She Acts Like a Big Shot [ABO] - Chapter 4

Xia Ke rode her small electric scooter straight to the building where Chu Xiangmo lived. She turned her head and said, “Senior, we’ve arrived.”

Chu Xiangmo still seemed somewhat unwell. After a moment, he responded, “Okay.”

It was already late at night. The surroundings were silent, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects.

After Chu Xiangmo got off the scooter, Xia Ke noticed that he looked much better than before. With concern, she asked, “Senior, are you feeling a bit better now?”

The man nodded slightly and said gently, “Thank you so much for today, Xia Ke. If it weren’t for you…” He paused and gave a bitter smile. “I might’ve ended up in an even worse situation.”

Xia Ke shook her head. “Not at all. I only did what anyone should do. Besides, you were a victim too. If it were me in your place, I know you’d help me as well.”

She was thoughtful enough not to ask what exactly had happened that night. It must have been painful for Chu Xiangmo, a scar he’d rather not reveal. And after all, it was his personal matter — if he didn’t want to talk about it, she wouldn’t press.

“Are you free tomorrow?”

“I’ll head back now, then.”

They spoke at the same time and both paused, then looked at each other and laughed.

Chu Xiangmo’s dark eyes, which had seemed strained before, now held a genuine smile. He looked like he was finally in better spirits.

Xia Ke felt slightly more at ease. She asked, “Senior, did you need something from me tomorrow?”

With a warm tone, Chu Xiangmo said, “You helped me today. Let me treat you to a meal tomorrow — if you’d do me the honor?” He seemed a little nervous, clearly hoping she’d say yes.

He then saw the girl’s eyes light up with joy, though she quickly looked embarrassed for showing it so openly. “Of course I’d love to. But honestly, I didn’t do much to help, so I feel a bit shy accepting…”

Chu Xiangmo gave a faint smile. Under the dim light of the night, his pallor and weakness were still hard to hide.

“There’s no need to feel shy. I’ll contact you tomorrow.”

A free meal meant she wouldn’t have to spend money!

Thinking about her financial situation, Xia Ke didn’t hesitate. She nodded, and after they said goodbye, she turned to leave — only to see Chu Xiangmo stumble after just a few steps, nearly falling.

Startled, Xia Ke quickly stopped her scooter, pulled out the key, and ran over to support him.

“Senior, are you still not feeling well?!”

Chu Xiangmo looked a little frustrated. “I’m fine. Just a bit exhausted. It’s late, and you must be tired too. Don’t worry about me, really.”

“You don’t look fine at all!” Xia Ke said worriedly. She couldn’t understand how Chu Xiangmo could be so bad at taking care of himself — and even now, he was worrying about her being tired?

There was no way Xia Ke could just leave him like this.

“I’ll walk you upstairs. Once you’re home safely, I’ll head back.”

Chu Xiangmo hesitated, as if still trying to refuse. “But…”

“No buts,” Xia Ke cut him off firmly. Seeing him in this state, she absolutely couldn’t just walk away.

“As a friend, I can’t just leave you like this, Senior.”

“Really?”

Xia Ke vaguely thought she heard a soft chuckle, but when she looked up, all she saw was the man still looking somewhat weak.

A trick of the mind? The thought flickered briefly through Xia Ke’s mind and quickly faded.

She wasn’t the type to overanalyze details—she’d always been a bit careless that way.

Chu Xiangmo leaned against her, but he didn’t put his full weight on her. He maintained just enough pressure to make it feel like she was helping him, but not so much that it became burdensome.

He could once again smell the clean, fresh scent that lingered on her.

But he was certain—it wasn’t the scent of pheromones.

Chu Xiangmo was highly sensitive to pheromones. What he was sensing now was something a Beta shouldn’t possess.

And yet, she did.

He’d known since he was a child that he was different—not only was he more sensitive to others’ pheromones, but his own pheromones had a uniquely powerful effect on others. Irresistibly so.

What began as a burden had become something he’d learned to use to his advantage.

But he hadn’t expected to meet someone who could remain composed in the presence of his pheromones—even when he had lost control.

Her blush hadn’t been caused by attraction or pressure. It was simply… shyness.

She, too, was a Beta.

With his lashes lowered, Chu Xiangmo turned slightly toward her, leaning a bit closer as if tired.

He could see her long eyelashes, the focused look in her eyes, and the fine downy hairs on her smooth, fair cheeks. Letting his gaze drift downward, he saw the curve of her slender neck.

Ding.
The elevator chimed and opened with a soft sound.

A gentle male voice followed, tinged with curiosity.
“Xiangmo?”

Startled by the presence of someone in the elevator, Xia Ke looked up—and her attention was immediately drawn to the man standing inside.

Wow. Another handsome guy.

The man in the elevator was tall, with long legs and immaculate clothing that didn’t have a single wrinkle. His features were refined and handsome, like an ink wash landscape seen through mist—mysterious and elegant. He exuded a quiet, trustworthy presence.

Perhaps Xia Ke stared for too long, because she suddenly felt the arm resting on her shoulder tighten slightly. Then she heard Chu Xiangmo speak.

“Mr. Lin.”

The man, addressed as Mr. Lin, glanced at the two of them and frowned. He stepped out of the elevator, concern in his voice.
“What happened? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Chu Xiangmo said with a faint smile, though there was still a trace of weakness in it. “Ran into a bit of trouble on the way back. A friend brought me home.”

Mr. Lin seemed about to say something when Chu Xiangmo added, “It’s nothing serious. Are you heading to work, Mr. Lin? No need to let me delay you.”

Work?

In the middle of the night?

Xia Ke found it a bit strange, but the two seemed familiar with each other, so she said nothing. She simply stayed quiet, playing the role of a polite bystander.

Mr. Lin…?

Xia Ke stole a quick glance at the man.

He looked to be about the same height as Chu Xiangmo. His demeanor was indeed gentle, and his eyes… were definitely fox-like!

Xia Ke wanted to check whether there was a small mole at the corner of his fox-like eyes, but before she could look closely, the two men had already finished their brief exchange—and suddenly, she found herself locking eyes with the man.

Startled, Xia Ke didn’t even have time to pretend she was admiring the scenery. The man with the fox eyes gave her a polite smile, as if simply offering a greeting, then turned and walked away.

For some reason, she felt as though something intriguing had just taken an interest in her.

Of course!

That man was Lin Lang!

One of the Alpha characters who appeared around Chu Xiangmo in the original novel.

Seeing how close she and Chu Xiangmo seemed, Lin Lang must be jealous!

Xia Ke felt like she’d uncovered the truth.

In the original story, Lin Lang was Chu Xiangmo’s neighbor and a doctor. From the very day Chu moved in, Lin Lang had been drawn to him by the pheromones Chu had unintentionally released. Ever since, he had watched Chu Xiangmo like a predator stalking prey.

The Alphas around Chu Xiangmo were anything but ordinary—they were top-tier. Whether in intelligence or genetics, they were unmatched. And their looks? Needless to say, they were stunning.

Although Lin Lang came across as gentle and courteous, always polite and well-mannered, he was in fact a master manipulator—no need to peel back any layers. His exterior was already dark. He excelled at letting his prey walk straight into the trap, only to beg him for mercy.

Thinking back to the novel, Xia Ke felt his name really did suit him. His methods were 浪 (unrestrained) indeed.

Some readers had even speculated in the comments that Chu Xiangmo’s eventual transformation into an Omega had something to do with Lin Lang, the gland specialist.

But since the original story was never completed, and Xia Ke had crossed over before finishing it, she didn’t know for sure.

“Xia Ke?”

Lost in her thoughts, Xia Ke snapped back to reality and looked up to see Chu Xiangmo’s deep, inky black eyes gazing at her. She blinked in surprise, only to see a trace of confusion in his gaze.

“Xia Ke, do you know Mr. Lin?”

Xia Ke quickly shook her head. As if! How could she possibly know someone like that—a super manipulator who could sell someone out and still have them thank him for it? If anything, she’d want to stay as far away as possible.

Chu Xiangmo narrowed his eyes slightly, but his expression remained calm, his tone still light and relaxed.

“He’s my neighbor—a doctor at the Provincial People’s Hospital, in the Gland Department. Maybe you’ll get a chance to meet him sometime.”

“No, no, really, that’s not necessary.” Xia Ke shook her head firmly. Seeing the puzzlement on Chu Xiangmo’s face, she quickly added, “You’ll probably laugh, but I’ve always been terrified of doctors. I used to cry for ages when I got shots as a kid. I really don’t want to get to know any doctors.”

Especially not Lin Lang. If he was a gland specialist, wouldn’t it be easy for him to find out something was off about her?

In the ABO world, glands were located at the nape of the neck. To someone unfamiliar with the details, Xia Ke could pass it off by saying hers wasn’t prominent. But in front of a doctor? That would be like trying to show off in front of a master craftsman. Utterly foolish.

Xia Ke quietly shook her head, completely unaware of the unreadable emotion that flickered in Chu Xiangmo’s dark gaze as he looked at her.

The elevator ride didn’t last long—they soon arrived at Chu Xiangmo’s floor.

Outside his apartment, there was a welcome mat, while the door across the hall was pristine and looked as if no one lived there.

Xia Ke knew that apartment belonged to Lin Lang—but that had nothing to do with her.

This world’s technology was more advanced than the one Xia Ke had come from, though in most ways, things weren’t too different.

Here, doors usually didn’t require keys. In fact, even fingerprint locks were outdated. Most homes now used iris scanners.

Xia Ke, however, was too poor to afford any biometric tech—not even a basic fingerprint lock. Even her little scooter was an ancient model that still used a physical key.

Chu Xiangmo invited her in for a glass of water, but Xia Ke waved him off politely.

Even though she knew they were technically the same gender, and there wasn’t anything taboo about it, she was tired after such a long night and just wanted to go home and rest.

Chu Xiangmo looked a bit regretful, but seeing how firm she was, he apologized and insisted on giving her a few items before letting her go.

After he closed the door, the smile on his face lingered for a moment—before gradually fading.

Anyone familiar with him would have been shocked by the sight.

When the typically gentle and radiant man stopped smiling, his aura turned cold and sharp like a hidden blade.

He thought idly to himself: no matter how thoroughly the Sheng family investigated, they would find only that he had left early. Though Xia Ke’s presence had been an unexpected variable, there were no pheromone traces left behind. And she wasn’t the kind of person who could be bribed by the Shengs.

His thoughts drifted to the girl’s clear, almond-shaped eyes… and the smooth softness of her skin under his fingers. As if reminded of something, his gaze darkened slightly. He reached up and touched the suppression patch on the back of his neck—there still seemed to be a faint trace of her scent on it.

Had he really lost control?
Or had he done it… on purpose?

Even Chu Xiangmo couldn’t tell anymore.