As a Scummy Omega, I Ran Away with the Baby - Chapter 17

Of course, Sister Hong had no idea that later on Bai Qingqiu also called An Jin into her office. Her earlier words about “having work to do” were nothing more than a perfunctory excuse. In truth, most of her tasks had long since been delegated to her subordinates—she only needed to review things from time to time.

Still, when Sister Hong pushed open the door to her own office, she slammed her thermos heavily onto the desk.

She did have something to do.

Taking out her phone, she opened WeChat and sent a voice message to Gu Yining without the slightest attempt at courtesy:

“Gu Yining, come up to the eighth floor and find me.”

So, she wanted to report her?

Imagining Gu Yining’s awkward, flustered expression later, Sister Hong felt a surge of satisfaction. With a pleased smile, she crossed her legs and leaned back in her office chair, waiting for the girl to arrive.

________________________________________

“Hong-jie, you were looking for me?”

Gu Yining walked in with a trace of puzzlement. It was rare for Sister Hong to summon her directly—most of the time it was Sister An who handled her daily matters. What was going on now?

She closed the glass office door behind her and stepped toward the desk.

Sister Hong gave her a thin, mocking smile. Her lips, painted a glaring shade of red, curled upward.

“That’s right.”

She didn’t invite Gu Yining to sit. Instead, she lazily spread her fingers, admiring her sharp manicured nails as she asked in a languid tone:

“Do you know why I called you here?”

“Why?”

Since the question was so blunt, Gu Yining saw no reason to put up polite pretenses. She walked over to the small sofa and sat down.

“Because someone doesn’t know their place.”

Clearly displeased by her casual attitude, Sister Hong shot up from her chair, looming over Gu Yining as if trying to crush her with sheer presence.

But just because Gu Yining was socially anxious didn’t mean she was meek or spineless.

“Then why don’t you tell me, Hong-jie—who exactly is it that doesn’t know their place?” She lifted her head, meeting Sister Hong’s eyes without the slightest flicker of fear. The movement set off her sharp jawline and straight nose, her round apricot eyes brimming with stubborn defiance.

Sister Hong hadn’t expected such steel from her. The reprimand she had prepared stuck in her throat. Feeling humiliated, she grew all the more enraged and raised her voice.

“What, Gu Yining, getting arrogant now? Don’t forget who you’re speaking to!”

Gu Yining rose as well, a cold smile tugging at her lips.

“Tell me—what exactly did I just say that was disrespectful?”

Flustered, Sister Hong’s face turned crimson, her words spilling out unchecked.

“Don’t think that just because Bai Qingqiu has taken a liking to your face, you can strut around as if the world owes you. You’re nothing more than a plaything to her.”

At that, Gu Yining’s composed expression faltered for a heartbeat. For once, she found herself unable to think of a retort.

“If you’ve got the guts, then go running to Bai Qingqiu. Cry to her that I’ve been targeting you. Let’s see if she sides with a company veteran like me—or some little shadow who can’t show her face in the daylight.”

“Fine. Since you insist, I’ll be sure to tell her.” Gu Yining didn’t want to waste another second in that office. She turned on her heel to leave.

Behind her came Sister Hong’s triumphant sneer.

“Overestimating yourself. Oh, and one more thing—I’ve already had the tech department lock all your social media accounts. From now on, the PR department will be managing them. If you’re really going to complain to Bai Qingqiu, don’t forget to ask her whether she’s willing to hand those accounts back to you.”

Gu Yining’s footsteps paused. She gave a faint, dismissive smile and walked out without a word.

There was no way Bai Qingqiu would ever choose her.

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Bai Qingqiu bit into another piece of candied lemon. The sour-bitter tang spread across her tongue, but she kept popping one piece after another into her mouth without pause.

She liked bitterness—sharp, bracing, sobering.

Just like her preference for straight Americanos over sweetened coffee.

Perhaps the child in her belly had inherited her tastes too. Whenever the nausea flared up, a bit of sourness seemed to ease it instantly. The thought brought a faint smile to her lips—before reality swiftly followed.

A twisted control freak like her was hardly fit to be a mother. Giving birth would only mean condemning a child to suffering. And besides, tomorrow she was expected to drink with Director Qian to secure a role for Gu Yining.

Since when could pregnant women drink?

Click.

The electronic lock on the front door released with a soft sound, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Lowering her gaze, Bai Qingqiu set the packet of lemon slices aside and looked toward the entryway.

“You’re back?”

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Gu Yining froze at the sight of her. She hadn’t expected Bai Qingqiu to be waiting in the living room. Quickly, she forced a clumsy smile, her words running contrary to her guilty heart.

“Mm, I’m back.”

Her eyes flickered nervously toward the woman on the sofa. Bai Qingqiu’s face was heavy with unspoken worries, too distracted to notice anything amiss. She lifted a hand, motioning her closer.

Shame prickled in Gu Yining’s chest. She had to remind herself again and again: in Bai Qingqiu’s eyes, she was nothing more than Bei Nanyan’s substitute—a dispensable stand-in, a plaything. She repeated the thought like a mantra, forcing her emotions down before leaning into Bai Qingqiu’s arms.

Resting her head against the faint magnolia scent at her neck, Gu Yining’s muffled voice asked:

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Bai Qingqiu hesitated, her warm fingertips brushing idly along the girl’s back. “But tell me—did you hide something from me yesterday?”

“Yesterday?”

Gu Yining’s hand instinctively rose to the cheek that Yin Youyi had kissed.

________________________________________

Seeing that small gesture, Bai Qingqiu understood at once. No wonder her cheek had looked so suspiciously red yesterday.

And she had tried to fool her with some excuse about an allergic reaction.

Stupid girl—she couldn’t even lie properly.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, the thought of someone else kissing Gu Yining made her chest tighten, as if heavy, wet cotton had been stuffed inside. Irritated, she furrowed her brows, pulled out a pack of wet wipes, and began carefully wiping down every inch of the girl’s cheek.

She couldn’t stand the thought of kissing lips that had touched another’s saliva.

Even if the incident was long past—even if Gu Yining had already bathed and scrubbed her face twice over—even if the redness yesterday might well have been from her own rubbing.

Gu Yining must have known she was at fault. She didn’t resist, obediently letting her wipe her face clean, then even took the tissue herself to throw it away.

For some reason, that docility only stoked Bai Qingqiu’s ire. Her gaze darkened, and before she could stop herself, she leaned in and bit Gu Yining’s cheek.

“Hiss—”

“Next time, don’t let something like this happen again.”