MORIC - Chapter 84
Chapter 84: She's Reborn
After everyone sat down, the table was wiped clean again until it was gleaming, and all the bowls and chopsticks were re-washed.
Xi Shuang let out a sound, looking at the primly seated Xi Zhoumeng. "Zhoumeng, this is the first time I've realized you're such a germaphobe."
Xi Zhoumeng snorted. "I just saw a cockroach."
Across from them, Wen Xinghuo's expression was unchanged. "It's a small scene, nothing to panic about."
Sheng Yangkui nodded like she was pounding garlic, her eyes fixed on Wen Xinghuo with adoration.
Chi Yueshan was still inspecting the bowl in her hand for visible cleanliness. Even if Xi Zhoumeng paid her ten thousand Star Coins on the spot, she felt this was an impossible task.
"That's enough. Eat or don't."
Chi Yueshan placed the bowl in front of Xi Zhoumeng. "Look at Classmate Sheng. She's a princess, and even she isn't as fussy as you."
Xi Zhoumeng looked up. Her makeup today was already magnificent; when she was hosting on stage, the makeup made her look as if she had been personally sculpted by a god.
Even after changing into simple clothes, her charm wasn't the least bit diminished.
Chi Yueshan was simply immune; she already knew this person was beautiful. But at times like this, Xi Zhoumeng had a mountain of flaws, and no matter how beautiful she was, she could annoy a person to death.
And yet, she couldn't help but find this person amusing.
After her outburst, she couldn't hide her amusement and turned her head, holding back her laughter for a long time.
Sheng Yangkui glanced at Xi Zhoumeng. Her number one love rival in her subconscious looked as if her soul had left her body, perhaps frightened by the cockroach, and wasn't saying a word.
Sheng Yangkui said, "I've never been here before. It feels very fun."
Her voice was soft, a bit like a little lamb, as if even her bleats would carry a tremor.
Xi Shuang said, "I've been here twice. This area is actually pretty similar to the malls in the main city."
As she looked at the menu to order along with them, she said, "There are some really novel things too. Have you ever played 'Happy Goose Ring Toss,' junior?"
Ling Xun had just taken a sip of water and almost spat it out.
"What?"
Xi Shuang wanted to laugh too. "Just go out of here and walk two hundred meters east, there's a boss who sells geese. You use rings to toss, and if you ring a goose, it's yours."
Thinking of this, Xi Shuang looked up at Wen Xinghuo and said, "Xinghuo has never managed to get one either, right?"
Wen Xinghuo nodded. "It's very difficult. Those geese have all been trained."
There were no dogs in the world now, but there were plenty of chickens, ducks, and geese. Wen Xinghuo had wanted to try her luck at first, but she had always failed.
She didn't have much money to begin with, so she was afraid of spending it all and never tried again.
Xi Shuang, on the other hand, was a tireless sucker, giving away her money every time she came.
Chi Yueshan exclaimed, "Wow! I want to go play later too!"
Xi Zhoumeng: "You think you can get one?"
Chi Yueshan: "What's wrong with me trying!"
Xi Zhoumeng: "If you can get one, I'll cover your tuition for next year."
Chi Yueshan: "You said it."
Xi Zhoumeng: "If you can't, you'll spend your winter break planting flowers in my family's garden."
Chi Yueshan: "..."
The thought of the garden made it hard for her not to think of Xi Zhoumeng's kiss.
Xi Shuang: "Zhoumeng, what do you want to eat?"
She had eaten here a few times. At this table, everyone except perhaps Chi Yueshan held the title of a young lady.
And yet, the one putting on the most airs wasn't the princess.
Xi Shuang, afraid that Xi Zhoumeng would look down on whatever she ordered, asked again, "What was it that you like to eat?"
They had known each other for several years, but Xi Shuang had rarely eaten with Xi Zhoumeng. After asking, she subconsciously glanced at Wen Xinghuo.
Ah, no, she couldn't look.
Xi Shuang's gaze suddenly shifted, landing expectantly on Chi Yueshan.
Chi Yueshan: "I've already ordered."
Xi Shuang let out an 'ah'.
There was also a menu in this room, which could barely be considered a private booth. Unfortunately, the environment was at best private, but it had absolutely no atmosphere.
The hanging balloons were covered in dust, looking as if they had been there for centuries.
Xi Zhoumeng was completely listless, in a state of 'why did I even come to join in on this excitement?'
Was this the power of a one hundred percent match?
She actually felt an impulse to stick to Chi Yueshan.
At this moment, Xi Zhoumeng was holding the hot coconut milk Chi Yueshan had poured for her. The hands that usually only held expensive wine glasses were still adorned with many accessories, clashing completely with the paper cup.
And yet, her expression was like that of a child who had just been placated.
Chi Yueshan: "The food here is still a bit expensive compared to the prices in the Lower World."
She furrowed her brows. "Let's save Senior Wen some money."
Xi Shuang sighed. "You think she's actually poor? She's just frugal."
Wen Xinghuo: "It's okay."
The real princess at the table was sipping her milk in small mouthfuls, while the fake princess deemed the coconut milk to be of low quality and put it down unenthusiastically.
Xi Zhoumeng cupped her face, observing Chi Yueshan. "So considerate of her."
Chi Yueshan: "It's not like you're short on money."
Wen Xinghuo: "Shall we have a drink?"
Xi Shuang glanced at Xi Zhoumeng. "Will Zhoumeng drink? I don't think I've ever seen her drink before. Does she always drink milk?"
Chi Yueshan: "Well, she is a childish person."
She delivered her taunts without missing a beat. Xi Zhoumeng's new manicure was very long, and she impolitely pointed to the most expensive wine on the menu. "Let's have this."
Everyone looked at Wen Xinghuo.
Sheng Yangkui said hastily, "I have money too."
Wen Xinghuo shook her head. "Order it."
Outside the window was a crooked alley of this district, which looked just like a person's stomach, even bulging out in an arc in the middle.
Wen Xinghuo still didn't say much; it was mostly Xi Shuang chattering on and making introductions.
"This is fish from Nanliga Star. It's not far from here. I remember some third-years went there for practical training and ended up catching fish for a month."
"These are the lamb chops from Lingxihua Star. The sheep there can't compare to the cattle from Zhoumeng's family, of course, but the meat quality is excellent."
Ling Xun: "Sis, how do you know everything?"
Xi Shuang was just about to explain.
When Xi Zhoumeng cut in, "That little Omega sister from this restaurant... she's your type?"
Xi Shuang's smile froze. The others all looked out the window in unison, just in time to see an Omega carrying dishes standing there.
The girl had glossy black hair that fell to her chest, with colorful cords woven into her braids. Being stared at so suddenly, she stood frozen in place, at a loss.
Wen Xinghuo was a little confused. She turned to look at Xi Shuang. "When did this happen?"
Xi Shuang: "No... what are you talking about! You—why are you listening to Xi Zhoumeng!"
She was usually quick-witted and a glib talker, but when a fast talker started to stutter, it meant there was really a problem.
Even Ling Xun looked at the girl delivering the food in surprise.
The girl looked to be fifteen or sixteen, probably having differentiated not long ago.
In the Upper World, it wasn't as if one could go to school just anywhere. The threshold was very high, and the requirements for Omegas were one-in-a-hundred selective.
Not to mention for a family from the outer ring.
The girl served a new dish. Xi Zhoumeng didn't touch her chopsticks, seeming to have found a new source of amusement. She asked Xi Shuang, "What is this? Can you introduce it to us?"
Ling Xun couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Chi Yueshan thought to herself: How malicious.
The girl glanced at Xi Shuang and was about to turn and leave when Xi Zhoumeng called out to her, "Little sister, don't go just yet."
Everyone in this room was very eye-catching, but the first person one would normally notice was Xi Zhoumeng.
She was completely out of place in this environment, yet she possessed a powerful presence.
The girl let out an 'ah,' her voice trembling slightly.
Xi Shuang called out, "Hey! What are you doing, interrogating a criminal? You can go."
Xi Shuang's hair was cut very short, and she wasn't the slender type like Ling Xun. Her advantage was her perpetually playful smile, which made her seem like the more approachable one.
The girl left hastily.
Only then did Xi Shuang sigh and beg Xi Zhoumeng for mercy. "Spare me, my lady. It's not what you think."
Only then was Xi Zhoumeng satisfied.
Xi Shuang poured her the most expensive wine. "I toast to you. Thank you for your care this semester, our dear Young Miss Xi."
The flowery tone was over the top. Chi Yueshan pursed her lips. She looked over at Wen Xinghuo and saw her peeling shrimp for Sheng Yangkui.
Xi Zhoumeng took a drink and followed Chi Yueshan's gaze. "You want to eat shrimp? I'll peel them for you."
Xi Shuang: "Oh, come on. As if you know how to do that."
Xi Zhoumeng: "I do."
As it turned out, she really didn't know how. With those long nails, her hands didn't look like they were capable of serving anyone.
Chi Yueshan pushed her away with disdain and tossed Xi Zhoumeng a pack of wet wipes, telling her to clean up herself.
She started peeling them herself.
Xi Zhoumeng narrowed her eyes and muttered, "It's my nails getting in the way."
Chi Yueshan: "Yes, your nails are in the way. But you wouldn't know how even without them, so stop trying to place blame."
She deftly peeled a shrimp, but instead of offering it to the young miss, she ate it herself.
Xi Zhoumeng leaned in closer.
Chi Yueshan: "What?"
Xi Zhoumeng: "Ahhh."
Goosebumps rose all over Chi Yueshan's skin. "Just sit properly."
Xi Shuang was already used to Xi Zhoumeng's unpredictability. She said to Ling Xun, "Do your practical training with me. It doesn't matter that you're a first-year, you can rack up the credits first."
Ling Xun: "It depends on the people in your team. First-years are usually just add-ons."
Ling Xun seemed restrained when she drank at first glance, but she had actually had several glasses with Xi Shuang already.
At this table, only Sheng Yangkui wasn't drinking.
Wen Xinghuo: "It's her and me. We haven't found anyone else yet."
The school's practical training had requirements; in principle, it required an equal number of Alphas and Omegas.
It was said to be a test of an Alpha's sense of responsibility towards an Omega.
Most seniors who returned from practical training said it was like being a mule, because whenever they encountered mechanical or wild beasts, one person had to do the work of eight.
Omegas in the wild seemed particularly delicate, and the Alphas who returned from a training session looked as if they had been sucked dry.
Of course, the opposite could also happen. If you weren't assigned to a wilderness training project, you might get assigned to something like embroidery training for a farm owner.
The lottery-based training offered little choice. If you got a project like that, you'd have to register again the next year.
After all, an Alpha's graduation transcript required a gold seal for physical training.
They would encounter the 'night tide' of artificial mechanical beasts, which required piloting mecha.
There were also planets overrun with 'Money Rats,' which required extensive hand-to-hand combat skills.
Such dangerous planets were also accompanied by abundant resources, requiring Omegas to search for, collect, and finally screen specimens to bring back to the academy.
Wen Xinghuo didn't know what kind of training project they would be randomly assigned. The more Alphas there were, the more Omegas they would need.
Most were three-on-three.
Ling Xun: "I have no problem with that."
Chi Yueshan had just pushed away the leaning Xi Zhoumeng when she said, "Can I join?"
Her eyes were sparkling as she gazed sincerely at Wen Xinghuo. "Senior, it's been my dream since I was a child to fight alongside you just once."
To call this kind of training a 'battle' was a bit of an exaggeration, but the way she said it made it sound like a war.
It was too grand.
Xi Shuang: "I've been wanting to ask for a while, did you two actually know each other before? Everyone says you fell for Wen Xinghuo at first sight, Yueshan, but it doesn't seem like it to me."
She drank and ate as she spoke, her question not so much teasing as it was born of pure curiosity.
Sitting to the side, Sheng Yangkui lowered her head again.
Xi Zhoumeng lowered her long-lashed eyes, her gaze sweeping over Sheng Yangkui, taking in her helplessness and guilt.
She thought to herself: As I thought, there's something wrong.
But what was the reason?
Chi Yueshan was saved by Wen Xinghuo as a child, so why was Wen Xinghuo convinced that the one she saved was Sheng Yangkui?
Last night, Xi Zhoumeng had even used Xi Mingguang's clearance to check past records.
An incident had indeed occurred ten years ago. There were even traces of it online—a major human trafficking case in the Upper World.
She had seen Sheng Yangkui's name on the list of the kidnapped in a classified document.
This was too much of a coincidence.
If the Sheng Yangkui of this world still became queen according to the original story's plot, then she and Wen Xinghuo would still have no future together.
A queen was destined never to be marked, destined never to bear children, even if she was allowed a partner.
But such a partner Alpha would have no value and would be destined for ridicule.
So, was Sheng Yangkui reborn?
What kind of destiny was she trying to rewrite?
Did that mean Chi Yueshan's destiny had already been rewritten?
Wen Xinghuo also remembered this matter clearly. She asked, "You say I saved you, but the person I clearly saved was someone else."
Chi Yueshan: "In E-District, on that tree. You jumped down to help me."
Her gaze no longer held the infatuation Wen Xinghuo had seen when they first met, but Wen Xinghuo was, after all, the obsession Chi Yueshan had pursued for many years.
She couldn't possibly end this obsession so rashly just because of her feelings for Xi Zhoumeng.
Chi Yueshan: "Who was it that you saved?"
She actually already had an answer in her heart.
Sheng Yangkui, the one sitting silently to the side, being treated so gently by Wen Xinghuo.
Before, Chi Yueshan would have felt a pang of bitterness, but at this moment, she was very calm.
A person's destiny was always winding, and so were feelings.
She was very clear about what she wanted, and what made her heart flutter.
But she was still an ordinary person. She could be puzzled, and she could be disappointed.
She could have regrets.
Ling Xun also sensed that the atmosphere was off. She didn't know if she should participate in such a topic.
Xi Shuang also looked at Sheng Yangkui. The case that had shocked the Capital Star over a decade ago suddenly popped into her mind.
Wen Xinghuo looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated. She didn't know if she should speak.
It was an incident from the confidential archives.
The stagnant atmosphere was truly unsettling, but Xi Zhoumeng very naturally picked the peeled shrimp out of Chi Yueshan's bowl with her chopsticks.
She rested her chin on her hand, a few fiery highlights visible in her shoulder-length hair.
"What's there that can't be said?"
"If it were me, I'd spill everything."
"This way, you get a one-in-two chance of not being queen, and you can also be with the person you like."
"Third Princess, wouldn't you agree?"
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