I Transmigrated as the Protagonist and Was Kidnapped by the Villainous Omega - Chapter 28

“Ow—ow, that hurts!” Her ear was being yanked hard, and the daydream in her mind shattered in an instant.

“You were grinning like a pervert.” Ling Yuexi twisted her fingers even harder, eyes narrowing as she leaned in. “What were you thinking about?”

That face—so full of lust—was enough to make anyone annoyed. She had only behaved for a few days and was already acting up again?

Ling Yuexi resisted the urge to bite her. No need to rush. Once they were back at the mountain stronghold, there’d be plenty of time.

Perfect. New scores and old debts could be settled all at once…

“W-Who’s a pervert?!” Su Cheng snapped. “Can’t you use a better word?” She was absolutely stunning, Alpha! Where could you find another one like her?

Because she was flustered, she didn’t notice the meaningful look in a certain someone’s eyes.

Su Cheng quickly wriggled free, rubbing her ear with a pout and a bit annoyed with herself.

Zoning out at a time like that—what was wrong with her lately? She’d never been like this before.

Why was her mind always wandering these days…?

“Good thing you’re a defective A. If you were a full Alpha, your gland would’ve been sliced off by Yuexi just now.” Hu Ziyuan glanced at her with disdain before turning her gaze to the one lying in her lap. “Our Tang Jin is still the best~”

She was the best Alpha in the world—and Hu Ziyuan had finally become an A-class Omega, just like she dreamed.

Ever since their first meeting, Tang Jin had moved out of the lower district. Hu Ziyuan hadn’t seen her again for a long time.

Until one night, four years later, when she sneaked alone into the home of a general in the middle district.

At that time, Dawn had not yet acquired its own building. Everyone lived separately in their own little shacks.

She slipped in through the window, and the moment her foot landed on the floor, a wave of rich sandalwood fragrance rushed over her.

An Alpha’s rut—she sensed it instantly.

Even though she hadn’t differentiated yet, the scent was strong enough that she could still tell.

During rut, Alphas were emotionally unstable—easily agitated and quick to anger; even their pheromones became more volatile.

But the scent in this room… was surprisingly calm.

Unable to help herself, she tilted her head and sniffed. The sandalwood was fragrant, mellow, and warm—almost magically soothing.

She suddenly felt a strong desire to see what kind of person possessed such alluring pheromones.

Moving quietly, Hu Ziyuan crept along the scent trail and crouched behind the fridge, peeking out like a little thief—

There, in the quiet room, a slender figure was sitting cross-legged in front of a Buddha statue, back turned to her. Her posture was perfectly straight, and the dim light fell softly on her light short blue hair. The whole person looked peaceful, gentle—like a still painting.

She appeared to be meditating during her rut without any inhibitions.

Hu Ziyuan was dumbfounded. Was this person crazy or what?

Wait, “again”? Why did she say “again”?

The more she stared at that light blue hair, the more familiar it looked. Her pupils dilated slightly.

It couldn’t be… that much of a coincidence, right?

These two nutcases couldn’t be the same person… right?

“You’ve been standing behind the fridge for a while now. Why not just grab what you want and leave?” A calm voice floated over. Tang Jin didn’t even turn her head. Her eyes stayed closed as she gently rolled the prayer beads in her hands, making no move to stand.

However, Hu Ziyuan was taken aback by that single, light sentence.

She knew? She had known all along?

And…

That voice—it really did sound like that idiot from back then…

Who would’ve thought she’d be differentiate into an A-class Alpha—and even become a member of Dawn!

“You knew I was there—why didn’t you do anything?” Hu Ziyuan lowered her voice, asking the question she had buried in her heart for four years.

When she first started stealing, she wasn’t that good at it. There were times she got caught and dragged out for a beating—it wasn’t unusual.

These days, gold and jewels were worthless. Only food mattered.

In the lower district, people fought over food every day. Even if someone died over it, there was no justice to be found.

“No need.” Tang Jin opened her eyes slightly, looking up at the Buddha. Her voice was soft: “Besides, it wasn’t your fault…”

This senseless disaster had all started from a handful of people’s delusions, yet it dragged down an entire city of innocents.

They should have had happy families and decent jobs. If not for the way the world had fallen apart, who would steal to survive?

Still…

“With skills like yours, why not join the Vanguard Army?” Tang Jin slowly stood and turned around, revealing a flawless side profile. “You could end this disaster sooner—and save more lives.”

Her pale blue eyes, the same shade as her hair, looked at her as calmly as still water.

The dim light in the room gilded her face with a soft golden hue. Surrounded by the faint sandalwood, her voice and presence felt as warm as jade.

Hu Ziyuan’s heart skipped a beat. Her face flushed slightly. She lowered her gaze in a panic.

Luckily, she was wrapped up tightly, only her eyes exposed. Otherwise, someone would surely laugh at the look on her face.

Could she really be a thief who got so easily flustered? She always kept her beauty hidden—and now, it was beauty that got the better of her.

Four years without seeing her, and she’d only grown even more stunning.

“…Mind your own business.” She gave a grunt and turned to jump out the window.

“Not taking the bread?”

She froze in place.

Oh right—she almost forgot. She spun around, opened the fridge, grabbed two packs of food in front of the owner, and swiftly flipped out the window.

Tang Jin didn’t chase after her.

She slipped away, dodged the patrols, and disappeared into the night.

A faint scent of sandalwood clung to her clothes. For the first time, Hu Ziyuan felt that maybe… not differentiating into an Alpha wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

Later, she began to pay attention to that person—consciously or not.

She heard that she was a General Suanni of the Dragon domain, always serving in the vanguard army.

She heard that she was skilled in combat, always returning from missions safely with large amounts of supplies.

She heard they were the same age… and that she didn’t like anyone yet.

“Hey, what’s your name?” Sneaking into her house again, Hu Ziyuan leaned against the fridge, her beautiful eyes boldly fixed on the side of that woman’s face.

Tang Jin didn’t even look up. While copying Buddhist scriptures, she replied, “Just a passing acquaintance. No need to ask.”

A passing acquaintance, huh…

Hu Ziyuan chuckled softly. Now that I’ve got her in my hands, this bond is going to run deep.

“I want to marry her.”

Just five short words instantly stirred up a storm.

The moment she said that, Su Cheng was stunned to the core—shocked inside and out.

What? This has got to be a joke! If Tang Jin wakes up and finds out, won’t she strangle her?

“Wait, hold on a sec.” Holding her forehead, Su Cheng looked dizzy and gave a wry smile as she waved her hands. “Marriage doesn’t mean anything nowadays… You say you want to marry her, and that’s it? The civil registry collapsed. What do you expect us to do, forge you a fake license?”

“It’s just a lousy certificate; who cares?” Hu Ziyuan shot her a look of disdain. “What I want is the sense of ceremony, okay? Never mind, someone like you—defective Alpha—wouldn’t understand.”

Hu Ziyuan had it all planned out—they’d have a traditional wedding!

A written marriage contract and bowing to heaven and earth—full ceremonial vibes!

No official certificate? Who cares! As long as they’ve paid respect to the heavens, even Buddha has to recognize it!

With Tang Jin’s personality, would she really say no?

“But you at least need to ask her! Who proposes without getting the other person’s consent?” Su Cheng had seen people get forcefully married before, but this was the first time she’d witnessed an Omega so determined to throw herself into it!

And it was obvious she’d say no—why even ask?

“Since when do bandits care about rules?” Hu Ziyuan thumped her with a flick to the forehead, frustrated. “Didn’t you say it yourself? It’s the end of the world! What’s left to care about?”

I—damn…

Even Su Cheng, who is usually quick with comebacks, couldn’t come up with anything.

Sure, those were her words, but—not to be used like this!

“Hu Ziyuan, think this through.” Ling Yuexi looked her squarely in the eye, her face dark. “If an A-class Alpha turns violent, none of us can stop her. Have you thought about everyone else’s safety?”

“She wouldn’t—”

“What proof do you have?!”

That sudden shout made even Su Cheng flinch. It was the first time she had seen Ling Yuexi argue with someone so seriously.

“What if she hurts Pupu? Could you face her mother then?”

“I’m not trying to tear you two apart.” Seeing Hu Ziyuan freeze, Ling Yuexi softened a little and spoke more gently. “It’s just… as the leader, I have no choice…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Hu Ziyuan’s lips pressed into a line. She bit down, silent.

She’d been selfish.

She had no real assurances. Tang Jin didn’t even know her. And even if she did, who’s to say she’d like her?

Why was she so sure an A-class Alpha wouldn’t hurt anyone…

Ling Yuexi was right.

Although she was the leader, Hu Ziyuan held the position of second-in-command within the mountain stronghold.

She had responsibilities too.

Pupu’s mom had trusted them so much—entrusting her thirteen-year-old daughter to their care without hesitation.

How could she now put others at risk just for her own desires?

Aside from Shi Yunqi, their whole group was made up of Omegas and Betas—just ordinary people.

If Tang Jin, trained as a member of the Dawn Division, suddenly turned hostile, the consequences would be catastrophic.

“I didn’t think it through,” she said quietly, her voice trembling. Even though she tried to hold back, the tears came anyway, spilling down her cheeks like a broken dam.

She knew all the reasons. But… she was just so unwilling to give up…

It had been ten years. The person she never stopped thinking about was right in front of her—and they still couldn’t be together.

She was deprived of the opportunity to love.

So even at the end of the world… she still couldn’t be completely free.

If she had known, she wouldn’t have given her that shot.

Coma, stupor… Tang Jin hadn’t even properly looked at her once.

In that woman’s memory, she would always be the masked stranger.

She really wanted to know… Would Tang Jin be captivated by her beauty too?

Leaning down, cupping her face, Hu Ziyuan gently kissed her.

The kiss was slow and tender. Though Tang Jin gave no response, Hu Ziyuan poured all her feelings into that kiss.

At some point, the sky outside the window had darkened. Thick clouds blocked out every bit of sunlight, casting a heavy gloom over the world. In the still desert, only the wind whispered softly.

“Let’s leave her here…”

Rain began to fall, a gentle patter of drops hitting the window with crisp, clear sounds.

Su Cheng turned her head away, unable to watch.

She had finally convinced Hu Ziyuan to let her go—but it hurt more than she expected.

Was this still the Hu Ziyuan she knew?

Usually loud and brash, open and fiery—yet she loved so carefully, so delicately…

She had always said she liked Tang Jin, but Su Cheng never took it seriously.

Su Cheng had always used it as a negotiating tool, a tactic to deceive and control Hu Ziyuan.

She had never felt guilty about it.

But this time…

“Don’t cry,” she sighed, rubbing her reddened eyes. “There might still be a way.”