She Pretends to be A, She Pretends to be O - Chapter 7

It was Saturday. The clear afternoon sky had turned ominously overcast by evening.

Before long, torrential rain poured from the heavens, striking the ground with a fierce, rapid rhythm, filling the air with loud, rushing sounds.

Ning Xuechu stood by the window in a thin sweater, lifting the curtain slightly with one hand. Her expression was blank as she watched the storm grow increasingly violent outside.

Suddenly, a luxurious high-end car came into view. A woman of striking elegance stepped out.

Servants who had been waiting nearby immediately rushed forward with umbrellas, ensuring not a single drop of rain touched her.

A flicker of bitter jealousy flashed in Ning Xuechu’s dark eyes.

On rainy days, no one held an umbrella for her. She didn’t even have a proper one, just leaves to shield her head as she sprinted through the downpour.

Sometimes, when her aunt was in a foul mood, she would lock her out in the storm.

Left with no choice, she would huddle under the eaves, shivering as the cold seeped into her bones.

While she suffered alone and helpless, this woman was pampered and surrounded by attendants, enjoying everything that should have been hers.

Ning Xuechu gritted her teeth, her fingers tightening around the curtain, resentment swelling in her chest.

When the woman’s gaze swept toward the window, she instinctively let go and ducked behind the curtain.

Her heart pounded inexplicably. Two minutes later, a knock sounded at the door.

She hurried to the bed, messing up her hair with quick strokes before burrowing under the covers.

“Xuechu, it’s me. I’m coming in,” An Jianqing announced before opening the door.

She scanned the room and strode to the bedside, her heart aching at the sight of the trembling lump beneath the blankets.

She had been working late at the office when the servants informed her that the girl hadn’t left her room all day and skipped dinner. Worried, she rushed home.

Now, seeing this, her fears were confirmed. Softly, she said, “Xuechu, your sister is here. Don’t be afraid.”

Just then, a blinding flash of lightning split the sky outside, followed by a deafening thunderclap.

The figure under the blankets flinched violently, curling even tighter into herself.

An Jianqing’s heart twisted. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she gently tugged at the blanket’s edge and coaxed, “Xuechu, don’t be scared. I’m right here.”

“Sister!” A faint sob came from beneath the covers, fragile as a lost animal’s whimper.

“It’s me,” An Jianqing answered immediately, waiting patiently.

After a long pause, a pair of dark, glistening eyes peeked out drenched in tears, looking utterly abandoned and pitiful.

“Sister, I’m scared!” Ning Xuechu bit her lip, then quickly retreated under the blanket, trembling uncontrollably.

Another loud crack of thunder shook the house.

An Jianqing startled slightly.

Tonight’s storm was relentless, the thunder and lightning enough to unsettle anyone.

“Xuechu, you should eat something. You haven’t had anything all day,” she murmured, lightly stroking the blanket.

At her touch, the girl beneath only grew more agitated, clutching the covers tighter.

“I’m not hungry. I won’t come out. It’s too scary outside.” Ning Xuechu’s voice quivered with fear, muffled by the blanket.

An Jianqing sighed, torn between sympathy and helplessness. “With me here, the lightning won’t hurt you, Xuechu,” she reassured gently.

Ning Xuechu shook her head desperately, the quilt trembling violently along with her movements. “I’m scared.”

Her voice was even more choked with tears than before.

An Jianqing lowered her gaze, pondered for a moment, then wrapped her arms around the person beneath the quilt and asked softly, “Xuechu, do you feel better now?”

The thin quilt carried the warmth of another person, sending a jolt through Ning Xuechu’s heart. She stared blankly, as if stunned.

She hadn’t expected An Jianqing to do something like this.

In her imagination, An Jianqing should have scolded her impatiently so why was she holding her so gently instead?

Feeling the person beneath the quilt gradually calm down, An Jianqing let out a soft laugh.

Her pleasant, soothing voice was like a beautiful melody, capable of dispelling the fear in one’s heart.

Ning Xuechu had to admit this woman’s voice was incredibly soothing, carrying a magical quality that could comfort anyone.

She bit her lip, forcing these inexplicable thoughts away.

“Xuechu, are you still scared?” An Jianqing asked gently, her tone tender.

Hearing this, Ning Xuechu hesitated for a moment before carefully loosening a corner of the quilt and peeking out, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“The rain has stopped. There won’t be any more thunder or lightning,” An Jianqing said with a soft smile, her beautiful eyes brimming with warmth.

Ning Xuechu froze for a moment, as if entranced, before snapping back to reality.

She cautiously turned her head, her wary gaze darting toward the window. After listening carefully for a while and confirming that the rain had indeed stopped, her eyes brightened. “It really has stopped.”

“That’s right. Come on, Xuechu, get up and eat. Otherwise, you’ll go to bed hungry,” An Jianqing coaxed, her eyes filled with affectionate amusement.

Ning Xuechu’s face flushed red. She bit her lip nervously, her gaze flickering before she lowered her head. “Jiejie, I’m sorry for causing you trouble. I’m so cowardly.”

“It’s alright. Xuechu is already very brave. If you ever feel scared again in the future, you must tell me. Don’t keep it bottled up inside,” An Jianqing interrupted gently, stroking the girl’s messy hair.

Hearing the concern in her words, Ning Xuechu’s nose stung, and she nearly burst into tears.

“Now, now, Xuechu is a brave girl. No crying, okay?” An Jianqing chuckled softly, withdrawing her hand and standing up. “I’ll go bring the food over.”

Ning Xuechu sniffled and nodded obediently.

Watching as An Jianqing closed the door behind her, she pinched the bridge of her nose.

Feeling the tears that had slipped down her cheeks, she froze.

Just now, she had actually felt like crying because of An Jianqing’s words.

For a moment, even she couldn’t tell how much of those tears had been real.

Ning Xuechu wiped the tears from her fingertips forcefully, her gaze hardening as if she had never cried at all.

She sat on the bed for a while before the door opened again, the aroma of food filling the air.

Before she could even react, her stomach let out a loud growl.

She hurriedly covered her belly, pressing her lips together and lowering her head in embarrassment.

Seeing the child’s flustered blush, An Jianqing couldn’t help but laugh softly. She brought the food to the bedside and said with a smile, “Xuechu, eat up while it’s still warm.”

“Thank you, jiejie,” Ning Xuechu murmured, blinking rapidly as her face burned.

Having gone hungry all day, Ning Xuechu began eating quickly.

Then, suddenly, she paused, swallowing hard with her lips slightly parted.

“Did you choke?” An Jianqing asked with concern, handing over a cup of warm water.

Ning Xuechu hurriedly took it, her face flushing as she nodded and slowed her chewing.

After dinner, the servants brought fruit and cleared the dishes before leaving.

“Xuechu, take your time. I still have some matters to attend to,” An Jianqing said softly, rising to leave.

As she turned, a force gripped her fingers. She tilted her head and met a pair of tear-filled eyes, silently pleading.

“Sister!” Ning Xuechu called out, standing up anxiously.

As if afraid of being abandoned, she tightly held An Jianqing’s hand and spoke carefully, “Sister, can you stay with me a little longer?”

Hearing this, An Jianqing paused briefly in thought before nodding and sitting back down.

Ning Xuechu followed suit, ignoring the fruit as she stared intently at An Jianqing, her tearful eyes seemingly brimming with unspoken words.

An Jianqing couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “I’m right here. Eat your fruit, I’ll leave after you finish.”

Ning Xuechu widened her eyes, as if in disbelief, and quickly popped a piece of fruit into her mouth.

She chewed while keeping her gaze fixed on An Jianqing, her expression tense, as though fearing deception.

An Jianqing sighed lightly before teasing, “Xuechu, what kind of Alpha do you like? In the future, I’ll help you find one who can protect you. How does that sound?”

At these words, Ning Xuechu shook her head in alarm, urgently grasping An Jianqing’s wrist. “Sister, I don’t want to marry.”

Once she left this household, the Ning family’s wealth would no longer have anything to do with her.

All her efforts and schemes would vanish like bubbles.

“Silly child, Omegas must marry eventually. Wouldn’t it be nice if I helped you find someone you like?” An Jianqing said with a smile, though a trace of sorrow flickered imperceptibly in her gentle eyes.

Ning Xuechu continued shaking her head, her nervousness turning into dread.

Seeing An Jianqing’s resolute attitude, she lowered her head and, after a long silence, whispered, “I like Alphas like you, Sister gentle, caring, protective.”

Her voice grew increasingly urgent and earnest toward the end.

An Jianqing’s heart tightened, her smile faltering momentarily.

Looking at the slender yet strong hand gripping her wrist, she felt a flicker of unease before forcing another smile. “So you like gentle Alphas? I know quite a few like that. I’ll introduce you to them someday.”

Ning Xuechu shook her head again, mustering the courage to lift her gaze. Her bright eyes were firm and serious. “I only like you, Sister.”

“Alright, it’s getting late. I should go back to my room and attend to my work,” An Jianqing interrupted gently but firmly.

With that, she withdrew her hand and left without hesitation.

The door clicked shut. Staring at her empty palm, Ning Xuechu’s eyes gradually turned cold.

An Jianqing was still wary of her, her kindness had all been an illusion.

This woman was eager to marry her off, to remove her from this household.

The reason she treated her so well was simply because she was an Omega, destined to marry out and never compete with Alphas for the family fortune.

She wouldn’t let this woman have her way.

Ning Xuechu clenched her fingers, her expression turning icy.

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