Chapter 35

“No need.”

Si Xia’s tender white feet stepped onto the floor. She endured the discomfort, standing up and pushing Ming Ruixue out. “I don’t need help at all. I’m not that weak.”

The Omega’s steps were unsteady; she didn’t plant each step firmly, a clear sign she was still in pain.

Ming Ruixue didn’t want to make things difficult for her and backed away step by step. “I’m going out. Don’t wander around recklessly. Remember to call me if you need anything.”

Before she could finish, Ming Ruixue was pushed outside, and the door slammed shut instantly.

The anti-inflammatory medicine and cotton swabs in her hand went unused; or rather, Si Xia didn’t appreciate the gesture at all.

So, I was used and then thrown away??

Ming Ruixue ruffled her hair, feeling an inexplicable tightness in her chest. She had clearly wanted to take responsibility for Si Xia.

After the major incident on the show last night, Director Ye had the ship sailed to the shore overnight, preparing to change locations for the upcoming livestream.

There was a week before the next episode aired. The crew gave the guests five days of rest to go back and adjust, with everyone set to regroup on Saturday.

When Ming Ruixue finished packing her luggage and stepped out, the cabin opposite was already bailiantales.comempty. Only a pot of catnip remained on the nightstand.

Si Xia had left a step ahead of her, and she’d even left the catnip behind.

So, she had been abandoned along with the plant.

Ming Ruixue held the pot of grass, feeling an inexplicable void. She couldn’t figure out why Si Xia had suddenly acted like this. Was she embarrassed to see her, or was it because she had bitten her until it hurt and Si Xia was angry?

Ming Ruixue thought it over and felt any of those were possible. But that wasn’t the point; the point was that outside of the show, they were nothing. They hadn’t even exchanged contact information.

Stepping off the Law of Romantic Attraction cruise ship and onto solid ground, Ming Ruixue felt a bit lightheaded. It was as if she had just adapted to life on the ship and was now forced back into life on land.

It was the same with her relationship with Si Xia. From rivals to a one-night stand—it was so surreal it felt like a dream.

Peng Jia was driving, looking through the rearview mirror. “Ruixue, are you feeling unwell? Your complexion is terrible.”

“I’m fine.”

Ming Ruixue closed her eyes and slept for a while. Once she reached her villa, she slept for an entire day, but the more she thought about it, the more confused she became. She felt so miserable she wanted to get drunk.

A message from Tan Rui came in just in time: [Ruixue, I heard you’re on break. Want to come out and relax?]

Ming Ruixue agreed. She indeed needed to relax; otherwise, her head [bailiantales.com]would be filled with those “inappropriate” images from the night before.

The night was deep and heavy, with overlapping neon lights fading into the horizon.

In a noisy corner of a bar, Ming Ruixue leaned against a sofa, having downed several glasses of whiskey. The corners of her slender eyes were stained with a hint of intoxication.

Tan Rui, tired from dancing, ran over and took a sip of a cocktail. Her thumb happened to click on a push notification for a fan edit of Ming Ruixue and Si Xia’s CP interactions. The content was spicy, making the viewers scream with excitement.

Tan Rui watched with great interest. When she reached the latest episode, she burst out laughing. “Hahaha, Ruixue, I didn’t think you’d have a day like this! Fleeing in panic after being flirted with by an Omega—too embarrassing for Alphas!”

Who was Ming Ruixue? She was a top-tier Alpha who had flirted her way across the city. After just a few days on a show, she’d been counter-flirted by an O.

Tan Rui couldn’t stop laughing. Ming Ruixue, annoyed by her, tossed her phone aside. “I came out to relax, why are you playing on your phone?”

Tan Rui heard the tone and knew something was up. “What’s wrong? In a bad mood?”

Ming Ruixue didn’t speak, her expression gloomy. Tan Rui let out a “tsk tsk” sound: “Don’t tell me you suffered internal damage from that Omega’s flirting? Aw, it’s just one O. It’s okay to lose once. I’ll introduce you to one right now; you’ll find your confidence in minutes.”

Ming Ruixue yawned, slowly straightening her body. “Not interested. I’m heading back.”

“Don’t! You just got here.” After a few sips of water, Tan Rui finally remembered the real business of the day: “Ruixue, do me a favor?”

Ming Ruixue: “What favor?”

“Ruixue, look at that Omega girl over there. What do you think?” Tan Rui propped her chin up, looking at the young girl sitting on a nearby sofa, an uncontainable smile at the corners of her eyes.

The Omega girl’s hair was a bit wild; she looked rebellious, like a minor—quite young.

Ming Ruixue leaned back onto the sofa. “What do you mean ‘what do I think’? I’m not interested in little sisters.”

“What’s wrong with a little sister? She’s so tender,” Tan Rui grumbled.

Ming Ruixue swirled the drink in her glass. “What exactly is this about?”

Tan Rui stopped beating around the bush: “This girl is quite ambitious. She’s a directing major with good skills; she just lacks a job opportunity.”

Ming Ruixue didn’t make a sound. Tan Rui pressed on: “I even have her directing work here. Want to see if she has potential?”

Ming Ruixue felt a bad premonition. She glanced briefly at Tan Rui’s phone screen. “Average.”

It made sense; what kind of elite directors hadn’t Ming Ruixue seen? Tan Rui wasn’t discouraged: “I heard your studio is hiring directors. I think this girl is quite good. Why not let her try?”

Ming Ruixue understood. “Is she your sixth girlfriend this month?”

“Don’t change the subject, I’m talking about this girl’s future.” Tan Rui waved her hand to call the girl over. “Sweetheart, stolen content this is Ming Ruixue, my good friend. She said she’ll seriously consider your job situation.”

Good one, Tan Rui. Selling me out without blinking.

Tian Xinya hadn’t fully recovered from her daze, staring with wide eyes. After a few seconds, she dared to speak carefully: “Thank you, Sister Ming.”

Sister Ming… Ming Ruixue almost spat blood. Could this girl look a little less cute and a bit more professional?

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“Then when should I go find Sister Ming?”

“That…” Before Ming Ruixue could react, the girl “whoosh”—plopped down right next to her. “Sister Ming, I have so many talents! Besides directing, I can dance. I’ve studied ballroom since I was a kid. I’ll dance for you!”

Ming Ruixue was about to say no, but the girl already took her stance. Slender waist, long legs—her twisting was actually quite good. After the dance, she even wanted to do a rap. Ming Ruixue couldn’t take it and quickly called a halt: “Fine, fine, that’s enough.”

Tian Xinya was panting from the effort, blinking her eyes. “Sister Ming, when can I go for an interview?”

Tan Rui was also looking on expectantly. Ming Ruixue found it hard to refuse; since success or failure depended on the girl herself, she’d just provide the opportunity.

“Day after tomorrow. But you have to change that hairstyle.” Ming Ruixue hardened her heart and gulped down several mouthfuls of liquor. She felt like she had just packed a “time bomb” into her bag.

Ming Ruixue glanced at the girl. She had a heart-shaped face, was swaying her ​bailiantales.com​hips, and kept calling her “Sister, Sister.” It sounded awkward—not nearly as sweet as when Si Xia said it.

Coming back to her senses, Ming Ruixue shook her head. Why am I thinking about Si Xia again?

Tan Rui raised her glass to clink with her. “Thanks. I feel relieved knowing my girlfriend is working with you.”

Ming Ruixue dodged the glass. “Let’s be clear: once you two break up, she has to leave too.”

“Hey—” Before Tan Rui could speak, Ming Ruixue warned again, “Don’t stuff your girlfriends into my studio next time. This is the last time.”

Tan Rui smiled. “Got it. It’s just that Sweetheart’s major happens to fit.”

Ming Ruixue let out a cold laugh. “If she doesn’t work hard, she’ll be kicked out all the same.”

Tian Xinya quickly ripped off her wig, revealing a head of obedient black hair. “Sister Ming, I promise to work hard.”

Ming Ruixue: “…”

Tan Rui leaned in close to Ming Ruixue’s ear. “Don’t look at her rebellious exterior; she’s actually very obedient, especially in…”

The rest of the words weren’t spoken, but the meaning was understood. It was the Alpha’s vice to discuss their business with Omegas. Since Ming Ruixue and Tan Rui were close, their conversation was even more explicit.

Ming Ruixue listened without saying a word. Tan Rui took a sip of wine and continued, “I couldn’t help myself yesterday and bit her. I spent the whole day read the original at bailiantales.com coaxing her and couldn’t fix it. I had no choice but to say I’d introduce her to your studio before she forgave me.”

Ming Ruixue swallowed a mouthful of strong liquor. It burned from her throat into her heart, causing her to cough violently.

So, Si Xia is also angry with me.

Ming Ruixue’s booth was in the second-floor VIP open-air area, offering a view of the entire bar with excellent privacy. But what Ming Ruixue didn’t know was that in the booth opposite, someone had already spotted her.

Si Xia downed a glass of fruit wine, venting to her friend, Wanwan, about her recent encounters—omitting only the “absurdity” of the previous night.

Si Xia’s mind was a mess. She had slept with Ming Ruixue when they had no real relationship, not even getting a title as a girlfriend out of it. She just… slept with her. Thinking that Ming Ruixue only did it to save her, Si Xia felt so miserable she downed another drink.

Why was it that while she was so conflicted, Ming Ruixue could be flirting with a girl in a bar?

Wanwan took her glass away. “Stop drinking. You’ll be drunk in a bit.”

Si Xia pointed her finger at the girl opposite, saying indignantly, “Wanwan, do you think that girl is as pretty as me? Her dancing is just average.”

Wanwan looked in the direction Si Xia was pointing and realized it was Ming Ruixue. “Isn’t that your romance CP?”

Si Xia snorted. “Is not! She’s just a piece of grass that bites!”

“What?” Wanwan steadied her. “You’re really ​unauthorized copy​drunk. What are you talking about?”

“I’m not drunk.” Si Xia threw an arm around Wanwan’s shoulder. “Come on, accompany me to go demand justice!”

Wanwan was led by Si Xia toward the opposite booth. “Wait a minute, explain it clearly first. What justice?” Wanwan was still confused, not knowing what had happened to warrant such a serious phrase.

Si Xia sniffled. “Wanwan, look, I can’t even walk straight, and my legs still hurt.”

Wanwan: “Yeah, but didn’t you say you tripped?”

“No!” Si Xia wiped away a tear, the alcohol hitting her. “It’s Ming Ruixue who slept with me, then she wouldn’t own up to it and ran to a bar to find other Omegas, wuwuwu…”

“WHAT?!” Wanwan felt like she’d just learned a massive secret. “You just went on a show, how did you get…?”

How could she?! As a champion of justice and Si Xia’s best friend, Wanwan absolutely would not allow her friend to be bullied!

Wanwan grabbed Si Xia’s wrist, looking aggressive. “Come on, let’s go settle the score!”

“Mhm.” Si Xia followed hazily behind Wanwan. Her legs hurt and she couldn’t walk steadily. “Walk slower!”

In the noisy bar, the VIP booth was actually quite quiet, with only an Omega girl singing a soothing song.

Wanwan let out a cold laugh, kicking the stool in front of Ming Ruixue. “I heard you ‘unspoken-ruled’ my friend last night? And even bit her?”

Si Xia poked her head out from behind. “Yes! It was her!”

Ming Ruixue looked at the stranger in front of her and the intoxicated Si Xia. “…”

Tan Rui was dumbfounded. “?” What’s going on?

Tan Rui saw the powerful aura of the newcomer; she didn’t seem like someone looking for trouble for no reason. “What did you do to her?”

Ming Ruixue ignored Tan Rui, standing up to explain to Wanwan, “There must be a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?” Wanwan helped Si Xia lie down on the sofa. “What misunderstanding? Look at her, she can’t even walk! She even lied to me saying she tripped. It wasn’t until she drank too much just now and let it slip that I found out! What exactly did you do to her?!”

Ming Ruixue’s reputation had never been good, so Wanwan was terrified that Si Xia had been taken advantage of. After all, Ming Ruixue slept with her last night and found another Omega today. Is there not a single devoted Alpha in this world?

Several pairs of eyes stared at Ming Ruixue. Tan Rui asked Tian Xinya to step out, telling her not to say anything.

Ming Ruixue hadn’t expected Si Xia to blurt things out while drunk. She had wanted to talk properly with her, but since it was out in the open, Ming Ruixue didn’t hide. she admitted, “We did indeed have an encounter last night, but there was a reason.”

Wanwan’s anger flared. “So it’s true!”

Tan Rui’s mouth was open wide enough to fit an egg. “This is the first time you’ve admitted to being with an Omega.”

Ming Ruixue briefly explained the situation of that night. In short, it was to help Si Xia. Wanwan then turned her fury toward Bei Chuanchuan, cursing out eighteen generations of her ancestors.

“But… for Si Xia’s reputation…” Wanwan began.

Ming Ruixue cut in, “I will take responsibility for Si Xia.”

Wanwan looked toward the exit. “Then that girl just now was…?”

Tan Rui: “That was my girlfriend.”

“I see, that’s great then!” Wanwan handed the drunken Si Xia over to Ming Ruixue. “Last night was her first time, so her emotions are inevitably a bit out of control. You have to be patient with her.”

Si Xia, half-awake and nestled in Ming Ruixue’s arms, smelled the catnip and couldn’t resist taking a bite.

Ming Ruixue felt a sting in her chin. She’s really determined to get that bite back, isn’t she?

Wanwan let out an “Uh.” “Be patient, be patient.”

This was the first time Wanwan had seen Si Xia so out of control. It seemed she actually had quite a good impression of Ming Ruixue; otherwise, she wouldn’t have come out to drink despite her leg pain and been so upset about Ming Ruixue finding another Omega.

Wanwan: “Teacher Ming, do you have Si Xia’s contact information?”

Ming Ruixue was silent.

Wanwan understood immediately, took Si Xia’s phone, exchanged WeChat contacts, added a contact note for Ming Ruixue in Si Xia’s phone, and then made a graceful exit.

By the time Ming Ruixue saved the contact, the person was already gone. “Take Si Xia back before you leave…!”

“She’s already long gone,” Tan Rui said with a long drawl. “Si Xia is so heartbroken over you. Aren’t you going to stay with her tonight?”

Ming Ruixue looked at the drunken Omega in her arms. “…I will.”