Striving for Harmony After Transmigrating as an Alpha Female Supporting Character - Chapter 26

This was a diary.

November 3rd

[Dad and Mom are gone. There were so many people; they were all discussing where to send me. I saw my maternal grandmother and my aunt for the first time. I never knew I had so many relatives. But they don’t seem to like me, and they didn’t like my Mom either. They kept pointing at her photo and whispering.]

December 27th

[I’ve arrived at my aunt’s house. They are very rich much richer than my family was. They have a daughter, a cousin who is incredibly cute and bright-eyed. I liked her the moment I saw her. I’ve always been lonely and always wanted a younger sister. This is probably the best thing to happen in a long time.]

January 14th

[My cousin’s name is Ai Xiaoyu. She doesn’t seem to like me at all. Her temper isn’t nearly as good as I imagined. She threatened to throw away my bunny plush, but that’s the only thing I brought from home.]

Jing Nianxun flipped through the early pages. She had started writing after her parents passed away because she was alone and needed someone to talk to. At thirteen or fourteen, she hadn’t cried or thrown tantrums; instead, she used the most ordinary words to record the greatest upheaval of her young life.

As she flipped further, one name began to appear more frequently.

[Ai Xiaoyu wants to kick me out. The look on Aunt’s face is terrifying.] [Ai Xiaoyu and I are going to the same high school. Luckily, we aren’t in the same class, otherwise she would definitely make things difficult for me.] [I hate Ai Xiaoyu.]

Nianxun flipped to the very last page. The most recent entry read:

[My work won an award! I painted Ai Xiaoyu. She looks so beautiful in the painting—though it’s also because I’m a great artist, heehee!]

“…”

She wasn’t sure when her writing style had shifted from its original melancholic, depressed tone to this somewhat “silly” style. It had probably happened within the last six months.

Ai Xiaoyu had changed. Had she truly grown up and matured?

Nianxun took a pen from her case, slowly opened to a fresh page, and wrote:

[I think I might like her.]

After finishing, she capped the pen and stared at the words for a few seconds. Then, she suddenly ripped the page out, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it in the trash.

The word “like” felt entirely out of place in this diary.

But if it wasn’t “liking,” why couldn’t she stop herself from kissing Xiaoyu underwater that day? Whenever she closed her eyes, she saw Xiaoyu’s helpless expression. She thought of her face, her eyes, her lashes, and her lips. She remembered Xiaoyu reaching out with both hands and how she had pulled her close, their bodies pressed tight beneath the surface.

She liked the peach-scented pheromones; she liked how Xiaoyu’s face was always bright with a smile; she liked how Xiaoyu would gently swing her hand back and forth like a child.

What was she even thinking?

Over the weekend, Jing Nianxun said she was going out with friends. Although she didn’t have many friends, Xiaoyu didn’t ask too many questions.

Nianxun went to a hospital. She had made an appointment at the ABO department to re-test her physiological gender.

“How old are you?” the doctor asked kindly from behind the desk. “Seventeen.” “Seventeen and you haven’t differentiated yet?” The doctor sized her up. “Yes.”

The doctor drew a blood sample and performed a series of tests, then told her to wait in the lounge. Nianxun watched the people passing by adults and children. Some were Alphas, some were Omegas, and many were ordinary Betas. There were also “disabled” people like her who differentiated late, or even reached their thirties and forties without ever differentiating.

Six months ago, she was labeled as physiologically disabled. Some pitied her; others mocked her. Among those who mocked her was Ai Xiaoyu.

But now, she was very likely an Omega and one sensitive to Ai Xiaoyu’s pheromones…

The name “Ai Xiaoyu” was like a spell. The person she once hated most was now the person she missed most. Nianxun sighed softly and rubbed her reddening eyes.

“Number 34, please come in.”

Nianxun took the report from the doctor. On it, the words were clear: Undifferentiated Omega.

“Since you came in for a check-up, you must have suspected you were an Omega, right? Congratulations. Differentiation is estimated to occur within six months to a year. During this time, take care of your health. It’s best to stay away from Alphas to prevent any sudden incidents.”

The doctor’s attitude had shifted completely. “Also, because you are differentiating late, there is a high probability you will be a high-level Omega. We can’t confirm that yet, so come back once you’ve fully differentiated. It’s an honor to witness the birth of a high-level Omega.”

The doctor looked at her as if she were a rare treasure. Omegas were rare enough, but high-level ones were few and far between. If a hospital could claim a high-level Omega differentiation, it was a major point of pride.

On Monday, Nianxun was distracted in class. The teacher called on her several times, but she had no idea what the question was. Xiaoyu had to nudge her. Later, Xiaoyu asked if something was wrong, but Nianxun just stammered and gave no answer.

One afternoon, Xiaoyu bought some snacks and went to Nianxun’s room to give them to her. Habitually, she entered without knocking. She appeared behind Nianxun just in time to see her frantically stuffing something into a cabinet, looking at Xiaoyu with a defensive, guarded expression.

Xiaoyu didn’t call her out, but she made a mental note to knock next time. In her mind, she asked the System:

“Oh, Great All-Powerful System, can you tell me what’s going on in the heroine’s little head? Her behavior doesn’t match the script at all. The original novel described a mentally strong and resilient heroine, but now she’s acting like a sensitive, unpredictable teenage girl.”

The System replied helplessly, “The attribute panel still isn’t fixed. I don’t know what she’s thinking either.”

Xiaoyu: “Fine. Useless system. Get lost.”

After dismissing the System, Xiaoyu met Nianxun’s eyes. Nianxun was still avoiding her gaze.

Xiaoyu chose her words carefully. “Nianxun, is something bothering you? It’s okay, you can tell me. I promise I’ll keep it a secret.” “Thanks,” Nianxun said, looking down. “I’m really okay.”

Xiaoyu sighed. “You don’t look ‘okay.’ Hmm… do you have a crush on a boy? Tell me, I can help you pursue him!”

That was the only thing she could think of. Based on her experience in her original world, when teenage girls acted like this, it was usually about romance. But as a 26-year-old “solo since birth,” Xiaoyu had only read about love in novels. She had never truly loved anyone, so she didn’t understand these delicate, sensitive emotions.

Nianxun looked up at Xiaoyu for a long time. There was a trace of sadness in her eyes, and her voice softened. “No, I don’t like anyone like that. Xiaoyu, thank you. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back to normal soon.”

Xiaoyu hummed in response and left. A moment later, she returned carrying a cup of milk tea.

“Your Dad brought back some Peach Oolong milk tea. Don’t you like peach flavor? If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to. But whenever you’re ready, I’m here. You can always trust me.”

After saying it, Xiaoyu felt the words lacked weight. Her past self was indeed a person of her word, but she was still wearing the “original” Xiaoyu’s skin. Nianxun had no reason to trust her.

She sighed softly. “Anyway, finish this tea! Then study hard. Final exams are coming up. If you have questions, come find me anytime. My grades aren’t the best, but I’m actually okay at math…”

Nianxun took the tea and placed it on the desk. She stepped forward and gave Xiaoyu a gentle hug. “Thank you, Xiaoyu. I understand.”

Xiaoyu patted her back. She didn’t know what Nianxun was struggling with, but she seemed better now.

Actually, Ai Xiaoyu didn’t like eating peaches especially honey peaches. They were too sweet and messy, with juice that dripped everywhere. Plus, the whole aesthetic was too pink and “girly” for an old soul like her.

In her original world, Xiaoyu disliked anything “dainty.” she didn’t like dresses or dolls; she played basketball, wore athletic gear, and even kept her hair short, often being called a tomboy. Her mother had always complained that she didn’t act like a “proper girl” and didn’t show her much affection especially compared to her younger brother, who was the center of the family’s universe.

In short, Xiaoyu didn’t like pink, and she didn’t like peaches.

Yet, here she was, transmigrated into a dainty “little princess” with twin tails and pink dresses, whose pheromones were, of course, honey peach. She had no choice but to accept it. It was also the first time in a long time she had been called “cute” or “beautiful.”

A beauty! Even if she was just a supporting character, she was still a beauty.

Jing Nianxun’s love for peaches wasn’t in the original book. In fact, many things weren’t in the book like the heroine and the supporting character becoming best friends. Xiaoyu took credit for that. Perhaps Nianxun’s preference for peach-flavored things was also because of her.

Xiaoyu didn’t want to over-guess, but the idea that the heroine was changing because of her made her feel a bit proud. Lately, her own attitude toward peaches had softened. What was wrong with being “pink and cute”? Everyone loves sweet things.

She even bought a large crate of peaches. Since they spoiled easily, she and Nianxun had to eat several a day.

When Xiaomi came over for a visit, Xiaoyu served her carved peaches on a fancy fruit plate, peach juice, and peach tarts.

Xiaomi: “…Are you a peach spirit?!” Xiaoyu: “I literally smell like peaches. Want a taste?” Xiaomi curled her lip. “I’m an Omega. ‘AO’ social distancing, please! Don’t think everyone is as willing to put up with your craziness as Jing Nianxun is.” Xiaoyu: “What are you thinking? She likes peaches too. You’re just the one missing out. Poor thing, you can’t appreciate the joy of good food.”

She turned and blew a kiss to Nianxun. “Right, babe?” Jing Nianxun: “…”

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