Forced to Live Together After Picking Up the Child of My Rival Alpha - Chapter 36

Watching the starlight shimmer in Yu Jin’s eyes, Song Yuan hastily averted her gaze once again.

“Mommy, Mama! Luoluo wants a group hug too!”

“Ah?” For a moment, Song Yuan couldn’t quite figure out the logistics.

Just then, Luoluo sprang up and clung to Yu Jin’s back.

The combined weight of the two, along with Luoluo’s playful antics, was so amusing that Song Yuan couldn’t help but burst into laughter, letting out a soft exhale.

With her breath weakened, she naturally felt a bit crushed and breathless.

But Luoluo kicked her little legs joyfully, and Yu Jin’s expression softened as she allowed the child to continue her playful fuss.

Song Yuan had no choice but to grit her teeth and endure it.

What could she do? She just had to spoil them!

In the end, Song Yuan posted a short video of herself hugging Yu Jin, complete with sound effects and filters, leaving it unedited.

The caption read:

“Your Highness, at this moment, your subject has embraced her entire world!”

The comments were a mix of praise and criticism.

[Your Highness, your subject may be an Alpha, but wanting our Jinjin to be an Omega? Impossible!]

[Wait, even though the last move was edited out, the way Song Yuan’s neck muscles moved , she turned her head away!]

[Thanks for the reminder! I rewatched it several times! Hah, Song Yuan, you’ve got some nerve! Our Jinjin kissed your forehead, and you had the audacity to turn away? You’re really pushing it.]

[Don’t take things out of context! Your goddess also posted a video!]

[Song Yuan isn’t worthy of our celestial Jin!]

[Wuwu, the Hibiscus and Iris pairing is so perfect! Each has their own charm, I’m totally shipping them!]

[Since the goddess is married, she should treat Actress Yu well. Wishing you both happiness!]

[If you’re not shipping them, then you’re just seeking clout. You’ve already trashed yourself enough, don’t drag our goddess into it, you scumbag Yuan!]

[Hey, you up there, take a look at the video your celestial Jin posted! She’s practically crushing our goddess!]

After skimming through a few comments, Song Yuan felt the response was decent at least better than yesterday’s overwhelmingly negative feedback.

Hmm, she had her own fans too, but it seemed they were no match for Yu Jin’s formidable army!

She decided to check Yu Jin’s account, only to find that Yu Jin’s post with the caption “I’m causing a fuss, she’s laughing” hadn’t fared much better.

[Haha, poor Yuan! Luoluo is so adorable! Goddess Jin, you’re doing great!]

[Well, if Song Yuan isn’t angry about this, I guess it’s passable. But what’s with turning your face away when you were kissed?]

[Being with our Jinjin is a blessing the dark king cultivated over three lifetimes. What else can she do but endure? If she can’t endure, is she even worthy?]

[You think you’re worthy? If you’re so great, why don’t you step up? You’re not even fit to tie your goddess’s shoelaces, yet you come here to mock our goddess?]

[Anyone can stage a scripted shoot! Song Yuan is a pro at rewriting scripts, who’s to say this isn’t her sneaky idea? Otherwise, why would Yu Jin refuse to engage? She’s clearly getting back at her!]

[This is just a little romantic dynamic between our Yuanyuan and Yu Jin! If you don’t get it, that’s on you! If your brain isn’t working, go home and wash it! With enough water, it’ll slosh around!]

Well, the fans from both sides were still at each other’s throats.

Although the two fanbases were clashing again, a small number of supporters acknowledged their relationship. Though few and far between, and quickly drowned out by the arguments, it was better than nothing.

At least it was a start!

Song Yuan glanced up at Yu Jin, who seemed to be scrolling through her phone, expressionless, revealing neither joy nor sorrow.

The moment Song Yuan moved closer, Yu Jin put her phone away, picked up Luoluo, and went off to play elsewhere, not even sparing her a glance.

Song Yuan rubbed the bridge of her nose, wondering what she had done wrong this time without even realizing it.

Could it be that Yu Jin disliked such deliberate public displays of affection? Did it come off as insincere?

What should she do instead?

Song Yuan was scrolling through short videos for inspiration when she suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder. Dark strands of hair cascaded down, and the crisp scent of cedarwood filled her nostrils.

Without even turning her head, she knew it was Yu Jin.

She tilted her head slightly.

As she turned, Yu Jin’s ethereal profile came into close view her skin smooth and radiant, like a peeled hard-boiled egg, so delicate it seemed it might bruise at the slightest touch.

Before she knew it, Song Yuan almost leaned in to kiss her, but she managed to pull back just in time.

Clearing her throat softly, Song Yuan asked, “Wh-what is it? Do you need my help with something?”

Yu Jin’s gaze faltered briefly, but seeing that Song Yuan didn’t make any further moves, she relaxed slightly.

Is it a bit unethical to flirt like this, so subtly?

Still, she wanted to test the waters to see just how far she could push Song Yuan.

Yu Jin sat down closer to her. “Those two short videos today were sweet, but they felt a bit forced. Let’s review them!”

“Do you not like this kind of performance? I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable,” Song Yuan said apologetically.

Yu Jin’s eyelashes fluttered, but she didn’t answer directly.

“Here and here. When you unconsciously pull away from me, it gives the fans the impression that you dislike being intimate with me.”

“No, no,” Song Yuan hurriedly explained. “I don’t dislike you at all. It’s just you know, these past couple of days, I’ve been a bit. I’m afraid I might lose control and hurt you again.”

More than suppressing her own sensitive period, she was afraid of making Yu Jin angry.

Yu Jin’s expression remained calm, but she subtly moved even closer, almost draping herself over Song Yuan. “I understand, but the fans don’t. Look at me.”

Confused but obedient, Song Yuan turned to face Yu Jin.

Yu Jin was extraordinarily beautiful not as striking as Song Yuan, but with a cool, otherworldly elegance that earned her the nickname “Celestial Top,” captivating countless omegas.

Especially her long, narrow phoenix eyes, which held an imposing authority even in stillness. Upon closer look, they seemed to contain a galaxy of shimmering stars, mesmerizing and enchanting.

Song Yuan found herself irresistibly drawn in, leaning closer and closer until their breaths mingled, her gaze hazy with the urge to kiss her.

She wanted to, so badly.

“Eww, so embarrassing!”

A childish, milky voice snapped them out of their trance.

Song Yuan’s face flushed bright red, and she sprang to her feet, letting out an awkward laugh. “What were you saying just now? Oh right, you wanted me to cut some fruit! Are the fruits in the fridge or the kitchen?”

Yu Jin’s starry eyes also gleamed as she picked up Luoluo, unsure of what to say.

But Luoluo, having watched many dramas lately, chirped in her sweet voice, “Mommy and Mama are shy because they like each other. If they like each other, they won’t be apart. Luoluo has a mommy and mama who love each other, so Luoluo is the happiest baby, right, Mama?”

As if her secret had been exposed, Yu Jin pressed her lips together, unsure how to respond.

Should I be the one to speak first?

Just then, Song Yuan walked over and chimed in, “Yes, Luoluo is the happiest baby.”

“So Mommy likes Mama, right?”

“Of course,” Song Yuan said with a smile. “Otherwise, why would Mommy have married Mama?”

Luoluo giggled and clapped her hands, then turned to Yu Jin. “So Mama likes Mommy too, right?”

A blush spread across Yu Jin’s cheeks as she nodded slightly and whispered, “Mm.”

Her voice was soft, but it landed right on Song Yuan’s heart, filling her with joy and making the corners of her lips curl up unconsciously.

In the afternoon, Dr. Chen came by for a house call, saying she wanted to check on Yu Jin’s condition.

She was Yu Jin’s primary physician, but also her friend.

“Hey, not bad,” Chen Man remarked after finishing the examination. “I told you long ago that she was the best medicine for you. You didn’t believe me and insisted on suffering through five years on your own, even talking about removing your gland.”

Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she teased, “Oh, I have a friend who’s excellent at gland surgery safe and painless. Want me to take you?”

Yu Jin shot her a glare. Not only could gland removal easily be fatal, but even if it were truly safe and painless she couldn’t bring herself to do it now.

“Haha, having second thoughts? Ah, youth is wasted on the young not knowing the value of an Enigma, mistaking suppressants for treasure. It seems you’re gradually coming to terms with being an Omega,” Chen Man teased.

Yu Jin lifted her gaze. She wasn’t sure if she had truly accepted it, but since venting the resentment buried deep in her heart, she felt considerably lighter. Even the joy she had hidden away began to stir, allowing her to indulge occasionally.

Especially when Song Yuan consumed her, when she lost herself in the ebb and flow of the tide, she actually felt pleasure.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling irritable.

Chen Man keenly sensed Yu Jin’s restlessness. “What’s this? Are you lacking confidence now?”

“Oh my!” she exclaimed dramatically. “Our aloof, ethereal goddess, the once mesmerizing actress Yu who captivated countless Omegas, is actually.”

“You said it yourself ‘once,'” Yu Jin retorted.

“I see,” Chen Man said, standing up and clapping her hands. “I’ll go check on Song Yuan right now.”

“Check what?” Yu Jin raised an eyebrow. “There’s nothing wrong with her.”

“Heh,” Chen Man chuckled meaningfully. “But someone here has a sickness of the heart!”

Yu Jin quickly stood up, but Chen Man was faster, slipping out the door and greeting Song Yuan and Luo Luo with a bright smile. She first gave Luo Luo a check-up, found nothing amiss, and sent the child off to play with Yu Jin.

Only then did she begin Song Yuan’s examination, making casual conversation along the way.

“Yu Jin’s physical condition has stabilized. Although her heat cycles are still somewhat irregular, they’re not as frequent or uncontrollable as before,” Chen Man mentioned.

Song Yuan nodded. “That’s good.”

“Though I have to say, your marriage caught me off guard.”

Noticing Yu Jin glancing their way, Chen Man’s eyes twinkled. “If and I mean if, Luo Luo wasn’t Yu Jin’s biological child, but another woman’s, would you still take responsibility?”

Song Yuan paused for a moment, then nodded slightly. “Of course! After all, it all started because of me.”

Having grown up in an incomplete family herself, Song Yuan understood all too well the impact a broken home could have on a child.

So she would fulfill her duties as a mother, giving the child all the love she could.

As for marriage probably not.

She turned to look at Yu Jin. It was precisely because it was Yu Jin that she had even considered marriage.

They called it a contractual marriage, but given her own tendency to attract negativity, if she stubbornly refused to acknowledge it, could things get any worse?

Yu Jin had already turned away, trembling slightly with anger. Her narrow phoenix eyes narrowed further, filled with fragmentation and despair.

So, no matter who came along, Song Yuan would accept them without question?

Heh.

Seeing this scene, Chen Man realized she hadn’t just failed as a wingman, she had planted a ticking time bomb.

She quickly made a hasty retreat.

Song Yuan knew that Yu Jin’s health had improved significantly. As long as she could control herself and avoid affecting Yu Jin temporarily, Yu Jin’s heat cycles would gradually normalize occurring once a month like a typical Omega. With strong willpower, she could even endure them without suppressants.

If it became truly unbearable, Song Yuan had already decided: she would administer pheromones to Yu Jin. As long as Yu Jin was unwilling, Song Yuan would never again commit such beastly acts, lest it trigger Yu Jin’s stress and make her want to leave.

In high spirits, Song Yuan hummed a tune while cooking. Suddenly, she felt a tug on her pants. Looking down, she saw Luoluo standing beside her with a dejected expression.

“What’s wrong, Luoluo?”

Song Yuan patted her head. Remembering that the second episode of the variety show would be filmed in a month, a lifestyle program focused on daily life she thought it might be a good idea to teach Luoluo how to identify vegetables.

Although Luoluo had seen them in books, some vegetables looked quite similar.

“Mommy, Mom!” Mommy seems unhappy.

Before Luoluo could finish her sentence, Song Yuan picked her up and pointed at the greens, asking, “Clever Luoluo, tell Mommy, what is this?”

Luoluo pursed her lips. “Greens!”

Not entirely wrong, but “There are many types of greens. What’s this one specifically called?”

Luoluo scratched her head. “Chicory! Mommy loves eating it.”

“Exactly!” Song Yuan exclaimed delightedly. “Well done! But maybe Mommy doesn’t actually like chicory, she might be eating it to lose weight. Still, her figure is already so good, and she’s so slim. What should we add for her?”

Whenever the topic involved Mommy, Luoluo became very enthusiastic. “Meat!”

“What kind of meat?” Song Yuan pressed.

Luoluo pointed at the red meat nearby. “Beef!”

“Nope, that’s pork.”

Song Yuan took a few pieces of meat from the fridge and explained carefully, “Beef is brighter red, has less fat, and clear marbling. Pork is a bit paler than beef and often has a mix of lean and fatty parts, which isn’t great for weight loss. Mutton has a slightly gamey taste and needs special preparation to remove the odor. Chicken and duck are both white meats, but chicken has a finer texture.”

After explaining, following the principle of “I teach, you listen; you speak, I listen,” she had Luoluo repeat what she’d learned.

Apart from mixing up chicken and duck, Luoluo could clearly distinguish beef, pork, and mutton.

“Alright, tomorrow Mommy will teach you more about everyday life.”

“Mommy, I want to learn how to cook rice!” Luoluo said sweetly.

Song Yuan smiled, carried Luoluo over, took out some rice, added water, and pressed her thumb against the first joint of her index finger. “See? Water level up to one knuckle is enough!”

But when Luoluo stuck her finger in, the water reached halfway up her second knuckle. She immediately cried, “Mommy, you lied!” making Song Yuan chuckle. “When you grow up, it’ll be the same.”

“When I grow up, can I help Mommy with her worries and ask her why she’s unhappy?” Luoluo looked up, the earlier gloom momentarily overshadowed by curiosity resurfacing in her eyes.

“Your Mommy is very unhappy?” Song Yuan asked, surprised.

Yu Jin had been in a fairly good state these past couple of days at least she hadn’t shown any obvious negative emotions in front of Luoluo.

Yet Luoluo had still noticed something off about Yu Jin. Could it really be because of those short interaction videos they filmed for the show that she was feeling annoyed?

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