The Female Supporting Character in a Melo-dramatic Novel Switched Roles from Omega to Seme - Chapter 2

Refusing to marry the female lead, Lin Raoyin, would earn a mission reward of 20,000 points, doubled to 40,000. Further rewards would depend on Lin Raoyin’s reaction.

Regardless of any luck value, the mission reward alone was remarkably generous.

However, even without the ultimate reward of 100 million points, Lu Chizao had already planned to break off the engagement.

In her previous life, she had investigated her origins and discovered that she had been switched at birth in the hospital just days after she was born.

Through a twist of fate, she had lived as the Lu family’s young lady for 26 years, enjoying a life of extravagant luxury and indulgence. Her exceptional beauty had earned her preferential treatment from everyone she met, and her arrogance and pride had become deeply ingrained in her character.

Thus, even without any legitimate claim, she had fought tooth and nail against the true young lady in her previous life.

But now, the System had explicitly revealed that she was merely a supporting character. From the moment the author’s fingers struck the keyboard, she was destined to lose against the novel’s core narrative.

Another problem was the extremely low pheromone compatibility between her and Lin Raoyin.

Indeed, More Than Just Coveting was a novel set in an ABO universe, where human civilization had evolved into six genders: male and female Alphas and Omegas, who possessed special glands, and male and female Betas, who were considered ordinary and could not detect pheromones.

Before differentiation, everyone was a Beta. After differentiation, Alphas and Omegas underwent pheromone concentration tests to determine their rank.

A concentration of 70-80 corresponded to C-rank, 80-90 to B-rank, and 90-100 to A-rank. Anything above 100 was considered top-tier S-rank.

Both Lu Chizao and Lin Raoyin had concentrations exceeding 100.

Unfortunately, high rank didn’t guarantee compatibility.

Compatibility was immutable. If two people’s pheromones were incompatible, it would result in weak attraction, affecting their intimacy and fertility.

According to professional hospital tests, Lu Chizao and Lin Raoyin’s compatibility was less than 45%.

In truth, Lu Chizao had always known that she and Lin Raoyin weren’t perfectly suited in some ways. But she had been hopelessly infatuated, convinced that as long as they were spiritually aligned, any other challenges could be overcome.

She was proven devastatingly wrong.

Lin Raoyin… or rather, the author’s careless writing… had caused Lu Chizao immense suffering.

Though she hadn’t yet reviewed the full manuscript provided by the System, the plot had already progressed significantly by the time Lu Chizao was written to her death. She was well-versed in the major plot points.

For the True Young Lady, a childhood spent in hardship after being separated from her family was a tragic backstory. Upon returning to the Lu family, she seized control of the family business through her own merits. Though her marriage to Lin Raoyin was initially a business arrangement, their highly compatible pheromones led to a “marriage first, love later” romance—another version of a satisfying revenge story.

The plot itself was decent, but the author’s fatal flaw lay in their poor character development. They failed to grasp the characters’ emotions, causing Lin Raoyin to vacillate between the True and False Young Ladies, hurting both herself and others.

Lu Chizao was written as purely evil, devoid of any trace of her childhood bond or years of affection for Lin Raoyin.

Perhaps now that Lu Chizao had broken free from the author’s control, or perhaps having endured such heartbreak and even death had given her a new perspective, she felt she could detach herself from those ten years with Lin Raoyin.

It wasn’s that she hadn’t tried; she had, but she had grasped nothing. From now on, she wanted to prioritize loving herself.

Refusing to endure further abuse from either family, she wondered: Before withdrawing, shouldn’t she seize as many advantages as possible to secure her future?

She wasn’t a saint; she needed to eat.

Moreover, once the truth about the False Young Lady was revealed, the scions of noble families would subject her to endless humiliation. What she couldn’t accomplish in her previous life, she would retaliate against beautifully in this one, given the chance.

And now, that opportunity had arrived.

Other matters could wait; securing a hundred million yuan first would be wise.

For an ordinary person, having a hundred million yuan and doing some work to cover daily expenses would mean living very comfortably. Lu Chizao had long planned not only to break off her engagement but also to leave the Lu family entirely.

The immediate problem was that she couldn’t easily sever ties with Lin Raoyin until Lin Raoyin’s growth value reached 200.

After all, no one could grow up overnight.

Hmm…

As expected, there was no such thing as easy money in this world. Dealing with Lin Raoyin required Lu Chizao’s heart to be exceptionally strong.

The plot had reset. To everyone else, nothing had happened yet; they still believed the two were a couple.

But Lu Chizao’s mindset was completely different.

The gravity of the situation forced her to pay attention, and she spent a long time lost in thought.

Her parents, seeing her listless and out of sorts, grew worried and asked if she needed to see a doctor.

Lu Chizao knew their concern was genuine, but part of their worry stemmed from whether she would be able to attend the dinner with the Lin family that evening.

A faint smile squeezed past her pale lips as she insisted she was fine, just a little hungry.

Her parents instructed the servants to bring lunch to her room. After sipping some stew, a faint flush returned to her cheeks.

After the meal, she said she would rest a while longer and get up when the makeup artist arrived.

Knowing Lu Chizao would definitely attend the dinner that evening, her parents finally felt relieved.

******

At 2 PM, the makeup and styling began.

Makeup artist He Jia had been working with Lu Chizao for years and knew her well. After a brief explanation of the evening’s banquet, she began designing the look.

As the female supporting character, Lu Chizao had long been endowed with a beauty that even the female lead envied. Her features were exquisite, her skin as fair and luminous as jade, and her captivating peach blossom eyes, paired with a slightly rounded face, allowed her to appear both pure and alluring depending on the makeup.

Standing at 1.65 meters, she was considered tall for an Omega. Having been raised with a nutritionist since childhood, her figure had been meticulously cultivated to be shapely and well-proportioned.

Combined with her high Omega status, she ranked among the most exceptional Omegas in Yuanshou City.

Lu Chizao considered this the author’s only act of kindness toward her.

Despite her natural beauty, her standards were exacting, and He Jia worked slowly, gently, and meticulously.

Each time she wore such elaborate makeup, the process took a long time, leaving Lu Chizao with ample time to ponder life’s mysteries.

The System had preserved her memories, so she knew the True Young Lady’s current whereabouts. However, she remained unaware of her biological parents’ identities.

Her situation with the True Young Lady wasn’t as simple as a mere mix-up at birth. Lu Chizao had once tried to investigate the specific circumstances, even registering her DNA in the kinship database. Tragically, she died before finding them.

She needed to continue following the clues.

For now, she couldn’t risk contacting Lu Wanqing directly, as she was barely able to protect herself.

Tonight’s anonymous letter would mark the turning point in Lu Chizao’s fate.

Initially, the Lu and Lin families dismissed it as a prank, refusing to believe it. But like a thorn buried in their hearts, the suspicion lingered. Later, Lu Xingyan, Lu Chizao’s father, secretly had her hair tested for DNA comparison.

The results confirmed that Lu Chizao was indeed unrelated to them by blood.

Even so, after raising her for so many years, they couldn’t simply kick her out the moment the True Young Lady returned.

It was the True Young Lady’s forceful return and her skillful handling of affairs, combined with her pheromone compatibility with Lin Raoyin, that gradually destabilized the two families. Eventually, everyone began to favor their union.

But the immature Lin Raoyin couldn’t decide between love and duty.

Lu Chizao, proud and disillusioned, couldn’t bear the weight of a relationship meant for two, nor could she share the family’s affection. In the end, she steeled her heart and left the Lu family on her own.

Without the protection of the Lu family’s umbrella, Lu Chizao, once so arrogant, was now trampled upon.

Even if the truth were to explode tonight, the True Young Lady wouldn’t return for at least a few months. Lu Chizao needed to prepare well in advance.

This time, she couldn’t afford to be humiliated again.

As for concrete plans, Lu Chizao could only think about making money for now. She lacked any special skills; her most outstanding asset was her face.

Could she make a living off her looks?

As for the mission…

Lu Chizao’s understanding of growth was simple: endure life’s beatings and toughen up through repeated trials. That’s how everyone grows, isn’t it?

Lin Raoyin had been running the company for two years since graduating, yet her growth value was only 58 points—below the passing threshold. This meant she was still green, unlike those seasoned foxes who had dominated the business world for decades. Emotionally, she had only ever been in a relationship with Lu Chizao.

The two had grown up together, dating smoothly from their first year of high school until graduation. The author’s plan to torment her would surely fail.

Lu Chizao pondered how to make the female lead grow.

Sabotage her work? Break her heart?

While Lu Chizao might lack expertise in other areas, when it came to throwing tantrums and acting spoiled, the young miss was a natural.

******

The evening banquet was a family affair, not requiring excessive formality, yet its importance demanded a certain level of decorum.

The makeup artist had given Lu Chizao a natural, understated look: a thin layer of foundation, simple eyeliner, and an orange-toned blush that suited the autumn season while maintaining a lively freshness.

Her outfit consisted of a lightweight white blazer paired with a fitted red dress underneath, completed with high heels for a dignified and polished appearance.

That afternoon, Lu Xingyan went to the office to handle business matters. As evening approached, Lu Chizao and her mother, Shen Wenyao, set out for the Lin family residence.

The two families lived in the same Changxia District, a short drive away. The family driver, familiar with the route, arrived in just over ten minutes.

Lu Chizao felt an inexplicable anxiety stirring within her.

The Lu and Lin families had been close for generations. Lu Chizao and Lin Raoyin were the same age and particularly close. As they grew older, Lin Raoyin differentiated into an A-rank Alpha, while Lu Chizao became an Omega. Their transition into lovers seemed almost inevitable and entirely natural.

Their families were equally matched in status, their characters and appearances were well-suited, and among their acquaintances, not a single voice opposed their relationship.

Moreover, Lin Raoyin possessed an admirable temperament—gentle, kind, and far more mature than Lu Chizao despite being the same age. She had always taken care of Lu Chizao, acting as a warm and nurturing older sister who could tame even the fiercest Alpha.

But Lu Chizao now saw that as one of Lin Raoyin’s flaws—being kind and considerate to everyone, not just her, which was tantamount to cruelty.

Lu Chizao’s mood lingered in the disappointment of her previous life.

“Zaozao, is Xiaoyin off work yet? You two are the stars of the evening, so don’t be late,” Shen Wenyao said from the back seat, her voice laced with amusement.

Lu Chizao replied listlessly, “I don’t know.”

Her strange answer prompted Shen Wenyao to glance at her. “Why don’t you ask her? You two are always texting and calling each other.”

Lu Chizao didn’t want to ask, but she couldn’t say that outright. She knew that admitting it would only invite more questions.

Reluctantly, she pulled out her phone and pretended to send a message while scrolling through social media.

When they arrived at the Lin family’s residence, dinner hadn’t yet been served. Unwilling to enter the living room and face everyone so soon, Lu Chizao excused herself to use the restroom and slipped out to the garden for some fresh air.

In October, the early autumn air was perfect for plant growth. The garden was in full bloom, the evening sunlight casting an orange-red glow that made the flowers appear particularly vibrant and lively.

Lu Chizao strolled through the familiar garden where she had played hide-and-seek as a child, carrying her small purse as she ambled slowly. She paused before a waist-high rosebush.

It was an ancient variety called Ruanxianghong, its clustered blooms a vibrant crimson, its fragrance both ethereal and far-reaching.

Lu Chizao’s pheromone scent had always been Ruanxianghong.

As everyone knew, the pheromone scents of Alphas and Omegas were largely influenced by the objects they had been exposed to before their differentiation, most likely those they cherished or identified with.

This particular rose bush in the Lin family garden had been planted when Lu Chizao was eight years old. From the moment she first saw its blossoms, she had been captivated.

Now, the bush had grown into a tree, its main trunk nearly as thick as Lu Chizao’s wrist.

Standing before the flowers, unable to untangle the turmoil and unease in her heart, her long, light chestnut hair curled slightly in the cooling night breeze. The garden lights revealed a faint furrow between her brows.

She’s getting married soon. Why isn’t she happy? Wasn’t her dream to marry Lin Raoyin?

So many emotions weighed down on Lu Chizao that she failed to notice the tall, slender figure behind her, filming her for a long time with an old-fashioned camcorder—long enough for him to finally break the silence.

“Do you like our family’s roses that much?”

The sudden, cool voice made Lu Chizao’s heart leap. She instinctively turned toward the sound.

Seeing it wasn’t Lin Raoyin, Lu Chizao’s expression relaxed almost imperceptibly. “Oh, it’s Tingci. Just back from school?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Lin Tingci was Lin Raoyin’s younger sister, an A-rank Alpha three years their junior. At just 23, she was already a second-year graduate student, set to graduate far earlier than her peers.

Lu Chizao hadn’t seen Tingci in a while. At first glance, she seemed to have grown even taller, now towering over Lu Chizao by a head. Her hair had also lengthened, cascading down her back in smooth, jet-black strands.

Majoring in art direction, Tingci had reportedly become completely absorbed in filmmaking since starting university, rarely finding time to visit home.

Closing her camcorder, Tingci walked over to Lu Chizao and gently touched the soft, fragrant petals of the Ruanxianghong rose with her knuckles.

She seemed to share Lu Chizao’s appreciation for the rose’s unique fragrance, leaning in to inhale deeply. Her usually aloof, phoenix-shaped eyes softened slightly.

Truth be told, despite having grown up together, Lu Chizao and Tingci weren’t particularly close.

Tingci was reserved and rarely initiated outings with Lin Raoyin or Lu Chizao, especially after starting university. They barely saw each other twice a year.

Thinking about it, it had been at least half a year since they last saw each other.

Lu Chizao had never known much about Lin Tingci. She had only just learned that Lin Tingci had grown her hair long, let alone knowing anything about her life or preferences.

She was just making small talk to avoid awkwardness.

As expected, the brat was completely oblivious to Lu Chizao’s discomfort. Glancing at the watch on her left wrist, she immediately asked, “Has Lin Raoyin come back yet?”

That question again.

Lu Chizao replied, “She should be back by now.”

Should be?

Lin Tingci subtly pondered the implications of that word, recalling Lu Chizao’s strained expression from earlier.

Without further comment, Lin Tingci changed the subject. “Let’s go inside. Dinner’s almost ready.”

They entered the house one after the other, just as Lin Raoyin arrived home from work and was taking off her suit jacket. Seeing them, her face lit up with a radiant smile. “Zaozao, I was just about to look for you!”

She moved closer and affectionately tucked a strand of hair behind Lin Tingci’s ear.

As if she hadn’t even noticed her own sister, Lin Tingci maintained her gloomy expression and brushed past them to greet the elders inside.

The moment Lu Chizao saw Lin Raoyin’s face, an overwhelming sense of discomfort surged through her.

Everyone else could return to the past, except for Lu Chizao.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, she tried to force a smile, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t manage a decent one. A dull ache pulsed through her heart, and her breathing grew labored. How could she possibly smile?

Alphas possess heightened sensory abilities, and Lin Raoyin immediately sensed Lu Chizao’s distress.

Although Lin Tingci was only an A-rank Alpha, her pheromone concentration of 98% bordered on S-rank. The sensitivity of her senses rivaled Lin Raoyin’s.

The living room was some distance from the entrance, but it didn’t prevent her from observing the subtle shifts in Lu Chizao’s demeanor after she entered the house.

Something’s wrong with them, she thought.

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