Omega, Always Wants to Mark Me - Chapter 42

I’ve been honest, please forgive me!

However, even after reaching the end of the corridor, Tang Jinshu still couldn’t find Lu Jinxi. Instead, after wandering around, she finally bumped into Ming Xiaoyue in the stairwell.

Ming Xiaoyue sat alone in the stairwell, motionless. Yet, despite Tang Jinshu’s frantic search up and down the floors, Lu Jinxi remained nowhere to be found.

Did Ming Xiaoyue deliberately give me the wrong directions? Tang Jinshu wondered, feeling manipulated. Slightly breathless, she plopped down beside Ming Xiaoyue.

But before her rear could even touch the step, Ming Xiaoyue snapped coldly, “Get up!”

Tang Jinshu refused to budge, planting herself firmly. She’d never met such an arrogant woman in her life, especially one with no power or connections.

I flatter Lu Jinxi because she actually benefits me, Tang Jinshu thought. But Ming Xiaoyue?

Tang Jinshu huffed indignantly.

“Hmph! If Lu Jinxi hadn’t told me to keep quiet, I’d give you a piece of my mind. What does she even see in you? You’re cold as ice and completely lack respect for others. Tsk, if it were me…”

Ming Xiaoyue glanced over, and Tang Jinshu met her gaze. Instantly, she suppressed the rest of her words, her expression involuntarily turning serious.

She felt the oppressive aura emanating from Ming Xiaoyue, who stared intently at her without wavering. After a long moment, Ming Xiaoyue finally asked, “What did Lu Jinxi tell you to keep from me?”

“I’m not telling you,” Tang Jinshu retorted stubbornly, turning her head away.

But inwardly, she felt uncertain and fell silent, already rehearsing how she would answer if Ming Xiaoyue pressed further.

Instead, Ming Xiaoyue simply hummed noncommittally and stood up.

Tang Jinshu instinctively called out, “Hey—” but trailed off, realizing she had no idea what to say next.

Ming Xiaoyue seemed unfazed, casually mentioning, “Oh, by the way, Wen Hongyu came looking for you just a few minutes ago. She just went downstairs.”

The moment Ming Xiaoyue finished speaking, Tang Jinshu leaped to her feet, blurting out, “Why didn’t you say so sooner?!” She dashed downstairs.

Ming Xiaoyue watched her retreating figure, a thoughtful expression on her face.

The stairwell was silent, but Ming Xiaoyue didn’t move until a cold gust of wind swept through. Then, she spoke coldly, “How long are you planning to hide there?”

Her expression was frosty, her sharp gaze fixed on the upper stairwell, where a corner of someone’s figure was barely visible.

Lu Jinxi remained motionless. Ming Xiaoyue frowned, her patience wearing thin. “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

And she did. By the time she exited the stairwell, it was still eerily quiet.

When Ming Xiaoyue returned to the hospital room, the door was already open. Inside, she found Yang Yuting, the pampered heiress, unexpectedly tending to someone.

For a moment, Ming Xiaoyue considered turning around, but Xi Ruoqiong’s voice called out, “Wait, A-Yue.”

Ming Xiaoyue stopped, though she remained outside the door. “What is it?”

“I’m sorry,” Yang Yuting said, her tone uncharacteristically serious. “For all the undeserved trouble I caused you before… I’m sorry.”

Ming Xiaoyue nodded slightly, acknowledging the apology.

Yang Yuting shifted awkwardly before continuing, “The finals are a doubles match.” She glanced at Xi Ruoqiong, who was lying in bed.

“Thank you, I understand,” Ming Xiaoyue said, recognizing the veiled implication that she should pair up with Xi Ruoqiong.

“Then who are you planning to team up with, A-Yue?” Xi Ruoqiong asked, her face pale from illness but her expression still gentle.

Ming Xiaoyue’s expression softened slightly as she whispered truthfully, “I don’t know.”

“Why not Lu Jinxi? She really likes y—” Before Yang Yuting could finish, Xi Ruoqiong abruptly pulled her aside and covered her mouth.

Xi Ruoqiong smiled apologetically at Ming Xiaoyue. “Yuting just speaks without thinking sometimes, but Lu Jinxi really is your best option right now.”

“Mm, I know,” Ming Xiaoyue replied indifferently.

Sensing the conversation had reached its natural conclusion, Xi Ruoqiong changed the subject. “We might be heading back soon, A-Yue. If there’s anything you need to clear up with Lu Jinxi, you should do it sooner rather than later.”

Ming Xiaoyue nodded in acknowledgment. Just then, Tang Jinshu’s voice called from behind them, “The production team wants you to come back with me. Do you need to pack anything? We might be leaving soon.”

Xi Ruoqiong smiled at Tang Jinshu. “We’ll be right there.”

 

The group boarded the RV, only to find Lu Jinxi already seated in the rearmost corner. Even inside the vehicle, she wore a hat, its brim pulled low to obscure her face.

Tang Jinshu and Wen Hongyu naturally settled beside her in the back. Ming Xiaoyue, after a detached glance at Lu Jinxi, took the front seat.

Xi Ruoqiong followed suit, sitting beside Ming Xiaoyue, with Yang Yuting settling in beside Xi Ruoqiong.

Initially, the RV was eerily silent, no one speaking. Then Tang Jinshu, scrolling through her phone, suddenly chuckled and turned to Wen Hongyu.

“A-Wen, look at this video! Ha ha!” Her laughter died abruptly as she belatedly realized there were outsiders present, and she straightened up stiffly.

The atmosphere remained tense throughout the journey. Only after Ming Xiaoyue and the others disembarked did Lu Jinxi finally speak. “What’s the situation now? Can the competition still continue?”

Tang Jinshu curled her lip. “Shouldn’t you be the one answering that? Who knew your backer was so powerful? Anyway, the production team’s been shut down. My dad asked me to ask if you have time to see her again.”

Tang Jinshu’s gaze held a hint of probing as she looked at Lu Jinxi, but Lu Jinxi’s refusal was immediate and blunt. “No!”

“Oh,” Tang Jinshu said, not particularly concerned. She was actually quite pleased to see Tang Lianchan humiliated. “By the way, Wen Hongyu and I agree with your proposal. If we both make it to the final round, you and I will team up, and A-Wen will team up with Ming Xiaoyue. But let’s get one thing straight: if you hadn’t helped me this time, I wouldn’t have let Wen Hongyu go. That woman has a worse temper than I do, I’m telling you…”

“She’s wonderful,” Lu Jinxi interrupted tersely.

Tang Jinshu clicked her tongue, surprised by Lu Jinxi’s unwavering loyalty. “Tch. After this major overhaul, I can’t guarantee our connections will still be useful. If we fail in the competition, don’t blame me.”

“You won’t fail. You’re strong, and so is Wen Hongyu,” Lu Jinxi murmured.

“Fine, then we’ll reluctantly go along with it. If there’s nothing else, Wen Hongyu and I will be leaving now.”

“Okay,” Lu Jinxi replied softly.

No sooner had Tang Jinshu left than a staff member approached. “Miss Lu, the head director would like to meet with you.”

“Hmm, I understand,” Lu Jinxi replied indifferently.

 

Ming Xiaoyue glanced at the staff following them and the strange occurrences along the way, a sudden wave of worry washing over her. If the show gets canceled, all our hard work will have been for nothing.

Finally arriving at the dormitory, a staff member announced, “Due to recent adjustments to the show, please rest in your rooms and await further instructions.”

“Okay, thank you,” Xi Ruoqiong replied with a smile.

Inside the dormitory, Xi Ruoqiong voiced Ming Xiaoyue’s unspoken concern: “Yuting, be honest with us—do you think the show can still go on?”

“I…” Yang Yuting hesitated, her expression troubled. The situation seemed even more dire than she had imagined. She had assumed the broadcast suspension was merely a temporary measure to avoid the current backlash, but now…

Just hours earlier, on her way to the hospital, the Production Team had officially confirmed the final round would be a duo-based elimination, with the winning pair debuting.

Yet within such a short span, the Production Team had undergone a complete upheaval. It was only when Yang Yuting tried contacting the Director from the car that she discovered she had been removed from their friend list.

Arriving at the dormitory door, Xi Ruoqiong, still without answers, sensed Yang Yuting’s predicament. She said, “It’s alright. Since we’re here, let’s just make the best of it.”

As soon as they opened the door, all eyes turned toward them.

First, Song Wanwen gave Ming Xiaoyue a slight nod, then asked Xi Ruoqiong, “Are you okay?”

Xi Ruoqiong shook her head.

The room fell silent again, the atmosphere heavy. The sudden suspension of the broadcast had dampened everyone’s spirits, leaving them fearing that all their previous efforts might have been in vain.

Fortunately, that afternoon, the production team suddenly summoned all contestants to the main hall. The group, a mix of apprehension and hope, gathered as instructed.

When they arrived, the director and assistant director were already present, along with several individuals who appeared to be senior staff standing nearby.

Once everyone had assembled, the director stepped forward and announced, “Alright, I know you all have questions, but please remain calm. The production team will complete the program.

Let’s address the important matters first. First, today’s individual competition results have been nullified.”

“Second, the next competition will be the final round, conducted as a duo challenge. Each of you will choose your own teammate. Any contestant left without a partner will be considered to have withdrawn from the competition.”

The Director’s words sparked immediate commotion. The contestants exchanged glances with their neighbors.

“Alright, alright! Any questions, ask them now!” the Director barked, silencing the room. Sensing their unspoken concerns, he explained, “I know this may seem unfair, but we’re ultimately selecting a girl group. If you can’t even find a teammate, how will you integrate into a team?”

This time, the objections were far fewer.

“Now, let’s move on to the competition and filming details. Due to various reasons within the production team, we’ll be discontinuing the live streaming format and switching to pre-recorded episodes.

The final competition will begin in three days. Any questions you have should be asked now. To maintain fairness, staff members will be prohibited from communicating with contestants after this point.”

“Will the performance order still be determined by lottery?” someone asked. Tang Jinshu scoffed dismissively, likely understanding the veiled jab aimed at her.

In the past, everyone would have been concerned about saving face, but since the final competition determined who would debut, the speaker was willing to take a gamble.

“No,” the Director replied. “To ensure fairness, we’ll publish the team formation online. Relevant authorities will oversee the process, and the public will vote to determine the performance order.”

Despite the Director’s explanation, some remained skeptical, still wary after the recent vote manipulation scandal—a clumsy attempt that had eroded trust in the Production Team.

“What about the competition itself?” someone asked. “If the show manipulates the votes…”

The speaker didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone in the room shared the unspoken fear: that the outcome had already been predetermined.

The Director hadn’t anticipated that the previous scandal would completely destroy the contestants’ trust in the Production Team. He sighed inwardly, feeling helpless.

This time, however, before the Director could offer assurances, a senior executive stepped forward. “We understand your concerns,” he said. “All data will be monitored by our Information Department. We’ll use a real-name voting system. After the competition, any contestant who suspects irregularities in the vote count can request an investigation from our Oversight Department.”

By this point, everyone had settled down.

“Alright, if there are no further questions, we’ll each participate in interviews shortly, followed by our three-day closed training session.”

The group moved in a large, orderly procession. Along the way, some members had already agreed to form teams, but with so many participants, most were still waiting.

Ming Xiaoyue noticed something amiss. Even Tang Jinshu had appeared, but she hadn’t seen Lu Jinxi anywhere. She frowned slightly.

Song Wanwen, who had also noticed, leaned closer and asked Ming Xiaoyue, “Have you seen Xiao Lu?”

Ming Xiaoyue shook her head.

Fortunately, the others didn’t seem to have noticed. By the time everyone had finished their interviews, it was already dark. The Director announced that starting tomorrow, participants would decide their own teammates, and the Production Team would not interfere with any of their actions or training plans.

On the way back, Ming Xiaoyue and the others still hadn’t seen Lu Jinxi. Suddenly, Wen Hongyu called out to Ming Xiaoyue, stopping her in her tracks.

Wen Hongyu cut straight to the point: “Ming Xiaoyue, can I team up with you?”

Ming Xiaoyue found the request baffling, and Song Wanwen and Wen Yifan stopped in their tracks, turning to look at Wen Hongyu.

Ming Xiaoyue frowned, tilting her head back to glance at Tang Jinshu behind Wen Hongyu. “Aren’t you supposed to be partnering with Tang Jinshu?” she asked.

Wen Hongyu hesitated, looking conflicted as she glanced at Ming Xiaoyue. Ming Xiaoyue, however, likely knew who had sent her and smirked sarcastically, dismissing Lu Jinxi’s tactics with disdain.

“Alright, thank you for the invitation, but I don’t think we’d be the best fit. I’m sorry,” Ming Xiaoyue politely declined Wen Hongyu.

“Hey,” Tang Jinshu interjected rudely, having moved behind Wen Hongyu unnoticed. She couldn’t tolerate Ming Xiaoyue’s arrogance any longer.

If not for Lu Jinxi, Tang Jinshu would have been persuaded to withdraw by her father long ago. But she had promised Lu Jinxi to let Wen Hongyu partner with Ming Xiaoyue. She didn’t want Wen Hongyu to be left alone, especially since Wen Hongyu had only grown familiar with her since the competition began.

“What is it?” Ming Xiaoyue retorted, meeting Tang Jinshu’s gaze with equal intensity.

Tang Jinshu stated bluntly, “I’ll team up with her.”

“We’re not close, it’s unnecessary, and our dance styles are too different. It wouldn’t work,” Ming Xiaoyue countered, offering her reasons.

Tang Jinshu stared intently at Ming Xiaoyue, asking, “Do you want to be eliminated before even getting on stage?”

Ming Xiaoyue raised her eyebrows dismissively and scoffed softly. “And what about you? Am I close to you? Am I close to Wen Hongyu? Do I need you to tell me what to do?!”

As she spoke, Ming Xiaoyue’s expression hardened. Even without Tang Jinshu saying it, she knew who was pulling the strings behind this scheme, and a wave of irritation washed over her.

Why does Lu Jinxi think the choices she makes for me are the best ones?!

Tang Jinshu’s voice faltered slightly. Ming Xiaoyue was proving to be even more difficult to handle than she had anticipated.

“Alright, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving now,” Ming Xiaoyue said, turning to walk away.

“Ming Xiaoyue!” Tang Jinshu called out, unable to hold back any longer. She couldn’t bear to watch this unfold—Lu Jinxi clearly adored Ming Xiaoyue, having paved nearly every path for her success. How could she…?

Ming Xiaoyue turned back, asking, “Is there anything else?”

“Do you even realize how much Lu Jinxi sacrificed for this? If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t have a place in the debut lineup right now—it was already decided! And you? You were tricked into signing a performance-based contract, condemning you to a lifetime of servitude to Tianle Entertainment Company! How dare you claim all the benefits while standing here, speaking so casually without a shred of empathy!”

The words finally burst forth, and a heavy weight lifted from Tang Jinshu’s heart.

Unexpectedly, Ming Xiaoyue showed little reaction. Instead, she stepped closer, pressing, “So, what exactly have you all been plotting these past few weeks?”

Tang Jinshu was stunned that Ming Xiaoyue would still ask this, even after everything had been resolved. Why was she still digging into something that was already settled?

“I’m talking about Lu Jinxi right now! Not about us! Do you even realize everything she did was for your own good?”

Before Tang Jinshu could finish, Ming Xiaoyue scoffed coldly. “Ha! So what?! Should I kneel before her, worship her, and elevate her to some untouchable status? Did she ever consider my feelings before acting? Or am I just her property, destined to be manipulated by her?”

Ming Xiaoyue pressed closer, her eyes reddening as she spoke, bloodshot and brimming with tears. She finally gripped Tang Jinshu’s collar tightly, demanding, “Did she ever ask about my feelings? Or does she think we Omegas don’t deserve emotions? That we should just be puppets for Alphas to control!”

Song Wanwen clearly sensed Ming Xiaoyue’s distress and rushed over to pull her back, pleading, “A-Yue, let it go… just let it go…”

This was the first time Song Wanwen had ever seen Ming Xiaoyue so angry. Her chest heaved as she slowly released her grip, whispering one last thing to Tang Jinshu:

“Tell her to come to me herself if she has something to say, instead of sending you as her messenger. You’re not me—don’t presume to know my thoughts. And I’ve made myself clear: I won’t team up with Wen Hongyu. If you want her to be alone, you can follow Lu Jinxi’s plan.”

Now that she had calmed down, Tang Jinshu seemed to understand Ming Xiaoyue better. Just as Tang Jinshu loved the stage but refused to be manipulated like Tang Lianchan, Ming Xiaoyue refused to be treated as a mere pawn by Alphas.

“Alright, I’ll convey your words to her exactly as you said them,” Tang Jinshu said, lowering her gaze slightly. By this point, she realized that both Ming Xiaoyue and Song Wanwen clearly harbored feelings for each other, but were separated by too many barriers.

Ming Xiaoyue took a deep breath to compose herself before turning to Song Wanwen. “Let’s go back now,” she said.

“Okay,” Song Wanwen replied softly, her eyes fixed on Ming Xiaoyue.

The group dispersed. The next day, everyone instinctively gathered in the main hall. The Director arrived late and announced:

“Alright, if you’ve formed your teams, you can register your team names and member lists at the computers up front. The information will be synchronized online for public voting to determine the performance order.”

Despite the Director’s announcement, no one moved. Finally, Song Wanwen and Wen Yifan stepped forward resolutely to register their team name. Their initiative spurred others who had already discussed their teams the previous day to follow suit.

“Alright, teams that have registered can now choose their training rooms.”

Song Wanwen returned to find Ming Xiaoyue still standing alone. She couldn’t help but ask, “A-Yue, who are you planning to team up with?”

Ming Xiaoyue remained silent. Seeing more and more people leaving, Song Wanwen grew worried that Ming Xiaoyue might be left out. She urged, “Actually, Wen Hongyu is quite strong too. Maybe…”

“Ming Xiaoyue, right? Want to team up?” A figure suddenly stepped forward. The three girls turned to see Geng Yan, whose skills were clearly impressive. Ming Xiaoyue recognized her—in her previous life, Geng Yan had barely made the debut lineup.

Geng Yan confidently extended her hand, fully expecting Ming Xiaoyue to accept. After all, partnering with Ming Xiaoyue would significantly increase her chances of debuting.

But Ming Xiaoyue refused. “Thank you, but I don’t need a partner.”

Geng Yan was visibly taken aback by Ming Xiaoyue’s immediate rejection. Her outstretched hand hung awkwardly in the air for a moment.

Ming Xiaoyue casually turned to Song Wanwen and the others, saying, “Let’s go.”

Geng Yan suddenly stepped forward to block her path, asking, “Could you tell me why?”

Ming Xiaoyue glanced at her, and for some reason, she suddenly remembered why Geng Yan had left such a strong impression on her. After their girl group disbanded, Geng Yan had gained some brief notoriety by exposing the group’s inner workings.

Her moment in the spotlight didn’t last long. The Tang Family must have intervened, because Ming Xiaoyue never heard her name again.

“Because it’s not convenient,” Ming Xiaoyue replied coldly. She had no interest in collaborating with someone who would stab her in the back. She couldn’t distance herself fast enough, let alone work together.

Geng Yan, however, refused to let go of Ming Xiaoyue. “No, if we team up, we’ll definitely do better! Ming Xiaoyue! Trust me!”

Ming Xiaoyue repeated her usual excuse: “We’re not familiar enough. I don’t need it.”

Seeing Ming Xiaoyue’s icy expression and fearing she might grab Tang Jinshu by the collar again like yesterday, Song Wanwen quickly intervened to smooth things over. “Alright, alright, if she doesn’t want to, let’s just leave it at that. We’re leaving now.”

Song Wanwen pulled Ming Xiaoyue away, but Geng Yan, unwilling to let it go, called out, “Song Wanwen, I advise you to be careful. Who knows if she went to your training room to steal your dance? We’re all competitors now!”

Geng Yan’s clumsy attempt at sowing discord earned her only scornful smiles from the trio before they left, leaving her standing awkwardly alone.

Meanwhile, in Tang Jinshu’s training room, Tang Jinshu glanced guiltily at Lu Jinxi. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Lu Jinxi had changed drastically since returning from the hospital.

Doesn’t she realize how cold it is? Tang Jinshu wondered, noticing Lu Jinxi bundled up in layers, even wearing a hat.

Tang Jinshu had never found Lu Jinxi sinister before, but now she seemed eerily similar to those Alphas—radiating an inexplicable sense of dread.

“So… what do we do now?” Tang Jinshu asked cautiously. “Ming Xiaoyue won’t team up with Wen Hongyu, and I might not be able to team up with you either.”

“It’s fine,” Lu Jinxi replied calmly. “You can team up with Wen Hongyu for now.”

Relieved that Lu Jinxi wasn’t angry, Tang Jinshu casually asked, “So, what will you do? If you end up alone, what’s your plan?”

“Hmm, I have a plan,” Lu Jinxi murmured.

Alright, I see how it is, Tang Jinshu thought. These two are stubborn as mules. I’m not sticking around for this drama. Before Lu Jinxi changes her mind, I’d better make my move. “Then Wen Hongyu and I are going to register our team now,” she said hastily.

Lu Jinxi sensed Tang Jinshu’s lack of trust but understood. “Okay, got it.”

By noon, most teams had been finalized, leaving only a few stragglers.

Ming Xiaoyue helped Song Wanwen and Wen Yifan refine their choreography, offering numerous suggestions. Their dance routine was now roughly finalized.

As they walked to the cafeteria, Song Wanwen said sincerely, “Thanks, A-Yue. But… am I imagining things, or have you changed a lot?”

Ming Xiaoyue didn’t deny it. “Yeah, that’s normal. People change.”

Just as they were heading downstairs, they finally spotted the long-missing Lu Jinxi. Ming Xiaoyue noticed her first—the figure was drastically different from before. Even Song Wanwen asked uncertainly, “Is that A Jin?”

Ming Xiaoyue feigned indifference, shifting her gaze and saying, “Maybe.”

“Should we go say hello?” Song Wanwen could sense that Ming Xiaoyue became unusually…

Song Wanwen couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she knew Ming Xiaoyue had definitely clashed with Lu Jinxi again.

Wen Yifan noticed it too and whispered, “Maybe next time?”

The three were about to pass by Lu Jinxi when she called out, “Ming Xiaoyue!”

Lu Jinxi’s voice was low and husky. Song Wanwen tactfully said, “Wen Yifan and I will head on ahead.”

Ming Xiaoyue didn’t object, replying gently, “Okay.” But as soon as they left, her voice turned icy. “What do you want?”

Lu Jinxi pressed her lips together. She had rehearsed all her lies beforehand, but for some reason, meeting Ming Xiaoyue again made her hesitate.

Seeing Ming Xiaoyue’s slight frown, Lu Jinxi clenched her fists at her sides, afraid she would lose patience. She stammered out the carefully prepared speech she had rehearsed for so long.

“Actually, Tang Jinshu and I don’t have any other connection. It’s just because of her father. Her dad invested in this program, and Yang Yuting’s family also invested, along with a few others. I don’t know the exact details.

Tang Jinshu’s father is an Alpha, and he looks down on Omegas, seeing them as mere breeding tools. He was apparently trying to find an Alpha for her, but then he somehow took a liking to me and wanted me to marry into the Tang Family. But I refused!”

Lu Jinxi’s mind was a jumbled mess, and she blurted out whatever came to mind. Seeing Ming Xiaoyue’s expressionless face, she suddenly felt a pang of regret, realizing she might have messed things up again.

Lu Jinxi abruptly stopped talking, cautiously glancing at Ming Xiaoyue, her heart pounding with uncertainty.

“I…”

“So, what exactly do you want from me?” Ming Xiaoyue raised her head, catching Lu Jinxi’s furtive glance.

Lu Jinxi tugged at the hem of her shirt, bit her lower lip, and finally, with a surge of determination, blurted out, “I wanted to ask if you’d team up with me.”

“Hmm, I see. Let’s register later. But right now, I’m going to get some food.”

Lu Jinxi was clearly taken aback by Ming Xiaoyue’s immediate agreement. Her emotions were indescribable, and she wondered if she had imagined the entire exchange.

“You, I, just now…”

“Want to team up?” Ming Xiaoyue asked casually.

“Can we team up?” Lu Jinxi replied uncertainly.

“Whatever,” Ming Xiaoyue said, turning to leave.

Lu Jinxi hurried after her, keeping a few steps behind. The lip she had been biting earlier now curved upward slightly.

After finishing their meal, they logged in and chose a lounge. But when Ming Xiaoyue entered the training room, Lu Jinxi hesitated.

“Hmm? Is there a problem?” Ming Xiaoyue asked, noticing Lu Jinxi’s hesitation.

“No, no problem at all,” Lu Jinxi replied quickly, glancing subtly at Ming Xiaoyue. In truth, she had countless questions swirling in her mind.

But Lu Jinxi had spent all her courage just asking Ming Xiaoyue to team up. She lacked the confidence to voice any further questions.

“Then, should we start choreographing the dance?” Lu Jinxi asked cautiously.

“Sure,” Ming Xiaoyue replied indifferently.

The two worked surprisingly well together throughout the afternoon. During a mid-session break, Ming Xiaoyue took a sip of water, sweat trickling down her neck, the veins there faintly visible.

Ming Xiaoyue caught Lu Jinxi’s intense gaze. Setting down her water bottle, she glanced over and asked, “Is there something you want to say?”

Lu Jinxi immediately tried to cover up her nervousness, fiddling with her water bottle and wiping her sweat. She shook her head and said, “Nothing.”

Lu Jinxi was already imagining Ming Xiaoyue pressing further, perhaps asking about Tang Jinshu again. Her thoughts began to wander.

But after a moment, Ming Xiaoyue simply replied, “Mm.”

Lu Jinxi stared at Ming Xiaoyue’s unusually calm demeanor, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.

“You…” she blurted out before she realized it.

“Hm?” Ming Xiaoyue paused her movements and looked over, her tone gentle.

“If I hadn’t… you… who would you have…” Lu Jinxi stammered, half-concealing her most burning question.

Ming Xiaoyue immediately answered, but her reply was vague: “I don’t know.”

“Oh,” Lu Jinxi instinctively agreed, then realized what Ming Xiaoyue had just said.

“Let’s go. It’s almost time. We should practice,” Ming Xiaoyue said again.

“Okay,” Lu Jinxi agreed, unable to refuse.

The day passed remarkably uneventfully, so much so that Lu Jinxi still felt like she was in a dream. It wasn’t until she walked Ming Xiaoyue to her dormitory that Ming Xiaoyue simply said, “Goodbye.”

Watching her retreating figure, Lu Jinxi inexplicably called out, “See you tomorrow!” as if making a promise.

Ming Xiaoyue paused but didn’t reply. Lu Jinxi pressed her lips together and remained rooted to the spot.

Finally, she heard Ming Xiaoyue say, “Mm, okay. See you tomorrow.”

Lu Jinxi breathed a sigh of relief, her face unable to conceal her joy.

That night, Lu Jinxi barely slept. The next morning, she woke up early and waited eagerly for Ming Xiaoyue in the training room.

As soon as Ming Xiaoyue opened the door, Lu Jinxi’s eyes lit up. She stood up and approached, greeting her with a cheerful, “Good morning!”

“Mm,” Ming Xiaoyue replied indifferently, casually asking, “Why are you here so early today?”

Lu Jinxi offered the excuse she had prepared beforehand: “I still need to practice a few moves from yesterday.”

“Mm. Have you eaten?” Ming Xiaoyue asked.

Lu Jinxi didn’t know how to answer, because she hadn’t eaten.

Fortunately, Ming Xiaoyue seemed to have lost patience for probing Lu Jinxi further. She tossed a piece of bread over and said, “Eat this for now. I’m going to stretch.”

“Okay,” Lu Jinxi replied.

The two practiced for a long time, their movements almost perfectly synchronized. Lu Jinxi wondered if it was just her imagination.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Lu Jinxi said. As Ming Xiaoyue stood up, Lu Jinxi thought she caught a strong whiff of Omega pheromones, but it vanished almost instantly.

Lu Jinxi glanced at Ming Xiaoyue, who showed no outward signs of anything unusual. “Okay,” she said. “I need to go too. Together?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Lu Jinxi realized the ambiguity of her statement and quickly clarified, “I didn’t mean it like that!”

Ming Xiaoyue merely glanced at Lu Jinxi and replied indifferently, her words muffled, “Mm, I know.”

Lu Jinxi’s breath caught in her chest, stuck halfway between her throat and lungs. It finally dawned on her what had been so strange about Ming Xiaoyue these past few days: her cold indifference, as if she didn’t care at all.

Lu Jinxi instinctively followed behind her, her mind racing with thoughts. She recalled the rare times Ming Xiaoyue had pressed her for answers. Just before they reached their destination, Lu Jinxi couldn’t help but blurt out, “Ming Xiaoyue, actually, I…”

Ming Xiaoyue stopped, turned around, and lowered her gaze. Lu Jinxi caught a glimpse of the strange emotion in her eyes, but the next moment, a sudden wave of Omega pheromones washed over her.

Lu Jinxi realized with a jolt that she hadn’t been mistaken earlier—Ming Xiaoyue’s pheromones were out of control. Yet Ming Xiaoyue only frowned slightly, seemingly unaware that she was in heat.

Lu Jinxi covered her nose and retreated a few steps. “Ming Xiaoyue, you’re in heat,” she said. “I’ll go get you an inhibitor.”

But from the restroom came muffled voices: “Can you smell that?”

“It smells like an Omega.”

In a panic, Lu Jinxi hastily pulled Ming Xiaoyue into the nearby stairwell. If a pheromone surge occurred before the competition, she feared Ming Xiaoyue’s reputation would be tarnished.

Bang! In the darkness, Lu Jinxi belatedly realized the inhuman heat radiating from Ming Xiaoyue. She hastily retrieved her personal pheromone suppressant and began spraying it liberally.

Between sprays, she asked, “Ming Xiaoyue, do you have your Omega Inhibitor with you?”

Ming Xiaoyue was clearly in distress, her head pressed against Lu Jinxi’s shoulder. “Hot,” she murmured.

As an Alpha, Lu Jinxi had no habit of carrying Omega Inhibitors. If others found out, she’d be branded a pervert.

Lu Jinxi quickly patted Ming Xiaoyue down, confirming she didn’t have it. The Omega’s pained whimpers tugged at Lu Jinxi’s heart.

“It’ll be okay. It’ll pass soon,” Lu Jinxi reassured her. She couldn’t abandon Ming Xiaoyue here alone. Steeling her resolve, she peeled off the suppressant patch from her own nape.

The Alpha’s pheromones naturally mingled with the Omega’s. Lu Jinxi swallowed hard, suppressing her instinctive urge to mark Ming Xiaoyue. Her voice came out slightly hoarse as she spoke.

“Ming Xiaoyue, why don’t you just give me a quick mark? We can go get an inhibitor later.”

The moment Lu Jinxi finished speaking, bang! With a sudden burst of strength, Ming Xiaoyue flipped their positions, pinning Lu Jinxi firmly against the door.

Lu Jinxi struggled, but her body remained completely immobilized. In the darkness, she heard Ming Xiaoyue whisper from behind, “Lu Jinxi?”

With her face pressed against the door by Ming Xiaoyue’s hand, Lu Jinxi managed a strained reply, “Mmm.”

No sooner had the word left her lips than she felt a sudden wet lick against the back of her neck. Her hypersensitive body trembled violently, and her breathing quickened.

After what felt like an eternity, Lu Jinxi could barely endure this slow, deliberate torment. She whispered, “Could you maybe…”

Her words were cut short as Ming Xiaoyue lifted a corner of her shirt at the waist, and a nimble hand slipped inside.

Lu Jinxi’s breath hitched for a moment. Uncertain, she spoke as if confirming the person behind her was indeed Ming Xiaoyue: “Ming Xiaoyue?”