MORIC - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Save the Big One or the Small One

Chi Yueshan, being a total country bumpkin, had no idea what kind of dance the opening dance was. Every year at events like this, students from the Lower World wished they could just shrink into a corner.

Xuan Ping and Chi Yueshan stood by the carved handrail. She watched the long, drifting petals made of data streams as the lights spun around, blurring the faces of the people on the dance floor.

She sighed, "Senior Wen is truly eye-catching."

The contrast was so stark that one couldn't help but look at her.

How could someone have such a strong presence?

Sheng Yangkui, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of that powerful presence. She looked as if she hadn't gotten enough nutrients in the womb, appearing small and fragile.

Even now, dressed in a long gown, she looked like a delicate flower being held in Wen Xinghuo's hands.

It seemed jarring at first glance, but on a second look, it was as if she was naturally meant to be nestled into Wen Xinghuo's body.

Wen Xinghuo wasn't very good at dancing either.

But she had been brought to the Upper World many years ago and had spent time with Xi Zhoumeng, so her basic etiquette was up to par. She knew what kind of dance was appropriate for this occasion.

Sheng Yangkui knew as well, but she had never practiced.

As the inconspicuous third princess, she had no knight, nor were there any major occasions that required her to make an appearance.

Even though her name was brilliant enough, she was still like a shaded, moss-covered surface.

With Wen Xinghuo's arm around her waist, her steps were a bit unsteady, purely from excitement.

They danced along with the music.

A female Alpha-Omega pair next to them were both wearing dresses, their skirts swirling like the undulating surface of the sea. As they passed, one could hear their joyful laughter.

Wen Xinghuo had never worn a dress in her life and always learned the male steps when dancing.

But Sheng Yangkui never thought of Wen Xinghuo as being inferior to a man, as others might see her.

What was male, and what was female?

After the primary sex, the secondary genders were Alpha and Omega.

She was just Wen Xinghuo—so good, with hands so strong and an embrace so warm.

She made my longing break through space, turning it into the beautiful, extravagant hope of having this one more time.

Sheng Yangkui kept her eyes lowered, not looking at Wen Xinghuo as other Omegas would have looked at their dance partners.

Her hair, despite the expensive treatments, still looked somewhat dry. Wen Xinghuo could only see the crown of her head.

After a turn, Wen Xinghuo asked, "If you didn't want to, you could have refused."

Everyone at these events was just joining in for the fun. At last year's ball, Wen Xinghuo had been chosen but hadn't danced.

Countless people had been clamoring for her and Xi Zhoumeng to dance together, but Xi Zhoumeng had chosen to dance alone.

Xi Zhoumeng was skilled at playing with people's emotions; manipulating the rumors about her and Wen Xinghuo was child's play for her.

Just like now, she didn't even bother to hide the fact that she was setting Wen Xinghuo up with Sheng Yangkui.

Wen Xinghuo greatly envied Xi Zhoumeng's unrestrained nature, and she felt that this willfulness had nothing to do with her status.

Even if she weren't a noble, not an Omega with S-rank spiritual power, she could still be just as audacious.

She's so much like Chi Yueshan, Wen Xinghuo thought.

Perhaps the sudden softening of her expression was too obvious, because Sheng Yangkui nervously raised her eyes. "I'm not unwilling."

She stared at Wen Xinghuo's face and, biting her lip, asked, "Is it a great imposition for you to dance with me?"

Wen Xinghuo was never one for words to begin with, and in the eyes of others, she was awkward and shabby.

But that didn't mean she was mute.

Many considerations flashed through her mind. A fallen noble with no power or influence naturally had things to be wary of.

For instance, when her future conflicted with her affections.

Sheng Yangkui didn't yet know what decision Wen Xinghuo had made.

With a variation in the music, a crisp sound from the strings echoed. The falling AI petals mixed with expensive, real flowers sponsored by the organizers, creating an incomparably romantic scene.

Wen Xinghuo pulled Sheng Yangkui a little tighter.

As the song ended, the pairs from the opening dance left the floor. Wen Xinghuo directly swept Sheng Yangkui up into her arms.

On the side, Xi Shuang whistled like a madwoman, along with a group of female Alphas from the Day Class, acting as if Wen Xinghuo had just proposed.

The cheers seemed to dispel Wen Xinghuo's shyness. She lowered her eyes and said to Sheng Yangkui, "How could it be an imposition?"

"I've wanted to dance with you for many years."

A seed had been planted in Wen Xinghuo's heart when she was young. She had a secret friend.

This friend wasn't strong, but frail, and needed her protection.

Her status was noble, not someone a person like her could casually get involved with.

The role of a guardian was a good one, too.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. The wisteria bloomed in her heart year after year, eventually taking root over her very soul.

It made her finally begin to fight against her terrible circumstances, wanting to wrestle a perfect outcome from fate's grasp.

Xuan Ping said, "So it's true. Senior Wen likes the third princess."

She looked over at Chi Yueshan and found her cupping her face, watching with great relish and nodding. "This is the first time I've seen Senior Wen act like this. How refreshing."

Xuan Ping recalled Chi Yueshan's frenzied pursuit of Wen Xinghuo at the beginning of the school year and asked in a low voice, "You're not sad anymore?"

Chi Yueshan replied, "Well, I'm still a little sad."

After all, Wen Xinghuo didn't remember her.

But this regret didn't cause her much pain. At least she had received other gifts.

The students nearby were all engrossed in Wen Xinghuo's unprecedented display of initiative.

Even at a time like this, when the entire academy was celebrating, some people were still furiously posting on the forums.

While Duan Daizhen was downstairs hosting the second event, Chi Yueshan clicked on the forum link Xuan Ping had sent her to take a look.

—End-of-Term Ball Central Discussion Thread—

- Wen Xinghuo and Xi Zhoumeng can still be friends after breaking up!!! Model exes of the century, I swear. She even sets her up with a new girlfriend?

- What are you talking about? Have you all forgotten that sensational cheating thread!!!

- Wen Xinghuo would never cheat!! Even if every other Alpha in the galaxy dropped dead, she'd still be the most faithful one!

- This is the mystery of the century. But seeing how completely unbothered Xi Zhoumeng is, I even get the feeling she's the one pushing Wen Xinghuo and Sheng Yangkui together.

- Attaching a screenshot I just took from a video of Senior Xi's drama-watching face [Image]

- Hahahahaha, did you guys hear Duan Daizhen announce the second game is the Great Milk Ball Kissing Operation! What the heck is that? That senior is so dedicated to planning, but has she considered us single people!

Chi Yueshan turned to Xuan Ping, "What's the Great Milk Ball Operation?"

Xuan Ping said, "Keep reading."

Duan Daizhen was still tirelessly explaining the rules: "A 30x30cm gummy milk ball will randomly appear in the middle of the dance floor. Two people must cooperate to eat it. The first pair to finish will be crowned this year's 'Best Milk Ball Monarch' and receive seven million Star Coins. Second place wins five million Star Coins and their free choice of practical training assignment. Third place wins three million Star Coins."

Xuan Ping said calmly, "I'm a little tempted."

Neither of them cared what a "Milk Ball Monarch" was, but the amount of Star Coins being offered was just too much.

Although Xuan Ping wasn't short on tuition money, she didn't want to put too much of a strain on her family.

As for Chi Yueshan, she was practically desperate for money.

The two exchanged a look and both used their light-brains to scan the code, waiting for the drawing.

The wait was a bit long. Just then, Mu Lai came over. She seemed surprised by what Xuan Ping told her and glanced at the milk ball that had already been lowered into place.

The entire castle-like auditorium was filled with a rich, milky aroma. The milk ball was said to be a very high-end galactic product; a regular-sized one was usually quite expensive and considered a special supply item for diplomatic snacks.

Who knew what channels the wealthy students at the academy used to procure it.

Mu Lai stared at the milky-white sphere, thinking that her mouth would probably be sore after eating it all.

She looked at Xuan Ping hesitantly. "How about we skip it? It's only seven million Star..."

Xuan Ping gave her a calm look, and Mu Lai immediately changed her tune. "Okay."

Chi Yueshan was increasingly convinced that Xuan Ping had a special talent for handling Alphas, managing to train even this notorious one to be so obedient.

Was there some kind of secret manual?

Xuan Ping watched Mu Lai hit the submit button before she relaxed, then turned to Chi Yueshan.

"What about you, Yueshan?"

This game required pairs to be matched before submitting, a completely different process from the last round.

Just as Chi Yueshan was hesitating over whether to ask Xi Zhoumeng, Xuan Ping called out for her, "Senior Xi, you're here?"

The head planner for this event was Duan Daizhen; Xi Zhoumeng was just making a token appearance. She hadn't expected the "milk ball" from the draft proposal to be an actual, giant milk ball.

And the prize pool was quite large.

Xi Zhoumeng had an aura that made onlookers quickly part ways wherever she went. Before she even reached them, the people standing on their side of the second floor had automatically cleared a space.

Chi Yueshan turned her head. Xi Zhoumeng had a smile on her face, clearly in a very good mood.

Mu Lai said, "You look very beautiful today."

Xi Zhoumeng nodded. "I'm beautiful every day. That brooch of yours is nice, send me the contact info."

In the past, she might have even touched the brooch.

But Mu Lai was an Alpha with an Omega girlfriend, and Xi Zhoumeng knew her boundaries.

She asked Xuan Ping, "Are you and Mu Lai participating?"

Xuan Ping nodded and quickly pointed to Chi Yueshan. "Yueshan wants to participate, too."

Chi Yueshan looked at Xi Zhoumeng. Her earrings were real crystal, cut into tiny fragments and hanging asymmetrically, with the left one longer than the right.

There were flameless candles nearby, and Xi Zhoumeng's gaze seemed to be influenced by their light.

It made Chi Yueshan's heart flutter.

Mu Lai was about to point out that they were both Omegas but was quickly dragged away by Xuan Ping.

Xuan Ping quietly chided her, "There's no rule that it has to be an Alpha-Omega pair. If there were, all the Betas would cry their eyes out."

Mu Lai couldn't get a word in edgewise and could only let Xuan Ping lead her away.

Xi Zhoumeng's aura was too powerful, and with several other activities starting, many people had gone downstairs to participate.

As a result, the second floor was much less crowded.

Xi Zhoumeng said, "If you want to play, I'll join you."

Chi Yueshan huffed. "I don't want to play. I want the money."

Xi Zhoumeng reached out, took her hand, and turned it over, her finger tapping a button on the underside of Chi Yueshan's light-brain.

Chi Yueshan asked, "What is it?"

Xi Zhoumeng sighed. "Just now, the manager of a jewelry store I frequent messaged me. They just got new pieces in and are urging me to take a look."

Isn't this just a roundabout way of flaunting her wealth? How outrageous!

But Chi Yueshan was long past that stage and had calmly accepted the fact that this woman would be richer than her even in death.

She just said, "Oh."

Xi Zhoumeng gave a sudden tug, pulling Chi Yueshan right in front of her.

Chi Yueshan, who was reluctant to move much because she wasn't used to high heels, nearly stumbled and fell right into Xi Zhoumeng's chest.

She didn't quite fall, but the tip of her nose brushed against the skin of Xi Zhoumeng's chest and her cool jewelry before she was pulled steady.

Xi Zhoumeng steadied her, feigning concern, her tone carrying a gentle admonishment. "Be careful."

How could Chi Yueshan not know she had done that on purpose? Just as she was about to curse her out, she heard a familiar voice.

"Yueshan, can I talk with you for a moment?"

Ling Xun was standing about two meters away, looking at Chi Yueshan with a smile.

Then she greeted Xi Zhoumeng, "Good evening, Senior."

Xi Zhoumeng didn't let go of Chi Yueshan's hand. "Is there something you need?"

Ling Xun always felt that Xi Zhoumeng's attitude toward her was hostile, but she had no idea how she might have offended her.

The dream Omega of so many Alphas seemed a bit too severe in Ling Xun's eyes.

Ling Xun glanced at Chi Yueshan. "I have a private matter I'd like to discuss with Yueshan."

Xi Zhoumeng hummed in acknowledgment but still didn't let go. "How intimate."

Ling Xun asked, "What?"

Chi Yueshan's skin was already crawling; she had a feeling this woman was about to stir up trouble again.

Sure enough, the next second, Xi Zhoumeng put on a very deliberate smile, leaned down close to Chi Yueshan's face, and threatened in a low voice—

"You're not going to have me and want her too, are you?"

"Are you into having one Alpha and one Omega?"

"I won't be the 'little one'."

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