Marked by My Omega Rival After Moving In (GL, ABO) - Chapter 73

To her surprise, the kiss was light and innocent, with a touch of playfulness and youth.

Yu Xiaoxiao’s lips were warm and soft, carrying a sweetness that rippled gently like a breeze over a lake.

It was more like tasting a drop of spring dew than the deep, passionate kiss Xiang Shuhuai had imagined—a kiss that carried heat, desire, and a sense of possession, something that signified moving further ahead.

She froze, eyes closed, still trying to process it when she suddenly felt a soft poke on her cheek.

“Big Ice Block, Big Ice Block,” the alpha girl teased as she leaned over, poking Xiang Shuhuai’s cheek again. “You’re way too tense—your dimples are gone.”

…Dimples?

A bit confused, Xiang Shuhuai opened her eyes to see Yu Xiaoxiao propping her head up with one hand, poking her cheek over and over again in the same spot as though testing the resilience of a memory foam pillow.

“Big Ice Block,” Yu Xiaoxiao mused while staring intently at her cheek. “If I keep poking, do you think your dimples will come back?”

She spoke with such genuine curiosity that it was clear she intended to test her theory. Xiang Shuhuai could almost feel a predator-like determination behind those wide, innocent eyes.

Before she could react, Yu Xiaoxiao reached out again with her mischievous fingers.

—This time, Xiang Shuhuai instinctively slapped her hand away.

The alpha girl yelped in exaggerated pain, grimacing as if terribly wronged but not discouraged in the slightest. She dodged Xiang Shuhuai’s next swat with surprising agility, pulling her hand back and sitting up triumphantly.

Lifting her chin with a smug smile, her round eyes curved with pride. “Ha! Got you.”

…What??

Watching Yu Xiaoxiao’s triumphant face and her obvious intention to keep provoking, Xiang Shuhuai forgot everything else and sat up, ready to fight back.

However, the sudden motion made her dizzy, perhaps due to the painkillers still in effect. Her vision blurred momentarily, and she found herself falling—right into a soft embrace.

“Big Ice Block,” Yu Xiaoxiao laughed softly in her ear, her voice warm and bright like sunshine. “I caught you.”

She added with a playful tone, “See? There’s nothing to worry about. You’re too tense.”

Hearing this, Xiang Shuhuai froze, turning her face into the shadow of Yu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder to hide.

After a long moment, she murmured quietly, “…You don’t have to worry about me, Yu Xiaoxiao. Just go ahead and mark me.”

“Why would I do that?” Yu Xiaoxiao replied, puzzled. “That would hurt, Big Ice Block.”

As she spoke, her hand gently stroked Xiang Shuhuai’s back, fingers brushing through her soft black hair before resting on her thin shoulders. It felt like comforting a nervous kitten.

Although their earlier playful banter had loosened some of Xiang Shuhuai’s tension, she was still visibly anxious. Her pale skin betrayed her inner turmoil, her body braced as if preparing for inevitable pain.

But Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t want that.

She tightened the hug briefly, holding the delicate omega girl completely in her arms before releasing her with sudden inspiration.

“Big Ice Block,” she said, tilting her head with a smile. “Let’s play a game.”

Xiang Shuhuai instinctively nodded, only to pause mid-motion, confused.

“…Huh?”

And so, they ended up playing a game.

A very simple one: Yu Xiaoxiao placed her palm face-up, and Xiang Shuhuai’s hand hovered above it, palm down. The game started with Yu Xiaoxiao trying to slap Xiang Shuhuai’s hand before she could pull away.

Earlier in the day, while preparing for the marking, Xiang Shuhuai had overanalyzed everything after reading too much online, imagining all sorts of things.

So now, as her hand was gently guided into position, Xiang Shuhuai stared blankly at Yu Xiaoxiao’s innocent round eyes, her thoughts spiraling again until her cheeks flushed red.

Her face turned a deep shade of crimson as she bit her lip, ashamed of where her mind had wandered.

Completely oblivious, Yu Xiaoxiao leaned closer, genuinely concerned.

“What’s wrong, Big Ice Block?”

Frowning with worry, she added, “Why’s your face so red all of a sudden? Is the room too hot? Or is it my pheromones—”

The more she spoke, the hotter Xiang Shuhuai’s face felt, her embarrassment making it hard to form a response.

Finally, she lowered her head, her cheeks burning, and gently tugged Yu Xiaoxiao’s hand, silently asking her to stop.

Yu Xiaoxiao watched her for a moment, then finally agreed. “Okay… if you say so.”

“Now,” she said, tilting her head with a grin, “shall we start, Big Ice Block?”

When Xiang Shuhuai nodded, Yu Xiaoxiao’s smile turned sly. Without warning, she flipped her hand up, smacking Xiang Shuhuai’s with a sharp “smack.”

Xiang Shuhuai froze, staring blankly.

“Big Ice Block,” Yu Xiaoxiao declared, her voice filled with childish glee, “you lost the first round!”

Xiang Shuhuai asked hesitantly, “What happens if I lose?”

The question seemed to stump Yu Xiaoxiao. She drew out an uncertain “uhhh…” before finally shrugging. “I don’t know—let’s just keep track for now.”

…So it really was just a simple hand-slapping game.

The kind elementary school kids loved.

“…How childish,” Xiang Shuhuai muttered under her breath. Still, she focused intently on their hands, preparing for the next round.

If Yu Xiaoxiao slapped her hand, Yu Xiaoxiao won. If she dodged, she’d win.

The game required quick reflexes and coordination. Xiang Shuhuai wasn’t particularly skilled at either, but she always took things seriously. Leaning forward slightly, she tensed, watching Yu Xiaoxiao’s every move with laser focus, ready to dodge at the first sign of movement.

Without realizing it, Xiang Shuhuai had let go of all her earlier anxiety and fear, completely absorbed in this childish hand-slapping game.

The score ended up four to one. Xiang Shuhuai only managed to win one round when it was her turn to slap.

She was so focused that even when Yu Xiaoxiao teased her, wiggling her fingers to mess with her, Xiang Shuhuai would just glare and return her attention to the game.

Yu Xiaoxiao burst out laughing.

It was nothing special—just that the way she played this game was simply adorable.

The tense and almost fearful stiffness she’d shown earlier had completely disappeared. Xiang Shuhuai’s soft, long hair fell around her shoulders, her ears still slightly tinged with red. Her expression, however, was serious as she slightly lowered her head, staring unblinkingly at Yu Xiaoxiao’s hands, ready to strike—like a predator eyeing its prey.

She really looked like a cat, entirely focused and ready to pounce on a dangling toy.

Yu Xiaoxiao could almost see two soft, twitching cat ears on top of Xiang Shuhuai’s head, moving slightly with the air.

So, this time, when Xiang Shuhuai went to slap the back of Yu Xiaoxiao’s hand, Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t pull away. Instead, she flipped her hand over and caught the “cat’s paw” mid-strike.

Holding the cool, slender hand in hers, Yu Xiaoxiao grinned smugly. “Gotcha, Big Ice Block.”

Still immersed in the game, Xiang Shuhuai didn’t react at first. She simply looked up with a serious expression and said, “You cheated, Yu Xiaoxiao—ah!”

Yu Xiaoxiao gave a gentle tug and pulled Xiang Shuhuai into her arms, then lay back on the bed, holding her close.

“Big Ice Block,” she said, wrapping her arms around Xiang Shuhuai like she was cuddling a big, soft toy. Her voice was filled with satisfaction. “You lost this round too.”

She whispered near Xiang Shuhuai’s ear, her breath tickling her sensitive skin and making her squirm. Trapped in the warmth of the embrace, the omega girl shivered slightly and pushed weakly against Yu Xiaoxiao.

“Yu Xiaoxiao…!” she protested, her voice carrying a hint of indignation. “You cheated.”

“Hmm?” Yu Xiaoxiao chuckled, her tone mischievous like a villain’s, as her fingers began teasing the sensitive tip of Xiang Shuhuai’s ear, brushing it back and forth. “So, what are you gonna do about it, Big Ice Block? Hit me?”

Xiang Shuhuai’s eyes widened in disbelief as she instinctively reached out to swat at her, only for Yu Xiaoxiao to dodge with ease, leaving her hand grasping at empty air.

…Childish!!

Blushing furiously, Xiang Shuhuai covered her abused ears, then tried to poke at Yu Xiaoxiao’s soft waist in retaliation. But her intentions were quickly spotted. Yu Xiaoxiao easily blocked her hand with one of hers, while the other began exploring Xiang Shuhuai’s sides, pressing and tickling her mercilessly.

Xiang Shuhuai’s waist was ticklish, and she was soon squirming and retreating in defeat, unable to fend off the onslaught. Her face flushed bright red as she twisted and kicked, nearly falling off the bed in the process.

“Yu Xiaoxiao! Stop—ah…”

She gasped for breath between fits of laughter, her strength nearly spent, her eyes glistening with tears brought on by the tickling.

“Stop it…please…”

Seeing that Xiang Shuhuai had retreated to the very edge of the bed and was on the verge of falling off, Yu Xiaoxiao finally relented. She pulled her back into her arms and rolled them both to the center of the bed.

The warm, soft body in her arms felt weightless and fragile, almost like it could melt at any moment—like a feather.

…She needs to gain some weight, Yu Xiaoxiao thought.

She hugged Xiang Shuhuai tighter and gently stroked her slim shoulders as she made up her mind.

“Big Ice Block,” she murmured softly, looking into those misty eyes, “we should start working out together.”

Xiang Shuhuai looked at her in confusion. Yu Xiaoxiao smiled and added, “Otherwise, if someone tries to bully you, what will you do?”

As she spoke, Yu Xiaoxiao’s hand began to wander again, moving toward Xiang Shuhuai’s ticklish waist. But before she could reach it, Xiang Shuhuai swatted her hand away with surprising force.

Xiang Shuhuai glared at her. “Yu Xiaoxiao, you’re the one bullying me.”

Her tone was unintentionally childish, almost like she was pouting. Combined with the lingering softness in her voice after the playful scuffle, it made her sound even more delicate.

Yu Xiaoxiao’s heart melted at the sight. She couldn’t resist leaning down to plant a kiss on the corner of Xiang Shuhuai’s lips.

“You’re so cute, Xiang Shuhuai.”

She murmured the words softly against her omega’s lips.

“You’re really so, so cute…”

Amidst a series of light, fleeting kisses, the scent of their pheromones began to intertwine, creating a warm, unfamiliar aroma that filled the air.

The room gradually grew warmer, the atmosphere sweet and hazy.

Each kiss was as light as a butterfly touching down on the morning dew of a flower petal.

And then, clumsily, Xiang Shuhuai tilted her face up to turn the soft kisses into a real one.

They kissed deeply, their fingers intertwined, dark and light strands of hair tangling together into a flowing river of eternal connection.

Everything slowed down, until there was nothing left but the two of them in that moment.

And in that moment, she tasted the sweetness of a flower blooming.

It was light, cool yet burning, like tears streaming freely—spilling over, a cascade of pearls on silk.

Xiang Shuhuai began to cry. But before her tears could fall, Yu Xiaoxiao kissed them away, leaving nothing behind.

So all Xiang Shuhuai could do was hold Yu Xiaoxiao’s hand tightly, clutching it as they embraced.

“Yu Xiaoxiao.” She cried again, her warm tears falling onto her lover’s shoulder, her voice trembling as she repeated her name. “Yu Xiaoxiao, Yu Xiaoxiao, Yu Xiaoxiao…”

“My little snowflake,” Yu Xiaoxiao murmured, kissing away her melting tears. “My snowflake…”

…So sweet.

The night sky and neon lights were completely blocked out by the curtains. In the vast, silent universe, they only had a small island to themselves.

On this island, Xiang Shuhuai and Yu Xiaoxiao embraced.

A peaceful night’s sleep.

When Yu Xiaoxiao woke up, daylight had already filled the room. Her lover was still curled up quietly in her arms, frowning slightly from the light filtering through the curtains.

These past days, they’d been staying at home, eating regularly without overtime work. With this routine and the meals lovingly prepared by Yu Xiaoxiao, Xiang Shuhuai might’ve gained a little weight. Now, sleeping soundly with her lips slightly pursed, she looked even more youthful and innocent—adorable, really.

Worried about waking her, Yu Xiaoxiao resisted the urge to kiss those soft, warm, and slightly red lips. She suppressed the thought and instead remembered something.

She still hadn’t made the “Big Ice Block” call her “big sister.”

So, she thought, next time she’d make the omega girl call her that.

The thought of Xiang Shuhuai blushing furiously, glaring at her in protest, but ultimately lowering her head and calling her “big sister” in a soft, dependent tone, made Yu Xiaoxiao smile unconsciously.

She stared at Xiang Shuhuai in a daze, carefully adjusting her stiff shoulder, which had been stuck in the same position for too long.

But perhaps the movement disturbed the person in her arms. In her sleep, Xiang Shuhuai let out a dissatisfied hum, tugging at Yu Xiaoxiao’s shirt and burying her face further into her shoulder.

…Really now.

Her long black hair spilled over the pillow and her neck, defenselessly scattered. Her pale, slender neck and shoulders bore visible marks—

The bite mark.

The one Yu Xiaoxiao had left.

It was still slightly red and swollen, looking as if it had been harshly bullied.

Yu Xiaoxiao felt a pang of guilt as she looked at it. She wanted to touch it but held back, worried about waking the person in her arms. Instead, she made a mental note to find some ointment later to soothe the area.

Not just the bite mark on her neck, but the scattered marks all over Xiang Shuhuai’s body also needed attention.

Those marks—left by teeth and kisses—were partly hidden under her thin nightgown, while others were exposed, standing out starkly against her pale, soft skin.

The more Yu Xiaoxiao looked, the guiltier she felt.

…She might’ve gone too far yesterday.

By the end, Xiang Shuhuai had been crying nonstop. Yu Xiaoxiao had kissed her over and over, brushing away her tears like pearls and silencing her sobs with kisses. By the time she was completely spent, unable to cry or resist anymore, she’d fainted briefly before waking up again. Even then, Xiang Shuhuai had clung tightly to Yu Xiaoxiao’s hand, refusing to let go.

Even now, her eyes were slightly swollen from crying so much. Her face was red and puffy, looking utterly pitiful.

…but Xiang Shuhuai was just so cute.

Yu Xiaoxiao thought so. She couldn’t help but want to see her cry a little more.

Lost in thought, Yu Xiaoxiao gently stroked the omega girl’s soft black hair and lowered her head slightly, taking in her scent.

It was a faint, cool fragrance, mixed with a trace of Yu Xiaoxiao’s own sweetness. Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t tell how it was different from their usual hugs.

Her movements must’ve been too big, though, because the person in her arms stirred, murmuring groggily, “Yu Xiaoxiao… sleep.”

She sounded like she was talking in her sleep, her voice full of dissatisfaction. After mumbling those words, she drifted off again, her breathing calm and steady.

Alright, alright. Yu Xiaoxiao silently promised to sleep.

She held the girl tighter and obediently closed her eyes.

Perhaps it was the comforting scent or the warmth of the embrace, but Yu Xiaoxiao eventually fell back asleep as well.

When she woke again, it was probably already noon. Her body felt heavy with the kind of laziness that came from sleeping in. Without opening her eyes, Yu Xiaoxiao reached out beside her—only to find the space next to her empty.

“…Hmm?”

That snapped the still-drowsy alpha girl awake. She sat up and looked around the room.

It seemed Xiang Shuhuai had been gone for a while. Her clothes were missing, and the spot beside Yu Xiaoxiao was cold.

Yu Xiaoxiao got out of bed, slipping on her slippers to look for her.

The kitchen was empty, but there was breakfast prepared—just one serving, obviously for Yu Xiaoxiao. Only her bowl and utensils were set out. The living room was also empty, and there wasn’t a note or message left for her.

…Where could she have gone?

Confusion quickly gave way to a heavy sense of unease.

Had she gone too far yesterday, and Xiang Shuhuai was upset?

Or was it something at work?

Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t want to think of worse possibilities.

Her attention was drawn to the entryway, where Xiang Shuhuai’s shoes and coat were still there, indicating she hadn’t gone out.

…Was she in her own room?

With that thought, Yu Xiaoxiao went over and knocked gently on the door.

Once, twice—there was no response. The door was even locked. Yu Xiaoxiao’s heart clenched with anxiety. She waited a little longer, still no answer. Her growing worry burned hotter.

After knocking again, Yu Xiaoxiao softly apologized and used the spare key to open the door.

Inside, she found the person she’d been looking for curled up at the edge of the bed, eyes tightly shut as if she’d fallen into a deep sleep. She clutched a coat to her chest, and beside her lay an empty syringe and a few small medicine bottles. Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t recognize the drug names.

Her heart dropped. She rushed over.

“Xiang Shuhuai?” she called softly, sitting by the bed, “Xiang Shuhuai…”

At the sound of her voice, the omega stirred, responding faintly. She opened her eyes, looking dazed for a moment at the familiar voice before suddenly jolting upright.

Awake now, Xiang Shuhuai looked utterly frightened, her whole body tense as she stared at Yu Xiaoxiao with panicked, uneasy eyes. The softness of last night and this morning was gone.

She held her hand tightly over the back of her neck as if trying to hide something.

It was only now that Yu Xiaoxiao realized—the coat Xiang Shuhuai had been clutching was hers.

“…Xiang Shuhuai?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked gently. “What’s wrong?”

Xiang Shuhuai didn’t respond at first.

She just stared at Yu Xiaoxiao, her gaze almost pleading. Her fingers clenched tightly around the coat as if it were a lifeline. She remained silent for a long time.

Her emotions were clearly fragile, like she might shatter at any moment.

Yu Xiaoxiao instinctively softened her voice. “Xiang Shuhuai—”

Then, she got a response.

“Mark…”

Xiang Shuhuai’s voice was broken, her face deathly pale while her eyes were red and dry, unable to shed a single tear. Her lips trembled as she spoke, her expression filled with despair.

Her dark eyes were clouded with resignation and despair.

Clinging tightly to Yu Xiaoxiao’s coat, she whispered:

“…The mark is gone.”