As a Scummy Omega, I Ran Away with the Baby - Chapter 39

With Bai Qingqiu by her side, no matter how hard the reporters tried, they failed to steer the interview toward the direction they wanted. The two women complemented each other seamlessly—Bai Qingqiu’s composure and decisiveness defused one sharp question after another, while Gu Yining, with her presence as support, no longer hesitated as she once might have.

Their interaction was smooth and natural, as if the rifts and conflicts of the past had vanished in that moment.

While answering a reporter’s question, Gu Yining stole a glance at Bai Qingqiu’s profile—unchanged from five years ago. A strange emotion welled up in her chest, only for her to suppress it almost immediately, refusing to dwell on it.

After several rounds of questioning, the reporters had failed to capture any worthwhile headline, their disappointment plain to see.

As time passed, the interview drew to a close. Bai Qingqiu wrapped it up with a formal, diplomatic statement:

“We will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure every issue within the company is handled properly. Thank you all for your attention.”

Gu Yining added at just the right moment:

“I believe the management and employees of BaiXing will work together to present a better future for the company.”

The reporters, however unwilling, could only nod politely and thank them.
The interview ended there. Gu Yining and Bai Qingqiu returned their microphones and, since they had appeared together, naturally left the room side by side.

Bai Qingqiu strode ahead, her long legs carrying her quickly forward. She wore a perfectly tailored black suit jacket with fitted trousers—sharp yet elegant. Her long black hair was tied into a sleek low ponytail, still impeccable even after the interview. Her face bore her usual clean, precise professional makeup, with lipstick applied in a sharp, defined line that echoed the entire look—one that kept people at a respectful distance.

Anyone who saw her would hardly think she was an easy person to approach.

Gu Yining, still in her red-carpet gown, couldn’t keep pace with Bai Qingqiu’s brisk stride. Xiao Li easily caught up from behind, carrying an unopened cup of iced Americano, condensation beading on the plastic lid. Before handing it over, she couldn’t help glancing at Bai Qingqiu ahead, clearly recognizing her.

Gu Yining didn’t take the coffee, leaving Xiao Li’s hand frozen awkwardly in midair.

“What’s wrong? Double shot, no sugar, extra ice—your favorite,” Xiao Li asked, puzzled.

Gu Yining glanced at Bai Qingqiu’s retreating back, a swirl of complicated emotions in her chest. She had only picked up iced Americanos after their breakup, imitating Bai Qingqiu’s taste even though she herself preferred sweet drinks.

Without realizing it, she had turned into a shadow of who Bai Qingqiu used to be.

She didn’t want Bai Qingqiu to know. She didn’t want her to see just how much of her life was still influenced by her.

It would be all too easy. After all, they had lived together for so long—long enough for Bai Qingqiu, even if she couldn’t remember every detail that set Gu Yining apart from Bei Nanyan, to know her far better than any outsider.

Putting the pieces together wouldn’t take much effort at all.

So, Gu Yining turned away and spoke quietly to Xiao Li:

“Take it to President Bai up front.”

Xiao Li didn’t question it. Though puzzled, she followed the instruction, quickening her pace to catch up with Bai Qingqiu. Since she was clearly coming from Gu Yining, the staff around Bai Qingqiu didn’t stop her, even making space for her to approach.

Naturally, Bai Qingqiu recognized Xiao Li. In their industry, remembering every face was a basic skill—especially when it came to Gu Yining’s personal assistant.

She looked at her, and Xiao Li looked back, though not daring to meet her eyes directly. Instead, she fixed her gaze just below Bai Qingqiu’s eyes, polite and deferential, as she offered the coffee.

Through the transparent lid, the dark liquid sloshed against the ice cubes as the cup tilted in her hand.

Iced Americano.

Bai Qingqiu raised her hand—not to take the cup, but to adjust the earpiece clipped to her ear, making it easier to hear her staff’s live updates.

“Yining asked you to bring this?” she asked. The question was redundant—she realized it the moment the words left her lips. Of course it was from Gu Yining. Xiao Li would never think to buy her a double-shot, extra-ice Americano on her own. Distracted with handling the press, Bai Qingqiu had overlooked the obvious. Careless.

Gu Yining’s tactics for currying favor had clearly improved—offering coffee as soon as they met. Once, Bai Qingqiu might have been touched. Now, given the state of their relationship, the gesture only made her suspicious.

Courtesy before confrontation? A banquet before the ambush? Others, at least, would prepare a feast. But Gu Yining thought a twenty-yuan cup of coffee was enough?

Bai Qingqiu pinched the bridge of her nose and waved Xiao Li away.

“I don’t need it.” With that, she quickened her pace, widening the distance between them, leaving without a backward glance.

“President Bai said she doesn’t want it,” Xiao Li reported carefully when she rejoined Gu Yining.

“Oh.” Gu Yining nodded, her expression unreadable. “Then please hold it for me a little longer. It’s inconvenient while I’m carrying my skirt.”

“No problem.” Xiao Li shifted the cup to one hand and used the other to help tidy Gu Yining’s dress. Since she stayed quiet, Xiao Li said nothing more either. Their footsteps echoed in rhythm along the corridor lit by cold white lights, the click of Gu Yining’s heels striking the floor in steady beats.

She wasn’t exactly upset. Just faintly, uncomfortably unsettled.

It wasn’t about the coffee being refused. She didn’t feel slighted, nor did she expect gratitude. What stung was Bai Qingqiu’s attitude.

After all, she had chosen to stand on BaiXing’s side at this critical moment of public scrutiny. And yet Bai Qingqiu hadn’t shown any acknowledgment—not even a word. It wasn’t that she had acted for Bai Qingqiu’s sake, but her cold indifference left Gu Yining with a long-familiar chill of being overlooked.

As if whether she defended BaiXing or tore it down didn’t matter at all—none of it would register in Bai Qingqiu’s heart.

During the interview, their silent understanding, their seamless coordination—it had almost tricked her into believing their relationship wasn’t so bad after all. But now, Bai Qingqiu’s attitude reminded her exactly where they stood.

So what if they had a child together, or had once shared a life? In Bai Qingqiu’s eyes, she would never come first. She was nothing more than a substitute for Bei Nanyan. Bai Qingqiu’s kindness came only because she resembled her, and because she had once been obedient and pliant enough to be molded to her will.

Whatever Bai Qingqiu liked, she followed.

Whatever she disliked, she avoided.

If she pleased Bai Qingqiu, she was rewarded with affection.

Now that she no longer played along, she no longer deserved even a glance. For all she knew, Bai Qingqiu might already have found her Bei Nanyan 3.0.

And her—after all these years—still couldn’t let go. Still cared. Still fretted. Still let herself be swayed by every flicker of Bai Qingqiu’s attitude.

“What are you thinking about?” Xiao Li’s voice cut into her thoughts.

“Nothing.” Gu Yining pulled herself back and smiled faintly. “Thanks for remembering to buy me coffee. I’ll need it to keep going.” With Xiao Li, she didn’t need to keep up her guard, and her tone softened.

“You’re welcome.” Xiao Li smiled back. “You did really well today. Don’t take those reporters’ words to heart. That’s just how they are.”

Hmm? So Xiao Li thought she was upset about the reporters?

Gu Yining pressed her lips together, suddenly guilty, and replied with less confidence:

“Yeah, I know.” She nodded, continuing toward the parking lot.

No matter what, she had made her choice. And her reasons hadn’t been Bai Qingqiu, was it?

As for the accusations in the exposé—some were true, others not. Hong-jie might despise her as a “kept canary,” but she had never been denied what she was owed.

And whatever happened between her and Bai Qingqiu, it wasn’t something Bei Nanyan or the forces behind her could interfere with.

Their relationship was between the two of them, and no one else’s business.

The signs for the parking lot grew larger. Their driver had already parked the van by the entrance. As they approached, Gu Yining spotted a familiar figure standing beside her vehicle.

It seemed Bai Qingqiu had thought the same way, she realized as she saw the woman’s face clearly.

“What is it?” Gu Yining asked.

“President Bai asked me to pass along her instructions. If you need anything in the future, you may contact me directly.” The woman—calm, respectful—held out a business card. Her surname was Zhang. Her title: Special Assistant to the Chairwoman.

Assistant was just a polite term. In practice, she was closer to a house manager. Gu Yining had often seen her back at the villa, reporting to Bai Qingqiu about everything from household upkeep to renovations, staff salaries, even holiday plans.

That she was sent here now meant Bai Qingqiu had formally placed Gu Yining under her charge, the same way Aunt Han had once been.

Gu Yining accepted the card, unsure how to respond. Happy? Not quite.

But at least now, if she asked questions, she would get answers.

“Thank you. When would it be convenient for me to visit her home?”

“I’ll add you on WeChat later and send you the driver’s contact information,” Zhang replied.

Which meant—anytime would be fine.