After Swapping Souls with My Rival Alpha - Chapter 7

The meeting was about determining the best treatment plan for an Alpha patient. The two proposed plans came from Dr. Nie Yijun and Dr. Dai Yin.

Their approaches couldn’t be more different—Nie Yijun advocated for surgical intervention, while Dai Yin pushed for conservative treatment. Both had meticulously prepared their arguments.

“Surgery only has a 50% success rate. That’s a coin toss, Dr. Nie,” Dai Yin said. “There’s also a 50% chance the patient won’t survive the operating table. Conservative treatment may not be as effective, but it’s not fatal. As long as the patient lives, we can pursue further treatment.”

Chi Mu twirled her pen absentmindedly. She wasn’t really listening—medical jargon wasn’t her thing—but what she could tell was that these two were in a fierce rivalry.

There was at least a ten-year age gap between them, so she wasn’t sure if that meant Nie Yijun was just that exceptional, or if Dai Yin was… not.

“Dr. Nie, why are you so insistent on surgery?”

That came from a short, older man sitting opposite her—Chi Mu gathered from the way Dai Yin had addressed him earlier that he was the department head.

Chi Mu straightened in her seat. In her earpiece, Nie Yijun’s voice prompted her. She repeated the line aloud: “I asked the patient—he personally prefers surgery.”

That line stunned her.

Damn, Nie Yijun really had an ace up her sleeve.

The room fell quiet. Dai Yin’s expression turned ugly. “Did you explain the risks? Even if the surgery succeeds, there’s a high likelihood of complications. Does the patient fully understand that?”

“Yes,” Chi Mu answered flatly.

She watched Dai Yin turn pale, as if ready to scream at the ceiling. So satisfying. Nie Yijun had let Dai Yin talk himself into a corner before casually dropping that bombshell.

Chi Mu wasn’t sure if it had been intentional or not.

The meeting ended shortly after, with Nie Yijun’s plan accepted. As the others filed out, Dai Yin remained seated. Chi Mu quickly packed up her laptop—she needed to leave and talk to Nie Yijun about their cooperation. Just one meeting had already drained her.

“Dr. Nie, was that fun for you?” Dai Yin suddenly asked.

Chi Mu turned, tempted to answer “very”, but decided against it.

“You could’ve said at the start that the patient gave consent. Why take us on such a detour?”

Fair question. Chi Mu wanted to know that too.

“No need to explain,” Nie Yijun said in her earpiece.

Fair enough—she didn’t. Chi Mu left the conference room, returned to the office, and asked, “Why didn’t you say that from the start?”

“Why would I?” Nie Yijun sounded genuinely puzzled.

“We could’ve skipped the whole meeting.”

“Dai Yin requested the meeting,” Nie Yijun said. “Besides, I wanted to hear his proposal. Parts of it were valuable and worth considering.”

Chi Mu shut her laptop. So it really was that simple? Did Nie Yijun realize how much resentment she was inviting with moves like that?

Chi Mu had thought she’d done it to spite Dai Yin—she’d been thoroughly enjoying the drama.

“Alright, enough about that,” Chi Mu took off the earpiece. “Let’s talk about our collaboration.”

“My only requirement is to work at the hospital,” Nie Yijun replied. “That’s it.”

“That’s it?” Chi Mu scoffed. “You really think I’m a doctor? You casually drop ‘work at the hospital’ like it’s no big deal—but I have no idea what to do!”

“You studied medicine too, Chi Mu,” Nie Yijun said with a slight frown. “Back then, your academic scores weren’t any worse than mine. So what have you been doing these past few years? No professional growth at all?”

Chi Mu yawned from her chair. “Why should I improve? I’ve got a car, a house, and more money than I can spend. Ambition sounds exhausting.”

“Useless,” Nie Yijun muttered.

Chi Mu didn’t get offended—she laughed. “And you? All your ambition is for what? Money? Do you have a house yet? A car? Any savings? Can you even afford to get married? I may be useless, but I’ve got it all.”

Nie Yijun didn’t argue. “If there’s a problem, I’ll help you through the earpiece. Let’s keep this arrangement going while we find a way to switch back.”

“Gladly,” Chi Mu said. “I much prefer my good-for-nothing lifestyle.”

“What do you need from me?” Nie Yijun asked.

“I’m a freeloader, remember? Just keep me fed, entertained, and well-dressed.” Chi Mu tilted her head.

Nie Yijun’s expression darkened. “Do you have any goals in life?”

“I do,” Chi Mu leaned closer. “Checking out hot Omegas.”

Nie Yijun was speechless. She regretted asking.

“Okay, back to business.” Chi Mu grabbed her by the collar. “Third floor of the house is my space—gaming setup, alcohol, clothes, jewelry, handbags…”

“Relax,” Nie Yijun cut her off. “I won’t touch any of it.”

“You can touch those things,” Chi Mu clarified. “Just don’t rummage through my room. If you do, I’ll mess up your life.”

Her eyes were sharp enough to make Nie Yijun feel like if she didn’t agree, Chi Mu would start a fight right then and there.

“I’m not in the habit of snooping,” Nie Yijun said calmly.

“Good. Just remember—no one is allowed in my room, especially the inner bedroom.” Chi Mu said.

“Understood.” Nie Yijun paused. “What about your family? How should I deal with them?”

Chi Mu rested her chin in her hand. Her tone softened. “My Alpha dad is strict. Just nod and agree with whatever he says—don’t argue. You’ve met my Beta mom. She’s got a temper and runs the house, but she’s soft-hearted. Just smile and act cute—you’ll be fine.”

Her expression grew distant, calm. Nie Yijun found this side of her surprisingly unfamiliar.

“And what about that Alpha who looks exactly like you?” Nie Yijun asked curiously.

Chi Mu’s eyes flicked up. “You saw Chi Xi?”

“Chi Xi?” Nie Yijun asked.

“She’s my twin sister,” Chi Mu said after a pause. “Same face. Her name’s Chi Xi, as in ‘tide.’ Don’t talk to her. Avoid her if you can.”

Nie Yijun didn’t pry. She simply nodded.

“Take me to your place,” Chi Mu said. “I want to see the living conditions.”

Nie Yijun lived close to the hospital—about ten minutes by car—in a one-bedroom apartment. Small and sterile.

Chi Mu stood in the living room. The place was even smaller than her wine storage room. It was neat, but too neat. Barely felt lived-in.

“You live alone?” she asked.

“Yes.” Nie Yijun activated the robot vacuum.

Chi Mu opened the bedroom door. It was plain, the white bedding about as dull as Nie Yijun herself. She shut the door and slumped onto the tiny couch.

“Got a partner? Need me to cover for you?” Chi Mu asked.

“No. I live alone. Nothing to cover. Just help me do my job.” Nie Yijun replied.

Chi Mu hugged a cushion behind her waist and looked at her. “You lead the most boring life ever.”

Nie Yijun took a sip of water, wiped the cup dry, and flipped it upside down neatly on the table. “You’re dirty. Get up.”

“I’m not moving. My stomach hurts.”

“It’s a surface wound. You’ll heal in a few days.” Nie Yijun replied as she cleaned up.

Chi Mu watched her do it all and got exhausted just looking. “This place is way too small. You even have to do your own cleaning! I’m so cursed.”

As she wallowed in self-pity, her stomach suddenly felt cold.

She opened her eyes to see Nie Yijun crouching in front of her, lifting her shirt.

“What the hell!” she slapped her hand away.

“It’s fine—nothing serious.” Nie Yijun glanced at the bruised ribs, then at Chi Mu. “Wanna fight again? Maybe we’ll switch back.”

“You nuts?”

“We need to try everything.”

…Not a bad point.

Chi Mu looked at her—her face—and hesitated. “How do I hit myself? This is my own body.”

Nie Yijun blinked, then suddenly punched her in the collarbone. Chi Mu fell back onto the couch with a yelp.

“Nie Yijun!!” she yelled, kicking out reflexively. Her foot landed squarely, knocking Nie Yijun to the ground.

“You really hit your own body!” she gasped, standing up and ready to strike again—but couldn’t bring herself to hit her own face.

Nie Yijun dusted herself off. “Didn’t work.”

“You—” Chi Mu was speechless. “You seriously had no hesitation.”

“I held back.”

“Bullshit! That hurt like hell!”

“You’re just sensitive. Not my fault.”

Chi Mu rubbed her sore collarbone. “You’re lucky I can’t hit myself. When we switch back, I swear, I’m kicking your ass.”

🎵 “Don’t tell me it’s not worth fighting for…” 🎵

Chi Mu’s phone buzzed. Seeing the caller ID, she nearly tossed it across the room.

She handed it to Nie Yijun. “My mom—quick, answer!”

Nie Yijun picked up calmly. “Hello?”

“Where the hell are you?” came Shi Ya’s commanding voice.

“I’m out.”

“Get your ass back home. Now.”

Chi Mu squeezed her eyes shut in fear. Good luck, Nie Yijun.

“I’ll head out now,” Nie Yijun said, handing the phone back. “Call me if anything comes up.”

“Wait—take me to Green Rhyme to get my car first.”

Might as well delay Nie Yijun’s scolding. After all, she wouldn’t be the one in trouble.

They drove to the club. The night shift valet happened to be the same one from the evening before. Upon seeing ‘Chi Mu,’ he handed over her keys—and a black handbag.

“You left this in the private room last night,” he said.

“Thanks,” Nie Yijun replied, accepting both.

Chi Mu took the bag. “We’ll swap cars. You drive mine, I’ll take yours.”

Nie Yijun glanced at the fob. A red Rolls Royce beeped in the distance.

“I’ve never driven a sports car before,” Nie Yijun admitted.

“It’s just like any other car—just faster. Be careful.” Chi Mu was digging through her bag. “If I don’t take it home, my dad will cut me off. Ugh, forgot to bring my Green Rhyme card… airport lounge VIP… Hey Nie Yijun, next time help me pack—”

She looked up. Nie Yijun was already halfway to the car.

In one smooth motion, she opened the door, sat down, buckled up, started the engine, and drove off.

Chi Mu clicked her tongue. “She said she couldn’t drive it.”

She turned around and got into Nie Yijun’s boring little car.

Back at the Chi estate, the sky was darkening. Nie Yijun parked in the right-side garage. There were more than a dozen luxury cars inside.

She opened the door to the aroma of food, mingled with Chi Xi’s magnolia-scented pheromones and the deep, earthy scent of elm pheromones.

Nie Yijun paused.

Chi Mu’s sharper senses were giving her a new perspective on the world.