The Gorgeous Omega Came to Seduce Me [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 16

“Ji Liao, it’s been a while,” Cheng Mi stood a few steps away. “I didn’t expect you to join this show too.”

Ji Liao glanced back at Cheng Mi, ultimately finding nothing to say.

“Hmm.”

“Don’t you miss me at all?” As if wounded by Ji Liao’s indifference, Cheng Mi stepped closer, her expression fragile and sorrowful. “It’s been so long since we last saw each other.”

Under the faint glow, Cheng Mi resembled a delicate crystal doll that might shatter at the slightest touch.

Ji Liao remained silent for a moment. “What’s the point of saying this now?”

“So you’re angry with me, aren’t you?” Cheng Mi’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Because of Wang Zhun spreading those rumors online, you deliberately came to this show to oppose me.”

Ji Liao frowned, feeling nothing but overwhelming irritation.

Every time—every single time—Cheng Mi would resort to tears. But who was truly at fault?

Out of the corner of her eye, Ji Liao caught the glimmer of tears in Cheng Mi’s gaze. For some reason, she suddenly recalled that chaotic, disorienting night not long ago, when Mu Shenshen had bitten her hard while crying with spoiled petulance.

Mu Shenshen’s clear eyes had also reflected scattered flecks of light—only brighter, more captivating.

Though Mu Shenshen was spoiled and unruly, she carried an indomitable vitality that was both exasperating and endearing, never as exhausting as this.

Ji Liao abruptly regained her clarity and took two steps back. “Our current relationship isn’t appropriate for private conversations anymore. Let’s end it here. If there’s anything, have Wang Zhun contact Qin Su.”

With that, Ji Liao turned to leave. Cheng Mi’s eyes flashed with disbelief as she called out in a low, unwilling voice, “Ji Liao!”

Ji Liao pretended not to hear, continuing down the corridor without pause. Just as she was about to exit, hurried footsteps suddenly approached from behind.

Ji Liao paused, about to turn around, when a pair of slender arms abruptly wrapped around her waist.

Cheng Mi was slightly shorter than Mu Shenshen, her small frame curling against Ji Liao’s back as she whispered, her voice trembling, “Why won’t you just mark me?”

Ji Liao stiffened. “What?”

“If you had marked me sooner, maybe we would’ve been together already,” Cheng Mi said, her voice breaking. “Ji Liao, I was willing. I gave you so many chances—why wouldn’t you mark me? Just wait for me… wait a little longer. Two more years… can’t you wait two more years? I promise we’ll be together then. Who else would I choose but you? Please don’t be angry anymore. Come back and help me. What am I supposed to do without you? They all just bully me.”

As she spoke, Cheng Mi seemed to genuinely start crying, the dampness of her tears seeping through Ji Liao’s clothes to her skin.

Ji Liao closed her eyes briefly, momentarily recalling the days when their relationship had been at its best—when Cheng Mi had been gentle and sweet, her promises just as tender. But the memory shattered almost instantly, replaced by the overwhelming accusations and slander that had followed.

Cheng Mi had learned too many unsavory tricks from Wang Zhun. Ji Liao almost suspected there were hidden observers nearby and immediately began prying Cheng Mi’s hands off her waist. “Let go.”

“Ji Liao?!… You’re pushing me away?”

Cheng Mi looked up in shock, unable to believe it as she instinctively loosened her grip. Yet she couldn’t overpower Ji Liao, only watching helplessly as Ji Liao broke free, casting a wary glance back at her before quickly putting distance between them.

Cheng Mi stood frozen in place, her limbs growing cold with each passing second.

…No, this wasn’t right. It shouldn’t be like this!

No matter what she did, Ji Liao had always forgiven her, protected her, comforted her—written songs only for her. Something had changed.

This realization carved itself sharply into Cheng Mi’s subconscious. Her lips trembled uncontrollably as overwhelming panic engulfed her. “Ji Liao… do you not like me anymore?”

Ji Liao took in Cheng Mi’s disheveled appearance, the fear in her eyes, and couldn’t help but recall their reunion—Cheng Mi drenched in rain, bedraggled yet bright-eyed.

She had genuinely cared for her once, which was why facing her now was unbearable.

But Cheng Mi was no longer the person Ji Liao had loved. Or perhaps, she had misjudged her from the start. Ji Liao closed her eyes briefly, hardened her heart, and turned away without a word.

Left alone after sneaking out to see Ji Liao, Cheng Mi clenched her fists as she watched Ji Liao’s retreating figure. Her despondent expression darkened gradually.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be… Ji Liao had never treated her like this before.

…Who was it? Who had stolen the affection that should have been hers?

…

“Teacher Ji! Teacher Ji, there you are! I turned around and suddenly couldn’t find you—I was so worried!” Wu Zi, standing by the van, hurried forward as Ji Liao approached, scrutinizing her anxiously. “Are you alright?”

President Qin had specifically instructed them to keep a close eye on Ji Liao and prevent certain people from getting near her. Everyone knew exactly who that “certain people” referred to. With rumors still swirling, if Cheng Mi managed to slip through and approach Ji Liao, Wu Zi might as well hand in her resignation at Sky Brilliance.

“Nothing happened,” Ji Liao replied, aware of Wu Zi’s real concern. She brushed off the earlier encounter casually. “I’m just used to moving alone. I’ll wait for you next time.”

Wu Zi exhaled in relief. “I’m so glad you understand, Teacher Ji. You know how tricky these situations can be for us.”

“Mm.” Ji Liao stepped into the van and settled into her seat. “Let’s go.”

“Right away!” Wu Zi nodded, quickly sending a message in the assistants’ group chat to summon the others back to the hotel.

Upon returning, Ji Liao immediately took a shower.

Cheng Mi’s pheromones carried a honeyed sweetness—familiar, cloying, and something Ji Liao no longer wished to dwell on.

As she towel-dried her hair, her phone on the round table buzzed. Ji Liao walked over and glanced at the screen—Qin Su.

“Hello?”

Though she had anticipated it, Qin Su’s directness still gave Ji Liao a momentary pause.

“Did Cheng Mi find you? Did you two meet privately?”

“…I wasn’t paying attention. She cornered me.” Ji Liao lowered her lashes slightly.

“Aren’t you afraid of being harmed by her again? Don’t you know how ruthless that Omega is? And you didn’t even tell me about this incident—if Wu Zi hadn’t mentioned it during his work report, I wouldn’t have known at all! If she wanted to harm you, the press releases would already be flooding the internet by now. How am I supposed to respond in time if you don’t warn me beforehand?”

“Understood. I’ll tell you next time.” Ji Liao didn’t offer any explanation, simply agreeing.

Qin Su softened her tone instead. “She won’t get far without you. Sooner or later, she’ll come crawling back. Don’t blame me for being cautious.”

“Hmm…” Ji Liao responded indifferently, his entire demeanor detached—until the corner of his eye caught a white notification bar popping up at the top of his phone, the profile picture a blue-eyed cat rolling around. Only then did he lift his eyelids slightly.

Ji Liao suddenly spoke up, “Do you have anything else?”

Qin Su: “?”

“If not, I’ll hang up first,” Ji Liao said calmly. “I’m aware of Cheng Mi’s situation now. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

Qin Su: “Uh… okay.”

The call was promptly ended by Ji Liao, and his phone automatically returned to the home screen. He tapped into Mu Shenshen’s message and saw she had sent a picture of a bored kitten rolling around, followed by the question:

Did you miss me?

Ji Liao paused, then lowered his gaze with a faint smile before replying: How would you define ‘missing’?

Obviously, it’s when you feel bored without me around—nothing seems fun. But if I’m with you, everything becomes interesting. Mu Shenshen replied instantly.

Ji Liao frowned slightly, hesitating as his finger hovered over the screen.

Perhaps because Ji Liao took too long to respond, Mu Shenshen’s next message chased after him: What? Are you going to say you didn’t miss me??

Ji Liao: “…”

Mu Shenshen: Say you missed me!

Mu Shenshen: Hurry up!!!

Ji Liao: Then I suppose I did.

Mu Shenshen: Angry cat.jpg

Ji Liao chuckled and shook his head, about to set his phone aside when another message suddenly arrived.

Mu Shenshen: I have work tomorrow, you know. If you don’t miss me, I might just run off with another Alpha.

Ji Liao’s brow furrowed as he suddenly recalled Mu Shenshen’s earlier mention of being dragged to work at a bar by someone else. He immediately asked: Is it safe?

Mu Shenshen: ??

Mu Shenshen: Ji Liao!!!

Mu Shenshen: You’re really not afraid I’ll run off with someone else!!!