Then Hold Me
Inside the private room, there was a faint smell of smoke and alcohol. The soundproofing was excellent, and being in a remote corner, it was relatively quiet.
Everyone else had been called away, leaving only Cheng Jiqing and Zeng Lu.
“If you don’t plan on talking, then let’s just forget it. Don’t waste each other’s time.” Cheng Jiqing didn’t take the glass Zeng Lu offered. Instead, she bent down and opened a bottle of Wusu1 from the table herself.
Zeng Lu: “Little President Cheng, it seems you’ve really had a change of heart. When you used to hang out with me, you never said such hurtful things.”
Leaning sideways, she rested her hand on Cheng Jiqing’s shoulder, the red tube top frequently in danger of slipping down.
She was wearing the kind of perfume that Alphas liked most.
Cheng Jiqing shifted away. “I also never realized before how good you are at pretending.”
Zeng Lu paused. “What kind of talk is that?”
Cheng Jiqing looked at her intently, asking word by word, “Did I really take that drug myself that day?”
Seeing Zeng Lu’s expression change slightly, Cheng Jiqing sneered. “You thought getting me drunk and creating some chaotic memories for me would make everything okay2, didn’t you?”
Because of the interference from the known novel plot, plus seeing the chat logs between the original host and Zeng Lu, she had subconsciously assumed the matter of the induction agent was the original host’s fault.
And that Zeng Lu was merely the instigator3, the provider, the helper.
But that night, besides dreaming that Miss Bai turned into a kitten, she had another dream.
To be precise, it wasn’t a dream, but fragments of the original host’s memory.
That day, the original host had indeed gone to find Zeng Lu, initially captivated by the drug’s effects Zeng Lu had described.
But once she got there, she lost interest. Zeng Lu dragged her into drinking, and the two got completely plastered4, though in reality, only the original host was truly drunk.
While her consciousness was weak, Zeng Lu said she would help her get Qin Yufu, constantly repeating in the original host’s ear: “I listened to you, I already had someone contact Qin Yufu to go to the villa.”
“The drug you wanted me to give Qin Yufu—make sure you don’t tell your sister I gave it to you.”
Words like these were unconsciously etched into the original host’s mind.
And the drug the original host drank.
Cheng Jiqing seemed not to notice Zeng Lu’s nervousness, speaking slowly, “When I arrived, I clearly remember telling you I didn’t want that thing anymore. But after I got drunk, you still brought it out.”
“Same old tricks. You made me think I wanted the induction agent myself, and that I took it myself.”
In reality, Zeng Lu had given the induction agent to the original host without her knowledge.
Her aim was that even if trouble arose afterward, she wouldn’t bear the burden alone; she wanted the original host to believe it was all her own responsibility.
She had found it strange back at the Cheng family’s main house. The original host’s room—all the furnishings, clothes, including personal items—didn’t look as messy or disreputable as external descriptions painted her.
Zeng Lu’s face turned deathly pale. She absolutely couldn’t admit to something like this, yet she managed to maintain a seductive smile. “Little President Cheng, have you gone mad? It’s all in the past, why are you trying to shift the blame5 onto a little Omega like me?”
“It doesn’t matter whether you admit it or not.” Cheng Jiqing hadn’t expected Zeng Lu to confess anyway. She smiled. “I don’t have proof, and I don’t intend to pursue our past relationship. Besides, you only helped me because I liked Qin Yufu, so it was for my sake… But there’s one thing you have to tell me truthfully.”
Hearing this, Zeng Lu inwardly sighed with relief. Her red lips took a sip of red wine. “What is it? Could I possibly hide anything from you if you ask?”
“Since you were planning to drug Qin Yufu, then how the hell did the person in my bed turn into Bai Xin? An Omega would have been one thing, but drugging me and then throwing an Alpha at me?” Cheng Jiqing turned her head, narrowing her eyes. “Was it fun?”
Hearing this, a trace of anger appeared in Zeng Lu’s expression, even grinding her teeth. “Little President Cheng, you have to believe I genuinely wanted to help you get Qin Yufu. But I couldn’t just kidnap her, right? So I found a helper.”
“Bai Xingxing,” Cheng Jiqing stated.
Zeng Lu nodded. “Yeah, you guessed it? Bai Xingxing knows Qin Yufu, makes it easier to approach. Plus, she’s not a good person; she agreed as soon as I mentioned it. I just didn’t expect she’d actually go and drug Bai Xin. When I asked her about it later, that b%tch6 played dumb with me. Forget you, I’m itching7 with hatred too.”
Cheng Jiqing took a deep breath. Things were becoming clearer now.
But Bai Xingxing used such a vile thing on her own sister just because she didn’t get along with Bai Xin and suspected Bai Xin was an Omega?
How absurd.
“Little President Cheng, I know you’re angry, so am I… Actually, the reason I called you here today was also to help you vent.”
Cheng Jiqing didn’t understand Zeng Lu’s meaning yet.
Seeing Cheng Jiqing’s dark face remain silent, Zeng Lu continued, “I drank too much with you that day too. All I could think about was that you liked Qin Yufu and I wanted to help you.”
Zeng Lu was echoing Cheng Jiqing’s earlier words.
She avoided mentioning tricking her into taking the drug.
In the ABO world, induction agents could only be applied for under specific circumstances; private use was illegal.
Zeng Lu’s actions weren’t just drugging; they were pushing the original host into a pit of fire.
And Bai Xin, what wrong had she done?
Who was the person supplying Zeng Lu from behind the scenes? Since they were already at this point, might as well ask clearly.
Her expression softened. Seeing this, Zeng Lu tapped Cheng Jiqing’s glass with hers, smiling charmingly. “Who was that Omega that day, anyway?”
Disgust rose in Cheng Jiqing’s heart. “Don’t mention it. I don’t even know who it was myself. The person ran off before my sister came.”
This matched the rumors she had heard. Zeng Lu took a sip of wine. If just anyone would do, then why not her?
“Don’t be angry anymore. I promised to help you vent. Little President Cheng, how about a smile?” Zeng Lu tried to appease her.
Cheng Jiqing: “Fine. But I still have one more question.”
Zeng Lu softened her posture, her fingertips grazing Cheng Jiqing’s arm, her tube top dress brushing against the edge of the jeans. “Go ahead, ask.”
Cheng Jiqing caught a whiff of Omega pheromones.
An unfamiliar, rich jasmine scent.
The Omega was releasing it intentionally. Put plainly, Zeng Lu was trying to seduce her.
Cheng Jiqing remembered the first time she met Bai Xin; the room then also had a rich floral scent, but compared to this, it was—tens of thousands of times—more pleasant.
She frowned, placing the wine glass on the table, and this time pushed Zeng Lu away directly. “I want to know the source.”
Having been rejected multiple times and seeing the wine glass put down, the smile vanished from Zeng Lu’s face. “I only mentioned it once. Why are you so interested in this?”
“That drug really is quite good, but getting it from you is such a hassle. If I had the source, I wouldn’t have to go through this trouble,” Cheng Jiqing bluffed casually.
Zeng Lu listened. “Sorry, Little President Cheng, I really can’t tell you this.”
“Are you messing with me?”
“How is it messing with you? Who told you to ignore me lately and not come hang out? At most, I just tricked you a little8 so I could see you.” Zeng Lu crossed one leg over her knee. She picked up a cigarette from the table, then a lighter.
“Aiya, I really can’t say. If I did, I’d be finished.”
Since she put it that way, Cheng Jiqing couldn’t press further.
But Zeng Lu would definitely have to be dealt with later.
Has Bai Xin gone back yet? For some reason, this question popped into Cheng Jiqing’s mind.
She decided to leave and tell Bai Xin about today’s events.
She had started recording on her phone when she arrived; today’s conversation with Zeng Lu could serve as an explanation for Bai Xin.
But would Bai Xin believe her?
The smell of tobacco entered her nostrils. As Cheng Jiqing prepared to get up and leave, Zeng Lu’s voice came again, “I can’t tell you the source, but when I said I’d help you vent just now, I wasn’t kidding…”
Cheng Jiqing turned her head, her gaze questioning.
Zeng Lu smiled, lifted her chin, and blew smoke towards Cheng Jiqing. The hazy mist made Cheng Jiqing’s features seem even more captivating. “I think whether it’s Bai Xin or Bai Xingxing, you must hate them to the bone. I asked you here today precisely to let you watch a good show.”
Zeng Lu picked up her phone from the side, and an image immediately appeared on the room’s projector.
“Bai Xin, you’re nothing but a bastard9! Dad brought you back and you actually became my older sister? Fine, whatever, but now you think you can use your little bit of ability to snatch the company from me?”
Cheng Jiqing abruptly stood up. On the screen, Bai Xin was being held down on the floor, with Bai Xingxing standing right in front of her.
“Isn’t it interesting? I accidentally found out Bai Xingxing was planning to target Bai Xin again, actually suspecting Bai Xin is—ugh.”
Before she could finish, Cheng Jiqing grabbed her. “Where are they?”
“I want to see! If you’re an Omega, what else can you possibly get? The Bai family rules state that Omegas are not qualified to inherit.”
Cheng Jiqing listened to Bai Xingxing’s humiliation of Bai Xin.
Her mood plummeted.
It was no longer about fearing Bai Xin turning dark, nor about fearing being implicated herself.
It was simply because she heard the low groans Bai Xin made from the pain, heard Bai Xin’s normally cool voice now weak, barely able to communicate.
Cheng Jiqing tightened her grip. “I’ll ask one more time, where are they?!”
“What’s wrong with you? You don’t act like you hate her. Could the rumors be true? Are you really… Cheng Jiqing! Are you crazy? Raising a hand against me?!” Zeng Lu’s shoulder couldn’t withstand the Alpha’s strength; even just Cheng Jiqing’s imposing presence was enough to make her legs weak.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t look at the screen. Just hearing those sounds made her tremble uncontrollably with anger. She didn’t have time to interrogate Zeng Lu.
Her face turned cold. She released Zeng Lu, took out her phone from her pocket, and started walking out.
“What exactly do you mean? I’ve humbled myself to please you time and again. Little President Cheng, have I done anything to wrong you?” Zeng Lu stepped forward to grab her, pressing her hand over the phone to stop her from making a call.
The sounds from the screen continued. She heard Bai Xingxing giving Bai Xin a second injection.
She didn’t know what it was, but Bai Xin was in agony right now.
She might not make it if Cheng Jiqing had to search room by room.
Furious beyond measure, Cheng Jiqing kicked the woman to the ground. She crouched down, the pressure of a top-tier Alpha far beyond what a B-level Omega could bear.
Cheng Jiqing wasn’t yet skilled in using her Alpha pheromones; she was releasing them unconsciously.
“Tell me where they are, and our accounts are settled10.”
Zeng Lu trembled all over from the suppression, gritting her teeth. “I’ll talk…”
The next second after the words fell, a fierce look flashed in Zeng Lu’s eyes. Unseen, she had grabbed something and raised her hand to cover Cheng Jiqing’s mouth.
Cheng Jiqing’s mind was entirely focused on Bai Xin. Although she reacted extremely quickly, the cloth still grazed the tip of her nose.
She smelled a pungent odor.
Cheng Jiqing grabbed Zeng Lu’s hand in a reverse grip. With a crisp snap, Zeng Lu screamed in pain—her wrist was broken clean through. She didn’t know what was on the damp cloth, but she knew what ‘an eye for an eye’11 meant.
This was no time for tolerance. Her survival instincts made her press the damp cloth back onto Zeng Lu’s face.
Cheng Jiqing showed no mercy this time, her fingers still clamped down, her entire being radiating frost. “Last time. Where?”
Bai Xin’s shoulders were pinned firmly to the ground by the person behind her.
A second injection of Alpha pheromones was being administered into the vein on the back of her hand. Cold sweat dripped from her forehead due to the pain. Bai Xin’s face was deathly pale as she spat out hatefully, “So it really was you who drugged me that day.”
Bai Xingxing sneered. “So what if I admit it now? What can you do to me?”
“If I were an Omega, would Qin Yufu marry me? Have you got a brain?”
“Yufu never had relations with you, so naturally, she wouldn’t know what kind of thing you are,” Bai Xingxing said, arms crossed, looking down.
The concoction containing Alpha pheromones completely entered Bai Xin’s body through the vein. Only then did the person behind release her. Bai Xin collapsed weakly onto the floor.
Her voice was frail. “The reason?”
Bai Xingxing observed Bai Xin’s reaction. “I started suspecting you long ago. When you still lived at home, I went into your room and saw Omega suppressants in your locked drawer. Unfortunately, you hid it too well. Until you married Yufu, that time I went to the Qin family banquet, I overheard you two talking…”
Bai Xin remembered too.
That day she was casually chatting with Qin Yufu. A Qin family elder had urged her to have a child soon. During the chat, she had indeed said a few things she shouldn’t have.
Qin Yufu had joked at the time: “You have the baby then, you can give birth anyway.”
Bai Xingxing: “Although I don’t know how you tricked Yufu into helping you, how could a bastard like you possibly be worthy of her?”
“You really think highly of me. Turns out I’m such a good liar?”
“You’ve always been the type to put on an act. Dad can’t see it, but you think I can’t? You’ve really gone to great lengths to get the family fortune.”
Bai Xin’s body inherently rejected ordinary Alpha pheromones. Now, that unfamiliar scent filled the surroundings. The highly concentrated extracted pheromones, turned into liquid, were breaking down in her veins.
Like knives cutting through her skin, drilling into her organs.
“I’m afraid… I’ll have to disappoint you.” Bai Xin was already in too much pain to speak properly. She forced herself to endure. “Idiot.”
“Miss, this is already the second dose. If she were really an Omega, she wouldn’t have been able to hold out this long, she’d be leaking pheromones,” said the woman who had just injected Bai Xin.
Bai Xingxing frowned. Even an A-level Omega couldn’t possibly endure this long.
Unless she was S-level.
Even for an S-level, three doses should be enough.
“Isn’t there one more?” Bai Xingxing took the last dose from the woman’s hand, walked over to Bai Xin, and pressed down on her hand.
A trace of hesitation flickered across Bai Xingxing’s face. She didn’t think Bai Xin could be S-level. Even she herself was only a B-level Alpha; how could a bastard like Bai Xin possibly have that kind of rank?
Bai Xin laughed lowly. “Try it and see…”
That mocking laughter grated on Bai Xingxing’s nerves.
The third dose of Alpha pheromones was injected into Bai Xin’s vein—
Bang—
The door was suddenly kicked open.
After Zeng Lu gave the room number, Cheng Jiqing feared a trick and dragged her straight over. It was actually just one empty room away.
Bai Xin lay on the floor, her dark tea-colored long hair falling softly, her long skirt spread out. She trembled slightly from the pain.
Like an animal drenched in a rainy night, collapsed on the road, unable to escape even as danger approached.
This was the scene Cheng Jiqing saw when she kicked open the door.
She slapped Bai Xingxing to the ground with one blow. The other woman saw this and moved to block her. Cheng Jiqing grabbed the opponent’s arm and easily executed an over-the-shoulder throw.
The woman had some fighting skills and tried to counterattack, but in Cheng Jiqing’s eyes, she was utterly insignificant.
Two more kicks, each harder than the last.
She had used her Alpha pheromones moments ago and gained some understanding. Right now, releasing just a little could probably pin these people to the ground, immobile.
But Bai Xin was still here. She couldn’t do that.
Bai Xingxing clutched her rapidly swelling cheek. “Cheng Jiqing… You, you…”
She wanted to say something, but then saw Zeng Lu at the doorway, also groaning and clutching her hand, before falling silent after a few seconds, seemingly having fainted from the pain.
In the blink of an eye, the people she had brought were also completely incapacitated.
She panicked, unable to utter a single word.
Cheng Jiqing glanced at Bai Xingxing, her eyes colder than a deep winter night, tinged with ruthlessness.
Then she bent down to pick up Bai Xin. Too many emotions swirled in the Omega’s eyes for a moment; she couldn’t see clearly, only knowing that Bai Xin was in immense pain.
Her already snow-white face was now utterly devoid of color.
Cheng Jiqing looked into Bai Xin’s stunned eyes. “Bai Xin.”
She thought Bai Xin was genuinely frightened.
So she placed Bai Xin’s head on her shoulder, gently stroking her hair.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Bai Xin had never known that an embrace could actually generate warmth.
She was currently suffering from the unfamiliar Alpha pheromones, but Cheng Jiqing’s touch lessened the pain.
That “Don’t be afraid,” coming from Cheng Jiqing, felt so unreal.
Just like every encounter with Cheng Jiqing after the villa incident.
“How… did you get here?” Bai Xin’s voice was very weak, losing its usual coolness.
Cheng Jiqing summarized briefly: “Zeng Lu installed a camera. I saw the video.”
After speaking, she glanced at the flashing red light above.
Bai Xin shifted. Cheng Jiqing seemed to know what she wanted to ask and said, “Zeng Lu’s phone is with me, the video too. Don’t worry, none of them will get away.”
Cheng Jiqing wanted to help her up, but Bai Xin placed her palm on her arm. “I can walk.”
Cheng Jiqing knew she was worried about the crowd outside, that it wouldn’t be convenient.
She then noticed Bai Xin was wearing a slender gold watch today, making her skin look even fairer. Unfortunately, the puncture marks on the back of her hand were shockingly visible12.
The surrounding area was bruised purplish-blue. Her eyes stung at the sight.
Cheng Jiqing thought of something and suddenly asked in a low voice, “How many times did she stab you?”
Bai Xin was stunned for a moment at first, but seeing Cheng Jiqing’s expression, she answered, “Three times.”
“Oh. I only hit her once.”
Cheng Jiqing’s tone wasn’t as urgent as before; on the contrary, it was very light.
Hearing this, Bai Xin actually managed a smile despite the circumstances, amused by Cheng Jiqing. Dimples appeared on her cheeks, beautiful in a fragile and unique way.
“So, Little President Cheng, are you going to help me get her back two more times?”
“Why not?”13 The corners of Cheng Jiqing’s eyes lifted, revealing a hint of nonchalance. A fire had been burning in her stomach since earlier.
The real society she came from was very decent; incidents like those involving Zeng Lu and Bai Xingxing shocked her and felt insane.
As Cheng Jiqing finished speaking, her gaze instantly swept towards Bai Xingxing, who also heard her words. “You dare! Cheng Jiqing, if you touch me again…”
“Scared now?” Cheng Jiqing helped Bai Xin sit down on the sofa, then walked up to Bai Xingxing, expressionless. “Then you can have Bai Zhaoliang come find me and hit me back. Assuming he has the… ability.”
“Ah!”
The sound of two slaps echoed exceptionally loudly in the quiet private room.
Bai Xin supported herself on the sofa. Due to the pain, fine beads of sweat covered her face and neck. She didn’t look at Bai Xingxing; her gaze was fixed on Cheng Jiqing’s back.
She seemed slightly lost in thought, her mind elsewhere.
Forget two slaps; Bai Xingxing had felt dizzy and seen stars after the very first one.
After two more slaps, her face was already numb.
Cheng Jiqing looked down imperiously at the person beneath her, leveraging her absolute advantage. “Being bullied at will—do you understand how that feels now?”
“You…” Bai Xingxing had never suffered such humiliation. Tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes, yet she couldn’t utter half a sentence.
“What exactly gives you the guts to pull something like this? Oh, is it Bai Zhaoliang’s doting affection? Then let’s see if he can protect you from me this time.”
The image of Bai Xin being held down while getting injected was still fresh in her mind, leaving a heavy feeling in her chest.
Bai Xingxing lay crumpled on the floor, her mouth full of blood foam. She had never seen Cheng Jiqing like this before. No matter how arrogant the Cheng Jiqing of the past had been, she had never inspired this kind of fear in her.
Cheng Jiqing’s features were of the cool, older-sister type. She didn’t engage in shipping14 and often carried the title of the “abstinent cool beauty” movie queen. But she was actually quite good-tempered, widely acknowledged by both the entertainment industry and her fans, which was why she was so popular.
However, those who had truly interacted with her never harbored the thought that she was easy to bully.
Cheng Jiqing wasn’t one to hold grudges, and the times she did were few. But her methods of revenge could make people remember for a lifetime.
Unfortunately, these people didn’t know that.
Cheng Jiqing had just returned to Bai Xin’s side and was bending down to help her up.
Zeng Lu, who had fainted earlier, suddenly made strange noises, her breathing becoming rapid. Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin exchanged a look; they had both experienced this situation before.
“It’s that stuff from earlier.”
Cheng Jiqing narrowed her eyes, letting out a humorless laugh. “She actually wanted to use an induction agent on me again.”
Zeng Lu must have been pushed to desperation, resorting to such unscrupulous15 tactics right in front of her.
How dare these people?
Bai Xin observed Zeng Lu’s state, then heard Cheng Jiqing’s words. A dark shadow flickered across her weak expression.
“Her heat cycle is about to start,” Bai Xin lowered her head, pressing her forehead against Cheng Jiqing’s shoulder as if truly lacking strength. “Let’s get out of here.”
Her voice was very low, audible only to Cheng Jiqing.
By the time Cheng Jiqing nodded, Bai Xin had already endured the pain and straightened up.
Cheng Jiqing supported Bai Xin to the door. “This kind of incident can no longer be handled privately.”
She meant calling the police.
Or rather, the Special Management Office in the ABO world, which had broader jurisdiction than a regular police station and relatively more power.
Bai Xin looked back. “The fastest Special Management Office unit can get here in ten minutes.”
Cheng Jiqing nodded and took out her phone. Bai Xin: “Wait.”
She loosened her grip slightly, but without Cheng Jiqing’s support, she couldn’t stand steadily. “Hold onto me a bit.”
“I am holding on…” Cheng Jiqing retorted casually. “You were the one who suddenly let go first, Jiejie.”
It was quite an unintentional remark.
But hearing these two sentences in succession, it sounded slightly like a grievance to Bai Xin’s ears.
That ending Jiejie… Bai Xin’s lips, pale from pain, curved into a barely perceptible arc16.
Bai Xin’s fingers gripped Cheng Jiqing’s hand; she had slight fingernails.
Leaning on Cheng Jiqing, Bai Xin walked back into the room. Bai Xingxing was unsteadily preparing to leave. Zeng Lu was about to go into heat, and as a B-level Omega, once her pheromones were released, an Alpha of the same level like herself would easily become agitated.
She couldn’t stay any longer.
“What… what else do you want?” Bai Xingxing’s face was severely swollen, making her speech unclear. Her eyes were bloodshot, like a frightened rabbit.
Seeing them return, especially Cheng Jiqing’s face, she instinctively took a step back.
“You heard just now. Cheng Jiqing has the video. As long as she takes it to the authorities, even if you run now, you won’t evade capture for more than half an hour.”
Bai Xingxing: “Report it?! No, you can’t! Don’t report it! Little President Cheng, the Bai and Cheng families have a business relationship… President Cheng probably doesn’t want to blow things up either. I… I was momentarily confused.”
Cheng Jiqing smiled coldly. “Whether things blow up or not depends on whether Bai Zhaoliang chooses to protect you or the company this time.”
Bai Xingxing’s face turned white. She said urgently:
“Bai Xin, don’t you care about the family’s reputation anymore? Dad won’t forgive you either! Think carefully!”
Her anxiety made her image seem even more ridiculous and comical.
“Now you remember I’m part of the Bai family?” Bai Xin’s breathing was unsteady. She coughed. “Unfortunately, I don’t care one bit.”
“But, I can give you a chance.”
“What chance…?” Bai Xingxing asked suspiciously.
“If you can endure ten minutes without leaving this room, I can pretend nothing happened.”
“Ten minutes?! Are you crazy?” Bai Xingxing pointed at Zeng Lu, who was restlessly stirring on the floor. “She’s about to…”
“You can choose.”
LP: Chapter too long, second part next time!
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