Top-Tier Omega: Chasing Alpha to the Crematorium – Chapter 26
by Little PandaI Was Wrong
After leaving Military Headquarters, Ming Yu drove to the kindergarten to pick up Song Song.
Her emotions were in turmoil the entire way, her mind replaying Song Qingpei’s cold face and distant attitude over and over. She had a general idea of why Song Qingpei disliked her, but she had no clear answer as to what she should do to change the situation.
Only one thought grew increasingly clear: she could not let Song Qingpei treat her with such indifference. She couldn’t accept it.
When they arrived at the kindergarten, Song Song spotted Ming Yu and immediately ran over, throwing herself into her arms.
Ming Yu crouched down and gently hugged her, a rare, tender smile gracing her features.
“Mommy!” Song Song tilted her little face up, her eyes sparkling. “The teacher praised me today!”
Ming Yu gently stroked Song Song’s head and asked softly, “Is that so? Why did the teacher praise you?”
Song Song excitedly began to recount the day’s fun at kindergarten, chattering on and on. Ming Yu listened quietly, occasionally nodding or offering a simple reply. The childish chatter helped her relax slightly.
But her thoughts were still on Song Qingpei. As they talked, Ming Yu began to subtly guide the conversation, trying to get some information about Song Qingpei out of her daughter.
“Songsong, what does your mama like best?” Ming Yu asked, feigning casualness.
Song Song tilted her head and thought for a moment before answering seriously, “Mama likes me best!”
Ming Yu was taken aback for a second, then found herself at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.
She gently pinched Song Song’s little cheek and continued, “Besides you, what else does Mama like?”
Song Song furrowed her brow, thought very hard for a moment, then shook her head. “Mama only likes me.”
Ming Yu felt a little helpless but was unwilling to give up.
She tried a different approach. “Then what does Mama usually like to do? For example… what does she like to eat? What books does she like to read? Or what kind of gifts does she like?”
Song Song blinked, seeming a little puzzled by Ming Yu’s questions.
She thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Mommy, are you trying to make Mama like you?”
The question caught Ming Yu off guard. A flash of embarrassment crossed her face, but she still answered earnestly, “Yes, Mommy wants Mama to like me a little more.”
Song Song tilted her head, her expression serious. “Then Mommy, you have to be gentler! You’re so scary when you’re angry. Mama doesn’t like it.” She then added, “Songsong doesn’t like it either.”
Hearing this, Ming Yu couldn’t help but ask, “Songsong, is Mommy really that fierce?”
Song Song nodded without hesitation. “Mhm! When Mommy is angry, you’re like a fire-breathing dragon. It’s really scary. Songsong gets so scared.”
At her words, Ming Yu sighed helplessly, a pang of self-reproach in her heart.
She gently stroked Song Song’s head and said softly, “Then Mommy will be a little gentler from now on, okay?”
Song Song nodded happily. “That’s a good Mommy!”
Ming Yu was amused by Song Song’s reaction, and her heart lightened a bit. She secretly resolved that, at least in front of Song Qingpei, she would try her best to act gentler.
After returning home, Ming Yu had Butler Su prepare a few extra dishes, planning to have dinner with Song Qingpei when she got back.
She hoped to use this opportunity to have a good talk with Song Qingpei and try to change her bad impression of her.
Ming Yu played with Song Song for a while, until the arrival of Military Doctor Li Man interrupted their family time.
The moment Li Man entered, she got straight to the point, asking about Ming Yu’s physical condition.
“Admiral Ming, how are you feeling? Has the heat period flared up again?”
Ming Yu shook her head, indicating that she was fine.
She had Song Song go play by herself, then led Li Man to the testing room.
Inside, Li Man carefully ran a series of checks on Ming Yu, confirming that her condition was temporarily stable.
As she recorded the data, Li Man advised, “Admiral Ming, although your heat period has been suppressed for now, you still need to rest and avoid major emotional fluctuations.”
Ming Yu nodded, though she felt a growing sense of frustration.
She knew her emotional turmoil was largely because of Song Qingpei, yet she couldn’t control her own longing for her.
“Doctor Li,” Ming Yu said suddenly, a hint of hesitation in her voice, “why do you think… Song Qingpei is unwilling to mark me?”
Li Man froze. She had long noticed the change in Ming Yu’s feelings for Song Qingpei, but she hadn’t expected to be asked so directly.
She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Admiral Ming, I can’t answer that question. It’s possible that Miss Song’s pheromones are simply on the cooler side. It might not be directed at you. You might have… misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood?” Ming Yu gave a bitter laugh, her eyes filled with self-mockery. “She won’t even touch me. How could that be a misunderstanding?”
Li Man was at a loss for words, unsure how to comfort her.
After a moment, she said tentatively, “Admiral Ming, if you really want Miss Song to mark you, perhaps you could try being more proactive. Miss Song’s pheromones may be cool, but she doesn’t have a heart of stone.”
Ming Yu was silent for a moment, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
The memory of last night’s humiliating encounter was still fresh. Her pride made her reluctant to bow her head again.
She bit her lip and said in a low voice, “I’ll think about it.”
Seeing this, Li Man knew better than to say more. She simply reminded her to rest well and then left the medical bay.
The two exchanged a few more words in the great hall before Li Man departed.
Ming Yu glanced at the time and saw that it was already seven in the evening. Song Qingpei should have been off work by now.
Why isn’t she back yet?
She couldn’t help but frown. She wanted to call Song Qingpei but was afraid of being annoying. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to wait a little longer and went upstairs to find Song Song.
The moment Li Man left, she immediately took out her phone and sent a message to Murong Ruixue:
【Ming Yu’s pheromones are unstable. She wants to reconcile with Song Qingpei. Find a way to keep Song Qingpei there. It would be best if you could leave the scent of your pheromones on her. Make Ming Yu misunderstand and cause conflict between them.】
Meanwhile.
When Murong Ruixue received the message, Song Qingpei had not yet returned to the hospital room.
She finished reading it just as she heard footsteps approaching.
She immediately deleted the message and turned off the screen in one fluid motion, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Song Qingpei entered the room and saw that Murong Ruixue was awake, looking weakly at her.
“You’re awake.” Song Qingpei walked over, a hint of concern in her voice. “How are you feeling?”
Murong Ruixue bit her lip and said weakly, “I… I’m much better. Thank you for staying with me.”
“It’s nothing. You’re being too polite,” Song Qingpei said with a nod. “Ruixue-jie, have you called your family? So they don’t worry.”
Hearing this, Murong Ruixue’s heart clenched in anxiety.
Damn it, isn’t this just a blatant way of telling me to call someone over so she can leave?
She deliberately put on a sad, self-pitying expression. “I… I’m an orphan. I don’t have a family.” Then she feigned strength. “I’m fine now. You have a child at home, you should go back.”
Song Qingpei froze.
She hadn’t expected Murong Ruixue to be an orphan, just like her. It struck a nerve. On top of that, she owed Murong Ruixue a debt of gratitude for discovering her1.
She hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “I’ll stay and keep you company.”
A smile touched Murong Ruixue’s face, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief.
She knew her plan was halfway to success. As long as Song Qingpei stayed, she would have a chance to leave her pheromones on her and make Ming Yu misunderstand.
Her mind was spinning with devious thoughts, but her words were polite. “How could I let you do that? It’s really too much trouble.”
“It’s no trouble. You should lie down and rest.”
After speaking, Song Qingpei poured her a glass of water and handed it to her, then asked, “Ruixue-jie, are you hungry? I can go buy you something to eat.”
Murong Ruixue shook her head. “I’m not hungry. You should sit down and rest for a bit.”
Seeing how weak she looked, Song Qingpei insisted on running out to buy her some food and fruit anyway.
When she returned to the hospital room with the bags, Murong Ruixue was leaning against the headboard, her face still a little pale.
Song Qingpei placed the food on the bedside table and asked softly, “Ruixue-jie, what would you like to eat? I bought some light porridge and some fruit.”
Murong Ruixue shook her head, her voice weak. “I don’t have much of an appetite. You eat.”
Seeing that she truly had no energy, Song Qingpei didn’t press her and just ate a little herself.
When she finished, she picked up an apple, skillfully peeled it, cut it into small pieces, and placed them on a plate, offering it to Murong Ruixue. “How about some fruit?”
Murong Ruixue looked at the neatly arranged apple slices on the plate, a flicker of emotion in her eyes.
She gently picked up a piece, placed it in her mouth, and after chewing it slowly, said in a low voice, “Qingpei, you’re such a gentle and considerate Alpha. Admiral Ming is truly lucky.”
At the mention of “Admiral Ming,” Song Qingpei’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Ruixue-jie, Ming Yu and I have nothing to do with each other anymore,” she explained.
Sensing her displeasure, Murong Ruixue quickly changed the subject. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought that up. But you really are a wonderful person. Whoever ends up with you in the future will be very happy.”
Song Qingpei didn’t reply, simply lowering her head and continuing to peel the apple.
She didn’t want to discuss the topic further, so she casually shifted the conversation to Murong Ruixue. “Ruixue-jie, your heat periods seem to be overly frequent. I remember your last one was only half a month ago. How did it come on again so quickly?”
At her words, Murong Ruixue bit her lip, a look of shame in her eyes.
She lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly. “My heat periods are rather frequent, about… once every half a month. In the past, my ex-girlfriend used to humiliate me for it, saying I was promiscuous… After that, I never dared to date another Alpha. I can only use inhibitors to suppress it.”
Hearing this, Song Qingpei thought of how she had been looked down upon for being a low-grade Alpha, and a bitter sense of shared suffering rose within her.
She put down the fruit knife, gently patted Murong Ruixue’s shoulder, and comforted her, “Ruixue-jie, don’t be sad. That kind of person isn’t worth your grief. Frequent heat periods aren’t your fault, it’s just a matter of constitution. You’ll find a partner who truly understands and cares for you.”
Murong Ruixue looked up, her usual decisive and efficient demeanor gone, her voice choked with emotion. “But… I’m really scared now. I don’t dare to trust Alphas anymore. They always… they always let me down.”
Seeing her vulnerable state, Song Qingpei said softly, “Ruixue-jie, not all Alphas are like your ex-girlfriend. You’re a good person. You deserve to be treated with gentleness.”
A grateful light flashed in Murong Ruixue’s eyes.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze soft as she looked at Song Qingpei. “Qingpei,” she said gently, “if… if only I could find a gentle and dependable Alpha partner like you, how wonderful that would be.”
Song Qingpei froze, catching the implication in Murong Ruixue’s words. A hint of awkwardness crossed her face.
She quickly lowered her head, avoiding Murong Ruixue’s gaze, and said softly, “Ruixue-jie, you should get some rest. Don’t overthink things.”
Seeing that Song Qingpei hadn’t taken the bait, Murong Ruixue was a little disappointed, but she maintained her gentle smile.
She nodded lightly and said in a low voice, “Thank you, Qingpei. You’re a good person.”
Song Qingpei said no more, just quietly cleaned up the things on the table and sat down in a nearby chair. Seeing Song Qingpei fall silent, Murong Ruixue secretly plotted her next move.
She coughed lightly, breaking the silence in the room. “Qingpei, why don’t you go home and rest? I’ll be fine on my own.”
Song Qingpei shook her head. “It’s fine, I’ll stay with you. I wouldn’t feel right leaving you here alone.”
Murong Ruixue smiled, a grateful look in her eyes. “You’re too kind. But really, I’m fine. You don’t have to stay with me the whole time.”
Just then, Song Qingpei’s phone rang.
She picked it up and saw it was a call from Ming Yu. She answered, “Hello?”
Ming Yu’s voice came from the other end, tinged with exhaustion. “Qingpei, where are you? Why aren’t you back yet?”
“I’m at the hospital with a friend,” Song Qingpei explained.
Ming Yu was silent for a moment, then her voice grew heavy. “Songsong has been waiting for you. When are you coming back?”
At the mention of Song Song’s name, Song Qingpei’s heart softened, and her tone gentled. “I’ll be back soon. You stay with Songsong for now.”
Murong Ruixue, leaning against the hospital bed, kept glancing at Song Qingpei. Hearing her words, she grew anxious.
She bit her lip, deciding she had to act fast.
She held her breath, and her breathing gradually became ragged. Her body swayed slightly, as if she might collapse at any moment.
“Qingpei, I’m a little dizzy…”
Murong Ruixue suddenly clutched her chest, her voice faint.
Hearing her, Song Qingpei quickly hung up the phone and went to her side. “What’s wrong?” she asked with concern.
Murong Ruixue didn’t answer. Her body went limp, and she fell directly toward Song Qingpei.
With quick reflexes, Song Qingpei stood up and caught her. Murong Ruixue fell into her arms, her cheek resting against Song Qingpei’s shoulder, her breathing ragged.
“Ruixue-jie, are you okay?” Song Qingpei’s voice was filled with anxiety.
Resting in Song Qingpei’s arms, Murong Ruixue’s lips curved slightly. “I… I’m so hot…” she said weakly.
She looked up, her eyes glazed over, her cheeks flushed an unnatural red.
A faint scent of pheromones began to permeate the air, growing stronger until it filled the room.
The close contact made Song Qingpei extremely uncomfortable, but with Murong Ruixue looking like she was about to faint, she couldn’t just push her away. She was caught in a dilemma.
Murong Ruixue’s voice was helpless. “Qingpei, I… I think my heat is starting again…”
Song Qingpei forced herself to remain calm, helped her back onto the bed, and stood up. “I’ll get the doctor.”
“No… don’t call the doctor, right?” Murong Ruixue struggled to grab her hand, insisting, “I just had an inhibitor not long ago. I can… I can hold on.”
Song Qingpei glanced at her, troubled. “Are you sure? Maybe we should have the doctor take a look.”
Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Murong Ruixue didn’t insist further and let her call the doctor.
The doctor came, examined her, and gave her another shot of inhibitor. Only then did Murong Ruixue slowly calm down.
During this time, Song Qingpei’s phone rang several more times, but she was too busy finding the doctor to answer.
Only after everything was settled did she finally answer what must have been Ming Yu’s umpteenth call.
On the other end, Ming Yu’s voice was laced with barely suppressed fury. She fired off a barrage of questions. “Why didn’t you answer your phone? Where are you? When are you coming back?”
Song Qingpei was silent for a moment before saying, “I might be back very late tonight. You… you take care of Songsong.”
Ming Yu’s heart sank. Her throat felt tight, as if something was lodged in it. It took her a long moment to force out the words, “Who… are you with?”
“Murong Ruixue,” Song Qingpei answered truthfully. “She’s hospitalized, and there’s no one at home for her, so I’m staying to check on her condition.”
Hearing this, Ming Yu was so angry she nearly smashed her phone.
She had so many questions she wanted to ask, but by the time the words reached her lips, all that was left was a single, powerless sentence: “I see.”
Ming Yu sat at the dining table. The candlelight flickered, illuminating the taut lines of her expression.
The table was laden with exquisite dishes, a feast for the senses. The aroma filled the air, cloaking the warm evening in a sweet veil.
However, the hopeful anticipation in her heart had turned to ice with that phone call.
Her fingers unconsciously toyed with the tablecloth, her gaze so cold it could have been laced with ice shards, cold enough to freeze a person to death.
Song Song sat across from her, holding a small spoon and blinking her big eyes. “Mommy, is Mama not coming back?” she asked, confused.
Ming Yu snapped back to reality and forced a smile. “Mama has something to do. She might be back a little later. Let’s eat first, okay?”
Song Song nodded obediently and lowered her head to continue eating.
Looking at her innocent little face, Ming Yu felt a sliver of comfort, but the nagging frustration and unease still clung to her heart.
After dinner, Ming Yu played with Song Song for a while.
Soon, the little one grew sleepy, rubbing her eyes. “Mommy, I’m sleepy.”
Ming Yu picked her up. “Okay, Mommy will take you to bed.”
She gave Song Song a bath, carried her to bed, and gently patted her back until she fell into a deep sleep.
Ming Yu sat by the bed, watching Song Song’s peaceful face, but her own heart was in turmoil. She mimicked the way Song Qingpei would, gently kissing Song Song’s forehead before getting up and leaving the room.
Back in the great hall, Ming Yu sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the time on her light-terminal.
The minutes and seconds ticked by, and her mood grew heavier with each passing moment.
Images of Song Qingpei and Murong Ruixue together flashed through her mind, and the jealousy was almost enough to drown her. She couldn’t stop her wild thoughts: What are Song Qingpei and Murong Ruixue doing? Why would she rather stay with a boss than come home?
Ming Yu’s fists clenched so tightly her nails nearly dug into her palms.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but the irrepressible bitterness made it almost impossible to breathe.
It wasn’t until late at night that footsteps finally sounded outside the door. Ming Yu’s head shot up, her eyes fixed on the entrance.
Song Qingpei pushed the door open and was clearly startled to see Ming Yu sitting on the sofa.
“Ming Yu, why are you still awake?”
Ming Yu stared at her, her voice low and strained. “I was waiting for you.”
Song Qingpei paused, confused. “Waiting for me for what?”
Her nonchalant attitude made Ming Yu’s chest tighten with anger. She couldn’t stop the accusatory tone from creeping into her voice. “Why are you back so late?”
“Didn’t I tell you? Murong Ruixue is in the hospital. I was looking after her for a while.”
At her words, Ming Yu’s fists clenched even tighter.
She shot to her feet, strode over to Song Qingpei, her gaze as sharp as a knife. “It’s just a job. Is it worth sucking up to your boss so desperately? So much that you don’t even come home?”
Hearing this, Song Qingpei’s brow furrowed deeper.
She looked up, meeting Ming Yu’s eyes directly, her tone laced with clear displeasure. “Ming Yu, what are you trying to say? My job is very important to me. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t look at it with such a contemptuous attitude.”
“A job?” Ming Yu sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Are you sure it’s just a job, and not an excuse to spend time with your ‘boss’?”
Song Qingpei’s expression darkened instantly, a hint of anger in her voice. “Ming Yu, what is that supposed to mean? Murong Ruixue is my boss, and she’s also my friend. She’s sick. It’s only right for me to stay with her. What right do you have to question me in that tone?”
Ming Yu’s anger ignited. She lunged forward, her nose almost touching Song Qingpei’s.
A familiar yet foreign scent of Omega pheromones washed over her.
That scent again. In an instant, a familiar memory resurfaced in Ming Yu’s mind.
So, it started that long ago…
Her eyes locked onto Song Qingpei’s, her voice low and icy. “A friend? Song Qingpei, are you sure you’re just friends?”
Song Qingpei was taken aback by her sudden move. “Ming Yu, what on earth are you trying to say?” she demanded, frowning.
“What am I trying to say?” A cold smile twisted Ming Yu’s lips, her voice thick with jealousy. “Song Qingpei, that stench of Omega pheromones on you—did you think I couldn’t smell it?”
Song Qingpei paused. The scent of Omega pheromones must have been left by Murong Ruixue. It wasn’t anything shameful, and besides, she didn’t think she owed Ming Yu any explanation.
Faced with Ming Yu’s towering rage, she said flatly, “So what?”
So what?
That one, flat question burned away the last of Ming Yu’s reason.
She couldn’t stop herself from grabbing Song Qingpei’s shoulders, her voice low and strained, as if squeezed from the depths of her throat. “Song Qingpei, are you that desperate to find a new lover?”
Faced with such a ridiculous accusation, Song Qingpei couldn’t help but mock her. “Ming Yu, you’re not jealous, are you?”
Ming Yu’s face went pale. Her fists clenched, nails digging into her palms.
Her eyes were fixed on Song Qingpei, her voice low and tight. “Yes, I am jealous. Song Qingpei, I can’t stand you being good to other people, and I can’t stand you smelling like someone else!”
Song Qingpei was stunned. She hadn’t expected Ming Yu to admit it so directly.
A complex emotion flickered in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by reason.
She remembered Ming Yu’s disgust, her cold threats: “Song Qingpei, you are not worthy of marking me, let alone having my daughter. Let’s pretend this never happened. I’m taking my daughter and leaving. Don’t keep pestering me, or don’t blame me for being rude.”
She remembered how Ming Yu had repeatedly told her to keep her mouth shut, not to speak of their relationship to anyone.
Even during the press conference, her official statement was that Song Qingpei wasn’t some low-grade Alpha, but a mech repair technician. From beginning to end, Ming Yu had never accepted the person she used to be. She had been constantly denying the past that Song Qingpei cherished, even treating it as a source of shame.
And now, she could look her in the eye and say she was jealous? Song Qingpei almost laughed at her shamelessness. She wasn’t an idiot. She’d have to be a fool to believe such bullshit.
She let out a cold laugh, her voice dripping with mockery. “Ming Yu, stop joking around, will you?”
Ming Yu’s face turned ashen, her lips trembling slightly. “I’m serious. I… I love you.”
Song Qingpei looked at her coldly, her voice rational and calm. “Ming Yu, stop deceiving yourself. You don’t even know what love is. You’re just bitter. You can’t accept being rejected. You don’t love me at all.”
Ming Yu stared at her, aghast, trying to prove something.
But the words caught in her throat, and all she could do was repeat helplessly, “Song Qingpei, you… you have to believe me. I really do love you, I really…”
“Enough.” Song Qingpei cut her off, unable to bear it. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you my blood. Just stop disgusting me, okay?”
With that, she couldn’t stand to look at Ming Yu for another second and turned to leave.
Ming Yu watched Song Qingpei’s resolute back, a sharp pain stabbing through her heart.
She reached out, trying to grab Song Qingpei’s wrist, but was mercilessly shaken off.
“Song Qingpei, let me explain…” Ming Yu’s voice was full of pleading.
Song Qingpei stopped, her voice as cold as ice. “Explain? Ming Yu, what is there left to explain? You only came to me because your pheromones are unstable. You don’t care about my feelings at all. You just need my blood to stabilize your heat.”
Ming Yu’s heart plummeted as if pierced by a sharp blade.
She rushed forward, trying to get close to Song Qingpei again, but was forced back by her cold gaze.
“It’s not for the blood…” Ming Yu’s voice dropped, laced with a sense of powerlessness. “I really… I really do care about you.”
Song Qingpei looked at her, her eyes full of mockery. “Care about me? Is your so-called care erasing everything about our past without hesitation the moment you regained your memory? Is it threatening to take Songsong away from me when all I wanted was a family? Is your so-called care ordering me to mark you in the most humiliating ways, again and again, when I didn’t want to?”
Ming Yu’s face went white. She couldn’t refute a single word.
She lowered her head, her voice filled with remorse. “I… I was wrong. Give me a chance, okay? I’ll change.”
A complex emotion flickered in Song Qingpei’s eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by reason.
She turned her back on Ming Yu, her voice hard. “Ming Yu, some wounds can never be healed, just as a person’s nature can never be changed. The chasm between us is insurmountable. I can understand your choices. I just wish you wouldn’t use such despicable methods to achieve your goals. It only makes me look down on you.”
Ultimately, she didn’t believe Ming Yu’s bullshit about loving her for a second.
It wasn’t as if she’d never been loved before. The old Ming Yu… no, her dead wife, had certainly not loved her like this. The more she thought about it, the more bitter Song Qingpei felt, and the more irritating she found the woman standing before her.
She didn’t want to say another word to her. She turned and went upstairs.
Ming Yu stood rooted to the spot, watching Song Qingpei’s back, her eyes filled with pain and helplessness.
She whispered, as if to herself, “Song Qingpei, I won’t give up.”
Song Qingpei didn’t respond. She just walked silently into her bedroom and closed the door.
Ming Yu stood there, not moving for a long, long time.
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