MWMM Chapter 51: “No Surprise if the Card Gets Maxed Out”

Yan Yuzhou tidied his sleep-tousled hair as he stepped out of Shen Ci’s room. He smiled apologetically at Su Xintang. “Sorry, Miss Su. Please… have a seat.”

Su Xintang bit her lip, let out a faint snort, and turned to sit on the sofa.

Sister Song, sensing the tension, tactfully brought out two glasses of juice from the kitchen before retreating, leaving the living room space for the two “rivals.”

For a moment, Yan Yuzhou felt a twinge of guilt and awkwardness as he looked at Su Xintang’s indignant expression.

He had promised her before—had sworn, in fact—that he and Mr. Shen would eventually divorce, reassuring her that she had nothing to worry about. Yet in the end, he and Shen Ci had still shared a bed.

Though nothing physical had happened between them, the memory of Shen Ci’s forceful, impromptu marking yesterday still lingered vividly at the back of his neck. A faint blush spread across Yan Yuzhou’s face as the sensation resurfaced.

Su Xintang caught the subtle change in his expression and glanced at the back of his neck. A flicker of disappointment and sadness crossed her face as she spoke, her voice tinged with frustration. “What on earth makes you so special that Brother Shen Ci treats you like this?”

Yan Yuzhou also wanted to know the answer to that question. After a brief moment of thought, he ventured cautiously, “Um… maybe it’s because our pheromone compatibility is high?”

Su Xintang shot him a sharp glare but didn’t deny it. No one could resist the allure of high compatibility, not even someone like Shen Ci, who had a severe aversion to omegas.

Her mind replayed the scene at Wenjing University of the Arts. That day, Brother Shen Ci had been about to leave with her, yet he couldn’t resist turning back. When he saw this “fox spirit” collapse to the ground, his expression had changed abruptly, and he had rushed over without hesitation.

In that moment, she realized that Shen Ci’s nominal partner might carry far more weight than she’d thought. She had seen with her own eyes how Shen Ci—someone who always avoided omegas—had resolutely and decisively swept the unconscious Yan Yuzhou into his arms.

That was a side of Shen Ci she had never seen before.

And just now, seeing Yan Yuzhou walk out of Shen Ci’s room in his sleepwear, his eyes still drowsy, she was hit with a sudden pang of sadness. She realized that she truly had no chance.

“Yan Yuzhou,” Su Xintang’s eyes reddened as she looked at him, speaking in a voice full of grievance, “I don’t know where you’re better than me, but that’s how feelings are. It’s not about me being better than you, and it doesn’t mean Brother Shen Ci will love me more. I came today to say goodbye to him. I’m going abroad next week, and the next time we meet might not be until next year.”

Yan Yuzhou felt a pang of guilt. In a soft voice, he suggested, “Why don’t you give Mr. Shen a call? The two of you could have a meal together.”

Su Xintang shot him an irritated look. “Brother Shen Ci and I having a meal—what about you? Would you be okay with us going out alone?”

Blinking innocently, Yan Yuzhou nodded. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Su Xintang was left speechless for a moment by his remark. After a long sigh, she said, “Yan Yuzhou, I don’t know whether to praise you or scold you. Your heart is just too big. Brother Shen Ci is my dream man, you know! If the two of us go out alone like this, aren’t you afraid I might take the opportunity to do something to him?”

Yan Yuzhou chuckled lightly and shook his head. “You wouldn’t. If you really wanted to do something to Mr. Shen, why would you bother coming here to tell me first?”

Su Xintang was momentarily at a loss for words. She let out a soft snort, awkwardly trying to explain. “I wouldn’t, but Brother Shen Ci is very popular. I’d advise you to be careful in the future. Don’t let some unworthy girls swoop in and take your place.”

Though her words were sharp, Yan Yuzhou could hear the underlying concession and sincere advice in them. Smiling faintly, he picked up the orange juice on the table and took a small sip.

After a brief silence, Su Xintang looked at him and asked tentatively, “Has Brother Shen Ci ever told you about his parents?”

Yan Yuzhou raised an eyebrow in confusion and shook his head.

Su Xintang’s expression turned solemn, her tone lowering significantly. After taking a long breath, she said, “I’ve thought about it, and I feel like I should tell you.”

The moment Yan Yuzhou heard her preamble, he had a sinking feeling. He guessed that whatever Su Xintang was about to share would be a heavy story.

Sure enough, she began: “Brother Shen Ci’s parents actually passed away when he was in his early teens.”

“It was his mother who killed his father. The reason? She had fallen for someone else and, under the influence of her lover, came home one day and, while her husband was sleeping, used a knife to kill him.”

“They say that knife stabbed straight into her husband’s gland, ultimately causing his death.”

“And Brother Shen Ci, who was only ten years old at the time, was hiding quietly in a corner, too scared to make a sound. It wasn’t until his mother hurriedly packed her things and fled that he overcame his fear and called the police.”

“As for that woman, she and her lover got into a car accident while fleeing. She died on the spot.”

“Brother Shen Ci witnessed his mother murdering his father, and in the span of one day, he lost both of his parents.”

“Since then, Brother Shen Ci developed severe omega aversion. In his subconscious, omegas, though seemingly fragile, are extremely dangerous. For more than ten years, no omega has been able to get close to him. Yan Yuzhou, you’re the first.”

Su Xintang finished speaking, her mood visibly low. Yan Yuzhou felt an ache in his heart as he listened.

So Shen Ci had such a nightmarish childhood trauma. No wonder he harbored such deep-seated anxiety and prejudice against omegas.

In comparison, Shen Ci had been remarkably considerate toward him.  

Su Xintang’s voice lingered in his ears: Please take good care of Brother Shen Ci. I’m counting on you… sister-in-law.”

Yan Yuzhou abruptly looked up, his expression a tangle of emotions. Su Xintang, an eighteen-year-old girl, though a little willful, was deeply sincere, broad-minded, and genuinely devoted to Shen Ci.  

For a moment, he felt small by comparison. Perhaps the only thing he could do was protect Shen Ci in Su Xintang’s stead.  

After seeing Su Xintang off, Yan Yuzhou sat alone on the sofa in the living room, lost in thought, digesting everything she had just told him.  

So Shen Ci’s condition was a stress response stemming from childhood trauma. All along, Shen Ci had been undergoing treatment, and now, he could even share a bed with him.  

Did that mean Shen Ci’s condition had improved because of him?  

For some reason, the thought brought a faint sense of joy to Yan Yuzhou’s heart.  

The doorbell rang, interrupting his thoughts. Sister Song hurried to open the door.  

Two local courier workers stood at the entrance.  

“Excuse me, is Mr. Yan Yuzhou home?” one of them asked politely.  

Yan Yuzhou walked to the door and saw that each courier held a large box in their arms. He responded with a hint of suspicion, “I am.”  

The two couriers handed over the boxes, placing them on the floor. Smiling, they said, “These are your deliveries. There’s more in the van outside. A Mr. Shen asked us to bring them here.”  

Shen Ci? 

Baffled, Yan Yuzhou signed for the packages and watched as the couriers brought in box after box from their van. His expression was one of complete bewilderment.  

After they left, Yan Yuzhou crouched down and began opening the packages one by one. Inside were seasonal luxury goods and trendy items of all kinds.  

The contents were dazzling, extravagant, and undeniably expensive. Judging by the sheer volume, it seemed like Shen Ci had tried to bring the entire shopping mall home.  

This must’ve been because of yesterday, when Yan Yuzhou had declined to use Shen Ci’s card. Shen Ci must have misunderstood and thought he wanted Shen Ci to personally give him gifts instead…  

And today, here came box after box of gifts from the man.  

Well, in that case, it was probably better to just keep the card. After all, if Shen Ci kept buying like this, it wouldn’t be surprising if the card got maxed out.