After Differentiation, My Arch-nemesis Thinks I’m Fragrant - Chapter 43

After the phone call ended.

Shu Youzhan glanced at the little hooligans looking for trouble in front of her, then looked up at the plaque of the nearby orphanage. Realizing it would take some time for Zhao Qinglan to arrive, she moved her foot and nudged the guy in front of her who was clutching both his neck and his stomach. “Hey, still want to fight?”

It was unclear if the hoodlum had been hit in the face, but his voice was muffled and indistinct; one could barely make out a few words: “Wait… just you wait…”

Shu Youzhan let out a small laugh, crossing her arms with interest. “Wait for what? What, are you calling for backup?”

Receiving a glare of spent defiance and seeing his lips move as if cursing, Shu Youzhan didn’t care at all. She simply leaned against the wall nearby, counted the six or seven figures rolling and wailing on the ground, and said leisurely, “It’s useless to call people.”

“I’ve already called the police. Just stay there and get ready for some ‘ideological education.’ Every day you use your Alpha strength to harm society—you really are scum.”

After she spoke, the person furthest from her endured the pain and struggled to get up. He originally intended to run, but hearing her words, he couldn’t help but curl his lips into a mocking smile. His hawk-like eyes glared over. “What use is that? Did we do anything wrong?”

“These Omegas in the orphanage, even if they don’t go with us, no one else will want them later. At least we are Alphas; we can still satisfy them… what’s wrong with being with us? It’s better than being sold off, isn’t it? It’s always been this way; we aren’t the first ones to do this!”

Shu Youzhan pursed her lips tightly.

She tried hard to control her temper to avoid actually smashing their brains out. Having no intention of preaching logic to these hopeless cases, she casually kicked a pebble from beside her foot. It struck the man’s abdomen, doubling him over again so he couldn’t stand. She replied expressionlessly, “The difference between attempted rape and mutual consent—once you’re at the station, someone will explain it to you.”

Although she had heard many times that the North Street area was chaotic—with winding old alleys and a diverse population making law enforcement extremely difficult—seeing that the orphanage she sponsored could be so brazenly targeted by people with ill intentions made her mood turn sour instantly.

She thought about moving the orphanage to a new location, while also wondering why, even though Planet Blue was now the head of the Fourth Galaxy, a place like North Street still existed.

What would the environments of other planets be like?

Just then, the sound of cluttered footsteps echoed from the nearby alley.

Shu Youzhan forced herself to focus. Since she hadn’t heard any sirens, she knew the newcomers weren’t on her side. She hadn’t expected a “village within a city” like North Street to harbor organized criminal forces. Her expression darkened further as she stood in the corner with her arms crossed, remaining silent.

Before long, several figures appeared, scattered like spilled peanuts, sparsely blocking the exit of the alley.

A small head popped up from the top of the orphanage wall, looking at the scene outside in shock. The girl reached out a thin wrist and waved at her. “Sister Xiao Shu! Come inside quickly!”

Shu Youzhan didn’t look back; instead, she waved her hand at the girl. “Go back to your room, be careful not to fall.”

She narrowed her eyes, looking at the tall men carrying crowbars and long wooden sticks, and then at the leader with a scar on his face. Sensing the aggressive pheromones of the Alphas surging toward her, she acted as if she didn’t feel the pressure, muttering, “Such a big commotion… just right to wipe them all out at once.”

At that moment, the scarred man, who had been nonchalantly checking who was causing trouble on his turf, was initially startled by the sight of the No. 1 Middle School uniform. When he saw Shu Youzhan’s face, his expression went blank for a second.

“Boss, it’s this psycho who’s meddling—”

The man previously hit by the pebble struggled to his feet to complain, but before he could finish, he took another kick to the stomach. He collapsed like a piece of paper and couldn’t get up again.

The scarred man roared, “Damn it, I tell you guys to watch more TV all the time, where did my words go? I told you to stay away from these rich people. Fuck, you guys went and provoked an even tougher one. Do you have a death wish?”

“Get out of here! Do you want the Fourth Army’s cannons at our doorstep one day to send you all to hell?”

As he spoke, he kicked each of them in turn, his strikes heavier than Shu Youzhan’s.

Shu Youzhan found it strangely amusing. Watching him order the later-arrived subordinates to carry the others away, she knew it wasn’t wise to chase these local thugs into their own territory alone.

However, she didn’t want them to get away scot-free before the police arrived, as it might be impossible to track them down later. She straightened up and spoke out: “Hey, don’t be in such a hurry to leave.”

“The people you called have arrived, but the one I called hasn’t yet. Why not wait a bit?”

The scarred man paused. Looking at her slender figure still in her school uniform, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, tucked one in his mouth, and slowly lit it.

Through the wisps of smoke, he exhaled a cloud and smiled. “Little girl of the Shu family, I bet the people you’re waiting for won’t be coming. It’s getting dark; hurry home.”

Pausing, he added, “I didn’t do my homework before and didn’t know this orphanage had a new owner. Now that I know, there won’t be any more blind fools wandering in here. I guarantee it.”

Shu Youzhan saw he wasn’t stupid and wanted to know more about the situation in North Street. As he prepared to leave, she asked one more thing: “They just said the people here are better off than being sold. What did that mean?”

“The number of Omegas in this orphanage is the highest. Have you ever wondered why?” the man countered.

Seeing Shu Youzhan dazed, he added meaningfully, “Not every Omega is as lucky as you.”

By the time Zhao Qinglan arrived, her brow was knitted into a tight knot. Thinking about the rumors of North Street and the fact that Shu Youzhan had been fighting here, she hurried inside.

At the same time, she dialed the other’s number again to confirm she was okay.

As soon as the call connected, just as Zhao Qinglan was about to speak, she rounded a corner and saw a figure squatting by the road. The silver-white school uniform stood out sharply against the high grey walls.

She looked like… a little pet puppy that had just been abandoned.

“Hello?”

A listless voice came through the receiver.

Simultaneously, hearing footsteps, Shu Youzhan looked up. She saw the figure not far away; Zhao Qinglan must have come in a great hurry, as she hadn’t even changed out of her military uniform. The killing black color made her look exceptionally majestic.

Shu Youzhan squinted at her, watching the slanting sunlight fall on her. She put her phone away and watched the person walk from the sunlight into the shadows, arriving by her side with lingering heat and a rim of mud on her combat boots.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Zhao Qinglan’s voice carried a hint of caution, as if she had never seen Shu Youzhan like this and didn’t know who had hurt her. Not daring to act rashly, she could only half-squat, her eyes constantly searching for injuries.

Shu Youzhan gave a lazy “Mm” and added, “I’m dying…”

Zhao Qinglan: “!”

Watching the expression of the person in front of her change instantly, Shu Youzhan pretended for two seconds before she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

She leaned forward, looped her arms around Zhao Qinglan’s neck, and said unhurriedly, “Just kidding.”

Before Zhao Qinglan could react, Shu Youzhan shared much of her weight with her, saying softly with a smile, “Fighting is so tiring. I don’t have the strength to get up. How about you carry me home on your back?”

Zhao Qinglan: “!!”

She never expected to encounter such a stroke of luck right after returning.

For a moment, she was overwhelmed by the favor and felt it was unusual. Without a word, she pulled Shu Youzhan up and turned her around twice to make sure she really wasn’t hurt. Relieved, she turned her back and squatted down, tilting her head. “Get on…”

Seeing her actually agree to such an absurd request, Shu Youzhan became the one hesitating. Standing there with a smile, she tried to back out: “Alright, I was joking. How long would it take to walk back from here? Get up, I was just teasing you.”

But Zhao Qinglan didn’t move. Her profile was like a polished jade—perfectly lined, with the dark depth of her eyes clear even in the shadows.

If any other Omega were here, their heart would be thumping wildly.

She simply offered another option: “Or I could carry you back in my arms?”

Shu Youzhan imagined the media, who hadn’t had any gossip to feast on for a long time. This scene would surely be captured by countless lenses, put on the front pages, and used to write endless rumors. She replied with a complex expression, “It’s not really necessary to go that big the moment you get back…”

Zhao Qinglan arched an eyebrow.

Shu Youzhan saw her persistence. She had missed her quite a bit, and now, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She slowly leaned over. While hugging Zhao Qinglan’s neck, she whispered a deal into her ear: “Can you put me down once we get out of the alley?”

Zhao Qinglan stood up with her on her back, her posture so steady she didn’t even wobble. It gave Shu Youzhan the illusion that she was as light as paper. Realizing the change in her perspective, she wondered if Zhao Qinglan had grown taller again.

If she’s this tall, will it be a struggle to even get a little kiss later?

Her thoughts suddenly drifted in a strange direction.

Zhao Qinglan didn’t answer her question directly, but instead started another topic: “Tell me, what happened?”

“Hmm?”

“You look like you’re in a bad mood. Tell me about it; I’ll help you figure something out.”

“Nothing happened…”

“Oh, then I won’t put you down.”

The exit of the alley was already coming into view. Thinking about the storm their current posture would cause, heat rushed to Shu Youzhan’s ears. She kicked her legs slightly and pleaded softly, “Don’t…”

It sounded like acting spoiled.

The sound drifted into Zhao Qinglan’s ear at close range, like a cloud landing a kiss. She lowered her eyes, her breath hitching imperceptibly, as she heard Shu Youzhan reply from behind in a tone that was half-spoiled, half-stubborn: “It’s nothing. Just consider it my little secret. Anyway, you’re keeping so many things from me too.”

Zhao Qinglan stopped her pace and spoke again: “Fine. Let’s trade for a different condition.”

“Huh?”

A lazy syllable drifted out, her warm breath brushing against the side of Zhao Qinglan’s neck. Unaware, Shu Youzhan leaned against her and used her fingertips to twirl a strand of Zhao Qinglan’s black hair, discovering that her hair was actually quite coarse—nothing like the texture of her own.

Zhao Qinglan’s answer came then: “Give me a little kiss, and I’ll put you down. Otherwise, I’m taking you to the front-page headlines.”

Shu Youzhan: “Huh??”

She was stunned for two seconds, her back straightening slightly. “How can you play dirty? You didn’t say that when you offered the ride…”

There was a hint of grievance in her voice.

Zhao Qinglan let out a laugh, and after a while, she replied: “You asked me to carry you, and I did. I asked you for a kiss, and you won’t. So who is the one playing dirty?”

As she spoke, she resumed her steps toward the street, as if she really intended to carry Shu Youzhan out in public to flaunt their current relationship.

Shu Youzhan patted her shoulder.

Just as Zhao Qinglan thought she was angry and was preparing to put her down—

The moment she turned her head, a soft, touch—better than she had imagined—landed on her cheek, staying for a moment before pulling away.

Warm breath fell on her shoulder as Shu Youzhan buried her head behind her back. Using this ostrich-like posture to let the heat in her face subside, she urged in a muffled voice: “There… is that enough?”