MORIC - Chapter 69
Chapter 69: A Suitor Arrives
Each scene was one they had rehearsed many times. Chi Yueshan's nervousness dissipated as the plot progressed.
But the audience below was not empty as it had been during her rehearsals.
As expected, Xi Zhoumeng bit the petals of that yellow rose.
Chi Yueshan, dressed in a high-end shirt, tugged at her collar. She was pulled down by Xi Zhoumeng, whose waterfall of black hair scattered across the pure white bedsheets.
Next came the hands cupping her cheeks, and the breath that sprayed across her face.
The scene only needed to convey emotion.
That was what Xi Zhoumeng had told her during their coaching sessions. Behind the dark curtain was the audience, and on stage was Xi Zhoumeng, who was currently her "stepmother" and also her "underground girlfriend." Their breaths mingled, a fleeting intimacy, a grip that should have been released, all in the final moment before the lights changed.
From the front row, Xuan Ping personally saw Xi Zhoumeng's lips press against the corner of Chi Yueshan's mouth.
Her seat was excellent. The center of her row was occupied by teachers, and to her left and right were upperclassmen.
Next to Mu Lai was the second of the royal triplets.
Quite a few people saw this kiss.
Mu Lai was also a little surprised. She didn't think much of it, though. "So professional?"
She wasn't a very cultured person. Even with her family's influence, she hadn't cultivated much elegance; she was more like a piece of half-fatty, half-lean cured meat.
Her previous partners had liked her for her money and family background. When she first took an interest in Xuan Ping, it was only because the other girl was like a simple bowl of congee amidst her usual feasts of rich meats.
But this simple bowl of congee's affection for her was far from fanatical; it was shy and timid.
She never overstepped any boundaries and was always scrupulous about the gifts she accepted, making Mu Lai feel as if she were the one being turned.
From the hunter, she had become the prey.
At this moment, she habitually clung to Xuan Ping.
Xuan Ping lowered her voice, "Don't talk."
Mu Lai huffed. "It's not like I'm the only one talking."
She even got a little temperamental, opening her light-brain to check the real-time messages.
The broadcast camera was high-definition, but there weren't many camera angles. Many people watching the live stream didn't see anything clearly, but they were shocked by the comments.
【For real! They kissed?】
【Leaving disappointed. I thought it was a real kiss. A peck between Omegas is nothing, just sisterly affection.】
【I'm so jealous!! I want to be kissed by Xi Zhoumeng too!!!】
【Chi Yueshan, you're so lucky!! And so capable! To think you were supposed to be love rivals but ended up in this kind of relationship, how outrageous.】
【I'm still stuck on the previous scene of fatherly love and filial piety hahahahaha. Every time Wen Xinghuo is in the same frame as Sheng Yangkui, she looks like a giant! I'm starting to consider the possibility of them actually getting together.】
【Someone should just ask the people involved after this is over, you know, if they're dating or something.】
【Even if Wen Xinghuo and Sheng Yangkui got together, it might not be that great. Royal Omegas aren't that easy to woo. They're either already betrothed or are candidates to be the next queen. Look at the second of the triplets and her knight; they've been together for so many years and still haven't gotten married.】
【Of course. It's all over if you become queen. A queen has to be emotionless and desireless! What would she need an Alpha for! Better to date early and enjoy it while you can.】
The original work of Yellow Rose was filled with the atmosphere of a gloomy, rainy day, and the audience felt the rain pouring down countless times.
Every character had ulterior motives. Even the third daughter, who adored her father, still hated Fu Yao to the bone.
When Fu Yao wasn't around, it was a war between the eldest son and his younger sisters. The scenes were fast-paced, and the background music fit the story perfectly, creating an atmosphere that completely immersed the audience.
The final act was still a rainy day. Qiu Mei, with a yellow silk scarf tied around her neck, held an umbrella and stood with Fu Shi before Fu Yao's grave.
The cemetery held the graves of countless Fu family ancestors, as well as the former Fu Xin.
The Fu family actually had three sisters. Fu Xin and Fu Xin were twins, and Fu Shi was the youngest.
The eldest son, however, was not Fu Yao's biological child.
But the man and his ex-wife had been in a car accident. The ex-wife died on the spot, and he was seriously injured and hospitalized, losing his ability to have children.
He had no other choice, yet he was fortunate to have had a son with his ex-wife before they were married.
He never expected that the son was not his.
One of his twin daughters had been taken and sold.
His wife's death was not entirely due to the car accident; he had used her as a scapegoat.
Fu Xin was frail and died on her way to work. It was Fu Xin who saved her.
At that time, Fu Xin didn't know about her background; she just wanted to extort some money.
It ultimately turned into a massive conspiracy.
Fu Shi personally ended her biological father's life, telling him the whole truth as he lay dying.
The sound of rain echoed through the theater, as if the chill could seep into the audience's very lungs.
Fu Shi asked, "Where's Second Sister?"
She was still small and thin, her face deathly pale. A black umbrella seemed as if it could crush her.
In the audience, Mu Lai glanced at the female Omega beside her who had laughed out loud.
As a fellow royal princess, the female Omega was just watching the stage, showing no sisterly affection, only ridicule.
Even though Mu Lai didn't consider herself a good person, she hadn't expected the supposedly deep sisterly bond of the triplets to be so superficial.
If she heard correctly, this female Omega was laughing at her own sister for looking stupid?
She didn't think so. Sheng Yangkui looked pitiful and helpless, and the stage makeup only amplified her frailty.
It actually made one want to protect her. And the scene where she strangled Wen Xinghuo was incredibly intense; her lines were delivered with such genuine emotion.
Xi Zhoumeng wore a dark red coat, the dress underneath outlining her perfect figure. Her high heels were splattered with mud, like pearls stained with dust.
The stepmother who had just lost her husband showed little grief. "She went to see her sister."
The massive inheritance fell to this woman, who, even under such a gloomy sky, was still radiant.
Fu Shi said, "Oh," and looked up to see Fu Xin, who was also Fu Xin, walking over from another grave.
This person was anything but heartless; she was even somewhat infatuated, sharing a deep bond with this stepmother.
This included how, in the pouring rain, the first thing she did after coming over with an umbrella was to wipe Qiu Mei's shoes.
Xi Zhoumeng was so noble both in and out of the play. Sheng Yangkui lowered her eyes, silently watching Chi Yueshan wipe Xi Zhoumeng's shoes.
Even though it was acting, she still portrayed a kind of willing devotion that was distinct from servility.
It was Fu Xin's feelings.
But Sheng Yangkui couldn't sense any anger from Chi Yueshan. Logically, these two were like fire and water; there was no way they could get along so well.
The ambiguous atmosphere of their near-kiss even made Sheng Yangkui incredibly jealous.
She also wanted to have a moment like that with Wen Xinghuo.
But why was this happening?
Xi Zhoumeng could have easily arranged for me and Wen Xinghuo to have no scenes together.
Sheng Yangkui didn't understand at all, until the curtain fell and she slowly walked towards the dressing room, where she saw Chi Yueshan talking to Xi Zhoumeng.
The tall Omega walked with a graceful sway. Chi Yueshan, with a tone that was either sour or amazed, asked, "How much money did you spend on your clothes?"
Xi Zhoumeng's high heels clicked as she walked. She untied the yellow silk scarf and said lazily, "Are you going to pay for them?"
Chi Yueshan: "I don't have any money!"
The yellow ribbon landed on Chi Yueshan's face. Xi Zhoumeng let out a laugh. "Can you dress a little better in the future?"
In Sheng Yangkui's impression, Chi Yueshan was a boisterous person, but mostly in front of Xi Zhoumeng and Wen Xinghuo.
In front of Wen Xinghuo, her boisterousness seemed restrained, yet her eyes held a look of infinite longing and admiration.
In front of Xi Zhoumeng, her boisterousness was much more relaxed, with a hint of imperceptible intimacy.
Like a tamed little animal, easily led away by the beckoning of a finger.
"Take this set and wear it."
Xi Zhoumeng walked into the dressing room. Wen Xinghuo happened to be removing her makeup and nodded at Xi Zhoumeng when she saw her.
Chi Yueshan was so engrossed in her bickering with Xi Zhoumeng that she didn't even notice Wen Xinghuo. "What, are you pitying me!"
Xi Zhoumeng: "Why would I pity you?"
Chi Yueshan moved a little closer. "I'm not going to pay you back!"
Wen Xinghuo only heard the words "pay back" and looked over, confused.
Xi Zhoumeng pushed open the door to the changing room, and Chi Yueshan foolishly followed her in.
"What are you following me in for? If you can't pay me back, are you going to sell your body to repay the debt?"
She said this in a very low voice, like a snake slithering into Chi Yueshan's heart. It made her itch all over, and her throat felt as if it were blocked, or perhaps she had gone mute. For a long while, she didn't know how to retort.
Xi Zhoumeng let out a low laugh. The moment the door closed, Xi Shuang burst in, pulling Ling Xun along with her.
Ling Xun was holding a bouquet of lilies and looked over shyly when she saw Chi Yueshan.
It was hard for her not to be captivated by the Chi Yueshan on stage, just as she had been when she saw the video of Chi Yueshan's fashion show.
She felt that this girl was an enigma.
Always piquing her curiosity.
As if with every casual turn, infinite stories could be revealed.
Chi Yueshan, however, had her head down, her face slightly flushed, lost in thought.
She was wearing her costume from the final act, a stiff shirt that seemed tailor-made for her. Her lower body was clad in black trousers that outlined her slender waist, making her appear much taller visually.
A section of argyle socks disappeared into her leather ankle boots, the anchor-shaped decorations on them swaying as she walked.
On stage, Chi Yueshan as Fu Xin was particularly gentle and refined. Because the character had a misty, somber feel, it gave her a contrasting scholarly air.
Xi Shuang tilted her head to look at Chi Yueshan and said to Wen Xinghuo, "What do you think of my cousin and Xiao Yueshan?"
As soon as the play ended, Wen Xinghuo had quickly combed out her slicked-back hair. Playing a scumbag made her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles, easily reminding her of her Alpha father.
It had taken Wen Xinghuo a long time to accept her appearance, which was so different from that of a typical female Alpha. Now, she could face others' surprised gazes with composure.
Only discussions about relationships were her Achilles' heel.
It felt like quarrying stone; every swing of the hammer was a gnawing at her soul.
Wen Xinghuo glanced at Chi Yueshan, then at the slightly blushing Ling Xun.
The Alpha looked delicate and refined, and the Omega, when not talking, looked quite cute.
They seemed compatible.
But Chi Yueshan and Ling Xun didn't give Wen Xinghuo the feeling of being in love.
She always felt that Xi Zhoumeng's attitude towards Chi Yueshan was strange.
For someone who disliked excessive contact with others to suddenly start touching someone was highly unusual.
Wen Xinghuo also wanted to know why.
And why Xi Zhoumeng would go to such great lengths to push her and Sheng Yangkui together.
What secret was Xi Zhoumeng hiding?
Her childhood friend, who had been mature since she was young, seemed indifferent to everything, yet handled everything with ease.
Wen Xinghuo sighed and shook her head. "I don't know."
Xi Shuang turned her head again, lifted her chin, and said, "Hey, what about this one?"
Sheng Yangkui had changed back into her own clothes and returned, her lady-in-waiting following her every step.
It seemed attentive to the point of being inseparable, but it gave off a very uncomfortable feeling.
Wen Xinghuo lowered her eyes. "Not her."
At least not now.
Xi Shuang let out a "wow." "Looks like you're not escaping your fate today."
The corner of her mouth was still bruised, and she wore a gloating smile.
As expected, when Wen Xinghuo walked out of the theater, she was bombarded with questions from many people.
But there was one person she found hard to refuse due to her status.
The second daughter of the Sheng family, Sheng Qiuyu, whom she had met at the fashion show, blocked her path.
They had the same face, but Sheng Yangkui looked timid and uneasy with her head bowed, as if she were the one in the womb who had been deprived of nutrients, appearing weak and pitiful.
Sheng Qiuyu looked healthy and even a bit arrogant. Her pair of violet eyes stared at Wen Xinghuo, while her lady-in-waiting stood to the side, pretending not to see.
"Senior Wen, would you like to have a cup of coffee with me?"
Her voice wasn't even as pleasant as Sheng Yangkui's.
Wen Xinghuo thought silently.
"I'm sorry, I have something else to do."
The tall Alpha's hairstyle was different from usual because of the play. After letting down the slicked-back hair, fine bangs covered her brows and eyes. Her high ponytail had become a low one, hanging down her back, making her look like she had short hair at first glance.
Her eyes were like flowing fire and the blazing sun, possessing a beauty that contradicted her physique.
The refusal was gentle.
Sheng Qiuyu had never met an Alpha like this. She was extremely curious.
She reached out to stop Wen Xinghuo from leaving. "Then just give me a few minutes."
Even the tallest Alpha seemed a bit lacking in front of Wen Xinghuo, let alone an Omega.
Many people said that Wen Xinghuo's sense of security was unparalleled, something Sheng Qiuyu had felt during the fashion show.
But now, she felt this Alpha's suppressive presence was making her blush.
"I really..."
"Will you go out with me?!"
Wen Xinghuo didn't react for a moment.
Instead, it was Xi Zhoumeng, who had received several bouquets of flowers, who heard it and let out an "oho."
Chi Yueshan was standing to the side with Ling Xun. She had been trying to find the words to refuse Ling Xun's dinner invitation when she stumbled upon such an explosive scene.
Students weren't as fanatical as celebrity fans, of course, but they still loved to watch a good show.
This scene was earth-shatteringly epic. Even Xi Shuang let out a "holy crap," and said sourly, "What kind of romantic luck is this?"
Xi Zhoumeng looked at Wen Xinghuo with a smile. "As expected of our Xinghuo."
Chi Yueshan thought to herself that her tone was way too grandmotherly.
When she looked up, Xi Zhoumeng happened to turn her head to the side, and Chi Yueshan followed her gaze.
Sheng Yangkui was standing on the other side. She looked extremely petite, like a delicate doll.
The wisteria-patterned long dress seemed to be her armor. At this moment, she was biting her lip, staring intently at Sheng Qiuyu, who could see her.
Chi Yueshan felt a chill run down her spine.
She tugged on Xi Zhoumeng's sleeve and asked in a small voice, "You can tolerate this?"
Xi Zhoumeng smiled like a farmer waiting for a hen to lay an egg. "This has nothing to do with me."
She thought for a moment, then asked Chi Yueshan, "Who do you think Wen Xinghuo will choose?"
"I'll bet a hundred thousand Star Coins."
Chi Yueshan: What a sucker.
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