MORIC - Chapter 67
Chapter 67: Stepdaughter Literature
For a moment, Xi Zhoumeng suspected she and Chi Yueshan had a generation gap.
After all, in her mind, that term was hardly a compliment.
The next day, during the actual performance, Xi Zhoumeng was still pondering this question while having her makeup done.
【System: She was complimenting you, don't be so petty!】
Xi Zhoumeng increasingly suspected the system was on the verge of rebellion. After all, the thing had been speaking more and more coquettishly lately.
It was clearly an AI, yet it seemed to have a soul.
What on earth had it transformed from?
And it was so useless.
【She was just praising Wen Xinghuo's character and took a jab at me on the side.】
Xi Zhoumeng figured it out.
Right now, the backstage area was bustling with people. The final performance for the drama elective had always been one of the more high-spec events among elective courses.
Many young ladies had brought their own makeup artists. If only they could choose their own group members, they would have eagerly swapped them out.
At this moment, academic credits were not as important as one's own reputation.
Classmates who usually didn't get along or looked down on each other's makeup and attire were now all amicable, helping one another out.
Occasionally, a few Alphas were dragged over to be dressed up. The male Alphas stiffened like rocks.
The female Alphas, on the other hand, chatted cheerfully with the Omega students, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.
A supporting actress like Xi Zhoumeng wouldn't deign to use the public backstage area.
She had her own private dressing room and had brought the Xi family's personal makeup artist, who had started working on her look three hours before the show began.
Jiang Xian, a Beta from an ordinary family, had never seen such a spectacle. She felt like a dog sent to a pet salon for a bath.
Even the soap they used was exceptionally silky, making her sneeze repeatedly.
This had completely turned into a battlefield for the noble young ladies of each group.
But above the nobility was the royal family. As Jiang Xian was getting her look done, she couldn't help but glance at Sheng Yangkui.
It seemed that even within the royal family, you could tell who was favored and who wasn't.
Take this third princess, for example. She was small and timid. Although her lady-in-waiting was with her, she didn't seem to manage her much, just standing aside and watching.
Logically, someone like Sheng Yangkui should have her own dedicated team, yet they all deferred to Xi Zhoumeng.
Their small group was meticulously arranged by Xi Zhoumeng.
A private dressing room, expensive black tea, and rows of incredibly luxurious clothes hanging on racks.
Even though they weren't playing particularly wealthy characters, their costumes alone already secured a decisive victory.
A wave of guilt washed over Jiang Xian. She felt that having Xi Zhoumeng in their group was like having a cheat code; they didn't have to worry about a thing.
The top-tier noble had more prestige than the royal princess. At this moment, she was commenting on Chi Yueshan's posture.
"Stand up straighter."
Chi Yueshan: "The character I'm playing isn't like that. She's pretty casual."
Xi Zhoumeng held her black tea, leaning unsteadily against the makeup table. The hem of her dress seemed to shimmer with its own light, making it impossible for anyone to look away.
It was hard to tell if it was because of the body it enveloped or the sheer magnificence of the garment itself.
It felt like the person was screaming "I'm so damn rich" from head to toe.
"I'm talking about the dress. It wrinkles when you relax."
Xi Zhoumeng's tone was flat. Chi Yueshan had tried to talk herself down several times, but it was still easy for this person to stir up her anger.
"Come on! I'm more important than the dress! The dress is supposed to serve me!"
Chi Yueshan glared at Xi Zhoumeng.
People like Jiang Xian and Shi Yangshu were already used to Xi Zhoumeng's arrogance.
After all, it was normal for a beauty to put on airs. Besides, Xi Zhoumeng had money, taste, and talent—all part of her charm index.
Only Chi Yueshan loved to talk back to Xi Zhoumeng. The first-year Omega was incredibly bold. Dressed in the expensive costume, her entire look had been transformed.
In particular, she had switched to a pair of vintage-style glasses, and the dangling rose-decorated metal chain greatly altered her aura.
It was just that letting out a yell like that kind of ruined her character's persona.
When she kept her mouth shut, she did have the vibe of Fu Xin from the script.
Xi Zhoumeng chuckled. She reached out to straighten Chi Yueshan's collar, her fingers brushing over the large decorative fabric on the dress.
Her fingers unintentionally touched the cross necklace on Chi Yueshan's chest. The cross swayed for a moment before falling back heavily against her chest.
Chi Yueshan bit her lip, thinking this person was definitely doing it on purpose.
Her heat was at its tail end, and usually, only her chest felt off.
She had been ecstatic about the new absorbent pads, but Xi Zhoumeng, who knew this secret, just loved to toy with her like this.
"Alright, then let me serve you, Junior."
The second-year Omega senior was wearing high heels, yet she still had to look down when speaking to Chi Yueshan.
Jiang Xian was no longer fazed by this scene, thanks to the beauty effect and the immunity built up from watching rehearsal snippets.
The Xi family's makeup artist and stylist showed no reaction. Only Sheng Yangkui stared at the two intimate Omegas in the mirror.
She was exceptionally puzzled.
It was one thing for Xi Zhoumeng to be completely different from her past life.
But why had Chi Yueshan changed too?
Weren't the two of them at each other's throats from the very beginning?
Didn't Chi Yueshan resent Xi Zhoumeng for enslaving Wen Xinghuo and pick fights with her every other day?
Even if they were rivals in love, this scene felt exceptionally ambiguous.
Sheng Yangkui lowered her eyes, thinking of Wen Xinghuo again, of the look in her eyes during rehearsal. Even if it was just for the role, it sent a chill through Sheng Yangkui's heart.
Wen Xinghuo had wanted to talk to her after it was over, but the lady-in-waiting had approached again, and Wen Xinghuo didn't press the matter, simply leaving.
Even now, Wen Xinghuo hadn't arrived.
Sheng Yangkui thought: Why did she have to ask me that question?
Before she could dwell on it, the door was pushed open, and Xi Shuang's boisterous voice rang out, "I'm here to see my goddess Zhoumeng!"
Behind her was Wen Xinghuo, with whom she had fought just yesterday.
Changed into her performance costume, a formal suit, she had a completely different flavor from her usual self.
News of the two fighting in the training room had already spread like wildfire, further proving that Wen Xinghuo had indeed cheated.
It was unexpected that they would arrive together today.
The students who saw them on the way were all shocked, not to mention those heading to the theater to watch the play, who were furiously scrolling through the forum threads.
—《Consolidated Thread for First-Year Drama Elective: Did Wen Xinghuo Actually Cheat or Not??!!》
2L: I'm already here, the place is packed. I've never seen an elective class draw such a huge crowd.
3L: A lot of teachers are here too. Is this a campus-wide gossip session?!!!
4L: Members of the royal family are here too, but maybe it's because a princess is in the play???
5L: How come I heard that the person Wen Xinghuo cheated with is that royal princess? I heard the Second Princess also likes Wen Xinghuo?? And she had a falling out with her knight. I heard it from my family.
6L: I'm more shocked that Xi Shuang got beaten up like that by Wen Xinghuo, it's really...
7L: Just went backstage [Image]. So many beauties!! Some of the male Omegas are really striking poses...
8L: I went to check it out, Senior Xi's group has a private dressing room, ugh, couldn't get in at all. I'm so excited.
9L: The plot for their group is already super intense. Stepmother literature. Wen Xinghuo is cross-dressing as a man, Chi Yueshan has to top Xi Zhoumeng hahahahaha I'm dying, and then there's Sheng Yangkui (is that her name?)—the little princess is playing a character who wants to kill her dad. OMG!!! It's so brilliant, the drama both on and off stage is amazing.
10L: Yellow Rose is insanely intense. Honestly, I think these guys are better than actual actors hahahaha. With Senior Xi's looks playing the young stepmom, who wouldn't be tempted!!!
11L: I'm really interested in the fact that the first-year who likes Senior Wen has to act out a clandestine affair with Senior Xi. Aren't they love rivals??? LMAO, even in an O-O pairing, Senior Xi has to be the 1!!!
12L: Is no one else thinking that Senior Wen and that princess are actually a thing? That height difference, hiss gasp...
The only one not part of the discussion, Jiang Xian, acted as the insider, watching the commotion with Shi Yangshu.
From time to time, she would like some of the funnier comments.
When Xi Shuang came over, she first looked at Xi Zhoumeng, only to find her intimately adjusting Chi Yueshan's clothes.
Chi Yueshan turned her head sharply. The moment she saw Wen Xinghuo, a look of infatuation still flickered across her face.
Like a fangirl seeing her idol, she still had a silly, dazed smile.
Xi Zhoumeng's hand was still on her waist, and she couldn't help but tighten her grip slightly.
"Wipe your drool."
Chi Yueshan let out an "ah," raising her hand to wipe her mouth before realizing she'd been tricked.
She huffed, then waved at Wen Xinghuo quite openly. "Hi! Senior!!!"
Xi Shuang: "I'm not a senior?"
She still had a bruise on the corner of her mouth, but it didn't affect the feeling of her smile as she warmly approached Xi Zhoumeng to chat.
"My cousin and I are here to show our support."
Chi Yueshan went "ah" again. "Where's Ling Xun?"
Xi Zhoumeng subtly lowered her eyes and pulled back Chi Yueshan, who was about to take a step forward. "Are you that eager to see your girlfriend?"
Chi Yueshan spun her head around in anger. "I told you, we're friends! Not girlfriends!"
Xi Shuang laughed. "It's fine, there's always time! She went to arrange the flowers."
Wen Xinghuo barely needed any makeup. It was common knowledge she was playing a cross-dressing role anyway. No normal male Alpha had her height, let alone her oppressive presence.
Her seat was arranged next to Sheng Yangkui's. The lady-in-waiting standing beside Sheng Yangkui instinctively took a step back upon seeing Wen Xinghuo.
Wen Xinghuo had seen the previous lady-in-waiting. She was a middle-aged female Beta with a submissive appearance who was actually very restrictive towards Sheng Yangkui.
She heard the woman had been hospitalized. This new lady-in-waiting was much younger, but she still couldn't help but steal another glance at Wen Xinghuo.
She found that even when this female Alpha sat down, she exuded an intimidating aura. The shoulder pads of her suit enhanced her presence, and her long legs had nowhere to go, sticking out a fair bit.
The contrast between her and Sheng Yangkui in the same frame was too stark.
Not to mention meeting Wen Xinghuo's eyes, it felt like falling into their crimson depths.
Xi Zhoumeng: "Arrange flowers?"
Chi Yueshan: "That must have cost a fortune!"
Xi Shuang chuckled. "You two are quite in sync. It wasn't much money. Isn't this to celebrate a rare activity you're doing together?"
She felt a certain fondness for Chi Yueshan, a case of "love me, love my dog." Her cousin's girlfriend was family, so her gaze towards Chi Yueshan was particularly gentle.
"Good luck, Junior. I mentioned you to Xi Shuang's father before."
She winked. "When it comes to marriage, I'll definitely help you get past that hurdle."
Chi Yueshan: "Huh? Marriage?"
Xi Zhoumeng snorted. "How much money does the Ling family have?"
Xi Shuang: "Not much compared to you, of course, but love isn't just about money, right, Junior?"
Chi Yueshan looked completely bewildered. "Senior, you must have misunderstood. Ling Xun and I are not..."
Xi Shuang: "I heard about it from Lao Wen. You hugging her wasn't for any other reason. I understand idol worship. Look at Ling Xun, she worships Lao Wen but doesn't even dare to get close..."
Xi Zhoumeng coldly cut Xi Shuang off. "You can chat later. We're about to go on stage."
Sheng Yangkui let the makeup artist apply her lipstick.
In the makeup mirror, her eyes were closed. The lipstick applied to her pale face was a nude pink, doing nothing to improve her complexion.
Her hair was also styled to look like Fu Shi's from the script, a bit disheveled.
Wen Xinghuo took a few glances at her while her eyes were closed.
The moment the new lady-in-waiting turned to pour some black tea, Sheng Yangkui grabbed her hand.
She was trembling.
A bit like a quivering mimosa plant, yet she was only this bold in front of Wen Xinghuo.
Xi Zhoumeng and Xi Shuang were still talking, with Chi Yueshan occasionally letting out a confused "ah."
Wen Xinghuo's makeup artist had moved to the other side, and the one doing Sheng Yangkui's makeup pretended not to see the hands clasped beneath the hem of their clothes.
Xi Zhoumeng had given instructions not to disturb them.
Let things develop naturally.
But the Xi family staff didn't understand why Miss Xi was doing this.
Not only was she handing over the Alpha she had raised for years, but she also seemed to be doing everything in her power to push them together.
Wen Xinghuo didn't react at first, not until that small hand rested on the back of hers, trembling as it tried to squeeze between her fingers.
Only then did she turn her hand over, her palm enveloping the back of Sheng Yangkui's.
It was just like in Sheng Yangkui's final memory from her past life, the moment Wen Xinghuo embraced her body after cutting off her own head.
A warm embrace.
It was a feeling Sheng Yangkui would cherish for lifetimes to come.
"Oh my, why are you crying?"
The makeup artist was a little flustered. Wen Xinghuo abruptly pulled her hand back.
In the makeup mirror, the delicate face was streaked with tears.
Xi Zhoumeng looked over, her tone teasing, "Xinghuo, did you bully your daughter?"
Chi Yueshan let out an "er," thinking, Are we getting into character already?
Xi Shuang glanced over, thinking that this princess crying was truly a beautiful sight, like a pear blossom in the rain, with a unique charm.
Most importantly, Wen Xinghuo, that look in your eyes is something else!!
No way, no way! Are they really having an affair?
Sheng Yangkui took a breath. "No, I was just thinking about Fu Shi's childhood. It made me a little sad."
Xi Zhoumeng said, "Oh. In that case, Junior, you should pull yourself together for now. After all, our opening scene is a family dinner."
Chi Yueshan inexplicably felt that this scene made Xi Zhoumeng look like a vicious female supporting character.
Wait a minute, doesn't that make Sheng Yangkui the female lead? And I'm a female supporting character too, I guess.
My fated Senior Wen is still, without a doubt, the female protagonist.
As Chi Yueshan stared silently at Wen Xinghuo's hand, which wanted to wipe Sheng Yangkui's tears but then retracted, Xi Zhoumeng lifted her chin and leaned in, calling out intimately—
"My darling daughter, it's time to make your entrance."
Chi Yueshan thought: Who calls their daughter like they're moaning in bed? Psycho!
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