After Being Marked By A Love Rival - Chapter 76

Although Xie Rong later understood that the reason Qi Musi wanted to see Zhuang Xinbai was nothing more than a sense of possessiveness and the desire to declare her sovereignty, Xie Rong’s initial thought remained unchanged.

She didn’t care whether her relationship with Qi Musi was public or socially accepted, but as long as Qi Musi wished it, she would still take her to meet her family.

Xie Rong did not intend to have a secret relationship.

After asking Qi Musi about her feelings, Xie Rong saw Qi Musi freeze in place.

“You… you are willing to take me to see your family?”

Xie Rong looked at her expression. “Naturally.”

After a pause, she added, “I know that dating an Alpha partner might make it difficult for my family to accept in the short term, but I will find a way to convince them. You are my lover, and if you are willing, I should naturally take you to meet my family.”

“Of course, this all depends on what you want.”

After all, if Qi Musi was unwilling, Xie Rong couldn’t force her.

The moment Xie Rong’s words fell, Qi Musi immediately said, “I’m willing.”

Her eyes shone with light, and she looked at Xie Rong with an infectious smile, full of tender affection. “Of course, I’m willing.”

Xie Rong lowered her eyes, relieved.

“Good.”

Qi Musi clung to Xie Rong, hugging her, then rubbed against her shoulder like a spoiled child. “Xiaorong, how can you be so good?”

Xie Rong had now grown accustomed to her frequent affection and accepted it well.

She reached out a hand to stroke Qi Musi’s hair, and upon hearing her words, asked in response, “Does this count as good?”

Qi Musi answered with a matter of fact “Mmm.” “Given our situation, I thought you would be more considerate of your family’s feelings.”

Xie Rong then said, “I am considerate, but I am also considerate of your feelings.”

Qi Musi looked up at her, the smile on her lips growing deeper.

Xie Rong’s hand movements paused, a thoughtful look in her eyes. “You’re so touched, and you said those words…” She looked at Qi Musi. “Do you not have the intention of taking me to see your family?”

It wasn’t strange for Xie Rong to have this thought, as Qi Musi’s statement made it easy to misunderstand.

Upon hearing this, Qi Musi immediately lifted her head and quickly defended herself. “How could that be?”

She carefully watched Xie Rong’s expression, afraid that the other woman might misunderstand, but Xie Rong’s emotions were subtle at the moment, making it unclear if she was truly angry.

Qi Musi squeezed her fingers and stopped hiding anything, telling Xie Rong about her previous plan directly.

“I’ve made arrangements; you don’t need to worry, just wait a little longer.”

Xie Rong lowered her eyes, and the anxiety she had secretly felt in her heart slowly eased.

She couldn’t help but wonder why she, too, was becoming so… “sentimentally involved”? In the past, she shouldn’t have experienced such significant emotional fluctuations.

But ever since she confessed her feelings to Qi Musi, Xie Rong had felt that her emotions were constantly influenced by the other woman.

Qi Musi traced the palm of Xie Rong’s hand. “Are you alright, Xiaorong? Are you still angry?”

Xie Rong glanced at her. “No.” This wasn’t a lie she genuinely wasn’t angry now.

Qi Musi then curved her lips again, bending over to get closer to Xie Rong.

“I knew Xiaorong was the best.” She slightly squinted her eyes, rubbing against Xie Rong like a big cat.

Xie Rong let her approach, then slightly raised an eyebrow. “Not being angry makes me the best? What if I was angry?”

Qi Musi smoothly replied, “Then you would be cute.”

Xie Rong watched her silently.

Qi Musi had a mischievous smile on her lips. “After all, seeing Xiaorong care about me so much is truly delicious.”

After a moment, Xie Rong withdrew her gaze and looked away, her earlobes slightly red.

“I don’t care about you that much.”

Qi Musi smiled, not exposing her. “Mmm, right.”

Since they had talked about seeing family, Xie Rong didn’t delay, but since school wasn’t out yet, she first took Qi Musi to see Lu Yuan.

When she heard that Xie Rong had a cousin there, Qi Musi was a little surprised. “How come you’ve never mentioned it?”

Xie Rong said, “There was no need to mention it.” Even when her parents came, there was no need to mention it. In Xie Rong’s view, such things didn’t need to be brought up specifically.

But now Qi Musi’s status was different, so she naturally had to take her to see Lu Yuan.

As they walked, Qi Musi found the area somewhat familiar. She narrowed her eyes. “A cat café?”

Xie Rong nodded. “Why, have you been here?”

She had indeed been here… and it was with Zhuang Xinbai.

“So, the owner of this place is your cousin?” Qi Musi asked.

Xie Rong nodded and led Qi Musi inside.

Qi Musi’s eyes glanced at the sign, then drifted away for a moment. She didn’t know why, but she felt a momentary twinge of guilt, hoping nothing bad would happen.

However… probably, nothing should happen.

Although Qi Musi and Zhuang Xinbai had an involvement before, she had already clarified the matter to Xie Rong. Furthermore, Qi Musi herself had a clear conscience she hadn’t cheated or had a wandering eye, so she had confidence, and Xie Rong believed her.

It was just… she was afraid of leaving a bad impression on her future cousin.

When the two entered, Lu Yuan happened to be in the shop. He slightly raised his eyes and saw Xie Rong walking in with an Alpha.

Lu Yuan slightly narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t paid much attention at first, but after noticing that the person accompanying Xie Rong was an Alpha, he became a little suspicious.

After all, he hadn’t forgotten what Xie Rong had told him before. Now the other person brought an Alpha along, and the two looked somewhat close… Lu Yuan thought, could this Alpha be the person Xie Rong likes?

The smile on Lu Yuan’s lips turned cold. Fine, he thought, let me meet her.

It was also a good chance for him to see what kind of Alpha could make Xie Rong so infatuated.

Lu Yuan simply couldn’t understand what was so good about Alphas. Were they better than sweet, soft, and completely non-aggressive Omegas?

So Lu Yuan got up and walked straight over.

Xie Rong looked up and saw Lu Yuan approaching. She was not surprised at all. After all, Lu Yuan was top notch in both his sensitivity to events and his aversion to the Alpha gender.

Even if Lu Yuan guessed that Qi Musi was the person she liked, Xie Rong wouldn’t be surprised.

After getting closer, Lu Yuan looked at Qi Musi again, feeling that the person looked somewhat familiar.

Then he recalled. Wasn’t this the person who came to his shop with Zhuang Xinbai not long after school started?

The smile on Lu Yuan’s lips became even colder. He felt like he had inadvertently figured something out.

Xie Rong saw his expression and knew that Lu Yuan would not leave easily, so Xie Rong said, “Sit?”

Lu Yuan snorted and sat down without hesitation.

Then he looked at Qi Musi. “Aren’t you going to introduce us? Oh, no need for an introduction.”

Xie Rong looked at him.

Lu Yuan smiled, slightly narrowing his eyes, and deliberately said, “Isn’t this the person who came here with Xinbai before? Why didn’t you come with Xinbai today? Did you two have a fight?”

He deliberately spoke ambiguously, aiming to hurt Qi Musi and check if this Alpha was hiding anything.

Upon hearing Lu Yuan’s words, Qi Musi had an “I knew it” feeling. The long awaited “attack” finally came, and Qi Musi was instead relieved.

Moreover… sure enough, the other person misunderstood her relationship with Zhuang Xinbai.

Qi Musi’s expression was calm, without any panic or loss of composure. She smiled lightly, “Cousin is probably mistaken. Xinbai and I are not a couple.”

“At the time, she and I were just close, so we made an appointment to come here together. I just didn’t expect to cause Cousin to misunderstand. Although it’s not a big deal, I still want to clarify.”

“The person I like is Xiaorong, and it will only ever be her. Although Cousin’s words were unintentional, it wouldn’t be good if they upset Xiaorong, so I hope Cousin will be sure next time.”

Lu Yuan: “…”

A vein popped out on his forehead. “Who, is, your cousin?”

Qi Musi smiled gently. “You are Xiaorong’s cousin, and I am Xiaorong’s girlfriend, so by approximation, you are also my cousin.”

“…”

He had never met anyone so brazen. As expected of an Alpha. Damn it.

Lu Yuan cursed internally, and his expression turned sour. He realized that the Alpha in front of him was different from the arrogant and self-important people he usually encountered. This person was cautious, cunning, and even more deceitful.

Xie Rong listened to their exchange and understood what they were talking about. So, Xie Rong explained for Qi Musi, “Cousin, you don’t need to worry about this matter; I know what I’m doing.”

Lu Yuan glared at her, thinking, What do you know? You’ve been tricked by this smelly Alpha!

Xie Rong knew what Lu Yuan was concerned about. She wasn’t offended by the suspicion because she knew Lu Yuan’s essential fear was that she would be deceived. But Xie Rong was the clearest about this matter she herself had gone through a similar process.

“Speaking of being tricked,” Lu Yuan suddenly recalled something and curled his lips into a cold smile. “Oh, I almost forgot. The person who bit Xiaorong that time, that was you, wasn’t it?”

The smile on Qi Musi’s face paused. This time, she didn’t use any more “flowery words.” She lowered her eyes. “I am very sorry about that matter.”

Lu Yuan sneered coldly.

Qi Musi said, “Although any further explanation from me would just be an excuse, I still want to say that I didn’t mean to harm Xiaorong.” She used the word “harm.”

Lu Yuan’s cold expression paused slightly, softening imperceptibly.

Qi Musi continued, “I was set up at that time, so I couldn’t control myself better, which is why that happened. I am very sorry.”

Xie Rong glanced at her, reaching out to hold Qi Musi’s hand. “Cousin, I told you about this.”

Yes, he had been told, but Lu Yuan still felt uncomfortable.

However… upon hearing Qi Musi’s apology now, he no longer felt the murderous urge he had initially.

Lu Yuan said, “So you plan to gloss over this matter so vaguely? You think highly of yourself.”

Qi Musi chuckled softly. “How could that be? I always welcome Xiaorong’s ‘revenge.'”

Xie Rong: ?

Lu Yuan slightly raised his chin, signaling for her to continue.

A hint of slyness was in Qi Musi’s eyes, and she glanced at Xie Rong almost seductively, her eyes holding a hook.

“I bit Xiaorong back then, so as revenge, it’s only right that Xiaorong bites me back.” Saying this, she used her fingertip to scratch Xie Rong’s palm, although her hand was quickly grasped by the other woman.

Qi Musi’s smile deepened. “So, Xiaorong, I’m waiting for you to bite back.”

Xie Rong briefly glared at her, scolding her for being indecent in broad daylight.

But at the same time, she couldn’t help but purse her lips, her earlobes turning red.

Biting back… she had thought about it.

Lu Yuan was stunned at first, and then his expression softened a bit. He nodded, then said, “Hmm, alright. I’ll be the witness today. Bite her.”

Xie Rong: “…”

She glared at Lu Yuan, signaling him not to be absurd.

Lu Yuan shrugged, indicating his disappointment.

Qi Musi smiled, and while Lu Yuan wasn’t paying attention, she leaned close to Xie Rong’s ear and whispered, “I’ll let you bite me when we go back, okay?”

Xie Rong’s ear felt hot, and she squeezed Qi Musi’s hand, telling her not to speak nonsense.

Qi Musi, conversely, smiled even more alluringly. “Why aren’t you saying anything? What kind of bite do you want? Do you prefer it rougher, or gentler? It’s fine, I can handle it.”

Xie Rong closed her eyes, simply pushing Qi Musi back to her original position.

This person was too much, saying such things in this environment.

However, Xie Rong had to admit that for a moment, she genuinely entertained some fantasies because of Qi Musi’s words.

She closed her eyes, clearing her mind of the thoughts.

Lu Yuan looked at them, letting out a frustrated “Tsk.” “Flirting in my shop is completely unnecessary, isn’t it?”

Xie Rong lightly coughed.

Speaking of the shop, Lu Yuan remembered another thing. He scrutinized Qi Musi. “You said last time that you wanted to finance and invest in my shop…” He narrowed his eyes. “To be able to say something like that, it seems your family conditions are pretty good.”

Lu Yuan pondered. “The Qi family, the Qi group…”

Qi Musi made no attempt to hide it. “It’s the Qi family you’re thinking of, but it’s not like we’re that wealthy; my family just runs a small business.”

His suspicion was confirmed, but Lu Yuan wasn’t happy at all.

“The Qi family? A small business?” He gave two cold laughs.

A more troublesome issue had now arisen. Lu Yuan’s expression turned cold. He glanced at the seemingly unaware Xie Rong, feeling worried sick for his cousin.

Given her situation, what would she do in the future?

The other person would just get what she wanted and leave, and Xie Rong would probably be left heartbroken.

Qi Musi easily guessed what Lu Yuan was thinking at the moment. The reason she wanted to meet Xie Rong’s family, besides wanting her identity to be recognized by them, was also to give them a sense of security.

So, she definitely intended to take the initiative to resolve this matter.

Therefore, Qi Musi said, “Regarding what you’re thinking…” She raised her eyebrows slightly and slowly laid out her plan.

Her arrangements and strategies.

Although achieving such a goal might seem far off now… she and Xie Rong were only in their first year of university. They had four years to complete it, to wait.

Qi Musi would work hard to accelerate her steps, striving to achieve her goal by the time she graduated.

And by that time, she could go straight to register her marriage with Xie Rong after graduation.

Then, she would openly bring the other person home.

Of course, being brought home by Xie Rong would also be very nice.

After listening to Qi Musi’s plan, the last trace of coldness in Lu Yuan’s heart also dissipated.

Even though he was very reluctant to accept Qi Musi, an Alpha, Lu Yuan had to admit now that Qi Musi was not just playing around; her whole approach was very serious.

If that was the case, then… then even if she was an Alpha, it might not be so bad.

Lu Yuan’s expression softened for a moment. After some unpredictable changes, he finally closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

“Fine, let it be this way.”

Hearing this change in tone, Xie Rong knew that Lu Yuan was willing to agree.

She lowered her eyes and grasped Qi Musi’s hand, maintaining a degree of restraint and not letting too much overwhelming joy show.

Lu Yuan crossed his arms and leaned against the back of his chair, coldly warning Qi Musi, “But you better not let me find out you’re pulling any tricks, or else…”

Although Lu Yuan might not genuinely be able to cause Qi Musi any harm, Qi Musi still felt like she was facing a formidable enemy and earnestly promised, “Alright, Cousin. Don’t worry, I will definitely treat Xiaorong well.”

Lu Yuan: “…Don’t call me Cousin!!”

Then, Lu Yuan, with a sour face, finally said, “And lastly, you are not allowed to bite Xiaorong anymore, do you hear me?”

Qi Musi blinked.

Lu Yuan: “Once you enter our family’s door, forget you’re an Alpha. Stay at home properly, attend to your wife and educate your children, obey the Omega Way, and don’t go out to carouse. In the future, if there are… intimate things, it must be Xiaorong who marks you, and you endure it.”

Xie Rong: “…”

She was already blushing too much to look at.

No matter how much Xie Rong had rehearsed in her mind, she had never expected her cousin to say something like this in the end.

Xie Rong quickly said, “Cousin!”

She closed her eyes, suppressing her almost exploding embarrassment, and gritted her teeth, “Don’t you worry…”

Lu Yuan looked at her and then nodded with satisfaction.

Qi Musi smiled at Xie Rong, then leaned into her ear and gently breathed, “Xiaorong, don’t worry. I will definitely serve you well.”

Xie Rong glanced at her, the emotion in her eyes self-evident.

So, Qi Musi laughed readily, “No matter what position or what kind of bite Xiaorong wants, I’ll cooperate.”

Xie Rong: “…”

Her face turned red again.