What Should I Do If My Ex-Girlfriend's Pheromones Smell Too Good? - Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Confession

Shu Ci’s life story was no secret in the Alliance.

After the Battle of Bolton, she left the front lines due to a leg injury, but that didn’t mean she never piloted a mecha in combat again. Although she spent most of her later years in her workshop, since a significant portion of mecha materials came from the Zerg, Shu Ci would occasionally travel to war zones to collect rare, first-hand materials herself.

The Zerg species were incredibly vast and complex; humanity has yet to document them all. In the Alliance, students were raised with two essential books: the Dictionary and the Zerg Encyclopedia. The latter was updated far more frequently, with new pages added every year.

Because of a lack of data, materials from certain Zerg were often mishandled by coarse frontline soldiers. By the time the materials survived the long interstellar transport to the mecha masters, their performance was often severely compromised.

For this reason, Shu Ci went to the war zones several times a year. Usually, there were no accidents. Her escort squads were elites who could protect her even from high-order Zerg. Through this, Shu Ci collected numerous new materials, some of which triggered revolutions in mainstream mecha design.

But tragedy struck without warning.

Shu Ci always timed her visits for the cleanup phase after the military had mostly cleared the battlefield. Typically, no high-order Zerg remained—only scattered soldiers, making the risk low. That time, she was piloting her mecha as usual, scavenging for materials.

However, perhaps due to her old leg injury, her piloting suffered a severe lapse. This allowed a single Zerg soldier, which had been feigning death, to successfully ambush her. As a former veteran, she should have dodged it, but a sudden lag in her mecha’s movements caused her to take the hit. Her teammates reacted instantly and killed the Zerg, but she was already wounded.

Misfortunes piled up. That specific Zerg was a rare poisonous variant. Her cockpit had been pierced, and though the wound was small, her skin was splashed with the highly toxic secretions from the Zerg’s death. With a small swarm returning unexpectedly, her teammates fought through the encirclement to get her out. But the toxin acted too quickly. By the time they cleared the field, the window for rescue had closed. It was irreversible.

At the time, there were many witnesses. Logically, every step of the incident was accounted for. But based on what Qi Yuan just implied, there was clearly a hidden truth behind Shu Ci’s death.

Shu Qiong’s heart sank. Over the years, she had accepted that her mother sacrificed herself for her career and the future of the Alliance. She could not accept that her mother died because of the dirty, underhanded schemes of some cowardly “rats.”

Those parasites hiding behind the scenes weren’t even fit to be stepped on by Shu Ci. By what right did they get to live in luxury and peace now? By what right? Simply because others were shedding blood on the front lines to protect their homes?

Shu Qiong lowered her head, looking at the tips of her shoes. The streetlights cast her face into deep shadow. Her fists clenched until her knuckles turned white. Watching Shu Qiong look like a volcano on the verge of eruption, Qi Yuan wasn’t sure if telling her this had been a good thing or a bad thing. She looked at Yan Xiangyu, who gave her a silent shake of the head.

After an unknown amount of time, a hand grasped Shu Qiong’s fist.

“The matter has reached a substantive breakthrough. We will dig out the whole truth,” Yan Xiangyu’s voice was soft but firm. “I promise.”

Shu Qiong exhaled deeply and finally lifted her face, her eyes rimmed with red. With great patience, Yan Xiangyu pried open the clenched fist; Shu Qiong’s palm was marked with crescent-shaped indentations from her own nails.

Yan Xiangyu frowned slightly and held the hand in hers. “You aren’t alone, Xiao Qiong.”

Tonight was destined to be a restless one. The Elk Winery remained brightly lit as everyone worked through the night. Since the pocket pistol had been handed over to the expert, Shu Qiong and Yan Xiangyu had no reason to stay.

It was late when they returned to the Shu residence, but Grandmother Zhang Mingzhi was still awake.

“Xiao Qiong is back?” Zhang Mingzhi rubbed her temples and walked down the stairs. Shu Qiong was about to lead Yan Xiangyu to her room, but her steps faltered.

Zhang Mingzhi gave Yan Xiangyu a subtle look, eventually just nodding. She turned to Shu Qiong. “Xiao Qiong, I’ve thought about something for a long time, and I’ve decided to tell you.”

Shu Qiong’s expression turned serious as she waited. Yan Xiangyu, sensing the situation, gave Shu Qiong a smile. “I’ll head to the room first. You talk with Grandmother.”

Left alone with her grandmother on the ground floor, Shu Qiong followed her to the sofa. They hadn’t been alone like this in a long time.

“A lot has happened lately. Minmin is the most suitable of the younger generation to take over the family business. Your eldest aunt and I are happy with how things are turning out. But what about you, Xiao Qiong? Is there anything you want?”

“I understand in my heart that the Shu family has wronged both you and your mother. If you have any grievances, you must tell me.” Zhang Mingzhi took Shu Qiong’s hand, speaking as an intimate elder.

Shu Qiong understood her immediately. “Grandmother, you know my mother and I aren’t cut out for business. My heart isn’t in it. Cousin has the ability and the ambition; she deserves what she has now. As for anything else, I lack for nothing.”

She wasn’t a materialistic person. Given her path, she would graduate from the Military University and make a name for herself in the military. She had enough confidence to earn everything she wanted.

Zhang Mingzhi smiled with relief. “I know you’ve been a sensible child with your own ideas since you were little. I’m at ease with whatever choices you and Minmin make… only one thing, Xiao Qiong. You mustn’t think Minmin is cold-blooded or heartless because of recent events.”

Shu Qiong shook her head. “Are you talking about what she did to my cousin? I won’t think poorly of her for that.” In fact, if Qi Yuan’s words were true, she felt Shu Xuanhe hadn’t been punished enough.

Zhang Mingzhi patted the back of her hand, her tone sounding like it was trapped in a faded past. “Actually, Shu Xuanhe is not Minmin’s biological brother.”

“What?” Shu Qiong’s eyes widened. Was he adopted? No, he looked exactly like Shu Mufeng.

Zhang Mingzhi looked at her without extra emotion. “Biologically, he is your young uncle—an illegitimate son Mufeng brought back. Are you wondering why he was placed under Shu Wen’s name?”

“His biological mother died during childbirth. Mufeng brought the child home as soon as he was full-term. He wanted me to raise him, but I refused.”

At the time, Zhang Mingzhi had two daughters: Shu Wen, who was newly married and childless, and Shu Ci, who was still a young student. Having illegitimate children wasn’t rare in their circles, but if the primary wife raised one, she would be mocked. Moreover, how could she explain him to her daughters? His existence would inevitably squeeze their future and survival space.

Zhang Mingzhi stood her ground. Seeing her resolve, Shu Mufeng eventually turned his target toward Shu Wen. Shu Wen and her husband had moved out after marriage, but their company faced constant setbacks. When it was on the brink of bankruptcy, Shu Mufeng used it to blackmail his eldest daughter, forcing her to raise his illegitimate son as her own.

Shu Wen and her husband were forced to accept. Their company was acquired by the Shu Group, and they moved back into the Shu residence. Since then, Shu Xuanhe grew up as the eldest grandson of the Shu family.

No one knew the details except those involved—even Shu Ci was kept in the dark. Zhang Mingzhi knew her younger daughter had a short fuse and feared she would lose in a confrontation with Shu Mufeng, so she never told her.

Now, the power structure had flipped. Shu Mufeng was an old dog no one cared about. Shu Xuanhe, the thorn that had been stuck in the hearts of three generations of women—Zhang Mingzhi, Shu Wen, and Shu Xuanmin—could finally be pulled out.

Grandmother decided to reveal all this because she feared Shu Qiong would resent Shu Xuanmin or think her cousin was the same type of person as their grandfather.

As for Shu Qiong herself… anger, shock, realization… none of that came. Instead, she felt like a “crow’s mouth” (a jinx). She had joked to Su Chen about Shu Mufeng having illegitimate children, and here it was.

Not knowing what else to say, she sighed and reassured her grandmother that she had no issues with her cousin.

Seeing her exhaustion, Zhang Mingzhi gave a few words of advice about her health and let her go. But before she reached the stairs, the elder called out: “Xiao Qiong, about your…”

Shu Qiong turned back, confused.

Zhang Mingzhi said awkwardly, “That Xiao Yan… she’s your… girlfriend, right?”

Shu Qiong nearly tripped on the stairs, grabbing the railing just in time. “Grandmother, you… you…”

Zhang Mingzhi laughed. “Why so nervous? Did you think I wouldn’t approve?”

Hearing this, Shu Qiong realized it was fine. she leaned in and gave an ingratiating smile. “How could that be? Grandmother is so open-minded!”

Zhang Mingzhi shook her head with a laugh. “I just have one thing to remind you: be safe.”

Shu Qiong’s face stiffened.

Zhang Mingzhi added subtly, “You two shared a room last night, didn’t you? You’re both young; it’s normal to lose control and want to do things. Even if it’s the same gender, you should still take precautions… Xiao Qiong, I noticed the gland on the back of your neck is a bit scarred.”

Shit!

Shu Qiong’s face burned. She wanted to sink into the floor. She instinctively touched the back of her neck and blurted out: “Maybe a mosquito bit me last night and… and I scratched it open…” With that, she fled without looking back.

Back in the room, she slammed the door shut. Yan Xiangyu was already finished washing up, leaning against the headboard in that “illegal” silk nightgown, quietly flipping through a picture book Shu Qiong had read as a child. Hearing the noise, she looked up to see Shu Qiong rushing into the bathroom.

Yan Xiangyu paused, set the book face down, and followed her. “What’s wrong? Why the rush?”

Shu Qiong stood before the mirror, struggling to angle the light at her neck. After a long moment, she finally saw it: a faint tooth mark, perfectly branded right below her gland. She had no memory of when this mark appeared.

“…”

Yan Xiangyu saw this as soon as she reached the door. Her steps didn’t falter; she simply made a smooth turn to leave.

“Wait right there.” Shu Qiong grabbed her, pointing an accusing finger at her own neck. “When did you bite me?”

Yan Xiangyu walked closer, inspecting her handiwork. Finally, she said, “Last night while you were sleeping.” She had been very restrained, not even using force—just a faint mark without releasing pheromones. It looked like it would fade in two days.

Seeing her “I’ll do it again next time” expression, Shu Qiong was helpless. “Couldn’t you have told me?”

“I actually did tell you at the time.” Yan Xiangyu pursed her lips and looked away. “You gave silent consent.”

…Great “silent consent.”

Shu Qiong slapped away the hand that was starting to move again. “That wasn’t consent! That was a deep sleep!”

“Mhm.” Yan Xiangyu nodded obediently, wrapping her arms around Shu Qiong’s waist from behind and pressing against her. They looked into the mirror together. Yan Xiangyu’s chin rested on Shu Qiong’s shoulder, her hair tickling Shu Qiong’s neck.

In this embrace, Shu Qiong told her about the conversation with Zhang Mingzhi. Yan Xiangyu tightened her hold, her warm breath hitting the side of Shu Qiong’s neck as she responded.

It tickled too much, so Shu Qiong twisted around to face her. She pinched Yan Xiangyu’s lips shut. “Grandmother guessed our relationship.”

Yan Xiangyu stared at her, unable to speak.

Shu Qiong continued, “Well, I suppose it wasn’t that hard to guess. Wouldn’t you say, Student Yan?”

Student Yan wanted to say “Yes,” but she couldn’t.

Shu Qiong changed the pinch to a flat palm over her mouth and leaned in, their foreheads touching as they felt each other’s warmth. Yan Xiangyu’s breath brushed against Shu Qiong’s palm. Shu Qiong leaned in closer and kissed the back of her own hand where it covered the other’s lips.

Yan Xiangyu watched her without blinking, her dark eyes deepening. Shu Qiong stood on her tiptoes and kissed the tip of Yan Xiangyu’s nose, then moved up to kiss the space between her eyebrows.

“When this is all over, take me home,” Shu Qiong said, looking away from her palm, sounding a bit unnatural. “I want to see how beautiful the place where you grew up is.”

Yan Xiangyu’s voice was husky as she lowered her lashes. “Okay. We’ll go together.”