Distance Formula - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Bai Biqing woke up very early. Sitting by the bedside, she pulled the duvet up slightly for Su Yanshi. She checked the Alpha’s temperature; it was fine, no sign of a fever.

After all, there was a biological wall between Alphas, Omegas, and Betas. She hadn’t been careful enough during the act, and Su Yanshi had left her back covered in scratches; it wasn’t until it was over that she realized she had been a bit too rough.

This was a different feeling from before. She had many past lovers who were cooperative in bed, but something had always felt missing.

Bai Biqing looked down silently at Su Yanshi’s profile, thinking it was probably because an Alpha had never appeared in her life until now.

It was only five in the morning. The Beta was wide awake. She first returned to her own room to change her clothes, then went to the kitchen intending to brew some porridge for Su Yanshi.

Many people in this hotel recognized her. The manager followed her over: “Little Boss Bai, are you going to cook?”

Bai Biqing was in a good mood. She noticed she could smell the pheromones of others again; the duration of the medicine’s effect was much shorter than before.

As expected, only the medicine that truly belonged to her worked.

“Yes, I want to make some porridge. Don’t mind me, go about your business.” Bai Biqing waved her hand. Using her own family’s property meant she didn’t have many reservations.

A chef plucked up the courage to strike up a conversation: “Little Boss Bai, you seem very happy.”

Bai Biqing, currently preparing ingredients, smiled elegantly: “Yes, I am very happy.”

All things considered, they had only known each other for 23 days. It was a wonderful feeling.

She had experienced many relationships that were established within just a few days of meeting, but Su Yanshi was different. It felt as though they had known each other for a long time.

It felt to Bai Biqing as if she had been through a lot with her.

Someone followed up: “Are you in a relationship?”

Bai Biqing turned back curiously: “Why do you ask?”

The person chuckled: “Because that’s exactly how my daughter looked when she fell in love.”

“They’re married now, and even have a child.”

The Beta’s eyes crinkled: “I wish them eternal happiness.”

She turned back and spoke with moderate emphasis: “Yes, I am in a relationship.”

A chorus of exclamations and cheering came from behind her. She ignored them, simply feeling that today was bound to be a beautiful day.

Brewing the porridge took some time. While packing it up, Bai Biqing ran into two suspicious-looking figures. She let out a light laugh: “You two, come here.”

Su Shang was about to run when Xu Qi grabbed her. The Alpha closed her eyes and spoke rapidly: “Don’t be afraid! I smell a strong scent of Alpha on her, it’s so pungent!”

Su Shang froze for a moment, then the corners of both their mouths curled up. They immediately discarded the hundred ways to die they had brainstormed last night and walked over with their chests out and heads high.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, your body—” Su Shang was about to tease her when her expression suddenly faltered. She recoiled with a grimace. “No way, are her pheromones that powerful?”

As an Omega, her sensitivity to Alpha pheromones was far greater than Xu Qi’s.

Xu Qi realized what had happened and shook her head in a “disappointed but not surprised” manner: “Bai Biqing, you’re really something. I’ve only been gone for two years and you’re playing this hard already? It’s only been a few days and you’ve already slept with her.”

Bai Biqing: “…”

She deeply regretted calling them over.

The Beta was too lazy to argue with them, fearing that if this continued, the topic would turn into something X-rated.

Su Shang leaned on Xu Qi, laughing. Suddenly, she said: “Biqing, get back quickly. Your Alpha seems to have entered her rut.”

Bai Biqing stiffened. She shot Su Shang a look and, without a moment’s delay, headed toward the room.

The Omega watched the Beta’s jogging retreat and sighed: “Daughters truly can’t be kept once they grow up. Xu Qi, why don’t you tell me some of your stories from abroad?”

“I said a lot yesterday.”

“But I want to hear them! Tell me, tell me—”

Su Shang linked arms with Xu Qi, a trace of loneliness hidden in her eyes. Her peripheral vision swept over the Alpha’s jawline; she was still her best friend.

Bai Biqing’s pace was very fast. Calculating the days, Su Yanshi’s rut shouldn’t have arrived yet, but Su Shang wouldn’t lie to her. She hurriedly swiped her room card, only letting out a sigh of relief once she saw the scene inside.

The room was filled with a thick scent of liquor, one Bai Biqing was intimately familiar with—it was exactly the same scent Su Yanshi emitted during her previous rut. She gently set the food container down and walked to the bedside to embrace the curled-up figure.

She kissed Su Yanshi’s temple: “What’s wrong, Yanshi? Uncomfortable?”

The Alpha pulled back the duvet. Her eyes were red and the corners were still wet. Su Yanshi took a hitching breath: “Teacher Bai.”

Bai Biqing pulled her into her arms. Su Yanshi was already fully dressed. She kissed the Alpha’s lips and asked softly: “Rut?”

Su Yanshi buried her head in her chest: “Mhm.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

Su Yanshi lifted her head and kissed Bai Biqing. After a while, she said: “I was afraid you were busy with something and didn’t dare disturb you.”

Bai Biqing ruffled her hair and scolded softly: “Are you a dummy? How could I have things I wouldn’t tell you? Next time something happens, call me directly. I will definitely pick up.”

“Mhm.” Su Yanshi fumbled to kiss her again. Bai Biqing submissively lowered her head. “So clingy?”

“Yes. I’m afraid that when I wake up, it will all be like a dream. Teacher Bai, are we… together?” Su Yanshi gripped Bai Biqing’s hand, and the Beta interlaced their fingers.

Bai Biqing looked at her with amusement, then rubbed her face with heartache: “Yes, we are together.”

She continued: “Tell me, why were you hiding under the covers?”

Su Yanshi’s voice was sticky: “Because…”

She looped her arms around Bai Biqing’s neck: “I wanted your pheromones. I couldn’t find them anywhere else but in the duvet.”

“So you stuffed yourself in there, huh?”

Bai Biqing kissed her again.

Su Yanshi’s rut this time was different from the last; she was much more fragile.

The Beta touched her face and forehead, feeling no fever: “Does it feel bad? The rut came much earlier; do I need to ask the director for leave?”

Su Yanshi shook her head. She felt okay—much more comfortable than after taking suppressants, and there was no pain. She just felt an empty hole in her heart, which felt much better with Bai Biqing nearby.

As a high-level Alpha, she knew exactly why this was.

Su Yanshi looked up, an easily detectable panic in her eyes: “Because you made my rut come early. But it doesn’t hurt; I’m just afraid of you not being by my side.”

She lowered her head: “No need for leave. If possible, can you just spend more time with me?”

“It doesn’t have to be for long.”

Bai Biqing’s heart instantly tightened. She cupped Su Yanshi’s face, rubbing it firmly. She said seriously: “Yanshi, if you need me, I will be by your side. I won’t go anywhere. Don’t be so afraid; I won’t leave.”

“I know.” Su Yanshi lowered her eyes dejectedly. “The rut makes me feel insecure. It’ll be fine after these two days.”

The Beta pressed their faces together and hugged her tightly: “Yanshi, I like you in any state.”

She sounded like she was coaxing her, but she was speaking the truth.

Fortunately, Su Yanshi’s mood clearly improved. After leaning on Bai Biqing for a long time, she let go bashfully: “I’m a bit hungry.”

Bai Biqing led her up with a smile: “Let’s eat. I made porridge.”

“Okay!”

The two ate the meal in silence. Su Yanshi’s physical movements weren’t hindered; Bai Biqing hadn’t gone so far as to make her unable to walk. She knew her limits, and besides, Su Yanshi was an Alpha with excellent stamina.

After eating, it was time to go to the set. Before leaving, Su Yanshi applied a suppressant patch and sprayed plenty of blocking agent. Bai Biqing sniffed her; no pheromones were leaking out.

But she was still worried: “Is it really okay?”

Su Yanshi patted her face; the puffiness had subsided quite a bit: “It’s no problem, don’t worry. I talked to Director Liu; he said if I feel unwell, I should go rest immediately.”

“Besides—” Su Yanshi turned to look at Bai Biqing, her eyes full of smiles, “don’t I have you here?”

The Beta looked down at her and couldn’t resist exchanging an ambiguous kiss. She took a key card from her pocket: “It’s for my room.”

She rested her head on Su Yanshi’s shoulder: “Tell Li Zhuonan sooner. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle it if it comes out later. After all, your career is on the rise.”

Su Yanshi leaned against her, looking content: “I already told Brother Nan.”

Her tone lilted: “Brother Nan actually doesn’t object. He said Bai Biqing has money and power, making her a good partner. He’s just worried I’ll be scolded harshly and called a gold-digger.”

“But I’m not afraid. I made up my mind the moment I agreed to kiss you. I want to be a ‘pretty boy’ (kept man/woman); at worst, you can just be my ‘sugar mommy’ and support me.”

Bai Biqing laughed silently, holding Su Yanshi as they swayed together. The Beta said: “Fine, I’ll support you. But for now, my Yanshi needs to support me, since I’m still just a little assistant.”

Su Yanshi pursed her lips and smiled, saying nothing.

The later scenes of Three Times were much more depressing.

Su Yanshi and Hu Liyang were in the right state, but the progress was still slow.

These two days were spent filming Jiang Yin looking for work and repeatedly hitting walls. In comparison, Bai Yunyan’s life on the surface looked much easier.

She only needed to ‘paint’ at home, but how could a person who had lost their heart produce a painting?

Combined with the rut, Su Yanshi handled that dejected emotion perfectly.

Sitting before the easel and picking up the brush, she was Bai Yunyan.

This was the fifth day of the Alpha’s rut.

Su Yanshi had a slight fever, and her gaze was much more sluggish. She sat before the easel, brush in hand, staring blankly at the canvas with eyes full of emptiness.

This scene was the turning point of their relationship. Jiang Yin, defeated by reality once again, returned home to find a floor covered in scrap paper. Her emotions finally snapped, leading to a massive argument with Bai Yunyan.

Seeing that both were ready, Director Liu held his walkie-talkie: “Action!”

Bai Yunyan held the brush, remaining motionless. She looked dejectedly at the scrap paper on the floor and ruffled her hair irritably.

Just as she was about to tidy up, she heard the door open. She looked over; it was Jiang Yin.

She paused. Both understood what had happened. Bai Yunyan took the groceries from Jiang Yin’s hand and asked casually: “How much were the vegetables? Cabbage hasn’t been cheap lately.”

Jiang Yin had been rejected once again. She was extremely irritable. Coming home to a mess and uncollected laundry, her anger instantly flared, though she tried to suppress it: “I don’t know, I didn’t ask.”

“Why didn’t you ask? You have to haggle when buying vegetables; if you get cheated—”

“So what!” Jiang Yin suddenly threw her bag down, tears streaming uncontrollably as she questioned her, “So what?”

“Am I supposed to apologize to you, or should I go buy them again? Yes, I don’t have your common sense. I’m just someone who likes being unrealistic. Then why didn’t you go buy them? You wanted me to go, so if I get cheated, it’s my own business.”

Jiang Yin wiped her tears, glaring at Bai Yunyan.

Bai Yunyan explained: “I didn’t mean it that way. I lost track of time while painting. I was just about to tidy up the house.”

“Heh.” Jiang Yin let out a cold laugh, looking at her mockingly. “Painting? We’ve been together this long—have you produced a single painting?”

Bai Yunyan’s face also went cold. She licked her lips and said nothing, suddenly finding that this scene overlapped eerily with her past. She let out a laugh and silently picked up the paper from the floor.

Jiang Yin watched her without speaking, but the past light in her eyes was gone.

Suddenly, a gale blew outside, and raindrops fell like stones, crashing down into a giant pit.

The rain was a complete accident, but it was the perfect finishing touch.

Director Liu happily shouted “Cut!”

“Excellent. Today’s scene was great; Yanshi and Liyang performed well.”

After the scene, they could finish for the day. Both were still immersed in their roles. Su Yanshi instinctively wanted to find Bai Biqing, but she realized the Beta wasn’t there.

The prolonged rut made her brain a bit sluggish; she instinctively felt she had been discarded, just like in every past relationship.

In reality, Bai Biqing had ordered food for the whole crew. She had gone outside to receive it and, getting caught in the rain, was delayed.

When she returned to the set to find Su Yanshi, the woman was already gone. She searched everywhere but couldn’t find her, until Hu Liyang noticed her distress and came over: “Teacher Baishi, Yanshi seems to have left. Her state didn’t look right when she went; I asked her, and she only said she wanted to go back and rest.”

Bai Biqing understood yet was anxious. She said her thanks and hurriedly ran back to the hotel. Su Yanshi had taken the car, so she had to call a taxi. Mid-journey, she was soaked through by the heavy rain. She sat in the car, frantic, calling Su Yanshi but getting no answer.

She should have noticed sooner; Su Yanshi’s rut had already far exceeded any previous duration, and she had noticed the Alpha’s mood getting lower by the day.

She should have let someone else handle the food.

Bai Biqing felt a pang of regret and urged the driver. The taxi sped through the heavy rain, splashing water everywhere.

When she arrived at the hotel, fifteen minutes had passed. Ignoring how bedraggled she looked, she rushed to find Su Yanshi. She opened her own room door without hesitation and scanned the room, but found no one.

She panicked for a moment, then steadied her heart.

Panting, Bai Biqing opened the wardrobe door and immediately found the person she longed for.

The Alpha was clutching her clothes, sleeping fitfully. She woke up at the sound of the movement.

Su Yanshi shrank inward and whispered: “I’m sorry.”

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