After Dating the President O, I Turned Into a Puppy-Like Lover - Chapter 23

Early that morning, Jiang He went to the hospital to visit her grandaunt—an Omega, her grandfather’s cousin who had always treated her kindly as a child. Now over eighty, the old woman had fractured a bone after missing a step on the stairs. For the elderly, recovery is slow and difficult; she had already been hospitalized for half a month and was only just beginning to improve.

Jiang He had wanted to visit ever since hearing the news, but time had never allowed. Today she came alone, since she had plans to meet Sister Wei and the others in the afternoon. The hospital was conveniently on the way, so she could stop by before heading out.

She was peeling an apple while her grandaunt spoke to her kindly.

“How are your grades at school, Xiao He?” Adults always asked such things.

“Not bad. Around thirtieth in the grade.” The results of the last monthly exam had just come out—her best performance yet, perhaps because she had prepared a little more than usual.

“That’s very good. Have you thought about what university you want to attend?”

Jiang He lowered her lashes, pausing.

What else could it be? The school her grandfather had already arranged.

“Probably the university on the island.”

The island was remote, expensive, and had few schools. But it was home to one of the nation’s top universities in military engineering—exactly the path her grandfather had cultivated her for.

Her grandaunt understood immediately. “That must be your grandfather’s idea, right?”

Jiang He smiled faintly and said nothing.

After sitting a while longer, she glanced at her watch. It was nearly time to meet Sister Wei. She politely said, raising her voice for her hard-of-hearing grandaunt: “Grandma, I have to go now. I’ll come visit again another day.”

Her grandaunt nodded. “Go on, good child. Focus on your studies. You don’t need to keep coming to see me.”

Leaving the ward, Jiang He put on her baseball cap. She turned left, intending to take the stairs down. The inpatient wing was connected to the outpatient building by a small door. With the cold air outside, she walked through the outpatient side instead, avoiding the chill.

She checked her phone as she walked. On WeChat, Sister Wei’s avatar showed two unread messages:

Yu Wei: I’m already here.

You’re not still at the hospital, are you!

Jiang He felt awkward. Sister Wei was always so straightforward. Most people said “on the way” when they had only just left home, “in the car” when they were still stuck in traffic, “almost there” when they were halfway. But Sister Wei spoke only the truth, no exaggeration.

Luckily, the hospital wasn’t far from their meeting place. Jiang He typed quickly:

On the way.

Almost there.

Just as she hit send, she quickened her pace and suddenly collided head-on with someone.

“Smack!” Her phone slipped from her hand before she could pocket it, clattering to the floor, bouncing once, twice, before skidding away.

Ignoring her phone, Jiang He hurriedly asked the stranger: “I’m so sorry, are you alright?”

Dan Sirou rubbed her right shoulder where she’d been struck. The Alpha’s strength was considerable; with the same speed and impact, she was the one who felt pain.

“It’s fine.” She looked up and both froze in shock.

Jiang He was stunned into silence. She had instinctively reached out to check the injury, then leaned closer. “What a coincidence.”

Two quiet gazes suddenly lit with color.

Fortunately, Jiang He’s face was usually expressionless, hiding the thrill of the encounter. She appeared calm, almost indifferent.

“Yes,” Dan Sirou replied. It was indeed a coincidence, though not the first time she had run into Jiang He at the hospital. No wonder the scent had felt so familiar earlier. With the cap pulled low, she hadn’t recognized her at first.

Much had happened in the past two months. Their relationship was awkward now, filed under the category she least wanted to face.

Though the agreement had ended, some things, once experienced, could not simply fade with time.

Dan Sirou had no desire to reminisce with someone who was both a stranger and once intimately close. There was nothing worth revisiting. Beyond their physical entanglements of the past two months, there was little else between them.

But Jiang He spoke anyway. “Why are you at the hospital? With your mother?”

“Yes.”

“Is it serious?”

“Not too bad. She may need to stay a couple of days.”

Without realizing it, Jiang He walked alongside her. Dan Sirou answered mostly out of politeness.

When Jiang He’s questions ran out, she slowed her pace, knowing there was little more to say.

She watched the girl’s graceful figure recede—straight-backed, elegant, moving through the crowd yet impossible to overlook.

Dan Sirou was the strongest person Jiang He had ever known.

Her presence radiated a quiet power that drew Jiang He forward, like a moth to flame. Even without a future, even without certainty, she could not help but follow.

Unconsciously retracing her steps, Jiang He arrived at the ward where Dan Sirou had disappeared. Entering, she found her still inside.

Hearing the door, Dan Sirou glanced over, recognizing the persistent shadow. She ignored her, focusing instead on the doctor speaking to her.

Jiang He naturally stood beside her, barely listening to the medical jargon. Instead, she stole glances at the girl. The window was cracked open, letting in a cool breeze that lifted the strands of her hair. Silken and smooth, one lock drifted toward Jiang He.

Her heart itched, how she longed to touch it.

But she restrained herself. If she dared, Dan Sirou would surely glare, and even her good temper and manners would not stop her from telling Jiang He to step away, doctor or no doctor.

“The situation is as follows,” the doctor concluded. “You’ll need to pay the fees first, then complete the admission paperwork.”

Weekends were crowded. Even these two steps alone would mean long queues.

Jiang He understood little of the medical terms, but she caught that part clearly.

Walking out together, she volunteered: “You handle the payment. I’ll take care of the admission paperwork.”

Dan Sirou looked at her, clearly unwilling to accept help from someone who should have no ties to her.

“Can you manage it alone?” Jiang He asked, worried. “Even if you can wait, what about your mother? I just happened to run into you, so I thought I’d help. If it was anyone else from school, they wouldn’t just stand by either.”

She tried to frame herself as part of the ordinary, helpful crowd, softening the weight of her offer.

Something in her words seemed to touch Dan Sirou. At last, she relented. Handing over her ID card, she lowered her gaze, avoiding Jiang He’s eyes. “Then I’ll trouble you. I’ll transfer the money to you afterward.”

Jiang He wanted to say it wasn’t necessary.

Jiang He knew Dan Sirou would likely refuse, so she simply nodded. “Mm.”

The hospital was crowded, as weekends always were. Dan Sirou had already paid the fees, and her mother was in the imaging room for scans that would take fifteen to twenty minutes. She used the gap to look for Jiang He.

Just in time, Jiang He’s turn at the payment counter had come. Fortunately, Dan Sirou arrived; otherwise, Jiang He, unfamiliar with hospital procedures, had been about to call her for help.

Once someone has helped, it rarely stops at once—it becomes twice, thrice, and more. Though most of the tasks afterward fell to Dan Sirou herself, Jiang He stayed close, and Dan Sirou could only turn a blind eye. After crossing that mental threshold, Jiang He’s involvement in everything else seemed natural.

After all, once she had participated, it was impossible to dismiss her with a simple “you can go now.”

And Jiang He, as an Alpha, did have her uses.

She didn’t know much about hospital routines, but when strength was needed, she stepped in without hesitation.

When her mother lay uncomfortably flat on the bed, Jiang He helped adjust the frame to raise her.

Hospital matters were tedious and draining. Even someone as accustomed as Dan Sirou had moments of fatigue. Yet seeing that tall, slender figure beside her—calm expression, steady gaze—she had to admit that, for a fleeting instant, Jiang He gave her a faint sense of security.

But it was only a moment. Most of the time, Dan Sirou wished she wasn’t there at all. Without her, things might feel lighter.

By the time all the errands were done, afternoon had arrived.

Jiang He finally checked her phone. More than a dozen messages, seven or eight missed calls, Sister Wei’s complaints filled the screen.

Her phone had originally been on sound, but when she followed Dan Sirou into the ward, the constant beeping annoyed her, so she’d switched it to silent. Now she was doomed—Sister Wei would be furious.

She quickly typed:
Sorry!
Something important came up suddenly.

Yu Wei: You’d better tell me exactly what it was.
Hmph, left me freezing in the wind.
##%&#@%@##*

To show her sincerity, Jiang He explained: I ran into someone I know at the hospital, and I’ve been busy ever since.

Yu Wei: Who?

The person who made you ditch me. Tell me, who is it?

Just then, Dan Sirou walked over. Jiang He quickly turned aside, hiding her screen, and typed: An Omega.

Silence on the other end.

Dan Sirou said, “I’m going to buy something.”

Normally Jiang He would have followed, but now she was relieved to see her go. Otherwise, she would have felt guilty, convinced Dan Sirou was watching her every move.

“Oh, okay,” Jiang He replied.

After she left, Yu Wei sent another message: Is it that Omega from the other day?

Jiang He blinked, confused: Which one?

She truly didn’t know. Who did Sister Wei think it was? Had she heard some rumor? Only Duan Xinchun knew about her feelings for Dan Sirou, no one else.

Soon, a voice message arrived: Forget it. You’re clearly hiding something, but I’ll let it go this time. Ah-choo! She sniffled, background noise loud, then added: Alright, I’ll talk to you later.

Jiang He was left bewildered. Who exactly did Sister Wei think it was?

But she didn’t dwell on it long, soon distracted by her phone again.

Meanwhile, Dan Sirou returned from the hospital cafeteria with two boxed meals and a portion of soft food.

She found Jiang He slumped in a chair, head resting on one hand, asleep. The other hand dangled loosely over her lap, clutching her phone, which looked ready to slip at any moment.

Without thinking, Dan Sirou quickened her pace, easily taking the phone from her hand and setting it gently on the table. She placed the food beside it.

She had meant to wake her, her lips even formed the first syllable of “Jiang”—but she stopped.

The girl was fast asleep, clearly exhausted.

It was still early. Dan Sirou decided to let her rest a while before waking her to eat. Perhaps she wouldn’t need to, this posture didn’t look like one that could last long.

She unpacked the daily necessities she had brought, fetched a cup of hot water, and returned. To her surprise, Jiang He was still asleep, deeper than before.

With all the admission procedures complete, Dan Sirou had nothing left to do. The bed beside them was empty, leaving a spare chair. She sat down, facing Jiang He across the table.

Though she disliked sharing a meal with her, Jiang He had undeniably helped a great deal today. Dan Sirou was not someone who could bear owing favors. With trusted friends, it was different. But with Jiang He, her instinct was to draw sharp boundaries, to keep the line clear.

In the hospital, even the most interesting things lost their charm. She idly scrolled her phone, bored by the repetitive content. Setting it aside, she glanced across the table. Jiang He was still asleep.

Honestly, she couldn’t understand at all, how could anyone sleep so long in that position?

Wouldn’t her hand go numb, her waist ache?

The phone offered nothing but boredom, so Dan Sirou propped her chin on her hand and, without realizing, let her gaze linger a little longer.

She had to admit, Jiang He was truly beautiful.

Her brows and eyes carried a heroic sharpness, yet not so much as to make her look masculine. Her nose was narrow but high, perfectly suited to her face. Her lashes were long, like delicate black feathers. Her features were pure and clean, like crystal-clear water untouched by any impurity.

Usually she appeared cold, aloof, untouchable. But asleep, she looked fragile, like someone starved of care.

Dan Sirou suddenly remembered, her pheromones carried the scent of milk.

Actually, it was rather pleasant.

She had tasted it before. Though she resisted, she guessed no one else would dislike such a clean, innocent fragrance. Someday, her Omega would surely love it.

She didn’t know how far her thoughts had wandered.

She was reminiscing about Jiang He’s pheromones.

Scolding herself inwardly, she realized it was getting late.

She hadn’t woken her yet, but food had to be eaten, soon the dishes would grow cold.

So, she stood, opened the meal box, and called softly:

“Jiang He.”

No response.

“Jiang He.” She stretched each syllable.

Still no response.

Exasperated, she reached out and gently nudged her. “Jiang He, wake up. Time to eat.” She tried her best to sound gentle—so gentle it felt unnatural, even to herself. She had always been cold to her; even a slight change in tone made her uncomfortable.

“Don’t call me!” Jiang He muttered irritably, turning her face. Her pale cheek was pressed against her sleeve, leaving a sharp crease.

“Mmm, Dan Sirou, it hurts.”

Dan Sirou: “…”

She had unmistakably called her name. She was in Jiang He’s dream.

What was this?

Thinking of Jiang He’s behavior toward her, though she hated to admit it—this girl, indifferent to most people and things, was often unusually warm with her. Could it be that Jiang He?

At last, she woke her. They ate in silence, neither speaking.

Jiang He cautiously lifted a bite of rice to her mouth. Since waking, something felt strange. She stole a glance upward—Dan Sirou was bent over her own meal, focused.

“I didn’t know what dishes you liked, so I just picked a few.” Her voice was mild.

“These are all fine. I like them.”

Their conversation was as bland as plain water.

Dan Sirou finished first, sipped some water, and looked at the obedient, slightly tense Jiang He across the table.

“Jiang He.” Unable to hold back, she called her name suddenly.

Jiang He’s head shot up, eyes wide with surprise. “Hm?”

Dan Sirou hesitated, then said, “Forget it. Finish your meal first.”

Jiang He glanced down at her box. She wasn’t hungry anymore. “I’m done.”

She was finished, but Dan Sirou hadn’t yet gathered her words. After a pause, she asked: “Jiang He, you don’t have any other thoughts about me, do you?”

“What thoughts?” Jiang He feigned ignorance.

Her fingers clenched unconsciously, damp with cold sweat.

“You don’t like me, do you?” At last, she asked outright.

Even she found the question absurd. She was used to being confessed to, aware of her own allure. But to ask an Alpha so bluntly, it felt almost vain. Still, she couldn’t leave it unspoken.

Jiang He: “…”

Jiang He was anxious. Dan Sirou’s gaze was sharp as a blade—impossible to lie under. She forced calm. “Why do you ask that?”

Dan Sirou studied her quietly. In those brief seconds, she saw no sign of guilt. Perhaps she was mistaken.

“It’s nothing. I just heard you call my name in your sleep. And some of your behavior before, it made me wonder.”

So that was it. Jiang He steadied herself, then asked boldly: “What if I said yes?”

“I like you, Dan Sirou.” Her voice was earnest.

But inside, she trembled. Rejection was almost certain. Yet she couldn’t suppress her curiosity, she wanted to glimpse Dan Sirou’s thoughts.

Dan Sirou held her gaze, as though staring long enough could pierce Jiang He’s intentions. But she saw no falsehood in her eyes.

“Then I advise you to give up. We’re impossible.” Her lips parted, voice cool.

“Why?” Jiang He pressed. “You’re so sure? You won’t even consider it?”

“No reason,” Dan Sirou said. “There is none.”

Jiang He’s eyes darkened.

That was the cruelest part, not even a reason. No chance to change, no room to hope.

“What are you thinking?” Jiang He suddenly laughed. “How could I like you? I was joking.”

“Maybe there’s a little fondness. But only because we’re highly compatible, and you’re the Omega I marked. Liking my own Omega is normal, isn’t it? At most, it’s about your external qualities. If you were just a B-class Omega, I’d feel nothing.”

If that wasn’t enough to sever ties, she added words sharper still, trying to reclaim her dignity scattered at Dan Sirou’s feet.

“Besides, look at your family’s situation.” Jiang He’s eyes swept the ward. “So many messes waiting to be cleaned up. Who would have the luxury of romance? And if someone did, it would only be for your body. For people like that, I’ll give you a friendly warning, be careful.”

She didn’t know if her words wounded Dan Sirou. They certainly wounded herself. If Dan Sirou had softened even slightly, lowered her stance, Jiang He would have surrendered instantly. Pride meant nothing to her.

But Dan Sirou listened calmly, then nodded. “Are you finished?”

“You’re right. But my family’s matters are mine to handle. I don’t need anyone’s help including yours.”