MORIC - Chapter 52
Chapter 52: Who Got the Wrong Script
Chi Yueshan waited backstage for the show to officially begin. Most of the models around her, who came from other star systems, knew each other, and Chi Yueshan couldn't even understand some of what they were saying.
She was already bored, so she opened her light-brain to replay a video she had secretly recorded: Xi Zhoumeng's flower arrangement tutorial.
Perhaps because she was so obviously engrossed in her light-brain, an Omega model standing next to her asked, "Aren't you nervous?"
Chi Yueshan subconsciously looked over, her emerald-green eyes like a lake in spring, causing the other model to stare blankly for a moment.
The makeup amplified the best features of Chi Yueshan's face, making anyone who saw her for the first time think this model was a bit too dewy.
Chi Yueshan didn't think so. She had been looking at her own face since she was a child.
In truth, besides her master, no one had ever called her pretty. Plus, the mainstream aesthetic in her home star system was Xi Zhoumeng's type, so she had always felt her own beauty was at most a five out of ten.
Her occasional self-praise was purely to save face.
"I am nervous."
She nodded affirmatively, her gaze returning to the light-brain's electronic screen. A floating screen that wasn't completely closed usually had a blue cross-shaped light point, and with the content hidden, others couldn't see what she was watching.
Perhaps because this answer was also too casual, the Omega model glanced at Chi Yueshan again. "Are you watching a TV show?"
Chi Yueshan shook her head. "Watching an online course."
Close enough, she thought. Xi Zhoumeng teaching me is an online course. It's just that I recorded for too long and haven't had time to edit it. I even recorded the part where I kissed Xi Zhoumeng, ugh.
How embarrassing.
When she got shy, even her ears turned pink.
The Omega beside her was a little surprised. "You're still a student?"
Modeling was a profession that depended heavily on age, and a large portion of the professional models here had put their studies on hold.
They rotated through events in various star systems.
She knew Chi Yueshan was a substitute, but she hadn't expected them to find a student at the last minute.
Chi Yueshan nodded. "Mhm, I have exams tomorrow."
She didn't plan to say much more to the other model, especially since the host's voice could be heard from backstage.
And Xi Yang's excited opening remarks.
Just a moment ago, Xi Yang had come to find Chi Yueshan. She was born from the same Omega as Xi Zhoumeng and knew her younger sister's temper well.
She had a bit of a habit of saying one thing and meaning another; anyone she brought over was generally someone she cared about.
Xi Yang hadn't insisted on it, either. At worst, those few outfits would just be scrapped.
This was also stipulated in the contract, so the designer couldn't object.
Her tantrums mostly consisted of her going a little crazy in the group chat, then bothering her youngest sister to see her reaction.
Their eldest, Xi Li, was annoying enough on a daily basis, and Xi Zhoumeng never liked to speak in the group chat.
Xi Li could share hundreds of messages a day: whose dog got lost, whose dog pooped on its owner's pillow, the truth behind which young lady's black swan went missing...
It made Xi Zhoumeng feel like she was living in a group chat for old folks waiting to die.
Xi Yang was no better. In her line of work, she was supposed to be the cool, aloof type, with a touch of artistic arrogance.
But Xi Yang's arrogance was more like a rabid dog's. She would argue about the trivial matters Xi Li shared and then tag Xi Zhoumeng to be the judge.
Xi Zhoumeng would mostly ignore her, even muting the group chat notifications.
Finding a substitute this time was actually a small matter. It was just Xi Yang casually threatening Xi Zhoumeng that if she didn't help, she would have their Omega mother rush her into marriage.
This older sister had always been outspoken and had a much better relationship with their Omega mother than Xi Zhoumeng did.
Whether in her original world or in this transmigrated one, the things Xi Zhoumeng hated most were marriage and love.
And yet, she was here to facilitate that very mission.
Ensuring Wen Xinghuo's path to love was smooth didn't mean she had to have a love life of her own.
Besides, once her mother started, she would definitely talk to her other mother, and it was entirely possible that her other mother would directly contact the Wen family.
That would be the end.
Xi Zhoumeng would probably be directly KO'd by the suspected boss, Sheng Yangkui.
Xi Yang thought she was just complaining, but Xi Zhoumeng had already envisioned the terrible consequences and, for once, replied with an "oh."
And then she brought Chi Yueshan.
Xi Yang had heard about the 100% match, but since they were both Omegas and Xi Li had debunked it, she just treated it as a joke.
But since it was Xi Zhoumeng who had found Chi Yueshan, Xi Yang couldn't help but extend her affection, and she had come over to say a few words to Chi Yueshan earlier.
In Chi Yueshan's eyes, noble Omegas had always been high and mighty.
Xi Zhoumeng was also high and mighty, but Chi Yueshan didn't dislike her as much anymore. Xi Yang's pride stemmed from her talent and the respect others gave her, so when this favoritism fell upon her, Chi Yueshan felt particularly ill at ease.
During Xi Yang's speech, Chi Yueshan took one last look at Xi Zhoumeng in the light-brain video and thought: These two sisters aren't alike at all.
She recalled her first meeting with Xi Zhoumeng, her speech at the Pearl Auditorium. The giant bas-relief of the Sona behind her carried an elegant charm, yet no one felt that Xi Zhoumeng was anything less than noble.
It was strange. Even Xi Yang felt like a living, breathing person to Chi Yueshan. But Xi Zhoumeng, no matter how close they got, always seemed to be detached, as if she might disappear if you weren't paying attention.
Xi Yang thanked the nobles who had graced the event with their presence and gave special thanks to the royal family for attending.
Chi Yueshan looked up, wondering which member of the royal family was here. Could it be that Sheng Yangkui?
She had a feeling that Senior Wen and her were very close.
But Wen Xinghuo had been very gentle to her in the car. Contrary to her somewhat imposing appearance, Wen Xinghuo's core was like soft bread.
The salted egg yolk-filled kind, maybe?
The thought popped into Chi Yueshan's head for no reason, and she lowered her head and smiled.
Just as she was about to turn off her light-brain, a new message popped up. Xi Zhoumeng was even a premium member on this kind of app.
Her messages could pop up as priority notifications, and a high-definition picture filled Chi Yueshan's screen.
It was a picture of Wen Xinghuo and Sheng Yangkui together.
The tall Alpha was leaning down to look at the petite Omega.
Damn it, why did 'Beauty and the Beast' just pop into my head?
It should be that Senior Xinghuo is a top-tier, true Alpha, and Sheng Yangkui is just too small and doesn't match her at all!
I've definitely been brainwashed by the academy forums.
Chi Yueshan let out a frustrated puff of air. She turned off the light-brain, but fearing she would bite her lip and smudge her lipstick, she could only hold in her anger.
It was so hard to hold it in that her eyes turned red, as if she were about to cry.
As family of the organizer, Xi Zhoumeng and Xi Li's seats were second only to the royal family's. Beside them were some members of the Royal Federation Council.
Xi Li, the Alpha social butterfly, was putting his flamboyant nature to good use, introducing to everyone he met, "This is my little sister," "The one on stage is also my little sister," "My little brother? Not here yet," "Soon..."
The seat to Xi Zhoumeng's right was empty. A Beta rushed over just as the host took the stage.
The Beta had a head of gray hair, and his earrings were shaped like starfish, swaying as he panted and sat down.
Xi Li didn't hold back, scolding him in a low voice, "Why are you late again?"
Xi Chun looked like he hadn't woken up yet. His hair seemed to have been styled, though, probably because he remembered Xi Yang's warning not to be too embarrassing.
His voice was surprisingly deep, not matching his appearance. "The fashion show hasn't started yet, has it?"
Xi Li shot back from across Xi Zhoumeng, "Were you playing games all night again?"
Xi Chun yawned, pinching the bridge of his nose and nodding as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Sister Ming isn't home, of course I'm going to play games."
After saying that, he greeted Xi Zhoumeng, "Little Sister, long time no see."
Xi Zhoumeng and Xi Chun saw each other even less often. After all, this second brother had already moved in with his girlfriend by the time she transmigrated.
Xi Zhoumeng had met the legendary Alpha sister-in-law once. She looked very sharp, and the whole situation seemed like a plot where a nerd hits the jackpot with an elite beauty.
Xi Zhoumeng was also feeling very bored. At Xi Li's reminder, she turned off her light-brain and could only fiddle with her bracelet.
"I didn't expect Second Brother to actually come."
Xi Chun looked like he was about to die of sleepiness. Just then, Xi Yang took the stage, and the moment she held the microphone, the atmosphere changed.
Perhaps Xi Yang had subtly glanced in their direction, as Xi Chun sat up a little straighter and muttered, "How could I not come? If I don't show up for her first brand show, she'll definitely kill me."
Xi Chun was only two years younger than Xi Li, but he looked about the same age as Xi Zhoumeng. He had a youthful air like bamboo after the rain, his appearance exuding a boundless clarity.
Except he was a complete otaku, and also a cross-dresser.
Xi Li said coolly, "That's right. Then your Wen Misen's already busy work schedule will reach a new level. We'll see if you're happy or miserable then."
Xi Chun's Alpha, Wen Misen, was a well-known brand operator. Xi Yang had poached her with a hefty sum the year before. She was currently on a business trip in the M-13 star system, probably watching the live stream as well.
Xi Chun propped up his face and glanced at his little sister beside him. "Let's not talk about me. I heard Zhoumeng has a 100% match? What's she like, let me see?"
Xi Zhoumeng glanced at Xi Li.
Xi Li's reputation as a big mouth was well-deserved. Catching Xi Zhoumeng's eye, he looked a little guilty.
"Isn't it Wen Xinghuo? I thought you two would get married and have kids early like me."
Xi Chun had the face of an eighteen-year-old boy but was already the father of an eight-year-old child—the kind of father who would get into huge fights with his kid over video games.
And he would lose to his not-yet-presented daughter, then complain to his wife like a total loser.
Hearing those four words—"married and have kids"—made Xi Zhoumeng feel sick. "I'm not getting married."
Of the four Xi children, the married and unmarried were split fifty-fifty. Among the unmarried, the anti-marriage and the hedonists were also split fifty-fifty.
"Really?" Xi Chun asked in a low voice. "I remember when you first presented, you said you would only marry Wen Xinghuo."
Xi Zhoumeng's expression was grim. Her outfit today was already distinctive enough, with a studded half-pauldron that looked like it could stab someone to death.
Yet, the beauty of her face complemented this coldness perfectly. Just sitting there was enough to draw people's gazes.
At that moment, the system unexpectedly came online to join the mockery team.
【I can play it back for you.】
Xi Zhoumeng glanced at Xi Chun. "How could I be worthy?"
Those words shocked Xi Chun so much he was wide awake, completely missing that the fashion show had officially started.
Xi Li's brow twitched. He had a feeling Xi Zhoumeng was about to stir up trouble again.
In the next second, Xi Zhoumeng lifted her chin, gesturing for Xi Chun to look at the royal family's seats across the stage.
"Look where Wen Xinghuo is sitting."
"Second Brother, do you think I still have a chance?"
Xi Chun got goosebumps all over. He certainly knew Xi Zhoumeng's personality—malicious and cold, her apparent sanctity held up entirely by her appearance.
The alternative high-quality stock he had his eye on since childhood, Wen Xinghuo, was sitting among identical-looking female Omegas, making one subconsciously want to play a game of tile-matching with their eyes.
But looking closer, the three royal Omegas, all wearing veils with their clothes, weren't exactly the same.
Especially the one to Wen Xinghuo's right, who seemed a size smaller.
Sitting next to Wen Xinghuo, she looked like a doll, seemingly lacking vitality.
The music was a bit loud. Models were coming onto the stage one after another. The little princess said something, and Wen Xinghuo, perhaps not hearing her, leaned her head down again.
She already had a large frame and a naturally imposing aura. Dressed in formal wear with a semi-high ponytail, she looked as if she was about to shove her pheromones in your face.
The contrast was already obvious just looking at her, let alone Sheng Yangkui sitting beside her.
Her shyness manifested as she subconsciously smoothed her hair.
But her eyes couldn't bear to move away from Wen Xinghuo's face.
It was unclear what she said, but Wen Xinghuo nodded and then smiled.
Xi Zhoumeng asked coolly, "Second Brother, do you think I have a chance of winning against a royal princess?"
Xi Chun pondered for a moment. Not knowing what script the other person was following, he played along cooperatively, "As long as you like her, Big Brother will do everything in his power."
Xi Li let out a cold laugh. "Help that princess ascend to the queen's throne?"
This was a path Xi Zhoumeng had never considered. She lowered her head and thought about it.
Xi Chun suddenly said, "Oh!" He looked up at the Omega in the green dress who had just walked by. "That girl is so beautiful."
Xi Zhoumeng had already smelled her scent. She said faintly, "Weren't you asking who my 100% match is?"
She looked up at Chi Yueshan's retreating back. The girl walked without a trace of fear, a trait of someone who performed consistently well in formal settings.
"That's her."
Xi Chun still hadn't grasped the situation. "Such lovely green eyes."
The next second, he nearly shot to his feet, his tongue tripping over his words. "W-wait, that's an O-Omega, right?"
Xi Li, enjoying the drama, added, "Yeah, maybe our family will pioneer the first OO relationship."
For a moment, Xi Chun thought of their Alpha mother on her expedition and said with difficulty, "Mother will..."
Xi Zhoumeng made a joke, "Force me to marry an Alpha? That's a good script."
Xi Li let out a dramatic "No!" and said, "It should be letting you marry Chi Yueshan directly."
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