Chapter 22: She Felt Like She Had Experienced This Tenderness Somewhere Before...
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The wind blew, and leaves rustled down, a few green and yellow ones falling in front of the three.
Wei Qingyu stood quietly behind Ji Xiao, expressionless as she watched.
Actually, for her, 1,500 meters was nothing at all.
She always had the habit of morning runs, even when at the Ji family. Every morning, she persisted in running for half an hour. So, even though she had differentiated into an Omega, running 1,500 meters wasn't a difficult task for her.
Moreover, besides the scabbed wound in the palm of her hand, she had no other injuries. Currently, it was the peak of her physical fitness since differentiation.
She could proactively sign up, or she could choose silence.
Even after enjoying the rare sight of Ji Xiao looking frustrated in her seat a moment ago, her heart was full of satisfaction.
But for some reason, despite the satisfaction, Wei Qingyu's heart didn't calm down.
The bright sunlight streamed down from the skylight, and the girl sitting on the corridor steps let her carefree shoulders slump. Wei Qingyu gazed at the registration form she absentmindedly took from the bookshelf, and eventually put down the pen.
"Just like Qi Qi said, I participated in the 1,500 meters last year. You can come find me," Wei Qingyu looked at the three Alphas in front of her, calmly saying, "I'm not as fragile as you make it sound."
Ji Xiao looked at Wei Qingyu's calm and profound turquoise eyes, a hint of awkwardness rolling in her throat.
Sure enough, she heard it again.
Ji Xiao, adhering to the original host's persona of not losing in spirit, tried to make up, "If there's none, then there's none. I'm just being kind, just in case."
After saying that, she forcibly and calmly took the registration form from Wei Qingyu's hand.
The girl's hand reached too quickly, and Wei Qingyu's hand, holding the registration form, was unexpectedly brushed by that soft thumb pad.
The skin touched by the Alpha left scattered warm sensations, like brandy seeping into the skin, leaving a subtle and stimulating feeling, much like the sting of alcohol on a wound.
This feeling is too strange; Wei Qingyu involuntarily slightly clenched her palm.
The scabbed wound tingled slightly, and Ji Xiao's words from earlier echoed again in her ears.
‘Wei Qingyu's hand injuries haven't fully healed yet. Don't you understand the concept of compassion?’
What kind of medicine is this person selling in her gourd? She would rather lower her head to mobilize other Omegas to participate in the 1,500 meters, and also find excuses for her to reject it.
Could it be envy for her past freshman achievements, not wanting her to take first place again?
Or perhaps, she's truly just favoring her, and helping her to avoid challenging events?
Wei Qingyu looked at Ji Xiao in front of her, who was bowing down to check her registration form, emotions she couldn't quite explain mixed into her calm eyes.
She really didn't like the feeling of things slipping out of her control. She was expressionless as she spoke to Ji Xiao, "If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
With that said, before Ji Xiao could react, Wei Qingyu turned and left.
The girl's silhouette remained slender as ever, the white shirt outlining her slender waist through the hazy light.
Although someone signed up for the 1,500 meters, Ji Xiao couldn't help but feel worried.
"Bzz..."
Suddenly, Wei Qingyu's phone in her pocket vibrated.
[Your Universe's Invincible Ji Cutie: Call me when you're training, don't go through it alone.]
Wei Qingyu looked at the message from Ji Xiao, her eyes deep.
Ji Xiao's words looking down at her still echoed in her ears, and she quickly typed two words: "No need."
But before she could send it, Ji Xiao's message came again.
[Your Universe's Invincible Ji Cutie: Also.]
[Your Universe's Invincible Ji Cutie: What I said about you just now, it's all false.]
Wei Qingyu's fingers, poised above the send key, paused.
The wind blew, scattering the girl's long hair across her face, and concealing her turquoise eyes.
Those slender fingers gently tapped on the screen, and in a moment, Ji Xiao saw the girl sitting in the classroom putting her phone back into her pocket.
[Wei Qingyu: We'll talk about it later.]
With Wei Qingyu's registration form for the 1,500 meters, the task assigned by Feng Ming to Ji Xiao and the sports committee member was successfully completed.
During self-study class, the two organized the registration forms and headed to the math department's office to report to Feng Ming.
The autumn wind made the people who had just finished physical education feel cool, and Ji Xiao walked through the corridor, feeling refreshed.
Ji Xiao: "I really didn't expect the mobilization and registration to be completed in just one day."
Sports Committee: "Mainly because of you, you've been a great help. Last year, with another girl from our class, who is no longer in the experimental class now, we mobilized together. Before differentiation, it took her a whole day to finalize the girls' side of the projects. Ji Xiao, you're really impressive. In less than a day, both the Alpha and Omega groups are sorted out!"
Ji Xiao smiled sheepishly, "It's mainly because Wei Qingyu volunteered; otherwise, it would have taken me a day too."
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The member of the sports committee got closer to Ji Xiao, speaking particularly enthusiastically, "But you're still amazing."
"I feel like you're nothing like the rumors about you. Last semester, some people said you were lazy and unskilled, but as soon as the new semester started, you got into the experimental class and silenced all those people. It even made some of them so upset their noses were crooked."
Listening to the vivid description from the sports committee member, Ji Xiao found it too exaggerated, "You must be joking."
"Really. Especially that Liu Meina, she confidently claimed she could get into the experimental class, but hahaha. You didn't see it; I was so delighted watching it happen!"
"Actually, it's not just me saying this. I think your personality is really good. With such a wealthy family background, you don't speak arrogantly at all. I think what they used to spread about you was too far-fetched. That Hu Min, or was it you..."
The smile on Ji Xiao's face stiffened as she listened. Did people with wealthy backgrounds always have to be arrogant?
Moreover, she had never thought that her words, spoken following the original owner’s character, sounded arrogant.
Initially, Ji Xiao felt a bit pleased when he mentioned Liu Meina, but as he continued mentioning other names, she sensed something was off.
As the member of the sports committee got closer, Ji Xiao couldn't shake the feeling that there was a lot of flattery in his words.
It was as if he was deliberately trying to please her by belittling others.
However, Ji Xiao sat in the last row, slept during class, and went out with Qi Qi and others after class. She didn't have much time to get acquainted with her classmates. She didn't really know this sports committee member, who had been her partner for less than a day. It wasn't easy to casually confront someone she barely knew.
So, Ji Xiao had to endure her inner impatience, listening to his endless flattering words all the way until they reached the math department's office.
It was already time for class, and the office was empty except for Feng Ming, who was sitting at his desk, engrossed in looking at the computer screen.
"Teacher," Ji Xiao said, placing the neatly organized registration forms on Feng Ming's desk.
Feng Ming seemed so absorbed that he didn't even notice Ji Xiao's arrival.
Suddenly, a cold, white hand reached in front of him, nearly startling him enough to send the cookies in his hand flying.
Feng Ming: "Hey! Ji Xiao, why didn't you make a sound when you came in?"
Ji Xiao felt a bit speechless, pointing to the headphones on Feng Ming's ears, "I knocked on the door; you didn't hear because you were wearing headphones."
"Oh, I see, haha..." Feng Ming chuckled awkwardly, reaching to close the gory video playing on his computer.
"What are you watching, Teacher?" the sports committee member curiously approached.
Feng Ming took the registration form from the sports committee member's hand, glancing at it while saying, "It's an apocalypse movie from country H, about mutated zombies. You shouldn't watch it casually; it might give you nightmares and affect your performance. Watch it during the winter break; by then, it'll be finished, just in time."
The sports committee member nodded, "Alright. Don't forget to share the resources with me when the time comes."
Feng Ming made an OK gesture.
Ji Xiao found Feng Ming to be quite mysterious. Despite being the top teacher of the provincial top ten class, he was the least formal among the school staff. He could treat every class he taught like brothers and also command a certain level of authority in the students' hearts, with hardly anyone saying a bad word about him.
Ji Xiao had encountered many teachers in the original world who aimed to follow the path of someone like Feng Ming. However, once they became too friendly, they couldn't control the students, and their academic performance would decline significantly.
In the end, feeling helpless, they had to put on a stern face again to become a figure students feared.
Observing Feng Ming with his slightly loose tie, Ji Xiao couldn't help but reflect on the fact that becoming a teacher like Feng Ming was also her goal in that other world.
"Ji Xiao, you're in charge of the girls. Pay extra attention to these Omega girls who signed up for long-distance running, especially Wei Qingyu. I see she signed up for the 1,500 meters again this year," Feng Ming, looking at the list, told Ji Xiao, "This kid has quite the resilience."
"Okay." Ji Xiao discreetly brought her thoughts back and nodded, saying, "Rest assured, I'll ensure the tasks are completed."
"Also, pay attention to these boys who signed up for long-distance running," Feng Ming told the sports committee member, shifting his focus, "As the sports committee member, you need to be especially aware of the scheduling of events for this sports meet. We've divided into six groups now. Make sure students don't miss the registration reminders..."
"Oh, Ji Xiao," Feng Ming, having finished instructing the sports committee member, turned his attention back to Ji Xiao, "It's October now, and the end-of-November exams are approaching. Although your biology grades have shown significant improvement in the past two assessments, you still have some way to go before achieving an A. You need to work harder, focus more on biology, and shift the emphasis from mathematics and physics. The higher your grades, the more advantageous it'll be for your future college and overseas study plans."
“Mm." Ji Xiao hadn't expected that discussing her report would involve bringing up her biology grades. Feeling a bit frustrated, she nodded.
Wei Qingyu's notes really proved helpful; she managed to raise her biology score from 7 to 80 in less than a month. However, as she progressed, she felt increasingly inadequate.
When Ji Xiao was solving problems, she would unconsciously revert to the ingrained thought patterns from her original world. This often resulted in her only realizing certain details related to ABO genes when checking the answers, leaving her remorseful.
It's really challenging.
Feng Ming noticed Ji Xiao's distress and didn't say much.
He picked up an unopened bag of cookies from his desk and handed it to Ji Xiao, encouraging her, "Here, these are delicious. Don't worry too much. Go back and continue working hard. Your progress in the past month has been evident to everyone. There's a citywide mock test at the end of the month, so keep it up."
Ji Xiao took the cookies from Feng Ming, squeezed them in her hand, and nodded, saying, "Okay, teacher, I understand."
In the quiet corridor, the sound of a heavy closing door echoed. Ji Xiao and the sports committee member left the math department's office together.
The way back was much quieter than before, with only the sound of teachers lecturing echoing in the teaching building, as it was now class time.
The sports committee member patted Ji Xiao's shoulder, observing her somber expression. He suggested, "Ji Xiao if you need, I can talk to Wei Qingyu and ask her to share her notes with you."
Knowing about the strained relationship between Ji Xiao and Wei Qingyu, he thought it would be a good opportunity to appease Ji Xiao.
Ji Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly at the offer, looking at the sports committee member beside her.
Wei Qingyu is known throughout the school as the unapproachable flower, usually not interacting with others as people rush to get close to her.
Asking her to “share” notes with me?
Ji Xiao looked at the seemingly relaxed person in front of her and thought: Is he pretending to be impressive?
So, pretending to genuinely need Wei Qingyu's notes, she probed, "From your tone, it seems like you have a good relationship with Wei Qingyu?"
The sports committee member awkwardly scratched his head, "Well, it used to be okay."
Ji Xiao keenly sensed something off in his tone and pressed on, "And now?"
The sports committee member looked into Ji Xiao's eyes, hesitated for a moment, and said, "You know, after the incident in her family... especially since she differentiated into an Omega, I've kept my distance. After all, I became an Alpha."
Ji Xiao coldly responded with a simple "Oh," and the desire to witness a joke at the sports committee member's expense instantly dissipated.
The main issue wasn't Wei Qingyu differentiating into an Omega, but rather her family's downfall, wasn't it?
If the Wei family hadn't fallen, differentiating into an Omega might have attracted even more so-called "admirers."
Learning to be opportunistic at such a young age.
Ji Xiao felt that she hadn't misjudged the situation earlier; he was indeed using this opportunity to get closer to her.
Think about it – Ji Xiao, who usually avoids socializing, becomes friends with him, the sports committee member. If he were to spread the word, his status would skyrocket for a while.
Seeing Ji Xiao's expression turn cold, the sports committee member immediately realized he had misspoken and tried to remedy it, "It's not just me; others who were close to her before also did the same."
"And it's out of respect for her that we've distanced ourselves. After all, she differentiated into an Omega, and there are distinctions between Alpha and Omega..."
Ji Xiao's "Hmm" grew even more indifferent, and she quickened her pace.
She despises people who use sweet words to curry favor with those in power.
Out of respect, they deliberately kept their distance from her?
Out of respect, they ignored her vulnerability?
The original owner was despicable, but are those who chose to distance themselves and watch from afar innocent?
Neglect, cold-shouldering, and alienation aren't these behaviors causing emotional harm, a form of school violence? Ji Xiao could feel the negative atmosphere surrounding Wei Qingyu choking her.
It's hard to imagine that Wei Qingyu endured an entire summer semester in such an environment.
The sports committee member hurriedly caught up with Ji Xiao, speeding up his pace. "Ji Xiao, if you really need it, I will help you borrow it."
Ji Xiao abruptly stopped, looking expressionless at the sports committee member. "No need, I already have it."
"Also, if you only make friends based on status and influence, you won't make real friends. You're only sixteen; you shouldn't follow the ways of adults in socializing. Being honest is the way to make true friends."
With that, Ji Xiao lifted her foot and walked away, leaving the sports committee member standing there alone, bewildered.
He couldn't understand why the tactics he learned from his father didn't work on Ji Xiao this time.
A slight cool breeze swept through Ji Xiao's long hair, gradually calming the anger that had flared up moments ago.
Far from the classroom, the restroom echoed with the sound of flowing water. Standing by the sink, Ji Xiao watched the water wash over the back of her hands, lost in deep thought.
Ji Xiao knew that Wei Qingyu's struggles weren't something she could easily overcome on her own. Moreover, individuals with opportunistic tendencies like the sports committee member could be found anywhere.
If she didn't become stronger herself, the dangers she would face in the future would only increase. Wei Qingyu had already dealt with enough challenges from individuals like Ji Qingyun, Liu Meina, and the sports committee member.
She couldn't wait until senior year for the male lead to transfer and rescue her, making her life better.
That would take too long.
Recalling the recent events she went through with Wei Qingyu, Ji Xiao still felt the lingering effects of the shocks.
Delicate fingers, tinged with a rosy hue, gracefully traced through the flowing water, highlighting the slender skin on the joints.
The young girl silently observed the crystal-clear stream, her eyes deep and contemplative.
If possible, she genuinely wished to use some details from the original book that she remembered to help Wei Qingyu.
However, before she could delve into deeper thoughts, Ji Xiao suddenly caught a whiff of a strong mango fragrance in the drifting air.
Subtle yet not inferior, it was the purest essence of fruitiness.
She looked up at the mango tree in the courtyard outside the corridor, now withering and yellowing in the autumn, her expression puzzled.
It was already autumn, so why was there still the scent of mangoes?
Not to mention, Ji Xiao noticed that her heartbeat seemed to be influenced by this fragrance, gradually quickening.
This scent resembled the pheromones of an Omega!
Ji Xiao became alert instantly.
Her keen intuition led her towards the Omega female restroom. The previously subtle mango aroma now became intense.
Like plunging into a dense mango juice, the sweet and rich flavor attempted to engulf her entirely, leaving no room for escape.
Ji Xiao pressed another suppressant patch on the back of her neck, cautiously avoiding eye contact with the restroom. She stood at the entrance and asked, "Student, do you need help?"
"Ji Xiao..."
A familiar and somewhat puzzled call came from the restroom.
Ji Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned her head to look inside.
Wei Qingyu was sitting on the clean tile floor, her dark hair slightly disheveled.
Under her navy blue plaid skirt, a pair of knees glowed with a reddish tint. Her long legs were spread apart, struggling to stand up.
Pressed against her was a completely unfamiliar girl.
The intense mango fragrance emanated from the unknown girl.
"What's happening?" Ji Xiao hurriedly entered the restroom and helped Wei Qingyu move the person off her.
Wei Qingyu rubbed her leg in pain and said, "This student seems to have undergone differentiation."
She had just come here to use the restroom, and as soon as she entered, she caught a faint scent of mango. Omegas are always quick to distinguish the pheromones among their kind. Wei Qingyu thought it was just someone entering their heat and dealing with it inside, so she didn't say anything.
Little did she know, as she passed this cubicle, the door was pushed open from inside. At the very moment when she was completely unprepared, a fellow student tumbled straight from the step into her arms.
Wei Qingyu looked at the student in her arms, who was in pain. Suddenly, she sensed that something was wrong with this person's condition.
For the purpose of examination, she reached out with two fingers to the back of the person's neck. The pale fingers were stained with a lot of crystal-clear and sticky liquid at the moment of contact. Before bringing it to her nose, the scent was already strong, and it had a certain aggressiveness.
— This is exactly the characteristic of an Omega's first heat cycle during differentiation!
"Ji Xiao, can you help me control her? I need to inject the suppressant right now." Wei Qingyu said, taking out a portable suppressant from her pocket.
Ji Xiao nodded, without a second word, she turned the almost unconscious girl over, leaning her against herself.
The Omega's warm breath lingered heavily on Ji Xiao's neck, emitting the uncontrollable fragrance of mango.
Under these layers of tests, Ji Xiao heard the weak voice of the girl by her ear, "Don't... I don't want to inject the Omega suppressant... please... don't..."
The voice was faint, like a mosquito, carrying a sense of despair.
The pale girl weakly clutched Ji Xiao's shirt, conveying a strong refusal towards the fact that she had differentiated into an Omega.
Listening, Ji Xiao couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache, softly comforting, "You've already differentiated. If you don't inject the suppressant, your body will collapse."
Wei Qingyu, hearing Ji Xiao's gentle and soothing voice, looked at Ji Xiao who was holding the girl in her arms with a strange expression.
Sunlight fell on her head, shrouded in a soft golden glow.
Her golden-orange eyes were slightly lowered, watching the person in her arms, revealing a gentleness that Wei Qingyu had never seen before.
The girl frowned slightly, silently lowering her head to move aside the long hair at the back of the girl's neck.
The scent of the same kind's pheromones emanated from the thick hair, making Wei Qingyu feel a heaviness in her chest.
Perhaps sensing the vulnerable neck being exposed, the struggling in Ji Xiao's arms intensified, "I don't want... I don't want to be here... I don't want to become an Omega... I don't want the suppressant..."
Ji Xiao endured the pain of the girl's nails scratching her arm and reassured, "After the injection, you'll feel much better. Be obedient."
The security sense of an Alpha was aptly emanated by Ji Xiao, and the girl could smell the Alpha scent from her, feeling the security she provided.
Driven by Omega's primal instincts, the girl leaned against Ji Xiao, struggling but gradually relaxing her grip on Ji Xiao's shirt.
Ji Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, gently patting the girl's back, and continued, "I'll stay with you; this is the safest place."
Upon hearing these words, Wei Qingyu, in the act of parting the girl's hair, paused for a moment.
The aroma of peach brandy lingered in her hazy memory, its delicate tendrils swirling in her heart.
She felt like she had experienced this tenderness somewhere before...
"Wei Qingyu."
"Wei Qingyu..."
Suddenly, two calls reached Wei Qingyu's ears, pulling her back from the vortex of memories.
Wei Qingyu raised her head in confusion towards the direction of the voice, only to find Ji Xiao's face filled with concern.
The scent of mango wafted towards Wei Qingyu again, and she looked at the suppressant in her hand, realizing that she had been lost in thought just now.
What was she even thinking about?
How could Ji Xiao be so gentle to her...
Wei Qingyu quickly snapped back to reality, readjusting the syringe in her hand and accurately injecting it into the newly differentiated gland of the girl.
The pure white liquid was gradually pushed into the girl's translucent gland, and the intense mango aroma reached its peak at that moment.
Then, it swiftly dissipated with the passing breeze, blending into the quiet atmosphere of the restroom.
The girl in Ji Xiao's arms received comfort from the suppressant, and the lingering agitation in her body was completely dispelled.
Without the anxiety and restlessness of the initial differentiation, she weakly leaned against Ji Xiao, resting on her shoulder and drifting into unconsciousness.
Ji Xiao helped the girl tidy up her disheveled hair, revealing her delicate and petite face.
At the moment when Ji Xiao clearly saw the girl's face, her pupils involuntarily tightened.
Wei Qingyu noticed Ji Xiao's bright eyes and asked, "Do you know her?"
Ji Xiao nodded and then shook her head.
Isn't this face the same as that of that freshman she confronted in this restroom about a month ago?
"Well, you might not believe it, but the last time I saw her was also in this restroom..."
As Ji Xiao began to explain, she immediately stopped herself.
This is the Omega restroom, and as an Alpha entering, would she be perceived as a pervert by Wei Qingyu, who is unaware?
"It's not what you think." Ji Xiao looked at Wei Qingyu with a calm gaze and hurriedly explained, "I didn't go in; I just stood by the sink, didn't enter... I'm not a peeping pervert; I heard her..."
"I know," Wei Qingyu softly interrupted Ji Xiao's explanation.
She looked at the girl in front of her, who had learned to respect Omegas at some point. Her eyes were faint, "Aren't you curious about how your water tumbler ended up in my hands in the Omega restroom?"
"?" Ji Xiao was stunned, and the words she was about to explain got stuck in her throat.
So, Wei Qingyu was also in the restroom at that time?
Did she hear the disdainful words the girl uttered about Omegas at that time and also hear her retort?
Wouldn't Wei Qingyu think her image had collapsed?
The original owner, who had always been indulgent and arrogant, had never spoken up for the Omega community. If she didn't speak ill of Omegas like this girl, it would have been good enough...
"Let's go; I'll trouble you to carry her to the school clinic." Wei Qingyu spoke, interrupting Ji Xiao's thoughts.
The girl's expression remained calm as usual. She stood up from the floor without any emotion.
Ji Xiao suddenly realized that there seemed to be a few degrees less of the chilling caution and disgust in Wei Qingyu's turquoise eyes than when she first met her.
Two figures cast diagonal shadows on the quiet and deserted school road.
Ji Xiao, with the unconscious girl securely on her back, walked silently alongside Wei Qingyu towards the school clinic.
The road was covered with dry, yellow leaves, and Ji Xiao's steps produced a crisp, breaking sound as she lightly stepped on them.
The westward-slanting sunlight cast half of Wei Qingyu's shadow onto Ji Xiao's shoulder. Unnoticed, Ji Xiao discreetly glanced at Wei Qingyu.
Since she didn't suspect what she did that day, could she also change the original owner's arrogant and indulgent image in front of her in the future?
The round peach basket on Wei Qingyu's wrist reflected the sunlight, rolling into Ji Xiao's line of sight.
In the girl's golden-orange eyes, a sudden trace of regret appeared.
If she had known that day, after saving Wei Qingyu, she should have told her that she was the comrade Lei Feng who saved her...
Considering the lifesaving favor, maybe she wouldn't have captured her and tortured her to death in the end?
Just thinking about maintaining the original image in front of Wei Qingyu, she forgot that she still had to improve her favorability!
Damn, she instantly felt like losing a fortune.
The sound of crisp crushed leaves echoed under Ji Xiao’s feet, expressing the dissatisfaction in the girl's heart.
Soon, the school clinic appeared in front of the two, and Ji Xiao also saw a familiar face at the entrance—the doctor who had helped clean Wei Qingyu's wounds last time was sitting in the sun.
As expected, the doctor also noticed Ji Xiao with Wei Qingyu and the unconscious girl on her back.
The doctor put her hand in her pocket, wearing a teasing smile on her face, and from a distance, she teased Ji Xiao, "Hey, carrying another Omega here, isn't your girlfriend jealous?"
As she said that, her eyes fell on Wei Qingyu.
Author's Note:
This doctor, you are very promising, I want to give you a name.
