After Little Sweet Omega Runs with the Ball - Chapter 38

Ji Mingxue opened her mouth to speak several times, but Song Shuangtian only looked at her with a shallow smile. It was as if everything that happened that night meant absolutely nothing to her.

Ji Mingxue: “…”

The brief standoff between the Omega and the Alpha lasted only a moment. As the music grew more intense, their upper bodies drifted in and out of proximity, while their skirts remained brushed against each other. The crystal chandeliers on the ceiling were so brilliant they cast a slight flush over the Omega’s face; she seemed a bit tired, her small mouth parted slightly as she breathed.

Ji Mingxue’s eyes darkened slightly as she tightened her grip on Song Shuangtian’s wrist. Song Shuangtian merely glanced up at her without pulling away. Fearing she might be gripping too hard, Ji Mingxue quietly loosened her hold a fraction.

Every reporter’s camera was trained on the pair. Song Shuangtian seemed completely oblivious to the prying or gossiping gazes, meeting everyone’s eyes with open composure.

“Do you have time after the ball? Let’s talk about…” Ji Mingxue paused for a heartbeat, “…the child’s education.”

Song Shuangtian was amused by this. “What is there to talk about?”

Ji Mingxue replied, “Guanguan is our sole heir. Naturally, we need to discuss her future planning.”

Guanguan seemed to know her parents were talking about her. Being held by Lu Xing, she waved her two small paws in the air. Lu Xing ruffled her silky hair and said, “Baby, smile for the camera.” The White Jade Ball obediently flashed a sweet, sugary smile.

Beauty attack. The media squealed.

Song Shuangtian’s high heels occasionally stepped on Ji Mingxue’s toes. At first, Ji Mingxue thought the Omega simply didn’t know how to dance, but after it happened several times, she began to suspect Song Shuangtian was bullying her on purpose.

A small glass window was open in the gold-leaf dome, allowing the brilliant starlight from outside to spill onto the center of the ballroom. Bathed in moonlight, the Omega extended her long arms like a swan spreading its wings. Ji Mingxue heard no music—only the frantic, thumping rhythm of her own heart.

This was her Omega. She had been hers before, and she would certainly be hers in the future.

Ji Mingxue’s rut hadn’t fully passed. She smelled the unavoidable scent of orange blossoms on Song Shuangtian, and her dark, mechanical pupils grew even deeper. Song Shuangtian’s soft, boneless hand rested lightly on Ji Mingxue’s waist. Her long nails grazed Ji Mingxue’s tailbone, moving slowly up her spine to her shoulder blades.

The usually stoic Alpha let out a sharp intake of breath. She immediately met Song Shuangtian’s smiling eyes.

“You’ve kept your figure well. Have you been working out consistently?”

Was Song Shuangtian… flirting with her?

Another sharp pain in her toes. Ji Mingxue had lost count of how many times she had been stepped on. A stick followed by a sugar-coated plum. It seemed the slight pain made the Alpha excited; rather than getting angry at having her toes crushed, she felt a stronger urge to pull her Omega into a tight embrace right there in front of everyone and kiss her forcefully.

The Omega’s nails brushed against Ji Mingxue’s soft palm. As an Omega raised in high society, she naturally knew how to social dance. Her warm cheek pressed against Ji Mingxue’s, looking to outsiders like a couple sharing whispered endearments. Ji Mingxue’s body was too stiff to move; despite this relationship being led by the Alpha, she was currently being pulled along entirely by the Omega’s movements—like a marionette in the hands of a goddess.

“Are you hot? You’re sweating.” Song Shuangtian blew a breath into Ji Mingxue’s ear.

Ji Mingxue’s throat bobbed. “I’m fine.” The veins on her temples were bulging. She wanted to ask, Can we start over? Like a normal couple—getting to know each other and building feelings from scratch.

Song Shuangtian saw what she was thinking. In the final second as the dance ended, she gave Ji Mingxue’s bottom a firm, playful pat.

Ji Mingxue: “!”

“President Ji, don’t forget to fulfill the cooperation agreement signed between our companies.”

“Alright,” Ji Mingxue answered hoarsely.

Song Shuangtian seemed to have rejected her, yet not entirely. The Alpha had fallen into a complete disadvantage in this romantic game of chess.

During the final chapter of the ball, Ji Mingxue watched as Song Shuangtian moved gracefully among various socialites and top-tier celebrities. Song Shuangtian was never short of admiration, nor was she short of Alphas wanting to start a new romance with her.

Ji Mingxue’s hand drifted subconsciously to the spot where she had been patted. Was she… just harassed? The ruler of M Group was secretly flustered; she had been taken advantage of in broad daylight, and the other party clearly had no intention of taking responsibility.

Lu Xing brought Guanguan over. “Your daughter is missing you.”

Ji Mingxue snapped out of her daze. “Baby is probably thinking of her Mama.” She took a candy from her handbag and stuffed it into Guanguan’s hand, then hurried after Song Shuangtian.

“Song Shuangtian!”

At the foot of the sprawling stairs, Song Shuangtian stood on the lower platform while Ji Mingxue stood at the top in the backlight. Both stopped and gazed at each other.

“Would you like to go for a drink tonight?” Ji Mingxue looked a bit disheveled, her long hair loose on her shoulders, her chest heaving slightly.

Song Shuangtian had had some wine during her socializing; her face was flushed redder than a pink diamond, making her look even more desirable. “No, I have other things to do.”

Song Shuangtian turned with a laugh, radiating her charm without restraint. She lifted her skirt and ran down the stairs, her fluttering hem looking like a goldfish’s tail—or like a wave that could never be held in one’s arms.

The Omega was gone.

A single ivory silk high heel was left abandoned on the steps. Ji Mingxue ran down and picked up the shoe, which still held Song Shuangtian’s warmth. A diamond snowflake was pinned to the toe.

“Song Shuangtian!”

The lover who had already departed had no intention of turning back. What did this mean? The petite heel lay in Ji Mingxue’s palm; Song Shuangtian’s feet were small, and the shoe was a size or two smaller than average. The heel was new, with no signs of wear, and the sole was clean.

Ding-dong. The clock struck midnight.

“Does President Ji have a new hobby?”

Lu Xing was preparing milk for the White Jade Ball. “You’ve been staring at that high heel for two hours. Believe me, if the media catches a photo of this, M Group’s stock price will drop to an unfathomable depth.”

Shocking! M Group Ruler has a foot fetish, gazes at a young woman’s heel in a trance.

Ji Mingxue: “…Song Shuangtian did this on purpose.”

Lu Xing rubbed her chin tactically. “Cinderella? You two play quite creatively.”

Ji Mingxue looked up sharply; she wanted a cigarette. A high heel symbolized many things—it pointed to one of the most seductive parts of a woman, carrying sexual undertones or representing power. Ji Mingxue’s toes were red; she had been stepped on by this very heel many times.

After tucking the White Jade Ball into bed, Ji Mingxue placed the shoe on the carpet and tried to fit her own foot inside. It was a size too small. She didn’t dare force it for fear of damaging the shoe. The Alpha held an unlit cigarette in her mouth, quietly watching the night sky.

Had Song Shuangtian forgiven her? Ji Mingxue tossed and turned, suffering from insomnia all night. Only the high heel lay quietly in its silk box.

Compared to Ji Mingxue’s restlessness, Song Shuangtian slept very well. She had seen Ji Mingxue’s watery puppy eyes and couldn’t resist petting her a few times. Worried that Ji Mingxue would chase her down, she had run fast and accidentally lost her shoe on the steps. Seeing Ji Mingxue closing in, she didn’t have time to retrieve it and simply slipped away. It was hilarious—with Ji Mingxue’s “technique,” she really needed more practice.

“Ji Mingxue will probably throw the shoe away,” she thought. She had stepped on Ji Mingxue’s feet several times with it. With Ji Mingxue’s personality, she would surely be angry.

Song Shuangtian leaned against her pillow, checking her cub’s activity via the app. After confirming everything was fine, she fell fast asleep.

Sabrina and Ji Man had nearly emptied the children’s toy store.

“Axue was so naughty when she was little. If no one paid attention to her, she’d scream and cry,” the Omega noblewoman smoothed her black hair, worrying about whether her child could raise a baby properly.

Sabrina patted her soothingly. “Axue is an adult now, you needn’t worry.”

“You tell me not to worry? Who was so nervous they couldn’t sleep all night?” The Alpha looked a bit embarrassed. “What if the baby doesn’t want to see us? She’s nearly four and has never met us.”

Ji Man knitted her elegant brows. “It’s all Axue’s fault. She had a child and didn’t tell us, then quietly slipped off to France for work. If I hadn’t seen the news, I wouldn’t even know she brought the child along.”

The parents stepped worriedly into the hotel where Ji Mingxue was staying. Sabrina quietly pushed the door open to see a White Jade Ball sitting obediently on a plush carpet, building Lego.

The door was open a crack. Ji Man leaned over Sabrina, peeking inside. To an outsider, they looked like two kidnappers. In public, Ji Man and Sabrina were the former Chairmen of M Group, authoritative figures in the industry. But facing the child, they were at a loss.

“Look, the child’s face looks just like Axue’s.”

“Chairman? Madam?”

Lu Xing was standing in the corridor and saw the two peeking through the crack. She initially thought they were reporters and was about to drive them away, only to realize they were these two formidable figures.

Sabrina coughed to hide her awkwardness. “Where is Axue?”

“President Ji is in a meeting.”

Sabrina’s brow furrowed sternly. “A meeting? She left the child in the room alone to go to a meeting? Is this how she acts as a mother?”

The sight of Sabrina scolding someone was truly terrifying.

Lu Xing couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat on Ji Mingxue’s behalf.

 

“The child doesn’t cry or fuss. She doesn’t like having nannies follow her around; she’s very well-behaved.”

 

Sabrina didn’t believe it. As an Omega, Ji Man knew that children of this age needed companionship the most. If left alone, they would inevitably become anxious and throw a tantrum.

 

“Axue is truly out of line. Has she really prepared herself to be a mother?”

 

Even the usually good-tempered Ji Man couldn’t help but start criticizing her daughter.

 

When Ji Mingxue was little, she couldn’t be left alone for a single moment and was surrounded by several nannies. If she and Sabrina hadn’t been so busy with work back then, they wouldn’t have troubled their close friend to become Ji Mingxue’s godmother. It was clear that Ji Mingxue had been quite a handful as a child.

 

“Mother?”

 

The adorable little cub scrambled up from the floor. She had smelled pheromones at the door similar to those of her mother.

 

“Is Mother back? Guanguan finished building the airplane wings.”

 

Guanguan held up the airplane wings with both hands, hoping for her mother’s praise. She was a very smart “Jar”!

 

The little girl with two cute braids stood on her tiptoes to pull open the door. Seeing three adults looming there, she jumped in surprise and took two steps back, clutching her Lego toy tightly.

 

It wasn’t Mother. But why did they have Mother’s scent? Guanguan was at a loss.

 

The moment the door opened, the sternness on Sabrina and Ji Man’s faces vanished instantly. Fearing the child would be scared, Ji Man immediately knelt on one knee to soothe her.

 

“I am Grandma,” Ji Man said softly. “Hello, baby. Mother will be here in a little while.”

 

Guanguan’s eyes, like large purple grapes, grew watery as she stared at the person who carried her mother’s scent. She suddenly remembered—she had seen these two people during video calls.

 

Ji Man was an Omega, and Sabrina was an Alpha.

 

Ji Man had expected the child to cry upon seeing strangers and was mentally prepared to comfort her. Instead, the child cradled her toy and flashed a shy smile.

 

“Hello, Grandma.”

 

Mama had told Guanguan that when people greet her, she must be polite. “Hello, two Grandmas. My name is Guanguan.”

 

The cub introduced herself in a milky voice. Ji Man was astonished; she reached out to pull the baby into her arms and smiled silently at her wife: The child let me hold her! I’m holding the baby!

 

Sabrina was also surprised. “This child is so well-behaved.”

 

She was nothing like her Axue, who had been a completely unreasonable little tyrant in her youth. Lu Xing breathed a sigh of relief in the background; if Guanguan hadn’t cooperated, the big boss would have been in for a legendary scolding.

 

“Shall Grandma play with toys with you?”

 

Ji Man sat cross-legged on the sofa. Guanguan generously pushed the Lego pieces—already sorted by color—toward her and began explaining them according to the manual.

 

After Ji Man had carefully built Lego with her for a while, she noticed it was almost lunchtime. Guanguan grabbed a nearby milk bottle, took a heavy swig, and went back to building. The child knew to feed herself when hungry. She didn’t fuss, and she even used a napkin to wipe the milk stains from her mouth.

 

So, so good!

 

Sabrina was awestruck by the sight. She softened her voice and asked, “Does Mother usually let baby play in the room alone?”

 

Guanguan knew these two were Mother’s elders. She had to make Mother’s whole family like her so they would help Mama. Guanguan was a “Jar” on a mission.

 

“Mother works very hard. She has to look at many, many documents and see many, many people every day. I won’t cause trouble for Mother. I’m a good girl.”

 

Smile attack.

 

Sabrina felt a chill in her heart. This child… was too sensible. Her dissatisfaction with her own daughter grew by the minute. How could a grown person not know how to care for a child? Too busy for companionship?

 

As lunch was delivered, the two elders were about to put a bib on the White Jade Ball, only to see Guanguan tie it herself.

 

“You didn’t even prepare a child’s high chair? How do you work?” Sabrina scolded. “Quickly install the chair we bought today. If Ji Mingxue isn’t ready to raise a child properly, I can take her back to live with me.”

 

Lu Xing began to break into a sweat again. “Guanguan is different from other children. She has quite a strong… sense of initiative.”

 

Sabrina had seen other children who needed to be coaxed just to eat, often spitting out food. Yet as she finished her sentence, she saw Guanguan nimbly climb onto an adult chair, placing a small soft cushion on it so the height was just right.

 

“Grandma, let’s eat.”

 

Guanguan already had her spoon ready. Before her were rainbow vegetable chicken rolls, pumpkin porridge, and a small piece of steamed fish with the bones removed. Adult meals had also been delivered to the suite.

 

Sabrina and Ji Man exchanged a look. They had truly never seen such a well-behaved child. Was their Axue really worthy of such a girl?

 

The child ate with more gusto than the adults, finishing all her food perfectly before patting her stomach and letting out a burp.

 

# If you aren’t enthusiastic about eating, there’s a problem with your brain. #

 

Raising this child was too easy…

 

Ji Man’s heart felt heavy. she knew Axue was busy and that the child’s Mama couldn’t be with her long-term. Children raised in such an environment might seem independent and well-behaved, but they were actually starved for affection.

 

“Grandma, have some cake.”

 

The “affection-starved” Guanguan pushed a mousse cake toward Ji Man. “Mama said good things should be shared. Guanguan can’t eat cake alone.”

 

Both Ji Man and Sabrina’s hearts completely melted. The child’s mother was so wonderful; was their Axue actually doing a good job of pursuing her?

 

At the meeting, Ji Mingxue let out a loud sneeze. It felt like someone was talking about her behind her back. After the meeting, she stood in the empty corridor, gazing at the buildings in the distance.

 

“Still no contact from Reborn?”

 

An executive lowered his head. “Reborn believes our terms aren’t generous enough and lack sincerity. They have no intention of collaborating for now.”

 

The executive was privately wondering—the terms weren’t sincere enough? They were giving up 30% of the profits. For any other company in the industry, this was a dream come true. Most companies consider a point or two to be a good deal. 30%? You couldn’t even make that much from a “five-finger discount.” It was basically charity.

 

Ji Mingxue murmured, “We’ll discuss this back home.”

 

“President Ji, are you sure you won’t consider collaborating with others?”

 

Ji Mingxue looked at the executive as if he were an idiot, her gaze cold enough to drop frost. Realizing he had misspoken, he fell silent.

 

When Ji Mingxue returned to her room and pushed open the door, she was met with the “stare of death” from four eyes.

 

Ji Mingxue: “…”

 

Ji Man said with a half-smile, “The Great CEO is finally finished? I thought Axue had forgotten she had a child.”

 

Ji Mingxue checked her watch. She had only been out for a five-hour meeting. “I’m sorry…”

 

Sabrina was dressing the child in new clothes, slowly fastening the last button before pulling Ji Mingxue into the next room.

 

“When are you and this child’s mother getting married?”

 

The sudden pressure to marry left Ji Mingxue speechless. “I haven’t successfully pursued her yet.” She looked away. “It will take some time.”

 

Sabrina frowned. “Tell me the truth. Did you do something to bully that Omega?”

 

Sabrina looked down and saw several lingering red marks on Ji Mingxue’s left wrist—clearly from trying to force the bracelet off.

 

“We don’t need you to enter a political marriage. At our stage, alliances don’t affect our development. You just need to find the person you love.” Sabrina watched her. “Who is the child’s mother?”

 

Sabrina had made up her mind: as long as she wasn’t a criminal, she would accept her. They would get the engagement and wedding done immediately.

 

Ji Mingxue: “…”

 

Ji Mingxue leaned against the sofa, her fingers subconsciously playing with the high heel Song Shuangtian had left behind. Like the Prince holding the glass slipper, searching the city for the girl who could wear it. She held the shoe and knew exactly who the girl was, but didn’t dare approach recklessly.

 

After several minutes of silence, Ji Mingxue stroked the shoe affectionately and said, “It’s Song Shuangtian.”

 

“Her?” Sabrina didn’t react at first, but stood up abruptly seconds later. “You bought out her family’s company?”

 

“You truly have some ‘talent’.”

 

Sabrina muttered several curses in French, then added a few in Chinese, as if afraid Ji Mingxue wouldn’t understand.

 

Ji Mingxue: “…”

 

After thinking for a moment, Sabrina looked at her “death-seeking” child with a complex expression. “You bought her company and forced a pregnant Omega to start over in a foreign land and create a new brand.”

 

“You really are something.”

 

Ji Mingxue lowered her head, unable to offer a word of rebuttal. “I will compensate her.”

 

“She’s wealthy now. Does she want your compensation?”

 

Ji Mingxue: “…”

 

Ji Mingxue managed a bitter smile. “Mother, I want to give the child a complete childhood at the very least.”

 

Sabrina fell silent. She remembered Song Shuangtian’s mother; she had lived with Sabrina in France and was practically part of Ji Mingxue’s family. She had rarely returned home—only for a few days at a time. She had said she didn’t like that home.

 

“I owe Song Shuangtian a lot. Please, Mother and Mama, don’t go to her yet. She… hasn’t forgiven me.”

 

Ji Mingxue’s parents couldn’t bear to leave the child and stayed with her every day until Ji Mingxue had to return to the country. Before leaving, they gave Guanguan their private contact information, likely fearing their daughter would bully the child.

 

“President Ji, don’t just hold that high heel on the plane. Why not issue a city-wide notice in M Group’s name to find the lucky Omega who can wear this shoe?”

 

Ji Mingxue: “…”

 

She was being hooked by Song Shuangtian like a fish on a line.

 

Back Home.

 

Song Shuangtian leaned back on the sofa, her head tilted up. Her heat had arrived.

 

The Omega’s body had usually been unaffected by pheromones, but ever since coming into contact with Ji Mingxue, her heats hadn’t missed a single beat. Waves of heat surged through her limbs, and she exhaled burning breath.

 

She stumbled to the bathroom, turned on the cold water, and let it wash over her. Two needle marks on her arm showed she had already injected suppressants.

 

Her eyes were misted over, and her body shook uncontrollably from the alternating heat and cold. It was so uncomfortable. She curled up in the bathtub until it automatically filled with hot water. Her white dress floated on the surface, and her long hair spread out like seaweed.

 

The suppressants were slow to take effect. Her beautiful instep arched in a suggestive curve. She gripped the edge of the tub with one hand, veins bulging. Her other hand slowly sank beneath the water.

 

The dual expectation of body and soul left her mind clouded. She needed a partner right now; if there wasn’t one, she could only rely on herself.

 

As the heat waves gripped her nerves, Song Shuangtian struggled to pick up her phone. She briefly removed Ji Mingxue’s number from her blocklist.

 

She dialed the number.

 

She owes me. Let her pay it back with her body.