Top-Tier Omega: Chasing Alpha to the Crematorium – Chapter 55
by Little PandaAngry? Jealous
Ming Yu fixed Song Qingpei with a displeased gaze, laced with faint but unmistakable pressure.
Song Qingpei was already on shaky ground. Under that gaze, she surrendered, recounting every detail of her conversation with Wu Lan, including the questions weighing on her mind about her own origins.
At the word “origins,” Ming Yu’s eyes flickered. Her tone turned stiff. “I understand. This matterβ¦ don’t concern yourself with it. I’ll look into it for you.”
Song Qingpei started, lips parting, but words failed her.
Hearing this, Ming Yu’s brows drew together, her voice sharpening with impatience. “Why must you be so stubborn? I told you I’ll handle this. Why do you insist on getting involved?”
“I know you care.” She paused. “Butβ¦ I don’t want to rely on you for everything.”
Ming Yu was taken aback. “Suit yourselfβ¦ I can’t control you anyway.” With that, she strode toward the door, then halted abruptly, her back to Song Qingpei. Her voice was rigid as she added, “I’ll have people follow you. Don’t even think of shaking them.”
She left without looking back, her footsteps fading into the distance.
Song Qingpei sighed where she stood. She knew that despite Ming Yu’s words, no one cared more about her safety.
Sure enough, when she stepped out the door, four imposing bodyguards were waiting.
The lead bodyguard said respectfully, “Miss Song, Officer Ming has ordered us to protect you around the clock.”
Song Qingpei nodded helplessly and got into the car with these four “personal bodyguards.”
The car slowly passed through the gates of Blue Sea Company.
The moment Song Qingpei stepped out of the car, she felt the weight of strange stares.
Employees froze mid-task, their eyes darting between her and the four hulking figures beside her. The whispers were unrelenting.
“Who is she? Why so many bodyguards?”
“A new executive, maybe?”
“Doesn’t look like it. Isn’t that Song Qingpei from the Repair Department?”
Song Qingpei felt deeply awkward. She hurried toward the elevators, trying to avoid those curious gazes.
But the four bodyguards followed her like shadowsβfour moving mountains that left her nowhere to hide.
Once the elevator doors slid shut, she finally exhaled in relief.
She pressed the button for her floor, wondering what Murong Ruixue’s reaction would be.
When the doors opened again, she had composed herself, her face set in a professional smile.
Murong Ruixue’s office door was ajar.
Song Qingpei knocked lightly. At the “Come in” from inside, she pushed the door open and entered.
Murong Ruixue sat behind her desk, a file in hand. She looked up, surprise flickering across her face, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Qingpei. You’re here.”
Seeing her so calm, Song Qingpei also did her best to remain composed. “Ruixue-jie, I wanted to ask if we are repairing the Yuyue today? I’ve rested well. We shouldn’t delay official business.”
Murong Ruixue glanced at her and smiled. “No need to rush. You’ve had a hard few days. Rest a few more days. Work is not urgent.”
Song Qingpei forced her smile to remain. “Thank you, Ruixue-jie. I’ll head back, then.”
She was about to nod when her gaze fell on the four bodyguards outside. “What’s withβ¦?”
“It’sβ¦ Ming Yu was worried about my safety. She sent them to protect me.”
Song Qingpei offered an awkward explanation, observing Murong Ruixue’s reaction carefully.
To her surprise, Murong Ruixue merely smiled and quipped, “Admiral Ming is certainly making a big fuss. With these bodyguards here, our company’s security guards might as well retire.”
With that, she lowered her head and continued reading her file, as if nothing had happened.
Song Qingpei withdrew from the office, her mind racing. What was Murong Ruixue playing at? Why hadn’t she mentioned last night at all? Did she truly not suspect her?
She couldn’t bring up last night’s matter herself. She could only wait and see.
Back at her workstation, Song Qingpei sat in her chair and looked up at the four bodyguards standing beside her, like four statues.
Helpless, she sat at her workstation with nothing pressing to do, her mind worrying about Wu Lan’s injuries. During the lunch break, she contacted the doctor at the hospital.
The doctor told her that Wu Lan had already woken up. Although her body was still very weak, she was no longer in life-threatening danger.
Song Qingpei exhaled in relief. The heart that had been suspended finally settled.
Wu Lan had been injured saving her. This debt of gratitude was something she had to repay with a personal visit no matter what.
Checking the time, she simply took leave and decided to visit Wu Lan at the hospital in person.
Song Qingpei bought some fruit and, with the four bodyguards, drove to the hospital.
The hospital corridors were filled with the smell of disinfectant. Song Qingpei pushed open the door to the hospital room and saw Wu Lan lying in the hospital bed, her face pale but her spirits fairly good.
Wu Lan heard the movement and turned her head. Seeing Song Qingpei, the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile.
“You came.”
Song Qingpei walked to the bedside, placed the fruit on the nightstand, and said softly, “Director Wu, thank you for saving me. Without you, I might have⦔
Wu Lan waved her hand, cutting her off. “Don’t say that. If you hadn’t rushed in to help me, I might not have survived either.” Her gaze fell on the four bodyguards behind Song Qingpei, and a flash of understanding crossed her eyes. She smiled. “Sent by Admiral Ming, I presume? She’s definitely holding a grudge against me this time.”
Song Qingpei started, then smiled bitterly. “Sheβ¦ was worried about my safety.”
“Ming Yu acts cold on the surface, but it’s obvious she cares deeply about you. I’ve thoroughly offended her this time.” Wu Lan laughed.
Though Song Qingpei could tell it was mostly teasing, she still answered earnestly, “Director Wu, don’t worry. I will explain things to Ming Yu properly. She will understand.”
Seeing her speak so politely, Wu Lan couldn’t help frowning. In a joking tone, she said, “We’ve been through adversity together. No need to be so polite. Call me Wu Lan.”
“Qingpei. May I call you that?”
Song Qingpei smiled. “Of course. Wuβ¦ Wu Lan.”
The two shared a smile.
“Right.” Wu Lan suddenly seemed to remember something and cautioned, “If nothing else, steer clear of Zhan Nansheng. Avoid her if you can. She and Ming Yu have never gotten along, and after what happened, she’ll likely take it out on you.”
Song Qingpei had always felt that the relationship between Zhan Nansheng and Wu Lan was somewhat subtle. The two seemed very familiar. Hearing Wu Lan bring it up now, and out of concern for Ming Yu, she couldn’t help asking tentatively, “Ming Yu and Zhan Nanshengβ¦ is there some history between them? Why does she always have it in for Ming Yu?”
Wu Lan arched a brow. “It’s best you don’t get involved in this. The matter between Admiral Ming and Zhan Nansheng isn’t something we can meddle in. The two of them are old rivals to the death.”
Song Qingpei nodded, though her confusion only deepened.
She was about to ask more when Wu Lan changed the subject, chatting about other things.
Their interaction had already been relayed to Ming Yu by the bodyguards.
In her office at Military Headquarters, Ming Yu watched the live feed, her expression growing increasingly ugly.
She’s actually still mixed up with Wu Lan?
She had originally thought Song Qingpei would obediently listen to her, staying away from Wu Lan and those dangerous matters.
But unexpectedly, Song Qingpei had not only failed to listen but had actively gone to find Wu Lan. This made the unease in Ming Yu’s heart grow increasingly intense.
She picked up the phone on her desk and dialed a number. “Ming Rui. Investigate all of Wu Lan’s recent movements for me. I need to know what she’s after.”
After hanging up, Ming Yu sat back in her chair, her brow still tightly furrowed.
She held a file in her hand, trying to focus on official business, but couldn’t read a single word.
Last night’s scenes and this morning’s images played on loop in her mind, her heart a tangled mix of emotions. She knew her attitude toward Song Qingpei had been somewhat excessive, but she truly couldn’t accept how Song Qingpei always excluded her, as if slipping beyond her control.
Song Qingpei, are Wu Lan and even Murong Ruixue more important to you than I am?
No matter what you think, I will make you understand. In the end, the only one you can rely on is me.
Knock, knockβ A knock at the door broke her thoughts.
“Come in.” Ming Yu looked up.
The door was pushed open. Zhan Nansheng stood in the doorway, her face pale, clearly having not slept all night.
Gone was her usual arrogant manner, her voice somewhat hoarse. “Admiral Ming, I can’t remain at Military Headquarters today. I’ve briefed Lieutenant Yang on the military academy matters. If you need anything, instruct him directly.”
“Understood.” Ming Yu nodded and asked, “How is Director Wu?”
“The doctor says she’s out of danger, but still needs observation.” Zhan Nansheng’s voice carried a trace of exhaustion. “I’ll go see her shortly.”
Ming Yu was silent for a moment, then brought up, whether intentionally or not, “If you run into Song Qingpei at the hospital, help me pass on a message: tell her to go home and rest early.”
“What?” Zhan Nansheng’s face immediately fell. “Song Qingpei went to see Wu Lan?”
“Director Wu did save her, after all. A visit is only natural.”
Clearly very normal words, yet they carried an inexplicable note of fanning the flames.
Sure enough, upon hearing her words, Zhan Nansheng said nothing and turned to leave in a huff.
Zhan Nansheng rushed to the hospital room door. Through the half-open crack, she saw Wu Lan and Song Qingpei chatting and laughing.
Although Wu Lan’s face was still somewhat pale, her smile was unusually bright, as if last night’s life-or-death crisis had never happened. Song Qingpei sat by the bed, peeling an apple, occasionally speaking with Wu Lan. The atmosphere between the two was relaxed and harmonious.
Zhan Nansheng’s fingers tightened unconsciously, something seeming to block her chest.
She shoved the door open, her voice cold as ice. “Seems I’ve picked a bad time. Sorry to interrupt.”
Wu Lan and Song Qingpei looked up simultaneously. Seeing Zhan Nansheng standing in the doorway, her face frighteningly gloomy.
Song Qingpei started, then smiled politely. “Lieutenant General Zhan. You’re here.”
Zhan Nansheng ignored Song Qingpei, her gaze fixed directly on Wu Lan, her tone carrying a trace of sarcasm. “Director Wu, seems you’ve recovered well. Still able to smile so happily.”
Wu Lan arched a brow, seemingly unsurprised by Zhan Nansheng’s attitude.
She leaned lazily against the head of the bed, her tone light. “Eldest Miss, what’s wrong? Your face looks so terrible. Who provoked you?”
Zhan Nansheng’s face grew even gloomier, her voice full of suppressed anger. “Who do you think? You nearly lost your life last night, yet today you’re smiling so happily. Seems I was worried for nothing.”
Sensing the atmosphere was off, and remembering Wu Lan’s warning, Song Qingpei quickly found an excuse. “Umβ¦ Director Wu, Lieutenant General Zhan, I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll leave first. You two chat.”
With that, she quickly left the hospital room.
After the door closed, only Wu Lan and Zhan Nansheng remained in the room.
Looking at Zhan Nansheng’s ice-cold face, Wu Lan couldn’t help laughing. “Eldest Miss, why the jealous tantrum?”
Zhan Nansheng’s face instantly flushed red, as if her innermost thoughts had been struck.
She bit her teeth, her voice carrying a trace of trembling. “I’m jealous? Wu Lan, don’t flatter yourself. I just don’t understand why you would risk your life so recklessly for Song Qingpei. Is she worth it?”
“She belongs to Admiral Ming. I saved her because I was afraid Ming Yu would hold a grudge and deliberately make trouble for me.”
“For Ming Yu?” Zhan Nansheng laughed coldly, clearly unconvinced. “Wu Lan, don’t use Ming Yu as a shield. If I were in danger one day, you might not even go this far, right?”
Wu Lan didn’t answer. She simply watched Zhan Nansheng quietly, a trace of complex emotion in her eyes.
Zhan Nansheng grew flustered under her gaze, her anger intensifying.
She abruptly raised her hand, habitually wanting to hit Wu Lan’s shoulder, but stopped mid-air.
Wu Lan’s face suddenly turned pale, her brows tightly furrowed, as if enduring immense pain.
Zhan Nansheng was startled and quickly withdrew her hand. “What’s wrong? Is your wound hurting again? I’ll go get the doctor!”
She turned to run out but was grabbed by the wrist by Wu Lan.
Wu Lan’s voice was weak yet carried a trace of a smile. “I was tricking you. I’m fine.”
Zhan Nansheng was stunned, then burned with anger. “Wu Lan! You played me?”
Wu Lan let go, leaned against the head of the bed, and smiled somewhat helplessly. “All right, Eldest Miss. Don’t be angry. I’m so heavily injured right now, I really don’t have the energy to coax you.”
“Coax me?” Zhan Nansheng retorted angrily. “Since when have you coaxed me? Which time wasn’t a threatβ” She broke off, clamping her mouth shut resentfully.
“Eldest Miss, I don’t have the energy to threaten you either.” Wu Lan spoke meaningfully.
Zhan Nansheng’s face reddened, and she glared resentfully. “Wu Lan, don’t change the subject with me. I know you. You cold-hearted, unfeeling thing. How could you possibly risk your life for someone else so easily?”
“Tell me the truth. What’s going on with you and Song Qingpei?”
Those final words were saturated with jealousy.
Wu Lan didn’t answer her question but changed the subject. “It’s just official business. The military academy matters are so busy. You should still go back to Military Headquarters. Don’t waste your time here.”
Zhan Nansheng’s face shifted through several colors. Finally, she gritted her teeth. “Wu Lan, you’re always like this. You never talk to me properly. I’ll never be able to enter your world, much less see through you.”
Wu Lan was silent for a moment before speaking. “Zhan Nansheng. You don’t need to enter my world.”
Seeing her impervious appearance, Zhan Nansheng grew even angrier. “Wu Lan, you tell me nothing, and on top of that you threaten me at every turn. What exactly do you take me for?”
Wu Lan didn’t answer her but said in a cold voice, “Don’t worry. I won’t threaten you again.”
“You know that’s not what I mean at all.” Zhan Nansheng’s eyes reddened slightly, still furious. “You bastard! You don’t really like me at all. You’re just toying with me.”
Wu Lan said nothing more. She simply watched her quietly.
“Bastard! Just you wait. This isn’t over.”
Zhan Nansheng stood for a while. Seeing Wu Lan still silent, she left the hospital room in anger.
The moment the door closed, Wu Lan’s smile vanished completely, replaced by a deep exhaustion.
She leaned against the head of the bed and closed her eyes. “Why bother⦔
Outside, Zhan Nansheng stood in the corridor, her back against the wall, her fingers tightly clenched into fists.
She knew Wu Lan had done it on purposeβtoyed with her enough, then put on an indifferent attitude and cast her aside. But she wouldn’t let it go at that.
“Wu Lan, one day I’ll make you truly fall in love with me, then ruthlessly cast you aside.”
Song Qingpei left the hospital. Seeing that dismissal time was approaching, she went directly to the kindergarten to pick up her daughter.
Song Song, who was waiting in line with her teacher, spotted her and immediately waved her little hands in delight. “Mama~!”
She took her daughter from the teacher’s hand and held Song Song’s small hand. Mother and daughter got into the hover car together.
Song Song blinked her big eyes, looking up at Song Qingpei, and asked innocently, “Mama, are you and Mommy okay again?”
Song Qingpei smiled somewhat awkwardly. “Not yet. Mama was in the wrong this time. Mommy hasn’t forgiven me.”
“Mama, you have to apologize when you’re wrong!” Song Song tilted her head, speaking like a little adult. “Teacher says that correcting your mistakes makes you a good child. Mama is also a good mama!”
Song Qingpei was amused. “All right. Mama will go apologize.”
Song Song nodded satisfactorily, then leaned in close to Song Qingpei mysteriously, whispering, “Mama, I’ll tell you. Mommy is actually very easy to coax! You just have to kiss her and hug her, and she won’t be angry anymore!”
“You clever little imp. You know quite a lot.”
Song Qingpei couldn’t help laughing, pinching Song Song’s little face.
Song Song shook her head proudly, smiling until her eyes curved into crescents.
After returning home, Song Qingpei played with Song Song while mentally calculating how to apologize to Ming Yu. She knew she had indeed been in the wrong this time. Ming Yu’s anger was only natural.
Time passed minute by minute, but Ming Yu still hadn’t returned.
Song Song sprawled on the sofa, muttering, “Why hasn’t Mommy come back yet?”
Song Qingpei was also growing restless when she received a message: γBusy tonight. Not coming home for dinner.γ
A brief sentence, without any extra explanation.
Song Song leaned over. Seeing the message, her little face scrunched up. “Sigh. Looks like Mommy is really angry.”
“It’s fine. Mommy is busy with work. Mama will apologize when she gets back, okay?”
Song Song nodded and obediently followed Song Qingpei to wash up and sleep.
Lying in bed, Song Qingpei read her stories, but Song Song still didn’t forget to remind her, “Mama, remember to apologize to Mommy!”
Song Qingpei nodded with a smile. “All right. Mama remembers.”
After Song Song fell asleep, Song Qingpei left the room and sat on the sofa in the Great Hall, waiting for Ming Yu to return.
Butler Su saw her sitting there alone and couldn’t help asking, “Miss Song, it’s so late. Why aren’t you resting?”
Song Qingpei smiled, somewhat embarrassed. “I’m waiting for Ming Yu to come back. I want to talk to her about something.”
Knowing the two had quarreled again, Butler Su nodded knowingly and couldn’t resist adding a few more words. “Eldest Miss is all bark and no bite. Talk to her properly. She melts easily enough.”
“Thank you. I understand.”
Time passed bit by bit. Song Qingpei sat on the sofa, her eyelids growing heavier. Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep in a daze.
Only when she heard a faint sound at the door did she jolt awake.
Opening her eyes, she saw Ming Yu standing before the sofa, looking at her expressionlessly.
“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you sleeping in your room?” Ming Yu’s voice was cold, carrying a trace of awkwardness.
Song Qingpei rubbed her eyes and sat up. “I was waiting for you.”
Ming Yu frowned, her tone still cold. “What are you waiting for me for?”
“Iβ¦ I was waiting for you to come back, to apologize.” Song Qingpei looked at her, speaking seriously. “Ming Yu, I shouldn’t have hidden things from you. I shouldn’t have made you worry.”
Ming Yu was taken aback, not having expected Song Qingpei to apologize so directly.
Her expression loosened somewhat, but quickly resumed its cold appearance. “What’s the point of apologizing? You don’t believe me at all. Next time something happens, you’ll still hide it from me.”
Seeing Song Qingpei fall silent, Ming Yu knew she had hit the mark.
She simply didn’t trust her. Ming Yu couldn’t help growing angrier, her heart more exhausted. She turned and headed upstairs.
In the next moment, her wrist was suddenly grabbed by Song Qingpei. Ming Yu’s raised foot never stepped out before Song Qingpei pulled her into an embrace, burying her chin directly against Ming Yu’s chest.
Ming Yu’s face reddened, and she began to struggle. “Song Qingpei, let me go! Do you hear me!”
β‘β‘ was useless.
Song Qingpei reached out and held her tightly, whispering softly by her ear. “Ming Yu, will you listen to me?”
For no reason, Ming Yu detected a trace of vulnerability in her voice, and she involuntarily stopped moving.
Playing the victim⦠would get her nowhere.
But in the next second, she heard an ethereal voice by her ear. “Ming Yu, I just want to know who I am.”
Song Qingpei held her, by her ear, bit by bit revealing her inner heart. “I want to know how I was separated from my parents back then. Was it because of something that forced us apart, or did they abandon me of their own accord? This is very important to me.”
In a trance, Ming Yu suddenly recalled something from long ago.
At that time, she had found Song Qingpei to take Song Song away, questioning her why she had told Song Song she was dead. Song Qingpei retorted that she didn’t want Song Song to think she had been abandoned. Dying and being abandoned were not the same.
She asked back what was different.
Song Qingpei had seemed to say at the time: Being abandoned makes one very sad, makes one wonder if one isn’t good enough, not worth loving. Dyingβ¦ is an irresistible force. One is only sad, but doesn’t feel that one is lacking, that Mama didn’t want her.
Had Song Qingpei always believed it was because she wasn’t good enough that she had been abandonedβ¦
Almost simultaneously, Song Qingpei’s whispered murmur came by Ming Yu’s ear. “Ming Yu, I want to find an answer. Not because I wasn’t good enough, but because I’m a low-grade Alpha, a waste with poor mental strength, that I was abandoned. I’d rather they gave me up because of something they couldn’t help. Even ifβ¦ they died.”
Those few words seized the Admiral completely.
She wrapped her arms around Song Qingpei in return, comforting her with near urgency. “No, Qingpei. You’re wonderfulβ¦ You truly are.”
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