Becoming the Yandere Omega's Fluffy Pet - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Secretly Turning the Collar Back Around…

Jian Huaici’s birthday banquet was held at a manor near the outskirts of the city. The closer they got to the destination, the more nervous Liu Ran became. This was her first time attending such an event; she didn’t know the protocols, and the guests were likely all prominent figures like Ming Siyu.

“Why did you even bring me…” Liu Ran nervously muttered under her breath.

Ming Siyu, sitting beside her, heard her clearly. “Because Secretary Wen isn’t here.”

Ming Siyu felt that Secretary Zhou possessed a certain “beauty of a fool’s sudden inspiration being better than a villain’s calculated scheme.” She felt that Secretary Wen usually did too much and was too comprehensive, leading the remaining secretaries and assistants to only be good at specific tasks while lacking overall coordination skills. Once Secretary Wen returned, she’d have to remind her about work arrangements or simply hire someone more capable. She didn’t keep useless people.

Liu Ran had a superior appearance and was very obedient in public, making her suitable to be brought along.

Hearing this, Liu Ran fell silent. So, she was just a backup.

The new collar was indeed much more comfortable than the old one; it felt light and soft against her neck, almost as if it weren’t there. She planned to wait until they were inside and Ming Siyu wasn’t looking to flip the collar around so the initials of Ming Siyu’s name wouldn’t be visible.

As they got out of the car, Ming Siyu instructed her: “Stay close to me. Don’t wander off on your own, and talk less.”

The coming-of-age ceremony and birthday party hadn’t officially started, yet the massive banquet hall was already filled with people standing in small groups, all of them strangers. People constantly approached Ming Siyu to chat or ask about Old Mrs. Ming’s health, and Ming Siyu responded with practiced ambiguity. Liu Ran followed behind her like a large human accessory, mimicking Ming Siyu by picking up a glass of champagne and taking small sips.

Most people focused on Ming Siyu, though a few raised their glasses to Liu Ran with a smile after finishing their conversation with the boss. Liu Ran observed for a while and realized that others likely mistook her for a newcomer Ming Siyu was planning to promote.

Liu Ran had two sets of ears, and her wolf ears were particularly sharp. Small whispers drifted into her range:

“What a lucky girl. The last one Siyu brought to an event like this was probably Miao Qinglan, right? Now she’s a Grand Slam Best Actress winner.” “Is Miao Qinglan coming today? Didn’t she split off to start her own studio?” “Yeah, but her resources are much worse now than when she was at Ming Entertainment.”

“The newcomer’s aura and looks are quite unique. I feel like she could be a star with just a little push.” “If Miao Qinglan comes and sees her old boss with a newcomer, I wonder if she’ll regret leaving.”

Hearing that name made Liu Ran’s entire body go cold.

Miao Qinglan.

Her previous “owner.”

Since leaving Miao Qinglan, she hadn’t heard that name in a long time. A dull ache throbbed beneath her ribs; the scars where Miao Qinglan had burned her with cigarette butts flared with phantom pain at this inopportune moment.

She hadn’t stayed with Miao Qinglan for long. The woman had severe violent tendencies. Before her family’s downfall, Liu Ran had actually followed her movies and TV shows, moved to tears by her exquisite acting. She never expected that the Miao Qinglan in the public eye and the one in private were two completely different people. Liu Ran felt that Miao Qinglan’s best acting was simply playing a graceful, normal human being in front of the public.

She scanned the room. Seeing no sign of Miao Qinglan, Liu Ran felt her heart settle.

A while later, He Qiange arrived. He Qiange loved a good scene and naturally wouldn’t miss such an occasion. However, knowing the inside story, she was quite surprised to see Ming Siyu with Liu Ran. She pulled Ming Siyu aside to whisper, casting occasional glances toward Liu Ran.

About half an hour later, Jian Huaici’s birthday banquet finally began. She descended the spiral staircase gracefully in a custom floor-length gown with countless layers of gauze, looking as light and fluffy as a flower-strewn cloud.

Behind Jian Huaici was the Alpha Liu Ran had seen with Ming Siyu at the sanatorium presumably Director Jian Huaijin. Jian Huaijin’s aura was one of kindness tempered with gravity; behind the ethereal Jian Huaici, she looked like a solemn and steady patriarch. At the bottom of the stairs, Jian Huaijin naturally bent down to help straighten Jian Huaici’s hem.

He Qiange leaned into Ming Siyu. “Jian Huaijin is too much. Is she planning to hand over the Jian family to Jian Huaici in the future?”

“It’s not impossible. She’s devoted to academia. Rather than giving the group to an outsider, she’d rather give it to her own sister,” Ming Siyu responded in a low voice. “She reached out to me for this cooperation. At first, I thought she’d finally started caring about her family business, but later I realized it was just to give Jian Huaici some practice.”

He Qiange suddenly said something Liu Ran didn’t quite understand: “You’re still talking about that company’s business? Have you decided how to handle the company yet? Honestly, I still suggest you just enjoy your life.”

Ming Siyu laughed and scolded, “Stop staring at my company. I won’t sell it to you; maybe to your sister.”

He Qiange snorted. “Who wants your company? I was being kind, but you take it as a personal attack.”

The room was noisy as everyone congratulated Jian Huaici on her adulthood. Ming Siyu and He Qiange spoke very softly; if not for Liu Ran’s extraordinary hearing, she wouldn’t have caught a word.

She was puzzled. They must be talking about the real estate company. As far as Liu Ran knew, it was running well—why mention “handling” it? Was Ming Siyu finding it too tiring to run both and deciding to give one up to focus on the other? But she didn’t think too deeply on it. How Ming Siyu ran her business had very little to do with her.

The birthday banquet was just a pretext; the main goal was to introduce Jian Huaici to connections. Jian Huaijin led her through the crowd, eventually arriving at Ming Siyu’s side.

Liu Ran’s nerves were pulled taut. Fortunately, after exchanging pleasantries with Ming Siyu and He Qiange, Jian Huaici only gave Liu Ran a polite nod. Jian Huaijin and Ming Siyu had almost entirely finalized their cooperation; she planned to set up a new production line on Ming Siyu’s land and was just waiting to inspect the factory equipment.

Halfway through the banquet, a massive ten-layer cake was sliced. Liu Ran was already starving. There was hardly any real food at the banquet, mostly drinks and desserts. She couldn’t get full, but everyone else seemed not to be hungry, chatting away with smiles. Liu Ran finished a slice of cake only to realize no one else had really touched theirs. Looking at Ming Siyu’s cake, she began to wonder if not eating and only drinking was some kind of banquet tradition.

Ming Siyu pushed her almost untouched cake over. “Eat if you’re hungry.”

Liu Ran wasn’t sure. “But everyone else isn’t eating…”

“That’s because they aren’t hungry. Why do you care so much about others?”

For the first time, Ming Siyu’s tyrannical bossiness didn’t annoy Liu Ran. Since Ming Siyu said so, she took the cake and ate it without any burden.

The cake tasted average, but it was fine for filling her stomach. When Ming Siyu went to the restroom, Liu Ran followed to hold her bag. She noticed another feature of these banquets besides the lack of food: there were tables but no chairs. Everyone stood to communicate.

While waiting for Ming Siyu, Liu Ran crouched against the wall to relax her legs, which were sore from standing so long.

Just then, Ming Siyu’s phone rang, vibrating in the bag. Liu Ran hesitated, then opened the bag and took it out. The name “Ming Siwei” flashed on the screen. Liu Ran instantly remembered the day Ming Siyu had pressed her onto the desk and answered a call on speaker.

She planned to give the phone to Ming Siyu when she came out. Just as she thought this, the sound of high heels came from the restroom. Thinking it was Ming Siyu, Liu Ran stood up and held out the phone. “Your call—”

She cut herself off.

It wasn’t Ming Siyu. It was the person she least wanted to see: Miao Qinglan.

Miao Qinglan had long, sultry wavy hair swept to one side, revealing a smooth, white shoulder. A red mermaid dress clung to her curves perfectly. Seeing Liu Ran, she also froze. Then, she flashed that strange smile Liu Ran had seen many times—the one that always preceded pain.

“Ah, the little puppy who likes to bite found a new master. It seems you’re good at sucking up to the new one; you even got into the Jian family’s estate.”

Thinking the phone in Liu Ran’s hand was her own, Miao Qinglan reached for it. Liu Ran pulled her hand back, and Miao Qinglan grabbed empty air.

Miao Qinglan’s expression twisted. She narrowed her eyes at the black leather collar on Liu Ran’s neck. “It seems having a new master made you forget how I flayed your skin. Does your new master know you’re third-hand goods?”

There is always a small segment of people with special fetishes. Ming Siyu liked to touch her until she was in heat but forcibly forbid her from acting on it; Miao Qinglan liked the smell of blood; the first person who bought her liked dog-fighting.

Liu Ran said in a low voice, “Miao Qinglan, watch your words.”

She was ignored. Miao Qinglan had been drinking. Seeing Liu Ran—who had repeatedly disobeyed her now standing obediently with a collar in the Jian manor waiting for someone, she felt a surge of resentment and frustration.

“I was wondering how a thing like you, neither human nor ghost, managed to waltz in here. So, you wore a hat. You don’t actually think wearing a hat the same color as your dress makes people think they’re a set, do you? Others might, but I won’t be fooled. You’re hiding your ears. The dress is long to hide your tail. Honestly, since they’re the most unique parts of your body, I think you should show them—”

As she spoke, she reached out to snatch Liu Ran’s hat.

Liu Ran, of course, wouldn’t let her succeed. She dodged easily. However, she was worried someone else might enter the restroom. This psychotic woman would definitely grab anyone and tell them she had ears and a tail.

She thought of the news she’d heard about Miao Qinglan before the banquet. She was a star Ming Siyu had built up, but now she was with a different agency, and Ming Siyu was her ex-boss. An ex-boss was still a boss. No matter how arrogant Miao Qinglan was, she should still be suppressed by Ming Siyu.

Liu Ran decided to “borrow the tiger’s power”: “Miao Qinglan, are you jealous that Director Ming is with me now instead of you?”

There were only so many people with the surname Ming. Miao Qinglan’s face changed. “Stop using Ming Siyu to bluff me. She would never keep a creature like you…”

A sharp voice, laced with a hint of impatience, rang out. “Liu Ran, didn’t I tell you to talk less here?”

Ming Siyu appeared behind Miao Qinglan. “Qinglan, long time no see.”

Liu Ran bit her lower lip. Ming Siyu’s tone with Miao Qinglan was familiar and casual, like old friends. Would Ming Siyu take Miao Qinglan’s side? After thinking, Liu Ran felt it wasn’t impossible. Both had bought her; buyers often empathized with other buyers. Moreover, Miao Qinglan was an artist Ming Siyu had personally trained.

But she was hurt and angry. If Miao Qinglan bullied her, was she just supposed to take it? How could Ming Siyu blame her immediately without even knowing what happened?

As soon as Ming Siyu appeared, Miao Qinglan snapped half-sober. She hadn’t expected Liu Ran to truly be Ming Siyu’s person. Thinking of the hard days since she’d left Ming Entertainment in a huff… she got a bigger cut of the profits now and had more freedom, but her worries had multiplied. She couldn’t get good resources on her own; she’d rather be back by Ming Siyu’s side. She had swallowed her pride and begged Ming Siyu over the years, but Ming Siyu had never agreed.

And yet Liu Ran—a hybrid who sold herself to survive could easily stand by Ming Siyu and enter such a high-class venue. Ming Siyu had even specially found her a hat.

Miao Qinglan never imagined a day would come when she would be jealous of Liu Ran—jealous of a dog that had once been half-dead under her hands.

Miao Qinglan forced a smile. “Director Ming, it’s been a long time. I’ll visit the Group personally some other day.”

“Forget the visit. Do you and Liu Ran know each other?”

“I kept her for a while. She wasn’t very obedient, so I sent her back. Didn’t the researcher tell you she’s been returned more than once?” Miao Qinglan suspected Ming Siyu didn’t know. Based on her knowledge of the woman, Ming Siyu would never buy something that had been “used” by others.

Ming Siyu gave a smile that was almost gentle. She ignored the question and said: “Qinglan, since you know you sent her back, then you are very clear about her ownership. You worked for me once; you should know my habits: I hate it when others touch my things without permission.”

Liu Ran looked at Ming Siyu sharply. Was she speaking up for her?

“Director Ming, you misunderstand. We were just old acquaintances catching up. I didn’t touch her…” Miao Qinglan panicked; her previous overbearing posture vanished instantly.

Ming Siyu turned to Liu Ran. “Did she touch you?”

Liu Ran didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Miao Qinglan was incredulous. “Nonsense! I clearly didn’t even touch you!”

But Ming Siyu wouldn’t listen. She said calmly, “This is the Jian family’s place. I don’t want things to get ugly. You leave now. As for my person,” she turned to Liu Ran, “I will handle her myself. I don’t need a ‘past tense’ to boss her around.”

Miao Qinglan wanted to argue, but Ming Siyu’s expression was clearly impatient. Her lips trembled, and she finally gave Liu Ran a hateful glare before storming out in her heels.

After she left, Ming Siyu looked at Liu Ran and parted her red lips: “Useless.”

She was Ming Siyu’s person now, yet she couldn’t even handle a Miao Qinglan. Did she think Ming Siyu couldn’t even clean up the mess made by a small pet?

For once, Liu Ran didn’t talk back. She suddenly felt that Ming Siyu’s excessive sense of ownership wasn’t entirely a bad thing—at least not just now.

She followed Ming Siyu back to the hall and handed her the phone. “Director Ming, someone called you just now.”

“Who told you to touch my phone?” Ming Siyu’s tone was unfriendly, but not as cold as it had been with Miao Qinglan. “Don’t let it happen again.”

Ming Siyu checked the missed call, saw it was Ming Siwei, and shut the screen. She didn’t forget to ask Liu Ran: “You said Miao Qinglan touched you. Where did she touch you? Did she mess with your ears or tail?”

Liu Ran: “She touched my self-esteem.”

Ming Siyu: “…”

Taking advantage of Ming Siyu not looking, Liu Ran secretly turned the flipped collar back to its original position.

During the second half of the party, Liu Ran cautiously checked the entire banquet hall and didn’t see Miao Qinglan anywhere. It seemed she had indeed left early as Ming Siyu requested.

Many of the guests were business partners Ming Siyu had worked with. Ming Siyu drank a bit more; when she left, her expression was normal, but her steps were slightly unsteady.

Liu Ran had only had one small glass of champagne and was quite alert, supporting Ming Siyu as they walked to the car. She helped her into the back seat. Back in the familiar space, Ming Siyu relaxed instantly, leaning against the soft backrest, gently rubbing her temples and breathing through parted lips.

The lighting in the car was dim, with half of Ming Siyu’s face shrouded in shadow. Liu Ran turned her head to look and suddenly felt that Ming Siyu looked tired and fragile.

Ming Siyu always seemed busy. She was calm and ruthless; everything that reached her was handled properly, as if she were born with that ability. Liu Ran couldn’t help but wonder: would Ming Siyu ever encounter a problem she couldn’t solve? If so, who would she go to for help? He Qiange? Ming Siwei? Old Mrs. Ming?

Probably not. Secretary Zhou had told Liu Ran, quite hyperbolically, that Director Ming was omnipotent.

Sensing someone staring, Ming Siyu turned her face toward Liu Ran as if to say something. Their gazes met in mid-air. After a moment, Ming Siyu looked away, stared out the window, and lowered the glass.

The summer night wind rushed in, carrying a hint of heat.

Ming Siyu took a box of cigarettes from her bag, pulled one out with her fingertips, and lit it. The faint smoke was carried away by the wind before it could settle in the car.

Liu Ran heard Ming Siyu say something to the passing breeze. But the words were too light and too shallow; they never reached anyone’s ears. Like the smoke Ming Siyu exhaled, they vanished into the wind.

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