After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 41

The corridor outside the homeroom teacher’s office at Jingyi High School’s senior high division.

A slender figure leaned lightly against the railing, the pure white long-sleeved shirt appearing slightly loose on her frame. A gentle breeze brushed past, causing the collar to flutter against her pale, delicate neck. Soft black hair clung to the nape of her neck, and a snow-white Bluetooth earpiece adorned her left ear as she lowered her head slightly, seemingly engrossed in something.

Several lively high school girls stood in the corridor, their cheeks slightly flushed as they gazed at that figure. They nudged each other playfully, eventually pushing forward the girl whose face was the reddest.

“That ‘flower-protecting guardian’ Sun Xiaoxiao isn’t here, go for it!”

“An Alpha shouldn’t be this timid, hurry up!”

They whispered with laughter, gesturing toward the figure with their lips.

The pushed-forward Alpha blushed, mustering up her courage before turning and walking toward the figure. She stopped three steps away, nervously calling out, “Lin Li.”

Hearing the voice, the person who had been facing away straightened up, raised her left hand to reveal an indigo-blue watch on her wrist, and with slender, well-defined fingers, removed the earpiece and placed it in its case. Slowly, she turned around.

The graceful young girl stood tall and straight, exuding a delicate and refined aura.

Her pale, somewhat sickly face was sharply defined, highlighting her exquisite bone structure. Soft black hair swept across her brow, and silver-rimmed glasses rested on her high nose bridge. Deep, soulful downturned eyes were hidden behind the lenses. Upon closer inspection, the right eye lacked any lively spark, appearing artificial and hollow, while only the left eye shimmered gently, settling on the young Alpha before her.

Those beautiful eyes curved into a gentle, soft smile as her pale pink lips parted.

“Hello.”

Her slightly husky, mellow voice brushed softly against the ears, causing the young Alpha’s face to instantly flush bright red.

“H-hello!” The pretty girl was so nervous she seemed at a loss. “I’m in the same grade as you, a freshman, but I’m in Class 3.”

“I… I’ve noticed you for a while now. This…”

“Are you free this weekend? Would you like to hang out together?”

Ahhh, what am I saying?!

I want to slap myself!

“Now, let’s welcome the lead actor of ‘Mountains and Rivers’ Teacher Wen Jingzhi!”

The voice came from the phone in Lin Li’s hand. She realized she had forgotten to pause it and gave the person opposite her an apologetic glance before picking up the phone and tapping the screen. Coincidentally, it paused on a woman dressed in a shirt and suit pants, with an off-white asymmetrical trench coat draped over her shoulders. Her graceful figure faced the camera.

Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, strands brushing against the silver earring on her earlobe. Her light-colored eyes held a distant gaze, and her cool, exquisite face was strikingly captivating even in the wide-angle shot.

“Ah! It’s Goddess Zhizhi!” The young Alpha seemed to have found a common topic, exclaiming excitedly, “Do you like her too?”

“This is from yesterday’s pre-screening press conference for ‘Mountains and Rivers,’ right?”

“Ah, I forgot to watch it.”

Long eyelashes fluttered gently, her downturned eyes softening into a squint, revealing a faint scar on her eyelid. “Yes.”

“I really like Zhizhi, sister too.”

“Then, after it’s released next month, would you like to watch it together?” The girl pulled out the phone she had been clutching tightly in her hand, displaying the QR code on the screen. “Can, I add you as a friend? I’ll message you when the time comes.”

Lin Li smiled but made no move.

Click.

The door to the homeroom teacher’s office opened.

“Lin Li~ I’m ready~” A cute girl wearing a bear-print hoodie and a plaid skirt emerged, flashing Lin Li a sweet smile. “Let’s go home.”

“Okay.” Lin Li turned her face toward Sun Xiaoxiao in acknowledgment, then faced the nervous girl with a gentle curve in her eyes. “Thank you for the invitation, but I’m sorry, I have other plans this weekend.”

“No problem!” The girl looked a bit disappointed but extended her phone again. “Can we at least exchange contacts?”

Sun Xiaoxiao glanced between the two, covering her mouth with a light chuckle.

“Sure.” Lin Li smiled warmly and picked up her phone to scan the code.

A charm on her phone case swayed in the air, a somewhat oddly shaped felt ornament.

“See you next time.” Lin Li waved her phone at the excited girl, then turned to Sun Xiaoxiao. “Let’s go.”

“Alright.” Sun Xiaoxiao turned and caught up, stepping to Lin Li’s right side. Only then did she notice Lin Li was wearing only a thin shirt and frowned. “Where’s your jacket? Why aren’t you wearing it? What if you catch a cold?”

It was late April, and the weather was still a bit chilly.

“I left it in the classroom,” Lin Li said, looking straight ahead with a muffled laugh. “Because I’m not cold.”

“Don’t mimic the way I talk!” Sun Xiaoxiao pouted. “Zhou Cheng was right you can be really mean sometimes.”

Lin Li raised an eyebrow. “Was I?”

Over the years, the once frail little girl had grown into a tall, graceful young woman, gradually taking on traces of someone else’s mannerisms. The way she pressed her lips and raised her eyebrows was almost identical.

Sun Xiaoxiao pursed her lips. “Yes, you were!” Then she grinned and leaned in to gossip. “Another Alpha came to see you?”

“Do you like that person? She’s quite pretty, you know.”

Pretty?

Lin Li tilted her head slightly. “Not as pretty as Sister.”

“Don’t compare her to Goddess Zhizhi! Who could possibly measure up to her?”

“Then what?” Lin Li arched an eyebrow.

“You’re hopeless, you sis-con!” Sun Xiaoxiao huffed. “You’ll never find a partner at this rate!”

“There’s no one in the world more beautiful than Goddess Zhizhi!”

“I’m still young and not interested in early relationships, unlike you.” Lin Li chuckled. “Are you going to Zhou Cheng’s place again this weekend?”

Sun Xiaoxiao’s face flushed. “I’m going there to study!”

A few years ago, Sun Xiaoxiao had presented as an Alpha. Having grown up with Zhou Cheng as childhood friends, they had grown especially close lately. Though not officially together yet, it seemed only a matter of time.

Lin Li narrowed her eyes and let out a meaningful “Hmm.”

“What are you doing this weekend?” Sun Xiaoxiao’s face reddened even more as she awkwardly changed the subject.

“Just staying home.”

“Goddess Zhizhi won’t be back for a few more days, right? What’s fun about being home alone? Why not go out with that Alpha?”

“No.”

“Then Zhou Cheng and I will come visit you! It’s been so long since I last played with Xiao Xi!”

“I don’t want to be the third wheel.”

“Lin Li!” Teasing me again!

“Alright, come over.”

The two walked side by side, maintaining a comfortable distance as they strolled leisurely toward the school gate.

Since presenting as an Alpha, Sun Xiaoxiao had stopped holding hands with Lin Li. Though Lin Li hadn’t presented yet, she was expected to be an Omega in the future. Being overly affectionate would be inappropriate and could easily lead to misunderstandings.

So, even though Sun Xiaoxiao often came and went with Lin Li, those at school who had feelings for Lin Li never saw her as a “rival.” Instead, they jokingly referred to her as the “flower protector.”

Outside the First High School gate, a row of luxury cars waited to pick up students. A black business vehicle pulled up and parked by the roadside to the left of the entrance.

The rear window rolled down a crack, revealing a pair of cold, pale eyes the color of snow.

Their gaze swept over the students running along the curb before settling on the school gate. Moments later, two figures emerged from the campus.

The one on the right was slightly shorter and thinner, with medium-length hair falling over the nape of her neck. She squinted gently with a soft smile, her thin lips moving as if speaking to the cute girl beside her.

The silver-rimmed glasses suited her particularly well, lending the pale, sickly-looking girl an air of refinement and elegance.

As they approached the roadside, Sun Xiaoxiao waved to Lin Li and ran ahead to her car. Lin Li stood still, turning her head as if searching for her own ride.

Her nose twitched slightly, and without hesitation, she faced the direction of the business vehicle. Her left eye fixed on the rear window, and the moment she caught sight of those pale eyes, her face broke into a radiant smile.

It’s Sister!

The one who had been spotted lifted her eyelids slightly, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

How does she always manage to find me so quickly?

The slender girl smiled and began to walk forward. Just then, a few boisterous boys ran past on her right, gradually getting closer. Lin Li seemed not to notice them and made no move to avoid them. One of the boys, pushed by a companion, stumbled backward and was about to collide with her.

“Watch out, classmate!”

Lin Li only reacted when she heard the voice. She turned her face fully toward the boys and quickly took a few steps back, avoiding the collision.

“Sorry about that, classmate.”

“It’s fine.”

Lin Li turned her gaze back to the business vehicle. The rear door was now slightly ajar, though she hadn’t noticed when it had opened. She lowered her eyes with a faint smile, jogged over, pulled the door open, and slid inside. After closing the door, she turned to look at the woman beside her.

The elegant woman wore a dark green silk blouse that draped softly, her hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes swept over Lin Li without emotion, like snowflakes brushing against one’s face.

Cold and chilling.

In her early thirties, Wen Jingzhi’s demeanor had grown even more aloof, her sense of detachment increasingly pronounced.

Five years had left no trace on her face it remained flawless and pale, exquisitely captivating.

Those cold eyes, which concealed a myriad of emotions, settled on the young girl, and the chill instantly melted away, replaced by a gentle warmth.

“Why the rush?” You almost got hit.

Lin Li shook her head with a smile, her gaze seemingly glued to her sister. After a moment, she spread her arms and threw herself into the other’s embrace.

“Why are you back so early?” Weren’t you supposed to return next Wednesday?

It’s been three months since I’ve seen Sister! I’ve missed you so much!

Wen Jingzhi’s hand, which had been resting at her side, lifted. After a moment’s hesitation, it landed on the girl’s slightly thin back, patting gently. “I finished my work early and came back ahead of schedule.”

Could it be that she came back early for me?

“Do you want to go out this weekend?”

I’ll message Sun Xiaoxiao as soon as I get back and tell her not to come tomorrow.

Lin Li wrapped her arms around Wen Jingzhi’s neck, propping herself up to look at her. Unlike when she was younger, she didn’t cling or nuzzle affectionately. After holding her for a short while, she voluntarily pulled back and sat properly.

As Lin Li grew older and her body matured, her interactions with Wen Jingzhi were no longer as they had been in childhood. Though Lin Li still hugged her sister, she was mindful of boundaries. When Lin Li turned fifteen, Wen Jingzhi had hesitated about intimate gestures like hugging and holding hands, thinking that the child had grown up. But then she reconsidered after all, the girl would eventually be an Omega and let it be.

“How about Sunday? I have a dinner engagement on Saturday night.” Wen Jingzhi ruffled Lin Li’s hair, the texture was just as lovely as she remembered from their childhood. Her smooth fingers slid down to the nape of Lin Li’s neck, gently pinching a few strands of black hair. “Shall we get your hair trimmed while we’re at it?”

“Sounds good.”

Over the years, everything from Lin Li’s hairstyle and glasses to her clothing even her underwear had been personally selected by Wen Jingzhi.

Though after turning fifteen, Lin Li started choosing her own underwear using Wen Jingzhi’s card to make the purchases.

As the car entered the residential complex, Lin Li kept her gaze fixed on her sister, her eyes narrowing sweetly. “What’s the dinner for?”

“Should I go have dinner with Grandpa Wen and the others that evening?”

In recent years, Lin Li had been living with Wen Jingzhi in Eryue, returning to the old house once a month. Other members of the Wen family would occasionally visit, taking her out for fun.

“No need.”

“But isn’t Aunt Li only coming back on Monday?”

If I don’t go to Grandpa Wen’s, I won’t have anything to eat.

The car came to a stop. Wen Jingzhi opened the door and stepped out, waiting for Lin Li to join her before walking side by side. “You’re coming with me.”

“Huh?” Lin Li tilted her head. “I can go too?”

Wen Jingzhi moved to Lin Li’s right side, and the younger girl immediately grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers. Wen Jingzhi glanced down, a slight smile curling her lips. “You can come.”

“Grandpa and Big Brother will be there too.”

“Okay.”

They took the elevator up to the 42nd floor and entered the apartment. After changing her shoes, Lin Li headed toward the living room, calling out softly, “Xiao Xi!”

With a joyful bark, a handsome gray-and-white dog dashed over and leaped into Lin Li’s arms, its tail wagging like a propeller.

The young girl hugged the fluffy Xiao Xi, rubbing him all over with unskilled but enthusiastic strokes, her laughter making her eyes crinkle. “Hahaha, your mouth smells like chicken! Did you sneak some treats?”

Standing in the entryway, Wen Jingzhi watched the unrestrained, joyous smile on Lin Li’s face, her own eyes softening as she smiled silently.

She had spent nearly five years more effort than she’d ever put into acting nurturing a breath of “freedom” in that stifling “windless place.”

This was, by far, the achievement that brought her the greatest satisfaction and delight in her life.

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