Top-Tier Omega: Chasing Alpha to the Crematorium – Chapter 78
by Little PandaParting
The moment Song Qingpei received the message, the communicator nearly slipped from her hand.
The words on the screen were cold and brief: “I have scheduled the surgery. I will wait for you at the First Military Hospital.”
Her finger hovered over the screen, trembling, unable to type a reply. Images flashed through her mind: Ming Yu’s pale face from this morning, her instinctive gesture of shielding her abdomen, and that bowl of pickled cucumbers specially prepared earlier… All of it served as a stark reminder that this unexpected little life truly existed.
“Miss Song,” Lieutenant Lin’s voice pulled her back to reality. “Are you alright?”
Only then did Song Qingpei realize she had been standing in the middle of the corridor for a long while.
She took a deep breath, her voice raspy. “Lieutenant Lin, I need to go to the First Military Hospital.”
Lieutenant Lin had already received instructions from Ming Yu and immediately readied the vehicle.
As the hovercar sped through the skies above the city, Song Qingpei stared out at the buildings flying past, her thoughts a tangled, chaotic mess.
“We are here, Miss Song,” Lieutenant Lin’s voice cut through her reverie.
The sunlight was piercing, sending a wave of dizziness through her.
Song Qingpei stepped into the lobby. The pungent smell of disinfectant brought a wave of discomfort to her nose. Following the signs to the obstetrics and gynecology department, she spotted Ming Yu from a distance, sitting alone on a bench at the end of the long corridor.
Dressed in her military uniform, Ming Yu looked far more delicate than usual. Her head was bowed as her fingers aimlessly brushed against her wristwatch. Under the harsh, sterile white lights, the profile of her face appeared exceptionally fragile.
Song Qingpei’s steps slowed of their own accord.
As if sensing something, Ming Yu suddenly looked up, their eyes meeting in midair.
In that instant, Song Qingpei clearly saw the flash of pain and struggle in Ming Yu’s eyes. It was quickly masked, however, replaced by a strained smile.
“You’re here,” Ming Yu said softly, her voice even hoarser than it had sounded through the communicator.
Song Qingpei sat down beside her, maintaining a polite, measured distance between them. There were countless questions she wanted to ask, yet she had no idea where to begin. In the end, she could only manage a dry, hollow question: “Are you… certain you want to do this?”
Ming Yu clenched her hands, her knuckles turning white. “It is the best choice.” She paused, abruptly shifting the subject. “By the way, I have something important to tell you.”
Her expression grew solemn. “I found Murong Ruixue.”
Song Qingpei’s eyes widened. “What? Where is she?”
“Aboard the Feiyun,” Ming Yu said calmly, her words measured. “Wu Lan arranged for her to infiltrate my fleet ahead of time. I suspect Wu Lan planned all of this long ago.”
She detailed everything that had transpired on the Feiyun today—Murong Ruixue’s disguise, Wu Lan’s machinations, and the apparent deal Wu Lan had struck with the Black Kite. Every word struck Song Qingpei’s heart like a hammer, forcing her to realize that the situation was far more complex than she had ever imagined.
“So…” Song Qingpei’s throat tightened. “You knew all along that Wu Lan was in league with the Black Kite?”
As if sensitive to her wariness, Ming Yu quickly explained, “No, I only found out today myself. Wu Lan…” She shook her head. “She operates in the shadows; it is impossible to guess her true motives. But one thing is certain: she is indeed helping you escape.”
Listening to her, Song Qingpei fell into a brief daze. She could not help but think of her previous suspicions regarding the mysterious contact. That familiar tone was indeed highly similar, making her more certain of her guess than ever.
And yet, she truly could not understand why on earth Wu Lan would do this.
As she digested this information, she suddenly realized something: “So… you are arranging for me to leave tomorrow? That quickly?”
“The sooner, the better.” Ming Yu’s voice trembled slightly, carrying a trace of lingering attachment, though she forced her tone to remain resolute. “Zhan Li is already suspicious. Every extra day you stay is an added danger.”
Her tone was far too calm, as though she were merely coordinating a routine business trip. A strange, indescribable emotion welled up in Song Qingpei’s chest—neither joy nor sorrow, but a hollow, aching sense of loss.
“Ming Yu…” She opened her mouth, but did not know what to say.
Just then, the doors to the operating room opened, and a masked doctor stepped out. “Admiral Ming, everything is prepared. We may begin.”
Ming Yu’s body stiffened visibly for a fraction of a second, but she quickly rose to her feet. “Okay, thank you.”
She turned to Song Qingpei, her lips parting in a pale, strained smile. “Wait for me, it will be over soon.”
Just as Ming Yu turned, Song Qingpei suddenly grabbed her wrist.
This action was so sudden, driven entirely by instinct, that it startled Song Qingpei herself. Reason told her she should let go, yet a voice from the depths of her soul cried out in desperation: Keep it! Keep this child that belongs to the two of you!
Ming Yu turned back in surprise, her eyes harboring a complex emotion that Song Qingpei could not quite decipher—
Anticipation? Hope? Or both…
“This child…” Song Qingpei’s voice was barely a whisper. “We…”
Ming Yu’s gaze swept over her face. Upon seeing the pain on Song Qingpei’s face, her eyes brightened almost imperceptibly, but quickly turned into heartache as she resolutely cut off her unfinished words.
“I’m the one who doesn’t want it. Qingpei, this was never meant to be your burden.”
As she spoke, she took a step back, widening the distance between them. “Once I have handled all of this, I will have Lieutenant Lin take you to the Feiyun. Murong Ruixue will be waiting for you there to take you to Murong Xia.” She paused, then added, “I have arranged everything. You will be very safe.”
Song Qingpei stood where she was, watching Ming Yu turn and walk toward the operating room.
The white door slowly closed in front of her. At the very last moment, she seemed to see Ming Yu’s shoulders tremble slightly, but perhaps it was only an illusion caused by the lights.
With a soft thud, the door closed.
Song Qingpei felt as if all her strength had been drained, and she fell back onto the bench.
The clock in the corridor ticked, every second stretched out infinitely.
She stared at the red “Surgery in Progress” light above the operating room door. Her mind continuously replayed the words Ming Yu had just spoken, the look in her eyes, and that phrase, “this is not your burden,” only feeling her chest grow increasingly tight.
“Miss Song?” A nurse walked over, handing her a cup of water. “You look very pale. Do you need any help?”
Song Qingpei shook her head. As she took the cup, she realized her hands were shaking. The warm water slid down her throat, yet it could not extinguish the churning emotions in her heart.
She checked the time. Barely ten minutes had passed, yet it felt like a century.
Hurried footsteps came from the end of the corridor. Lieutenant Lin strode over quickly, her voice hushed but urgent. “Miss Song, we just received word. The Bureau of Investigation is conducting a city-wide search for Murong Ruixue. They may already suspect the Feiyun!”
Song Qingpei stood up abruptly. “What?”
“The Admiral’s plan for your departure must be moved up,” Lieutenant Lin whispered. “We have to move immediately.”
Song Qingpei stared at the tightly shut operating room door, her heart pounding like thunder.
On one side was leaving to rescue her aunt1, and on the other was Ming Yu, who was currently undergoing surgery, and that unborn child…
She had never faced such a difficult decision.
“Wait a little longer,” she heard herself say. “Wait until the surgery is over… I must see her.”
Lieutenant Lin hesitated as if wanting to speak, but in the end, she nodded and stepped aside.
As time passed minute by minute, Song Qingpei’s fingernails unknowingly dug into her palms. When the operating room door finally opened, she immediately went forward.
The doctor emerged and pulled down her mask. “The surgery was a success. Admiral Ming is currently resting in the recovery room. She needs to be monitored for an hour before she can leave.”
Song Qingpei’s heart sank. “Is she… alright?” she asked with difficulty.
“The physical trauma will heal quickly.” The doctor gave her a meaningful look. “But the psychological trauma… takes time.”
These words stabbed into Song Qingpei’s heart like a knife.
She nodded stiffly and followed the nurse to the recovery room.
Ming Yu lay on the sickbed, her face even paler than the sheets. Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes casting a shadow beneath them, making her look unbelievably fragile.
The liquid in the IV bottle dripped down drop by drop, as if counting down their remaining time.
Song Qingpei gently sat down by the bedside, not daring to disturb her.
But Ming Yu seemed to sense something and slowly opened her eyes.
“Is it over?” she asked softly, her voice so weak it was barely audible.
Song Qingpei nodded, her throat tightening. “The doctor said it went very well.”
“Mmh.” Ming Yu forced a weak smile. “Is Lieutenant Lin here?”
Song Qingpei knew what she was asking about: “She is. She said Chen Duo of the Bureau of Investigation seems to have suspected the Feiyun, and the plan needs to be moved forward.”
Ming Yu’s expression instantly sharpened with vigilance. “Then you must leave immediately.” She struggled to sit up. “I will arrange it now—”
“Don’t move!” Song Qingpei held her by the shoulders. “The doctor said you lost too much blood. You need to rest.”
Ming Yu shook her head, stubbornly sitting up. “There’s no time. If the Bureau of Investigation finds the Feiyun, everything is ruined. Let Lieutenant Lin come in immediately.”
Her breathing was rapid as she spoke, but her eyes remained firm. Looking at her pale lips and the cold sweat on her forehead, Song Qingpei suddenly realized how fragile the seemingly powerful Ming Yu was at this moment.
“Why are you doing this?” she could not help but ask.
“Because I promised you.” Ming Yu’s gaze fell on Song Qingpei’s face, her eyes filled with nothing but her. “This time, I won’t lie to you again.”
These words completely shattered the walls around Song Qingpei’s heart.
She suddenly understood that from beginning to end, Ming Yu had been loving her in her own way—even if that love sometimes seemed obsessive, overbearing, or even suffocating, it had never changed.
And now, Ming Yu chose to let go to prove this love.
“I’ll go call Lieutenant Lin in,” Song Qingpei stood up.
Lieutenant Lin hurried in, her face grave. “Admiral, this is bad! We just received a communication from Shanshui Manor. Acting Director Chen Duo of the Bureau of Investigation has arrived at the manor with a search warrant, saying he wants to take Miss Song back to cooperate with the investigation!”
Song Qingpei could not hide her surprise. “Their actions are actually this fast.”
On the sickbed, Ming Yu’s pupils contracted sharply. She yanked the infusion needle from the back of her hand, and blood immediately seeped from the puncture wound, blooming into a striking red on the snow-white bedsheet.
“Admiral! You can’t move yet!” Lieutenant Lin exclaimed in alarm.
But Ming Yu had already supported herself to stand up. Her military coat was still draped over the back of the chair, leaving her in only a thin shirt. Her body swayed, yet her gaze was as sharp as a torch. “Prepare the car. We are returning to the Feiyun immediately.”
“But your body—”
“Execute the order!” Ming Yu’s voice brooked no doubt.
Song Qingpei looked at her paper-white face and tried to stop her: “Ming Yu, if you do this, you will…”
Ming Yu had already grabbed her coat and draped it over her shoulders, buttoning it up with swift movements, pulling the collar high to cover the cold sweat on her neck. “There’s no time. For Chen Duo to dare go directly to Shanshui Manor, it means Zhan Li has already confirmed your identity. We have to go quickly.”
The three of them walked quickly through the hospital corridor. Though Ming Yu’s steps were unsteady, they were exceptionally firm. Song Qingpei noticed that the shirt on her back was already soaked with cold sweat, clinging to her thin spine. She reached out to wrap her arm halfway around her waist, terrified her body wouldn’t hold up and she would collapse.
The hovercar was already waiting at the hospital entrance.
When getting into the car, Ming Yu stumbled, and Song Qingpei instinctively reached out to support her waist.
“Careful…” Song Qingpei’s voice caught in her throat.
Feeling the warmth of her palm, Ming Yu turned her head and gave a reassuring smile: “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Inside the car, the two of them sat side by side, both completely silent.
Ming Yu’s breathing was a little rapid. She pursed her lips tightly, keeping her eyes fixed forward.
The scenery outside the window retreated rapidly. Song Qingpei gazed at Ming Yu’s profile reflected on the car window; the silhouette looked exceptionally fragile in the night. She opened her mouth, but did not know what to say.
“Ming Yu…” she finally spoke with difficulty, “You must take care of yourself, and Song Song…”
Ming Yu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. “Mmh,” she whispered.
This simple response made Song Qingpei’s chest feel tight. She reached out, wanting to touch Ming Yu’s hand, but stopped halfway, ultimately only resting it gently on the edge of the seat. “I will return. I promise.”
Those words finally made Ming Yu turn her head.
Her eyes were startlingly bright in the dim car, filled with emotions that Song Qingpei could not understand.
Next second, Ming Yu suddenly leaned over, wrapping her arms tightly around Song Qingpei’s waist and burying herself in her embrace.
“Forgive me, alright? Qingpei…” she whispered in Song Qingpei’s ear, her voice as soft as a sigh, carrying an unprecedented plea.
Song Qingpei wrapped her arms around Ming Yu’s fragile body, feeling the frantic pounding of her heart. “Yes.”
Ming Yu’s arms tightened for a moment, then quickly let go.
By the time the hovercar stopped before the Feiyun’s berth, she had already recovered her calm and self-possessed demeanor, with only the slight redness at the corners of her eyes betraying her emotions from just now.
The hatch of the Feiyun slowly opened. Murong Ruixue had been waiting for some time.
Seeing Song Qingpei, she was obviously relieved, but she quickly noticed Ming Yu’s pale face: “Admiral Ming, you are…”
“Time is pressing,” Ming Yu cut her off, her voice regaining its usual authority. “I leave her to you. You must ensure her safety.”
Murong Ruixue nodded solemnly: “Even without you saying it, I would protect Qingpei with my life.”
Ming Yu turned to Song Qingpei, their eyes meeting, a thousand words turning into a silent gaze.
In the end, Ming Yu only nodded gently: “Go.”
Just then, Lieutenant Lin suddenly rushed into the cabin: “Admiral, this is bad! Chen Duo has brought people and surrounded the Feiyun!”
Ming Yu’s eyes instantly turned razor-sharp. She grabbed Song Qingpei’s wrist. “Come with me!”
The three of them dashed through the labyrinth of corridors within the ship. Though Ming Yu’s footing was weak, she knew every corner of the Feiyun like the back of her hand.
She guided Song Qingpei and Murong Ruixue to a concealed escape pod.
“From here you can go straight to the lower landing pad.” Ming Yu quickly entered the password, and the hatch opened at the sound. “There is a small spacecraft disguised as a supply ship, enough for you to leave Capital Star.”
Song Qingpei caught Ming Yu by the arm. “And what about you?”
A faint smile curled the corner of Ming Yu’s lips: “I am a Federation Admiral; they wouldn’t dare do anything to me.” She stuffed a small data chip into Song Qingpei’s hand. “This contains the Interstellar Route Map and contact information. Contact me after you reach a safe location.”
Chaotic sounds came from outside the hatch, and time was running out.
Ming Yu suddenly cupped Song Qingpei’s face and left a brief kiss on her lips: “Qingpei, remember your promise.”
“Song Song and I will wait for you to return!”
Having said that, she pushed Song Qingpei into the escape pod without any hesitation.
At the last moment before the hatch closed, Song Qingpei saw Ming Yu straighten her back and turn around, her thin figure slowly fading away in her line of sight.
She suddenly thought of their first separation.
Only this time, before she had even left, she was already longing to return quickly.
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