Transmigrated as the Vampire Alpha of the Omega Heroine - Chapter 17

“Sorry.”

Jiang Nian reluctantly placed her hand on Gu Li’s school jacket zipper and slowly pulled it down, revealing the black hoodie underneath.

“But I still think that smell is bitter and disgusting,” she muttered, pursing her lips as she acted on instinct, refusing to look up while trying to peel the scent-tainted jacket off Gu Li.

So annoying, this jacket. Last night too.

The zipper had already been pulled all the way down, but with one hand, she couldn’t fully remove the jacket. Frustrated, she tugged at the collar of Gu Li’s hoodie instead.

Gu Li caught her hand before she could pull further, then took off the jacket herself and placed it on a nearby chair before leaning in closer.

“Is this better?” Gu Li felt inexplicably guilty today, that person had leaned in too close while asking questions, even brushing against her sleeve a few times.

“Bitter.” Jiang Nian withdrew her hand, covering the back of her neck where a specially designed soothing inhibitor patch was placed, and grumbled unhappily, “It hurts.”

She was still suffering from the aftereffects of an out-of-control hormone surge. The alpha pheromones she adored were right in front of her, yet this person carried someone else’s scent. She wanted to erase it completely.

Ideally, she’d touch Gu Li’s body and scent without any barriers.

The IV drip contained a mild sedative, and soon, she drifted off to sleep on the bed.

Gu Li tucked the blanket around her, only to meet Granny Jiang’s complicated gaze.

Oh no, she’s misunderstood too.

The thought flashed through her mind, and she quickly explained, “Nian’s still dealing with the aftereffects of her hormone imbalance. We’re not usually like this.”

Granny Jiang found the excuse weak, but she couldn’t blame Gu Li, no matter how she looked at it, her granddaughter had been the one initiating everything, while this young alpha had simply gone along with it.

“You treat her well,” Granny Jiang said, sitting down. “The doctor told me today that she’s already had her pre-heat. She’ll soon present as an omega. You were the one who accompanied her to the hospital before, weren’t you?”

“Yes. She didn’t want you to worry, so we kept it from you. I’m really sorry.” Gu Li answered carefully.

“Thank you. As for you two…?” The next question was a bit too blunt, and Granny Jiang hesitated over her phrasing.

“No, we’ve never crossed any lines. We’re just very close friends.” Gu Li shook her head urgently. Lately, she’d grown wary of assumptions and denied them preemptively.

Her denial was so practiced it was almost heartbreaking.

Granny Jiang was taken aback by her reaction, then chuckled softly. “I’ll still have to trouble you these next few days. The doctor said your scent has a calming effect on Nian. Please try to stay by her side to ensure she presents smoothly.”

She walked over, her wrinkled hand grasping Gu Li’s, her face full of pleading and gratitude.

“Been happy these days?” Granny Jiang handed a peeled apple to Jiang Nian, who was lounging lazily in bed, squinting at the clock on the wall.

The competition class should be ending soon.

Since that day, Gu Li no longer carried any other scents. Every day, she would actively come over to hug Jiang Nian, enveloping her in the gentle fragrance of lavender. This helped soothe Jiang Nian’s uncontrollable emotions significantly, and the pain at the back of her neck also improved with medication and the calming effect of alpha pheromones.

Moreover, Gu Li was incredibly gentle when helping her review key knowledge points, explaining things even more thoroughly than their teachers. Gu Li was so wonderful, Jiang Nian wanted to have her all to herself, to make her hers alone.

This thought grew stronger as the heat at the back of her neck intensified.

“Mhm,” Jiang Nian nodded, taking a bite of the apple.

“Miss Gu should be arriving soon, right?” Grandma Jiang could tell Jiang Nian was eagerly waiting for someone, and Jiang Nian made no effort to hide it.

Grandma Jiang used a tissue to wipe a small stain of fruit juice from the corner of Jiang Nian’s lips, then affectionately ruffled her hair.

“Mhm, soon.”

But “soon” turned out to be a long wait. Jiang Nian had almost fully recovered by now. Dressed in her hospital gown, she leaned against the doorframe, watching the bustling hospital corridor. Yet, Gu Li was nowhere to be seen.

Was she not coming today?

Maybe it was raining, so she couldn’t make it.

But she had to come today.

Jiang Nian pressed her cheek against the doorframe, counting one unfamiliar face after another. Some carried umbrellas, while others were drenched, leaving wet footprints along the corridor. The light in Jiang Nian’s eyes dimmed with each passing moment.

“Nian Nian, come here. Grandma bought you longevity noodles from the hospital cafeteria. You should eat these on your birthday,” Grandma Jiang said as she approached from the other end of the hallway. She gently placed a hand on Jiang Nian’s head, guiding her back into the room.

The bowl of longevity noodles had two fragrant fried eggs placed neatly atop the flavorful broth.

Jiang Nian picked up her chopsticks, carefully lifting one of the eggs to feed her grandmother. “Grandma, you have some too.”

“Alright. I wish my Nian Nian a happy 17th birthday,” Grandma Jiang said, accepting the egg with a smile before affectionately patting her granddaughter’s head.

Jiang Nian lowered her head and quietly ate her noodles. This year’s birthday meal was just her and Grandma again.

“I told you we should’ve ordered from that bigger bakery. Then we wouldn’t have had this delay. Look how late it is now!” Mu Lan’s voice carried loudly from outside.

“Nian Nian can’t eat plant-based cream, and she’s still recovering. There are a lot of things she can’t have right now. The smaller bakery may not be as well-known, but they do custom orders, which is safer for her.”

Gu Li’s voice followed as she stepped in, holding a cake. The two of them stood on either side of the doorway, blocking the view of the busy corridor outside.

“Happy birthday.”

The cake was adorned with a handmade candle shaped like the number 17. The lights were turned off, and in the flickering candlelight, Jiang Nian looked at the three people gathered around her. She clasped her hands together in front of her chest.

She wasn’t sure what to wish for. It seemed like all her previous wishes had already come true. So instead, she wished for everyone around her to stay safe and healthy.

She blew out the candle behind the little cat decoration, and Mu Lan immediately turned the lights back on, excitedly pulling out a ticket. “Here, your birthday gift, an interview prep class. Come with me every weekend, four sessions a week. We’ll aim for the art academy together!”

“This is too generous. Thank you,” Jiang Nian said, feeling a little embarrassed.

“No, this tutor is someone Gu Li’s family knows. The price was negotiated well and isn’t expensive. Mainly they select students based on their work, and your sunrise painting caught the tutor’s eye. So, I’m just presenting borrowed flowers as Buddha’s offering, hehe.” Mu Lan stepped aside to give Gu Li space to shine.

“I bought you new painting supplies and left them at your school spot. And this.” Gu Li took out a protective charm from her pocket and placed it in Jiang Nian’s hand: “Nian Nian, happy 17th birthday.”

“May your years be filled with joy and every year surpass the last.”

As she spoke, she handed over a plastic cake knife: “Come, birthday girl makes the first cut.”

The cake deliberately avoided cooling fruits, with a small cream cat sculpted in the center. Jiang Nian searched carefully before making a precise cut on the right side.

Gu Li took the knife, scraped off the little cat onto Jiang Nian’s plate, then pretended to viciously stab the cat with a fork, just empty threats: “This kitten looks too much like you. Can’t bring myself to stab it.”

She passed the fork to Jiang Nian and placed a complimentary cat-ear headband on her head, watching as Jiang Nian scooped a bit of cat-shaped cream into her mouth: “Little kitten eating little kitten.”

Jiang Nian removed the fork from her mouth and casually offered another bite to Gu Li: “You eat the kitten.” Her voice was soft, sweet like the cream melting in their mouths, sending an inexplicable warmth through Gu Li that made her shift uncomfortably.

Had her milk tea cravings subsided only to be replaced by a new fondness for cream?

New Year’s Eve Extra (1)

During Spring Festival in B City’s urban areas, fireworks were prohibited. After a dull New Year’s Eve dinner with her grandmother, Jiang Nian aimlessly flipped through TV channels.

Not interested in the Spring Festival Gala, she wondered, what was Gu Li doing now?

She paused on a music program and picked up her phone to message.

Jiang Nian: Happy New Year! What are you up to? confused kitten emoji

Gu Li: Just finished setting off fireworks. They’re allowed in my hometown.

Jiang Nian: So lucky! I wish I could see.

Gu Li: It’s over now, but wait a sec ==

Jiang Nian: ?

Gu Li: [Photo][Photo][Photo][Photo]

Jiang Nian opened the images one by one, laughter bubbling up as she swiped through.

In the photos, Gu Li had spelled out words with sparklers: “2021 Gu Nian Hao” (2021 Gu & Nian Forever)

Jiang Nian: Happy New Year!

Support Transmigrated as the Vampire Alpha of the Omega Heroine