The Reborn Scummy A and the Sickly O Got Together - Chapter 44

Even though she believed she knew Lu Jia inside out that this was a truly selfish and hypocritical person who would stop at nothing for her own gain, Luo Mingyue was still caught off guard by the question before she could even begin to suspect Lu Jia’s motives.

Just as there were people in this world who were genuinely kind and fragile, there were also those who merely pretended to be weak to appear kind and innocent. The latter were hypocrites who acted this way to achieve their goals, so every word they spoke had to be scrutinized for ulterior motives.

Yet, instead of immediately questioning why Lu Jia would ask such a thing, Luo Mingyue found herself frozen in place.

She truly, instinctively followed the line of thought: Do I like Miss Feng?

She understood what kind of “like” Lu Jia was referring to. I’m just grateful to Miss Feng, not… in love with her…

But that didn’t feel right either. How could I not like someone as wonderful as Miss Feng?

But did she like Miss Feng? The kind of “like” that made her want to touch her, hold her hand, kiss her, or even…

Luo Mingyue shook her head, not daring to dwell any deeper, filled with nothing but deep self-loathing. She thought of how, in her past life, Miss Feng had avenged her against Lu Jia and the lawyer, and had even come to visit her corpse. Someone that good, of course she would like her.

But she didn’t even feel worthy of liking Miss Feng.

Lu Jia’s dark, penetrating eyes didn’t miss a single subtle shift in the female alpha’s expression before her. She absorbed every detail, scrutinizing it all.

This made it nearly impossible for Lu Jia to suppress the shadow that fell over her face. She knew she should have reacted differently heartbroken, aggrieved, or even encouraging Luo Mingyue to pursue Feng Baiming.

Anything would have been better than the ugly, resentful glare she couldn’t help but direct at Luo Mingyue.

She knew she was prone to jealousy. As a child, the Lu Xi sisters always had more pocket money than her, wore more expensive clothes, and received more lavish jewelry.

On the surface, she would only say enviously, “Sisters, your gifts are so beautiful. I wish I could receive something like that too.”

But in private, she would play the victim to Luo Mingyue, wiping away fake tears as she said, “It’s because we’re not the Lu family’s real children that we’re treated so differently.”

Luo Mingyue would always comfort her: “People naturally favor their own. Lu Xi and the others are Grandmother’s biological granddaughters. We should be grateful just to be taken in and provided for.”

She thought Luo Mingyue was a fool, trying to teach her to be content with what she had.

If you keep comparing yourself to others, you’ll always find countless people who have it better. Wouldn’t that just make you sick with envy?

Back then, she had even wondered if Luo Mingyue was secretly mocking her. But looking at that gentle, beautiful face and hearing that sincere, calm tone, Lu Jia realized, Luo Mingyue was probably a genuine saint.

And that disgusted her to the core.

In the entire Lu family, even though the Lu Xi siblings constantly belittled and mocked her, she only disliked them.

But Luo Mingyue? Lu Jia found her repulsive.

Even though Luo Mingyue was an alpha, a different gender from her, her very existence seemed to highlight Lu Jia’s own insatiable greed, her ingratitude, her pettiness, her jealousy… all the traits that stood in stark contrast to kindness. It was as if Luo Mingyue’s presence alone exposed every dark, unvirtuous part of her.

Luo Mingyue was like the golden warmth of a spring afternoon, while she was like moss lurking in damp, shadowed corners.

There was no one she detested more than Luo Mingyue.

Yet even so, she should still be a plaything in my palm. A sister who would come and go at my beck and call, a lapdog even more loyal than that fool Qin Yan.

Lu Jia sneered inwardly. Just because she didn’t like Luo Mingyue didn’t mean she would hand her over to someone else.

Even something she discarded, she would rather destroy it than let Feng Baiming have it.

Once she made up her mind, the girl in the thin silk nightgown let her large eyes well up with tears in the sweltering summer night of Shangjing.

It made her look as fragile as a lamb, even more pitiable. There was no denying that Lu Jia was indeed an omega beauty who effortlessly evoked tenderness in others.

Her beauty wasn’t the striking, dazzling kind. In fact, her delicate features were of the same refined type as Feng Baiming’s.

But Feng Baiming carried an air of aloofness, standing apart even in a crowd, like a solitary figure against the current.

Lu Jia was the complete opposite pure and delicate, like a water lily bowing helplessly in the wind, embodying fragility to its utmost.

Even Luo Mingyue found herself momentarily dazed, thinking, what ill intent could such an omega girl possibly harbor?

But soon, the memory of Lu Jia standing over her corpse in her past life, uttering those hateful words with that disdainful expression, replaced the image before her.

She almost wanted to laugh and applaud. For Lu Jia to dedicate such masterful acting to scheming against her for over twenty years, it was truly a waste of talent. Had she channeled that cunning into something legitimate, who knew what she could have achieved?

But those with twisted hearts never think to walk the righteous path. They never consider that their perseverance and cunning could have been used for honest endeavors.

Tears shimmering in her eyes, Lu Jia spoke in a choked voice, “Feng Baiming’s family background is among the top in Shangjing, and she’s beautiful too. Even though she’s three years older than us, there’d still be plenty of suitors even if she were seven or eight years older.”

“It’s no surprise you’d like her.” Lu Jia smiled faintly, though her tear-filled eyes made her sorrow seem genuine.

Luo Mingyue had thought her own acting was flawless, but as Lu Jia spoke these words, she realized the girl truly did feel deeply hurt.

“Don’t overthink it,” Luo Mingyue said helplessly, softening her voice further. “Miss Feng is a wonderful person. Many people admire her. I’ve just been asking her for advice lately since I’ll be her junior after summer break. That’s why we’ve grown closer.”

But Lu Jia bit her lower lip, her face stubborn and aggrieved, refusing to let the matter go. “So? So you’ve fallen for Feng Baiming because of that, haven’t you?”

Luo Mingyue frowned, irritated by the relentless questioning, but soon she also found herself genuinely puzzled. “What if I do like Miss Feng? Would that upset you? But isn’t she a good person to be with?”

For once, she saw a flicker of blankness on Lu Jia’s face this girl, always so impeccably composed, seemed momentarily lost before lowering her head and murmuring slowly:

“Mingyue sister, Feng Baiming comes from a different background than us. Even if you like her, she won’t like you back. People like them may appear polite and kind on the surface, but deep down they look down on our status. If you eagerly approach them, they’ll just make you the subject of their gossip or use you as bragging rights.”

“Doesn’t grandmother always say we should know our place?” Lu Jia’s voice grew increasingly choked with sobs. “I just don’t want to see you being played by these privileged young ladies. I don’t want you to get hurt. Look at Qin Yan – behind closed doors he swore he’d protect me forever, but when trouble came, didn’t he still throw me into the abyss?”

“The affections of these wealthy young masters and ladies are just empty words – completely worthless in reality!”

By the end, Lu Jia’s tears fell like pearls, rolling down her cheeks one by one.

She spoke with both self-righteousness and a sense of grievance. Regarding the Qin Yan incident, she clearly believed it was entirely his fault, without any self-reflection whatsoever.

Luo Mingyue’s gaze gradually turned as cold as ice. Watching Lu Jia’s performance, she felt a profound sadness seeping into her bones.

She wasn’t completely unmoved. This child she’d grown up with cared only about herself, showing no empathy for others. She wondered why she had to lose her life because of someone like this.

Why could such people continue living unscathed, facing no consequences?

But then again, perhaps this was simply how the world worked – where good people often went unrewarded while the wicked amassed power and wealth.

“Jiajia, don’t think like that. Qin Yan must have just acted impulsively.” Luo Mingyue’s eyes remained icy cold.

Lu Jia, with her head bowed, didn’t see her expression – otherwise she would have been shocked by the contrast between those frigid eyes and the gentle, patient tone: “This matter with Qin Yan will be forgotten soon. Don’t pressure yourself. You still have a long life ahead – don’t let this one incident make you so cynical about people.”

Lu Jia felt choked by these words, barely restraining the urge to grab Luo Mingyue and demand: Could you be any more of a doormat?

Forced to maintain her persona, she gritted her teeth and replied: “Mingyue sister, you’re right. But what I said wasn’t baseless speculation either. Do you really think someone like Feng Baiming could ever like you? You can’t possibly believe that?”

“What if Miss Feng does like me? Grandmother would be quite pleased about it.” Luo Mingyue didn’t understand why Lu Jia kept dragging Miss Feng into this, so she countered with a question.

“There are no what-ifs – it’s impossible.” Lu Jia’s voice grew even more aggrieved.

“But if, hypothetically, it were possible? Would you still want me to stay away from Miss Feng?”

Lu Jia nearly screamed: Look at yourself in the mirror! Do you really think you’re good enough for Feng Baiming? Even I haven’t found a young master from such a family yet!

Suppressing the urge to shriek, her nails digging into her palms, she whispered: “Then I would absolutely bless you and Miss Feng. May your relationship last forever without conflicts arising from your different backgrounds. That way, I could believe in love again.”

Luo Mingyue smiled in response, “That’s wonderful, Jiajia. Thank you for your blessings.”

Hearing this reply, Lu Jia looked up at her in disbelief.

Luo Mingyue thought to herself that despite Lu Jia’s excellent acting skills, she clearly lacked depth, just a few words from her had made Lu Jia unable to conceal her true emotions.

The girl before her was practically forcing down her resentment, forcing a smile through tear-streaked cheeks: “You always think too highly of people. Anyway, Sister Mingyue, even if you end up hurt because of this, I’ll always be on your side. If you ever feel wronged by Miss Feng, you can always come to me to share your sorrows and troubles.”

On this summer night, Luo Mingyue replied with what seemed like heartfelt emotion: “Yes, the two of us are truly family. Jiajia, don’t worry, I’ll always stand by you too.”

To feign sincerity, Luo Mingyue lied through her teeth: “I’m really sorry about what happened with Qin Yan. He’s no true alpha, just a despicable man to treat an omega girl like you that way. Many people online are on your side too, calling him out for his behavior.”

At the mention of “online,” Lu Jia’s expression stiffened, feeling as though Luo Mingyue had deliberately touched a sore spot.

She quickly brushed it off magnanimously: “Let’s not bring up the past anymore, Sister Mingyue. I’m just worried you might get hurt by Feng Baiming. It’s been keeping me up at night, making me feel awful.”

Luo Mingyue acted even more moved: “Thank you so much, Jiajia. You’re the only one who cares about me this much. Mother and Grandmother only ever tell me to cater to Miss Feng’s whims, never considering my feelings.”

This response eased the distress on Lu Jia’s face and gradually lowered her guard. She went on to remind Luo Mingyue of their shared background, emphasizing how they had relied on each other for so many years.

After hurriedly expressing a few more words of concern, Lu Jia finally ended the conversation.

Watching coldly as the frail girl, still teary-eyed, glanced back repeatedly before leaving, Luo Mingyue leaned against the doorframe and laughed freely once Lu Jia was out of sight.

But soon, her laughter froze. Feng Baiming, who should have been in her own room and presumably asleep, silently appeared at the top of the third-floor staircase.

She, too, had assumed Luo Mingyue would have returned to her room by now, so she was equally surprised to see the tall young woman leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, laughing heartily.

Feng Baiming felt deeply awkward. Just like last time, she hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, she had only remembered that she hadn’t watered the plants on the rooftop and had rushed upstairs. She hadn’t expected to overhear a conversation where her name kept coming up in Lu Jia’s mouth.

What she heard didn’t sit well with her. Being schemed against and manipulated like this felt like unwarranted blame falling from the sky while she was minding her own business.

“Miss… Miss Feng,” the young woman stammered, clearly unsettled, before asking the crucial question, “Did you hear everything?”

Feng Baiming replied, “Not much, really. I just heard her crying very sadly.”

Luo Mingyue relaxed slightly, only for Feng Baiming to add, “I’m not the kind of young mistress who plays with people’s hearts.”

Luo Mingyue was stunned wasn’t it obvious Feng Baiming had heard everything?!

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