After Little Sweet Omega Runs with the Ball - Chapter 42

After settling her aunt in a sanatorium in the capital, Song Shuangtian immersed herself in her work.

Summer in the capital was not particularly pleasant, but fortunately, the greenery around the sanatorium was lush and vibrant, providing a refreshing view.

“Hey, look at that person ahead…”

Yuan Yin walked beside Song Shuangtian, cradling a Maltese that was looking around curiously.

Song Shuangtian carried a shopping bag in one hand while using the other to check background emails on her phone, her peach-colored sunglasses resting on the bridge of her nose.

“What?”

Yuan Yin: “Look at your old flame.”

Song Shuangtian typed the last letter and stuffed her phone into her pocket.

She was currently in a coastal city where foreign trade was quite developed. Song Shuangtian herself wasn’t very interested in shopping, but Yuan Yin had dragged her out this time.

Song Shuangtian: “Ji Mingxue?”

Yuan Yin patted the Maltese’s head. “And your cub.”

The Omega stood in the atrium. From a distance, she saw Guanguan stubbornly pulling Ji Mingxue into a luxury store. The child’s hands were pressed against the glass display case as she stared at the sparkling jewelry inside.

Several bodyguards in black suits stood at the entrance. Once Ji Mingxue entered, the store immediately closed its doors, refusing entry to any other customers.

Yuan Yin: “Quite the grand display.”

Song Shuangtian’s mood was somewhat complicated. At the mere thought of Ji Mingxue, her earlobes tingled.

On the phone, the Alpha had said in a slightly raspy voice, “Chairperson.”

The tone was both flirtatious and alluring, like a troublesome subordinate who wasn’t working properly and was doing everything possible to seduce the big boss.

“Hey, why is your face turning red?”

Yuan Yin looked at her strangely. “Is it the heat? No, the air conditioning here is quite strong.”

Song Shuangtian put on a grumpy face. “None of your business.”

The Omega walked to a spot not far from the store. Through the transparent floor-to-ceiling glass, she saw her cub pointing at a row of expensive rings and bracelets, her mouth vaguely saying:

“Mother, I want this one, this one, this one, and that one, and that one too.”

The salesperson’s grin stretched from ear to ear. No cub could resist shiny things.

Ji Mingxue did not act like other parents who taught their children to be thrifty, nor did she give her any sort of shopping plan.

The power player of M Group threw a bank card onto the counter. “Is this all that’s enough?”

Song Shuangtian: “.”

Is this how Ji Mingxue raises a child? Is she really not going to raise Guanguan to be spoiled?

Guanguan’s eyes sparkled as she stared at a gemstone necklace in the glass display case that looked like something used to crown a king, engraved with iris and magnolia totems. This kind of haute couture jewelry required reservations months or even years in advance.

Most people wouldn’t even buy a piece of rock candy that big.

“So shiny!”

Song Shuangtian: “.”

Song Shuangtian helplessly massaged her forehead. As a parent, she naturally knew she couldn’t satisfy every one of a child’s demands; otherwise, it would only breed greed.

Her Guanguan actually knew this too.

Guanguan turned her sparkling gaze toward Ji Mingxue. “Mother, can you hold Guanguan so I can see? Guanguan just wants to look, I won’t buy it. Mother has already spent a lot of money on Guanguan; Guanguan wants to save money for Mother.”

“Mommy says that life requires careful planning and one shouldn’t spend money recklessly.”

The child spoke big truths that usually came from adults in a milky voice.

Sensible. Too sensible.

Ji Mingxue picked Guanguan up. The little girl didn’t dare press her paws against the spotless glass, instead excitedly clutching the hem of her little dress.

Ji Mingxue: “Does Guanguan want it?”

Guanguan shook her head. She only shook her head and didn’t speak, but her eyes were practically glued to it.

Lu Xing, standing to the side, hesitated to speak. Would raising a child like this really not cause problems? The child was great—not a brat at all—but she wasn’t so sure about the person raising her.

Ji Mingxue: “I’ll take this one too.”

The salesperson looked troubled. “This piece was reserved by another customer…”

Ji Mingxue gave her a cold, brief glance.

The things an Alpha wanted were always rushed into her hands by others. If her child took an interest in this thing, it was the item’s honor.

The salesperson wanted to say more, but the store manager gave her a look.

“Yes, we will wrap it up for you immediately.”

Song Shuangtian watched helplessly as Ji Mingxue had everything in the entire display case wrapped up.

On her Guanguan’s ten fingers, there were eleven rings, and around her neck hung a chain of beads that looked like something an emperor would wear to court. The black-clad bodyguards behind them each carried six or seven paper bags.

This was exactly the look of a nouveau riche. Song Shuangtian couldn’t bear to watch.

As soon as they stepped out of the store, Guanguan was swept into Ji Mingxue’s arms; her brand-new soles had hardly touched the ground.

The Alpha pressed her face against the “White Jade Dumpling’s” cheek. “What else does baby want?”

The White Jade Dumpling: “QAQ Achoo!”

Ji Mingxue: “…Next time we see Mommy, can baby not mention the cold and the runny nose?”

Yesterday, the White Jade Dumpling had insisted on going to the beach to play. As a result of the wind, she had been having a runny nose for the past two days.

The White Jade Dumpling sneezed again: “I want a car without a roof.”

Ji Mingxue: “Buy it, buy it, buy it.”

Song Shuangtian witnessed the entire process of Ji Mingxue bribing her child.

Yuan Yin nudged her with her shoulder. “That rich tycoon is quite loaded.”

Song Shuangtian: “…I can’t let her keep raising Guanguan.”

She was going to lead the child astray.

That evening, Song Shuangtian predictably saw Ji Mingxue and Guanguan attending the banquet together.

The banquet invited all the major brands in the industry. As the undisputed leader of the industry, M Group naturally had no intention of being absent.

Song Shuangtian and Yuan Yin attended on behalf of Reborn.

Unlike the public’s impression of Reborn always stealing the spotlight, Song Shuangtian was dressed quite modestly. A form-fitting white silk gown outlined her graceful figure, with an antique pearl necklace draped at her neck, making the Omega’s temperament appear even more noble and composed.

“My daughter has admired President Ji for a long time. I wonder if President Ji has time for a drink after the banquet?”

A jeweler walked up to Ji Mingxue with his daughter. The daughter looked at Ji Mingxue with deep affection, her cheeks flushed pink. She clearly didn’t mind being a mother to Guanguan. After all, the child’s mother had never appeared; who was to say who might win President Ji’s favor?

Ji Mingxue was surrounded by various businesspeople. Even while holding the child, she couldn’t fend off the crowd wanting to chat.

Ji Mingxue: “I already have a lover.”

Taking the child into account, Ji Mingxue didn’t drink champagne; her goblet held only a shallow layer of juice.

Listening from the side, Song Shuangtian’s brow twitched. At least she’s being sensible.

The Alpha’s eyes were no longer arrogant or haughty; when she looked at Guanguan, there was a touch of heart-fluttering deep affection.

“This child will only ever have one mother.”

Within a few simple exchanges, Ji Mingxue’s “situation” had spread through the crowd.

#Rumors start with a mouth#

“What? President Ji is already engaged to an unknown woman?”

“No, the version I heard is that the woman ran away after tricking President Ji out of her first night.”

“That’s so scandalous???”

“That’s not all. The woman dumped the child directly at M Group’s headquarters. President Ji can only look at the child and miss the mother. The ‘Pure Love Warrior’ has fallen.”

“I heard that every time President Ji enters her rut, she grits her teeth and endures it alone, unwilling to let her body be defiled by any other Omega.”

Song Shuangtian’s forehead throbbed as she listened. Rumors. Pure rumors.

“Is that really true?” Song Shuangtian asked a person nearby with a half-smile.

The person only thought Song Shuangtian looked familiar but didn’t know her identity. “President Ji admitted it herself, how could it be fake? I heard that President Ji hasn’t been sleeping well these years, often suffering from headaches and insomnia, all because she misses that woman.”

Song Shuangtian: “…”

Song Shuangtian saw Ji Mingxue in the distance, surrounded like the moon by stars. Song Shuangtian did know that Ji Mingxue had been suffering from insomnia.

The person beside her continued, “President Ji also said she spent the most beautiful years of her life with that woman. That woman was utterly devoted to her, had an extremely gentle personality, and would blush and her heart would race every time she saw her. They were even childhood sweethearts!”

Blushing and heart racing? Childhood sweethearts? Utterly devoted? Gentle personality?

Which version are you listening to? Was she crazy, or was Ji Mingxue crazy?

Song Shuangtian suspected that Ji Mingxue had been tortured by pheromones to the point of having delusions. What “sweet past” was there between her and Ji Mingxue?

Wasn’t it just a case of corporate espionage followed by a casual adult relationship?

“I’ll tell you a secret. I heard that woman is the former Song Shuangtian. This leads back to that story between ST Group and M Group that must be told…”

“Hey, why are you leaving? I haven’t finished yet!”

The person saw Song Shuangtian stand up to leave halfway through the sentence. They opened their mouth to continue but could no longer see her.

Give Ji Mingxue an inch and she’ll take a mile. Look at how capable she thinks she is.

Song Shuangtian was almost driven to a laugh by her anger.

In the banquet’s restroom, Song Shuangtian washed her hands in front of the mirror. The Omega in the mirror had not aged due to the passage of time or childbirth; instead, she had become more mature and elegant. Wearing her fishtail skirt, she looked like a lily in full bloom.

Her dark hair was gathered into a bun, revealing the lines of a swan-like neck.

A layer of gland patch covered her gland.

Through the slight swelling of the patch, one could easily imagine the delicious and succulent liquid contained within. The water washed over the Omega’s fingers, causing her knuckles to turn a faint red.

“Tiantian.”

Another person appeared at the doorway of the restroom.

Song Shuangtian’s movements suddenly paused, and she snapped her head back to look. There stood Ji Mingxue, silhouetted against the light, her fingers gripping her handbag tightly.

Just now, Ji Mingxue had seen a mermaid-like shadow flicker in the corner of her vision in the mirror. Beneath the fishtail skirt was a pair of high heels that made her heart skip a beat.

Ji Mingxue had left Guanguan in Lu Xing’s care and hurried after her, lifting the hem of her red dress. It really was Song Shuangtian. Under the lights, the woman’s exquisite face glowed; as the water flowed over her fingertips, it was hard not to want to taste those reddened knuckles with the tip of one’s tongue to see if they were as sweet as her gland.

Ji Mingxue’s throat felt parched.

“Those shoes…”

Ji Mingxue still had a pair of high heels at home that Song Shuangtian had left behind. They were very similar to the ones Song Shuangtian was wearing now.

Song Shuangtian flushed with annoyance. “The first thing you think of when you see me is my feet?”

The Alpha lunged forward like a big dog, suddenly pulling Song Shuangtian into her arms. She braced her hand against the cold wall, completely trapping the Omega in her embrace.

Song Shuangtian struggled to push her away.

“Chairperson.”

Ji Mingxue acted spoiled in a low voice. “Did I do something wrong to make the Chairperson so angry?”

The title “Chairperson” made Song Shuangtian laugh out of spite. Is this person really staying in character? Where was the arrogant, condescending Alpha who used to pull her necklace and mark her?

Song Shuangtian gave a cold huff. “I am not your Chairperson, and you don’t report to me.”

Unexpectedly, Ji Mingxue pulled out a Reborn employee pass from her handbag. “You are.”

Song Shuangtian gave a half-smile, and her high heel suddenly stomped onto Ji Mingxue’s own. The Alpha winced in pain but didn’t move her foot, letting the Omega step on her.

“What did you do wrong?”

Song Shuangtian had never seen Ji Mingxue so obedient; it made her want to bully her ruthlessly. The Omega was defiant, her brows raised high, but instead of feeling offended, Ji Mingxue’s heart raced frantically.

A fierce Omega was truly beautiful. No wonder she could give birth to a child as adorable as that “White Jade Dumpling.”

Ji Mingxue’s heart fluttered wildly; her face and the tips of her ears turned completely red. Finally, she had to look away, not daring to meet Song Shuangtian’s gaze.

“Chairperson, I shouldn’t have spread rumors outside that we were childhood sweethearts.”

“And what else?” Song Shuangtian pressed.

Ji Mingxue’s voice trembled more as she spoke. Though she was incomparably proud and cold outside, she was utterly defeated in this small restroom. Just making eye contact with the Omega made her heart shudder to the limit.

“I shouldn’t have said you were utterly devoted to me.”

Song Shuangtian pursed her lips.

Ji Mingxue: “I shouldn’t have mixed up our perspectives.”

Song Shuangtian paused for a moment.

Ji Mingxue gently pulled her girlfriend into her arms, tentatively brushing her red lips against Song Shuangtian’s forehead. “I want to be childhood sweethearts with you. I am the one who is utterly devoted to you.”

Ji Mingxue was like a big dog pushing her luck; seeing that her master hadn’t pushed her away, she became brazen in her desire for more of her master’s scent. She knew she had been wrong—she shouldn’t have resorted to predatory tactics in the past, nor should she have arrogantly assumed she could forcibly mark her Omega just because of her professional advantage.

The current Song Shuangtian was not someone she could mold at will. She had become excellent, dazzling, and brilliant. If Ji Mingxue could once find an advantage in this relationship, she was now the one who had to endure and wait.

“Tiantian, Chairperson… M Group is interested in collaborating with Reborn. I hope the Chairperson will give me a chance to show our full sincerity.”

Ji Mingxue’s lips touched the Omega’s gland patch. Her fingers wandered over Song Shuangtian’s pearl necklace; the Nephrite jade absorbed Ji Mingxue’s body heat, sending a wave of goosebumps across Song Shuangtian’s skin as it touched her.

With a gentle tug on the pearl necklace, Song Shuangtian’s lips met hers. Song Shuangtian increased the pressure of her heel on the tip of Ji Mingxue’s shoe. The more it hurt, the softer Ji Mingxue’s smile became.

“Chairperson, we should hurry. Guanguan will cry if she can’t find her parents.”

Song Shuangtian glared at her fiercely. Ji Mingxue took Song Shuangtian’s wrist and placed it against her own face. Song Shuangtian reluctantly patted the Alpha’s head.

The Alpha dreamed of getting Song Shuangtian’s pheromones, but now that Song Shuangtian was actually in her arms, Ji Mingxue didn’t dare. A long time had taught her restraint. Only by restraining desire could one possess a lover.

Ji Mingxue squinted her eyes as Song Shuangtian petted her. Song Shuangtian wondered if Ji Mingxue’s mental state was a bit off lately—how could someone be this happy just from a head pat?

Song Shuangtian helplessly patted her a few more times, and a sound almost like a cat purring came from Ji Mingxue’s throat.

Song Shuangtian: “…”

Ji Mingxue: “About the cooperation…”

Song Shuangtian said with a faint smile, “We’ll talk about the cooperation later.”

If M Group wanted to collaborate with someone, they would never be this humble or persistent. Only Song Shuangtian could make Ji Mingxue constantly optimize the terms—even if it meant losing money, a long-term partnership had to be reached. As for what Reborn needed to provide? It was a joke; the fact that Reborn would condescend to sign the agreement was already a huge bargain for Ji Mingxue. She didn’t dare harbor any ulterior motives.

They emerged from the restroom. The noble and elegant Alpha returned to her social arena, while Song Shuangtian, after finishing half a glass of champagne, chatted with a few familiar colleagues and left early. Outsiders would never have guessed how deeply entangled M Group and Reborn were in private, given they didn’t meet at all during the banquet. There were even rumors that “kings do not meet.”

…

“You don’t need to stay by my side; my body is fine.”

Madam Qiu patted Song Shuangtian’s hand. “The medicine you brought back is very effective. My heart is fine.”

Song Shuangtian didn’t dare relax. “Auntie, the doctor said you need to be careful.”

Madam Qiu watched Song Shuangtian peel an orange by the hospital bed, feeling a bit helpless. “How are things between you and Ji Mingxue?”

The fruit knife in Song Shuangtian’s hand paused. “Her personality is different from before.”

Song Shuangtian didn’t even notice that a very faint curve appeared at the corner of her mouth when mentioning Ji Mingxue.

“What is this?”

Madam Qiu handed Song Shuangtian a first-class cruise ticket. “A shipping company owned by a friend of mine recently opened a new route. Go check it out. Don’t always keep busy with company affairs; I’ll look after Reborn for you, nothing will go wrong.”

Song Shuangtian gripped the ticket tightly. “Auntie.”

Madam Qiu’s attitude was firm. “Look at the dark circles under your eyes, and look at your body—you’ve lost several pounds recently.”

Madam Qiu saw Song Shuangtian’s hard work. To give her child a better life and to make up for the regrets of the former ST, she had to work day and night, exhausting the Omega’s blood and talent. She had even worked continuously on designs and networking during her pregnancy.

Seeing that Song Shuangtian was about to speak again, Madam Qiu interrupted: “My friend is interested in collaborating with us. The Golden Queen is a world-leading luxury cruise ship. You go and talk business with them on my behalf.”

Song Shuangtian was stunned. She knew Madam Qiu had many connections, but she didn’t realize they were that extensive. Since her aunt put it that way, Song Shuangtian naturally had no room to refuse.

“Alright, I’ll go.”

Hearing Song Shuangtian agree, Madam Qiu finally felt at ease. She patted Song Shuangtian’s shoulder. “Don’t push yourself too hard. I think Ji Mingxue is a good girl; perhaps you should let her share more of your burdens.”

“Auntie!” Song Shuangtian felt a bit awkward at the mention of Ji Mingxue. Madam Qiu didn’t tease her further; after eating the orange, she shooed Song Shuangtian away and took a nap.

…

“Tickets for the Golden Queen are rare. I heard they’ve opened a new route and sent us a few tickets.”

Lu Xing placed the envelope on Ji Mingxue’s desk. Ji Mingxue wasn’t interested in cruise travel; in the past, she naturally wouldn’t have gone, but now…

“Does baby want to see the ocean?”

Guanguan was covered in sparkling gemstones. The child didn’t know the gems were precious; she only knew they were shiny stones and gave one to everyone she met. She was highly regarded in the company. Bratty children were common, but a “Wealth-Distributing Child” was a first.

“Guanguan wants to go.”

It was unclear if Lu Xing did it on purpose, but there were only two tickets in the envelope—just enough for Ji Mingxue and Guanguan.

“Alright, I’ll have the secretary book the flights.”

As soon as Lu Xing finished speaking, Ji Mingxue’s phone chimed. She didn’t look at it, but after a few seconds, she said, “My family is coming to the capital tonight; they said they want to see the baby.”

Ji Mingxue frowned. “No need to book the flights.”

If her parents were coming, Ji Mingxue couldn’t possibly abandon them to go on a trip with Guanguan alone.

Lu Xing said in a low voice, “The Golden Queen has intentions of collaborating with Reborn recently. Chairperson Song will likely be there.”

Ji Mingxue’s hand gripping her phone tightened instantly. Lu Xing saw her boss’s eyes light up.

“Fine. Let Guanguan stay with my family; I’ll go to the cruise alone.”

Guanguan: “?”

Guanguan had never been on a cruise, but she had spent time with her mother’s family, and both were very, very, very good people. Learning she was going to see her grandmother, Guanguan threw the cruise to the back of her mind and hugged her milk bottle, wanting to cuddle with Grandma.

The cruise ship, like a floating castle, sailed across the ocean. It was the most dazzling pearl on the sea, a city built with wealth and power.

The Omega wore a swimsuit with a silk scarf draped over her shoulders. She yawned as she leaned against the bar.

“I’ll have a cocktail.”

Song Shuangtian looked at the cocktail menu listlessly under the sun. The sea breeze rustled in her ears. A bartender in a black tuxedo stood quietly behind the bar.

“I’ll have a Cosmopolitan, thank you.”

Song Shuangtian’s fingers tapped on the menu. She wore peach-colored sunglasses on her nose, matching the pink Cosmopolitan. The vodka-based Cosmopolitan didn’t have a strong alcohol taste; it was sweet and sour, and one could easily drink a lot without noticing.

Song Shuangtian hummed a little tune as she leaned against the high bar stool. “The breeze here is really nice.” She seemed to be talking to the bartender, yet also to herself.

It was rare for the Omega to have a holiday; she was always either designing or socializing. She let go of all her burdens, picked up a piece of bread, and threw it into the air. Before the breadcrumbs could hit the deck, they were snatched away by a seagull. The Omega loved the game of teasing seagulls with bread slices.

“Your drink is ready.”

The bartender in white gloves pushed the glass in front of Song Shuangtian. It was a woman’s voice.

Song Shuangtian’s eyebrows shot up. She threw the last piece of bread; a seagull flapped its wings and accurately snatched the prize mid-air, flying away with a squawk.

The lightly dressed Omega lowered her sunglasses, using her breathtaking peach-blossom eyes to look up and scrutinize the bartender in front of her.

The Omega wasn’t wearing shoes. She sat with her legs crossed, her jade-like feet swinging in the air. A gold bracelet hung around her ankle; under the sunlight, the blue veins on the bridge of her foot were visible.

The bartender’s eyes darkened.

“I don’t feel like drinking anymore. Please drink it yourself, Miss Bartender.”

The Miss Bartender in the tuxedo said: “I ask the guest to please taste my craft; I won’t disappoint you.”

The Miss Bartender walked out from behind the bar and stood in front of Song Shuangtian. She used a blanket to cover Song Shuangtian’s long, fair legs that were swinging around. The swimsuit was too tight, and the Omega was too eye-catching.

“Careful not to catch a cold.”

Song Shuangtian did not accept her kindness. She raised a foot and pressed it against Ji Mingxue’s hip bone, letting the blanket fall to the ground.

“What, does President Ji have a hobby of mixing drinks for people?”

The taste of the cocktail was debatable, but the tuxedo looked quite good.