The Crematorium of the Top Omega Chasing After Alpha - Chapter 34.1

The Ming family had always valued pomp and circumstance. In the vast dining room, antique-style palace lanterns cast a soft glow, while the long table was adorned with exquisite tableware and fresh flowers. The air was faintly scented with sandalwood.

Madam Ming sat at the head of the table, her expression calm, though a trace of displeasure lingered between her brows.

To her left sat her son, Ming Yuanze, and his wife, Yao Qianrou, while to her right were her daughter, Ming Yuandai, and her granddaughter, Ming Rui. The group conversed in hushed tones, creating an atmosphere that appeared harmonious on the surface but was fraught with underlying tension.

Yao Qianrou picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and set it down again, her tone laced with dissatisfaction. “That Ming Yu is becoming more and more unruly. For such an important family dinner, she dares to keep all of us waiting for her alone.”

Ming Yuanze frowned. “She’s busy with work. She might have been held up on the way.”

“Busy with work?” Yao Qianrou sneered. “No matter how busy she is, she shouldn’t disregard her elders like this. Last time, she quietly brought home a child without a word, and when I merely said a few words to her, she had the nerve to give me attitude. Now, she hasn’t shown up for so long and hasn’t even bothered to inform us. She’s really grown too bold.”

Ming Yuanze sighed. “Enough, enough. We’ll talk to her properly later. Don’t get so worked up.”

Hearing their exchange, Madam Ming interjected with displeasure, “What right do the two of you have to criticize Ming Yu? As parents, you’ve caused nothing but chaos in this household with your constant squabbles, and now you think you can manage your daughter?”

Ming Yuanze, publicly reprimanded by his mother, felt his face flush with embarrassment. He lowered his voice to defend himself, “Mom, that’s all in the past.”

“In the past?” Madam Ming snorted coldly. “If you hadn’t fooled around back then, would we have had so many troubles afterward? None of you ever cared about Ming Yu before, and now you’ve all suddenly learned to act like authoritative elders?”

Yao Qianrou’s face instantly darkened at these words.

She bit her lip, wanting to retort, but Ming Yuanze grabbed her arm, signaling her not to add fuel to the fire.

Ming Yuandai, observing the situation, quickly stepped in to mediate. “Mom, please don’t be angry. Ming Yu has always been sensible. There must be a reason she brought that woman home this time.”

Madam Ming’s anger had yet to subside. “I think she’s completely bewitched by that woman. It’s nothing but retribution!”

Yao Qianrou could no longer contain herself upon hearing this. She abruptly stood up. “Mom, what do you mean by that?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” Madam Ming replied coldly, shooting her a sharp glance. “If it weren’t for your scheming back then, getting pregnant to force your way in, the Ming family wouldn’t have been thrown into such disgrace. Now Ming Yu has encountered a woman just like you, using the same tricks. Let’s see what excuses you can come up with now.”

Yao Qianrou trembled with rage, on the verge of exploding.

Ming Yuanze quickly pulled her back, whispering urgently, “Qianrou, don’t say anything more. Mom is getting old don’t upset her.”

Seeing that Yao Qianrou had fallen silent, Madam Ming snorted disdainfully and turned to Ming Yuandai. “Yuandai, you too. Ming Yu is at a critical moment in her promotion to marshal. How can we let some woman of unknown origins jeopardize her future? Why haven’t you tried to talk some sense into her?”

Ming Yuandai sighed helplessly. “Mom, you know Ming Yu’s temperament better than anyone. Once she’s made up her mind, who can persuade her otherwise?”

Old Madam Ming frowned, her gaze finally settling on Ming Rui, who had remained silent the whole time. “Ming Rui, you have a good relationship with Ming Yu. When she arrives later, try to persuade her properly.”

Ming Rui, who had been quietly eating fruit, suddenly found herself the center of attention and felt a bit awkward.

She looked up and forced a dry laugh. “Grandmother, about Cousin’s matters. I really shouldn’t interfere.”

Old Madam Ming shot her a glare. “You haven’t even tried yet. How do you know you can’t persuade her?”

Ming Rui was left speechless by the question and could only nod in agreement. “Alright, I’ll give it a try later.”

After saying this, she discreetly took out her phone and sent Ming Yu a message: “Cousin, tonight is a trap. You’re on your own.”

At that moment, Ming Yu was on her way to Lakeheart Manor with Song Qingpei and Song Song.

Seeing Ming Rui’s message, she furrowed her brows slightly but quickly regained her composure.

Song Qingpei noticed her change in expression and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Ming Yu shook her head calmly. “It’s nothing. Some people might say unpleasant things later. Don’t take it to heart.”

Song Qingpei nodded, once again confirming that this family dinner at the Ming residence would not be as simple as it seemed.

The car slowly entered Lakeheart Manor. Ming Yu, holding Song Song’s hand, led Song Qingpei into the dining room.

As soon as they entered, all eyes turned to them.

Old Madam Ming’s displeased expression softened slightly when she saw Ming Yu, but when her gaze fell upon Song Qingpei, her brows furrowed again. Yao Qianrou and Ming Yuanze wore complicated expressions, while Ming Yuandai and Ming Rui observed with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny.

Ming Yu walked over, greeted everyone one by one, and then introduced Song Qingpei to the group.

Song Qingpei, holding Song Song’s hand, politely greeted everyone.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Old Madam Ming, as if waiting for her to express her stance.

Old Madam Ming gave Song Qingpei a cold glance and remained silent. Instead, she turned her attention to Song Song, a faint smile finally appearing on her face. “Song Song, come here to your great-grandmother.”

Song Song glanced timidly at Ming Yu, and only after receiving a nod of approval did she take small steps toward Old Madam Ming.

Old Madam Ming patted her head affectionately. “Song Song is such a good girl. Come, sit next to your great-grandmother.”

Her cold treatment of Song Qingpei and her warm reception of Song Song created a stark contrast, clearly signaling to Song Qingpei that the Ming family’s acceptance of Song Song did not extend to her, and she should know her place.

Fortunately, Song Qingpei had never intended to rely on the Ming family. She didn’t care how they treated her, as long as they treated her daughter well. Seeing Old Madam Ming’s reaction and her kindness toward Song Song, she actually felt relieved.

“Qingpei, take a seat first.”

Ming Yu led Song Qingpei to her seat, and the atmosphere in the dining room instantly grew tense.

Yao Qianrou was the first to speak, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Ming Yu, who is this?”

Ming Yu glanced at her calmly. “This is Song Qingpei, Song Song’s mother.”

Yao Qianrou sneered. “Oh, so it’s Miss Song. May I ask where Miss Song is from? What does her family do?”

Song Qingpei felt embarrassed by the question.

Just as she hesitated over how to respond, Ming Yu cut in first. “Mom, Qingpei is my guest. There’s no need to ask so many questions.”

Yao Qianrou was provoked by Ming Yu’s attitude, her tone turning sharp. “What guest? This is a family dinner. How could you just bring some unknown woman home?”

Ming Yu’s expression instantly turned cold. “Mom, my affairs are none of your concern.”

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Ming Yuanze quickly stepped in to mediate. “Ming Yu, your mother means well. You’re at a critical stage right now you can’t let trivial matters affect your future.”

Ming Yu frowned impatiently at these sanctimonious words and turned to look at her grandmother. She knew that without her grandmother’s approval, no one in the Ming family would dare speak to her like this.

But Old Lady Ming, seated at the head of the table, merely glanced over indifferently and did not intervene.

Believing she had Old Lady Ming’s tacit approval, Yao Qianrou grew even more aggressive. “Ming Yu, I’m your mother. We only want what’s best for you. Don’t forget your position! You’re the heir to the Ming family, how can you bring such a questionable person home?”

“Questionable?” Ming Yu’s tone was laced with sarcasm. “Mom, have you forgotten how you entered the Ming family back then? Were your affairs with Father any more respectable than mine?”

Struck where it hurt, Yao Qianrou’s face instantly turned pale.

She shot to her feet, her finger trembling as she pointed at Ming Yu. “How dare you speak to me like that!”

Ming Yuanze also frowned, his tone stern. “Ming Yu, watch your words! Your mother is thinking of your well-being. How can you talk back to her like that?”

As if hearing a joke, Ming Yu gave him a cold stare and remained silent.

Humiliated, Ming Yuanze’s expression grew increasingly unpleasant. Unfortunately, Ming Yu was no longer someone he could easily control, so he merely snorted and said nothing more.

The atmosphere at the dining table instantly became charged with tension.

Seeing this, Ming Yuandai quickly stood up to mediate again. “Alright, alright, let’s all calm down. This is a family dinner let’s not spoil the mood. Let’s just eat.”

Ming Rui, sitting to the side, couldn’t resist secretly giving Ming Yu a thumbs-up, a teasing smile on her face.

Ming Yu glanced at her but paid no attention, instead turning her gaze back to Old Lady Ming.

Seeing Ming Yu’s protective stance toward Song Qingpei, Old Lady Ming grew even more displeased. “Ming Yu, we have no objections to you bringing Miss Song home. But you must remember your status, don’t let outsiders laugh at us.”

Facing her grandmother, Ming Yu’s tone softened slightly. “I understand.”

At this point, Old Lady Ming had no choice but to conclude the matter. “Alright, let’s eat.”

Seeing Old Lady Ming relent, Yao Qianrou felt dissatisfied and was about to say more.

Ming Yuanze quickly pulled her back, whispering, “Enough. Nothing we say will make a difference now.”

Yao Qianrou gritted her teeth, not daring to provoke further trouble, and reluctantly began serving herself food.

Song Qingpei, who had remained silent throughout, couldn’t help but sneak a surprised glance at Ming Yu. A strange sense of balance suddenly settled in her heart. So, Ming Yu wasn’t just harsh when speaking to her, she treated everyone with equal bluntness.

Noticing Song Qingpei’s gaze, Ming Yu turned to her. “What is it?”

Song Qingpei shook her head and quietly continued eating.

The Ming family dinner proceeded in an awkward atmosphere.

At the dining table, Ming Yu’s demeanor made everyone hesitant to question Song Qingpei further, shifting all their attention to Song Song instead. As the tacitly acknowledged next heir of the Ming family, Song Song became the lubricant to ease the tension.

She sat obediently, occasionally responding with a few words, appearing exceptionally sensible.

After the meal, seeing the atmosphere had slightly relaxed, the Ming matriarch excused herself, claiming she had matters to discuss with Ming Yu, and called her away from the dining room.

Once Ming Yu left, Yao Qianrou immediately seized the opportunity to confront Song Qingpei, her words sharp and unpleasant.

“Miss Song, do you think that by clinging to Ming Yu, you can transform into a phoenix and rise to greatness?”

Song Qingpei smiled faintly, maintaining her politeness as much as possible: “Aunt Yao, I believe you’ve misunderstood. The relationship between Ming Yu and me is not what you think.”

“Misunderstood?” Yao Qianrou’s voice suddenly rose sharply. “A woman of your dubious character, approaching Ming Yu isn’t it just for her status and position? Let me tell you, the Ming family is not something someone like you can aspire to!”

Seeing her so aggressive, Song Qingpei couldn’t help but respond coldly: “Ms. Yao, I respect you as Ming Yu’s mother, but please show me the same respect and refrain from such harsh words.”

Yao Qianrou abruptly stood up, pointing at Song Qingpei’s nose and scolding: “Who do you think you are! How dare you speak to me like that! Ming Yu is my daughter, and I will absolutely not allow a woman like you to stay by her side.”

Song Song, who had been quietly eating all along, saw someone bullying her mother.

She immediately looked up, glaring angrily at Yao Qianrou: “Don’t you dare bully my mom! You bad woman!”

Yao Qianrou, infuriated by Song Song’s words, turned pale with rage and lashed out: “You ill-mannered little brat, I am your grandmother! I must teach you a lesson today!”

Seeing this, Song Qingpei immediately shielded Song Song behind her: “Ms. Yao, please restrain yourself. Song Song is my daughter; you have no right to discipline her.”

Just as Yao Qianrou was about to erupt, Ming Yuandai quickly stood up to intervene.

“Alright, alright, we’re all family here. Let’s not make this so unpleasant. Sister-in-law, you should say less too. The child is still young; don’t frighten her.”

Ming Rui also hurried over, taking Song Song’s hand and smiling warmly: “Song Song, how about Auntie takes you to the garden to play? There are lots of beautiful flowers and little butterflies there.”

Song Song glanced at Song Qingpei and, seeing her nod, reluctantly agreed: “Okay.”

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