A Stand-in Alpha Awakens - Chapter 37

Sending her away was out of the question—she simply couldn’t be sent away. If it were possible, Su Mengrui would never have let Bai Yue block her path in the first place.

Furthermore, she had sneaked back today and didn’t dare let the Old Matron find out, so she hadn’t even dared to call the people she usually relied on.

Facing Bai Yue alone now, the rage that had burned in her for half the afternoon vanished by more than half, replaced by a surge of resentment. “What are you doing here?”

Bai Yue watched her with her hands behind her back, a gentle smile on her face, though her curved eyes were full of mockery. “I’m here to eat.”

“Eat? Eating at a hospital?” Su Mengrui stared at her in shock. Realizing she was being played, she turned her head and muttered a curse.

Bai Yue knew her foul mouth and stepped sideways to block her path directly. “What about you? Couldn’t handle military training and got yourself sent to the clinic?”

“You’re the one…” Su Mengrui instinctively tried to snap back, but realizing she had no logical explanation, she stiffened her neck like a goose and swallowed the mockery. “What’s it to you?”

“How is it not my business? As the saying goes, ‘an eldest sister is like a mother.’ Is it not normal for me to care when I run into my little sister at a hospital?” Bai Yue said, pulling out the phone she had hurriedly stuffed into her back pocket. “Or rather, do you need care from your real mother?”

Su Mengrui froze at the threat. She spoke up anxiously: “Bai Yue!”

“Call me Big Sister.” Bai Yue ignored her threat and continued, “I understand if you’re too embarrassed to say. I’ll help you notify her. Auntie dotes on you so much; she’ll definitely show you plenty of ‘care’.”

“Bai Yue! You’re just looking for trouble! Who asked you to meddle in my business!” Su Mengrui couldn’t see what Bai Yue was doing on her phone. Fearing the Old Matron’s warnings, she lunged forward to grab it.

Bai Yue was slightly taller than Su Mengrui and had much sharper reflexes due to her year-round training. Seeing her lunge out of the corner of her eye, she hid the phone behind her back and used her other hand to block the advance firmly.

Omegas, limited by nature, cannot compete with Alphas in raw strength, so the self-defense techniques they learn focus on speed and precision. When used correctly, that precision can be quite devastating.

Su Mengrui hissed in pain and backed away, her eyes moistening and turning red. Since she was a child, she had always been extremely sensitive to pain.

Bai Yue looked at this cousin who couldn’t even handle a light touch and said with feigned concern, “Are you okay? Did I hurt you? Oh dear, I’m so sorry, I’m just used to it. Why did you have to rush at me like that?”

Su Mengrui clutched her chest and blinked rapidly, suppressing the dull ache that wouldn’t dissipate. “What do you mean? You hit me and then want to say I deserved it?”

“I didn’t say that,” Bai Yue shook her head.

Su Mengrui accused her angrily: “That’s exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Oh? You’re going to police my thoughts too?” Bai Yue watched Su Mengrui, who was hopping mad while giving off wave after wave of “Green Tea” scented pheromones. She deliberately chose not to hide her own inner thoughts.

She didn’t know why Su Mengrui had suddenly rushed back, but she could tell Su Mengrui was definitely up to no good. The materials she got last time said Jiang Lu hadn’t gone through her rut yet, but looking at her age, it was likely coming soon. No. 1 High finished school at noon, and Jiang Lu arrived at the hospital in the afternoon, unable to even wait until tomorrow, and went straight to the gland clinic.

Bai Yue couldn’t help but think in that direction.

Anything concerning the scent glands is a major issue, especially during a special period. Although she was an Omega and didn’t know the specific symptoms for an Alpha, she understood its importance. Jiang Lu was a good girl; Su Mengrui shouldn’t have reached her filthy hands toward her in the first place, and she certainly couldn’t let her “sister” do something terrible to her now.

Su Mengrui was not going up to the eighth floor this afternoon.

Sensing that thick pheromone trail tinged with bitterness, Bai Yue tore off the suppressant patch she had just put on, letting her own scent—cool mint with a hint of green grass—diffuse into the surroundings.

Since they were both Omegas, if she wanted to play this game, who was afraid of whom?

Jiang Lu’s strength was slowly returning, though her limbs still felt too heavy to lift. She managed to turn her neck and open her eyes, which were stinging and tearing up uncontrollably. Intending to comfort Jiang Wen, she saw Assistant Ji crouching beside her instead. Her tear-filled eyes widened slightly.

The assistant saw her confusion and leaned in to whisper, “The Alpha pheromones here are too strong. President Jiang is waiting in the corridor.”

Using a soft tissue to dab away the tears around her eyes, Jiang Lu closed them again and breathed gently. The doctor looked a bit tired from releasing soothing pheromones and was leaning back in his office chair. “It’ll be soon. Once you can lift your hands, your legs will follow. Sleep early tonight; getting enough sleep will help you recover faster. When you wake up tomorrow morning, don’t rush out of bed; stay under the covers for a bit before getting up.”

Jiang Lu couldn’t speak, but the assistant nodded repeatedly in response.

The doctor’s throat felt dry. He spun his chair to grab a thermos from the corner of his desk. “Oh, right. Try not to shower tonight. If you must, just do a simple sponge bath. Wait until at least tomorrow noon for a soak. Remember to use the waterproof bandages in your waist pack.”

“Alright, Doctor. We’ll be careful,” the assistant said, standing up and pulling something from her bag to hand over.

Jiang Lu couldn’t see it, but she heard a rustling sound. She could guess what it was and went back to trying to move her fingers. Then her wrists, elbows, arms, feet, and legs.

Time slipped by as she focused. By the time a knock sounded at the door, Jiang Lu was already sitting up and putting on her shirt with Assistant Ji’s help. Jiang Wen didn’t dare enter directly, asking through a crack in the door: “Lulu, how are you feeling?”

Jiang Lu nodded. The assistant helped her over to a soft sofa against the wall. Most of the scent in the clinic had dissipated, and the remaining soothing pheromones were fading fast. Sensing no threat, Jiang Wen pushed the door open and held her daughter’s hand. “Do you need to stay for observation? I asked just now, and there are VIP rooms available.”

Jiang Lu squeezed her mother’s hand and said softly, “No, let’s go home. I miss my big bed.”

Jiang Wen didn’t insist. Seeing there were ten minutes left on her phone timer, she sat quietly on the sofa with her daughter. The doctor’s estimate was perfect. When the thirty-minute countdown ended, Jiang Lu looked no different than before the injection, aside from being a bit pale.

“Mom, I’m fine.” In the corridor, Jiang Lu gently pushed away Jiang Wen’s hand and hooked her arm around her mother’s instead.

Assistant Ji followed a step or two behind. Seeing both elevators were on the first floor, she hurried ahead. Jiang Lu’s glands still hurt, so she didn’t dare move too much. Jiang Wen didn’t dare pull her, letting herself be led.

The elevator arrived quickly. The meticulous assistant immediately identified where the air vent was and shielded Jiang Lu in a spot where the cool air wouldn’t hit her. But for some reason, there was a faint fragrance in the elevator, like green grass and mint.

Jiang Wen was the most sensitive. She sniffed and realized it was residual Omega pheromones. Worried it might affect Jiang Lu, she pressed her right palm against her daughter’s, following the doctor’s orders to release soothing pheromones bit by bit. At the same time, she used her own scent to quietly mask the unclaimed pheromones.

However, the medication in Jiang Lu’s system had already taken effect. She didn’t notice anything strange; it wasn’t until they were in the car that she realized Jiang Wen had been releasing soothing pheromones.

Leaning against the back seat, the Alpha girl’s pale lips were regaining some color, but she still looked heartbreaking. Jiang Wen felt a pang of guilt. During her first year back at the company, she had struggled to balance work and her own grief, often coming home with a short temper and breaking down because Jiang Lu wasn’t “sensible” enough. Now that her daughter was truly growing up, she couldn’t help but feel sad.

Jiang Lu, her senses dulled, didn’t notice her mother’s mood. She dazed out the window for a while until her phone screen lit up. Unlocking it, she saw two notifications at the top of her recent contacts. Messages from Bai Yue and Liang Shuang had arrived almost simultaneously.

Bai Yue’s was at the top: Oh! Is there a lot of homework?

Second message: My phone died and shut off. Just plugged it in.

Followed by a grinning cat emoji.

Jiang Lu looked at the cute picture, her lips curving. She typed back: Not too much. Can finish tomorrow.

Bai Yue replied instantly: That’s good. Want to hang out the day after?

Jiang Lu stared at those last five words, her throat tightening and then itching. She covered her mouth and turned aside to cough. Jiang Wen turned back in surprise, unscrewing a water bottle to hand it over. “Why a sudden cough?”

“It’s nothing.” Jiang Lu waved her off, using the water to soothe her throat. Whether she suppressed it or washed it down, her chest felt a bit itchy too. Her phone vibrated again. She put down the water bottle to reply, and when the screen lit up, there was a message from Bai Yue: It’s a deal.

“?” Jiang Lu clicked in confusedly, only to see the previous message was a “Yes” gif sent from her own account. Had her hand slipped while she was coughing?

Jiang Lu: “…”

Fine. She was about to be a mature Alpha in her rut; she should pay for her own mistakes. Jiang Lu’s face felt warm as she exited the chat and opened the unread messages from Super Spicy Potato Pancake (Liang Shuang).

SSPP: Found a hidden gem butter hotpot place. Want to try tonight?

SSPP: Bring Auntie Jiang along! Their mushroom pot is highly rated too!

SSPP: ???

SSPP: Where are you? Grinding problems without me?

Jiang Lu: “…”

Jiang Lu typed: No. Am I that untrustworthy?

SSPP: okk

SSPP: What are you doing? What’s the plan for dinner? Going together?

SSPP: I seriously can’t stand the health food at my house.

Jiang Lu typed quickly, then remembered she also had to eat health food for the next two days. She cleared it and retyped: Not going. Eating health food at home. If you want, you can come try our family’s health food.

SSPP replied with a giant black question mark.

Jiang Lu: Maybe after trying ours, you’ll realize yours actually tastes good.

SSPP: No thanks. [Smile]

Jiang Lu had eaten at the Liang house long ago; she couldn’t remember the taste, but she remembered the atmosphere—lively and cozy, a warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time. But now she was used to the feeling of it just being her and Jiang Wen.

Back home, the helper was busy in the kitchen. It wasn’t dinner time yet. Jiang Lu couldn’t stand the stickiness on her body, so she took the waterproof bandages upstairs to wash and change. The warm towel wiped away the lingering strawberry sweetness and the sharp alcohol scent. The Alpha girl stretched out her limbs and put on soft loungewear.

By the time she returned downstairs, dinner was served. Jiang Wen’s emotions had fluctuated frequently this afternoon, so she didn’t work late. After urging Jiang Lu to go rest, she turned off the living room lights.

In the bedroom with the nightlight on, the clock on the nightstand gave off a faint glow: 20:32. Jiang Lu curled up in her soft duvet, exhausted. When the doctor said to sleep early, she was worried that 9:00 PM would be too early since she usually slept around 9:40 PM. To her surprise, she lost consciousness within minutes of closing her eyes.

When she woke up again, the phone on the nightstand was vibrating non-stop. Jiang Lu opened one eye, grabbed the phone, saw the caller and the time, and sat bolt upright to answer.

Liang Shuang’s voice came through: “I’m heading out. Should be there in about ten minutes.”

“Okay.” Fearing Liang Shuang would hear something off in her voice, Jiang Lu hung up immediately. She got out of bed to wash up and then went downstairs to eat. As she finished the last spoonful of yogurt, the doorbell rang. Jiang Lu quickly put the bowl and spoon in the dishwasher. Jiang Wen had left not long ago, saying she had to go to the office and then a charity event; she wouldn’t be back until dinner at the earliest.

Liang Shuang was a bit disappointed not to see her “Beautiful Auntie.” “What a shame. I should have come half an hour earlier.”

Jiang Lu pursed her lips and said nothing, leading her upstairs while thinking to herself: If it’s such a shame, why didn’t you come before?

In the familiar room, Liang Shuang walked through the bedroom into the study and set all her supplies on the long central table. The study wasn’t big, but the shelves were packed. The table was tidy, with a laptop on the right, a red tomato timer exactly like the one downstairs, and a pen holder full of gel pens.

The two sat opposite each other, taking up only a quarter of the table. “So? Old rules?” Liang Shuang asked, spinning her pen.

Jiang Lu stacked the remaining test papers. “Sure.” They liked to cross-train different subjects to keep from getting bored and increase efficiency. A three-hour countdown; they’d finish at noon just in time for lunch.

Jiang Lu was slightly faster than Liang Shuang. When the timer went off, she had just turned the fifth page. Liang Shuang had two problems left. She finished the one she was on and put down her pen. “You’re faster again.”

“Mhm,” Jiang Lu smiled. “A bet is a bet. I’ll treat you to lunch. What do you want?”

Liang Shuang laughed. “You remember wrong. The loser treats. What do you want? I’ll treat you.”

Jiang Lu looked at Liang Shuang, who loved heavy flavors, and shook her head. “Are you sure? I have to watch my diet today; there are lots of things I can’t eat!”

“?” Liang Shuang froze. “What do you mean?”

Jiang Lu: “My rut is coming. I went to the hospital for intervention yesterday. I can’t eat anything spicy or irritating all day today.”

Liang Shuang realized, “No wonder you told me last night you were eating health food.”

Jiang Lu nodded.

“Health food… there aren’t many authentic places outside.” Liang Shuang hadn’t gone through her rut yet and had no experience. She thought for a bit. “Hey? My mom said Shao Shuyi’s family restaurant has some ‘fat-loss’ meals that are very healthy. Want to go there for lunch today?”

“Sure.” Jiang Lu had no objections. After all, making a “Super Spicy Potato Pancake” like Liang Shuang eat oil-free and salt-free health food at home would be too cruel. Going out would at least let her order something tasty for herself.

With the plan settled, Jiang Lu had Auntie Liu drive them. Liang Shuang watched the distance on the navigation decrease and asked, “How did you know your rut was coming? Besides what’s in the books, were there any specific signs?”

“Specific?” Jiang Lu recalled the physical changes. She wasn’t sure if they were purely biological or influenced by the “novel” she’d seen, so she didn’t dare answer lightly. “Not really.”

Liang Shuang’s disappointment was visible. “Oh—”

“Are you feeling something?”

Liang Shuang looked melancholy. “I don’t know if it counts. I’ve been a bit ‘restless’ lately.”

Jiang Lu grew interested. “How so?”

Liang Shuang said with a straight face, “Every time I see Chu Zishan, I start itching all over. Especially my hands.”

Jiang Lu was confused. “Huh? What kind of itching?”

“I want to hit her. Like, pin her to the ground and give her a thrashing,” Liang Shuang answered seriously.

Jiang Lu: “…” That is restless, but it probably has nothing to do with a rut.

Mentioning Chu Zishan, the “Mrs. Chu” Jiang Lu saw at the hospital yesterday surfaced in her mind. Combining the harassment messages Su Mengrui sent last week, she guessed it was likely about Chu Ziyan. Something that required discretion, helped stabilize Ziyan’s emotions and pheromones, and made Su Mengrui panic—it had to be something significant.

The doctor had rambled on yesterday before and after her injections. She had treated it as trivia then, but thinking about it now, it was easy to connect the dots. For instance, her medication had to be precisely calculated; too little wouldn’t work, and too much would affect her future perception of Omega pheromones. With medical technology advancing so fast, she had reason to suspect the Chu family might be considering giving up the alliance with Su Mengrui. Otherwise, Su Mengrui wouldn’t be so desperate.

It was surprising that Su Mengrui hadn’t found her yesterday. If her “eyes” followed her all the way to the hospital, there was no reason to be blocked so easily. Unless the person following her only followed halfway, or they ran into her by accident… It couldn’t be that her prayer before the needles actually worked, could it?

Jiang Lu pursed her lips and looked out the window. Her slightly furrowed brow made her look cold and cool.

Click. Then another click.

Liang Shuang held her phone up to Jiang Lu’s face. “Look. My photography skills are actually decent sometimes, right?”

Jiang Lu looked at her profile on the screen, opened her mouth, and nodded in defeat. “Yes. You’ve connected to the signal.”

Liang Shuang looked very satisfied. “Should I post it on my Moment?”

“No—” Remembering Liang Shuang had even fewer friends than she did, Jiang Lu changed her mind. “Sure. Post it.”

Liang Shuang paired the two photos—which were held up purely by visual appeal—with a smiley face and shared them. Shao Shuyi was the first to like and comment. When Jiang Lu checked the Moment, there was a GIF of a penguin spinning in the comments.

Just as she was about to ask what the GIF meant, her phone and Liang Shuang’s vibrated almost simultaneously. They looked at each other and returned to their chats. A text message appeared on both screens.

— Where are you guys playing? Take me with you, okay?

Liang Shuang’s lip twitched. She hit the voice record: “How about we go play at your house?”

Jiang Lu chuckled and typed back: How about we take you to do homework together this afternoon?

Shao Shuyi, lying in the rest area of her family’s restaurant, jumped off the sofa. She excitedly created a three-person group and immediately sent a video call invitation.