After Rebirth, My Archrival Omega Looks at Me Differently - Chapter 42

The lighting in the banquet hall shimmered like it had been dipped in gold, casting a dazzling and almost overwhelming glow.

But for some reason, the moment Yan Youqing walked over, Chi Yan felt like the lights around her softened, becoming as gentle as moonlight.

As the main focus of tonight’s celebration, Yan Youqing wasn’t dressed to dazzle. Her long hair, soft like seaweed, framed a pale blue dress.

The delicate layers of gauze floated like shapeless mist. Only when they brushed against her fair skin did they take form, gently rippling under the changing lights like ocean water lapping quietly at the shore at dawn.

Warm air flowed constantly through the vents, filling the banquet hall. Yet her hand, as always, remained cool to the touch.

That cold, distant presence quieted the superficial glamour of the banquet. In that moment, it became clear that this was not just a party, but a ceremony marking her step into adulthood.

Chi Yan stared blankly at Yan Youqing, who had gently touched her arm. Her lips parted slightly, but she couldn’t think of anything to say.

No words felt worthy of describing what she saw.

The laughter and conversation around them were just background noise. Only Yan Youqing’s presence gave life to this entire space.

While Chi Yan was still caught in her thoughts, the others walked over.

Wang Chuning handed her gift to Yan Youqing with a smile.

“Happy birthday. That dress suits you so well today.”

Yan Youqing gave a small nod and accepted the gift.

“Thank you.”

“Happy birthday, Youqing,” said Chen Niannian, followed by Zhong Yi.

“Happy birthday,” Zhong Yi echoed.

After taking their gifts, Yan Youqing’s gaze naturally fell on Chi Yan.

Chi Yan suddenly remembered she hadn’t given her gift yet. She quickly held out the carefully protected box she had carried with her the whole way.

“Happy birthday.”

“Thank you,” Yan Youqing replied softly, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

But before she could hold the gift in her arms for long, a voice called from across the hall.

“Youyan, come over here.”

The voice was soft, warm, and clearly belonged to an Omega. It had the gentle tone of someone kind and affectionate.

Chi Yan looked toward the voice and saw a woman dressed in an elegant gown, smiling at Yan Youqing with warmth in her eyes.

Her features bore some resemblance to Yan Youqing. There was a calmness in her expression, almost otherworldly, although the abundance of gold jewelry and silk dulled the purity of that presence.

Chi Yan realized after a brief pause that this was the same woman in the wheelchair from that day. Yan Youqing’s mother, Yan Ning.

Standing beside her, wearing a scarf that matched her dress, was Song Yanxing.

As Yan Youqing walked over, the banquet officially began. She stood between Yan Ning and Song Yanxing, gently guided by her mother’s welcoming hand.

The long-absent warmth in that touch settled lightly on Yan Youqing’s shoulder, and the three of them together looked, for a moment, like a picture of perfect harmony.

The guests turned toward the center of the hall, raising their glasses.

Song Yanxing spoke with a smile.

“Today is my daughter Youqing’s eighteenth birthday. I’m very grateful to all of you for attending her celebration.”

After her words, everyone lifted their glasses in a chorus of congratulations. Words like “thank you” and “happy birthday” were repeated in endless variations.

Chi Yan and her friends stood at a distance. The flattery all sounded the same and felt hollow.

“Youqing, today marks your first day stepping into adulthood. It’s an important milestone,” Song Yanxing continued. “This gift is something your mother and I spent a long time choosing. We hope you like it.”

She raised her hand, signaling a nearby attendant.

A flat, black velvet box was brought forward and slowly opened, revealing a complete set of jewelry.

At its center sat a square-cut sapphire, dark blue and glimmering, nestled in a silver necklace. The way it caught the light was crisp and clear. Even those unfamiliar with jewelry could see its value.

Yan Youqing accepted the gift politely and said,

“Thank you, Aunt Song.”

Praises immediately followed.

“President Song truly treats Miss Yan like her own daughter.”

“Jewels like that are rare these days.”

Voices overlapped in admiration. Most guests were full of envy. To own such fine jewelry at such a young age was something few could even imagine.

But Chi Yan remained quiet.

Maybe it was what she knew from her past life. Maybe it was because she had spent so much time with Yan Youqing recently. From her spot in the crowd, Chi Yan could clearly see that there was little emotion in her eyes.

She knew Yan Youqing did not care about this kind of gift.

She knew her.

“Why do I feel tired for her?” Wang Chuning leaned against the table and sighed.

“Me too,” Zhong Yi said between bites of grapes. “Is this really a birthday party or just a huge compliment contest?”

“This is how the upper class works,” Chen Niannian replied with a resigned smile. “Haven’t you heard the saying? Funerals and weddings are prime social events. Birthdays are too. No one misses a chance to network.”

Chi Yan listened to their conversation, her mood sinking lower.

That pale blue dress was beautiful, but surrounded by so much gold, it felt out of place.

Was this why she left for the life sciences institute?

Chi Yan watched from a distance, her gaze dark and unreadable.

She had once thought Yan Youqing was just trying to compete with her. After fighting over rankings in high school, now she wanted to fight again in college for honor and recognition.

But now she understood. If Yan Youqing didn’t have achievements to stand on, she would be swept into this world with no escape.

The music shifted again, this time to a gentle symphony. Laughter and chatter filled the hall. As glasses clinked, the social dance of the elite quietly played out beneath the surface.

It was then that Chi Yan noticed something.

Yan Youqing had vanished from the center of the room.

Unlike Zhong Yi and the others, who had accepted the invitation and were happy to enjoy the night, Chi Yan felt an urge to find her.

Cold wind from outside tried to creep in, but the warmth from the vents quickly pushed it back. Only the long white curtains near the balcony swayed slightly, tracing the shape the wind had once taken.

Maybe it was because of the pheromone connection. Maybe it was instinct. Or maybe it was something else.

But Chi Yan was certain that Yan Youqing was there.

Tonight’s moon wasn’t full. It wasn’t even a half-moon, just a soft crescent hanging in the dark sky.

Moonlight could never be replaced by artificial lights. It fell quietly across the flower-covered European balcony, wrapping the lone girl leaning on the railing in a soft silver glow.

Chi Yan couldn’t tell if Yan Youqing was happy or sad. Her pheromones, floating faintly in the air, were calm and unreadable.

Her wavy hair moved like seaweed in the breeze, rising and falling. Stray strands danced near her cool, elegant face, and her lowered eyes held a kind of quiet, fragile sorrow.

Chi Yan stared without meaning to. Her heart skipped a beat.

She realized she had been wrong. True beauty didn’t belong in a ballroom filled with hollow praise. It should bloom in moments that truly matter.

Yan Youqing quickly noticed that someone had arrived and easily guessed who it was.

She brought the wine glass to her lips and took a slow sip. Her lips, touched by the wine, glistened like crystal.

Then she spoke.

“You can’t use the excuse that only adults can drink and kids can’t anymore.”

“Maybe,” Chi Yan replied with a small nod. As she spoke, she reached for a wine glass on the tray nearby and poured one for herself.

Yan Youqing watched Chi Yan’s arm as it moved in front of her, then slowly lifted her gaze to the moon in the distance.

The moonlight was soft and clear. Leaning slightly against the carved stone railing, her posture was relaxed with a quiet elegance.

“Chi Yan,” she said in a low voice, “the moon is beautiful tonight.”

The cold breeze of winter passed over the balcony, softened by the warm air drifting out from the banquet hall behind them.

Chi Yan swallowed a sip of the wine. She didn’t know what kind it was, but it sent a wave of warmth through her chest.

She nodded and replied without thinking, “And the wind feels gentle.”

As the words left her lips, Yan Youqing paused for a moment.

She looked at Chi Yan, and the wind played with her hair, stirring her vision. The stillness in her eyes rippled slightly, as if a calm lake had been touched by something unseen.

Behind them, the sounds of conversation and clinking glasses continued, but out here on the balcony, everything had suddenly gone quiet.

Chi Yan noticed Yan Youqing staring at her without saying a word and felt a bit lost under her gaze.

The warmth of the wine clouded her thoughts. Her heartbeat picked up as a feeling she could not quite name took root inside her.

Seeing her reaction, Yan Youqing smiled.

She held her glass between her fingers and nodded as if in agreement. “Yes. It really is gentle.”

Chi Yan found her reaction a little strange.

Worried that the party had worn her out or left her feeling uncomfortable, she asked, “Are you tired?”

Yan Youqing did not nod or shake her head. She simply replied, “It doesn’t really matter. Tonight is the last time anyway.”

The wine glass in her hand reflected the golden lights behind them. After a brief pause, she continued.

“She’s been kind to me. She gave me and my mother a good life and the best conditions. So going along with her this once is something I should do. But this will be the last time.”

Chi Yan heard something calm and final in her voice. She also understood the path ahead for Yan Youqing. She nodded firmly.

“You will do well. I believe in you.”

Yan Youqing gave a quiet smile.

Then, as if remembering something, she set down her half-finished wine and stepped aside, revealing a small table behind her.

Four gifts were placed neatly on the table.

Chi Yan recognized them immediately. They were the birthday presents from her, Zhong Yi, Wang Chuning, and Chen Niannian.

Gifts given only to Yan Youqing. Gifts meant to celebrate her becoming an adult.

“These are from all of you,” Yan Youqing said softly. “Will you open them with me?”

Chi Yan nodded right away. “Of course.”

They started with Wang Chuning’s gift. Inside a long, deep blue box was a beautiful fountain pen.

It was easy to guess that she had once again taken the most expensive item from her family’s store behind her Alpha mother’s back.

Next was Chen Niannian’s gift, a box of high-end chocolates. On top of it was a small, hand-drawn heart and a note of thanks.

The reason for her gratitude was already well understood. Chi Yan looked at the cute drawing and smiled at Yan Youqing. Their eyes met, and they both shared a quiet laugh.

Zhong Yi’s gift turned out to be a bottle of matching ink for the fountain pen.

Looking at the way the two of them had clearly planned it together, Chi Yan couldn’t help but complain a little.

“No creativity at all.”

Yan Youqing gave a soft laugh and then turned to the last gift, the one from Chi Yan.

Wrapped in layers of white tissue paper was something round and cool to the touch. It gave away no clue about what was inside.

Yan Youqing was curious. Normally calm and composed, she now felt her heartbeat slow and deepen with anticipation. Each gentle thump echoed in her chest as she unwrapped the paper layer by layer.

Finally, the wrapping fell away.

A blooming rose appeared in full view.

It had been perfectly preserved at the peak of its beauty. The rich red petals were fully open, vibrant and eye-catching.

Under the moonlight, tiny glimmers sparkled on the petals, like stars that had fallen and landed softly in the folds of crimson.

The wind brushed against the loose strands of Yan Youqing’s hair. Her eyes blinked slowly, almost in disbelief.

So, this was the “big gift” Chi Yan had mentioned.

So, this was the reason she had been acting so awkwardly the past few days.

An unfamiliar feeling began to rise in Yan Youqing’s chest. Something unspoken urged her to look up at the girl standing in front of her, the one who had given her this eternal rose.

Her voice broke the stillness of the night.

“Chi Yan,” she asked, “do you know what a rose means?”

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