MORIC - Chapter 66
Chapter 66: Special Feeling
The theater was vast, and Wen Xinghuo and Sheng Yangkui stood at the entrance.
The second floor was empty, while on the first floor, only a corner of the stage was illuminated.
Moreover, the carefully selected soundtrack by Xi Zhoumeng was playing. The piano music was melodious, and on the stage, the two Omegas in an embrace looked as if they could stay that way for eternity.
Wen Xinghuo's voice wasn't loud, but it was just at a level that Sheng Yangkui could hear.
In that instant, accompanied by the turn of the strings in the music, it was like a knife precisely slicing away Sheng Yangkui's flesh.
She thought she had misheard and looked timidly at Wen Xinghuo. "What did you say?"
Wen Xinghuo's hands were tucked into her loose outer robe. She looked travel-worn, and there was even a dried burr of unknown origin stuck to her arm.
This person exuded an extraordinary aura just by standing there; she was clearly no ordinary individual.
Yet, her heart was soft. Even her suspicion seemed like a gentleness that had been tempered a thousand times. "Before, we…"
A beam of light swept over Wen Xinghuo with pinpoint accuracy.
Wen Xinghuo's voice stopped abruptly. Sheng Yangkui's mind was filled with Wen Xinghuo's "A'Kui," accompanied by the sound of the cello.
Wen Xinghuo rarely called her that.
She was restrained most of the time. Besides, their statuses were too mismatched. Even though Wen Xinghuo was taller than Sheng Yangkui, she was far from being as noble.
This world was one of inherent inequality. Wen Xinghuo abided by its rules, and even though Sheng Yangkui had seized that fated connection, Wen Xinghuo still kept her distance.
It was as if she had to deliberate for a long time before she could bring herself to say a single "A'Kui."
Did I mishear?
It can't be.
Sheng Yangkui's heart grew anxious. Today, her personal lady-in-waiting was injured, so the one accompanying her wasn't watching her too closely, merely waiting at the entrance.
Otherwise, she wouldn't even have had the chance to stand silently beside Wen Xinghuo.
"Since you're here, come over. Don't be so sneaky."
Xi Zhoumeng got up from the prop bed. Seeing Chi Yueshan's posture, which looked for all the world like someone caught in an affair, she straightened her clothes in a matter of seconds.
She even shot Xi Zhoumeng a reproachful glance.
It seemed she was displeased with Xi Zhoumeng's poor choice of words.
Wen Xinghuo nodded. She didn't ask again and turned to Sheng Yangkui. "Shall we go?"
Sheng Yangkui nodded hastily, taking small steps to follow behind Wen Xinghuo.
She stared at the hem of Wen Xinghuo's long robe. The dim light of the theater was just enough for her to see a loose thread poking out from the edge.
This person was completely different from the high-ranking military officer in her memory, the one who had walked up the long flight of stairs to kill her.
That Wen Xinghuo had long been tempered by the flames of war. Her killing intent was overwhelming, yet she was skilled at concealing it. Her face still couldn't be called beautiful, but it possessed a different, indescribable charm.
Sheng Yangkui loved her all the same.
Whether it was the Wen Xinghuo who had killed her, or this one who had yet to reach her full potential—the Wen Xinghuo she had once touched.
Once everyone had arrived, it was time to rehearse the group scenes. Xi Zhoumeng had the AI clear away the props while she looked over the new lines.
Wen Xinghuo seemed to be in a hurry. As she walked over, she saw Chi Yueshan and gave her a nod.
To the side, Jiang Xian's eyes were glued to them; she felt like she had a front-row seat for all the drama.
Not to mention Sheng Yangkui, who played the younger sister, had actually come alone this time.
During the past few rehearsals, there had always been an expressionless lady-in-waiting standing beside Sheng Yangkui.
She didn't know why the royal family had so many rules. It seemed none of them had any freedom, constantly accompanied by well-trained ladies-in-waiting.
Jiang Xian didn't think this was good at all. It was like being monitored twenty-four hours a day, with no way to resist.
And if you did resist, they would call it a matter of royal dignity.
But the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess didn't seem as tense as Sheng Yangkui. Why was that?
The contrast between Sheng Yangkui and Wen Xinghuo standing together was stark. While Xi Zhoumeng was arranging their positions, Jiang Xian whispered to Shi Yangshu, "Have you ever seen something like The Giant's Bride?"
Shi Yangshu was a die-hard otaku Beta who had only ended up in this elective because he couldn't get into the one he wanted. At this, his eyes lit up, and he nodded like he was pounding garlic.
Jiang Xian leaned closer. "Look at Senior Wen and this little princess. That's at least…"
She left the sentence half-finished, but Shi Yangshu understood.
The royal family's school uniforms were all different, not to mention today wasn't an occasion that called for them. Only someone like Chi Yueshan, who rarely bought new clothes, would still be wearing hers.
Sheng Yangkui owned many dresses, most of them very girlish and in a different style from Xi Zhoumeng's.
Xi Zhoumeng was only a year older, yet she seemed to possess a wealth of different experiences. Her figure was also excessively fine, the fabric clinging to her exquisite frame, exuding a completely mature allure.
Sheng Yangkui, on the other hand, seemed a bit too young. With wisteria flowers adorning her skirt, she looked like a little girl who hadn't yet presented.
Even while Xi Zhoumeng was speaking, she couldn't help but steal glances at Wen Xinghuo.
Jiang Xian recalled the previous times Sheng Yangkui had been there.
"I remember her being so cold."
Shi Yangshu didn't have much of an impression. After all, Sheng Yangkui wasn't very talkative. The royal triplets in their year were actually quite conspicuous.
The second-born was the most high-profile, often seen drinking coffee with different Alphas.
They had the same face, yet Sheng Yangkui was like the XXS on a size chart, possessing a delicate, pitiable quality, like a bud yet to bloom.
Jiang Xian grunted. Wen Xinghuo's height of over one-point-nine meters was truly imposing. As the four of them stood at the front talking, she noticed that Xi Zhoumeng must have been wearing sky-high heels under her long skirt, making her much taller than Chi Yueshan beside her.
"Actually, at first glance, Senior Xi seems quite like an Alpha…"
It was just that flamboyant Alphas were rare; most of them received a different kind of education.
Xi Zhoumeng's bearing was impeccable, but she never wore androgynous clothing. She was always purely feminine, layering various elements in a way that made many noble girls emulate her style.
It was unclear what Xi Zhoumeng said, but Chi Yueshan huffed. Wen Xinghuo glanced at her, and then Sheng Yangkui looked at Chi Yueshan.
Jiang Xian said, "Anyone who didn't know better would think the eye of the storm was the beautiful Senior Xi. Who would have thought…"
Shi Yangshu finished, "...it's Senior Wen."
Xi Zhoumeng finalized their positions on stage. After rehearsing a family scene, she had Wen Xinghuo run through her part.
The tall, formidable Alpha stood on stage looking a bit lost. Xi Zhoumeng looked at Sheng Yangkui, who had just picked up a cup of water. "Junior, your bedside scene. Let's run it again."
The third child of the Fu family, Fu Shi, was a novelist. Frail since childhood, she barely attended school and was constantly in and out of the hospital.
Her old father was busy with his business and had many dalliances, leaving him with no time or inclination to care for his family.
The third child, Fu Shi, was the daughter of his young mistress, a premature baby. The mistress, a beauty with a tragic fate, died shortly after giving birth.
Fu Shi was brought into the Fu household to be raised by the butler and nannies. At first, Fu Yao, still mourning his lover, showed some favoritism toward Fu Shi.
But men are fickle; his affection didn't last, and eventually, he paid her no mind at all.
A child's growth is inevitable, and Fu Shi grew up nonetheless.
After marrying Qiu Mei, Fu Yao, as the father, gathered his sons and daughters at home to meet their new stepmother.
Later, when Fu Shi was hospitalized for an asthma attack, Qiu Mei wanted to avoid the advances of the recently returned Fu Yao. She found a photograph of his old mistress, let him reminisce for a while, and then sent him off to the hospital.
This was the scene they were rehearsing: Wen Xinghuo, playing Fu Yao, visiting Sheng Yangkui, who played Fu Shi.
Chi Yueshan sat beside Xi Zhoumeng and asked in a low voice, "Didn't you delete this scene before?"
She clearly remembered that the file Xi Zhoumeng had sent to the group chat didn't include this part.
Xi Zhoumeng raised an eyebrow. "Are you jealous?"
Chi Yueshan replied, "What would I be jealous of?"
As the Omega beside her sat down, she lifted the hem of her skirt slightly. Her black high heels wound around her calves like vines.
Chi Yueshan suddenly felt that Xi Zhoumeng's previous outfits had been rather conservative.
"Wen Xinghuo and Junior Sheng have a scene together, and you don't."
Xi Zhoumeng watched Chi Yueshan, wanting to see her reaction.
Chi Yueshan stared at Wen Xinghuo rehearsing on stage and muttered, "What's there for me to be jealous about? If anything, it should be you."
She turned to look at Xi Zhoumeng. "Aren't you jealous?"
It was only then that she suddenly remembered: So, Xi Zhoumeng and I are still love rivals.
Although, I don't think we are anymore.
What exactly are Xi Zhoumeng's feelings for Wen Xinghuo?
They seem so familiar with each other. Just now on stage, with a single glance, Xi Zhoumeng was able to spot Wen Xinghuo in the darkness.
My mind is filled with nothing but Xi Zhoumeng's scent.
How pathetic.
E-even if I don't like Senior Wen in that way anymore, I should at least be her number one fan, right?
This is so disrespectful.
Xi Zhoumeng coolly remote-controlled the prop-arranging AI. "A magnanimous person like me, jealous?"
Chi Yueshan asked, "You wouldn't get jealous even after you're married?"
She took a pair of glasses from her pocket. As the lenses covered her jade-green eyes, Xi Zhoumeng, sitting to the side, found them to be even more translucent.
Xi Zhoumeng said, "Getting jealous in a marriage means you've already lost."
Chi Yueshan let out a sound of surprise. "Why? When you marry the person you love, what's there to win or lose?"
Sometimes she gave Xi Zhoumeng the impression of being very mature, and at other times, far too naive.
In Xi Zhoumeng's eyes, the institution of marriage was worthless, but to Chi Yueshan, the word was exceptionally sacred.
"Marriage is wonderful. You get to be with the person you love for a lifetime, doing the things you love."
A low cello melody played from the speakers as Sheng Yangkui lay down on the prop hospital bed. Her face already had a sickly pallor, so she hardly needed any makeup to perfectly embody the character of Fu Shi.
Fu Shi was writing in a notebook when Fu Yao pushed the door open and entered.
The old father held a bouquet of baby's breath, his face still devoid of a smile.
In Xi Zhoumeng's eyes, Chi Yueshan was just staring at Wen Xinghuo with a foolish, infatuated smile.
She naturally assumed that this girl simply wanted to marry Wen Xinghuo and be with her forever.
As the designated female protagonist, Wen Xinghuo's goodness was, of course, absolute.
She was a complete amalgamation of the author's various ideals, but Xi Zhoumeng still remembered the book's synopsis.
Wen Xinghuo will become the hero of the Empire.
But heroes are lonely. Whether one is a hero's family, partner, or child, they are all destined for a tragic fate.
Chi Yueshan was a name she had bestowed—the privilege of being number one on the donation leaderboard.
Although the privilege was merely to name a cannon fodder female supporting character, for the Xi Zhoumeng of that time, who could find no meaning in life…
Chi Yueshan had allowed her to live for a few more days.
"What's so great about Wen Xinghuo?"
Xi Zhoumeng looked at the Alpha on stage.
A person like Wen Xinghuo could only be a hero, never an anti-hero, because she was, to her core, dutiful and conscientious.
No hero can become the ruler of an empire.
Is it because she's the protagonist that everyone likes Wen Xinghuo?
Chi Yueshan likes Wen Xinghuo because of their shared past. But what about Sheng Yangkui?
Why is the look in her eyes, as she gazes at Wen Xinghuo through the persona of Fu Shi, so sorrowful?
Some sorrows cannot be acted; they require one to have experienced them firsthand.
For once, Chi Yueshan wasn't being her usual carefree self. She tried to have a serious conversation with Xi Zhoumeng.
"Senior Wen is very gentle."
She knew how to protect people when she was so young. So brave.
I want to be as brave as her.
"Even when people mocked her, she focused single-mindedly on getting stronger."
Me too. I also want to get stronger and do the things I want to do.
"Even when I attacked her, she wasn't harsh with me."
Chi Yueshan recalled her excitement upon seeing Wen Xinghuo again. It had indeed been an over-the-top reaction.
She had been so overcome with excitement that she couldn't think straight. On one hand, the other's physique was her perfect type, making her always want to get closer.
That feeling of embarrassment was really…
Chi Yueshan cupped her face. "Anyway, she's just a very good person. I feel like being friends with her would be very relaxing."
Xi Zhoumeng said, "Oh. A sense of security?"
Chi Yueshan nodded. She glanced at Xi Zhoumeng, whose eyes were downcast. The lights converged on the stage, where Sheng Yangkui, as Fu Shi, was speaking to Wen Xinghuo, who sat by the bedside peeling an apple for her.
A conversation between father and daughter.
"I don't like apples."
"I've already peeled it. I remember your mother loved apple pie."
Wen Xinghuo's tone became somewhat flighty, fitting for the role of an unreliable, promiscuous middle-aged man.
Playing a male role was no challenge for her. She had always been criticized for not being feminine enough, a fact she had always accepted calmly.
"Just because my mother liked it doesn't mean I do."
Sheng Yangkui's voice always carried a tremor, as if speaking any louder would frighten her away.
The hand holding her pen trembled slightly. Her notebook lay on the blanket. "Do you remember what I like to eat?"
She looked at Wen Xinghuo, as if trying to see into her very soul.
The Alpha with the high ponytail rarely took off her hair tie. Its gold trim had faded, but she was still the most dazzling meteor in Sheng Yangkui's sky.
"Sorry, I don't know."
Fu Yao was a scumbag. All he had to do was shrug.
Wen Xinghuo, with a frivolous expression, possessed a strange charm. Sheng Yangkui lowered her eyes and murmured, "Oh."
Chi Yueshan nodded. "It's just like the forums say. Senior Wen playing a scumbag has that 'charming scumbag' vibe."
Xi Zhoumeng scoffed. "Her?"
Chi Yueshan hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Xi Zhoumeng. "You give me that feeling sometimes, too."
Xi Zhoumeng asked, "For instance?"
Chi Yueshan leaned in a little closer and said in a low voice, "That day... when you told me to sit on your lap."
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