The Crematorium of the Top Omega Chasing After Alpha - Chapter 23.3

She picked up her communicator and dialed a number. “There’s been a change of plans. Song Qingpei refuses to cooperate. Activate the backup plan. I want Ming Yu utterly ruined!”

A low voice responded from the other end, “Understood.”

Zhan Nansheng hung up, a cold smile curling her lips. “Ming Yu, Song Qingpei, you will pay for your arrogance today. This is only the beginning.”

Stepping out of the villa, Song Qingpei took a deep breath. The chilly night air helped clear her mind slightly.

She knew she had thoroughly offended Zhan Nansheng today, and the days ahead might become even more difficult.

But she had no regrets about her choice. Whether for Song Song’s sake or her own principles, she could never cooperate with someone like Zhan Nansheng.

She took out her communicator, hesitated for a moment, and finally dialed Ming Yu’s number.

After a few rings, Ming Yu’s voice came through, tinged with exhaustion and tension. “Qingpei? Where are you? I tried calling you, but I couldn’t get through.”

It was the first time Ming Yu had addressed her so informally. Song Qingpei paused briefly before replying softly, “Ming Yu, I just met with Zhan Nansheng.”

There was a noticeable pause on the other end, followed by Ming Yu’s anxious voice. “What did she want? Are you alright?”

Song Qingpei hesitated, then answered truthfully, “She wanted me to slander you in the media and said she’d agree to any of my conditions. I’ve already refused.”

Ming Yu was silent for a few seconds, her tone carrying a complex mix of emotions. “Thank you. I’ll handle this matter. Don’t worry.”

Song Qingpei shook her head, even though Ming Yu couldn’t see it. “I didn’t refuse her for your sake. I just don’t want to become a despicable person. Ming Yu, I hope you can resolve this quickly. I don’t want Song Song to be affected in any way.”

Ming Yu’s voice was low but firm. “I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you and Song Song. Send me your location. I’ll come pick you up now.”

“There’s no need. I can make my way back. You should stay home with Song Song.”

But no matter how much Song Qingpei insisted, Ming Yu was adamant about coming to get her. Left with no choice, Song Qingpei sent her the location.

“Wait somewhere with people around. I’ll be there soon,” Ming Yu instructed.

Song Qingpei didn’t say anything more, merely giving a soft “Mm” before ending the call.

She looked up at the night sky, her heart filled with a tumult of emotions.

She knew her relationship with Ming Yu could never return to what it once was, but for Songsong’s sake, they had to cooperate and face everything together. Fortunately, Ming Yu’s attitude seemed to have softened considerably.

Yet she couldn’t understand why Ming Yu had suddenly changed.

Before long, Ming Yu personally came to pick up Song Qingpei. During the drive, she kept glancing sideways at Song Qingpei, her eyes carrying a trace of barely perceptible concern.

“Did Zhan Nansheng do anything to you?” Ming Yu finally asked, her voice tense.

Song Qingpei shook her head calmly. “No, she just tried to persuade me to cooperate, but I refused.”

Ming Yu breathed a sigh of relief, though her brows remained furrowed. “She won’t give up easily. You need to be careful these days and try not to go out alone.”

Song Qingpei nodded without saying more.

She gazed out the window at the city lights glittering in the night, feeling a wave of weariness wash over her.

When they returned home, Songsong had grown impatient waiting. Seeing them arrive together, she immediately rushed over, excitedly grabbing their hands. “Mommy, Mama, you’re finally back! Let’s play a game together!”

Ming Yu smiled, crouching down to pat Songsong’s head. “Sure, what do you want to play?”

Songsong’s eyes lit up as she pulled them toward the sofa. “Let’s do a puzzle! I just got a new one, and it’s really hard!”

Watching Songsong’s excited expression, Song Qingpei felt herself relax a little. She sat beside Songsong and said softly, “Alright, let’s work on it together.”

The three of them gathered around the coffee table and began assembling the puzzle. Ming Yu occasionally looked up at Song Qingpei, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She seemed to want to say something, but each time the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back.

Time passed gradually, and Songsong’s puzzle slowly took shape. Ming Yu showed no intention of leaving, remaining seated beside Song Qingpei and occasionally striking up conversation.

“How was work today?”Ming Yu suddenly asked, her tone tentative.”

Song Qingpei paused briefly before replying indifferently, “Fine, nothing special.”

Ming Yu nodded, seeming to want to say more but ultimately staying silent as she continued working on the puzzle.

Songsong yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Mommy, Mama, I’m getting sleepy.”

Song Qingpei checked the time, it was nearly Songsong’s bedtime. She said gently, “Let’s go wash up and get ready for bed then.”

“Mama, I want to sleep with you~” Songsong pleaded sweetly.

Still affected by the day’s events, Song Qingpei couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She nodded and helped Songsong up, preparing to return to the bedroom. Unexpectedly, Ming Yu stood up too, clearly intending to follow them.

Song Qingpei glanced at her, a note of confusion in her voice. “Aren’t you going back to rest?”

Ming Yu smiled lightly. “No hurry, I’ll stay with Songsong a bit longer.”

Song Qingpei frowned, feeling puzzled. She looked at Songsong, then at Ming Yu, but ultimately said nothing more as she took Songsong to wash up.

After finishing their bedtime routine, Songsong lay in bed, her eyes already struggling to stay open.

Ming Yu sat by the bedside, gently patting Songsong’s back. “Songsong, do you want Mommy to stay with you?”

Songsong nodded drowsily, her voice soft and sweet. “Yes! Mommy stay with me.”

Song Qingpei stood to the side, her heart growing even more puzzled.

She glanced at Ming Yu, her tone carrying a hint of probing: “Are you planning to sleep here tonight?”

Ming Yu nodded, her tone natural: “Song Song wants me to stay with her.”

Song Qingpei was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.

She looked at Song Song, then at Ming Yu, and could only nod helplessly in the end: “Well, alright.”

The three of them lay on the bed once more, with Song Song nestled in the middle, quickly falling asleep.

Song Qingpei lay uncomfortably on her side. Though she knew Ming Yu would leave once Song Song was asleep, her heart was still filled with confusion and bewilderment. Ming Yu had been acting far too unusual these past few days.

Even though she had deliberately ignored Ming Yu, she couldn’t help but notice her attentiveness.

After thinking for a long time, she could only describe it with that word. And it wasn’t the same kind of deliberate flattery she had used to win over Song Song before; it seemed as though Ming Yu was trying to please her. At first, she hadn’t dared to believe it, but after several days of such obvious behavior, it was impossible to ignore.

Even if Ming Yu wanted to gain Song Song’s favor, there was no need for her attitude to suddenly become so attentive so much so that it reminded Song Qingpei of the saying: “Unwarranted kindness hides evil intentions.”

But no matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn’t understand why the usually proud Ming Yu would act this way.

What did she have that Ming Yu could possibly want?

In a flash, a terrifying yet plausible thought crossed her mind. Her face flushed and then paled, and she nearly jumped up in anger.

Suppressing her rage, she turned her head toward Ming Yu and noticed that she wasn’t asleep either, her eyes wide open as she stared at the ceiling.

It seemed she had no intention of leaving at all.

“Ming Yu,” Song Qingpei looked at her, her voice lowered to a whisper, “Aren’t you going back to rest?”

Ming Yu glanced at her, her eyes evasive, “I’ll stay a little longer with Song Song.”

What was there to look at in a sleeping child? Her clumsy lie almost confirmed Song Qingpei’s suspicions.

Song Qingpei finally couldn’t take it anymore and, suppressing her anger, said, “Are you approaching your heat cycle?”

Ming Yu was taken aback, lifting her gaze to meet Song Qingpei’s, a trace of surprise in her eyes: “Why would you ask that?”

Song Qingpei frowned, her tone filled with caution: “Your attitude lately has been a bit strange. If your heat cycle is coming, you should see a doctor in advance. Don’t wait until it happens again, I won’t agree to it anymore.”

Before she could finish, Ming Yu’s face suddenly turned bright red.

She sat up abruptly, her voice tinged with anger: “Song Qingpei, is that how you see me?”

Could it be that all her gestures of goodwill were seen as clumsy attempts with ulterior motives? In an instant, Ming Yu felt deeply humiliated, more ashamed than if she had been slapped.

Song Qingpei was startled by her reaction and instinctively leaned back, “…Isn’t that the case?”

Ming Yu let out a cold laugh, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and disappointment: “Song Qingpei, do you really think so little of me? Let me tell you, I’m not staying because of my heat cycle. I just…”

Her words trailed off abruptly, as if she didn’t know how to continue.

In the end, she stood up abruptly and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Song Qingpei sat on the bed, staring at the tightly shut door. The sound of Ming Yu slamming it still echoed in her ears, leaving her with a jumble of conflicting emotions.

She truly couldn’t understand why Ming Yu’s attitude had suddenly turned so strange.

Could it be that she had misunderstood her?

Was it possible that Ming Yu had simply let go of her grievances and decided to coexist peacefully with her for Song Song’s sake?

No, no, no. She still felt that Ming Yu wasn’t the type to be so accommodating. Her earlier reaction seemed more like the fury of someone whose shameful motives had been exposed.

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