After Going on a Blind Date With My Omega Love Rival (ABO, GL) - Chapter 21.1

Chapter 21.1

“Achoo…” When Yu Heyi sneezed for the tenth time that morning, she heard Chi Ruixi’s door open and then close. Chi Ruixi was heading out.

Yu Heyi had gone to bed at 1 a.m. and was up before 8 a.m.

Then she made a cup of brown sugar ginger water and sat on the sofa, zoning out.

Her mind was still a mess, like last night. One moment it was Chi Ruixi, the next it was Jingwan. Later, her head was full of just Chi Ruixi.

Yu Heyi wasn’t stupid. She knew her current attitude toward Chi Ruixi was off.

It wasn’t exactly love, but at the very least, she had feelings for Chi Ruixi. She cared a lot about who Chi Ruixi was with and why she was ignoring her.

But Chi Ruixi was still annoying—no, even more annoying.

Because Yu Heyi’s mind was consumed by Chi Ruixi. Sometimes, she couldn’t even recall what Jingwan looked like or why she had liked Jingwan in the first place.

Frustrating, so frustrating. Someone she had hated for years, and after just half a month together, she suddenly liked her?

How could this happen to her?

Though she didn’t want to admit it, she couldn’t ignore Chi Ruixi’s affairs now. In fact… she cared a lot.

Last night, sitting outside, she thought about calling Jiang Qi but decided against it.

She didn’t know how to start.

If she said too much, Jiang Qi would definitely press for details. If she told her it was Chi Ruixi, how would Jiang Qi look at her?

Back in school, she hated Chi Ruixi, often complaining to Jiang Qi about her, even saying she didn’t understand how Jingwan could hang out with someone like Chi Ruixi.

Plain-looking but scheming.

But now, she felt different. Why was Chi Ruixi so good-looking? That time in the office, why did she think Chi Ruixi was so kind?

Thinking it over, she realized she had no one to talk to except Jiang Qi, so she could only process it alone.

While Yu Heyi was tangled up in her thoughts, Chi Ruixi was having a blast shopping with Chi Ying at the mall. First, she bought Chi Ying some casual clothes and sneakers, then headed to a women’s clothing store she often visited.

She was there to pick out a bridesmaid dress.

“Wow, Auntie, you’ll look so pretty in this!” Chi Ying exclaimed, a bit dramatically, eyeing the light purple dress in Chi Ruixi’s hands. She winked and pushed Chi Ruixi into the fitting room to try it on.

Even if Chi Ying hadn’t urged her, Chi Ruixi was definitely going to try it. She’d come specifically for this dress.

She’d been thinking about it since seeing it on social media a few days ago.

But Yu Heyi’s attitude had annoyed her, so she forgot about the dress. Seeing Yu Heyi downstairs last night reminded her, so she brought Chi Ying shopping early today.

The light purple V-neck dress was made of tulle, a bit tight on the upper body, mainly around the chest.

Chi Ruixi looked at herself in the mirror, her cheeks flushing.

If someone saw her like this…

“Auntie, are you done?” Chi Ying’s voice snapped Chi Ruixi out of her thoughts. Realizing something, her face grew redder. She was actually…

Imagining how Yu Heyi would react to seeing her in this dress?

Chi Ying, outside, got no response and found it odd. How long did it take to try on a dress? Worried, she went to the fitting room door and was about to knock when Chi Ruixi came out.

But Chi Ying wasn’t drawn to the dress. Instead, she noticed her aunt’s flushed face.

“Auntie, why’s your face red from trying on a dress?” Chi Ying frowned, puzzled, then looked Chi Ruixi up and down…

Chi Ruixi’s face got redder, as if Chi Ying had seen through her thoughts from the fitting room.

“Changing clothes is hot,” she said, fanning her face, acting like she was really warm.

And Chi Ying actually bought it, muttering, “Yeah, changing clothes is hot.”

Chi Ruixi ignored her and walked to the mirror. Chi Ying followed, grinning. “Auntie, you look so pretty in this dress, but…”

Hearing Chi Ying, Chi Ruixi frowned too, turning in front of the mirror to see what was wrong. After a while, it seemed fine to her.

Then Chi Ying suddenly laughed behind her, put her hands on Chi Ruixi’s shoulders, and whispered in her ear, “Auntie, it’s just… your chest looks really big.”

Chi Ruixi looked down, her face instantly redder than when she came out. She glared at Chi Ying, sternly saying, “Chi Ying, as an alpha, you need to watch what you say.”

“If you tease other Omegas like that, I’ll beat you.” With that, Chi Ruixi went back to the fitting room.

Chi Ying pouted, feeling wronged. This was her aunt. She wouldn’t tease anyone else.

After paying, Chi Ruixi took Chi Ying to a buffet restaurant in the mall. Chi Ruixi was sentimental, always sticking to the same mall and buffet.

They’d been coming since Chi Ying was in elementary school. In middle school, Chi Ying got tired of it and wanted to try other places, so Chi Ruixi took her to every restaurant in the mall.

Chi Ying concluded that the buffet Chi Ruixi took her to was the best, with the most variety.

Chi Ruixi and Chi Ying were the odd ones in the Chi family. Old Madam Chi and Chi Shengxi would never eat at a place like this. Since differentiating as an alpha, Chi Ying hadn’t come here with Chi Ruixi.

So this meal made Chi Ying really happy, even forgetting she had to return to the Chi house later.

Until Chi Ruixi’s car stopped at the Chi house gate, Chi Ying faced reality.

Looking at the huge Chi house, she preferred her aunt’s two-bedroom apartment.

Anywhere with her aunt, she liked.

“Auntie, I’m going.” Chi Ruixi had seen Chi Ying’s mood shift, from happy after the meal to unhappy at the sight of the Chi house.

But… she couldn’t do anything. Since elementary school, Chi Ying had boarded at school. Back then, Chi Ruixi had just graduated college, living in the school dorm. Chi Ying stayed with her there on weekends. Predicted to be a beta, Chi Ying wasn’t paid much attention by the family, so where she stayed didn’t matter. But soon10 soon after, her sister Chi Shengxi, citing Chi Ruixi’s college graduation and the need for her own apartment, gave her one.

After Chi Ying differentiated as an alpha, she was forced to return to the Chi house, but Chi Ruixi still didn’t live in that apartment.

Not wanting to see her niece unhappy, Chi Ruixi comforted her, “Xiao Ying, cheer up. Next time, Auntie will take you out again.”

The unhappy Chi Ying lit up at her aunt’s words, saying brightly, “Okay, Auntie.”

Then she added, “If next time there’s an uncle, it’ll be even better…”

Chi Ruixi gave her a mock scolding look. “Nothing’s set yet, and you’re already calling him that.”

“Hehe, my aunt’s as beautiful as a flower. Who could resist?”

“Sweet talker, go inside.”

Chi Ying obediently got out with her things. Chi Ruixi waved, watching her enter the house before leaving. As her car started, she saw Chi Shengxi’s car approaching.

After getting out, Chi Shengxi walked to Chi Ruixi’s car and tapped the window. Chi Ruixi rolled it down, looking at her sister. She frowned, feeling a mix of familiarity and strangeness.

Familiarity from years of being sisters, strangeness from the commanding aura Chi Shengxi had developed, which made her uncomfortable.

“Sis, what’s up?”

Chi Shengxi smiled, looking into Chi Ruixi’s eyes. “What? Can’t I just chat with my sister?”

“No…” Chi Ruixi smiled too, but the awkward, unfamiliar atmosphere made her uneasy, her smile forced.

How could Chi Shengxi not see it?

But what could she do if she did?

Since Chi Ruixi didn’t seem keen to talk, Chi Shengxi didn’t push, leaving with one line before walking off.

“Your marriage, you decide.”

On the drive home, Chi Ruixi kept mulling over Chi Shengxi’s words, annoyed yet amused.

Of course, she’d decide her own marriage.

But why did Chi Shengxi act so superior, as if Chi Ruixi should be grateful?

When Chi Ruixi got home, she ran into Yu Heyi picking up takeout.

After a day, her cold was much better, so she decided to treat herself to something nice. But she didn’t expect to run into Chi Ruixi while grabbing her food.

Last night’s events were still fresh, making her feel awkward seeing Chi Ruixi. She grabbed her takeout and shut the door.

Chi Ruixi had only glanced at her, but she didn’t expect Yu Heyi to react so strongly.

Her heart felt heavy.

That night, going to Yu Heyi’s door was already her biggest effort. She didn’t want to knock again… only to be pushed away by Yu Heyi.

So, for the next half month, they didn’t talk, even when they saw each other at school. Yu Heyi hadn’t figured out why she felt strangely about Chi Ruixi, and she was genuinely embarrassed.

Chi Ruixi, meanwhile, was just thin-skinned.

At lunch, Yu Heyi avoided Chi Ruixi, finding other tasks.

At first, it felt fine, but as time passed, she grew restless. She really wanted to ask what was going on between her and Chi Ruixi.

But she knew she couldn’t ask Chi Ruixi, and she had no reason to. Avoiding this wasn’t just Chi Ruixi’s doing—it was both of them.

Yu Heyi was tormented by it.

Friday after work, she called Jiang Qi. Afraid of being roasted, she didn’t mention Chi Ruixi.

But she spilled everything else.

And got roasted anyway.

“What’s in your head?”

“All brawn, no brains?”

“I don’t even know why you’re agonizing alone. Because of Jingwan? Jingwan’s getting married soon, okay? If you like someone, go for it.”

“You’ve never been in love, right?” Yu Heyi, stung, started on Jiang Qi.

But Jiang Qi laughed, then said, “Who said I’ve never been in love?”

“I was an early bloomer too, okay?”

Though she hadn’t seriously dated, Jiang Qi had indeed been an early bloomer. As an adult, she dismissed that hand-holding romance, claiming she’d never been in love.

“But I wasn’t smitten. Just following the early love trend.”

Yu Heyi nearly spat bl00d. “And you have the nerve to lecture me?”

“Why not? I’ve at least been there. You’ve got nothing.”

Nothing… nothing…

Unconvinced, Yu Heyi huffed, “I’ve marked an Omega!!!”

Jiang Qi mocked her mercilessly. “And you’re still agonizing. What’s the point of marking?”

“I…”

“You’re agonizing daily because you’re smitten, idiot.”

“No, I’m not!”

Stubborn as a mule, Jiang Qi didn’t bother arguing, switching to business. “Jingwan’s wedding is this weekend, right? I can’t make it. Bring my gift money.”

Yu Heyi mumbled an “oh.”

Then Jiang Qi teased, “See, I mention Jingwan, and you don’t even react.”

“Shut up!” Yu Heyi hung up, fuming, pacing the living room. Jiang Qi’s words filled her head, making it messier.

But… it was all because of Chi Ruixi, not Jingwan.

She was even more annoyed.

Then she grabbed her keys and left.

As she entered the elevator, a pretty hand stopped it.

Who else? Who could it be? Only she and Chi Ruixi lived on this floor.

After Chi Ruixi entered the elevator, Yu Heyi didn’t even lift her eyes. She was just thinking about how this person had made her so frustrated, and then, moments later, they met in the elevator.

She was going crazy. She really didn’t expect to run into Chi Ruixi while stepping out for a walk. They’d lived here for so long, and she rarely saw Chi Ruixi go out at night.

But today, of all days…

She had so many questions for Chi Ruixi. The past few days, she hadn’t had a chance to talk to her, but today, they’d bumped into each other…

She was agonizing over how to ask Chi Ruixi what it meant to live across from her.

When she first found out Chi Ruixi lived opposite her, she was already puzzled. She’d never seen Chi Ruixi here before, so why did she move in after that one time?

But… what if Chi Ruixi’s answer wasn’t what she hoped? Wouldn’t that make things even more awkward?

Before she could finish wrestling with her thoughts, they reached the first floor.

Chi Ruixi stepped out first, and Yu Heyi followed, staring at Chi Ruixi’s shoes. Chi Ruixi was unusually dressed in sportswear today.

What was she up to?

Ugh! She really wanted to know.

Then Yu Heyi reached out and grabbed Chi Ruixi’s sleeve. Chi Ruixi turned back, looking at her with confusion, waiting for her to speak.

“Uh… so, where are you going?” No, she had so many questions, why did she ask this one?

Chi Ruixi tugged at the corner of her mouth, giving Yu Heyi a meaningful glance before saying, “Jingwan’s getting married this weekend. She asked me to check out the venue today.”

Huh?

Yu Heyi blinked in confusion.

“I’m a bridesmaid.”

“Oh.” Right, she and Jingwan were close, so being a bridesmaid made sense.

“If there’s nothing else, I’m going.” With that, Chi Ruixi really left.

Yu Heyi stood at the elevator door, watching Chi Ruixi walk out of the building, then chased after her.

Hearing Yu Heyi’s footsteps, Chi Ruixi slowed down, waiting for her to catch up.

When Yu Heyi tapped her shoulder, Chi Ruixi turned back, looking at her curiously.

“I… I want to ask you.”

“Why did you move here?”

Chi Ruixi didn’t expect Yu Heyi to ask this. She’d been living here for a while, and they’d run into each other several times, yet she only thought to ask now?

Blinking her pretty eyes, Chi Ruixi didn’t want to answer.

“???”

Chi Ruixi blinked again.

Yu Heyi blinked back, thinking to herself that Chi Ruixi’s eyes were really beautiful.

Then… Chi Ruixi’s eyes disappeared from her view. Chi Ruixi walked away.

She left without answering her question.

Watching Chi Ruixi’s retreating figure, Yu Heyi opened her mouth but said nothing in the end.

With her head drooping, she headed to the garage.

She was going for a ride!!

Yu Heyi had a motorcycle in the garage. She hadn’t ridden it much since starting work at the school cafeteria. Usually, she rode her motorcycle more, but for work, she drove since it was less… flashy.

Putting on her helmet, Yu Heyi swung her long legs over the bike and sped toward the suburbs.

The thrill of speeding was her favorite. Motorcycles and cars were both her loves, entirely different feelings, but when she was in a bad mood like this, riding the motorcycle was way more satisfying.

She rode all the way to the Xijing Bridge before stopping, staring at the flowing river from her bike, still wearing her helmet.

As she gazed, she imagined Chi Ruixi’s face reflected in the water, then Zheng Qin, then that young alpha.

Recently, she’d confirmed that the young alpha was indeed a student in Chi Ruixi’s class, and they seemed close.

And Zheng Qin had started clinging to Chi Ruixi again.

Though Yu Heyi had been avoiding Chi Ruixi for the past half month, she couldn’t help but wander to Chi Ruixi’s classroom after work. Sometimes, she’d catch Chi Ruixi teaching.

Once, she got so lost watching that she almost got caught by Chi Ruixi.

Chi Ruixi in class was different—not just her clothes, but her aura too. She spoke softly as always, but with an undeniable firmness.

That Chi Ruixi was different from usual, even more different from the Chi Ruixi in her past memories.

In short… she was more captivating.

But it wasn’t just Yu Heyi who thought so. One day, leaving work early and planning to sneak a peek, she saw Zheng Qin pestering Chi Ruixi in the hallway.

In the cafeteria too, she’d seen Chi Ruixi eating with Zheng Qin more than once.

Sure, they were both teachers, so eating together wasn’t a big deal, but Zheng Qin’s intentions were obvious, and Chi Ruixi didn’t reject her.

Yet she was so cold to Yu Heyi.

Clearly… when she temporarily marked Chi Ruixi, there was no other alpha’s scent. Whatever kind of mark it was, Yu Heyi was the first.

The first alpha to mark Chi Ruixi.

So how could Chi Ruixi be so cold to her only alpha?!!

The more Yu Heyi thought, the angrier she got, her breathing growing heavy, her chest tight…

…Then she realized she’d forgotten to take off her helmet.

The weather was getting hotter, and when she took it off, her head was drenched in sweat. She almost cried at her own stupidity…

Since meeting Chi Ruixi, she was becoming less and less like herself.

She didn’t want to admit it, but she had to: she felt possessive toward Chi Ruixi.

Going crazy! Yu Heyi put her helmet back on and sped along the river…

—

By the time Yu Heyi got home, it was past 9 p.m. She’d eaten out before returning. The ride had, for once, lifted her mood, but when she reached the building, she thought of Chi Ruixi again. Looking up at the seventh floor, the lights were off.

Chi Ruixi wasn’t back yet.

It was almost ten. Wasn’t that unsafe?

But… what did it have to do with her?

Nothing, it had nothing to do with her.

So Yu Heyi entered the building, waiting for the elevator.

But when it arrived, she changed her mind, turned around, and went back outside, sitting by the entrance.