After Being Marked By A Love Rival - Chapter 21

Xie Rong closed her mouth the moment she saw Qi Musi arrive, gathering the gentle emotions that had softened her eyes. She returned to being the aloof Xie Rong, indifferent to external affairs.

Qi Musi registered her change, and a pang of bitterness shot through her heart.

She knew, of course, that Xie Rong’s shift was because of her arrival, and she knew it clearly. Precisely because of this, the emotions in her heart were not pleasant.

Though, she only had herself to blame.

…It was already difficult enough to pursue Xie Rong as an Omega, let alone being an Alpha.

Even more so, being an Alpha who, in Xie Rong’s mind, was her love rival.

It was only at this moment that Qi Musi truly began to regret the various things she had done in the past to provoke Xie Rong, to try and elicit more emotions from her.

What is called “regretting one’s past mistakes,” this was it. In Xie Rong’s heart, she probably had very little goodwill left.

…Let her stew in it.

Qi Musi subtly took a deep breath, suppressing the various emotions in her heart.

Zhuang Xinbai didn’t notice anything amiss between the two, nor did she doubt Qi Musi’s words, genuinely believing it was a coincidence. So, she happily curved her eyes: “It’s fine, a coincidence is great. Let’s go back together.”

Qi Musi curved her lips and softly laughed: “Sounds good.”

It was perfect; she needed to find Xie Rong, and she also had something she needed to make clear to Zhuang Xinbai.

Xie Rong frowned slightly.

She had been interrupted by Qi Musi just as she was about to confess, so Xie Rong needed to find another opportunity to say it again, but… it couldn’t be now.

For one, two points of Xie Rong’s courage earlier were indeed driven by a momentary impulse. Now, reflecting on it, most of that courage had dissipated. If she were to speak up again, she would need to re-gather her nerve.

Secondly, Xie Rong wanted to find an appropriate, private time for the two of them to confess to Zhuang Xinbai. She had no interest in confessing in front of a third person.

So, this matter had to be postponed.

Besides this, Xie Rong temporarily didn’t want to see Qi Musi she hadn’t forgotten the various suppression incidents in the bathroom. Not to mention that Qi Musi was still a love rival in her heart.

Xie Rong wasn’t the type to interrupt when she saw her love rival and the person she secretly liked walking together, otherwise, she wouldn’t have kept her feelings of confession hidden for so long.

She was more like the type of person who wouldn’t fight for something, just waiting for the day Zhuang Xinbai might look back and discover her behind her.

Xie Rong knew that this personality wasn’t great in a relationship of pursuit, but she couldn’t bring herself to change.

Thinking of this, Xie Rong felt a bit of a headache.

Perhaps she should start making some proactive changes, otherwise, all she would be waiting for was for Zhuang Xinbai to become someone else’s Omega.

Xie Rong said: “I have something to attend to outside. You two go back first.”

But at this moment, Xie Rong did not want to walk with Qi Musi, let alone a trio with Zhuang Xinbai included.

Zhuang Xinbai didn’t know what was happening; her eyes showed confusion, and she instinctively moved to speak: “Why don’t we accompany you…”

Xie Rong softly interrupted her: “It’s fine, I’ll go by myself. Xinbai, you go back first.”

She then slightly lifted her gaze, glanced at Qi Musi, and her eyes met the other’s gaze.

Xie Rong frowned, her eyes clearly revealing coldness and rejection.

Qi Musi gave a slight smile, and sure enough, she didn’t suggest following along.

She would use methods of persistent entanglement and subtle clinging, but at least not while Xie Rong was still angry. Besides, she still had one thing she absolutely had to make clear to Zhuang Xinbai otherwise, Qi Musi wouldn’t be able to get past the hurdle in her own heart.

Therefore, she said nothing more, only: “Then, Xiao Rong, be careful and come back soon.”

Xie Rong didn’t reply, turned, and left by another path.

After Xie Rong left, the two continued walking forward. Just as Qi Musi was contemplating how to start the conversation, Zhuang Xinbai asked: “Musi, is there something you wanted to tell me?”

Qi Musi laughed in surprise: “Is it that obvious?”

Zhuang Xinbai smiled and nodded: “After all, my intuition is very sharp.”

Qi Musi took a deep breath and stopped walking: “Then I won’t hesitate any longer. Yes, I do have something I want to tell you.”

She restrained the smile on her face and looked down at Zhuang Xinbai. The other woman was looking back at her, her eyes as clear as ever, but at this moment… Qi Musi realized that she no longer felt the heart-fluttering emotion she once had.

Because, through various events, she had already understood that what she truly liked was not this.

Qi Musi thought she liked the same things, people, and objects as her mother. Her mother was a pure and clear Omega, always smiling gently. Qi Musi’s favorite childhood memory was snuggling in her embrace, listening to her gentle laughter while she told her stories.

Later, when her mother passed away, Qi Musi still held onto the good memories of her mother. She thought that due to the influence of her early years, she would also be attracted to Omegas with her mother’s personality when choosing a partner.

So, when she met Zhuang Xinbai, she thought that was “heartbreak.”

…But now Qi Musi understood, it wasn’t.

The various emotions Zhuang Xinbai evoked in her were not what she thought was romantic interest, but rather pity, fondness, and a protective instinct a sense of empathy and love toward an Omega of the same type as her mother.

But it was not love.

Not until she met Xie Rong.

It wasn’t until Qi Musi awakened and faced her own feelings in repeated teasing and unfamiliar emotions that she realized how terribly wrong she had been.

When it was genuine romantic interest, the feeling was completely different.

She wanted to protect Zhuang Xinbai and could even live with her, but she didn’t have the slightest desire to mark her. However, Qi Musi felt differently when facing Xie Rong. Even though her conscious mind clearly told her that the person in front of her was an Alpha of the same gender, Qi Musi still could not restrain the most primal impulse in her bones.

She wanted to mark Xie Rong, completely, inside and out.

Although she had already taken a step and almost didn’t realize her true feelings in time, fortunately, she hadn’t made a terrible mistake.

This was the only thing Qi Musi was thankful for.

Thus, she had to make this matter clear.

It was Qi Musi who had unilaterally confessed to Zhuang Xinbai and stated that she intended to pursue her. Now, similarly, it was she who had unilaterally changed her mind. Even though Qi Musi could come up with various excuses, changing one’s mind was changing one’s mind, even during the pursuit stage.

Qi Musi did not want to become like her father, so she came here this time to be honest with Zhuang Xinbai and apologize.

Qi Musi slowly said: “I came here this time because I have something I want to explain to you. Of course, perhaps my specifically telling you about such a small matter will make me seem a bit… too self-important.”

When she said this, Qi Musi lightly chuckled: “But I still believe it’s better to make it clear.”

She slowly took a deep breath: “Xinbai, I want to give up on pursuing you. I apologize.”

Zhuang Xinbai widened her eyes slightly, showing surprise.

Qi Musi: “It’s not that you’re not good, nor is it that your response disappointed me it’s due to my own reasons. I apologize, I unilaterally… changed my mind. I’ve fallen for someone else, so I can no longer pursue you.”

Zhuang Xinbai blinked: “So, are you going to pursue someone else?”

Qi Musi gazed at her with her peach blossom eyes and gently nodded.

Zhuang Xinbai was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled with relief: “What is this, after all? So it was something like this. I thought it was some serious big deal, and I was startled.”

Qi Musi was slightly stunned.

Zhuang Xinbai sighed in relief, and then winked at Qi Musi: “You specifically told me something like this. Aren’t you afraid I’ll overthink it?”

Qi Musi asked her: “Overthink what?”

“For example… ‘This Alpha is so arrogant, she has to specifically tell me she’s not pursuing me anymore. Does she want me to regret it?'”

Qi Musi was amused by her expression and words, and she lightly laughed: “But I know you’re not that kind of person.”

Zhuang Xinbai pursed her lips and smiled: “Actually, it’s really fine. Well… how should I put it, Musi, you look like a flirtatious and carefree person, but after getting to know you, I discovered that you are truly exceptionally serious about this aspect.”

Qi Musi was surprised.

“We weren’t in a relationship, so in the process of your pursuit, whether you like me more, dislike me, or like someone else, these are uncontrollable and normal things. So you absolutely don’t need to apologize to me.”

She curved her lips and softly laughed: “On the contrary, your honesty in telling me is a valuable and rare thing.”

Qi Musi looked down gently: “I just don’t want to leave any…”

Regrets, or perhaps “handles.” She just wanted to have a clearer conscience.

Zhuang Xinbai nodded: “So, it’s okay. I completely understand, and… well, ‘forgive’ you.”

Qi Musi looked at her, and then smiled as well. “Thank you.”

Zhuang Xinbai seemed completely relaxed, and could now discuss things with Qi Musi that she hadn’t mentioned before.

“Actually, I felt like something like this was expected. Because the feeling you gave me, Musi, was more like a caring older sister than a suitor.”

“I know it’s not good to question someone else’s feelings like this, but I always felt that maybe you weren’t truly in love with me, but were just temporarily confused by my appearance or something else. That’s why when you confessed to me before, I was mostly in disbelief.”

“Ah, but all that is in the past. It’s great that you were able to find the Omega you truly love. I wish you well.”

Qi Musi was silent, seemingly not having expected that she had already given herself away in front of Zhuang Xinbai. After a moment, she said, “I apologize.”

Zhuang Xinbai waved her hand: “I said it’s okay.”

Qi Musi insisted: “Even so, I should apologize for my lack of sincerity back then.”

Zhuang Xinbai was somewhat surprised: “Musi… how should I put it, you really surprise me. I didn’t expect you to be such a serious and candid person. And, unexpectedly serious about relationships.”

Qi Musi’s brows softened, filled with a gentle warmth: “I believe this is the most fundamental thing.”

“Haha, your Omega will definitely be very happy in the future.”

“…No,” Qi Musi smiled, “It might not necessarily be an Omega.”

Zhuang Xinbai was startled, then understood: “Oh, then add a Beta.”

Qi Musi smiled but did not continue to answer.

Before she truly began her pursuit, and before Xie Rong knew, she would temporarily keep it a secret and not make excessive announcements or place pressure on anyone.

Not an Omega, nor a Beta. The person she had fallen in love with was an Alpha.