The Alpha’s Hidden Marriage, Public Obsession - Chapter 38

For a fleeting moment, Jiang Xue felt the urge to turn around and return Lin Yulan’s embrace, to tell her, “No matter what you’ve done, as long as you explain, I’m willing to believe you.” But that thought lasted only an instant before it was washed away by the weight of everything that had come before.

She couldn’t believe that Lin Yulan would truly change her feelings toward Qu Mengxin in her heart just because of a few words from Xia Ran. Qu Mengxin wasn’t just Lin Yulan’s first love, her white moonlight she was also the Omega Lin Yulan had loved for so many years, finally won over, only to be forced apart. If Lin Yulan could completely alter her opinion of Qu Mengxin based on a few possibly deceitful words from Xia Ran, it would be as absurd as the sun rising from the west.

Naturally, she didn’t believe Ming Zelan’s words either. Jiang Xue would never forget why Ming Zelan had sought her out in the first place. All that so-called “doting” displayed for outsiders was nothing more than Ming Zelan’s compromises for Lin Yulan’s sake this much, Jiang Xue understood perfectly well.

Jiang Xue pried Lin Yulan’s fingers away one by one, freeing herself before slowly turning around. “Lin Yulan, we were in the same class and major for four years in university. For four years, I was isolated by everyone. I’m grateful that you once reached out to me, ensuring I wasn’t completely alone, that I didn’t lose myself in those unbearable days. I’ve always been thankful to you from the bottom of my heart, though I know you don’t need my gratitude. Just like when I finally saved up enough money from part-time jobs to buy you a gift to express my thanks, only for you to turn around and give it to your roommate.”

“Xia Ran was right, I do like you. I’ve liked you for nearly seven years. I thought that if Qu Mengxin didn’t want you anymore, I might have the slightest chance to stand by your side. So when your mother came to me, I agreed without hesitation. But I was wrong. Even without Qu Mengxin, there would always be other Omegas. Anyone but me, just not me.”

“Lin Yulan, do you know? Because my face looks so much like Qu Mengxin’s, I was afraid of misunderstandings afraid others would mistake me for her, afraid Qu Mengxin herself would misunderstand. No matter what I did, I had to keep my distance. Even though we were classmates, I hesitated just to greet you. Even after Qu Mengxin left, I still had to consider whether my actions would affect you. Everyone in class could see that I liked you even the teachers could tell. Only you couldn’t. Is loving someone really this exhausting?”

Lin Yulan felt as though her heart had been pierced by a thousand arrows, the pain so intense she could barely breathe.

Her intuition had been wrong all along. She thought Jiang Xue’s coldness toward her was dislike just like how Jiang Xue disliked other Alphas. Even after she stepped in to help with certain matters, she assumed Jiang Xue might suspect her of ulterior motives. She had even considered herself magnanimous for not holding Jiang Xue’s attitude against her.

But she truly hadn’t expected that Jiang Xue’s cold demeanor was actually out of concern, worried that if she treated her normally, those people at school would gossip behind her back, forcing her to act this way.

However, Lin Yulan genuinely had no idea that the gift Jiang Xue had mentioned earlier was meant for her.

She only remembered coming back to her dorm one day and finding an exquisitely packaged jewelry box on her desk. It happened to be the weekend, and Qu Mengxin had come over from the Omega dorm to visit her…

“Hey, darling, what’s that in your hand? If I’m not mistaken, that’s a Hermès Mini Pop H series enamel pendant necklace, right?”

Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Lin Yulan was familiar with almost every major jewelry brand. Though this Hermès Mini Pop H series wasn’t particularly expensive just a few thousand yuan, if an Alpha gave it to an Omega, the meaning behind it was entirely different.

“Tell me, who sent this?” Lin Yulan was visibly displeased. “Are they blind or deaf? I’ve made it so clear, you’re already taken. The ‘official one’ is standing right here! Do they think I’m dead or something?!”

Qu Mengxin took the necklace out of the box, twirling it in her fingers for a moment. Her expression was unreadable, her thoughts unclear. But hearing Lin Yulan’s anger on her behalf, the corners of her lips finally curled upward. “How should I know who sent it? Some clueless person shoved it into my hands on my way here. I didn’t even want it, but they ran off too fast for me to return it.”

“But you still took it!”

Lin Yulan snatched the necklace from Qu Mengxin’s hand and stuffed it back into the box with disgust. “You brought it back without even knowing who sent it! What if they think you accepted it and start deluding themselves into believing you agreed? They might spread rumors at school about you being gold-digging or two-timing. How are you supposed to hold your head up in front of everyone after that?”

Qu Mengxin stood up from her seat, wrapping her arms around Lin Yulan’s neck and cooing, “But I have you, don’t I? My girlfriend is rich and powerful. If anyone dares to spread lies, I know you’ll stand up for me. Right?”Lin Yulan had been furious about Qu Mengxin accepting a gift from another Alpha, but after this bout of acting cute, her anger completely dissipated.” “Are you… doing this just to mess with me?”

Qu Mengxin knew Lin Yulan had a strong possessive streak. Normally, she wouldn’t even allow an Alpha to be alone with her. Even if they were just friends, Lin Yulan wouldn’t rest easy unless Qu Mengxin reported her whereabouts. This often left Qu Mengxin feeling stifled.

Because of this, the two frequently butted heads. Another issue was Lin Yulan’s utter lack of romance some things had to be spelled out for her to understand. If everything had to be explained so plainly, what was the point of having an Alpha? She might as well stay single.

“If I said yes, would you really be mad at me?”

Upon hearing the displeasure in Qu Mengxin’s tone, Lin Yulan immediately softened. “That’s not what I meant. You know those Alphas have ulterior motives toward you. Last time you mentioned that some senior classmates invited you to karaoke over the weekend, but places like that are sketchy. An Omega going there alone is like a lamb walking into a den of wolves something bad is bound to happen! If they really wanted to hang out properly, they could’ve suggested restaurants, amusement parks, or themed cafes anywhere would do. So why specifically invite you to karaoke?”

Qu Mengxin was instantly annoyed by Lin Yulan’s nagging. Amusement parks and themed cafes were already boring to her, completely devoid of excitement. “They don’t mean it like that! The seniors just invited me to sing, that’s all. Besides, those places aren’t as bad as you make them out to be. It’s just a place to sing, how is it sketchy? Stop assuming the worst about people!”

Lin Yulan frowned at this and grabbed Qu Mengxin’s hand, standing up with her. “How am I assuming the worst? They genuinely have those kinds of intentions! Mengxin, you have to believe me, I’m really good at reading people. One look, one gesture, and I can tell exactly what they’re thinking!”

This wasn’t entirely false. Lin Yulan’s background made her naturally more perceptive in this regard. While it wasn’t as exaggerated as she claimed, she wasn’t far off.

“You can tell what they’re thinking just like that? Then what about that Omega who came to you last time, practically undressing you with her eyes? Why didn’t you think she had ulterior motives?” Qu Mengxin shook off Lin Yulan’s grip. “You’ve always hated me interacting with those Alphas fine, I get it. As an Alpha, you have possessive instincts, and that’s understandable. But what about you? Do you ever try to understand me? At school, you’re always rushing to play the hero for those Omegas. Don’t they have their own Alphas? Can’t they go to a teacher if they’re in trouble? If you’re so eager to be their knight in shining armor, have you ever considered how your girlfriend feels?!”

“But, they really,”

“Really needed your help, right?”

From a young age, Lin Yulan had been taught by Ming Zelan that Omegas had it harder than any other gender in this world. As someone who could one day influence an Omega’s fate, she had a duty to respect them and offer help when needed.

Moreover, since Ming Zelan was also an Omega, even without explicit teachings, Lin Yulan would’ve projected her protective instincts toward Ming Zelan onto other Omegas.

“Mengxin, let me explain. If I don’t help them.”

“I don’t want to hear your justifications!” Qu Mengxin cut her off. “You always have a reason for everything you do, but so do I. I’ve tried to understand you, why can’t you do the same for me?!”

Lin Yulan didn’t want to argue. This wasn’t how she’d intended the conversation to go. “I’m sorry!”

But Qu Mengxin wouldn’t let it go. “Apart from saying sorry, what else can you do? We’ve been together for so long has there ever been a single thing you’ve done to make me happy? Look at other Alphas when their Omegas get upset or unhappy, they’ll do everything they can to cheer them up with sweet words. And you? All you ever do is lecture me or say sorry!”

Lin Yulan retorted, “But last time you were upset, I bought you that Chanel bag, and you didn’t like it either.”

“I already said I like LV!”

“Then I’ll buy you LV this time?”

Qu Mengxin seemed somewhat convinced. Arguing further about this topic was pointless, so she nodded. “Whatever.”

Lin Yulan was overjoyed and planted a kiss on Qu Mengxin’s cheek. “Sweetheart, don’t be mad. It was all my fault just now. I swear I’ll never bring this up again!”

Qu Mengxin wasn’t the type to dwell on things. Arguing about this wasn’t worth it anyway Lin Yulan’s personality wasn’t going to change, and in the end, she’d only be the one getting upset.

“You’d better mean it.”

“I do!”

Lin Yulan glanced at the Hermès jewelry box nearby. “Then I’ll take care of this for you.”

Qu Mengxin seemed thoughtful for a moment before saying, “Give it to your roommate. See if any of them like it. It’d be a waste to just throw it away.”

Lin Yulan: “Okay.”

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