After Dumping the Female Lead, It's My Turn to Cry - Chapter 1

The transparent mirror reflected the pearlescent glow of the floating lights. Though the faucet still flowed with a gentle stream of clean water, the glass surface remained completely free of fog, polished to a flawless clarity that revealed the delicate floral hues dusted at the corners of her eyes during touch-ups.

Its cold, sleek texture perfectly matched the extravagant assumptions most people held about the birthday banquet of the Ruan family’s daughter.

However, for the guests gathered in the Beta restroom to freshen up, the topic that truly piqued their interest was someone else entirely.

“Hey, have you all heard about the Qing family?”

“How could we not? My dad was even considering a marriage alliance with their eldest son, and my brother laughed at me, saying I wasn’t good enough. Who would’ve thought such a top-tier family like the Qings could go bankrupt just like that?”

“Bankrupt? That’s not even the half of it,” another voice chimed in, lowering to a whisper. “I heard it’s practically a family annihilation. Countless members are said to be hospitalized from rage-induced illnesses, and that’s not even counting the ones whose whereabouts are completely unknown.”

“Besides, just last month, the Qing family acquired a heavy industry automotive company. During the press conference, they announced plans to transition to hydrogen fuel cell technology, and their stock prices soared. How could their funding chain suddenly break at such a peak? With all the audits they’ve passed, how did a fraud scandal explode overnight? Not only did all the major shareholders pull out immediately, but it’s also suspicious how the stock hit the limit down right after.”

At this point, the conversation paused briefly before someone else shook their head regretfully. “Regardless, it’s just a shame about Qing Ling. Such a noble beauty, tsk.”

The girl who had spoken first laughed mockingly. “Oh, please. That young lady was the dream Omega for so many, the Qing family’s most prized treasure. Just showing her face at the annual banquet caused a sensation. Even if her family’s bankrupt, she’s still out of your league. Give it up.”

Laughter rippled through the group, and though no one said it aloud, they all silently agreed.

That was Qing Ling, after all. At that year’s banquet, the chandelier cast fragmented shadows as the raven-haired, red-lipped young lady turned her head to murmur instructions. When a camera flash went off unnoticed, she glanced over indifferently, and all the light seemed to chase after her. Those clear, captivating eyes had haunted countless dreams.

“I’ve got a piece of news, though I’m not sure if it’s true. The Qing family is indeed seeking a marriage alliance, but sadly, the match is with a good-for-nothing.”

“Hahaha, sour grapes much? There’s no real ‘good-for-nothing’ in our circles. Unless…”

The speaker abruptly cut off, eyes widening in disbelief. In that instant, the same name flashed through everyone’s minds.

[Ruan Yubai, Beta, mental strength: B, combat ability: B, average academic score: B. Lazy, gluttonous, utterly mediocre, the famously notorious peerless good-for-nothing.]

Tucked away in a restroom stall, the young girl reading this pursed her lips but quickly flipped the page and continued.

The reason was simple: her name was Ruan Yubai, coincidentally the same as the supporting female character in the novel she held in her hands.

A few days ago while wandering through the snack street, Ruan Yubai happened upon a book stall, where a novel titled The Tsundere Girlfriend of Interstellar Admiral A damnably caught her attention. With her hawk-like eyes, honed from reading thousands of melodramatic novels, she immediately judged from its flashy cover and outrageously bold title that this was bound to be a story with an intensely dramatic plot.

Even though the book was torn and only half remained, Ruan Yubai still paid for it.

As it turned out, she was right. The novel began with the beautiful and arrogant female protagonist, Qing Ling, whose family had gone bankrupt. The elder who loved her most was so enraged that they spat out a mouthful of blood in fury. On her deathbed, the grandmother weakly handed Qing Ling a blood-stained pendant, telling her that with it, she could seek refuge with the family of the female supporting character. With that, she passed away.

The female protagonist, who had lived a smooth and privileged life up until then, was extremely clever. She immediately deduced that there must be a hidden mastermind behind the events and gritted her teeth, determined to seek revenge rather than hide like a coward in the female supporting character’s household. Unfortunately, their conversation was overheard by her greedy uncle. Ignoring Qing Ling’s resistance, he ordered her to be packed up and sent to the female supporting character’s family, all for the sake of exchanging the pendant for money from them.

So melodramatic, so thrilling, so clichéd!

Ruan Yubai hadn’t come across such a nonsensical wealthy-family rivalry novel in a long time. She was utterly engrossed, so much so that she even brought it to her own birthday banquet, sneaking into a restroom stall to read it carefully.

The only downside was that the female supporting character in the book was also named Ruan Yubai exactly the same as her. This made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Even more frustrating was that, just like the character in the book, the real-life Ruan Yubai was also a slacker. All her ratings were B’s, and aside from eating and sleeping, her only hobby was reading novels, truly a modern-day couch potato.

Ruan Yubai flipped back to the synopsis and, as expected, the story was about the female protagonist’s resurgence and her encounter with the strongest Alpha in the interstellar realm. The female supporting character, Ruan Yubai, was merely a cannon fodder character.

Sighing softly, Ruan Yubai rolled up the book and stuffed it into her small hanging purse. Regardless of anything else, the venue for this birthday banquet was really well-designed. The toilet sang and heated up automatically, and the door’s soundproofing was top-notch. She almost didn’t want to get up.

Because of this, Ruan Yubai had no idea that many Betas had gathered outside. Thinking she was alone, she cracked the door open slightly and overheard their gossip.

“What? That good-for-nothing Ruan Yubai? No way. On the day of the entrance exam, I was in the same rating group as her. I thought a daughter raised by the Ruan family would at least be an A-, but her spiritual power, combat ability, and memory were all B’s. How could such a brainless slacker possibly be worthy?”

“Don’t say that. She just put all her talent points into her birthright.”

“I think even her parents have given up on her. To painstakingly raise the next generation’s heir only for her to be a Beta, my grandfather mentioned last time that if the Ruan family doesn’t have more children, their legacy might be ruined by Ruan Yubai.”

“Hah, but you know what? I have a friend who actually likes her and thinks she’s kind of cute.”

“Forget it, that ‘friend’ you mentioned couldn’t possibly be you.”

“Who’s there?” The man who had been silent all along suddenly frowned, his gaze sharp as a torch as he glared toward the toilet stall behind them. “Come out!”

All conversation halted abruptly as everyone stared in shock in the direction he was looking. There was indeed a slightly ajar door crack. Several people immediately burned with anger, ready to harshly teach this eavesdropper a lesson, but they fell silent the moment they saw who emerged.

The girl’s hair appeared honey-brown in the sliver of light, whereas the last time they’d seen her, it had been ash-blonde. Clearly, she had been forced by her family to dye it back to a normal color. Yet this did nothing to diminish the delicate beauty of her fine cheeks. Beneath her fluttering lashes were innocent almond-shaped eyes, and her lips were coated with a glossy lip tint, so smooth they seemed to glow. The pale yellow cocktail dress made her look like a vibrant, youthful flower, and as she walked over, she carried a faint, sweet floral scent.

Somewhere between wild strawberry and rosehip.

But, shouldn’t a Beta’s pheromones be odorless?

Contrary to their assumptions, Ruan Yubai actually didn’t mind much. Of course, she knew the people outside were mocking her, but she had kindly refrained from stepping out to avoid awkwardness. Who would have thought someone’s eyesight was so sharp that even a slightly open door crack could give her away?

Well, there was no helping it now.

Ruan Yubai leisurely walked over, heading straight toward the girl who had just mocked her for having all B ratings. The girl who had been so boastful earlier was now barely holding on to a facade of fearlessness, her face ashen with terror.

After all, Ruan Yubai was the sole descendant of the Ruan family, the star of this lavish birthday banquet.

Those with business ties to the Ruan family, afraid of causing a scene, were about to step in and mediate, but they saw Ruan Yubai curve her lips, puff out her chest slightly, and say softly, “It’s a C.”

What C?

The girl facing Ruan Yubai trembled, instantly imagining countless terrifying consequences including being beaten by thugs until her originally B+ abilities were forcibly downgraded to a C. Terrified, she wished she could strangle her earlier self for spouting nonsense. She repeatedly apologized before running out in a panic.

Ruan Yubai was also a bit surprised, wondering why the girl looked as if she’d seen a ghost. She personally thought her chest shape was quite beautiful was the other girl already so envious that she couldn’t bear to look?

But Ruan Yubai was good at putting on a show. Amidst the stunned gazes, she calmly washed her hands. Though it sounded like a threat, her tone held no intimidation: “If you’re going to talk behind someone’s back, make sure the person in question doesn’t hear. Otherwise, next time.”

She left the sentence unfinished, then resumed her unhurried demeanor and gracefully walked out.

Perfect! Ruan Yubai gave her performance full marks, feeling she had mastered the art of subtly showing off.

What Ruan Yubai didn’t know was that the silence left in the washroom wasn’t due to her threat, but for another reason.

The man who had first discovered her presence unconsciously flared his nostrils a few times, as if he could still catch the lingering, serene scent that had drifted by.

“Wouldn’t it be better if she were an Omega?” He gazed at the girl’s slender back and murmured.

After a brief silence, no one spoke further, and the conversation soon shifted to other topics.

But everyone knew this silence wasn’t due to indifference rather, lingering in their minds were fleeting, unspeakable images.

Ruan Yubai’s skin was soft, with snow-white cream evenly spread over every exposed inch, emitting a delicate, pearlescent glow. It was as fine as crushed vanilla seed paste, seemingly so fragile that the slightest carelessness might leave a mark.

It made one want to grasp that sweet, fluffy cream inch by inch in the palm of their hand, or hold their breath and gently kiss it. Alternatively, they could clutch it tightly, crushing it, then use strawberry juice to meticulously and extravagantly trace colors over it.

To make her scream, gasp, or plead tearfully; to bite her gland and mark her recklessly, then let her melt into a disheveled, soft, and obedient berry-colored pulp finally, to firmly gather her into an embrace.

So, it would be better if she were an Omega.

Someone’s gaze suddenly darkened, yet they had no choice but to sigh helplessly.

It was almost laughable, who knew how many people at the Ruan family’s birthday banquet had disguised themselves to probe the truth? In the restrooms and private rooms, Alphas and Omegas were hidden everywhere, with hardly any genuine Betas in sight.

But why, of all people, did Ruan Yubai have to be a Beta?

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