The Crematorium of the Top Omega Chasing After Alpha - Chapter 10

Song Qingpei, who had been used and then cast aside, cursed herself ten thousand times in her heart.

Pathetic.

She had actually become flustered and emotionally stirred just because Ming Yu kissed her. She was utterly, shamelessly pathetic. Being this pathetic, who else would bully her if not you?

She sank into deep self-loathing. Even returning to her room and seeing her daughter’s sweet, sleeping face failed to calm her heart. Instead, it only made her more restless and anxious.

A faint premonition told her that this was only the beginning, and more troubles awaited her.

Song Qingpei lay awake all night, unable to sleep.

Just as she finally began to drift off in the early morning, a knock at the door startled her awake. Struggling to open her eyes, she saw that Song Song had also just woken up and was snuggling against her, whimpering and rubbing her face.

She had no choice but to gently peel Song Song off, suppressing her exhaustion as she went to answer the door.

Outside stood a young maid in uniform, who politely said, “Miss Song, breakfast is ready. Miss Ming Yu asked me to fetch you and the little miss to come down and eat.”

“No need, I’m not hungry.”

With that, she was about to close the door and go back to catch up on sleep.

But the maid stopped her, repeating politely, “I’m sorry, Miss Ming Yu’s orders—the little miss must come down to eat on time.”

Already exhausted and irritable, Song Qingpei couldn’t hold back her anger. “I’m not hungry right now and don’t want to eat. Just go back and tell Ming Yu that.” The moment she said it, she regretted it. She shouldn’t have taken her frustration out on others.

But the maid acted as if she hadn’t heard, mechanically repeating the same words: “Miss Song, Miss Ming Yu’s orders, the little miss must come down to eat on time.”

“I said I don’t want to eat now.”

Her voice suddenly rose, but before she could finish, Steward Su, who had heard the commotion, arrived and interrupted.

“Miss Song, you may choose not to eat, but the little miss must have her meals on time. This is Miss Ming Yu’s directive. Starting today, the little miss must begin adapting to her new life.”

A deep sense of powerlessness washed over Song Qingpei, gradually turning into anger. But there was no outlet for her rage after all, this was Ming Yu’s territory, and she had no right to resist.

In the end, she couldn’t bear the thought of letting Song Song face this unfamiliar life alone. Dragging her weary body, Song Qingpei went back inside, got Song Song ready, and carried her out the door.

Outside, Steward Su and the maid were still waiting respectfully, their presence stifling.

Thinking about the cold, unfeeling environment Song Song would have to grow up in, Song Qingpei couldn’t help but worry, afraid her daughter would develop the same self-centered, inconsiderate personality as Ming Yu.

Holding Song Song, she went downstairs, passed through the long corridor and the main hall, and arrived at the dining room.

The dining room was vast, with a table over two meters long already laden with more than a dozen dishes. Maids were still bringing out more food. Seated at the table, Ming Yu quietly ate from her plate, not even bothering to glance up.

It wasn’t until she saw Song Song that a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips.

Still fuming over what had happened the night before, Song Qingpei pretended not to see her and carried Song Song toward the table. A maid promptly pulled out a chair for her.

Out of habit, she said, “Thank you.”

Ming Yu lifted her eyes and glanced at her, saying indifferently, “No need to thank them. It’s their job.”

Song Qingpei paused, retorting, “It’s basic courtesy.”

“Then I’m afraid your courtesy won’t be enough to go around.”

At first, Song Qingpei thought Ming Yu was mocking her, until the maid standing nearby meticulously set the tableware for her and her daughter, folded the napkins, and began serving food according to nutritional proportions—attending to every detail with utmost care.

Song Qingpei: “…”

Only then did she realize, upon seeing the scene unfold, that Ming Yu was merely stating a fact.

Yet, even so, the starkly hierarchical lifestyle felt deeply uncomfortable to her, given her humble upbringing. Before the meal even began, she felt immense pressure, and the food seemed to lose its flavor under the strain.

Song Song, being young, showed no restraint but was brimming with curiosity instead.

She waved her little hands, now wanting to try this, now wanting a taste of that.

When she tasted something particularly delicious, she would dance with joy, exclaiming, “Mama, you try this, so yummy.”

“This shrimp is so good too.”

“So tasty~”

Song Qingpei couldn’t help but laugh, engaging with her daughter and occasionally taking a bite or two of the food Song Song offered.

By the end of the meal, she didn’t even need to serve herself—Song Song would taste something and immediately pass it to her, the two of them moving in perfect sync.

Across the table, however, Ming Yu’s expression grew increasingly stern, her brows furrowed coldly as if she had reached her limit. She finally uttered, “No talking during meals.”

Song Song, her cheeks stuffed with food, asked cheerfully, “Mommy, what did you say?”

“Eat more,” Song Qingpei replied, wiping the corner of Song Song’s mouth before turning to Ming Yu to explain, “Song Song is still young; it’s normal for her to be lively.”

“She’s already three and a half. She must learn basic table manners.”

“Song Song has never lived in an environment like this before. You need to give her time to adjust.”

“And what led to this situation in the first place?” Ming Yu retorted, looking at her with a mocking laugh.

Seeing that Ming Yu was bringing up old grievances again, Song Qingpei wisely avoided entanglement and instead tried to reason with her: “I know you’re holding onto resentment, but don’t take it out on the child.”

“I’m not taking it out on her.”

Ming Yu’s expression turned serious, and she explained with rare patience, “Song Qingpei, there are only two weeks left until kindergarten starts. Song Song must learn all the necessary skills within this time, or she’ll struggle to fit in and might even face exclusion. What will you do then?”

Song Qingpei was taken aback.

She hadn’t considered this issue, and she was even more surprised that Ming Yu had thought so carefully about it. She had to admit it was a very real concern.

Her next words, therefore, carried less conviction: “I admit you have a point, but this isn’t something that can be achieved overnight. Song Song needs time.”

“But she doesn’t have time,” Ming Yu pointed out bluntly.

Song Qingpei protested anxiously, “But…”

“No buts.”

Ming Yu’s patience lasted only a moment before she declared firmly, “I’ve already arranged an etiquette tutor for Song Song. Starting today, she will be taught by a specialized teacher. During this period, I expect you to cooperate fully and not be a hindrance.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Song Qingpei felt too powerless to refuse and recognized that Ming Yu genuinely had Song Song’s best interests at heart.

Meanwhile, Song Song, blissfully enjoying her meal, remained completely unaware of the tension between the two adults. She continued offering Song Qingpei a half-eaten piece of food, only to be sternly stopped by Ming Yu: “Song Song, it’s impolite to give others food you’ve already bitten.”

“But, teacher said we should share.” Song Song blinked her big eyes, looking puzzled as she glanced at Song Qingpei. “Right, Mommy?”

Song Qingpei: “……”

Faced with this question, she chose to pass it to the instigator, signaling to Song Song: “Ask your mama.”

“Mama?”

Song Song’s voice was soft and childlike as she continued to blink her confused eyes at Ming Yu.

Ming Yu remained unfazed and explained seriously, “You shouldn’t share something you’ve already bitten. Instead, give others a new one, understand?”

“Oh.”

Song Song seemed to accept this explanation with a dazed expression.

But not long after, she still went ahead and offered the dumpling she had just taken a bite of, saying, “Mama, this is really yummy. Do you wanna eat it?”

Sigh, she just doesn’t learn.

Song Qingpei quickly reached out to stop her, but to her surprise, Ming Yu leaned forward without hesitation and took a bite of the half-eaten dumpling, chewing calmly with a faint smile before swallowing.

This surreal scene left Song Qingpei utterly bewildered, and she couldn’t help but suspect that Ming Yu was taking advantage of the situation out of personal spite perhaps all that righteous lecturing earlier was just because Song Song hadn’t offered her any food, jealous of the mother-daughter bond.

She couldn’t resist a sarcastic chuckle: “Hah, don’t be such a hypocrite.”

Ming Yu remained completely unfazed by her jab.

She even amended the rule, earnestly explaining to Song Song once more that only very close people could share the same food and of course, she naturally included herself in that category of “very close people.”

Song Qingpei: “……”

Song Song nodded with a mix of understanding and confusion, then fed Ming Yu another bite. Unsurprisingly, Ming Yu ate it calmly again and patted Song Song’s little head with a smile.

Just as the two were enjoying themselves, Ming Yu’s phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at it, and the smile on her face instantly turned cold, her mood visibly souring.

Seeing this, Song Qingpei tactfully picked up Song Song.

“Let Song Song finish her meal, then start the lesson.”

After instructing Steward Su, Ming Yu answered the phone and stood up. Since they were close, Song Qingpei could faintly overhear parts of the conversation.

“A-Yu, why didn’t you tell me you were back?”

“Busy, didn’t have time.”

“Alright, I know you’re busy. But you’re not getting any younger you can’t keep putting off marriage. Aunt Song’s daughter happens to be back in town. Come over for dinner tonight so you two can meet and get to know each other.”

“I know…”

As Ming Yu walked further away, her voice gradually faded.

Song Qingpei froze.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered the possibility of Ming Yu finding another Alpha to marry, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon and for Ming Yu to discuss it so openly in front of her and their daughter.

For a moment, she couldn’t quite pinpoint what she was feeling.

But a deeper worry settled in: What if Ming Yu really found a stepmother for Song Song now?

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