MORIC - Chapter 97
Chapter 97: Who's Afraid of Pain, Who's Afraid of Pain
"Are you sure it's okay to say that?"
After Wen Xinghuo left, Chi Yueshan asked Xi Zhoumeng.
Xi Zhoumeng leaned languidly to one side, the faint blue light from the screen casting on her face, making her appear all the more nonchalant.
"Hm?"
Chi Yueshan: "What if she and the Princess get into a fight?"
How was one supposed to talk about something like rebirth? Chi Yueshan put herself in that position; even if she loved the person deeply, it wouldn't be easy to reveal everything.
Xi Zhoumeng had no time to worry about other people's relationship problems. She ordered a few more dresses. The measurements had been taken yesterday, so there shouldn't be any issues.
"How could Wen Xinghuo possibly argue? She's probably the type to drop to her knees the moment her wife gets angry."
Xi Zhoumeng's mouth spared no effort in mocking Wen Xinghuo. The corner of Chi Yueshan's mouth twitched. She wanted to say something but held it back. Chi Yueshan quite liked being handsy with Xi Zhoumeng, so in the end, she reached out to pat her, but her hand was caught by Xi Zhoumeng before it could land.
In the tea room, now with only the two of them, the only sound was the flowing water of the miniature landscape in the bonsai pot.
Chi Yueshan was pulled into Xi Zhoumeng's embrace. Xi Zhoumeng lowered her eyes and asked casually, "Who is she to you, and who am I to you?"
Chi Yueshan was enveloped by the other's scent and mumbled dazedly, "You're my person."
Xi Zhoumeng took Chi Yueshan's hand and tapped the screen. "Then my person should take a look and see if there's anything you like. It's a discount day, pick whatever you want."
Although there were many year-end promotions, Xi Zhoumeng's jewelry and accessories were never part of any sale. The young miss didn't actually keep track of such things as discounts.
Even before getting married, Chi Yueshan had already learned to be frugal on Xi Zhoumeng's behalf. Xi Zhoumeng was not short on money at all, but Chi Yueshan was afraid she wouldn't appreciate the gesture, so she had to phrase it that way.
Chi Yueshan felt they were too expensive with just a glance and shook her head like a rattle drum, only to be held still by Xi Zhoumeng.
Xi Zhoumeng: "If you don't choose, I'll choose the ones with the least fabric for you."
Chi Yueshan scoffed, "I can just not wear them."
Xi Zhoumeng: "Oh, there are plenty of ways to make you wear them. Didn't you want to see my mother's mecha…"
Chi Yueshan: "How could you be like this!"
Xi Zhoumeng: "This is just the kind of person I am."
There was probably no one in the world with thicker skin than her.
Seeing that Xi Zhoumeng had no intention of going back, Chi Yueshan asked, "Do you still have things to do?"
Xi Zhoumeng placed the order for all the selected items without looking up. "Are you in a hurry to go back and be pressured into marriage?"
Chi Yueshan let out a small "ah."
Her expression was dazed, as if she had never experienced the pressure of her entire family urging her to get married.
She looked excessively cute.
Thinking of this person's past experiences, Xi Zhoumeng's heart softened a little more. "Then let's go back."
Chi Yueshan snapped back to her senses indignantly. "I never said I'd marry you."
Xi Zhoumeng nodded, a hint of sorrow in her voice. "I'm not qualified to marry you either."
She shrugged, her long, cloud-like hair slipping from her shoulders. She stood up and pulled Chi Yueshan to her feet. "Let's walk around some more. Haven't you not been out to have fun much?"
Chi Yueshan had contacted Wen Xinghuo on her communicator to ask about working in Mechanical City.
In truth, with Chi Yueshan's abilities, finding a long-term business partner wouldn't be a problem.
But she desperately needed exposure to high-end machinery. The channels were different, and the people she could ask for help were also different.
She also wanted to ask about her master's past, and the only one with some impression of Zhou Fengqin was Ling Xun.
However, Ling Xun had already told her everything she could. Plus, Xi Zhoumeng, who appeared generous on the surface, was actually extremely prone to jealousy, so Chi Yueshan figured she might as well find some work herself.
The Upper World not only had novel architecture, but the recreational activities in the small shops along the streets were also different.
In an era where VR games were ubiquitous, games that required a significant amount of time to obtain became the new trend.
Xi Zhoumeng hadn't planned on playing the claw machine, but since Chi Yueshan had glanced at it a couple of times, she thought she'd give it a try.
Chi Yueshan recalled how this person had been at the ring toss game and felt a sense of despair. Xi Zhoumeng's competitive spirit was terrifying.
If she didn't manage to grab a single one, would she buy the entire claw machine on the spot?
This was an entire street of games.
It would be better to just buy the mechanical AI street next door.
At least I could get some benefits from that.
Chi Yueshan said woodenly, "One hundred Star Coins for five tries. Whether you get one or not, don't linger, okay?"
Xi Zhoumeng was in high spirits from having annoyed Wen Xinghuo and readily agreed.
But she was simply bad at it. Every time, the prize would drop the moment the claw lifted it. Five tries passed in a flash.
Xi Zhoumeng: "Again."
Chi Yueshan slapped her palm. "Let's go. Your family has all arrived, you don't want to be late."
Xi Zhoumeng refused to leave.
She was already the type to sparkle in a crowd of beauties, and it was no different on a street like this.
Everyone couldn't help but steal a glance, suspecting she was some interstellar celebrity.
Chi Yueshan felt the awkwardness of taking care of a child.
And this child happened to be her girlfriend.
"Let's go, really."
She took Xi Zhoumeng's hand, only to be pulled back again.
Xi Zhoumeng: "Five more tries."
She wasn't short on money. Yesterday's ring toss was a humiliation in her life. Failing to redeem herself now was, to some extent, an unwillingness to lose face in front of Chi Yueshan.
Chi Yueshan: "What's so embarrassing about this? Look, the kid next to us didn't get any either…"
Ah, she hadn't noticed that the child had just caught an incredibly ugly doll.
But what was the use of something so ugly?
Xi Zhoumeng said seriously, "I can do it."
Chi Yueshan took a deep breath. "Which one do you like?"
The dolls in this machine were a bit better-looking than the ones next door, but many had crooked mouths and misaligned eyes, and the stitching looked cheap.
How could the young miss of the Xi family possibly fancy them?
Xi Zhoumeng was just thinking about what Chi Yueshan had murmured after they made love, about the Lower World, the arcades, the slot machines, the claw machines, and the trampolines.
Chi Yueshan had said, other kids had their parents to play with them, but I didn't.
Xi Zhoumeng didn't either.
Her childhood was spent in a cage in the sky. What fun did she have like other people? It was all things she had to learn, with no room for slacking off.
"I like…"
Xi Zhoumeng glanced at the dolls inside. They were too ugly to even choose from.
Chi Yueshan: "See? Not as good-looking as me."
The words slipped out smoothly, a perfect imitation of Xi Zhoumeng's usual vanity.
Xi Zhoumeng: "You're right, not as good-looking as you. But this dog looks a lot like you."
Chi Yueshan: "What?"
She turned to look. In the corner was a white, scruffy dog. Its stitching was coming undone, making it look like its teeth were turned outwards in a snarl.
"Xi Zhoumeng, are you trying to die?! How do I look like that thing!"
Xi Zhoumeng laughed out loud. "It's very cute."
She laughed so freely that Chi Yueshan was a little stunned. She quickly averted her gaze, went over, and inserted five game coins. "If you like it, I'll get it for you, alright!"
Xi Zhoumeng came to stand beside her, saying with great certainty, "I don't believe you can get it."
Chi Yueshan huffed. "Don't underestimate me."
The claw machines here were different from those centuries ago. They were solar-powered, mechanically operated, and fully automated.
Of course, Chi Yueshan couldn't guarantee she would get it, but she could cheat.
She said to Xi Zhoumeng, "Come stand a little closer."
Xi Zhoumeng hadn't reacted yet. "What?"
Chi Yueshan lowered her voice. "Your dress is big, cover me a little."
Xi Zhoumeng let out an "oho." "Are you trying to get under my skirt?"
Chi Yueshan gritted her teeth. "Can you be normal for once?"
Xi Zhoumeng nodded.
She hugged Chi Yueshan from behind, looking for all the world like an intimate couple.
But when Xi Zhoumeng looked down, she discovered that this person had used two of her five tries for practice, and on the third try, she had pulled out a small device from somewhere that could magnetically attract the claw inside, like a remote control.
Unfortunately, it didn't grab it.
Xi Zhoumeng: "You're cheating."
Chi Yueshan gave her an elbow. "What do you know about being the number one mecha master in the galaxy?"
Xi Zhoumeng nodded readily. She had never been this amused, happiness floating at the corners of her eyes and brows. "I see the number one cheater in the galaxy."
Chi Yueshan was fully focused and had no time to elbow her again. She nervously controlled her cheating device, moving the claw and confirming its position.
A light rain was falling outside. Xi Zhoumeng held a parasol, its handle resting on her shoulder, as she watched Chi Yueshan with a smile.
From her face down to her neck.
She suddenly asked, "Did you use this technique to sneak into Wen Xinghuo's lounge before?"
Chi Yueshan was so startled that her hand trembled, and her fourth chance was used up.
She glared angrily at Xi Zhoumeng. "Don't distract me! Do you want the dog or not?"
Xi Zhoumeng hummed in agreement. "I already have one."
She wrapped her arm around Chi Yueshan's waist. From behind, the parasol hid their upper bodies, leaving only the impression of their intimate atmosphere.
Chi Yueshan: "We're already here, I have to succeed this time."
Her competitive spirit was suddenly ignited. In fact, back in the Lower World, during the years when Zhou Fengqin was still around, she did have chances to play these roadside games.
It was just that she didn't have much disposable money, so she could only play sparingly.
This was also Chi Yueshan's first time cheating. Her lips were pressed together, her face serious. Xi Zhoumeng could feel her tension.
The claw grabbed the ugly little dog doll, and Chi Yueshan's face was almost pressed against the glass.
The rain outside was light, and it was just dusk.
The twilight rain was as fine as silk. She bit her lip, staring nervously at the claw. The mechanical control stone in her palm was hot from her grip.
The claw holding the little dog doll moved slowly along the mechanical track. The last two times, it had dropped in the middle.
Chi Yueshan held her breath, forgetting there was someone next to her.
Xi Zhoumeng's competitive spirit, on the other hand, had vanished. She was admiring Chi Yueshan at this moment.
Her tightly pressed lips, her beautiful eyes, her clenched fist, and her tensed waist.
So cute.
How could such a vibrant person exist in this world?
The claw entered the drop zone and released. Chi Yueshan also let out a sigh of relief. She turned her head triumphantly to show off to Xi Zhoumeng.
"See, I told you I… mmph."
The hand around her waist tightened abruptly. As she turned, Xi Zhoumeng lifted her up, forcing Chi Yueshan to tilt her head back to receive the sudden kiss.
This row of game machines was outside, under a small awning. Dusk enveloped the Upper World, and the maglev cars on the sky-track whisked by.
Pedestrians walked slowly. The child next to them failed to get a doll, and a dejected sigh could be heard.
Raindrops pattered on Xi Zhoumeng's parasol, each drop a collision that burned straight into Chi Yueshan's heart.
She couldn't help but wrap her arms around the other's waist, meeting the invasion of her lips and teeth.
The ugly little dog lay in the prize chute. Xi Zhoumeng bent down, picked it up by its unlucky-looking ear, and clicked her tongue in disdain. "This contrast really makes you look as beautiful as a celestial fairy."
Chi Yueshan blushed easily, and when she was aroused, her whole body seemed to be dusted with pink.
It was as if a simple kiss could make her feel so good she wanted to cry. Right now, her eyes were red, her nose was red, and her lips were blood-red. She snatched the little dog doll away.
"It's not ugly, okay! It's my cub! I spent so much effort to get it!"
Xi Zhoumeng said, "Oh. You say it like you gave birth to it."
Chi Yueshan: "Hey!"
Xi Zhoumeng: "I know, I won't make that kind of joke."
She had gotten her kiss, gotten the doll, and was satisfied. She pulled Chi Yueshan under her parasol and they walked into the long, lingering twilight rain.
Xi Zhoumeng: "Do AO couples have to have children?"
Chi Yueshan: "Isn't that a given? I don't think I've ever seen a married AO couple who were infertile."
Xi Zhoumeng: "Really? One hundred percent certain?"
Chi Yueshan: "Why are you asking so clearly? All I know is that our compatibility is one hundred percent."
Xi Zhoumeng sighed melancholically. "Then it's good that I'm an Omega. At least I won't get you pregnant."
Chi Yueshan: "Is this something you can say on the street?"
Xi Zhoumeng: "What are you shy about? We need to seriously consider this issue."
Chi Yueshan: "You say that as if you can control it. Yesterday, you were saying you couldn't wait to become an Alpha and mark me."
Xi Zhoumeng opened the car door and let Chi Yueshan in first, closing the parasol as she did. "That's what I think, but I'm very afraid of you having a child."
Chi Yueshan: "You said there were no secondary genders in your world. The girl you liked wouldn't have had children either. Or did you just not want them to begin with…"
Xi Zhoumeng ignored the flood of urgent messages from Xi Li on her comm. "I don't know."
"I wasn't a wanted child to begin with. I often thought it would have been better if I hadn't been born at all."
Chi Yueshan: "Did your mom have you by accident?"
Xi Zhoumeng nodded. "She felt that I ruined her life."
She said this so lightly, as the maglev car entered the sky-track. The surrounding rain splattered against the window, and Xi Zhoumeng's reflection on the glass looked as if it were being gently sliced by a thousand cuts from the raindrops.
Chi Yueshan stuffed the dog doll into Xi Zhoumeng's arms and grabbed her hand. "But you wouldn't be that kind of mother."
She leaned closer to look at Xi Zhoumeng's face. "Besides, you can't get pregnant. No matter what, if I had one, I would definitely love her very much."
Chi Yueshan shook her head, looking forward to it, even though this wasn't in her plans either.
"The person in this world who would be closest to me, I'm so looking forward to it."
"Then the family I want will be complete."
Her hand was warm, and her grip on Xi Zhoumeng was gentle. Even though she didn't mention Xi Zhoumeng by name, she made Xi Zhoumeng feel completely included.
The next second, Xi Zhoumeng hugged Chi Yueshan and asked her, "Are there no cases of Alphas giving birth?"
Chi Yueshan let out an "ah." Just as she was about to curse her for being crazy, she heard Xi Zhoumeng say, "I'm not afraid of pain."
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