The Stunning Omega CEO Always Wants Me to Mark Her - Chapter 14

When they got home, the TV in the living room was still on, playing a financial news broadcast. Lin Wei sat on the sofa in a simple set of pajamas, watching intently.

The moment she saw Lin Sui and Wen Xiangzhu return, her expression softened. Smiling, she called out,

“Suisui, Wenwen, you’re back. Auntie has already made dinner. Go wash up and get ready to eat.”

“Okay.”

Lin Sui responded with a smile, her eyes lighting up with a trace of surprise.

For as long as she could remember, Lin Wei had always been busy with work, often coming home only late at night. Lin Sui rarely saw her, much less sat down at the same table for dinner.

So seeing her like this today made Lin Sui genuinely happy. Even her steps toward her room felt lighter.

After washing up, she opened her door—only to find Wen Xiangzhu quietly waiting outside, standing in the hallway without saying a word.

Lin Sui paused, startled.

“What are you doing here…”

“I was waiting for you,” Wen Xiangzhu said with a smile. “Let’s go, jiejie. Time for dinner.”

“Mm… alright.”

Lin Sui froze for a beat, then couldn’t help but smile as well, walking downstairs with her.

Everything was fine—until she spotted Wen Wenfu sitting beside Lin Wei at the dining table. Lin Sui’s expression immediately darkened.

“Jiejie?” Wen Xiangzhu noticed she’d stopped and turned back in concern.

“I’m fine.”

Lin Sui forced her composure and sat down at the table with her. But in an instant, her earlier good mood had evaporated.

How could she forget—this eyesore was still around?

“Come, Suisui,” Wen Wenfu said, smiling warmly. “Your mother told me you love fish. I had someone specially bring back some river fish—very fresh. Try it?”

He picked up a piece with a clean pair of chopsticks and placed it in her bowl.

Lin Sui glanced at the fish, then at him. To her, that smile of his looked unbearably fake.

And the worst part—Lin Wei couldn’t even see through it.

Her chest tightened with irritation. She snapped, “I don’t want it.”

Lin Wei blinked, glancing between the two of them. Then she smiled, trying to smooth things over.

“Then let Mama get some for you, alright?”

She reached out with her chopsticks.

Lin Sui’s face stiffened. “No.”

Lin Wei pressed her lips together, patience thinning.

“Suisui, you’re not a child anymore. Must you throw a tantrum at the dinner table?”

“Mrs. Lin.”

Lin Sui drew in a deep breath and looked straight at her.

“I’ve been allergic to fish since I was little. Even the housekeepers know this. How is it that you don’t?”

With those words, before Lin Wei could recover from her shock, Lin Sui had already risen from her seat and headed back upstairs.

Wen Xiangzhu sat frozen in her chair, staring at Lin Sui’s retreating figure. A flicker of complicated emotion glimmered in her eyes.

Lin Wei lowered her gaze, sighing softly, guilt and sorrow clouding her expression.

“All these years… I’ve been too absorbed in work. I’ve given Suisui far too little of my attention.”

Wen Wenfu patted her shoulder comfortingly.

“It’s not your fault…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Wen Xiangzhu set down her chopsticks and stood up.

“I… I’ll go check on jiejie.”

“Mm. Go ahead.”

Back in her room, Lin Sui slammed the door shut with a loud bang. Her chest felt unbearably tight, her nose stung, and an overwhelming rush of emotions swallowed her whole. Her throat seemed blocked, making it hard to breathe.

She parted her lips, gasping slightly, stumbled a few steps, then sank onto the edge of the bed. All she could see in her mind was Lin Wei’s face as she reprimanded her just now.

A laugh, sharp and bitter, slipped from her lips.

“That’s right, Lin Sui. You’re old enough—so why are you still acting spoiled? Who are you showing your grievances to?”

Her eyes lowered, staring blankly at the cold floor. The corners of her eyes burned red.

“To her, work has always been more important than me. Ever since I can remember, it’s always been this way…”

Just then, a knock sounded on her door.

Wen Xiangzhu’s soft, delicate voice followed:

“Jiejie, I brought some snacks. Let’s eat together, okay?”

Lin Sui didn’t move. She didn’t want to move. She only parted her lips slightly, her voice hoarse when it finally came out:

“Come in. It’s not locked.”

The door opened carefully. Wen Xiangzhu stepped inside, closing it gently behind her before walking over and sitting down beside Lin Sui—right there on the floor.

Lin Sui frowned.

“The floor’s cold.”

“It’s fine. You’re sitting here too, aren’t you?”

Wen Xiangzhu’s eyes sparkled as she smiled, then set down the big bag she’d brought.

She spread it open, revealing an assortment of snacks—potato chips, chocolate bars, sponge cakes…

“Where did you get all this?” Lin Sui’s lashes fluttered. Her voice held a hint of puzzlement.

“I bought them before and kept them stocked up—just in case!” Wen Xiangzhu tilted her head, grinning.

“See? I’m clever, right?”

Lin Sui looked at her. Her crescent-shaped eyes curved into a smile, bright like they were carrying hidden stars. And more than that…

They were warm.

Lin Sui didn’t know why that was the word that came to her. Maybe because, before Wen Xiangzhu moved in, she’d always been alone.

Alone eating dinner.

Alone blowing out birthday candles.

Alone in an empty house.

Alone doing… everything.

She kept herself busy so she could forget about Lin Wei’s absence, so she could forget that she’d always been waiting for a phone call that never came.

She forced herself to be independent, to learn how to take care of herself, to keep her expectations low—so she wouldn’t be too disappointed.

All these years, she’d been trying to act like an adult.

But the truth was—

It was so hard.

The appearance of Wen Xiangzhu had once been nothing but an annoyance to Lin Sui.

At least, that’s how it started.

But now… she felt that the chill of her once-cold life had gained a hint of warmth.

At the very least, it wasn’t so lonely anymore.

“Mm.” Lin Sui looked into Wen Xiangzhu’s eyes and answered softly, “You are pretty clever.”

Maybe because that gaze was a little too intense, Wen Xiangzhu ducked her head shyly. “Then… whatever you’d like to eat, Jie, just take it!”

Lin Sui withdrew her gaze lightly and picked up a pack of steamed cakes. “Well, it has to be something that actually fills the stomach.”

She paused, then added, “The auntie downstairs cooked so many dishes—why didn’t you go eat?”

“Actually… I didn’t really feel like eating.” Wen Xiangzhu pursed her lips. “I wanted to stay with you.”

Lin Sui’s lashes trembled slightly. She looked at her deeply. “Stay with me?”

Realizing she might have said something wrong, Wen Xiangzhu blinked, then corrected herself. “Well… maybe you don’t really need me to keep you company, but I want you to keep me company.”

“Why?”

“Because…” She thought for a moment, then broke into a playful grin. “Because I’m still little! Without you, Jie, I’ll just die!”

Lin Sui couldn’t help laughing at that.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Seeing her laugh, Wen Xiangzhu exhaled in relief and followed with a smile, humming twice. “It’s not nonsense at all!”

“Alright, alright, it’s not nonsense.” Lin Sui said helplessly, unaware of the softness that had crept into her voice.

Wen Xiangzhu watched as Lin Sui tore open the package and nibbled at the cake, her eyes curving into crescents.

“Jie.”

“Mm?”

“You’re already amazing.” Wen Xiangzhu paused, then smiled as she added, “In my heart, you’re super amazing.”

Lin Sui’s hand froze for a second, her mind going blank.

She pressed her lips together, feigning nonchalance. “Of course I know I’m amazing. Do I need you to tell me?”

Wen Xiangzhu glanced at her slightly reddened ears and nodded. “I was just afraid you’d forget, so I had to remind you.”

Lin Sui grew a little flustered. She hurried to finish eating, then used sleepiness as an excuse to shoo Wen Xiangzhu out.

Thinking about it now… spending time with her didn’t seem all that annoying anymore.

________________________________________

Taking a shower was always a grand production. After washing up and blow-drying her hair, Lin Sui collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion.

She lay there in a daze for a while before lazily picking up her phone, planning to reply to a few messages before sleeping.

That’s when she noticed a message from Lin Wei, sent an hour ago.

[Sorry, Suisui. Mom forgot you can’t eat fish. I’ve been too busy these past years and have neglected you. I’ll try my best to spend more time with you from now on, okay? There are dishes in the pot—if you’re hungry, help yourself. Also, Wanwan is coming over tomorrow to play. Rest early. Goodnight, my baby.]

Lowering her eyes, Lin Sui reread the message several times, looking for all the world like a pitiful little rabbit with its ears drooping.

After a moment, she typed back a simple Goodnight and exited the chat.

So, Jiang Wanwan was coming over tomorrow?

Lin Sui narrowed her eyes slightly, recalling how awkward things had been the last time she ran into Wen Xiangzhu while out with Jiang Wanwan. A headache already began to form.

Forget it. Tomorrow’s problems can wait until tomorrow.

Sleep!!

Outside, the sky was pitch-black, dotted with only a handful of twinkling stars.

On the balcony next door, Wen Xiangzhu sat with her chin resting in her hand, staring absentmindedly in the direction of Lin Sui’s room.

The night breeze lifted a few wisps of her hair, sending them fluttering in the air like tiny sprites dancing in the wind.

Ding-ling. Her phone chimed.

Wen Xiangzhu blinked out of her daze and picked it up.

[Lu Xiaomeng: Wenwen, quick, check this post—is this you?]

[Lu Xiaomeng: ]

Her brows knit slightly as she tapped on the screenshot.

It was a photo, secretly taken from a distance, showing her getting into a car after school today. The title read:

[Who is this from our school? Only a handful of people can afford this kind of luxury car. Why haven’t I seen her before?]

Wen Xiangzhu’s lips pressed into a tight line as she quickly opened the forum and found the thread.

At first, the replies were normal—people recognizing her, guessing about her family background—until she spotted one particular comment.

[As far as I know, Wen’s family is well-off, but not enough for a car of this caliber. And if it was really their own, why park it so far away and sneak over on foot? What, is she training for a marathon? If this really is her… maybe she’s involved in something improper?]

[Improper? Don’t spread baseless rumors. And that car—I know exactly whose it is.]