Chapter 12

Losing Control

Inside the room, the guests were still chatting and laughing.

An Jianqing pushed open the door with a smile.
“Mengxi’s here.”

“Sorry, I had something to take care of and came late. I’ll drink a glass as an apology.”
Qiu Mengxi’s lips curved into a smirk.

Despite her words, there wasn’t the slightest trace of guilt on her proud face.

Someone poured a glass of wine, handed it to her, and teased,
“Don’t tell me you broke up again?”

Qiu Mengxi downed the drink in one go, then looked straight at An Jianqing.
“Yeah — single again. Jianqing, it’s all your fault I broke up. You’ll have to make it up to me.”

The woman’s face, though wearing that careless and roguish expression, somehow carried an air of effortless charm.
If someone else had made such a look, it would have seemed greasy and cheap — but with her striking looks and natural grace, it only highlighted a mature, feminine allure.

An Jianqing smiled slightly — a polite answer, neither denying nor confirming anything.

“If that’s the case, you owe Jianqing quite a few girlfriends. Every time an Omega takes a liking to her, you swoop in and steal them away! Luckily Jianqing has such a good temper and never holds a grudge. Anyone else would probably hate you to death by now,” someone said with a laugh.

Her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.

Hearing that, Ning Xuechu’s gaze flickered between the two women, her suspicions growing stronger.

An Jianqing must have feelings for Qiu Mengxi — but since both of them were Alphas, they couldn’t have children together.

Otherwise, Ning Xuechu couldn’t imagine why An Jianqing would allow Qiu Mengxi to act so willfully and still tolerate her.

A dull, heavy frustration filled her chest — a restless anger that had nowhere to go.

She sat quietly in the corner, suppressing her emotions, unwilling to join in the lively chatter around her.

Among everyone present, Qiu Mengxi was the most dazzling — animated, talkative, and easygoing with all.

In contrast, the birthday girl, An Jianqing, was composed and reserved.

When An Jianqing noticed Ning Xuechu’s thin figure curled up pitifully in the corner, she got up and went over to sit beside her.
“Xuechu, are you bored?” she asked softly.

“No, you don’t have to worry about me, Sister. Go have fun with them,” Ning Xuechu replied obediently.

Seeing her so quiet and sensible despite looking lonely, An Jianqing’s heart softened.
“They just like to make noise, but they’re actually easy to get along with. I’ll take you over,” she said with a gentle smile.

Ning Xuechu shook her head, fear flickering in her eyes.
“I’m fine here, Sister.”

“Don’t be afraid. I’m right here — no one will dare bully you.”
An Jianqing’s voice was tender but firm, filled with a reassuring strength.

She reached out a hand, her expression warm and encouraging.

Ning Xuechu stared for a moment, dazed, then hesitated briefly before placing her hand in An Jianqing’s.

As their fingers intertwined, she tilted her head slightly — and from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the crowd.

She noticed Qiu Mengxi, lounging on the sofa with a wine glass in hand, suddenly tighten her grip. A fleeting flash of coldness passed through her eyes.

Ning Xuechu’s mood instantly brightened, and a small smile curved her lips.

She didn’t really understand why she was competing with a woman she barely knew — but she couldn’t stand the way An Jianqing spoiled and indulged that woman.

With a sweet smile, Ning Xuechu stood and slipped her arm around An Jianqing’s, leaning close as she said,
“Sister, I don’t drink… would it ruin the mood if I came along?”

They were standing so close it was almost a whisper between them.

The chill in Qiu Mengxi’s gaze deepened.

Noticing her distraction, someone nudged her playfully.
“Hey, it’s your turn to drink!”

“Jianqing.” Qiu Mengxi stood, holding a glass of wine as she walked toward them with a smile.
“I’m already getting tipsy, but they’re still punishing me with more. Why don’t you drink this one for me?”

“Sure.”
An Jianqing smiled and took the glass, downing it in one go.

Ning Xuechu’s earlier joy evaporated. Watching An Jianqing drink made her uneasy, so she tugged gently at her sleeve.
“Sister, drinking too much isn’t good for you. Please slow down,” she said softly.

“What would a child like you know? It’s Jianqing’s birthday — of course she should drink to her heart’s content!” someone joked loudly.

The others chimed in with laughter and agreement.

“What if she gets drunk?” Ning Xuechu murmured under her breath.

“If she gets drunk, she can just sleep here! We’re all Alphas anyway — what’s the big deal?” another replied, reeking of alcohol.

“Don’t worry, Xuechu,” An Jianqing said gently, then turned to the others.
“She’s someone very important to me — don’t you dare bully her.”

“Bully An Jianqing’s person? We wouldn’t dare!” the crowd whooped and teased.

Ning Xuechu’s face flushed scarlet as she lowered her head, unused to being the center of attention.

An Jianqing glanced at her, tightening her hold slightly.
In a voice only the two of them could hear, she whispered,
“Don’t be scared, Xuechu. They’re just playing around — they mean no harm.”

Ning Xuechu nodded meekly, shrinking back a little to hide behind An Jianqing like a shy bride.

She lowered her eyes, looking at their intertwined fingers. The warmth that seeped through her skin eased the dull ache in her heart.

“Jianqing,” Qiu Mengxi suddenly said, her tone playful yet sharp as her gaze swept over Ning Xuechu, “this little one isn’t actually your girlfriend, is she?”

Ning Xuechu felt the other woman’s hostility like a cold knife. She flinched and clung even closer to An Jianqing.

The others quieted instantly, turning curious eyes toward An Jianqing.

“Come on, Jianqing, you’ve been single for years! If you’ve finally found a young girlfriend, just admit it — we won’t tease you too badly.”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” An Jianqing replied with a calm smile.
“My relationship with Xuechu isn’t like that. We may not be related by blood, but we’re closer than family.”

That kind of answer was as good as saying nothing. Everyone could tell there was no point pressing further, so they dropped the subject and went back to drinking with her.

Ning Xuechu, who didn’t drink, was handed a glass of juice and told to sit aside.

She didn’t make a fuss, quietly sipping her drink while watching An Jianqing and the others downing alcohol.

From where no one else could see, she caught glimpses of Qiu Mengxi deliberately leaning closer to An Jianqing.

The two sat side by side, their bodies brushing often — and Qiu kept urging her to drink, sometimes even lifting the glass to her lips herself.

Each time they touched, Ning Xuechu’s mood soured further. She began drinking her juice one cup after another, as though it were wine.

What she didn’t tell An Jianqing was that she could drink — and her tolerance was actually quite good.

By the end of the night, everyone was drunk.
Some had already collapsed on the sofa, completely out cold.

Now only An Jianqing and Qiu Mengxi could barely stand — though judging by how unfocused their eyes were, they wouldn’t last much longer.

“Jianqing, they’re all useless! Got drunk so fast. Let’s keep drinking,” Qiu Mengxi slurred, swaying as she stood up to grab another bottle from the table.

But the bottle seemed to grow legs, sliding farther away every time she reached for it.
She stumbled after it and accidentally bumped into the corner of the table. The next second, she toppled to the floor — completely unconscious.

Ning Xuechu gave the bottle in her hand a little shake, then tossed it casually aside.

She walked over to the sofa, looked down at the woman whose eyes were half-lidded with drunken haze, and carefully helped her up, supporting her steadily as she walked out.

She placed An Jianqing gently into the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt.

When Ning Xuechu turned the key to start the car, the woman beside her suddenly unbuckled the belt and threw herself into her arms.

The drunk woman had no awareness — she moved entirely on instinct and intoxication, pressing Ning Xuechu back against the seat.

Ning Xuechu had to lean backward.

The small space felt suffocating with the two of them so close. She adjusted the seat, giving her legs more room to move.

But as she moved, so did the woman — instead of lying against her, she now ended up sitting squarely on Ning Xuechu’s lap.

Ning Xuechu lifted her eyes — the woman’s cheeks were flushed, her hazy gaze shimmering with soft light. Her lips, moist and red from wine, looked almost inviting — like a temptation impossible to ignore.

Ning Xuechu’s throat tightened. Her heartbeat quickened beyond her control.

She was an Alpha. How could she possibly feel her heart race for another Alpha?

She bit her lip, forcing herself to stay rational.

She reached out, holding An Jianqing’s shoulders, intending to move her back to the passenger seat.

But An Jianqing leaned into her, resting her head on Ning Xuechu’s shoulder, murmuring softly, “Mengxi… Mengxi…”

Those two syllables hit Ning Xuechu like a lightning strike.

Her eyes widened — a cold fury ignited deep inside her chest, spreading like wildfire.

She grabbed the woman by the shoulders, shouting hoarsely, “Look at me! Who am I?”

“…Mengxi…” The red lips parted again, speaking that same hated name.

The rage inside Ning Xuechu consumed everything, sweeping away the last of her composure.

Her eyes reddened as she stared hard at the woman sitting astride her, inching closer, desperate to make those dazed eyes see her — only her.

Their faces drew nearer, their breaths mingling — and in those hazy eyes, Ning Xuechu saw her own reflection.

She hadn’t drunk a drop, yet she suddenly felt dizzy — an intoxicating pull that made her want to kiss those soft, wine-sweet lips.

The distance between them vanished — almost. Just as their lips were about to touch, Ning Xuechu snapped out of it.

She jerked back sharply, breath unsteady, and touched her lips — faintly tinged with the scent of alcohol.

Quickly, she rolled down the window, letting the night air rush in to cool her feverish mind.

What was she doing?

Was she really about to kiss someone who was not only another Alpha… but also the woman who had taken over the Ning family’s fortune?

Her goal was to take that fortune back. She couldn’t afford to lose herself to this woman.

Taking a deep breath, Ning Xuechu calmed down and carefully moved An Jianqing back to the passenger seat.

“Xuechu… I’m cold…” the woman murmured, curling up slightly with her eyes still closed.

Hearing her own name spoken so softly made Ning Xuechu let out a quiet laugh — her eyes unconsciously filled with gentleness she didn’t even notice herself.

She closed the window, then took off her coat and draped it over An Jianqing.

Reaching out, she brushed aside the strands of hair falling across her face and looked at the peacefully sleeping beauty. Her fingers lingered, sliding down until they touched those soft, rosy lips.

“Sister,” she whispered, her tone light, almost teasing, “your lips are so soft… If you were a gentle, delicate Omega, I might actually fall for you.”

Her words faded quietly into the cool night air.