What Bad Intentions Could She Have? [ABO]

Tan Xiao is a top rising star in the entertainment industry.

Her career has gone smoothly ever since her debut. The only stain on her record that she can't live down is the drunken confession everyone heard about three years ago.

Back then, drunk and uninhibited, she confessed to her rival, Jiang Yilan, in front of the media and the entire internet. The story dominated the trending charts for three days straight, while Jiang Yilan merely replied:

"Sorry, I'm allergic to Teacher Tan's pheromones."

With that one sentence, Tan Xiao became the laughingstock of the internet. Their two fandoms fought for three whole years, attacking each other whenever they met and erupting whenever their idols appeared together. Even "Tan Xiao got rejected" became a notorious old joke in the industry.

Tan Xiao never forgot the score.

She thought she would never have anything to do with Jiang Yilan again, until her company put a contract in front of her: a film with two female leads, an acclaimed director's team, and a staggering paycheck. The other lead was none other than Jiang Yilan.

Tan Xiao stared at the name for a long while, then sneered and signed.

Why wouldn't she take the role? She wanted to see how Teacher Jiang, "allergic to her pheromones," would act out a passionate romance with her.

At the group interview before filming began, the media predictably seized on the story.

Someone asked Tan Xiao, "What's the biggest challenge you expect when working with Teacher Jiang for the first time?"

Tan Xiao took the microphone and smiled, radiant and cutting. "I'm not worried. Teacher Jiang should be the one who's concerned. After all, isn't she allergic to my pheromones?"

The room fell silent, and every eye turned to Jiang Yilan.

Jiang Yilan looked cool and spoke just as calmly. "Don't worry, Teacher Tan. As long as the allergen doesn't wander right in front of me, it usually isn't a problem."

Tan Xiao: "..."

Trending topic guaranteed.

On the first night of filming, Tan Xiao marched to Jiang Yilan's hotel room in high heels, intending to put her in her place. But the moment she kicked open the door, before she could even deliver her threat, the overwhelming pheromones filling the room pinned her where she stood.

Jiang Yilan was bracing herself against the edge of a table, the gland at the back of her neck flushed red, her breathing ragged, and a sheen of sweat at her temples. She still had her usual cool, composed air, but the harder she tried to keep it up, the more helpless she looked.

Tan Xiao turned to leave, but the next moment someone grabbed her wrist.

The palm holding it was scorching hot.

Jiang Yilan looked up at her, the corners of her eyes red, her voice low.

"Don't go. The paparazzi are all outside."

Tan Xiao's throat tightened. "Where's your assistant? What about your suppressants?"

"I've tried them all. They didn't work."

Jiang Yilan didn't let go of her hand. After a moment, she slowly guided it to her burning nape, her voice soft and hoarse.

"Mark me."

The person who said she was allergic to Tan Xiao's pheromones three years ago was now holding on to her hand and refusing to let go.

Tan Xiao's mind went blank. She barely managed to keep a shred of dignity, turning her head aside as she rasped:

"Five million for a temporary mark."

Jiang Yilan looked at her for two seconds. Her breathing was still uneven, but her gaze was steady.

"What about a permanent mark?"

She gently rested her forehead against Tan Xiao's and whispered:

"Would you marry me?"

A few months later, news of their secret marriage broke without warning, and the whole internet exploded. Gossip accounts dug up every old scandal overnight, the fandoms started fighting on the spot, and even bystanders excitedly speculated: Tan Xiao had held a grudge so long she tricked Jiang Yilan into marrying her.

During an interview, a reporter asked bluntly, "People are guessing that you married Teacher Jiang as revenge. Is that true?"

Tan Xiao paused. It was a good question, practically handing her the perfect opportunity to save face. Besides, she wasn't the one who'd be embarrassed. Jiang Yilan was.

She lifted her chin and answered without hesitation:

"What else would it be?"

That evening, a reporter caught Jiang Yilan after filming and repeated the question word for word, asking for her thoughts.

Jiang Yilan listened quietly, her expression unchanged. After a while, she finally spoke in an even voice:

"Her?"

"She's a silly little thing who has to look up on Baidu how to mark someone. What bad intentions could she possibly have?"

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