Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Ye Qing was slightly stunned when she heard this, then opened her eyes, her gaze flickering a bit.

She stayed silent for a moment, thinking in her heart about how to brush off Jiang Jinhuang.

Jiang Jinhuang didn’t rush her, just quietly looking at her with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Ye Qing propped herself up and sat, clearing her throat lightly. “After I went into the forest, I couldn’t hold on for a moment, lost my grip, and the other horses all ran away.”

Jiang Jinhuang kept looking at Ye Qing. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, luckily there was still one horse left, or I’d have to keep pushing the cart.” Ye Qing explained with an awkward smile.

Jiang Jinhuang sighed inwardly. Ye Qing’s stubborn attitude meant she wouldn’t say more even if pressed, and since those horses were originally obtained by Ye Qing’s own skills, Jiang Jinhuang knew she had no right to question her.

She nodded lightly. “Alright, I understand. Rest early.”

“Okay.” Ye Qing replied quickly, burying herself in the blankets. She felt her explanation was flimsy, but she had no choice. She couldn’t tell Jiang Jinhuang the truth, especially since Jiang Jinhuang’s favorability toward her was so low. If they reached the south and Jiang Jinhuang found a way back to the capital, she’d probably be the first to sell Ye Qing out.

Thinking this, Ye Qing’s shoulders trembled as she wrapped the blanket tighter.

The night passed calmly. Ye Qing took over Jiang Jinhuang’s watch in the latter half of the night until dawn approached. She reheated yesterday’s fish soup, poured the rice from the clay pot into the iron pot, and heated them together.

When the fish soup rice porridge was almost ready, Ye Qing woke Jiang Jinhuang and the little one. After washing up, the three ate the steaming fish soup porridge.

After breakfast, they continued their journey. They relied on walking to escape the famine, so they hadn’t traveled far in recent days. But with the horse, Ye Qing no longer had to pull the cart.

Along the way, the fleeing refugees were silent, as if the exhausting escape had drained all their strength. Ye Qing and her group were no different. Though they no longer pushed the cart, walking such long distances every day was tiring for anyone.

Moreover, Ye Qing hadn’t bathed in days and was starting to smell. But the wilderness offered no conditions for bathing, so they could only endure it.

Since they ate a lot for breakfast, at noon, Ye Qing and the others only stopped to eat some dry rations before continuing.

Jiang Jinhuang led the horse in front, feeling her steps grow heavier. Sweat dripped uncontrollably from her forehead, and her vision gradually blurred.

Due to earlier malnutrition, her body had been weak, and her estrus cycle hadn’t come. She hadn’t paid much attention to it, but now, why did it feel like her estrus was approaching?

Jiang Jinhuang stopped abruptly, her face turning pale. They were still on the main road, surrounded by many refugees. If she entered estrus now and released her scent, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Her mind grew increasingly tired, her vision blurring as if covered by a thin mist. A buzzing noise filled her ears, and a headache made thinking impossible.

She bit her tongue, the dull pain helping her stay somewhat alert.

“No, I can’t stay here…” Jiang Jinhuang murmured.

Her fingers tightly gripped the hem of her clothes, her knuckles whitening from the force.

She tried to keep walking, but her legs felt heavy as lead, each step like treading on cotton, weak and unsteady. Her right hand, holding the horse’s reins, had no strength.

Ye Qing noticed Jiang Jinhuang stop and asked, “Jinhuang? What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

Seeing no response, Ye Qing sensed something was off. She looked at Yangyang and said, “Yangyang, stay here obediently. I’m going to check on your sister.”

“Okay.” The little one was nearly asleep. It was noon, and the sun was blazing.

Ye Qing quickly walked forward and saw Jiang Jinhuang standing there, pale, with fine beads of sweat on her face and neck, looking as if she’d been pulled from water.

Ye Qing asked softly, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you sweating so much?”

Jiang Jinhuang looked up, her blurry vision only catching Ye Qing’s outline.

Her voice trembled with a hint of panic. “Ye Qing, I… I think my estrus is coming.”

After saying this, she bit her lower lip hard. Though she disliked Ye Qing, she had no choice but to rely on her now.

Ye Qing’s brows furrowed immediately.

They were surrounded by refugees, with no place to hide.

Ye Qing said softly, “We can’t stay here. We need to find a secluded spot.”

Jiang Jinhuang nodded weakly. “But I can’t walk.”

She could barely speak, let alone move her feet.

Without hesitation, Ye Qing reached out to support Jiang Jinhuang’s arm, half-carrying her. Her movements were swift and decisive. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you walk.”

Ye Qing glanced at the cart, a trace of anxiety on her face. The cart was unstable, a single-wheeled one that needed someone to hold it to avoid tipping. They could only manage either the people or the cart now.

Ye Qing made a quick decision. She helped Jiang Jinhuang to a large tree by the road and let her lean against it. “Can you hold on? I’ll be right back.”

Jiang Jinhuang instinctively grabbed Ye Qing’s clothes. “Where are you going?”

Her voice was softer than usual, carrying a hint of pleading.

“I’m getting Yangyang. I’ll be right back.” Ye Qing reassured her, gently prying Jiang Jinhuang’s hand off her clothes.

When her arm was pulled away, Jiang Jinhuang felt an inexplicable sense of grievance. During estrus, emotions were unstable, and even small things could make her cry.

Thinking this, tears fell from Jiang Jinhuang’s eyes.

Ye Qing quickly returned, carrying Yangyang to Jiang Jinhuang’s side. She instructed, “Yangyang, stay with your sister and don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” The little one nodded obediently, looking at her crying sister with worry.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” The little one asked, wiping tears secretly.

Jiang Jinhuang couldn’t speak. Her mind was foggy, on the verge of collapse, unable to hear what the little one said.

Ye Qing was in a hurry. She unhooked the cart from the horse, pushed it to Jiang Jinhuang and Yangyang, and led the horse into the forest.

Their actions drew some attention, but most ignored them. Too much had happened on this journey—people collapsing and dying were common. Most were numb, barely able to care for themselves, let alone others.

Ye Qing went a short distance, using the trees to block people’s view, and stored the horse in her space.

She hurried back. Seeing Jiang Jinhuang with her eyes tightly closed, Ye Qing said while pulling the cart, “Jinhuang, hold on. I’m coming.”

The cart held their supplies, which Ye Qing wanted to keep if possible. She pulled it a bit further, then stored it in her space.

Rushing back, she saw Jiang Jinhuang with her eyes shut, a faint peach blossom scent around her—an unusual fragrance for winter, likely Jiang Jinhuang’s estrus scent.

Ye Qing knew things were bad. She tore off the patch on her neck, letting the scent of green grape wine gently envelop Jiang Jinhuang, masking the peach blossom scent.

She scooped up Jiang Jinhuang and said to the little one, “Yangyang, your sister’s unwell. We need a place for her to rest. Follow me closely, okay?”

Yangyang looked at Jiang Jinhuang with worry, nodded firmly, and grabbed Ye Qing’s clothes, determined not to be a burden.

Mindful of Yangyang’s slow pace, Ye Qing slowed down. They went deeper into the forest, climbing a slope.

Ye Qing could feel Jiang Jinhuang’s rising body temperature. Unconscious, Jiang Jinhuang instinctively nuzzled Ye Qing’s neck, seeking the source of the green grape wine scent but too weak to do more.

Ye Qing released more of her scent to calm Jiang Jinhuang while moving forward. They reached a gentle slope with a forest on one side and a steep cliff on the other. On the cliff side was a small natural cave, about ten square meters, enough for the three of them.

An estrus cycle usually lasted days, so they needed a place to settle. Ye Qing said to Yangyang, “Stay here and don’t move. I’ll check inside first.”

“Okay.” Yangyang wiped sweat from her face. She was exhausted from the long walk but hadn’t complained, worried for her sister.

Seeing Yangyang’s sweaty face, Ye Qing felt a pang of sympathy.

She placed Jiang Jinhuang against a tree outside the cave.

As Ye Qing tried to stand, two arms weakly tightened around her neck, though Jiang Jinhuang had no strength, merely hooking Ye Qing’s neck.

Jiang Jinhuang’s breathing was rapid and hot, her voice barely audible. “Help… help me…”

Her consciousness was gone, her arms instinctively clutching Ye Qing’s neck, her face rubbing against Ye Qing’s neck for more scent.

Ye Qing, soaked in sweat from carrying her, took a deep breath. “Hold on, it’ll be okay soon.”

Her tone carried a rare gentleness. She adjusted her position, prying the arms off her neck.

Seeing Yangyang watching, Ye Qing said quickly, “Yangyang, stay with your sister. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” Yangyang rubbed her eyes, her voice trembling with tears.

Seeing her sister in pain, Yangyang cried too. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

But Jiang Jinhuang, nearly unconscious, couldn’t answer or hear her.

Ye Qing entered the cave with a long knife. With Jiang Jinhuang unconscious and Yangyang easy to manage, she didn’t need to hide much.

She checked the cave thoroughly, ensuring no snakes or animals were present, and felt relieved.

She took a broom from her space, quickly swept the cave floor, and cleared out debris and stones.

She laid two blankets on the ground, then hurried out.

Outside, she saw Yangyang wiping tears beside Jiang Jinhuang. Ye Qing asked, “What’s wrong, Yangyang?”

“Ye Qing, please save my sister. She’s in so much pain.” Yangyang cried pitifully.

Ye Qing patted Yangyang’s head, then swiftly picked up the unconscious Jiang Jinhuang. “Yangyang, follow me.”

“Okay.” Yangyang followed with her short legs.

Ye Qing carried Jiang Jinhuang into the cave, placed her on the prepared blankets, and covered her with another. She turned to Yangyang.

The once tidy little white dumpling was sweaty, with dirt smudges on her fair face and messy hair buns, still crying.

Ye Qing bent to comfort her. “Yangyang, don’t cry. Your sister will be fine soon. Stay here, cover up, and don’t catch a cold.”

She lifted Yangyang onto another prepared blanket, covered her to keep her warm, and returned to Jiang Jinhuang.

Jiang Jinhuang’s cheeks were flushed, her body trembling slightly.

Ye Qing hesitated, then opened the system panel. “09, can I use my remaining favorability to exchange for a suppressant?”

“You can, darling, but the panel refreshes randomly, and there’s no suppressant available today.” The system’s playful tone made Ye Qing want to snap.

“Fine, shut up then.” Ye Qing gritted her teeth mentally.

Looking at the trembling Jiang Jinhuang, Ye Qing took a deep breath, turned Jiang Jinhuang’s face aside, revealing the patch on her neck.

Ye Qing closed her eyes, looking resolute. Jiang Jinhuang’s favorability toward her had finally reached -130. If she did this, would it drop to -200?

Ye Qing felt uncertain. She had two years to raise the plane’s female lead’s favorability to +100, or she’d die on the spot.

She sighed, feeling closer to death, but as the female lead, she couldn’t not save Jiang Jinhuang.

Steeling herself, she removed the patch from Jiang Jinhuang’s gland. The overwhelming peach blossom scent hit her.

Ye Qing’s eyes briefly glazed over, her body driven by Qianyuan instincts. Her breathing quickened, a burning sensation in her throat nearly consuming her rationality.

Her gaze fell on Jiang Jinhuang’s pale neck, the strong peach blossom scent tempting her to bite.

Ye Qing’s mind wavered. She pinched her thigh hard, the sharp pain snapping her back to clarity.

Jiang Jinhuang’s scent was intoxicatingly sweet, almost irresistible. Ye Qing nearly acted on instinct. Touching her chest, she thought, That was close. If I bonded with her, I’d be doomed.

She bit her lip to stay rational, using her own scent to dilute the peach blossom fragrance.

Admittedly, the scent of a Kunze in estrus was alluring, sweet and tempting, almost fatal to Ye Qing. But she disliked Qianyuan acting on instinct alone, like beasts without reason.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Qing calmed herself. She knew staying rational was crucial.

Looking at Jiang Jinhuang, still flushed and struggling, Ye Qing saw her released pheromones had little effect.

“Are you okay, Jiang Jinhuang? Can we make a deal? If I form a temporary bond, will you not lower my favorability?” Ye Qing muttered softly.

Jiang Jinhuang couldn’t hear, feeling as if she were burning, sensing a cooling scent but unable to grasp it. Tears fell.

Ye Qing sighed, propped herself beside Jiang Jinhuang, and leaned toward her delicate neck.

As she got close, the sweet peach blossom scent filled her nose. Ye Qing bit her lip hard to stay in control.

But the scent was too sweet, her instincts urging her. She pinched her thigh hard, using pain to anchor her rationality.

Delaying would only worsen things. Pinching herself, Ye Qing bit down.

The moment she did, the peach blossom scent flooded her mouth. If not for the pinching, she’d have lost control.

“Hot… so hot, it hurts…” Jiang Jinhuang’s voice came in fragments, instinctively clutching Ye Qing’s sleeve, whimpering.

Ye Qing didn’t delay. She quickly transferred her scent, the green grape wine neutralizing the peach blossom. Jiang Jinhuang felt a cool sensation enter her body.

The burning eased, replaced by some comfort. Instinctively, Jiang Jinhuang hooked her arms around Ye Qing’s neck.

“Cool, comfortable…” she murmured, trying to nuzzle Ye Qing.

Ye Qing was struggling to hold back. The temporary bond was complete, so she quickly pulled back, releasing her thigh.

She was sure her thigh was bruised.

After standing, Ye Qing ran outside, gulping fresh air before returning.

In her apocalyptic days, she’d never marked anyone, so this was her first time. She checked Jiang Jinhuang, still curled up, and crouched closer.

“Jinhuang? How are you? Feeling better?” Ye Qing touched her forehead, still burning.

“Why’s it still so hot?” Ye Qing, unfamiliar with marking, didn’t know estrus required more than a bite—ongoing comfort was needed.

As she moved to pull her hand back, Jiang Jinhuang instinctively grabbed it, not letting go.

Her strength had returned slightly, but her mind was a mess, devoid of consciousness.

Jiang Jinhuang held Ye Qing’s hand to her face, rubbing against it, her voice soft and unlike her usual self. “Comfortable, cool.”

Her words were fragmented, but she never let go of Ye Qing’s hand.

Ye Qing assumed she needed more scent and let her pheromones envelop Jiang Jinhuang, unaware that too much could intoxicate a Kunze like alcohol.

Wrapped in Ye Qing’s scent, Jiang Jinhuang felt better but grew dizzier. She held Ye Qing’s hand to her face, her other hand reaching for Ye Qing’s body.

“Uncomfortable, still uncomfortable.” Even with a temporary bond, a Kunze in estrus relied heavily on the Qianyuan, finding relief in closeness.

Ye Qing was at a loss, unsure whether to hold her or not.

Seeing Jiang Jinhuang’s furrowed brows, closed eyes, and bitten lip, Ye Qing softened. After a moment, she sighed, pulled Jiang Jinhuang into her arms, and covered them with a blanket. She’d already bitten her; a hug couldn’t make things worse.

Ye Qing didn’t lie down, sitting with Jiang Jinhuang in her lap.

She could tell Jiang Jinhuang felt more comfortable close to her, so she held her tighter.

Yangyang sat quietly, covered with a blanket, her big eyes fixed on Ye Qing and her sister. She didn’t understand what Ye Qing had done, only seeing her bite her sister, then her sister clinging to Ye Qing’s hand and acting spoiled.

Yangyang’s little mind was overwhelmed, confused by her sisters’ actions.

Ye Qing noticed Yangyang staring. She wanted to explain but decided against it. A three-year-old wouldn’t understand estrus. So, they stared at each other, neither speaking first.