MORIC - Chapter 53
Chapter 53: If You're Sharing a Table, It Can Only Be With Me
This kind of experience was extremely rare for Chi Yueshan.
Growing up, she had rarely been in the spotlight. While the Lower World had its entertainment venues—some dance halls, skating rinks, or song stages—Chi Yueshan had never been to any of them.
The underground area where she lived with her master was very close to these places, requiring miner's lamps for illumination even during the day.
But when one stays underground for too long, it becomes difficult to distinguish between day and night.
Even when people in beautiful dresses frequented the dance halls, Chi Yueshan would only cast a faint glance their way.
Vibrant neon lights flashed across crowds of people embracing as they danced. Chi Yueshan, dressed in dusty gray work clothes, with pants full of so many pockets she'd lose track of the parts she'd casually stuffed inside, might even pull out a screw when trying to buy a sugar cake.
She would occasionally feel a pang of envy, and on certain holidays, Zhou Fengqin would push her out the door.
She'd say that a young girl should be more vibrant. Even if you have someone in your heart, a little dancing won't hurt, right?
Someone is bound to appreciate it.
Zhou Fengqin's eyes were full of loving kindness as her dry palm pushed Chi Yueshan away, watching her until she was out of sight.
But the little girl would just turn a corner, squat down on a step, and start reading the mecha theory book she had stuffed in one of her pockets.
A booth cost ten Star Coins, an expense Chi Yueshan couldn't bear.
She had to save money to go to Guyun Academy.
These glamorous adolescent experiences had never been a part of Chi Yueshan's life, let alone the dazzling fashion shows on the internet.
No matter how you looked at it, it was another world.
And yet, here she was, in that other world, flanked by guests of remarkable appearance, their noble status evident from their attire.
Chi Yueshan executed her final turn with clean precision. She wasn't a professional model like the others, and it was obvious to everyone.
But this very greenness, when contrasted with the mature stage presence of the others, seemed fresh.
Many people took notice of her.
Sheng Yangkui, her face veiled, watched the Omega walk off the stage and whispered to Wen Xinghuo beside her, "Is that Chi..."
Wen Xinghuo, a noble Alpha, was already conspicuous here. Even without her noble status, her looks alone were enough to draw more than a few glances.
Opposite them were the seats for the capital's nobility. The Xi family was in the first row, with the Wen family diagonally behind them.
People had already started whispering when they saw Wen Xinghuo's seat.
However, given that there was a prince among them, they had to restrain their gossiping.
Wen Xinghuo pulled her gaze back from the stage and nodded.
Sheng Yangkui still didn't quite dare to look at her.
She both feared and loved Wen Xinghuo, terrified of the coldness in those piercing eyes, yet hoping to see a special gentleness reserved just for her.
She looked utterly pitiful, trembling slightly, like a hamster forcibly dragged into the light.
"How could she..."
Sheng Yangkui was attending this event at the Queen's behest. After all, every Omega had a chance to become the next queen.
But they were too inexperienced and needed to constantly attend functions to mature.
If she hadn't known the outcome, Sheng Yangkui would still feel, just as she had in her past life, that there was no way she could ever become queen.
After all, her health was poor, and she was timid, the type to burst into tears if someone spoke too loudly.
Her lady-in-waiting took good care of her, but she couldn't help but disdain her frailty behind her back, feeling that for a royal, such a Sheng Yangkui was far too unpresentable.
If the ending was already set in stone, then Wen Xinghuo was Sheng Yangkui's secret, unvoiced desire.
She wanted to speak more with Wen Xinghuo, to get closer to her, or to go for a walk with her.
She never expected to have the chance to sit with Wen Xinghuo at an event like this.
Sheng Yangkui's astonishment was hidden beneath her veil. Her elder sister, Sheng Xinggui, who had arrived with her, assumed this arrangement was Sheng Yangkui's doing.
Before they took their seats, she asked her younger sister, "Have you finally decided to choose your Knight?"
The royal family did indeed have this custom, but it wasn't a strict rule.
For instance, both Sheng Xinggui and Sheng Qiuyu had their own Knights, Alphas from noble families. They grew up together, and if the queen selection concluded, it was possible for them to marry their Knights.
But Sheng Yangkui had never made such a request.
Now, she shook her head in a panic. "I didn't."
Her voice was frail from her poor health, as weak as a kitten's meow.
Sheng Xinggui let out a surprised "Huh?" and said, "Then why is this Alpha sitting next to you?"
Just then, Xi Yang came over to greet the guests. The cheerful Omega smiled and said, "It's this event's surprise. We randomly selected one person from each of the two guest areas to switch seats."
Xi Yang had a warm personality and a brisk, efficient way of doing things. She was quite playful even when facing these much younger royals. "One of the princes went over to that side."
She pointed, and Sheng Yangkui followed her finger to see that it was indeed a member of the royal family.
Xi Yang had been a natural liar since childhood, so this arrangement sounded flawless. Still, she couldn't help but curse Xi Zhoumeng a few times in her head.
What the hell is she playing at? Forcing me to move Wen Xinghuo's seat. Is she trying to make all the royals look like bantam chickens?
Following her gaze, Sheng Yangkui naturally saw Xi Zhoumeng walking over from the other side.
After being reborn, she had noticed many discrepancies with her memories, such as the relationship between Xi Zhoumeng and Wen Xinghuo, and Xi Zhoumeng's temperament and reputation.
But her previous impression of Xi Zhoumeng was based on hearsay; she had never truly interacted with her.
The same went for Chi Yueshan. She had merely been an observer of the other's school life.
She never imagined that her own life would be that of a puppet, not only to be slaughtered at will but also to cause them to end up in such a state.
Now, Sheng Yangkui sat beside Wen Xinghuo as she had wished, her nervousness never ceasing.
Wen Xinghuo held the invitation card in her hand and glanced again at the person across from them.
"She's here to fill in."
This seating arrangement was ultimately Xi Zhoumeng's whim. Even though Xi Yang had explained the "surprise" at the beginning, it still attracted a lot of attention.
Sheng Yangkui had already seen her second sister staring at Wen Xinghuo more than once.
Although Wen Xinghuo's appearance didn't conform to the mainstream aesthetic for Alphas, she naturally exuded a profound sense of security. When you sat beside her, you felt as if you had nothing to fear.
Moreover, the gaze from such a somewhat fierce-looking face was gentle.
This contrast could stir countless hearts, and when coupled with her formidable strength and limitless future potential, she was more than qualified to be called a blue-chip stock.
Sheng Yangkui stared at the hem of her dress, which just happened to be draped over the toe of Wen Xinghuo's shoe.
In that moment, she was jealous of this piece of fabric, for being so intimate with a part of Wen Xinghuo.
The fashion show had ended, and the host came forward. Sheng Yangkui looked up and saw Wen Xinghuo looking across the way.
In the first row opposite them were the three Xi siblings.
The blond Xi Li looked handsome and dashing, while the gray-haired Xi Chun appeared refined and elegant. Both were talking to Xi Zhoumeng.
The hair clip on Xi Zhoumeng's head glittered exceptionally as the light swept over it. Her makeup, too, was captivating; even a casual lift of her eyes was soul-stirring.
Even with so many famous models from various star systems present, Xi Zhoumeng still wouldn't lose out.
Sheng Yangkui's jealousy grew like wild weeds, especially after Xi Zhoumeng looked over.
She was making eye contact with Wen Xinghuo. Even if it was only for a brief second, it was enough to make Sheng Yangkui's eyes sting.
I'm so greedy.
At first, I just hoped to have some contact with Wen Xinghuo.
I didn't need much of a response from her, as long as I was in her heart.
Next was free time, mostly for the guests to chat.
There was not only an abundance of drinks but also performances by famous idols from across the star systems.
Just as Wen Xinghuo stood up, an Omega's hand rested on her forearm.
"Senior Wen, care for a drink?"
It was the Second Princess, Sheng Qiuyu. She also wore a veil, and her eyes were the same shape as Sheng Yangkui's, but her gaze was completely different.
Sheng Yangkui, who had silently risen to her feet, dug her fingernails into her palm. She bit her lip, about to leave without a sound.
In a setting like this, Wen Xinghuo's usual sharpness was somewhat diminished, but she still carried an intimidating aura.
She would restrain it somewhat in front of Omegas.
"Thank you, but I have something to do."
After speaking, she turned and left without saying another word to Sheng Yangkui.
It was just as they had agreed: they would act like strangers in public.
After she left, Sheng Qiuyu looked at Sheng Yangkui. "You two knew each other before?"
Even though they were triplets and looked similar, their temperaments were completely different. Sheng Qiuyu had never paid much attention to her frail younger sister, Sheng Yangkui.
She had a better relationship with the Eldest Princess, Xinggui.
Sheng Yangkui lowered her eyes and shook her head slightly. "During drama rehearsals, Senior came to help out."
Sheng Qiuyu said, "Oh," having heard about it from her lady-in-waiting. At this moment, watching the departing Alpha, she sighed with a mix of regret and something else. "She looks very capable. I like that a lot."
Sheng Yangkui's face flushed red, but the tender flesh of her palm was pierced. She had to use all her strength to suppress her feelings.
"You already have a Knight."
Sheng Yangkui reminded her in a small voice.
Sheng Qiuyu's hair was smooth and straight, completely unlike Sheng Yangkui's straw-like hair. She was also somewhat domineering. "So what? He wouldn't dare to defy me."
Sheng Yangkui said no more. Sheng Qiuyu let out a laugh and turned to catch up with Sheng Xinggui, who had already walked some distance away.
She had never imagined that this sickly third sister of hers would ever like someone.
After all, Sheng Yangkui's health was poor, and she had been told since childhood that she wouldn't live long. For an Omega like her, how could there be an Alpha who would truly love her?
After all, she wasn't pretty, nor was she likable, just an empty shell with a noble title.
Sheng Yangkui stood in place with her eyes downcast for a long time. Only when her lady-in-waiting found her did she silently return.
Before leaving, she glanced at the lively dance floor and thought of Guyun Academy's annual ball. Compared to these complicated interpersonal relationships, she much preferred the atmosphere of the academy.
If only I could have one dance with Wen Xinghuo.
Sheng Qiuyu's determined expression suddenly flashed in her mind. Sheng Yangkui neurotically lowered her head and bit her nails. She said to her lady-in-waiting, "Just take me to my chambers."
She was going to find the palace's Knight Captain, the male Alpha that Sheng Qiuyu held in such low regard.
After the show, Chi Yueshan changed her clothes and went to the restaurant to eat. Compared to the other models with their kitten's appetites, she looked like she hadn't eaten in days.
The music from the adjacent dance floor became the soundtrack to Chi Yueshan's meal.
She was completely unaware of how eye-catching she had been tonight. Even in a restaurant like this, many people were still looking at her.
Xi Zhoumeng's shirt and skirt were both priceless. Sometimes, clothes really do make the person; a little money can embellish one with a unique distinction.
Sometimes, Chi Yueshan thought that the "nobility" of nobles might just be because of their money.
Of course, this was a very shallow understanding, and she chuckled to herself as she thought it.
"Hello."
The next second, a female voice sounded. A female Alpha approached with a glass of wine and asked politely, "May I sit here?"
Chi Yueshan let out a small "ah" and looked around, realizing it wasn't so crowded that they needed to share a table like in the school cafeteria.
She was quite kind-hearted. "The seat in front of me is empty."
The restaurant's atmosphere was quiet and elegant. Just yesterday, Chi Yueshan had eaten here with Xi Zhoumeng.
She had once again taken several portions, her shamelessness as thick as a baumkuchen.
The other person seemed to be taken aback. After a moment of silence, she asked bluntly, "May I sit beside you?"
Chi Yueshan nearly spat out a mouthful of juice. Only then did she shift her gaze from her food to the person before her.
She had seen this female Alpha backstage. She was a model from the M star system, with a hint of Caucasian heritage, blue eyes, and curly hair.
Chi Yueshan asked in confusion, "Why?"
Chi Yueshan seemed utterly oblivious to amorous advances. An Omega model at the next table laughed and gave the little green-eyed Omega a hint.
"She probably wants to pursue you."
Chi Yueshan was so startled she dropped her fork. "Thanks, sis... sister."
The green-eyed girl's hair was still styled from the final round of the fashion show, tied into low braided buns on either side, which made the contours of her cheeks more pronounced and captivatingly heart-tickling. Even with a shocked expression, she only looked adorable.
"Do you already have a boyfriend or girlfriend?"
The female model asked earnestly. To be honest, she was quite beautiful, but Chi Yueshan's aesthetic sense didn't pay much attention to other women, crudely dividing them into "easy on the eyes" and "not."
The other person was clearly in the "easy on the eyes" category, but she didn't make Chi Yueshan's heart flutter.
"No."
For some reason, Chi Yueshan sounded a little guilty as she said it. Xi Zhoumeng's indifferent face immediately came to mind.
Then she thought of Wen Xinghuo talking to Sheng Yangkui.
"I really like your eyes. In my star system..."
The female model had just begun when someone from the side interrupted, "Damn it, Rini, I think you just like green eyes!"
"I do not!"
The other person retorted seriously. She looked at Chi Yueshan again. "Can you give me a chance to sit next to you?"
Chi Yueshan felt like there was a catch to this question. Before she could refuse, a voice laced with a natural, alluring charm drifted over—
"Pardon me, she's mine."
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