The Villain Turned Out to Be a Scummy Omega? [GL] - Chapter 27 (1)

The moment the elevator doors slid open, the ambiguous atmosphere within the cramped space was shattered. Almost simultaneously, Song Ziqing shoved Lu Qinnian away.

Assistant Xu, who was waiting to board, was startled and quickly reached out to steady Lu Qinnian, who had stumbled slightly from the push.

Song Ziqing brushed past them with long strides, fleeing straight toward the main lobby entrance as if her life depended on it.

Lu Qinnian stood frozen on the spot. Assistant Xu quickly released her arm. “President Lu, are you alright?”

Lu Qinnian finally snapped out of it, letting out a faint “mm.” She looked back toward the direction of the person who had already vanished without a trace. Her heart gave a sudden thump, and she let out an incredulous, soft laugh, muttering, “She’s actually quite shy?”

Assistant Xu smiled as she watched her boss. Lu Qinnian turned her head. “What are you laughing at?”

Assistant Xu immediately wiped the expression off her face and shook her head. “Nothing, President. I’m heading up now.”

Lu Qinnian hummed in response. She stood there for a long while before raising a hand to touch her own lips. Her thin lips pressed together as the corners of her mouth turned upward. She strode out of the building, thinking to herself that being kissed by her and taking the initiative to kiss her felt very different indeed.

Song Ziqing ran outside, her heart hammering wildly. She clutched her chest and slapped her own cheeks repeatedly. Song, wake up! Get a grip! The other person is Lu Qinnian—she’s incredibly devious. For her to act like this out of nowhere, there must be a scheme. Stay calm, stay calm!

Just as she finished her mantra, a black sedan pulled up in front of her. Yan Hui rolled down the window, tilting her head to look at her tenderly. “What are you muttering about all by yourself?”

Song Ziqing stared at Yan Hui and gave a foolish grin. The white shirt Yan Hui was wearing made her look like she was radiating light, and her gentle smile made it impossible to look away. Song Ziqing truly had a soft spot for gentle people. Although the plot dictated that Yan Hui was just as devious as Lu Qinnian—perhaps even more so, since she used a brilliant smile to make people lower their guard—Song Ziqing found this gentleness very comforting. She even thought that perhaps Yan Hui really was a gentle person at heart.

“What are you thinking about?” Yan Hui propped her head on her hand, her elbow resting on the car window as she gazed at her tenderly. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to eat something delicious.”

Song Ziqing looked at the gentle beauty before her and couldn’t help but be drawn to the open collar of her shirt. She instinctively swallowed but immediately jerked her gaze away.

Yan Hui noticed. She glanced down at herself but made no move to cover up. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, exposing her sexy collarbone and the soft curves beneath it directly to Song Ziqing.

“Get in.”

Song Ziqing’s gaze sharpened for a split second. She let out a mechanical “mm” and hurriedly averted her eyes, scurrying around to the other side of the car in embarrassment.

Yan Hui gave a thin smile, glancing down at her shirt where two buttons were undone. When she raised her arm, the angle perfectly revealed a hint of cleavage. She hadn’t expected such a small gesture to make the girl steal several glances. Had no one ever tried to seduce her before?

Then again, everyone used to think she was an Alpha, so those trying to seduce her would have been Omegas. Omegas were generally conservative and wouldn’t expose themselves like an Alpha would. It was only natural that the girl couldn’t look away.

Yan Hui looked at the person sitting beside her, her gaze incredibly soft. Song Ziqing felt a bit unnatural under the stare, wondering if Yan Hui was only being this gentle because she knew her identity. Then again, she had always been gentle; it was just that now she was being more uninhibited about it.

“What are we eating?”

Yan Hui smiled. “What do you want to eat?”

“Seafood,” Song Ziqing replied immediately. She hadn’t had seafood in a long time and was truly craving it.

“Alright. I’ll make a reservation.” Yan Hui called her assistant to give instructions.

Lu Qinnian emerged from the building shortly after Song Ziqing, only to see her getting into Yan Hui’s car. Watching the vehicle drive off into the distance, her brow furrowed. The ghost of a smile on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a dark gloom.

So, she pushed me away in such a hurry because Yan Hui was waiting outside?

One moment she was blaming Lu Qinnian for suspecting her of working with Yan Hui, and the next she was acting so intimately with her. How could anyone not assume there was a conspiracy?

Lu Qinnian instinctively clenched her fists and let out a cold laugh. “I didn’t expect to be played by that little ungrateful wolf again!”

With that, she turned and left with a stony face.

The restaurant Yan Hui had booked was exceptionally high-end. Song Ziqing looked at the magnificent lobby and couldn’t help but ask, “Was this restaurant built inside a museum?”

Yan Hui laughed. “My younger sister loves extravagant things, so I built this restaurant according to her tastes.”

“Oh—” Song Ziqing was truly impressed. She followed Yan Hui upstairs, her eyes darting everywhere. The guests were dressed very formally, and there were servers standing by to pour wine, peel shrimp, and crack crab shells.

Song Ziqing pouted in confusion. She followed Yan Hui into a private room where everything was ready. Waiters in suits stood by to serve them—even more extravagant than downstairs, with four servers in total, two for each of them.

Song Ziqing immediately stopped the server who tried to peel her shrimp. “I’ll do it myself.”

The server looked at Yan Hui with embarrassment. Song Ziqing added, “It doesn’t feel like a proper meal if someone else peels them for you.”

Yan Hui nodded, and the servers stepped back. Yan Hui then glanced at the server peeling her own shrimp and signaled for her to leave as well.

Watching the person opposite her peeling shrimp and eating with a look of pure enjoyment, Yan Hui let out an incredulous laugh.

Song Ziqing noticed her expression and praised, “This sauce really hits the spot.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Yan Hui said, starting to peel her own shrimp while occasionally looking up at Song Ziqing.

In the past, when she invited other Omegas to eat, they would rely entirely on the servers, doing their best to act noble and fit into her lifestyle. They would be cautious and try to appear accustomed to the luxury.

But Song Ziqing was different. she only cared about her own comfort. If she didn’t like something, she said so. She didn’t care about “elegance”; if something tasted good, she ate it quickly and heartily.

Yan Hui had never seen an Omega act so boldly, without fear of being judged for being “unrefined” or restricted by etiquette. It was a refreshing sight. Perhaps it was because she had lived as an Alpha for so long that she hadn’t accepted the heavy shackles usually placed on Omegas.

Watching Song Ziqing eat with such gusto, Yan Hui suddenly felt that an Omega without those shackles was incredibly charming—vivid, interesting, and full of life.

Song Ziqing picked up her juice and gulped it down. Noticing Yan Hui staring at her in surprise, she paused and set the glass down, asking curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Yan Hui smiled, peeling a shrimp nonchalantly. “You really are interesting, Qingqing.”

Song Ziqing laughed. “Is that a polite way of saying ‘unrefined’ or ‘unelegant’?”

Yan Hui froze for a second and shook her head quickly. “No, no, that’s not what I meant. I’m not judging you. On the contrary, I like this version of you very much.”

“Thanks,” Song Ziqing smiled.

Yan Hui suddenly asked, “Qingqing, why did you stop Lu Qinnian from signing that contract?”

Song Ziqing jumped, looking up at the smiling person across from her. She was as gentle as ever.

This person is terrifying. Even after Song Ziqing had ruined her plans, she could still look at her so tenderly. She was vastly different from Lu Qinnian, who wore her anger on her face. Yan Hui was far more difficult to deal with.

Song Ziqing forced a relaxed smile. “So, that company really did belong to you, Sister Yan Hui?”

Yan Hui’s expression shifted slightly, her demeanor becoming a bit unnatural before she gave a thin smile. “I always thought you knew. I thought you knew that company was mine, and since you were so polite and familiar with me, I assumed you had tacitly agreed to cooperate.”

Song Ziqing’s heart skipped a beat. Old fox! She had intended to use Song Ziqing to take down Lu Qinnian from the inside while she reaped the benefits, and now she was making it sound so high-minded!

“Have you decided you don’t want to seize it anymore?” Yan Hui asked.

Song Ziqing snapped out of it and gave a hollow laugh, shrugging her shoulders as she continued peeling shrimp. “And here I thought Sister Yan Hui was being so good to me because she liked being my friend. I didn’t realize you were just looking for a partner in crime.”

Yan Hui froze. Seeing the disappointment in the eyes looking back at her, she quickly shook her head in denial. “That’s not what I meant.”

“So, you didn’t want to ‘cooperate,’ but you arranged for your own company to work with me… was it because you wanted to use me to destroy Lu Qinnian?”

Yan Hui was stunned. This seemingly weak Omega actually dared to speak to her like this, without leaving her a shred of face. To be so disrespectful of their status was technically unforgivable.

Song Ziqing looked at the dazed woman with an innocent face and sighed. “I suppose I misunderstood President Yan. I thought you wanted to be my friend.”

With that, she pulled off her gloves and stood up. “Enjoy your meal, President Yan.”

Yan Hui sat in disbelief, watching the person turn to leave. “Aren’t you being a bit too disrespectful?”

Song Ziqing turned back to the displeased woman and gave a thin smile. “As an elite Alpha and the head of the Yan corporation, I imagine no Omega has ever dared to treat you this way, right?”

Yan Hui’s brow furrowed. Song Ziqing smiled and picked up her bag. “I’m not the kind of Omega who will bow and scrape or nod and obey every Alpha I meet. And I’m certainly not someone who can be used so easily.”

Finishing her sentence, Song Ziqing gave the stunned Yan Hui a polite nod and a smile, then opened the door and left the room with clean, decisive movements.

In this social setting, Alphas enjoyed absolute prestige. Omegas were mostly confined to their homes; no matter how talented they were, they were considered lowly and expected to serve Alphas. They had no substantial human rights, let alone a voice of their own.

For elite, wealthy Alphas like Yan Hui and Lu Qinnian, an Omega was like a bar of soap in an average household—a daily necessity that could be discarded at any time.

They could even possess multiple Omegas. If an Omega was chosen by them, they couldn’t refuse; their pheromones wouldn’t allow it. At the same time, if they were abandoned, they were expected not to complain.

The only reason Song Ziqing hadn’t been treated this way yet was because she had lived as an Alpha, and now she had the obvious favor of the Lu family. Until other Alphas figured out the Lu family’s ultimate stance on her, no one dared to move against her rashly.

Song Ziqing stood by the roadside outside the restaurant and took a deep breath. According to the original plot, Yan Hui was a staunch defender of Alpha supremacy. When she moved against Lu Qinnian, she hadn’t even cared about Xie Muqing—who was supposed to be her friend completely ignoring her pleas. She was utterly heartless.

Song Ziqing hung her head, suddenly understanding why the original host had hidden her identity and tried to seize the Lu family fortune.

A breeze brushed past, and Song Ziqing shrunk her neck into her collar. Maybe Lu Qinnian thinks the same way? Ever since she found out I’m an Omega, even though she has proof I tried to harm her, she hasn’t done anything. Is it because she thinks an Omega poses no threat?

And then she was so frivolous, even forcing a kiss on me. Hah! To people like them, kissing an Omega is probably nothing.

As Song Ziqing was thinking gloomily, a car pulled up in front of her. She looked up instinctively, her dejected gaze meeting Yan Hui’s helpless eyes.

Yan Hui looked at the person who had been so defiant just moments ago and was now a picture of desolation. Her heart gave a sudden pull, as if something had grabbed her chest. She knit her brows in discomfort.

Song Ziqing saw the look and assumed Yan Hui was disgusted with her. she gave a bitter laugh. “What? Is President Yan unsatisfied? Did you chase me down just to scold me?”

Yan Hui’s expression faltered, and she gave a helpless smile. “Am I really that terrible in your eyes?”

Song Ziqing froze. Yan Hui let out a long breath. “I don’t believe I’ve ever disrespected you, have I? I admit, I arranged for that company to set a trap for you, but my target was Lu Qinnian. If you’re unhappy because you felt used, I can apologize.”

Song Ziqing looked at her in disbelief. Yan Hui stared back seriously at the dazed girl. An Alpha apologizing to an Omega was unheard of, let alone an elite Alpha like herself. It was only natural for the girl to be shocked.

So, she said earnestly, “I’m sorry. I used you, but it won’t happen again. I hope you can forgive me this once. Will you?”

Song Ziqing instinctively cursed in her mind. Holy crap! This woman is actually apologizing? To an Omega? Is this another scheme? She’s just as devious as Lu Qinnian!

“What’s wrong? You won’t forgive me?” Yan Hui asked with a look of disappointment.

Song Ziqing snapped out of it and shook her head. “No… I said some pretty harsh things too.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.” Yan Hui returned to her usual gentle self. “Get in. I’ll take you home.”

Song Ziqing finally broke into a smile, nodded, and got into the car.

Looking at the person beside her, Song Ziqing suddenly felt that Yan Hui wasn’t so bad after all. For a defender of the old social order to apologize to her was rare. For now, she’d count her as a “good person.”

Yan Hui caught her staring and asked curiously, “What is it?”

“I didn’t think you’d actually apologize to me,” Song Ziqing said candidly.

Yan Hui froze, looking a bit flustered. She laughed awkwardly. “I had to prepare myself for a long time before I could say it.”

Song Ziqing laughed. “Was it that hard to say?”

Yan Hui nodded. “Mm. It was my first time.”

Song Ziqing continued to laugh. In Yan Hui’s world, this probably was a source of shame. But that one point made her much better than Lu Qinnian who was cold, heartless, and constantly suspected her of plotting something.

Yan Hui let out a deep breath as she looked at her. “But after saying it, I feel much lighter.”

Song Ziqing smiled at her. Yan Hui’s gaze was tender. “I really don’t like apologizing, and I especially don’t like self-important Omegas.”

Song Ziqing’s heart skipped a beat. Yan Hui smiled gently. “But… I even more so don’t want you to hate me.”

Song Ziqing stared at her in shock, her mouth open, but no words came out.

Yan Hui laughed at the reaction. “What’s with that face? Did you see a ghost? Am I a ghost?”

Song Ziqing shook her head and gave a happy laugh. “Sister Yan Hui, you’re much better than Lu Qinnian.”

Yan Hui paused, then smiled. “Weren’t you calling me ‘President Yan’ just a moment ago?”

Song Ziqing laughed awkwardly. “Who calls their friend ‘President Yan’?”

Yan Hui nodded happily. “True. But… in your heart, are you comparing me to Lu Qinnian?”

Song Ziqing hummed. Then she added with a grin, “She can’t compete with you. She’s far too arrogant.”

“That’s true,” Yan Hui agreed with a satisfied smile. From Song Ziqing’s attitude, she had absolutely no favorable feelings for Lu Qinnian. On the contrary, she liked Yan Hui quite a bit. It looked like she was destined to win.

If she could win over the Omega the Lu family doted on so much and spirit her away, the Lu family would become a laughingstock. Lu Qinnian would probably explode. Thinking of the woman’s furious but helpless expression made her feel incredible.

Soon, the car arrived at the Lu gates. Yan Hui looked wistfully at the person about to open the door. “Are you just leaving like that, Qingqing?”

Song Ziqing looked back in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“Shouldn’t you give me a hug before you go?” Yan Hui opened her arms with a “requesting a hug” expression.

Song Ziqing smiled and reached out to pat her on the head. “Drive safely.”

With that, she turned and got out of the car.

Yan Hui’s entire body went rigid. She actually patted me on the head?! An Omega patted me on the head?! Holy crap! This is ridiculous! What Omega would be so daring?!

“Sister Yan Hui?”

Hearing the voice from outside, Yan Hui snapped out of it and lowered her arms. She looked dazedly at Song Ziqing, who was waving at her from the roadside, and forced her lips into a mechanical smile.

Who knew being patted on the head could feel so good? As Yan Hui drove away, she felt as if she were walking on air. She looked in the rearview mirror at the girl watching her go and muttered wistfully, “She wouldn’t hug me, but she touched me like that! How unfair!”

Despite her words, the smile on her face was brilliant. Looking at Song Ziqing in the distance, a look of pure happiness crossed her features. “Qingqing definitely likes me.”

“But if she likes me, why didn’t she hug me?” Yan Hui pouted with a sense of grievance.

Song Ziqing returned to the Lu house in a great mood. She thought to herself that since she had a friend like Yan Hui, even if Lu Qinnian was heartless enough to kick her out, she could at least seek help there. She wouldn’t end up on the streets.

In the living room, Lu Qinnian, who had just returned, saw Xie Muqing on the sofa, and her expression turned even darker.

Xie Muqing stood up immediately, looking at her with an obedient gaze. “Qinnian.”

Lu Qinnian hummed coldly, not even looking at her. “Miss Xie, you can have your sister give me a call.”

Xie Muqing felt a pang of bitterness. “Qinnian, do you really have to be this heartless?”

Lu Qinnian stood before her, one hand in her pocket, her face looking thin and cold. “So, what do you want?”

Xie Muqing’s eyes turned red. “Qinnian, I was wrong. I just wanted to find out Qingqing’s identity. I didn’t think things would escalate to this point. I was wrong.”

“How could you not have known? You knew exactly what the situation was. Besides, did you ‘not think’ about the things you said to the reporters? Did you ‘not think’ when you practically demolished her room?”

Xie Muqing’s heart skipped a beat. She truly hadn’t expected it—but what she hadn’t expected was that this cold, detached woman would care so much about Song Ziqing. She claimed to hate her, yet Song Ziqing’s position in her heart was likely much higher than her own.

“Qinnian~” Xie Muqing stepped forward and grabbed her arm, sobbing. “For the sake of us growing up together, please forgive me. I’ll apologize to Qingqing. I’ll beg for her forgiveness, okay?”

Song Ziqing walked in through the door and froze at the sight. Xie Muqing, seeing her arrival, immediately leaned into Lu Qinnian’s arms and acted spoiled. “Qinnian~”

Song Ziqing stared in disbelief. The smile on her face vanished, and her brow furrowed. The person who had made her life so miserable was now shamelessly leaning into the arms of the same Lu Qinnian who had forced a kiss on her earlier that day?!

Lu Qinnian’s back was to the door, so she didn’t see the look of pure disappointment on Song Ziqing’s face. she patted Xie Muqing’s shoulder and said coldly, “Fine, let’s leave it at that.”

Xie Muqing stayed in her arms, nodding with a sob. Out of the corner of her eye, she stole a look at Song Ziqing. Seeing her disappointed expression, Xie Muqing’s eyes filled with a triumphant, mocking glint.

The nanny, Nanny Liu, emerged from the kitchen and was startled by the sight at the door and the pair by the sofa. “Miss Qingqing?”

Lu Qinnian’s entire body stiffened. She pushed the woman in her arms away instantly and turned around nervously to look at Song Ziqing.

Xie Muqing stumbled slightly, her chest tightening as she watched the panic on the woman’s face.

“I… you…” Lu Qinnian didn’t know what to say.

Song Ziqing gave a dejected smile and let out a long breath, spreading her hands. “Please, continue.”

With that, she walked straight past Lu Qinnian. Lu Qinnian reached out anxiously to grab her hand, shaking her head. “It’s not what you think.”

Song Ziqing turned back and pulled her hand away with a look of disdain. “I understand. I really do.”

Xie Muqing looked at Song Ziqing with the gaze of a victor, smiling. “Qingqing, do you want to join us for dinner?”

Song Ziqing froze for a second before smiling. “I’ve already eaten with Yan Hui, so I won’t disturb you two.”

Lu Qinnian looked at her with dissatisfaction. “Is the food at home not good enough? You just have to eat with others?”

Song Ziqing spread her hands, smiling at the stone-faced Lu Qinnian with an indifferent air. “Isn’t that so I don’t disturb you two?”

She looked toward Xie Muqing. “Right, Miss Xie?”

Xie Muqing paused, not expecting to be addressed. She smiled. “We wouldn’t mind.”

Xie Muqing reached out to grab Lu Qinnian’s arm, looking up at her with a doting gaze. “Right, Qinnian?”

Lu Qinnian paused as she looked at the smiling person beside her, then quickly pulled her arm away. By the time she turned back, Song Ziqing was already heading upstairs. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out; she could only watch her go.

Does she really not care about me? Today she pushed me away to get into Yan Hui’s car, then she ate dinner with her and didn’t come back for me. Is it possible I really can’t compete with Yan Hui? Am I so unimportant to her that even when she sees me holding someone else, she can just smile and say ‘continue’?

“Qinnian~” Xie Muqing reached for her hand.

Lu Qinnian yanked it away in a rage. Xie Muqing jumped in shock and immediately began to cry. “Qinnian, why are you being so mean? You scared me! Waaah…”

Lu Qinnian glared at her. “Butler! Get in here!”

The butler hurried into the room. “Eldest Miss.”

“See Miss Xie out. From this day forward, without my explicit permission, she is not allowed to set foot inside the Lu gates!”

Everyone froze. They stared in disbelief at the furious woman and the suddenly silent, crying Xie Muqing. For so many years, Xie Muqing had acted like the mistress of the house. Everyone assumed she would be Lu Qinnian’s future wife and treated her with great respect.

Yet, Lu Qinnian had just said those words to someone she had known for over twenty years. She didn’t even care that the woman was crying; she showed absolutely no mercy in front of everyone.

As expected of the famously cold-blooded Lu Qinnian! the staff thought to themselves.

Xie Muqing looked at the cold woman in disbelief, reaching out to grab her, only to be avoided with determination.

“Qinnian~” Xie Muqing’s voice trembled. “I’ve known you since I was seven. It’s been twenty years. We’ve known each other for twenty years! And just because of one small mistake—because I exposed someone who has been lying to you for twenty years, someone who has designs on the Lu family—you’re treating me like this?”

Lu Qinnian let out a cold laugh. “You were intentionally using vague words to provoke her just now. Do you really think I couldn’t hear it?”

Watching the stunned woman, Lu Qinnian knit her brows. “If I’m not mistaken, you knew exactly when she was at the door, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t!” Xie Muqing cried, refusing to admit it. She reached for her hand. “Qinnian, I—”

Lu Qinnian pulled her hand away impatiently. “I know you. As you said, we’ve known each other for twenty years, so I know exactly what kind of person you are. It was only because of those twenty years that I didn’t have you thrown out the moment I walked in. I only tried to comfort you as a friend, and it made Qingqing misunderstand.”

Xie Muqing froze, then let out a tearful laugh. “Qingqing? Since when did you become so close to her? Just because she’s a top-tier Omega? Because she can marry you and have your children, you suddenly value her? She’s suddenly more important than I am?”

“What are you talking about?”

Xie Muqing shrieked at her hysterically, “You’re all the same! Every Alpha is the same! You’re all bastards!”

Xie Muqing slammed her shoulder into Lu Qinnian’s as she ran out the door. She stopped suddenly at the entrance, turning back to glare at her with fury. “You’re colder and more heartless than any of them! A person like you, who only cares about profit and has no mercy, doesn’t deserve to be loved! No one will ever truly love you! Not even Song Ziqing!”

The butler stood frozen as he watched her go, then looked back at Lu Qinnian standing in the living room.

Lu Qinnian swept her gaze over the staff, and they immediately lowered their heads, busying themselves with their work.

With a cold expression, Lu Qinnian walked to the dining table and began her meal as if nothing had happened.

Nanny Liu watched her. Even though she knew the woman’s temperament, she still felt she was being excessively heartless merciless and utterly indifferent. She really was cold.

“Nanny Liu, do you also think I am heartless and unmerciful?”

Nanny Liu, who was serving her soup, jumped in surprise. Her hand shook, and she smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to respond.

“I understand.” Lu Qinnian set down her chopsticks and stood up.

Nanny Liu watched her go with a helpless look. She had been the head chef for the Lu family for decades; she had seen Lu Qinnian grow from an infant to a leader. She had spent more time with her than her own parents had. In her heart, she viewed Lu Qinnian as her own child.

And this exceptionally gifted Lu Qinnian always gave her a sense of profound loneliness. It often made her heart ache for her.

“Do you think you did something wrong?” Nanny Liu asked suddenly.

Lu Qinnian stopped and looked back in confusion. Nanny Liu gave her a gentle smile. “Is there any chance you would still marry Miss Xie?”

Lu Qinnian shook her head.

Nanny Liu smiled tenderly. “Then don’t worry about being ‘heartless.’ Being heartless is a mercy to Miss Xie; it stops her from wasting her energy on someone where there is no hope.”

Lu Qinnian was stunned for a second, then nodded with a smile and turned to leave.

Nanny Liu let out a sigh of relief as she watched her go, whispering to herself, “I also don’t think Xie Muqing was right for you.”

The butler glanced at her, and Nanny Liu immediately wiped the look off her face. But the butler nodded with a smile and whispered, “Agreed.”

Nanny Liu was surprised, and her gossip instincts immediately took over. “Then what do you think about Miss Qingqing?”

The butler smiled, glancing toward where Lu Qinnian had vanished upstairs. He lowered his voice. “Miss Qingqing doesn’t bully people. In that regard, I’d actually like to see her become the future mistress.”

“That’s true. She’s never ordered us around like Xie Muqing did.” Nanny Liu smiled happily. “Most importantly, she loves everything I cook—she eats it all!”

“But I truly didn’t expect Miss Qingqing to be an Omega,” the butler said as he helped clear the table.

Nanny Liu gave him the look of a wise elder. “I finally understand why Lu Qinnian has disliked her since they were children. It’s because they aren’t the same kind.”

“True. Now that she knows she’s an Omega, she’s actually looking after her. It’s a bit…” The butler hesitated.

“A bit what?”

The butler lowered his voice. “She looks a bit like a lustful pervert who’s just following her base instincts.”

Nanny Liu froze, then burst out laughing, giving him a playful glare. “Stop that nonsense.”

The butler laughed and nodded, then sighed. “But Miss Qingqing really is beautiful. I always thought she was striking, but now that I know she’s an Omega, she seems even more beautiful—delicate and ethereal. I can’t blame the Eldest Miss.”

“That’s for sure. Her aura as an Alpha was a negative, but as an Omega, it’s a huge positive. Even if her looks haven’t changed, knowing she’s an Omega makes everyone feel she’s even more beautiful than before.”

The butler nodded, then gave a devious grin. “So, if the Eldest Miss wants to win her heart, it won’t be easy. The competition is going to be fierce.”

Nanny Liu looked troubled and shook her head helplessly.

“Why the head-shaking?”

Nanny Liu sighed. “I know the Eldest Miss too well. she has no idea how to date someone, let alone how to coax them.”

“Then Miss Qingqing is going to be snatched away by someone else?!” the butler asked with concern.

Nanny Liu shook her head. “I don’t know. Fate is a strange thing. Or maybe the Eldest Miss will suddenly have an epiphany one day.”

Lu Qinnian stood outside Song Ziqing’s bedroom door. She raised her hand to knock but hesitated and pulled it back.

What would she say after the door opened? Explain? The girl probably wouldn’t care anyway. She had run off to have dinner with Yan Hui and didn’t even come home to eat with her what did that mean?

Why should she be coaxing this ungrateful wolf? For all she knew, this was all part of the girl’s plan to make her lower her guard so she could strike with Yan Hui.

Lu Qinnian turned away in a rage, then stopped suddenly. She couldn’t let the girl think there was anything between her and Xie Muqing!

She turned back and raised her hand to knock, but the sound of a phone call came from inside the room.

“Sister Yan Hui?”

Lu Qinnian’s heart gave a jolt, and her brow furrowed. On the phone with Yan Hui again? She keeps calling her ‘Sister’; she never used such an intimate term for me!

Lu Qinnian let out a cold laugh and marched away in a fury.

Song Ziqing had just showered and was lying on her sofa. She was a bit confused to receive a call from Yan Hui hadn’t they just parted?

Yan Hui was sitting in her study at home. Every time she thought about her head being patted, she couldn’t help but let out a silly grin. She couldn’t concentrate on her work at all, so she called.

“Is something wrong?”

Hearing the voice on the other end, Yan Hui realized she had no excuse. She laughed awkwardly; she just wanted to hear her voice, but she’d forgotten to find a reason. She quickly invented a lie: “Do you want to go shopping tomorrow?”

Song Ziqing paused. Tomorrow was the weekend, and there was a high chance Lu Qinnian would be at home. Lately, she had been very idle and was home all day. Rather than being stuck with her, it was better to go shopping.

So, she replied, “Sure.”

Yan Hui froze for a second, then burst into a happy laugh. “Then I’ll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning.”

“Mm.” Song Ziqing smiled. “Get some rest, Sister Yan Hui.”

“Okay.” Yan Hui was over the moon. After hanging up, she hugged her phone and grinned like an idiot. She agreed to go shopping! And she told me to get some rest! She definitely likes me!

Song Ziqing let out a deep breath and pouted. She felt a sense of betrayal. “Damn that Lu Qinnian! She knew Xie Muqing was targeting me, yet she was still holding her!”

“If Xie Muqing ever marries in, it’ll be even worse!”

Song Ziqing muttered as she climbed into bed, her face full of irritation. Recalling the gentle expression Lu Qinnian had worn earlier that day when she leaned in and asked to date her, she ground her teeth.

“What a good actress!”

Song Ziqing pulled the covers over her head in frustration. “I’m done thinking about that bastard!”

Early the next morning, Song Ziqing was about to head out when she was stopped by Lu Qinnian, who was coming downstairs. “Where are you going?”

Song Ziqing froze. The bastard was indeed at home. She turned back and glared at the casually dressed Lu Qinnian. “On a date!”

Lu Qinnian paused. “Who with? Yan Hui again?”

“Yes.” Song Ziqing gave a triumphant smile. “Isn’t it the weekend? You stay home and find your childhood sweetheart, and I’ll go find my gentle big sister. Let’s not get in each other’s way.”

With that, she turned to leave. Lu Qinnian was about to speak, but watching the girl wave at her without looking back made her throat tighten. She couldn’t get a single word out. She felt as if she had been plunged into an ice cave; her entire body went cold.

It took her a long time to find her voice. “Yan Hui again! Yan Hui, Yan Hui! What’s so gentle about that smiling tiger?! When you get tricked, don’t come crying to me!”

Lu Qinnian sat on the sofa, grinding her teeth in a rage. “Damn it! That liar! She only just agreed to date me yesterday, and today she’s on a date with someone else?! When she gets back, I’m kicking her out for good!”

Just then, her phone rang. It was Qi Ling.

“President Lu, I’m already at the mall. Where are you?”

Lu Qinnian froze. She had been so angry at Song Ziqing that she’d completely forgotten her plans to go shopping with Qi Ling to buy things for that little wolf.

“Oh—I’m coming,” Lu Qinnian said.

Qi Ling was annoyed. “You haven’t even left yet?”

Lu Qinnian hummed. Qi Ling slapped her forehead and let out a deep breath. “You’re actually late? What happened? Did you and—”

“Are you asking because you want to wait a few more hours?”

Hearing the displeasure in her voice, Qi Ling backed down immediately. “Fine, fine. I’ll wait for you upstairs.”

This mall was designed specifically for wealthy clients like Lu Qinnian. It had everything—lounges, tea rooms, restaurants, and a countless array of luxury goods, each piece a limited edition.

Qi Ling was sitting in a restaurant on the fifth floor, grumbling to herself. “That Lu Qinnian! My precious weekend, and I’m wasting it waiting here?!”

“Why doesn’t she just use a professional stylist?! Why come to the mall herself?!” Qi Ling was venting her frustrations when she suddenly saw a figure walking past. She immediately sat up straight.

“Yan Hui and Song Ziqing?!” Qi Ling watched them head downstairs in disbelief. “I’m dead! If Lu Qinnian sees this, she’s going to explode!”

“Though, according to the pheromone tests, Yan Hui and Song Ziqing are actually the better match. Lu Qinnian is second best.”

“What are you muttering about?”

Lu Qinnian suddenly appeared behind her. Qi Ling jumped, looking at the moody woman with a wistful sigh. “Your only weakness is your bad temper.”

“What?”

“Nothing, nothing.” Qi Ling stood up with a grin. “Let’s go. Where are we starting?”

“I want to buy some sneakers, canvas shoes, things like that.”

Qi Ling looked at her as if she’d seen a ghost and took two steps back. “Those aren’t…”