The Alpha’s Hidden Marriage, Public Obsession - Chapter 24

Xia Yin never expected Lin Yulan to think this way and was momentarily taken aback. In her impression, Alphas would go to any lengths to capture the attention of their beloved Omegas. Those who could let go with such ease were few and far between.

However, based on her understanding of Alphas, most of them were hypocrites saying one thing while doing another. Their words always sounded impeccable, but that was only because they hadn’t reached the point where that Omega was absolutely irreplaceable. If it ever came to that, Xia Yin doubted Lin Yulan could still speak so eloquently.

“People’s thoughts are never stable. Just because you think this way now doesn’t mean you’ll feel the same in the future.”

Lin Yulan thought to herself that no matter how her feelings might change, she could never like Jiang Xue. The best place in her heart would always belong to Qu Mengxin. Doing something like settling for a substitute was beneath her, it wouldn’t be fair to anyone.

Because of this, Lin Yulan was especially confident in herself, firmly believing that the scenario Xia Yin described would never happen.

“I can’t speak for others, and even if I knew, it’s none of my business. But I can tell you with absolute certainty that my stance on this matter will never change.”

Lin Yulan glanced at the time and didn’t want to dwell on this topic any longer with Xia Yin. Besides, it was already too late whether she liked Jiang Xue or not, they were now legally married. Arguing over hypotheticals was no different from worrying needlessly.

“Since Jiang Xue isn’t at school, I’ll take my leave. Could you move your hand, please? Otherwise, people might think I’m bullying you.”

Xia Yin didn’t immediately withdraw her hand. Though she didn’t know why Lin Yulan had come looking for Jiang Xue, if they were truly old classmates, they should have each other’s contact information. Even if they hadn’t spoken in years, there would still be class groups or QQ groups, it wasn’t like she couldn’t reach out digitally.

Under these circumstances, there was only one possibility: this person’s contact information had been completely blocked, making it impossible to reach them online, hence the need to seek them out in person.

But Xia Yin knew Jiang Xue. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t go to such extremes. Omegas were polite, knew their boundaries, and treated everyone with kindness. No matter how angry she was or how poorly someone treated her, she would never cut ties so decisively.

Unless what this person had done was truly unforgivable.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Xia Yin didn’t dare dwell on it further. The more she looked at Lin Yulan’s smiling face, the more she felt an indescribable mix of disgust and jealousy.

“What exactly do you want? Not letting me leave?” Lin Yulan said irritably. “Seriously, how many times do I have to say it for you to believe me? If you keep harassing me like this, I’m calling the police!”

Xia Yin wasn’t fazed by the threat. Her hand remained firmly planted on the car window, unmoving. Still, she had no intention of dragging this out. With a cold tone, she said, “I hope those vows you just made aren’t just empty words.”

Lin Yulan got goosebumps from her tone not out of fear, given the Lin family’s untouchable status in the capital, but more from a creeping sense of guilt.

Simultaneously, she couldn’t help but resent Jiang Xue. Why had she secretly married someone with this kind of temperament? Didn’t she know you couldn’t reason with a madwoman?

Or was it precisely because Jiang Xue knew what kind of person her Alpha was that she’d gone to such lengths to escape?

Could it be… this female Alpha had abused Jiang Xue?

If that were the case, then Jiang Xue’s determination to marry her, even at the cost of being hated for life claiming it wasn’t for the Lin family’s status or wealth would finally make sense!

Lin Yulan swallowed hard, cautiously studying the woman before her. She was undeniably beautiful (though not quite as striking as herself), with flawless features and perfect proportions. The only drawback was the sheer aggression radiating from her face.

Especially when she fixed that piercing stare on someone it felt like she was ready to devour them alive.

That look alone made it clear she was the type to resort to violence without hesitation.

“Are you… threatening me?”

Xia Yin removed her hand from the car window but didn’t answer. Instead, she regarded Lin Yulan with an inscrutable gaze before replying, “I just hope you’ll take responsibility for your words. That’s all.”

Despite the measured tone, Lin Yulan could still feel the hostility rolling off her in waves, confirming this wasn’t just a warning, it was a genuine threat.

It made her worry: Had Jiang Xue suffered abuse from this Alpha before their marriage? If the Alpha later discovered Jiang Xue had secretly wed her, an act of betrayal, would it provoke a violent, even life-threatening reaction?

The thought wiped the smile right off Lin Yulan’s face.

Distraught, she left the school and immediately called Xia Ran.

“Sweetie, what are you up to? Got time to help me look into something?”

Xia Ran, mid-sip of coffee, nearly choked. “Didn’t I tell you? You’re a married woman now, stop calling me that! If Jiang Xue hears, she might think we’re having some shady affair!”

“Fine, fine, I’ll use your name next time,” Lin Yulan snapped impatiently. “Just tell me if you’re free to check something out for me.”

“Knew it.”

“Knew what?”

Xia Ran sighed. “That you’d only call if you needed a favor! What is it this time? Actually, why not just ask your parents? Your family’s connections are way better than mine. Whatever you need, isn’t it just a word from the great Miss Lin?”

Lin Yulan certainly knew, but she hadn’t fully investigated whether there was any truth to the matter yet. If she directly sought help from her family and it turned out to be a misunderstanding, things could become very complicated.

“Why say so much? Just answer me, are you going to help or not?”

Xia Ran sighed, unable to refuse her. “Fine, fine, I’ll help. So, what exactly do you want me to investigate?”

Lin Yulan hesitated for a long moment before finally asking, “I just wanted to ask you… back when we were in school, did you know where Jiang Xue lived?”

Xia Ran was taken aback. This was the first time Lin Yulan had ever proactively brought up Jiang Xue in front of her and not to complain, no less. It was practically a miracle.

“Why are you suddenly asking me that? As her Alpha, you don’t even know where Jiang Xue lives?” Then, realization dawned on her. “Wait… don’t tell me Jiang Xue’s parents still don’t know about your marriage?”

Lin Yulan stayed silent, tacitly confirming it.

This surprised Xia Ran. She could understand Lin Yulan not telling Jiang Xue’s parents after all, Lin Yulan had never liked Jiang Xue and didn’t want too many people to know about their marriage, which was why she had made the unreasonable demand to Ming Zelan of skipping the wedding altogether. But for Jiang Xue not to have told her own family? That was unexpected.

“She didn’t even tell her family about something as important as marriage, and now you’re calling me to ask for her address… Don’t tell me Jiang Xue is—”

Lin Yulan cut her off before she could finish. “It’s not as dramatic as you think. That’s not why I’m asking you… Enough talk. Do you know where she lives or not?”

Xia Ran wasn’t actually that close to Jiang Xue. Though they were classmates, they only ever exchanged greetings when Lin Yulan was around. “Hold on, I’ll look it up for you right now.”

About ten minutes later.

Lin Yulan received the address Xia Ran sent, a high-end apartment within the city’s Second Ring Road.

Properties within the Third Ring Road were already beyond the means of ordinary people, let alone a luxury apartment like this.

“Her family is that rich?” Lin Yulan couldn’t hide her disbelief over the phone. “If they’re so well-off, why would she insist on marrying an Alpha who doesn’t love her? Isn’t that just asking for misery?”

Or was it that the richer people were, the more they craved wealth?

But Jiang Xue’s attitude toward her in the bedroom this morning clearly didn’t suggest that.

Then Xia Ran said, “Isn’t it obvious? The wealth and status of your family, Young Miss Lin, are worth far more than that luxury apartment. Don’t you remember? Even back in school, as soon as people heard you were the eldest daughter of the Lin family, didn’t they all swarm over trying to be your partner? Did they actually want to be with you? No, they were after your family’s fortune!”

At the mention of this, Lin Yulan broke out in goosebumps. Back then, she had received piles of love letters some from Omegas and Betas, which she could tolerate. After all, who didn’t like sweet, adorable Omegas and Betas?

But damn it, there were even Alphas! Their letters were disgustingly saccharine, filled with all kinds of creepy, over-the-top declarations that nearly made her vomit.

If it weren’t for her principle of never causing trouble for her family while at school, she would have definitely made those Alphas understand why flowers bloom so red!

“Could you please stop bringing this up? I’m about to vomit the breakfast I just ate because of how disgusting this is. Don’t you know…”

Lin Yulan’s words trailed off as her car arrived. Looking up, she saw Jiang Xue standing motionless at the apartment entrance with an extremely odd expression, making no move to enter and just standing there with her head bowed as if struggling to endure something.

Jiang Xue hadn’t gone to her tutoring job today?

But why would she stop at the entrance without going in?

Without overthinking it, Lin Yulan rolled down the car window and, almost involuntarily, called out: “Jiang Xue.”

Jiang Xue thought she must be hearing things, how could she possibly be hearing Lin Yulan call her name? Even if Lin Yulan knew where she lived, why would she come looking for her? It had to be her imagination.

Lin Yulan: “…”

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