Omega, Always Wants to Mark Me - Chapter 41

I’ve been honest. Please forgive me!

Lu Jinxi lowered her head slightly and murmured, “I understand, Grandpa.”

Lu Zhengqing, a soldier by nature, wasted no time. He turned and left immediately after speaking.

Lu Jinxi remained standing there, her gaze drifting vaguely into the distance.

Unbeknownst to her, after all her courage had dissipated, she suddenly began to waver again. Was it truly necessary for her to confront Ming Xiaoyue?

Perhaps… she stared at the play of light and shadow in the distance, rooted in the corner of darkness, momentarily paralyzed.

But she couldn’t back down now. At the very least, she needed to stand before Ming Xiaoyue and demand an explanation for her cryptic words from earlier that afternoon.

As she approached the hospital room, she encountered an unexpected figure.

Yang Yuting leaned against the doorframe, looking as if she had been deliberately waiting for Lu Jinxi.

When Lu Jinxi appeared, Yang Yuting straightened her posture, crossing her arms defensively across her chest.

Lu Jinxi stopped, recognizing that Yang Yuting had something to say. She stood waiting.

After a moment of silence, Yang Yuting finally spoke, “The final format has been announced: it’s a two-person team competition. Lu Jinxi, if you’re willing, I’d like you to be my teammate.”

As Lu Jinxi listened, her brow furrowed deeper. The moment Yang Yuting finished speaking, she couldn’t help but retort, “Why would you think I’d agree? Sorry, I already have a teammate.”

Given Yang Yuting’s past actions, Lu Jinxi really didn’t want to have much contact with her.

Although Yang Yuting was indeed, as Xi Ruoqiong had said, not malicious, just a bit foolish, when someone’s foolishness harms the interests of many others, it becomes a form of malice.

“Heh, by ‘teammate,’ do you mean Ming Xiaoyue?” Yang Yuting suddenly sneered inexplicably.

Before Lu Jinxi could reply, she continued relentlessly, “You should take a look at the hospital room. Actually, the proposal for a solo competition was Xi Ruoqiong’s appeal to the production team. But who could have imagined she’d fall off the stage? Why her?!”

As Yang Yuting spoke, her anger seemed to reach a boiling point. With a thud, she slammed her fist against the wall with considerable force.

“Do you know how much I hate this?! Just because I drew Ming Xiaoyue as my opponent, why does she think I’m inferior to her?!” Yang Yuting’s lips trembled slightly as she spoke.

Lu Jinxi fell silent, genuinely surprised to learn that Xi Ruoqiong had orchestrated this entire situation.

“Heh, Lu Jinxi, I know your family is wealthy, but the show is now under intense scrutiny. In situations like this, they’ll usually rush to wrap things up to avoid further criticism.

Cross-industry collaborations can’t be arranged overnight. Can you really guarantee Ming Xiaoyue’s debut? It’s clear you have strong feelings for her.”

Lu Jinxi frowned deeply, realizing Yang Yuting knew about her private actions. She had to admit the analysis was spot-on.

“And are you truly content to secure her debut alone? For the foreseeable future—perhaps for life—you’ll be stuck watching from behind your phone, separated by everything, as she’s paired with others in manufactured romances? Flirting? Even falling in love? If that’s the case…”

Yang Yuting leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper near Lu Jinxi’s ear: “As an Alpha, how could you ever willingly let an Omega mark you?”

With a triumphant smirk, Yang Yuting turned away, her head held high, her posture radiating confidence as if she had just uncovered Lu Jinxi’s weakness.

Lu Jinxi lowered her head slightly, her thoughts scattering.

After a long silence, Yang Yuting, receiving no response from Lu Jinxi, opened her mouth, ready to pour more fuel on the fire.

But at that moment, Lu Jinxi spoke first. “Mm, I’ll consider what you’ve said. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now…”

Yang Yuting hadn’t expected such a dismissive reply after waiting so long. Her years of pride had been crushed by Lu Jinxi, and a surge of resentment flared within her.

Why is it that a nobody like Ming Xiaoyue and a real estate mogul like Lu Jinxi can both look down on me? she thought, her words becoming increasingly reckless.

“Lu Jinxi! Do you think I’m negotiating with you?”

Lu Jinxi couldn’t understand Yang Yuting’s sudden anger, nor did she care to. After all, the young heiress never thought things through before acting.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You probably don’t know this, but there are security cameras on the upper staircase. So, whatever you and Ming Xiaoyue did upstairs during the group competition—you both know exactly what happened.”

Lu Jinxi recalled the reverse marking incident. A warmth stirred in her heart, and her expression softened considerably. That time, Ming Xiaoyue had willingly participated.

“And what if we did?” Lu Jinxi countered. “Is that a problem?”

Yang Yuting’s face froze at Lu Jinxi’s matter-of-fact question, her mind blank. Instinctively, she blurted out, “Can you? You’re an Alpha! Aren’t you afraid…?”

It was then that Lu Jinxi remembered Yang Yuting was also an Alpha. Perhaps her Alpha’s uniquely arrogant demeanor had rubbed Lu Jinxi the wrong way.

For once, Lu Jinxi interrupted her coldly, her expression hardening. “Why should I be afraid? So what if I’m an Alpha? So what if an Omega marks me? I wanted it, and Ming Xiaoyue wanted it too. What’s it to you? It’s not like the mark’s on your neck.”

“You—you—you…” Yang Yuting sputtered, shocked by Lu Jinxi’s sharp retort. Alphas were notoriously protective of their neck glands, and she pointed an accusing finger at Lu Jinxi in fury.

Seizing the advantage, Lu Jinxi pressed on in a low voice. “As for you, Miss High-and-Mighty, stop trying to confine me with your outdated ideas. And you’d better stop throwing inexplicable tantrums at Ming Xiaoyue. I ignored you before, but consider this a warning!”

With that, Lu Jinxi truly had no desire to prolong the confrontation. Her earlier hesitation had stemmed from one valid point Yang Yuting had made.

Once Lu Jinxi helps Ming Xiaoyue debut, she’ll inevitably have to form a couple within her girl group.

The thought of returning to those days—where she could only learn about Ming Xiaoyue’s life by stalking her social media accounts and screens—suddenly made Lu Jinxi feel deeply resentful. She urgently needed to see Ming Xiaoyue now.

Yet Yang Yuting, being truly foolish, continued to provoke her. “Lu Jinxi! What right do you have to threaten me?! You’re just a…”

“Enough!” Lu Jinxi felt she needed to make things clear to Yang Yuting once and for all, and instinctively released her pheromones.

Yang Yuting, a pampered young heiress, had never experienced such humiliation in her life. She instinctively retaliated with her own Alpha pheromones, but Lu Jinxi completely overwhelmed her.

“I know what you want to say. If you have time to harass Ming Xiaoyue, you should spend it figuring out what you truly want.

And whether it’s an AA relationship, an OO relationship, an AB relationship, an OB relationship, or even the final AO relationship—it’s just about falling in love. Why impose so many restrictions?”

“You…” Yang Yuting froze, stunned by Lu Jinxi’s remarkable composure.

These words, even if spoken by an ordinary person on the street, would have been met with scorn and ridicule. Yet Lu Jinxi, a public figure, delivered them with unwavering conviction.

Yang Yuting saw the determination in her eyes, and her own anger suddenly dissipated. She knew Lu Jinxi was right; it was society that was wrong.

And she, like so many others, knew Lu Jinxi was right but lacked the courage to publicly voice it.

“Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”

But before Lu Jinxi could take another step, Yang Yuting called out, “Wait! Lu Jinxi, Ming Xiaoyue doesn’t like you, she doesn’t love you! So! There’s no need for you to go this far for her!”

“Mm,” Lu Jinxi replied, her grip tightening on the doorknob, her head bowed slightly, her voice low and heavy. “I know.”

Yang Yuting didn’t know how to describe her emotions. Her gaze toward Lu Jinxi had changed completely. How could this be…?

Lu Jinxi clearly wanted to avoid any further conflict with her and casually pushed open the door.

But as soon as the door creaked open, Ming Xiaoyue’s voice followed: “Don’t come any closer. Just say what you need to from there.”

Lu Jinxi froze at the doorway, rooted to the spot.

She watched Ming Xiaoyue tenderly caring for Xi Ruoqiong, their faces pressed close together.

When Ming Xiaoyue’s fingertip brushed Xi Ruoqiong’s lips again, Lu Jinxi couldn’t help but blurt out, “The person she loves is Yang—”

Before she could finish, Yang Yuting, who had been standing by the door, yanked Lu Jinxi out and slammed the door shut with a bang!

“Don’t say my name in front of Axi!” Yang Yuting hissed urgently. “It’ll trigger her!” Her voice then softened, her expression turning bleak.

“You…” Lu Jinxi felt a sudden headache. She had never experienced anything like this in her previous life and couldn’t even be sure if it had happened at all.

“Actually…” Yang Yuting opened her mouth, trying to force out those three words, but they remained stuck in her throat.

Lu Jinxi saw through her embarrassment and cut her off bluntly. “Alright, even if you want to apologize, it shouldn’t be to me. So, what exactly happened between you and Xi Ruoqiong?”

“Honestly, I don’t even know. That day, when I learned the show had suddenly changed the rules, it was Xi Ruoqiong who suggested it. I was furious! How dare she think I couldn’t beat Ming Xiaoyue!”

Realizing she was speaking to Lu Jinxi, Yang Yuting awkwardly corrected herself. “I didn’t mean Ming Xiaoyue isn’t as good as me, it’s just…”

“I understand. Just continue,” Lu Jinxi interrupted coldly, cutting off her excuses.

“Oh, right. So we had a huge fight, but nothing really happened during it—just a cold war. Then she fell off the stage.

When I rushed over, I saw fans had caught her, thankfully. But she seemed completely disoriented by the sudden shock and didn’t even notice me arriving.

I still don’t know exactly what happened inside the venue. By the time I got there, she was already terrified. And then, with so many fans’ hands being… overly eager, she…”

Lu Jinxi suddenly remembered Xi Ruoqiong’s strange behavior when she and Ming Xiaoyue had arrived together.

“So, you’re saying Xi Ruoqiong is still experiencing a trauma response?” Lu Jinxi ventured.

“Yes. Even before I got into the car after we separated, she was already showing signs of distress. The staff insisted we leave immediately to avoid blocking the road, so we parted ways. But I never imagined the staff here would be so incompetent they couldn’t even secure a VIP room.”

“So, she’s having trouble accepting strangers approaching her?” Lu Jinxi cut to the chase, uninterested in the details.

“Exactly. She also reacts strongly to my name and presence. The doctor said it might be because of our argument at the end, which made her particularly sensitive to me.”

“Oh, no wonder you’re standing at the door instead of going in,” Lu Jinxi retorted mercilessly, feeling Yang Yuting was reaping what she had sown.

Yang Yuting was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

“Then why Ming Xiaoyue?” Lu Jinxi asked, puzzled.

“Heh, who knows?” Yang Yuting said sarcastically, lightly bumping her head against the wall.

Lu Jinxi sighed softly, realizing she wouldn’t be able to enter the ward today. The only consolation was that Ming Xiaoyue’s reaction to her earlier hadn’t been as extreme as she’d feared.

After a moment of silence, Lu Jinxi suddenly asked, “About the show… I remember your family invested in it, right?”

“Mm-hmm, that’s right. But I didn’t pull any strings!”

“Mm,” Lu Jinxi replied flatly.

This response only made Yang Yuting more defensive. “I really didn’t pull any strings! I didn’t even manipulate my performance order like Tang Jinshu did! At most, I just knew the competition rules a little earlier than you guys. The songs and dances we drew were all done publicly and fairly, just like yours. I swear…”

Lu Jinxi couldn’t help but interrupt her. “Alright, alright, I know you didn’t cheat.”

But both of them knew that there were still other factors at play.

After another moment of silence, perhaps because they were both now outsiders or because of their shared predicament, Yang Yuting couldn’t help but speak.

“I knew Ming Xiaoyue’s votes were being suppressed. But her popularity had become overwhelming. Ever since the Wu Yingyun incident, her fame has remained sky-high. The production team probably couldn’t bear to let her win, so they…”

Lu Jinxi actually knew more about this matter than Yang Yuting did, but she didn’t want to delve deeper into it, given the immense power behind the scenes.

“Mm, I understand. But I’m curious—you’re a wealthy heiress who lacks for nothing. Why did you even join this show? I remember it wasn’t very popular at the beginning, probably because it was the first girl group survival show in the country.”

At this, Yang Yuting immediately retorted angrily, “Why shouldn’t girls form girl groups?!”

“I didn’t say they shouldn’t. But have you ever considered that if you’d chosen a different path, your life might have been less turbulent?”

“Should we really think that way? Just do what you want to do, and if it doesn’t work out, then deal with it. But you,” Yang Yuting said, her gaze flicking quickly to the back of Lu Jinxi’s neck.

Perhaps because another Alpha had just glanced at the back of her neck, Lu Jinxi felt an unusual discomfort and unconsciously pressed her fingers against the scent gland there.

Lu Jinxi likely knew what Yang Yuting wanted to know, but she replied indifferently, “It’s simply where my heart leads me.”

Click!

Just as Lu Jinxi finished speaking, the door swung open from the inside.

Lu Jinxi had a good guess who it was, and her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes met Ming Xiaoyue’s, and the sudden chaos in Lu Jinxi’s heart intensified.

Yang Yuting’s gaze involuntarily drifted into the room as she saw Ming Xiaoyue emerge.

“Axi’s feeling much better,” Ming Xiaoyue said, her eyes shifting to Yang Yuting. “She wants you to come in.”

Yang Yuting looked surprised, smoothed her hair, and said, “Thank you!”

“Mm,” Ming Xiaoyue nodded curtly.

“I’m truly grateful!” Yang Yuting said, her expression unusually sincere.

“Go on in.”

After Yang Yuting entered, Ming Xiaoyue closed the door, leaving only herself and Lu Jinxi in the hallway.

A moment of silence hung between them. Ming Xiaoyue’s nose twitched slightly—she could detect the pheromones of other Alphas on Lu Jinxi.

Lu Jinxi had rehearsed her words in her mind, but her lips moved slightly, and she couldn’t find the right way to break the silence.

Finally, Ming Xiaoyue broke the awkwardness. “What brings you here?”

“I…” Lu Jinxi hesitated, unsure how to explain her departure from the show.

“I’m sorry,” Lu Jinxi blurted out instinctively.

Ming Xiaoyue didn’t reply this time. Lu Jinxi nervously gripped her pant leg, her gaze fixed intently on Ming Xiaoyue, awaiting her judgment.

After what felt like an eternity, a barely audible sigh escaped Ming Xiaoyue’s lips. “Lu Jinxi,” she said, “I truly don’t understand you. No, that’s not right—I’ve never understood you.”

Lu Jinxi’s lips trembled slightly as she wanted to explain, but she didn’t know where to begin.

“Actually, I’ve been thinking. Setting everything else aside, you’ve genuinely helped me a lot these past few weeks. I don’t know why you did it, but I really should thank you. Thank you.”

“No, no, there’s no need,” Lu Jinxi stammered, suddenly flustered and bewildered. She gazed at Ming Xiaoyue’s slender figure, her eyes inexplicably growing misty.

But Ming Xiaoyue continued, “And about some of the things I said before… they might have been a bit harsh. If they hurt you, I’m sorry.”

Lu Jinxi’s vision blurred. Through the haze, she could hear Ming Xiaoyue’s familiar voice, but as always, she could only see her indistinct silhouette.

Now, all of Ming Xiaoyue’s actions seemed to be signaling an end. Lu Jinxi couldn’t help herself and suddenly tugged at her sleeve, but Ming Xiaoyue subtly evaded her touch.

“Lu Jinxi, I’ve been wondering about the nature of our relationship. When I first marked you, I admit there was an element of personal revenge. But then things took an unexpected turn, and there were… other feelings involved.”

Ming Xiaoyue paused, her brow furrowing as she struggled to articulate the emotions that had stirred within her. After all, she had given Lu Jinxi chances before.

But the truth was… Recalling those moments, Ming Xiaoyue knew she needed to be clear with Lu Jinxi.

Lu Jinxi, however, found herself unable to accept this. All of Ming Xiaoyue’s actions now pointed to one conclusion: the ending had already been decided.

Before Ming Xiaoyue could finish, Lu Jinxi lowered her head, a single tear falling. She forced her voice to remain steady despite the tremor in it. “Okay, I understand.”

She turned to leave, but stopped abruptly, blurting out, “I’m sorry.”

Ming Xiaoyue bit her lower lip, her expression unreadable as she watched Lu Jinxi’s stumbling, panicked retreat until she disappeared from sight. Only then did Ming Xiaoyue lower her gaze.

At that moment, they both knew clearly that this parting might mean they would become strangers forever.

But Ming Xiaoyue steeled her resolve, fully aware that this was long overdue between them.

“Hah,” Ming Xiaoyue sighed deeply. Just as she turned to leave, a familiar voice called out, “Is Lu Jinxi here?”

Ming Xiaoyue’s head snapped around, her sharp gaze landing on Tang Jinshu, who had approached unnoticed.

Their eyes met, but Tang Jinshu’s guilty conscience made her look away first. She murmured, “Is Lu Jinxi here? My father said he wants to…”

Before Tang Jinshu could finish, Ming Xiaoyue cut her off coldly, “She just left that way.”

“Oh? Thank you,” Tang Jinshu replied. Neither woman moved. After a moment’s hesitation, Tang Jinshu decided to explain on Lu Jinxi’s behalf.

“Actually, Lu Jinxi and I didn’t…”

“None of my concern!” Ming Xiaoyue snapped, brushing past Tang Jinshu.

Tang Jinshu’s words caught in her throat, hanging awkwardly. She watched Ming Xiaoyue’s retreating figure, her teeth aching with frustration.

She suddenly wondered how Lu Jinxi could tolerate Ming Xiaoyue, who didn’t even respect the basic etiquette of letting others finish speaking.

But right now, she had a more urgent matter: finding Lu Jinxi. She immediately headed in the direction Lu Jinxi had left.