Chapter 23: Can… Can I Hug You?
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
For a brief moment, the surrounding wind came to a standstill.
The afternoon sun slanted from the west, shining generously on the face of the doctor standing at the door. Her casually teasing smile appeared particularly dazzling.
Ji Xiao looked at Wei Qingyu, whose expression had grown colder than before, and instantly felt a chill down her spine. Her strong survival instinct made her quickly deny, "No, we don't have the kind of relationship you're thinking of."
"Ah?" The doctor paused, "Aren't you two? I thought you..."
"Let's focus on the patient first," Wei Qingyu coldly interrupted the doctor, "This girl has transformed into an Omega and fainted."
"Fainted? Come with me quickly," the doctor's face showed surprise at the words. She set aside the teasing towards Ji Xiao and Wei Qingyu and hurriedly led the two inside.
The wards in the school clinic all looked pretty much the same. Ji Xiao followed the doctor into a new room, a familiar sensation washing over her.
The young girl was placed on a clean bed, and the doctor skillfully took examination instruments from a drawer on one side and then started the examination.
"Don't you need to call someone?" Ji Xiao stood on the side, asking in confusion.
"I'm an emergency doctor; I can handle most of your illnesses," the doctor said, raising her hand to reveal her chest badge.
Ji Xiao approached and looked closely. Deputy Director of the Emergency Department: Hao Hui.
No wonder the last time she fainted and woke up, the doctor she saw was also her.
Hao Hui's techniques were skillful and precise. By the time Ji Xiao finished explaining the situation, the basic examination of the young girl was already completed.
She looked at the last reading on the blood pressure gauge and said, "Directly injecting the suppressant into the gland is the most correct treatment method. Well done."
With that, Hao Hui gave Ji Xiao an approving thumbs up.
Ji Xiao, however, waved her hand, patting Wei Qingyu's shoulder beside her. "Dr. Hao, you should praise her. It's Wei Qingyu who injected the suppressant into this student's gland. I was just the sidekick assisting."
Alpha's strength is stronger than usual, and Wei Qingyu is startled by Ji Xiao's bold pat, causing her body to tremble slightly.
The young girl looked at the smile on Ji Xiao's face, a hint of complexity mixed in her turquoise eyes.
She could hardly believe that a proud person like Ji Xiao would take the initiative to correct the credit that others mistakenly attributed to her.
"So, it was you?" Hao Hui followed Ji Xiao's gesture and looked at Wei Qingyu.
She still remembered not long ago when Wei Qingyu faced a deep cut on her hand without changing her expression. She couldn't help but exclaim, "A person capable of great things."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qingyu nodded slightly to Hao Hui. Her calm face revealed nothing but composure.
"You did well too." Hao Hui patted Ji Xiao's shoulder approvingly, "Both of you handled this matter very well and deserve to be praised."
While putting away the tools, she looked at the still-unconscious young girl and inquired, "Do you know this girl's name? In situations like this, we need to inform her parents and the class teacher."
Ji Xiao furrowed her brow at the question, starting to try and recall.
The last time she saw her, another girl called her by name. She vaguely remembered; her last name seemed to be "Qiao."
Ji Xiao said, "I remember her last name is 'Qiao,' but I don't know which 'Qiao' it is."
"Qiao? The only 'Qiao' as a last name would be like ‘Qiaomu’* Hao Hui deduced, "So, one of you come with me to the electronic reference room. Check this child's identity and then be responsible for notifying her parents and the class teacher. The other can stay here to keep an eye on her, and if anything happens, inform the duty nurse promptly."
*they're trying to figure out what Chinese character was used for ‘Qiao’, which was ‘乔’(Qiao) from ‘乔木’ (Qiao Mu - tall tree) and it was because there are a lot of characters that sound the same. Like checking the spelling of the name.
"I'll go," Wei Qingyu volunteered.
She often helped Feng Ming with such matters, making her more adept than Ji Xiao.
"Alright, you stay here and watch over her," Hao Hui said, leading Wei Qingyu out of the ward.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"Okay," Ji Xiao responded, forming a salute with her index and middle fingers and placing them on her temple as a farewell gesture to the two who were leaving.
The sunlight fell impartially on the girl's golden-orange eyes, shining as bright as stars.
Her crimson lips parted, revealing several pristine white teeth, giving off a carefree and unrestrained appearance.
"This is the feeling of youth... Any moment can be so touching, just like in slow motion." Hao Hui looked at Ji Xiao and sighed.
"Do you think Alphas like her have many Omegas admiring them?"
As Hao Hui spoke, she looked at Wei Qingyu beside her with a meaningful look.
Feeling Hao Hui's gaze, Wei Qingyu stayed silent and didn't answer.
She only regarded this sentence as an exclamation and walked towards the electronic reference room without responding.
But Hao Hui had no intention of ending this topic; she continued, "S-class Alphas like her are generally quite proud because of some hormones in their bodies, making them often exude arrogance. However, it's unexpected to encounter her helping classmates twice, which is rare."
"I haven't smelled it personally, but I speculate her pheromones should be quite domineering. This level of pheromones naturally carries the charm to attract Omegas. I've also read a report stating that Alphas..."
The clinic corridor was somewhat dim, casting a slightly unclear view for those walking through.
Wei Qingyu silently listened to Hao Hui's continuous praise for Ji Xiao, and the taste of brandy gradually blossomed on the tip of her tongue.
The crisp liquor slid down her throat, burning and causing her to furrow her brow.
Indeed, quite domineering.
In just a moment, Wei Qingyu's mouth was filled with the gentle scent of peaches.
The faint fruity aroma softly caressed her throat, soothing the burning sensation from the strong liquor.
Sharp yet tender.
Just like what Wei Qingyu saw in the Omega restroom moments ago.
Time has changed.
Perhaps even Wei Qingyu herself wasn't aware that her eyes, once harboring caution and aversion, were gradually being replaced by trust.
The sun, sinking in the west, casts a dim golden glow across the sky. A flock of pigeons returning home fluttered their wings, crossing the darkening heavens.
Ji Xiao sat alone by the young girl's bedside, playing games for a while. After being deceived by her teammates twice, she angrily put down her phone, turned, and flicked on the wall light.
The young girl was still in a deep sleep. Ji Xiao sat quietly, bored, observing her features. The reserved almond-shaped eyes were accompanied by a straight and sharp nose, and a slightly raised lip bead adorned the shorter philtrum. This gave her a charmingly coquettish and arrogant appearance.
‘How can Omegas be compared to Alphas?! They can't even…’
Ji Xiao's ears suddenly echoed with the arrogant and disdainful remarks this girl made in the restroom that day.
A light flashed through her, and she finally recalled the girl's name—Qiao Ni!
Just then, Qiao Ni's eyelids twitched ever so slightly, her fine eyelashes trembling.
Ji Xiao cautiously asked, "Qiao Ni, are you awake?"
Upon hearing her name, those almond-shaped eyes slowly opened.
Qiao Ni looked around the room filled with the scent of disinfectant, confused, and asked, "Where am I?"
"This is the school clinic," Ji Xiao explained, getting up to pour a glass of water for Qiao Ni. "You just differentiated into an Omega. We were about to contact your family and..."
Before Ji Xiao could finish her sentence, Qiao Ni, filled with agitation, sat up abruptly. "No! You can't tell them I've turned into an Omega!"
Panic was written all over the young girl's face as she tried to get off the bed.
Seeing this, Ji Xiao hurriedly set down the cup in her hand, took a brisk step forward, and gently pressed her back onto the bed. "It's too late for you to leave now. They must have already informed your parents and the class teacher."
Upon hearing Ji Xiao's words, Qiao Ni's heart instantly sank, and she slumped back onto the bed, feeling defeated.
Seeing her in this state, Ji Xiao felt a pang of sympathy. She handed the glass of water she had poured to Qiao Ni. "Have a drink first; your lips are cracked."
Qiao Ni silently took the water Ji Xiao handed her, about to thank her when her gaze met Ji Xiao's golden-orange eyes.
Instantly, Qiao Ni felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity with the person before her and hesitated before saying, "You are..."
Hearing this, Ji Xiao chuckled, sat back in the chair beside the bed, and said, "How could you forget me so quickly? We seem to have some fate; we've met twice in the Omega restroom."
Prompted by Ji Xiao's reminder, Qiao Ni instantly recalled the recent unpleasant encounter. Her face turned pale, and she said, "It's you!"
Qiao Ni laughed self-mockingly, "You must be feeling quite pleased now, right? I've transformed into the Omega I disdain the most, while you are the Alpha I've always wanted to be but can never become..."
Listening to the girl's pointed words, Ji Xiao saw the underlying sadness on her face.
Recalling Qiao Ni's behavior in the restroom, Ji Xiao couldn't help but ask in a deep voice, "Do you really despise Omegas that much? Do you despise it to the extent of sacrificing your own well-being to deny this reality?"
As Qiao Ni met Ji Xiao's gaze, her golden-orange eyes seemed unable to contain any falsehood.
The girl, who had seemed somewhat spirited just moments ago, now lowered her eyes slightly, and the illuminated areas were all filled with desolation.
Qiao Ni lightly shook her head at Ji Xiao and said, "You don't understand..."
Though Ji Xiao didn't know what had happened to Qiao Ni, she sensed that the girl's bias against Omegas wasn't simply disdain; there seemed to be a deeper aversion to this attribute within her.
Ji Xiao gently bit her lip and said, "I understand that becoming an Omega was unexpected for you. Perhaps you never thought, or even considered, that one day something so unpredictable would happen. But, Qiao Ni, you need to learn to face it.”
Guiding Qiao Ni, Ji Xiao shared words she had kept hidden in her heart for a long time.
"Accept this reality, then adapt to it. Make it beautiful to the best of your ability."
"This is your life. Since it's already like this, you can't go through it with a resistant attitude."
"Your body belongs to you. Even if you've transformed into an Omega, you have to believe that, even if Alphas harass you, you won't easily succumb to them as the books say."
"How could that be possible..." Qiao Ni doubted, her voice hoarse.
“How could it be impossible?" Ji Xiao countered.
"Have you seen it?" Qiao Ni asked again.
"Of course, I have," Ji Xiao answered confidently.
Listening to Ji Xiao's resolute responses, Qiao Ni's eyes wavered. "Who?"
"Wei Qingyu," Ji Xiao replied.
Her voice was gentle but determined.
Upon hearing the name, Qiao Ni hesitated, "Is she the one Liu Meina..."
Ji Xiao nodded, “Mm."
"She's our grade's top student in the sophomore division, winning competitions left and right, a perennial three-time excellent student, outstanding student council leader. She's not only smart but also exceptionally good-looking, recognized as the grade's top beauty..." Ji Xiao clenched her fingers and blew out all the rainbow farts she had made to Wei Qingyu when she was reading the book.
"She is truly the most admirable Omega I've ever met," Ji Xiao said, her tone and expression involuntarily carrying a hint of pride.
Listening to Ji Xiao's description, Qiao Ni's initially resistant heart began to waver.
She hesitated and asked, "So, can I become someone like that…"
"Of course," Ji Xiao assured confidently.
Her teacher once told her that as an educator, they must believe that every child, with steadfast beliefs, can have an infinite future.
Through Ji Xiao's brief words, Qiao Ni's long-standing knot in her heart slowly unraveled.
A glimmer of gratitude shone in the young girl's eyes, and her face, with a hint of softness, finally revealed a reserved smile.
Twisting her fingers on the bed sheet beneath her, she shyly said, "Thank you, senior. Can... can I hug you?"
Ji Xiao, who was just smiling a second ago, froze at the next.
Although they are both girls, how can one provide psychological counseling for others without compensation and still involve selling xx?
Is there a separate cost for this?
But before Ji Xiao could refuse, Qiao Ni boldly leaned in and hugged her.
The slender arms of the young girl wrapped around Ji Xiao's slightly larger frame, tightly entwining behind her back.
Ji Xiao, having lived for more than twenty years, truly encountered a girl who actively embraced her for the first time.
She looked at Qiao Ni, who clung to her with a sense of dependence, and felt at a loss. The instinct of a teacher to care for a student made her hesitate to immediately push away the frail girl.
A sudden gust of cool wind rushed in through the window, and the faint scent of mint landed perfectly on Ji Xiao's nape.
She instinctively looked towards the door, and in that moment, her heart skipped a beat.
The dim light of the sunset cast shadows at the door, outlining two figures.
At some point, Wei Qingyu and Hao Hui appeared at the entrance, seemingly out of nowhere.
Author's Note:
Cold Wei: Die!
PS: Everyone knows how to come up with names hahahaha.
