The Crematorium of the Top Omega Chasing After Alpha - Chapter 33

Inside the military headquarters office.

Ming Yu sat behind the spacious desk, her brow furrowed as she replayed last night’s argument with Song Qingpei and this morning’s unpleasant breakfast in her mind.

The matter of Murong Ruixue was like a thorn lodged in her heart, preventing her from finding peace.

“I can’t go on like this any longer.”

Ming Yu muttered to herself, pressing the communicator and speaking in a low voice, “Xihan, come to my office.”

Before long, Song Xihan pushed the door open. “Ming Yu, you wanted to see me?”

Ming Yu looked up, her gaze sharp and composed. “Xihan, I’ve decided to include Blue Sea Technology in the elite military academy’s talent recruitment plan. Arrange it and coordinate with Blue Sea Technology as soon as possible.”

Song Xihan was taken aback. “But what about Murong Ruixue won’t she become suspicious?”

“She won’t refuse,” Ming Yu stated confidently. “Blue Sea Technology has always wanted to enter the military sector. This is a rare opportunity. Just follow the plan; I’ll handle the rest.”

Song Xihan nodded in agreement. Ming Yu added, “Remember, don’t be too obvious. Don’t let anyone notice anything unusual.”

“I understand.” Song Xihan nodded solemnly before turning and leaving the office.

Ming Yu leaned back in her chair and let out a long sigh.

Keeping Murong Ruixue under her watchful eye might not completely resolve the issue, but at least it would make her more cautious.

She rubbed her temples, feeling a wave of exhaustion. Just then, her communicator buzzed again.

Ming Yu glanced down and saw that it was her grandmother calling. She frowned and answered the call.

“Grandmother.” Ming Yu tried to keep her voice calm.

“Ming Yu, how have you been feeling lately?”

Grandmother Ming’s voice was gentle, as if trying to mend their relationship after their recent disagreement.

Naturally, Ming Yu couldn’t be disrespectful and replied politely, “I’m fine. How have you been lately?”

“I’m doing well.” Grandmother Ming didn’t drop the subject and continued tentatively, “I heard you haven’t been in good spirits lately? Is work too exhausting?”

Ming Yu’s frown deepened. Not in good spirits? Why would Grandmother suddenly ask such a question?

As she pondered, it suddenly occurred to her that she had returned home last night in her “Mengmeng” state. Only a few people knew about this, it must have been Steward Su who told Grandmother everything.

A surge of anger welled up inside her, but she quickly suppressed it.

“Perhaps I’ve been under a lot of pressure lately, and I’m feeling a bit tired,” Ming Yu said, trying to keep her tone even. “But it’s nothing serious, Grandmother. There’s no need to worry.”

Grandmother Ming fell silent for a moment before saying, “Come back to the old residence for dinner tonight. Dr. Gong can examine you while you’re here. He just returned from the Federal Academy of Sciences, and his skills are even more refined now.”

At the mention of “Dr. Gong,” Ming Yu’s voice turned cold. “Grandmother, I’m fine. There’s no need for an examination.”

Grandmother Ming’s tone grew firm. “Ming Yu, Dr. Gong is an expert in this field. Let him take a look at you so I can rest assured.”

Ming Yu clenched her fists tightly. She knew what lay behind her grandmother’s insistence. She couldn’t defy her repeatedly and had no choice but to comply.

“Alright, I’ll come back tonight.”

After hanging up, Ming Yu’s expression turned grim.

She stood up and walked to the window, her gaze icy as she looked into the distance.

Dr. Gong’s appearance had inadvertently reminded her of a past she wished to forget. She would never allow anyone to control her life again.

“It seems some matters must be resolved as soon as possible,” Ming Yu murmured to herself, a resolute glint flashing in her eyes.

Night had fallen.

By the time Ming Yu returned home, it was already late.

The villa was brightly lit, yet it exuded an air of desolation.

As soon as she stepped into the hall, Steward Su approached her. “General, you’re back.”

Ming Yu’s cold gaze swept over her, her tone laced with suppressed anger. “Steward Su, have you forgotten your place?”

Steward Su’s smile stiffened slightly, her voice tinged with unease. “General, I don’t understand what you mean.”

“You don’t understand?” Ming Yu’s voice suddenly sharpened, her eyes as piercing as a blade. “I entrusted you with managing this household, not to report every detail of my life to Grandmother! Whose side are you on?”

Steward Su’s face instantly turned pale as she hurriedly explained, “General, the Madam is only concerned about you. She worries about your physical and mental well-being, which is why she asked me to keep an eye on things. I meant no harm.”

“Concerned about me?” Ming Yu let out a cold laugh. “Steward Su, have you forgotten who is in charge of this household now?”

Beads of sweat formed on Steward Su’s forehead.

She lowered her head, her voice trembling. “General, I have never forgotten my duties. I was just just.”

“Steward Su, you’ve disappointed me greatly,” Ming Yu’s voice was as cold as ice. “From today onward, you are no longer needed here.”

Steward Su’s eyes widened in disbelief. “General! I… I’ve served the Ming family for so many years, always with unwavering loyalty. How could you?”

“Loyalty?” Ming Yu interrupted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Your loyalty lies with Grandmother, not with me. I have no use for someone who isn’t loyal to me.”

Steward Su’s face turned deathly pale as she pleaded frantically, “General, I will only follow your orders from now on! I will never report anything to the Madam again! Please give me another chance!”

Ming Yu stared at her coldly. “I’ve already given you a chance. You were the one who failed to cherish it.”

Steward Su finally felt the full force of Ming Yu’s anger and hurriedly swore her loyalty:

“I… I know I overstepped! Please give me another chance! I swear I will never make such a mistake again!”

Just then, the door swung open, and Song Qingpei entered, holding Song Song’s hand.

As soon as Song Song stepped inside, she noticed Steward Su’s terrified expression and asked with a hint of confusion, “Mommy, are you angry with Grandma Su?”

Song Qingpei also sensed the tense atmosphere in the hall. She glanced at Ming Yu’s stern expression and then at Steward Su but refrained from speaking outright, merely patting Song Song’s head gently to signal her not to ask further questions.

Seeing Song Qingpei and Song Song, Steward Su seemed to grasp at her last lifeline and quickly pleaded, “Miss Song, Little Miss, please speak on my behalf! Ask the General to give me another chance!”

Song Qingpei looked at Ming Yu, her tone cautious. “Ming Yu, what’s going on?”

Ming Yu replied directly, “This matter is none of your concern.”

Song Qingpei was taken aback by her attitude, feeling a bit displeased, but she didn’t show it. Instead, she took Songsong’s hand and said, “Songsong, let’s go upstairs first.”

But Songsong stood still, refusing to move.

She glanced at Steward Su, then at Ming Yu, and whispered, “Mommy, did Grandma Su do something wrong? Can you forgive her?”

Hearing Songsong’s words, Ming Yu frowned slightly.

She looked down at Songsong’s innocent face, and the anger in her heart subsided a little. She didn’t want Songsong to witness such unpleasant scenes, nor did she want her to feel sad because of her decisions.

After a moment of silence, her tone carried a hint of compromise. “Songsong, do you really want Grandma Su to stay?”

Songsong nodded. “Mommy, Grandma Su is always very good to me. Can you please not send her away?”

Ming Yu sighed, reached out to pat Songsong’s head, and said with a touch of resignation, “Alright, since you’re pleading for her, I’ll give her one more chance.”

Upon hearing this, Steward Su quickly expressed her gratitude. “Thank you, General! Thank you, young miss!”

Seeing that the matter had been resolved, Song Qingpei took Songsong’s hand and said softly, “Songsong, let’s go upstairs and let Mommy handle the rest.”

Songsong obediently nodded and followed Song Qingpei upstairs.

Ming Yu watched their retreating figures, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

She knew she had acted somewhat impulsively today, but Steward Su’s behavior had truly crossed her bottom line.

Steward Su stood to the side, head bowed, not daring to speak again.

Ming Yu glanced at her, her tone carrying a warning. “Steward Su, this is your last chance. If I find out you’ve leaked my affairs to Grandmother again, you know the consequences, right?”

Steward Su nodded hurriedly. “Please rest assured, I will only follow your orders from now on!”

Seeing this, Ming Yu said nothing more and turned to return to her study.

By the time Song Qingpei brought Songsong downstairs for dinner, Steward Su had already set the table.

Songsong skipped over to the dining table, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the dishes. Song Qingpei followed with a smile, about to sit down, when Ming Yu’s voice came from the staircase.

“We’re not eating at home tonight. We’re going to Lakeheart Manor.”

Song Qingpei froze for a moment, looking up at Ming Yu with a flicker of confusion in her eyes.

Lakeheart Manor? The Ming family’s banquet?

She instinctively assumed that the Ming family’s banquet wouldn’t welcome her presence.

“Songsong, you must listen to Mommy tonight, understand?” Song Qingpei reminded her.

Songsong blinked her big eyes, looking at Song Qingpei with confusion. “Mommy, aren’t you coming with us?”

Song Qingpei smiled and patted Songsong’s head. “Mommy will wait for you at home.”

“But…” Songsong was about to say more when Ming Yu interrupted.

“You’re coming too,” Ming Yu’s voice came from behind.

Song Qingpei froze, turning to look at Ming Yu with astonishment in her eyes.

She hadn’t expected Ming Yu to take the initiative to bring her to the old residence, especially since she had always been secretive about her identity before, clearly not wanting others to know. Why the sudden change of heart?

She opened her mouth to ask, but before she could speak, Ming Yu had already walked up to her.

A flicker of complex emotions passed through her eyes, a mix of embarrassment and apology. “You’re Song Song’s mother. There’s no reason you can’t go.”

Song Qingpei was momentarily speechless.

Song Song tugged at her hand, shaking it repeatedly. “Mom, please come with us~”

The thought of her daughter facing an unfamiliar environment and strangers tugged at Song Qingpei’s heartstrings. In the end, she nodded reluctantly. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

“Yay!” Song Song cheered excitedly.

Seeing her agreement, Ming Yu breathed a quiet sigh of relief and turned to Steward Su. “Contact the top stylist in Lanxing and have her come over now.”

Steward Su nodded promptly and went to arrange for the stylist.

Song Qingpei looked at Ming Yu with confusion. “It’s just a family banquet. Is such formality really necessary?”

Ming Yu glanced at her, a faint trace of amusement in her tone. “The Ming family’s banquets are never just about eating.”

Recalling Ming Yu’s background, Song Qingpei decided not to press further and silently accepted the arrangement.

Before long, the stylist arrived at the villa.

She was a tall, elegant woman named Alina, one of the most renowned stylists in Lanxing.

As soon as she entered, she greeted Ming Yu with a smile. “General Ming, it’s been a while.”

Ming Yu nodded. “Alina, please take care of her styling.”

Alina smiled, her gaze shifting between Ming Yu and Song Qingpei with a hint of understanding. “No problem, leave it to me.”

Without further ado, Ming Yu led Alina upstairs.

Feeling a bit lost, Song Qingpei had never experienced such an occasion before and could only follow them upstairs.

She sat in front of the vanity, visibly uneasy.

Alina enthusiastically picked out clothes, jewelry, and hairstyles for her, repeatedly seeking Ming Yu’s opinion.

Song Qingpei felt increasingly numb from all the fuss, wishing only for the ordeal to end quickly.

“How about this one?” Alina held up a pale purple gown, comparing it against Song Qingpei.

Song Qingpei glanced at her reflection in the mirror and thought the dress was too extravagant and flashy. Just as she was about to decline, Ming Yu spoke first. “It’s good. Let’s go with this one.”

Resigned, Song Qingpei allowed Alina to help her into the dress.

The gown fit perfectly, accentuating her slender waist. The pale purple fabric complemented her fair complexion, and when Alina added an exquisite necklace, she instantly exuded an air of elegance.

“Absolutely stunning,” Alina praised, her eyes full of admiration.

Song Qingpei looked at her reflection and said awkwardly, “Isn’t this, a bit too much?”

Ming Yu glanced at her, a flicker of admiration in her eyes that she quickly concealed.

She nodded, her tone carrying a hint of approval. “It’s fine. This will do.”

Hearing this, Song Qingpei decided not to prolong the process and silently accepted the choice, finally bringing the ordeal to an end.

Once Song Qingpei was done, Alina began styling Ming Yu.

Ming Yu sat before the vanity as if it were routine, letting Alina arrange her hair and makeup.

Song Qingpei stood to the side, watching Ming Yu’s reflection in the mirror with surprise.

Perhaps it was the military bearing, but Ming Yu’s usual demeanor was rather stern and reserved. However, with Elena’s skilled hands, her long hair was elegantly styled up, revealing her slender neck, and she exuded a queenly, icy allure.

Ming Yu noticed her gaze and curled the corner of her lips slightly. “What are you looking at?”

Song Qingpei snapped back to reality, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her face. “Nothing, it’s just. I’m not quite used to how you look right now.”

Ming Yu chuckled softly but didn’t say more, though a hint of smugness lingered in her eyes. She was well aware of her own beauty; she just didn’t usually pay it much mind. But if it could capture Song Qingpei’s attention, she didn’t mind indulging a little.

At that moment, Elena, who was helping her refine the lines of her neck, suddenly paused mid-motion. “General Ming, the concealer today needs special attention,” she teased, her fingertip lightly tapping the spot on Ming Yu’s collarbone. In the mirror, a few ambiguous bite marks stood out starkly against Ming Yu’s snow-white skin, looking particularly suggestive under the cool white light.

“Qingpei~” Ming Yu suddenly drawled her name.

Song Qingpei turned at the sound and saw Ming Yu lazily reclining in her chair, her slender fingers tracing the marks, a playful glint in the corners of her eyes. “I seem to suddenly remember something.”

In the dressing mirror, Song Qingpei’s slightly flushed face was reflected. She recalled how “Mengmeng” had tearfully begged her for a mark last night, her damp eyelashes stirring something deep within her. Unable to restrain herself, she had bitten Ming Yu’s collarbone. Now, feeling a pang of guilt, she didn’t know what to say.

Ming Yu stared directly at her. “Shouldn’t you explain yourself?”

For once, Song Qingpei fell silent, lacking her usual confidence.

Seeing the situation, Elena tactfully smiled. “I’ll go do Song Song’s styling. You two take your time.” With that, she turned and left the room.

Alone now, the atmosphere between Ming Yu and Song Qingpei grew subtly charged.

Ming Yu stood up and slowly approached Song Qingpei, leaning in slightly. A cool, fragrant breath brushed past her ear. “There’s no one else now. Care to explain, exactly what you did to me last night?”

Her cool fingertips grazed Song Qingpei’s gland, sending a shiver through both of them.

As Song Qingpei turned, she was met with a pair of captivating, shimmering eyes. Ming Yu’s military uniform collar was slightly open, the marks like red plum blossoms blooming in the snow a silent, irresistible lure.

She opened her mouth, about to be honest with Ming Yu and properly discuss the matter of “Mengmeng,” when laughter suddenly echoed from outside the door.

Ming Yu’s eyes held a trace of regret at the interruption. She took half a step back, adjusting her collar. The earlier seductiveness had been replaced by her usual stern composure, though a faint, lingering smile still played at the corners of her lips.

The door burst open, and Song Song ran in wearing a pink princess dress, a small crown perched on her head, looking as adorable as a little princess.

She dashed up to Song Qingpei and Ming Yu, spinning around excitedly. “Mommy, Mama, do I look pretty?”

Song Qingpei smiled and praised, “You look beautiful, Song Song. The prettiest.”

Ming Yu, too, showed a rare trace of tenderness, reaching out to pat Song Song’s head. “Song Song is the most beautiful and adorable little princess in the world.”

Praise made Song Song a little shy, her cheeks flushing pink.

“Let’s go, it’s time to leave.”

The family got into the car and headed to the Ming family estate.

The atmosphere inside the car was somewhat silent, and Song Qingpei felt a growing unease in her heart.

“Ming Yu!” Song Qingpei spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation. “Is there anything I should be mindful of at tonight’s family banquet?”

Ming Yu’s voice held a gentle reassurance. “Don’t be nervous, just stay close to me.”

Song Qingpei nodded, feeling somewhat comforted.

As the car slowly passed through the gates of the Ming family ancestral home, Song Qingpei gazed through the window at the magnificent building, feeling a wave of awe.

She knew deep down that tonight’s family banquet was unlikely to be straightforward.

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