After Becoming a Scummy Alpha, I Was Spoiled by a Sweet Omega - Chapter 24.4 (2)

Could he be any more obvious about picking a fight?

Yu Zhengcheng’s face darkened at his son’s behavior and he opened his mouth to scold him.

But Sun Meiqing beat him to it, shooting her son a glare. “Jiayan, how old are you? Stop fooling around! Make your father angry and I’ll be the first not to spare you!”

It was clearly a warning.

Catching his father’s displeasure from the corner of his eye, Yu Jiayan immediately dropped his cocky, entitled attitude.

Sun Meiqing smoothly softened the mood. She walked over and took Ning Xuan’s hand. “It’s fine, Ah Xuan. Sit next to Yazhi instead—much better there.”

Ning Xuan: “…”

Better how?

She’d chosen the opposite seat precisely to avoid sitting next to Yu Yazhi, to avoid catching her scent.

Damn Yu Jiayan for messing things up.

Under the weight of everyone’s gaze, she had no choice but to sit beside Yu Yazhi, forcing a smile. “I’m just used to sitting across from Yazhi at home—easier to see her that way.”

Sun Meiqing caught the undertone and smiled knowingly. “It’s fine. Sit next to her. Turn your head and you’ll see her just the same. She’s not going anywhere.”

Ning Xuan pretended to be shy, lowering her head and fiddling with her chopsticks.

The ivory-white chopsticks were cool and smooth to the touch, beautifully crafted.

“Everyone must be hungry. Let’s eat,” Yu Zhengcheng said, and the dinner officially began.

The family sat around the table, a picture of harmony.

But Ning Xuan knew the food would hardly taste good tonight.

Yu Zhengcheng was a workaholic; even at the dinner table, he spoke of nothing but company matters.

Yu Yazhi responded as if giving a business report. “Yes. I’m still following up. Cheng Tang is talented. I absolutely intend to recruit her.”

Yu Jiayan rolled his eyes so hard they nearly flipped over.

Ning Xuan could tell from his expression he was annoyed.

But the brat was nowhere near Yu Yazhi’s level.

What he’d pulled off last time—anyone else would’ve known better.

“Ahem”

Sun Meiqing cleared her throat and placed a piece of tofu into her son’s bowl. “Eat properly.”

It was a gentle reminder to watch his manners.

Ning Xuan watched the scene, stroking her chin. She had a hunch—Sun Meiqing might not be as simple as she appeared.

In the original plot, Sun Meiqing didn’t feature much.

In this inheritance battle, she had little apparent presence.

But could Yu Jiayan really have sparred with Yu Yazhi this long without her involvement?

As she pondered, their gazes met.

Sun Meiqing smiled warmly. “Ah Xuan, how’s the food tonight? You’ve hardly touched your chopsticks.”

Her expression never wavered from that gentle smile—one irresistible to both men and women.

Woman to woman.

Ning Xuan thought that smile was either truly sincere, or her social game was on another level entirely.

And with so little information at hand, she wasn’t about to make a rash judgment.

“No reason. I just don’t eat much at night. Got to maintain my figure.”

She offered a casual excuse.

Sun Meiqing nodded. “I understand. In your line of work, appearance is everything. But health matters most. You still need to eat.”

Ning Xuan smiled and obliged. “Mm, you’re right. I’ll eat now.”

They hadn’t been eating long when Yu Zhengcheng raised his wine glass, smiling. “Come, Yazhi and Ning Xuan rarely come home together. Let’s all have a drink. Remember, no matter what happens, we are one family. A harmonious home prospers.”

Clearly, the last part was the real message.

Sun Meiqing raised her glass in agreement. “Yes, Yazhi. Come back with Ah Xuan often. Even though you’re married now, this will always be your home.”

Yu Yazhi glanced at her, her thoughts a whirl but her expression calm. She lifted her red wine glass. “Thank you, Aunt Sun.”

Her tone was cool, unreadable.

Sun Meiqing nodded, satisfied, then turned her bright smile on Ning Xuan. “Ah Xuan, you must come often too. I really like you. Those ladies I go shopping with—they’re all your fans. They’ve been begging me for your autograph.”

Her voice was so warm and natural it made one’s heart bloom.

This woman’s EQ was sky-high.

Ning Xuan marveled inwardly but outwardly raised her glass. “Thank you, Aunt Sun. I’ll definitely come back more often. Next time I’ll treat you and the ladies to tea.”

“Good, good. What a sweet girl.”

The scene looked like a picture of maternal affection and filial piety, all warmth and harmony.

Yu Zhengcheng looked pleased, his smile deepening. But when his eyes fell on Yu Jiayan, sitting there like a block of wood, he frowned. He didn’t say anything, just watched, as though waiting for his son to smarten up.

Yu Jiayan quickly picked up on his father’s subtle displeasure.

He slowly raised his glass, but when he noticed the juice in Ning Xuan’s glass, his eyes lit up with mischief. “Ning Xuan, what’s with that drink? What, are you trying for a baby?”

Ning Xuan: “…”

Baby your head!

She was just trying to survive her susceptibility period!

No one else cared what she drank, but Yu Jiayan had to needle her, ruining the pleasant atmosphere they’d just built.

Fortunately, Yu Yazhi reacted quickly. “Ning Xuan’s driving later. She can’t drink. You’re free to have as much as you want—no one’s stopping you.”

Ning Xuan hurried to back her up. “Exactly. Yazhi doesn’t come home often; she should have a few drinks with Dad. I’m adjusting my work schedule and can’t drink for now. I’ll be the driver.”

Yu Zhengcheng watched the two of them in harmony, supporting each other, and felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

At first he’d disapproved of Ning Xuan. Now, after seeing her twice, he found her much more agreeable.

“It’s fine. Drink whatever you like. This is a family dinner, not a business function. Yu Jiayan, shut your mouth!”

With that, Yu Jiayan had no choice but to obey.

Under the table, Sun Meiqing had been kicking him with her foot. Misjudging the force, she made him yelp.

“What now?” Yu Zhengcheng looked at his son, his patience nearly gone.

Yu Jiayan forced a stiff smile, downing his drink in one gulp. “Nothing, nothing. Just wishing everyone a happy day.”

Dinner continued.

From the corner of her eye, Yu Yazhi observed Ning Xuan. She was fairly satisfied with her behavior tonight—likely because she’d embarrassed herself last night and now didn’t dare touch alcohol.

But even without drinking, Ning Xuan felt a little lightheaded.

The reason?

Yu Yazhi’s scent.

Maybe the alcohol had sped up her blood flow; even suppressed, her pheromones still seeped out, tormenting Ning Xuan’s body, mind, and self-control.

All in all, the dinner was torture for her.

At last, it ended.

Ning Xuan thought she could finally leave, but Yu Zhengcheng called Yu Yazhi into his study.

The waiting began—a slow, grinding torture.

By nine o’clock, Ning Xuan glanced at the time. Her suppressant patch was nearly due for a change.

She’d thought it would be a quick dinner and then home. She hadn’t expected to be stuck this long.

If Yu Yazhi delayed any further, she’d have to leave her behind.

Minute by minute, time crawled.

No one had come downstairs yet.

Ning Xuan’s cheeks burned hotter, her breaths coming out like steam. She picked up her phone to text Yu Yazhi.

[Hurry up. I’m really not feeling well. I can’t hold out much longer.]

Just as she sent the message, Yu Jiayan appeared.

“Well, still here?”

His tone made it clear he was up to no good.

Ning Xuan had no mood to deal with him.

She stood and stepped into the courtyard for some fresh air.

Yu Jiayan followed, his playful expression dropping as he glanced around to make sure they were alone. He leaned in, speaking in a low voice. “Ning Xuan, I helped you a lot getting married to Yu Yazhi. And now you’re siding with her?

“You’ve been married half a year. By now you should know who holds more power in this family—me or Yu Yazhi. Forget the SY International Hotel. This entire Yu family will be mine one day. I’m telling you this so you understand.”

Ning Xuan regretted not recording his little speech.

If she had, she could’ve played it for Father Yu and watched him get a good scolding.

“I understand.”

“You are”

Unbelievable!

She couldn’t even finish the sentence.

The heat inside Ning Xuan’s body flared like sparks, growing hotter and stronger until it threatened to spread into a raging wildfire.

Damn it. This susceptibility period was pure torture.

She cast a quick glance toward the study. The light was still on. That obsessive workaholic is the one who’s driving me crazy!

Ning Xuan clenched her teeth, forcing herself to suppress the surging waves within her. Desire clawed and tore at her insides, a beast demanding release—biting, breaking, tormenting.

Every foul, unrestrained word that existed seemed to fit.

With her hand pressed to her forehead, she admitted to herself for the first time—she wanted it.

The thought shocked her so much that she immediately fumbled for the car keys Yu Yazhi had tossed her.

Yu Jiayan watched as she bolted for the car door and muttered under his breath, “Ning Xuan, don’t forget—we’re on the same side!”

But Ning Xuan shut out everything around her.

Right now, all she wanted was to get away.

She needed a suppressant patch, or at the very least to lock herself up somewhere.

Otherwise, she would make a fool of herself—utterly ruin her image.

Her lips trembled as she bit down on them. Her hand shook faintly on the car door handle.

But before she could slide into the driver’s seat, someone grabbed her arm. A cool, clear voice fell against her ear:

“Your susceptibility period is here, and you’re still hiding it? Do you really want everyone to see you lose control?”

Yu Yazhi had pieced it together from the little signs Ning Xuan had left behind—her complaint about feeling hot, the long shower she’d taken as soon as they got home, the mask she kept on, the heavy curtain of hair covering what looked suspiciously like a suppressant patch.

When strung together, the clues all pointed to one answer.

Afraid she’d lose her composure completely, Yu Yazhi ended the call abruptly:

“Dad, I understand. I’ll explain everything to you later.”