to such lengths.

 

But not wanting to crush Chi Yunhan’s hopes, she said, “Of course there are! Let me tell you, honest Alphas like that are rare these days. Marriage is for life—they’d give their omega everything good in the world. Their omega is their sky, their earth, their one and only. Trust me, you’ll definitely find one.”

 

“And if you can’t, I’ll search for you. I’ll beat the gongs and drums, dig three feet into the ground—I’ll find you one. Don’t be sad, you’ll meet someone who loves you.”

 

“I think… I might have met one.”

 

Chi Yunhan suddenly spoke, her fingers trembling.

 

“Huh?” Lu Xiangyuan froze, quickly leaning over to look at her phone. The word “marriage” leapt out at her.

 

Several minutes later, Lu Xiangyuan took a sip of milk tea to steady herself. “So she sold everything she owned to save up a million, just to propose to you?”

 

“From the looks of it, yes.” Chi Yunhan hadn’t replied to Jiang Muning yet—she was too shocked.

 

“What… what should we do?”

 

This was a first for Lu Xiangyuan too. Just moments ago, she’d been ready to introduce Chi Yunhan to a few Alphas. She bit her straw. “A million is a lot. Maybe you should reply first.”

 

“Y-yeah, you’re right.”

 

Chi Yunhan cradled her phone, scrolling up through the chat history. Thankfully, she’d been quick—Jiang Muning hadn’t seen her earlier angry messages, or this would have been truly awkward.

 

Jiang Muning: Did I miss something important?

 

Chi Yunhan: Not at all. I was just thinking.

 

Jiang Muning: Thoughts?

 

Chi Yunhan: Do you really want to marry me?

 

Jiang Muning: I’m being factual.

 

Jiang Muning was tsundere. Her “being factual” meant she did want to.

 

Chi Yunhan understood.

 

It was… kind of adorable.

 

She really liked this kind of Alpha—strict on the outside but passionate within, and responsible too.

 

“Yunhan, stop grinning like a fool.” Lu Xiangyuan waved her hand in front of Chi Yunhan’s face, urging, “Hurry up and reply! Focus on the marriage part!”

 

Snapping out of her daze, Chi Yunhan typed out a line: “Sure, why not get married? Let’s go get our marriage certificate tonight.” But just before sending, she deleted it.

 

Chi Yunhan: How can marriage be so casual? No flowers, no proposal—just like that? You’re getting me too easily. I don’t think it’s appropriate.

 

After sending it, she anxiously sipped her milk tea while waiting for a reply, slightly afraid Jiang Muning might regret it.

 

Jiang Muning: You’re right.

 

Chi Yunhan: ?

 

Chi Yunhan: Do you know what to do?

 

Jiang Muning: I know.

 

Chi Yunhan: Do you really know?

 

Jiang Muning: I really know.

 

A minute later, Chi Yunhan asked again: What exactly do you know?

 

Jiang Muning: I won’t let our marriage be so casual.

 

The serious tone made Chi Yunhan’s heart race. Was Jiang Muning going to propose? With flowers, a ring, and a public kneel-down?

 

Just imagining that scene felt illegal.

 

Chi Yunhan gulped down her milk tea. Finishing the last drop, she glanced at Lu Xiangyuan across from her, feeling shy. Lu Xiangyuan, still dazed by the sudden turn of events, asked, “Should I congratulate you on your upcoming wedding now?”

 

“No, no, it’s not like that,” Chi Yunhan said, nibbling on an egg tart while scrolling through her chat history. Then she checked the transfer notification again.

 

One million.

 

She counted the zeros and checked the interest rate on her investment account.

 

Just moments ago, she had been fuming in hell, but now she was an instant millionaire. “Xiangyuan, what else do you want to eat? My treat,” she declared.

 

Lu Xiangyuan asked, “With that million?”

 

“With my own money.”

 

Chi Yunhan stood up grandly, slipping her phone into her bag. Lu Xiangyuan glanced at it—an expensive limited-edition bag!

 

“Jiang Muning gave it to me last Saturday,” Chi Yunhan said. “She’s actually quite thoughtful.”

 

“Honestly, she’s a good person. Not like other alphas. Even though her words are always cold and blunt, she’s secretly affectionate and treats me really well.”

 

“She might be rigid and old-fashioned, but she’s adorable. A real honest soul.”

 

Lu Xiangyuan let out an “Oh.”

 

Internally, she thought: Oh no, here we go again.

 

Chi Yunhan’s double standards were back in full force.

 

Chi Yunhan rambled on, praising Jiang Muning endlessly.

 

Listening to her, Lu Xiangyuan began to think Jiang Muning wasn’t so bad after all. How many alphas would go all out like this?

 

They went to a grilled fish place next door, where one fish could be split into two flavors. Chi Yunhan took a photo, intending to share it with Jiang Muning, but hesitated before sending it.

 

On their way back, she shoved her hands into her pockets and said seriously to Lu Xiangyuan, “I think I shouldn’t agree to her so soon. We haven’t even properly dated yet.”

 

“That’s a good thought, but here’s the thing—does your alpha even know how to date?” Lu Xiangyuan pointed out the crux of the matter.

 

Fair point. This was moving way too fast.

 

Then Chi Yunhan realized something: Jiang Muning was marrying her out of responsibility, but she had tricked her—they hadn’t even done anything.

 

What now? Maybe they should just go ahead and make it official first?

 

…

 

Back at the company, the smell had dissipated considerably. Rumor had it that the neighboring bubble tea shop had called to complain, reporting them to the Commerce Bureau for “playing with exploding toilets.”

 

The Bureau officials initially didn’t believe it, but when they came to mediate and stood at the entrance, they nearly choked on the stench. They issued a warning: if the company stank like that again, they’d face fines.

 

An emergency meeting was called, and Chi Yurong was given an ultimatum—either hand over the perfume formula to PFE or go back to the drawing board herself. The company wasn’t about to let Twilight’s single order turn their respectable perfume business into a laughingstock.

 

With the perfumery work halted, there wasn’t much for them to do.

 

Chi Yunhan stole a glance at the meeting. The executives were all wearing masks, and Chi Yurong had thoroughly embarrassed herself—her position as the lead perfumer was hanging by a thread.

 

Even in the design department, the male colleagues who once idolized Chi Yurong had stopped calling her their “goddess.” One sighed, “Ah, my dreams are shattered. I used to adore her, but now all I can think about is that lingering stench.”

 

Fang Mengmiao immediately snapped back, “How dare you even mention the word ‘adore’? You’re not worthy! Just because the scent turned out a bit unconventional, you jump on the bandwagon to trash Yurong-jie? Kicking someone when they’re down—you’re just a toad lusting after swan meat. Disgusting!”

 

Though Fang Mengmiao was defending Chi Yurong, Chi Yunhan couldn’t help but agree. Anyone who abandoned their admiration over something as trivial as a smell was never truly in love to begin with.

 

Unlike her Alpha, who would go to any lengths for her—even scraping together a million for her. A million… Chi Yunhan opened Alipay and started counting her balance.

 

She kept counting until it was time to clock out.

 

Now she was torn—should she go to the hospital, or play hard to get? After all, she wasn’t the pursuer anymore. Jiang Muning wanted to marry her, so she had to put on a bit of an act. But then again, going home alone would be so boring.

 

Sigh.

 

Being too honest as a woman wasn’t ideal either.

 

What if Jiang Muning was too honest and never made a move on her?

 

Lost in thought, Chi Yunhan finally typed out a message to Jiang Muning: I’m not coming to the hospital today.

 

After a few seconds, worried Jiang Muning might miss the subtext, she added: I won’t be so forward from now on.

 

Was that too blunt?

 

She quickly deleted it, but Jiang Muning replied, “Understood.”

 

Understood?

 

Chi Yunhan thought, What do you even understand? Distracted, she barely registered someone calling out, “Hey!” and kept walking until she heard, “Chi Yunhan.”

 

She looked up and saw a familiar figure standing under the roadside trees—Jiang Muning.

 

Dressed in black slacks and a crisp white shirt, with a suit jacket draped over her arm, she looked immaculate, not a single wrinkle in sight. Her expression was stern, almost rigid.

 

The moment their eyes met, Jiang Muning undid the top three buttons of her shirt, revealing a glimpse of pale skin and adding a touch of feminine allure.

 

A strict disciplinarian forced into the role of a libertine.

 

Wait, what was Jiang Muning doing?

 

Undoing buttons in public? That was just… too much.

 

After unbuttoning her shirt, Jiang Muning slipped her hands into her pockets and glanced away. The sun hadn’t set yet, its golden light casting a faint blush across her cheeks.

 

She seemed to be waiting for Chi Yunhan to approach, but when Chi Yunhan remained frozen, Jiang Muning turned and started walking toward her instead.

 

It wasn’t until a tall figure blocked most of the sunlight from Chi Yunhan that she realized Jiang Muning had truly arrived. She stammered, “Y-you… you’re discharged? Wait, no—how did you get here?”

 

“I came to pick you up from work,” Jiang Muning replied, her cool voice cutting through the summer heat like a refreshing drink.

 

Chi Yunhan was so nervous she could barely function. Though she often picked Jiang Muning up from work, she had never felt this tense before—her palms were sweating. She clenched her fists slightly.

 

“Oh… oh, you came to pick me up.”

 

It was peak rush hour, and many familiar colleagues were casting glances their way—some puzzled, others shocked. A few were so distracted they nearly walked into trees.

 

Chi Yunhan desperately wanted to show off, to let everyone see her Alpha. But Jiang Muning’s expression was stern, her aura so overpowering that it stifled any boldness. Chi Yunhan’s courage shrank, and she didn’t dare.

 

Too embarrassed, she kept her head down and hurried forward, nearly stepping onto the sidewalk when Jiang Muning suddenly said, “Stop.”

 

“Huh? What is it?” Chi Yunhan turned back to look at her.

 

Jiang Muning stared at her intently, then stepped forward, straightened her posture, and slowly—diagonally—extended her right hand.

 

Chi Yunhan froze, glancing between Jiang Muning and her outstretched hand.

 

What was this about?

 

But Jiang Muning looked so serious that, without thinking, Chi Yunhan mirrored the gesture, reaching out to shake her hand.

 

Jiang Muning’s brow twitched. Chi Yunhan then placed her other hand on top, shaking lightly with exaggerated formality. “Like this?”

 

And so, the two stood foolishly in front of the company building, shaking hands.

 

Chi Yunhan’s face burned with sweat.

 

What was this? She had wanted to flaunt her gorgeous Alpha, but now it felt like she was greeting a business partner.

 

This was ridiculous.

 

She quickly tried to pull her hand back, but Jiang Muning tightened her grip, firmly drawing Chi Yunhan’s hand to her side.

 

Chi Yunhan: “?”

 

Wait—so Jiang Muning just wanted to hold hands?

 

This Alpha…

 

They stood there too long, their fingers now slick with sweat. A familiar face approached, eyeing them curiously. Zuo Yijing asked, “Chi Yunhan, who’s this?”

 

“My business partn—ugh, no, she’s my…” Chi Yunhan faltered. How should she introduce Jiang Muning? Girlfriend? Fiancée? Nothing seemed quite right. She was still agonizing over it when Jiang Muning spoke.

 

“I’m her suitor.”

 

Not only did Chi Yunhan’s eyes widen, but even Zuo Yijing was stunned by the bluntness. That—that was way too direct, wasn’t it?

 

Chi Yunhan flushed red.

 

Zuo Yijing nudged her with an elbow. “Team leader, is she courting you? She’s so… so beautiful! Didn’t you say last time you matched with an Alpha at the Assistance Center?”

 

Chi Yunhan’s vanity swelled with satisfaction. Smiling, she said, “Yeah, she’s that Alpha.” She didn’t elaborate further, but Zuo Yijing’s awestruck expression told her everything—she was being envied.

 

Plenty of employees were leaving the office just then, including a few women who usually clashed with Chi Yunhan. They stopped in their tracks, shooting sour glances her way.

 

Zuo Yijing frantically gestured at Chi Yunhan—impressed! Badass!

 

Before, they had thought the Alphas in the company were good-looking, but compared to this, those Alphas paled in comparison. She added another line, “You two look great together, team leader~”

 

Chi Yunhan coughed twice to show she was serious.

 

Standing around awkwardly, Jiang Muning took a few steps forward and hailed a taxi. She let Chi Yunhan get in first, but since they were still holding hands, it was difficult to sit properly. Chi Yunhan tried to let go, but Jiang Muning slid in and switched hands in a rather odd manner.

 

The driver up front teased, “You two lovebirds are really close, huh? Holding hands even while getting in the car. Be careful not to bump your heads.”

 

Chi Yunhan felt Jiang Muning was acting too strangely. She cautiously tried to pull her hand back, but Jiang Muning tightened her grip, displaying a strange possessiveness.

 

But it wasn’t unpleasant.

 

The car stopped in front of a restaurant, and their hands briefly parted. Chi Yunhan clutched the strap of her bag, while Jiang Muning’s hand hovered in the air for a moment before she stuffed it back into her pocket.

 

Carrying her suit jacket in one hand and standing tall, Jiang Muning was immediately greeted by a waiter upon entering.

 

A French restaurant—Western cuisine.

 

There had been too many surprises today, and Chi Yunhan wasn’t used to it.

 

Jiang Muning flipped through the menu and ordered a few dishes. Seeing Chi Yunhan wasn’t very familiar with the options, she ordered the same for her.

 

The soft clinking of cutlery filled the elegant atmosphere as they ate slowly and delicately. A single steak wasn’t enough to fill Chi Yunhan, but she played the part of a lady, reaching for a napkin to wipe her mouth when Jiang Muning pushed a dessert toward her.

 

Chi Yunhan ate half and left the rest for Jiang Muning, whose appetite wasn’t as big. Much of the food remained on the table. When Jiang Muning went to pay, Chi Yunhan sighed regretfully.

 

She couldn’t understand it.

 

Why was this stuff so much more expensive than Chinese food?

 

When Jiang Muning returned, she was carrying several bags. Chi Yunhan looked at her in confusion. “Why did you buy more?”

 

Jiang Muning replied, “Didn’t you like it?”

 

Chi Yunhan screamed internally—Aah! She was upset about the waste, not because she liked the food! What a spendthrift!

 

Well, it was their first date. She couldn’t ruin the mood.

 

After leaving the restaurant, Jiang Muning carried the bags the whole way. It wasn’t until they’d walked two blocks that Chi Yunhan realized they’d eaten at a restaurant near the hospital.

 

As they walked further, she followed Jiang Muning upstairs to a hospital room. Jiang Muning placed the food on the table and said, “Go take a shower.”

 

Chi Yunhan sniffed the sweat on her clothes—it was pretty strong, especially after a full day at the office. She was surprised Jiang Muning had put up with it for so long.

 

Chi Yunhan asked, “Do you have any clothes I can change into?”

 

Jiang Muning handed her a set of clothes and added, “My secretary will come later to take you home. It’s not safe for you to go alone.”

 

Chi Yunhan nodded and headed to the bathroom. It wasn’t until she’d undressed that she realized something was off—hadn’t she meant to be reserved? How had things escalated to her showering in Jiang Muning’s room?

 

Jiang Muning seemed like a proper person. She probably wasn’t planning anything inappropriate.

 

After all, Jiang Muning was the poster child for Alpha ethics.

 

Chi Yunhan enjoyed a comfortable shower and came out wearing only a shirt. Since she wasn’t planning to stay the night, she hadn’t taken any pajamas. The shirt was long enough to cover her hips, so there was no risk of exposure.

 

But standing in the room like this still felt a bit revealing—her legs were too bare. Feeling self-conscious, she asked, “Do you have any pants?”

 

Jiang Muning was handling work, seated at the desk beside the bed.

 

Chi Yunhan went to the wardrobe herself to fetch some clothes. Jiang Muning’s garments were neatly hung, with a row of trousers at the bottom—all nearly identical, uniformly black suit pants. She randomly picked one and prepared to put it on.

 

Jiang Muning glanced over and caught sight of this scene.

 

Chi Yunhan leaned against the wardrobe, lifting her shirt as she raised one long leg to slide into the pant leg. The underwear inside was pink and seemed to have some words printed on it.

 

Jiang Muning squinted, trying to make it out but couldn’t quite see. She craned her neck forward, just as Chi Yunhan turned her head. Their eyes met, and instantly, both flushed crimson.

 

“There’s writing on your butt,” Jiang Muning quickly explained, attempting to justify her odd behavior to avoid misunderstanding.

 

“Oh…” Chi Yunhan still eyed her suspiciously. She pulled up the suit pants and fastened them. Since Jiang Muning was taller, the trousers were naturally longer. As Chi Yunhan bent to roll up the cuffs, Jiang Muning insisted seriously, “There really is writing on your butt.”

 

Her tone was firm.

 

So what if there was writing? Chi Yunhan had no intention of stripping to show her—that would be far too embarrassing. She nodded and said, “Yeah, there is.”

 

Then, Jiang Muning fell silent.

 

Chi Yunhan gritted her teeth, cursing herself for being such a straight arrow. In typical scenarios, when an Alpha pointed out something like this, the Omega would shyly comply and remove their pants.

 

But she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She wasn’t ready to strip in front of an Alpha and bare her butt—how mortifying would that be?

 

It was just too awkward.

 

Time passed slowly as Chi Yunhan fiddled with her phone, scrolling through the work group chat. Zuo Yijing was relentlessly praising Jiang Muning’s looks, claiming she’d seen her in person—a tall, fair-skinned beauty with long legs.

 

Others chimed in, echoing the compliments and tagging Chi Yunhan to chime in. Pretending not to notice, Chi Yunhan continued lurking.

 

Now wasn’t the time to speak up. Staying mysterious would only fuel their curiosity, making them even more envious of her enviable Alpha.

 

In the past, whenever people praised her, Fang Mengmiao would always step in with a few words. But today, she was silent as a mouse. Jiang Muning had left her so awestruck she couldn’t even bring herself to lie—what a face-gaining Alpha!

 

Chi Yunhan stretched her neck and glanced sideways at Jiang Muning, who sat ramrod straight, diligently working. Not only was Jiang Muning a credit to her pride, but she was also a model of hardworking youth. Chi Yunhan secretly snapped a photo, pretending to capture the scenery outside the window while actually framing Jiang Muning’s upright reflection in the glass. She posted it to her social media with just two words: Hospital.

 

On the computer screen, work documents and WeChat windows alternated as the mouse scrolled through contract text before clicking back to messages.

 

Jiang Muning typed: When will you arrive?

 

Secretary: President Jiang, my deepest apologies. The car broke down on the highway.

 

A photo followed, confirming the vehicle was indeed stranded on the freeway, with police and mechanics nearby. It looked like quite the incident.

 

After reviewing it, Jiang Muning turned to Chi Yunhan. “Tonight, you might…” She hesitated. She might have to go back alone.

 

Before coming, Jiang Muning had been adamant, but now, sending Chi Yunhan back by herself felt somewhat inappropriate. She searched for the right words.

 

“What’s wrong?” Chi Yunhan turned her head after reading the comments section. Jiang Muning was speaking haltingly, as if struggling to get the words out.

 

Chi Yunhan immediately understood and asked, “Your secretary can’t make it?”

 

Jiang Muning nodded.

 

“Oh,” Chi Yunhan responded softly, lowering her head before adding in a small voice, “Does that mean I can’t go back today? I’ll have to sleep here with you?”

 

Hmph. Jiang Muning is really something. First, she acted all proper to lower her guard, then lured her with late-night snacks, tricked her into taking a shower, and now that she’s all clean and fragrant, she pretentiously claims she can’t send her back—clearly just trying to have her way with her.

 

So many tricks up her sleeve, truly impressive.

 

It made her heart race uncontrollably.

 

Jiang Muning is a real Casanova!

 

Chi Yunhan glanced around the bed before walking to the other side and picking up a pillow. “Then I’ll sleep on the floor tonight.”

 

“No,” Jiang Muning interrupted. “I’m not telling you to sleep on the floor. I’m saying you should go back to your own place. Sleeping on the floor isn’t safe…”

 

“Stop it!” Chi Yunhan cut her off, frowning. “This is moving way too fast! If I don’t sleep on the floor, am I supposed to get back into bed? How can I possibly share a bed with you? We’re both pure, innocent maidens—sleeping together like this is completely inappropriate!”

 

Chi Yunhan spoke with utmost seriousness.

 

Jiang Muning pressed her lips tightly together, then parted them, before finally lowering her head in resignation, looking as if she didn’t want to speak another word—like she was saying, “Just leave me alone.”

 

Chi Yunhan could practically read the word “autistic” written all over her face. Seeing her so dejected and pitiful, she hesitated again and again.

 

Sigh.

 

Her heart softened in the end. Chi Yunhan was always weak to this kind of thing. She set the pillow down, pulled back the covers, and climbed into bed with a resigned sigh. “Fine, just for one night. Only one night.”

 

“And don’t you dare touch me tonight, got it? You’re really something—so infuriating, always scheming to trick me.”