After Marrying the Cold Omega in Secret - Chapter 52

Chu Jin: What?

She was genuinely stunned.

Unable to hold back, she propped herself up and looked down at Chi Ye.

But Chi Ye had already returned to a calm expression. Her eyes showed no emotion. Even though her cheeks were still a little red, her gaze was cool and distant. The heat and desire from just moments ago had completely vanished, as if the blazing warmth had been thrown into a frozen pit.

As Chu Jin stared in disbelief, Chi Ye slowly put her robe back on, wrapping up every bit of her exposed skin.

Just moments ago, she had been the one teasing, completely in control of the intimate pace between them. But right at the height of tension, Chi Ye had put a stop to it all.

Chu Jin narrowed her eyes.

Though she was left wanting more, she forced herself to douse the fire burning within her.

Even lying beneath her, Chi Ye still seemed to have the upper hand. She looked relaxed, her eyes lazily half-lidded and as dark as the night sky.

When she looked at Chu Jin again, a faint trace of amusement appeared in her expression.

“Go to sleep, sweetheart,” she said softly.

Chu Jin immediately understood what she was doing.

Playing hard to get. Drawing near, then pulling away. Controlled and deliberate.

Chi Ye had picked it up quickly.

Chu Jin let out a quiet chuckle and got off the bed.

She adjusted her loose nightgown and looked up just in time to see Chi Ye heading toward the walk-in closet.

“Then should I go back to my room?” Chu Jin asked, watching her back.

Chi Ye didn’t close the door. She didn’t respond either. She simply turned her back, lifted her hand, and slid the robe off her shoulders.

The robe fell in gentle folds around her ankles.

Her fair, jade-like body emerged from beneath the fabric.

Her long hair draped over her shoulders and down her back. Chu Jin’s gaze couldn’t help but travel downward, tracing the elegant curve of her waist, the graceful shape of her hips, the length of her legs. Her skin glowed under the warm lights. Even her hair shimmered faintly, like a sculpture of a goddess come to life. There wasn’t a single flaw.

It was something to admire from afar, never to touch.

Chu Jin hadn’t expected her to undress so openly in front of her. Even though it was only her back, it was enough to steal her breath away.

All that echoed in her head were three simple words.

Too beautiful.

She had seen Chi Ye’s figure before, but always through layers of fabric. Now, seeing it directly, she was still completely captivated.

Chi Ye leaned slightly to one side, opened the wardrobe, and took out a nightgown.

She twirled the strap around her finger and glanced over her shoulder.

“If you want to leave, go ahead.”

Chu Jin saw the smile in her eyes. Her moment of distraction had clearly not gone unnoticed.

But how could she possibly want to leave now?

She had underestimated Chi Ye from the start.

On the surface, she seemed cold and aloof. In truth, she was a master of seduction.

The desire that had just begun to settle now returned in full force.

If only Chi Ye weren’t an alpha. Chu Jin found herself wanting to sink her teeth into her gland and leave a permanent mark, one that would make her belong to her completely.

While Chu Jin was still caught in her thoughts, Chi Ye had already slipped into her nightgown and added a robe on top. She was fully covered now.

But the material was thin, and with the light behind her, her figure was still faintly visible. And after seeing her bare back, it was impossible for Chu Jin not to picture the rest.

It wasn’t until Chi Ye came to stand in front of her that Chu Jin finally snapped out of it.

“Sweetheart, are you really going to leave me all alone tonight?” Chi Ye asked gently.

Chu Jin steadied her breath and was just about to reply when Chi Ye turned and walked toward the bed.

Before she could answer, Chi Ye had already crawled under the covers.

Chu Jin followed her own instincts and lifted the blanket to get in as well.

The bed was large, so there was still quite a bit of space between them.

But neither of them moved any closer.

Chu Jin felt restless. She was hoping Chi Ye would make a move, but the room remained silent.

Eventually, all the lights dimmed except for the small night lamp in the corner, casting a soft glow across the room.

Neither of them turned over.

Even though Chi Ye had claimed she was tired, her eyes were wide open. Her mind was clearer than ever. She listened closely to Chu Jin’s breathing, trying to figure out if she had fallen asleep. At the same time, she was quietly making a mental note: they needed a smaller bed. One that would force them to lie close together.

While her thoughts were racing, Chu Jin finally couldn’t take it anymore.

“Are you asleep?” she whispered.

Chi Ye’s lips curved upward, though she hid her happiness well.

“No,” she replied casually.

Chu Jin turned onto her side.

Chi Ye turned over as well.

Finally, Chi Ye couldn’t hold back any longer and was about to scoot over when a sudden ringtone pierced the silence.

In the dark room, it sounded especially loud.

Chi Ye froze in place.

Chu Jin reached for the phone by the bed. The caller ID showed a familiar name.

She hesitated for a moment but then got out of bed and went to the bathroom to answer.

On the other end came a soft, familiar voice.

“Jin-jie, how have you been lately?”

Chu Jin replied, “It’s been alright. How about you?”

The person on the other end didn’t waste time with small talk. After a short pause, they got straight to the point.

“Jin-jie, would you be able to meet with me?”

After finishing the call and returning to bed, Chu Jin didn’t say a word about it. Chi Ye waited for her to explain, quietly hoping she would.

A call that late at night was unlikely to be about work. If it wasn’t professional, it had to be someone personally important.

But Chu Jin stayed silent.

Eventually, Chi Ye couldn’t hold back and asked casually, trying not to sound too concerned, “Was it work-related?”

“No,” Chu Jin responded quietly, her voice sounding slightly tired. “Just a friend.”

Chi Ye had looked into Chu Jin’s circle before. Among her close friends, the only one she had ever mentioned was Song Xunyu, who was an alpha. If it had been Song Xunyu, Chu Jin would have said so without hesitation.

Instead, she just said “a friend.” That meant someone else. Someone Chi Ye didn’t know.

The thought left Chi Ye feeling uneasy, but since Chu Jin clearly didn’t want to explain, she didn’t ask any further. She forced herself to close her eyes and try to sleep.

The next morning, after breakfast, Chu Jin left the house.

She simply said she had something to take care of. She seemed in a hurry, like she was trying to catch a specific time.

Chi Ye had a strong feeling she was going to meet that so-called friend.

But that was entirely her right. The contract never said Chu Jin had to report every meeting, and she was free to see whomever she wanted.

The night before, Chu Jin had arranged to meet Jiang Xu at a café. She arrived early, but to her surprise, Jiang Xu was already there waiting.

When she spotted Chu Jin from a distance, Jiang Xu stood up with a warm smile and greeted her cheerfully.

“Jin-jie, we haven’t seen each other in years. Did you get taller again?”

Jiang Xu wore a neat, well-fitted outfit with light makeup. She looked noticeably more mature than before.

As an omega, she had always been shorter than Chu Jin by half a head. With Chu Jin wearing heels today, the height difference looked even more dramatic. Jiang Xu had to tilt her head up just to meet her eyes.

“That’s because you’re short,” Chu Jin replied, smiling softly.

Jiang Xu pouted in protest and stood on tiptoe, unwilling to accept defeat.

“Alright, come sit down,” Chu Jin said gently. “Have you already ordered coffee?”

“Of course I did,” Jiang Xu nodded, settling into the seat across from her. She gave a playful wink. “Today’s my treat.”

Seeing her like this made Chu Jin’s heart soften. It brought back memories of years past.

She had known Jiang Xu for seven years.

The first time they met, Jiang Xu was sitting alone on the flowerbed outside the neighborhood, crying.

That night, Chu Jin had stormed out of the house after a fight with her family. It was already eleven at night.

She hadn’t expected to find someone else out there who seemed just as lost and hurt as she was.

Jiang Xu was a year younger and the only omega in her family. Because of that, she was constantly mistreated and insulted. Even her own older sister called her worthless.

The only thing that set her apart was that she wasn’t an alpha. Her family placed extreme value on alphas and looked down on omegas, branding Jiang Xu as inferior from birth.

That night, her face soaked in tears, Jiang Xu had asked Chu Jin, “If I were an alpha, do you think they would love me?”

Chu Jin’s heart clenched. She couldn’t bring herself to answer. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Jiang Xu and gently patted her back.

She had also struggled with the same question growing up. Despite being an alpha herself, she could never win her mother’s approval, no matter what she did.

Later, she found out the reason. She and her younger brother had different fathers.

Her mother hated her father. Because of that, she hated Chu Jin too.

She even went as far as to say she wished Chu Jin had died in the same car crash that killed her father.

Over the years, Chu Jin had come to accept that not all mothers are capable of loving their children.

Once she understood that, she stopped trying to earn love from a place that had never given it.

“I still remember what you told me the first day we met,” Jiang Xu said, her expression turning thoughtful.

That night, Chu Jin had stayed with her until late. They only exchanged names when they were about to part ways.

But Chu Jin couldn’t remember what else she had said.

“You told me,” Jiang Xu paused for a moment, as if reliving the memory, “instead of hoping someone else will love you, it’s better to learn to love yourself.”

She said it clearly and with conviction, like it had stayed with her ever since.

“I’ve carried those words with me all these years,” she added with a smile.

Chu Jin was surprised that Jiang Xu remembered something so long ago. Her heart stirred slightly.

The server brought over their coffee. Chu Jin lifted her cup and took a sip, gently shifting the conversation away from their shared pain.

“You left Linhe and moved to Beihuai City three years ago. How have you been?”

“I remember you said you wanted to work at Hehan. Did you get in?”

Jiang Xu had always loved fashion design, but due to her family’s lack of support, she never received formal training. Even so, with Chu Jin’s encouragement, she never gave up. She participated in many competitions and won quite a few awards. Most of the costs during that time were covered by Chu Jin.

Every time Jiang Xu received prize money, she wanted to give it all to Chu Jin, but Chu Jin always refused. She would only accept a simple cup of coffee as thanks.

Back then, the two of them had visited almost every café in Linhe. Of course, they only went to affordable ones.

Three years ago, Jiang Xu suddenly announced that she was moving to Beihuai City. Her goal was to join Hehan, a well-known fashion company.

Both of them became busier over time, so they lost touch. At first, they still called each other occasionally. But after Chu Jin started dating someone, Jiang Xu stopped reaching out altogether.

So Chu Jin had never had the chance to ask about her recent life until now.

Jiang Xu stirred her coffee with a spoon, her tone calm.

“Hehan filters applicants by academic qualifications. I didn’t get in.” She smiled a little, the disappointment quickly fading from her expression. “But I’ve started my own brand.”

“I’m working as an independent designer now,” she continued, her eyes glowing with confidence. “It’s going pretty well.”

Chu Jin felt her heart rise and fall with each word, but was ultimately relieved and genuinely happy for her.

“That’s amazing, Xu,” Chu Jin praised, her eyes warm. “I knew you could do it.”

Jiang Xu took a sip of her coffee, her round eyes fixed on Chu Jin. “Jin-jie, I want to ask a favor.”

“Go ahead,” Chu Jin said.

Jiang Xu hesitated a little, her tone careful, as if she feared rejection. “My brand has been invited to participate in LH Fashion Week this year. I want to ask if you’d be my model.”

“Really?” Chu Jin’s eyes lit up with surprise and joy. “Of course I’ll do it!”

“Let me just check with my agent first. Send me the details later, okay?”

“Absolutely!” Jiang Xu was clearly excited, though her voice softened. “Thank you, Jin-jie.”

Then she murmured, “I’m finally about to realize my dream.”

“You mean being invited to LH Fashion Week?” Chu Jin asked gently.

LH Fashion Week is well-known internationally. Many designers dream of one day being invited, and it’s especially rare for an independent designer to make it. The fact that Jiang Xu achieved this in just three years was truly impressive.

But Jiang Xu shook her head.

Chu Jin was puzzled.

Then Jiang Xu spoke slowly. “My dream is to have you wear my design at Fashion Week.”

Her eyes curved into a smile, still carrying a hint of youthful innocence despite being in her twenties.

Chu Jin smiled back but didn’t answer right away.

A few seconds of silence passed before Jiang Xu suddenly asked, “Are you still dating Yan Sisi?”

The question was direct, and Chu Jin answered just as plainly. “We broke up.”

Jiang Xu’s hand paused for a brief second as she raised her cup, but she quickly recovered and took a small sip.

“So, are you single now?”

That question gave Chu Jin pause.

Technically, she wasn’t single. She was married. But it was a secret marriage, known only to Song Xunyu. The contract explicitly stated that she couldn’t reveal it to anyone else.

Even telling Song Xunyu had been a risky decision.

Jiang Xu was still waiting for an answer. After a long pause, Chu Jin finally replied with a vague, “Sort of.”

Jiang Xu seemed to hesitate, then spoke again. “I saw you on a dating reality show a few days ago. It was pretty popular.”

She only said one sentence, but her meaning was obvious.

Chu Jin didn’t want Jiang Xu to find out about her relationship with Chi Ye, so she explained, “I signed with an agency. That was the first variety show my agent arranged for me.”

“So it was just to build popularity?” Jiang Xu asked, setting her cup down.

Chu Jin hesitated again, but eventually nodded.

“Yes.”

After hearing that, the concern in Jiang Xu’s expression completely disappeared. The corners of her lips lifted into a small smile.

After coffee, Jiang Xu insisted they have lunch together. They chatted and caught up for a while.

By the time they parted ways, it was nearly three in the afternoon.

On her way home, Chu Jin received a message from Jiang Xu with the Fashion Week schedule. She used the time in the car to call Liu Lu and discuss the event.

Liu Lu did a quick background check on the brand. Though still considered small, it had a refined and unique style. The designer clearly had a distinct vision, and the brand had made impressive progress in the fashion world over the past three years.

Having Chu Jin model for the brand would be mutually beneficial.

After confirming the arrangements, Chu Jin started feeling drowsy. Her eyelids were heavy and sore.

She always felt sleepy after meals. Recently, she had watched a video saying this might be caused by carbohydrate-induced drowsiness.

It made sense. She loved carbs and always ended up eating a full plate.

So it wasn’t entirely surprising.

There were still ten minutes left in the ride back to the villa. She decided to sneak in a quick nap.

Just as her eyes closed, her phone buzzed with several notifications.

Her sleepiness was immediately interrupted, and she opened the phone with mild irritation.

The messages were from her assistant, Feng Peier.

[Jin-jie!!]
[Something big happened!]
[Where are you right now?]
[You need to check the trending list. You’re on it!]
[You’re about to hit number one!]

Chu Jin’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the last two messages.

Normally, making it onto the trending list was a good thing for a celebrity. It meant publicity and visibility.

But given Feng Peier’s earlier tone, this clearly wasn’t a good thing.

With shaking hands, Chu Jin tapped open the trending tab.

Her name was already ranked first.

The headline read:

#DatingShowGuestChuJinSuspectedOfCheatingWithAnotherOmega

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