MORIC - Chapter 100
Chapter 100: Even the Young Miss Watches Movies
Xi Mingguang didn't speak for a long time.
She was away from home year-round. Her first marriage had been a partnership born of crisis, but in the eyes of others, she was simply a passionate and romantic youth who had quickly found a new Omega after her first one died.
Xi Li and Xi Chun were both aware of their origins, and they knew it was nothing more than a transaction between adults.
But this didn't stop Xi Mingguang from feeling guilty towards her two daughters, Xi Yang and Xi Zhoumeng.
Every time she returned from her expedition rotations, she would bring many gifts for Xi Yang and Xi Zhoumeng.
Xi Yang was very talkative. Xi Zhoumeng had poor health as a child, and Chu Jing had developed a chronic illness after giving birth to her, so she was in the hospital almost year-round.
As a result, Xi Zhoumeng's temper wasn't that good.
Even though the atmosphere in the Xi family seemed good to outsiders, Xi Mingguang still didn't understand her children.
Xi Yang would say what she liked; Xi Zhoumeng wouldn't.
Although she loved to squander money and extravagance was a common occurrence for her, it all seemed to be on a whim and couldn't be considered her actual preferences.
Expensive things were just a habit.
Xi Mingguang had even less time alone with Xi Zhoumeng.
She still remembered Xi Li's anxiety that year when he told her his younger sister's differentiation had gone wrong.
When Xi Mingguang returned, Xi Zhoumeng seemed to have accepted her deformed body. She was lying on a lounge chair in the garden, completely calm and composed, nothing like the chaos Xi Li had described.
She even asked Xi Mingguang with a serious air, "Why do you have time to come back and see me?"
Xi Mingguang felt even more ashamed.
She tried asking colleagues with children around Xi Zhoumeng's age what little girls of that age liked.
The other person rattled off suggestions with ease, finally adding, "Oh, my daughter just buys whatever your Zhoumeng buys. What are you worried about?"
Throughout Xi Mingguang's long expeditionary career, Xi Zhoumeng, even while being raised with a hands-off approach, had grown into a one-of-a-kind Omega.
Faced with others' praise, Xi Mingguang felt even more mortified.
And it wasn't just her; Chu Jing also felt helpless when it came to Xi Zhoumeng.
It was hard to tell what Xi Zhoumeng liked. She could decisively choose the most expensive gemstone, but that didn't mean she actually liked that particular stone.
Let alone companionship and protection.
At this moment, Xi Zhoumeng lowered her head to take off her gloves. Chi Yueshan had been terribly annoyed and insisted she not let anyone see the bite mark on her finger, but even the softest silk sticking to the wound was uncomfortable.
The impatience on her face was particularly obvious, yet it was mixed with a hint of helpless indulgence.
This, along with the glaringly obvious teeth marks, registered in Xi Mingguang's eyes. It was as if her little child had grown up in an instant.
Even love had arrived, fluttering down like falling leaves and butterflies.
Seeing that Xi Mingguang wasn't speaking, Xi Zhoumeng turned to leave again.
The next moment, Xi Mingguang asked, "If there wasn't a 100% match, would you still like her?"
This question didn't seem like something a traditional Alpha in this world's view would ask.
Just like how Xi Li would never question match results and firmly believed that love and pheromone attraction were the same thing.
Xi Zhoumeng didn't change the subject as Xi Mingguang had expected. She nodded readily, "Of course."
"She suits my tastes in every way."
Xi Mingguang hummed in acknowledgment.
She really didn't have much of a parental air; in Xi Zhoumeng's impression, she was just a dull, middle-aged female Alpha.
On the rare occasions she came back, she would stand guard by Chu Jing's hospital room like a security guard, or she would buy a pile of toys completely unsuited for Xi Zhoumeng's age.
Even the diamonds she bought were the nouveau riche type, causing Xi Zhoumeng to take a huge loss when she resold them.
"By the way, Mother, do you know anyone from M-Galaxy?"
Xi Zhoumeng had been about to leave, but she turned and sauntered back. "In Mom's photo album, I saw your uniform from the Allied Forces period. It had gold buttons."
Xi Mingguang nodded. "They were gold."
She asked doubtfully, "Are you trying to buy a gold mine?"
Xi Zhoumeng rolled her eyes. "What would I do with a gold mine? Besides your cohort from that period, did any other allied forces have buttons like that?"
Xi Mingguang pulled up data about the Allied Forces on her light-brain. "That was the Allied Forces uniform from the last Zerg Tide."
Xi Zhoumeng nodded. "Chi Yueshan is looking for her Alpha mother. The gold button also has a symbol on it. I was wondering if you'd recognize it."
Xi Mingguang thought of Chi Yueshan's green eyes and didn't find it particularly strange.
There were plenty of people with colorful eyes in other galaxies; green was just most prevalent in M-Galaxy.
"Then let me see it later."
Xi Zhoumeng nodded. Xi Mingguang added, "By the way, mention it to Shen Yu. She and Lan Lan spent a relatively long time in M-Galaxy back then."
When Xi Zhoumeng returned, Lan Lan had just finished changing and came out.
Xi Yang was talking to Chu Jing about recent investments. Her topic had clearly shifted to Chi Yueshan, and she was even showing Chu Jing photos of Chi Yueshan's look from her last part-time job.
"Isn't it pretty? I think this kind of dress really suits Yueshan."
Chu Jing's gaze was very kind, so kind that Chi Yueshan wasn't quite used to it.
The warmth she had received growing up was limited, most of it coming from Zhou Fengqin, who had lived without any particular hopes, as if simply waiting for death's arrival.
Even though Zhou Fengqin and Chi Yueshan had relied on each other to survive, there were never any lively moments. At most, they would buy an extra roast chicken for holidays.
The Xi family, in contrast, had the lively atmosphere of a large household, and it didn't make Chi Yueshan feel inferior because of her background.
Xi Yang's eyes were sparkling; she might as well have pasted the words "money tree" on Chi Yueshan's forehead.
"Yueshan, those few dress sets sold very well, but the model's contract was a buyout. Next time you come over to your big sister's place, you can try on some others."
Xi Yang then said to Chu Jing, "Mom, can you help me persuade Zhoumeng? Xiao Wen and I want to create a sub-brand for intimate apparel, and she has the talent but refuses to help her own sister."
Chu Jing spent most of her time at the sanatorium doing her own research.
As an Omega who, in the public eye, had entered a second marriage with someone who had also been married before, Chu Jing was still the object of many people's envy.
Xi Mingguang had a high military rank, a solid family fortune, and was good-looking. Aside from being away year-round, which was equivalent to living as a widow, life couldn't be more comfortable.
If it weren't for her poor health, Chu Jing would have wanted to accompany the army.
Of course, Chu Jing knew Xi Zhoumeng's personality. She shook her head. "I can't persuade her."
Xi Yang let out a heavy "Aiya!" "That damn girl says she's not short on money. Am I short on money? I'm doing it for art!"
"Honestly, I asked her to be a model for me before. She refused. I asked her to be a designer in name only, she refused that too. To this day, all I have is that one signature collection, and I don't even know whose measurements they're for, and she won't let me sell it."
Xi Yang chattered on endlessly, her rapid-fire speech punctuated with "I'm so mad," making her seem more capable of breathing fire than the turkey on the table.
Chu Jing glanced at Chi Yueshan, who was speaking softly with Xi Chun, and said to Xi Yang, "You could ask Yueshan for help."
Xi Yang understood immediately. "Pillow talk, you mean?"
Chu Jing chuckled. "Just tell Zhoumeng to try making a set for Yueshan. She'll definitely agree."
Xi Yang recalled how she had practically begged on her knees for Xi Zhoumeng to do it before. The youngest was lawless; there was nothing in the world that could control her.
Now, a Chi Yueshan had appeared out of nowhere. She wondered if there was a chance.
Xi Yang called out to Chi Yueshan.
Chi Yueshan's scalp tingled under her gaze. "Third Sister, what is it?"
Xi Yang directly shared her light-brain screen. "Are these outfits pretty?"
Chi Yueshan had zero sensitivity to fashion and could only say things like "pretty," "so expensive," and "really beautiful."
But the style of these few sets was very special, not to mention the gold and silver threads that looked like they cost a fortune. There were also intricate patterns on the cuffs. Even in a pure white color scheme, one could still sense the exquisite and expensive craftsmanship.
Moreover, the one in the middle with the hollowed-out center looked very familiar.
Wait, the outfit I wore during my livestream had much less fabric than this.
It just looks a bit similar at first glance.
No, that's not right either. This dress blooms like a flower. That big spender from the 1v1 before had asked her to find a dress just like this.
Chi Yueshan was too poor and very stingy, and she certainly didn't want to spend money to buy it.
She had accepted the other party's donation but said she couldn't find it, and the person hadn't said anything more.
She stared for a long time before Xi Yang asked, "So? Do you want to try it on?"
"I suddenly feel that your measurements, Yueshan, should fit."
These few sets were practically the eternal number one of Xi Yang's brand's Muse collection.
Countless noble young ladies had wanted them but couldn't get them. Even high-quality replicas couldn't imitate the workmanship and embroidery.
After all, Xi Zhoumeng had made them by hand, and the thread was silk from the Bu'naer Galaxy, worth ten thousand gold per inch.
Xi Yang felt it would be a loss no matter what price she set. The sky-high cost was one thing, but her younger sister had made it by hand, and it wasn't even in her own size.
It was too mysterious.
Thinking about it now, that body shape didn't match an Alpha, nor did it match Xi Zhoumeng.
Instead, it matched Chi Yueshan...
Xi Yang asked, "Did you two know each other before?"
Chi Yueshan was a little dazed and subconsciously shook her head.
Just then, Xi Zhoumeng returned and asked Chi Yueshan, "What are you talking about?"
Xi Li suddenly shouted, "I won movie tickets in a group chat lottery!"
Xi Chun: "You're so boring. It's not like you can't afford them, why enter a lottery?"
Xi Li: "What do you know about being a 'Luck Emperor'? There are four tickets in total. Does anyone want them?"
Xi Chun: "I'd rather go home and play games."
After speaking, he looked at his Alpha. Wen Misen shook her head. "I have to go back and work overtime."
Xi Chun: "Third Sister, look, our Sister Wen is working so hard for your business."
Xi Yang: "Get lost, I have to work overtime too, okay?!"
Xi Li also deflated. "I think I have to work overtime too."
The only idle people at the table were the students and the middle-aged and elderly.
Xi Li: "What about you, Mom?"
Chu Jing: "Your mother said she's taking me to the observatory."
Xi Li looked at Xi Zhoumeng. Just as Xi Zhoumeng was about to refuse, she saw Chi Yueshan in her peripheral vision, cupping her face and staring into space, looking silly.
Are there movie theaters in the Lower World?
I heard it's very run-down there, the districts are stratified, there's no sunlight, and everything you see is gray and dusty.
Why is the Chi Yueshan who grew up in a gray and dusty world so cute?
"Give them to me."
Xi Zhoumeng said to Xi Li.
Xi Li went "Wow," then nudged Xi Chun with his elbow, signaling him to join in the teasing.
Xi Chun: "Oh, as I recall, Zhoumeng doesn't like crowded places."
Xi Zhoumeng: "Cut it out. I go to the theater."
Xi Li: "Sent them to you."
After speaking, she turned to Shen Yu. "Auntie Shen, you don't have to work overtime, right? Go see a movie with Auntie Lan. It's a fantasy romance set in a pre-differentiation world, starring a famous actor from our galaxy. I heard the previews were very exciting."
Shen Yu looked at Lan Lan. The Alpha, who had changed her clothes, had a normal expression.
Shen Yu: "Let's watch it."
Lan Lan glanced at Xi Li.
Xi Li: "Sigh, if you two don't watch it, no one will. We can't have Zhoumeng watch it twice, can we?"
Chi Yueshan came back to her senses just in time to hear Xi Zhoumeng say, "Give them to me."
She looked at the other girl. Xi Zhoumeng was checking the location. The time was ten o'clock tonight; it would be past midnight by the time it was over.
Chi Yueshan asked in a small voice, "You watch movies?"
Xi Zhoumeng popped a blueberry into her mouth. "I'm not blind."
Chi Yueshan: "It's just weird."
Xi Zhoumeng: "What's so weird about it?"
Chi Yueshan: "It just has this strange feeling of a princess condescending to watch a movie with a commoner."
She said this while puffing out her cheeks, making Xi Zhoumeng's heart itch. In the end, she managed to resist the urge to poke them.
She also lowered her voice and said to her, "I don't want to be a princess."
Chi Yueshan thought: It's not like you can become one just by wanting to. Besides, even if you're not a princess, you have a serious case of princess syndrome.
The real princess, Sheng Yangkui, isn't as extravagant as you.
Sigh, being royalty really isn't good at all. It's hard to get married, hard to date, and their living expenses are even less than the nobility's.
So tragic.
Xi Zhoumeng: "Give me your light-brain."
Chi Yueshan let out a sound of confusion.
Xi Zhoumeng: "To help you find your mom, so you'll stop comparing me to Wen Xinghuo all day."
She said smugly, "I'm ten thousand times better than her."
Chi Yueshan didn't have the heart to burst her bubble.
Ten thousand times better and still can't do it?
So annoying. Another month has passed, and my heat is coming again!
Before, I just thought it was a hassle. Now I even have a partner and I still have to endure it! Damn it!!
When the gathering was breaking up, Xi Yang affectionately pulled Chi Yueshan aside. "Anyway, since you're staying at our house for the winter break, come play at my company. How about the day after tomorrow? I'll arrange for someone to pick you up."
Xi Zhoumeng was talking to Shen Yu. Xi Yang lowered her voice, "Don't let Zhoumeng know."
Chi Yueshan: "I can't control that."
Even though Xi Zhoumeng was as lazy as if she had no bones, Chi Yueshan always felt that their 100% match was like a GPS, able to locate her anywhere.
This is such an invasion of privacy. When will it break? It's not like I'm going to cheat.
Xi Yang: "I'm afraid she'll get angry."
Chi Yueshan always felt that this bunch from the Xi family acted like meek grandchildren in front of Xi Zhoumeng. She said, "It couldn't have been made for an ex-girlfriend, right?"
Hearing that it was a collection handmade by Xi Zhoumeng, Chi Yueshan found it terrifying.
Is she crazy?
The laziest person in the world making handmade dresses. Just who in the world is worthy of such an effort from her!
Xi Yang, afraid she would ruin the two girls' relationship, quickly shook her head. Her attempt at reassurance was better than nothing: "Definitely not. How could someone like her find..."
"Chi Yueshan, come here."
Xi Zhoumeng called out from over there.
Chi Yueshan hurriedly turned her head. The dress she was currently wearing was one Xi Zhoumeng had bought for her.
This person had good taste; everything she picked was top-notch, which gave Chi Yueshan a kind of blind confidence.
As if she herself were also top-notch.
Shen Yu turned her head along with Xi Zhoumeng. She asked Xi Zhoumeng, "Settling down so young?"
Xi Zhoumeng watched Chi Yueshan trot over. "If Auntie Lan were an Omega, you definitely would have settled down even earlier than my age, wouldn't you?"
Shen Yu was retorted into silence and could only squeeze out a sentence after a long pause: "It's great to be young."
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