After Mistaking My Stepsister’s First Love - Chapter 11

On the way back, Ye Wenjin felt an inexplicable discomfort in her heart. Perhaps it was because she had suffered too much in the Yin family, to the point where just the thought of going there would trigger this unease, making her instinctively resistant.

Ye Wenjin truly didn’t want to return to the Yin family, nor did she want to see anyone there ever again.

But… this time, she had to go back. Maybe it would be her last visit to the Yin household.

Once she retrieved her belongings and left, she wouldn’t return again.

The scenery outside the car window rushed past in a blur. As time passed and they drew closer to their destination, the heaviness in Ye Wenjin’s heart grew. Unbidden memories flooded her mind, casting a complex shadow over her eyes.

Just then, a faint scent of winter plum drifted into her nostrils. The fragrance carried a hint of chill, instantly clearing Ye Wenjin’s mind. Realizing what it was, she turned in surprise to look at Jian Mo beside her.

She knew exactly whose scent this was but it shouldn’t be happening.

Omegas usually wore scent-blocking patches when going out as a protective measure, preventing their pheromones from attracting Alphas who might lose control under their influence.

These patches effectively contained pheromone emissions, allowing Omegas to live more conveniently.

However, there was one scenario that could cause pheromones to leak, heat cycles.

Apart from that, Omegas could also voluntarily release their pheromones.

But no matter how Ye Wenjin thought about it, she couldn’t imagine Jian Mo deliberately releasing her pheromones. It didn’t make sense. So…

Considering one possibility, Ye Wenjin suddenly grew nervous. She tilted her head slightly to glance at Jian Mo.

Yet the other woman appeared completely natural, as if unaware of the pheromone leakage.

Ye Wenjin hesitated again, wondering if the winter plum scent had been her imagination. But when she inhaled once more, the fragrance was still there.

The scent was so familiar, she was absolutely certain it belonged to Jian Mo. But…

Noticing Jian Mo’s calm expression, Ye Wenjin felt torn, unsure whether to remind her about the pheromone leakage.

If it wasn’t intentional and she wasn’t in heat, could she have forgotten to apply the blocking patch?

Lost in thought, Ye Wenjin’s gaze unconsciously drifted toward Jian Mo’s fair, slender neck.

But Jian Mo’s long hair cascaded down, perfectly covering the back of her neck, obscuring that secretive and alluring spot.

Naturally, there was no way to tell whether she was wearing a blocking patch or not.

Ye Wenjin froze for a moment, realizing how intrusive her stare had become. Just as she was about to turn away, Jian Mo looked over, her clear eyes filled with mild confusion before she gently asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Wenjin’s face flushed with embarrassment, her mind scrambling.

How could she possibly say it out loud?

“Your pheromones seem to be leaking a little, and I wanted to check if you’re wearing a blocking patch on your neck”?

How was that any different from harassment?!

Ye Wenjin’s face burned, the heat rising to her head as if she might explode.

She quickly waved her hands in explanation. “It’s nothing, really. I wasn’t thinking about anything. I definitely wasn’t trying to look at the gland on your neck, I mean, I was just… just…”

The more she spoke, the more she stumbled. After a beat, Ye Wenjin abruptly fell silent, her expression blank as if her soul had departed her body moments ago.

The car fell into complete silence, with no one uttering a word.

The driver kept her eyes firmly on the road, her expression serious as she focused intently on the traffic, as if she hadn’t heard Ye Wenjin’s words at all.

Yet no matter how much she tried to deceive herself, a flicker of panic still flashed in her eyes.

After all, in all her years of work, this was the first time she’d encountered something so… stimulating.

How novel! Someone actually dared to harass CEO Jian!

The driver instinctively feared Jian Mo’s anger. Though she knew this young lady had an unusual relationship with the big boss… what if?

And now that she’d witnessed this scene, there was no guarantee her job wouldn’t be on the line. Of course she was panicking.

Worried deep down but not daring to show it on her face, the driver softened her breathing and drove with extra caution.

As a result, the atmosphere in the car grew even more stifling.

At this moment, an overwhelming sense of social doom enveloped Ye Wenjin.

A person can die, but they must never die of embarrassment.

Ye Wenjin slowly closed her eyes, accepting the fact that she had misspoken, and decisively bowed her head in apology. “I’m sorry, sis, I was wrong.”

Since the social death was inevitable, the least she could do was apologize for her reckless words even if the other party might not accept it.

Her heart was in turmoil, and she began to spiral into chaotic thoughts.

She didn’t know why she’d blurted it out without thinking. Initially, she’d just been worried that Jian Mo had forgotten to use a scent patch, but somehow, her explanation had taken a wrong turn. Anyone who heard it would think she was a pervert!

Ye Wenjin desperately wanted to explain that she wasn’t a creep, but against the backdrop of her earlier questionable remark, anything she said now would sound feeble.

So her first instinct was to apologize quickly, firmly and succinctly terrified that any further explanation would only dig her grave deeper.

With her head lowered, she couldn’t see Jian Mo’s expression, and the longer the silence stretched, the more unbearable the tension became.

And then…

A pale hand reached over, gently touching her chin and lifting her bowed head.

“I didn’t say you couldn’t look. After we finish our business, I’ll let you see.”

For a moment, Ye Wenjin thought she’d misheard. She stared blankly at Jian Mo’s composed face.

The other woman didn’t seem angry. Despite such an outrageous offense, not only was she not upset, she’d even agreed to show her the gland?!

But that was way too intimate!!!

Why would she agree? Was this an auditory hallucination? Did that mean her subconscious harbored such lewd thoughts?!

Ye Wenjin’s breath hitched. She was doomed.

Then, Jian Mo’s fingers lightly trailed up from her chin, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear with delicate care.

As she withdrew her hand, Ye Wenjin heard her say, “We’re almost there.”

Instinctively, she glanced out the window. The scenery was indeed familiar, they really were about to arrive.

Her turbulent emotions settled instantly, confusion and shock temporarily pushed aside. Ye Wenjin gave a quiet hum, her gaze growing distant.

This shouldn’t be too bad, right? After all, it was Monday.

Going by the usual schedule, Yin Yu would still be at the company, and Yin Feifei would be at school. So… the villa should only have Ye Shuyao inside.

Ye Wenjin took a deep breath. Just as the security guard moved to stop the car for questioning, she proactively rolled down the window to explain.

But then she noticed the guard’s wary expression shift abruptly into one of shock, followed by a swift, deferential opening of the gate.

Ye Wenjin had enough self-awareness to know this reaction wasn’t because of her. She couldn’t help but glance at Jian Mo.

Jian Mo didn’t offer any explanation, only giving her a look that seemed to say, “Don’t worry.”

So Ye Wenjin didn’t press further and obediently rolled up the car window.

Naturally, Ye Wenjin didn’t see the security guard wiping cold sweat as he watched the car drive away, muttering under his breath.

“This is really strange. How could President Jian show up here, and with that little girl from the Yin family, no less?”

The guard sensed there was some juicy gossip but didn’t dare dig deeper.

After all, this villa district was developed by Jian Group’s real estate division, and naturally, their property management services came with it.

In other words, every real estate project under Jian Group had its own dedicated property services.

From the very first day on the job, the supervisor had drilled into them who the boss was and which important figures they needed to keep an eye on at all times.

At the very least, they had to make sure they never forgot who the developer of this villa district was.

That’s why the guard had been so shocked when he saw Jian Mo.

But what shocked him even more was Ye Wenjin, she was actually riding in the same car as the big boss!

Thinking about Ye Wenjin’s tragic past and comparing it to now, though he didn’t know the full story, it seemed she might finally be heading for better days.

The guard sighed inwardly, suddenly curious. If that Yin family member found out the girl had ties to the big boss, would they regret their past actions?

But that had nothing to do with him, so after a few muttered thoughts, he quickly put the matter out of his mind.

Meanwhile, Ye Wenjin, now at the doorstep of the Yin residence, didn’t have Jian Mo accompanying her as she waited for a servant to open the door.

The door soon swung open, but the servant’s expression turned stunned upon seeing Ye Wenjin clearly, she hadn’t expected her to return.

The servant seemed about to say something, but Ye Wenjin ignored her and strode straight inside. “I’m here to get my things.”

She didn’t specify what she was taking, but the servant sensed something was off and tried to stop her.

“Miss Ye, Madam will be back soon. Why not wait for her? She’s missed you terribly these past few days.”

Ye Wenjin’s gaze was indifferent as she stepped past her.

The servant clenched her teeth, knowing that if she failed to stop Ye Wenjin now, she’d face punishment once the family found out she had come and left.

After a moment’s hesitation, the servant hurried off to notify Madam, who was out getting a facial, to return immediately.

Ye Wenjin paid her no mind, not wanting to waste time. Fortunately, she didn’t have many belongings.

The small room made it easy to see everything she owned at a glance.

Her eyes swept over every inch of the space, her expression unmoved. If anything, there was a sense of relief in her gaze finally, she could leave this place.

As a child, she had often dreamed of escaping. Peering out that tiny window, she could imagine the freedom of the world beyond vast and full of possibilities, a distant place she longed for.

But she could never leave, always held back by one reason or another.

Now, at last, she could walk away without hesitation. There was no nostalgia in her heart, only joy.

Her belongings were few, so packing didn’t take long.

After living here for years, all that truly belonged to her fit into just one suitcase and a tote bag.

Ye Wenjin didn’t take a single item that had been passed down to her by Ye Shuyao castoffs originally belonging to Yin Feifei.

With a complex look in her eyes, Ye Wenjin glanced at her luggage, zipped up the suitcase, and left the room without a backward glance.

Her room was relatively secluded, requiring a bit of a walk to reach the first floor.

Along the way, more than one or two waves of servants approached to persuade her, trying to stop her from leaving.

Expressionless, Ye Wenjin only said, “Before coming here, I already made arrangements with a friend. If I don’t walk out within an hour, she’ll call the police and report you for unlawful confinement. Don’t forget, I’m not a member of the Yin family.”

The servants were startled by her words and didn’t dare to stop her further, though their anxiety only grew.

Ye Wenjin paid no attention to what they were thinking, carrying her things downstairs on her own.

As she stepped off the final stair, she looked up and saw Ye Shuyao hurrying toward her.

She had just returned from outside likely in the middle of some beauty treatment and had rushed back upon receiving the news, so much so that she wasn’t even wearing makeup.

Ye Wenjin couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Ye Shuyao without makeup.

It seemed that ever since entering the Yin household, the woman in her memories had always worn meticulously applied cosmetics, never skipping even on days spent resting at home.

As if, deep down, she believed she had to be flawlessly polished to deserve her surroundings.

Perhaps it had started as insecurity, leading her to don a mask but over time, the mask had fused to her skin, becoming an unshakable habit.

Seeing her now, so bare-faced, Ye Wenjin couldn’t help but feel a momentary daze.

But the other woman’s shrill, piercing shriek shattered that daze instantly.

“What are you doing with that suitcase, A-Jin?!” she cried.

Ye Wenjin had hoped to avoid this encounter, but it seemed fate had other plans.

She sighed inwardly, though her gaze remained calm as she looked at Ye Shuyao.

“I’m leaving,” she said simply.

For a moment, Ye Shuyao was seized by overwhelming panic. She took several hurried steps forward, her expression frantic, her face twisting slightly. “Leaving? Where? No, it doesn’t matter where! I won’t allow it!”

Ye Wenjin remained unmoved. “I’m just leaving a place that was never mine to begin with. You should be happy after all, with me gone, you won’t have a burden anymore. Isn’t that right?”

Ye Shuyao’s face flickered with alarm, but she reflexively denied it. “No, that’s not true! I never saw you as a burden! A-Jin, how could you think that of me? I’m your mother!”

Ye Wenjin watched her quietly, saying nothing. Yet the silence only deepened Ye Shuyao’s panic, and she scrambled to speak, desperate to stop her from leaving.

“You can’t go!” she snapped. “The marriage alliance hasn’t even been settled yet where do you think you’re going?! Don’t forget who paid for your education all these years. A-Jin, is this how you repay your mother? Your birth mother abandoned you, but I brought you into the Yin family! I worked hard to raise you!”

As she spoke, she called for the servants, ordering them to restrain Ye Wenjin and prevent her from leaving.

The servants hesitated, reluctant to act, but they still blocked Ye Wenjin’s path.

With so many people surrounding them, Ye Shuyao must have felt reassured, Ye Wenjin wouldn’t be able to leave. She wouldn’t be going anywhere.

Even now, she was still resentful. Back then, perhaps she shouldn’t have let Ye Wenjin go to school. Now her heart had grown wild, and she no longer listened to her.

Ye Shuyao was furious angry at Ye Wenjin’s rebellion, enraged by her defiance.

But when she saw the calm expression on Ye Wenjin’s face and the unreadable stillness in her eyes, an overwhelming panic seized her entire body.

It was so unfamiliar. That wasn’t Ye Wenjin.

Her A-Jin shouldn’t look at her with such eyes. Ye Shuyao became even more convinced that Ye Wenjin had been corrupted, and she urged the servants more fiercely to act, wanting to lock her away as before.

Yet suddenly, the door was violently forced open, and a group of people rushed in, restraining the servants.

Ye Shuyao screamed in shock, terrified by these uninvited intruders.

Then she saw a woman walking slowly toward her, a face that looked vaguely familiar.

Ye Shuyao hazily recalled that she had indeed seen this woman before, but the gap between them had been insurmountable.

At the banquet hosted by Madam Lin, the woman had appeared under the spotlight, surrounded by admirers, a distinguished guest the Lin family had gone to great lengths to invite.

They had only been able to glimpse her from afar through the crowd, without even the right to approach and speak.

So why was she here now?

Ye Shuyao was even more bewildered.

“Xiao Jin, come here.”

The woman spoke softly.

And then she saw her daughter, Ye Wenjin quickly step to the woman’s side, her face tinged with guilt as she murmured something in a low voice.

Yet the woman smiled faintly, her expression almost tender, as if she could embrace all of her flaws.

Ye Shuyao watched in stunned silence as the woman took Ye Wenjin away, farther and farther from her, until they vanished without a trace.

Her heart suddenly felt hollow.

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