After the Nerd Marked the Top Omega - Chapter 23.1

But the next day, Pei Yunci still hadn’t replied to her message.

Considering the other party was busy with work and had mentioned not checking messages often, Fang Xu didn’t think much of it.

After her leave ended, she went to the company as usual the next day.

However, as soon as she arrived at her desk, the person next to her shifted their seat, moving farther away from her.

As the colleague moved, they explained, “I have a cold, so I’m keeping my distance from you all to avoid spreading it.”

He Ya asked, “I have some cold medicine here, do you want any?”

“I’ve taken some,” the colleague reminded them, “The change of seasons makes it easy to get sick. Remember to wear more in the morning, like Xiao Xu.”

It was almost summer, and many people were dressing lightly, making it the easiest time to fall ill.

Fang Xu nodded. She had a good constitution, but she also paid attention during seasonal changes: “Everyone, take care of your health.”

After the morning’s work was finished and lunch was eaten, most people would take a rest during this time.

Fang Xu had been sitting for a bit too long, so she took a walk around the company building downstairs.

A unfamiliar colleague nearby was chatting with someone: “Our manager took the day off today, and President Pei didn’t come to the company either. Quite a few people are missing.”

The other person asked, “Your manager has a family matter, did President Pei go on a business trip?”

“How would I know that?” The person, basking in the warm sun, yawned, “If I knew that, I wouldn’t just be a small employee.”

The other person also laughed, “That’s true, we can’t know President Pei’s itinerary either.”

Fang Xu listened beside them, silently agreeing in her heart.

If Pei Yunci didn’t tell her voluntarily, it would be difficult for her to know the other party’s whereabouts—whether they were abroad, on a business trip, or dealing with family matters.

After getting some fresh air downstairs, she headed back up.

The day’s work ended, and she still hadn’t received a reply, nor had she seen Pei Yunci at the company.

Before going to sleep, Fang Xu looked at the chat window, thinking that if the other party still didn’t reply tomorrow, she would send another message.

The next day was Saturday. Apart from her tutoring job, her time was free.

Fang Xu woke up in the morning and went to the library to continue working on her game.

The progress on the game’s script was nearly complete; the focus now was on optimization and perfecting the details.

According to her estimate, the game should be basically finished by the end of this summer vacation.

Fang Xu understood the current situation in the gaming industry. There were generally two options for getting an independently developed game exposed.

One was to sell the game to a large gaming company, let them operate it, and receive a share of the revenue. However, the game companies’ assessment was very strict and time-consuming, and her self-made game was too rough—ninety-nine percent likely to not meet the assessment standards.

The second was to upload the game to a free gaming platform. Platform assessments were simple; as long as it didn’t violate laws and regulations, any user could upload a game. If there were enough players, the creator could switch to charging a fee, but they would also have to share a portion with the platform.

Fang Xu leaned toward uploading to a gaming platform. She wasn’t relying on the game for income; learning things from the process of making the game was what mattered.

But the game was also her labor of love. Different sized gaming platforms varied, and she still hoped to choose one that could protect creators’ copyrights.

After some thought, Fang Xu added selecting a gaming platform to her plan list.

In the evening, after tutoring, she sent another message to the person.

[Fang Xu: If you’re busy, you can contact me anytime.]

But the other side remained quiet, as if they had completely vanished.

Fang Xu’s reason told her that given Pei Yunci’s status and position, if she were sick or in trouble, someone would definitely be there to help.

However, not getting a definite reply always left her a little worried.

Fang Xu pursed her lips, but she didn’t know what to do. She had met Pei Yunci’s assistant and doctor, but she only had Pei Yunci’s contact information and no way to reach the other two.

Reason and emotion warred in her mind, neither convincing the other, only affecting Fang Xu, who finally fell asleep close to two in the morning.

Sunday.

Fang Xu went to Ke Yue’s place.

Ke Yue greeted her, “Sister Fang, you’re here!”

“Yes, I brought you some new problems.” Fang Xu closed the study door.

Ke Yue asked warily, “Sister Fang, are they new problems or hard problems?”

It was only one word difference, but the meaning was completely different.

Fang Xu smiled, “They’re not very hard. You should be able to finish one set today, and you can choose the rest.”

The problems she selected were all compatible with Ke Yue’s current study progress—not so simple as to be meaningless, but also not too difficult to leave her with no ideas.

Ke Yue’s hanging heart finally dropped: “That’s good.”

Then, she brought up another matter: “Sister Fang, I’m planning to participate in the competition next semester. Do you think I can?”

After the summer vacation, she would officially start the second year of high school, and she could participate in some high-value competitions. If her grades were good, she could receive bonus points or qualification for guaranteed admission to some universities.

Fang Xu: “Yes, your level is already very high. When doing problems, remember to read the constraints clearly and be a bit more careful.”

Ke Yue hadn’t even participated in the competition yet, and Fang Xu couldn’t help but start giving her instructions.

“Mhm, I remember,” Ke Yue nodded obediently, but she felt a satisfied smugness from being praised. If she had a tail, it would be wagging right now.

Fang Xu noticed and brought the child back to reality: “The competition is still some time away, finish today’s problems first.”

The invisible tail thumped down. Ke Yue and the problems stared at each other: “…Okay.”

During the break, Sang Ning came into the study: “Yueyue, I’m having a friend buy some things from abroad, is there anything you want?”

Ke Yue immediately said, “A doll! The one that’s a collaboration with my idol!”

“Didn’t you buy five or six of them a while ago?” Sang Ning recalled.

Ke Yue shook her head, “Mommy, the ones I bought a while ago are different from this new doll.”

“…Buy it,” Sang Ning didn’t refuse, but said, “The money for the doll will be deducted from next month’s allowance.”

Ke Yue immediately put on a tearful expression: “Mommy, how about you deduct it from this month’s allowance? I want to save next month’s allowance to buy other things.”

Sang Ning sneered, “This month’s allowance is already all spent.”

Ke Yue: “…No way.”

Fang Xu smiled faintly beside them.

If they didn’t say it, no one would have thought Ke Yue and Pei Yunci were cousins; their personalities were too different.

Sang Ning crossed her arms: “You calculate it yourself. Could I lie to you about this?”

Ke Yue was good at math and sensitive to numbers.

She thought about her expenses this month. After adding and subtracting, her allowance was indeed prepaid and not a penny was left.

Ke Yue coughed, pretending she hadn’t said what she just did, and changed the subject: “Mommy, what are you having your friend bring back from abroad?”

Things that required a friend to specially bring back from abroad were usually very valuable.

Sang Ning: “Your cousin is going to have a birthday soon, and I want to send her a gift. The custom designer she likes is abroad, so I can only ask a friend to help.”

Hearing this, Fang Xu’s long eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Pei Yunci was going to have a birthday? Was she busy with this recently, which is why she hadn’t replied to the messages?

Ke Yue’s words negated her guess: “Isn’t cousin’s birthday still some time away?”

Sang Ning: “Customization takes a long time, so I have to prepare in advance. Should I wait until the last minute like you, only starting to look for your exercise book when your Sister Fang arrives?”

“…”

Ke Yue stood up and slowly pushed Sang Ning out of the study: “Dear Mommy, I need to start studying now, please excuse yourself.”

After closing the study door, Ke Yue defensively explained, “Mommy is exaggerating too much.”

Fang Xu chuckled lightly and then casually brought up, “Is your cousin very busy lately?”

Ke Yue shook her head: “I’m not quite sure about that, but my cousin is busy every day. A lot of the time, I don’t even know what she’s busy with.”

Fang Xu nodded, didn’t ask more, and picked up the problem sets next to her.

After the tutoring ended, she planned to go straight back to school.

However, before she could get on the subway, an unknown number suddenly called her.

Fang Xu answered, “Hello?”

“May I please speak with Miss Fang?”

The most common opening line for scams and sales. Fang Xu didn’t answer, ready to hang up immediately.

But before her fingertip could touch the screen, the other side continued, “I am President Pei’s assistant. Does Miss Fang have time now?”

Fang Xu’s heart suddenly skipped a beat: “I have time. Where are you?”

If the assistant had to call, it meant Pei Yunci’s situation wasn’t optimistic.

“At the apartment,” the assistant briefly explained the situation.

Pei Yunci had a lot of social engagements these past two days. Today, there were many Alphas present, and her pheromones became unstable.

After sensing something was wrong, she left early, and when she arrived at the apartment, her pheromones completely lost control.

Fang Xu quickly asked, “Is Yunci doing alright now?”

“Not very well,” the assistant said, “President Pei is in the bedroom. She instructed me to call you when she went in.”

“I understand,” Fang Xu replied, “I’m coming over right now.”

“Okay, thank you, Miss Fang. Do you need me to pick you up?”

Fang Xu: “No need, I’ll be there soon.”

Ke Yue’s home was in the city center, not far from the apartment, and the subway was convenient, which would be faster than waiting for the other party to drive to pick her up.

Upon arriving at the apartment, the assistant opened the door for her. Stepping inside, Fang Xu immediately smelled a strong scent of bellflower.

“Miss Fang,” the assistant said.

Fang Xu hummed, her gaze directed toward the master bedroom: “Is Yunci in there?”

“Yes, I haven’t heard President Pei’s voice in a while.”

Whether Alpha or Omega, during a special period, they were always somewhat disheveled. Pei Yunci was no exception.

She disliked being seen in this state, so without Pei Yunci’s permission, the assistant dared not enter rashly.

Fang Xu had run from the subway station to the apartment, and her heart was still pounding. She steadied her breath and said, “I’ll go in and check.”

The assistant nodded and left the apartment to the two of them: “Okay, I’ll leave the apartment now. If you need anything, Miss Fang, please feel free to call me.”

“Wait a moment,” Fang Xu took out a pheromone suppression spray from her bag: “This is for you.”

The assistant was a Beta and couldn’t smell pheromones, but it was unavoidable to pick up some now, which could easily affect passersby.

The assistant was slightly surprised, not expecting her to be so thoughtful: “Thank you, Miss Fang.”

“No problem.”

The assistant left, and the apartment door closed. Fang Xu walked to the master bedroom door.

Her hand pressed the doorknob, and with a gentle turn, the bedroom door opened.

The bellflower scent in the bedroom was much stronger than in the living room, like wandering through a field of bellflowers on a misty morning.

Pei Yunci was leaning against the bed, her breathing slightly heavy, her eyes closed, and the corner of her eyes were tinged red from physiological tears.

She must have rushed back, as she was still wearing a shirt, but the cuffs were undone, and a silver-white suppression bracelet was placed nearby. Her work attire lacked some of its usual aloofness and coldness.

Hearing the sound, she opened her eyes, seeming to take a moment to recognize the person in front of her: “You’ve come.”

“Yes,” Fang Xu walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. “I came over as soon as I got the assistant’s call.”

The surrounding air was filled with Omega pheromones. Even with her suppression patch and suppression bracelet, her gland started to feel restless, making her feel much warmer all over.

Fang Xu pursed her lips, easing the subtle thirst, and asked, “Should I mark you now?”

Pei Yunci’s pale skin was flushed pink. She sat up straighter, leaning slightly forward, facing Fang Xu. The distance between them was infinitely reduced.

Both of their breaths were ragged, intertwining with each other. Their beautiful pupils mirrored one another, and their pheromones merged, creating an ambiguous atmosphere.

“Xiao Xu,” Pei Yunci whispered.

Fang Xu nodded, but she felt warm all over, with fine sweat beading on the tip of her nose, and even her exhaled breath was scorching: “Mhm.”

Without the Omega’s permission, she dared not make a move, so she sat obediently on the edge of the bed, waiting for the other person’s next words.

Pei Yunci looked at her and suddenly said, “Your eyes are so beautiful.”

Taken by surprise, Fang Xu’s mind went blank for a moment.

When she was a child, relatives would praise her looks. But after growing up, she was busy with part-time jobs and earning money and didn’t have the mind to dress up, so it had been a long time since anyone complimented her on her appearance.

And it was Pei Yunci who was complimenting her. Clearly, the other person was much prettier.

Now, Fang Xu’s face burned even more intensely, and Alpha pheromones surged out, the citrus scent coming in waves, sweet and cloying.

She no longer had her usual sharp look from class; she was completely slow-witted, her ears bright red as she said, “Your eyes are beautiful too.”

Pei Yunci’s eyelashes were very long, moving gently like a butterfly flapping its wings, drawing in the heartstrings of those nearby. Her pupils were a light amber, but when she looked up, they were like unfathomably deep autumn water.

They were very beautiful. Fang Xu spoke from her heart and was telling the truth.

Pei Yunci let out a soft laugh, leaned against her shoulder, and her voice dropped low, “Xiao Xu, mark me now.”

“I don’t have the strength.”

Along with the voice came soft strands of hair touching Fang Xu’s ear.

Bringing a subtle tickle that made Fang Xu’s fingertips twitch, and her breathing grew heavier.

It was only then that she smelled, besides their two pheromones, a trace of alcohol. It must have been from the drinking during the social event.

Warm breath fell on the side of her neck. Fang Xu embraced her, “Yunci, I’m going to start.”

“Mhm.” Pei Yunci answered softly, her voice a little hoarse.

During the special period, the body would feel more uncomfortable than usual. Fang Xu knew this and didn’t delay any longer.

She slightly held her hot breath, lowered her head to look at the Omega’s gland, and paused her movement. There was an indistinct needle mark on the gland.

Fang Xu pressed it gently with her warm fingertip and asked in a low voice, “It looks like you were injured here?”

She didn’t use too much force, but the bellflower fragrance spread, weaving around her finger bones, thread by thread, intertwining with the citrus scent.

Pei Yunci leaned against her shoulder, her long eyelashes obscuring her beautiful eyes, her breathing slightly irregular: “A hospital check-up.”

After speaking, she lifted her hand, gently pressed, and pulled the Alpha closer to herself, saying slowly, “It hurts a little.”

Fang Xu buried herself in the person’s neck. Her prominent nose touched the warm skin. She felt like her heart was about to leap out, and she didn’t dare to breathe, her mind completely blank.

All that remained in her mind was the marking knowledge she had studied late at night.

Her lips parted slightly, her tongue touched the gland, and it was like biting into a flower wrapped in spring mist. The citrus scent exploded in her mouth.

Pei Yunci’s body tensed for a moment, moving forward a little, pressing closer to Fang Xu, leaving almost no gap between the two.

Her voice trembled slightly as she reminded her: “My glasses.”

The cool frame of the glasses, touching her hot skin, made them feel like ice cubes, making her uncomfortable.

Hearing this, Fang Xu immediately took them off. The black, rigid glasses were casually tossed aside, leaving a mark on the soft pillow.

After a moment of comfort, Fang Xu’s tongue licked the soft spot, and she bit down with her marking tooth.

Perhaps because she had drunk some alcohol, Pei Yunci didn’t fully suppress her voice. When Fang Xu bit down, a muffled groan escaped.

It was light, like a feather brushing past, yet impossible to ignore.

Fang Xu felt herself catch fire completely. She couldn’t block her ears, so she could only try her best to ignore it, slowly giving the Alpha pheromones to the person in her arms.

After the marking was complete, she felt more exhausted than after her morning run, and her breathing was faster and more hurried.

Fang Xu didn’t tend to herself first, but asked the person in her arms: “Yunci, are you feeling better now?”

Her arm was loosely wrapped around her, no longer holding her as tightly as during the marking.

“Mhm.” The other person responded quietly, but didn’t move. Her tone suggested some exhaustion.

Fang Xu didn’t ask more, giving the other person time to slowly recover her strength.

About fifteen minutes later, she spoke: “Are you feeling better?”

The person in her arms didn’t speak.

“Yunci?”

Fang Xu moved a little and realized the other person had closed her eyes and fallen asleep.

She held her breath, lightened her movements, moved the person onto the bed, covered her with the blanket, and helped wipe her forehead with a tissue.

Fang Xu turned on the air purification system, then went to the guest room to freshen up.

It wasn’t too late yet, not quite bedtime, so she went back to the master bedroom.

Her footsteps were suppressed to the quietest possible sound. Pei Yunci was still asleep, showing no signs of waking up.

However, her face was still slightly red, her brows lightly furrowed, looking very uncomfortable.

Fang Xu tentatively placed the back of her hand against her forehead and felt a wave of heat, no different from earlier.

During the special period for Alphas and Omegas, body temperature would rise, which was normal. But after the marking was completed, the body temperature should return to normal.

Now, Pei Yunci’s temperature was still high. It didn’t seem like a symptom of the heat period, but more like she was sick.

Fang Xu pursed her lips and went to the living room to try and find some medicine.

She wasn’t familiar with the apartment, so she had to search every possible spot. Finally, she found a medicine box in a cabinet in a secluded corner.

It mostly contained stomach medicine and suppressants, as well as medicine to treat gland pain. There wasn’t much of other common medicine.

Fang Xu searched to the bottom and saw fever reducers and a thermometer. After checking that they weren’t expired, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

She poured a cup of hot water, dissolved the medicine, and brought it to the master bedroom.

Fang Xu tried to wake the person: “Yunci, drink some medicine first?”

But the other person didn’t wake up; she only lightly frowned and then rubbed against Fang Xu’s slightly cool hand, as if that made her feel more comfortable.

Fang Xu didn’t force her. She went back to the kitchen to find a spoon and slowly fed the dissolved medicine, also moistening her lips.

After feeding the medicine, she found a towel, soaked it a little, and helped wipe the person’s face for physical cooling.

Pei Yunci’s fever was quite high. If her temperature didn’t drop after taking the medicine, she would have to go to the hospital.

Now Fang Xu didn’t dare to go back to the guest bedroom. She brought her backpack over, worked on her game next to the bed, measured her temperature every hour, and wiped her face with the damp towel.

At four o’clock in the morning, Pei Yunci slowly woke up.

The symptoms of the heat period had faded, but her throat hurt a little, her mouth felt bitter, and she was very tired all over.

Pei Yunci sat up slightly and saw the person lying beside the bed.

She tried to speak: “Xiao Xu?”

Fang Xu was a light sleeper. Hearing the sound, she said, “You’re awake. Let’s take your temperature?”

Pei Yunci also realized: “I have a fever?”

“Mhm,” Fang Xu explained the situation just now, not forgetting to confess: “I found some medicine in the living room.”

“It’s alright,” Pei Yunci looked at the temperature on the thermometer: “Thirty-seven point five degrees Celsius.”

Fang Xu was also relieved: “I’ll make you another cup of medicine, and you should be fine.”

“I’ll do it myself,” Pei Yunci’s long eyelashes fluttered. She looked at the clock on the bedside table: “You’ve been taking care of me all night?”

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