MORIC - Chapter 166

Chapter 166: Strange Hobby

After the ZR main star reopened, Xi Zhoumeng decided to make a trip back by herself first.

The system's knowledge was already fragmented due to data corruption.

Xi Zhoumeng had to deduce much of the information herself. Even though Chi Yueshan beside her had recovered her memories, she didn't have the memories of the plans Xi Zhoumeng and Xuan Ping had formulated later on.

Chi Yueshan felt quite guilty, going from being reluctant to sleep to needing a nap every afternoon.

No amount of persuasion from Xi Zhoumeng worked, so she simply started napping with Chi Yueshan.

The young mistress was not one to endure hardship, no matter which world she was in. Even though Chi Yueshan had wanted her to experience the cramped conditions of the cage home she slept in in the other world, when the time came, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

In the afternoon, sunlight would stream into the rental house, which had been renovated to be exceedingly comfortable.

There was no ceiling with embossed totems, no bathroom where taking a shower felt like an enthronement, yet Xi Zhoumeng was quite content.

Chi Yueshan might not have noticed that she had become drowsy and very insecure.

These traits were completely out of character for Chi Yueshan. She was naturally strong-willed and very independent, completely the type who could have a child on her own without you.

Xi Zhoumeng, of course, didn't doubt that.

After all, the future Chi Yueshan was just like that.

But she couldn't bear it.

It had turned into her staring at Chi Yueshan's sleeping face in the afternoons. On the bed were a few parenting books from this world.

The very kind Xi Zhoumeng had once scoffed at.

Yet now, she had to learn something from them.

What was there to look forward to about a child?

But...

One with Chi Yueshan... seemed a little interesting.

But only a little.

On her phone were messages from Xuan Rujia. The woman was completely unaware that she had become Xi Zhoumeng's assistant, now running errands to buy interstellar spaceship tickets for her.

Xuan Rujia: When are you leaving? I bought two first-class tickets.

Xuan Rujia: I've received all the final drafts. They'll go into production soon.

Xuan Rujia: Your maternal and infant series is clearly excellent. Why won't you consider it?

Xi Zhoumeng thought she was a good person, just too long-winded.

Chi Yueshan was also becoming more and more controlling, using her current temper as an excuse to list all of Xi Zhoumeng's old bad habits.

For instance, her habit of blocking people at the drop of a hat. From Xi Li to Xi Shuang, there was almost no one she hadn't blocked.

Whenever this happened, Xi Zhoumeng would retort: "Have you run out of things to say to me?"

Chi Yueshan would lean against her, playing with Xi Zhoumeng's fingers. As if afraid of bumping or scratching Chi Yueshan, Xi Zhoumeng hadn't worn any of her old extravagant accessories for a long time. Her hands weren't particularly bony, falling into the category of what traditional descriptions would call "fair hands."

Chi Yueshan often got angry about the slight color difference when Xi Zhoumeng held her hand.

Chi Yueshan: Isn't it because there are so many things I can only say to you?

She looked up at Xi Zhoumeng and muttered, "You don't look as good from this angle."

The next second, just as she wished, Xi Zhoumeng let out a "What?!" with a voice that almost cracked, and then they bickered for another round.

Now, Chi Yueshan was sound asleep, who knew what she was dreaming about, but Xi Zhoumeng didn't want to wait any longer.

She had to return to the ZR main star first.

She had actually made some choices long ago, such as not being the Xi Zhoumeng of this world. She wanted to be the Xi Zhoumeng of that world, the Xi family's Xi Zhoumeng, Chi Yueshan's Xi Zhoumeng.

A Xi Zhoumeng who lacked nothing—not family, not friendship, not love.

Xuan Rujia hadn't expected a reply from Xi Zhoumeng.

Unexpectedly, a few minutes later, Xi Zhoumeng sent her a series of messages.

The last sentence was striking—

Please look after my Yueshan for a while.

Xuan Rujia didn't even care that she was still in a meeting. She grabbed her phone in shock and rushed out of the conference room, calling Xi Zhoumeng as she went.

The call was answered quickly.

Xi Zhoumeng was sitting on a rocking chair on the outdoor terrace. Chi Yueshan wasn't one for tending to flowers and plants, but perhaps she was too idle during her pregnancy, or maybe she remembered Xi Zhoumeng's flower garden at Guyun Academy and wanted to replicate it.

Unfortunately, it turned into a hodgepodge. Planting flowers became planting vegetables, and the trellis on the side was for growing pumpkins.

"What do you mean? You want me to take care of your wife?"

"Aren't you two going back together?"

Xuan Rujia's personality was not at all as calm as she appeared in public. Xi Zhoumeng later came to think she was a bit like Xi Shuang.

Moreover, Xuan Rujia also had a cousin, though not by blood, who had previously sent threatening messages to Xi Zhoumeng in the middle of the night.

Xi Zhoumeng: "I have some things to take care of, so I have to go back first. I've already bought this building. Mine definitely won't be willing to move."

The weather was gradually turning colder, and the sunlight was very warm. The rocking chair swayed back and forth. Xi Zhoumeng squinted, completely unaware of how serene her expression was.

It was a stark contrast to her former deathly stillness.

She was like a withered tree finding spring, like an iron tree blooming, filled with infinite anticipation for the future.

Xuan Rujia: "Why go back first? You don't have another wife back home, do you?"

Xi Zhoumeng: "What are you thinking?"

If Chi Yueshan heard that, she'd scratch her again.

"Her current condition isn't suitable for traveling with me. Besides, as you know, interstellar spaceships have always advised against pregnant women in their later months from traveling."

Xuan Rujia knew this.

After all, there had been some rather famous news about it before.

Xuan Rujia: "So when will you be done? Are you going to wait for her to have the baby here before going back together?"

She even "ooh-ed" and said, "You two aren't in some kind of Romeo and Juliet plot, are you? Having to use the child to go back and get your parents' approval?"

Xi Zhoumeng: ......

A person's capacity for gossip really had nothing to do with their profession.

Xi Zhoumeng: "You don't need to worry about that. It probably won't be as long as her delivery."

She squeezed the box in her hand. Inside was the Magnetic Star Meteorite that had previously belonged to Xi Li.

It had been refashioned by Xi Zhoumeng and divided into three parts, one of which had already been given to Xi Mingguang by Wen Xinghuo.

Xuan Rujia: "Alright."

She sighed, then brought up Xi Zhoumeng's maternal and infant designs that weren't intended for public release, asking covetously, "Are you really not going to sell them to me?"

Xi Zhoumeng glanced at the sky, then turned to look at the sleeping Omega on the bed inside the room. She hummed, "It's not impossible."

Xuan Rujia: "Really?"

Xi Zhoumeng: "Make it a limited edition. After all, the series is called 【Priceless】."

My priceless lover.

Xi Zhoumeng had no intention of leaving without saying goodbye. When Chi Yueshan woke up from her nap, she brought it up while the other was drinking sweet congee.

Chi Yueshan was still groggy at first. She propped her face up with one hand and ladled the congee with the other. When she heard the news, she subconsciously frowned.

Chi Yueshan: "You're not planning to take me? Do you have someone else over there?"

Xi Zhoumeng was amused by her. "You said you've even dreamed about that place. Wouldn't you know if I had someone or not?"

Chi Yueshan bit her spoon, her brow furrowed. She had dreamed about it.

"Why do you have to go first?"

Xi Zhoumeng: "The interstellar spaceship regulations advise against travel for someone in your current physical condition."

She wasn't lying; that rule was indeed in the regulations.

Chi Yueshan: "But I..."

Xi Zhoumeng cut her off, "I know you're healthy, but aren't we just being cautious in case something happens?"

She was someone who knew exactly what to say and when. At that moment, she placed a hand on Chi Yueshan's abdomen and said with unusual earnestness, "I really hope she is born safely."

Chi Yueshan was stunned.

She had never imagined Xi Zhoumeng could say something like that.

They had been living together for two months, and from Chi Yueshan's perspective, Xi Zhoumeng's journey from initial resistance to acceptance was only because of her.

Deep down, this person still didn't like children, because she was innately clueless about love.

Besides, there was no rule that a mother had to like her child.

And the woman who gave birth to Xi Zhoumeng didn't love her either.

A child who wasn't loved in their childhood would basically find it very difficult to perceive this emotion as an adult.

Moreover, Xi Zhoumeng was different from ordinary children.

Even though Xi Zhoumeng took very good care of Chi Yueshan.

So good that sometimes Chi Yueshan would wake from a dream in the middle of the night, and comparing the Xi Zhoumeng beside her to the one from the dream world who was not at all enthusiastic towards her, it felt like a phantom dream.

She could only bury herself in Xi Zhoumeng's arms, terrified of seeing those indifferent eyes again.

The woman she was pillowed on would subconsciously hold her tighter, her drowsy voice asking sleepily what was wrong.

This would be followed by a subconscious kiss on the forehead, which felt as if it had landed on Chi Yueshan's heart.

She was instantly filled.

At those times, Chi Yueshan would think: It's okay. There's no need to force her. It's enough that I love my child.

Besides, Xi Zhoumeng definitely won't abandon her. Maybe she just says one thing but means another.

After spending so much time together, she's bound to develop some feelings, right?

She'd better treat her own child better than she treats her little sheep and calf, or I'll kill her.

Now, Xi Zhoumeng's eyes were earnest, and that warmth practically washed over Chi Yueshan.

She let out a dazed "ah."

Xi Zhoumeng: "The congee is all over the table. Should I get you a bib?"

Chi Yueshan: "Get lost."

She hurriedly lowered her head, afraid her tears would burst out and give Xi Zhoumeng something to laugh about.

But between people in love, all joys and sorrows had long been seen.

Xi Zhoumeng leaned over and cupped her face. "What's there to cry about? Are you that moved?"

Chi Yueshan used to always be curious about this person's exes.

Even though Xi Zhoumeng said they didn't really count as exes, because they broke up quickly and never delved into the same earth-shattering depths as they had.

Would Xi Zhoumeng have said such things to those people?

The way she was at Guyun Academy was already captivating enough.

Who wouldn't be moved by the sight of her now?

They say you get tired of someone after being in love for a long time, so why do I love her more each day than the day before?

It's so absurd, so unfair.

But.

But this Xi Zhoumeng was so much better than the Xi Zhoumeng in her dreams.

And I am happier than the me in my dreams.

So happy that I've become delicate. When Xi Zhoumeng said she had to go back first, I was filled with panic.

I was never like this before.

Chi Yueshan grabbed Xi Zhoumeng's collar and asked menacingly, "Then when are you coming back?"

"How many days will you be gone?"

"Message me every hour... hmm, every three hours is fine."

"Or have a video call with me?"

"Is anyone else going with you?"

Her mouth chattered on, as if she wanted to talk Xi Zhoumeng to death.

Yet Xi Zhoumeng didn't find her annoying at all; instead, she felt a warmth spread through her heart.

She smiled, took the hand that was clutching her collar, and seriously placed a kiss on its back.

"I'll try my best to come back as soon as possible."

"Don't glare at me. I have to go to the place where I grew up."

"There are some problems I haven't figured out... What are you thinking? Of course I'm going alone."

Chi Yueshan: "Your ex-girlfriends..."

Xi Zhoumeng: "They're dead."

Her eyes curved as she smiled, each blink like a butterfly fluttering over Chi Yueshan's heart.

"All ex-girlfriends are to be treated as dead. In this life, the next life, every life, I will only have you."

Chi Yueshan was speechless.

Because she had fallen completely, she could only manage an "oh" to hide her hopelessly racing heart.

Even the sweet soup wasn't as sweet as she felt right now.

Chi Yueshan: "When are you leaving?"

Xi Zhoumeng: "Tomorrow."

Chi Yueshan: "So soon! Where are you departing from? I'll see you off."

She grew anxious again. "Have you packed your luggage? Damn it, I have no experience with this at all. It's all your fault, you've turned me into a helpless idiot."

Xi Zhoumeng pulled her back. "No need to see me off. In your condition, why would you? It's very far."

Xi Zhoumeng: "Just wait for me to come back."

She didn't dare say the second half of the sentence.

No matter which world.

Chi Yueshan: "Don't you lie to me. If you lie to me, I'll take the child and run away."

Xi Zhoumeng: "Are you very satisfied with this world? No ABO, no discrimination, you can do whatever you want?"

Chi Yueshan "uh-ed". "Well, yes."

She added in a small voice, "But it's so boring without mechas. I don't like being a toy designer, let alone a car mechanic. Our world is still better."

Xi Zhoumeng: "But if the world is at peace, there's no need for mechas, is there?"

Chi Yueshan: "So what? There are still mecha expos. Anyway... anyway, it's just different."

She emphasized again, "Even though they have that saying here, 'marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog,' you said you'll be wherever I am. Don't you dare pull any tricks on me."

Xi Zhoumeng let out a "hey." "Who's the chicken and who's the dog?"

Chi Yueshan replied without thinking, "You, of course. Even though you won't tell me anything, you're definitely a canine. That big tail of yours is so thick. It's a good thing you only have one. I saw in a movie here that foxes have nine tails."

Xi Zhoumeng sneered, "The day I marked you, you said you'd freeze to death without my tail. Now you're complaining about me?"

Chi Yueshan felt a little guilty. "Not really, it's just..."

She didn't know what to say, "uh-ing" a few times. "You're very beautiful like that, all fluffy."

Xi Zhoumeng: "Stop trying to smooth things over. I know you don't like it."

"I should just change my ticket and leave tonight. It seems relationships really do need some distance."

She was being completely unreasonable!

Chi Yueshan cried "Hey!" and explained loudly, "I like it! I like you no matter what you're like."

She didn't know what she was thinking of, but her face flushed a little. "But don't poke me there with your tail. It's very ticklish."

Xi Zhoumeng retorted, "That's not what you said that day. You even said that when my hands and mouth were busy, I still had my tail. So useful."

Chi Yueshan finally became flustered and angry. "Shut up, you!"

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