After Differentiating into an Alpha, I Marked My Love Rival - Chapter 28

Ji Yongshu was disinterested. When Jiang Zhiluo had been sitting there earlier, she could still glance down occasionally, but now she didn’t want to see Zhou Yi’s detestable face at all.

 

Meng Chuyu, however, seemed to have caught a whiff of gossip. Though she didn’t dare say it outright for fear of angering Ji Yongshu, she was secretly watching Zhou Yi downstairs.

 

Gu Yiyi finally realized who they were looking at. “Zhou Yi? What’s she doing here?”

 

Talk about enemies crossing paths.

 

If there was one person Gu Yiyi hated the most right now, it was undoubtedly Zhou Yi.

 

Wasn’t this woman only engaged to Ji Yongshu because of her Alpha status?

 

Heaven knew how shocked and jealous Gu Yiyi had been when she first heard the news.

 

She knew that as an Omega, she could never be with Ji Yongshu.

 

Not only because Ji Yongshu didn’t like Omegas, but also because the Ji family would never allow her to engage in an Omega-Omega relationship.

 

Gu Yiyi had once consoled herself with the thought that at least while Ji Yongshu was single, she could stay by her side as a friend.

 

After all, Ji Yongshu didn’t have anyone she liked, so it wasn’t like Gu Yiyi was intruding on someone else’s relationship.

 

But who would’ve thought Ji Yongshu would suddenly call off the engagement with Zhou Yi?

 

Gu Yiyi hadn’t known beforehand. Both families had kept it tightly under wraps until everything was finalized, so she was completely unprepared when the news hit her, leaving her dazed for a long time.

 

Not that it would’ve made a difference if she had known earlier—what could she have done?

 

After her heartbreak, Gu Yiyi had to suppress her pain and attend Ji Yongshu’s engagement banquet, watching her smile and toast guests while holding another Alpha’s hand.

 

Seeing Zhou Yi’s smug grin at the time, Gu Yiyi had wished with all her heart that she could be the one in her place.

 

Never before had she resented her Omega status so bitterly.

 

But of course, none of it was possible.

 

So, after the banquet, Gu Yiyi left the heartbreak behind under the pretense of traveling, until Meng Chuyu suddenly called to tell her that Ji Yongshu was about to break off the engagement with Zhou Yi.

 

Because Zhou Yi had cheated.

 

Gu Yiyi’s first reaction wasn’t joy—it was fury.

 

How dare that wretched woman treats the happiness others could only dream of with such disdain, tossing it aside like trash?

 

How could she cheat?!

 

Gu Yiyi had cursed so vehemently over the phone that even Meng Chuyu was startled.

 

She rushed back home as fast as she could, and only when she saw with her own eyes that Ji Yongshu was still her usual self, Gu Yiyi finally breathe a sigh of relief.

 

She knew Ji Yongshu didn’t love Zhou Yi, but Ji Yongshu was proud by nature. If an ordinary person would struggle to accept such a betrayal, how much more so for someone like Ji Yongshu, who couldn’t tolerate the slightest flaw?

 

Gu Yiyi had feared she might spiral into negativity because of Zhou Yi’s actions, but thankfully, Ji Yongshu seemed to have moved on.

 

Her quick recovery clearly meant she hadn’t cared about Zhou Yi in the first place.

 

Gu Yiyi assumed it was just Ji Yongshu’s strong mental resilience—she never would’ve guessed there was another possibility: that Ji Yongshu had differentiated into an Alpha, making her and Zhou Yi fundamentally incompatible from the start!

 

Gu Yiyi felt she had another chance.

 

After Ji Yongshu got engaged to Zhou Yi, she couldn’t interfere in someone else’s relationship. But now Ji Yongshu was single again and had undergone secondary differentiation into an Alpha.

 

Their designations were compatible, their family backgrounds matched—Gu Yiyi wanted to fight for this opportunity!

 

However, they had always maintained a friendship before this. Ji Yongshu had never shown romantic interest in her, so Gu Yiyi knew she needed to put in more effort.

 

During this period, any Omega appearing near Ji Yongshu would immediately put Gu Yiyi on high alert.

 

Like that one Omega who carried the scent of tea leaves.

 

But Gu Yiyi had no energy to spare for that person now—her attention was completely focused on Zhou Yi downstairs.

 

The moment she spotted Zhou Yi, Gu Yiyi immediately turned to look at Ji Yongshu, her hands on her lap tightening slightly as nervousness flashed in her eyes.

 

Though she knew Ji Yongshu didn’t love Zhou Yi, the woman had been her fiancée after all. Surely Zhou Yi still held a special place in Ji Yongshu’s heart?

 

Otherwise, why would Ji Yongshu have agreed to the engagement in the first place?

 

To her relief, Ji Yongshu never once glanced at Zhou Yi, treating the Alpha downstairs as a complete stranger.

 

While Meng Chuyu was eagerly enjoying the drama, Gu Yiyi frowned and muttered under her breath, “What terrible luck.”

 

After finally managing to invite Ji Yongshu out for drinks, she had to run into the person she hated most—this was truly awful timing.

 

Hearing this, Ji Yongshu glanced at the fuming Gu Yiyi, a faint trace of amusement flashing in her eyes—she clearly agreed with the sentiment.

 

Just then, Meng Chuyu whispered, “Why isn’t she coming upstairs?”

 

“She seems to be looking for someone.”

 

Ji Yongshu pressed her tongue against her cheek. She had no intention of getting involved with these two again.

 

Yet for some reason, upon hearing Meng Chuyu’s words, she couldn’t help wondering: Could it be that Zhou Yi and Jiang Zhiluo hadn’t arranged to meet this time?

 

Last time, Zhou Yi had headed straight upstairs upon entering, clearly having prearranged the meeting spot with Jiang Zhiluo. But now she was glancing around downstairs, appearing lost.

 

And Jiang Zhiluo, who should have been seated at the central bar counter, was nowhere to be seen.

 

After watching for a while, Meng Chuyu sat back down. “Was I wrong? Maybe they weren’t planning to meet after all?”

 

Finally catching on, Gu Yiyi asked, “Who? Is Zhou Yi here to meet that homewrecker?”

 

Was the person Ji Yongshu had been looking at earlier the same woman who’d come between her and Zhou Yi?

 

That would explain why both Ji Yongshu and Meng Chuyu had reacted so strongly.

 

Gu Yiyi had accidentally stumbled upon the truth, but neither of the women beside her was in the mood to answer her question.

 

Ji Yongshu forced herself to remain seated, listening to Meng Chuyu’s muttering until her brows knitted together tightly.

 

She uncrossed her legs and slammed her glass onto the table with a sharp clink.

 

Both Gu Yiyi and Meng Chuyu jumped, looking up at her in surprise.

 

Ji Yongshu knew she was taking her anger out on innocent people, but she couldn’t control her temper right now. The longer she sat there, the more agitated she became.

 

“I’m going to the restroom.”

 

Without waiting for Gu Yiyi or Meng Chuyu to respond, Ji Yongshu grabbed her phone from the table and strode out.

 

Meng Chuyu finally caught on belatedly. “Is Yongshu in a bad mood?”

 

Gu Yiyi shot her a glare. “What were you muttering about earlier? Do you really have to piss her off that badly?”

 

Meng Chuyu had always had this bad habit—once she got lost in her own thoughts, she would unconsciously voice them aloud.

 

Realizing this, Meng Chuyu quickly smacked her own lips. “It’s all my fault!”

 

But she was genuinely curious and really wanted to know why Zhou Yi had come here.

 

This was just how Meng Chuyu was—as if gossip was etched into her bones. Last time, it was also her who dragged Ji Yongshu here to catch someone cheating. If she hadn’t gone to the restroom afterward, Meng Chuyu might have personally thrown hands at Zhou Yi.

 

She hadn’t meant to provoke Ji Yongshu and truly cared about her friend, but she always ended up saying the wrong things without realizing it.

 

Thinking about how she had already angered Ji Yongshu multiple times tonight, Meng Chuyu slumped in frustration. “When Yongshu comes back, I’ll apologize to her.”

 

Gu Yiyi was still fuming. She scooted closer to Meng Chuyu and jabbed her forehead with a fingernail, looking utterly exasperated. “Apologize? Do you really want to humiliate Yongshu even more?”

 

Ji Yongshu was far too proud. Even if something truly bothered her, she would never show it on her face, much less talk about it.

 

If Meng Chuyu actually apologized, wouldn’t that be blatantly telling Ji Yongshu: I know you’re upset about this?

 

Given Ji Yongshu’s temper, she probably wouldn’t forgive Meng Chuyu—she’d just get even angrier.

 

Meng Chuyu realized she was right. She let Gu Yiyi tug at her ear and pleaded, “I was wrong! I’ll keep my mouth shut from now on!”

 

Gu Yiyi yanked her hand back sharply and glanced in the direction Ji Yongshu had left, worry flickering in her eyes.

 

I wonder how Yongshu’s doing.

 

She knew Ji Yongshu was in a bad mood but didn’t dare disturb her now.

 

I hope she comes back soon.

 

After Ji Yongshu left, Gu Yiyi lost all interest in drinking. She sat quietly on the side, scrolling through her phone, completely ignoring Meng Chuyu.

 

Meanwhile, the very person she was thinking about was heading toward the restroom.

 

Her earlier excuse hadn’t been entirely for Gu Yiyi and Meng Chuyu’s benefit.

 

The restroom was at the end of the second-floor hallway, far from the noisy crowd, making the area quiet and spacious. The sharp click of her heels echoed crisply against the floor.

 

Just as Ji Yongshu reached the restroom entrance, she heard faint voices inside.

 

Her sharp hearing caught the words clearly.

 

Something like, “Be right there.”

 

Ji Yongshu wasn’t interested in other people’s business. She set her phone down by the sink and was about to wash her hands when the voice spoke again, louder this time—forcing her to hear every word.

 

“I’m in the second-floor restroom.”

 

When Ji Yongshu heard these words, she immediately furrowed her brows because the voice wasn’t someone else’s—it belonged to Jiang Zhiluo, who had just disappeared moments ago.

 

Why would Jiang Zhiluo be here?

 

Ji Yongshu picked up her phone from the side and walked inside with light steps.

 

Jiang Zhiluo probably heard the sound of high heels clicking against the floor and immediately fell silent.

 

The Omega seemed extremely nervous, not daring to make even the slightest sound—her breathing was so quiet it was inaudible.

 

Ji Yongshu pursed her lips and tentatively called out, “Jiang Zhiluo?”

 

Her voice echoed in the restroom. A few seconds later, one of the doors to her right front was suddenly pushed open from the inside.

 

The Omega peeked her head out, her long hair cascading down with the movement, swaying gently in the air.

 

Jiang Zhiluo looked like a startled kitten, cautiously extending her paw to test whether there was any danger ahead.

 

Her fingers clutched the doorframe as she tilted her head to look at Ji Yongshu, her eyes completely red and brimming with shimmering tears.

 

Ji Yongshu instinctively softened her breathing, as if afraid of disturbing the Omega before her.

 

“Why are you here?” She unconsciously frowned, making her coldly beautiful face appear especially stern.

 

Jiang Zhiluo immediately shrank back in fear, her eyes turning even redder. Under Ji Yongshu’s gaze, the tears she had been holding back finally spilled over.

 

The Omega cried so hard in front of her that she even started hiccuping, her shoulders trembling. She still kept her head peeking out, but her fingers gripping the doorframe tightened, her knuckles turning white.

 

“Jiejie, why… why are you here?”

 

Her voice was full of grievance and dependence, her tearful, nasal tone sounding soft and sticky—like a mix of complaint and coquetry.

 

Ji Yongshu took two more steps forward. Seeing that Jiang Zhiluo didn’t resist, she slowly stopped in front of the door and met the Omega’s gaze.

 

“I came out for drinks with friends.”

 

As she spoke, she reached into her bag for a handkerchief, only to suddenly remember she hadn’t brought her purse when she left earlier.

 

Ji Yongshu paused. It also wasn’t appropriate to wipe the Omega’s tears with her own hands, so she could only soften her voice, half coaxing and half comforting, “But what about you? Didn’t you say you were going to sleep? Why are you here?”

 

She had thought Jiang Zhiluo came out to meet Zhou Yi, but the scene before her made Ji Yongshu reconsider her guess.

 

Jiang Zhiluo was clearly hiding from someone. Combined with Zhou Yi searching for someone downstairs earlier, it wasn’t hard to imagine Jiang Zhiluo was avoiding Zhou Yi.

 

Jiang Zhiluo was utterly aggrieved. Her delicate face still carried traces of fear and panic. Though tears continued to stream down, she had clearly calmed down somewhat compared to earlier.

 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to lie to you.”

 

Jiang Zhiluo didn’t even dare to meet Ji Yongshu’s eyes. Her gaze drifted past the Alpha, landing somewhere behind her, her fluttering eyelashes dotted with teardrops.

 

“I felt too awful to sleep, so I came out for a drink.”

 

Ji Yongshu studied the Omega’s expression. “Are you feeling unwell?”

 

Jiang Zhiluo quickly glanced at Ji Yongshu upon hearing these words, her cheeks flushing with two faint blushes. The corners of her eyes were still moist, and that glance carried an unspoken allure, brimming with indescribable charm.

 

Ji Yongshu suddenly snapped back to reality, recalling what she had learned in physiology class.

 

After being temporarily marked, an Omega would develop a strong dependence on the Alpha who marked them.

 

If the Alpha wasn’t by their side during this time, the Omega would feel an overwhelming sense of abandonment, and in severe cases, could even develop depressive tendencies.

 

Ji Yongshu couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. How could she have forgotten this?

 

Perhaps it was because Jiang Zhiluo had appeared so calm and composed at Madam Xie’s banquet, giving Ji Yongshu the mistaken impression that the Omega might not need her all that much.

 

But she had overlooked one thing—sometimes, human willpower is no match for instinctual needs.

 

She had experienced this firsthand.

 

Even without a preferred Alpha, during her own estrus cycles, Ji Yongshu had still longed for an Alpha to mark her.

 

If she was like this, then Jiang Zhiluo must be no different.

 

Yet she had left the Omega’s side when she was needed the most.

 

At this thought, guilt flickered in Ji Yongshu’s eyes, and her voice softened further. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think things through.”

 

Her temporary marking of Jiang Zhiluo had been somewhat impulsive. She had marked the Omega without arranging proper follow-up care and failed to provide sufficient comfort afterward.

 

Ji Yongshu inwardly scolded herself—how was she any different from those irresponsible scumbag Alphas who marked and then abandoned their Omegas?

 

But upon hearing this, Jiang Zhiluo shook her head earnestly and whispered, “It’s not your fault, sister. You’ve already helped me through my estrus, and for that, I should be thanking you.”

 

She paused, then added remorsefully, “Actually, if I hadn’t recklessly released my pheromones, you wouldn’t have been affected by me.”

 

Ji Yongshu had also considered this possibility. From the time they had met until now, Jiang Zhiluo had gone through three estrus cycles in her presence—an unusually high frequency.

 

She had even questioned whether the Omega was truly innocent.

 

But seeing Jiang Zhiluo’s flushed eyes and lowered lashes, standing before her like a drenched puppy looking pitiful, Ji Yongshu couldn’t bring herself to suspect the Omega’s intentions.

 

Perhaps it really was all just a coincidence.

 

After all, Jiang Zhiluo was an Omega—she couldn’t possibly be unaware of the consequences of letting her pheromones spill out.

 

If Ji Yongshu hadn’t been there, or if she had refused to help, how would Jiang Zhiluo have handled the situation?

 

Just as this thought crossed her mind, the Omega in front of her spoke again, “Sister, I’m so glad I met you today. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have known what to do.”

 

Ji Yongshu pushed aside her wandering thoughts and took in the Omega’s current appearance. Suddenly, she noticed a red mark on Jiang Zhiluo’s ankle—likely from a bruise—standing out starkly against her pale, cool skin.

 

She furrowed her brows and asked, “What happened to your ankle?”

 

Jiang Zhiluo shrank back slightly, as if trying to hide her injury.

 

But she was wearing a long skirt that reached her calves, paired with small leather shoes, leaving her ankles exposed to the air. No matter how much she tried to conceal them, it was futile.

 

Helpless, Jiang Zhiluo could only explain in a small voice, “I… accidentally bumped my ankle just now.”

 

Ji Yongshu stared at her intently, noticing how the Omega’s eyes darted around, avoiding her gaze—a clear sign she was lying.

 

“Really? Just a bump?” Her tone gave no hint of emotion.

 

Jiang Zhiluo glanced up at her in alarm, fingers twisting together as she crumpled a corner of her clothes into wrinkles.

 

“I… I was running too fast earlier and tripped.”

 

Ji Yongshu’s frown deepened. “Why were you running so fast?”

 

Her voice was sharper now, carrying a hint of interrogation.

 

Yet Jiang Zhiluo didn’t resent her for pressing the matter. Instead, she answered honestly, “I saw Zhou Yi earlier.”

 

Seeing that she wasn’t being deceived, the knot of frustration in Ji Yongshu’s chest finally loosened. Without realizing it, her expression softened slightly.

 

“Did Zhou Yi follow you here?”

 

Jiang Zhiluo nodded, then cast an uneasy glance toward the restroom door. “I just wanted to have a couple of drinks. I thought bringing bodyguards inside would be too conspicuous, so I had them wait in the garage.”

 

Who would have thought she’d run into Zhou Yi and end up cornered in the restroom?

 

Ji Yongshu suddenly recalled Jiang Zhiluo’s earlier words—I’ll be right there—likely spoken to her bodyguards.

 

She exhaled softly, about to suggest they leave this place to talk properly, when her phone vibrated in her hand, followed by an incoming call.

 

Ji Yongshu glanced at the screen—Gu Yiyi was calling.

 

She looked up at Jiang Zhiluo, and the Omega immediately took a step back upon meeting her gaze. “Sister, go ahead and take the call. I promise I won’t eavesdrop.”

 

As she spoke, she covered her ears with her hands and squeezed her eyes shut, as if that would render her blind and deaf.

 

A faint smile tugged at Ji Yongshu’s lips. She cleared her throat. “You don’t have to cover your ears. You can listen.”

 

It wasn’t like they were discussing trade secrets.

 

Only then did Jiang Zhiluo slowly open her eyes, cheeks flushed as she looked at Ji Yongshu before shyly averting her gaze again.

 

Ji Yongshu answered the call infront of her.

 

The restroom was quiet, and Jiang Zhiluo could hear every word Gu Yiyi said on the other end.

 

“Yongshu, why aren’t you back yet?”

 

The Omega’s voice was a mix of coquetry and complaint.

 

Without Ji Yongshu noticing, Jiang Zhiluo’s gaze drifted back to the Alpha’s face.

 

Hearing Gu Yiyi’s words, Jiang Zhiluo’s fingers, hanging at her sides, slowly clenched—then relaxed again.

 

She lowered her lashes, veiling the thoughts in her eyes.

 

Unaware of Jiang Zhiluo’s shifting emotions, Ji Yongshu replied, “You all go ahead and drink. Don’t wait for me.”

 

Gu Yiyi tentatively asked, “Where are you now? Maybe I can come keep you company?”

 

“No need,” Ji Yongshu replied, lifting her gaze to the Omega standing before her. The other’s clear, transparent eyes still held a glistening redness, as if tears could spill over at any moment.

 

The October night carried a slight chill, yet the Omega still wore a sleeveless dress, her slender arms exposed to the air. The graceful lines of her shoulders and neck were flawless, even the faint blue veins at her throat appearing just right.

 

Gu Yiyi must have said something else, as Ji Yongshu offered a few comforting words before finally hanging up.

 

Only after the call ended did Jiang Zhiluo place one hand on her other arm, forcing a smile toward Ji Yongshu. “Sister, you should go back to your friends first.”

 

“My bodyguard will be here soon.”

 

Goosebumps had risen on her arms from the cold, yet she still straightened her back stubbornly. However, the disheveled strands of hair framing her face and her slightly reddened eyes betrayed a pitiful vulnerability.

 

Ji Yongshu couldn’t possibly leave the Omega here alone—not just because Zhou Yi was still lurking outside, but because the Omega needed her right now.

 

Instead of responding to Jiang Zhiluo’s words, she took off her blazer and motioned for the girl to come closer. When Jiang Zhiluo finally shuffled over, Ji Yongshu draped the jacket over her shoulders.

 

In the process, her fingers accidentally brushed against Jiang Zhiluo’s arm, and she was startled by the bone-deep chill.

 

How could she be this cold?

 

Then again, the restroom was nothing like the lobby downstairs. The lobby had air conditioning and a crowd—Jiang Zhiluo’s outfit wouldn’t have felt cold there, if anything, she might have even been warm.

 

But the restroom was quiet and empty, the cold creeping in relentlessly. Ji Yongshu couldn’t imagine how the Omega had endured both the chill and her fear all this time.

 

Her voice was firm. “I’ll take you home.”

 

Jiang Zhiluo immediately shook her head. “No need to trouble yourself, sister. Your friends are waiting for you—you should go back to them.”

 

She pulled the jacket tighter around herself, as if she could still catch the lingering scent of the Alpha’s perfume, along with the faint sweetness of peaches.

 

“I’ll just wait here for my bodyguard. He should be here any minute.”

 

The more Jiang Zhiluo insisted, the less Ji Yongshu could rest easy.

 

If her bodyguard could have made it up here, he would have arrived long ago. Yet after all this time, there was still no sign of him.

 

Zhou Yi wouldn’t have stalked Jiang Zhiluo without preparing for this exact scenario—she must have already taken measures to restrain the bodyguard.

 

There was no time to explain all this to the Omega now. Ji Yongshu took Jiang Zhiluo’s arm with a touch of insistence, her tone brooking no argument. “Don’t wait for him. I’ll take you home.”

 

Before Jiang Zhiluo could refuse again, she added, “Your ankle needs treatment, or it’ll be so swollen tomorrow you won’t be able to walk.”

 

Jiang Zhiluo seemed to realize this as well. Finally, she stopped resisting, though unease still lingered in her expression. Hesitation flickered in her eyes as she looked at Ji Yongshu. “But what about your friends?”

 

Ji Yongshu: “I’ll just let them know.”

 

Jiang Zhiluo exhaled in relief, her smile much more genuine this time, gratitude shining in her eyes.

 

“Thank you, sister.”