Marked by My Omega Rival After Moving In (GL, ABO) - Chapter 37

Her dad called her, but he didn’t actually wait for her to come downstairs—he just went and opened the door himself. By the time Yu Xiaoxiao came down, the two guests had already changed into slippers and stepped into the living room.

She paced around the living room with a cheerful “tap tap tap,” only to have her mom pinch and squish her cheeks for a good half minute before she could finally grab Yu You’s arm and pull her away from the two smiling parents.

Tugging the clearly helpless-looking Youyou up the stairs, she called out, “I’m stealing Youyou-jie away!”

Yu Danchun, who had just come home and was sipping tea, found out from her partner that the Xiang family’s kid had also stopped by earlier. She paused slightly at that but showed no reaction on her face.

She waved her daughter off. “Go on, go on. Do whatever you like.”

“Nannan, are you eating at home tonight?” her dad called out louder. “If you are, I’ll have Auntie Zhang come early to cook! Does little President Xiang have any food preferences?”

Yu Xiaoxiao responded without hesitation, “Nope! Don’t worry about us—”

She had already climbed a few steps when she suddenly remembered and blinked at her dear Youyou-jie. “Ah, Youyou-jie… do you want to eat at home?”

Yu You smiled and asked, “Xiaoxiao, you don’t want to eat at home, do you?”

Yu Xiaoxiao looked a little guilty but still answered, “Mm…”

…What she was really thinking was, that iceberg already looked so nervous just having a cup of tea—who knows how anxious she’d be during a full meal. Either that, or she’d end up talking business with her mom at the table, turning dinner into a board meeting. What’s the fun in that?

Dinner should be about enjoying your food. Even little kids know that eating well is important for your health.

Yu You sighed and reached out to ruffle the hair of her silly little sister #2.

“Alright,” she said. “Then let’s eat out.”

When the two of them returned to the bedroom, Xiang Shuhuai was still asleep. She was hugging a small blanket, curled up into a tiny ball on the huge bed, like she was afraid of taking up too much space.

Through the thin, loose fabric of her shirt, her bony, sharp back was clearly visible, rising and falling like a quiet mountain ridge—so thin it almost looked like it could cut someone.

Yu Xiaoxiao tiptoed to sit down beside her and picked up a book, but she couldn’t help glancing over at the person on the bed.

—It was in moments like this that she’d remember Xiang Shuhuai wasn’t actually that soft.

They’d been so close these past few days that Yu Xiaoxiao had nearly forgotten why she’d started calling her that nickname in the first place.

Iceberg.

So powerful, arrogant, sharp, cold, untouchable…

That Xiang Shuhuai.

Or maybe it was the one beside her now—quiet and gentle, the one who trembled after waking from nightmares, who got so anxious about something as simple as visiting her friend’s parents that it gave her stomach pains.

—Which one was the real her?

As she got lost in thought, staring at the lightly sleeping girl, Yu Xiaoxiao suddenly noticed her shoulders twitch slightly—she was slowly waking up.

Xiang Shuhuai opened her eyes and sat up slowly, still a little dazed, like she was trying to remember where she was.

Yu Xiaoxiao called to her softly, “Iceberg?”

It took a moment for the words to register.

“When did I fall asleep…” Xiang muttered, reaching for her phone. As her gaze drifted to the side, she suddenly spotted Yu You sitting at the desk nearby. “Ah—Jiejie—”

“Xiao Shu,” Yu You greeted her with a smile. “Aunt Dan and I just got back. Did you sleep well?”

Under her warm, smiling gaze, Xiang Shuhuai quickly turned away, avoiding her eyes, and after a long pause, gave a small nod.

Sensing the strange atmosphere between the two, Yu Xiaoxiao sniffed the air like a bloodhound—she smelled a secret.

…They were hiding something from her.

That realization made her puff out her cheeks in protest.

“Iceberg,” she said, “what is it?”

“Nothing,” Xiang replied, unfazed by the accusing glare.

Yu Xiaoxiao pouted and made a face.

Yu You just smiled mysteriously and didn’t say a word. Surrounded by secrets, Yu Xiaoxiao could only frown and give up.

After waking up, Xiang Shuhuai quietly sat on the bed, looking like she wasn’t fully awake. She was clearly still tired, swaying a little, but stubbornly kept her eyes open and refused to lie back down.

Maybe it was because she was surrounded by people she trusted. With no defenses up, she just sat there like a sleepy cat.

Yu Xiaoxiao found it amusing and tried to hand her a throw pillow. Xiang took it without thinking, hugged it, and rested her chin on top of it.

Even in her sleepy haze, she went through the whole motion smoothly, then went right back to struggling to stay awake, her head bobbing up and down. The sight made Yu Xiaoxiao giggle.

“…Iceberg,” she called again after a while, “why don’t you sleep a bit more? Dinner’s still a while away. We’re not eating with my parents—just the three of us going out.”

Xiang nodded but said, “I’m waiting for a message.”

“It’ll come in under two minutes,” she added.

And sure enough, about a minute later, her phone pinged.

She skimmed through the message quickly, and by the time she looked up, she was fully alert again, with a hint of apology in her expression.

“Sorry,” she said. “I need to go see An Ning. I won’t be joining you for dinner.”

“Whoa, Iceberg, you’re working even during dinner?” Yu Xiaoxiao marveled.

Then she blinked. “Oh wait, Assistant Yi probably hasn’t eaten either—why don’t you both join us?”

And that’s how the four of them ended up going out together.

They didn’t have drastically different tastes in food, so Yu You picked a private kitchen she knew well. It was tucked away in a quiet alley, hidden in the middle of the city, with a clean, simple, and cozy vibe.

The owner was a warm, chubby lady who was both the chef and boss. Her daughter, the restaurant’s manager, greeted them with a bright smile.

“Boss Yu, Boss Xiang—what a crowd today! Brought friends, huh?”

The menus came quickly. Since Yu You was a regular, she took charge of ordering. Yu Xiaoxiao just held the menu and watched like it was a fun show, zoning out as she stared at the pretty pictures.

She kept thinking about earlier, when they were just leaving the house and her mom had run into Iceberg.

Because of their business partnership, the two were already familiar with each other, and with her as the middle link, the mood had been quite cheerful. They exchanged pleasantries and even scheduled a future meeting.

But… something about it just didn’t sit right with Yu Xiaoxiao. She couldn’t put her finger on what it was, but the feeling lingered.

She furrowed her brow, trying to figure it out, and finally leaned over to whisper to the girl beside her, “…Iceberg?”

Xiang had been looking at the menu too, but she glanced up at the sound of her name. “Hmm?”

“Um,” Yu Xiaoxiao asked softly, “just now with my mom, you—”

Before she could finish, Yu You interrupted from across the table.

“What are you two whispering about, Xiaoxiao?” she asked with a bright smile, holding the menu.

Yu Xiaoxiao quickly shook her head and gave a sheepish “hehe” laugh.

Yu You asked simply, “I’m done ordering the dishes—what do you all want for your main? Assistant Yi, any dietary restrictions?”

Yi Anning said she’d have rice, while Yu Xiaoxiao, true to form, said “whatever,” earning herself a glare from Yu You.

“Then rice it is,” Yu You sighed. “And you, Xiao Shu?”

Xiang Shuhuai replied softly, “Anything’s fine.”

“Then our boss will have noodles.”

“—How about noodles?” two voices said at the same time.

She was sitting right next to Xiang Shuhuai, too close to sneak glances without being obvious. So she could only wait quietly for the food to arrive, carrying her doubts with her.

After they ordered, the waiter brought over a small hourglass and flipped it onto the table. Pale white sand trickled down into the scattered, clear crystals at the bottom. Bored, Yu Xiaoxiao reached out and gently tilted the hourglass back and forth, making the sand shift and sway.

“It’s for timing, not for playing,” Cong You said helplessly. “Xiaoxiao, you keep touching everything—you’d better go wash your hands again later.”

“Of course I will,” Yu Xiaoxiao mumbled, not really bothered.

In the smooth glass surface of the hourglass, she could vaguely see Xiang Shuhuai’s reflection. It was a bit hazy, swaying between the falling sand and crystals, making her look like she was made of glass.

She was talking to her assistant about work. Before they started, Cong You had even asked whether they needed privacy, but Xiang Shuhuai had told her to stay.

“It’s fine, sis,” she had said. “You can listen.”

Apparently, Xiang Group had been quietly acquiring real estate companies without much resistance. In September, Hanyang would open bids for a new suburban property, and they planned to join, following Xiang Hongshan’s strategy.

Right now, most of Xiang’s available funds were tied up in an internet finance business led by Xiang Shuhuai herself, so they were planning to issue more shares to raise capital. This needed Xiang Hongshan’s personal approval. But once the real estate side performed well, the dispersed shares could naturally be bought back.

Real estate wasn’t Fuxiao’s core business, and after several days of crash-course learning, Yu Xiaoxiao only had a general sense of things. But even with her limited knowledge, she knew that Hanyang Real Estate was her family’s business. Her father was still the one overseeing major decisions, even if they had hired professional managers.

…So it sounded like the Big Ice Block was working with Youyou-jie. No wonder she agreed to this dinner.

They didn’t eat at home just to avoid making it a business dinner, yet now, ironically, it had become one anyway.

Thinking this, Yu Xiaoxiao pouted, feeling a little down.

But even if she was disappointed, she had already decided to start learning about the company seriously. Since they were willing to let her sit in, she would take it seriously.

Cong You listened quietly from the side, occasionally making small talk with Yu Xiaoxiao. It wasn’t until most of the dishes had arrived and they were halfway through the meal that she finally spoke up.

“Xiao Shu,” Cong You called, her smile a little helpless. “You’re hedging risks using our family.”

…What does that mean?

Yu Xiaoxiao looked over in confusion, seeing Cong You put down her chopsticks. Though she was smiling, there was something serious in her expression.

She asked, “When did you talk to my mom about this?”

“A little over a month ago,” Xiang Shuhuai replied.

Cong You raised her eyebrows high, then sighed in defeat. “Alright then. If you’re set on using Hanyang as your first move.”

Yi Anning, sitting to Cong You’s left and across from Xiang Shuhuai, kept her head down and ate quietly, as if nothing was happening. But Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t be so calm.

…Before she realized it, she’d put down her chopsticks and was looking back and forth between her sister and her friend, puzzled.

“It was thanks to Uncle Cong,” Xiang Shuhuai added.

Cong You laughed. “If he knew you called him that, he’d be furious. Xiao Shu, do you call him that to his face too?”

Xiang Shuhuai nodded calmly. “Uncle Cong still needs someone to teach him a few things.”

After this back-and-forth, Yu Xiaoxiao was completely lost.

But she could tell from their tone and expressions that both her sister and her friend didn’t think highly of Cong You’s father. And this seemingly reasonable cooperation between Xiang and Hanyang—wasn’t really a partnership, but more like a… surgical strike.

If that was the case, why wasn’t Youyou-jie mad?

In Yu Xiaoxiao’s mind, Cong Lin Yunyi—who used to work in publishing—was a carefree, charismatic man, like a wandering poet. She’d always thought his love with Cong You’s mother was something romantic and sweet…

Yu Xiaoxiao hesitated for a long time but still didn’t ask what was on her mind. The topic had already shifted to other business matters.

Cong You had studied design, and besides her daily investment work, she wanted to open her own studio. Xiang Shuhuai happened to have a project that would be a good fit, so they started discussing the details, with Yi Anning assisting from the side.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiaoxiao, who had no clue what was going on, could only sit quietly and watch them.

Time passed. She picked up her chopsticks again but didn’t take another bite for a while—just listened in a daze.

“Xiaoxiao.” During a lull in conversation, Cong You noticed she hadn’t touched her food and reminded her, “Eat something, don’t just stare. We still have sweet sticky rice cake coming.”

“Okay…”

Yu Xiaoxiao nodded and picked up some stir-fry. But chewing it felt tasteless.

That strange feeling crept over her again. And this time, it was especially strong.

—So far away.

Youyou-jie had always been the older sister figure—mature, dependable, warm and kind. Yu Xiaoxiao had always known she was the younger one.

…And Xiang Shuhuai—

Xiang Shuhuai had spoken so much during dinner, fully immersed in the conversation. She was focused, professional, cold and calm—like she was at work. There wasn’t even a trace of softness, and not once did she look Yu Xiaoxiao’s way.

Even though they were sitting at the same table, eating the same food.

Still, they spoke of things she didn’t understand, shared secrets she wasn’t a part of.

Yu Xiaoxiao had never so clearly felt just how far away she was from them.

And at the same time, a powerful feeling surged up inside her.

—She wanted to stand beside them.

Not in the place of someone being guided or taken care of.

But in a place of equals—someone who could protect them, not just be protected. Someone who wasn’t left in the dark like a child.

The thought pulsed through her chest—loud, painful, and overwhelming, as if her whole body were boiling.

So Yu Xiaoxiao made a silent vow.

She would stand beside them.

She would make it happen—no matter what.

By the time dinner ended, the sky had darkened. The summer night was still stuffy, but the breeze carried a hint of early autumn chill.

Out of the four, only Yu Xiaoxiao and Yi Anning had driven. They all lived in different directions, so it was hard to arrange rides.

Cong You broke the silence: “So—how are we getting home?”

A beat of silence.

“I can go with Anning…”

“—Let Xiaoxiao take Xiao Shu home.”

Before Xiang Shuhuai could finish, Cong You’s voice cut in. Xiang looked at her awkwardly, clearly wanting to refuse. “Sis, I—”

But Yu Xiaoxiao grabbed her wrist and smiled. “Come on, Xiang Shuhuai.”

Xiang Shuhuai seemed to avoid her eyes but didn’t pull her hand away—maybe because her assistant was still around.

There was no use dragging it out. In the end, she nodded. “…Alright.”

On the way back, Xiang Shuhuai stayed quiet. Yu Xiaoxiao drove slowly, watching the deepening night outside the window, like a vast, silent ocean.

She glanced at her a few times, only catching the side of her pale face, eyes lowered and quiet.

Just like during dinner. Distant and cold.

Yu Xiaoxiao was puzzled. After spending months together, she knew that while the Big Ice Block didn’t talk much or show emotion, she wasn’t someone who acted cold for no reason. If she seemed distant, it usually meant she was either completely exhausted or in pain.

…Was it something she ate?

And earlier this afternoon, hadn’t she said her stomach hurt?

Finally, when they turned onto a quiet road with no traffic, Yu Xiaoxiao pulled over and asked, “—Big Ice Block? What’s wrong?”

Xiang Shuhuai turned to face her.

That same unreadable face. Quiet, clear eyes. Pale lips with just a hint of pink.

The car was dim. Only the flickering glow of streetlights danced across her face. The beautiful, pale omega licked her lips lightly, making her lower lip look glossy—almost a little too pretty for the moment.

…For some reason, Yu Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered that old joke about pandas being photographed in color.

But she knew this definitely wasn’t the time to tell that kind of joke.

“…Yu Xiaoxiao.” Then she heard the question: “Why didn’t you offer to take your sister home?”

“Huh?” That caught Yu Xiaoxiao totally off guard. “What…?”

Xiang Shuhuai didn’t say another word.

She just looked at Yu Xiaoxiao with those clear, accusing eyes that seemed to say: You know exactly what I mean.

…She had heard it clearly—but didn’t understand it at all.

Why did she ask that?

And why hadn’t she offered to take Youyou-jie?

Yu Xiaoxiao blinked. “Why would I take Youyou-jie?”

They stared at each other for a long time.

No one spoke.

“…Forget it,” Xiang Shuhuai finally said quietly. “It’s nothing.”

Then she turned away, even shifting her body so her back was to Yu Xiaoxiao, refusing to look at her again.

“What do you mean?” Yu Xiaoxiao tugged at her. “Big Ice Block—hey, Xiang Shuhuai—what’s wrong? Why are you asking me this—”

“Big Ice Block—”

The more she asked, the more Xiang Shuhuai turned away, like a cat getting annoyed.

In the end, even after they got home, Yu Xiaoxiao never got an answer out of the sulking cat.

They were still living together. Yu Xiaoxiao went to shower, while Xiang Shuhuai headed to the bedroom to use the other bathroom. Hugging her change of clothes, Yu Xiaoxiao leaned by the door and waved goodbye.

—Moments like this, even if Yu Xiaoxiao had decided to learn about the company and support her mom, Xiang Shuhuai was still the one guiding her, teaching her.

No matter how seriously Yu Xiaoxiao tried to follow along, if Xiang Shuhuai didn’t choose to turn around, she could only stare at her back from afar.

…And Yu Xiaoxiao knew she couldn’t just follow in her footsteps forever.

She had to catch up—alone, stumbling if she had to—not just cling to Xiang Shuhuai’s coat.

Only then could she stand beside her. Only then could they truly walk side by side.

“Starting tomorrow, I won’t tag along with you. I’m going back to the company too,” Yu Xiaoxiao said with a smile. “Bye, Big Ice Block! See you after work!”
Yi Anning and Yu Xiaoxiao looked at each other in surprise, catching a flicker of emotion in each other’s eyes.

Yi Anning blinked, then just smiled and gave a nod, passing the decision to Yu Xiaoxiao, who sat diagonally across from her.

“Oh, I was thinking,” Yu Xiaoxiao said, pushing the menu over to Iceberg and pointing, “your stomach’s not feeling great, right? Something soft like noodles would be better. And this place is famous for their Su-style noodles—look at this one, the white soup duck noodle—”

Xiang nodded.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “Thank you, Yu Xiaoxiao.”

Hearing that, Yu Xiaoxiao poked her under the table. “What the heck, Iceberg, why are you—”

So polite. It made her feel weird and awkward.

Xiang just shifted away from her and shook her head, saying nothing.

…Weird.

Yu Xiaoxiao thought. Was she still feeling unwell? Or maybe trying to keep up appearances in front of her assistant? Could it be that she just doesn’t like talking when there are too many people around?