After the System Called Me Mom, My Arch-Nemesis Omega Fell for Me - Chapter 33

[Splash/Flush Sound]

Time quietly rewinds, freezing at the moment Xie Fuyun had just finished explaining the historical connection between the two families.

“If there are no problems, then let’s eat.”

“Cough, cough, cough.”

Lu Lingzhi, suddenly pulled back to this point in time while still immersed in her crying, felt a sudden itch in her throat and couldn’t help but cough violently. The lingering emotions remained, her body was beyond her control.

Almost by reflex, she pulled back her high-raised hand.

Lu Lingzhi: ……

For the first time, she really wanted to call the system a psychopath. And herself a psychopath too, why on earth did she raise her hand?

However, it was too late. Xie Fuyun glanced at her, eyebrows twitching slightly. “Speak.”

Quick as a flash, Lu Lingzhi grabbed her phone and glanced at the chat log with Madam Lu, withdrawing the message asking “if they can do it.” Otherwise, she would be swindled out of money and affection by her own mother and kicked out of the house. Being kicked out was fine, but being swindled out of money was not.

She said weakly, “I want to order a dish. After becoming an Alpha, I get hungry easily. I want abalone over rice, shark fin soup, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish…” Her eyes drifted toward Jiang Mingyue. She remembered that she had just leaked to Mingyue that the “Big Villain” and “Little Mommy” weren’t capable in that department.

Having experienced two time leaps in one meal, Jiang Mingyue calmly took a sip of water to steady her nerves.

From Lu Lingzhi’s arrogant soul-searching interrogation to her later mysterious sobbing apology, and finally to the current well-behaved baby who just wanted to order food.

Especially that phrase: “They aren’t capable.”

What exactly did that mean? Was it literal? And how did she know?

From the corner of her eye, Jiang Mingyue caught a glimpse of the WeChat chat on Lu Lingzhi’s phone. There was an orange box, definitely from the previous timeline.

Paying for gossip.

Madam Lu told Lu Er that CEO Xie and Chang Xi weren’t “capable.” But how would Madam Lu know such private details?

Lu Lingzhi pushed her phone toward Jiang Mingyue, her tone as natural as possible: “Add whatever you want to eat.”

“Thanks.” The corners of Jiang Mingyue’s lips curled up. Her hand reached under the table, quietly hooking into Lu Lingzhi’s palm. She whispered in a voice only the two could hear, “Just now your Little Mommy said we are ‘one family.’ One family.”

Lu Lingzhi’s ears turned hot. She gave her an annoyed glare and lowered her voice: “Annoying… who’s a family with you?” She tried to pull her hand away, only to be held tighter.

Jiang Mingyue’s hand grew bolder, her fingertips sliding down the palm to give Lu Lingzhi’s thigh a light pinch. She continued to tease in a breathy voice: “I’m planning to transfer to the School of Psychology. Dean Chang is my mentor. In that case, wouldn’t I be your senior/sister, and therefore family? Should you call me ‘Sister’ from now on? Or… Lao-gong (Husband)?”

She paused intentionally, leaving an ambiguous blank space.

“Hmph~ I won’t…” Lu Lingzhi tried to shake off the mischievous hand in embarrassment. Her leg shifted instinctively, but the movement only made it seem like she was pressing closer to those restless fingers.

This subtle struggle and emotional fluctuation triggered her unstable pheromones once again.

Suddenly, Xie Fuyun’s phone vibrated. A WeChat message arrived from Madam Lu, who hadn’t contacted her in years.

Madam Lu: CEO Xie, if you two want to do “that kind of thing,” can’t you send Lingzhi away first?

Xie Fuyun: Is there a misunderstanding? Chang Xi and I are having dinner with her. We aren’t doing anything.

Madam Lu: She came to me asking if you are “capable.” I thought about it for a long time. If I said you two have no problems in that department, then in this day and age, rich people who don’t marry or have kids would seem mentally ill. Since she loves asking questions, I told her you both have “big problems.” I apologize for the reputation damage. I told Ningzhi the same thing to prevent the sisters from comparing notes.

Looking at the text on the screen, Xie Fuyun’s temples throbbed.

“Big Villain! Little Mommy!” Lu Lingzhi’s voice rang out again, filled with an overly sweet, fawning tone.

Xie Fuyun and Chang Xi looked up at her simultaneously with complex expressions. Lu Lingzhi said flatteringly, “I ordered Matsuba crab and little green lobsters for you two. I’ll peel them for you. Even my birth parents never got this treatment. See how filial I am?”

If she hadn’t seen Madam Lu’s message beforehand, Xie Fuyun might have felt that this child, though troublesome, was occasionally filial.

But… she had forced her mother to personally spread rumors. Rumors that she wasn’t “capable.”

She really wanted to say: The reason your parents don’t get this treatment is that one is allergic to seafood and the other just hates it.

Xie Fuyun looked at the dozen or so extra dishes.

“Are you a pig? Aren’t you afraid of bursting from eating so much?” Xie Fuyun felt a headache coming on. Her chopsticks dropped to the floor. “Close that mouth of yours.”

“Can do, of course I can! Thank you, Little Mommy! Little Mommy, you’re the best! Mwah!!!” Lu Lingzhi cheered. She immediately mimed zipping her lips shut. Simultaneously, she used both hands to form a large heart over her head, her smile so bright it was almost blinding.

Having handled Xie Fuyun, she didn’t forget to give Chang Xi a quick wink, throwing a “look how good and sweet I am” look her way.

As Xie Fuyun bent down to pick up her chopsticks, she saw a pair of legs and a hand entangled under the table, clinging together, inseparable.

Truly an eyesore.

Moral values are declining; people’s hearts are not what they used to be. This meal was certainly a busy one, not a single organ, upper or lower, was idle.

Yuanshan Apartments

The afterglow of the setting sun was like molten gold, framing the forest of high-rises with warm, hazy borders. The city gradually sank into twilight after the day’s clamor.

The black sedan glided smoothly into the Yuanshan Apartment complex and stopped silently. Emerging from the tension of the police station and the chaos of the restaurant, the car was silent.

The instability of her pheromones made Lu Lingzhi sleepy after the meal. She tilted her head, leaning on Jiang Mingyue’s shoulder, her long lashes low.

Before getting out, Chang Xi turned around, her gaze gentle. “Jiang Bao, Lu Bao. Fuyun and I have a villa that’s been empty. It’s quiet and has good security. Why don’t you move there? It would be easier to look after you.”

Lu Lingzhi rubbed her eyes, waking up a bit, her voice raspy. “I like it here. Thank you, Little Mommy.”

Even though the household register linked her to Xie Fuyun and Chang Xi was kind, they were essentially still “familiar strangers.” She wasn’t ready to live under the same roof yet. She needed her own space and boundaries.

As they exited the car, Chang Xi followed. The evening wind blew through her slightly curled hair. Understanding that they hadn’t truly accepted them yet, she didn’t force the issue.

“Jiang Bao, remember to bring Lu Bao to the hospital tomorrow for a detailed check-up to ensure her differentiation period has stabilized.” She looked at Lu Lingzhi. “Lu Bao, I’ve had Fuyun ask for leave from school for you. Rest at home for a few days, don’t overthink things.”

“Mm, I know,” Lu Lingzhi replied lowly, looking a bit wilted. The exhaustion of differentiation finally caught up to her.

Chang Xi, still worried, followed them up to the apartment. She watched Lu Lingzhi take her medicine and go into the second bedroom. The moment Lu Lingzhi’s head hit the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Mingyue carefully tucked her in and dimmed the lights, standing by the bed for a moment to ensure she was asleep before quietly retreating and closing the door.

In the living room, Chang Xi watched the light rain starting outside. Jiang Mingyue picked up an umbrella and whispered, “Teacher Chang, let me walk you down.”

Chang Xi nodded. “Thank you, Jiang Bao.”

She felt a sense of closeness when Chang Xi called her “Jiang Bao.”

“Why do you call me Jiang Bao?”

“We are family. I won’t let Lu Bao bully you. If she does, you can complain to me.”

Family? During dinner, she realized Xie Fuyun intended for Lu Er to be the successor of the Taiyu Group. In that case, could she be the fiancé of that successor? Her family background wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t top-tier in the Beijing elite circles.

Also… do CEO Xie and Dr. Chang really have “problems” in that area?

“Jiang Bao, there’s a reason Xie and I aren’t married. As long as she and I are here, you and Lu Bao can have a better future. No one can become an obstacle between you two.”

These words were like a spring breeze entering Jiang Mingyue’s heart. They entered the elevator. The small metal space descended slowly. The atmosphere was quiet until Chang Xi spoke again: “Do you want to ask me about Lu Bao?”

Jiang Mingyue took a deep breath. “Teacher Chang, did you… see Lu Er a long time ago? Was it the day I apologized to her?”

The interaction between Lu Er and Chang Xi was odd. Lu Er might be naturally friendly, but Chang Xi didn’t seem like someone who got close to others easily. She remembered when she had low blood sugar, Chang Xi had personally checked on her and left a business card. She was certain she hadn’t met Chang Xi before then. It must have been because of Lu Er.

Chang Xi’s gaze drifted to the rain outside the elevator glass. Ding. They reached the first floor.

“The rain seems a bit heavy,” Chang Xi said. “Let’s sit in the cafe next door.”

In the Second Bedroom

The sound of rain against the glass was a monotonous but comforting lullaby. Lu Lingzhi was deep in her soft bed, unaware of the conversation downstairs.

She was dreaming. Dreaming of that day.

It was also a rainy day, a cold rain with the chill of late autumn, not gentle like this one.

Since being pushed by Jiang Mingyue and hitting her head on the table corner, she hadn’t been to school for over a week. Her sister, who had already received a Harvard offer, stayed home to accompany her. She felt miserable, unable to explain the source of her pain to her sister.

“Dr. Chang, you’re finally back from Beijing.”

“Apologies, I was away for an academic exchange. I’m late.”

“Our Second Miss has been depressed… a slight concussion… Today, the Eldest Miss, President Lu, and Madam went to handle visa issues. Please look after her.”

“I’ll go see her first. Don’t reveal my identity,” Dr. Chang said, finger to her lips. “I am just a psychologist.”

“Our Second Miss used to be a happy pill. Happy every day… seeing her like this now… it breaks my heart…”

The butler’s words drifted in as the door opened.

“Second Miss.”

“Did my sister find another psychologist to see if I’m crazy?” Lu Lingzhi, with her head bandaged, was focused on picking up plump, red cherries, carefully building a base on the smooth table. A 5 times 5 square array was taking shape.

“This is Director Chang from the Beijing General Hospital. She’s very famous.”

Lu Lingzhi smiled faintly. Wearing a white shirt with a pale face, she looked pitiable. Chang Xi’s hand tightened. How did her little one end up like this? She desperately wanted to hug her and tell her how much she had missed her.

“Whatever. Dr. Chang, please come in.”

“The Eldest Miss wants to know what happened that day. I believe Second Miss wouldn’t cause trouble for no reason,” Dr. Chang said, watching Lu Lingzhi finish the first 5 times 5 layer and start the 4 times 4 second layer.

“I heard psychologists are very powerful. Why don’t you guess?”

Dr. Chang asked, “Some say Miss Jiang didn’t give you the ‘pigeon egg’ diamond.”

She watched as the 4 times 4 layer was completed. Clearly, that wasn’t it.

“I heard from school that Miss Jiang promised you the title of ‘School Beauty’ but went back on her word.”

Lu Lingzhi added the 3 times 3 third layer. Still not it. The girl didn’t care for jewels or fame.

So what was it? If there was a conflict, it involved two people. If it wasn’t triggered by Jiang Mingyue, then it must have been Jiang Mingzhao.

“It was Jiang Mingzhao who provoked you,” Dr. Chang said.

The 2 times 2 fourth layer was placed. A small cherry pyramid was nearly complete. Just one step left.

Lu Lingzhi said, “Doctor, you have one last chance?”

The question hit a stalemate. It wasn’t about the diamond, the title, or Jiang Mingzhao insulting her. The butler mentioned the Second Miss refused to go to her own room and slept with the Eldest Miss since the incident. She was clinging to Lu Ningzhi. Did it involve Lu Ningzhi?

Dr. Chang stood up. “Second Miss, you love cosplay. Bring out your crown…”

Snap.

Then, roll, roll, roll.

The cherry pyramid collapsed. Cherries scattered across the floor. Dr. Chang looked at Lu Lingzhi. The sound of her crushing a cherry echoed. Red juice stained her fingertips.

The source of the fight. The crown.

The crown and the Eldest Sister. The connection was the kidnapping case.

The Lu sisters had gone to a villa in the suburbs. Kidnappers arrived, took the Eldest Sister, and stole the most valuable crown. Lu Er had luckily hidden. Later, the kidnappers confessed they intended to kidnap whoever was wearing the crown.

That crown was a birthday gift from Xie Fuyun to Lu Er. It was covered in diamonds. The kidnappers wanted Lu Er. Lu Ningzhi had suffered in her place.

Xie Fuyun had solved the case within two days. Only she, Xie Fuyun, and the Lu family knew the truth.

“Jiang Mingzhao knew the truth of the kidnapping. He used it to provoke you… How did he know?”

The butler knocked. “Second Miss, Miss Jiang Mingyue is at the door. She wants to see you.”

Lu Lingzhi slowly loosened her hand, letting the mangled cherry fall. She picked up a wet wipe and wiped her fingers. Tears fell on her hands. Her voice was flat: “If her opening line is to apologize for her missed appointments…”

She looked up. “…tell her to get lost. But if…”

“If she says anything else, like asking about my injury, let her wait.”

The room grew quiet. The rain outside became clearer. Suddenly, she called a maid: “It’s raining and cold. Prepare ginger milk. One for Dr. Chang, and one for Miss Jiang outside. Don’t let her freeze. Invite her in to drink. The Lu family must not lack etiquette.”

Her tone was still calm, as if it were a routine order.

The rain sounded like a beginner frantically strumming a guitar. Lu Lingzhi stood by the window. She watched Jiang Mingyue standing in the storm. Her umbrella was blown away. The butler was just inside the door.

She wanted to yell at the butler to bring her in. But her hand paused.

She saw Jiang Mingzhao walk up with a large umbrella, pulling Jiang Mingyue into his arms and leading her away. They were siblings.

“Dr. Chang, the one who took Miss Jiang away is her brother, Jiang Mingzhao. Deep sibling love, isn’t it? Her brother is so good to her. My sister is also very, very good to me.”

Chang Xi walked to her side. “Are you sad? If you are, it’s not too late to call her back.”

Sad?

Across the glass and the rain, Lu Lingzhi looked at Dr. Chang. “Can I hold you for a while?”

“Yes.”

Lu Lingzhi hugged her and burst into tears. “It was Jiang Mingzhao. He insulted me and my sister… said after my sister was taken by kidnappers… filth… I was drugged by Jiang Mingzhao that day. I saw so many hallucinations… I couldn’t tell what was real.”

“After Jiang Mingyue pushed me, I regained my senses. I saw my sister slap Jiang Mingzhao. I was afraid… afraid he would hurt her… so I faked fainting…”

“Jiang Mingyue was the one who called the police for our family during the kidnapping. I only told her that they took the wrong person. I… I really, really went to prove… Jiang Mingyue’s innocence.”

Lu Lingzhi handed a piece of paper to Chang Xi. It was a report from private investigators. Jiang Mingzhao had no connection to the kidnapping, he was in Beijing with his parents at the time. If he knew the details, it was an internal leak. Jiang Mingyue was the most likely source.

“You aren’t wrong. It’s Jiang Mingzhao’s fault.”

Chang Xi thought of Lu Lingzhi as a child, clever and sweet. Whenever she was sad, she just needed a kiss. Chang Xi leaned down and kissed her forehead. Perhaps it awakened a memory.

Lu Lingzhi stopped crying. She looked up. “Doctor, what is your name? You feel so familiar.”

“My name is Chang Xi. I am your…”

Lu Lingzhi, overwhelmed by emotion, fainted.