After Transmigrating Into A Novel, Not Only Did I Become An Omega, But I Also Provoked The Male Lead’s Mother - Chapter 28

The New Year’s Day celebrations coincided with the weekend.

The day before New Year’s Eve, Qin Yue packed her things and returned to Xixing Sanatorium.

The sanatorium was bustling with activity. Journalists were snapping photos and filming the surroundings to promote the Group’s reputation. Several men in suits were chatting warmly with Grandma Qin in front of the cameras.

Though a little nervous, Grandma Qin seemed genuinely happy, her face crinkling with extra creases.

As Qin Yue returned to the sanatorium during her break, she kept pondering where she’d seen the name “Minghui Group” before. Just as she was about to arrive, it suddenly came to her.

When she was helping Grandma Li find Lin Le Ran, she’d gone to the Minghui Group headquarters. The security guard had stopped her, but Ling Jixiao had stepped in, smoothed things over, and gotten her into the building.

That was when she first met Ling Jixiao.

She remembered that Ling Jixiao seemed to be a senior executive at Minghui Group.

With this realization, a thought struck Qin Yue: Could Ling Jixiao have helped Xixing get the donation?

She recalled a conversation she’d had with Ling Jixiao about big corporations donating money to improve their public image. Now, remembering it, Qin Yue felt a complex mix of emotions—bitterness, resentment, and guilt.

If this was true, she’d feel a barrier between them, ashamed to use the donated funds.

As Qin Yue approached the sanatorium gate, she was still conflicted, dreading the possibility that the Minghui Group executive enthusiastically chatting with Grandma Qin might be Ling Jixiao.

When Qin Yue saw that the senior executive was a middle-aged man, she couldn’t quite describe her feelings. It was a mix of relief, disappointment, and a hint of relief.

Must be overthinking things, she thought. With such a large group, there’s so much money involved in donations. They wouldn’t possibly let Ling Jixiao, a mid-level executive, make such a decision alone!

She tried to reassure herself, but once the seeds of doubt were planted, no amount of self-talk could erase them.

As New Year’s Day arrived, the sanatorium had weathered its challenges and everyone began to celebrate.

Qin Yue was pulled into drinking by several elderly residents. Seeing their enthusiasm, she couldn’t refuse and clinked glasses with them repeatedly.

It was a rare holiday, after all.

The sanatorium buzzed with laughter and music, with elderly residents dancing together in a lively scene.

Qin Yue joined the crowd, clapping along to the rhythm, her eyes squinting from the alcohol.

After swaying to her feet to use the restroom, she heard her phone chime as she washed her hands.

Opening the message, she saw it was from Ling Jixiao.

Ling Jixiao was wishing her a happy New Year.

Seeing the sender’s name, “Sister Jixiao,” Qin Yue felt a sudden warmth from the alcohol she’d been drinking. She suddenly wondered if Ling Jixiao might have been behind the Minghui Group’s donation. On impulse, she picked up her phone and called.

At the Old Residence, Ling Jixiao was sitting in the living room watching TV after dinner with Grandpa Ling. The sudden ringtone startled them both, causing Grandpa Ling and Ling Jingxi to turn and look over.

“Little Peach” flashed repeatedly on the screen. Without missing a beat, Ling Jixiao grabbed her phone and excused herself to take the call.

“Hello,” Ling Jixiao answered the call.

She had been on a business trip for the past few days and had only returned to City A yesterday.

“Where are you?” Qin Yue slurred.

Ling Jixiao paused, sensing something was off with Qin Yue, but patiently replied, “What’s wrong?”

Qin Yue seemed not to have heard clearly and repeated herself, her voice slightly clearer than before, but still slurred, “Where are you? I… I need to ask you something.”

“Have you been drinking?” Ling Jixiao asked, frowning. Seeing Qin Yue’s lack of response, she patiently continued, “What do you need to ask?”

Qin Yue pouted, upset that Ling Jixiao hadn’t answered her question. “I wanted to ask about that charity thing… no, wait, that Ming-something Group donation… Ugh, forget it. Just tell me where you are—I’ll come find you and talk to you in person!”

Ling Jixiao sighed. She was worried that having a drunk person come find her might lead to an accident.

“Where are you? I’ll come to you,” Ling Jixiao said softly. Qin Yue’s persistent questioning, like a child wanting a hug, softened Ling Jixiao’s heart.

This time, Qin Yue heard clearly and mumbled that she was at the sanatorium.

Knowing the address, Ling Jixiao simply replied that she’d wait, hung up the phone, and went upstairs to change and leave.

“I have some company matters to attend to. I’ll be back later,” Ling Jixiao said. Facing Grandpa Ling was easy, but for some reason, she felt a twinge of guilt around Ling Jingxi and didn’t tell the truth.

Grandpa Ling nodded without a word.

After Ling Jixiao left, Ling Jingxi glanced at the gate, confirming she wouldn’t turn back. He then turned to Grandpa Ling and said respectfully, “Great-Grandfather, there’s something I need to discuss with you…”

Perhaps because it was New Year’s Day and late at night, the roads were nearly deserted. Ling Jixiao quickly arrived at the entrance to Xixing Sanatorium.

When Qin Yue received the call that Ling Jixiao had arrived, she sobered up instantly, regretting how she’d allowed her friend to come visit in the middle of the night on a day when families should be together.

Feeling deeply guilty, Qin Yue stepped outside to see Ling Jixiao really standing there. The impulsive questions she’d prepared died on her lips.

Ling Jixiao approached Qin Yue step by step, each footfall seeming to strike Qin Yue’s heart. As the distance between them narrowed, Qin Yue’s anxiety grew.

She suddenly wanted to flee from this answer.

That day, after dinner and making wishes under the fireworks, she’d returned to the dormitory with Ling Jixiao.

Bai Zhi, who’d learned about their outing, had once again declared with conviction that Ling Jixiao was pursuing her!

Dinner, a date, fireworks… all that was missing was a confession!

Bai Zhi had meticulously analyzed every detail, her logic unassailable. Even if Qin Yue wanted to argue, she couldn’t find a flaw in the argument.

Now, Qin Yue was beginning to doubt whether Ling Jixiao really was trying to pursue her!

If Ling Jixiao really used her high-ranking position to secure donations for Xixing Sanatorium, it would confirm this suspicion.

Qin Yue was terrified. She didn’t want this suspicion to be confirmed. She couldn’t afford to get involved in a relationship, especially with the crazy Male Lead lurking nearby, ready to kill her at any moment. She couldn’t drag anyone else into this.

Moreover, if Ling Jixiao admitted to it and Qin Yue rejected her, they might lose their friendship altogether. Qin Yue didn’t want to never see Ling Jixiao again.

Qin Yue instinctively tried to deflect the conversation. “I was just talking nonsense while drunk. I’m sorry for making you come all this way for nothing, Sister Jixiao…”

But Ling Jixiao stood firm, explaining directly, “The donations are just part of the Group’s annual marketing strategy. They have specialists who investigate whether the places requesting funding are genuine before deciding whether to donate.”

What this meant was that even if Xixing wasn’t actually impoverished, or even if the sanatorium was profitable, the Group wouldn’t have made a special donation.

Hearing this, Qin Yue breathed a sigh of relief.

Still, she remained uncertain whether Ling Jixiao was genuinely pursuing her.

Qin Yue lowered her head slightly, afraid to meet Ling Jixiao’s gaze. The alcohol’s effects gradually returned, her cheeks flushing pink like a watercolor painting.

Ling Jixiao keenly noticed Qin Yue’s evasive gaze, piecing together her earlier words. With a moment’s thought, she could roughly deduce Qin Yue’s thoughts, finding it somewhat amusing.

Hearing the chuckle, Qin Yue raised her head.

Ling Jixiao didn’t often laugh. As a leader, maintaining a serious demeanor intimidated her subordinates. Moreover, her stern expression softened into a bewitching smile when she laughed, her eyes brightening with a serene grace, like an ancient queen of a royal court.

In that moment, Qin Yue felt her heart race uncontrollably. The alcohol seemed to surge through her, making her vision blur with shimmering halos of light, beautiful and mesmerizing.

“I…” Qin Yue’s voice cracked, though she didn’t notice. Though dizzy from the alcohol, her mind remained clear. “I feel a little dizzy. I want to go back now. Sister Jixiao, you should go back soon too…”

Qin Yue wanted to see Ling Jixiao out, but she stumbled and nearly fell.

Ling Jixiao quickly caught her, pulling them closer together.

Half-holding Qin Yue’s soft body, Ling Jixiao’s eyes darkened, sensing that Qin Yue had noticed something.

After ten years in the corporate world, Qin Yue could handle any problem with a calm expression. Yet, due to emotional scars, she’d never experienced romantic feelings.

But Ling Jixiao wasn’t intimidated. Though her heart raced with nervousness, her voice remained steady, as calm as if discussing the weather: “Why don’t we try it together?”

Hearing this, Qin Yue straightened up, looking directly at Ling Jixiao.

Under Qin Yue’s intense gaze, Ling Jixiao felt a momentary flutter of panic.

“Try what?” Qin Yue murmured, not missing the fleeting panic in Ling Jixiao’s eyes.

Her voice was so soft that if it weren’t for the quiet surroundings, it would have been hard to hear.

“I…” Ling Jixiao suddenly felt uncertain. Perhaps the night really did intensify one’s impulses, for she was beginning to regret what she’d said.

Qin Yue, now thoroughly drunk, stepped closer to Ling Jixiao. “What do you mean ‘try’?” she demanded, remembering Bai Zhi’s earlier analysis that Ling Jixiao was definitely trying to pursue her.

The analysis had seemed so logical that even Qin Yue had come to believe it.

For some reason, Ling Jixiao suddenly felt her confidence falter. As Qin Yue drew nearer, she instinctively took steps backward.

Seeing Ling Jixiao’s silent, pursed-lip expression, Qin Yue grew impatient. She pressed Ling Jixiao against the wall, planting a hand beside her head in a classic “wall bump.”

Looking up at Ling Jixiao, Qin Yue felt dizzy and warm from the alcohol. Her words tumbled out faster than her mind could keep up:

“Is this… dating?”

The word “dating” seemed to burn Ling Jixiao. Her face flushed crimson as she frantically waved her hands in denial. “No, no, no, no!” She froze, stunned by her own outburst.

“Oh.” Qin Yue lowered her gaze, hiding her slightly disappointed and dimmed eyes. She withdrew her hand, muttering, “I knew it. That Bai Zhi, she never says anything reliable… I just knew this couldn’t be true…”

Qin Yue felt a sudden wave of dizziness and clutched her head.

Ling Jixiao instinctively supported Qin Yue, half-carried her back to the sanatorium, and handed her over to a caregiver.

Watching Qin Yue being led away, Ling Jixiao finally began to ponder what had just happened.

Qin Yue had a fear of romantic relationships. In college, she’d had someone she was attracted to, but every time the possibility of dating arose, she instinctively recoiled and rejected the idea. Eventually, she gave up on romance altogether and threw herself into her work.

Just now, the mere mention of “dating” had triggered her instinctive rejection.

But when she first suggested giving it a try, what else could she have meant if not dating?

Ling Jixiao pressed her fingers against her temples.

Could it be… marriage?

No, no, no! That’s far too rash!

Ling Jixiao shook her head, trying to clear her mind of the thought.

Forget it. Don’t even think about it.

Some things are meant to be left to fate.

Ling Jixiao started the car and drove back.

When she returned to the Old Residence, she was surprised to find Grandpa Ling still awake.

“You’re back,” Grandpa Ling said, Ling Jingxi standing beside him. “Good, I have something to discuss with you.”

Support After Transmigrating Into A Novel, Not Only Did I Become An Omega, But I Also Provoked The Male Lead’s Mother