Free Web NovelChapter 31: What Shen Yu Left Behind
Chapter 31
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It was irritating how Alphas flung their pheromones as if they were the feathers of a peacock, not caring whether those pheromones could trigger an omega’s pressured heat.
Only loving the fact that they were above them.
Yet even so, Shen Mei had to swallow those thoughts beneath the perfect smile her father always spoke about. She stood among prideful Alphas who wanted nothing more than to see people like her on their knees before them.
It was all disgusting.
Sighing softly, she tightened her hold on the champagne glass. When she felt a light tap against her shoulder, she turned and saw Su Ran standing beside her with a warm smile, her dark eyes reflecting a mother’s worry.
"A-Mei... are you okay? You don’t look okay," she muttered, sighing softly. "If not for your irresponsible brother, you wouldn’t be here... but rather studying."
Shen Mei only smiled, lowering her gaze.
In some way... her mother was right. If Shen Yu hadn’t discarded the Shen name and worked side by side with Teahyun, Shen Mei wouldn’t be standing here.
As the youngest, galas like this never involved her.
But because Shen Yu... left, she was the only child remaining.
Even if she was an omega... someone from Shen Yong’s children had to show their face.
Even though Kim Teahyun was already here... in truth, he wasn’t actually Su Ran and Shen Yong’s child.
"Ah... you worry too much. I’m okay, and maybe Shen Yu is just busy," she said lightly, causing Su Ran to roll her eyes before turning to another omega in a red silky dress that made her fair skin appear even paler.
Wasn’t she Chairman Xu’s wife?
Shen Mei watched silently as they began talking. The soft music of the violins, the constant chatter... it was all so annoying.
She wanted to run away.
To run endlessly in the rain.
Her gaze drifted to the large window beside her. Rain hammered against the glass, yet no sound of it could be heard.
"You must like the rain... so much, Miss Shen."
A deep voice sounded behind her, causing Shen Mei to freeze as she tightened her grip on the champagne glass.
Ah... a dominant Alpha.
She could tell from his scent alone.
It had taken her a long time to finally feel at ease around Kim Teahyun, to speak to him freely without fear. Because the more power someone had, the more her omega instincts became anxious... and afraid.
Tempering herself with a polite smile, she turned toward him.
He had deep silver eyes, almost like molten copper, and a smile curved his lips, revealing a faint dimple.
"Yes... I do," Shen Mei replied.
As she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents beneath her glasses. The cheerful expression hid everything—how her heart clenched in pure fear.
The layers of gland patches concealed the lavender and chamomile pheromones that would have betrayed her.
At that, the man’s silver eyes widened slightly at her bright demeanor.
"Who are you...?" he asked slowly.
And what Shen Mei knew best when she was scared... was talking.
She talked so much that she forgot everything else, leaving the fear behind as she unconsciously imagined the Alpha before her as Shen Yu.
After a while, the Alpha bid her farewell and left. Soon after, Su Ran called for her.
Now, she sat silently in the car, watching the rain pour against the window.
Shen Mei couldn’t wait... to take off the clothes she was wearing.
The clothes that labeled her as an omega of the Shen family.
And simply become... Mei.
"Do you know who you were talking to at the gala?"
Shen Yong’s voice suddenly cut through her thoughts.
Shen Mei turned toward him, staring at her father’s face. There was a faint smile lingering there.
"I don’t... who is he, Father?" she asked.
Shen Yong chuckled softly.
"He’s Chairman Xu’s only son—the pride of the Xu family, Xu Tianlong."
He watched her silently, and Shen Mei frowned slightly under his gaze.
"As you know, the Xu family holds influence over several companies in Nanjing and even Shanghai. A relationship with them would strengthen our family’s power. We would be respected far more than we are now."
As Shen Yong spoke, Shen Mei froze.
Her eyes widened behind her glasses.
She understood.
More clearly than anyone.
She wasn’t a fool.
"I don’t think... Mr. Xu would be interested in someone like me, Father," she said, trying not to stammer as her hands tightened against her dress.
She felt Shen Yong’s hand rest on her shoulder, steadying her. He could see the panic clearly in the way her body trembled.
"I’m afraid... he is, Mei. And there’s nothing I can do," Shen Yong said softly. "With how powerful the Xu family is, refusing such an offer would be the highest form of disrespect."
Shen Mei bit her lip tightly.
One thing she knew was that if she married an Alpha, she wouldn’t be allowed to continue her studies. freewebnøvel.com
After all these years of hard work...
After all those sleepless nights...
Just to enter the medical field...
It would all disappear in an instant—because an Alpha simply found her interesting.
"Shen Mei... you must do this for us. Your brother has already disappointed us enough," Shen Yong said, his tone still soft as he pulled the trembling omega into his arms.
The difference between Shen Mei... and Shen Yu...
Was that Shen Yu could stand his ground.
He had grown past the phase of agreeing to everything their father demanded.
But Shen Mei... couldn’t.
Even when she hated something, her head would unconsciously nod in agreement.
Now, standing outside her apartment building as the rain poured heavily, she didn’t want to go inside.
The tears she had been holding finally streamed down her face.
Instead, she walked.
And walked.
Through the cold, rainy night.
Until she reached the street near Jade Lantern Café.
That was when she saw a familiar figure—short hair, baggy clothes, holding a white glossy plastic bag in one hand and a translucent umbrella in the other.
Without knowing why... Shen Mei called out.
"Luo Xin..."
