As a Scummy Omega, I Ran Away with the Baby - Chapter 9

By the time Gu Yining returned home after finishing her livestream, it was already deep into the night. Cicadas screeched hysterically from the hedges in front of the villa, their shrill cries cutting through the heavy silence.

She had sent Xiao Li home early. Carrying her makeup bag in one hand and tomorrow’s variety show script slung over her shoulder with the other, Gu Yining walked alone along the stone path.

Her steps were slow, each sharp heel wedging itself stubbornly into the cracks between the stones. The driver had dropped her off close to the gate, yet when she reached the door, she stopped in place.

Summer nights in G City carried no breeze, only a suffocating, stagnant heat pressing down on her skin. She raised her hand to press her fingerprint, but the scanner kept flashing error after error.

It was then she realized—her palms were damp, slick with sweat.

Even pressing the doorbell felt like it required more effort than it ever had before.

“Ding dong.”

The chime rang out.

For some reason, her nerves wound tight, and she clenched the strap of her bag. Then she laughed at herself silently. What was she expecting—that Bai Qingqiu would come to the door personally to let her in?

In over four years, that had never once happened. Why should tonight be any different?

Besides, at this hour, Bai Qingqiu was probably asleep.

As her thoughts ran in circles, the gate suddenly opened from inside. Gu Yining lifted her gaze—only to find Aunt Han, hair rumpled, standing there.

Just as expected.

Clearly dragged from her bed, Aunt Han yawned as she bent down to change Gu Yining’s shoes, her sleep dress wrinkled.

“Sorry, Aunt Han, for disturbing you so late.” Gu Yining apologized softly.

She had rushed out earlier to avoid Bai Qingqiu and Bei Nanyan’s conversation, only realizing on the drive home that she hadn’t brought her key. With her palms too clammy to pass the fingerprint lock, the doorbell had been her only option.

She had hoped to slip back quietly, to buy herself a little time to calm down.

Now, she might have woken Bai Qingqiu instead. And Bai Qingqiu’s sleep had always been fragile—even the softest turn of Gu Yining’s body in bed would wake her.

She had once spent weeks researching ways to help improve her sleep. The water feature outside the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling window had been one of her ideas.

Gu Yining lowered her head and gave a bitter smile.

“It’s fine.”

Task done, Aunt Han waved her off and shuffled back toward the servants’ quarters, leaving Gu Yining standing alone in the empty, silent living room.

She tossed the makeup bag and script onto the table, collapsed onto the sofa, and sat staring blankly toward the second-floor study.

The lights were off. Which meant Bai Qingqiu was indeed in the bedroom. But had her return disturbed her?

How was she supposed to face Bai Qingqiu now? Confront her? But Bai Qingqiu hadn’t really done anything wrong. She had met a college classmate, fallen in love, and years later, after starting work, happened to meet someone who resembled her first love—and started a relationship with her.

No cheating, no lies.

Just two adults, freely choosing.

Even if this so-called love felt more like Bai Qingqiu keeping her in a gilded cage, and she, obediently, had played the pretty little bird.

Day after day, she lived in self-doubt, shame, inferiority, carefulness, and the desperate need to please.

If it had been mutual, she could at least have consoled herself—it was only because Bai Qingqiu’s status was higher, her income greater. Someday, when she became successful, she could repay her.

But what if it had all been a mistake from the start?

What if even Bai Qingqiu’s love had never been real?

No—she already knew it wasn’t.

Gu Yining pressed a hand against her chest. The image of Bei Nanyan’s spirited club photo surfaced in her mind, crushing her until she could hardly breathe.

Bai Qingqiu had been her first love—her dream for over a decade. Every girl imagined what her future romance might be, and Gu Yining had been no exception.

Love, she thought, was simple: she loved her, and she was loved in return.

She had fallen for the dazzling Bai Qingqiu, striding under the sun in a suit, focused and radiant. And by some miracle, Bai Qingqiu hadn’t disliked the clumsy fool who admired her.

Wasn’t that what love was?

But it turned out, the one she hadn’t disliked wasn’t Gu Yining. It was Bei Nanyan.

________________________________________

The next morning, Gu Yining came downstairs for breakfast after washing up. Just as she reached the dining room, Bai Qingqiu set her spoon down, finished with her meal.

Gu Yining’s steps faltered midway down the staircase.

Even from a distance, she could see how much thinner Bai Qingqiu’s face had grown, her jawline sharper, her pale complexion making her look even more aloof and untouchable. Her light pink lips pressed together, as though she was enduring discomfort.

Instinctively, Gu Yining’s heart tightened for her. But then Bei Nanyan’s evasive reply flashed through her mind, spreading a bitter ache through her chest. Her emotions knotted, impossible to untangle.

She hesitated, then forced her usual cheerful smile and sat beside her.

“Why did you stop eating?” Her voice was warm and natural, giving nothing away.

“Just haven’t had much appetite these past couple days. Same old problem.”

Bai Qingqiu didn’t notice anything amiss. Her face carried its usual detached indifference, her tone casual, dismissive, as though her concern didn’t matter.

Instead, she admonished her gently: “You, on the other hand—coming home so late last night. Do you realize you’re in your susceptibility period now? If you’re going to be working late again today, just don’t. Don’t worry—no one would dare complain.”

As if afraid she might feel awkward, Bai Qingqiu reached out and covered the back of her hand.

Her palm was warm and soft.

Gu Yining instinctively flinched, wanting to pull away as though burned.

“You…”

Bai Qingqiu only thought she was being petulant, throwing a little tantrum. She let go, then bent her finger to tap Gu Yining’s nose.

“And why haven’t you been clinging and acting spoiled these past two days? Still mad I teased you for being clingy?” Bai Qingqiu’s voice brimmed with unfeigned fondness.

The affection was real—but not meant for her.

Gu Yining lowered her eyes. An ache welled up unbidden, all for that lucky Bei Nanyan. She wasn’t any less than her, yet it was Bei Nanyan who had Bai Qingqiu’s love. Not her.

Of course—love wasn’t a job interview. It wasn’t about who was more accomplished or outstanding.

“Mm.”

“You little sulk.” Bai Qingqiu chuckled and pulled her into her arms. “Is this better?”

Gu Yining gave no reply. She only shook her head against her embrace, not pushing her away either. Sooner or later, when she grew bored, Bai Qingqiu would release her.

What she wanted wasn’t this misplaced, condescending kind of affection. No matter how close they were physically, there would always be a chasm between them.

“Then how about this?”

Bai Qingqiu’s voice lilted playfully as she wound a strand of Gu Yining’s hair around her finger, pressing her cheek against her forehead with deliberate intimacy.

Gu Yining’s heart began to race. She met Bai Qingqiu’s smiling eyes, and for a moment she wavered—one more step and she would lose all resolve. She forced herself to press her hand to Bai Qingqiu’s shoulder and gently push her away.

She shook her head.

“Still not enough? Then I guess I’ll have to do this.”

As her words fell, a faint scent of magnolia unfurled with her movement.