What Should I Do If My Ex-Girlfriend's Pheromones Smell Too Good? - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Anti-Fraud

The stage lights shifted colors intensely. Several hosts in formal wear stepped onto the stage to announce the next act. The students in the audience were supportive, filling the hall with rounds of applause.

The Political Science department, which Gu Tiantian belonged to, had prepared a situational skit this year. Shu Qiong perked up to listen to a few lines and realized it was actually an anti-fraud theme.

Gu Tiantian smiled softly: “Positive energy.”

Shu Qiong’s lip twitched. She understood the “positive energy” of anti-fraud propaganda, but why were the protagonists developing pink bubbles of romance as the play went on? Was this actually a romantic comedy?

The lights were a bit piercing. Since their seats were near the front, the cool lighting effects frequently flashed in their eyes. Shu Qiong lowered her head slightly, using the seat in front to block the glare, and checked her wristband.

Huh? There was a missed call. A private number—three missed calls from the same one. Just as she was wondering about it, a new incoming call prompt popped up.

Shu Qiong whispered something into Yan Xiangyu’s ear, then hurriedly left her seat and exited the auditorium. She found a relatively quiet, empty corner by the stairwell and clicked answer.

She gave a polite “Hello.” To call three or four times in a row, what could be so urgent?

The other side was silent for a moment, followed by the voice of a middle-aged man suppressing his rage: “Why didn’t you answer the phone?!”

Shu Qiong’s brow furrowed instantly: “Go ahead, what is it?”

“What kind of attitude is that? What kind of tone?!” The old man’s anger was nearly uncontrollable as he barked, “I am your grandfather!”

Shu Qiong didn’t care about his mood at all; she didn’t even bother to urge him along, simply waiting quietly for him to state the purpose of the call.

Grandfather Shu was choked with rage by her indifferent demeanor: “The driver has been waiting for you at the gate for half an hour. Get in the car and come home immediately.”

Shu Qiong let out a cold laugh: “Home? You’re right, I should spend more time with Auntie Jin and the others.”

A loud thump came from the other side, as if someone had slammed a table: “You think your wings are strong now? Do you even remember your surname is Shu?!”

“Grandfather, your temper is still as terrible and violent as ever, and you still love issuing orders.” Shu Qiong actually laughed. “Didn’t you say it yourself? If I were to follow the same absurd path as my mother, you wouldn’t acknowledge me as your granddaughter. I’m just following your words. Look at you—getting old truly makes one muddled; you don’t even remember what you’ve said.”

Static crackled on the line. A moment later, the sound cleared, and a gentle, familiar voice spoke.

“Xiao Qiong?”

The aggression in Shu Qiong’s tone vanished instantly. She softly called out, “Grandmother.”

“If you don’t want to come back, don’t force yourself. Grandmother will come to the school to see you in a few days…”

“You—!” Grandfather Shu’s shocked and indignant voice interrupted. “I told you to call this unfilial grandchild back! What are you saying?”

Grandmother Shu explained hesitantly: “Don’t pressure the child…”

But she was quickly pushed aside, and the old man’s voice returned: “Last time I’m saying it: get your ass back here.”

Shu Qiong paused for a beat: “Fine.”

The other side hadn’t expected it to be so easy. He was stunned for a second, then snorted: “The arm can’t out-wrestle the thigh. You little brat whose feathers haven’t even grown in yet—don’t think jumping around outside for a few days means you can really reach the sky. When you get back this time, you’ll…”

Beep… beep…

The busy tone cut off the rest of his words. Grandfather Shu’s face turned darker and darker. He glared fiercely at his wife, who was standing not far away with a worried look, his mind racing with unknown thoughts.

After hanging up, Shu Qiong practiced her routine by adding the unknown number to her blacklist.

Having done that, she didn’t return to the auditorium. She sent a simple explanation to the dorm group chat saying she had some business and had to leave early.

Through the hallway, the rhythmic music from the speakers was still audible. She walked toward the academy gate to the beat of an urgent drum, but her steps were anything but light. The thought of seeing those sour faces made her nauseous; her holiday cheer had been wiped clean.

She didn’t see many people on the way. Most students were in the auditorium watching the show, while the rest were in their dorms packing to head home.

As she neared the gate, she finally saw two or three students huddled together with suitcases waiting for a taxi, seemingly planning to carpool to the starship port.

Parked on the curb a little further away was a car painted in low-key colors but looking clearly expensive. A driver in a crisp outfit stood outside—long hair tied in a low ponytail, black gloves, black leather shoes, and a distinct wheaten complexion.

External personnel couldn’t enter the military academy, so the Shu family’s driver could only wait outside, yet she showed no sign of impatience.

Just as she was about to head over, Shu Qiong heard rapid footsteps behind her. She paused and turned to see Yan Xiangyu.

“Why are you leaving so fast?” Yan Xiangyu smiled as she caught up.

“There’s some business at the Shu house I need to handle. I’m heading back.” Shu Qiong looked surprised. “Why did you come out? Didn’t I message you saying not to worry?”

Yan Xiangyu looked down, remaining silent.

Shu Qiong understood. Her expression softened slightly: “Scared I won’t come back? Don’t worry, I’ll be back at school in two days.”

Yan Xiangyu was still ten thousand percent uneasy, her “persecution mania” seemingly flaring up as she gripped Shu Qiong’s hand tightly, refusing to let go. Thinking for a moment, and fearing her own weight might not be enough, she decisively betrayed Chang Xichun: “Your birthday is coming up. Everyone has prepared a surprise for you.”

Shu Qiong’s birthday happened to be on the last day of the holiday. The group had already privately agreed to return to school early to celebrate for her. Chang Xichun had asked probing questions back on the starship and learned that Shu Qiong would be at school that day and was free.

Shu Qiong had almost forgotten. Hearing this, she connected it to how Chang Xichun and the others had been asking her strange, roundabout questions lately. She felt a surge of emotion and surprise.

“Okay, I’ll definitely come back early.” Shu Qiong’s tension fully dissolved, and she propped her arms open.

Yan Xiangyu pursed her lips, stepped forward, and hugged her tightly. She lowered her head, burying her face in the crook of Shu Qiong’s neck. Her nose brushed lightly against the back of Shu Qiong’s neck, making her laugh from the tickling sensation.

Yan Xiangyu’s lips were very close to Shu Qiong’s gland. The faint scent of brandy slowly soothed her anxiety. For a moment, Yan Xiangyu really wanted to bite down, but she restrained herself.

“I’ll wait for you to come back,” she said muffle-voiced, her tone carrying a hint of grievance and lingering attachment.

Shu Qiong hallucinated an animal waiting piteously for its owner to come home. Releasing the hug, she joked: “Are you acting spoiled?”

Yan Xiangyu’s eyes were dark. She pulled her gaze back from the distance, her expression softening into honesty: “Yes.”

“I’m off.” Shu Qiong put her hands in her pockets and turned toward the waiting driver.

“Miss.” The driver seemed to have been watching them the whole time and proactively opened the car door for Shu Qiong.

Shu Qiong nodded slightly. After entering the car, she waved at Yan Xiangyu, signaling her to go back.

“Miss, was that your classmate?” The driver returned to the driver’s seat. Their eyes met in the rearview mirror.

Shu Qiong didn’t answer that question at all: “I haven’t seen you before.”

This was natural, as she hadn’t returned to the Shu estate in years.

When the driver smiled, she revealed two slightly sharp canines. Combined with her darker skin, it gave her a touch of wild beauty. However, her tone and attitude were very submissive, answering whatever Shu Qiong asked: “It was three years ago; Sister Minmin recommended me to be the driver.”

Minmin—Shu Xuanmin, Shu Qiong’s cousin and her eldest aunt’s daughter. Shu Xuanmin usually had no presence; she was a quiet, reserved Beta, the type you wouldn’t notice in a crowd. Shu Qiong wasn’t close to her; they had barely spoken a word to each other.

The driver started the levitating car. After a smooth liftoff, the vehicle began to accelerate.

Shu Qiong asked casually, “So, what did you do before this?”

The driver replied, “I worked at a security company and served as a private bodyguard. Later, I ran into some trouble, offended a big shot, and lost my job. Fortunately, I met Sister Minmin. She thought my skills were good and had me come to the Shu family as a driver.”

The car reached a steady speed. The ride was very stable. She smiled and asked Shu Qiong, “Miss, are you satisfied with my driving?”

Shu Qiong watched the scenery flash by outside and still didn’t answer. Her long fingers tapped rhythmically against the window frame. After admiring the view for a while, she asked: “So, she sent you here to take me out?”

The steady car suddenly jolted, as if hit by a current of air that briefly broke the peaceful facade.

The driver’s smile remained unchanged, her warmth tinged with a perfect amount of alarm: “Miss, what are you saying? I was sent by the Master to bring you back to the old estate.”

Shu Qiong kept one hand in her pocket and asked, “What is my cousin’s name?”

“Shu Xuanmin.” The driver said the name without hesitation, then asked in confusion, “Miss, are you muddled?”

Shu Qiong stared at her back and continued, “What is my grandfather’s name?”

“…” The driver paused for several seconds.

Shu Qiong sneered, leaning back carelessly into the comfortable, spacious leather seat: “I can tell your concern for Shu Xuanmin far exceeds that of the old man.”

She found it curious. A driver supposedly sent by Grandfather Shu, yet every other sentence was about Shu Xuanmin?

“Miss doesn’t believe me?” The driver looked aggrieved, appearing utterly innocent.

“Your level is too low.” For some reason, Shu Qiong thought of Yan Xiangyu’s expression before she left. Both were faking grievance, but she fell much harder for Yan Xiangyu’s version.

Thinking of this, Shu Qiong lost interest in the scene before her. “I believe you. You said you worked in security and as a bodyguard; I believe all of it.”

The speed of the levitating car gradually slowed. Shu Qiong glanced out the window at an unfamiliar place.

“Stop acting. Be honest. Shu Xuanmin’s enemy isn’t me,” Shu Qiong said composedly.

“Apologies, Miss.” Now that the secret was out and they had reached the destination, there was no longer a need for the driver to perform. She stopped the car and retracted her smile. “Sister Minmin saved my life; I must follow her orders… I won’t hurt you. I just hope you can stay here for a few months.”

“Ho, so it really was Shu Xuanmin who sent you?” Shu Qiong tutted.

The driver’s body stiffened.

Shu Qiong was amazed: “I just had an inspiration and decided to bluff you.”

As for the inspiration… it was probably that anti-fraud skit Gu Tiantian and the others were rehearsing. Truly full of positive energy and educational value.

Shu Qiong looked at the small villa outside with a complex expression: “You even found me a detached little villa. The environment is quite nice.”

However, she knew very well that “staying for a few months” was likely a euphemism for house arrest. What was Shu Xuanmin doing? Grabbing family assets? Then why house-arrest her? She should be arresting the old man!

“I think Shu Xuanmin might have some misunderstandings about me.” Shu Qiong rubbed her temples with one hand. “Call her. I want to talk to her.”

The driver hesitated: “But…”

Before she could refuse, Shu Qiong suddenly pulled an extremely small switchblade from her pocket, her movement too fast to dodge. She pressed the blade directly against the driver’s neck, her tone devoid of emotion: “We’re all workers; I won’t make things hard for you, but that doesn’t mean I have a good temper and will let myself be slaughtered. Video call. Make it.”

The driver was startled. Shu Qiong pressed down hard on the woman’s shoulder; she could feel the muscles beneath the clothes instantly tighten like a beast ready to strike back.

“You’re a trained fighter.” Shu Qiong’s blade pressed closer against the skin of the neck, seemingly acknowledging the muscle strength.

The driver’s throat moved as she swallowed, not daring to move easily. She asked unwillingly, “How did you see through it? Were you suspecting me from the start…?”

The knife in Shu Qiong’s hand was as nimble as if it were a part of her own body, though her grip looked a bit like someone holding a screwdriver used to pry open a mech. The combination created a somewhat comical yet oppressive aura.

In truth, she hadn’t sensed a problem at all in the beginning. The first to suspect was Yan Xiangyu. Perhaps the sharp temperament couldn’t be suppressed by the faked diligence, or perhaps the walking posture was too light, revealing a flaw; Yan Xiangyu had identified her as a dangerous individual.

When they hugged, she had tucked her personal switchblade into Shu Qiong’s hand.

Shu Qiong sighed silently in her heart. Her own perceptiveness was still nowhere near Yan Xiangyu’s level.