The Female Supporting Character in a Melo-dramatic Novel Switched Roles from Omega to Seme - Chapter 6

After making her suggestion, Lin Tingci gave Lu Chizao a curious look.

“What is it?” Lu Chizao tilted her head.

Never mind.

Lin Tingci told her to get out of the car and took over the driver’s seat. “I need to go back to the classroom to grab something. I’ll take you home afterward.”

No longer needing to drive, Lu Chizao reclined in the back seat, massaging her wrist and neck. She asked softly, “Is your place far?”

“Fifteen minutes.”

“Okay.”

Under the swaying shadows of streetlights, the SUV pulled into Linchuan Art University.

Lu Chizao hadn’t left Yuanshou in a while. Returning to a university campus after several years since graduation, she felt the vibrant, youthful energy everywhere. Filled with curiosity and nostalgia, she followed Lin Tingci out of the car to take a look around.

Lin Tingci had a clear destination in mind, heading straight for the School of Drama.

With about forty minutes left until curfew, the campus was mostly deserted. Yet the art schools were a feast for the eyes, everyone impeccably dressed, especially at the School of Drama, where each student possessed a strikingly unique appearance.

Lu Chizao had always been stunning. With her meticulous grooming today, she looked even younger than the graduate students on campus, her hair thicker and more lustrous than theirs. She could easily pass for a third- or fourth-year undergraduate.

If she had enjoyed studying and pursued a graduate degree, she would indeed still be a student.

Unfortunately, she had no interest in academics or business. Her studies had focused on the arts, which at least allowed her to converse with Lin Tingci on related topics.

The night offered little of interest, and they left as soon as they had their things.

It was indeed late; most supermarkets were already closed, making it impossible to buy anything, even with money.

Lu Chizao had to borrow Lin Tingci’s pajamas and toiletries for the night.

Accustomed to luxury, Lu Chizao was particular about her belongings, constantly asking Lin Tingci if she had this or that.

After three consecutive “no” answers, Lu Chizao scoffed, “How can someone so young be so rough around the edges?”

“Alphas and Omegas are fundamentally different,” Lin Tingci replied, as if deliberately reminding her of something.

Lu Chizao completely missed the underlying meaning, instead feeling resentful about the physical differences between Alphas and Omegas. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, everyone knows Alphas have faster metabolisms and better skin.”

She huffed, muttering discontentedly, “I’ll just buy my own tomorrow.”

Lin Tingci smiled and shook her head.

Remembering that Lu Chizao hadn’t eaten much at dinner, she asked if she wanted a late-night snack. “The school cafeteria has some pretty good stuff.”

Lu Chizao was genuinely a little hungry, so she took small, quick steps and veered off to see what was available.

At the other end of the campus path, Shi Yuer and her classmates were leaving the cafeteria when they spotted a familiar figure.

Shi Yuer: “Is that Senior Lin? She’s back from scouting locations?”

The Beta girl beside her followed her gaze and pushed up her glasses. “It’s her. Hmm, who’s that next to her? She’s so pretty—could she be the female lead of the movie?”

Another classmate: “Probably not. The two confirmed actresses don’t have hair that long.”

Shi Yuer found the person next to Lin Tingci familiar, but the dim night made it hard to see clearly. The light in her eyes dimmed, but she didn’t let it show. Forcing a smile, she walked back to the dormitory with her classmates.

******

After getting takeout from the cafeteria, they drove home.

Lin Tingci lived in an upscale residential complex with strict security protocols. First-time visitors were required to register their information and undergo facial recognition scanning.

Although such measures were commonplace in their aristocratic circles, Lu Chizao couldn’t help but marvel as she filled out the registration form. Lin Tingci has grown up so fast, she thought. How did she get so big so quickly? She’s already bought her own place and lives alone.

It seemed like only yesterday that Lin Tingci was a fresh-faced middle schooler, trailing behind her and calling her “Big Sister Xiaochi.”

In Lu Chizao’s memory, their meetings had dwindled after Lin Tingci’s differentiation.

Even if she differentiated into an Alpha, there’s no need for such extreme avoidance, Lu Chizao thought. What does it matter that we grew up together? Why are we so distant now?

Lu Chizao felt deeply uncomfortable.

As the elevator ascended, they stood at least two steps apart. On the sixteenth floor, where there were only two apartments per floor, Lin Tingci led her to the left-hand unit, secured by a facial recognition-enabled electronic lock.

While unlocking the door, Lin Tingci said, “I have to go to school early tomorrow. Registering your face will make it easier for you to come and go.”

Touched by her generosity, Lu Chizao didn’t hesitate to register her face.

“Thank you so much for this,” she said, genuinely grateful. “You’re really going out of your way.”

After completing the registration and memorizing the passcode, they entered the foyer and changed their shoes.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Lu Chizao immediately detected a floral scent identical to her own pheromone upon entering the house, causing her to freeze for a moment.

“Ruanxianghong?” Lu Chizao glanced at Lin Tingci, puzzled.

“Mm,” Lin Tingci replied casually, brushing off the question. She strode ahead, switching on the lights and fan, placing the midnight snack on the dining table before turning to wash her hands and pour water in the kitchen—a series of fluid, practiced movements.

“You like this variety of Chinese rose?” Lu Chizao asked.

Lin Tingci handed her a glass of water, tilted her head back to drink from her own, and remained silent.

Lu Chizao still felt something was off, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She took a sip to moisten her throat, her attention quickly drawn to the interior design.

The house, at least 150 square meters, featured a modern American style—minimalist and uncluttered, with no central lighting fixture. Yet the ambient lighting was perfectly balanced, creating a spacious feel by seamlessly connecting the living area to the balcony. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered stunning street views, equally beautiful day and night.

The master bedroom and guest room were located on opposite sides of the house. After briefly explaining the layout, Lin Tingci led Lu Chizao to the guest room.

Though usually unoccupied, the room was impeccably clean and ready for use with just a fresh sheet. A bathroom across the hall from the guest room was available, but toiletries were only provided in Lin Tingci’s master bathroom.

The master bedroom door was ajar. Lu Chizao followed Lu Chi inside and discovered that the Ruanxianghong Chinese roses were cultivated on the balcony.

The Ruanxianghong roses were well-tended, and even in autumn, a few blooms were enough to fill the entire house with their delicate fragrance.

But…

Ruanxianghong is a very old and rare variety of Chinese rose in China.

Lu Chizao felt a nagging sense of unease, yet dismissed it as overthinking.

Everyone knew that Alphas and Omegas’ pheromone scents often originated from everyday objects. Just because something smelled like your pheromones didn’t mean others couldn’t appreciate it too.

The Lin family had cultivated Ruanxianghong roses first, so there was nothing inherently wrong with Lin Tingci liking them.

Lu Chizao stopped dwelling on the matter, washed her hands, and ate to fill her stomach.

Today had been mentally exhausting, and driving had taken its toll physically. Lin Tingci remained quiet, and Lu Chizao didn’t initiate conversation, leaving the dinner table mostly silent.

After they had eaten their fill, Lin Tingci went to her room and retrieved two sets of clothes in different sizes, giving the smaller set to Lu Chizao.

Originally, Lin Tingci had intended for her guest to freshen up first, but Lu Chizao knew she took her time showering and insisted the hostess go first.

By the time Lu Chizao had finished her leisurely meal, Lin Tingci had already showered and emerged, freshly washed from head to toe.

“You should go now,” Lin Tingci said, a towel draped around her neck, damp strands of hair clinging to her temples and the nape of her neck. “I’ll make the bed for you.”

Having known Lin Tingci for so many years, Lu Chizao felt like she was seeing a completely different side of her for the first time. Yet this domestic scene didn’t evoke warmth; instead, it seemed to accentuate her cold detachment.

How did she become like this? Lu Chizao wondered. I remember her smiling a lot when we were kids. Why does she wear that stern expression all the time now? Is she trying to look cool?

Lost in thought, Lu Chizao followed Lin Tingci’s instructions and entered the master bedroom. She had been too self-conscious to look around properly when she first arrived, but now that she was in the adjacent room, she could finally observe the bedroom openly.

The style matched the rest of the house, but it was undeniable that the master bedroom was the most lavishly furnished space, with all the warmth concentrated here.

A massive projection screen hung on the wall, paired with top-tier audio equipment. A soft, plush rug covered the wooden floor beside the bed, and a striking circular coffee table stood next to two beanbag chairs.

Shelves reaching the ceiling were crammed with movie discs, making it clear that Lin Tingci had watched an astonishing number of films in this room.

In addition to the projector, there was a record player, and another cabinet housed records and books.

A quick glance at the record titles and albums revealed some that Lu Chizao already knew, giving her a preliminary understanding of Lin Tingci’s taste.

The Lin and Lu families were of comparable influence, and children born into such privileged circumstances started life with a significant advantage over ordinary people.

In truth, Lin Tingci’s living environment and possessions were roughly on par with Lu Chizao’s own.

The bathroom’s toiletries, though different from Lu Chizao’s preferred brands, were still of good quality. The only issue was that the scents didn’t quite suit her.

Lin Tingci favored neutral fragrances, while Lu Chizao preferred sweeter scents.

Taking longer to wash up in unfamiliar surroundings, Lu Chizao was about a third of the way through when a thunderous sound effect erupted from outside—Lin Tingci was watching a movie.

Students at the School of Drama routinely analyze films. As a film director, Lin Tingci had extensively studied the plots and filmmaking techniques of outstanding domestic and international films, making her practically a walking film encyclopedia.

By the time Lu Chizao finished washing up and drying her hair, the movie was nearing its third act. The most dramatic turning point in the entire film.

Thanks to the excellent soundproofing, the room’s booming audio rivaled that of a movie theater.

Lu Chizao had initially planned to greet Lin Tingci and leave, but the film seemed intriguing, and the immersive setup made it feel like a private cinema—too good to resist.

Uninvited, Lu Chizao settled into the beanbag chair across from Lin Tingci.

Lin Tingci, remote in hand, glanced up from the screen. Sensing her gaze, Lu Chizao smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling in the dim light, before returning her attention to the movie.

Hmm, showering in an Alpha’s room, changing into pajamas, and then staying to watch a movie together…

Lin Tingci was certain: this woman lacked a certain sensitivity.

And that wasn’t all.

Perhaps it was the room’s perfect lighting and immersive setup, but Lu Chizao suddenly asked, “Do you have any wine?”

“You want to drink here?” Lin Tingci countered.

“What’s wrong with that? Don’t you usually drink?” Lu Chizao replied.

Lin Tingci’s voice was cool. “Don’t even think about it. If you get drunk, I’ll throw you out.” With that, she rewound the film to catch the few seconds she’d missed while distracted.

Lu Chizao was speechless.

This girl is so stubborn.

No wine, and not even a few seconds of the movie could be missed. It was almost obsessive-compulsive.

After a moment, Lin Tingci said, “Drink some milk. It helps you sleep.”

She didn’t elaborate, but Lu Chizao understood the unspoken meaning: the failed engagement tonight was keeping her awake.

Lu Chizao pouted, muttering under her breath, “Milk isn’t as effective as wine.”

Lin Tingci propped her head up with a hand, her tone languid and casual. “Drinking wine isn’t good for your health. If you can’t sleep, just lie down and rest. Otherwise, you’ll age quickly. You care so much about your looks, you wouldn’t want to see fine lines appearing too soon, would you?”

Though her words were light as a feather, they struck home. Lu Chizao clapped her hands over her freshly moisturized face in alarm. “You’re right,” she said. “I guess I’ll stick to milk tonight.”

Their viewing preferences differed greatly. Lin Tingci focused on visual effects, cinematography, lighting, and set design. Lu Chizao, on the other hand, prioritized the plot, the actors’ looks, and their performances.

However, given the circumstances that had brought Lu Chizao here, she couldn’t fully immerse herself in the film. Unlike Lin Tingci’s composure, she felt restless and uneasy.

She kept stealing glances at Lin Tingci, who remained completely absorbed in the movie, her only movements the occasional blink and the rise and fall of her chest.

Lu Chizao couldn’t understand it. Was Lin Tingci being too calm? After all, this involved their family and her sister.

After agonizing over it for a while, Lu Chizao finally blurted out, “Why aren’t you asking me about what happened today?”

Without a hint of displeasure, Lin Tingci simply glanced at her, her tone cool as ice. “Do you want me to ask?”

Lu Chizao choked, then mumbled, “It’s better if you don’t.”

“Then that settles it.”

Lin Tingci said nothing more and continued watching the movie.

Is this a normal reaction?

She doesn’t care about her sister at all? Or about the benefits from the family’s business partnership?

The more Lin Tingci acted this way, the more Lu Chizao wanted to provoke her. “Hey, Lin Tingci, I’m breaking up with your sister. Aren’t you going to react?”

Perhaps because Lu Chizao raised her voice, her words finally struck a nerve.

Lin Tingci’s hand instinctively pressed the pause button. Her gaze, filled with confusion and scrutiny, seemed to try to see right through Lu Chizao.

“What?” Lin Tingci asked, her voice trembling between disbelief and uncertainty. “You… you’re really going to break up with her?”

So she thinks Lu Chizao and Lin Raoyin are just having a petty quarrel? A big fight or a small one, they’ll always make up in the end?

For the first time, Lu Chizao felt she truly understood Lin Tingci.

Pleased with the reaction she had provoked, Lu Chizao smirked. “What? Want to know now?”

Lin Tingci: “Mm, can I ask?”

Lu Chizao let out a haughty snort, crossed her arms and legs, and struck a deliberately arrogant pose. “I’m not telling you now.”

She gestured imperiously with her chin toward the remote. “Resume the movie.”

Lin Tingci: “……”

Lu Chizao had started the conversation but refused to continue, leaving Lin Tingci hanging in suspense. Her brow furrowed slightly, but her hand remained motionless.

Lu Chizao grew even more smug, determined to keep the breakup a secret.

******

The movie progress bar reached its end at half past eleven.

Lin Tingci, with her disciplined routine, turned off the projector and politely asked Lu Chizao to leave the room.

Lu Chizao, still wanting more, slowly got up. Just as she stepped out of the master bedroom, the door slammed shut behind her with a decisive click of the lock.

Lu Chizao: ???

What was that? Did she really mean I was bothering her?

Lu Chizao mentally erupted in protest. Why can’t she just say what she means? Lin Tingci’s personality is so twisted.

In reality, Lin Tingci’s phone had been switched off, so Lu Chizao didn’t know that it had been vibrating incessantly every few minutes.

Only after locking the door did Lin Tingci pick up her phone, which had been lying face down. She strode to the balcony and swiped to answer.

“Mm,” she replied, her monosyllabic response radiating distance.

Lin Raoyin’s voice crackled with anxiety on the other end: “Did Zaozao really go to Linchuan with you? Where is she now?”

“At my place.”

Lin Raoyin had been frantic with worry. When those three words finally reached her ears, she choked, unable to process them for a long moment.

“Then… then could you ask her to answer the phone?”

Lin Tingci spoke with robotic calm, pinpointing the core issue without emotion: “If she wanted to talk, she wouldn’t need me to relay messages. Don’t you think?”

Another long silence stretched from the other end of the line.

Neither Lin Raoyin nor Lin Tingci spoke. With her free hand, Lin Tingci idly stroked the brilliantly blooming Chinese roses.

Finally, the other end broke the silence. “Did she say anything else? Has she calmed down? I want to pick her up tomorrow.”

“She said she wants to break up with you,” Lin Tingci stated bluntly, her words cutting like a knife.

“What did you say?!” Lin Raoyin lost her composure, her voice rising in panic. “She’s just saying that in anger, right? Did you even ask her?”

Lin Tingci remained completely unmoved. “Why would I ask about your personal matters?”

Lin Raoyin knew Lin Tingci’s personality well. Her coldness was never concealed, her indifference to others absolute and that “others” included the Lin family.

Yet, only through Lin Tingci could she reach Lu Chizao…

Lin Raoyin felt as if a bucket of cold water had been splashed over her, leaving her stunned and pacing restlessly.

Of course, she wanted to drive to Linchuan immediately, but she had to return to the office early the next morning to handle urgent matters.

This was a crucial project she had been preparing for a long time with her team, a chance to showcase her importance to the world after joining the Lin Group. She couldn’t possibly abandon it now.

She paced anxiously for what felt like an eternity until Lin Tingci yawned lazily. “Is there anything else? I’m going to sleep.”

Lin Raoyin understood from her tone that Lin Tingci always turned off her phone when she slept. If even she couldn’t reach her, then even if Lin Raoyin went to Linchuan, she wouldn’t be able to see Lu Chizao early.

With a long sigh of resignation, Lin Raoyin reluctantly admitted defeat. “I’ve been quite busy lately. If you could, please look after her. She rarely goes out alone. I’ll come find her as soon as I’m free.”

Lin Tingci didn’t respond to the rest, only saying, “I’ll take care of her.”

Unlike her earlier casual demeanor, Lin Tingci spoke with remarkable seriousness.

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