You Are My Omega - Chapter 51

After all the interruptions earlier, Xu Shijiu’s unstable emotions had finally settled. Sitting across from Lin Xinyi, she quietly clenched her fists. She felt that she had always been too easily persuaded. Maybe it was time to start being more firm.

So she straightened her posture and tried to keep her expression serious. Her face carried a quiet gloom. Lin Xinyi felt her heart skip a beat when she saw this but didn’t back away. She didn’t want Xu Shijiu to stay upset or keep her thoughts bottled up. It was always better to talk things through than to let the tension build.

Her sister had told her to let Xu Shijiu have some time alone to calm down. Her sister-in-law had advised the same. But Lin Xinyi couldn’t do it. She couldn’t leave her alone like that.

Maybe it really would have been the better choice to listen to them. Maybe giving Xu Shijiu space would have helped. But she just couldn’t relax. She didn’t want Xu Shijiu locked in her room, overthinking everything on her own.

“Xu Shijiu, I can explain,” Lin Xinyi said sincerely. She had always dreamed of joining the entertainment industry and becoming an actress. She had wanted this audition opportunity. But when Liu Lingyan brought it up again, Lin Xinyi felt more surprised than excited.

It hit her that this part of her plan—the most important part—had finally resurfaced. She remembered how anxious she had been about it. Even when she told herself to be patient, she still asked Liu Lingyan about it every few days. But somehow, she had stopped thinking about it altogether.

Back then, she always reminded herself not to owe the Xu family anything. But now, Lin Xinyi realized she had started to think of the Xu family as her own family. Her sister had never once mentioned anything about money. Maybe that was why she had gradually let her guard down.

“Then explain,” Xu Shijiu replied in a calm voice, looking at Lin Xinyi with an unreadable expression.

Her emotions were complicated, but what she felt most was trust. She chose to believe in Lin Xinyi. She wanted to hear what she had to say.

“I just wanted to become financially independent as soon as possible. That way, the Xu family wouldn’t have to keep paying for everything,” Lin Xinyi began. But before she could finish, she noticed that Xu Shijiu’s face darkened.

“The Xu family?” Xu Shijiu repeated coldly, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

Lin Xinyi immediately realized her mistake. She had touched a nerve.

“It’s not the Xu family. It’s our family,” she said quickly before Xu Shijiu could respond further. She understood. Xu Shijiu, along with her sister, sister-in-law, and Fantuan, all treated her as part of their family. If she kept distancing herself with words like that, it would hurt them.

Xu Shijiu was pleased to hear her say that, but she didn’t show it. Her expression remained stiff.

“If the Omega suppressants were just the standard ones provided by the government, it would be fine. But my sister buys the special kind. One tiny vial is extremely expensive. I always feel uneasy watching her spend so much on me without anything in return.” Lin Xinyi couldn’t bring herself to spend her sister’s money—or the Xu family’s money—without guilt.

Even though she knew their wealth was something she couldn’t even fully grasp.

Xu Shijiu understood this completely. Lin Xinyi had always been proud and wanted her independence. That was just who she was. It didn’t surprise her at all, and she couldn’t bring herself to argue against it.

They were enrolled in the best high school in the city. Even better schools had extended invitations, but those were too far away. If Xu Shijiu transferred, she would no longer be able to continue her rehab at her current center. In the past, she might have considered switching without hesitation. But right now, she was in a critical stage. Her condition still fluctuated—sometimes she could feel her legs, sometimes not—but compared to how she used to be, it was a huge improvement.

For most students entering high school, the coursework was difficult and took a lot of adjustment. But for Xu Shijiu and Lin Xinyi, it wasn’t a problem. They had already studied a large portion of the material before school even started.

Just as Xu Shijiu had predicted, Lin Xinyi had stood out during filming. Even though the movie hadn’t been released yet and her role was just a small supporting part in a campus-themed film, something unexpected happened. A famous director happened to visit the set one day, and he immediately noticed Lin Xinyi.

Xu Shijiu turned her gaze toward the desk that used to belong to Lin Xinyi. Aside from the first day of school, it had been emptied the entire time. Her heart sank, and she slowly lowered her head.

“The second young lady of the Xu family, why do you look so down?”

There was something unsettling in the way she emphasized that title. When Xu Shijiu looked up and saw Mo Jinlan, her hands instinctively tightened around the armrests of her wheelchair. Her eyes filled with wariness. She would never forget that it was this woman who had once lifted her bangs, shoved her in front of a mirror, and forced her to look at her own disfigured scars.

Mo Jinlan gave a cold laugh.
“Why are you so scared? What could I possibly do to the second young miss of the Xu family?”

As if she would do nothing.

Xu Shijiu denied her words silently but tried to keep her expression calm and collected, even though her heart was still uneasy.

She couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Why did Mo Jinlan keep repeating that title, “second young miss of the Xu family”? She had never used that name before, never made such a point of it. Xu Shijiu couldn’t shake the feeling that Mo Jinlan had learned something about her background. That possibility made her even more guarded and sensitive.

“Mo Jinlan.”

Just as Mo Jinlan seemed ready to say something else, a voice interrupted them. They turned to see who it was.

It was Lin Zhiling.

Aside from Lin Xinyi, Lin Zhiling was the only Omega that Xu Shijiu felt somewhat close to. Lin Zhiling and Lin Xinyi had a very good relationship, and they often appeared together, sometimes even linking arms in front of her.

Yes, holding hands.

“What’s wrong? Since Lin Xinyi isn’t here, are you here to protect this crippled Alpha in her place?” Mo Jinlan sneered, her tone full of mockery.

Xu Shijiu sensed something was off. Lin Zhiling sensed it too. After Mo Jinlan’s past behavior was exposed, she had gone quiet out of fear that the Xu family might retaliate. She had never dared act out again. But now, suddenly, she seemed to be back to her old arrogant self.

“What do you think you’re doing, Mo Jinlan?” Lin Zhiling stepped in front of Xu Shijiu, glaring at Mo Jinlan with open anger.

Her action drew attention from the entire class. Many students stood up and looked at Mo Jinlan with clear suspicion.

Lin Zhiling was well liked by nearly everyone. Lin Xinyi was too, but the difference was that Lin Zhiling genuinely connected with people. That didn’t mean Lin Xinyi was insincere, but she always had a subtle sense of distance in the way she interacted with others.

“I wasn’t planning to do anything,” Mo Jinlan muttered. She straightened up reluctantly and left the classroom. She had just discovered a major secret about the Xu family, and now she thought it was better to take her time and act with caution.

“She’s from the class next door. Xu Shijiu, don’t worry. We’ll make sure she doesn’t get into our classroom again.” Lin Zhiling gave her word.

Right after that, the rest of the class joined in.

“We’ll keep an eye on her.”

“We’re not going to let anyone bully our top student.”

“Exactly. Hey, top student, could you help me with this problem? I really can’t figure it out.”

A student with a familiar face, though Xu Shijiu couldn’t remember the name, approached with an open workbook. They looked miserable.

“This question is killing me. I’ve tried everything and still can’t get it right.”

Xu Shijiu didn’t respond right away.

She was honestly stunned.

But she also knew that this class was different from the others she had been in. The way they treated her was completely new to her. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was now ranked first in the entire grade.

Yes, Xu Shijiu had officially overtaken Lin Xinyi.

“Don’t crowd her. You’re scaring our class treasure.” The class monitor quickly stepped in with a teasing tone, but her words carried real meaning. Xu Shijiu was the pride of their elite class.

The student who had asked for help looked disappointed but understanding. They knew Xu Shijiu’s situation was different. Even if they were reluctant, they stepped back without complaint.

“I can help you, if you’d like,” Xu Shijiu said suddenly with a smile. She gathered the courage to speak. Immediately, the student’s eyes lit up.

The class monitor and the others looked jealous. It wasn’t easy to get a one-on-one lesson from the top student, and this opportunity had just slipped out of their hands.

“Thank you! It’s this problem right here.” The student quickly placed the workbook in front of Xu Shijiu. Considerately, they didn’t sit beside her, especially not in Lin Xinyi’s usual seat. They remained standing as they asked their question.

Lin Zhiling noticed and silently praised the student for being tactful. Sitting down would have put pressure on Xu Shijiu, especially in Lin Xinyi’s spot. That wouldn’t have gone over well.

Xu Shijiu explained the problem clearly and quickly. Her explanation was straightforward and easy to understand. The student followed along and soon grasped the solution.

“You’re amazing. That was so much easier to understand than the teacher’s explanation,” they said sincerely.

Hearing that, the nearby classmates who had been quietly watching couldn’t stay quiet anymore. They stared at the student with envy. Even though they were all in the top fifty of the grade, everyone wanted to see how the number one student solved problems.

Xu Shijiu noticed their interest. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.

“Does anyone else have questions?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a wave of relief. Maybe it wasn’t as hard to speak up as she had imagined. Her classmates looked genuinely happy.

Happy didn’t even begin to describe it.

They were thrilled.

In no time at all, a long line had formed next to Xu Shijiu’s desk.

Support You Are My Omega