After Going on a Blind Date With My Omega Love Rival (ABO, GL) - Chapter 21.2

Chapter 21.2

She looked around. The neighborhood’s greenery was nice, and the streetlights made it look pretty. There was even a man-made lake nearby.

…So why was she sitting here admiring it?

She’d lived here for years and was sick of it, okay?

…Just ridiculous.

Yu Heyi stood, brushed the dust off, and started to head home. But after one step, she stopped, pulled out her phone, and opened her chat with Chi Ruixi.

Why wasn’t she back yet?

Should she ask? It was so late, and it wasn’t safe for an Omega.

As she hesitated, Chi Ruixi returned.

She immediately spotted Yu Heyi on the steps, muttering to herself.

Chi Ruixi stood behind her, watching her mumble…

“Does she have any sense as an Omega?”

“It’s this late, and she’s still not back?”

“Should I send her a message to check?”

Yu Heyi, muttering quietly, didn’t notice the footsteps behind her or that Chi Ruixi was standing right below the steps, watching.

Suddenly, Yu Heyi waved her hand and said loudly, “Forget it, it’s none of my business!”

After hearing this, Chi Ruixi walked up the steps, tapped her shoulder, and asked, “What are you doing?”

“Damn, who!” Yu Heyi jumped, clearly startled.

When she turned and saw it was Chi Ruixi, her fierce expression softened visibly in an instant.

…Did Chi Ruixi hear everything she just said?

So embarrassing.

Why was she always so embarrassing in front of Chi Ruixi?

She needed some dignity too, okay?

Yu Heyi rubbed her hands, forced a stiff smile, and said, “N-nothing, I’m heading up.”

Without waiting for Chi Ruixi’s response, she took three steps in two and hurried inside.

But she forgot she and Chi Ruixi lived in the same building, on the same floor.

In the elevator, Yu Heyi squeezed into the corner, staring at her shoes, not daring to look at Chi Ruixi in front of her.

Chi Ruixi saw Yu Heyi’s reflection in the elevator door and found it a bit funny.

If she wasn’t mistaken, Yu Heyi was probably worried about her coming back late, right?

Chi Ruixi thought of this morning, how Yu Heyi was all awkward, clearly wanting to care but too shy to say it.

So awkwardly cute…

A faint smile crossed Chi Ruixi’s face, but it quickly faded. Yu Heyi didn’t notice—she didn’t dare look at Chi Ruixi.

Her mind was full of embarrassment… caught acting foolish by Chi Ruixi again.

Both were lost in their own tangled thoughts, but neither spoke.

They exited the elevator and went to their own homes.

The next morning, right after breakfast, Yu Heyi heard the door across open. She rushed to her door, peeking through the peephole as Chi Ruixi left and took the elevator.

The weather was getting hotter, and she noticed Chi Ruixi was wearing less. At school, Chi Ruixi wore formal clothes, looking serious and sharp.

But now… why was she in a colorful little dress!

So youthful and lively, different from the few times Yu Heyi had seen her before.

…Could Chi Ruixi’s heat be coming soon?

Yu Heyi quickly checked her phone. Her chat history with Chi Ruixi showed June 21.

It was mid-July now.

Wasn’t it almost time?

At the thought, Yu Heyi got agitated. Last heat, she was the one who helped Chi Ruixi through it. What about this time?

Inhibitors, or some other alpha?

Argh!!

She was going crazy. If it was some other alpha, like Zheng Qin or some random one…

Yu Heyi would really lose it.

She pulled out her phone and typed a few words in Chi Ruixi’s chat.

“Where are you off to now?” She hesitated and didn’t send it. What right did she have to ask?

No reason.

In the end, Yu Heyi didn’t send the WeChat message.

Bored out of her mind, she stayed home all day. After dinner, she went for a walk and sat by the man-made lake. During that time, Du Ruo called her, they chatted briefly, and she got a big dose of lovey-dovey nonsense.

Yu Heyi hung up, fuming. She couldn’t stand Old Yu’s whipped behavior, practically worshipping his wife. Hurry up and have a Yu He-er, abandon her already.

—

Chi Ruixi could’ve been back by 4 p.m., but Jingwan, saying they hadn’t seen each other in a while and that Chi Ruixi hadn’t seen her new place, invited her for dinner.

“You two eat, I won’t intrude,” Chi Ruixi said to Jingwan and her alpha.

Her intent to decline was obvious. Jingwan glanced at her alpha, signaling him to speak.

He gave a simple smile and said to Chi Ruixi, “I’m meeting friends tonight. Stay and keep Xiao Wan company. You haven’t seen each other in ages.”

With that, Chi Ruixi couldn’t refuse politely and nodded.

Jingwan cooked dinner. Chi Ruixi offered to help, but as soon as she stepped into the kitchen, Jingwan pushed her out.

“No, no, you’re a guest. How could I let you cook? Sit and wait.”

Jingwan plopped Chi Ruixi on the sofa, handed her a phone to browse, and went back to the kitchen.

But Chi Ruixi couldn’t sit still and wandered to the kitchen doorway to chat with Jingwan.

They talked on and off, mostly about high school days, then the conversation drifted to the present.

Jingwan took the ribs Chi Ruixi handed her and tossed them into the pan, making a sizzling sound.

“Ow! It splattered again…”

Jingwan jumped back, startled. Chi Ruixi quickly pushed her aside and covered the pan.

Behind her, Jingwan sighed, muttering, “I’ve been cooking for a while, but this still scares me every time. Ruixi, you’re amazing!”

Chi Ruixi smiled, lifted the lid, and continued where Jingwan left off. Jingwan turned into a fangirl, starry-eyed, saying, “Ruixi, you’re so awesome. Whoever marries you is gonna be so lucky.”

Not only was she beautiful, but she had a great figure too.

And her cooking was delicious.

In high school, Chi Ruixi boarded at school. Sometimes, Jingwan invited her over on weekends, and Chi Ruixi cooked a few times, leaving Jingwan in awe.

This reminded Jingwan of the egg fried rice, and she chattered in Chi Ruixi’s ear, “That egg fried rice was so good. How are you so amazing, Ruixi?”

Chi Ruixi didn’t react much to the praise, and Jingwan was used to it, continuing to ramble.

“Hey, Ruixi, I remember Yu Heyi was always eating the cafeteria’s fried rice back in school…”

Chi Ruixi’s hand paused mid-stir, and she turned to look at Jingwan, who winked playfully.

She just wanted to see how Chi Ruixi would react to Yu Heyi’s name. Sure enough… she wasn’t as calm as usual.

Then Jingwan added, “I think Yu Heyi’s pretty great. I heard she races with Jiang Qi, she’s good-looking… and has a nice personality.”

At the mention of personality, Chi Ruixi couldn’t help but retort, “How do you know she has a nice personality?”

“Huh? It’s not?”

“Back in school, she seemed so sunny and upbeat, and she knew more than we did.”

The dish was done. Chi Ruixi turned off the stove, then looked at Jingwan and said, “Then why didn’t you accept her pursuit back then?”

Jingwan knew she’d ask this. Handing her a plate, she said, “I like male alphas, and…”

Jingwan’s voice got quieter, but Chi Ruixi heard her clearly: “And my good friend liked her.”

But Chi Ruixi pretended not to hear. During dinner, neither brought it up again, just discussing wedding details.

Yu Heyi sat by the lake until 9 p.m., unable to stay still. At this hour, she didn’t know if Chi Ruixi was back.

She strolled downstairs, and the lights were still off. Chi Ruixi wasn’t home.

Come back or not, what did it matter to her?

Just as Yu Heyi turned to go home, she heard high heels behind her. Turning, she saw Chi Ruixi walking toward her, step by step, her expression… off, almost smirking at her.

Chi Ruixi didn’t expect to see Yu Heyi again today, and in a similar state as yesterday, waiting for her to come home?

The difference was, Yu Heyi walked toward her today.

Clearly, Chi Ruixi’s expression got to Yu Heyi.

“What did you do today?” Why was she back so late again? Yu Heyi didn’t ask that part out loud. She didn’t want Chi Ruixi to think she cared.

Pfft! Who cared about her? It’s just… an Omega coming back so late was unsafe. Yeah, unsafe!

Chi Ruixi kept that same expression, her smile even more obvious.

To Yu Heyi, it felt like Chi Ruixi saw right through her, maybe even mocking her. The thought made her embarrassed and annoyed, her expression turning unnatural.

What she didn’t know was that she was too obvious. Chi Ruixi had already seen through her yesterday.

“Went to Jingwan’s for a rehearsal,” Chi Ruixi said calmly, as if she didn’t notice Yu Heyi’s irritation.

“Who was that kid yesterday?” Yu Heyi couldn’t hold back. She’d been wanting to ask since last night.

Chi Ruixi noticed Yu Heyi was painfully awkward. Yesterday’s question about why she lived here was probably something she’d wanted to ask for a while.

Today’s question was likely something she’d been agonizing over too.

If she could stew over it for so long, there was no rush for an answer. So… Chi Ruixi didn’t feel like telling her now.

Seeing Chi Ruixi ignore her, Yu Heyi sulked and ignored her back.

From entering the elevator to exiting, they didn’t speak. Yu Heyi stayed huffy, while Chi Ruixi stood behind her, out of sight, watching her softly with a faint smile.

To deal with an awkward person, you had to be even more awkward and aloof.

The next morning, just past 6 a.m., Chi Ruixi left. As Jingwan’s bridesmaid, she needed to be there early.

It was Chi Ruixi’s first time as a bridesmaid, and it was busier than she’d expected.

But it was fine—being busy meant she didn’t have to deal with tricky classmates.

Though, occasionally, one or two would come talk to her.

Like now, in the dressing room, helping Jingwan with her wedding dress, someone walked in.

“You’re… Chi Ruixi?” The speaker was a female alpha, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Chi Ruixi.

Chi Ruixi glanced up. This person’s surname was Cui, maybe Cui Nan.

She was close with Yu Heyi and Jingwan.

Chi Ruixi smiled at her as a greeting, but Cui Nan kept talking. “I heard you differentiated into an Omega, but I didn’t expect you to become so beautiful.”

Chi Ruixi was wearing the dress she bought with Chi Ying that day, an ethereal purple one. The V-neck was a bit low, leaving her neck bare, so she’d paired it with a necklace.

Her hair was up, with a few loose strands by her cheeks that she occasionally tucked back, her movements exuding a mix of innocence and subtle allure.

Cui Nan stared at Chi Ruixi, lost in thought.

“Cui Nan, you’re too much!” Jingwan noticed Chi Ruixi’s discomfort. Cui Nan’s gaze was too intense, like she was trying to burn a hole through Chi Ruixi.

Jingwan’s words snapped Cui Nan out of it. She apologized and left.

After Cui Nan was gone, Jingwan teased Chi Ruixi. “You do look stunning today. Who’re you wearing it for?”

Thinking of Yu Heyi, Chi Ruixi’s face flushed.

“Tch, one mention, and you’re blushing. Love’s powerful.” Jingwan’s playful personality didn’t care if Chi Ruixi was embarrassed. Though their talk yesterday was cut short, Chi Ruixi knew Jingwan had probably guessed long ago, maybe even in high school, just wasn’t sure. Since Chi Ruixi never opened up about it, Jingwan tested her a few times and finally confirmed it.

It wasn’t that Chi Ruixi didn’t want to tell Jingwan, but with nothing certain, she didn’t want to tell anyone.

She shot back at Jingwan, “Isn’t it the power of love? Look at someone hyping up their alpha like that. Even forcing a marriage.”

Her words made even thick-skinned Jingwan shy. She often bragged to Chi Ruixi about her husband being her soulmate, practically fated.

She’d even pushed for the marriage.

“If I hadn’t forced it, that blockhead wouldn’t propose in ten years.” Thinking of her love, Jingwan got a bit bashful.

Jingwan’s alpha was honest but a bit dense. At first, Chi Ruixi hadn’t pictured Jingwan with someone like that. Maybe honest guys felt safe?

But… Yu Heyi didn’t seem honest at all, and she was so lively—how was she such a clueless idiot?

Jingwan and her alpha were college classmates. Jingwan took the lead in their relationship and in getting married.

As for Chi Ruixi…

Chi Ruixi wouldn’t do that.

She could like someone first, but she wouldn’t make the first move.

—

On the other side, Yu Heyi had also arrived.

Today, Yu Heyi, as usual, didn’t bother dressing up much. She wore a new white shirt, black pencil pants, and a pair of British-style leather shoes.

For a wedding, she thought she should be a bit formal, so she chose leather shoes instead of sneakers.

But as soon as she entered, she was stopped at the door by someone familiar.

Yu Heyi looked closely—it was Cui Nan.

Cui Nan rushed out of the dressing room and spotted Yu Heyi entering, immediately blocking her path.

“Heyi, guess who I saw?”

“Who?”

Compared to Cui Nan’s excitement, Yu Heyi was much more reserved. They’d been close in school, but after going to college, they naturally drifted apart. Still, Cui Nan’s personality had always been bold and carefree.

So Cui Nan didn’t notice the coolness in Yu Heyi’s tone and said excitedly, “I saw Chi Ruixi!!! Man, she’s so beautiful now.”

At the mention of Chi Ruixi, Yu Heyi frowned and glanced at Cui Nan, whose eyes seemed to be blazing.

Was Chi Ruixi that beautiful?

Enough to make an alpha this… smitten?

Yu Heyi wasn’t sure how she felt, but Cui Nan was clearly enchanted. Before the wedding started, Cui Nan stuck by her side, going on about how gorgeous Chi Ruixi had become.

Yu Heyi grew irritated, but Cui Nan, oblivious, kept talking.

Until the wedding officially began, and Jingwan and the groom appeared.

Chi Ruixi followed behind Jingwan.

Cui Nan, beside Yu Heyi, went quiet, staring intently at the stage.

Yu Heyi was too, her gaze even more intense.

She now thought Cui Nan might be right—Chi Ruixi was indeed beautiful.

So beautiful that Yu Heyi felt the bride, Jingwan, standing next to her was just a backdrop.

Every smile and gesture from Chi Ruixi felt utterly captivating.

Cui Nan leaned over, whispering in her ear, “See, I told you, Chi Ruixi’s gorgeous now.”

Yu Heyi didn’t respond.

It wasn’t just that she found Chi Ruixi beautiful—even the messy feelings she’d had for Jingwan were gone.

For years, she’d thought she liked Jingwan. Jingwan was kind, lively, and cheerful—everything she thought she wanted in an omega. But recently…

Since the blind date with Chi Ruixi, her tastes seemed to have changed. On stage, Chi Ruixi looked better than Jingwan, and she was far more captivating…