After Mistaking My Stepsister’s First Love - Chapter 31
The entwined pheromones grew increasingly potent in the confined, cramped space. In just a short time, both of them were saturated with each other’s scent.
The surroundings kept Ye Wenjin on edge, while the unusual stimulation filled her with a guilty thrill, making every second feel excruciating.
So, the moment the temporary mark was formed, Ye Wenjin finally relaxed, slowly releasing her teeth. Yet, as she gazed at the slightly swollen gland, her eyes brimmed with tenderness.
“Does it hurt, sister?” she asked softly.
Jian Mo’s voice carried a faint rasp. “Just a little. Don’t worry, Xiao Jin. Help me put on a scent-blocking patch.”
Hearing this, Ye Wenjin hurriedly fetched a patch and carefully applied it for her.
The pheromones lingering in the air gradually weakened. Still, for safety’s sake, Ye Wenjin didn’t leave the car immediately. She waited a while longer until the scent inside had mostly dissipated before stepping out.
Looking at the rolled-down window, Ye Wenjin waved. “Sister, I’ll head in now.”
Jian Mo nodded, a smile on her face. “Go ahead.”
Ye Wenjin nodded in return and turned toward the school.
What she didn’t know was that the moment her back was turned, Jian Mo’s smile faded, a shadow flickering in her eyes.
She reached up and touched the scent-blocking patch on her gland. After a brief pause, Jian Mo drove away.
Meanwhile, Ye Wenjin didn’t return to her dorm. She had previously arranged to meet Rong Yunshu in the dance studio, so she headed straight there.
By the time she arrived, Rong Yunshu was already inside, preparing.
“Yunshu, you’re here early,” she greeted as she walked in.
But when no response came, Ye Wenjin glanced over in confusion, only to find Rong Yunshu staring at her with an odd expression.
“Yunshu? What’s wrong?”
Rong Yunshu snapped out of her daze, her eyes filled with complexity. After a beat, she said, “Wenjin, don’t you realize you’re carrying a stranger’s pheromones?”
Ye Wenjin blinked, her face instantly flushing crimson as panic flashed in her eyes.
“I—uh, maybe I accidentally picked it up somewhere?”
Her explanation was flimsy at best.
Ye Wenjin was far too easy to read her emotions were always written plainly on her face, making her nervousness impossible to miss.
And in this state, what had happened was glaringly obvious.
Rong Yunshu clenched her fists, her gaze icy as she took in Ye Wenjin, drenched in another’s scent.
How could she not understand what this meant? It was nothing less than a declaration of ownership.
Ye Wenjin was an Alpha, an Omega’s pheromones wouldn’t linger on her for long.
Yet when she walked in, she was practically drenched in that foreign scent, proof of a recent, intimate exchange.
That woman must have come to the school, and the two had shared a moment before parting.
How affectionate.
Rong Yunshu lowered her eyes, masking her emotions.
Ye Wenjin didn’t notice anything amiss. She was too caught up in the embarrassment of being exposed so abruptly, her heart a mix of shyness and anxiety, afraid Rong Yunshu would press further.
But Rong Yunshu didn’t ask any more questions. With a quiet hum, she crouched down and fiddled with the sound system.
Ye Wenjin finally breathed a sigh of relief at the sight and hurriedly made her way to the changing room after tossing out a quick “I’m going to change.”
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest. Thankfully, she hadn’t been pressed further. But if it had been Chu Yunsheng who noticed, the matter probably wouldn’t have been so easily brushed aside.
Steadying her nerves, Ye Wenjin dawdled a bit longer before finally changing and stepping out.
In the time it took Ye Wenjin to change, Rong Yunshu had already composed herself at least outwardly, there was no trace of anything amiss.
The two quickly got down to business, taking turns performing their chosen dances for each other and discussing them.
Only when Ye Wenjin was dancing could Rong Yunshu openly, unwaveringly watch her without fear of being noticed.
Though she had thought it more than once, Ye Wenjin truly had a gift. In such a short time, she had produced something so impressive, it was hard to believe she had adapted it all herself.
After they finished, Rong Yunshu sighed in admiration, “Wenjin, you seem even more amazing than before.”
Ye Wenjin smiled shyly. “I watched Teacher Mei’s performance yesterday and got some inspiration, which I used in the choreography. It seems to have worked out well?”
Rong Yunshu laughed. “More than just well, you’re leaving me in the dust.”
Ye Wenjin chuckled. “Come on, let me take a look at yours too.”
Rong Yunshu nodded and, after preparing, performed her dance for Ye Wenjin.
They spent the entire day in the dance studio until nightfall, but the results were outstanding. After their discussions, both of their chosen dances had become more polished.
Between the afternoon and evening, their familiarity with their respective dances had skyrocketed.
Still, Ye Wenjin wanted to be cautious and planned to practice a few more times before preparing for the audition.
Only when they had exhausted every last ounce of energy did the two finally leave the dance studio, utterly spent.
But just as they reached the building’s entrance, Ye Wenjin received a call from Jian Mo.
“Xiao Jin, finished practicing?”
Ye Wenjin replied obediently, “We just finished, sis. What’s up?”
A light laugh came from the other end. “Aunt Wu sent something over for you. It should be arriving soon, don’t forget to pick it up.”
Ye Wenjin was surprised and immediately turned on her heel to head back.
Rong Yunshu grabbed her arm. “Wenjin? Where are you going so late?”
Ye Wenjin lowered her phone and whispered, “Aunt Wu sent something over. I’m going to get it. You go ahead, Yunshu.”
With that, she turned to leave, but after just a few steps, she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Rong Yunshu had followed.
“Yunshu? Why did you come after me?”
Rong Yunshu smiled. “It’s too late. I’d rather go with you.”
Ye Wenjin thought for a moment but ultimately didn’t refuse her kindness.
Just then, Jian Mo’s voice came through the phone again, reminding Ye Wenjin that the call was still connected.
She said softly, “Sis, I’m on my way to the school gate now.”
Jian Mo gave a quiet hum but didn’t hang up, so Ye Wenjin obediently kept the phone to her ear as she walked all the way to the entrance.
“Go a little further ahead.”
At those words, Ye Wenjin’s eyes suddenly brightened, and she couldn’t help but quicken her pace.
After walking a short distance as instructed, she spotted a car with its hazard lights on.
Through the front window, she could faintly make out a beautiful and familiar figure in the back seat.
Ye Wenjin’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she turned her head quickly to say, “Yunshu, wait for me a moment, I’ll be right back!”
After speaking, she dashed to the car. As expected, when she opened the door, she saw Jian Mo inside.
Ye Wenjin’s face was full of surprise. “Sister! Why are you here too?”
Jian Mo smiled faintly. “Does my coming here trouble you, Xiao Jin?”
Ye Wenjin shook her head. “Of course not! I thought only Aunt Wu was coming. I didn’t expect you to be here too.”
After a brief pause, she added in a slightly embarrassed whisper, “I couldn’t be happier that you came!”
Honest yet shy, Jian Mo’s smile unconsciously deepened at her words.
Aunt Wu, watching their interaction, also beamed. Remembering something, she stepped out of the car and approached Rong Yunshu.
“Young lady, thank you for looking after Miss Wenjin and accompanying her out so late. I hope it hasn’t inconvenienced you?”
Rong Yunshu gave a slight smile. “Not at all. It was no trouble. But Wenjin should hurry a bit curfew is coming up soon.”
Aunt Wu nodded politely. “Thank you for the reminder. We won’t let you be late.”
With that, she returned to the car and retrieved a prepared package.
Softly, she advised, “Miss Wenjin, it’s quite late now, so heavy food isn’t suitable. These dishes are light make sure to eat them while they’re still warm when you get back.”
Ye Wenjin nodded obediently and took the food box. “I will, Aunt Wu.” Then she turned to Jian Mo, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. “Sister, I should head back now?”
Jian Mo nodded gently. “Mm, go ahead. Eat and rest early. Goodnight, Xiao Jin.”
Ye Wenjin’s eyes sparkled. “You too, sister. Get some rest early. Goodnight.”
After bidding them farewell, Ye Wenjin carried the food box and walked back to the dormitory with Rong Yunshu, her mood buoyant.
However, lost in her happiness, she failed to notice Rong Yunshu’s slightly displeased expression.
Aunt Wu’s words had made Rong Yunshu feel like an outsider which, though true, inexplicably annoyed her.
But by the time they returned to the dorm, Rong Yunshu had already regained her composure.
The other two roommates were unsurprised to see Ye Wenjin carrying a food box.
Chu Yunsheng, however, still peeked curiously inside. Finding the food light and refreshing this time, she promptly lost interest and flopped back onto her bed.
Only Zhou Wuhua noticed the emotions hidden in Rong Yunshu’s eyes. Knowing she was likely upset again, Zhou shook her head helplessly.
Even though they shared similar circumstances, she felt Rong Yunshu’s chances were slim. Yet Rong Yunshu refused to accept it and still wanted to fight.
As for herself…
Zhou Wuhua paused briefly before resuming her own tasks as if nothing had happened.
The next day, Ye Wenjin used her free time to practice the dance a few more times. After some consideration, she decided to audition the following day.
She had practiced enough and felt ready. Moreover, she had an inexplicable intuition about it now.
So she planned to audition tomorrow.
Hearing this, Rong Yunshu also decided to go at the same time. In her words, “An early audition is the same as a late one, might as well get it over with.”
Her philosophy was: the sooner, the better.
Ye Wenjin found it amusing, but she admired Rong Yunshu’s optimistic attitude.
The next day, when the two arrived at the audition room, they unexpectedly ran into He Wenxi, who was scheduled right before them.
The three exchanged simple greetings without further conversation.
Mainly because Ye Wenjin didn’t know what to say, she wasn’t close with He Wenxi.
During the wait, Ye Wenjin heard bursts of applause after He Wenxi’s performance, signaling that she must have done well.
Rong Yunshu frowned slightly. “Don’t be nervous, Wenjin. You’ll do great.”
Ye Wenjin nodded, took a deep breath, and walked in.
The performance went smoothly, giving her a feeling she had never experienced before as if divine help were at hand.
She felt this was the best she had ever performed, and the judges responded enthusiastically.
Ye Wenjin couldn’t help but feel a little reassured.
However, when the results were announced, the lead role didn’t go to her but to He Wenxi.
Fortunately, she was still named as one of the lead dancers. Though somewhat disappointed, Ye Wenjin quickly adjusted her mindset.
But before she knew it, rumors about her began spreading again.
Some claimed she was being kept by an older, wealthy woman.