After Being Marked By A Love Rival - Chapter 29

Qi Musi felt her face flush while simultaneously feeling contempt and disgust for herself.

She had never known she was so… desperate or easily tempted before. How did hearing Xie Rong’s voice message turn her into this?

But no matter what, Qi Musi ultimately didn’t force herself to suppress her urges. Instead, she took her phone into the bathroom and stayed there for a long time before coming out.

Afterward, Qi Musi took a shower and entered a brief period of calm. She emerged from the bathroom, still carrying a trace of steam, the mask she usually wore dropped to reveal her underlying indifferent emotions.

She took out her phone and was messaging someone, communicating about some matters.

That day, after Qi Muyan drugged her, he disappeared. To be precise, when he saw his plan wasn’t working after Qi Musi suddenly left, he figured there was no point staying at school and went back by himself.

Although he had many plans in his mind, when he was in front of Qi Musi, he realized they weren’t viable and couldn’t be executed. After all, he was still an inexperienced child, and the schemes he could think of were those he’d read in novels. When it came down to the real deal, they didn’t have much effect, so he pulled out early.

Moreover, before leaving, he put on a good act in front of Qi Musi, pretending as if the drug wasn’t administered by him.

Thinking of this, Qi Musi couldn’t help but sneer.

Indeed, the only evidence she had now was the remaining water; there was nothing else. She couldn’t even convict Qi Muyan unless she could find the actual drug in his possession.

But that was too difficult. The other party wasn’t stupid and must have already thrown it away, eliminating any traces. Plus, he had his mother helping him clean up. It would be extremely difficult for her to find anything.

And stepping back… even if Qi Musi really found something, what then? Qi Muyan had people behind him, his mother, his maternal grandparents’ family, and people in the company who had quietly sided with them. But Qi Musi was alone her mother’s family no longer had much say in the Qi family.

Qi Musi’s face was cold as she sat on the sofa.

Of course, she wouldn’t sit around and wait for death. The evidence still needed to be kept and collected, just waiting for the day she could deliver a fatal blow.

And now…

Qi Musi looked at the water in her hand, narrowed her eyes, and suddenly had another idea.

So she made a call.

Although what happened yesterday had some impact on Xie Rong, it wasn’t enough to affect her much. Thus, she sat in class the next day as if nothing had happened.

Zhao Rongrong was still sitting next to Xie Rong today. Clutching her suspicion, she trembled and cautiously observed Xie Rong.

This… doesn’t seem any different from before? Did she guess wrong?

However, a faint yet undeniable scent of cherry fruit wine emanated from Xie Rong, carrying a strong sense of possessiveness. It seemed to warn every alpha who approached Xie Rong to stay away and branded Xie Rong as someone’s property.

Zhao Rongrong’s expression twisted slightly.

Xie Rong certainly hadn’t noticed her change, or rather, she had noticed but couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it. There were only two things Xie Rong needed to do now: first, attend class normally, and second, wait.

Wait for Qi Musi to return.

She hoped the other party would be well-rested before coming back, otherwise, she wouldn’t… be merciful with her words.

Time flew by, and it was soon afternoon. After class, Xie Rong received a message from Zhuang Xinbai, asking if she wanted to go off-campus to buy food together.

Xie Rong’s finger hovered over the screen. She typed a “good” word almost without hesitation, but before sending it, Xie Rong paused.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go with Zhuang Xinbai, but rather… her current pheromone state.

Xie Rong pursed her lips.

Although she was angry about being bitten by Qi Musi, after the anger subsided, a certain inexpressible awkwardness remained in her heart. After all, as an alpha, she was bitten by another alpha, which was embarrassing in some ways.

And to think more drastically, it was a humiliation.

Xie Rong already cared about the bite mark and the fact that the incident happened, so how could she possibly let Zhuang Xinbai know?

Even if she tried her best to hide it, what if Zhuang Xinbai detected the scent of another alpha on her, and a scent that she must have smelled before…

Thinking of this, Xie Rong closed her eyes, unwilling to think further.

In such matters, an omega would certainly possess a stronger sensitivity than an alpha, which was why Lu Yuan could detect something was wrong the moment she saw her.

Xie Rong squeezed her fingers, finally replying to Zhuang Xinbai and telling her “next time.”

She didn’t want Zhuang Xinbai to know about this. It was okay if her roommates or other alphas knew, but not Zhuang Xinbai.

Because she was the person she liked.

Though disappointed, Zhuang Xinbai quickly agreed. Xie Rong’s expression softened as she looked at the other party’s words in the chat history.

That night, Qi Musi still hadn’t returned.

Zhao Rongrong hid in bed, binge watching a show, and guessing, ‘Looks like she won’t be back today either.’ Save me, I don’t dare look at Xiao Rong’s face anymore.

Zhao Rongrong tossed and turned, secretly logging onto the forum, thinking of searching for similar incidents. But all she found were examples of people sulking, like ‘What to do if my omega roommate is giving me the silent treatment,’ ‘Palace drama unfolds daily in the dorm,’ or ‘What to do if my alpha roommates fought, everyone’s in trouble…’ and so on.

Zhao Rongrong scrolled through them one by one, silently scorning them.

None of them are useful! What’s the big deal about the silent treatment or an argument! My roommate allegedly bit my other roommate! That’s the real excitement!

Zhao Rongrong was excited, wishing she could personally post about it.

However, just as she clicked to create a new post, she calmed down.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but she didn’t dare. If Xie Rong found out, ten lives wouldn’t be enough to spare her.

So Zhao Rongrong sighed inwardly and turned off her phone.

But Zhao Rongrong wouldn’t just sit and wait. After a while, she opened the chat box with Qi Musi. Their conversation was still stuck on the voice message Xie Rong had sent yesterday. Qi Musi hadn’t replied since.

Zhao Rongrong thought for a moment and asked Qi Musi: [Are you coming back today?]

Qi Musi replied quickly: [No.]

Zhao Rongrong made a bitter face. You’re not coming back, do you know what the dorm is like? But she didn’t dare to say this directly, afraid Qi Musi would realize she had discovered their secret. So, Zhao Rongrong tentatively asked: [Xiao Rong seems to be in a bad mood these past two days, aren’t you going to come and coax her?]

This question wasn’t unfounded. After they gradually became closer in the dorm, sometimes when Xie Rong was sulking, Qi Musi could always quickly notice, and then ignore Xie Rong’s cold atmosphere, approach her to tease and coax her a bit.

Although she didn’t know why Qi Musi was so free and patient, and not afraid, Zhao Rongrong still kept it in mind, thinking that Qi Musi and Xie Rong had a really good relationship. That’s why she probed like this.

This time, Qi Musi’s reply was a bit slow. Zhao Rongrong watched her phone until the screen went dark before the other party messaged back.

[Musi]: I will come back, tomorrow.

Seeing this message, Zhao Rongrong felt a stone drop from her heart. This meant the subtle atmosphere in the dorm would end tomorrow, right? That’s great, it’s been too difficult.

However, Zhao Rongrong didn’t dare to tell Xie Rong the answer. She was afraid of causing more trouble, so she kept the answer to herself and went to wash up, finally no longer having to feel anxious.

Meanwhile, on the other side, after seeing that the other party wasn’t sending any more messages, Qi Musi put down her phone and smiled silently and helplessly.

It might not be easy to coax her this time… She only hoped that Xiao Rong would give her a quick resolution.

But no matter how difficult it was to coax her, Qi Musi was determined to do so.

First, coaxing, and after coaxing, pursuing.

Qi Musi was a woman of her word. The next day at noon, when they returned after class and bought their lunch, they saw Qi Musi sitting in the dorm room.

Zhao Rongrong’s eyes widened, a little incredulous: “Musi, you’re back!”

Qi Musi smiled and nodded, her gaze subtly shifting from Zhao Rongrong’s face to Xie Rong. “Yes. Thank you for helping me ask for leave these past two days.”

Zhao Rongrong shook her head, bringing her food in, “It’s nothing, it’s a small matter.”

As long as you can come back and rescue us from this plight.

Qi Musi stood up and walked toward Xie Rong. The smile on her face lessened, but her eyes still held a gentle color, showing more sincerity and true emotion than when facing Zhao Rongrong and the others.

“Xiao Rong,” Qi Musi called her.

Xie Rong looked at the familiar face and the familiar pheromone scent coming from the other party. The emotions in her heart were quite calm. She ignored Qi Musi’s current eager approach, merely walking past her indifferently.

Qi Musi subconsciously grabbed her wrist.

Xie Rong stopped, turned back to look at her, her eyes carrying a cold, mocking smile. “What is it?” Xie Rong asked, though she knew the answer.

Qi Musi didn’t know if the roommates had discovered what happened that day, but she guessed that with Xie Rong’s personality, she wouldn’t talk about it. So after two seconds, Qi Musi said, “Do you have time after you eat? I have something to talk to you about.”

Xie Rong scrutinized her up and down, then curled her lips, the smile carrying a hint of coldness.

“Sure.”

She also happened to need to talk to Qi Musi.

So Qi Musi let go of her hand.

During these two days at the hotel, besides going through her estrus period, she was also treating her injuries, so when she appeared in front of everyone now, there was nothing amiss. At least on the surface.

She had already eaten before returning to the dorm, so she waited quietly there. Although she was nervous inside, she wasn’t impatient.

Qi Musi absently played with her phone, her peripheral vision uncontrollably glancing toward Xie Rong.

Two days apart, she… missed Xie Rong a little.

The aftereffects of the marking were still present. The moment she smelled Xie Rong’s pheromones, she felt a little intoxicated, eager to hold the other person and melt them into her very bones.

But Qi Musi still retained her rationality. She knew this was a pipe dream, and Xie Rong would never grant her wish.

Qi Musi pinched her palm, swallowing all her desires with a deep breath.

It’s okay, as long as I can look at Xie Rong.

After Xie Rong finished eating, she got up and walked over to Qi Musi. She looked down at the alpha who appeared gentle, alluring, and harmless, and knocked on the edge of her desk.