MORIC - Chapter 21
Chapter 21: Watching the Show
Chi Yueshan's hopes for a fiery interaction with Wen Xinghuo at the award ceremony were completely dashed.
By the time of the group photo, Wen Xinghuo hadn't even glanced at her.
Chi Yueshan completely wilted.
The first-year Alpha, Ling Xun, stood beside Chi Yueshan. Perhaps because she had just enrolled and already placed in a major competition, she was exceptionally excited, and her pheromones were growing stronger and stronger.
Chi Yueshan silently shifted a little to the side.
She touched the back of her neck again. The suppressor patch there was shaped like a rose, and its effect was much better than her previous ones.
Otherwise, with her heat suddenly arriving early, she probably wouldn't have been able to stand at all.
As expected of the nobility, they have so many good things.
In the audience, Xi Zhoumeng had no interest in the senior student Wu Jianghe, even though many Omegas around her were discussing how his face was so handsome it looked artificially synthesized.
She was focused on the particularly petite Omega beside Wen Xinghuo.
The girl looked very frail, wearing a light purple dress. Even the ribbon in the braid hanging over her shoulder was purple.
Her makeup was very plain, and her face still had some baby fat, not at all looking the age of a typical enrolling Omega.
But Xi Zhoumeng had seen this girl more than once. Although the royal family had its own dedicated academy, it didn't mean they didn't interact with others.
This was one of the triplets, and she was particularly easy to recognize.
It wasn't as if no one discussed the triplets in private, wondering if they were fraternal or identical. Most people thought the eldest and second eldest were the true sisters, looking like they were copied and pasted. Only this one seemed completely out of place, like the innermost doll in a set of nesting dolls.
So, could she be Wen Xinghuo's person?
On stage, Wen Xinghuo's expression showed no abnormalities. She wasn't good at smiling, so she just stood there obediently, creating a stark contrast.
Especially since the Alphas on either side of her were the slender type, it made her style look completely different, like an interstellar bandit who robs money, steals liquor, and snatches women.
The royal princess standing next to her was probably afraid of this kind of occasion; if you looked closely, her hands were trembling.
This was, of course, captured by the cameras.
The people sitting around Xi Zhoumeng were all laughing.
"Senior Wen, really, she's just too big!! All you can say is that her strength is terrifying, but as for her figure and looks..."
"Oh, what's wrong with eating some coarse grains after getting used to delicacies? As long as an Alpha is valiant, that's all that matters!"
"Senior Wu Jianghe is as precious as pearls and jade. The Omega presenting his award was practically staring dumbfounded, hahahaha."
"That first-year female O, the one with the 100% match with Senior Xi. She's staring intently at Senior Wen, it's hilarious... What was the third-place winner's name again? She looks so helpless."
"I know that junior. Her Omega mother is a very famous musician, very well-bred. Aww, she looks so gentle."
"That's the first-year Ling Xun, right? The look on her face when she looks at Chi Yueshan is so funny, so weird! Why do I kinda ship it... This year's freshmen are so much fun."
"Don't pay too much attention to the special admission student. She's clearly a scheming lowlife from the Lower World trying to latch onto a rising star from our Upper World!"
Xi Zhoumeng was used to hearing such talk. After all, her world was also clearly stratified; there was nothing strange about it.
It was just that after Chi Yueshan arrived, the paper-thin character from the book had truly come to life. Moreover, she was Xi Zhoumeng's type, so it was inevitable that she found it a bit hard to listen to.
She glanced at the Alpha who had spoken.
The first-year student immediately sat up straight and whispered to the classmate beside her, "Did I disturb our senior?"
The student she spoke to glanced at the back of the figure in front and to the side. Even from behind, Xi Zhoumeng looked stern and inviolable. Despite her many flaws, at first glance, she still gave off an impression of perfection.
【System: Do you think it's this one?】
【Xi Zhoumeng: I don't know. Wen Xinghuo isn't showing any weaknesses. And among the triplets, this kid is the only one who looks sickly. Could she be a smokescreen?】
This useless system could usually only serve as a mascot, broadcasting the mood indices of people nearby, or some particularly boring data.
For example, what percentage of coffee was left in the coffee truck today.
The remaining electric shock function, in Xi Zhoumeng's eyes, was like a small gadget throwing a powerless tantrum.
She had nothing to fear, although the feeling of being electrocuted was very painful.
But in her original world, she had been in pain so many times that this kind of pain was occasionally a thrill.
It reminded her that she was still alive, except this time, being alive wasn't so boring.
Just finding something to do.
Xi Zhoumeng smiled, rising to her feet amidst the grand closing music, and walked slowly towards Wen Xinghuo.
The crowd was trickling out. Chi Yueshan took the opportunity to jog towards Wen Xinghuo as she got off the stage.
Ling Xun was an Alpha who had received a complete elite education, so unlike most people, she didn't look down on students from the Lower World.
She had originally wanted to say a few words to Chi Yueshan, and she was also very curious about what the Lower World was like.
Unfortunately, Chi Yueshan had no interest in her, nor did she show the enthusiasm that other Omega students had for Ling Xun. It was as if all her fiery emotions were reserved for Wen Xinghuo.
She ran off at full speed, like a happy puppy charging forward.
Ling Xun couldn't help but laugh out loud. "She's so fast."
She withdrew her hand and shook her head helplessly, her interest in Chi Yueshan growing a little more. She thought to herself: Why does she like Senior Wen so much? Is it just because she's the top Alpha in terms of overall strength?
The Alpha who won first place in the competition was talking to an Omega who had liked him for many years, and it seemed they were hitting it off.
Perhaps they had hit it off long ago. Wen Xinghuo withdrew her gaze and asked the Omega beside her, "Should I walk you back to your dorm?"
The other girl shook her head. "No need."
She was just too small, like a small, life-sized doll. Her purple eyes, a trait unique to the royal bloodline, gave people a feeling of being submerged when she looked at them.
Wen Xinghuo nodded. "Alright."
Just as her voice fell, a familiar voice cut in. "Wouldn't that be improper?"
Xi Zhoumeng's voice was like a freshly opened pot of honey, mixed with the clarity of a spring. "She is a princess, after all."
The president's uniform was very form-fitting, outlining her slender waist. The collar and cuffs had a classical elegance from centuries ago, yet it wasn't ostentatious, which only served to enhance the natural arrogance in her eyes when she looked up.
Chi Yueshan, who had just approached, stopped in her tracks.
She cursed inwardly, What a busybody.
Senior said she doesn't need an escort, so she doesn't! Why are you meddling so much!
When Wen Xinghuo saw Xi Zhoumeng arrive, she smiled. "Alright then."
She looked again at the Omega with her head lowered. She was clearly of the Empire's noble royal bloodline, yet she seemed to have no connection to nobility at all. At most, the special royal insignia on her chest looked magnificent.
Unfortunately, she couldn't carry such magnificence, only giving off an impression of empty helplessness.
"Is that okay?"
Wen Xinghuo lowered her head and asked again.
Before the other girl could speak, Xi Zhoumeng asked, "Do you know the Third Princess's name?"
Wen Xinghuo paused for a moment. "Sheng Yangkui."
Duan Daizhen had introduced her during the hosting earlier.
Wen Xinghuo's voice was naturally androgynous, even a bit deep, a side effect of a severe cold she had as a child.
It was the complete opposite of the clear, resonant voices popular among Alphas nowadays.
But her spiritual power was formidable, her grades were at the top of the charts, and her personality wasn't unlikable, so it actually became a plus point.
This was all something she had earned back step by step over the years.
To escape the derogatory label of a lowly illegitimate daughter.
Sheng Yangkui's faint "mhm" came after a long pause.
Xi Zhoumeng still hadn't memorized her face.
She didn't really like the sickly type. After all, she was sickly enough herself; finding another one like that would probably be a disaster.
Unfortunately, in her world, she had never dated a fiery girl who was like a little sun.
After all, that was a sub-era like a bubble; no one was positive or optimistic. Society was riddled with holes, and the chasm between rich and poor was enough to make countless people leap from high-rises.
Xi Zhoumeng had seen off many [friends], and had also tried to see herself off.
Life was utterly uninteresting. The gambler had become the master of the casino, and the desire to conquer had vanished completely.
In a sense, this place was another kind of challenge.
She wanted to know the final ending, wanted to know the secret Wen Xinghuo was carefully hiding, and even more, she wanted to know who had caused her to end up in such a sorry state.
And she really didn't want this little slob, Chi Yueshan, to die.
Xi Zhoumeng: "Then you should walk her back. You've worked hard today, get some rest."
She loosened her cuffs, the clasp making a crisp sound. The next moment, her gaze fell on Chi Yueshan, who was five steps away.
"Junior, did you come to get your clothes from me?"
Chi Yueshan: ...
Wen Xinghuo turned her head and saw Chi Yueshan's flushed face.
On stage earlier, she had only glanced at her, mainly because Chi Yueshan was exuding a "look at me, look at me" aura that was too obvious.
It made Wen Xinghuo feel a rare surge of rebelliousness.
This dress of Xi Zhoumeng's looked completely different on her, and that tattoo...
Even Wen Xinghuo, who was usually expressionless, was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. She awkwardly lowered her eyes, only to meet Sheng Yangkui's gaze.
The next second, the other girl quickly turned her face away, stirring up a faint scent of wisteria.
Wen Xinghuo was puzzled. "Shall we go now?"
Her voice was soft, as if afraid of startling the other girl.
In the future, even if people like them went to the battlefield, it would be for the glory of the Empire and the glory of the royal family.
Moreover, the next queen was among this year's freshmen; anyone could be a candidate.
Until the corner of her clothes was tugged, Wen Xinghuo still felt that Sheng Yangkui's chances were slim.
"Senior!"
Chi Yueshan shouted, but she wasn't calling for Xi Zhoumeng.
Xi Zhoumeng smiled and gestured towards Wen Xinghuo with her chin.
It was time for the crowd to disperse, and the surroundings were bustling. Many people looked over, their faces full of excitement, as if they were watching a real-life dramatic showdown.
Wen Xinghuo turned her head, and the princess who had tugged and then released her clothes also turned her head.
At this moment, however, Chi Yueshan suddenly became shy. She felt she was beginning to understand what it meant to feel timid the closer one gets to home.
She looked at Wen Xinghuo, her eyes full of expectation. "Did you forget about me?"
Xi Zhoumeng listened with great interest.
She was still observing Sheng Yangkui. She wasn't mentioned much in the book, was she? Feels like she was just part of the background description.
How could a royal have this kind of personality? The eldest and second eldest I met before were beyond arrogant, spending all day fishing for Alphas.
The third one looks timid and not in good health.
The queen the Empire needed was a perfect Omega. The golden veil was a symbol of royal authority. Even if it meant not bearing children and being lonely for a lifetime, it was still an honor.
At least, one had to have a lifetime.
Sheng Yangkui looked like she wouldn't live long.
Wen Xinghuo looked at Chi Yueshan blankly. "I remember. The first time we met was on registration day."
She seemed completely unable to understand why Chi Yueshan would say that. "Is something wrong?"
Chi Yueshan: "That's not it!"
She took a step forward, her voice choked with emotion. "Didn't we know each other when we were children?"
The hem of Xi Zhoumeng's altered dress was a bit long. The night wind lifted the intricate corners of the skirt, and the gold and silver threads on it seemed to come to life, like the girlish thoughts Chi Yueshan had stitched together over the years.
Wen Xinghuo frowned. "What?"
Chi Yueshan: "Your..."
She pointed from her forehead to the corner of her eye. "This scar here, it's from when you saved..."
Sheng Yangkui suddenly tugged Wen Xinghuo's hand. She didn't speak, just raised her eyes to look at Wen Xinghuo.
Wen Xinghuo: "You've got the wrong person."
Her expression was so serious that Chi Yueshan thought her own memory was mistaken.
"Excuse me, I have to escort the Princess back first."
The night breeze blew gently, carrying the post-event piano music. Chi Yueshan stared at Wen Xinghuo's back in disbelief.
How could that be?
But Wen Xinghuo's expression didn't look like an act.
Chi Yueshan lowered her head and bit her lip in embarrassment.
The next moment, a handkerchief was offered to her. The pattern on it was identical to the one on her tube top.
Xi Zhoumeng said, "What's there to cry about?"
Chi Yueshan snapped her head up. Her lips were covered in bite marks, and her glasses were fogged with moisture. She ripped them off fiercely.
She retorted rudely, "What are you so smug about! It's not like I got my heart broken!"
Xi Zhoumeng: "Of course you didn't get your heart broken. You were never in a relationship to begin with."
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