Distance Formula - Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Bai Biqing fiddled with the small braid tied up for the test and half-leaned on the doctor’s desk, waiting for the results. It was only 6:30 am.
She had made the appointment the night before. The two had met before dawn and immediately started the examination to save time. They had only just received the results now.
“Are the results bad?” Bai Biqing asked uncertainly, seeing the doctor remain silent for a long time.
“No, not at all.” The female doctor denied, placing the report in front of Bai Biqing, her tone full of surprise, “I suspected the match between her and you would be very high, but I didn’t expect it to reach ninety-five percent. This far exceeds many A/O pairs.”
Bai Biqing also looked at the number on the report with astonishment, her eyes slightly lowered: “Ninety-five percent… does this mean my illness can be treated?”
The female doctor nodded: “Of course. Although the value has not dropped significantly yet, if you can be with her long-term and proceed with treatment, there is a high probability of full recovery.”
The Beta suddenly fell silent. Her illness wasn’t severe in itself, but eventually, she would gradually lose all five senses and could only live to about forty. She was already 29 this year, not to mention she could already feel intermittent aches and pains in her body. In other words, she was neither an Omega nor an Alpha, just a failed Beta.
She was once afraid and terrified, suffering from insomnia for four or five months. Later, she accepted it and didn’t dwell on the matter too much, adopting a fatalistic attitude—until she met Su Yanshi.
But now, she felt uneasy again. Her fingertips suddenly tightened: “You said, why would she help me? I remember it requires excessive contact to achieve the effect, right? But she is supposed to have her own Omega.”
The doctor looked at her as if she didn’t understand: “Let me put it this way, the match between A/B is different from A/O because few Alphas and Betas have this connection. Ninety-five percent is a fatal attraction for her. Su Yanshi, from a certain perspective, if she doesn’t meet a 100% match, you will be the person with the deepest bond in her life.”
“You are the one who significantly limits her choices. Besides, the problem you’re worried about is easily solved, isn’t it? Just turn your relationship into one where you can kiss, hug, or even go a step further.”
Bai Biqing was snapped awake by these words. She covered her face and laughed lightly: “Yes, wouldn’t it be better if I were with her?” Besides, she had a good impression of Su Yanshi.
The doctor saw her accept it and, with a quick thought, leaned forward slightly: “Tell me, what kind of person is she that she’s won you over?” Bai Biqing took a deep breath and said, “She’s an actress.” “An actress is good. Why not spend some money and resources to earn her favor?” Bai Biqing pursed her lips in disagreement: “It shouldn’t be put that way. Besides, she’s different.”
The first time she noticed Su Yanshi was in a movie where the Alpha played a female general. There was one scene that left a deep impression on her. Su Yanshi, holding a sword, picked up the chin of the person playing her lover with a cold and mocking expression, saying she didn’t love her, that everything was just a means to an end. Then, with eyes devoid of emotion, she killed her lover. Yet, when she finally achieved everything she wanted, her eyes were filled only with loneliness and sorrow. At the end of the story, Su Yanshi still assisted the new emperor but never married anyone else, never mentioning her dead wife again. Everyone called her ruthless, but she paid no mind, only coldly wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes when reminiscing late at night.
It was the first time Bai Biqing paid attention to an artist, and she learned the Alpha’s name was Su Yanshi. She couldn’t help but think of how Su Yanshi acted in front of her, and her eyes curved into a smile. Cupping her chin, she said: “She was born for the stage. She naturally belongs to this industry.”
“Money would only become a burden to her. She wouldn’t accept it, and I’m even less willing to offer it.”
The doctor didn’t comment: “You have quite the outlook. So, are you planning to tell her the truth?” “Of course.” Bai Biqing crossed her hands and leaned back, her tone light: “I don’t want it to end with her passively finding out that I approached her with an agenda. I must let her know. Rather than having this hidden risk between us, it’s better to firmly grasp the initiative in my own hands. And if she’s unwilling, I can withdraw gracefully.”
“I respect her wishes, but when the final result is confirmed, I won’t easily let go. After all, I am a selfish person, too.”
Bai Biqing returned home around noon. As soon as she exited the elevator, she saw Li Zhuonan pacing anxiously outside the door. She frowned: “What’s wrong?”
Did something happen to Su Yanshi?
Li Zhuonan slumped his head and shook the meal container in his hand: “Yanshi’s pheromone level is very high, so her rut is always difficult. But for some reason this time, I can’t even get through to her on the phone, and knocking gets no response. If this keeps up, I feel like I’ll have to call the police. Plus, her pheromone suppression is so strong that my legs feel weak just standing outside the door.”
Bai Biqing looked at the door. She recalled the doctor’s words and felt it was highly likely she had caused Su Yanshi’s rut symptoms to worsen. Furthermore, this might be their chance to get closer. She curled her fingers and calmly reached out her hand: “Give it to me. I have a spare key card, and I’m a Beta, so I won’t be affected by her pheromones.”
Li Zhuonan hesitated a bit, unsure if it was too much trouble for Bai Biqing. She seemed to notice Li Zhuonan’s concern and spoke first: “I genuinely want to be friends with Su Yanshi. She’s also my tenant. I shouldn’t just stand by, regardless of the reason.” Li Zhuonan realized she had a point. He handed over the meal container: “This is the nutritious meal she always eats. Please make sure she eats it; otherwise, her body won’t handle it.”
“Okay.” Li Zhuonan added one last thing before leaving: “Artist Bai, she really likes the painting you drew for her. The wolf looks especially realistic!” A wolf? Bai Biqing raised an eyebrow slightly, said nothing more, only smiled it off. She went back, got the key card, swiped open the lock, and shut the door before Li Zhuonan could say anything else. Li Zhuonan squatted by the door, thinking hard, and felt that Bai Biqing’s smile just now held a deeper meaning.
The Beta walked in without trouble. All the curtains in the apartment were drawn, making the space dim and oppressive. The light filtering through the cracks wasn’t enough to make out the corners. The air was thick with the Alpha’s aggressive pheromones. Bai Biqing felt a sense of pressure. She took two steps forward and was suddenly tripped by something, barely managing to steady herself. She bent down and realized it was a suitcase. Tsk.
She moved the suitcase aside so it wasn’t directly in the middle. She walked to the bedroom door, raised her hand to knock, and before she could speak, heard a low growl from inside: “Get out!” Bai Biqing paused for a few seconds, then raised her voice: “Su Yanshi, it’s Bai Biqing.”
Inside the bedroom, the bed was surrounded by a high pile of clothes, as if Su Yanshi had been nesting. Hearing the voice outside the door, she suddenly pulled herself out of the jacket. She sat up frantically, her ears red, her face filled with panic and confusion. Su Yanshi stared blankly at the jacket beneath her, then clumsily stuffed the garment under her pillow. Still worried, she piled other clothes on top. Only after doing all this did she remember she hadn’t washed up.
Her heart inexplicably sped up. She nearly fell when getting out of bed, causing a loud noise. Bai Biqing was paying close attention to the movements inside. She immediately looked serious: “What’s wrong with you?” “Nothing!” Su Yanshi replied, then lowered her head dejectedly for some reason: “I’m going to wash up. Wait for me.”
The Alpha quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face. Looking in the mirror, she realized her complexion was frighteningly dark. She tried to soften her expression, but it remained gloomy. She was still wearing gray and white pajamas and didn’t have time to change.
Su Yanshi closed her eyes, adjusted her breathing, and finally felt safe enough to walk out. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Bai Biqing’s worried gaze. The Beta wore a white inner shirt with a beige jacket over it, highlighting her figure’s best features. She was also wearing gold-rimmed glasses, the chain dangling on either side of her face, making her look quite ascetic.
The Alpha swallowed unconsciously.
Bai Biqing broke the silence first: “Li Zhuonan said he couldn’t reach you and was hindered by the Alpha’s rank suppression, so I came to deliver the food since I have a spare key card.” Su Yanshi was slow to react. She remembered something and rushed back inside. Bai Biqing’s line of sight widened as she left, and she immediately saw two empty suppressants lying on the floor. Her eyes narrowed. She probably took two doses yesterday, with a short interval, and two more now. Maybe there are others. Does this person have no regard for her life?
“I forgot to charge my phone yesterday,” Su Yanshi explained sheepishly after plugging in her phone and seeing seven missed calls from Li Zhuonan. But she noticed Bai Biqing’s mood was off, appearing quite low. She followed Bai Biqing’s gaze, her heart sinking, and didn’t know what to say for a long time. “Taking too many suppressants is very harmful to your body,” Bai Biqing said, constrained by their relationship but still feeling angry at this lack of self-care. No one she knew would approve of this.
Su Yanshi gave a dry “Oh,” her expression gloomy and sinister, but her eyes dropped in disappointment. She couldn’t even control her rut emotions. She explained in a low voice: “But I’m in so much pain.” Her gland felt like it was being pricked with needles; the sharp pain made it impossible for her to sleep. The pheromone on the jacket was too faint and provided little comfort.
Bai Biqing was rendered speechless. She then smiled faintly and waved Su Yanshi over: “Come out.” She turned on the light but didn’t open the curtains.
Su Yanshi followed behind the Beta, unable to resist sniffing the air, checking if Bai Biqing had left any scent behind. Bai Biqing’s senses were very sharp. She turned around immediately and successfully caught Su Yanshi, who looked flustered at being caught. The Alpha tensed up, looking at her alertly, standing straight while holding her breath.
She suddenly felt that Su Yanshi resembled the female general, at least in her posture. As for the rest, she suspected that even Li Zhuonan didn’t know. A wolf cub? No, this is a puppy. Bai Biqing didn’t say much. She naturally turned around, placed the meal container on the table, and motioned for Su Yanshi to sit down.
The Alpha sat down obediently. Bai Biqing clearly recognized this was due to her scent. She also wanted to offer comfort; after all, she was partly responsible for the situation. But as a Beta, she couldn’t. She only knew her pheromones were leaking out, but she didn’t know what they smelled like herself. Su Yanshi had no appetite and remained motionless with a lack of interest: “I’m not hungry—” Her tone even sounded fierce.
Bai Biqing rubbed her fingertips, wondering if moving closer would help. She put her hands behind her back, stopped in front of the dining table, and leaned back against the table’s edge, hands supporting her. She looked down at Su Yanshi. Su Yanshi also looked up at her, seemingly confused. The Beta suddenly bent forward slightly. Her azure eyes unexpectedly intruded into Su Yanshi’s vision. The Alpha grew tense again. She blinked and heard the other woman say: “Your pheromone smells so strong. What kind of liquor is it?”
“I can smell your pheromones.”
Su Yanshi’s breathing hitched. The problem she had been ignoring seemed to be answered directly. Why could Bai Biqing detect her discomfort? She thought she had handled herself well. But why did she tell her? A Beta who can smell pheromones… how strange. Before she could think further, Bai Biqing tapped her fingers on the table, her voice low and slow, as if she were seducing her: “Eat, okay?”
The Beta’s pheromones irresistibly wrapped around Su Yanshi, pulling her out of the deep sea and forcefully circling her in an embrace. In front of her, Bai Biqing’s glasses chain swung gently, making unheard sounds as it rubbed the air. Her gland felt comfortable, but her fangs were restless. She really… wants to bite. Even though they weren’t close, Su Yanshi couldn’t refuse Bai Biqing at all; she only wanted to stick to her. This is so unlike her. She’s actually violating her physiological instincts, having such intense desire for a Beta. Bai Biqing smells so good. Su Yanshi lowered her head, not daring to look at Bai Biqing again. She heard herself say: “O-okay.”