Top-Tier Omega: Chasing Alpha to the Crematorium – Chapter 79

Would You Like Mama to Give You a meimei?

Ming Yu stood on the bridge of the Feiyun, her military uniform crisp and immaculate, her expression cold and remote.

Her sharp gaze locked onto the surveillance screens, tracking the Federation Bureau of Investigation personnel boarding the ship. Yet, the weakness following her surgery was still spreading through her body. To prevent anyone from noticing, she forced her spine straight, refusing to betray her fatigue.

            

Soon, Chen Duo, the Acting Director of the Federation Bureau of Investigation, arrived.

“Admiral Ming,” he said, striding over with a squad of armed personnel, a hypocritical smile plastered on his face. “Pardon the disruption, but we have received reliable intelligence that Murong Ruixue, a key fugitive from the Black Kite organization, may be hiding aboard the Feiyun.”

Ming Yu remained motionless, not even lifting her eyelids. “Acting Director Chen, is your source reliable?”

            

The smile on Chen Duo’s face stiffened, then returned to normal. “Of course it is. Furthermore…” He deliberately dragged out his tone. “…we have learned that Ms. Song Qingpei has had close dealings with Murong Ruixue in the past, and we need her to cooperate with our investigation.”

Ming Yu finally raised her head, her eyes as cold as ice. “Where is your evidence?”

“This…” Chen Duo was momentarily tongue-tied, but then said, “Admiral Ming, this is an order personally issued by the President. Please cooperate.”

            

Ming Yu sneered, looking at Chen Duo with a sharp, piercing gaze.

Her long-standing commanding presence made Chen Duo unconsciously take a half-step back. Realizing his blunder, he immediately stopped himself, though his aura had visibly weakened.

“Since you’ve brought up the President, we might as well go see His Excellency the President right now.” Ming Yu’s voice was not loud, but it carried unquestionable authority. “I would like to ask him to his face: when did the Federation begin arresting people based on speculation?”

            

Chen Duo’s face shifted. “Admiral Ming, why must you…”

“What? You don’t dare go?” Ming Yu interrupted him, a mocking curve playing on her lips. “Or is it that you are fabricating the President’s orders?”

“The soldiers of the Feiyun fleet are the most loyal and outstanding in the Federation. For you, Acting Director Chen, to openly bring armed men here to provoke us—are you questioning our loyalty to the Federation?”

            

“Was this truly authorized by His Excellency the President himself?”

Ming Yu pressed him step by step, deliberately blowing Chen Duo’s actions out of proportion.

Hearing her words, the officers on the bridge cast resentful looks at Chen Duo.

            

He did not expect Ming Yu to suddenly lash out. Fine beads of sweat broke out on Chen Duo’s forehead. He gritted his teeth and said sensibly, “Admiral Ming, you misunderstand. This operation of mine purely involves an internal case of the Bureau and has nothing to do with the Feiyun fleet. Today, I was indeed reckless. Please forgive me.”

“But I am also pursuing the Black Kite rebels; everything is for the safety of the Federation. Please understand, Admiral.”

Hearing this, Ming Yu did not back down.

            

She needed to buy enough time for Song Qingpei to leave, so she absolutely could not give Chen Duo the chance to search the Feiyun. Feigning anger, she said, “Since that’s the case, let’s go see the President! You are not qualified to search the Feiyun.”

Having climbed his way up, Chen Duo was also a shrewd operator. He knew that given Ming Yu’s status, if they truly fell out, the President would not necessarily shield him completely, and might even use him as a pawn to ease tensions.

Having been publicly humiliated, Chen Duo did not argue back. Instead, he smiled apologetically and said, “Since Admiral Ming insists, let us go see His Excellency the President.”

            

The two exchanged a daggers-drawn¹ look, then left the Feiyun starship one after the other.

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Inside the Presidential Palace, Zhan Li sat behind a wide desk, reviewing documents.

Seeing Ming Yu and Chen Duo enter together, he set down his pen, a look of just-right surprise appearing on his face.

            

“Ming Yu, Acting Director Chen, what is the matter so late?”

Chen Duo took a step forward first. “President, we suspect Song Qingpei has a connection with Murong Ruixue, but Admiral Ming refuses to cooperate with the investigation.”

Zhan Li turned his gaze to Ming Yu, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. “Ming Yu, what is this about?”

            

Ming Yu calmly met his gaze, her voice quiet. “President, Acting Director Chen wants to take my wife away without any proof or evidence. This is against the rules.”

Zhan Li pondered for a moment, showing a troubled expression. “Ming Yu, Acting Director Chen is also considering the security of the Federation. If Song Qingpei is truly innocent, there is no harm in cooperating with the investigation.”

A cold light flashed in Ming Yu’s eyes. She had no intention of playing along superficially² with him. Right now, she had to make Zhan Li understand her resolve to protect Qingpei, even if it meant falling out and dragging them both down.

            

Thus, Ming Yu, who usually acted with utmost propriety, openly sneered in a rare display: “Your Excellency, if someone wanted to investigate your family today without any evidence, would you also be so ‘magnanimous’?”

Sure enough, Zhan Li’s face changed at her words, but he quickly recovered his composure. “Ming Yu, those are serious words. However…” He turned to Chen Duo, “Acting Director Chen, handling a case indeed requires evidence. Do you have any solid proof?”

Chen Duo stammered, “This… we are still in the middle of our investigation…”

            

Ming Yu sneered, “In other words, you have no evidence.”

Seeing this, Zhan Li immediately smoothed things over. “Since that’s the case, Acting Director Chen, you should go back and gather more evidence first. Ming Yu is a hero of the Federation, and we must show her full respect.”

Chen Duo looked unwilling, but under Zhan Li’s warning glance, he could only leave resentfully.

            

Only Ming Yu and Zhan Li were left in the room.

The air seemed to freeze. The two stared at each other, neither of them speaking first.

Finally, Zhan Li sighed, his tone warm: “Ming Yu, don’t take it to heart. Chen Duo is just too rigid. He doesn’t mean any harm, and it is for the sake of the Federation’s safety.”

            

Ming Yu was expressionless. “The President overstates the matter.”

Zhan Li walked over to Ming Yu’s side and asked as if casually, “Speaking of which, where is Miss Song? Why didn’t she come with you?”

Ming Yu met his gaze calmly. “Qingpei went on a trip. She won’t be back for a while.”

            

“Oh?” Zhan Li raised an eyebrow. “So suddenly?”

“She has always wanted to go look around, and since I’ve been busy lately, I let her go clear her head first.” Ming Yu’s tone was relaxed, as if she were talking about the weather.

Zhan Li stared at Ming Yu for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. “Young people really are full of energy. Well, once Song Qingpei returns, remember to bring her to the Presidential Palace as a guest.”

            

“Certainly.”

“Alright, go on with your work. I still have official business to handle.”

Ming Yu nodded and turned to leave.

            

As she stepped out of the Presidential Palace gates, the night wind blew a wave of chill into her face.

Standing on the steps, she suddenly felt her legs go soft, and her vision went dark. The composure she had forced herself to maintain in front of Zhan Li receded like a tide, replaced by the weakness and pain following her surgery.

She supported herself against a cold stone pillar, taking several deep breaths before barely managing to steady herself.

            

The hover car was parked nearby. Seeing her pale face, Lieutenant Lin immediately stepped forward to support her. “Admiral, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Ming Yu waved her hand, her voice raspy. “Go pick up Song Song.”

Inside the car, Ming Yu leaned back against the seat, fine beads of cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

            

She closed her eyes, her mind completely filled with Song Qingpei.

Where was she now? Was she safe? Could Murong Ruixue keep her safe? Countless worries churned in her heart, yet she had no one to tell.

“Mommy!”

            

At the entrance of the kindergarten, as soon as Song Song saw Ming Yu’s car, she ran over happily, her little backpack bouncing on her back. Ming Yu forced a smile and bent down to scoop her daughter into her arms.

Song Song carried the warmth and milky fragrance unique to children, warming Ming Yu’s cold heart slightly.

“Were you happy today?” Ming Yu asked softly, her fingers gently combing through her daughter’s slightly messy hair.

            

Song Song nodded vigorously, excitedly talking about the fun things at the kindergarten, then suddenly looked around. “Where is Mama? Didn’t she come to pick me up?”

Ming Yu’s fingertips paused slightly.

She squatted down to look at Song Song at eye level, trying to make her voice sound calm: “Mama went out on business. She’ll be back in a few days.”

            

Song Song’s little face instantly fell, and a trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she quickly smiled again. “Then Mommy has to play with me!”

“Alright.” Ming Yu stroked her head, her heart aching.

Returning to Shanshui Manor, the empty villa felt exceptionally quiet.

            

Ming Yu mechanically accompanied Song Song through dinner, her gaze constantly and unconsciously drifting toward where Song Qingpei usually sat.

“Mommy, you haven’t touched your food.” Song Song tilted her head, looking at her with worry. “Are you not feeling well?”

Ming Yu snapped out of it and forced a smile: “Mommy is just thinking about something.”

            

“Are you thinking about Mama?” Song Song blinked her big eyes. “I miss Mama too.”

Ming Yu’s throat tightened, and she didn’t know how to respond.

She set down her chopsticks and said softly, “Are you full, Song Song? Do you want to take a bath?”

            

“Okay!” Song Song jumped down from her chair, but suddenly turned around and hugged Ming Yu’s leg. “Mommy, don’t be sad. Mama will be back very soon!”

Ming Yu’s eyes grew hot, and she pulled her daughter tightly into her arms.

In the bathroom, Song Song sat in the bathtub playing with bubbles, while Ming Yu sat beside her, absentmindedly washing her.

            

Warm steam filled the air. Song Song suddenly looked up with her wet little face: “Mommy, are you sick? Your hand is shaking.”

Only then did Ming Yu realize her loss of composure. She forced a smile: “Mommy is fine. I’m probably just a little tired.”

“Then Song Song will tell you a story!” The little fellow sat up straight with mock solemnity. “Today the teacher told a story about a little rabbit looking for its mama…”

            

Listening to her daughter’s tender, childish voice, Ming Yu’s chest felt both warm and aching.

Before going to bed, Song Song curled up under the covers, her mood clearly very low.

Ming Yu was not good at coaxing children. Thinking about how her previous lie would definitely be exposed in a few days, inevitably causing great hurt to Song Song, she didn’t know what to say to keep the little fellow from being so sad.

            

But how was that possible?

An adult like her felt a heart-wrenching pain, let alone a child.

Fortunately… Ming Yu thought, subconsciously touching her abdomen, unable to help but let out a smile.

            

Seeing that her mommy wasn’t speaking, Song Song reached out and tugged at her, whispering, “Mommy, what’s wrong? Are you unhappy?”

Ming Yu sat by the bed, looking at her for a long time, before suddenly whispering, “Song Song, how about Mommy… gives you a meimei³?”

Song Song sat up all at once, her small face written with pleasant surprise: “Really? Mama has a baby?”

            

Ming Yu smiled and nodded, her fingers gently caressing her abdomen.

At that time on the operating table, the doctor had already prepared the anesthesia, but at the very last moment, she regretted it.

That was her and Qingpei’s child; how could she bear it?

            

Besides, she could tell that Qingpei also wanted to keep this child. In the end, she still couldn’t bring herself to go through with it and stopped the surgery. She only chose to hide it so that Song Qingpei could leave without any burdens.

“But we have to keep it a secret.” Ming Yu raised a finger to her lips. “We’ll tell her when Mama comes back, to give her a surprise, okay?”

Song Song nodded excitedly, immediately leaning over very carefully to lie next to Ming Yu’s belly, gently touching it with her small hand: “Meimei, you have to be good and wait for Mama to come back! I am your jiejie⁴, and I will protect you!”

            

“Mommy, can meimei hear me talking?” Song Song looked up her little face, asking curiously.

“Of course,” Ming Yu answered softly, hugging her daughter into her arms. “Meimei likes her jiejie’s voice the most.”

Song Song happily spoke a lot more to Ming Yu’s belly, saying she would paint a picture for her meimei tomorrow and also give her little bear toy to her.

            

Looking at her daughter’s innocent and cute appearance, Ming Yu’s nose tingled, and Song Qingpei’s face floated before her eyes. How wonderful it would be if she were here.

“Mommy, Mama will definitely be very happy when she knows!” Song Song suddenly said, eyes shining.

Ming Yu’s throat tightened, and she could only nod gently: “Mmh, she definitely will.”

            

In the quiet of the night, Ming Yu stood alone on the balcony, looking out at the sky full of stars.

Her hand gently covered her lower abdomen as she murmured softly, “Qingpei, the children and I… are waiting for you to come home.”

The night wind blew away her words, but it could not disperse the deep longing in her eyes.

            

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