MORIC - Chapter 71
Chapter 71: Where Is Your Conscience?
The grade for the drama elective wouldn't be out for another day, but the grade for the flower arrangement class had already been sent to Chi Yueshan's light-brain.
It arrived just as she was getting off stage, and she only had time for a quick glance.
Coupled with the spectacle of Wen Xinghuo's drama she had just witnessed, it wasn't until she was in the car that Chi Yueshan finally clicked open the detailed grade report.
Just as Xi Zhoumeng had guaranteed, she was in the top five. That person truly understood the teacher's preferences, and the methods she had Chi Yueshan memorize were effective.
Ah, what's done is done. Let her be, Chi Yueshan thought with a sense of resignation as she gazed at the scenery outside the sky-rail.
Xi Zhoumeng was also reading new messages. She didn't have her privacy settings on, so Chi Yueshan could see her oversized light-brain screen just by turning her head.
There were far too many unread messages, most of them concerning the breakdown of her relationship with Wen Xinghuo.
Even Xi Yang and Xi Chun had sent messages asking what was going on.
The corner of Chi Yueshan's mouth twitched as she watched the constant red packet notifications flashing in their small group chat.
The numbers made her dizzy.
Damn it, they were so rich.
She looked away and silently checked her own balance. It was less than the amount of a single red packet Xi Li had sent to Xi Zhoumeng.
She was too poor.
Chi Yueshan didn't dare touch the newly deposited modeling fee; she planned to use it for next year's tuition.
That way, she wouldn't have to do live streams anymore.
Now that she was in the Upper World, there should be plenty of ways to earn money.
She would see what she could find during the winter break.
The campus forum was on fire. When Chi Yueshan opened it, almost every post was about today's events, discussing everything from the content of the play to the performers themselves.
Someone had even recorded Sheng Qiuyu's confession to Wen Xinghuo.
[Anonymous posting enabled]
1L: Holy crap! I was there!! I was stunned. Senior Xi was watching from the side, too. The scene, tsk tsk, I recommend a "Campus Gossip of the Year" compilation before winter break.
2L: Senior Wen is so tough... To be honest, it almost felt like she was being forced into a corner! The triplets really look alike. Didn't I see the third princess standing in the back in the video? Their play, Yellow Rose, was actually really good.
3L: You can't just casually talk about Knights. Is the second princess really that into Senior Wen? I've never had any contact with the royals, even though they go to school with us.
4L: I've had brief contact with them before. Among the three, the eldest is well-read and reasonable, the second is rather spoiled and arrogant, and the third is just timid. I heard the second is the most doted on, and she's the only one of the three without a Knight.
5L: The third princess is so pitiful, sob sob sob. I ran into her in the library once. She's so small, even as an Omega I felt the urge to protect her. Aren't there so many royal knights every year? Why doesn't she have one?
6L: ls, you clearly don't understand the ins and outs of it all. These exclusive Knights are potential partners for the royal Omegas. As long as they don't become the queen, they're expected to marry later on. Of course, the arrangement can be dissolved, but that was something from hundreds of years ago anyway.
7L: Right, right, and the compatibility rates are quite high, so you can think of them as fiancés. It would be fine if they were just dating, since some engaged couples have no feelings for each other. But to say it so directly in front of so many people is really awkward!! The second princess's Knight is also from a noble family, and his family ranks higher than the Wen family.
8L: Am I in some kind of dog-blood novel? This is so... what kind of fate does Wen Xinghuo have!!!
9L: I saw Wen Xinghuo almost kneel before her hahaha!!! Your recording is incomplete! In the second half, the third princess ran over and pulled Wen Xinghuo away. But the little princess has a weak constitution and fainted after a few steps, so Wen Xinghuo princess-carried her to the school infirmary.
10L: Help... that's so romantic!! Wait, what about Senior Xi...
11L: Sob sob sob, Senior Xi, my wifey, she's so magnanimous. She was even smiling and talking to that other Omega on the side who also likes Wen Xinghuo.
12L: Xi Zhoumeng never liked Wen Xinghuo at all, right? I've never seen a couple act like that. Even if they broke up, it wouldn't be like this! She was smiling like a matchmaker!
13L: I'm so curious about what happens next!!! Ping me when there's an update!!
...
289L: Where's the follow-up!! Who's the first-year representative for this year's end-of-term ball!! I want to know!! The voting is open, if you want to see more drama, go vote!!
...
Chi Yueshan saw the end of the post just as she was getting out of the car and clicked on the voting link.
She asked the inexplicably cheerful Xi Zhoumeng, "You're ranked first among the second-years too. So, who does the first-place student dance with?"
The hovercar stopped. This was the most expensive commercial district on the capital planet, where the prices for dining were beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
Xi Zhoumeng swiped her hand across the light screen at the restaurant's entrance, pulling Chi Yueshan inside by the hand as she answered, "No one said the first-place student has to dance with anyone in particular. They can also dance alone. The arrangements might not be the same this year."
Chi Yueshan: "But I heard..."
The floor of this restaurant was a green and white diamond pattern that nearly dazzled Chi Yueshan's eyes. She quickly looked up, only to see that the ceiling was a series of domes, with flowing light everywhere and lifelike fish swimming through it.
The elevator ascended slowly. Xi Zhoumeng let out a laugh.
"I have the final say."
Chi Yueshan let out an "oh."
"Are you cursing me in your head again?" Xi Zhoumeng asked suddenly.
Chi Yueshan didn't fall for it. "How could I!"
She huffed and pushed up her glasses.
Xi Zhoumeng was in an excellent mood. The elevator doors opened, and an attendant guided her deeper inside.
The restaurant's decor was a source of great novelty for Chi Yueshan, a country bumpkin from the Lower World, and she couldn't help but stare.
Xi Zhoumeng: "Oh, I thought you were best at cursing me."
Her dress was still the one from the play, and Chi Yueshan hadn't changed either, since the young miss had generously announced at the end that everyone could keep their costumes.
Jiang Xian and Shi Yangshu had nearly knelt in gratitude, but Chi Yueshan was already numb to it. After all, Xi Zhoumeng spent money like water; a ridiculously priced custom-made outfit like this was a drop in the ocean for her.
Only Sheng Yangkui had changed out of her costume, though she didn't refuse to take it.
She stared at the clothes for a long time before letting her lady-in-waiting take them away.
They entered a themed private room with a table for two, surrounded by hyper-realistic AI holographic walls.
Chi Yueshan: "When did I ever curse you?"
The black tea on the table was richly fragrant. Xi Zhoumeng propped up her face, the long tassels of her dress's shawl and her long hair cascading down together. The starry tassels on it looked exceptionally expensive.
"In bed."
She answered with complete frankness, and Chi Yueshan nearly spat out a mouthful of tea.
She covered her face for a long while before saying, "Could you be a little more reserved?"
Xi Zhoumeng: "As if you're so reserved."
Chi Yueshan huffed. "Anyway... just... thank you for helping me."
Xi Zhoumeng didn't quite like the background wall and turned it off. The floor-to-ceiling glass window now showed the night view of the capital planet, with a landmark building in the distance being particularly eye-catching.
The lighting in the private room wasn't very bright, and the fixtures had a Louis XV style. She asked Chi Yueshan, "Are there any other symptoms?"
Her gaze fell on Chi Yueshan's chest. The stiff shirt and expensive fabric could completely transform a person's appearance.
In the attendant's eyes, Chi Yueshan also looked like a high-spending customer.
After her shyness passed, Chi Yueshan touched her chest.
At a glance, nothing seemed amiss. She still had an absorbent pad stuck to her chest. With no one else around, she undid her collar, reached right in, and tore it off.
After letting out a yelp, she brazenly stuffed a new one in.
The whole sequence of movements was utterly uncouth, making her look just like a middle-aged man reaching into the inner pocket of his coat to pull out money.
Xi Zhoumeng's lips twitched. "Still that much?"
Chi Yueshan lowered her head. "I can't help it. It's not like I want this."
Xi Zhoumeng: "Why don't you go to the hospital I recommended? It wouldn't hurt to get it checked, right?"
Chi Yueshan let out a "Hey!" "You think I haven't been to a doctor before!"
At the mention of this, she frowned again. "Anyway... anyway, they couldn't find anything..."
Xi Zhoumeng: "That's because the Lower World is full of quacks. If you're afraid to go to the hospital, I can go with you."
She sounded quite serious. Chi Yueshan thought about the recommendation Xi Zhoumeng had sent her, fell silent for a moment, then shook her head. "Let's talk about it later."
Xi Zhoumeng hummed in agreement. After ordering what she wanted, she gestured for Chi Yueshan to order.
Chi Yueshan: "You can just order. I'll eat anything."
She had no particular desires when it came to food, clothing, or shelter. Previously, her only pursuits in life had been mecha and this golden button.
Both were as difficult as reaching for the heavens.
Xi Zhoumeng asked, "Anything? You don't have a favorite food?"
Chi Yueshan thought for a moment. Just as she was about to answer, Xi Zhoumeng said, "Vanilla-flavored suppressants don't count."
When she turned her head, the hairpins in her hair chimed, as if adding a new element to the background music.
Just as she was to Chi Yueshan—so unexpected, yet so perfectly timed, helping her again and again.
Chi Yueshan couldn't ignore this help.
Even if she knew it was a trivial matter for Xi Zhoumeng.
"I don't know. I don't think I have any particular favorites."
Chi Yueshan fiddled with the absorbent pad she had just torn off. There was less on it than before, which meant her heat was coming to an end.
She often envied other Omegas, who could take an suppressant during their heat and be perfectly fine, with no other reactions.
Only she was an exception, as if deliberately targeted by God, her life destined to be full of hardships.
Both physically and mentally.
Xi Zhoumeng nodded. "Then try the dishes later and see if there's anything you like."
Just as she finished speaking, a communication call came in. Chi Yueshan tactfully asked, "Should I step out?"
Xi Zhoumeng waved her hand.
Xi Li's voice was nonchalant; he had probably just gotten off work.
"Heard you and Wen Xinghuo broke up? How'd it happen, give me the details?"
Xi Zhoumeng forked a cherry into her mouth and waited a moment before saying, "That's not what you wanted to tell me, is it?"
Even Chi Yueshan had seen Xi Li gossiping in the group chat.
Xi Li sighed and complained, "The eldest of the Chu family invited me to dinner, and I'm still on my way. Guess what happened?"
Xi Zhoumeng urged impatiently, "Don't beat around the bush."
"Their youngest marked that royal princess!"
Xi Li clicked his tongue several times. "He asked me what to do. What the hell can I do? Isn't he going to be exiled to the Lower World for this?"
Chi Yueshan let out a "Holy shit."
It hadn't even been three hours since Sheng Qiuyu's confession to Wen Xinghuo. How could she... be marked already?
Wasn't Sheng Qiuyu still at school?
Xi Zhoumeng was also shocked. She tapped her fingers on the table and asked Xi Li, "When did this happen?"
Xi Li: "About an hour ago. Chu Chen said the princess sought out his third brother. Somehow, the princess went into heat early, and she wouldn't let her lady-in-waiting in."
Xi Zhoumeng: "Aren't all Knight Captains Alphas? How could he be affected so easily?"
Xi Li sighed. "They're investigating, but the marking is already complete."
Xi Li rambled on for a while longer. Knowing someone was with Xi Zhoumeng, he couldn't resist teasing Chi Yueshan—
"Is little Yueshan having dinner with our Zhoumeng? Where are you?"
"Aiya, our Zhoumeng just loves to spend money. A place like this is very expensive, but she can afford it."
Chi Yueshan said gravely, "Big Brother, it's my treat."
Xi Li let out a very ungentlemanly curse.
The man's face on the light screen twisted for a good while.
He, of course, knew Chi Yueshan's background. She had to work multiple jobs just to pay her tuition and was so poor she had to take on part-time work at school.
How could she possibly afford this restaurant?
Even if Xi Yang's payment was generous, an Omega of her type would surely save her money, right?
He was silent for a long time before asking Xi Zhoumeng, "Where is your conscience?"
Xi Zhoumeng: "If you're done talking, hurry up and go. Don't be late."
She thought for a moment and added, "Chu Chen likes the native geese from Planet Huaming. You can give him one."
Xi Li: "Why should I give him one! Isn't your big brother's salary enough to buy a high-class goose!"
Chi Yueshan thought: What the heck is so expensive?
Xi Zhoumeng: "The birthday present he gave me last time was more expensive than yours."
Xi Li instantly deflated like a strangled pheasant. He let out a wilted "oh" and hung up.
Chi Yueshan found this family's dynamic particularly interesting.
It seemed like Xi Zhoumeng was at the top of the food chain.
Ugh... also a bit terrifying.
Xi Zhoumeng didn't have time to dwell on why Sheng Qiuyu had been marked so quickly.
However, she was certain that Sheng Yangkui had a hand in it. After all, Xi Li had mentioned a few days ago that Sheng Qiuyu had argued with her Knight.
It was that big-mouthed Xi Li who had said it.
"Let's not talk about other things. The food is arriving. Try them one by one."
Xi Zhoumeng propped her chin on her hand and looked at Chi Yueshan across the table.
Chi Yueshan was completely dumbfounded. There was a tube under the table that delivered the food directly.
It even came pre-arranged on the plates.
The problem was! There was so much! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast. How much must this cost?
Chi Yueshan asked with a stiff expression, "Did we order too much?"
Xi Zhoumeng blinked. "See which one you like. With so many dishes, there must be something you like, right?"
Comments
Post a Comment