MORIC - Chapter 110
Chapter 110: Who's Being Competitive?
Shen Yu was rebuked into silence. Later, after entering the main hall, she found a moment when Xi Zhoumeng was away and walked over to Xi Mingguang.
"Who do you think your Zhoumeng takes after with that personality of hers?"
Xi Mingguang expressionlessly slapped Shen Yu's hand away. "Not you, anyway."
Shen Yu chuckled, her eyes sweeping over the room full of decorated nobles. "How could she be like me? But I don't think you or Dr. Chu are like that either."
Xi Mingguang, who was rarely home, found it difficult to recall her child's younger years. All she could muster was, "She wasn't very close to people, even as a child."
The Queen had not yet arrived, and many people were exchanging pleasantries. Shen Yu thought of the pregnant Omegas from that year and sighed.
"I wonder where the Zerg's base is. The aftereffects of Zerg radiation are too severe. Many children born that year had poor health."
Xi Mingguang nodded. "Zhoumeng's health was also poor when she was little."
She was away from home all year round, and the thought filled her with regret.
Shen Yu said, "Look how lively she is now, always seizing the opportunity to scold me."
She looked gleefully toward the area where the younger crowd had gathered. The tall, illegitimate daughter of the Wen family was standing with Xi Zhoumeng, drawing many teasing glances.
Shen Yu asked in a low voice, "Do you know what's going on with those two? The first I heard was that they were very close, but their compatibility rate was low, and you didn't approve of them being together."
"Something about being a space version of Romeo and Juliet?"
Shen Yu's teasing couldn't have been more obvious, even though she already knew Xi Zhoumeng was dating Chi Yueshan.
Xi Mingguang was a little helpless. "How could that be? I'm not that old-fashioned."
Even if the Empire's regulations were cruel, as long as it was an Alpha and an Omega, there was still a chance for them to be together.
The compatibility rate was a basic condition, but it wasn't as if there were no examples of low-compatibility couples who ended up doing well.
It was just that marriage and love were different things, and the messy aftermath of a reckless romance was even crueler.
Shen Yu said, "That's what I thought."
Just then, an elder from another noble family came over. Perhaps Shen Yu had jinxed it, because he asked that very question.
"Is your family's fourth child going to marry the Wen family's youngest?"
The man held a glass of champagne, his face wearing a mask of feigned, intimate concern.
"The Wen family is not a good choice. According to the rules, if this generation doesn't produce any meritorious deeds, they'll be stripped of their title."
"And their family is hundreds of billions of Star Special Coins in debt. I don't think there's any inheritance worth mentioning. Not like Commander Xi, who suddenly had a flash marriage and a child to secure her inheritance rights back then."
"Wouldn't you agree, Marshal Shen?"
Shen Yu hadn't expected to be called out while just watching the drama. She shook her head nonchalantly. "What's the big deal? True love conquers all, right?"
She looked at Xi Mingguang. "Don't you agree?"
Xi Mingguang showed no annoyance at the insinuation. Instead, she nodded seriously. "The children can do as they please."
In the distance, a group of young people had gathered. Xi Zhoumeng was already the center of attention, and at every annual gathering she attended, she was exceptionally eye-catching. As a result, having grown up in this world, she had never once been a bridesmaid.
Xi Li had even said that anyone who asked her would be asking to be mocked to death.
This year, even Wen Xinghuo was attending the palace banquet, which surprised the younger generation of nobles even more.
There were quite a few students from Guyun Academy here, but they didn't join in the commotion.
"Zhoumeng, I'm already engaged. When are you getting engaged?"
The speaker was a red-haired Omega. Her dress was cinched extremely tight at the waist, accentuating her high bust, from which a dazzling pearl necklace hung.
Xi Zhoumeng offered a word of congratulations, accepted a glass of fruit wine from a waiter, and said with a smile, "I don't have a partner yet."
The other girl gasped. "Isn't it Wen Xinghuo?"
There were more than enough Omegas here, both male and female. The Alphas, just seeing Wen Xinghuo present, had no desire to approach. The pressure she exuded was simply too strong. Even setting that aside, a typical Alpha without some standing wouldn't dare to provoke Xi Zhoumeng, and could only console themselves with the thought that a beauty is best admired from afar.
Wen Xinghuo's ears were about to explode. She had been hearing such talk ever since she arrived, interspersed with curses from her other Wen family relatives.
It was all about how she was a jinx, who not only caused her eldest brother's car accident but also put her father in the hospital.
Wen Xinghuo had been taking the blame for things since she was a child and was quite used to it. She had to admire the person who had done all this to clear a spot for her, yet could still lie about it so calmly.
The problem was, Xi Zhoumeng had absolutely no need to use her for anything, which made Wen Xinghuo even more terrified, feeling as if the favor she owed would one day have to be repaid with interest.
Besides, this young lady claimed to be single while constantly showing off her affection.
Wen Xinghuo considered herself traditional, but for some reason, when it came to an O-O relationship involving Xi Zhoumeng, she found it completely normal.
It was as if Xi Zhoumeng was someone who didn't care about ABO genders at all.
As if nothing in the world could stop her.
That was how she was when she wanted someone, and how she was when she wanted to insult someone.
"Of course, Xinghuo and I are just good friends," Xi Zhoumeng said with a smile, looking at Wen Xinghuo. "Besides, our Xinghuo has her own career to focus on."
Our, Xinghuo.
The beautiful Omega's voice was already extremely pleasant to listen to; even her insults could sound melodious.
Now, with such an affectionate tone, it was hard for others not to read into it.
After all, Xi Zhoumeng's usual cold and distant demeanor was well-known to all.
Wen Xinghuo: ...
Instantly, the gazes of a group of Omegas fell upon Wen Xinghuo.
Wen Xinghuo was about to break. Most of the Omegas in her previous world had been very enthusiastic, which made the Sheng Yangkui in her heart seem exceptionally special.
Although Xi Zhoumeng had mercilessly commented that it was a case of "a turtle fancying a green bean."
But Wen Xinghuo couldn't refute it. How could matters of the heart be deduced with a formula? There was no way to review the tape.
She also felt that this was just her type.
Xi Zhoumeng suddenly let out a dramatic "Aiya!" and said, "Don't you all know she has someone she likes?"
Not everyone in this group attended Guyun Academy; some were at other academies on the capital planet. The academy forums rarely interconnected, and no one would go out of their way to look.
"What! Someone actually dares not to like you?" the red-haired Omega exclaimed, her body trembling.
Just a moment ago, Xi Zhoumeng had been admiring the tastefulness of this girl's pearl necklace, when the system gave her a jolt.
It was even fierce about it.
【System: Don't look there!】
Xi Zhoumeng: ...
【Are you a spy sent by Chi Yueshan? Is it that serious? It's not like I'm some pervert who falls in love just by seeing someone with big boobs.】
【System: Aren't you?】
Even though she knew the other person was being provocative, and that this person was slightly older than her current self, Xi Zhoumeng still saw these Omegas as children.
She said with a smile, "By that logic, does your Alpha have to like me too?"
Wen Xinghuo silently suppressed a laugh, wondering why these young ladies always insisted on bickering with Xi Zhoumeng.
After all these years, hadn't they learned their lesson?
They managed to infuriate themselves every single time.
Xi Zhoumeng sighed.
A young Omega from the same academy said softly, "Senior isn't at school just to date. She has a life outside of that, too."
Xi Zhoumeng glanced at her, and the young girl gave a silly smile.
Xi Zhoumeng sighed internally, thinking, This is so boring.
I'd rather be in bed with Chi Yueshan.
【System: Pervert!】
Xi Zhoumeng noticed that this thing was getting more and more temperamental, and more and more vivid, as if there was a living person behind the data.
But if it was a living person, that would be too terrifying!!
Controlling this kind of small talk was a piece of cake for Xi Zhoumeng. For Wen Xinghuo, attending for the first time, it felt like being back in middle school.
She looked boredly at the palace furnishings. The sculptures were incredibly complex, as if the gods themselves were present.
The more technologically advanced society became, the more people seemed to cherish handmade art.
These murals and sculptures were ancient. In the era before the Zerg appeared, people's worries were merely about the changing seasons, hunger, and cold.
Why the Zerg came remains a mystery to this day.
At the end of the ceiling sculpture group was a slender goddess, holding a meteorite riddled with thousands of holes, dispelling a thousand years of darkness.
From then on, humanity welcomed a long era of light.
Xi Zhoumeng finally sent the group of beautiful and clingy Omegas on their way. She turned to Wen Xinghuo. "Shall we sit together?"
Wen Xinghuo wasn't really willing. Xi Zhoumeng was simply too conspicuous.
Xi Zhoumeng had no intention of letting her object. She brazenly sat in the seat next to Wen Xinghuo and had a waiter move the original occupant of that chair to a different spot.
Wen Xinghuo hesitated. "It's fine if we don't sit together, right?"
Xi Zhoumeng said, "Optical brains are forbidden in the Queen's presence, so I can't even slack off and play cards."
Wen Xinghuo couldn't argue with that and could only nod.
She watched as the electronic nameplate bearing her eldest sister's name was moved to the Xi family's table.
She thought: It's over. There's definitely going to be a huge fight tonight.
Sure enough, five minutes before the official start, Wen Yi, the eldest daughter of the Wen family, who had just finished dealing with a hovercar fender-bender scam, saw that her seat had been changed.
She stared at the spot in disbelief and shrieked at the waiter, "What the hell are you doing?"
The waiter pointed again. "Your seat is over there."
The eldest Omega daughter of the Wen family felt that her family had been exceptionally unlucky lately. Last night, her older brother had crashed his car into a roadside guide AI, not only facing a huge compensation claim but also breaking his own leg.
Her good-for-nothing father was in the hospital trying to pick up a middle-aged male Omega, got a complaint filed against him, and was transferred from the hospital to a psychiatric ward.
Not to mention, the incident where she solicited a Beta and forgot her card was exposed, and she was still being ridiculed for it.
She roared in frustration, "Why was my seat changed! Change it back!"
The Wen family's down-and-out style was characterized by not only a lack of money but also a lack of reason.
Throwing tantrums was a common occurrence, but a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. They were still nobles, after all, and most people would give them some face.
Unfortunately, their face wasn't big enough this time. The one who had requested the change was the top-ranked noble family, the Xi family.
The waiter remained unmoved.
Instead, it was Xi Mingguang, sitting nearby, who spoke up. "Wen Yi, there's no need to be so polite."
Wen Yi was actually of the same generation as Xi Mingguang, but she was about the same age as Shen Yu, who was sitting next to Xi Mingguang.
There was no rule that nobles with the same surname had to sit together.
Everyone also knew that the Shen and Xi families were close.
Wen Yi wasn't being polite; she was just being rebellious.
But after Xi Mingguang spoke, the Empire's number one Marshal also nodded. "That's right, why be so polite? We're all family."
She even added fuel to the fire, feeding them a false lead.
For a moment, even more people were confused.
-"What family? Is someone from the Wen family marrying someone from the Shen family?"
-"I don't think so, it must be the Xi family, right?"
-"Didn't they say the Xi family's youngest and the Wen family's illegitimate daughter broke up?"
-"I heard the Wen girl likes the Princess."
-"Then why are they still sitting together?"
-"It's normal for young people to break up and get back together. Does this mean the Xi family has relented but the Wen family still doesn't agree?"
-"What a nerve. It's only natural that the Xi family would look favorably upon them…"
Wen Yi was about to go insane. She looked far across to the other side at Wen Xinghuo.
Everyone at that table was a Wen, except for Xi Zhoumeng. It was a wonder they could sit there so calmly.
But Wen Xinghuo was clearly sitting closer to Xi Zhoumeng, as if blatantly declaring their relationship to the world.
Wen Xinghuo sighed and swallowed a lychee whole, which in Xi Zhoumeng's eyes was like a cow chewing on a peony.
The beautiful Omega swirled the wine in her goblet. The current farce and whispers made Wen Xinghuo thoroughly uncomfortable, yet she noticed that Xi Zhoumeng actually had the leisure to admire her own reflection in the surface of the wine.
Wen Xinghuo felt even worse. With Sheng Yangkui's insecure nature, she would probably shrink back into her shell again.
Xi Zhoumeng also sighed. "How can I be so good-looking?"
Wen Xinghuo: ...
If her light-brain wasn't disabled, she would have taken a picture and sent it to Chi Yueshan.
On the other hand, she felt that this junior of hers was truly capable, to be able to handle such a character.
Xi Zhoumeng said, "Stop looking at me all the time. I'm afraid your wifey will get jealous."
Wen Xinghuo: "I wasn't looking at you."
Xi Zhoumeng: "My wifey is much better than yours. Upstanding and pure, absolutely brilliant."
Wen Xinghuo was speechless and could only turn away in frustration.
Just then, all the lights in the hall went out except for one. A clear, cold beam of light shone down as an Omega in a wheelchair slowly approached the main seat.
She wore a veil adorned with black pearls, and the corners of her eyes were already lined with wrinkles, making her look exceptionally weary.
In the darkness, the princes and princesses of the royal family also took their seats in the front row.
Sheng Yangkui's heart pounded like a drum. She quietly turned to look in Wen Xinghuo's direction.
She couldn't really see anything; she was just trying to calm herself down.
Some truths were hidden within this body, which was already tinged with the aura of death.
As someone who had experienced that kind of pain, Sheng Yangkui knew very well that if one were to strip off the Queen's clothes right now, her body would be covered in horrifying Zerg holes.
The decay beneath the magnificent exterior, the body that served as a vessel for the Zerg Queen's consciousness, had reached its limit.
The entity needed to pass its weapon to the next successor, to smoothly complete its grafting process.
If the trajectory of fate is still set, then my time is truly running out.
But how can I tell them?
The palace banquet was only attended by the upper class, and the news wouldn't report on it. Besides, the Queen of the galaxy had always been a figure with very few visual records.
She didn't even show her face during interstellar diplomacy.
Even when a new Queen took the throne, it was always just a blurry silhouette.
Chi Yueshan had specifically looked up the records. She felt that they all looked like the same person—similar build and height, thin and small as if they had been underdeveloped since childhood.
She left Mechanical City and wandered around, buying some food from a street vendor.
Perhaps because Chi Yueshan was quick and skillful, the boss was more eager for her to earn money than she was herself, and she got her several more jobs.
Chi Yueshan was now almost able to match the mechas in Zhou Fengqin's notes with their real-life counterparts.
But she still couldn't decipher the meaning of the strange symbols in the notebook.
Severe Zerg radiation could cause a person's entire body to fester, their brain hollowed out.
Her master hadn't been in such a terrible state before she died, just organ failure.
To this day, Chi Yueshan still remembered the look in Zhou Fengqin's eyes and her murmurs before she passed away.
Her words were always unfinished, as if a void had been carved out, making it painfully impossible for her to speak.
And just like that, she was gone.
What was it, then?
Her master knew so many foreign languages and ancient scripts, yet Chi Yueshan had searched everywhere and still couldn't translate the script in the notebook.
Perhaps that planet had already vanished, its civilization lost.
Chi Yueshan stayed in an old bookstore until late. When she came out, she found a new message from an unknown contact in her light-brain.
It was from a classmate in her year at the academy.
-Hello, Chi. Since you and Senior Xi are very close, I wanted to ask if you know about her having a new partner.
-My older sister really likes her.
Chi Yueshan was stunned for a long while, feeling that the last sentence sounded like someone was trying to pursue Xi Zhoumeng.
She snorted in the cold wind.
She still didn't have the nerve to say, I'm her damn partner.
She could only reply coldly with a "Don't know."
Then she opened her chat with Xi Zhoumeng and bombarded her with a ton of messages.
In the end, still not satisfied—
The other Omegas who went to the palace banquet are back! Why haven't you replied to me yet!
If you don't reply, I'm not coming back!!
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