After the susceptibility suppressant was fully injected, Ning Manqing leaned against Li Chu, frowning. Her complexion worsened, but her pheromones, though somewhat unwillingly, subsided and retreated.
Li Chu clearly sensed the emotions conveyed by Ning Manqing’s pheromones and found it amusing. These pheromones represented Ning Manqing’s instinctive feelings, revealing a rarely seen childish side.
Ning Manqing was taller, and her weight was noticeable as she leaned. Li Chu’s hand remained clasped in hers, waiting for her to fully regain consciousness.
Ji Yun and the chief cameraman, smelling the alpha pheromones gradually fading in the air, relaxed.
Seeing the situation under control, the chief cameraman waved to Ji Yun. “I’ll be going then.”
Ji Yun replied, “Alright, you go ahead. About tonight…”
The chief cameraman assured him, “You don’t trust me? I know what happened. I won’t breathe a word.”
Qian Duoduo, overhearing their conversation, sighed in relief and collapsed onto a nearby chair. Exchanging glances with Li Si, both felt a wave of relief wash over them.
The scent of cloud mist tea slowly dissipated, and Ning Manqing’s rationality gradually returned. She immediately straightened up, filled with chagrin.
“Are you alright?” Ning Manqing hadn’t expected to lose control so suddenly. Her susceptible period had come on strong, and she remembered her attempt to force out Li Chu’s pheromones.
Her body still ached, craving the soothing scent of the omega in front of her. Ning Manqing suppressed the urge with all her might. This setting was definitely not suitable for intimacy. Thankfully, Li Chu had held firm and hadn’t done anything.
“I’m fine,” Li Chu shook her head, feeling the cold sweat in Ning Manqing’s palm. Her voice softened as she continued, “Teacher Ning, you were very cooperative just now. I was surprised, but then again, it’s you.”
“Thanks to you.” Ning Manqing lowered her eyes, hiding the complex emotions within.
In truth, she had lost her reason. She hadn’t heard what Li Chu was saying, but acting on instinct, she had sensed Li Chu’s refusal and, unconsciously, restrained herself.
That feeling… was strange. As if, without her knowing, she had already been tamed. It was as if her instincts, rather than her reason, had already yielded to Li Chu. But the feeling wasn’t bad.
“Let go of her now that you’re sober.” Ji Yun’s sudden shout startled Li Chu, and she quickly released Ning Manqing’s hand.
“Sis, are you okay?” Qian Duoduo immediately rushed over, pulling Li Chu five steps away to check if she was unharmed. “Are you feeling unwell? Do we need to go to the hospital?”
Although there were no visible injuries, what if her glands or pheromones had been affected?
“I’m fine, really.” Li Chu was perfectly alright, so much so that she could perform a hurdle jump for Qian Duoduo right then and there.
“Right, don’t tell Brother Nan about this. I don’t want him to worry needlessly.” Li Chu knew that assistants usually reported such matters to Tang Congnan, but she felt it unnecessary; it would only make him overthink.
Although there was indeed something going on between her and Teacher Ning, it was a secret she wouldn’t share even with her assistant, let alone her agent.
“Understood. Then, Sis, let’s go.” Qian Duoduo’s boss was Li Chu, and if Li Chu said so, she would follow her instructions.
“Director Ji, Teacher Ning, I’ll be leaving now.” Li Chu didn’t intend to linger under these circumstances. With Ji Yun and their assistants still present, they couldn’t leave together.
“Alright, go on. Go back and rest. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital early,” Ji Yun waved them off, then turned to tease Ning Manqing. “Lao Ning, you’re not up to par. Acting like a youngster, going into your susceptible period just from a kiss scene.”
Ji Yun’s words were full of playful mockery. The more he thought about it, the funnier it became. Perhaps this could become a humorous anecdote to share in the future.
Ning Manqing entering her susceptible period while filming a kiss scene with an omega – the thought itself was comical.
Ning Manqing didn’t offer any explanation, her gaze following Li Chu’s departure before she looked away. It was true, even though her susceptible period was due in the next couple of days. During the kiss, Li Chu’s body temperature had risen, and she had caught a faint whiff of her pheromones. That trace of pheromones had infiltrated her system, triggering her loss of control.
“I’m going to rest too.” Ning Manqing still felt uncomfortable after the suppressant injection. She still craved Li Chu’s pheromones, her warmth, her presence, but it wasn’t the right time.
“Go ahead. Although I know you and Li Zi are close, I still have to say this: remember to apologize and thank her. The closer the relationship, the more effort it takes to maintain.” Ji Yun knew she must be feeling unwell and urged her to leave, not forgetting to offer some big-brotherly advice.
Ning Manqing glanced at Li Chu, nodded at Ji Yun, accepting his concern. She naturally understood these things but was still grateful for his care for both her and Li Chu. As she walked out, she thought about gifting Ji Yun a bottle of the wine he had been longing for.
Li Chu messaged Ning Manqing in the car and saw her reply a few minutes later.
【Xiao Chu】: Teacher Ning, are you feeling any better now?
【Teacher Ning】: Much better. Did I hurt you?
【Xiao Chu】: No, I’m fine!
【Xiao Chu】: pigeon puffing out chest.jpg
Li Chu wasn’t just comforting Ning Manqing; she was genuinely fine. Perhaps it was because they were sufficiently familiar, or perhaps because she had been marked by Ning Manqing’s pheromones before, but Ning Manqing’s pheromones had no adverse effect on her.
Even though Ning Manqing’s pheromones were aggressive to others, they were harmless to Li Chu.
Sitting in the car, Ning Manqing couldn’t help but smile at the cute little bird puffing out its chest on the screen.
Li Si, sitting beside her, pretended to see nothing, minding her own business. Compared to Qian Duoduo, she knew a bit more. Although Ning Manqing entrusted many things to another assistant, as a personal assistant, Li Si observed more in daily life.
She knew there was something between Li Chu and Ning Manqing, but she didn’t pry into the specifics. She was just an assistant, without such intense curiosity.
She knew Li Chu was special to Ning Manqing, evident from Ning Manqing’s expressions and the small, thoughtful gestures she made. So, when Ning Manqing said she wouldn’t return directly to the set but go somewhere else, Li Si wasn’t surprised.
When Li Chu returned to the set, she bumped into Zhao Zhichun. He had a barbecue skewer in his mouth and waved to her from a distance.
“Why are you back so late? Director Ji said he’s treating everyone to a late-night snack. The crew’s already brought the barbecue. Want some?” Zhao Zhichun asked as he approached. Li Chu shook her head in response, hearing him sigh.
“That scent on you… Where’s Sister Ning?” Zhao Zhichun sniffed the air, giving Li Chu a gossipy look.
“Don’t overthink it. Something came up with Sister Ning. Director Ji knows. They should be at the back. I’m going upstairs.” Li Chu immediately clarified. There had been incidents before, but this time, it was entirely innocent.
“Oh, alright. Go ahead then.” Hearing Li Chu’s explanation, Zhao Zhichun stopped teasing and waved her off.
Because of this encounter, Li Chu asked Qian Duoduo to take out perfume from her bag and sprayed herself twice to mask the scent of Ning Manqing’s pheromones before continuing on her way.
Having filmed action scenes today, Li Chu was sweaty. Upon returning to her room, she removed her makeup, washed her hair, and showered.
While drying her hair, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Li Chu turned off the hairdryer and immediately answered.
“Hello, Teacher Ning?” Hearing the voice on the other end, Li Chu looked around and asked, “Now?”
“Okay, I’ll be right there.”
Li Chu hung up, hastily dried her half-damp hair, put on a down jacket and fluffy slippers, grabbed her phone, and headed out.
It was 1 AM, and the entire building was silent.
Following Ning Manqing’s instructions, Li Chu reached the corner and saw a black car parked there.
Ning Manqing was alone in the back seat, wearing a black down jacket. Her cheeks were a delicate pink and white under the interior lights.
Li Chu closed the car door, shutting out the cold.
As she removed her mask, she asked, “What’s wrong, Teacher Ning? Why did you call me out at this hour?”
It felt like a clandestine meeting in the dead of night.
A little inappropriate, Li Chu thought shyly.
Something wrapped in a thermal bag was placed in her hands, warm like a small furnace.
She opened it, saw the logo printed on the bag, and looked at Ning Manqing, bewildered.
“I bought this for you. Eat it while it’s fresh. Didn’t you say you wanted to try it a few days ago? It’s okay to indulge occasionally, you won’t gain weight.” Ning Manqing opened the bag for her, taking out the cake and milk tea inside.
Li Chu sniffed the air and asked, “Don’t they close at 10 PM? How did you get it, Teacher Ning?”
It was from a famous local luxury bakery. Their newly launched cake and special peach tea combo was a November limited edition. They opened at 10 AM and closed at 10 PM, with only sixty sets available daily: twenty-five in the morning and thirty-five in the afternoon.
Successful hunger marketing and good taste resulted in long queues and high demand.
Li Chu had mentioned wanting to try it a few days ago, and Qian Duoduo had even queued for her, but to no avail. Li Chu hadn’t asked her to try again; it was just a craving, and the cake was indeed calorie-rich.
She hadn’t mentioned it in front of Ning Manqing, but unexpectedly, Ning Manqing had remembered.
“Money talks,” Ning Manqing winked at Li Chu, not elaborating further. Instead, she cautioned, “Be careful, the tea is hot. It’s freshly brewed and hasn’t cooled down yet.”
Li Chu wasn’t easily moved, but at this moment, to prevent Ning Manqing from seeing the sudden tears welling up in her eyes, she lowered her head and blinked hard, suppressing the emotion.
Her voice was filled with joy as she said, “Teacher Ning, you’re the best!”
Ning Manqing reached out to brush the hair falling over Li Chu’s face behind her ear but felt dampness.
“Why is your hair still wet?”
“I just washed it. Haven’t dried it yet.”
“Turn around, face away from me.”
Li Chu obediently complied, hugging her cake and milk tea as she turned to sit with her back to Ning Manqing, spreading the bag flat and placing the cake on top.
Ning Manqing searched the car and found a clean towel.
The feeling of the dry towel on her head was distinct, and Li Chu couldn’t help but fidget.
“Eat your cake.” Ning Manqing gently dried the ends of Li Chu’s hair, telling her to stay still.
Li Chu settled down, taking small bites of the cake in the warm car amidst the cold winter.
It was as delicious as she had heard.
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