Transmigrated as a Scum Alpha Cannon Fodder, Sweetly Pampering the Heroine - Chapter 27

When Xu Jinman rushed over, Lu Yun was sitting calmly on the sofa, sipping tea. But Xu Jinman couldn’t help but recall the stereotypical evil mothers-in-law she’d seen on television.

 

Shen Shu stood beside her, her expression as impassive as ever.

 

Lu Yun’s face softened into a loving smile when she saw Xu Jinman. “You’re back?” Then, her tone shifted. “Go ahead and go inside. I want to have a word with my daughter.”

 

The last sentence was directed at Shen Shu.

 

Xu Jinman instinctively frowned. Does she think everyone owes her something?

 

Before she could speak, Shen Shu said, “I’m going out for a bit.”

 

As soon as Shen Shu left, Lu Yun beckoned Xu Jinman to sit beside her. She took the insulated pot from the table, placed it on her lap, and opened it. The savory aroma of shrimp and scallop congee immediately filled the air.

 

Even though Xu Jinman disliked Lu Yun, she couldn’t remain completely indifferent.

 

“I personally picked out the ingredients this afternoon. Does it taste good? Eat this shrimp.” Lu Yun selected a large shrimp, peeled it, and placed it on Xu Jinman’s spoon. “Manman, you never answer my calls when you’re angry. Your mother worries about you.”

 

Xu Jinman retorted, “Zhou Pei answered, didn’t she?”

 

For a moment, Lu Yun thought Xu Jinman knew Zhou Pei was her mole. But when she looked up, Xu Jinman’s expression was as calm as ever. “Asking her wouldn’t be as good as seeing for myself,” Lu Yun said.

 

Xu Jinman put down her bowl, feeling uncomfortable staying in Shen Shu’s home without permission.

 

“I’m fine. You should go home early,” Xu Jinman said.

 

“I’m staying here the next few days to take care of you. Professor Qin said you haven’t been feeling well lately, and you looked deathly pale the other day. How can I leave you alone?”

 

Xu Jinman insisted she didn’t need help, but Lu Yun was determined to stay.

 

“And Manman,” Lu Yun continued, placing her hand on Xu Jinman’s slightly warm wrist, “Mom always thought we understood each other about this, so I never brought it up. You’re doing well now, but remember, you have a share of the Xu Family fortune. No one can take that away from you. You can’t give it up for any reason, understand?”

 

Honesty is good, Xu Jinman thought. “Maybe someday, but right now I’m not interested in fighting over the family fortune. I’m perfectly capable of supporting myself.” She paused, then added, “And my family.”

 

As Lu Yun finished speaking, she noticed Lu Yun’s gaze sharpen slightly. The pressure on her wrist increased subtly. “Do you realize what you’re saying? You’re not interested? Manman, what did that woman tell you?”

 

Lu Yun narrowed her eyes. “So that’s it. She abandoned the Shen Family, willingly debasing herself to become an actress, all because she had you and the Xu Family as her backing. And now she’s trying to manipulate you too, is she?”

 

“Enough. This has nothing to do with Shen Shu. I simply don’t want it,” Xu Jinman said, her voice weary. The mention of Shen Shu only deepened her irritation. These people always had a hundred reasons to resent and despise Shen Shu.

 

If Shen Shu truly saw her as a crutch and was now urging her to leave the Xu Family, wouldn’t that be contradictory?

 

“The Xu Family might seem important to you, but I genuinely don’t want it,” Xu Jinman said, smoothing the skin over her flat gland. “Xu Tao has two other children he favors—a son and a daughter. Even if I wanted it, I wouldn’t stand a chance. There’s no point in fighting for it.”

 

Bang!

 

The response was a heavy slam on the table.

 

“I’ll indulge you in anything else, but on this one thing, I absolutely refuse.”

 

Lu Yun stared at her, her bloodshot eyes shimmering with a thin layer of tears beneath the anger. “There’s no room for negotiation. Even if you don’t want it, I’ll find a way to make sure you get it. Because it’s what you deserve, what we deserve… Manman, you’re my daughter. Just this once, please listen to your mother, okay?”

 

What did she mean by “deserve”? Was it because Jinman was a member of the Xu Family, or did Lu Yun know something else? Was she feeling guilty, hence the claim that Jinman deserved it?

 

Jinman leaned toward the latter.

 

A mother would surely notice her child’s injuries.

 

Perhaps noticing Jinman’s pale complexion, Lu Yun suddenly remembered her daughter’s fragile mental state and decided not to push further.

 

“Manman, are you tired? Drink your porridge first. We can talk about this later.”

 

Shen Shu returned after receiving a call from Xu Jinman.

 

“So she’s really staying?”

 

Xu Jinman turned to lock the bedroom door, looking troubled. “I’ll try to get her to leave tomorrow.”

 

“Will that work?” Shen Shu asked gently. “We can’t just drag her out now.”

 

Shen Shu paused. “I’m not that cruel,” she said quietly.

 

Even if she disliked Lu Yun, she wouldn’t go so far as to kick her own mother out.

 

Xu Jinman found something off about Shen Shu’s words. Just a few days ago, they had been dining together, their relationship seemingly thawing. Yet now, it felt like spring had turned to winter overnight, with Shen Shu snapping at her at every opportunity.

 

Omega minds are so hard to read, Xu Jinman thought.

 

Shen Shu went to tidy the guest room. When Lu Yun entered, she wrinkled her nose. “What kind of blanket is this? It smells musty. How long has it been since you aired it out? How can you call yourself a wife if you can’t even handle basic household chores?”

 

Xu Jinman’s forehead twitched. Here it comes, she thought, the classic mother-in-law drama—nitpicking.

 

“This is a freshly laundered blanket,” Shen Shu replied calmly.

 

Cai Ying was the only guest who had ever stayed over, and she always slept with Shen Shu. The guest room and spare blankets had barely been used.

 

Lu Yun opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Xu Jinman stepped in and pulled Shen Shu close. “Mom, I think I should have someone take you home. You might not be comfortable here tonight, and insomnia is bad for you.”

 

Lu Yun: “…Fine, I’ll make do.”

 

Xu Jinman led Shen Shu back to their bedroom.

 

They exchanged a knowing glance, both understanding they would be spending the night together in the room.

 

Xu Jinman touched her neck and said, “Same as always, I’ll make a makeshift bed on the floor.”

 

Unlike the Shen Family’s mansion, where plush carpets covered the floors, Shen Shu’s rented apartment had only cold, hard, light beige ceramic tiles. Without a thick pad, it would be difficult to sleep comfortably.

 

“There’s only one spare blanket,” Shen Shu said, pulling a thin fleece blanket from the closet and placing it on the bed. “Use this. It’s a bit thin.”

 

It was the blanket she usually used on the sofa, only about 1.5 meters long.

 

“…” Xu Jinman replied, “It’s fine. I’m tough.”

 

“Even if you weren’t, this is all we have.”

 

Hearing this, Xu Jinman paused in spreading the blanket on the floor, hissed softly, and moved closer to the bed. She was already standing nearby, so a couple of steps brought her right beside Shen Shu.

 

Lowering her voice to a soft, breathy whisper, she looked up at Shen Shu with a teasing smile. “Miss Shen, can I ask you something?”

 

Shen Shu caught a faint scent from Xu Jinman and shifted uncomfortably. “What is it?”

 

When talking to people, Shen Shu rarely took a step back or showed any vulnerability, especially not in front of Xu Jinman.

 

Xu Jinman looked at her, suddenly took a small step back, leaned in slightly until their eyes were level, and said with a smile, “Don’t be angry, okay?”

 

Even though she still didn’t understand why Shen Shu was upset.

 

She was afraid that asking why would only make Shen Shu angrier. Girls were like that.

 

The best approach was to show vulnerability first.

 

Shen Shu: “…I’m not angry.”

 

Xu Jinman: “Really?”

 

Xu Jinman’s face held a gentle expression, her eyes curved into a fixed smile, her gaze focused on whatever she looked at.

 

Is Xu Jinman in a particularly good mood today, or what? Shen Shu wondered, responding with a noncommittal murmur and averting her eyes as she walked past.

 

After resting in her room for a while, Lu Yun came out to find Xu Jinman sitting at the table with her laptop. “Manman, this place is too small,” she said. “Let’s move somewhere bigger right away.”

 

Xu Jinman replied, “No need. It’s just right for Shu Shu and me.”

 

The subtext was obvious.

 

Lu Yun said, “I get it. You’re telling me I’m not welcome here?”

 

Xu Jinman said, “Mom, there’s nothing to worry about. Get some sleep. I’ll have Zhou Pei take you home tomorrow.”

 

Lu Yun studied her daughter for a moment. Her face was still the same, but her temperament had changed drastically. Though her mood was no longer as volatile as before, Lu Yun couldn’t shake the feeling that this daughter… was a stranger.

 

She walked over and glanced at the screen. It displayed sales data for the three major suppressant brands. “Manman, are you interested in suppressant research?”

 

“Just browsing.”

 

“You’ve really grown up.”

 

I’m 26. How could I not have grown up?

 

After their earlier conversation, Xu Jinman could guess where this was headed. She closed her laptop and rubbed her neck. “Mom, you should get some sleep. I’m going to bed too.”

 

Xu Jinman instinctively reached for the door to knock, but sensing Lu Yun’s gaze still on her, she simply opened the door and walked in.

 

The moment the door swung open, a flash of pure white filled her vision.

 

Xu Jinman: “……”

 

Shen Shu quickly pulled down her long dress. “Why didn’t you knock?”

 

Xu Jinman took a deep breath, turned her back, and explained, “I didn’t expect you to be changing.”

 

“You lock the door next time,” Shen Shu said.

 

Shen Shu didn’t reply. Xu Jinman had been on the sofa the whole time, and she hadn’t expected her to walk in just then.

 

“Go ahead and change,” Xu Jinman said. “I won’t look.”

 

Shen Shu’s bedroom had a small balcony separated by curtains, but the floor-to-ceiling glass doors weren’t closed, allowing faint car horns from outside the residential complex to occasionally drift in.

 

Xu Jinman turned her back, listening to the soft rustling of clothes behind her, and scratched her itchy ear.

 

The blanket was indeed very thin.

 

Xu Jinman lay with the blanket pressed beneath her, half of it draped across her chest. Only her head, resting on the pillow, felt warm.

 

She wasn’t sleepy at all.

 

On the contrary, she felt increasingly alert. Suddenly, she reached back to touch her nape.

 

Her glands had been tingling faintly since earlier, and her heart was racing slightly, yet her skin showed no visible changes.

 

She rolled over and closed her eyes.

 

A sweet, fragrant scent kept drifting into her nostrils. Xu Jinman’s breathing grew uneven. After a few seconds, she took a deep breath.

 

She opened her eyes.

 

Slowly, she brought the blanket to her nose, inhaling the vanilla-honey pheromones clinging to it—Shen Shu’s scent.

 

 

At ten o’clock that night, the overhead light in the room went out, leaving only the desk lamp to cast a cool glow on the white ceiling.

 

The silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of pages turning.

 

Shen Shu turned her head to look at the woman lying on the bed below.

 

Xu Jinman was facing away from her, dressed as usual in a nightgown with a blue-gray silk robe draped over it. Her long legs were curled up slightly on the five-foot-wide blanket, looking almost forlorn.

 

Why does it feel like I’m bullying her? Shen Shu wondered.

 

Xu Jinman’s body twitched as her phone vibrated.

 

Shen Shu averted her gaze from Xu Jinman’s pale feet, which peeked out from under the edge of the blanket.

 

Xu Jinman picked up her phone.

 

It was a reply from Professor Qin.

 

Professor Qin: It’s likely unrelated to your PTSD. Although the suppressant I gave you a few days ago was experimental, data analysis suggests that if PTSD symptoms are controlled before an episode, the chances of a recurrence so soon are very low—unless you’ve experienced extreme stimulation again.

 

Professor Qin: Consider that it might be due to overactive Alpha hormones. Excitement, sexual arousal, deep kissing, skin contact—all these could trigger it. The specific intensity varies from person to person.

 

Xu Jinman: “?”

 

She hadn’t done anything particularly exciting.

 

Suddenly, the sweet pheromone molecules popped lightly like cotton candy, leaving a faint, tingling aftertaste.

 

Xu Jinman: What if none of those apply?

 

Professor Qin paused for two seconds before asking: Are you with Miss Shen?

 

Xu Jinman snapped back to attention: Yes.

 

Professor Qin: Then it’s perfectly normal. As I mentioned before, your pheromone compatibility is 99%, making you both highly sensitive to each other’s pheromones. Since you’re still in the Alpha hormone stabilization period, even proximity within three meters could trigger your pheromone hormones to become excited and active.

 

Xu Jinman: “……”

 

Why did this feel so awkward?

 

She wondered why this hadn’t happened before.

 

Professor Qin explained: This phenomenon is relatively rare, but there are precedents. One Secondary Differentiator experienced something similar—she happened to meet someone with extremely high pheromone compatibility. As time went on, her reactions to being with her girlfriend only intensified.

 

As long as it wasn’t a stress response or a manic episode, Xu Jinman breathed a small sigh of relief.

 

After all, she was currently in the same room as Shen Shu, and she had already witnessed her own stress-induced behavior.

 

She replied with a simple “Understood.”

 

Just as she was about to put her phone away, it vibrated again.

 

Professor Qin: Miss Xu, after further consideration, I feel compelled to remind you that your prolonged cohabitation as an Alpha-Omega pair is fraught with danger. Your heat cycles and rut periods alone are like two landmines, and given the instability of your rut, an explosion could occur at any moment.

 

Xu Jinman’s heart skipped a beat when she read the last sentence.

 

She wasn’t one for lying, and her frequent deceptions toward Shen Shu left her feeling guilty and uneasy.

 

As she pondered this, she suddenly heard Shen Shu answer a call.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Is it serious?” Shen Shu paused briefly. “Understood.”

 

Xu Jinman could only hear a muffled buzzing through the phone.

 

After listening for about half a minute, Shen Shu let out an almost imperceptible sigh and asked softly, “Which hospital? Hmm, I’ll go tomorrow.”

 

“What’s wrong?” Xu Jinman asked, sitting up slightly from the floor.

 

Shen Shu put down her phone, her lashes lowered, the cold white light illuminating her profile. “My father’s been hospitalized,” she said.

 

“Is it serious?”

 

“He was in a car accident and injured his leg,” Shen Shu replied, her brow furrowed, her voice betraying little emotion.

 

Xu Jinman asked, “Which hospital?”

 

“Rennan,” Shen Shu answered.

 

Rennan Hospital, funded by the Xu Family and where Professor Qin worked, made things much easier. Xu Jinman immediately called the hospital’s administrative department and quickly received a response.

 

She relayed the results to Shen Shu: a fractured leg bone, but no fundamental damage. With a month of rest, he should be able to walk normally again.

 

Shen Shu nodded, her eyes visibly calmer.

 

When Xu Jinman made another call to arrange for care at the hospital, Shen Shu murmured, “Thank you.”

 

Xu Jinman muted her phone and set it down. “Alright, get some sleep. I’ll go with you to visit tomorrow.”

 

Shen Shu’s lips twitched slightly as she watched Xu Jinman settle back down. The words “No need” caught in her throat, unable to escape.

 

Having just received a favor, refusing Xu Jinman’s kindness now would seem disingenuous.

 

Eleven o’clock.

 

The small bedside lamp was switched off by slender, pale fingers.

 

A small section of the curtains over the floor-to-ceiling window remained undrawn, allowing a sliver of light to penetrate the darkness as Xu Jinman’s eyes adjusted.

 

Xu Jinman tossed and turned a few times, hearing a faint rustling from the person on the bed. She stilled, resisting the urge to move again.

 

Even if I have to abandon my humanity tomorrow, she thought, I’m dragging Lu Yun out of here.

 

The floor was hard and cold, making sleep impossible.

 

“You.”

 

The voice was sudden and fleeting. Xu Jinman almost doubted she’d heard it correctly.

 

Her eyelids twitched, and she opened her eyes. “Calling me?”

 

“Come sleep in the bed.”

 

“…Are you sure?”

 

A moment of silence hung in the dimness. Shen Shu’s lips pressed into a thin line.

 

The silence stretched for half a minute.

 

“Then I’ll come up?” Xu Jinman wasn’t one to refuse kindness. Besides, the floor was truly unbearable; her hips, elbows, and every bony point ached from the pressure.

 

Xu Jinman rose, blanket in hand. In the dim light, she saw a figure shift to the right beneath the pale pink quilt, making space for her.

 

She lay down, her legs brushing against something warm. She froze, the heat spreading through the cotton fabric.

 

It was Shen Shu’s body temperature.

 

A sweet, milky scent, squeezed from the quilt, filled the air, slyly invading Xu Jinman’s breath.

 

Only then did Xu Jinman realize she’d used Shen Shu’s milk-scented body wash earlier.

 

Snapping back to reality, she sighed contentedly. The bed is so much more comfortable.

 

 

Half an hour later, Xu Jinman stared through the gap in the curtains, wide awake. She touched her glands, which occasionally tingled.

 

Even though they were sleeping under separate covers, she was still sharing a room with a top-tier Omega.

 

And she was a perfectly normal Alpha.

 

Not only that, but an Alpha whose hormones were raging…

 

Xu Jinman’s throat itched, her hands itched, her entire body itched.

 

The bed was soft and fragrant, making it even harder to fall asleep than the floor had been.

 

The next day was overcast and rainy, the temperature slightly more comfortable than usual.

 

Lu Yun had left earlier than them. At 7 AM, she sent Xu Jinman a message saying she had urgent business to attend to. Xu Jinman was relieved. Noticing the remaining luggage in the bedroom, she handed it to Zhou Pei as she left, asking her to return it to the Xu Family.

 

Lu Yun’s visits to Shen Shu’s place were likely related to the Xu Family’s affairs. Yesterday’s encounter hadn’t gone well. Given Lu Yun’s doting affection for the original Xu Jinman, she probably wouldn’t force her to accept anything for at least the next few days.

 

Xu Jinman escorted Shen Shu to the inpatient area.

 

“Professor Qin asked me to get a routine checkup,” Xu Jinman said. “I’ll come find you later.”

 

Shen Shu nodded. “Don’t worry about coming if you’re busy.”

 

“I’m not busy,” Xu Jinman replied without hesitation. “Go ahead. Call me if you need anything.”

 

“Okay,” Shen Shu replied.

 

Xu Jinman left first. Shen Shu watched her retreating figure, her high-waisted skirt accentuating her slender waist. Just as she was about to turn away, she overheard two passersby whispering:

 

“That waist is incredible! She must be so strong.”

 

“What if she’s an Omega? Ugh, you’re getting me off track. We’re in a hospital—can’t you be more discreet?”

 

Shen Shu turned to glance at the speakers.

 

Sensing her gaze, they glanced back. Shen Shu quickly averted her eyes and walked past them into the inpatient building.

 

“Damn, are there this many beauties in the hospital now?”

 

“Doesn’t she look familiar? A celebrity?”

 

 

Xu Jinman had Shen Guoliang transferred to the VIP Ward.

 

Shen Guoliang’s leg injury wasn’t severe. He claimed he had been driving home late after working overtime when he ran a red light and collided with an electric scooter. Fortunately, he swerved quickly, and the scooter rider only suffered minor injuries.

 

However, his car crashed into a steel barrier, sustaining severe front-end damage. It was a miracle his leg could be saved.

 

While Shen Guoliang rested, Wei Wuqing, her face grim, whispered, “They call this the VIP Ward, but look—the water’s empty, and no one’s bothered to refill it. Such carelessness! I need to tell Manman about this. They’re treating us like we’re nothing.”

 

Shen Shu frowned. “Refilling water isn’t their job. Don’t bother Xu Jinman with such trivial matters.”

 

Wei Wuqing bristled at her daughter’s dismissive tone, but remembering the real reason she had called Shen Shu here, she softened. “You’re right. We shouldn’t trouble her with such minor things.”

 

“Shu Shu, I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened recently. We were wrong. The older generation’s mindset… we always assumed our son would inherit the family business.”

 

Wei Wuqing sighed. “Actually, you did a wonderful job. You deserve a share of the Shen Family’s assets. Both Dad and I feel we’ve wronged you. I want to apologize first, okay?”

 

The apple peel in Shen Shu’s hand snapped, falling to the floor. She bent down to pick it up and said, “There’s no need.”

 

“So you forgive us?”

 

Shen Shu didn’t know how to answer.

 

Of course not, she thought.

 

She set down the peeled apple and picked up the thermos. “I’m going to get some water.”

 

The visitor’s area was nearly empty. The hot water room was close to the nurse’s station, with a fire exit just a few meters to the right.

 

As Shen Shu entered the room, she suddenly heard a familiar name. She quietly closed the thermos lid and stepped back out.

 

Just in time to see the fire exit door closing.

 

Song Ronghui sat on the stairwell landing, pulling a cigarette from her LV handbag and lighting it with one hand.

 

She lowered her voice.

 

“I saw her through the window just now. I heard her father-in-law is on this floor, so I’m taking the fire exit to avoid running into her.”

 

“That professor in charge of her case is a real shrewd one. It’s impossible to get any information out of him. I had to spend twenty thousand to get a report from a lower-level manager—and it’s still over two months old. They’ve really managed to block the news perfectly.”

 

“Just like you told me, she really is a Failed Differentiation Omega, with a pheromone index of 0…” Song Ronghui’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “No wonder I’ve never smelled her pheromones.”

 

Yin Xue replied from the other end of the line, “If it’s not recent or personally given by Professor Qin, it’s fake.”

 

Smoke curled from Song Ronghui’s crimson lips as she said, “What exactly are you trying to find out? You told me she was an Omega, yet you asked me to investigate her reports. I did, but you still seem suspicious? Hmm?”

 

Her voice deliberately rose at the end, carrying an unmistakable flirtatious undertone.

 

Yin Xue chuckled softly. “You’re right, I am suspicious. I’m certain Xu Jinman is an Omega, but when I fainted that day, I smelled something else on her.”

 

“What kind of smell?”

 

“Your Alpha… stench.” Yin Xue licked her lips. “And the scent of pheromones.”

 

Unfortunately, Xu Jinman had knocked her unconscious, making that fleeting moment of recognition too brief. That’s why she needed Song Ronghui to investigate.

 

Hearing the sound of Yin Xue’s tongue flicking across her lips, Song Ronghui paused, her hand holding the cigarette freezing mid-air.

 

A moment passed.

 

Song Ronghui murmured, “Isn’t the Han family hosting a banquet in a few days? Whether she’s an Omega or an Alpha, we’ll find out then, won’t we?”

 

After finishing her examination, Xu Jinman went to Shen Guoliang’s hospital room. Wei Wuqing was holding Shen Shu’s hand with one hand while dabbing her tears with a tissue in the other.

 

Xu Jinman noticed Chen Xiaxia standing behind Wei Wuqing, her hand resting on Wei Wuqing’s shoulder.

 

From her perspective, the aunt and niece looked more like close relatives.

 

Seeing Xu Jinman enter, Wei Wuqing immediately greeted her warmly, exchanging polite pleasantries with Shen Guoliang before pulling Chen Xiaxia forward.

 

“Perfect timing, Manman’s here. Besides the company matter your father and I need to discuss, there’s something Xiaxia must apologize to you for.”

 

“What is it?” Xu Jinman asked, walking to the armrest of the sofa beside Shen Shu and leaning against it casually.

 

She glanced at Shen Shu’s face, confirming there were no signs of mistreatment. Her tone turned somewhat indifferent, though she was genuinely curious about Wei Wuqing’s motives for staging this scene.

 

She quickly sent a message to Zhou Pei.

 

Wei Wuqing said, “Xiaxia, tell them yourself.”

 

Chen Xiaxia pressed her lips together, but before she could speak, tears began streaming down her face like water bursting from a dam. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “That day, someone told me that if I just went to the party for a little while, she could embarrass my cousin and give me back the acting roles she took. So I… I went… I never expected her to drug me. Waaah…”

 

“Who told you to go? Did you know her?” Xu Jinman asked.

 

Chen Xiaxia shook her head. “No. I just heard the karaoke bar staff call her Sister Xue. She gave me a drink… a glass of wine…”

 

She broke into fresh sobs.

 

Xu Jinman, who usually found girls’ crying annoying, now found it unbearable, deeming it too noisy.

 

Wei Wuqing, a seasoned expert with a keen eye, cleared her throat softly and subtly signaled Chen Xiaxia to stop crying. Unfortunately, Chen Xiaxia misinterpreted the gesture as encouragement to continue.

 

“Man-jie, I also want to thank you for helping me. If you hadn’t blocked the news, my career would have been ruined. Waaah… Thank you so much. I… I’ll do anything you ask…”

 

As Chen Xiaxia’s words veered further off course, Wei Wuqing, noticing Xu Jinman’s expression, swiftly pulled her back.

 

Shen Shu was slightly taken aback. She had assumed the Cai family was responsible for blocking the news, but it turned out Xu Jinman had arranged it.

 

Xu Jinman’s demeanor softened somewhat, though she remained unconvinced. “Actually, this has nothing to do with you all,” she said. “My attitude depends entirely on Shu Shu.”

 

Wei Wuqing and Shen Guoliang had appealed to Shen Shu’s emotions, which had softened her heart.

 

But Xu Jinman was different. She felt no emotional connection to these people.

 

Wei Wuqing chuckled awkwardly, nodding as she pulled Shen Shu closer. “Our Shu Shu is so fortunate to have you as her loving wife. When I meet her grandmother in the afterlife, I’ll finally be able to tell her I took good care of her granddaughter…”

 

At those words, Shen Shu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, the long lashes concealing the deep sorrow in her eyes.

 

It was the only regret she carried in this lifetime.

 

Wei Wuqing, ever quick-witted and perceptive, sensed Xu Jinman’s displeasure and swiftly changed the subject.

 

Just then, Xu Jinman received a reply from Zhou Pei.

 

Miss, the Shen Family’s cash flow has run into trouble and they urgently need funds. Mr. and Mrs. Shen Guoliang approached President Xu, but he refused them. They also tried to contact you a few days ago…

 

She hadn’t seen them at the time.

 

Xu Jinman remembered the incident.

 

Shen Shu had already cut ties with the Shen Family. What reason could she have to meet with them?

 

So, after all their fuss, the couple was still after money.

 

Xu Jinman’s expression turned colder.

 

Wei Wuqing offered her the fruit platter, but she shook her head. Wei Wuqing then picked an orange from the platter and handed it to Chen Xiaxia.

 

Chen Xiaxia instinctively pouted. “This will make my hands smell.”

 

Wei Wuqing feigned a glare while peeling the orange, muttering, “You’re so spoiled!” She even removed the white pith.

 

Shen Shu showed no reaction, as if she were long accustomed to such behavior.

 

Wei Wuqing finally remembered to say, “Shu Shu, have some too.”

 

Shen Shu shook her head, but Wei Wuqing pressed half the casually peeled orange into her hand, urging her to try it.

 

Shen Shu half-clenched the orange, her fingertips touching the icy flesh. The cold seeped through her skin, chilling her to the core.

 

She didn’t eat oranges.

 

She never had, not since she was a child.

 

“She doesn’t eat oranges,” Xu Jinman suddenly said, taking the orange from Shen Shu’s hand.

 

Xu Jinman stood up and placed the fruit back on the platter. “She’s very particular. Even at home, I had to peel her grapes and serve them to her.”

 

Wei Wuqing paused, glancing at the fruit platter with a growing sense of unease.

 

Xu Jinman said nothing more, smoothing the slight wrinkles in her skirt caused by the sofa. She murmured to Shen Shu, “It’s getting late. Don’t you have something else to attend to?”

 

Shen Shu met her gaze. “Mm.”

 

Wei Wuqing walked out of the ward, Chen Xiaxia trailing beside her, watching the two women leave side by side. Two beauties, walking shoulder to shoulder. A pang of bitterness rose in her throat, her eyes stinging with tears.

 

“Man-jie used to say she liked me too,” Chen Xiaxia murmured.

 

Wei Wuqing turned back and patted her shoulder, frowning. “Don’t say things like that again! Use your head!”

 

The pat only made Chen Xiaxia’s tears threaten to spill anew. “Why am I so miserable? I’m not as good as Cousin at anything. Now even Aunt doesn’t like me anymore… You promised if I apologized, you’d ask Cousin to help me get into the film crew.”

 

Wei Wuqing looked anxious, gently wiping away her tears with her fingertip. “The most important thing right now is the bigger picture. I’ll find another opportunity to talk to her later.”

 

“Do you think Cousin will agree to help me?”

 

“Don’t worry,” Wei Wuqing said with unwavering confidence.

 

The Old Madam, her reliable Buddha, had never failed her.

 

Shen Shu maintained a calm facade, but Xu Jinman knew the Shen Family was her deepest concern. Given her temperament, she likely wanted to be alone right now.

 

“Should I have Zhou Pei take you home first?”

 

“What about you?”

 

Xu Jinman replied naturally, “The test results should be ready soon. I’ll go check.”

 

“I’ll come with you,” Shen Shu said.

 

“Huh?” Xu Jinman was genuinely surprised by Shen Shu’s response.

 

Twice on the way, Xu Jinman reached for her phone, and each time, Shen Shu’s gaze seemed to coincidentally sweep over. She only managed to text Professor Qin three words.

 

Professor Qin’s face registered shock when he saw them arrive together.

 

“I’m sorry, Miss Xu. I was just about to call you. There’s been an issue with your bl00d sample. The results might take another hour.”

 

He’s quick on his feet, Xu Jinman thought.

 

“How convenient,” Shen Shu remarked, a faint smile flickering across her calm eyes like autumn rain—light, yet carrying a hint of chill. “The moment I arrive, there’s a problem.”

 

Her tone carried a hint of jest.

 

Xu Jinman felt a sudden, inexplicable pang of unease.

 

Only after getting into the car did Xu Jinman take out her phone and see a WeChat message from Professor Qin.

 

Professor Qin: Miss Xu, I thought you were joking with me…

 

Xu Jinman stared at the three words she had hastily sent: God has arrived.

 

“……”

 

Xu Jinman dropped Shen Shu off at her apartment building. Before Shen Shu could open the car door, she turned to Xu Jinman and said, “Come upstairs with me.”

 

Sensing that Shen Shu had something important to discuss, Xu Jinman nodded and followed her out of the car.

 

Instead of going upstairs, Shen Shu stopped by the community’s flower garden. Perhaps due to the gloomy weather, few people were around.

 

“What’s wrong?” Xu Jinman asked softly, the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves.

 

Shen Shu looked up, meeting Xu Jinman’s gaze. “Xu Jinman, are you an Omega or an Alpha?”