After Differentiating into an Alpha, I Marked My Love Rival - Chapter 26

Ji Yongshu stared at the bottle of peach juice for a long while before finally rolling down the car window beside her and resting her arm on the window’s edge.

 

The slightly cool breeze rushed into the car through the open window, dispersing the stifling air and calming the faint flush that had risen on Ji Yongshu’s cheeks.

 

Her fingers unconsciously brushed against her phone screen, her thumb instinctively lighting it up again.

 

The WeChat interface she had opened earlier was still displayed. Lowering her gaze, Ji Yongshu noticed two new replies beneath Jiang Zhiluo’s post.

 

Since they didn’t share many mutual friends, she couldn’t see what the other person had asked, but she could read Jiang Zhiluo’s responses.

 

“Because I didn’t eat much tonight, I’m really hungry, so I decided to have a midnight snack.”

 

“The brand of the peach juice is Sweet Lover.”

 

Ji Yongshu inhaled sharply while rubbing her temples, momentarily at a loss for words.

 

After frowning in thought for a while, she finally gave Jiang Zhiluo’s post a like.

 

Jiang Zhiluo was probably on her phone because, within seconds, Ji Yongshu received a new message from her.

 

“Jie jie, have you gone back yet?”

 

Ji Yongshu glanced at the streetlights outside the window. The multicolored lights reflected in her eyes like twinkling stars, their brilliance flickering with each blink.

 

As she lowered her head to reply, the light cast across her face, dividing her features into contrasting halves of light and shadow. Her expression remained aloof and indifferent.

 

“Mm, on my way back.”

 

Ji Yongshu recalled earlier when she was returning with Ji Fengchu and Bai Yingying. The lingering scent of green tea on her hadn’t dissipated yet, and Bai Yingying immediately recognized it as identical to the pheromones from the orange plush toy last time.

 

Grabbing Ji Yongshu’s hand, Bai Yingying couldn’t conceal her excitement: “Was that Omega from last time among the guests at tonight’s banquet?”

 

Bai Yingying had also seen the guest list for the banquet, and coincidentally, her memory was quite good.

 

As she asked this, Bai Yingying mentally reviewed all the unmarried Omegas who had attended tonight.

 

The green tea scent was so strong—it probably wasn’t just from casual contact.

 

Ji Fengchu remained silent, merely studying Ji Yongshu with a frown before suddenly asking, “Did you mark her?”

 

Ji Yongshu pressed her lips together. She knew she couldn’t hide it from Ji Fengchu.

 

Truthfully, she hadn’t intended to keep it from her family. It was just that Bai Yingying had always been overly concerned about her marital prospects, and Ji Yongshu worried she might disturb Jiang Zhiluo without her knowledge.

 

Her silence spoke volumes. Ji Fengchu’s frown remained, while Bai Yingying clapped her hands delightedly. “Really?! You actually marked her? Was it a permanent mark or a temporary one?”

 

Logically, with the Ji family’s social standing, Ji Yongshu never lacked people throwing themselves at her, so Bai Yingying shouldn’t have been so anxious about her marriage.

 

But the problem was that Ji Yongshu had never shown any romantic interest in anyone before.

 

Bai Yingying had once suspected that Ji Yongshu had feelings for Meng Chuyu. It wasn’t that she was biased against Meng Chuyu, but the woman was indeed a bit frivolous and fickle. Bai Yingying had been genuinely worried for quite some time back then.

 

Fortunately, Ji Yongshu repeatedly reassured her, finally dispelling her doubts.

 

As it turned out, the urge to nag someone about marriage had nothing to do with their social status or wealth.

 

Bai Yingying had been urging Ji Yongshu to settle down from the age of twenty-two all the way to twenty-five, as if fearing her daughter would end up alone.

 

It wasn’t that she was forcing Ji Yongshu into marriage—Bai Yingying simply hoped her daughter would have a stable romantic partner.

 

After all, among Ji Yongshu’s peers, those who had never been in a relationship by twenty-five could be counted on one hand.

 

Being an Omega also put her at a slight disadvantage. Though society had long moved past viewing Omegas as mere reproductive tools, many still treated them as breeding machines.

 

Once past their prime childbearing years, Omegas were like devalued currency—no matter how beautiful or alluring they were, many would still see them as useless.

 

Ji Yongshu detested this mindset, but thankfully, her parents didn’t share it. Bai Yingying’s nagging stemmed only from concern that outsiders might criticize her daughter.

 

When Ji Yongshu differentiated into an Alpha, Bai Yingying was probably the happiest.

 

The world was far more forgiving toward Alphas, and she no longer had to worry about her daughter enduring judgmental stares.

 

But Ji Yongshu remained as stubborn as ever. Even when she finally had a romantic prospect, she refused to share any details.

 

Bai Yingying understood—young people had their own secrets, and she couldn’t push too hard.

 

What she hadn’t expected was how quickly Ji Yongshu would act this time. Just days ago, during her Heat Period, she had refused to bring anyone home. Yet now, in such a short time, had she already marked someone?

 

Bai Yingying and Ji Fengchu both stared at Ji Yongshu until she nearly broke into a cold sweat.

 

“It’s not a permanent mark.”

 

Bai Yingying still couldn’t stop smiling. “So, it’s a temporary one. That’s fine—take your time getting to know each other.”

 

“I also wouldn’t advise a permanent mark before your relationship is fully established.”

 

Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Ji Yongshu quickly nodded. “I know.”

 

Seeing this, Bai Yingying didn’t press further.

 

With her parents temporarily appeased, Ji Yongshu now had to face Meng Chuyu and Gu Yiyi later. Gu Yiyi was one thing, but Meng Chuyu knew exactly what was going on between her and Jiang Zhiluo—how was she supposed to explain this?

 

A headache.

 

Ji Yongshu rubbed her temples again. It seemed like tonight was full of nothing but stress.

 

Jiang Zhiluo had already replied earlier, the Omega asking: Sister, would you like to see Mianmian?

 

Ji Yongshu thought of that little dog with its round belly, and her irritation inexplicably eased. She agreed, and Jiang Zhiluo soon sent over a video.

 

In the clip, the curly-haired puppy was gnawing on a jade-like finger, its tiny white teeth faintly visible as it suckled.

 

Not only did it suck, but it also gnawed on Jiang Zhiluo’s fingers with its teeth, as if treating her fingers like some kind of toy.

 

Ji Yongshu only heard the Omega laugh softly. Though she was scolding the puppy, there wasn’t the slightest hint of anger in her tone. “You can’t bite Mommy’s hand.”

 

Actually, ever since Jiang Zhiluo first referred to herself as “Mommy,” Ji Yongshu had felt a subtle sense of oddity.

 

After all, in her eyes, Jiang Zhiluo seemed far too young for that role.

 

She knew many people treated their pets as children, but the thought of Jiang Zhiluo playing the mother figure made Ji Yongshu want to laugh.

 

It felt inexplicably adorable in contrast.

 

That said, someone as gentle as Jiang Zhiluo clearly doted on her pets with such care—one could only imagine how indulgent she’d be with an actual child.

 

Ji Yongshu realized her thoughts had wandered too far and quickly reeled them back in.

 

Why was she even thinking about Jiang Zhiluo’s hypothetical child?

 

Forcing herself to stop dwelling on Jiang Zhiluo, she instead replied earnestly: It’s adorable. It’s grown so fast.

 

The last time she’d seen the puppy, it hadn’t been this big. In just a few days, it had already plumped up another round.

 

Clearly, Jiang Zhiluo was raising it with genuine devotion.

 

He drinks milk several times a day, and now he can eat some softened kibble too.

 

Jiang Zhiluo sent over all the photos she’d taken of the puppy recently, and the two chatted about the little dog for quite a while—until the driver reminded Ji Yongshu they’d arrived at their destination, snapping her out of the conversation.

 

I’m here.

 

Jiang Zhiluo immediately understood. Then rest early, sister. I should sleep too.

Goodnight.

 

She also sent a sticker—a rabbit happily tossing flowers at the camera.

 

Ji Yongshu unconsciously pressed her lips together in a faint smile. She always found her conversations with Jiang Zhiluo so pleasant.

 

The other woman had an innate sense of boundaries—never too enthusiastic, yet never cold either.

 

As she put away her phone, Ji Yongshu also schooled her expression back to neutrality. Clutching her bag, she straightened her posture and strode into the bar, weaving past the lively crowd and heading straight for the second floor.

 

Along the way, two people stopped her to ask for her WeChat. Just as she was about to refuse, Gu Yiyi waved at her from nearby and called out loudly, “Darling, you’re finally here!”

 

Hearing this, the two glanced at Gu Yiyi, then at Ji Yongshu’s indifferent face, and reluctantly stepped aside.

 

Yet the words made Ji Yongshu frown slightly.

 

This had always been their go-to solution before, but for some reason, it suddenly felt inappropriate now.

 

Still, she didn’t contradict Gu Yiyi. She merely sat farther away from her once she reached the sofa.

 

Not excessively far—just enough that they could reach each other with an outstretched hand, but their bodies wouldn’t accidentally touch.

 

To Gu Yiyi, however, the distance might as well have been an impassable gulf.

 

“Why are you sitting so far away?” Gu Yiyi pouted, displeased, and tried to scoot closer.

 

But Ji Yongshu stopped her. The Omega’s eyes immediately reddened, her gaze brimming with hurt and confusion. “Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me?”

 

Ji Yongshu had never rejected her so persistently before.

 

Beside them, Meng Chuyu was also at a loss, not daring to even breathe loudly as she watched the two of them. The previously lively atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.

 

Ji Yongshu sighed silently, her tone soothing. “Yiyi, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s my fault.”

 

She paused before continuing, “Actually, this is what I wanted to talk to you both about.”

 

Gu Yiyi and Meng Chuyu both looked puzzled. Sitting on either side of Ji Yongshu, their expressions unexpectedly mirrored each other.

 

“I underwent secondary differentiation. I’ve differentiated into an SS-rank Alpha.”

 

Ji Yongshu had thought long and hard about how to calmly break the news to her friends—or perhaps find a more tactful way to inform them.

 

But in the end, she decided to just say it outright.

 

Hearing this, Meng Chuyu’s jaw dropped in shock, her expression frozen as she stared blankly at Ji Yongshu, unable to snap out of it for a long moment.

 

Only after what felt like an eternity did she finally find her voice again.

 

“Y-you… you underwent secondary differentiation?!”

 

Meng Chuyu nearly grabbed Ji Yongshu’s arm and shook her violently, as if that would somehow convey her disbelief.

 

“When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell us?!”

 

“Damn it, Ji Yongshu, you really kept this hidden well!”

 

After the initial shock, Meng Chuyu’s expression gradually shifted to excitement. “So… you’re an Alpha now?”

 

Not many people could say they’d experienced the feeling of their best friend turning into a brother.

 

But she was one of the lucky few!

 

She always knew Ji Yongshu wasn’t ordinary!

 

Even as an Omega, she had always stood out from the rest. And now, she had actually differentiated into an Alpha—an SS-rank Alpha at that!

 

Meng Chuyu felt like running downstairs and sprinting a few laps out of sheer exhilaration!

 

Gu Yiyi, however, had remained silent ever since hearing the news. Only now did she speak up softly, asking, “Was the differentiation process smooth? Were there any dangers?”

 

While Meng Chuyu was busy being shocked and thrilled by the revelation, Gu Yiyi’s first concern was Ji Yongshu’s well-being.

 

Ji Yongshu felt a warmth in her heart. “It went smoothly. No complications.”

 

Well, if she didn’t count suddenly entering her Heat Period and calling Jiang Zhiluo “wife” while delirious, then yes, it had been smooth.

 

Ji Yongshu would rather die than tell anyone about that. She didn’t even want to think about that humiliating episode herself.

 

Hearing this, Gu Yiyi let out a quiet sigh of relief, though her eyes shimmered with barely concealed elation.

 

Her hands, resting on her knees, clenched into tight fists. If she didn’t use pain to ground herself, Gu Yiyi feared she might burst into tears of joy.

 

Ji Yongshu had differentiated into an Alpha!

 

Did this mean… she wasn’t completely without a chance?

 

Gu Yiyi gritted her teeth, swallowing back the sob rising in her throat.

 

But then, she suddenly remembered the unfamiliar Omega’s pheromones lingering on Ji Yongshu earlier that evening.

 

Gu Yiyi’s expression twisted into something terrifying. Her gaze bore into Ji Yongshu’s face as she silently vowed to track down the shameless wretch who dared seduce her Alpha.

 

Who was it… that had beaten her to it?

 

Ji Yongshu didn’t notice Gu Yiyi’s expression, her attention completely captured by someone downstairs.

 

Right by the central bar sat a tall Omega, holding a glass in her hand as she listened with a smile to the Alpha speaking beside her.

 

It was none other than the very person who had just claimed she was going to sleep.

 

Unconsciously, Ji Yongshu tightened her grip on her glass, fingers pressing hard against the rim, causing the wine inside to slosh over and wet her fingertips.

 

Yet she remained completely unaware.