Staying Alive by Clinging to the Cold O CEO - Chapter 3

Ming Yufu’s expression remained untroubled, as calm as still water.

Old Madam Ming raised her eyebrows and complained, “You say that every time, yet I’ve never seen you bring a single Alpha home.”

Pretending to be exasperated, she smoothed her chest. “A Beta or an Omega would be fine too; I’m not against OO relationships. You… are you tired of this old woman? You won’t even go through the motions of humoring me?”

The two stared at each other for a long while until Ming Yufu finally took a half-step back. “Give me one year.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Ming Yufu felt a twinge of regret. She had no interest in romance; even after a year, it was impossible to conjure a lover out of thin air.

Old Madam Ming was finally satisfied. She knew Ming Yufu’s personality best—rigorous, serious, and a woman of her word. If she said one year, it would be within one year; not a single day over.

Having achieved her goal, and as if already seeing the scene of Ming Yufu bringing an Alpha home, the Old Madam’s expression instantly softened. She clapped her hands in relief and said, “Alright, Grandma has nothing else. I have distinguished guests waiting; we’ll talk more another day.”

Ming Yufu nodded. Being a woman of few words, she simply reminded the elder to take care of her health before maneuvering her wheelchair to turn and leave. After eight years, the wheelchair had become an extension of her body; she operated it as naturally as walking.

As she pushed open the door, her eyes fell upon the person standing outside.

Seemingly unsurprised to see her, the girl lowered her moist, slightly curved peach-blossom eyes. The lingering charm at the corners of her eyes made her seem extremely approachable. Her smile was so beautiful that it seemed no one who saw it could resist her proximity.

Even seeing someone she had met only once, the girl could offer such a warm and sincere smile. She must be very popular and well-liked.

Meng Li was entirely unaware of Ming Yufu’s thoughts. She was only regretting that if she’d known the other woman was seeing the Old Madam, she would have come along with her.

Since the setting wasn’t suitable for conversation, Meng Li and Ming Yufu locked eyes for a second before passing each other as Meng Li entered the room.

Old Madam Ming sat on the sofa facing the door, looking energetic and kind. Her eyes softened as they landed on Meng Li.

The engagement between the two families had originally been a verbal agreement between the elders. After the Old Madam recognized Meng Li, she found that Meng Li and Ming Shu happened to be an Alpha and an Omega—a match made in heaven—so the engagement became official.

But the two youngsters seemed to have strong objections. Ming Shu had complained to her countless times, and now even Li-er regretted it.

“Grandma,” Meng Li said. The original host always called her that.

Old Madam Ming especially loved Meng Li’s “sweet mouth.” At her age, she didn’t dare eat sugar, so she loved hearing words as sweet as honey. She said warmly, “Come, sit by Grandma’s side.”

Meng Li sat down next to her. Under the Old Madam’s urging, she took a sip of hot tea and then heard the question.

“Li-er, regarding the cancellation of the engagement… what are your thoughts? Weren’t you insistent on Little Shu before?”

Old Madam Ming was dignified and elegant. Though her eyes were slightly clouded with age, they remained sharp. When she looked at you directly, it felt like a sword that could expose the depths of one’s heart.

Meng Li focused her gaze on the thin porcelain teacup in her hands, choosing her words carefully. “I was too impulsive before. Besides, ‘twisted melon is not sweet’ (forced love doesn’t last). She doesn’t like me; it’s better to dissolve the engagement and give her peace and freedom.”

“You children… you’re so childish, each one more stubborn than the last.” Old Madam Ming sighed and said earnestly, “Feelings are cultivated slowly and managed with patience. Being so hasty, won’t you regret it later?”

Meng Li looked at her, placing her hand over the Old Madam’s. Her smile was warm and her voice certain. “No, Grandma. I’ve seriously considered all the consequences, and I’m willing to accept the result of breaking the engagement.”

Hearing her persistence, the Old Madam didn’t force the issue. “Alright, since you’ve decided, I won’t interfere. Even though the engagement is off, Grandma is still your Grandma. If you need anything, come to the Ming family, come to me. Grandma will back you up.”

Old Madam Ming had only recently reunited with the granddaughter of her long-deceased old friend. Pained by how much the girl had suffered, her affection for her far exceeded that for her own two biological granddaughters.

Meng Li felt a warmth in her heart and replied appropriately, “Okay, thank you, Grandma.”

In the original plot, the Old Madam had said similar things, but the original host had betrayed that sincerity. Instead, she used the Old Madam’s backing to become even more lawless, harassing Ming Shu without restraint.

She chatted with the Old Madam for a while until she noticed the elder was getting tired, then rose to say goodbye.

After Meng Li left, Old Madam Ming sat on the sofa for a long time. When the tea was gone, the butler brewed a fresh cup and refilled it for her.

“Tell me, am I doing the right thing?” The Old Madam held the teacup without drinking, her mind heavy with thought. “I don’t understand the love lives of these young people, but if I don’t step in and watch Yufu remain alone for so many years, my heart feels uneasy.”

Everyone envied Ming Yufu’s supreme status as the Ming heir, but Old Madam Ming had watched this once-brilliant child turn into this iceberg—as cold and powerful as a machine, never showing joy or sorrow—after that tragedy occurred. Naturally, it was hard to bear.

The butler lightly pressed the creases of his sleeve and crossed his hands. “They have their own destinies. You have done your best; the rest depends on their own cause and effect.”

“True.” Old Madam Ming sighed, set down her teacup, and turned the jade ring on her finger. She never spent too much energy on things she couldn’t figure out; time always provided the solution to the problems that troubled her.

Just as the heaviest snow eventually melts under the sunlight.

“It’s stuffy in here. Accompany me for a walk.”

Meng Li’s only mission at the banquet was to see the Old Madam, but having done so, she wasn’t in a hurry to leave. She wandered through the back garden.

The flowers were beautiful, the grass was fragrant… if she could just happen upon her “life-saving straw” to absorb some life points, it would be perfect.

Perhaps heaven heard her call. On a small path by a secluded, hidden pond in the back garden, she saw Ming Yufu.

The pond shimmered, lotuses were in full bloom, and the Ophiopogon grass along the green belt was slender, like bent chives, with romantic bunches of small purple flowers blooming among the leaves. It was quiet and serene.

Ming Yufu’s back was to her. Meng Li couldn’t see her face, only the back of her head, which looked ascetic down to the very last strand of hair.

Her eyes lit up with joy. Just as she was about to step forward, a hypocritical and blatantly arrogant male voice reached her ears.

“President Ming, I advise you to think about it again.”

Meng Li retracted her foot. There’s someone else? She poked half her head out from behind a tree and scanned the scene.

A tall male Alpha was blocking Ming Yufu’s path. His eyes were filled with blunt, naked desire as they swept insolently over Ming Yufu’s face.

“No need. I’ve already given you my answer,” the woman replied mercilessly.

The man adjusted the gemstone cufflinks on his sleeves and took two steps forward, his tone suggestive. “President Ming, I’m truly considering your best interests. The situation for a disabled Omega is difficult; I can’t bear to see you end up in a helpless dead end. Are you really unwilling to give it a try with me? I would take good care of you and help you deal with those annoying parasites in your family.”

Ming Yufu glanced at him and gave a light sneer. “A difficult situation? It seems that taking care of me and managing the Ming family business is quite a grievance for you.”

If all Alphas in the world were as stupid and arrogant as the man before her, she didn’t understand why her grandmother insisted on her getting married.

The man smiled. “President Ming, you’ve misunderstood me. Being able to marry you is my honor. Moreover, I am a high-quality Alpha with a wealthy background. I think we would get along very well.”

The man had been a playboy in the past, mingling with beautiful Omegas all day and having no fewer than ten lovers. But he knew how to prioritize; romance was romance, but marriage required a partner of equal social standing. Although marrying into the Ming family was a step up for him, Ming Yufu was, after all, an Omega with difficulty walking. If they truly married, facing Ming Yufu’s frost-cold face would still be a bit of a “sacrifice” on his part.

Ming Yufu frowned. Facing his feigned ignorance, she gradually lost her patience. “The Ming family does not involve itself in the entertainment industry.”

Li Zilong was stunned. “I know that.”

Ming Yufu said calmly, “Since you know that, you should be clear that using your acting skills here is a waste.”

Li Zilong realized that Ming Yufu was different from the submissive lovers he had dated in the past. She was intelligent and cold; she felt no gratitude and had long since seen through the traps in his words.

He couldn’t help but lose his temper. “Am I wrong? Who would want to marry a cripple Omega who can’t even stand up?”

No one wants to marry a disabled Omega, but many shameless Alphas covet an Omega with money, power, and influence.

Meng Li couldn’t listen anymore. She stepped forward in a few strides, blocking the space in front of Ming Yufu’s wheelchair, shielding her from the man’s disgusting gaze. “Nonsense. I would.”

Li Zilong’s expression changed slightly. There is a subtle magnetic field between Alphas. Even without pheromones leaking out, he could feel the pressure coming from a high-level Alpha.

Undoubtedly, the Alpha before him was of a higher rank. Not only that, she had ruby lips and snowy skin, looking younger and more outstanding than him.

His bravado was like a balloon pricked by a needle, deflating significantly. He couldn’t even bring himself to brag about his proud earth-scented pheromones. He forced his back straight and asked, “What is your relationship with President Ming?”

He couldn’t be blamed for overthinking; the Band-Aid on Ming Yufu’s face clearly wasn’t her style—it looked like something the Alpha next to her had prepared.

Meng Li saw at a glance that he had the wrong idea, but she didn’t correct him. When dealing with this kind of thick-skinned “doghide plaster,” the original leads of the book had already provided the perfect demonstration: pretending to be a couple.

Faking a relationship can repel 99% of people with ill intentions—except for the 1% of dark, obsessive sycophants like the original host.

Meng Li quirked an eyebrow and crossed her arms, her aura gallant. “It’s exactly the kind of relationship you think it is.”

Li Zilong gritted his teeth, refusing to give up. “I don’t believe it. President Ming has never admitted to being in a relationship in public.”

Of course not, Meng Li agreed silently. She’s a career-driven female lead focused on building her business empire; she’s never dated, so of course she hasn’t gone public.

Meng Li improvised, “Because we’re in a secret relationship and haven’t planned on going public yet.”

After saying that, she glanced at Ming Yufu’s expression. The woman’s face was flawless. Besides her mature and cold beauty, there were no extra emotions, making her thoughts impossible to guess.

Li Zilong looked at Ming Yufu unwillingly. Even if he couldn’t give her the love of a husband, he was willing to treat her well for the sake of money and power. The more he thought about it, the more he felt the Ming corporation should be his, and he was unwilling to let go. He looked at Ming Yufu. “Is that so?”

Before Meng Li appeared, through precise mental analysis, Ming Yufu had listed several ways to get rid of the man—power, money, status, and so on.

She had never considered the method of someone stepping out, standing in front of her, and protecting her.

Did she really consider me a friend? Even after she had bluntly implied they were even and owed each other nothing?

The gloom in Ming Yufu’s eyes broke like ice, turning into a flicker of thought, which then formed invisible ripples. She blinked, and all emotion vanished.

Cooperating with the girl was as good a way as any to get rid of the man. It cost her nothing.

Ming Yufu looked coldly at Li Zilong. “Indeed.” It was a confirmation of Meng Li’s words.

Li Zilong collapsed into a murmur. “Impossible… impossible…”

With Ming Yufu on her side, Meng Li felt emboldened. She huffed and began reciting the book’s descriptions of Ming Yufu, her words becoming more fluent as she went. “Why is it impossible? Our President Ming is the heir to the number one wealthy family, not only a kind philanthropist but also a medical genius in the ABO field… a ‘Favored Child of Heaven’ Omega, and a perfect match for me.”

Giving Li Zilong a meaningful look, the disdain in Meng Li’s eyes was obvious. “As for you, you can’t even compare to President Ming’s… to my baby’s pinky finger. If you harass her again, I’ll let you experience the taste of a high-level Alpha’s pheromones for free.”

When an Alpha smells another Alpha’s pheromones, there is only suppression and pain.

Li Zilong didn’t have the courage to confront an Alpha stronger than himself. He staggered back dejectedly, turned, and walked a few steps. Before Meng Li could breathe a sigh of relief, he turned back. “Wait, how do I know you’re not just teaming up to lie to me?”

“Unless you prove to me that you’re a couple.”

If Ming Yufu hadn’t been present—since she couldn’t stand the smell of Alpha pheromones—Meng Li would have first shown him how domineering the power of a high-level Alpha’s pheromones could be.

But with Ming Yufu there, Meng Li could only use gentle means.

Taking a breath, she grabbed Ming Yufu’s hand as it rested on the wheelchair, interlacing their fingers.

Ming Yufu glanced sideways. The girl’s hand was warm, her fingers straight, with knuckles that showed almost no wrinkles. The faint blue veins on the back of her hand were visible as she covered Ming Yufu’s snowy-white hand reassuringly.

It was an unfamiliar feeling—a strange sense of security.

The temperature rose where they were intimately pressed together; the friction of their skin felt as if it were penetrating through clean textures, carving a tingling heat and itch into her heart.

“Holding hands isn’t enough?”

Meng Li looked at Li Zilong’s ugly expression, her tone impatient. “Do you want to stay and watch us share a passionate kiss?”