As a Scummy Omega, I Ran Away with the Baby - Chapter 2
The first thing Gu Yining did upon regaining consciousness was reach toward the other side of the bed.
Her fingertips brushed against cold, empty sheets. The chill seeped into her bones.
Bai Qingqiu hadn’t come home last night.
Slowly, Gu Yining pushed herself upright, staring blankly at the rumpled bedding beside her. Four years—it had been four whole years since she met Bai Qingqiu and entered into a relationship with her.
Four years. A short span of time, and yet long enough.
Long enough to remember Bai Qingqiu’s little quirks: her mild obsession with cleanliness, her distaste for cucumbers, her fondness for mint-scented shower gel. Long enough to know she needed something to lean against in order to fall asleep, that despite her cat-hair allergy, she still adored cats with an almost childish affection.
But also short enough that Bai Qingqiu had forgotten yesterday was their fourth anniversary.
Bai Qingqiu spoiled her, yes—but she did not love her.
Gu Yining was not a fool. She had lived with her for four years; how could she not tell the difference?
Or perhaps she was just overthinking. Maybe Bai Qingqiu only failed to love her in the way she wanted. Gu Yining drew a deep breath, forcing herself to smile through the ache in her chest.
If she didn’t love her, why would she spoil her?
“Awake?”
Bai Qingqiu?
Gu Yining’s head snapped toward the door, so suddenly that the quilt slipped from the bed onto the floor.
It was her. Dressed in a dark blue tailored suit, Bai Qingqiu’s figure looked tall and elegant. Her chestnut-black hair was tied loosely into a ponytail, exposing the pale line of her slender neck. Her expression was calm, her voice tinged with a cool sharpness that brooked no profanation.
Gu Yining suddenly felt she was standing very far away.
Though in truth, she was right there in front of her.
“Qiuqiu.” Her voice came out soft, tinged with an unspoken grievance even she hadn’t noticed.
Bai Qingqiu’s brows lifted at the sound of the nickname, faint surprise flickering across her face.
“What do you want this time?” Her tone was indulgent yet distant, the way one might speak to a child being placated.
Gu Yining’s throat tightened.
“Nothing. I just… wanted to call you that.”
“Then call me that here, not outside. You understand?” Bai Qingqiu’s voice was gentle, but her words carried unquestionable authority. With that, she shrugged off her jacket and handed it over as if it was the most natural thing.
Gu Yining took it automatically, then hurried out to find a maid for cleaning. The jacket still carried Bai Qingqiu’s warmth. Before handing it over, she lowered her head, secretly inhaling the faint scent of white orchid that clung to the fabric.
“Have you come in yet?”
Bai Qingqiu’s voice called from inside the room.
“Coming, coming!”
Gu Yining quickly passed the jacket to the maid, puzzled. Bai Qingqiu rarely asked her to do anything.
What was this about?
When she stepped back inside, the room was empty.
“I’m in the shower,” came Bai Qingqiu’s voice, mingling with the sound of running water, light amusement threading through her words.
“Then… why did you call me in?”
Gu Yining sank onto the bed with a sigh. Bai Qingqiu could always sense what she was thinking, yet never seemed to know what she truly wanted.
Or perhaps she did know, and simply chose not to give it.
“There’s a company press event today. I’ve already asked Sister Han to arrange for the driver to take you there. There may be interviews and photos afterward, but your assistant will have everything prepared. Don’t worry.” Bai Qingqiu’s casual tone made it sound like routine business.
“But… didn’t you say I could rest at home for a few days?”
“Don’t you want to see the surprise I’ve prepared for you?”
“A surprise?”
“Mhm. You’ll find out when you get there.”
The bathroom door opened. Wrapped in a towel, Bai Qingqiu emerged with an easy smile, her steps light. That earlier cold distance seemed like nothing more than an illusion.
“What’s with that dazed look? Silly girl.”
She leaned down, her damp fingertips tapping Gu Yining’s nose.
“I’m nowhere near as smart and capable as you. After all, my Qiuqiu runs the world at such a young age—my idol, really.”
“Cheesy.” Bai Qingqiu chuckled and shook her head, but her smile held no true delight.
Her gaze fell on the quilt crumpled on the floor. Her brows knitted in distaste.
“Aunt Han, please come in and take this away. It’s been on the ground—don’t put it back on the bed.”
Unease pricked at Gu Yining’s chest. She ignored the fact that Bai Qingqiu was about to dry her hair and suddenly pulled her into an embrace.
Bai Qingqiu, unaware of the tangled knots in her heart, assumed she was simply clingy from an approaching susceptibility period. With a helpless look, she rested her head on Gu Yining’s shoulder, loosely circling her arms around her.
“My hair’s still wet,” she murmured.
“It’s fine. I just… I just felt you were so far away just now. I wanted to hold you, to feel you close.”
“Gu Yining, why are you so clingy?”
Bai Qingqiu sighed.
“You don’t like it?”
Panic flickered in Gu Yining’s chest.
“I’ll try to come home more these two days. Don’t worry.”
Bai Qingqiu sidestepped the question, neither admitting nor denying, gently pulling herself free. Cold air rushed in where her warmth had been.
Gu Yining shivered.
“See? You’re cold now. I’ll have Sister Han prepare ginger tea. Drink some when you get back. You’ve got a full schedule lined up—you can’t afford to get sick.” Bai Qingqiu ruffled her hair lightly.
“Alright.”
Head lowered, Gu Yining answered softly and hurried into the dressing room. Her footsteps were quick, her back a picture of quiet desolation.
________________________________________
Watching her retreat, Bai Qingqiu felt a sudden jolt in her chest. A strange, nameless emotion surged up.
Was it guilt for not being more attentive? Or for never returning Gu Yining’s love?
She didn’t understand why she felt this way.
She only knew that she preferred Gu Yining’s spoiled pouts and soft coaxing to this silent, obedient version of her.
Lost in thought, she almost didn’t notice when Gu Yining reemerged, dressed in a burgundy off-shoulder dress, clutching her bag. She was about to leave, the collar of her dress slightly askew from the rush.
“Wait,” Bai Qingqiu called before she reached the door.
Gu Yining stopped, turning to look back.
“Fool. Your collar’s all wrong.”
Looking down, Gu Yining realized it was. She reached to fix it, but Bai Qingqiu said, “Sit on the bed.”
“…?”
Confused, she obeyed. Bai Qingqiu met her gaze, voice softer now. “The driver won’t be here that soon. Let me fix it for you.”
Gu Yining stiffened at the unexpected tenderness, nodding awkwardly. “O-okay.”
Her cheeks flushed as Bai Qingqiu reached into her collar, fingers brushing against her skin. The off-shoulder cut bared her pale collarbone, where a faint red mark stood out against her skin.
Gu Yining’s eyes lingered there, her thoughts turning hazy.
Bai Qingqiu, however, remained impassive, deftly tugging the fabric free and smoothing the folds. “There. All set.”
“I should head down now. The driver’s probably waiting,” Gu Yining mumbled, clutching her bag straps tightly as she hurried out, face burning.
Almost as if fleeing.
It took Bai Qingqiu a moment to react, before a small smile curved her lips.
Yes—Gu Yining was at her cutest when she was shy.
________________________________________
The cold air inside the nanny van cooled Gu Yining’s flushed cheeks.
Her fingers brushed her collarbone, where Bai Qingqiu’s cool fingertips had lingered. Just recalling it made her heart pound faster.
But each thud of her heart came with the memory of Bai Qingqiu’s detached gaze, reminding her of the cruel truth.
Bai Qingqiu didn’t care.
She never rejected Gu Yining’s closeness, but neither did she ever reach for it herself.
For so long, Gu Yining had excused it—perhaps Bai Qingqiu simply wasn’t someone fond of physical intimacy. Not everyone valued touch the way she did.
But when had the doubts begun?
Was it the endless cold nights beside an empty bed? The perfunctory answers to her attempts at conversation?
Was their four-year-long relationship nothing more than a one-sided wishful dream?
She didn’t dare ask, didn’t dare think too deeply.
Yet no matter how she tried to suppress it, she couldn’t stop herself from noticing, from analyzing, from grasping at every detail that might confirm her worst fear.