MORIC - Chapter 50
Chapter 50: Be Good
Chi Yueshan hadn't even considered a next time.
After the kiss, she felt like her brain had short-circuited.
I never thought I was the type to get fired up so easily, did I?
Master even used to praise me for being calm and composed, calling me an invincible female Omega.
Why am I always like this in front of Xi Zhoumeng?
Because Xi Zhoumeng had once again so easily provoked her competitive spirit, the shame that washed over Chi Yueshan when she came to her senses was enough to drown her.
All the way to the venue, Chi Yueshan didn't say a single word to Xi Zhoumeng.
To make matters worse, Xi Li was in the hovercar. The eldest brother, with his naturally blond hair, sat in the front passenger seat. Even in a fully automated hovercar, this young master from a wealthy family insisted on keeping the driver's seat vacant.
He was quite particular about his rituals, even placing a crooked-mouthed bear there.
Seemingly finding the atmosphere too quiet, Xi Li turned on the hovercar's star-screen.
It just so happened to be showing an interstellar streamer broadcasting live from their destination.
"I'm a little early. The models are just starting to head out now. I hear many designers from other star systems have come this time. I wonder what..."
"But rumor has it the royal family will be sending a representative. Of course, I won't be able to get any footage. The royal family has always prohibited filming..."
Xi Li asked, "The royal family is coming too?"
He turned to look at Xi Zhoumeng, who was reading a book, and felt his youngest sister was playing dumb again. "Did you know?"
Xi Zhoumeng didn't even look up. She was reading a book titled Lamb Rearing Handbook. Before they left, she had even gone to see her little lamb.
"You should ask Third Sister."
Xi Li and Xi Yang never got along. The two of them would argue whenever they were together.
Xi Li's role as the eldest brother was exceptionally frustrating. His second brother was a Beta who had once been so desperately in love with an Alpha that he was constantly getting drunk, leaving Xi Li to clean up the mess.
His third sister was married and a complete workaholic. Her business, aimed at Omegas, was thriving, but she often neglected her legal Alpha, leading to her brother-in-law from the next office building coming to him daily to vent his grievances.
Xi Li felt less like a young master and more like a head butler.
Xi Li snorted. "As if she'd listen to me."
The words sounded so pitiful that Chi Yueshan subconsciously glanced at Xi Li.
The handsome, blond Alpha had an unknown amount of gel in his slicked-back hair, making him look a bit more mature than usual. Catching Chi Yueshan's gaze, he looked over eagerly. "Little sister, you deal with her."
The comment sent a jolt through Chi Yueshan.
Xi Zhoumeng closed her book and said to Xi Li, "What did you just call her?"
"Little sister," Xi Li said.
We'll be family in the future anyway, so it's not out of line, is it?
Xi Zhoumeng looked like she wanted to curse him out but felt too weary. In the end, she just spat out a single word—
"Frivolous."
"I'm just being approachable," Xi Li retorted.
He is pretty approachable, Chi Yueshan thought. Aside from having the face of a young master, this big brother has none of the aristocratic air. Anyone who didn't know better might mistake him for a club host you could book for the night.
Xi Li glanced at Xi Zhoumeng, then at Chi Yueshan. "Did you two have a fight?"
Xi Zhoumeng had several unread messages on her light-brain. She tapped them open as she replied.
"Would I argue?"
She found even long conversations tiring. Xi Li knew this well; back when they sent Xi Zhoumeng to drama class, she'd given him the silent treatment for months.
His genius youngest sister never flaunted her abilities, yet she always gave Xi Li the impression of someone who was subtly flexing.
-Wen Xinghuo: Are you attending Sister Xi Yang's event?
-Wen Xinghuo: [Image]
-Wen Xinghuo: If it's convenient, could you give me a ride? We don't have a car at home. I just took the hover-rail to the transit center.
Wen Xinghuo had just made a trip to the Mechanical City in the far suburbs and had only then remembered the event.
In the past, she was never included in these kinds of events; her name wouldn't even be on an invitation. This one came from Xi Yang, who had specifically requested Wen Xinghuo's attendance.
Xi Yang was still unaware of the issue with Xi Zhoumeng's constitution and had always viewed Wen Xinghuo as her future Alpha.
She just happened to forget that the future Alpha she envisioned for her sister was still a poor student—a noble without any of the corresponding pageantry.
Xi Zhoumeng replied with an "Okay" and asked Wen Xinghuo to send her location.
Xi Li was still muttering, "I know you wouldn't argue. Your brother has lived this long and has never once seen you argue..."
This big brother is so annoying.
How does this family manage to seem so unlike biological siblings?
Xi Yang's over-the-top enthusiasm was enough to make Chi Yueshan wary of her own gender.
I wonder what Xi Zhoumeng's second brother is like. He probably has a few screws loose, too, right?
Chi Yueshan subconsciously turned to look at Xi Zhoumeng, just as Xi Zhoumeng raised her eyes. She said to Chi Yueshan, "Your beloved Senior Wen is on her way."
Chi Yueshan let out a small "Ah."
Xi Li wasn't surprised. "Xi Yang definitely invited her. I can tell she's very pleased with Wen Xinghuo. I even caught her trying to coax Wen Xinghuo into modeling for her once."
Thinking of Wen Xinghuo's shabby demeanor, Xi Li chuckled. "Wen Xinghuo could give it a try. Her... physique... is one of a kind."
Xi Zhoumeng ordered Xi Li, "Change course for the transit center. She's there."
The transit center was on the route to the city outskirts. Xi Li asked casually, "She went to the suburbs?"
"Probably went to look at mecha materials," Xi Zhoumeng said. "She still hasn't found a suitable mecha for herself."
Chi Yueshan's ears perked up.
Hovercars generally had their own dedicated lanes, and the hover-rail was even faster. It wasn't long before they arrived at their destination.
Wen Xinghuo was standing in the waiting area and watched as the car window lowered to reveal Xi Li's beaming face.
"Long time no see, little Xinghuo," Xi Li said.
Wen Xinghuo was very polite. "Hello, Brother Xi Li."
The car door opened, and it was only after Wen Xinghuo sat down that she saw Chi Yueshan in the back. Xi Zhoumeng, who had been gazing out the window, finally turned her head. "Don't tell me those troublesome brothers and sisters of yours were bullying you again?"
The Wen family was a fallen noble house, yet they had many children. Even with the current AO marriage system, plenty of Alphas still fooled around on the side.
Wen Xinghuo was the product of one such affair. The older children were all born to the legitimate Omega wife, and they always looked down on this illegitimate daughter.
She was well aware of this and had always made a point not to provoke them.
But the oppression had only begun to ease slightly in the past two years.
It had morphed into a more harmless form of exclusion.
Things like taking the car, or moving her room to the side of the house that never saw the sun.
After differentiation, an Alpha's worth was measured by their spiritual power. Wen Xinghuo's power was innate, but the darkness in people's hearts is not so easily dispelled. Wen Xinghuo wasn't one to meekly accept her lot, but she was good-natured.
She loathed her father, yet she knew she needed the opportunity to come to the Upper World.
She also knew that her very existence was a wound to the lady of the house, so she almost never caused any conflict.
Now, she just shook her head and said, "It's fine."
Xi Zhoumeng sighed. As she shook her head, the wings of the silver butterfly hairpin in her hair fluttered, looking as if they might take flight at any moment.
Chi Yueshan could hear the hardship in Wen Xinghuo's voice, and it confirmed the rumors she'd heard before.
Wen Xinghuo was not having an easy time.
But she was still so strong. Chi Yueshan looked at her, her gaze still filled with admiration.
Xi Zhoumeng saw this. She calmly averted her gaze and said, "You'll see them later anyway."
Wen Xinghuo felt a headache coming on as well. She did her best to avoid these kinds of functions, but the invitation was addressed to her by name—it was a kind gesture from Xi Yang.
"It's just that Sister Xi Yang is too good to me."
Her tone was lighthearted, but Chi Yueshan lowered her head, thinking: Their two families are so close.
Is this what it's like to have childhood friends?
I'm so envious. I don't have any friends I grew up with.
Just then, Xi Zhoumeng reached out to pat her on the shoulder and said to Wen Xinghuo, "Your number one fan is right here."
Wen Xinghuo chuckled, her demeanor open and frank. "Hello, junior."
Chi Yueshan rarely had the chance to speak with Wen Xinghuo. It was either the wrong occasion or there were too many strangers around.
Or there was always someone very close to Wen Xinghuo by her side.
She had imagined this "hello" many times—a gentle greeting, like the tenderness of Wen Xinghuo covering her eyes to protect her when they were children.
"Little sister, don't be afraid."
That's what Wen Xinghuo had said.
Now she was a junior, but Wen Xinghuo no longer remembered that time.
Chi Yueshan was still deeply moved. She was about to say hello back when she realized her voice was even hoarser than before.
"Caught a cold?" Wen Xinghuo asked.
Thinking about the real reason for her hoarse throat—a strong suppressant shot during her heat—the Omega was overcome with misery and shot a fierce glare at Xi Zhoumeng.
Xi Zhoumeng, looking nothing like the culprit, nodded matter-of-factly. "It is winter, after all."
"The break is starting soon," Wen Xinghuo said.
"You students get a whole month off," Xi Li lamented. "I'm just a corporate drone with only a week of annual leave. How pitiful."
Wen Xinghuo didn't dare make a sarcastic comment, but Xi Zhoumeng was merciless. "Your job is basically a vacation."
Xi Li grumbled, "Hey, I was the 'Employee of the Year,' okay?"
Xi Zhoumeng's expression clearly said, As if you deserve that.
Her voice still hoarse, Chi Yueshan felt utterly miserable. She could only gaze longingly at Wen Xinghuo.
"If you really want to talk to her, you can use your communicator," Xi Zhoumeng said.
Wen Xinghuo looked at Chi Yueshan. "How come you're with Zhoumeng?"
She still couldn't figure out why these two were always together. While there was some overlap between the first and second years, most of the curriculum was based on independent study.
It was rare for students from different years to hang out so frequently.
Unless they were dating.
But both of them were Omegas.
Wen Xinghuo knew Xi Zhoumeng was unconventional, but she didn't get that kind of vibe from her and Chi Yueshan.
Chi Yueshan felt even more miserable. She, too, felt that she had become far too intimate with Xi Zhoumeng.
Before, the most they did was have her senior help with electives, maybe illegally trade some secrets for the flower arrangement class.
It's true what they say: walk a dark path long enough and you're bound to see a ghost. She had actually done... that... with Xi Zhoumeng.
It was too absurd!
Her indignant sorrow was visible in her twitching expression, and Wen Xinghuo felt as if she were on the verge of tears.
The look she gave Xi Zhoumeng clearly conveyed: Did you bully her?
"She's one of Xi Yang's models," Xi Zhoumeng said.
Wen Xinghuo was a little surprised. "Really?"
Xi Zhoumeng shrugged. "One of the models couldn't make it because of a visa issue. My sister asked me to find an Omega who fit the requirements, and she happened to be a good fit."
Wen Xinghuo glanced at Chi Yueshan again. She had never really taken a good look at the other girl before, nor did she remember her clearly.
Her impression of Chi Yueshan was that of a boisterous Omega who always wore baggy clothes and wasn't quite like the others.
Very energetic.
Chi Yueshan nodded. In front of Wen Xinghuo, she exuded the air of a little girl, one much younger than her actual age.
Unlike the shameful avoidance she displayed around Xi Zhoumeng, this was like a small child meeting an older sister—full of pure, innocent infatuation and admiration.
"Senior, do you think I'm not a good fit?"
Her voice was still a little hoarse, perhaps from being so distressed the night before.
She asked in an exceptionally quiet, even trembling voice, which made Xi Li's brow twitch. He subconsciously glanced at Xi Zhoumeng.
His sister showed no reaction whatsoever. She didn't seem jealous or sad. In fact, the way she looked at Chi Yueshan was even a little...
Affectionate?
What the hell! Weren't you two going at it like crazy last night? Why is she giving her that kind of look!
Are you her elder or something???
What are you so proud of???
Is this how people act the day after they've done it?
Xi Li tried hard to recall the atmosphere after being intimate with his former Omega partners, but this still felt completely off.
No matter how you look at it, this little sister Chi Yueshan is clearly more into Wen Xinghuo, isn't she?
Omegas really do like Alphas!
Don't you have any self-awareness, you idiot?
Xi Li shot Xi Zhoumeng a glare.
Xi Zhoumeng paid him no mind. She watched Wen Xinghuo shake her head so vigorously she looked like a fluffy bear, her high ponytail whipping against her own face.
"I was just very surprised."
Wen Xinghuo quickly explained, "You've already made quite an impression on me today. I'm looking forward to seeing you on stage."
Wen Xinghuo was the type of person whose words always carried a sense of clumsy sincerity.
Chi Yueshan was overjoyed, her face flushing as she let out a soft "Mm."
After Wen Xinghuo turned away, it suddenly occurred to her that her entire outfit today, from head to toe, had been chosen by Xi Zhoumeng.
Her mood soured again, and she shot a look at Xi Zhoumeng.
Xi Zhoumeng reminded her, "Stop biting your lip. You're going to eat all your lipstick off."
Even though she would have to get her makeup done again later, Xi Zhoumeng's obsessive-compulsive tendencies flared up. She firmly tilted Chi Yueshan's chin up.
"You have to apply lipstick all the way."
"Be good."
Xi Li and Wen Xinghuo exchanged a glance, both finding the atmosphere very strange.
"So, uh, Xiao Wen, what row are you in? Let me see," Xi Li said.
Wen Xinghuo glanced at her invitation. "There's no number, it's a letter."
Xi Li looked at the seating chart Xi Yang had sent. "That's not right. Mine is a number. How did your seat end up next to the royal family's?"
"Huh?" Wen Xinghuo said.
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