I’m Addicted to your Pheromones from the First Moment We Met - Chapter 16

Yu Zhouyao’s words were so shocking they could wake the dead, scaring Eric so much that he practically started wailing a funeral dirge for her over the optical computer.

Ignoring her best friend’s histrionics, Yu Zhouyao switched off her device and stepped onto the 13th floor of the Dawn Planet First Interstellar Hospital. She went to Dr. Pei’s office first, but it was empty. Assuming the doctor was out on a consultation or in surgery, Yu Zhouyao thought for a moment before opening her optical computer to message Mu Mingyue.

Welcome Wealth: Hallo, Mu Mingyue. Are you feeling any better now? A Full Moon: Wow! It’s Zhouyao! A Full Moon: Yay, Zhouyao actually took the initiative to check on me! A Full Moon: Mm-hm, I’m feeling much better. Welcome Wealth: Are you still at the hospital? A Full Moon: I am. My cousin wants me to stay under observation for one more night. Welcome Wealth: Okay. Welcome Wealth: Which ward are you in? I’ll come by to see you. A Full Moon: Oh! A Full Moon: Zhouyao is coming in person? A Full Moon: I’m still in the same room as last time. Welcome Wealth: Got it. Wait for me. I’ll be there soon. A Full Moon: (^▽^)

Standing before the familiar room number, Yu Zhouyao knocked on the door. Mu Mingyue came trotting over lightheartedly and poked her head out from behind the door.

“Wow, Zhouyao, you got here so fast! Come in, come in!” she said, taking Yu Zhouyao’s hand.

Since the other hospital bed hadn’t been removed yet, Yu Zhouyao sat down on it. Mu Mingyue’s mental state seemed excellent; her eyes sparkled as she stared at Yu Zhouyao, as if trying to peer through her eyes and into her soul.

The young miss leaned forward, bringing her face close to Yu Zhouyao’s, and said happily, “Zhouyao! Zhouyao! You saved me again!”

“It’s good that you’re okay.”

“With Zhouyao here, of course I’ll be okay!”

Mu Mingyue leaned in naturally and gave her a light embrace. Yu Zhouyao’s breath hitched for a moment. This was the familiar Eldest Miss Mu, her unique way of doing things. Although Zhouyao still hadn’t figured out the secret to handling her, seeing that she was healthy brought a sense of relief.

“Yes, as long as you’re fine.”

“Hehe, see? I told you, Zhouyao really is my knight. Every time we meet, you protect me and keep me out of danger,” Mu Mingyue said with a bright smile.

“Ah, I’m just glad I could help.” Yu Zhouyao paused briefly before continuing, “Miss Mu, I don’t mind you joking with me. But personally, I hope you can pay more attention to your own health in the future.”

Hearing this, the smile on Mu Mingyue’s face faded slightly, and a look of dejection appeared in her eyes. “Zhouyao, did my cousin say something to you?”

Yu Zhouyao didn’t deny it. “When we were at the school infirmary, Dr. Pei did chat with me for a bit. I’m sorry; I didn’t take your physical condition into account during training today and caused you trouble.”

Mu Mingyue quickly interjected, “No, no, Zhouyao, you don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault. You didn’t know about my condition before, and the pheromone breakdown this time was just an accident.”

“I was the one sparring with you and suggested you release your mental power. I’m sorry; I’ll be more careful in the future.”

“Oh, Zhouyao, I said it’s fine!” Mu Mingyue leaned in again and patted Yu Zhouyao’s shoulder gently. “My body has always been like this; I’ve been used to it since I was a kid. I was just a bit too impatient during training today.”

“Alright, Zhouyao, stop blaming yourself. How about this? We both share the responsibility for today.” Mu Mingyue proactively took Yu Zhouyao’s hand and made a pinky-promise gesture. “Come on, Zhouyao, let’s pinky-promise. Once we do, this matter is behind us.”

Yu Zhouyao replied softly, “Okay.”

She looked down, somewhat dazed, at their intertwined fingers. The more sensible Mu Mingyue acted, the more Yu Zhouyao’s heart ached for her. Being “sensible” wasn’t a flaw, but humans aren’t born that way. Even a favored daughter of heaven had been socialized and tamed, just like herself.

A flurry of emotions flashed through Yu Zhouyao’s mind.

“It’s a promise, then! This matter is over.” Mu Mingyue’s voice pulled her back to reality.

“Now, let’s talk about your business.” The young miss put her hands on her hips, feigning anger. “Yu Zhouyao, you actually agreed to be my cousin’s guinea pig! Did I not make myself clear before? How could you be so bold as to sign up as a medical test subject!”

Yu Zhouyao raised her hands in surrender. “Ah, about that, I think it’s still open for discussion.”

Mu Mingyue narrowed her eyes, her voice taking on a dangerous edge. “Hmm?”

“First, let me clarify: Dr. Pei asked me first if I was willing to cooperate with her research. Second, she assured me the experiment doesn’t involve any prohibited items and likely won’t cause any damage to my body. Third, she offered a compensation price I simply couldn’t refuse.”

Mu Mingyue whispered her name, “Zhouyao.”

After a few seconds of silence, she continued her lecture: “That’s still not right. Yu Zhouyao, cooperating with researchers on medical experiments is extremely grueling and dangerous. You dared to agree to my cousin without even knowing the specifics? You really are…”

Mu Mingyue was momentarily at a loss for words, her tone becoming emotional. “Yu Zhouyao, if you only care about the money Pei Xian offered you, you can just come to me! Fifty thousand, a hundred thousand, or even three hundred thousand. If you’re in urgent need, I can lend it to you. There’s no need to trade your health for money. It’s lucky you’re my cousin’s guinea pig; if you were lured away by anyone else, I can’t imagine what would happen. Pheromone experiments are terrifying. One mistake and your whole person could be ruined.”

Yu Zhouyao’s head was spinning.

“Sorry, I lost my composure. Zhouyao, please ignore what I just said. I’m just worried about you.” Her voice carried a slight nasal tint, as if she were close to tears.

Mu Mingyue added in a small voice, “Just as you care about me, I care about you.”

Yu Zhouyao shifted her brain into high gear, trying her best to process what Mu Mingyue had just said. The young miss clearly knew everything. She knew about Yu Zhouyao’s financial predicament, the “guinea pig” job, and the pheromone trials. She must also know about her own special constitution and the true purpose of Dr. Pei’s experiment.

Mu Mingyue knew Dr. Pei was doing this for her benefit, to find a cure for her illness, yet she was the one trying to talk Yu Zhouyao out of it. Yu Zhouyao felt as if a heavy stone had dropped right onto her heart.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Zhouyao smiled. “Miss Mu, no, Mu Mingyue, thank you for your concern. I’m touched. Dr. Pei and I will both be careful.” She joked, “Isn’t Dr. Pei your cousin? If she mistreats me, I’ll come and complain to you. You’ll have to back me up.”

Mu Mingyue nodded. “Fine. Leave it to me.”

“Thank you, Mu Mingyue.”

The young miss pouted. “Saying that makes us sound so distant.” She thought for a bit and then added, “If you really want to thank me, then be my bodyguard at school.”

“Eh?”

“What, is that not allowed?”

Yu Zhouyao blinked, unable to figure out how the conversation had taken this turn.

Mu Mingyue’s voice took on a hint of indignation. “You already agreed to work for my cousin, so what’s wrong with working for me? Are you going to play favorites? The money comes from the Mu family anyway, and it’s all to serve me. What’s the difference?”

A faint blush crept onto Mu Mingyue’s elegant face.

Yu Zhouyao rubbed her nose. “It’s not impossible.” After all, she was short on money. She’d be a fool not to take it.

Mu Mingyue huffed. “Well?”

“Alright, alright. So, how much is the Eldest Miss paying me?”

Mu Mingyue pondered for a moment. “After school starts, we’ll likely be in the same class. We’ll team up for the mandatory training courses. Remember, you have to be my sparring partner seriously. I’ll reimburse you 5,000 Star Coins a week.”

Yu Zhouyao did the mental math. 5,000 a week meant 20,000 every four weeks. In three months, that was 70,000. Combined with her other income, her 300,000 debt would only have 80,000 left. She was completely sold.

Seeing her silence, Mu Mingyue asked, “How about it? Is the pay decent, Zhouyao?”

Yu Zhouyao nodded vigorously. “Deal, Miss Mu. I am at your service. If you need me at school, just message me on the optical computer.”

Mu Mingyue smiled with satisfaction. “Good. Then I’ll see you at school.”

Yu Zhouyao stood up to return to campus. At the door, she bid Mu Mingyue goodbye.

“It’s getting late. I should head out. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight to you too, Zhouyao.”

“Goodnight.”

Yu Zhouyao closed the door gently. As she turned around, she bumped straight into Dr. Pei’s probing gaze.

“Hmm? Why are you coming out of her room?”

Yu Zhouyao’s shoulders shook slightly, startled by the question. “Dr. Pei, the way you put that is very strange. Can’t I just visit her?”

She grumbled internally. It sounded like a poor scholar being caught red-handed trysting with a rich young miss. Those kinds of stories were popular back on her home planet.

Dr. Pei adjusted her glasses. “Oh. Mingyue’s condition stabilized during the day. You don’t need to worry.”

Yu Zhouyao nodded. “Yes, she seems to be in great spirits. Dr. Pei, I was actually looking for you.”

“Looking for me? For the experiment?”

“Yes.”

Dr. Pei massaged her temples, looking exhausted. “Let’s do it another day. Today, I’ve been working back-to-back from afternoon through the night. I’ve performed eight or nine surgeries and I’m hitting my limit. Besides, the equipment for your experiment hasn’t been calibrated yet. Who knew you’d come so soon?”

Dr. Pei patted Yu Zhouyao on the shoulder. “Anyway, if you have some free time over the next few days, keep an eye on your pheromone levels. If anything feels off, let me know immediately. It’s late now; get back safely and get some rest.”

“Will do.” Yu Zhouyao said her goodbyes.

As Yu Zhouyao lay in bed later, her mind racing, she belatedly realized she had been “handled” by Mu Mingyue again tonight. She had only intended to visit. Who would have thought she’d get swept up in her emotions and agree to be a bodyguard?

I did something stupid again. I let Mu Mingyue set the pace. Mu Mingyue, the Social Queen, was truly terrifying!

A strange surge of emotion rose in Yu Zhouyao’s heart. Almost out of spite, she sent a message to Mu Mingyue.

Welcome Wealth: Goodnight. Goodnight to the villainous boss.

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