What Should I Do If My Ex-Girlfriend's Pheromones Smell Too Good? - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Making Enemies

Shu Qiong paused her movements and gave a very soft laugh. “What about Chang Xichun? Did anyone leave hot water for her?”

The corners of Yan Xiangyu’s lips curled up slightly. “Senior Qin will help her out. Don’t worry.”

Shu Qiong nodded and gently fluffed her pillow. “Goodnight, go to sleep.”

Yan Xiangyu knew she was tired and didn’t tease her. “Mhm, goodnight.”

She lay back down herself and noticed a strand of hair extending from Shu Qiong’s side near the bed railing. She touched it lightly with her fingertip, loosely winding the end of the hair around her pinky. Inhaling the faint, lingering scent of brandy, she drifted back to sleep.

The next day, before combat training, they checked the rankings as usual. Shu Qiong had undoubtedly dropped to the fifties. She put on her protective suit and was about to head to the back when she heard the instructor’s voice.

“Let’s shake things up today. What’s the point of always fighting robots?” The instructor seemed to be in a great mood, announcing the new training rules in a booming voice.

“Two people with adjacent rankings will start from the midpoint of the track and duel. Either land eighty valid hits on the opponent, or force them to one end of the track. Achieving either counts as a victory. Rankings will shift after each round, and the one-on-one combat will continue in this fluid style. Training ends once you win three matches in a row. If you can’t get a streak, win six matches cumulatively, and I’ll let you clock out successfully. How about that? Isn’t it much simpler?”

The students’ eyes widened. “Simple?”

The instructor laughed loudly, looking even happier. “Isn’t it? If you think it’s not simple, it’s because you’re weak! These rules are very friendly to the strong.”

Shu Qiong raised her hand to ask, “Report, Instructor! Is the ceiling’s intelligent sniper system the same as yesterday?”

The instructor recognized her and said meaningfully, “Yes. If hit in a non-vital area, you must retreat one meter. A hit to a vital area counts as fifty points of valid attack for the opponent. It doesn’t distinguish between friend and foe, so you can utilize that.”

Shu Qiong suddenly felt much less despair. What do you mean ‘doesn’t distinguish between friend and foe’? That’s clearly an ally.

She calculated the initial rankings: she was 56, and the closest to her was Qin Liang. Only by ensuring she didn’t lose a single match could she completely avoid the possibility of a collision with him.

The instructor began to urge them. The students found their tracks and opponents, starting to trade threats and nonsense.

No. 55 was a tall, sturdy Alpha male. Nearly three hundred people were participating in the intensive training, all of them top performers from various universities. A cadet who could rank in the top fifty was definitely considered excellent. He was somewhat surprised to see his opponent was a rather refined-looking girl.

“What’s your position as a soldier?” he asked tentatively.

Shu Qiong stood with her hands behind her back. “Actually, I’m a Commander.”

“…Huh?” The No. 55 male scratched his head. “A Commander can rank 56th overall? You’re lying, right?”

“Is that professional discrimination?” Shu Qiong gave him an ‘incorrigible’ look and made a gesture. “Stop the nonsense, let’s begin.”

The repair injection from yesterday was so effective she could clearly feel her muscles undergoing a sort of “nirvana.” However, this process of rebirth wasn’t pleasant; as soon as her muscles exerted force, it felt like ten thousand ants were gnawing at her. Right now, she just wanted to settle this quickly and go lie flat on her bed.

Just as the two stood still at the center of the track, the ceiling’s shooting intelligence began to operate. Red dots swept over their bodies. The No. 55 male Alpha feigned dodging the red dot, but instead took the opportunity to throw a direct punch.

Shu Qiong shifted her body to the left, retreated half a step, and feigned a counterattack with a light, airy punch.

No. 55 dodged it effortlessly, feeling somewhat disdainful of her seemingly powerless attack. Is she really a Commander?

He had been hovering around the 50th and 60th tracks, so he hadn’t seen the crowd surrounding Shu Qiong at Track 81, nor did he know about her history of dragging behind in the first tier. Thus, he was very confused about how she had broken into the top 56.

“This is all the strength you have?” He tested her with two more punches and found that Shu Qiong didn’t seem to be acting; she really wasn’t skilled in close-quarters combat.

Shu Qiong even had the mind to stimulate him with words: “I see your level is only so-so. You’re not even as good a fighter as our Commander.”

No. 55 indeed let loose, no longer testing. “You said it yourself. Don’t say I’m bullying a girl when I knock you down.”

While Shu Qiong’s brain was working frantically, she took another half step back. “Bring it on. If you talk but don’t act, who knows if you really have skill or are just boasting?”

No. 55’s punches became increasingly sharp. “…What’s your name? Does a Commander from the Military University always have such a big mouth?”

“Jin Yan,” Shu Qiong blurted out perfunctorily.

“Surname Jin?” No. 55 scoffed. “Fists and feet have no eyes. Don’t go home crying when I hurt you.”

Shu Qiong felt the guy talked too much and stopped speaking. During the dodge, she suddenly ducked, and the red dot originally aimed at the back of her head hit No. 55 square in the chest.

Shu Qiong gave a light reminder in a cheerful tone: “Fifty points.”

“Holy crap!” No. 55 pulled himself together. “What kind of dumb luck is that? You can even get a blessing in disguise from this?”

He didn’t dare get distracted by talking anymore, focusing on throwing punches at Shu Qiong in an attempt to drive her back faster.

As they fought, he realized something was wrong again. Shu Qiong’s footwork was far too slippery; his fists could barely touch her. His valid hit points increased slowly. Instead, Shu Qiong had retreated several steps while dodging, and was now only halfway from the finish line.

Seeing victory in sight, No. 55 increased the power of his attacks. But the remaining half of the distance seemed to be cursed. Every time Shu Qiong was forced back a little, his limbs would unexpectedly be hit by the red dot, forcing No. 55 to retreat one meter reluctantly.

Repeatedly, back and forth, it was a test of patience.

No. 55 felt played. “Are you doing this on purpose?”

Shu Qiong gave a dry response. “Ah.” Had her plan to use him for practice been exposed so quickly?

Mostly, it was because this No. 55 seemed a bit dim-witted. Every time she clumsily faked a retreat or an attack, he would actually take the bait. His posture couldn’t have been more perfect for her.

“My dear lady, just give me a quick end.” No. 55 couldn’t take it anymore. This kind of battle was mentally exhausting, like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey at a mill—hope was right there, yet unreachable every time. Dammit!

Shu Qiong also felt it was about time, so she said seriously, “Alright.”

She suddenly stood still, tilted her body slightly, and bowed her head as a sign of respect. “I’m grateful for you, No. 55.”

No. 55: “…”

He didn’t know what she was up to and hesitated on the spot, not venturing forward to attack. Just then, a red dot swept over and aimed at the center of his forehead—a direct hit.

Shu Qiong happily gained one hundred points. Satisfied, she cupped her fists in salute and sauntered away. The first battle was so smooth she even suspected No. 55 was there just to give her points.

From behind came No. 55’s shout: “I remember you, Military University Commander Jin Yan!”

Shu Qiong waved her hand nonchalantly and, without looking back, squatted down in the rest area.

Soldiers really have heavy hostility. What’s with ‘remembering me’? They’re all warmongers, the technical personnel Shu Qiong criticized inwardly. What does the challenge issued to Miss Jin Yan have to do with me, the Mech Master Shu Qiong?

Speak of the devil, and she shall appear. Jin Yan sneezed twice in the rest area. Seeing Shu Qiong, she asked in confusion, “Why do I feel like someone’s constantly cursing me?”

Shu Qiong shrugged and made up a lie. “Maybe it’s Fang Yingying.”

“Speaking of her,” Jin Yan said in confusion, “She’s really strange.”

Jin Yan started rambling: “I thought I was pampered and spoiled enough, but she’s even more exaggerated! She asked me last night how I could stomach the food at the canteen here. She said it’s completely incomparable to the chefs that followed them from Superior. She even said if I’m jealous, she could reluctantly let me join them for a meal. What does that even mean?”

Shu Qiong took a sip of water and asked, “How did you answer?”

“Naturally, I expressed my confusion. I said you all brought chefs along—what kind of ‘adapting to life’ is that?” Jin Yan rubbed her arm. “I earnestly advised her not to let money corrupt her will. She didn’t appreciate it and even said I was beyond saving.”

Shu Qiong asked tentatively, “Is there a possibility she was asking you out for a meal?”

Jin Yan laughed loudly. “Impossible! Daughter, what are you thinking? That’s just a fairy tale!”

What was Shu Qiong thinking? Shu Qiong thought Fang Yingying was right—the Great Miss Jin was in the late stages of Straight-Alpha-Cancer and was beyond saving.

Ten minutes later, Shu Qiong’s second round began. She faced a somewhat familiar face and glanced at the school badge on his uniform. Well then, he was from the Mecha Specialization Joint University.

The Mecha Uni male Alpha also recognized her as the Military University student who was incredibly slow at running laps the day before. He immediately relaxed. “Hey sis, how about a deal? Give me the contact info of that Omega on your school team, and I’ll let you win this round directly. Once I land her, you’ll be the matchmaker of a beautiful story. It’s a win-win!”

Shu Qiong gave a cold glance. “Arrogant, conceited, and lacking respect. Is this the attitude Mecha Uni has toward intensive training? Is this how you pursue an Omega?”

“Hey, hey, it’s just a joke.” The Mecha Uni male Alpha looked annoyed. “Don’t get all high and mighty. I’m only giving you face because you’re weak; don’t be ungrateful.”

Shu Qiong had already stood up and found her position. Hearing this, she smiled. “Hey, hey, it’s just two questions, and you’ve already had a meltdown? Don’t use insults; is this the quality of Mecha Uni?”

The male Alpha stood opposite Shu Qiong with a dark face. Before the sniper intelligence could react, he raised a fist without warning, his move swift and fierce.

Shu Qiong barely dodged it. All the techniques she had refined on No. 55 were now unleashed on him, her reactions extremely quick during the dodges. Cheating? Who’s afraid of who?

A red dot targeted him. As he prepared to dodge, Shu Qiong caught the opening, accumulated power in advance, and delivered a fierce kick—hitting him directly in his vulnerable lower area.

The Mecha Uni Alpha’s face turned white, then instantly flushed red. Although the hard protective suit prevented actual damage, Shu Qiong had used one hundred percent of her strength. It still brought a surge of dull pain to his lower body, but the main blow was psychological. He felt his face and his dignity as a male were being trampled by the woman opposite him.

“You… seek… death!” He was enraged and lunged forward.

Shu Qiong shook her head inwardly. Even more of a fool than No. 55.

His forward lunge stalled. The Mecha Uni Alpha stared in shock at the red dot that had hit his chest.

Shu Qiong, timing the countdown, admired his complex expression, snapped her fingers provocatively, and slowly retreated.

The Mecha Uni Alpha had just calmed down for a moment because of the point deduction notification, but then felt the fire of rage was unbearable. He roared: “What’s your name?! Believe it or not, I’ll bring a whole van of people to mess you up!”

Shu Qiong gave a cold refusal. “We’re still fighting, big brother. Don’t ask for names to strike up a conversation.”

“…”

In a short while, she took another fifty points. This time, Shu Qiong didn’t drag it out, decisively eliminating the guy and walking off the track.

Shu Qiong had won two rounds in a row; one more and she would be free. She rubbed her arm in a great mood.

“Hey! You from Military University!” The voice of the Mecha Uni student behind her was laced with gritted teeth, sounding somewhat familiar to Shu Qiong.

She thought about it—the previous No. 55 opponent sounded just like this after fighting her. People just tend to resent geniuses.

She paused her footsteps and turned to look. “What is it? If you want to acknowledge me as your ancestor, forget it; it’s a bit embarrassing.”

The Mecha Uni Alpha threatened: “You’re finished! If there’s an event where we can choose our combat opponents later, just you wait! I’ll definitely choose you.” He wanted to see how she would beat him with a real fight, without any fancy mechanisms!

Shu Qiong scoffed. “Do you even know my name?”

The Mecha Uni Alpha immediately shut his mouth. Oh right, I haven’t asked for her name yet.

“What’s your name?” he asked, while fearing she wouldn’t answer, so he used a clumsy provocation. “Only a coward wouldn’t dare to say.”

Shu Qiong nodded. “My name is He Xuchou.”

“Sounds a bit familiar…” The opponent froze, then realized. “Wait, you’re playing me? Isn’t that your Captain?”

Shu Qiong felt a bit of regret—this guy actually had a brain. It seemed he had looked at the roster of the Military University school team from last year.

Thus, she changed her tune without hesitation: “I was just kidding with you. Actually, my name is Yan Xiangyu.”

The Mecha Uni Alpha looked suspicious, but didn’t lose his momentum. “I remember you, Yan Xiangyu.”

Shu Qiong didn’t care to say more and walked away. From that encounter, she had figured out his foundations; in terms of close-quarters combat, he would be pummeled by Yan Xiangyu. Shu Qiong even maliciously imagined the scene and couldn’t help laughing out loud.

“What did you see that made you so happy?”

Yan Xiangyu had already finished her end with a quick three-win streak; her efficiency was astonishing.

Shu Qiong patted her shoulder. “I have high hopes for you.”

Yan Xiangyu, as if she were a worm in Shu Qiong’s belly, flickered her eyes and asked precisely: “What trouble did you stir up in my name again?”

Shu Qiong: “…”

It’s too hard to hide anything from her.