The Crematorium of the Top Omega Chasing After Alpha - Chapter 22

After slapping her, Song Qingpei was also startled.

Given Ming Yu’s status and position, it would be as easy as crushing an ant for her to kill Song Qingpei in a fit of rage.

Though she was fully aware of the disparity between them and had repeatedly reminded herself to endure, she ultimately failed to hold back. Perhaps deep down, she still believed they were equals, instinctively resisting the gap between them.

Watching the distinct red handprint gradually emerge on Ming Yu’s cheek, Song Qingpei’s gaze grew complicated. She wanted to say something but suddenly felt the grip on her shoulder tighten sharply, causing her to gasp in pain.

Ming Yu, having regained her senses, stared at her intently and enunciated each word, “You. Hit. Me!”

Her tone was dangerously low, as if squeezed through gritted teeth.

That condescending tone and shocked attitude only highlighted her arrogance, as if being slapped was some earth-shattering catastrophe.

But what about her? Was she supposed to just accept being slapped out of the blue?

Forced to look up and meet Ming Yu’s gaze, Song Qingpei calmly retorted, “You can hit me, so why can’t I hit you?”

“You!” Ming Yu trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words.

As if stunned by Song Qingpei’s attitude, the fury in her eyes flickered, bright then dim, as if she were caught in some inner turmoil.

“What about me?”

Under Song Qingpei’s pressing, Ming Yu fell silent instead.

Song Qingpei was utterly tired of this inexplicable attitude. If possible, she would rather they have a serious conversation. If they could resolve the issue, that would be best; if not, at least she could put her hopes for communication to rest once and for all.

This time, instead of avoiding it, she actively met Ming Yu’s gaze and said earnestly, “Ming Yu, don’t wake Song Song. Let go of me, and let’s talk outside.”

Ming Yu stared at her intently but did not release her grip.

Song Qingpei frowned slightly, her expression disapproving.

The two engaged in a silent tug-of-war.

Finally, Ming Yu averted her gaze, slowly released Song Qingpei’s shoulder, stood up weakly, and turned to walk toward the door.

Song Qingpei rose and followed her.

They went downstairs one after the other, with Ming Yu heading straight to the living room sofa to sit down.

Song Qingpei sat opposite her, lowered her eyes, and said in a somber tone, “Do you want to speak first, or should I?”

“…” Ming Yu looked up, her gaze complex as she regarded Song Qingpei.

Song Qingpei was thoroughly fed up with her silence and said impatiently, “If you won’t speak, then I will.”

“…”

Ming Yu remained silent once more.

Song Qingpei gathered her thoughts and spoke slowly, “Ming Yu, I know you look down on me and feel that my existence is an insult to you. But what’s done is done, and I hope you can view this matter fairly.”

“This isn’t my fault. It’s just fate playing tricks.”

“Whether you believe me or not, I can only assure you that I will never use Song Song to achieve any goals, nor will I covet your power or status. I only want to accompany Song Song as she grows up, nothing more.”

Word by word, her tone was sincere and candid.

It was as if she had laid bare her innermost thoughts, dissected and broken them down, presenting everything before Ming Yu. She only hoped Ming Yu would listen to her words, even if just a little, so that for Song Song’s sake, the two of them could coexist with some degree of peace.

Ming Yu pursed her lips, her gaze still complex as she looked at Song Qingpei, seemingly pondering how much truth lay in her words.

Seeing her prolonged silence, Song Qingpei felt a pang of disappointment, thinking she still didn’t believe her.

After a moment of silence, Song Qingpei said dejectedly, “If you don’t believe me.”

“I do.”

Ming Yu suddenly interrupted her. After a brief pause, she murmured, “I’m just wondering why you’ve suddenly become so, bold? You weren’t like this before.”

She hesitated, using the word “bold” to describe it, but immediately felt it wasn’t quite appropriate, though she couldn’t find a better term. After all, when she first found Song Qingpei, she had been meek and submissive, easily controlled. How could she have changed so drastically in such a short time?

This question had troubled her for far too long. She pondered it every day but could never find an answer.

That was why she had always suspected that it might be because of Murong Ruixue, which had led her to act so uncontrollably. Of course, she couldn’t explain the reason to Song Qingpei and could only ask vaguely.

“Because I’m also a person, and I can’t obey you like a dog.”

Song Qingpei lowered her gaze and let out a mocking laugh. “I once thought I could set aside my dignity for Song Song, endure humiliation, and obey you like a dog. But, I found I couldn’t do it. I’m a person. I have my own pride, and I can feel heartbreak, anger, and resentment.”

She wasn’t lying. After speaking her mind, she felt somewhat relieved, though the pain still lingered.

“…”

Ming Yu remained silent, her expression unreadable.

Song Qingpei looked at her and chuckled softly, “If you want me to obey you like a dog, I’m sorry, I can’t do it.”

Ming Yu was stunned, staring at her blankly as if unable to believe her ears.

Her heart tightened sharply, and her voice trembled, “That’s not what I meant.”

A hint of mockery curled at the corner of Song Qingpei’s lips. “Then, tell me, have you ever shown me even the slightest bit of respect? Haven’t you always regarded our past as a disgrace?”

“I…” Ming Yu was at a loss for words.

She wanted to deny it, but she disdained lying and could only remain silent.

Even though she had long known the truth, Ming Yu’s silent admission still made Song Qingpei’s heart contract violently, as if she had been stabbed.

She let out a bitter laugh. “Ming Yu, I can understand that you want to erase the past because of your status. I know we’re worlds apart, and I’m not worthy of you. But I’ve really tried my best tried to make Song Song proud of me. I hope you can understand and please don’t push me anymore.”

“…”

Ming Yu continued to stay silent. A dull ache spread through her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.

Enough had been said. She didn’t want to humble herself any further, nor did she want to argue with Ming Yu about anything else. She stood up and said, “Ming Yu, I don’t expect us to be friends. Even if it’s just for appearances, for Song Song’s sake.”

“Alright.” After a long pause, Ming Yu uttered the word with difficulty.

Song Qingpei breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

With that, she stood up and turned to leave.

Halfway out, she paused and looked back at Ming Yu. “I’m sorry for today. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. It won’t happen again.”

Then she turned and left.

Ming Yu sat alone on the sofa, unmoving for a long time.

Just as Song Qingpei reached the end of the staircase and was about to turn the corner, Ming Yu suddenly stood up and uttered a long-unheard, hoarse apology: “I’m sorry. We’re even now.”

Hearing this, Song Qingpei paused mid-step, feeling both annoyed and amused.

Typical Ming Yu, even an apology sounds unpleasant.

She didn’t dwell on the incident. Believing they had reached an understanding, Song Qingpei felt a weight lift from her heart. Content, she held Song Song close and drifted off to sleep.

On the other hand, Ming Yu found sleep elusive.

Song Qingpei’s words echoed in her mind like a curse, stirring up an undeniable sense of defeat. She didn’t know how to describe the feeling sour and astringent, as if something had been fermenting in her chest over time, growing more intense with each passing moment. She was unwilling, even afraid, to dwell on it. Tossing and turning all night, her mind was filled with Song Qingpei’s disappointed accusations.

The next day, Ming Yu trudged downstairs, listless, only to be greeted by the familiar sound of laughter.

Mother and daughter were seated at the dining table, with Song Qingpei feeding Song Song porridge. The laughter stopped abruptly when they noticed Ming Yu.

“Mommy’s here! Put it down, I’ll feed myself,” Song Song whispered to Song Qingpei, blinking meaningfully. Amused yet helpless, Song Qingpei complied, placing the bowl in front of her.

Once the clumsy “act” was in place, Song Song called out sweetly, “Mommy~”

“Good morning, Song Song,” Ming Yu replied with a strained smile, taking a seat opposite them.

A maid promptly served Ming Yu breakfast, but she had no appetite. Her gaze lingered on Song Song, watching her eat.

Noticing Ming Yu’s stare, Song Song looked up, about to speak, when she caught sight of the distinct red mark on her mother’s face. Her little face froze for a moment before she asked, heart aching, “Mommy, did someone hurt you?”

Ming Yu was taken aback. “What?”

Song Song reached out with her small hand and gently touched Ming Yu’s cheek. “Does it hurt, Mommy?”

Ming Yu softly stroked Song Song’s head. “It doesn’t hurt.”

“Mommy, let me blow on it for you.”

“Okay.”

Ming Yu closed her eyes, allowing Song Song’s fingers to gently caress her face. A strange, unprecedented warmth began to bloom in her chest.

Watching their intimate exchange, Song Qingpei felt a mix of complicated emotions.

Then, cupping Ming Yu’s face in her hands, Song Song asked in her childish voice, “Mommy, who hit you? Let Mama help you get revenge. Mama is really strong!”

Ming Yu didn’t respond, merely casting a sidelong glance at Song Qingpei.

Embarrassed, Song Qingpei coughed lightly. “Song Song, finish your porridge quickly. You have class soon.”

“Okay!”

As Song Song picked up her spoon, Song Qingpei added, “Eat slowly. Don’t choke.”

“Okay,” Song Song replied obediently, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

Setting down her chopsticks, Song Qingpei glanced at Ming Yu across the table. “I’m done eating. I’ll head to work now.”

“Wait,” Ming Yu called out.

Song Qingpei halted. “Is there something else?”

Ming Yu met her gaze and explained, “Song Song starts school tomorrow. There’s a welcome ceremony for the new term. Will you go?”

Remembering her earlier “promise,” Song Qingpei felt conflicted. Of course, she wanted to go.

Ming Yu didn’t want others to know of her existence, but Song Song was still young and would surely call her “Mom” when the time came. If she went, it would likely cause complications.

Seeing her remain silent, Ming Yu assumed she didn’t want to go, and her expression visibly darkened.

“Are you really so busy that you don’t even have a little time?”

“Of course, I have time,” Song Qingpei instinctively retorted. “I’m just worried that if Song Song calls me ‘Mom,’ it’ll be hard to explain.”

Her words made Ming Yu’s breath catch. Recalling her previous warning to Song Qingpei, Ming Yu’s face flushed, then paled.

Pursing her lips, she said with noticeable awkwardness, “You can go. There’s no need to worry too much about such trivial matters.”

Hearing this, Song Qingpei looked at her in surprise and repeated incredulously, “Really?”

Ming Yu didn’t respond.

Recognizing her concession, Song Qingpei immediately said, “Alright then, I’ll take time off tomorrow to take Song Song to school.”

“…Whatever.”

Ming Yu disliked her distrustful expression and said irritably, “Go if you want. It has nothing to do with me. I’ll go too if I’m free tomorrow.”

“Fine, I understand.”

“Hmm.”

“Then I’m off to work.”

Watching her retreating figure, Ming Yu felt an inexplicable emptiness in her heart.

Was this how they would interact from now on?

Suddenly, memories of the past began to resurface.

Back when they were together, Song Qingpei would cook for her herself, chattering endlessly about all sorts of things, never seeming to tire even when Ming Yu rarely responded. Not like now, where she kept her distance, wearing a mask of pretense, and even that pretense felt half-hearted.

But now, everything had changed.

Ming Yu shook her head, took a deep breath, and suppressed the inexplicable emotion in her heart.

She scooped up spoonfuls of porridge and brought them to her mouth, but she couldn’t taste anything. It felt like chewing wax, and her mood plummeted.

A strong sense of unwillingness rose in her heart, growing more intense, burning relentlessly.

She wanted to hold on.

Ming Yu froze abruptly.

Hold on? What did she want to hold on to?

An undeniable truth became increasingly clear, leaving her no room to escape any longer.

It seemed she had feelings for Song Qingpei.

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