Omega, Always Wants to Mark Me - Chapter 23

Lu Jinxi’s heart sank, but her expression remained calm. She paused slightly, turned, and was about to speak when the door suddenly burst open.

When Lu Jinxi saw the familiar figure, her heart skipped a beat.

Unexpectedly, Ming Xiaoyue strode directly to Wu Yingyun, raised her hand high, and delivered a crisp, resounding slap.

Even Lu Jinxi, standing nearby, stared at Ming Xiaoyue in astonishment. She had struck with zero hesitation, a swift, decisive blow.

Afterward, Ming Xiaoyue even shook her reddened palm. If her hand was already so injured, what must Wu Yingyun’s face feel like?

Wu Yingyun belatedly registered the pain, screaming, “Aaaah!!”

Lu Jinxi couldn’t help but take a step forward. Ming Xiaoyue’s sharp eyes caught the movement, and she glared contemptuously. Lu Jinxi pressed her lips together but continued to approach.

Ming Xiaoyue sneered. Of course, she thought, Lu Jinxi was only pretending to be a devoted Alpha in front of me. Now that Wu Yingyun’s hurt, she’s back to playing the caring Alpha role?

But it didn’t matter. Now that all pretenses had been stripped away, Ming Xiaoyue knew she was the ultimate victim.

“Wu Yingyun, I treated you like a sister, even helping you get into events like this. And you repay me with betrayal? Hmm? I heard every word of your conversation just now.

I never realized I cast such a long shadow over you. Hmm? What’s with that look? Still defiant? If you’re so confident, why can’t you measure up to me?”

Ming Xiaoyue loomed over Wu Yingyun, her every step pressing closer. Wu Yingyun stood trembling, tears streaming down her face.

Lu Jinxi approached. Ming Xiaoyue scoffed coldly. In both her past life and this one, she had finally gotten her moment to shine.

Just as Ming Xiaoyue braced herself for Lu Jinxi to feign concern for Wu Yingyun, something unexpected happened. A warm hand suddenly took hers.

Then, a slightly cold hand—not her own—touched her palm, easing the pain. Lu Jinxi kept her head bowed, gently massaging Ming Xiaoyue’s swollen palm as she murmured, “Does it hurt?”

For a moment, Ming Xiaoyue’s fingertips trembled uncontrollably, curling slightly.

Before she could respond, Lu Jinxi spoke again, “Didn’t we agree I’d handle things? If you were really angry, I should have been the one to act. Are you hurt?”

Ming Xiaoyue frowned, instinctively retorting, “An Alpha would never lay a hand on an Omega.”

“Mm, I have no intention of doing so,” Lu Jinxi replied.

Ming Xiaoyue realized Lu Jinxi’s words further positioned herself as the victim, making it seem as though she had only snapped after enduring unbearable provocation upon learning the truth.

By now, Ming Xiaoyue truly couldn’t understand the Alpha before her. Despite Ming Xiaoyue’s hurtful words in the stairwell just moments ago, Lu Jinxi showed no anger, continuing to protect her without hesitation.

“Alright, the production team will give you a satisfactory explanation. Let’s leave now.”

“Mm, okay,” Ming Xiaoyue replied, feigning weakness at the opportune moment and allowing Lu Jinxi to lead her away.

As they walked, Ming Xiaoyue’s mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Glancing at Lu Jinxi beside her, she noticed Song Wanwen and Wen Yifan approaching.

“Are you both alright?!” Song Wanwen asked. “We never imagined Wu Yingyun would resort to such underhanded tactics.”

“Mm, it’s normal,” Lu Jinxi replied. “You can’t see into people’s hearts. Who could have known?” She subtly released Ming Xiaoyue’s hand and stepped forward, creating a safe distance between them.

Ming Xiaoyue looked at her slightly empty hand, pursed her lips, and frowned slightly.

“It’s okay,” Song Wanwen said soothingly. “The production team is verifying everything. We should have results soon.”

Lu Jinxi merely nodded, acknowledging the information.

Wen Yifan, surprisingly, spoke up, his voice soft and gentle. “So, Lu Jinxi, how did you find out Wu Yingyun was behind all this?”

Lu Jinxi didn’t know how to answer. Truth be told, without her memories from her previous life, she likely wouldn’t have uncovered Wu Yingyun’s petty schemes.

What about Ming Xiaoyue?

That was her first thought. Did Xiaoyue know? Had her supposed best friend, whom she’d always trusted, secretly harbored envy, jealousy, and resentment?

As Lu Jinxi pondered this, her gaze involuntarily drifted to Ming Xiaoyue. Their eyes met unexpectedly, as if Ming Xiaoyue had been scrutinizing her all along.

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Lu Jinxi was the first to break eye contact. She spoke coolly, “I stumbled upon it by accident. At first, I thought we were a team, and it was her first offense, so I turned a blind eye. But I never imagined she’d do it again…”

Lu Jinxi didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone present understood the unspoken implication.

“Alright, alright,” Song Wanwen said, her voice tinged with worry. “But if Wu Yingyun really withdraws, our team will be down a member. We’ll have to completely overhaul our formation.”

Everyone knew that with only four days left, this was a daunting task.

“Don’t worry,” Ming Xiaoyue stepped forward, her voice calm and reassuring. “I’ll rearrange the positions later. A Jin and I can handle the solo parts. The rest of you can stick to the main formation. We still have a chance.”

With no other options, the team had no choice but to trust Ming Xiaoyue.

“Okay, I’m in,” Lu Jinxi said, breaking the silence.

“Me too.”

“Same here.”

And just like that, Ming Xiaoyue became the team captain.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Everyone should go back and rest. Getting enough sleep is crucial for success,” Ming Xiaoyue said soothingly.

“Okay, we’ll head out then,” Song Wanwen said, pulling Wen Yifan away.

In an instant, only Lu Jinxi and Ming Xiaoyue remained in the corridor.

Lu Jinxi avoided Ming Xiaoyue’s gaze, keeping her head slightly lowered, her eyes darting around the room, unable to settle on anything.

“I should get going too,” she said quickly, already turning to leave as if something were chasing her.

“Wait,” Ming Xiaoyue called out suddenly after Lu Jinxi had taken only one step.

Lu Jinxi froze, her hand clenching slightly at her pant leg, her head bowed slightly. She looked like a student caught doing something wrong by the principal, bracing herself for a lecture.

Especially as she heard footsteps approaching from behind, she felt an overwhelming urge to flee, her usually calm heart suddenly stinging with anxiety.

Lu Jinxi had thought that after gazing at Ming Xiaoyue through a screen in her previous life, her heart would no longer be capable of such intense reactions. But in this life, whether Ming Xiaoyue drew near or pushed her away, her heart seemed to react first.

Lu Jinxi swallowed nervously, but the bitter taste in her throat refused to go down.

“I’m sorry,” Lu Jinxi blurted out before Ming Xiaoyue could speak.

Ming Xiaoyue stopped in surprise, staring at Lu Jinxi in astonishment. It struck her belatedly that Lu Jinxi seemed to apologize nine times out of ten when they were together.

She remained silent, studying Lu Jinxi’s profile, waiting for her to continue.

“I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken your hand without your permission, and…” Lu Jinxi trailed off, her face furrowed in thought, her brow furrowed in distress.

Ming Xiaoyue observed the woman before her with newfound scrutiny.

So, when she’s conflicted, she unconsciously tugs at the hem of her pants. And when she doesn’t know what to say, she presses her lips together, a flicker of regret flashing in her eyes…

Ming Xiaoyue sighed inwardly, unsure what had come over her. In her previous life, once she made up her mind, she would commit wholeheartedly, either achieving her goal or missing it entirely.

It had been a long, long time since she’d felt this conflicted. She had to admit that Lu Jinxi held a special place in her heart.

Countless times she had tried to push Lu Jinxi away, yet she always found herself drawn back. Ming Xiaoyue hated this feeling of reluctance, this lack of control, this tormenting uncertainty.

But she couldn’t deny that Lu Jinxi had been helping her all day, and she was beginning to feel like she was repaying kindness with resentment.

“I’m sorry,” Ming Xiaoyue said, cutting off Lu Jinxi’s train of thought. She strode over to face her, her voice low and slightly husky. Before Lu Jinxi could react, Ming Xiaoyue continued.

“I was too emotional today. I’m sorry. And thank you for helping me earlier.”

Lu Jinxi met Ming Xiaoyue’s serious gaze and instinctively replied, “It’s okay.”

“Still, I must thank you. Thank you! If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”

Ming Xiaoyue hurried away, her face twisted with awkwardness. I’ve lived to see the day! Since rising to a high position, she rarely uttered the words “I’m sorry” to anyone.

Moreover, she possessed an unyielding pride in both her academic and personal pursuits, making apologies rare. The fact that she was apologizing to Lu Jinxi only amplified her discomfort.

Lu Jinxi, meanwhile, stood frozen, watching Ming Xiaoyue’s retreating figure. For a moment, bathed in the corridor’s soft glow, she felt a familiar sense of unreality wash over her.

Yet the warmth of her breath and the steady thrum of her heartbeat confirmed her living, breathing existence.

The production team acted swiftly, expelling Wu Yingyun from the show. The incident ignited a firestorm of online outrage.

WC, these backstabbing schemers are truly terrifying! I remember when I lived in the dorms, I always felt like my things had been moved whenever I came back. At the time, I thought I was just being paranoid.

I missed class once due to illness and discovered my roommates were moving my things without my permission. Even though we’re all Omegas, it still disgusted me!

Tsk, you think that’s bad? Our dorm has a “EQ Queen” who secretly reported her roommate to get a scholarship. Tsk.

Women who pull shady moves behind people’s backs should just die! Ming Xiaoyue really stood her ground, telling the truth. That slap was so satisfying!

Same here! I always saw her smiling and thought she had no temper!

Damn, Lu Jinxi really dotes on her! Holding her hand—they’re so cute!

Right? I thought Lu Jinxi was going to stop Ming Xiaoyue, but instead she asked if her hand hurt!

So cute!

Check out my screenshot! Doesn’t their retreating backs look like the MVP screen at the end of a game?

Why does so much drama follow them around? Flies don’t buzz around spotless eggs.

Is that victim-blaming? What? Do assholes need a reason to hurt people? Are you one of them?