Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Star Gossip: “#Ming Zhu’s New Romance# Ming Zhu’s romance exposed? Today, someone photographed the famous actress Ming Zhu with a woman in a private hospital parking lot. The woman had a petite figure, likely an Omega. Their behavior seemed intimate, suggesting a possible romance. [Picture][Picture][Picture][Picture]”

[Is Ming Zhu in love? Please, is it with Yu Jing!]

[These photos are so blurry, I can’t see the face clearly. But judging by the figure, this woman is definitely an Omega, not Yu Jing. Yu Jing is a bit taller.]

[I looked with a magnifying glass and still don’t recognize this female Omega. Is she a celebrity?]

[A few intimate photos and you call it love? That’s a stretch. Maybe they’re just close.]

[Come on, Alphas and Omegas are different. No matter how close, you don’t casually hug in public. This Omega was practically clinging to Ming Zhu. There’s definitely something fishy.]

[Ming Zhu didn’t even wear a mask. Looks promising. Waiting for the official announcement.]

[So disappointed. I clicked thinking it was Ming-Yu’s romance exposed, but it’s some unknown nobody. Is Ming-Yu about to break?]

[As a boiled fish fan, I refuse to accept this!!! Ming-Yu is real, everyone else step aside!]

[CP fans are delusional. Hype is hype, reality is reality. Ming Zhu has someone now. Tying her to someone else is immoral. Stop it, got it?]

[Ming Zhu’s in love, did you know? @Yu Jing]

Yu Jing held her phone and looked at the four paparazzi photos countless times. Though the photos were blurry, and though she hated to admit it, she recognized Ming Zhu’s face and figure instantly.

She didn’t know the petite female Omega. Seeing her throw herself into Ming Zhu’s arms like a little bird, Yu Jing felt a lump in her throat.

This hurt more than if her own relationship had been exposed.

Didn’t Ming Zhu say she was meeting a teacher to look at a script? Why did she sneak to the hospital without telling her?

Unable to wait a moment longer, Yu Jing exited Weibo, found Ming Zhu’s number in her contacts, and dialed.

“Sorry, the user you called is temporarily unavailable…”

Yu Jing didn’t give up, dialing repeatedly. On the third try, it finally connected.

“Jingjing,” Ming Zhu’s familiar voice came through, cool but tinged with urgency.

Yu Jing, focused on the trending topic, didn’t notice these details and asked, “Where are you?”

She didn’t directly ask who the woman was because she didn’t believe Ming Zhu was truly involved with someone else. But seeing those photos stirred some thoughts, making her uneasy. She wanted to gauge Ming Zhu’s response first.

Ming Zhu’s breathing was slightly heavy, as if hurrying. Her voice quickened. “My grandfather is sick and hospitalized. I just got the call and rushed over. I haven’t had time to tell you.”

Grandfather sick? Yu Jing’s heart jolted, and she quickly asked, “Is it serious?”

“Not clear yet.” Ming Zhu paused, her tone softening. “I’ll check on him first and call you back, okay?”

Yu Jing nodded, then realized Ming Zhu couldn’t see, and said agreeably, “Okay.” After a moment, she added, “Grandfather will be fine.”

Ming Zhu said, “Hmm,” and hung up.

Yu Jing looked at the darkened phone, her mind a mess. She meant to ask if Ming Zhu knew she was trending and who that woman was, but the timing wasn’t right.

Xiao Bai, woken earlier, didn’t want to sleep anymore. It padded over, looked up, and meowed at her.

Yu Jing picked it up, one hand tightly gripping the phone, sitting dazed on the sofa, waiting.

At a private hospital.

The VIP ward was a separate building, with the top floor reserved for the elite.

The sun blazed outside, but the hospital’s air conditioning was ample. Ming Zhu ran all the way, found the most luxurious ward, and headed straight for it.

Someone stopped her.

Ming Zhu turned her head.

Blocking her was a young man in glasses, dressed like an elite, possibly a secretary or assistant.

The man found her familiar but couldn’t place her. Seeing her rush in, he said unhappily, “Miss, this isn’t a place for you.”

Ming Zhu’s chest heaved slightly, her face anxious. She asked politely, “Is Mr. Lin Hongyi in this ward?”

The man was surprised she knew the old chairman’s name and looked at her closely. “Who are you?”

He was cautious. If she didn’t explain clearly, he wouldn’t let her in. Ming Zhu was about to clarify.

“Xu Feng, are you blind? She’s my…” A grumbling voice came from behind, making the two at the door turn.

The woman was petite, her pretty face flushed, sweat ruining her makeup—the Omega from the trending photos, Lin Yi.

Lin Yi chased after Ming Zhu, out of breath from short legs and low stamina. Seeing Ming Zhu blocked at the door, her temper flared. She was about to blurt out Ming Zhu’s identity but froze under Ming Zhu’s cold gaze.

“She’s…” Chilled by Ming Zhu’s look, Lin Yi’s lips moved, changing the title she nearly said. She stammered, “She’s Ming Zhu, my grandfather’s eldest granddaughter.”

Eldest granddaughter? The rumored Lin family heiress? The man, Xu Feng, looked at Ming Zhu in shock, too stunned to act.

The ward door swung open.

A richly dressed middle-aged woman stepped out, her hair in an elegant bun, adorned with jewels. She lowered her voice, but her tone carried authority. “The old man needs rest. Why are you making noise?”

Xu Feng turned, lowered his head in panic, and said, “Madam, Miss Lin Yi and Miss Ming Zhu are here.”

“…Ming Zhu?” The woman noticed Ming Zhu, blocked by Xu Feng. Seeing her face, her well-maintained face showed wrinkles, shifting from shock to delight. She eagerly grabbed Ming Zhu’s hand, smiling broadly. “Long time no see. Auntie missed you so much!”

Her cold hand felt like a snake, making Ming Zhu’s stomach churn. She pulled her hand back unceremoniously, seeing Xu Lingmei’s face change again. Unfazed, Ming Zhu looked past her fake expression toward the ward, unable to see inside due to the door. “I’m here to see Grandfather.”

Embarrassed in front of a subordinate, Xu Lingmei’s face alternated between pale and flushed, but she masked it. She smoothed her perfect hair and said, “What bad timing. Grandfather is resting and doesn’t want visitors.”

The word “visitors” sounded fine but carried a sting. Ming Zhu glared at her, sneering. “A granddaughter seeing her grandfather—you, a stepmother, have no right to interfere, do you?”

Xu Lingmei kept smiling. “Ming Zhu, why so immature? It’s not that I don’t want you to see him, it’s your grandfather…”

“Mom!” Lin Yi cut in. “Sister Ming Zhu is worried and wants to see Grandfather. If he’s resting, we won’t disturb him. Why are you so naggy?”

Xu Lingmei’s smile froze. She glared at her disruptive daughter, about to scold.

A robust voice came from the ward. “Ming Zhu? Is Little Zhu here?”

Hearing that familiar voice, Ming Zhu’s cold eyes warmed. She bypassed Xu Lingmei, pushed open the door, and entered.

At the foot of the bed, she hesitated to approach. “Grandfather…”

An elderly man with white hair sat on the white hospital bed, his face gaunt. Seeing her, his cloudy eyes lit up. He grabbed the driver beside him excitedly. “Quick, help me up!”

The driver held him down. “No, no, watch your leg!”

Ming Zhu hurried to the other side, helping the driver restrain the lively old man, her face full of worry. “Grandfather, what’s wrong with your leg?”

Lin Hongyi let go of the driver, grabbed her hand, and chuckled. “Nothing, nothing. I twisted it playing ball with friends this morning. I’ll be up in a few days. Minor issue.”

Ming Zhu looked at his bandaged leg, unsure if he was reassuring her, and glanced at the driver.

The driver grinned honestly. “It’s not serious, just a sprain, no bone damage.”

Ming Zhu sighed in relief, wiping sweat from her forehead.

She was visiting Yang Fan when Lin Yi called about Lin Hongyi’s hospitalization, rushing over in a panic. Thankfully, it wasn’t serious.

Though just a sprain, her grandfather was nearly eighty. How could he endure this? Ming Zhu looked at him with concern. “Grandfather, you can’t do this again.”

Lin Hongyi huffed proudly, arms crossed. “You only visit when I’m hurt. I’d rather fall a few more times.”

“You…” Ming Zhu was speechless and guilty, lowering her eyes. “I’m sorry… Even if I’m unfilial, you can’t joke with your health.”

Lin Hongyi was just teasing. Seeing her pained expression, he softened, patting her head fondly. “You haven’t wronged anyone. The Lin family wronged you.”

Emotions surged in Ming Zhu’s eyes. She pressed her lips, saying nothing.

Outside, Lin Yi eavesdropped at the door. “Ouch, ouch!”

Xu Lingmei grabbed her ear, dragging her to the corridor’s end before letting go, her face cold. “Did you call Ming Zhu to tip her off?”

“Tip her off? Mom, you’re so harsh.” Lin Yi rubbed her red ear, defiant. “Grandfather loves Sister Ming Zhu so much. He’d want to see her most when hurt. I called her, and he’s surely happy. A good mood helps recovery, right?”

Xu Lingmei scoffed, exposing her. “I think you wanted to see her. You called her right after returning. Don’t think I don’t know your intentions.”

Recalling last night’s brief call, Lin Yi’s face warmed.

Yesterday, fresh from abroad, Lin Yi eagerly called Ming Zhu to meet, but Ming Zhu coldly declined. She was upset all night. Who’d expect her grandfather to get hurt the next day? Lin Yi called Ming Zhu immediately.

Though Ming Zhu didn’t come for her, Lin Yi was thrilled to see her.

Xu Lingmei, seeing her daughter’s silly grin, got angry, poking her forehead. “Always siding with outsiders. Why did I raise such a useless daughter?”

“Think I’m useless? Have another one then!” Lin Yi made a face and ran before her mom could react.

Xu Lingmei nearly fainted from rage.

In the ward, only the grandfather and granddaughter remained.

Ming Zhu talked with Lin Hongyi for a long time, from career to daily life, covering everything.

The sun set, painting the sky orange.

Lin Hongyi’s mouth grew dry. Ming Zhu got up to pour him water.

His phone rang suddenly. He used an old-fashioned phone with a loud ring, startling Ming Zhu, who nearly dropped the cup. She turned, seeing he wasn’t fazed, and felt a pang.

Grandfather was old, his hearing fading.

Lin Hongyi was used to the volume. His eyes too weak to read the caller ID, he answered. “Who’s this?”

“Father, it’s me.” A low male voice.

The old phone’s flaw: no speaker, yet everyone heard the leaking sound.

Ming Zhu recognized Lin Jianyue’s voice. Her pouring paused, her face expressionless.

Lin Jianyue knew of Lin Hongyi’s injury and was rushing back.

The father and son spoke briefly and hung up.

“Little Zhu,” Lin Hongyi looked at her hesitantly, “your father’s coming soon. Should you two talk?”

Ming Zhu handed him the thermos, eyes lowered, voice soft. “Careful, it’s hot.”

She dodged his question. Lin Hongyi, helpless, didn’t want to ruin the mood and dropped the unpleasant topic.

After Lin Hongyi finished the water, Ming Zhu stood. “Grandfather, I should go.”

He knew she was avoiding Lin Jianyue. Both stubborn, neither could be persuaded. He held her hand, hopeful. “Will you come tomorrow?”

Ming Zhu covered his wrinkled hand, smiling. “Yes.”

Reassured, Lin Hongyi let her go.

Worried she’d be bullied, he called the driver to escort her out.

Ming Zhu laughed helplessly. “Grandfather, no need for such trouble. I’m not as weak as you think.”

He wanted to say something but didn’t, waving goodbye.

Ming Zhu opened the door. Those waiting outside rushed over.

Xu Lingmei smiled perfectly, her voice falsely warm. “Leaving, Ming Zhu?”

Ming Zhu spared her a glance and walked away.

Xu Lingmei’s face darkened, grabbing Lin Yi, who wanted to follow, and hissed. “Didn’t you see she dislikes us? Stay away from her.”

Ignored by Ming Zhu, Lin Yi pouted, gave up struggling, and watched her leave.

Leaving the VIP ward area through the garden, Ming Zhu took out her phone to message Yu Jing but saw Zhou Qi’s message first.

Zhou Qi: “Shared link: #Ming Zhu’s Romance Exposed#”

Zhou Qi: “Today’s trending topic says you’re dating Lin Yi.”

Seeing the title, Ming Zhu assumed it was about her and Yu Jing. Clicking in, she found it was her and Lin Yi photographed.

Her brows furrowed.

MZ: “Ridiculous.”

Zhou Qi: “Yu Jing knows and asked me about you and Lin Yi. I didn’t tell her.”