Must a Villainess Be Punished? - Chapter 2

I knew nothing about what was going through Cen Qi’s mind.

Nor did I care.

My sole concern was obtaining a top-tier Alpha’s pheromones as quickly as possible.

My chosen donor was Chu Ruoqing, Military University’s most famous penniless campus heartthrob.

He was a genius from the slums.

He was also the “kept canary” I had bullied since high school.

Chu Ruoqing was strikingly beautiful, with fine features and a cool, elegant face, all set off by a frame that was far too thin.

Back then, everyone had assumed he would eventually present as an Omega.

I had been even more overbearing in high school than I was now. Chu Ruoqing was famous, so naturally I set my sights on him.

I used my family to crush any resistance, then piled on threats and bribes until he became my canary.

However unwilling he was, Chu Ruoqing had no choice but to submit if he wanted to finish high school in peace.

Our rotten connection lasted far longer than those three years.

After graduation, he entered Military University with the highest score in the entire Federation. I got in too, thanks to Jiang Shechuan throwing money at the university.

I had no idea how devastated Chu Ruoqing was when he found me in his dorm suite. I, on the other hand, had been full of anticipation.

I couldn’t wait for this beautiful, powerful, tragic creature to present as an Omega—preferably one who would beg me on his knees to mark him when his heat came.

All my lovely fantasies died the day Chu Ruoqing presented as an Alpha.

The aura of a top-tier Alpha crashed over me. In the blink of an eye, that slender, frosty beauty had turned into the most dangerous predator on a frozen plain.

Chu Ruoqing had even sought me out to deliver a warning.

“Stay away from me,” he said, his voice so icy it could have frozen a person solid. “Or suffer the consequences.”

Consequences?

What a joke.

I was Xie Jin, the young lady of the Jiang family and Jiang Shechuan’s most beloved little sister. What could some penniless boy from the slums possibly do to me?

If my own differentiation hadn’t begun immediately afterward, I would have sent someone to teach him a lesson long ago.

A canary ought to know its place. Did he think presenting as an Alpha meant he could escape my grasp?

Not then.

And certainly not now.

I gave a smug little laugh. No wonder Chu Ruoqing had presented as a top-tier Alpha.

Apparently even the heavens believed he had been born to work himself to the bone for me.

Why else would I happen to need a top-tier Alpha’s pheromones now?

Fate had destined him to be my victim.

I had generously decided not to hold his last bout of insolence against him.

Yet Chu Ruoqing still refused to appreciate my kindness.

He wore a cold face every day, never greeted me, and treated me as though I were invisible.

When had I ever suffered such an indignity?

If we hadn’t been at Military University, I would have used force already.

But attacking a classmate meant a major demerit if I got caught. I had to suppress my wicked impulses and pretend to reason with him.

“Chu Ruoqing, if you keep giving me the silent treatment, I’ll report you for bullying your roommate.”

Cornered in our suite, Chu Ruoqing frowned.

“I warned you to stay away—”

I couldn’t be bothered with the rest. I stated my demand directly.

“Release your pheromones. Now.”

Chu Ruoqing stared at me.

His ears flushed red with anger. “Xie Jin, don’t push your luck.”

Pheromones were what Alphas and Omegas used to flirt and mark each other. People generally released them only for their lovers.

Forcing a stranger to release his pheromones was basically the same as ordering him to drop his pants and show me the goods.

“I’ve supported you for years. What’s wrong with asking for a few pheromones?”

I felt no embarrassment whatsoever. With perfect righteousness, I added, “Fine. You’re poor, aren’t you? Produce more pheromones, and I’ll pay for them. Name your price.”

As far as I was concerned, I had been extraordinarily generous.

This deal benefited both of us. It would solve my urgent problem and improve his quality of life. What wasn’t to like?

And yet, despite how nicely I spoke, Chu Ruoqing still refused to recognize a good thing.

Rather than thank me for my mercy, he actually had the nerve to scowl.

“I don’t need it.” He shoved past me, his face hard. “If money is all you see, go find someone who loves your money and leave me alone.”

I staggered.

When Chu Ruoqing anxiously reached out to steady me, I kicked him in the shin and left a clear shoeprint on his uniform.

“Get lost, you pauper!”

His refusal struck my touchy pride.

Even though I knew my Beta status remained secret, I was convinced he looked down on me.

“So what if you presented as an Alpha? Someone like you isn’t even worthy of licking my shoes!”

After I gave him a thorough tongue-lashing, Chu Ruoqing turned and walked away.

I punched the wall in fury. “Just you wait. You wait!”