Top-Tier Omega: Chasing Alpha to the Crematorium – Chapter 45

Brimming with Jealousy

Song Qingpei did not know what Murong Ruixue intended to do with her, so she had notified Ming Yu in advance — just in case something unexpected happened, she would not be caught unprepared.

Along the way, she felt uneasy, struggling not to reveal any flaws that might alert the enemy.

            

Murong Ruixue chatted with her casually, but her eyes frequently assessed Song Qingpei. There was guilt in her gaze, and melancholy. The thought of making a move against Song Qingpei still made her reluctant.

After all, Song Qingpei had been genuinely kind to her…

Murong Ruixue sighed unconsciously.

            

“Ruixue-jie, are you feeling unwell somewhere? Did you not recover fully from last time?” Song Qingpei could only pretend she had not noticed Murong Ruixue’s strangeness, asking with concern.

“No, I… I’m fine.” Murong Ruixue was distracted, wanting to change the subject, and asked casually, “Have you and Admiral Ming had any misunderstandings because of me?”

She had not expected her to bring this up. Song Qingpei smiled faintly. “It’s fine.”

            

It’s fine — that meant their relationship had already eased. Murong Ruixue had assumed that someone as domineering and forceful as Ming Yu would not easily reconcile with Song Qingpei, but…

Murong Ruixue’s mood grew more complicated, and she secretly regretted being one step too late.

If she had found Song Qingpei earlier, would the outcome have been different?

            

Their genes were the most compatible pair, yet Ming Yu had interfered halfway. The thought of using coercive measures against Song Qingpei made her guilt deepen.

The two arrived at a relatively secluded warehouse. The surroundings were desolate; almost no one was in sight.

Murong Ruixue led Song Qingpei into the warehouse. Inside sat a mech with a peculiar design — its lines were sleek, gleaming with a cold metallic luster, completely different from the earlier ‘Flying Bird’ model.

            

“This is the ‘Yuyue,'” Murong Ruixue introduced.

“No wings…”

“Correct.” Murong Ruixue said, “Unlike the ‘Flying Bird,’ this ‘Yuyue’ is a special-grade combat mech. It has extremely high requirements for the pilot’s mental strength — a very rare model.”

            

Song Qingpei’s attention was instantly captured.

Due to her profession, she had always worked with the most basic models and had never seen such a high-end combat mech. She walked to the mech’s side and reached out to gently touch its cold exterior, but felt as if it were alive.

“How does the ‘Yuyue’ achieve stealth?” Song Qingpei was genuinely immersed in the professional aspect now.

            

Murong Ruixue’s lips curved slightly. “Using a special coating, combined with speed — it vanishes rapidly before the enemy’s eyes. This ‘Yuyue’ was once used by a Rong family¹ admiral. Unfortunately…”

“After that admiral died, no one else could pilot this mech.”

“Why?” Song Qingpei asked, puzzled.

            

“Because inside the ‘Yuyue’ is not a light-terminal, but… an AI brain².”

Song Qingpei paused. An AI brain possessed higher intelligence and bonded with its owner’s mental strength — one flourished, both flourished; one fell, both suffered. The higher the level of the AI brain, the greater the demands on its operator. Some would even force themselves into dormancy after their owner’s death.

“So this one can’t be repaired?”

            

“Correct. Because it can’t be repaired, we call it ‘Yuyue.’ If the AI brain could be restored, it would have another name — ‘Ji’ fcnt content=”Jì (寂) — meaning ‘Silence’ or ‘Solitude.’ The true name of the ‘Yuyue’ mech when its AI brain is functional.”[/fcnt].”

As they spoke, Song Qingpei seemed drawn by something. Impulsively, she closed her eyes and released her mental strength through a gap in the wiring to examine it.

“Be careful, the AI brain will attack mental strength…”

            

Before she could finish, Song Qingpei stumbled back two steps and fell to the ground.

“See?” Murong Ruixue thought Song Qingpei had been attacked and laughed. “But this AI brain went dormant after its owner died. In its prime, even if you were…” She almost said SSS. Murong Ruixue quickly corrected herself, “Don’t be impulsive. It’s very dangerous.”

“…”

            

Song Qingpei came back to her senses. Just now, she had been drawn by some mysterious force, approaching involuntarily. Recovering, she felt somewhat embarrassed. “Sorry, I acted on impulse…”

“It’s fine, it’s normal. When you see a high-performance mech, it’s hard to resist. I’m the same way.”

Murong Ruixue reassured Song Qingpei with a few words, then smiled and invited her to look inside the cockpit.

            

Given her earlier experience, Song Qingpei frowned slightly and asked cautiously, “Won’t I be attacked by the AI brain?”

Murong Ruixue wore a gentle smile and explained patiently, “Don’t worry. The research team has already used the Rong family descendants’ blood in the control system. As long as you don’t try to awaken it with mental strength, it’s very stable.”

Song Qingpei thought for a moment, weighed the pros and cons, and ultimately decided to go inside and take a look.

            

Inside the cockpit, various instruments were densely arranged, lights flashing — full of technological sophistication.

As soon as Song Qingpei stood firm, Murong Ruixue entered behind her and suddenly cried out “Ah!” as she stumbled forward.

Instinctively, Song Qingpei reached out to steady her — and felt a sharp sting on the back of her hand. She looked down and saw Murong Ruixue’s fingernail had scratched her, a trail of blood seeping out.

            

“Ah, sorry!” Murong Ruixue said hurriedly, rummaging through her pockets as she spoke. “I think I brought a bandage…”

She actually found one and moved to apply it to Song Qingpei.

Song Qingpei was already wary of Murong Ruixue. She sidestepped to avoid it and shook her head. “It’s minor. In mechanical repair, getting injured is normal. It’s nothing.”

            

After saying this, she didn’t look again, turning instead to walk further into the cockpit and continue examining the instruments.

Her steps were steady, showing no panic, as if the small incident hadn’t affected her at all.

Murong Ruixue stood frozen, holding the bandage. She felt somewhat uncomfortable, sensing that Song Qingpei had become more distant toward her. She looked at her finger — a trace of Song Qingpei’s blood remained — and an unreadable smile crossed her face.

            

Song Qingpei remained carefully attentive to her own physical condition, worried that Murong Ruixue’s action had some other purpose. After a while, discovering that her body truly had no abnormalities, she relaxed slightly.

Murong Ruixue wiped the blood from her fingertip and said with affected casualness, “Qingpei, thanks for taking care of me at the hospital last time. I haven’t properly thanked you yet.”

Song Qingpei smiled politely. “Ruixue-jie, we’re colleagues. Let’s not bring up old matters. If you really feel indebted, just teach me more about mech repair.”

            

Murong Ruixue nodded. “No problem. As long as you study hard, with your talent, you’ll surpass me soon enough.”

“You’re too modest. I’m afraid I don’t have that ability.”

After that, during their exchanges, Song Qingpei sent Ming Yu a message every so often — nothing important, just check-ins.

            

When they finished and came out, Song Qingpei looked at the unique mech and thought Songsong would definitely like it.

“Ruixue-jie, can I take a photo? I want to show my daughter.”

Murong Ruixue showed regret. “Photos aren’t allowed. This mech is very special, and I only got permission to repair it. But I have a model of it — I can give that to you.”

            

Song Qingpei followed Murong Ruixue to get the model, and when she saw the one-meter-tall model, she was genuinely happy.

Murong Ruixue introduced it: “This model can be disassembled and assembled. It’s quite interesting.”

“Ruixue-jie, thank you so much. My daughter will love it.”

            

Murong Ruixue asked, seemingly casually, “Admiral Ming must have more models, doesn’t she? Hasn’t she brought any back for your daughter?”

Song Qingpei pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Admiral Ming didn’t bother with models — she took her daughter straight to the real thing. Even went 1v5³.

            

Murong Ruixue, seeing Song Qingpei didn’t respond, assumed Ming Yu was too busy to care for her daughter.

“Qingpei, there’s nothing else to do today. Why don’t I go with you to pick up your daughter? Admiral Ming is busy, I’m afraid…”

“No need.” Song Qingpei answered reflexively, then realized her tone was a bit stiff.

            

She paused and softened her voice. “Tomorrow’s the weekend. Songsong asked early this morning for Ming Yu to pick her up, so let’s do it another time.”

Murong Ruixue nodded. “Alright then. I was going to treat you to dinner to thank you.”

“No need to be so formal. Ruixue-jie, you’ve helped me so much — I should be thanking you.”

            

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and this round of probing came to a temporary end.

On the way back, Song Qingpei was driving the hover car when she saw Ming Yu calling via video.

She activated autopilot and answered the light-terminal video call.

            

Ming Yu glanced at her surroundings, paused, and asked, “You’re… off work?”

Song Qingpei responded, “Mm. On my way to pick up Songsong.”

“I’m almost there too.” Ming Yu said, then asked, “How did it go? Did you find anything?”

            

“No. Today Murong Ruixue only took me to see one mech.” Song Qingpei said.

“Good. Be careful on the road. See you at the school.” Ming Yu ended the call after speaking.

Song Qingpei then realized — she hadn’t sent Ming Yu any more messages later, so Ming Yu had called to check. Clearly she was worried, but she acted so awkward and cold about it.

            

When she arrived at the academy gate, she found that Ming Yu had already picked up Songsong.

From a distance, she saw Songsong nestled against Ming Yu’s neck, acting cute and soft like a little dumpling. Their bond already seemed intimate.

Songsong spotted Song Qingpei and called out, “Mommy, Mama’s here~”

            

Ming Yu also looked over, walking toward her while carrying Songsong. She was about to speak when suddenly a mixed pheromone scent drifted faintly from Song Qingpei — her own Alpha pheromones, which she knew well, and another Omega’s pheromones…

Her brows furrowed deeply. Song Qingpei’s pheromones had reacted to an Omega — and she had spent the whole day with Murong Ruixue.

Ming Yu stopped abruptly. Her tone was stiff. “Songsong, your mama drove here today. Mommy will take you back first. Let’s go.”

            

Song Qingpei: ??!!!

There’s autopilot, isn’t there? Such a clumsy excuse?

Song Qingpei hurried after her. “Songsong, Mama brought back a beautiful model today. I’ll show you when we get home.”

            

But before she could reach them, Ming Yu suddenly stepped back with Songsong in her arms and said coldly, “Stay away from me and Songsong.”

Song Qingpei stopped. “What’s going on now?”

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