Diva Alpha Meets Her Biological Daughter on a Parenting Variety Show - Chapter 2

Below the riverbank bushes, the sound of gurgling water played a soft melody. In the distance, the surface of the water sparkled with points of light, echoing the floor lamps lining the wooden walkway.

Ning Xueqing curled her lips into a smile and let out a soft hum as she stretched. She was wearing a royal blue gown with a thin silver chain around her waist. Her long hair brushed her shoulders from time to time, and the soft glow of the floor lamps illuminated her porcelain-white calves.

The floating walkway connected to the embankment slope where Ming Nuo stood in the shade of the trees. As the distance between them closed, the scent of lime and mint from Ning Xueqing became increasingly prominent.

Ming Nuo was certain this was the pheromone concentration unique to an Omega’s heat cycle, though the amount being released was small.

She looked at Ning Xueqing with a mix of complex emotions, a hint of worry flickering in her eyes. Negative news about Ning Xueqing had just broken; why was she sitting outdoors alone at night while in heat? Was she in some kind of trouble?

By law, no one is allowed to release pheromones in public. If one is in an “Interaction Period” (for Alphas) or a “Heat Cycle” (for Omegas), they must manage their state privately. If a pheromone leak occurs, protection must be applied immediately; in severe cases, medical attention is required.

Normally, Alpha and Omega pheromones are very faint—standard body scents that only become detectable when standing very close. They don’t affect others. Pheromones only spike in concentration for two or three days a month, and this is usually manageable with oral medication or scent-blocking patches, allowing one to go about daily life and work.

As for the “heavenly fire meeting earthly lightning” scenarios—where one becomes so intoxicated they lose track of the world—that only happens when highly compatible Alphas and Omegas are both in their “need” periods, exchange pheromones at close range, and activate their scent glands.

Therefore, people do not release pheromones casually unless they have “specific intentions.” Otherwise, it could mean they’ve been affected by prohibited substances, causing an involuntary leak…

At this thought, Ming Nuo’s heart tightened. She nervously observed Ning Xueqing, who was currently stretching her neck, trying to discern her state. Ming Nuo wondered how to respond with the most propriety without overstepping.

The Omega fragrance in her nose grew stronger. Ming Nuo felt the skin behind her ears begin to burn. She used her fingernails to pinch several small crescent shapes into the skin there, using the sting of pain to suppress the agitation behind her ears.

According to her calendar, her Interaction Period wasn’t due for a few days. She had specifically scheduled the concert for today so she could rest at home afterward. Now, thanks to a certain someone, her physiological cycle—which had been punctual for seven or eight years—was arriving early for the first time.

While one person was nervous, the other was perfectly at ease.

On the wooden walkway surrounded by flowers, Ning Xueqing slowly stood up. With a few light steps, she reached the railing and looked up at the embankment.

“I recognized you the moment you walked under the streetlamp,” she said, tilting her head slightly. Her slender fingers brushed back the long hair scattered by the wind, and a highlight gleamed off the bridge of her exquisite nose. “Come down.”

The moment Ning Xueqing looked up and smiled, it was as if a brilliant burst of springtime light filled Ming Nuo’s vision.

They rarely met, but due to commercial collaborations, they saw each other at least twice a year. The entertainment industry was full of beauties, and Ming Nuo had seen it all, but every time she saw Ning Xueqing, she felt a raw, youthful throb in her heart.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing that Ming Nuo hadn’t moved, Ning Xueqing thought she hadn’t been recognized. She smiled, formed a “C” shape with her hand, and held it high. “It’s me.”

In the shadows of the trees, Ming Nuo couldn’t help but chuckle.

C. Vitamin C. Drink more lemon water to supplement Vit-C; it’s good for anti-aging and your health.

Ning Xueqing loved lemon water. Years ago, when they worked on a film set together, Ning Xueqing had recommended lemon water to Ming Nuo using that exact phrase. Later, during their occasional meetings, if Ning Xueqing saw Ming Nuo had dark circles from staying up late, she would flash a “C” sign across a wide stage to remind her to drink water and rest.

It had seemingly become a secret signal between them.

Ming Nuo’s gaze turned tender. “I know it’s you, Sister Xueqing.”

Her shadow fell across the lawn. At the foot of the slope, the river gurgled, and the person leaning against the railing smiled elegantly.

Ning Xueqing lowered her “C” hand and waved Ming Nuo over.

Ming Nuo still didn’t move, her steady voice drifting down with the night wind: “It seems… inconvenient right now. Is there anything I can help you with, Sister?”

“Inconvenient?” Ning Xueqing repeated with confusion, seemingly completely unbothered by the trace of leaked pheromones. She acted as if she had no self-awareness; as a Level 1 Omega, even an unintentional leak was incredibly potent to an Alpha…

Ning Xueqing blinked her vivid, watery eyes and looked down. The combination of lamplight and moonlight carved out the beautiful profile of her face. She reached into her bag on the table, pulled out a package with two fingers, tore it open, and took out two transparent scent-blocking patches. She calmly applied them to both sides of her neck behind her ears.

“I’m sorry. I took my suppressants but got lazy and didn’t apply the patches. Usually, the meds are enough, but I accidentally had a few too many drinks tonight, and the effectiveness weakened a lot.”

She spoke softly, her slender fingers sliding slowly down the curve of her neck, brushing past her full chest. Every movement exuded a lazy, effortless charm.

Ning Xueqing looked back and smiled at Ming Nuo, reaching out a hand. “Come down and sit for a bit?”

Ming Nuo gazed at her soft smile under the moonlight and felt that the unremarkable riverbank had suddenly become poetic. The air smelled of mist and grass; the sweet lime-mint scent of the Omega had completely dissipated. Ming Nuo touched her own ear; the burning sensation had faded.

Realizing the pheromone expansion was just a minor accident and there was no danger, Ming Nuo finally felt at ease.

“Wait a moment,” she replied. She found the stone steps leading down to the walkway and took a short detour to reach Ning Xueqing’s position.

Ning Xueqing pushed a folding chair toward her. Ming Nuo pulled the chair outward, leaving a proper distance between them. After all, Ning Xueqing was now a mother, and Ming Nuo was an Alpha; she should maintain a polite social distance.

Something on the table reflected a tiny glint of light. Ming Nuo turned to look—it was a glass bottle. She picked it up and saw the label. “The alcohol content is quite high.”

This kind of wine was often used by couples to “enhance the mood.” Since Ning Xueqing remembered to take suppressants and carried patches, why was she drinking this outdoors?

Ming Nuo’s heart, which had just settled, hung in suspense again. “Sister Xueqing, are you alone?”

Ning Xueqing propped her elbows on the edge of the table, resting her chin in her hands, her eyes shimmering as she gazed at Ming Nuo. “Do you want me to be alone?”

She threw the question back.

Ming Nuo lowered her eyes and gently set the bottle down. If it were about her feelings and life, she selfishly hoped Ning Xueqing was alone. If it were about the current situation, she hoped Ning Xueqing had someone with her—at least to ensure her safety.

Ming Nuo answered, “It’s not safe to drink outside alone at night.”

Ning Xueqing paused in the middle of brushing her hair back and turned to look at a distant, lit outdoor bar. “Oh, right. I’ve been drinking.”

“Hmm?”

Ning Xueqing’s beautiful brows knitted slightly. “I drove here. I can’t drive back after drinking.”

This…

Ming Nuo pressed a hand to her forehead. Ning Xueqing’s occasional absent-mindedness in daily life hadn’t changed in all these years. Long ago on set, Ning Xueqing was incredibly focused and meticulous while acting, but she would commit the most unexpected blunders in life—like the time she had her sunglasses on top of her head and went around asking everyone if they had seen them.

Ning Xueqing hated trouble. When her assistant was around, her suitcase was organized; if not, she would just shove everything in haphazardly. Ming Nuo remembered a time when Ning Xueqing’s assistant was out with a high fever. Ning Xueqing hated unfamiliar assistants touching her private things, so she tried to pack herself. In the end, the suitcase wouldn’t close, and half her things were still piled on the bed.

What to do if it doesn’t fit? Ning Xueqing went around asking people in nearby rooms if they had an extra suitcase. When she asked Ming Nuo, Ming Nuo thought for a moment and said: “How about I see how much stuff is left first?”

After seeing Ning Xueqing’s room, Ming Nuo realized it wasn’t a matter of the suitcase being too small. With Ning Xueqing’s permission, she re-packed the bag, and everything fit perfectly in no time. Ning Xueqing’s smile was sweet, with tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth. She leaned over and put her hands on Ming Nuo’s shoulders from behind: “You have magic!”

To show her gratitude, Ning Xueqing had folded up Ming Nuo’s shirt sleeves, fold by fold, and pinned a cherry-shaped hair clip to her sleeve. She had looked up and smiled: “A gift for you. I bought a pair; they’re super cute. I have a little lemon one too.”

Ming Nuo had stared at the cherry, not daring to look up, but she knew Ning Xueqing’s smile must have been like the first sip of lime-mint soda in early summer—refreshing, sweet, and bubbling with joy.

Although their interactions weren’t frequent, Ming Nuo remembered every detail clearly. For a silent admirer, these were rare treasures to be gathered and cherished in her dreams.

Ming Nuo picked up the pitcher and poured half a cup of plain water into Ning Xueqing’s glass. Drinking water could help sober her up.

Ning Xueqing watched Ming Nuo, tilting her head, her eyes bright. “I rented a house for a vacation in the neighboring scenic area. It’s a ten-minute drive. Can you take me back?” She looked at the night around them. “It’s so dark.”

Ming Nuo also poured herself a glass of water. “I just drank as well. I can’t drive.”

A cold wind blew over the river. Ning Xueqing hugged her shoulders, her snowy-white arms showing between her fingers. Ming Nuo picked up the thin blanket from the back of the chair and handed it to her.

Ning Xueqing wrapped herself in the blanket. “A victory party?”

Ming Nuo thought of the awkward blind date Ming Yan had organized and felt a surge of inexplicable annoyance. “No, my mommy asked me to accompany her and her friends for dinner.”

Ning Xueqing nodded, her eyes curving. “Eating with family is nice. I thought you were going to a business social after your concert.”

Ming Nuo’s heart skipped a beat, a shimmer appearing in her eyes as she looked at her. “You knew I had a concert today?”

She had Ning Xueqing on her private WeChat and often posted updates visible only to her—work schedules, life snippets—but Ning Xueqing had never “liked” a single post. For ten years, it had been like this; Ming Nuo always assumed Ning Xueqing had blocked or muted her.

Ning Xueqing fished a ticket to Ming Nuo’s concert out of her bag. “I’m staying nearby. If there are good songs to hear, of course I’ll go.”

So Ning Xueqing did see her updates. She even praised her singing. A warm feeling filled Ming Nuo’s heart, like an orange-toned light glowing within.

“Since it’s nearby, do you mind if I take you back on a bicycle?” she asked.

“A bicycle?” Ning Xueqing was curious. “Do you bring a bike with you to concerts?”

Ming Nuo smiled brilliantly. “No, it’s provided by the hotel villa. There’s even a small boat at the private pier.”

Ning Xueqing stood up and leaned in slightly toward her, her earrings swaying between their faces. “Then you take me.”

From the moment Ning Xueqing’s face gradually enlarged before her eyes, to the stuttered “okay,” to pushing the bike onto the riverside greenway, Ming Nuo’s brain felt like it was on a colorful roller coaster. By the time she cleared her head, her heart rate spiked again the moment Ning Xueqing sat down behind her.

“I’m a little afraid of falling off.” Ning Xueqing loosely wrapped one arm around Ming Nuo’s waist, pinching a small corner of her clothes. “Is this okay?”

Ming Nuo gripped the handlebars and stepped on the pedals. “Okay. Ready to go?”

“Let’s go! Whoo—!”

The bicycle with the hotel logo rolled out from under the shade of the trees. The wind brushed past the streetlamps, fluttering their long hair. The moonlight was mellow, and Ning Xueqing’s light laughter echoed in the sound of the wind.

“You said… you drank too, and couldn’t drive.”

“Mm.”

The road ahead was a bit bumpy. Ning Xueqing tightened her grip, her chest pressing softly against Ming Nuo’s back. Her delicate lips came close to Ming Nuo’s collar. “So sweet… are you drinking cherry wine?”

That warm, moist breath teased her neck. The swelling heat that had just subsided returned with double the intensity. Ming Nuo let out a low, hot breath, a shiver running through her.

She cleared her throat, her suppressed voice barely steady: “Rum.”

Ning Xueqing let out a confused “Eh?”, her nose touching the strands of hair on Ming Nuo’s shoulder. “Then what is that cherry wine scent on you?”

The last time they had been in close contact, Ming Nuo hadn’t completed her differentiation. Perhaps Ning Xueqing still thought of her as that scentless little sister from before and didn’t know what she smelled like after differentiating.

But this wasn’t perfume. Could an Omega really fail to recognize an Alpha’s pheromones?

Ming Nuo lowered her gaze for a moment, her voice slightly husky. “It’s… the Interaction Period.”