Top-Tier Omega: Chasing Alpha to the Crematorium – Chapter 23

Are You… Going Into Heat?

Having come to terms with her feelings, Ming Yu was a mess of complicated emotions.

She was terrified of her feelings for Song Qingpei, but she was also keenly aware that the other woman had likely lost all hope in her long ago.

            

When she returned home that evening, she tried to use spending time with Song Song as an excuse to close the distance with Song Qingpei. However, Song Qingpei remained completely unmoved by her hints, as if she couldn’t understand her meaning at all.

Ming Yu didn’t know if she was genuinely oblivious or just playing dumb, but she couldn’t bring herself to declare her feelings outright.

The unfamiliar emotions kept her awake for two straight nights.

            

The next morning, Ming Yu rose early. She deliberately changed into a light-colored dress and put on some light makeup, trying to make herself look more approachable and easygoing.

When she came downstairs, Song Qingpei was already at the dining table, eating breakfast with Song Song.

The moment Song Song saw Ming Yu, she called out happily, “Mommy, good morning!”

            

Ming Yu smiled, walked over to Song Song, and gently stroked her head. “Good morning, Songsong.”

Her gaze drifted involuntarily to Song Qingpei, only to find the other woman give her a brief, indifferent glance before lowering her head to continue eating, as if she barely registered her presence.

A wave of disappointment washed over Ming Yu, but she still sat down beside Song Song and asked gently, “Songsong, you’re going to school today. Are you nervous?”

            

Song Song shook her head, grinning. “Not nervous! Mama said she’ll come with me, so I’m not scared.”

Ming Yu took a deep breath, trying to appear calm as she looked at Song Qingpei. “Then… let’s take Songsong together.”

She had already mentioned it yesterday, so Song Qingpei wasn’t particularly surprised. She just nodded.

            

“Alright. Hurry up and eat. We don’t want to be late on the first day.”

Ming Yu wanted to say more but found she couldn’t think of any topic to bridge the gap between them. Frustrated, she could only lower her head and eat in silence.

After breakfast, Song Qingpei stood up and picked up Song Song’s school bag. “Let’s go. It’s getting late.”

            

Watching her turn away, Ming Yu felt a sense of helplessness.

The three of them got into the car together. Song Song sat in the back, looking around excitedly.

Ming Yu took the front passenger seat, occasionally glancing at Song Qingpei in the back. But Song Qingpei kept her eyes fixed forward, only turning to look at Song Song once in a while. Her gaze never once fell on Ming Yu, which left her feeling frustrated and powerless.

            

Just as Ming Yu was stewing in her gloom, Song Song suddenly turned to look at Song Qingpei with her clear eyes. “Mama, did you know? I have to perform at school today!”

Song Qingpei played along. “Wow, what kind of performance?”

“I’m going to dance with my friends!” Song Song said excitedly, her face full of anticipation.

            

“Songsong is so amazing. How about Mama cheers for you from the audience?”

“Okay! Songsong will do her best!”

Seeing Song Qingpei smile, Ming Yu was about to try and join the conversation, but Song Qingpei turned to look out the window again, as if her moment of gentleness had been a fleeting illusion. Ming Yu couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. For the rest of the journey, she found no opportunity to speak with her.

            

When they finally arrived at the school, Song Song happily dashed toward the campus.

The colorful flags fluttering at the school gate, the excited children, and the cheerful laughter of the parents all formed a heartwarming scene.

“I’ll go watch Songsong.”

            

With that, Song Qingpei turned and hurried after Song Song, who was already disappearing into the crowd.

The early morning campus was quiet and serene. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, making them whisper.

Ming Yu and Song Qingpei walked along the path to the school, with Song Song skipping happily ahead of them, turning back from time to time with an expectant look in her eyes.

            

“Mama, I’m going to do really well today!” Song Song suddenly stopped, turned around, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Of course, Songsong is the best!” Song Qingpei praised with a smile.

Seeing this, the bitterness in Ming Yu’s heart intensified. Song Qingpei never smiled at her like that.

            

People came and went along the path, and the sunlight spilled down on them, coating them in a golden glow. Yet Ming Yu’s mood was exceptionally heavy and dejected.

She tried hard to find a topic to break the stalemate. “I remember you said before that when Songsong started school, you wanted to take a family portrait¹ at the school gate to commemorate it.”

Song Qingpei frowned slightly, seeming reluctant to engage with the topic. “Don’t overthink it. That was just a joke.”

            

That simple sentence was like a blast of cold wind, instantly extinguishing Ming Yu’s enthusiasm.

She was left speechless and could only walk behind in silence, fuming inwardly. She wanted to close the distance between them, but no matter how hard she tried, Song Qingpei maintained a suitable, cold distance.

Had she really drawn a final line between them in her heart?

            

Just then, Song Song, running ahead, waved her hands excitedly. “Mommy, Mama, hurry up!”

Afraid Song Song would get lost, Song Qingpei quickly chased after her.

At that moment, several people holding cameras rapidly approached them. Song Qingpei was busy looking down and talking to Song Song, so she didn’t notice.

            

Song Song took Song Qingpei’s hand and shouted to Ming Yu behind them, “Mommy, hurry!”

Hearing Song Song’s call, Ming Yu finally pushed aside her disappointment and quickened her pace to catch up. The two of them flanked Song Song, each holding one of her small hands as they walked down the path, creating a rather eye-catching picture.

Because of the noisy crowd of parents and children, the few people with cameras who were snapping picture after picture of the three of them went completely unnoticed.

            

They seemed extremely wary of Ming Yu, taking only a few photos before departing in a hurry, not disturbing anyone.

Ming Yu, still focused on Song Song, had no idea that they had already become a hot topic online.

【Admiral Ming Yu’s Illegitimate Daughter Exposed!】

            

The trending topic shot to the top of the homepage. Countless netizens flocked to see it, and the comments section instantly exploded.

Zhan Nansheng sat in her office, her fingers tapping lightly on her desk as she stared at the trending topic on her light-screen, gloating.

The headline was striking: “Admiral Ming Yu and Mysterious Alpha Pick Up Child Together, Suspected Partner Revealed!”

            

The accompanying photo showed Ming Yu walking side-by-side with a tall female Alpha, a little girl holding their hands between them. Though the photo was a bit blurry, their faces were still recognizable.

Zhan Nansheng scrolled through the information, a flicker of triumph in her eyes.

She had long been suspicious of Ming Yu’s private life and had sent people to investigate. She never expected that during the two years Ming Yu was missing, she had ended up on a Garbage Planet, lived with a low-grade Alpha—Song Qingpei—for two years, and even had a child.

            

“Heh, Ming Yu, you’ve finally met your day,” Zhan Nansheng sneered. A plan was already forming in her mind.

She decided to approach Song Qingpei personally. She would use her identity and Ming Yu’s past to completely destroy the Admiral’s reputation. Then she’d see how Ming Yu could possibly hold on to the chancellor position.

Before long, Ming Yu also saw the trending topic.

            

Inside the car, Song Qingpei noticed the abrupt change in her expression and glanced over curiously.

When she saw the content, she panicked. She knew that once the media blew this up, her and Ming Yu’s relationship would be thrown into the spotlight again. Ming Yu would surely blame her, and the truce they had just reached would likely fall apart.

She tried to explain, “Sorry, I didn’t expect we’d be photographed on the first day of taking Songsong to school…”

            

“It has nothing to do with you. I’ll handle it.”

Ming Yu cut her off and immediately made a call. “Lieutenant Lin, I want you to trace the source of this trending topic immediately. I want all the information.”

Seeing her brows knitted tightly, Song Qingpei’s worry did not subside. She was about to speak again.

            

Suddenly, Ming Yu’s communicator rang. She glanced down; the screen displayed the word “Grandma.”

Her heart sank. Her finger paused for a moment, but she still pressed the answer key.

“Ming Yu, what in the world is going on?” Her grandmother’s voice was cold and stern, carrying an unquestionable sense of pressure through the communicator. “Do you know what a mess this has become outside? The fact that you lost your memory, ended up on a Garbage Planet, and had a child with a low-grade Alpha is now known throughout the entire galaxy! Do you have any idea how much this will affect you?”

            

Ming Yu gripped her communicator, her voice a little hoarse. “Grandma, I will handle this.”

Ignoring her assurance, her grandmother’s tone grew even harsher. “Ming Yu, you will come to Lakeheart Courtyard and see me. Immediately.”

With that, the call was crisply disconnected. A dead silence fell over the car.

            

In the heavy silence, Song Qingpei’s emotions were suppressed and complex.

She turned her head and saw the almost resolute expression on Ming Yu’s face. A sense of unease washed over her. She had a bad feeling that this storm would have an irreversible impact on the fragile stability they had just achieved.

“Ming Yu, I think…” Song Qingpei tried to find the right words. “Maybe we should respond to this head-on. We’re not in a relationship anymore, after all. We shouldn’t let the public misunderstand.”

            

Hearing her say “not in a relationship anymore,” Ming Yu’s brow furrowed deeply, and she immediately rejected the suggestion.

“I said, you don’t need to worry about this. I’ll handle it.” Ming Yu gave the driver a direct order. “Take her home first. I’ll go to my grandmother’s place afterward.”

Song Qingpei’s heart sank. She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and turned to the window. The city scenery flashed by outside, as if mocking her powerlessness.

            

“I… I can go to the company myself. You go do what you need to do.”

Finally, at Song Qingpei’s insistence, Ming Yu had to nod in agreement. “Alright. Be careful on your way.”

As Song Qingpei got out of the car, she looked back and saw Ming Yu still sitting inside, her gaze heavy, revealing a trace of helplessness and worry. She prayed silently that this storm wouldn’t drag them into an even deeper vortex.

            

Meanwhile, a storm of complex emotions churned within Ming Yu. She instructed the driver to head for Lakeheart Courtyard.

Her grandmother was clearly not going to wait.

Lakeheart Courtyard was part of the family’s ancestral home. Its exterior was quaint and elegant, the courtyard filled with lush pines and cypresses, surrounded by a winding Artificial Lake. It was like a tranquil paradise, separate from the world.

            

Today, however, the place felt like an invisible weight pressing down on Ming Yu.

She stepped into the residence. Her grandmother was already waiting in the main hall, her expression grim.

As Ming Yu entered, her grandmother, having lost all her usual composure, confronted her directly. “You’re finally here, Ming Yu! What is going on?”

            

“Don’t worry, I will handle this matter properly,” Ming Yu promised again.

“Handle it? How will you handle it?” Her grandmother’s tone grew sterner. “You are a candidate for Chancellor of the Planet Lan Advanced Military Academy. Once this scandal about being marked by a low-grade Alpha ferments, your future will be ruined! Do you know how many people are eyeing your position? Do you know that Zhan Nansheng is already fanning the flames behind the scenes, waiting to see you become a laughingstock?”

Ming Yu was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, “I know, Grandma. But this isn’t a scandal. Songsong is my daughter, and Song Qingpei is not some low-grade Alpha. She…”

            

“Enough!” her grandmother cut her off sharply. “Ming Yu, has that woman bewitched you? She’s just a low-grade Alpha from a Garbage Planet, using her child to entangle herself with you out of a lust for power! And now you’re willing to throw away your own future for her?”

“Grandma!” Ming Yu’s voice suddenly rose, tinged with a hint of suppressed anger and defiance. “Song Qingpei is not that kind of person! She has never coveted any power. She even… she doesn’t even want anything to do with me anymore.”

“Then you should send her away all the more!”

            

Her grandmother’s tone was non-negotiable. “Ming Yu, you are the heir of the Ming Family, the hope of our entire clan. You cannot ruin yourself for an insignificant person! I have already contacted the media and will find a way to suppress this. But you must send Song Qingpei away immediately. The farther, the better!”

Ming Yu’s heart clenched. Her fingers tightened into a fist, her knuckles turning white.

After a long moment, her voice came out low and firm. “Grandma, I can’t send her away. Songsong is my daughter, and Song Qingpei is also… a very important person to me.”

            

“Ming Yu!” Her grandmother’s voice shot up, thick with undisguised fury. “You’re being absurd! Do you have any idea what you’re saying? Are you going to disregard the bigger picture for some woman from a Garbage Planet?”

“Grandma, this isn’t absurd.” Ming Yu’s voice remained calm, yet it carried a power that brooked no argument. “Song Qingpei has done nothing wrong. She’s only just managed to adapt to life on Planet Lan. I can’t sacrifice her again for the so-called bigger picture. I will handle this matter appropriately. Please, trust in my ability.”

There was a moment of silence, followed by her grandmother’s disappointed sigh. “Ming Yu, you disappoint me so much. Your father, back then, it was because lust clouded his mind that he… Forget it, I don’t want to bring it up again. But you must remember, you are the Ming Family’s heir. Every decision you make affects the fate of the entire family. If you insist on defying me, then don’t blame me for disregarding our bond as grandmother and granddaughter.”

            

Ming Yu’s heart trembled, her fingers shaking slightly.

She knew what her grandmother’s words meant—if she insisted on keeping Song Qingpei, the Ming Family would likely disown her, perhaps even strip her of her inheritance rights.

But she didn’t back down. She took a deep breath, her tone resolute. “Grandma, I understand your concerns, but I have made my decision. As for the Ming Family inheritance… if you feel I am unworthy, then please, choose someone else.”

            

“You!” Her grandmother was clearly enraged by her words. “Ming Yu, are you threatening me?”

“No, Grandma. I am merely stating a fact.” Ming Yu’s voice was still calm, but it held a note of finality. “I am no longer the little girl who only followed your arrangements. I have my own judgment. Song Qingpei is not like my mother; she is not the power-hungry person you describe. Please… try to understand me.”

Her grandmother was silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh. “Fine, fine. Your wings have grown strong. I can’t control you anymore. You’re on your own!”

            

Furious, she turned and left, leaving Ming Yu standing alone in the vast, empty hall.

The surroundings once again fell into a dead silence.

Ming Yu slowly unclenched her fist. She knew she had just made a decision that could change her entire life. But she wouldn’t regret it. Because she finally understood what Song Qingpei and Song Song meant to her.

            

Meanwhile.

The moment Song Qingpei stepped into the company, she felt a strange atmosphere.

Her colleagues, usually so familiar, seemed unusually quiet today. Their gazes were evasive, and when they did glance at her, their eyes were filled with probing curiosity and hushed whispers.

            

She frowned, a faint sense of unease stirring within her, but she pretended not to notice and walked straight to her workstation.

“Look, that’s her, right? The one from the news…”

“Yeah, I can’t believe she’s connected to Admiral Ming Yu. And they have a kid!”

            

“Shh, quiet down, don’t let her hear you…”

Although the discussions were kept low, Song Qingpei still caught snippets.

Her steps faltered slightly. Her fingers unconsciously tightened in her palm, her heart constricting.

            

As she’d expected, today’s trending topic had already spread.

She took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and continued walking.

Sitting at her workstation, she opened her light-terminal and tried to focus on her work, but the whispers around her were like tiny needles, constantly pricking at her nerves.

            

She tried to block out the sounds, but her mind couldn’t find peace.

She knew that the exposure of her relationship with Ming Yu would inevitably lead to countless speculations and criticisms, but she hadn’t expected it to affect her work so quickly.

“Qingpei, are you okay?” a gentle voice asked from beside her.

            

Song Qingpei looked up to see Murong Ruixue standing at her desk, holding a file, her eyes filled with concern.

Seeing her, Song Qingpei’s tense nerves relaxed slightly.

“I’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile to hide her emotions.

            

Murong Ruixue clearly didn’t believe her, but she didn’t press. She just handed her the file. “Here’s the data for the mech that needs repairs today. Take a look. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me.”

Song Qingpei took the file and nodded. “Thank you.”

Murong Ruixue didn’t leave right away. She hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice, “Qingpei, today’s trending topic… did you see it?”

            

Song Qingpei’s fingers paused for a fraction of a second. Then, she casually flipped open the file. “Mmm, I saw it.”

“Are you… and Admiral Ming Yu, really like the news says?” Murong Ruixue’s tone was probing.

Song Qingpei was silent for a moment before finally sighing. “Ruixue-jie, it’s complicated. We do have a daughter, but Ming Yu and I… we’re not together anymore.”

            

Hearing her answer, Murong Ruixue visibly relaxed. “Qingpei, don’t pay too much attention to those rumors. This isn’t your fault.”

Song Qingpei gave her a grateful look, feeling a little better. “Thank you. I’m fine.”

Murong Ruixue patted her shoulder, her tone light. “Don’t overthink it. Let’s get to work. I’ll teach you how to repair that new model mech later. You’re the most talented person I’ve ever seen; don’t let this stuff affect your performance.”

            

Song Qingpei nodded, trying to focus her attention on her work.

However, despite her attempts to block out the external distractions, the ever-present gazes and whispers still made her feel suffocated.

The day passed quickly, and soon it was time to leave work.

            

Song Qingpei packed her things, said goodbye to Murong Ruixue, and walked out of the company building alone.

The night air was a bit chilly. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself. She hadn’t gone far, however, when a tall figure suddenly blocked her path.

Song Qingpei instinctively took a step back and looked up at the person.

            

It was a strange man in a black suit. His face was stern, his eyes carrying a commanding presence that allowed no refusal.

“Miss Song, someone wants to see you,” the man said, his tone calm but tinged with an order.

Song Qingpei’s heart tightened. She looked at him warily. “Who are you? Who wants to see me?”

            

The man didn’t answer her question, only turning slightly to the side and making a “please” gesture. “Miss Song, please come with me. As for who wants to see you, you’ll know when you get there.”

Song Qingpei clutched her bag, her mind racing as she considered her options.

She didn’t know this person, but from his tone and attitude, his intentions were clearly not good. She glanced around and saw that the street was busy, but no one had noticed the abnormality here.

            

“Sorry, I don’t know you, and I won’t go with a stranger,” she said calmly, trying to walk around the man.

However, the man took a step and blocked her path again. “Miss Song, I suggest you cooperate. Otherwise, things might become unpleasant.”

Song Qingpei’s heart sank. She knew he wouldn’t let her leave easily.

            

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “Fine, I’ll go with you. But I need to make a call first.”

The man’s tone remained placid. “But I suggest you don’t alert too many people, especially Admiral Ming Yu. It wouldn’t be good for you or for her.”

Hearing the name “Ming Yu,” Song Qingpei’s heart skipped a beat.

            

She took out her communicator, hesitated, and ultimately did not dial Ming Yu’s number.

Putting the communicator back in her bag, she looked up at the man. “Let’s go.”

The man nodded in satisfaction and led her to a black hovercar parked by the roadside.

            

The door opened automatically. Song Qingpei got in, unable to hide the apprehension in her heart, though she maintained a calm facade.

After the car started, the man, sitting in the front passenger seat, glanced back at her. His tone was relaxed. “Miss Song, no need to be nervous. We’re just taking you to meet someone for a few words.”

Song Qingpei didn’t respond, just silently watched the scenery flash by outside the window, her mind racing.

            

She didn’t know who these people were or what their purpose was, but she guessed it had to be related to Ming Yu.

The car soon entered a high-end residential area and finally stopped in front of a luxurious villa.

The man got out, opened the door for Song Qingpei, and made a “please” gesture. “Miss Song, we’ve arrived.”

            

Song Qingpei got out of the car and looked up at the villa before her, her vigilance increasing.

She followed the man into the villa, through a spacious hall, and was finally led to a study.

In the study, a tall woman with slanted, peach-blossom eyes stood with her back to them, looking out the window. Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned around, her sharp gaze landing on Song Qingpei.

            

“Miss Song, I’ve heard so much about you,” the woman said with a slight, mocking smile. “I am Zhan Nansheng.”

A chill went down Song Qingpei’s spine. She immediately understood who this was—Zhan Nansheng, Ming Yu’s rival. She hadn’t been on Planet Lan for long, but she’d already heard about the two of them. This woman was probably the mastermind behind today’s trending topic.

She clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain calm. “Miss Zhan, what do you want with me?”

            

Zhan Nansheng walked up to her, looking her up and down. Her tone was laden with meaning. “Miss Song, I sought you out to discuss a deal concerning Ming Yu.”

As Zhan Nansheng’s words fell, the atmosphere in the study instantly froze.

Her gaze was as sharp as a blade, fixed on Song Qingpei as if to see through to her very soul. However, Song Qingpei didn’t shrink back. She met her gaze, calm and resolute.

            

“Miss Zhan, I think you’ve found the wrong person,” Song Qingpei said evenly. “What’s between Ming Yu and me has nothing to do with you. As for your so-called deal, I have no interest.”

Zhan Nansheng raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her reaction.

She let out a soft laugh, her tone dripping with disdain. “Miss Song, don’t be so quick to refuse. You should be well aware that Ming Yu is in the eye of the storm right now. As long as you say a few words against her to the media, her reputation will be severely damaged. And I can grant you any condition you name—money, power, even the safety of you and your daughter. I can guarantee it all.”

            

When she mentioned Song Song, Song Qingpei’s eyes turned icy. “Miss Zhan, are you threatening me?”

Zhan Nansheng spread her hands, her tone light. “No, I’m just stating the facts. Miss Song, you’re a smart woman. You should know how to choose the path that benefits you most.”

Song Qingpei sneered. “Miss Zhan, I’ve heard about the rivalry between you and Ming Yu, but I never thought that when you couldn’t beat her head-on, you’d resort to such low-down tricks. It’s truly been an eye-opener.”

            

Zhan Nansheng’s face instantly darkened, the smile vanishing from her eyes.

She took a step forward, closing in on Song Qingpei, her voice frigid. “Song Qingpei, don’t be so ungrateful! Do you really think Ming Yu cares about you? She’s just using you as a disposable pawn! It’s pathetic that you’d let her control you, yet you don’t dare to fight for your own interests.”

Song Qingpei didn’t back down an inch, looking her straight in the eye, her voice firm. “You’re wrong, Miss Zhan. It’s not for you to judge what’s between Ming Yu and me. I won’t smear someone for my own gain, and I certainly won’t do something so shameless. I’m not interested in your deal.”

            

Enraged by her words, Zhan Nansheng’s expression gradually twisted.

She abruptly raised her hand as if to do something to Song Qingpei, but in the end, she restrained herself.

She sneered, her voice laced with threat. “Song Qingpei, don’t be so naive! Do you think Ming Yu will protect you? She can’t even protect herself! One day, you’ll regret today’s decision. When that time comes, even if you get on your knees and beg me, I won’t give you another chance!”

            

Song Qingpei was unmoved. She just gave her an indifferent look. “Then we’ll wait for that day to come. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”

With that, she turned and walked out of the study, her steps firm.

Zhan Nansheng stood by the study window, watching Song Qingpei’s departing figure, a cold glint in her eyes.

            

She picked up her communicator and dialed a number. “Change of plans. Song Qingpei won’t cooperate. Initiate the backup plan. I want Ming Yu’s reputation utterly destroyed!”

A low voice came from the other end. “Understood.”

Zhan Nansheng hung up, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Ming Yu, Song Qingpei, you will pay the price for today’s arrogance. This is just the beginning…”

            

Stepping out of the villa, Song Qingpei took a deep breath. The cold night air helped to clear her head a little.

She knew she had thoroughly offended Zhan Nansheng today, and the days ahead would likely be even more difficult.

But she didn’t regret her choice. Whether for Song Song or for her own principles, she could never cooperate with someone like Zhan Nansheng.

            

She took out her communicator, hesitated, and finally dialed Ming Yu’s number.

After a few rings, Ming Yu’s voice came from the other end, tinged with exhaustion and anxiety. “Qingpei? Where are you? Why couldn’t I get through to you?”

It was the first time she had called her that. Song Qingpei froze for a second before responding in a low voice, “Ming Yu, I just met with Zhan Nansheng.”

            

There was a distinct pause on the other end, followed by Ming Yu’s tense voice. “What did she want with you? Are you alright?”

Song Qingpei paused, then answered truthfully. “She wanted me to smear you in front of the media, said she could grant me any condition. I refused.”

Ming Yu was silent for a few seconds, her tone laced with a complex emotion. “Thank you. I’ll handle this. You don’t need to worry.”

            

Song Qingpei shook her head, though Ming Yu couldn’t see. “I didn’t refuse her for you. I just don’t want to become a despicable person. Ming Yu, I hope you can resolve this as soon as possible. I don’t want Songsong to be affected in any way.”

Ming Yu’s voice was low and firm. “I understand. Don’t worry, I will protect you and Songsong. Send me your location. I’m coming to get you now.”

“There’s no need. I can get back on my own. You stay home and watch Songsong.”

            

But this time, no matter what Song Qingpei said, Ming Yu insisted on picking her up. Left with no choice, she could only send her location.

“Wait for me where there are a lot of people. I’ll be right there,” Ming Yu instructed.

Song Qingpei didn’t say anything more, just gave a soft “mhm” and hung up.

            

She looked up at the night sky, a mix of emotions swirling within her.

She knew that her relationship with Ming Yu could never go back to the way it was, but for Song Song’s sake, they had to face this together. At least Ming Yu’s attitude seemed to have changed quite a bit.

She just couldn’t understand why Ming Yu’s attitude had changed so suddenly.

            

Before long, Ming Yu arrived in person to pick Song Qingpei up.

Along the way, she kept glancing at Song Qingpei, a hint of concern in her eyes that was hard to detect.

“Zhan Nansheng didn’t do anything to you, did she?” Ming Yu finally couldn’t help but ask, her voice tight.

            

Song Qingpei shook her head, her tone calm. “No. She just tried to persuade me to cooperate, but I refused.”

Ming Yu let out a breath of relief, but her brow remained furrowed. “She won’t give up that easily. You need to be careful lately. Try not to go anywhere alone.”

Song Qingpei nodded without saying much.

            

She looked out the window. The city lights were brilliant in the night, but they only made her feel a sense of weariness.

When they got home, Song Song was already getting impatient.

Seeing them return together, she immediately rushed over and grabbed their hands excitedly. “Mommy, Mama, you’re finally back! Let’s play a game!”

            

Ming Yu smiled and crouched down to stroke Song Song’s head. “Okay, what do you want to play?”

Song Song’s eyes lit up. She pulled them over to the sofa. “Let’s play with the jigsaw puzzle! I just got a new one, and it’s really hard!”

Watching Song Song’s excited face, Song Qingpei also relaxed a little.

            

She sat down next to Song Song and said softly, “Alright, let’s do it together.”

The three of them gathered around the coffee table and started on the puzzle.

Ming Yu would occasionally look up at Song Qingpei, a complex emotion in her eyes. She seemed to want to say something, but every time the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back down.

            

Time ticked by, and Song Song’s puzzle gradually took shape.

But Ming Yu showed no signs of leaving. She remained seated next to Song Qingpei, occasionally trying to start a conversation.

“How was work today?” Ming Yu suddenly asked, her tone probing.

            

Song Qingpei was taken aback for a moment, then replied coolly, “It was fine. Nothing special.”

Ming Yu nodded, seeming to want to say more, but ultimately said nothing and went back to the puzzle.

Song Song yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Mommy, Mama, I’m a little sleepy.”

            

Song Qingpei checked the time; it was almost Song Song’s bedtime. She said softly, “Then let’s go wash up and get ready for bed.”

“Mama, I want to sleep with you~” Song Song whined.

Because of the day’s events, Song Qingpei couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She nodded, took her hand, and stood up to head to the bedroom. Unexpectedly, Ming Yu stood up too, looking as if she intended to follow them.

            

Song Qingpei glanced at her, a hint of confusion in her voice. “You… aren’t you going to rest?”

Ming Yu smiled, her tone light. “I’m not in a hurry. I’ll stay with Songsong a little longer.”

Song Qingpei frowned, puzzled.

            

She looked at Song Song, then at Ming Yu, and finally said nothing more, taking Song Song to the bedroom to wash up.

After they were done, Song Song lay in bed, her eyes already half-closed.

Ming Yu sat by the bed, gently patting Song Song’s back. “Songsong, do you want Mommy to sleep with you?”

            

Song Song nodded drowsily, her voice soft and sticky. “Yes… Mommy sleep with me.”

Song Qingpei stood to the side, even more confused.

She looked at Ming Yu, her tone probing. “You… are you sleeping here tonight?”

            

Ming Yu nodded, her tone natural. “Songsong wants me to sleep with her.”

Song Qingpei was at a loss for words.

She looked at Song Song, then at Ming Yu, and finally could only nod helplessly. “Well… alright then.”

            

The three of them once again lay in the same bed. Song Song was in the middle and quickly fell asleep.

Song Qingpei lay uncomfortably on her side. Although she knew Ming Yu would leave after Song Song was asleep, her mind was filled with confusion and doubt. These past few days, Ming Yu had been acting far too abnormally.

Even as she deliberately ignored Ming Yu, she could still clearly feel her—attentiveness.

            

After much thought, that was the only word she could use to describe it. And it wasn’t the kind of attentiveness she’d shown before to deliberately please Song Song; it seemed aimed at her. At first, she couldn’t believe it, but after several days of such obvious behavior, she couldn’t ignore it.

Even if she wanted to win Song Song’s favor, there was no need for her attitude to suddenly become so solicitous. It even made her think of that old saying: to be attentive for no reason is to be a thief or a scoundrel².

But she racked her brains and still couldn’t figure out why the ever-proud Ming Yu would do such a thing.

            

What did she have that Ming Yu could possibly want?

Like a flash of lightning, a terrible yet logical idea shot through her mind. Her face turned red, then pale. She was so angry she almost jumped out of bed.

Suppressing her rage, she turned her head toward Ming Yu and found that she wasn’t asleep either, but was staring at the ceiling.

            

She seemed to have no intention of leaving.

“Ming Yu,” Song Qingpei looked at her, her voice very low. “Aren’t you going back to rest?”

Ming Yu looked at her, her eyes evasive. “I’m just staying with… Songsong a little longer.”

            

What was there to see in a sleeping child? Her clumsy lie only served to confirm Song Qingpei’s suspicions.

Song Qingpei finally couldn’t take it anymore. She forced down her anger and said, “Are you… going into heat?”

Ming Yu froze, then looked up at Song Qingpei, a hint of surprise in her eyes. “Why would you ask that?”

            

Song Qingpei frowned, her voice full of suspicion. “Your attitude lately… has been a little strange. If your heat period is coming, you’d better see a doctor in advance. Don’t let it get to the point where… you know. I won’t agree to it again…”

Before she could finish, Ming Yu’s face suddenly flushed crimson.

She shot up, her voice laced with fury. “Song Qingpei, is that the kind of person I am in your eyes?”

            

So all her attempts to be kind were seen as a clumsy approach with an ulterior motive? In that instant, Ming Yu felt utterly humiliated. It was more shameful than being slapped across the face.

Song Qingpei was startled by her reaction and instinctively scooted back. “…Isn’t that it?”

Ming Yu let out a cold laugh, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “Song Qingpei, am I that despicable in your eyes? I’ll have you know, I’m not trying to stay because of my heat. I just… I just…”

            

Her words died in her throat, as if she didn’t know how to continue.

Finally, she shot to her feet and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Song Qingpei sat on the bed, staring at the closed door, the sound of it slamming still ringing in her ears. Her heart was a tangled mess.

            

She truly didn’t understand why Ming Yu’s attitude had suddenly become so strange.

Could it be… she had really misunderstood her?

Had Ming Yu really just had a change of heart and decided to live peacefully with her for Song Song’s sake?

            

No, no, she still felt that Ming Yu wasn’t someone who would give in so easily. Her reaction just now seemed more like the lashing out of someone whose despicable motives had been exposed.

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The author has something to say:

I finally managed to finish my daily chapter, praise me!

            

Little Song would never in a million years believe that Ming Yu has realized she’s in love with her. She just assumes Ming Yu is lusting after her body and wants to use her to soothe her heat, just like how Ming Yu once stubbornly believed that Little Song was only close to her because she coveted power and influence.

Hehe, what goes around comes around. Karma gets everyone in the end.

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