The Frail, Alluring O Always Wants Me to Mark Her (GL) - Chapter 25: 025

It was noon, and the warm sun was scorching.

The light that streamed in was infinitely divided into prisms by the blinds, falling on the small tea table and illuminating the Ace of Spades in the corner of the desk.

Zhu Lexing had paper slips stuck to her forehead, staring at the cards in her hand, her expression calm, making her inner thoughts unreadable.

The people around her held their breath. Qiao Qiao sat cross-legged opposite her, looking even cooler than her, but the paper slips on her face were double that of Zhu Lexing, instantly shattering the frosty atmosphere and making it look particularly comical.

“Three with one,” Zhu Lexing had just spoken when Song Yingying next to her immediately followed with a “King Bomb.”

Bombs, sequences, and four with two. With a smooth and fluid set of moves, the landlord Qiao Qiao was completely helpless, failing to play a single card out of her seventeen, and was completely shut out by the two.

Qiao Qiao looked at the scattered cards on the table, silent for a few seconds, then couldn’t help but say, “Zhu Lexing, you cheated.”

Zhu Lexing clicked her tongue: “If you can’t win, it’s cheating? Xu He, hurry up—”

Qiao Qiao was about to speak, but Xu He had already picked up a paper slip and stuck it on Qiao Qiao’s face—

Qiao Qiao, whose sight was again blocked by a new paper slip: “…”

She opened her mouth, hesitated, and then shifted her hostile gaze to Zhu Lexing.

Zhu Lexing, however, had taken out her phone at some point. She turned her head, directly facing the camera.

With a “click,” Zhu Lexing stood up immediately: “Let’s go! Zombie Qiao, I’ll escort you back.”

Qiao Qiao took a deep breath: “Delete the photo—”

Zhu Lexing stood at the door, clutching her phone, and turned back, showing the photo she took to the group.

A zombie sealed with talismans.

The group instantly got the joke and burst into laughter.

Zhu Lexing’s body was suddenly touched by something soft.

She looked over in surprise. Yan Mian stood behind her, quietly looking at her, only a few centimeters away. The two of them were so close, they could even…

…This distance was like that day on the stage.

Yan Mian would only have to lift her head to touch her lips.

To prevent any accidents, Zhu Lexing quickly retreated a few steps. Qiao Qiao seized the opportunity, snatched the phone from her hand, and deleted the photo.

The room was immediately noisy. Yan Mian, who was still standing in the same spot, stared at Zhu Lexing, whose eyes were half-covered by paper slips, before saying to the others, “Let’s go, class is starting.”

After the Lin family incident briefly concluded, Zhu Lexing and Yan Mian returned to normal life. The only exception was that after the last event, the relationship between the two and the entire stage play cast had grown much closer.

Xu He’s sudden friendliness toward Yan Mian initially worried Zhu Lexing, but Qiao Qiao stated directly, “Xu He is obsessed with good looks. She likes whoever is pretty.”

Zhu Lexing recalled their sharp opposition during their first meeting and asked suspiciously, “Then why doesn’t she like you?”

Qiao Qiao: “…Of course, because she’s jealous that I’m taller than her.”

What a bizarre reason.

But in this world, it felt completely natural.

For a group of well-bred young ladies from wealthy families, they weren’t interested in academics. Even if their families demanded they strive for excellence, they had already been force-fed skills like piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting in childhood.

Therefore, during their school years, their daily life, apart from eating, drinking, and having fun, held no other meaning. People like Qiao Qiao, who consistently practiced dance every day to maintain physical flexibility, were a minority.

They were still students, and their actions couldn’t be too extreme. The group’s way of relaxing was to gather in the lounge during breaks—

To play cards.

When Zhu Lexing first heard about their hobby, she thought she had transmigrated into a “Card Playing Diary.”

But their hobby was so… “positive.” Even though she felt speechless, Zhu Lexing quickly composed herself and enthusiastically joined in.

Xu He packed her things and, as she walked out the door, didn’t forget to draw out her voice: “Mianmian! How can I live without you—”

Zhu Lexing successfully retrieved her phone, subconsciously looked outside, confirmed Yan Mian had left, and then let out a sigh of relief, touching her burning ears: “Lie down and live!”

Yan Mian was forcibly dragged into this small group at Xu He’s invitation.

“Please, please, please come and call us back before class! I don’t want to be scolded by my family for being late again—”

Xu He spoke with genuine sincerity, and Yan Mian listened with genuine sincerity.

Since that day, Yan Mian would always knock on the door after lunch break. Occasionally, Li Nian would come on her behalf.

Shi Ruofeng eventually rented a room near Li Nian’s home. The two almost lived, ate, and went to school together, their relationship having grown considerably, but her relationship with Yan Mian had not cooled down either.

Zhu Lexing had long noticed their tendency to be solitary but couldn’t find a solution.

People’s social circles are different. Yan Mian was gentle and introverted, and liked being friends with Li Nian. Of course, she couldn’t force her to integrate into the group.

Xu He’s directness made this discrepancy disappear.

Therefore, she was sincerely grateful to Xu He.

Back in the classroom, many people were already awake from their naps. Song Yingying remembered something before entering the room and turned back to Zhu Lexing: “Um, Lexing, your face—”

Zhu Lexing then realized she hadn’t taken off a single paper slip. She tore all the slips off in one go, and the awkwardness from remembering Yan Mian’s gaze climbed up her back, giving her goosebumps.

Zhu Lexing sadly thought, was she really transmigrated here to save Yan Mian?

She was clearly here for daily social death!

Fortunately, under the daily stimulation of melodrama, Zhu Lexing had developed a strong heart.

Pretending to read for a while, she quietly asked Song Yingying: “Is there gym class this afternoon?”

Song Yingying nodded.

Zhu Lexing said, “Let’s queue up as a duo later. I’ll play the marksman, and you play the support. Stick to me, and we’ll take on eight players.”

No. 1 High School did not strictly require attendance for gym class; it was always optional.

Zhu Lexing’s perception of gym class was purely standing in the sun, so she always chose not to go. Yan Mian, due to her health, did the same.

But in Qiao Qiao’s words, gym class was a slacker’s paradise. No. 1 High School was equipped with a professional gym, which was the second venue for them to play cards.

Since the time was going to be wasted anyway, it was better to waste it now than later.

Zhu Lexing convinced herself, but Song Yingying shattered her fantasy: “We have to be active on the field; we won’t have time to play. Maybe tonight.”

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Song Yingying explained a bit more, and only then did she learn that the gym was exclusive to the Flying Class.

It wasn’t unreasonable, after all, it was built with funds provided by the Flying Class students’ parents.

But such differential treatment seemed a bit too much.

Song Yingying said, “It’s nothing. Everyone is used to it.”

Zhu Lexing didn’t say anything more, but after class, she went straight to find Qiao Qiao.

It was rare for her to come on her own initiative, so Qiao Qiao immediately waved her into the classroom. There weren’t many people in her Flying Class, with many empty seats. Zhu Lexing sat in the chair next to her and was handed a deck of cards as soon as she sat down.

“We can talk after this game,” Qiao Qiao said.

Zhu Lexing glanced at her hand and concluded: all bad cards.

So she simply gave up, waved her hand casually, and played a 3.

After the game ended quickly, Zhu Lexing said, “The gym—”

“Are you coming to the next class?” Qiao Qiao said, “It’s on the second floor behind the field. It’s not far. You can see it if you look back.”

Zhu Lexing said, “I mean, for everyone to use it together. After all, the lounge is shared.”

Qiao Qiao looked at her: “You are quite… caring. But this isn’t something I can decide who gets in. We’d have to ask the principal.”

Xu He casually said, “And then, he’ll tell you that since you’re so caring and can’t bear to see ordinary students treated differently, why don’t you ask your mom and dad to pay for and donate a gym for those students—”

Qiao Qiao: “That’s disgustingly accurate.”

Xu He rolled her eyes: “You brought it up yourself. But someone actually did suggest it, and a new one is being built. Don’t worry too much.”

Zhu Lexing could only sigh: “That’s not bad.”

While chatting, Qiao Qiao remembered something and said, “I’m going to differentiate in a while.”

Xu He glanced at her and paused: “Didn’t they say an Alpha feels something before differentiation? Do you feel anything?”

Qiao Qiao said seriously, “The urge to strangle you.”

Xu He: “…”

In the ensuing chaotic quarrel between the two, Zhu Lexing suddenly thought of herself. During the last check-up, although the doctor found no problems, they didn’t give a specific differentiation time either.

Normally, Zhu Lexing would just let the thought pass.

But now, with Qiao Qiao saying she was about to differentiate, Zhu Lexing felt that something was wrong.

One hundred percent wrong.

She suddenly asked, “Do you think… I might not differentiate into an Alpha?”

Otherwise, how to explain why she hadn’t felt any “differentiation” sensation until today?

As her voice trailed off, the two girls’ voices stopped.

Xu He looked at her in disbelief: “Zhu Lexing, you—”

“Are you sick?” the girl said concisely.

Zhu Lexing: ?

Why suddenly curse her!

Qiao Qiao said, “Normal Alpha differentiation happens around eighteen. You still have so much time. Why the rush?”

Xu He added, “You’re not trying to say the inhibitor shot is delaying your differentiation, are you? Saying that privately is fine, but if you post it on StarNet, you’ll be sued for compensation—inhibitors only suppress pheromones! Don’t overthink it!”

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Zhu Lexing felt a sudden realization and thought she was an idiot.

After transmigrating all this time, she actually needed her friends to give her a physiological science lesson.

Truly deserving of daily social death.

Xu He wouldn’t dwell on a topic. Seeing Zhu Lexing’s lack of reaction, she knew she was embarrassed and said, “There seems to be a sports day soon, but they probably won’t let us participate. After the meeting, let’s just go play cards.”

Zhu Lexing couldn’t help but ask, “Is playing cards the only thing in your school life?”

Xu He: “We can also play on our phones.”

Zhu Lexing thought, whoever is close to the protagonist is part of the protagonist group.

Since she was the protagonist, she naturally had the obligation to make the people around her more sunny and healthy.

Reforming the Protagonist Group’s lazy ways was her bounden duty!

But time was short; there wasn’t enough time to discuss the plan. Zhu Lexing decided to think about it later.

Qiao Qiao was scrolling on her phone and suddenly remembered something: “By the way, I was scrolling on StarNet the last two days and saw a film and television company that wants to adapt your stage play. They contacted me first. Look—”

Zhu Lexing was stunned, looking at the private message interface she showed.

As time passed, the popularity of the stage play had long subsided. Therefore, she had been thinking recently about how to make Yan Mian famous.

According to the internet in her past life, directly posting a “self-introduction” template video, playing some mini-games, attracting a certain number of fans, and then selling a sob story to consolidate the fanbase… after this whole template, it was normal for someone to become famous.

This world also prioritized “No. 1 popularity,” but the selection for film and television actors was particularly strict.

Zhu Lexing remembered Yan Mian in the original novel.

She eventually went into acting. The stage play also proved that she indeed had talent.

In this situation, unless someone fully funded her to be the female lead, it would be difficult for her to enter the entertainment industry easily.

Zhu Lexing had intended to start with Zhu Lin. If someone had already considered inviting Yan Mian to collaborate, the plan could change.

Regardless, that was for later.

After saying goodbye to the two, the class bell rang quickly. Zhu Lexing hesitated for a moment but decided to go to the gym class.

When life was too smooth, one needed to seek a little hardship for oneself.

The female Beta gym teacher for Class Seven seemed to be military-trained; she was extremely decisive and efficient.

After lining up, she announced: “Today’s goal is for everyone to divide into two groups and each do 30 sit-ups before class ends, supervising each other.”

“By the way,” she said, “Which student is Yan Mian? It doesn’t matter if you didn’t come, but if you did, you don’t need to do them.”

A female voice came from the ranks: “Okay.”

The voice was extremely close to Zhu Lexing. She was stunned, looked back, and Yan Mian was standing right behind her.

And behind the formation, on the second floor of the pure white teaching building, as Qiao Qiao said, was the gym.

Zhu Lexing’s eyesight was excellent; she could vaguely see the equipment inside and Qiao Qiao by the window, stretching her arms and doing a zombie hop.

The other party already had several paper slips on her face, having lost miserably.

Zhu Lexing subconsciously laughed out loud.

The instructor’s voice sounded: “Third row, seventh column, step out.”

Zhu Lexing was wondering who that was when the system reminded her helplessly: [Host, it’s you.]

And from behind, a hand gently pushed her back.

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Zhu Lexing’s smile froze on her lips, and she slowly walked out.

The instructor looked at her a few times: “You are Zhu Lexing? What are you laughing at? Is someone else’s gym class funny?”

Zhu Lexing: “…No!”

The instructor nodded: “It doesn’t matter if it is or not. You’ll add twenty sit-ups. Go do them now.”

“You—”

Zhu Lexing lay down silently on the mat, attempting to do a non-standard sit-up.

The instructor’s voice had already become somewhat muffled. The person seemed to have called someone to help Zhu Lexing.

Zhu Lexing thought that was okay.

At least it was better than the instructor personally supervising her.

After lying there for a few seconds, as the footsteps approached her, Zhu Lexing sat up.

As soon as she looked up, she saw Yan Mian, half-squatting in front of her under the dense shade of the trees, looking at her.

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Yan Mian crouched on one side of the mat, hesitated, and then pressed down on Zhu Lexing’s calves with both hands.

“Do them,” Yan Mian said.

Even though there was a layer of fabric, the girl’s hands felt like they had melted through it. Zhu Lexing felt uncomfortable.

But the instructor was already approaching, so she didn’t speak again. When she lay down once more, she thought of the time before.

Zhu Lexing’s midterm exam results exceeded everyone’s expectations. The night she got the test paper back, Liu Su passionately hugged her for a long time but didn’t forget to praise Yan Mian’s excellent score afterward.

Yan Mian also received a hug.

From a short distance away, Zhu Lexing noticed Yan Mian’s expression.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, she didn’t hug Liu Su back.

But even without hugging back, after that embrace, Zhu Lexing clearly felt that Yan Mian’s distance from her had subtly narrowed.

Today proved that point.

If their distance hadn’t closed, Yan Mian wouldn’t be here by her side right now.

After doing nearly thirty sit-ups, Zhu Lexing, who was exposed to the scorching sun, felt a hint of drowsiness.

Sit-ups were not difficult for an Alpha’s body; the repetitive motion had become muscle memory. She performed the movements instinctively, and Yan Mian also gradually relaxed, leaning forward.

Zhu Lexing was half-closing her eyes. When she sat up again using her core strength, Yan Mian suddenly turned her head to look at her.

The movement was sudden, and their cheeks nearly collided. Zhu Lexing involuntarily gasped in pain, and a tear, formed by the moisture from her drowsiness, rolled down.

Just at that moment.

Right in front of Yan Mian’s eyes.

Yan Mian looked astonished: “Zhu Lexing, you—”

“Ten more left—”

The instructor’s voice suddenly sounded, but Zhu Lexing couldn’t bother to listen. If she had to describe her feelings in one sentence:

Just die already!

Zhu Lexing felt that no one could be more socially dead than her.

Despite this, she avoided Yan Mian’s gaze and, as she fell back, stubbornly tried to explain, “Don’t misunderstand.”

Yan Mian looked understanding but said, “I won’t tell anyone else.”

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Don’t tell anyone what?! She was really just sleepy.

Even if she lived in a vacuum, she wouldn’t cry just from bumping her forehead!

What made her even more socially dead was that when she finally finished the fifty sit-ups as class was about to end, Zhu Lexing was about to catch her breath. Song Yingying, fearing Zhu Lexing might lack strength, held out her hand to her.

Zhu Lexing took Song Yingying’s hand. She had only taken two steps when she stumbled, and her knee hit the ground.

The field fell silent.

Zhu Lexing instinctively looked at Yan Mian, blinking. As her eyelashes became wet with water, Zhu Lexing knew.

It was over.

Until she walked out of the school infirmary, Zhu Lexing’s phone was still vibrating.

Messages came from all directions—

-I heard you cried just because you fell and scraped your knee? Hahaha…

-Alpha, cry, cry, it’s not a sin! Even the strongest A gets tired!

-Post Title Share: “My Delicate Alpha Goddess”—No. 1 High School Forum

Zhu Lexing felt like she was going blind.

She looked at the last shared link from Qiao Qiao and typed in shock: What is this?

Qiao Qiao replied instantly: [Fanfiction. Haven’t you seen ‘Dream Girl Literature’?]

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Of course, she had seen it. In her previous life, many people called her “Xingxing wife” and “goddess.” She received many love letters and affection.

But receiving them didn’t mean reading them. As an artist, she should maintain a distance from fans, so even though she knew there was a lot of her fanfiction online, Zhu Lexing had never personally clicked on it.

She was about to click to read when a commotion erupted in the distance.

“Lin Yang is here—”

“What is she doing? She actually said she’s going to apologize publicly to Zhu Lexing—”

Zhu Lexing: ???

Zhu Lexing was momentarily confused.

Lin Yang said she was going to apologize publicly? Had she heard correctly?

The system, however, spoke: [Since leaving the police station, Liu Su has been pressuring the Lin family through the Liu family’s influence. As of an hour ago, the Lin family has had nine partners terminate their contracts. The stock price has fallen below its minimum, with losses calculated in the tens of thousands per minute.]

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Zhu Lexing knew Liu Su was efficient and ruthless but hadn’t expected her to be this ruthless. Calculated at ten thousand per minute, that’s tens of millions a day.

No matter how rich the Lin family was, they couldn’t withstand such turmoil. Furthermore, with the stock price falling, shareholders would naturally flee, and the lost assets would likely double.

Zhu Lexing didn’t understand business warfare but still asked blankly: [Did they not even try to resist?]

Even in a novel, when a side character is overwhelmingly defeated by the protagonist, they would at least say a few angry words as a final statement before dying. The Lin family’s defeat was so silent that it didn’t fit Lin Song’s and Lin Yang’s ostentatious style.

[In fact,] the system continued to explain, [the Lin family has thought of many ways to recover before this, but they were all useless. Whether it was their most trusted partners or shareholders, they all actively abandoned the Lin corporation after hearing they provoked the Liu family.]

Zhu Lexing had thought the original host’s background was impressive, but she hadn’t realized it was the kind of background that could directly flatten the villainous side characters.

She was deeply shocked.

Truly worthy of a wealthy-family Mary Sue! Simply amazing!

Zhu Lexing wasn’t interested in Lin Yang’s apology. She wasn’t the one who truly deserved the apology.

Looking toward the teaching building, she quickened her steps.

Yan Mian had only gone to the office. When she returned, the way to the classroom was blocked.

She approached, puzzled, and the people around her excitedly said, “Is it true that Lin Yang is going to apologize to Zhu Lexing publicly? Why?”

“When asked, she said she must wait until Zhu Lexing arrives… Where is Zhu Lexing?”

“She fell flat on the field during gym class. She’s probably still in the school infirmary.”

One sentence was enough for Yan Mian to extract the key information.

…Lin Yang was going to apologize.

Even without knowing Liu Su’s methods, she could guess that the other party had done something privately.

Lin Yang’s visit this time was to seek peace and ask Zhu Lexing to let the Lin family off the hook.

What was this? If Lin Yang hadn’t done those things in the first place, wouldn’t they have avoided this outcome?

Yan Mian found it ironic, but also felt it had nothing to do with her. However, as it was an unavoidable path, she was about to turn around and go upstairs from the other side when, in the crowd, Lin Yang saw her: “Yan Mian!”

Lin Yang never imagined that life could fall from heaven to hell in just a few days.

Lin Yang couldn’t understand stock prices, but lawyers constantly came to her door to terminate contracts. At first, she thought it was a minor issue, but then some friends who were close to Lin Yang stopped replying to her messages. When she confided in them, they either sent a perfunctory emoji or blocked her directly.

In turn, Lin Yang would receive deliberately forwarded chat records from others. The content was the friend who blocked her mocking her.

The person said openly that the Lin family deserved this outcome. They had long been tired of Lin Yang, finding her hypocritical, mean, and pretentious. She kept clinging to Zhu Lexing even though Zhu Lexing looked down on her.

Lin Yang couldn’t bear it and used a secondary account to curse the person, only to be cursed back even more viciously.

[At least I can live comfortably for the rest of my life without doing anything. What about you, Miss Lin? You think your brother can really escape the law for his actions?]

[I advise you to be sensible and apologize to Yan Mian soon. Kneel and kowtow a few times, and the Liu family might spare you. If you keep holding out, your dad might also spend a few years in jail, right?]

After saying these words, the person immediately blocked Lin Yang.

Lin Yang was completely unable to understand why a minor issue would turn out like this. Not until she personally saw both her father and brother looking agitated and anxious.

In the beginning, when they saw her, the two of them would instinctively restrain themselves and reassure her that it was a small matter.

But as the situation became more and more desperate, they eventually started arguing.

Lin Yang was unwilling to come and apologize today; Lin Song forced her to come.

The usually easy-going person was exceptionally ruthless: “If you don’t get Zhu Lexing’s forgiveness, don’t come back to the Lin family.”

Lin Yang wanted to contact Zhu Lexing directly, but the other party had blocked her account at some point. At school, the teachers also seemed to have been forewarned and ignored her. Her former friends also adopted a unified position and ignored her.

The people surrounding her now were the ones she used to look down on the most. She felt humiliated, but she still had to actively inform these people of her purpose for being here.

A public apology—without a public, how could it count as an apology?

Lin Yang understood, but because she understood, she felt even more humiliated.

Seeing Yan Mian in the crowd, Lin Yang had intended to ignore her, but upon seeing her turn to leave with an indifferent attitude, Lin Yang felt even more humiliated and called out to her.

“Where is Zhu Lexing?” Lin Yang walked up without hesitation, and Yan Mian instinctively retreated a few steps.

Lin Yang noticed this action and finally felt that the sense of shame she felt was lessened somewhat.

So what if the Lin family was temporarily down on its luck? She was still better than Yan Mian, no matter what.

“Speak up?” Lin Yang reached out and pushed Yan Mian’s shoulder without hesitation.

Someone immediately spoke up: “Don’t ask questions like that.”

“Yeah, have a better attitude… Yan Mian doesn’t owe you anything.”

Lin Yang looked at those people and sneered: “Do you think you need to tell me how to treat her?”

Yan Mian listened to Lin Yang’s aggressive tone and suddenly found it ridiculous.

Even now, couldn’t Lin Yang recognize the situation and see who should be the one backing down?

“I don’t know where Zhu Lexing is,” Yan Mian said without hesitation. “But if you maintain this attitude, she won’t forgive you, and Auntie Liu won’t either.”

Lin Yang was instantly struck where it hurt and cursed, “Whether Zhu Lexing forgives me is her business! Do you think your identity is something to boast about? The daughter of a mistress is pointing fingers now. What are you?”

The moment the word “mistress” came out, the atmosphere instantly changed subtly.

Although in the upper circle, everyone knew that Zhu Lin only got together with Jiang Yue many years after his divorce, and she was not a mistress. But when cursing, who cared about that?

The people around them, however, weren’t clear on the facts. The subconscious association was that Yan Mian’s mother had interfered in Lin Yang’s family. Otherwise, how to explain this sudden hostility?

Yan Mian felt her body trembling involuntarily. She tried her best to steady her voice and said coldly, “Slander is punishable by law.”

“Punishable?” Lin Yang looked at her in this state and finally felt that the recent pent-up frustration had been greatly relieved. She sneered, “Who’s going to sue me? You yourself? If it weren’t for Zhu Lexing, you wouldn’t even be—”

“Wouldn’t even be what?”

A cold, sharp female voice suddenly sounded. Lin Yang instinctively looked over. Zhu Lexing stood not far away. She was unwrapping the bandage on her hand and walked straight toward them. She stood in front of Yan Mian, unconsciously shielding her behind her, blocking Lin Yang’s view.

Yan Mian’s turbulent emotions were suddenly propped up by something, suspended in mid-air, unable to rise or fall.

At the first sight of Zhu Lexing, Lin Yang instantly lost all her previous arrogance. She bit her lip and said, “Lexing, I—”

“My name is Zhu Lexing,” Zhu Lexing said expressionlessly. “Didn’t you want to apologize to me? Say it.”

Lin Yang hadn’t expected her not to give her even a moment. But her original purpose was this, so she took a breath and, without much hesitation, said, “I’m sorry, Lexing.”

She even bowed, thinking this was enough sincerity.

Zhu Lexing, however, stared quietly at Lin Yang. The setting sun cast a beautiful, striking outline on her profile. The corner of her mouth curved in a faint, sardonic smile: “When you apologize, shouldn’t you also say why you’re apologizing? After all, it’s a public apology.”

She emphasized the last four words, and Lin Yang froze in place.

After a few seconds of silence, the Omega bit her lip and said, “I did some things too impulsively before, and I hope you can overlook it.”

Zhu Lexing said, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you just bow? You’re not going to bow this time? Why?”

Lin Yang was then forced to bow again: “Is this enough?”

“Enough?” Zhu Lexing had heard the entire course of Lin Yang’s cursing on her way here and was full of anger. She scoffed, “What exactly did you do that counts as impulsive and warrants two apologies? What were the causes and consequences? Why aren’t you explaining clearly?”

The surrounding stares were focused on the faces of the few people.

This time, not only Lin Yang was frozen, but even Yan Mian was a little confused by Zhu Lexing’s sudden burst of anger. But thinking carefully, she could understand it.

After all, the pain from an Alpha injecting an inhibitor was real. It was only natural for Zhu Lexing to feel fear afterward and be angry with Lin Yang. However, Yan Mian vaguely felt that this was not Zhu Lexing’s true intention.

But if this wasn’t her true intention… what was Zhu Lexing’s goal? To make Lin Yang publicly admit to the drugging incident and drag her and Shi Ruofeng into it?

Yan Mian wasn’t sure of Zhu Lexing’s real motive, but the other party turned back to look at her at this moment.

After a few seconds of silence, Zhu Lexing suddenly stepped back and stood beside Yan Mian.

Lin Yang’s expression was completely blank, as if she genuinely didn’t know what she should apologize for or how to apologize. This innocent cruelty made Zhu Lexing feel disgusted from the bottom of her heart.

“Should I start for you?” Zhu Lexing said without hesitation, “Why did the lights fall during the stage play? Can you give Yan Mian an explanation now?”

Almost instantly, everyone remembered the incident where the chandelier fell toward Yan Mian on the stage that day.

If Zhu Lexing hadn’t pulled Yan Mian away, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

The school did launch an investigation into this matter, but in the end, only a temporary worker was taken to the police station for questioning.

How could this be related to Lin Yang?

Lin Yang froze in place.

This incident was tantamount to attempted murder, and she herself knew it. Therefore, Lin Song had insisted she deny any involvement, or even the Lin family couldn’t protect her.

When Zhu Lexing asked her now, Lin Yang instinctively said, “How would I know? Wasn’t that an accident?”

Her face instantly flushed, and her tone even became agitated. Others immediately sensed something was wrong: “If it’s not you, why are you so guilty?”

“I’m not guilty,” Lin Yang said angrily. “This has nothing to do with me…”

The Omega looked at Zhu Lexing, meeting Yan Mian’s gaze instead.

Lin Yang suddenly realized why Zhu Lexing brought this up.

In front of the crowd, if Zhu Lexing didn’t actively explain, the incident would inevitably be exaggerated and posted online. The swirling public opinion was enough for everyone to drown the Lin family in spit.

What Zhu Lexing truly wanted was never just an apology from her.

It was an apology to Yan Mian.

Just those four words, apologize to Yan Mian, made Lin Yang feel immense humiliation.

But the Alpha’s gaze quietly rested on her face, merging with the surrounding looks. Lin Yang gritted her teeth and finally lowered her head again.

Others were still waiting for Lin Yang to explain the whole story, leaning forward in anticipation.

Lin Yang’s words were: “I’m sorry, Yan Mian. Your… your mother is not a mistress. Everything was just me being too angry and speaking impulsively. I hope you can… overlook it.”

Lin Yang spoke hesitantly, feeling extremely humiliated.

She had only wanted to say sorry, but Zhu Lexing clearly wouldn’t be satisfied with just that and would demand further elaboration. Instead of apologizing to Yan Mian multiple times… it was better to resolve it all at once.

Upon noticing the change in the Omega’s expression, Zhu Lexing knew the other party had guessed her true intention.

After the “I’m sorry” was uttered, Zhu Lexing looked at Yan Mian. A moment of confusion flashed across the girl’s face, but only for a moment. The next second, she snapped out of her daze and coldly watched the scene, like an observer.

Yan Mian could be indifferent, but Lin Yang had to apologize.

This was a matter of principle.

As Zhu Lexing thought this, the class bell suddenly rang.

Everyone had not yet recovered from the sudden change in her apology. The teacher, who had been motionless in the office until now, walked out with a book and urged, “Alright, class is starting. Head back to your classrooms.”

He deliberately ignored the three people in the center.

Zhu Lexing looked at Yan Mian, about to ask if she was satisfied. If not, it was only fair to make Lin Yang apologize again.

Yan Mian, however, spoke: “Let’s go.”

Zhu Lexing paused, realizing the sentence was directed at her. Her eyebrows arched instantly. Suppressing the slightly joyful feeling in her heart, she said to another teacher who poked his head out: “Please call security.”

Lin Yang stood rooted, watching the two leave. She asked blankly, “Lexing, my family’s situation—”

Zhu Lexing stood still, thought for a moment, and answered earnestly, “That was arranged by Ms. Liu. Why are you asking me? If you want her to let you off, you should go find her personally.”

Almost instantly, Lin Yang realized that she had been played by Zhu Lexing the entire time she had been standing there.

The other party had never intended to intercede for her. Making her bow and apologize was just a form of spectacle.

Lin Yang tried to pester her further, but the security guard had already stopped her.

Zhu Lexing no longer looked at her, calmly retracting her gaze.

Song Yingying had been in the classroom but had also heard about Lin Yang’s incident. She seemed to want to ask Zhu Lexing, but seeing her indifferent expression, she didn’t dare to speak.

All the way home, Zhu Lexing didn’t say another word to Yan Mian, but her phone vibrated non-stop during the journey. Clearly, a few people were asking for the details of the story.

After returning to her room, Zhu Lexing casually replied to a few messages. Qiao Qiao and the others also disliked Lin Yang, mocked the outcome a bit, and then moved on to other topics. They naturally avoided mentioning the person they disliked.

Scrolling through the chat records, Zhu Lexing let out a breath, slowly took out her homework, and prepared to do as much as she could when a gentle knock came on her door.

She thought it was the maid coming to clean the room and casually said, “Come in.”

But as the door opened, what greeted her was a faint scent of lily of the valley.

Zhu Lexing paused her scrolling and looked up.

Yan Mian placed a roll of bandage on the desk. Meeting her gaze, the Omega seemed a little flustered. After a few seconds of silence, Yan Mian said, “After changing the medicine on your hand, you can wrap this around it.”

Zhu Lexing hadn’t expected Yan Mian to just walk into her room like this.

After Yan Mian differentiated into an Omega, the scent of lily of the valley always subtly floated in the air of the Zhu family home.

Even if Zhu Lexing didn’t want to admit it, after transmigrating into an Alpha, she could feel herself developing a “territorial consciousness.” Her room was her own. Once the scent was fixed, she couldn’t easily allow other scents to enter; otherwise, it would be an invasion of her territory.

Yan Mian’s sudden arrival was breaking this subtle balance.

But looking at Yan Mian’s face, Zhu Lexing was only momentarily distracted and couldn’t feel any “anger.”

After a few seconds of silence, Zhu Lexing came to her senses. Just as she was about to say goodbye to Yan Mian, the system suddenly spoke: [Time-limited mission: Get Yan Mian to apply medicine for the host, or the host proactively applies medicine for Yan Mian.]

Zhu Lexing: ?

She applies medicine for Yan Mian?

Why?

Was Yan Mian hurt?

Just as she was stunned, Yan Mian was already walking out. Zhu Lexing’s excellent eyesight noticed a slight hesitation in her right leg.

“…Wait.”

The female voice came suddenly.

Yan Mian stopped in her tracks.

Before opening the door, she knew it wasn’t appropriate for an Omega to come to a room belonging to an Alpha-to-be alone. But Zhu Lexing was afraid of pain, yet too proud to let others know.

Who would send medicine to Zhu Lexing besides her?

Yan Mian stopped and slowly turned back.

The girl was still sitting in the chair, but the light from her phone had dimmed.

Zhu Lexing looked down, her voice muffled: “I actually scraped my leg too, but other parts of my body hurt, so it’s a bit inconvenient.”

“…Could you help me apply the medicine?”

As if afraid of her refusal, Zhu Lexing added, “Not here.”

“In the living room is fine.”

Yan Mian quietly looked at her, then turned and walked out.

It was still early, and the living room light wasn’t on. The sunset was splendid. After sitting on the sofa, Zhu Lexing rolled up her trouser leg. The injury was only a small patch, not scary. In Zhu Lexing’s own view, it was the type that would heal quickly, so she didn’t mind.

Yan Mian, however, paused after seeing the wound, her movements becoming even more careful, like a feather lightly tickling her heart.

The faint lily-of-the-valley scent from Yan Mian was covered by the strong smell of medicine.

“Thank you for the afternoon,” Yan Mian suddenly spoke, jolting Zhu Lexing out of her distraction.

She lowered her eyes: “It’s nothing.”

Besides, this was what Zhu Lexing should have done.

Zhu Lexing looked at the top of Yan Mian’s head, feeling her gentle movements. To avoid awkwardness, she lightly coughed and found a topic: “Qiao Qiao told me that a professional film and television company wants to adapt the stage play.”

Yan Mian’s movement didn’t stop: “Is that so?”

“Then they should contact you.”

Yan Mian didn’t think Qiao Qiao would lie, so she didn’t doubt it.

But what did this have to do with her?

After Jiang Yue left, Zhu Lexing had returned to normal. Without the biggest driving force, Yan Mian naturally wouldn’t insist on the entertainment industry.

Compared to an uncertain future, she preferred things she could do well.

Zhu Lexing said, “I think you could play the female lead.”

Yan Mian’s movements finally paused.

“Do you want me to enter the entertainment industry?”

Her question was sudden. Zhu Lexing replied honestly: “You are very beautiful. You have the potential to become famous. Why not?”

Yan Mian said, “Do you sincerely think so and want me to go? Or do you hope that after I become famous, I can give back to Uncle Zhu and the Zhu family?”

The question was sudden and sharp. After she spoke, not only was Zhu Lexing stunned, but Yan Mian also realized her impoliteness and bit her lip.

She suddenly realized that she seemed to have lost some psychological balance because of the past few days of “peaceful” life.

Liu Su was a gentle person. Yan Mian had never been exposed to such a person. She was polite, knew boundaries, tolerant, patient, and strong. In front of her, Yan Mian felt she didn’t need to worry about anything.

Just focus on studying.

However, this life did not belong to her.

She belonged to Zhu Lexing.

She belonged to the Zhu Lexing who had once detested her to the extreme.

Moreover—whether to give back or not was a matter for the future.

Zhu Lexing bringing this up now only meant one thing. She was willing to let Zhu Lin and Liu Su invest resources in her.

This was a kind intention.

Yan Mian could distinguish it, yet she didn’t want to.

The medicine was applied. Yan Mian said, “I’m sorry.”

She wrapped up and threw away the cotton swab. Zhu Lexing, however, said, “You got hurt, too, right?”

Yan Mian instinctively said, “No.”

“Your leg.”

“…Why didn’t you treat it?” Zhu Lexing asked.

Since Yan Mian brought the medicine, it meant she had been to the school infirmary.

“I hope you…” Zhu Lexing said, “I can’t say hope; it’s just my suggestion. If it makes you uncomfortable, I—”

Zhu Lexing wanted to apologize, but “Zhu Lexing” wouldn’t apologize.

She could only say, “In short. I suggest you enter the entertainment industry, not because I want to use you or the Zhu family wants to use you. I’m not looking to gain profit from you; I just—”

Yan Mian looked up at her.

The door opened with a woman’s voice saying thank you.

Song Yun was wearing a long trench coat. Seeing their current posture, she raised an eyebrow slightly: “Did I interrupt you?”