After Being Marked By A Love Rival - Chapter 68

After that sentence left her mouth, Xie Rong actually regretted it. Her earlobes were completely crimson, and even her cheeks were faintly tinged with pink.

Xie Rong was utterly at a loss for how to describe or evaluate it. What… what had happened to her just now? Had she lost her mind? How could she ask such a question just because of certain thoughts at the bottom of her heart!

Xie Rong’s cheeks were flushed crimson, like she was drunk, displaying an alluring red.

However, she herself was incapable of dealing with it right now, as Xie Rong was entirely engulfed in shame over her previous question. This was simply the one thing in her life she most wanted to retract.

Yet, what had already happened naturally could not be taken back.

When Qi Musi heard Xie Rong’s question, she first froze, unable to react, and then, after recalling Xie Rong’s exact query, a trace of delighted emotion involuntarily showed in her eyes, mixed with intense joy and excitement.

She hadn’t misheard, nor had she misunderstood, Xie Rong truly meant what she said.

In that instant, Qi Musi felt she had seen a light, that her goal was now within reach.

However, upon noticing the annoyed and embarrassed look on Xie Rong’s face, Qi Musi did not become overly excited immediately, for fear of truly provoking Xie Rong.

But the joy in her heart was impossible to suppress.

The smile on Qi Musi’s lips deepened, and her eyes held an incredibly genuine and heartfelt amusement. Her voice was gentle and soft, even cautious not to speak too loudly.

“How could that be? Why would I form a marriage alliance with an Omega? Xiaorong, why would you think of this question?”

The focus of this question was not actually on explaining. Qi Musi’s main purpose was not to explain; at this moment, she only wanted to draw out Xie Rong’s words, to glimpse into Xie Rong’s thoughts, and to make Xie Rong be honest.

She felt incredibly close to Xie Rong’s heart.

With only one more step left, how could Qi Musi not be excited and thrilled?

Xie Rong pursed her lips, her fingers tightly digging into her skin, as if relying on this pain to bring down the burning temperature on her face. But it was useless and had minimal effect.

Especially since Qi Musi was pressing her for an answer.

Xie Rong felt her temper was on the verge of exploding, yet it wouldn’t erupt, because the moment she thought about why she was losing her temper, she herself deflated.

Xie Rong didn’t know what was wrong with her. She was always composed, even indifferent, so how had she suddenly lost control of her emotions?

She… she looked far too much like she was being jealous.

Although Xie Rong didn’t think she was jealous, she hated the image she had just portrayed.

She felt that Qi Musi must have misunderstood.

But this thought didn’t last long before Xie Rong was carried away by another idea.

That was: why didn’t Qi Musi explain and instead counter question? Did she truly intend to form a marriage alliance?

In fact, this wasn’t too hard to guess. As the sole Alpha of the Qi family, Qi Musi was likely to inherit the Qi family’s assets in the future. Moreover, she had a brother eyeing the position. In this situation, it was not impossible for her to choose a marriage alliance to strengthen her own side.

Upon considering this outcome, Xie Rong felt a surge of bitterness in her heart.

She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Qi Musi’s actions shouldn’t concern her at all, so why did she care about Qi Musi getting married?

She didn’t like Qi Musi. Even if the other person suddenly stopped liking her tomorrow, Xie Rong would only feel relieved. Why… why did she feel uncomfortable?

This was insane.

Xie Rong’s expression flickered between shades of gloomy and bright.

There was even a more excessive possibility. Qi Musi might pursue a marriage alliance while still claiming to like her, carrying out actions to woo her, and attempting to enjoy the benefits of having both.

Thinking of this, a trace of anger mingled with Xie Rong’s initial astringent and stagnant emotions, making her feelings even more unpleasant.

Qi Musi lowered her gaze, observing Xie Rong’s mood. She then realized that while the change in the other’s emotions might help Xie Rong discover her own feelings, the direction of this change felt somewhat inappropriate.

Furthermore, Qi Musi truly couldn’t control her own delight anymore, so she simply stopped trying to control it and directly grabbed Xie Rong’s wrist.

Xie Rong’s train of thought was abruptly interrupted. She frowned and looked at Qi Musi, “What are you doing?”

Qi Musi replied briefly, “Come with me.”

So, she immediately pulled Xie Rong away from their original path and direction, leading her to the side of the dormitory building.

This area was secluded, and no one would see them.

Xie Rong frowned, trying to pull her hand back, but Qi Musi did not loosen her grip at all.

Xie Rong wondered, what was she going to do? Did she want to explain now? Or did she want to plead for her desire to enjoy the benefits of having both?

Thinking of this, Xie Rong’s movements became even more forceful.

But Qi Musi still didn’t let go of her.

They reached the side of the wall. Just as Xie Rong was about to speak, Qi Musi turned around, moved close to Xie Rong, and pressed her between herself and the wall. Their breathing instantly became very close.

Xie Rong’s movements suddenly halted.

“…What are you doing?” she finally asked after a moment.

Qi Musi gazed at her intently, her eyes filled with undisguised excitement and happiness.

“Xiaorong, I’m so happy.”

Upon hearing this sentence, Xie Rong couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, somewhat misunderstanding Qi Musi’s meaning.

How could Qi Musi not see her jealousy? So, the smile on her lips deepened even more.

Qi Musi affectionately leaned closer to her.

“I’m not happy about any damn marriage alliance; I’m happy that you’re finally starting to care about me.”

Xie Rong stiffened, her eyes slightly widened. Like a hedgehog whose belly had been exposed, she didn’t know what to do at this moment. She had been caught off guard, stripped of her outermost layer of disguise, and her inner self, which she herself hadn’t dared to face, was now laid bare. This left Xie Rong flustered and unsure how to react.

She could only stubbornly argue, “What are you talking about? What care? I just intensely dislike behavior like that.”

As if finding an excuse for her behavior, Xie Rong finally calmed down somewhat.

She lowered her gaze, which now held a hint of coolness.

“I hope you can clarify what exactly you intend to do. If you plan to enter into a marriage alliance in the future, then don’t continue with this kind of behavior. It is absolutely impossible for me to be a mistress, or, well, an outside partner.” At this point, she couldn’t help but pull the corner of her lips into a slight, mocking smile.

“I hope you can handle your and the Qi family’s affairs and choose what is most beneficial for you. Of course, one more thing I want to say is, I don’t want you to act on impulse.”

The way things were unfolding seemed different from what she had imagined. Qi Musi’s initial excitement paused, leaving two parts of her mind rational.

“…What do you mean?”

Xie Rong looked at her and saw that Qi Musi had indeed not grasped the hidden meaning in her words, so she spoke plainly: “I hope you can think rationally, not emotionally. I don’t want you to reject a marriage alliance because you like me, only to regret it afterwards.”

“To be honest, that’s a very childish choice, and I don’t think it demonstrates any kind of eternal vow or profound affection.”

“My point is, I hope you use your head, not your feelings, when making a choice.”

Qi Musi stared down at her. The smile on her face slowly faded away without her noticing, and the excitement in her eyes did the same.

She straightened up, leaning back slightly, creating some distance between herself and Xie Rong.

Qi Musi felt that she had been entirely consumed by fervor just a moment ago, but now her heart was chillingly cold.

She looked at Xie Rong with a bit of disbelief, her brows slightly furrowed, facing her with her most authentic expression, devoid of a smiling facade.

“So, you think that in the future, I will regret choosing you?” she asked softly.

Xie Rong instinctively said, “No.”

She was somewhat unsure how to explain what she had meant earlier. Although her words had indeed been spoken in a moment of heated emotion, they still contained some of Xie Rong’s underlying thoughts.

She simply felt that she hoped Qi Musi could make a more rational choice.

But… now Xie Rong faintly sensed that she might have expressed herself incorrectly.

So, Xie Rong once again struggled to explain her true meaning with words.

Qi Musi listened, her expression gradually becoming indifferent. After listening to Xie Rong’s near stumbling explanation, she asked softly, “Xiaorong, have you thought I was lying from the start?”

Xie Rong immediately frowned, “No.”

Qi Musi nodded, her expression still detached, “Then do you think that what I said to you that New Year’s Day was an act? Or an impulse?”

New Year’s Day?

Xie Rong’s memory flashed back to that time. She recalled the words of confession Qi Musi had spoken.

Xie Rong pursed her lips, realizing now that she might have spoken incorrectly. So, she shook her head, “No, I just thought…”

Qi Musi gave a faint, cold smile and moved away from Xie Rong, “You just thought that in the face of family interests and the so-called family fortune, I would choose a marriage alliance over you. You don’t even believe, even now, that I have the courage and the confidence to fight against it for you.”

Xie Rong’s heart slightly trembled.

There was no need to doubt now she had confirmed that she seemed to have done something wrong.

She had questioned Qi Musi’s feelings, after the other person had confessed to her with such sincerity before.

For the first time, Xie Rong felt a bit lost and helpless; she felt she had made a mistake.

“I… I’m sorry.”

Xie Rong immediately apologized. A mistake was a mistake, and she didn’t see anything wrong with apologizing.

“No, you don’t need to apologize,” Qi Musi lowered her gaze, then gave a desolate smile.

“Perhaps it was my mistake.”

After saying this, Qi Musi suddenly turned and walked away, doing so without reluctance for the first time.

Xie Rong was startled, instinctively wanting to pull her back, but the other person had already walked past and left.

Xie Rong stood still, her eyes reflecting a certain sense of confusion.