After Mistakenly Marking Her Stunning Omega Stepsister - Chapter 50

As the day of Lin Sui’s birthday banquet approached, the house buzzed with activity, far livelier than usual.

Prominent families from Ningcheng and even some dignitaries from other cities had come to attend.

Today was Lin Sui’s day, so naturally, she dressed in her finest.

The elaborate hairstyle and makeup alone took several hours. During this time, Lin Wei stopped by briefly to check on her before hurrying downstairs to greet the guests.

Lin Sui sat before the dressing mirror, letting out a helpless sigh.

This was always the most exhausting time of year for her.

As she idly scrolled through her phone, lost in thought, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Lin Sui said without looking up.

The door opened quietly.

Wen Xiangzhu stepped in, her steps light, and closed the door behind her. “Sister, I’m all ready.”

Lin Sui paused, then glanced up at the mirror.

Through the reflection, she clearly saw Wen Xiangzhu today.

Wen Xiangzhu was wearing one of the dresses Lin Sui had bought for her.

If she remembered correctly.

Compared to the birthday party for Jiang Wanwan, she seemed…

even more beautiful.

Was that just an illusion?

Lin Sui blinked, murmured a response, then quickly averted her gaze, as if suddenly realizing something.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I just… wanted to let you know.”

Wen Xiangzhu’s eyelashes fluttered as she pulled up a chair and sat beside her. “Sister, you look stunning today.”

For a moment, the room fell silent. Even the stylist’s hands paused before resuming their work as if nothing had happened.

After a pause, Lin Sui said, “Thank you. You look beautiful too.”

Wen Xiangzhu froze, her expression growing complicated.

“Why are you saying this…?”

“What?”

Lin Sui frowned, watching her through the mirror with suspicion.

She looked pale, almost distressed.

“Don’t say ‘thank you’—don’t say things like that.” She paused, pursing her lips. “It makes it feel awkward.”

“Does it… really?”

“Yes.”

Wen Xiangzhu frowned slightly, the corners of her lips drooping.

Seeing this, Lin Sui choked back a laugh.

“Okay, I won’t say it again.”

Only then did Wen Xiangzhu’s smile return.

“Speaking of which, I’m still a bit nervous.”

“Why? You’ve been to Jiang Wanwan’s birthday party before—surely you’re not still nervous about that?” Lin Sui raised an eyebrow, curious.

“That’s not it.” Wen Xiangzhu took a deep breath. “It’s… the preliminary results of the competition will be announced in the next few days.”

“Ah, the math competition?” Lin Sui paused, finally remembering.

Wen Xiangzhu nodded. “I’m still worried.”

“What’s there to worry about?” Lin Sui smiled reassuringly. “Even if you don’t win an award, it’s fine. With your grades, you’ll definitely get into a great university. Besides, we’ll always be here for you, right?”

“No.”

Wen Xiangzhu blinked, shaking her head gently. “I’m worried about whether I can get a first-place award.”

Lin Sui: “……?”

Is this what good students have to deal with? What was the point of all that comforting I just did? Did I say too much?!

By the time they finished getting ready, it was almost time.

Lin Sui stood up and glanced at Wen Xiangzhu. “Let’s go. It’s time to go down.”

“Okay.”

As they walked down the stairs together, they quickly drew the attention of everyone present.

Lin Wei approached and pulled Lin Sui onto the stage. “Everyone, this is Suisui, whom you’ve all seen before. Today is her eighteenth birthday, and we’re grateful for your presence from far and wide…”

Lin Sui listened to Lin Wei’s polite remarks, her thoughts wandering.

After a moment, Lin Wei beckoned Wen Xiangzhu onto the stage as well. “Let me introduce our youngest daughter, Wen Xiangzhu, an Omega. We’ll be counting on your continued support and care in the future.”

“Of course, of course.”

“President Lin is too kind…”

Lin Sui glanced at Wen Xiangzhu beside Lin Wei. The younger girl stood awkwardly under the weight of so many eyes.

Once the formalities were complete, Lin Sui picked up her glass and followed Lin Wei, making rounds to greet and toast the guests.

“Suisui, happy birthday! This is our daughter, Ruanruan, whom you played with when you were little…”

“And this is my daughter, Xinxin. Say hello to Sister Sui.”

“Our Qingqing admires Suisui so much! She’s been dying to meet you!”

Lin Sui looked at Lin Wei helplessly.

These families had all brought their Omegas of similar age, and their intentions were painfully obvious.

She didn’t like it.

Wen Xiangzhu stood by the buffet table in the corner with Jiang Wanwan and Zhu Huan, silently watching the scene with sour expressions.

“Wenwen, try this green bean pastry! It’s so delicious!” Jiang Wanwan said.

“I prefer this wine,” Zhu Huan replied, looking relaxed and smug as she watched Lin Sui handle the formalities with stiff politeness. “Poor Suisui looks so uncomfortable over there.”

Jiang Wanwan raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly.

“Don’t knock Sister Sui. You’ll be just as uncomfortable when your time comes.”

“Me? I don’t think I’ll be that uncomfortable,” Zhu Huan said hesitantly.

Jiang Wanwan shook her head gently. “Suisui just looks uncomfortable, but her composure is perfect. You, on the other hand… you’ll just look ridiculous.”

Zhu Huan: “?”

Wait, aren’t you being rude?

Wen Xiangzhu watched the scene silently, then hesitated before stepping forward.

“Sister, Auntie Lin.”

“Ah, Wenwen’s here.” Lin Wei smiled and gently patted her shoulder.

The guests before them paused, then chuckled. “Wenwen, you’re so beautiful! We happen to have a daughter who’s an Alpha—she’d be perfect for you…”

“Right! What does Wenwen like?”

Wen Xiangzhu: “……?”

She had only meant to help Lin Sui out of a tricky situation, but now…

she’d managed to set herself up for a disaster.

Seeing Wen Xiangzhu’s thunderstruck expression, Lin Sui couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Perhaps realizing she’d lost her composure, she cleared her throat. “Um… Mom, I’m taking Wenwen outside for some fresh air. It’s a bit stuffy in here.”

“Alright, go ahead,” Lin Wei replied with a smile.

Lin Sui nodded slightly, casually setting down her glass on a nearby table, and turned to leave.

Noticing Wen Xiangzhu still frozen in place, she raised an eyebrow and stopped. “Coming?”

“Huh? Oh.”

Wen Xiangzhu snapped out of her daze and hurried after her.

As they stepped into the garden, they realized the outside air felt fresher than usual, something they hadn’t noticed before.

“Now I understand why Sister hates these events.”

Wen Xiangzhu lowered her head, her mood somewhat low.

Lin Sui paused, looking at her.

“Why?”

“Because none of these people are genuinely congratulating you. They all have ulterior motives.”

Wen Xiangzhu pursed her lips. “They’re only thinking about how to maximize their own interests, how to push their daughters at you, and how to get their daughters married into the Lin family.”

“Hmm, that’s normal,” Lin Sui said, lowering her gaze. “The Jiang family was the same way. I knew that.”

“To be honest, I didn’t expect Mrs. Jiang to agree to break off the engagement.” She paused, then sat down on a nearby swing. “I wonder what Jiang Qing said.”

Hearing this, Wen Xiangzhu blinked and gently shook her head. “Sister Jiang Qing… she’s the heiress, so maybe her words carry more weight.”

“True.”

Lin Sui nodded thoughtfully.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, sitting quietly.

After a while, Lin Wei walked to the door. “Suisui, come here.”

Hearing her mother’s voice, Lin Sui responded and stood up, looking at Wen Xiangzhu.

“Play by yourself for a while. Go find Wanwan and Zhu Huan.”

“Okay.”

Wen Xiangzhu lowered her gaze and nodded, her expression unreadable.

Lin Wei didn’t explain what it was about, just took Lin Sui to the study and closed the door.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Lin Sui asked, looking suspicious.

“Nothing. You just met so many Omegas earlier. Tell me, was there anyone you liked?” Lin Wei smiled and gestured for her daughter to sit down.

Lin Sui frowned slightly and shook her head firmly. “No.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Lin Wei sighed inexplicably. After a moment of silence, she said, “It’s alright. It’s still early anyway. Let things take their course.”

“…Go ahead.”

“Mm.”

Lin Sui acknowledged her mother and turned to leave the study.

As she descended the stairs, she immediately spotted Wen Xiangzhu already seated at the dining table, with Jiang Wanwan beside her.

She walked over and asked, “Where’s Zhu Huan?”

Jiang Wanwan glanced up at her. “She went out. She seemed to have a phone call.”

“Got it.”

Wen Xiangzhu looked uneasy and fidgety. She watched Lin Sui sit down beside her and couldn’t help asking, “Sister, why did Auntie Lin call you over?”

“Just to ask some questions,” Lin Sui replied casually.

“What kind of questions?” Wen Xiangzhu pressed, her curiosity piqued.

Lin Sui glanced at her, her eyes sharpening with scrutiny. “Why do you want to know so much?”

“Ah… you can’t tell me?” Wen Xiangzhu’s eyelashes fluttered, her disappointment plain as she lowered her gaze.

Seeing this, Lin Sui’s eyelid twitched. “It’s not that I can’t tell you…”

Wen Xiangzhu’s face lit up again with hope. “What is it?”

Lin Sui studied her for a moment before answering. “She asked if there were any Omegas here today that I liked. She’s considering my future partner.”

“Then…” Wen Xiangzhu pursed her lips, hesitating. “What did you say?”

“Of course I said no.” Lin Sui chuckled.

But the moment she spoke, Wen Xiangzhu’s expression visibly soured.

“What’s wrong? Did you eat something bad? Was it not tasty?” Lin Sui asked, noticing Wen Xiangzhu’s odd expression and glancing at the green bean pastry still in her hand.

“No…” Wen Xiangzhu shook her head, about to say something when her phone, which she’d set on the table, suddenly rang.

It was an unfamiliar number.

“Wenwen, your phone.”

Jiang Wanwan took a sip of her drink.

Wen Xiangzhu paused, picked up her phone, answered the call, and put it to her ear.

“Right, for me…”

“Okay, thank you.”

Lin Sui and Jiang Wanwan watched Wen Xiangzhu silently. After the call ended, Jiang Wanwan eagerly leaned in.

“What was that about?”

“The preliminary round. They notified me that I won first place,” Wen Xiangzhu said, her voice flat, showing no sign of excitement.

Lin Sui looked down at her, lost in thought.

Jiang Wanwan, on the other hand, was overjoyed and immediately threw her arms around Wen Xiangzhu.

“First place!! Wenwen, you’re amazing!! Awesome! Congratulations!!”

“Thanks.” Wen Xiangzhu smiled faintly, then glanced at Lin Sui. “Sister…”

Lin Sui snapped out of her reverie and smiled back. “Congratulations.”

“Mm…”

Wen Xiangzhu’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but she said nothing more.

Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, Jiang Wanwan found it a bit odd.

“Wenwen, why do you look so unhappy? Isn’t this a good thing?”

Wen Xiangzhu lowered her head, her eyes unfocused, staring into the distance.

She simply couldn’t be happy.

Lin Sui’s answer had been far too blunt.

When asked if she liked any Omegas today, she had answered without hesitation: “No.”

Too blunt.

It was precisely this bluntness that made it hurt so much.

“I’m fine,” Wen Xiangzhu murmured. “Maybe I just need some fresh air. I’m going out for a bit.”

With that, she stood up and walked out, head bowed.

Lin Sui watched her retreating figure, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Beside her, Jiang Wanwan looked perplexed. “Why did she leave so suddenly?”

“…”

“…I don’t know.”

Lin Sui averted her gaze and took a bite of the green bean pastry. “Mmm, this is actually quite good.”

Jiang Wanwan watched her in silence for a moment.

“Sister Sui, I’ve discovered you’re actually a deeply hidden food lover.”

Lin Sui: “?”

In the garden…

Wen Xiangzhu was in a terrible mood. She kept her head down, slowly walking forward while watching the lawn and stone path through the ground lights.

The gardener had swept the area so clean that she couldn’t even play her usual stress-relieving game of kicking pebbles.

After a few steps, she sighed softly, only to suddenly hear someone speaking.

“I really haven’t! I haven’t talked to any other Omegas!”

“Except… except Wanwan and Wenwen. No one else, I swear!”

“I promise!!”

“If you don’t believe me, ask Wanwan later!”

Wen Xiangzhu froze, then looked up to see Zhu Huan on her phone, looking flustered as she frantically explained something.

Watching her, Wen Xiangzhu felt even worse.

Even Zhu Huan understands this. Why can’t Lin Sui get it?

She felt defeated.

A moment later, Zhu Huan seemed to finish the call. Relieved, she put away her phone and started walking back.

Noticing Wen Xiangzhu, she paused, then walked over. “What are you doing alone?”

“Um… just getting some fresh air,” Wen Xiangzhu said, forcing a smile.

Her forced cheerfulness made it clear she was upset.

Zhu Huan paused, then tentatively asked, “Did you… argue with Wanwan?”

Wen Xiangzhu visibly flinched at the question.

“No, I’m just in a bad mood and wanted to be alone for a while. I’ll feel better soon.”

Zhu Huan, thoroughly confused, could only nod.

“Sister Zhu Huan, were you just talking to Nianen on the phone?” Wen Xiangzhu asked, blinking.

“Yes…” Zhu Huan chuckled wryly, not bothering to hide it. “You could say that… Hah, we act like girlfriends sometimes.”

“Is that… normal?” Wen Xiangzhu asked curiously. “I mean… does Auntie Xu know about this?”

Zhu Huan: “……”

“Of course not! If she found out, she’d probably skin me alive!”

Wen Xiangzhu chuckled softly at this.

She understood that Zhu Huan and Xu Nianen were mutually fond of each other.

But her own feelings were different.

Now it seemed she was simply pining one-sidedly, indulging in a one-sided fantasy.

Could unrequited love ever have a happy ending?

Just like that comment she’d seen before, would their story end with a “he”?