The Second Fall - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Craving Her Mark

With just one look, Rong Yushu felt her chest tighten, her breath hitching. The Lan Cixing in her memory had always been proud. Aside from that incident four years ago, Rong Yushu had never seen Lan Cixing look so disheveled.

Lan Cixing had a tough personality and a quick mind; even without a backing, she could usually resolve trouble on her own. The Lan Cixing who could stand on equal footing with Rong Yushu never relied solely on luck.

She had attended a military academy. She once mentioned that during those hard times, she wanted an education but couldn’t afford tuition; the military academy was the cheapest, so she tried applying. After being admitted, she faced high-intensity training every day and endured plenty of physical hardship. Because of this, her combat ability was high. Logically, she should have been able to easily handle a few thugs who weren’t even professional mercenaries.

Yet Lan Cixing had fallen—wounded and unconscious. The other side must have used some underhanded trick.

Rong Yushu clenched her fists, finally sparing a sliver of her gaze for the person carrying Lan Cixing.

“Not good!” The situation had changed. The masked leader saw who had arrived. She didn’t dare let go, signaling her subordinates to finish things quickly while simultaneously trying to report to Wei Lan.

However, the change happened too fast. She felt several gusts of wind sweep past her; the airflow scattered her hair tie. By the time she regained her focus, all four of her subordinates were collapsed on the ground.

“You… don’t come any closer! If you dare, I’ll…” The masked woman held Lan Cixing up in front of her as a human shield, trying to threaten Rong Yushu into stopping. They weren’t suicidal zealots; they were just muscle-for-hire, not much different from bodyguards. Seeing her four colleagues down, she was truly terrified that this rescuer would go berserk and kill her too.

She judged that Rong Yushu was here for Lan Cixing, so logically, Lan Cixing was the one she shouldn’t harm. Before the masked woman could finish, a punch landed squarely on her left cheek, making her cough up blood. A slap followed on her right. The technique wasn’t professional, but the force was immense, fueled by pure rage.

After the slap, Rong Yushu felt her hand was dirty. She pulled out a tissue and began wiping it slowly and methodically. The people she brought were secret guards personally trained by the Rong family—disciplined elites capable of taking on ten men at once, usually stationed by her sister, Rong Jinhuai, to ensure her safety.

Before Rong Yushu had even finished wiping one finger, Lan Cixing was rescued. The masked leader’s arms were dislocated, stripping her of any mobility.

“You’re so arrogant! President Wei won’t let you off, nor will the Rong family!” The masked woman spat indignantly, her mouth the only thing left that could move.

“You should be glad this is Beijing; we don’t like to see blood here,” Rong Yushu said, casting a brief glance at her. Anywhere else, her temper wouldn’t have been so mild. “Dislocate her jaw too.”

Rong Yushu personally picked up Lan Cixing. That casual sentence left the masked woman struggling fruitlessly on the ground. Her jaw was dislocated, rendering her unable to say another word to Wei Lan. When the headset finally connected, all that could be heard was Wei Lan’s near-manic roaring.

Rong Yushu carried Lan Cixing back to the car she arrived in. Her secret guards returned to the shadows. Except for the driver, only Rong Yushu and Lan Cixing remained in the car.

Lan Cixing was still unconscious. Rong Yushu didn’t hide her affection, holding her close, her lips nearly touching the other’s forehead.

“Young Miss, are we still going to the security agency?” The driver followed orders blindly, not understanding why Rong Yushu had suddenly ordered an emergency brake halfway and called out the secret guards.

Their original plan for today was to go to the agency to sign a long-term contract that had been under negotiation for a month. Of course, the driver didn’t know why Rong Yushu needed a personal bodyguard when she already had a group of secret guards. She didn’t dare speculate on the Young Miss’s thoughts.

“No need. Back to my villa.” She had already found the person she was looking for.

Looking at Lan Cixing in her arms, Rong Yushu sighed.

It all started last week. On the day she discovered Lan Cixing was taking jobs through Xiao Jiu to do a fashion show, Rong Yushu guessed she was short on money. Unfortunately, when she tried to give her nearly three million that day, Lan Cixing only accepted 52,000. When she gave her the black card later, Lan Cixing wouldn’t use it and insisted on returning it. Rong Yushu could only pull a small trick with her wages, setting the payment to once a month.

Putting aside the money issue, after Rong Yushu investigated the fashion show, she hurried back to the Rong family estate overnight to discuss an investment with her sister, Rong Jinhuai. Upon entering, she didn’t see her sister.

“The Head is seeing a guest,” the head housekeeper said, happy to see Rong Yushu back, offering her fruit and pastries.

“I’ll wait for her then. It’s late; who is she seeing?” Rong Yushu didn’t want to refuse the old woman’s kindness, so she took the pastries but didn’t eat them.

“Seems to be someone from an entertainment company. The Head didn’t let me follow. Your sister has been very tired lately; the other three Great Families are no pushovers. The person she’s meeting today seems to have a partnership with one of them and is competing for a project.” The housekeeper, having stayed by the Head’s side, knew more than Rong Yushu, the “young miss” who didn’t manage family affairs. “But still, there’s no need to be socialing until midnight. You should advise your sister too…”

Rong Yushu let the words go in one ear and out the other, nodding occasionally. Her relationship with Rong Jinhuai… wasn’t so good that she would concern herself with her sister’s bedtime. Of course, if Rong Jinhuai ever worked herself into a hospital bed, she would go visit.

Half an hour later, the door finally opened. The person who walked out was someone Rong Yushu disliked: Wei Lan. Her Shengqing Entertainment had indeed hooked up with the Baili family. Rong Yushu guessed what project Wei Lan was trying to snatch and, already disliking the woman, hoped Rong Jinhuai would crush her.

“Ah, it’s Xiao Shu.” Seeing her sister, Rong Jinhuai massaged her temples, her exhausted eyes softening slightly.

“Sister, been tired lately?” Rong Yushu glanced at Wei Lan before turning her attention to her sister.

Rong Jinhuai shook her head slightly, patting the back of Rong Yushu’s head. “Is something wrong? If it’s not urgent, let’s talk tomorrow.”

Thus, Rong Yushu couldn’t discuss the fashion show investment. She thought there was still nearly a week left, so there was no rush to mention it tomorrow. However, after the sisters parted, Wei Lan remained sitting in the hall, enjoying the tea and snacks intended for Rong Yushu, refusing to leave.

“Are you waiting for me?” Rong Yushu narrowed her eyes, her expression shifting instantly as she suppressed her emotions, putting on a flawless smile.

“Naturally. Xiao Yushu, I only came out after finishing my business with your sister. Won’t you walk with me in the courtyard?” Wei Lan’s expression hid something. Having hooked up with the Baili family made a difference; even the founder of a mere entertainment company dared to demand the Rong family’s Young Miss act as her tour guide.

Rong Yushu wanted to see what she was up to, so she agreed to the strange request. Several servants followed; she doubted Wei Lan would dare move against her directly.

“The Rong family really is different. The front courtyard of the old estate is this big. It’s not much smaller than the Baili manor in the west.” Wei Lan flattered as she walked, making Rong Yushu feel quite uncomfortable. Rong Yushu played along, wanting to see when she would get to the point.

After five minutes, Wei Lan spoke again. “You wouldn’t mind if I helped you teach that Alpha who bullied you a lesson, would you?”

Her reference was vague. Rong Yushu kept her eyes steady, responding only with a smile. “If such a person truly existed, my sister would have already acted.”

“Hmm? But she’s still alive and well, going to a show at Qi Mo’s place next week. Tsk tsk, she can even earn quite a bit of money.” Wei Lan was testing her.

Rong Yushu’s brow twitched.

“You don’t know yet? It seems your sister really protects you well. It’s that Alpha who didn’t know her place and dared to mark you. Lan-something. She’s quite good-looking, but to do that to you…” Wei Lan left it at that, her eyes scanning Rong Yushu through her thick lenses, trying to read her emotions.

Rong Yushu’s heart was in a turmoil, but she dared not show it. Using every bit of her acting prowess, she suppressed her feelings, leaving only a smile in her eyes.

“That’s fine then.” Her eyes curved as if Lan Cixing were some insignificant enemy she had forgotten to deal with.

Wei Lan was satisfied and turned away. Ultimately, she didn’t respect Rong Yushu at all. This encounter was merely to confirm things for the Baili family, looking for the Rong family’s weakness. If Rong Yushu had feelings for Lan Cixing, Lan Cixing would become her Achilles’ heel, just like the accident four years ago. If Rong Yushu was heartless, Wei Lan could play with her as she pleased.

“It’s a deal then. My ‘training’… Xiao Yushu must have heard of it, right? No matter, if you’re still interested, I can give her back to you after I’m done. Though whether she’ll still be conscious, I don’t know.” Wei Lan’s face was disgusting, her tone deliberately vile.

Rong Yushu’s hand clenched at her side, her sharp nails nearly piercing her palm. Her face showed nothing. “Sure. I look forward to it. Call me when the time comes? I’d quite like to see how pathetic she becomes.” This proactive sentence completely dispelled Wei Lan’s suspicions.

Once Wei Lan left, Rong Yushu’s eyes turned cold.

The next morning at breakfast, she asked Rong Jinhuai a question. “Sister, do you want to get rid of Shengqing Entertainment?” It was quite sudden; at the time, Rong Jinhuai was talking about a blind date.

Rong Jinhuai’s sharp gaze landed on her. She didn’t share Rong Yushu’s mixed-race look; she hadn’t inherited their mother’s features, having only black eyes and brown hair. When her black eyes turned harsh, they were as terrifying as an abyss.

“What did you talk about with Wei Lan last night?” Rong Jinhuai knew they had met after she went upstairs. She assumed they only talked about the industry.

“Industry matters, of course. She might have… annoyed me a little.” Rong Yushu narrowed her fox-eyes to block her sister’s stare.

Rong Jinhuai didn’t let her off, scrutinizing her micro-expressions. But Rong Yushu was an actress who had won countless awards; she wouldn’t let her sister see any abnormality.

“…Since it’s an industry matter, I’ll only give you the funds and connections. I trust you can handle it yourself.” Rong Jinhuai finally withdrew her gaze. She understood Rong Yushu well. Rong Yushu was lying, but it didn’t hurt to give her some money to play with. After all, Wei Lan was close to the Baili family, but they weren’t official partners yet, were they? If Rong Yushu messed up, she would just take over. It would also prove that choosing her as the Head was correct.

“Thank you, Sister.” Rong Yushu smiled from the heart and hugged her sister’s arm.

“You’re a grown woman, this is so sappy.” Rong Jinhuai acted disgusted and pushed her away, but the fatigue in her eyes lessened.

Rong Yushu took the funds to Qi Mo that same day and became the show’s biggest investor. Wei Lan could only threaten Lan Cixing in a few ways; the liquidated damages and the show manager were the easiest to resolve. Qi Mo agreed not to work with Wei Lan, though Rong Yushu could see she was playing both sides.

The day before the show, Rong Yushu finally waited for Wei Lan to withdraw her funds. Wei Lan wanted to use this method to force Qi Mo and Xiao Jiu to capture Lan Cixing and hand her over in exchange for her return. She even delayed the timing, wanting to pull out when it was too late to react.

Just as she spoke, Rong Yushu, sitting in the main seat, turned her chair. Curving her eyes, she looked at Wei Lan with her most common “acting” gaze. “Since you don’t want to invest, then take it back.” She was already the largest investor; she had the authority. One sentence made all of Wei Lan’s efforts worthless. “Qi Mo, see the guest out. I’m sure the Great Families would be very interested to know how this partner goes back on her word.”

With her connections, Rong Yushu could ruin Wei Lan’s reputation in the high-society circles. By the time she finished that sentence, Wei Lan had been thrown out of the venue by Qi Mo’s people. Truly thrown—she landed on her backside, the pain shooting through her bones. Wei Lan was furious, cursing at the venue. This scene was even caught by the paparazzi she had called to stake out Lan Cixing, briefly putting her on the trending topics.

“I’ll have my sister handle the follow-up cooperation.” Having resolved the Wei Lan issue, Rong Yushu stretched. The stock fluctuations in Shengqing Entertainment caused by this scandal would allow her assets to earn back exactly what she invested in the show. A no-loss business. As for when the remaining dirt would be leaked, it depended on when Wei Lan made her next move.

After signing the papers, Rong Yushu finally mentioned Lan Cixing to Qi Mo. “You have a model who won’t be able to walk tomorrow. I’ll pay the liquidated damages for her.” After all that, her goal was simply to pay Lan Cixing’s debt.

Qi Mo hurriedly waved her off. “How could I let you worry about that? If she’s not coming, she’s not coming. I’ll have Xiao Jiu find someone else.” No joke—if the big sponsor wanted something this small and she still asked for money, did she still want the contract signed?

“Then keep your word. Better notify her now.” Rong Yushu checked the time. It was past midnight.

“Of course, of course.” Qi Mo wiped the sweat from her brow, still unaware of who Rong Yushu was protecting.

When Rong Yushu left the venue, she decided to sign Lan Cixing to the security agency as soon as possible to prevent her from being bullied by that terrible boss again. Keeping her close was also the safest option. She guessed Wei Lan would retaliate, but she didn’t expect her to target Lan Cixing first. A normal person would stabilize their business losses first; otherwise, it was just leaving loopholes for a counterattack.

Rong Yushu stopped reminiscing, her thoughts returning to reality after messaging her subordinates. Suddenly, she smelled a… subtle and familiar scent. Her brows snapped together.

She looked down at Lan Cixing in her arms. Her poor thing was drenched in sweat, burning with a high fever that wouldn’t break, gasping for air. The back of her neck was the hottest, beginning to swell slightly.

The air slowly filled with the cool, aloof fragrance of fir. Along with it came the smell of burnt flint—a faint metallic tang mixed with light woody notes, exceptionally distinct and highly aggressive. This was the pheromone scent Rong Yushu had remembered and sought for four years. There was no mistaking it.

Rong Yushu finally understood. Lan Cixing had been forced into her rut by those people, which was why she couldn’t win the fight!

How despicable! Rong Yushu tsked. She hurriedly applied a suppressant patch to her own scent gland, put on a special mask, and messaged her subordinates to send ice, a water bed, and top-grade Alpha suppressants to her villa.

“Please go to the villa as fast as possible.” Rong Yushu ordered, and the driver floored the gas. Luckily, the driver was a Beta, unaffected by pheromones and unable to smell anything.

Rong Yushu’s fingertips were trembling. Her soul craved Lan Cixing’s pheromones. The only Alpha who had ever marked her had once, under her guidance, left behind such thick, abundant pheromones. The vast expanse of fir and flint seemed to have replaced her blood, completely turning her into the Alpha’s property overnight.

After four years, Lan Cixing’s pheromones shouldn’t have remained in her gland. Yet she had integrated that scent into her very marrow, reminiscing every day, refusing to forget. She… liked Lan Cixing’s scent.

But she didn’t dare smell too much. They weren’t in a completely safe place yet. The events of four years ago had been a crushing blow, a heart-wrenching lesson. Having finally managed to slowly return to Lan Cixing’s side and try to make her accept her, she couldn’t mess up again.

She was a top-tier Omega. Lan Cixing was an S-rank Alpha. They had experienced a deep mark and were exceptionally sensitive to each other’s pheromones. Even just using a perfume that matched the pheromones could make Lan Cixing panic and misjudge. Contacting her pheromones directly now—even with a special anti-pheromone mask—might not hold up for long.

Rong Yushu pressed the edge of her mask. Her trembling fingertips brushed against the boundary, tempted to lift the fragile barrier. She fought her instincts with all her might, her eyes turning bloodshot.

The person in her arms moved. Lan Cixing hadn’t regained consciousness; the movement of her turning over was like a murmur in a dream. She turned toward Rong Yushu, relaxing as if approaching a mother. Her head naturally shifted, pressing against Rong Yushu’s lower abdomen—the warmest, softest place.

It was a bold move. It made Rong Yushu’s eyes turn red, tears nearly falling on Lan Cixing’s arm.

Not here…

Rong Yushu pressed on Lan Cixing’s back, pulling her closer into her embrace, hoping the white tea fragrance would soothe her. She covered her face with one hand, closing her eyes to wait.

“Mom, Mom…” After an unknown amount of time, Rong Yushu heard a word. It came from Lan Cixing. Her heart tightened; she looked down to check on her. Lan Cixing was still out. This wasn’t four years ago when they were flirting and Lan Cixing would call her that. This was just sleep-talking or instinct.

Because of this movement, the mask loosened. The fir scent instantly occupied Rong Yushu’s brain, leaving her blank for a second. Then came the burnt, spicy scent, stimulating her nose. Her eyelashes trembled, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she had to re-press the mask. Luckily, her suppressant patch hadn’t failed…

The journey felt like a century. Finally, at the villa entrance, the driver offered to help her carry Lan Cixing upstairs, but she refused. She insisted on carrying Lan Cixing home herself, even if her steps faltered; she didn’t want to hand her over to anyone else.

The specialized suppressants had arrived. Rong Yushu first applied a cooling patch to Lan Cixing’s forehead before carrying her to the room. She hesitated for a moment, put down the suppressants, and went to the bathroom to change her own patch.

She couldn’t say what was on her mind. Their current relationship was nothing like the ambiguity of four years ago. Back then, they were only one step away, yet it ended so poorly.

Rong Yushu splashed her face with cold water. Opening the door, she smelled the intense burnt flint fragrance. The fir scent acted as a base, elevating the full-bodied aggression by several levels. The sense of invasion instantly surrounded her. Pressed by the Alpha’s pheromones, it wasn’t pleasant, yet she couldn’t release her own pheromones to counter them.

She was a top-tier Omega. If left uncontrolled, releasing her pheromones now would surely cause Lan Cixing to lose her senses, and she would get what she wanted.

But… what when Lan Cixing woke up?

Rong Yushu didn’t dare bet on it. How much truth was in their online chats? When Lan Cixing saw her face in the game, she wasn’t even willing to play ranked with her. After successive tests these past few days, she only felt Lan Cixing’s ill will. There was no love left. None at all. Instead, there was fear, impatience, and loathing. If it weren’t for the status difference, she was sure Lan Cixing would flee from her side immediately.

Rong Yushu cautiously returned to the bedside, only to meet a pair of eyes. Deep gray-blue, like an overcast sky before a storm. At this moment, they held no emotion, purely instilling a natural sense of awe. Rong Yushu was pinned for a second. Then she lunged forward.

“Lan Cixing? You’re awake! How do you feel?” Rong Yushu sat beside her, pulling her up.

Lan Cixing was so hot she felt boneless, pressing heavily against Rong Yushu’s arm. She looked dazed as she saw those green eyes. “Mummy?” She instinctively used the term.

The green fox-eyes were so dazzling. They made Lan Cixing lose herself; her feverish brain couldn’t function, instinctively finding her beautiful.

Rong Yushu caught her reaching hand.

“Why does it feel like I’m seeing Rong Yushu…” Lan Cixing was held by a familiar palm. When the blonde hair fell against her cheek, tickling her, she thought she was dreaming. “Is it a dream…?” If it wasn’t Wei Lan but Rong Yushu. If it weren’t for the reporter part at the end. Then it would be a beautiful dream—a dream she didn’t dare imagine.

Rong Yushu slowly lowered her, coming completely over her. “Is it a dream? Why don’t you try and see?” If Lan Cixing thought it was a dream… would she dare to mark her?

Rong Yushu brushed back her hair. Her dark green nails threaded through the golden strands. On non-work days, she had changed her hair back to its original color. The light hair was brilliant and dazzling.

Instead, it startled Lan Cixing awake. The white tea scent crawled into her nose, followed by her own pheromone scent.

I’m in my rut?

Lan Cixing jolted, breaking free from Rong Yushu’s embrace and shrinking back like a spring, hitting the headboard. Unable to retreat, she curled into a ball, a flash of panic in her eyes as she looked at Rong Yushu.

Rong Yushu sat up, seeing everything clearly. Lan Cixing sensed the disappointment in her eyes, making her even more uneasy. Hadn’t she been kidnapped by Wei Lan’s people? Why was she at Rong Yushu’s house? Could these two have been in cahoots all along?

Lan Cixing felt a chill for only a moment before the high heat of her rut attacked again, leaving her unable to think. At least she knew she was in her rut—and in front of Rong Yushu. Again.

This realization panicked her. She grit her teeth, held her breath, and began to suppress her scent gland. If she hadn’t been drugged by Wei Lan’s people and were facing another Omega, she would just look away and her pheromones would retract. But today was too special. The person she was facing was Rong Yushu. The one she had avoided for four years, dreamed of for four years, and longed for for four years. In her dreams, she wanted to mark her again.

But how could she dare?

Lan Cixing bit her lip to stay conscious, holding her gland in shock. If Rong Yushu hadn’t moved in time to lock her hands, she would likely have clawed at her fragile gland to restrain the rut.

Rong Yushu leaned in. She was pressed against Lan Cixing now, her shadow covering the other’s legs, her face against Lan Cixing’s arm. In an instant, the skin contact exploded with a creamy, delicate texture.

Lan Cixing’s pupils shrank to a point, but she couldn’t escape Rong Yushu, who was pressing against her like a fox demon, watching her with interest, those emerald eyes sparkling with a unique light. As if she were going to eat her.

Lan Cixing already smelled a hint of white tea. She couldn’t tell if it was perfume or pheromones, but she reacted to the sweet scent.

“I… I can’t… I’ve troubled you… Is there any suppressant?” Her face only showed rejection. “Please, Rong Yushu, I just need a shot of suppressant, that should be enough…” Even if it couldn’t be suppressed, Lan Cixing had to force herself to control this rut. She was S-rank and an Alpha; though the rut was uncomfortable, it wasn’t as physically painful as an Omega’s heat—it was more about emotional volatility. This heat was likely due to her high nerves, the beating she took, and Wei Lan’s drug.

Rong Yushu’s gaze dimmed, becoming heavy like shadows at the bottom of a lake. “You used a suppressant recently, didn’t you?” She knew Lan Cixing. Her previous teasing about pheromones leaking was just to get her to take suppressants in time rather than trying to tough it out. “This was forced; enduring it will cause trouble. Do you know how strong that drug is?”

Actually, Rong Yushu didn’t know much about those drugs. She didn’t use the ones for Alphas, though she had been lectured plenty by her sister about the ones for Omegas.

As she spoke, her golden hair fell on Lan Cixing’s collarbone. They were so close that Lan Cixing only had to look up to kiss the tip of Rong Yushu’s nose. When Rong Yushu spoke, the ends of her hair swept with her breath, tickling Lan Cixing.

How could she handle such stimulation? She tried to hide, but as she raised her hand, her palm was caught by Rong Yushu. Fingers interlaced. Lan Cixing exhaled and then held her breath again. She was afraid that if she smelled the white tea sweetness, she would lose her mind and harm Rong Yushu again… she would kill herself in atonement.

“Do you want me to… mark you?” Lan Cixing asked, but she never expected an answer, even though Rong Yushu’s behavior was obvious. Her lowered figure, the curve of her spine, her half-open collar, her messy hair… and a gaze more aggressive than an Alpha’s pheromones.

“You can…” Before Rong Yushu could issue an invitation, Lan Cixing closed her eyes, shook her head violently, and pulled her fingers away.

“No, Rong Yushu. Four years ago… it was like this…” Even when alone, she didn’t dare face that incident. Now she had to bare her heart to her and apologize. Her reason and impulse were both pounding against her. Rut-induced emotions were indeed fragile and pathetic. “I already failed you once, how could I… don’t you still hate me now?” Her voice carried a sob.

Rong Yushu actually moved away, losing her seductive posture and sitting back. Lan Cixing felt a huge relief, exhaling and trying to roll to the side to find a suppressant. Her phone worked too; she could order some now. She lifted her leg, but it was intercepted by Rong Yushu.

Lan Cixing was forced to turn back, her eyes filled with confusion. Her collar was grabbed. Rong Yushu dragged her close; breaths mingled, pheromones entwined.

Rong Yushu let go and pinned her. “Fine. Then I’ll hate you. Hate you to the point where I want to bite you too.” She sneered, truly angry now, reaching out to tear the bow from Lan Cixing’s collar. Two buttons fell on the bed. The collar flipped outward, revealing a glimpse of skin.

What Rong Yushu wanted to do was clear. The ratio of Alphas lying down wasn’t small; anything between a couple was normal. Except four years ago, Lan Cixing was the lead.

But Lan Cixing didn’t resist. She relaxed her shoulders, letting her clothes slide. The tattoo on her shoulder was revealed—white tea flowers blooming in the most hidden place. She tilted her head, exposing her gland.

If Rong Yushu wanted to bite her, then she should do so to her heart’s content.

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