After Mistakenly Marking Her Stunning Omega Stepsister - Chapter 22

The November weather had cooled, the breeze carrying a chill.

After the mid-term grades were announced, Lin Wei gave Lin Sui another stern lecture.

It was easier before, when there was nothing to compare.

Now that her cousin had become the top student in the grade, Lin Wei naturally scrutinized her grades even more closely, even asking Wen Xiangzhu to tutor her.

On weekends, under Lin Wei’s watchful eye, Lin Sui had no choice but to diligently study with Wen Xiangzhu.

But now, at school, before classes even started, Wen Xiangzhu was already dragging her to the library to do practice problems.

Lin Sui had no interest in this. She immediately threw down the gauntlet.

“No way. I’m burned out from studying.”

Wen Xiangzhu blocked her from entering the dormitory building, coaxing, “But Sister, if you fail the final exams again, Auntie Lin will be furious.”

“I don’t care. I need to rest.”

Lin Sui shook off Wen Xiangzhu’s hand.

She had barely taken a few steps toward the dormitory when someone blocked her path.

“Sister, why don’t we… go to the library to rest for a bit first, and then study?” Wen Xiangzhu suggested, blinking her eyes and trying to tempt her. “We can bring our phones and snacks and play for a while.”

Lin Sui narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Wen Xiangzhu, wavering slightly.

Seeing this, Wen Xiangzhu added, “And we can buy some drinks too.”

Lin Sui continued to ponder, still unmoved.

“Pretty please?!” Wen Xiangzhu pouted, tugging on her hand and acting cute.

A group of Alphas passing by heard this and exchanged knowing smiles.

“Ooh, pretty please?”

The moment they teased, they met Lin Sui’s icy glare. Their faces froze, and they fell silent, lowering their heads and hurrying away.

“Was that Lin Sui?!”

“Hurry, let’s get out of here!”

Only after putting some distance between them did the group slow down and glance back, relieved when Lin Sui didn’t chase after them.

“I can’t stand it. Whenever I meet her gaze, my whole body goes numb.”

“Me too. It’s left a lasting scar.”

“Face it. We can’t even beat her one-on-one, even with the whole team combined! Just thinking about it… it’s humiliating.”

“But I can’t swallow this bitter pill. Just wait until I find my chance!”

The group sighed and slowly walked away.

Lin Sui watched the sudden appearance and hasty retreat of the group, raising an eyebrow.

She didn’t seem to know them, did she? Why were they acting like mice fleeing a cat?

Lin Sui turned her attention back to the person in front of her. She sensed that Wen Xiangzhu had grown bolder around her these past few days of tutoring.

Where was her Alpha’s dignity?

More people passed by, casting curious glances their way.

Lin Sui felt conflicted.

This Omega was being so humble, even offering to help her study. Would rejecting her outright seem… unkind?

“Fine,” Lin Sui relented after a moment. “But only for today. I have classes tomorrow, and I don’t want any more tutoring after that.”

“Great!” Wen Xiangzhu agreed, bouncing up and down in excitement.

Lin Sui glanced at her hand, which Wen Xiangzhu was still holding, and her eyes darkened slightly.

“Can… can you let go now?”

Wen Xiangzhu froze, as if suddenly realizing what she was doing. She quickly released Lin Sui’s hand and averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact.

Lin Sui wondered if she was imagining things, but she thought Wen Xiangzhu’s cheeks seemed a little flushed, almost pink.

After buying their supplies, the two headed to the library. The building was quiet, with few people around.

As they passed a bookshelf, a voice suddenly called out:

“Wenwen?! And Sister Sui!”

Lin Sui turned to see Lu Xiaomeng, holding a black-covered book, waving excitedly at them.

After exchanging greetings, Lu Xiaomeng leaned in mysteriously. “I heard something strange.”

The group found seats by a window.

“The chemistry lab on the third floor of our school’s Laboratory Building is haunted!”

“Haunted?” Wen Xiangzhu shrank back, but her curiosity got the better of her. “How is it haunted?”

Lin Sui shot Wen Xiangzhu a mild glance, inwardly scoffing.

There are still fools who believe in this supernatural nonsense.

“After dark, people have seen the lab lights turn on by themselves. When they checked, they found the building doors were locked and no one was inside.”

Lu Xiaomeng swallowed hard, her voice trembling. “And the equipment in the lab moves on its own. There’s a student with obsessive-compulsive disorder who always lines up her supplies perfectly with the desk edges.”

Wen Xiangzhu listened tensely. “And then?”

“That student was the last to leave the building that day and the first to arrive the next morning. But she discovered her supplies had been moved—five centimeters out of place.”

Lu Xiaomeng took a deep breath, feeling a chill creep up her spine. She couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder.

But there was only a wall behind her.

Lin Sui watched the two whispering girls with a mixture of exasperation and amusement, scoffing, “What ghost? That’s ridiculous. You’re just scaring yourselves.”

“It’s true!” Lu Xiaomeng’s eyes widened, her voice firm. “I came to the library today looking for clues, but I didn’t find anything. However, I did find a five-year-old post on the school forum saying someone died there.”

“People died on campus?” Wen Xiangzhu’s eyes widened in surprise.

Lu Xiaomeng waved her hand, chuckling. “You clearly don’t keep up with these things. Rumor has it, all schools are built on mass graves.”

Wen Xiangzhu gasped.

Lin Sui sighed silently.

“As successors of the modern era, we should trust in science.”

“Then how do you explain these strange occurrences?”

Lu Xiaomeng hesitated. “I think… it’s better to assume it’s real than to dismiss it outright.”

Wen Xiangzhu nodded thoughtfully, unconsciously taking Lin Sui’s hand.

“I feel the same. We should be more careful from now on.”

Lin Sui: “……”

She glanced down at her hand being held, hesitated briefly, then looked away without moving.

Wen Xiangzhu has been getting bolder these past few days, touching me all the time…

Could it be unintentional?

Lin Sui noticed the difference but said nothing. Maybe this is just how Alphas react physically to Omegas, she thought. Even when they want to resist.

Her mind wandered back to Fan Shihan, who had been bringing her water and little tomatoes earlier. Fan Shihan was also an Omega, but Lin Sui seemed to… dislike her getting too close.

Why is that?

“Sister?”

Wen Xiangzhu gently tugged at Lin Sui’s sleeve. “What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

Lin Sui paused, then laughed in exasperation. “Me, scared? I don’t even believe in ghosts.”

Her gaze shifted between the two girls. “Do you two really think the place is haunted?”

They exchanged a look, then nodded solemnly.

Lin Sui’s expression remained calm as she scoffed softly. “Fine. I have nothing else to do tonight anyway. I’ll investigate the Laboratory Building tonight.”

Wen Xiangzhu and Lu Xiaomeng stared at her in disbelief.

“Investigate the Laboratory Building?”

Back in the dormitory, Zhu Huan looked at Lin Sui, her eyes widening with excitement. “You’re going? You have to go! I’ll go with you!”

“You’re coming with me?” Lin Sui frowned, a hint of hesitation in her voice. “But Wen Xiangzhu is coming too.”

“Hmm??”

Zhu Huan’s brain froze for a moment, then she laughed in exasperation. “You… you two… Fine, fine, fine, I’ll be considerate and not bother you, then.”

“What are you thinking?” Lin Sui glanced at her. “We’re just checking if there’s any haunting activity.”

“Oh…” Zhu Huan pondered for a moment. “You two go ahead. I just remembered I have plans to help an Omega improve their skills later.”

Lin Sui nodded, saying nothing more.

Her phone beeped.

[Tag-along: It’s almost 9. Are you out yet?]

She was rushing her.

She smiled inwardly at the nickname. Not too far off the mark.

[I’m coming now. You sure you want to join?]

[Tag-along: Yes, I’m waiting downstairs.]

Lin Sui stared at the messages for a moment, then stopped replying. She put on her coat and opened the door.

Xia Yi had just returned and was standing in the doorway. She looked at Lin Sui’s outfit and chuckled, “Sister Sui, sneaking out for a date this late?”

A date?

Lin Sui froze, then paused to think, feeling uncertain.

This couldn’t…

count as a date, could it?

Since Xia Yi didn’t press further, Lin Sui said nothing more.

*****

As Lin Sui exited the dormitory building and stepped out of the elevator, she spotted a familiar figure standing under the streetlight across the way.

Wen Xiangzhu stood there with her hair loose, wearing a light-colored, loose-fitting denim jacket and carrying a white bag. She waved at Lin Sui.

That outfit… she looks like she’s going on a date, Lin Sui thought, frowning. She glanced down at her own getup—black clothes, her shoulder-length black hair tied back in a ponytail—clearly indicating she was going on an adventure.

After all, the Laboratory Building was locked at night, and they’d have to evade patrols and sneak in through a window.

It was strange. With such an obvious adventurer’s outfit, why would Xia Yi think she was secretly going on a date?

The more Lin Sui thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense.

Wen Xiangzhu hurried over and whispered, “Sister, I prepared a flashlight, ghost-repelling peach wood talismans, and a peach wood sword…”

“Wait a minute!” Hearing “peach wood talismans” and “peach wood sword,” Lin Sui snapped out of her thoughts and frowned. “Where… in such a short time, where did you even get all this weird stuff?”

Wen Xiangzhu blinked, momentarily bewildered. “A roommate was researching this stuff, so I borrowed it…”

Lin Sui: “……”

She sighed inwardly. Fine, she really does seem genuinely clueless (except when it comes to academics).

“Let’s go.”

Lin Sui led Wen Xiangzhu toward the Laboratory Building.

The path was deserted, the dim streetlights stretching their shadows unnaturally long.

The haunting rumors had apparently deterred couples from strolling in Lovers’ Lane.

A chilly night breeze swept past, casting an eerie atmosphere over the surroundings.

Lin Sui glanced sideways and saw Wen Xiangzhu hurrying to keep up, her eyes darting around like a startled deer’s, filled with a hint of panic.

Well, this should be interesting.

Lin Sui’s eyebrows arched slightly as she led Wen Xiangzhu around to the back of the Laboratory Building.

“The window in the hallway isn’t locked,” she said.

Lin Sui took the flashlight from Wen Xiangzhu and shone it into the hallway.

The entire building was pitch dark, and the flashlight beam only illuminated a small area.

Lin Sui felt her sleeve being tugged. She glanced at Wen Xiangzhu, who spoke in a trembling voice, “Are we really going in?”

“Why not?” Lin Sui replied, finding the situation somewhat amusing. “This is a perfect opportunity to cure your superstitious nonsense.”

With that, Lin Sui handed the flashlight to Wen Xiangzhu, braced her hand on the windowsill, and swung herself into the Laboratory Building.

She turned and looked out the window. “Give me your bag, then climb in.”

Wen Xiangzhu obediently handed over her bag and the flashlight. Looking at the waist-high windowsill before her, she hesitated.

After a moment of waiting, Lin Sui said, “If you’re scared, you can wait here. I’ll go in alone.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Wen Xiangzhu shivered. She glanced back at the gloomy bushes and deserted path behind her, then shook her head.

There wasn’t even a single streetlight here…

“I-I can do it,” Wen Xiangzhu said, her voice trembling. But she really didn’t have enough strength, barely managing to climb onto the windowsill.

Lin Sui watched, showing no intention of helping.

She only caught Wen Xiangzhu when she jumped down and stumbled.

“What a nuisance.”

Wen Xiangzhu: “……?”

If I’d known this would happen, I would have come alone, Lin Sui thought.

Having an Omega around is just…

a bit of a burden.

With a look of disdain, Lin Sui led Wen Xiangzhu straight to the third floor.

The chemistry lab was at the far end of the corridor. The door was open, and the room was lit, making it stand out starkly in the darkness.

“Sister…”

Wen Xiangzhu’s body trembled. Without hesitation, she clung to Lin Sui’s arm and pulled out the peach talisman and peach wood sword from her bag. “Do you think there’s a ghost?”

Lin Sui glanced at her immobilized arm and tried to pull it free.

******

Fine, she’s clinging to me pretty tightly.

“Maybe someone forgot to turn off the light when they left?” Lin Sui suggested, heading toward the end of the corridor.

But she was weighed down by Wen Xiangzhu, who clung to her like a deadweight, making it impossible to walk quickly. The short distance took a full two or three minutes to cover.

The laboratory was empty, completely deserted.

Lin Sui dragged Wen Xiangzhu inside. “See? What could possibly be haunting this place?”

After a moment, Wen Xiangzhu cautiously raised her head.

The lab was indeed empty.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she hastily released her grip on Lin Sui’s arm.

Lin Sui felt the weight lift and shot her a mild glance.

“Alright, looks like your Peach Talisman and Peach Wood Sword will be useless after all.”

“That’s… that’s the best…” Wen Xiangzhu muttered, awkwardly brushing her hair back.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind the trash bin in the corner.

The moment the sound echoed, Wen Xiangzhu whipped around in terror, then scurried behind Lin Sui, clinging to her arm even tighter.

Lin Sui: “……”

My arm… rest in peace.

Lin Sui slapped Wen Xiangzhu’s hand away with visible annoyance.

“Let go. I’ll go check.”

Wen Xiangzhu blinked, her tense body slowly relaxing.

She thrust the peach talisman and peach wood sword into Lin Sui’s hands. “Take these, just in case.”

Lin Sui’s eyebrow twitched, and her temples inexplicably began to throb.

Gritting her teeth, she relented. “Fine.”

As Lin Sui had suspected, there was no ghost in the laboratory.

Behind the trash bin lay a black plastic bag, the source of the earlier noise.

After a moment’s hesitation, she crouched down and carefully removed the bag. Hidden beneath it was a tiny calico kitten.

Predominantly white with orange and black patches, the kitten was strikingly beautiful.

Skinny and no more than a few months old, the famished little cat shrank back into the corner when Lin Sui approached, clearly frightened.

Seeing this, she turned and beckoned Wen Xiangzhu over. “It’s a cat.”

Wen Xiangzhu hurried over and crouched beside Lin Sui.

The kitten, now cornered by two towering humans, stared wide-eyed, too scared to move.

“Is it alone… just a single cat?” Wen Xiangzhu asked hesitantly.

“There must be other big cats around,” Lin Sui said softly. “But it looks like it hasn’t eaten in ages. Maybe the big cats haven’t been here in a long time.”

Wen Xiangzhu nodded and tentatively stroked the kitten’s head, looking frustrated.

“I didn’t bring any milk or ham, and the shop is closed now…”

Lin Sui glanced at her but said nothing. Her legs were starting to go numb from squatting, so she stood up.

“Are you going back to get some and then bring it here?”

For a moment, silence fell.

Wen Xiangzhu pressed her lips together and shook her head gently. She picked up the kitten and set it on her lap. “What if we leave and can’t find it when we come back?”

The kitten was very well-behaved. Perhaps sensing that these humans meant no harm, it remained still in Wen Xiangzhu’s arms.

“Sister.”

Her eyelashes fluttered as she stood up, still holding the kitten. She looked at Lin Sui. “Let’s take it back to our dorm.”

Lin Sui: “?”