MORIC - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Who Has Such Peculiar Tastes

Xi Zhoumeng got into character very quickly. In just one night, Chi Yueshan could feel this person's terrifying skill.

Chi Yueshan, unwilling to be outdone, ultimately managed to keep up with Xi Zhoumeng's pace.

The script contained several scenes depicting Fu Xin and Qiu Mei's affair. For this kind of performance, they only needed to convey the essential information to the audience.

In previous film adaptations of this script, such scenes were typically treated as a major selling point.

Fu Xin walked to the foot of the bed, looking at her girlfriend who was lying there, watching her. Her girlfriend, who was now her stepmother.

This tacitly understood, fractured-yet-continuing relationship seemed to have become a special kind of perverse pleasure for them.

The descriptions in the novel alone were enough to give Chi Yueshan a headache.

It wasn't impossible to have some wild thoughts while reading it on her own, but the moment she had to act it out, any amorous interest instantly vanished.

Besides, they were both Omegas. How were they supposed to conjure surging tides of passion and towering waves of lust?

The temperature in the room was high, and Chi Yueshan's hands were also warm.

She bent over and placed a hand on Xi Zhoumeng's ankle. The other girl's skin was so fair that even in the dim light, it left a distinct impression.

Not to mention, it was slightly cool to the touch.

The temperature is so high, why is she still so cold?

Is there something wrong with her?

This malicious curse flashed through Chi Yueshan's mind subconsciously.

Her hand disappeared into the intricately embroidered skirt, sinking through layers of fabric like a receding tide.

The texture was a sharp contrast to the skin of her own fingertips.

A young lady like this... did she get everything she ever wanted growing up?

Even if we're both Omegas with inescapable fates, does she still have far more choices than I do?

Chi Yueshan didn't look at Xi Zhoumeng; after all, she was still in character.

In this bloody and frenzied story, the elements of love were impure, with self-interest fundamentally driving the plot forward.

Many fans online tried to deconstruct Fu Xin and Qiu Mei's relationship, only to conclude that the two were five years apart. The author never explained why the new Fu Xin looked so much like the original, or how she could assume her identity so flawlessly.

Perhaps it was due to superb plastic surgery, her outstanding acting skills, or perhaps she was a child of the Sheng family all along.

But these were all just theories.

The novel was far too short, with too many details worth mulling over. This very uncertainty, in turn, fueled its current popularity.

Xi Zhoumeng, however, was watching Chi Yueshan the entire time.

The System was chattering away in her mind, but she could just as easily ignore it.

This was a rare moment of enjoyment, the relaxing sensation of being caressed.

Not to mention, seeing the unconscious admiration and fascination in Chi Yueshan's expression gave her the distinct feeling that she was, of course, better than Wen Xinghuo.

【System: Wake up. Wen Xinghuo is the undisputed female lead.】

Xi Zhoumeng watched Chi Yueshan, her gaze fixed on the split ends of the girl's hair, which were especially obvious as they hung down.

She'll have to get a different hairstyle for the actual performance. This girl really has no aesthetic sense.

Her clothes, too. And her pants.

Chi Yueshan's hand continued to explore upward. She hesitated. I probably don't need to go any higher, right?

She subconsciously lifted her eyes, her gaze crashing right into Xi Zhoumeng's.

For a moment, Chi Yueshan forgot to breathe. Xi Zhoumeng's gaze seemed to carry a silent permission, giving her the feeling that she could do as she pleased.

Is this... how adults flirt?

In the story, Fu Xin and Qiu Mei had been partners and lovers for years. Even with the author's sparse descriptions, one could still sense how well-matched the two were in every aspect.

And they couldn't care less about any third party.

You could even call them soulmates—just not the pure and noble kind.

Chi Yueshan hesitated.

But Xi Zhoumeng lifted a leg and, while Chi Yueshan was still dazed, hooked her ankle, pulling her down. Caught off guard, Chi Yueshan tumbled on top of her.

She was somewhat bewildered. Xi Zhoumeng, however, cupped her face as if she were about to lean in for a kiss.

Chi Yueshan instinctively closed her eyes.

But the kiss never came. Xi Zhoumeng chuckled softly. "We don't have to kiss."

The AI played classical music, and the sound of the rain outside became its harmony. Chi Yueshan even felt the rain was heavy, pounding against her heart, igniting a prairie fire of anguish that, surprisingly, left her feeling a little regretful.

It shouldn't be this way.

Xi Zhoumeng wrapped an arm around Chi Yueshan's waist. The back of the sofa adjusted, reclining to a comfortable angle.

At a glance, it looked as if Chi Yueshan was buried in Xi Zhoumeng's embrace.

She asked mischievously, "If you'd like me to follow through with that kiss, I'm willing to make a sacrifice for the sake of art."

Xi Zhoumeng's voice carried a distinct, bewitching quality. At this proximity, her pheromones seemed to have an intoxicating effect. Chi Yueshan felt cold, yet strangely comfortable.

She didn't understand. Her eyelashes fluttered, seemingly beyond her control.

This reaction isn't right.

Xi Zhoumeng let out a soft "Huh?" and reached out to touch Chi Yueshan's forehead. "Don't tell me you have a fever?"

【System: It's because you're being too provocative.】

Xi Zhoumeng told it to shut up.

Chi Yueshan didn't feel much of anything. She struggled to get up but was held firmly by the waist, kept in Xi Zhoumeng's embrace.

"Let me go."

Her voice lacked its usual energy.

Xi Zhoumeng had the AI turn on the overhead lights. The room brightened considerably, and she saw Chi Yueshan's flushed face.

She simply stood up, lifting Chi Yueshan in her arms, and thought to herself that the girl looked quite tall but wasn't heavy at all.

"I'm not letting go. Allow me, your world's most beautiful stepmother, to take you to the school infirmary."

Xi Zhoumeng sighed, thinking what a hassle this was.

【System: You could just leave her. You're that lazy, after all.】

【System: And she's still your love rival.】

Xi Zhoumeng looked down. Chi Yueshan was still trying to push her away.

But it was futile.

Chi Yueshan could send an Alpha flying because she had an unusual constitution and was perhaps exceptionally healthy.

It was also because that particular Alpha was a good-for-nothing.

But aside from physical build, spiritual power was also crucial.

Spiritual power suppression between those of the same secondary gender was even more significant. How could a B-rank Omega possibly contend with an S-rank Omega?

Not to mention this S-rank Omega had a very Alpha-like physique.

The System suddenly felt that its mission might not be completed anytime soon.

The fragmented memories couldn't piece together the face of its host, leaving the System even more bewildered.

After all, this host was bizarre. Even though it could hear her innermost thoughts, it couldn't predict Xi Zhoumeng's next move.

Everything depended entirely on Xi Zhoumeng's whims. It seemed that as long as she wanted something, there was nothing she couldn't accomplish.

Including sleeping with this feverish Omega.

Good heavens! Even with its corrupted data, it still knew that these two were cannon fodder.

It was one thing to be short-lived cannon fodder, but for them to get involved with each other... Damn it all. Although for now, it didn't seem to be affecting the plot.

But it felt like many things had already changed.

Damn this data loss!

Chi Yueshan hadn't even realized she had a fever.

An Omega's immune system is weaker before and after their heat, so most would avoid strenuous exercise.

Xuan Ping had also advised her to get more rest, but Chi Yueshan wanted to earn points, so she accepted all kinds of tasks on the forums.

They were usually tasks like organizing books or lab equipment. What she wanted most was to be a cleaner in the mecha hangar, but unfortunately, the modern AIs were far more efficient, making her completely unnecessary.

If it weren't for some of the ancient books, she probably wouldn't even be needed for manual cataloging.

On top of that, there was today's downpour. Her umbrella was the type that let it pour outside and drizzle inside. Combined with the cold wind outdoors and the comfortable heating indoors...

The moment her mind relaxed, her body lost all its strength.

"I'm not going to the school infirmary."

Chi Yueshan struggled to open her eyes. The realization that she was being carried by Xi Zhoumeng filled her with even more shame.

Xi Zhoumeng couldn't be bothered to listen to her delirious talk. "It's not up to you. I'd rather you die from being too provocative than from a fever."

Chi Yueshan lacked the energy to curse her out, so she could only lift her eyes and complain weakly, "The fabric on your chest is scratchy."

Xi Zhoumeng glanced down. "You could always unbutton it."

Chi Yueshan: ...

So this is the Omega of my dreams. All that gentle, dignified, delicate, and cute stuff is a total sham.

She's basically a street punk!

An indoor AI robot draped a coat over Xi Zhoumeng's shoulders. Xi Zhoumeng then used her light-brain to summon a campus hovercar.

It was late, and most of the campus hovercars were in sleep mode. The few that remained were already occupied, available only for ride-sharing.

Xi Zhoumeng said, "My first time ever sharing a ride. I have you to thank for this."

Her voice dripped with displeasure. Chi Yueshan was just as annoyed, but the other girl's hand was resting on her leg, and the sensation made her feel even worse.

"I really don't want to go to the school infirmary."

Chi Yueshan looked up, her eyes welling with tears.

"Why?" Xi Zhoumeng asked.

Chi Yueshan's looks were of the pure and cute variety, different from Sheng Yangkui's, which inspired a desire to protect.

She was so full of life, like an inexhaustible power source; it was hard to imagine her ever running out of energy.

Chi Yueshan found it difficult to say.

Xi Zhoumeng carried her out of the lounge, locked the door, and headed downstairs.

"Are you afraid the medical fees will be expensive?"

Normally, one might offer a tactful reply at this point to save the other person's face.

But Xi Zhoumeng wasn't one for such niceties and had no filter. Chi Yueshan decided she didn't want to talk to her anymore.

But she was being held and couldn't break free, so she simply closed her eyes.

"I'm not asking you to pay for it," Xi Zhoumeng said. "I'm the one who called you here to rehearse."

A hovercar was already waiting outside the building. When the door slid open, the person inside started at the sight of Xi Zhoumeng, then looked surprised upon seeing Chi Yueshan.

The insignia on their school badge indicated they were a first-year Alpha.

Xi Zhoumeng paid them no mind, merely offering a nod.

Chi Yueshan wanted to die. This was too humiliating.

Being carried into a car by an Omega... If I'd known, I would've worn a mask.

The next moment, the first-year Alpha in the passenger seat spoke up, first greeting Xi Zhoumeng.

"Hello, Senior."

Then, their gaze quickly shifted to the first-year student in Xi Zhoumeng's arms.

"Chi Yueshan, what happened to you?"

The voice was somewhat familiar. Chi Yueshan tried to struggle again, but Xi Zhoumeng's grip—which had shifted from a princess carry to something more like holding a child—was so strong that Chi Yueshan wanted to bite her.

But she didn't dare, afraid she'd have to compensate this "Princess on the Pea" again.

Chi Yueshan turned her head, her expression one of utter despair, and saw a delicate, pretty face that was exceptionally familiar.

It was Ling Xun, whose contact information she had just added.

Ling Xun had just come from the Alpha mecha training room. She must have been training hard, as her hand was injured; a deep cut was visible on the back of it.

Her expression, however, was gentle as she smiled at Chi Yueshan. "Are you sick?"

The campus AI hovercars were usually assigned based on travel routes, and Xi Zhoumeng despised sharing a ride with others.

This time was an exception.

If her own car hadn't been undergoing updates recently, Xi Zhoumeng would have summoned it long ago.

Chi Yueshan managed a hum. "Dizzy."

Her voice was a little hoarse, making her sound like a docile kitten.

Xi Zhoumeng had never expected to hear such a sound come from Chi Yueshan.

Only then did she bother to lift her eyelids and look at the Alpha in the front seat.

It was the cousin Xi Shuang had mentioned.

A five out of ten on looks, at best. Not even as pretty as Xi Shuang.

But Ling Xun wore glasses, giving her a gentle appearance at first glance, which fit the aesthetic standards for Alphas from the last century.

That sort of reserved, intellectual charm.

【Xi Zhoumeng: Was this person in the original novel?】

【System: No.】

【Xi Zhoumeng: Can I trust you?】

【System: Then why are you asking me!】

【Xi Zhoumeng: Just fishing.】

Ling Xun seemed to have a very favorable impression of Chi Yueshan. Her tone was gentle. "The temperature has dropped recently. It's easy to catch a cold."

Chi Yueshan let out a small "Eh?" "You're injured?"

Remembering that the other girl was a Day Class Alpha and that such an injury could only have come from the mecha hangar, she instantly regained some of her senses. "Does it hurt? Was it from a mecha?"

Her reaction was like someone brought back from the dead. She even tried to struggle out of Xi Zhoumeng's arms to lean over the front seat.

Xi Zhoumeng couldn't help but tighten her grip on the girl.

As the rain poured outside the car, Ling Xun smiled sheepishly. "Yeah."

Chi Yueshan asked, "I heard you had a trial match with Senior Wen?"

Thinking of Chi Yueshan's well-known crush, Ling Xun smiled again. "I'm no match for her."

Chi Yueshan completely missed the underlying meaning and instead said proudly, "Well, she is our senior, after all! And she's so handsome..."

Xi Zhoumeng scoffed.

Chi Yueshan really has nothing but Wen Xinghuo on her mind, she thought. So what on earth does this Alpha see in her?

Liking an Omega who's in love with someone else?

What peculiar tastes.

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