Top-Tier Omega: Chasing Alpha to the Crematorium – Chapter 24
by Little PandaThe Heat Has Come
After returning to her room, Ming Yu’s mood remained turbulent for a long time.
She lay on her bed, her mind replaying Song Qingpei’s suspicious, wary gaze and her piercing question—“Is your heat period coming?” The words were like a sharp thorn, plunging deep into her heart, leaving her feeling both furious and helpless.
She had never imagined that her own act of setting aside her pride and making a friendly overture would be so misinterpreted by Song Qingpei as having an ulterior motive. She felt her sincerity had been trampled, her self-respect grievously wounded. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she silently vowed never to bow her head to Song Qingpei again.
She tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
However, the next morning…
Ming Yu discovered Song Qingpei had woken up early as usual to prepare breakfast for Song Song. Standing at the top of the stairs, she watched Song Qingpei’s busy figure, a complex mix of emotions churning within her.
She walked to the dining table and sat down. Her eyes swept over the food on the table, and she spoke awkwardly. “Morning.”
Hearing her voice, Song Qingpei didn’t even raise her head. “Morning,” she replied automatically. “Eat up. I’ll drop Song Song off at school on my way to work.”
And that was it. She didn’t even mention last night, as if their argument had never happened.
A stifling frustration welled up inside Ming Yu, but she couldn’t lash out. She could only lower her head and continue eating.
The atmosphere at the table was somewhat awkward, but it was a vast improvement over the tense, hostile standoff of the previous night.
After a few bites, Ming Yu stood up and grabbed her coat, ready to leave. “I’m heading to Military Headquarters. I might be back late today.”
Song Qingpei nodded, a flicker of unease in her heart.
She knew Ming Yu was going to the headquarters to deal with yesterday’s trending topic. Although Ming Yu hadn’t said so explicitly, she could sense that the matter wasn’t so simple.
Finally, she couldn’t help but ask, “Ming Yu, that trending topic… it won’t affect Song Song, will it?”
Ming Yu nodded, her tone softening instinctively. “I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”
The moment she said it, she felt she was being too eager, as if she were actively trying to curry favor. At that thought, her expression immediately turned cold. She spun around stiffly and left.
Song Song watched Ming Yu’s departing figure and tugged uncertainly at Song Qingpei’s sleeve. “Mama, did you and Mommy fight again?”
Song Qingpei knelt, gently stroking Song Song’s head as she soothed her. “We didn’t fight. Mommy is just a little busy. Song Song doesn’t need to worry. Mama will take you to school, okay?”
Song Song nodded. Though still a little confused, the sight of Song Qingpei’s gentle smile quickly put her at ease, and she happily followed her mother out the door.
After dropping off Song Song, Song Qingpei went straight to the company.
The moment she stepped into the office, she sensed a strange atmosphere.
Although her colleagues were still busy on the surface, their occasional glances and whispers made her uncomfortable. She knew that yesterday’s scandal had already spread throughout the company.
She tried to remain calm, sat down at her workstation, and turned on her light-terminal to start working.
Before long, however, Murong Ruixue walked over and tapped on her desk. “Qingpei, come to the conference room for a moment. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
Song Qingpei’s heart tightened. “Ruixue-jie, is it about the trending topic?”
“Yes.” Murong Ruixue nodded reassuringly. “Don’t worry too much. It’s just a routine inquiry. It’ll be fine.”
Song Qingpei nodded and stood up, following Murong Ruixue into the conference room.
Inside, besides Murong Ruixue, were several high-level executives from the company, all of whom seemed very concerned about the matter.
When they saw Song Qingpei enter, their gazes were tinged with scrutiny and curiosity.
The director of the Public Relations Department gestured for her to sit, then got straight to the point. “Song Qingpei, we all saw yesterday’s trending topic. The company has also received inquiries from the media. Your relationship with Admiral Ming Yu has a significant impact, and we need a clear answer.”
Song Qingpei took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “Admiral Ming Yu and I do have a daughter, but we are no longer in a relationship. This trending topic was deliberately sensationalized by someone. I believe it will be resolved quickly.”
The head nodded. “Director Murong has always valued your abilities, but this incident has had a major impact. We hope you can handle it as soon as possible, so it doesn’t affect the company’s reputation.”
Song Qingpei nodded, her voice firm. “I understand. I will resolve it as quickly as I can.”
The PR director glanced at her, looking as if he wanted to say more.
But Murong Ruixue cut him off, smiling to ease the tense atmosphere. “Alright, alright, it’s just a small personal matter. You’re making it sound like a formal inquest1. Qingpei said she’ll handle it. Even if you don’t trust her, you should trust Admiral Ming Yu’s capabilities. I’m sure this will be resolved soon.”
Her words were layered, a needle hidden in cotton2, and she had casually framed Song Qingpei and Ming Yu as a single entity.
The expressions of the grim-faced executives shifted. They exchanged glances, and constrained by Ming Yu’s status, they said no more to Song Qingpei, merely suggesting politely that she have Admiral Ming Yu resolve this troublesome matter quickly.
After leaving the conference room with Murong Ruixue, Song Qingpei’s mood grew even heavier.
She knew that if this wasn’t resolved soon, not only would her job be affected, but Song Song’s life could also be disrupted.
Song Qingpei took out her communicator, hesitating. Should she contact Ming Yu?
But judging from yesterday’s events, Zhan Nansheng was not an easy person to deal with. Ming Yu was probably overwhelmed at Military Headquarters right now. It was better not to add to her pressure. In the end, she didn’t dial Ming Yu’s number.
Meanwhile, Ming Yu sat in her office, a mountain of files piled on her desk.
She picked up her communicator and dialed Lieutenant Lin’s number. “What’s the status of the investigation into the trending topic?”
Lieutenant Lin’s voice came from the other end. “Admiral, we’ve traced the source of the posts to a small media outlet. Zhan Nansheng’s shadow is indeed behind it. The evidence has been compiled and sent to you.”
Ming Yu frowned, a chill in her voice. “Go find Ming Rui and have her cooperate with you. Keep digging. I want you to find some dirt on Zhan Nansheng. Since she dared to play dirty with me, we’ll just have to give her a taste of her own medicine3.”
“Yes, I’ll get on it right away,” Lieutenant Lin replied.
After hanging up, Ming Yu compiled all the evidence.
Then she strode towards Marshal Lin Pinghai’s office.
Lin Pinghai was processing documents when Ming Yu entered. He looked up at her, his tone calm. “Ming Yu, what brings you to me so early?”
Ming Yu placed the files on his desk, her voice resolute. “Marshal, this is the evidence of Zhan Nansheng manipulating the media and spreading rumors. She not only attempted to tarnish my reputation but also threatened my family. I hope the military will handle this matter justly.”
Lin Pinghai frowned and picked up the files, reading them carefully. As his eyes scanned the documents, his frown deepened.
A moment later, he put the files down and sighed. “Ming Yu, this matter… are you certain Zhan Nansheng was behind it?”
“The evidence is conclusive, Marshal Lin.”
Ming Yu nodded, her tone icy. “Zhan Nansheng not only had people follow my family, but she also tried to coerce her into slandering me to the media. Such behavior is a serious violation of military discipline. I hope the military will deal with it severely.”
Lin Pinghai was silent for a moment before finally nodding. “Alright. I will call Zhan Nansheng here and question her face-to-face.”
Before long, Zhan Nansheng was summoned to the Marshal’s office.
The moment she entered and saw Ming Yu, her expression flickered, but she quickly regained her composure.
She walked up to Lin Pinghai, her tone respectful. “Marshal Lin, you sent for me?”
Lin Pinghai pushed the files towards her, his voice stern. “Zhan Nansheng, Ming Yu accuses you of manipulating the media, spreading rumors, and attempting to threaten her family. Do you have an explanation?”
Zhan Nansheng glanced down at the files, and her face instantly turned pale.
She bit her lip and looked up at Lin Pinghai, a hint of defiance in her voice. “Marshal, this… perhaps it was done by my subordinates, but they did not intentionally slander her. It’s all true. I hope Admiral Ming Yu can face her own problems and not let her private life affect the reputation of our military.”
Ming Yu let out a cold laugh, her voice dripping with scorn. “Zhan Nansheng, is your idea of ‘facing problems’ threatening my family to tarnish my reputation? Are you aware that such behavior is a serious violation of military discipline?”
Zhan Nansheng said nothing.
She had laid her trap perfectly. Based on the information she’d gathered, Song Qingpei and Ming Yu were not on good terms. She had thought Song Qingpei would be easy to buy off, but she never expected her to refuse to cooperate. She had been careless.
The atmosphere between the two women instantly became charged and hostile.
Lin Pinghai looked at Ming Yu, then at Zhan Nansheng, and finally sighed. “You are both elites of the military. I don’t want to see your personal grievances affect the unity of the headquarters. This matter ends here. Zhan Nansheng, you will apologize to Ming Yu and guarantee this will not happen again.”
Zhan Nansheng gritted her teeth, finally turning to Ming Yu. Her voice was stiff. “My apologies.”
Ming Yu gave her a cold look and did not respond.
Seeing this, and thinking of the Zhan family behind Zhan Nansheng, Lin Pinghai continued, hoping to placate her. “Zhan Nansheng, I have decided to appoint you as the Vice-Chancellor of the Planet Lan Advanced Military Academy, to be jointly responsible for the newly established academy with Ming Yu. The two of you must work together. Do not disappoint me again.”
Upon hearing this appointment, a flash of surprise crossed Zhan Nansheng’s eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
She nodded respectfully. “Yes, Marshal Lin.”
Ming Yu didn’t say much either, simply nodding to accept the arrangement.
That afternoon, Military Headquarters held a press conference, officially announcing the appointments of Ming Yu and Zhan Nansheng, as well as the plans for the new advanced military academy.
Regarding yesterday’s trending topic, Ming Yu also gave an official response. She stated that she had indeed been stranded on a garbage planet during her amnesia, but the person who saved her was not some low-grade Alpha, but a mech repair technician whose identity she did not wish to disclose, to avoid disrupting their normal life.
Once this statement was released, public opinion quickly subsided.
Although netizens were still curious about Ming Yu’s private life, under the strong intervention of the military and the media, they were soon unable to discuss the matter online.
When Song Qingpei saw the news at home, she gave a bitter smile and turned off her light-terminal, her heart filled with a complex mix of feelings.
“So… having once loved a low-grade Alpha is still a shameful past you must deny.”
Song Qingpei whispered to herself, a flicker of loss in her eyes.
She knew Ming Yu had all sorts of valid reasons for doing so, but the feeling of being negated still pained her. Soon, however, she composed herself.
It didn’t matter. As long as Ming Yu let her stay by Song Song’s side, she no longer cared about anything else.
As dusk settled, Ming Yu returned, unfastening the collar of her military uniform in the foyer.
The warm yellow light of the great hall cast Song Qingpei’s shadow on the wall. In the flickering halo, she saw Song Qingpei laughing at something her daughter said, a joy that came from the heart.
“Mommy!” Song Song scrambled out of a pile of toys, her small, paint-smeared hands clutching the corner of Ming Yu’s uniform. “Teacher taught us how to draw mechs today! I drew you in your uniform!”
Ming Yu knelt, letting her daughter press the drawing paper against her face.
Amidst the watercolor smudges were three wobbly figures holding hands. The little person in the middle even had a small pink flower on her head. She heard the sound of paper turning behind her and saw Song Qingpei looking at the drawing intently, her eyelashes casting a fine shadow beneath her eyes.
Ming Yu suddenly found the scene incredibly warm. It reminded her of her time on the Garbage Planet, when she was pregnant and couldn’t sleep at night. Song Qingpei would clumsily read stories to her from a book, and she would lie in her arms with her eyes closed, listening quietly.
In this moment, she instinctively held her breath, afraid to disturb Song Qingpei. A powerful impulse surged in her chest, a desire to confess her feelings.
“Qing…” But just as she was about to speak, she was interrupted.
Song Qingpei had already closed the drawing book and stood up. “Alright, Song Song, it’s getting late. Time for a bath and bed.”
Song Song obediently got up and followed Song Qingpei to the bathroom. Ming Yu hesitated for a moment, then followed them.
Song Qingpei was busy bathing Song Song.
Ming Yu stood to the side, watching the mother and daughter with a focused expression. Her gaze kept drifting to Song Qingpei, finding it difficult to look away, the tumultuous emotions inside her threatening to spill out at any moment.
But from Song Qingpei’s perspective, it was a different scene entirely. She just found it annoying.
Such a big person, standing there arrogantly like a foreman, not even offering to help. She was just staring, as if Song Qingpei were a stepmother who would mistreat her own daughter. It was really too much.
Song Qingpei grumbled internally, secretly rolling her eyes at Ming Yu before carrying Song Song back to the children’s room.
Song Song began to pull her usual trick, whining, “Mama, I want to sleep with you and Mommy~”
Hearing Song Song’s assist, the silent Ming Yu finally found her chance and blurted out, “Okay…”
Before she could finish, Song Qingpei cut her off. “No. Song Song, you’re in school now. You’re a brave little grown-up. You have to sleep by yourself.”
Children were utterly powerless against praise for their bravery. Song Song immediately lifted her little head and nodded. “Mhm. Song Song is a brave little grown-up. I can sleep by myself.”
Then she obediently went back to her room, even saying she didn’t need to be tucked in; she could put herself to sleep.
Song Qingpei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She planted a goodnight kiss on her forehead, tucked her in, and then left. As she turned, her gaze met Ming Yu’s, which hadn’t yet looked away. A hint of regret seemed to flash within it.
It must be my imagination, she thought.
The two left the room one after the other. Song Qingpei turned to leave, but Ming Yu took a step forward, blocking her path.
Song Qingpei looked up at her, stunned.
Ming Yu stood in the shadows of the second-floor hallway. She looked at Song Qingpei and said in a hoarse voice, “The trending topic is resolved. No one will bother you again.”
Song Qingpei’s recently calmed emotions stirred again. Ming Yu had never hidden her disdain for her being a Low-grade A. She certainly wasn’t going to invite more humiliation. She just lowered her head slightly, the moonlight trickling down her lowered lashes.
“Mm, I saw the news,” she said softly.
The response was like a fine needle piercing Ming Yu’s temple.
She suddenly felt a great sense of powerlessness. The sharp taps of her military boots on the floor set a frantic rhythm. “Is there nothing else you want to say?” she asked, annoyed.
“You went to a lot of trouble over this,” Song Qingpei’s voice was as crisp as a slap. “It’s late. You should get some rest.”
With that, she tried to walk past again. Ming Yu, furious, followed and cornered her again at the turn in the hallway.
A hidden anger colored Song Qingpei’s eyes. She forced it down and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Song Qingpei, in your eyes…” Ming Yu paused, hearing her own voice, terrifyingly hoarse. “Am I only nice to you to get through my heat period?”
Nice to her? Song Qingpei was stunned for a moment. When had she ever been nice to her?
Then it dawned on her. To someone as high and mighty as Ming Yu, a little normal respect probably felt like a grand gesture of kindness. She couldn’t be bothered to argue. She just found it laughable.
“What else could it be?” she chuckled. “I really can’t think of any other reason you would suddenly be so ‘nice’ to me.” She deliberately stressed the word ‘nice,’ her tone dripping with a strange, sarcastic4 air.
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her head. The words Ming Yu had wanted to say became a joke.
To say more would be to bring disgrace upon herself. She snorted. “You’re overthinking it. I’m only doing this for Song Song, accepting your proposal of peaceful coexistence.”
“That’s great.” Song Qingpei looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Furious, Ming Yu turned and walked away.
The hallway light stretched her shadow long behind her. The emotions pent up in her chest were like dense, dark clouds, pressing down until she could barely breathe.
She had planned to give Song Qingpei the cold shoulder, to deliberately ignore her.
To her surprise, however, Song Qingpei’s responses remained faint and detached, as if she had already seen through her intentions and was completely indifferent to her coldness, even ignoring her existence entirely.
This lack of reaction made Ming Yu increasingly uneasy, as if she were arguing with the air, never getting a response.
Time slipped by. Ming Yu grew secretly anxious, trying once again to mask her feelings. But she found that every time she responded to Song Qingpei with coldness, she was met with even stronger disregard. She had to admit that, at some point, she had begun to crave Song Qingpei’s attention, to crave her warmth.
But this craving was like a hidden flame in her heart that could never be ignited. It made her toss and turn, yet she couldn’t bring herself to seek reconciliation, afraid that Song Qingpei would only bring her greater humiliation.
Until one night, when a torrential downpour began, the thunder outside roaring like an enraged beast.
A massive clap of thunder startled Song Song awake, her scream tearing through the quiet night.
A jolt went through Ming Yu. She was instantly reminded of a dark, stormy night from her own childhood, of the fear of being left home alone. She bolted towards Song Song’s room, meeting Song Qingpei at the door.
“Song Song!” Song Qingpei’s voice was fraught with anxiety.
Ming Yu’s heart clenched. They pushed open the door at almost the same time.
In the small room, Song Song was curled up on the bed, tear tracks still wet on her face, looking incredibly fragile.
A pang of heartache shot through Song Qingpei, and she rushed to pull her into her arms.
“Mama!” Song Song threw herself into Song Qingpei’s embrace, clinging to her, her voice a mixture of fear and dependence. “I’m scared!”
“Mama’s here. Don’t be scared,” Song Qingpei comforted her softly, stroking her hair.
Her voice was like a warm spring breeze, easing Song Song’s fear. The little girl looked down pitifully and whimpered, “I’m not brave anymore. Mama, can I sleep with you?”
Song Qingpei quickly reassured her. “That’s not true. Song Song is very brave. Mama was afraid of thunder and rain when I was little, too. Song Song is just too small. When you’re a big grown-up, you won’t be scared anymore.”
“Really?” Song Song’s eyes shone with hope.
“Really.”
Song Qingpei picked Song Song up and turned towards her own room. Seeing this, Ming Yu silently followed.
She mentally rehearsed her excuse, trying to convince herself she was only doing it to reassure Song Song.
When she saw Ming Yu following, Song Qingpei paused, looking at her in confusion.
Their eyes met. Ming Yu’s voice held a hint of unyielding resolve. “I need to be with Song Song.”
Finally, she gave a helpless shrug, gesturing for Ming Yu to come along.
The three of them returned to the room. Song Song had already wrapped herself tightly in the blankets, a hint of exhaustion in her eyes, but she still refused to sleep, as if afraid of seeing something frightening again.
Ming Yu sat on the edge of the bed and said softly to Song Song, “It’s okay. Mommy will protect you. Don’t be afraid.”
The words seemed to inject her with strength. Song Song snuggled into her arms and wheedled, “Mommy is strong. You hold me while I sleep.”
Ming Yu smiled slightly and wrapped her arms around Song Song. “Okay,” she said softly.
Song Qingpei watched this scene quietly, her heart a tangled mess. Song Song probably still had a natural admiration for Ming Yu. Fortunately, she could now view it with a level head and didn’t feel so insecure anymore.
Song Song fell into a deep sleep in Ming Yu’s arms, a peaceful smile on her face, as if all her fears had vanished like smoke.
The storm still raged outside, but in this small room, a warmth seemed to be quietly spreading.
In this atmosphere, Ming Yu’s heart couldn’t help but soften. Perhaps, she thought, she should also learn to let go of her pride and try to build a new relationship with Song Qingpei.
At this thought, she mustered her courage to look at Song Qingpei, then quickly averted her gaze, forcing out a sentence. “Song Qingpei, I’m sorry.”
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum, almost inaudible.
Song Qingpei only heard her mumble something, completely unable to make out the words. “What?” she asked, puzzled.
Ming Yu was incensed by her reaction. She felt that Song Qingpei was deliberately mocking her. “I said, I’m sorry,” she said, mortified. “The way I treated you before… it really wasn’t good. I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry, even if my heat period comes, as long as you’re not willing, I won’t force you…”
Though she had no idea why Ming Yu was suddenly acting so crazy, Song Qingpei still stated eagerly, “I’m not willing.”
Ming Yu’s chest tightened with anger.
She desperately wanted to storm out, but after several arguments, she’d realized that getting angry was useless. Song Qingpei didn’t take it seriously at all. Even if she left, she would just be stewing in her own anger.
As this thought crossed her mind, Ming Yu felt her body slowly growing warmer, probably from the sheer rage.
She simply closed her eyes and tried to regulate her breathing.
The night was deep and still, the only sound in the room being Song Song’s even breathing.
Song Qingpei gently patted Song Song’s back, looking at her sleeping face, but her heart was far from happy.
After her bizarre apology, Ming Yu hadn’t even left. She had brazenly stayed, under the pretext of “sleeping with Song Song.” Who knew what she was really up to.
Ming Yu lay on the other side of Song Song, her eyes closed, as if pretending to be asleep.
Her breathing was steady, as if she had truly drifted off.
Song Qingpei glanced at her, feeling a little helpless, but she couldn’t very well kick her out now. After all, she didn’t want to wake Song Song and make a scene in front of the child.
Time passed, minute by minute. The room was so quiet only their breathing could be heard.
Song Qingpei started to feel drowsy. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she suddenly sensed a faint, cloying sweetness in the air.
She frowned and instinctively looked at Ming Yu.
Ming Yu’s face was flushed, fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and her breathing had become rapid.
Song Qingpei’s heart seized. She immediately realized what was happening—Ming Yu’s heat had come.
“Ming Yu?” Song Qingpei called her name softly, her voice tinged with tension.
Ming Yu didn’t respond, only keeping her eyes shut tightly, her body trembling slightly.
Her pheromones were leaking out uncontrollably. The air filled with a rich, sweet fragrance that made Song Qingpei’s expression turn cold in an instant. That liar. All that talk earlier was just to make her soften up.
She sat up, her voice laced with anger. “Ming Yu, stop pretending. I know you’re awake.”
Ming Yu finally opened her eyes. Her face was crimson, her gaze filled with embarrassment.
She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but found she had no defense. The symptoms of her heat had come on suddenly and fiercely. Her body was burning, and even breathing had become difficult.
“I… I didn’t expect it either…” Ming Yu managed to say, her voice hoarse and faint.
Song Qingpei let out a cold laugh, her tone full of undisguised mockery. “You didn’t expect it? You knew your heat was coming, yet you insisted on staying here. Wasn’t it just so I would help you solve it?”
Ming Yu’s face grew even redder. She wanted to argue, but she couldn’t explain herself. Her body was getting hotter, her pheromones spilling out uncontrollably. Even she herself felt ashamed.
Song Qingpei watched her coldly, her voice filled with clear disappointment. “Ming Yu, you’re always so unscrupulous, doing whatever it takes to achieve your goals without any consideration for others. I don’t care if it’s because of your heat or something else, but I’m telling you, I will not maintain this ambiguous relationship with you. Contact your doctor right now. I don’t want to see you again.”
Ming Yu’s heart sank. She knew Song Qingpei was truly angry.
She gritted her teeth and struggled to get out of bed, her body swaying unsteadily. Her pheromones were growing stronger, so much so that even she found them hard to control.
“Fine, I’ll go…” Ming Yu said in a low voice.
She closed her eyes to steady her breathing and staggered towards the door, her figure looking exceptionally wretched.
Song Qingpei watched her go, a mix of emotions churning inside her.
She knew her words had been harsh, but she simply couldn’t accept Ming Yu’s behavior. Her heat was not an excuse. She refused to be led by the nose by Ming Yu any longer.
At the door, Ming Yu suddenly stopped and looked back at Song Qingpei, a complex emotion in her eyes. “Song Qingpei, I really didn’t come here on purpose because of this…”
Song Qingpei said nothing. With a look of shame and indignation, Ming Yu stumbled away.
The moment she returned to her room and closed the door, her body nearly collapsed to the floor. The fever of her heat crashed over her like a tidal wave, one wave after another battering her sanity.
Her breathing was ragged, fine sweat beaded on her forehead, and her cheeks were flushed an unnatural crimson.
The air was thick with the pheromones she couldn’t control, so sweet and cloying they were almost suffocating.
She stumbled to the bed, threw herself into the covers, and squeezed her eyes shut.
The moment she did, however, images of her time with Song Qingpei flooded her mind—the ambiguous touches, the lingering kisses, and Song Qingpei’s gentle gaze.
Those memories were like a fire, igniting the desire she was already struggling to control, making her suffering even worse.
“No… inhibitor…”
Ming Yu gritted her teeth and whispered, trying to use reason to suppress her body’s urges.
However, the symptoms of her heat grew stronger. Her body felt as if it were being consumed by flames, every inch of her skin screaming with longing. She curled up on the bed, her fingers gripping the sheets so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Finally, she could bear it no longer. With trembling hands, she picked up her communicator and dialed Doctor Li Man’s number.
“Li Man… my heat has come…”
Ming Yu’s voice was hoarse and weak, almost squeezed from her throat.
Hearing her ragged voice, Li Man knew something was wrong and rushed to Ming Yu’s residence.
The moment she entered, she was hit by the intense smell of pheromones in the air, and her brow furrowed slightly.
She walked to the bedside and saw Ming Yu curled up, her face flushed and her breathing rapid. She was clearly in the throes of an extreme heat.
“Ming Yu, your condition is serious,” Li Man said, her tone grave as she checked her vitals. “Your pheromone disorder has been going on for a long time, and the inhibitors are becoming less effective. If this continues, your body won’t be able to take it.”
Ming Yu gritted her teeth, her voice trembling. “I know… but… I can’t…”
Li Man sighed, a hint of helplessness in her voice. “Ming Yu, I’ve advised you before. Accepting Song Qingpei’s mark is the best way to solve this problem. Your body needs her. Otherwise, the inhibitors will only make your condition worse.”
At the mention of Song Qingpei’s name, Ming Yu’s body jolted, and a flash of shame and pain crossed her eyes. “No… I can’t… She… she rejected me…”
Li Man was taken aback, clearly not expecting such an outcome.
She frowned, her tone puzzled. “Song Qingpei rejected you? Why? I thought you two had already…”
Ming Yu gave a bitter laugh, her voice barely a whisper. “She… she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me anymore.”
Li Man was silent for a moment, then finally sighed. “Ming Yu, your condition can’t be delayed any longer. If Song Qingpei is unwilling to help you, I can only continue to give you inhibitor injections. But this is just a temporary solution. In the long run, your body will break down.”
Ming Yu didn’t speak again, only nodding silently.
Li Man administered the inhibitor. Once Ming Yu had temporarily stabilized, she left the room.
In the great hall, Song Qingpei was sitting silently on the sofa, once again lost in deep worry.
She knew Ming Yu’s condition was getting worse, but she couldn’t convince herself to get involved in that kind of ambiguous relationship. Yet she also knew that if Ming Yu’s pheromone disorder wasn’t resolved, Ming Yu would never let her go easily.
Seeing Li Man come out, Song Qingpei could only ask her for help.
Li Man sighed and explained Ming Yu’s situation to her again. None of the inhibitors were working for Ming Yu.
“Is there no other way at all?” Song Qingpei asked in despair.
Li Man thought for a moment before telling her, “There is one way. We could try using your blood. I just don’t know how much would be effective, and relying on blood transfusions to get through her heat every month would be too damaging to your body.”
“Okay, I understand.”
From her expression, it was clear she would rather give blood than be intimate with Ming Yu again. Li Man sighed repeatedly. Knowing she couldn’t persuade her, she could only leave behind a syringe for drawing blood and depart helplessly.
Song Qingpei sighed in frustration and returned to her room, her mind heavy with worry.
The effect of the inhibitor didn’t last long at all.
In the dead of night, Ming Yu’s heat returned with a vengeance, even more ferocious than before.
Her body felt like it was being consumed by flames, her reason almost completely drowned by desire. She curled up on the bed, her fingers digging into the sheets, trying to use pain to distract herself, but it was useless.
At the same time, Song Qingpei sensed that something was wrong with Ming Yu.
She could smell the increasingly potent pheromones in the air. She knew Ming Yu’s heat had reached its limit, but she also knew she really didn’t want to compromise.
Just as she was caught in an agonizing dilemma, she suddenly heard faint footsteps outside her door.
She frowned, but still got up and opened it. Ming Yu was standing outside, her face flushed, her breathing ragged, her eyes filled with an unconcealable desire.
“Ming Yu? You…” Song Qingpei’s words were cut short.
Ming Yu had already stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.
“Song Qingpei, I…” Her voice was hoarse and trembling, almost squeezed from her throat. “Help me…”
Song Qingpei’s heart sank, and she instinctively took a step back. “Ming Yu, calm down… I’ll contact Doctor Li Man for you right now…”
“No… no doctor.” Ming Yu shook her head, her voice filled with longing. “I want you… I only want you…”
Her body moved uncontrollably closer to Song Qingpei, the scent of her pheromones growing stronger, almost making Song Qingpei feel dizzy.
She gritted her teeth and tried to push her away, but Ming Yu’s body pressed against hers first, her breath hot and ragged against her ear.
Song Qingpei’s heart hammered in her chest, reason and emotion warring in her mind.
She knew she should push Ming Yu away, but her body was involuntarily responding to Ming Yu’s pheromones, as if drawn by some invisible force.
However, Ming Yu could no longer control herself.
Her lips found Song Qingpei’s, gentle and fiery, as if trying to pour all her emotions into the kiss.
Song Qingpei’s body trembled, the last of her rational defenses nearly crumbling.
At the last second, she bit down hard on Ming Yu’s lip, pushing her away as she gasped for breath. Then she stood, grabbed the syringe Li Man had left for drawing blood, and plunged it into her own vein.
As Ming Yu watched in shock, she injected the drawn blood into her gland.
Ming Yu stared blankly at Song Qingpei’s actions. Her lip was broken, the blood drying at the corner of her mouth, making her look exceptionally wretched.
As the blood slowly entered her system, her mind gradually cleared and her pheromones began to cool. But she felt no relief, only an ever-deepening sense of pain and shame.
She looked at Song Qingpei, biting her lip so hard it trembled, her voice catching on a sob. “You… you’d rather give me a transfusion than…”
Song Qingpei didn’t look at her, only saying in a low voice, “There… go back and rest.”
A flash of pain crossed Ming Yu’s eyes. “Qingpei, I…”
Song Qingpei stood up, her back to her, her voice calm but tinged with finality. “Ming Yu, we both need to calm down. You should go. Don’t wake Song Song.”
Ming Yu’s face instantly turned pale. Under Song Qingpei’s resolute gaze, her eyes were stained with a thick despair.
Does she really hate me this much?
Footnotes
- Literally 'joint trial by three judicial halls' (sāntáng huìshěn), this idiom refers to a severe historical interrogation. In modern usage, it means to be grilled or intensely questioned by multiple parties at once.
- Literally 'a needle hidden in cotton' (mián lǐ cáng zhēn), this idiom describes words or actions that are soft on the surface but carry a sharp, hidden point.
- The idiom 'yǐ qí rén zhī dào, huán zhì qí rén zhī shēn' means to use an opponent's own methods against them — the Chinese equivalent of 'give them a taste of their own medicine.'
- The term 'yīnyángguàiqì' describes a manner that is strange, sarcastic, or passive-aggressive in a way that is hard to pin down.
0 Comments