The next day’s schedule was packed.
Zhuang Chi took a leave of absence from school. First, she woke up early and went to a nearby hospital for a comprehensive Alpha physical examination—the list of tests was extremely long, taking up the entire morning. Overall, things went well. During the gland examination, the doctor told her the same thing she had heard from Gu Ximian, that “the pressure it was subjected to might affect the grading,” but the other results seemed quite normal.
They said that after an Alpha differentiates, they enter a growth period and would need to come back for another check-up in a month. Zhuang Chi looked over the results sheet in her hand, lingering for a few extra moments on her pheromone composition analysis. The component names displayed were quite obscure, making it impossible for Zhuang Chi to understand what the specific scent was. Fortunately, the doctors probably knew this was a point of concern for people; Zhuang Chi saw that in the blank space next to it, a note was scrawled in a flamboyant script: Similar to coffee.
…Alright, perhaps in the future, she could just sniff herself to feel refreshed and clear-headed.
Thinking about these random things, Zhuang Chi had a quick lunch and then rushed to the relevant registration office to submit her medical certificate and update her gender. She also took the opportunity to sign up for the mandatory popular science course that every newly differentiated Alpha had to complete, patiently watching a three-hour video lecture with the other participants.
Being in the same room with so many other Alphas, all wearing blocking collars, was a very novel experience for Zhuang Chi. But people nowadays generally differentiated early. A glance around the classroom showed that most of them still had a childish air; some had even come directly in their school uniforms. The oldest-looking one was no more than fifteen or sixteen, which made Zhuang Chi feel a bit out of place.
If she had known, she would have worn her school uniform too, to blend in with those high school students—ah, why was she getting worked up over this? She would be back at school soon anyway, and there would be plenty of opportunities to wear it then.
After the educational course finally concluded, Zhuang Chi at last set off on the road back to school, but her itinerary for the day was not yet over.
“…I’m sorry, have you been waiting here long?”
As the school gate came into view, she had noticed a figure standing beside it from a distance, conspicuous even while standing quietly. Zhuang Chi’s heart skipped a beat. She hurried over and asked, and the other person blinked before smiling.
“That sentence of yours…” Gu Ximian had been watching her ever since Zhuang Chi appeared in her line of sight. When she ran up to her, Gu Ximian naturally reached out to smooth down the collar of Zhuang Chi’s shirt, which had flipped up from her running, and said with a smile, “sounds like something you’d say when meeting up for a date.”
“…”
Suddenly having her clothes straightened and not knowing how to respond, Zhuang Chi froze, bewildered. Gu Ximian, however, had already nonchalantly withdrawn her hand and said, “Don’t worry, I just got here too. Shall we go?”
…Her response also sounded just like that. Zhuang Chi thought this silently to herself, but in the end, she didn’t say it out loud, merely following obediently behind Gu Ximian.
The third item on today’s agenda, and the most important one—to have a proper talk with Gu Ximian.
They arrived at the cafeteria, but after ordering their food, Gu Ximian led her into a private room.
…A university cafeteria actually has private rooms; it feels very unreasonable. But never mind, St. Blaisedon was full of bizarre things, and this was hardly the only one. Zhuang Chi gave up thinking about it and pulled out a chair at the round table to sit down.
“I was originally thinking of inviting you to my dorm, since it’s quieter and we wouldn’t be disturbed…” Gu Ximian sat down opposite her, shaking her head with some regret. “But on second thought, you might have trouble getting permission from the dorm manager now… so I had to give up on that idea.”
Thank you, strict dorm managers of St. Blaisedon! Zhuang Chi listened with fear and trepidation, sending a sincere thank you in her heart. Ah, now she felt this place was truly wonderful, and the cafeteria’s private room was an excellent spot.
Although they would be alone either way, if she had to go to Gu Ximian’s dorm—she felt she would be too nervous to sit still for the entire time. With a sense of relief, Zhuang Chi looked at Gu Ximian. To be honest, it was still a bit awkward seeing her again after yesterday’s misunderstanding, but since things had come to this, Zhuang Chi tried to cast aside her superfluous emotions and got straight to the point: “…Gu Ximian, I believe you… about this world being a novel.”
Gu Ximian’s movements paused. She looked at her silently for a long moment, then slowly let out a breath and said softly, “…Thank you.”
There was really no need to thank her; after all, no one knew this better than she did. But she couldn’t say these words out loud. The main event was still to come. With a nervous heart, Zhuang Chi braced herself and continued, “And… about what you said, the ‘Official Match’ thing…”
She took a silent breath and recited the script she had prepared last night as fluently as possible: “Regardless of whether it’s true or not, from what you said yesterday, it seems like you won’t do anything extra because of it? So that means… we don’t have to worry about this from now on, and we can just interact normally like we are now, right?”
After finishing the long speech, Zhuang Chi felt she had completed an important task and breathed a sigh of relief. She stole a glance at Gu Ximian opposite her and saw that her protagonist, unlike her, didn’t feel guilty and short of breath just from saying “Official Match.” Instead, she contemplated quietly for a moment with her usual ease, then nodded gracefully. “Yes, for you, that would be fine.”
…What does she mean, for me? Catching the concerning phrase, Zhuang Chi blinked warily. She saw Gu Ximian give her a reassuring smile and continue, “Don’t be nervous. First, let me… explain my thoughts from yesterday.”
“When I told you my speculation yesterday, there was definitely an impulsive element to it. One reason was… I really wanted to see what your reaction would be after hearing it.”
As she spoke, she looked at Zhuang Chi, her dark eyes rippling with a gentle light, looking to be in a very good mood. “Now I’ve seen it.”
“…” Zhuang Chi waited for a while, but seeing no intention from her to continue, she couldn’t help but ask tentatively, “…And? Was my reaction… normal?”
“…Hmm…” It seemed like an easy question to answer, but Gu Ximian’s attitude was quite ambiguous. After pondering for a moment, she replied, “It depends on what you use as a reference. Compared to the vast majority of Alphas in this world, it’s probably not very normal.”
“…”
Was… was she saying she did a good job? It felt like she was talking in circles, leaving Zhuang Chi a bit dazed. Her expression must have looked too confused, because Gu Ximian chuckled softly and said cheerfully, “I’m complimenting you.”
“Back to the topic, what you just said is fine. You really don’t need to have any worries or psychological burdens because of this. You can just pretend you never heard it, and continue to interact with me according to your own thoughts.”
“Actually, it’s pretty much the same for me, it’s just…” Gu Ximian lowered her eyes slightly, but quickly looked back at Zhuang Chi. “I don’t want to hide it from you. I’m… a little interested in you.”
“…Huh?”
A rather foolish-sounding monosyllable escaped her, but Zhuang Chi felt it wasn’t her fault. It was Gu Ximian’s fault for suddenly and casually dropping a bombshell! What was she saying! In-interested meant—
“In terms of your character setting and personal plot.”
“…”
If Zhuang Chi were a fluffy little animal, her fur, which had just puffed up in alarm, would now be slowly settling back down. As she breathed a sigh of relief, she couldn’t help but complain in her heart about how Gu Ximian paused so dramatically when she spoke. Only then did she finally catch up with Gu Ximian’s topic: “…So you mean… you’ll do something extra?”
“I suppose so.” Gu Ximian, who had taken in her series of reactions, curled her lips into a faint smile, her eyes shimmering. “Although I can’t really define what is ‘extra.’ For example, is this conversation I’m having with you now part of the plot? Including me telling you this world is a novel yesterday—I thought it was my maverick act, but could it be that I was just following the plot’s trajectory?”
That was definitely not the case. Zhuang Chi was absolutely certain of this. But she couldn’t say it out loud. I’m sorry, Gu Ximian.
“But since it can’t be proven, it’s not important. In short, I’m very interested in how the plot between us will develop.” Gu Ximian paused, seeming to hesitate for a moment before finally continuing, “So I’ll probably be more proactive in socializing with you. But you don’t have to mind me, just do as you think is best. It’s okay to refuse me too.”
Ah, although it sounded a bit nice, it also felt like it might not be a good thing.
Gu Ximian’s words simply meant she would try to build a good relationship with her—this was incredible. It seemed there was no one in the entire book who could make Gu Ximian proactively say such a thing.
She felt that her entire presence in this world would skyrocket with Gu Ximian’s attention. Zhuang Chi thought about the various plot points that might follow, and her head began to ache. Besides, even if she said she could refuse…
—Ultimately, since she met Gu Ximian, had she ever made a single effective refusal?
“…” Zhuang Chi thought, feeling inexplicably guilty, and mumbled, “…Can I ask first, for example… what exactly will you do…?”
“Well, for example.”
Unexpectedly, Gu Ximian showed no surprise at her question, as if she had been prepared. She didn’t even need to think before responding smoothly, “During the holiday in early October, my family will be hosting a banquet. I plan to invite you to attend.”
This must be very sudden for Zhuang Chi. Gu Ximian thought.
In fact, it hadn’t been long since Gu Ximian made the decision. It was after she parted ways with Zhuang Chi yesterday. As Gu Ximian sat in the car on her way home, she looked out the window, but the scenery flashed by like fleeting lights and shadows. No matter where she looked, she would always think of Zhuang Chi, who had been huddled in a ball under the blanket before they parted.
The idea had popped into her head then. And it was rare for Gu Ximian to be so impulsive. She had confirmed it almost without thinking, and then she was here, extending the invitation to Zhuang Chi.
Zhuang Chi was clearly startled by her, looking completely frozen. Gu Ximian thought. How would she respond? If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t matter, but if it was Zhuang Chi… then the probability of acceptance and refusal was probably fifty-fifty. It was hard to guess.
Unlike other Alphas whose thoughts she could see through at a glance, this person clearly cared about her but always wanted to keep a distance. A somewhat inscrutable person.
There was actually a part missing from what she had just said. It was about her interest in Zhuang Chi. It was true that she was full of curiosity about Zhuang Chi’s character setting and personal plot, but the thing that interested her most amidst all that was…
The romantic subplot. Gu Ximian thought. If Zhuang Chi was really her Official Match, then she was destined to fall in love with her, right?
But right now, there seemed to be no signs of that… Zhuang Chi herself had said yesterday that she didn’t have anyone she liked yet. So how would things progress? What would happen between her and Zhuang Chi to make Zhuang Chi develop feelings for her? And following this line of thought… was she also destined to fall in love with Zhuang Chi at some point in the future?
It was hard to imagine. Gu Ximian lowered her head slightly. The neck ring she had worn since her differentiation had now become a habit. At the time, the doctor had told her that her pheromone level was too high for her to control completely on her own, but it would improve after being marked. She still remembered her thoughts at that moment, thinking very calmly: Then I’ll just wear it forever.
Gu Ximian had always hated Alphas. Even with Zhuang Chi, the moment she realized she had differentiated into an Alpha yesterday, Gu Ximian had felt an initial sense of revulsion and rejection. Later, when her own neck ring broke, she felt an indescribable panic, an emotional tide that surged up almost beyond her control, like an instinct carved into her bones, telling her not to resist futilely, that she could not win against an Alpha.
She hated that feeling immensely.
But it was a good thing it was Zhuang Chi. If it had been any other Alpha, Gu Ximian didn’t want to imagine what yesterday’s situation would have turned into. She was genuinely touched the moment Zhuang Chi handed her the rope, and for a fleeting instant, the thought “it wouldn’t be so bad if it were her” did cross her mind. But Gu Ximian hadn’t originally planned to say it out loud, let alone tell Zhuang Chi. She rarely expressed her feelings, always hiding them behind words, half-true and half-false. She didn’t know why, but yesterday, she had blurted it out.
She had startled even herself when she said it, and couldn’t say anything else, so she had left in a hurry, which was a bit rude. Later, Gu Ximian tried to explain her actions from a pragmatic perspective. Perhaps it was a subconscious tactic to win people over; Gu Ximian had always known Zhuang Chi was soft-hearted, and after hearing such words, the probability of her refusing would be greatly reduced—
Or perhaps, in that moment, she had genuinely felt vulnerable, and the special nature of Zhuang Chi to her.
Gu Ximian hadn’t figured it out, but she was very clear that she did not want to be marked, and she still did not want to take off her neck ring for any Alpha.
So, would Zhuang Chi make her change these thoughts?
She couldn’t say whether it was rejection of or curiosity about a predetermined fate, but in any case, Gu Ximian was very, very interested.
“A ban-banquet…” The person who had been stunned by her abrupt invitation finally came back to her senses. Gu Ximian could see she was completely flustered, but she still remembered to ask for clarification first. “What kind of banquet? I mean… what’s the purpose of the banquet? Is it to celebrate something?”
“Not really.”
Gu Ximian blinked slowly at her. She didn’t know why, but every time she saw Zhuang Chi looking flustered but pretending to be calm in front of her, she couldn’t help but feel a mischievous urge to tease her.
“This banquet is probably… for matchmaking.”
So she said, and then she smiled softly after seeing Zhuang Chi’s dumbfounded expression.
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