After Little Sweet Omega Runs with the Ball - Chapter 30

Ultimately, Ji Mingxue only managed to learn from He Yanyan that there would be no engagement between Song Shuangtian and Yuan Yin, nor was one even possible.

Ji Mingxue wanted to press further, but He Yanyan waved her off, quickly finished her mango crepe cake, and bolted.

Ji Mingxue: “.”

The sight of He Yanyan’s retreating figure looked like pure guilt to Ji Mingxue.

Song Shuangtian.

Ji Mingxue repeated that name countless times in her heart. Her Omega was wearing her bracelet. When her pheromones had spiraled out of control, that Omega had released her scent to soothe her body. Yet now, she was suspected of raising a child with someone else.

Ji Mingxue’s eyes were dark and unreadable. She sat in the shadows where the sunlight couldn’t reach, looking increasingly somber.

Upon returning to M Group, the entire company sensed the big boss’s foul mood. Lu Xing poured her a cup of hand-brewed coffee. “President Ji, the West No. 3 Mine produced some high-quality colored gemstones this year. They’ve been brought to headquarters. You should take a look.”

Ji Mingxue gripped the coffee cup so hard her knuckles turned white.

Lu Xing: “President Ji?”

Feeling helpless, Lu Xing had to repeat herself.

The bitter taste of coffee spread across Ji Mingxue’s tongue, but she couldn’t taste the unique aroma of the beans—only a mouth full of bitterness. It was completely different from the way Song Shuangtian brewed it.

Ji Mingxue: “Is Yuan Yin planning to get married soon?”

Lu Xing didn’t understand why her boss suddenly brought her up. “No news yet. I’ll look into it.”

Ji Mingxue subconsciously stroked her bare wrist and left the office without another word. The Alpha was starting to regret. She regretted not locking Song Shuangtian inside M Group, inside her office, four years ago. Since ST Group was destined to be acquired by her, shouldn’t the successor, Song Shuangtian, also belong to her?

She shouldn’t have let Song Shuangtian go when she handed in her resignation.

Deep in thought, Ji Mingxue didn’t hear Lu Xing saying: “A European royal family is collaborating with Reborn. The latter will handle a three-piece set—tiara, necklace, and ring—for a royal member. In total, they need to produce over ten pieces of jewelry…”

“Reborn is acquiring high-quality diamonds and emeralds from all over the world.”

The head of M Group completely missed the news of her rival company’s rising fame. She suddenly stopped at the entrance of the exhibition hall.

“How does Yuan Yin compare to me?”

Lu Xing: “?” Lu Xing: “Hello.”

# The boss isn’t listening to the report again. #

Ji Mingxue’s brow twitched. “Your answer is very objective.”

Lu Xing: “…Mm.”

During this period, Yuan Yin sneezed several times a day. Song Shuangtian tossed a pack of tissues at her. “Go see a doctor.”

Yuan Yin wiped her red nose. “Someone is badmouthing me behind my back.”

Song Shuangtian thought: Don’t you dare pass your cold to my child, or I’ll be the one badmouthing you.

Recently, Ji Mingxue had been lurking near Reborn’s entrance to catch her, but Song Shuangtian was mostly flying all over Europe. The number of times she returned to the capital could be counted on one hand. This time, she only stayed for less than three days. After finishing her work, she had to scoop up the child and fly off again.

The three-and-a-half-year-old girl with two braided pigtails had a flushed little face and was kissed several times by He Yanyan. He Yanyan touched Guanguan’s cheek. “Our Guanguan is so cute.”

Song Shuangtian used professional equipment to inspect a raw diamond in her hand. The diamond, half the size of her palm, was incredibly valuable anywhere in the world. Recently, she had spent nearly seven billion just buying diamonds. The company’s cash flow was stretched thin.

Fortunately, the royal family’s payments were prompt, saving the company from a financial crisis. Even so, the royals paid in stages; currently, they could only access 40% of the total fee. The remaining 60% would be paid in two installments.

Song Shuangtian placed the gemstones into a briefcase one by one.

“What did you say? What did Ji Mingxue want with you?”

The brilliant raw gemstone lay on the Omega’s slender fingers. With a slight turn, a dazzling light flowed within. It was hard to tell if the jewel enhanced the Omega’s nobility or if the Omega’s touch made the gem more valuable.

The Omega was too striking. She lacked the exhaustion typically seen after childbirth; instead, she had gained a touch of maturity, elegance, and composure.

He Yanyan held Guanguan and said softly, “Ji Mingxue knows you have a child.”

Song Shuangtian’s hand slipped, nearly dropping the expensive gemstone on the floor. “How does she know?”

He Yanyan didn’t know the specifics. “Ji Mingxue thinks you and Yuan Yin adopted a cub.”

Guanguan looked up blankly, her large purple-grape eyes filled with confusion. Mama has another child? Is Guanguan no longer Mama’s favorite cub?

Guanguan’s mouth twitched, and she was about to cry. He Yanyan quickly coaxed her in a low voice, “No, no, Guanguan is Mama’s only cub.”

Song Shuangtian slowly processed the information. It wasn’t that she had a problem; she suspected Ji Mingxue had a problem. They hadn’t seen each other in four years, and it seemed Ji Mingxue’s IQ had only dropped. This kind of stupidity better not be hereditary for Guanguan.

He Yanyan added complexly, “…I heard that last month, Ji Mingxue saw Yuan Yin at a banquet, and her face was terrifyingly dark.”

Song Shuangtian: “.”

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She placed the gemstone gently back into the briefcase. “Ignore her. I have a flight to France this afternoon and will be back next week. I’ll deal with this mess once I’m done being busy.”

He Yanyan gave an “OK” gesture. She quietly slipped a few chocolates and fruit candies into Guanguan’s pocket. Usually, whenever Guanguan misbehaved, Song Shuangtian would revoke her snack privileges. He Yanyan couldn’t bear it and always bribed Guanguan with treats. Consequently, Guanguan was exceptionally close to her.

As an Omega, He Yanyan found herself wanting to marry Yuan Yin and have a child after spending so much time with Guanguan.

As the plane cut across the horizon, Ji Mingxue leaned against the floor-to-ceiling glass, staring blankly at the lingering contrail. Her heart skipped a violent beat for no reason, finally settling into calm only when the plane completely vanished from sight.

Two weeks later.

“Boss, you really can’t buy anymore. The company’s cash flow has hit the danger line…”

Yan Ying spread the financial statements before her boss. Song Shuangtian had spent an astronomical amount on gemstones for this royal order. Using the phrase “spending money like water” wasn’t enough to describe her recent extravagance.

Song Shuangtian pressed her aching temples. The royal family would only accept the highest quality gems, and such stones couldn’t be bought with money alone. Song Shuangtian had lost a handful of hair worrying about it.

She pointed to the design sketches for the tiara next to her. The diamond aigrette was made of white gold and diamonds. The centerpiece featured a pear-shaped cut and was inlaid with white feathers; the main part could be removed to be worn separately or as a brooch. Another heron-style tiara was made of rubies, emeralds, and diamonds cut into teardrop shapes. Even from the sketches, one could glimpse the complexity of the craftsmanship, requiring exquisite traditional techniques.

The blooming bouquet was a common decoration for that historical period; every petal and leaf needed to be crafted individually and then inlaid.

Song Shuangtian closed her eyes, exhausted. “The main expenses are for purchasing gemstones and hiring craftsmen. The former is the largest.”

Song Shuangtian had her own connections to invite the most skilled craftsmen. Although her aunt no longer managed company affairs, her network was not to be underestimated. But gemstones were different; they suffered from severe diminishing marginal utility. To pursue a gem just one grade higher, the price could increase hundreds or thousands of times.

Yan Ying spoke a terrifying truth. “If you buy a few more gemstones, the company might be in debt in a month. Bankruptcy is just around the corner.”

Song Shuangtian: “…” Song Shuangtian dazed, “Is it that serious?” Yan Ying: “Yes.”

Reborn only had cooperation contracts with a few small mines in Africa. There were very few channels to obtain high-quality large stones, so they had to buy them on the open or black markets.

But if she had her own mine…

Song Shuangtian suddenly thought of Ji Mingxue. M Group was the world’s leading high-end jewelry and watch manufacturing group primarily because they monopolized a portion of jewelry pricing rights. Out of the world’s three major diamond mines, two belonged to M Group.

Song Shuangtian’s gaze fell on the gemstone list. She vaguely remembered that in the cooperation terms Ji Mingxue had offered, there was a mention of joint development of diamond mines, starting with the West No. 3 Mine…

Song Shuangtian: “.”

Her heart was damn well tempted. For Guanguan’s milk powder money. For Guanguan’s bright future.

Song Shuangtian pressed her hand against her pounding heart. She quietly moved Ji Mingxue’s number out of her phone’s blacklist.

She admitted her motives for contacting Ji Mingxue were not pure. But the child really had no money for milk powder.

That evening, Song Shuangtian was invited to a banquet by the royal family members. She handed the finalized sketches to the client.

“Wow, my dear Ms. Song, you are only the second designer I’ve met with such talent.” The blonde royal princess hurried to Song Shuangtian, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration. “I love the Mughal-style headpieces. You understand me best.”

“Last month, my uncle sent me a tree frog brooch designed by Reborn. Look, Ms. Song, this brooch matches my green dress perfectly today.”

The tree frog brooch, made of emeralds, sat quietly on the princess’s bodice.

Song Shuangtian smiled gently. “Thank you for the compliment.”

The princess smiled and took Song Shuangtian’s arm. She stood on tiptoe to observe Song Shuangtian’s face closely.

“Princess?”

“Ms. Song, you look very much like a designer I saw in a photograph. Sadly, she has already returned to God’s embrace. Her work is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Of course, her style is different from yours.”

Song Shuangtian’s eyes twitched slightly. “May I ask who she was?”

“I remember her name was Qiu Tingnan, she was from the same country as you.”

Song Shuangtian froze. “That was my mother.”

“I am so sorry to have brought up a sad memory, Ms. Song.” The princess apologetically tugged at Song Shuangtian’s arm, wanting to cheer her up.

Song Shuangtian’s smile was gentle. “It’s alright. That is all in the past.”

The princess was still young; though she strictly observed etiquette in front of outsiders, she showed a touch of childhood innocence when with Song Shuangtian.

After the banquet, the royal family promptly settled a payment. However, for Song Shuangtian’s upcoming purchasing plans, it was still a mere drop in the bucket. The “damned” royal family required her to pay for the materials upfront, only settling the final balance based on the invoices.

Nevertheless, once this order was completed, Reborn would truly secure its own place in the high-end jewelry industry.

“President Ji, I really don’t know how I’ve offended you.”

Yuan Yin looked complexly at Ji Mingxue, who was dressed in a loose-fitting suit.

It had to be admitted that among all Alphas, Ji Mingxue was absolutely the most beautiful, yet also the most aggressive. Being stared down by an Alpha of this caliber with such hostile eyes put immense pressure even on someone like Yuan Yin.

Ji Mingxue’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I recently checked Song Shuangtian’s medical records. She hasn’t been filling prescriptions for Omega pheromone inhibitors.”

Yuan Yin: “?” I’m thinking, how would I know if Song Shuangtian is taking inhibitors or not? Yuan Yin was dazed.

Yuan Yin couldn’t make heads or tails of why Ji Mingxue had been targeting her lately. Her family business and Ji Mingxue’s sectors were completely unrelated. Yuan Yin used to have some friendship with Ji Mingxue, but ever since Song Shuangtian went undercover, Yuan Yin had distanced herself out of guilt.

Ji Mingxue continued: “An Omega only stops needing pheromone inhibitors after being thoroughly marked.”

Yuan Yin: “?” Still not following what Ji Mingxue was getting at. So what? But was there a possibility that an Omega also doesn’t need inhibitors after giving birth?

Ji Mingxue gave a half-smile. She detected an extremely faint scent of Song Shuangtian’s pheromones on Yuan Yin. It was very similar to Song Shuangtian’s aura, yet not quite the same. Ji Mingxue attributed the slight difference to the fact that the other had likely showered.

In reality, Guanguan had recently refused to let go of Yuan Yin’s clothes while hugging her.

Yuan Yin: “?” Yuan Yin had more question marks over her head today than in the entire first half of her life.

Ji Mingxue tapped the desk with practiced ease. “Song Shuangtian is mine. She is my girlfriend.”

Yuan Yin nodded. “Song Shuangtian has a good personality. Don’t bully her.”

Before leaving, Yuan Yin remarked casually, “Reborn is in urgent need of various gemstone raw materials lately. I hope M Group can show some sincerity—and I hope you, as Song Shuangtian’s girlfriend, show a bit more sincerity as well.”

Ji Mingxue curled her lip slightly. “I naturally know that.”

The war between Alphas was thick with the scent of gunpowder. Ji Mingxue was like a high-and-mighty peacock, spreading her magnificent tail feathers. She would use absolute strength to make all competitors back away.

The next day, Reborn once again received a cooperation invitation from M Group. Song Shuangtian saw the unread email the moment she stepped off the plane. Ji Mingxue had invited her to meet at M Group headquarters tomorrow at noon.

At the end of the email, there was a postscript: If President Song cannot find time to visit our company, our person in charge can travel to Reborn for the meeting.

Song Shuangtian vaguely felt that M Group’s attitude was off. For a company of this size, others usually fought tooth and nail just for a chance to collaborate; yet with her, they were proactively extending the olive branch time and again.

If this were in the past, Song Shuangtian would have deleted the email immediately. But considering the company’s precarious financial situation…

Guanguan obediently pushed her suitcase. “Mama, Mama, when can we see the Big Sister?”

Ever since that day in the disaster area when the Big Sister wiped her face with the fragrant handkerchief, Guanguan had been thinking about her. That Big Sister had the same wonderful scent as the white magnolia tree outside the nursing home window.

Song Shuangtian rubbed her aching forehead. “We will meet in the future.”

Song Shuangtian sent the child to kindergarten and returned to the company without pause to handle the backlog of work. Over the past six months, she had become increasingly busy, and the time she could spend with her child was dwindling. Song Shuangtian felt a deep sense of guilt toward Guanguan.

The following day, Song Shuangtian walked into Ji Mingxue’s office once more.

Nothing new had been added to the office. The cold wind blew, bringing a lingering chill. This overly spacious office remained exactly as the designer intended: strictly minimalist. While the extensive use of black, white, and gray conveyed logic and calm, staying in such a place for long felt inevitably lonely.

Song Shuangtian held a cup of fragrant, steaming coffee in both hands. Her stunningly beautiful face became misty behind the vapor.

“President Ji, long time no see.”

After a long separation, Ji Mingxue sat across from Song Shuangtian once again. The Alpha’s fingers gripped her clothes beneath the desk.

She was nervous.

“Song Shuangtian, long time no see.” Ji Mingxue spoke in a complex, heavy voice. “You can just call me by my name.”

“Ji Mingxue.” Song Shuangtian didn’t stand on ceremony.

Ji Mingxue’s throat moved. Hearing her name called in the Omega’s soft, delicate voice was like a bolt of electricity shooting up her spine. Ji Mingxue’s body stiffened; her hand shook, nearly knocking over her coffee cup.

“Ji Mingxue, let’s talk about the cooperation.”

Song Shuangtian also felt a bit of awkwardness seeing Ji Mingxue, but she was immediately consumed by work mode. She opened her folder, took out her tablet, and pulled up the prepared reports. She spoke in detail about Reborn’s series of collaborations with the European royalty and their plans for the fashion shows in the second half of the year.

Song Shuangtian spoke eloquently about the company’s prospects and future. She wasn’t just “painting a dream”; she explained the company’s vigorous development over the last four years. Reborn was a rising star in the high-end jewelry world.

Ji Mingxue: “.” The lingering, ambiguous atmosphere was instantly swept away.

Ji Mingxue: “…”

Song Shuangtian: “That’s the general development process. Is there anything else you want to ask, Ji Mingxue?”

Ji Mingxue: “This bracelet… where did it come from?”

# The Alpha has no heart for work. #

Song Shuangtian looked at the white jade bracelet on her left wrist. This bracelet had accompanied her through the most difficult moments of childbirth. Relying on the faint Alpha pheromones lingering on it, her labor hadn’t been as arduous as it could have been.

The look in Song Shuangtian’s eyes as she looked at the bracelet grew tender. “I found it in a lake.”

Ji Mingxue was startled and stood up abruptly. “You were also in that ancient town in the Southwest?”

Song Shuangtian smiled but said nothing.

Seeing Song Shuangtian’s attitude, Ji Mingxue knew she didn’t want to talk. She slowly sat back down. “How have you been… these past years?”

Her little Omega was a bit thinner than before. The youthful greenness had faded, replaced by maturity. Her long hair rested gently on her shoulder as always, and her peach-blossom eyes looked at her with a smile. It was almost as if she were about to hand her a cup of coffee just like old times.

The scent of orange blossoms drifted through the office, silently soothing the Alpha’s violently fluctuating pheromones.

Ji Mingxue took a document from her drawer and pushed it toward Song Shuangtian with one hand. “This is the maximum sincerity M Group can offer.”

She was inviting Song Shuangtian to develop diamond mines together and participate in the profit-sharing. For the resulting raw stones, Reborn could buy them at a price that was practically free.

M Group was massive; Ji Mingxue felt there was even more to negotiate. If Song Shuangtian wanted more, Ji Mingxue could use it as an excuse to spend more time with her little Omega. If the little Omega were willing to give her some pheromones, that would be even better. If Song Shuangtian felt it wasn’t enough, she would find ways to provide even more resources.

Song Shuangtian flipped through it, found no issues, and signed her name directly. The terms were completely biased in favor of Reborn. Song Shuangtian checked repeatedly and found no traps in the contract. It was much better than she had anticipated.

Wait, no negotiation? The hope in Ji Mingxue’s eyes gradually turned into disappointment. She thought Song Shuangtian would haggle.

Song Shuangtian looked up. “Does Ji Mingxue have anything else to say?”

Ji Mingxue gave a bitter smile and ran a hand through her hair. She repeated the question Song Shuangtian hadn’t answered earlier. “How have you been these past years?”

She was angry that Song Shuangtian was a little liar who had deceived her feelings and stolen company data, but the moment she saw her, Ji Mingxue was irrepressibly moved. She had fallen for this little liar. It felt as though if she didn’t offer absolutely preferential terms, Song Shuangtian would turn and run straight into Yuan Yin’s arms.

“…These years have been quite exciting.” Exciting because she had given birth to a child.

Ji Mingxue spoke complexly: “That’s good then.”

As Song Shuangtian was about to leave, Ji Mingxue stood at the door and watched her get into the car. “Song Shuangtian, did you miss one of the clauses in the contract?”

Song Shuangtian flipped open the contract. “What?”

“Song Shuangtian personally needs to resolve Ji Mingxue’s pheromone issues, releasing pheromones to soothe Ji Mingxue’s ruts.”

Song Shuangtian frowned; she seemed to recall such a clause. When she was busy signing her name in the office, she had only cared about the parts regarding Reborn’s development.

Ji Mingxue never made a losing deal.

Before she could react, the unlocked car door was suddenly pulled open. Ji Mingxue lunged onto Song Shuangtian.

Ji Mingxue quickly raised the partition in the car. The driver had no idea what was happening in the back and wouldn’t drive without Song Shuangtian’s order.

The Omega was suddenly pinned against the leather car seat. The Alpha’s violent pheromones wrapped around her tightly. Ji Mingxue yanked on Song Shuangtian’s necklace. She couldn’t stand the thought of Song Shuangtian being marked by another Alpha.

How had Song Shuangtian spent her heats during these four-plus years? Did she rely entirely on inhibitors? But Ji Mingxue hadn’t found any record of Song Shuangtian purchasing them. Or was it that the “disabled” Omega had no one else but her who could make her enter heat naturally?

An Alpha has absolute possessiveness over her Omega. She tore off the gland patch on the back of Song Shuangtian’s neck, and her teeth sank into the delicate gland.

In total, Ji Mingxue had endured for four and a half years. During these years, she had spent almost every night in insomnia.

“Song Shuangtian, you’re still like this not daring to make a sound.”

Ji Mingxue spoke hoarsely into Song Shuangtian’s ear. She gripped her necklace, forcing the Omega to submit and lie prone. The gland on the back of her neck was injected with Alpha pheromones, causing Song Shuangtian’s pupils to lose focus.

Having been away from Ji Mingxue’s scent for so long, the sudden influx of such high-concentration pheromones made Song Shuangtian bite the inside of her wrist to keep from screaming.

No!

“Mgh! You, you’ve had enough!”

Ji Mingxue couldn’t bear to let her hurt her own body. The Alpha’s fingers pried open the Omega’s teeth. “Don’t bite yourself.”

The little liar who ran away after flirting was now stripped of even her last right to make a sound.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Song Shuangtian needed to pay a price.

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