As a Scummy Omega, I Ran Away with the Baby - Chapter 40

In truth, Bei Nanyan wasn’t that busy. Strictly speaking, the planning department she now worked in had a very flexible definition of “busy.” Some projects required long hours, but just how busy one was depended on the project’s scale, the level of coordination involved—and no matter how busy, there was always time to sneak a glance at one’s phone.

Bei Nanyan was not one of those flighty types who could quit on a whim or shirk responsibility when things went wrong.

So on this sweltering day, she set her air conditioner to twenty-one degrees, stretched out on the brand-new sofa she’d just bought, and leisurely enjoyed the drama she herself had set in motion.

She was very much looking forward to Gu Yining’s reaction.

As expected, the moment she released the rumors, the story spread across the internet like wildfire. After all, Gu Yining was the entertainment industry’s newest darling—young, beautiful, talented, and with a limitless future ahead of her.

Watching the trending searches and comments scroll past on social media, Bei Nanyan’s lips curved upward. Gu Yining’s every move was within her control, and she only had to wait for the moment she knew would come.

This was no trivial matter. Gu Yining would be forced to make a public statement.

And what would it be?

Gu Yining, I told you long ago—you’re nothing more than Bai Qingqiu’s substitute for me.

What she loved most was recalling that day, when she’d first revealed the truth, how Gu Yining had stood before her, tears streaming down her face, overcome with gratitude.

Truth be told, she hadn’t cared that much about Gu Yining to begin with. Signing her into the company had already served its purpose. She herself had been promoted to the planning department and made manager. As a fellow woman and supposed victim, why should she bother targeting Gu Yining? If anything, she wanted her to become even more famous. The more popular Gu Yining grew, the more secure Bei Nanyan’s own position became as the one who had “discovered” her.

By rights, she and Gu Yining should have been grasshoppers tied to the same rope—sharing the same fate.

By rights.

But as the bluish glow of the phone screen reflected on her face, Bei Nanyan’s expression grew more and more twisted, without her even realizing it.

Bai Qingqiu actually had a child with Gu Yining?

Impossible.

Wasn’t Bai Qingqiu traumatized by hospitals? Back in their sophomore year, when Bai Qingqiu fainted from heatstroke while watching her game from the stands, Bei had carried her to the infirmary—and even then, she’d been so terrified. How could someone like that ever give birth?

How could it be Gu Yining’s child?

And Gu Yining, of all people—what was she? Just someone who happened to look a little like her. So what, the moment she and Bai Qingqiu broke up, Bai Qingqiu would just settle for anyone?

Jealousy and fury churned inside Bei Nanyan, a reality she could not accept. Her fingers clenched tight around her phone until her knuckles turned white. For the first time, she had to admit that all her claims of no longer caring about Bai Qingqiu were nothing but a joke.

A first love—it was only natural to be unforgettable.

And she knew how deeply Bai Qingqiu had once loved her.

Just then, her phone buzzed. The livestream began: Gu Yining, lifting her gown delicately, stepped onto the stage. Camera shutters snapped in unison, pulling Bei Nanyan back from her spiraling thoughts.

Despite the crowd of reporters and flashing cameras, Gu Yining appeared as calm and poised as ever. Even the way she accepted the microphone seemed smooth and deliberate, as if rehearsed.

“I must clarify: during my time at BaiXing, I never once experienced any unfair treatment. On the contrary, BaiXing always supported and cared for me. These rumors are entirely baseless.”

Her enunciation was precise and powerful, undiminished even by the slight broadcast delay. The hallmark of a seasoned actress.

Lying without so much as a blush.

Bei Nanyan let out a cold laugh. As she expected, Gu Yining had chosen to side with BaiXing. Very well—let’s see how long she could keep it up. The firmer Gu Yining stood her ground, the more uncontrollable Bei’s jealousy and rage grew.

“Good, Gu Yining. Keep going. Let’s see how long you last.” She whispered at the glowing screen.

Meanwhile, the barrage of comments flying across the livestream were overwhelmingly in Gu Yining’s favor, full of support and praise. Paired with that righteous expression on her face, it only made Bei Nanyan’s unwillingness burn hotter.

Still, the script had been written, the actors were in place, and the cameras were rolling.

The real show was only beginning.

And she would be waiting.

In a way, this unexpected storm had helped Gu Yining achieve what she’d originally intended. She had planned to seek out Bai Qingqiu to ask how she wanted to handle matters regarding the child. She hadn’t expected to be swept up into such a scandal first.

Though Bai Qingqiu’s precise thoughts remained unclear, one thing was certain: Bai Qingqiu did not object to her having contact with the child. That much was undeniable.

As for other details—whether Bai Qingqiu intended to tell the child she was her mother, or whether she had found another partner during the past five years—those seemed far less important now.

The relationship between her and Bai Qingqiu was simple: they were the child’s two mothers. Nothing more. Nothing else would ever come of it.

The real question was: who had dug up these old matters, plotted such a move, and timed it so deliberately—right as her contracts with the “Big Three” were nearing expiration and just as she had reconnected with Bai Qingqiu?

Her instincts pointed to Bei Nanyan.

Who else both resented her rekindled ties with BaiXing and Bai Qingqiu, and knew about their renewed contact—a secret Gu Yining hadn’t told anyone else?

It made no sense for BaiXing to orchestrate this. They had nothing to gain.

But what motive would Bei Nanyan have? To sow discord?

She and Bai Qingqiu hardly had a relationship to sabotage.

Unless, Bei Nanyan was afraid she and Bai Qingqiu might reconcile because of the child.

But even if that happened, what harm would it cause Bei?

Unless, Bei Nanyan still couldn’t let go of Bai Qingqiu.

The thought almost made Gu Yining laugh. Bei Nanyan and Bai Qingqiu had broken up years ago. If Bei truly couldn’t let go, with how deeply Bai Qingqiu had loved her back then, would Gu Yining ever have had a place in her life to begin with?

Ridiculous.

So now I’ve been reduced to nothing more than a prop in their little lovers’ quarrel?

“What’s next on my schedule?” she asked her assistant, Xiao Li.

“Tonight there’s BaiXing’s anniversary gala,” Xiao Li replied. “We haven’t received any cancellation notice from the organizers, so it should proceed as planned.”

Of course—it had been in preparation for months. No way they’d cancel over such a minor scandal. The gala wasn’t open to the public like a red-carpet event; attendance was optional. Gu Yining hadn’t originally planned to go.

These past five years without Bai Qingqiu’s protection had been harsher than her younger, impulsive self could ever have imagined. She had changed, but one thing remained: she disliked unnecessary socializing and avoided such occasions whenever possible.

But this time—she changed her mind.

She would go.

To see Bai Qingqiu.

Tonight.

She wasn’t going to confront Bai Qingqiu or demand an explanation—whatever Bei Nanyan had schemed had nothing directly to do with her. Gu Yining simply needed to inform Bai Qingqiu of her suspicion. This was private, involving only the three of them. It could not be entrusted to Bai Qingqiu’s assistant, Zhang.

She had to say it to Bai herself.

BaiXing was an old and powerful agency, its connections woven throughout the entire industry. The anniversary gala was a who’s who of the entertainment world—almost as grand as the international film festival where Gu Yining had won her award. Investors, producers, directors, screenwriters, actors—at a glance, one could assemble an entire production crew from the guests.

Scanning the room, Gu Yining quickly spotted a familiar figure in a black suit.

Bai Qingqiu, speaking with several prominent directors and producers, a champagne flute barely touched in her hand. Her attire immaculate, her bearing sharp and professional—she showed no trace of weariness.

Gu Yining steadied herself and started forward, only to hear a familiar voice call out.

“Yining?”

She turned to see Director Qian. In contrast to the glamorous crowd, Qian was in ripped jeans and a faded T-shirt, holding a bottle of whiskey as casually as if it was a water bottle.

“Director Qian! Long time no see!” Gu Yining smiled, walking over to shake her hand, though inwardly a little helpless. If she was delayed here, who knew when she would get the chance to approach Bai Qingqiu?

“It’s been ages. You’ve grown even more beautiful—and you’re doing so well lately! I watched the film you won your award for. Absolutely stunning performance!” Qian said, grinning as she clapped her on the shoulder.

“Not at all. I only got this far because of your guidance back then. Without you, there would be no me today.” Gu Yining responded smoothly.

“Cut the flattery,” Qian waved her hand with mock annoyance, though her smile betrayed her pleasure. She’d always been one to enjoy a compliment. “At most, I gave you a chance. Whether you succeeded was up to you. Anyone else, and my scolding would’ve gone right over their head.”

Her expression sobered slightly.

Gu Yining knew what she meant. The film she’d starred in five years ago had garnered critical acclaim, but its box office had flopped, costing investors billions. Since then, Qian had been forced to compromise, casting popular idols with no acting experience just to secure ticket sales.

It was the trend of the industry—money first, art second.

As someone who had once been labeled a “traffic starlet” herself, Gu Yining couldn’t very well comment. She understood Qian’s frustration, but she also empathized with the younger generation struggling to survive. So, she gently steered

the conversation back.

“Still, it only worked because you gave me that opportunity. Back then I had nothing to my name, and you picked me out of so many people.”

That was the truth. Before Qian’s film, she’d only acted in idol dramas—her role as the spoiled young heir “Xiao Sun” had gotten some buzz, but it was hardly the same league.

Her entire career had pivoted because of that film.

Qian’s grin widened.

“Your tongue’s gotten slicker over the years. But let me tell you a secret—at the time, I had someone else in mind. It was Bai Qingqiu who insisted I cast you. That girl practically twisted my arm.”

The words slammed into Gu Yining like a thunderclap.

Her fingers turned icy. She forced herself to keep a straight face.

She had always believed it was BaiXing’s connections that got her that role—never Bai Qingqiu.

“Bai Qingqiu?” she repeated, her heart pounding so loudly she could hardly hear.

“That’s right.” Qian nodded, clearly tipsy, words flowing freely. “She knew I liked to drink, so she spent an entire night drinking with me until she puked. She told me you were perfect for the role. Said if I didn’t cast you, she wouldn’t work with me again.”

Gu Yining fell silent, but Qian didn’t notice, continuing cheerfully.

“That woman went to great lengths for you back then. If it wasn’t for her mother helping me years ago, I might not have even cared about BaiXing’s face, let alone agreed.”

Gu Yining managed a strained smile.

“I never knew there was such a story behind it.”

Qian gave her shoulder a firm pat, speaking earnestly.

“So remember this—you’ve achieved so much because of your own hard work. But don’t forget the people who helped you along the way.”

She had clearly seen the day’s news. In this industry, word traveled fast.

Gu Yining had thought she had stood on her own since the breakup, that she’d relied on nothing but herself. But now she realized—even the very first stone she’d stepped on had been quietly placed beneath her feet by Bai Qingqiu.

How could she possibly let that go?

Bai Qingqiu was always like this—so good to her it created illusions. Illusions that Bai loved her to the very core, that she was irreplaceable.

But the truth was brutal.

That love was never truly hers.

The one Bai had loved so deeply was never Gu Yining.

It was Bei Nanyan.

And how could she accept that without bitterness?