MORIC - Chapter 171
Chapter 171: My Child
Chi Yueshan had always thought the most embarrassing moments of her life were the things that had happened at Guyun Academy.
She never expected that one shouldn't use superlatives like "most" so casually.
Because the most embarrassing moment was always the next one.
Like right now.
Like Xi Shuang's words, which were enough to draw everyone's attention.
Even Xi Mingguang was stunned, to say nothing of the squad officers below who were in the middle of a meeting.
They all turned in unison to look at Chi Yueshan.
Wen Xinghuo and Ling Xun were still walking over, the shock on their faces plain to see.
Before Xi Shuang could even close her jaw, Chi Yueshan, mortified and furious, grabbed an ink bottle from Xi Mingguang's desk and threw it at her.
Ling Xun swiftly moved forward to catch it, quickly pulling her loose-lipped cousin behind her.
Xi Mingguang recovered quickly. She addressed the subordinates whose eyes were twinkling with gossip, "That's all for today."
They were comrades-in-arms of many years and were quite obedient, though they couldn't resist a joke or two.
"Didn't expect Mingguang to become an old fossil again so soon, huh?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Her second son, a beta, can have children. The people of the Xi family are incredible."
"Zhoumeng usually seems so delicate and pampered, I never thought she was so…"
"What do you know about a 100% match… I just remember there was one like that a few hundred years ago. It was said that because their compatibility was too high, they were also very fertile, so they ended up separating. Anyway, an Omega-Omega match is fake, but if one of them turns into an Alpha, something is bound to happen."
It was clear that whether it was the vagrants of the Lower World or these respectable officers of the Upper World, they were all cut from the same cloth when it came to gossip—uniformly loose-lipped and fond of teasing.
If she could have dug a hole on the spot, Chi Yueshan would have burrowed into it.
Her face was beet red, whether from embarrassment or anger, she couldn't tell. She pursed her lips, one hand gripping the table so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Xi Zhoumeng, you bastard, leaving me to deal with a scene like this.
How am I supposed to explain this?
The next second, Chi Yueshan's comm device suddenly sprang to life. Perhaps because she had just returned to this world, the device was still in an initialization state.
Then, a new communication request appeared on her comm.
Chi Yueshan subconsciously accepted it.
Xuan Ping's voice broke the strange silence in the room.
"Yueshan, where are you? Did you make it back successfully? If Senior Xi made the arrangements, there shouldn't be any danger… I've already had someone notify Commander Xi, but I don't know…"
But Xuan Ping's voice carried an obvious anxiety. Her mind was filled with images from the other world, terrified that any delay would put Chi Yueshan in danger.
Chi Yueshan said, "Pingping… I'm fine. I'm currently at…"
She glanced around. Xi Zhoumeng's Alpha mother, who looked rather stern despite being very kind in this world, smiled at her. "The Expeditionary Force warship."
Chi Yueshan continued, "…on the Expeditionary Force warship, with Commander Xi."
Her voice trembled, clearly in agony from the embarrassment. To make matters worse, Xi Mingguang thoughtfully nudged a chair forward, allowing Chi Yueshan to sit more steadily.
"Senior Wen and the others are here too."
Xi Shuang was still staring intently at Chi Yueshan. Ling Xun, probably finding her cousin's gaze too impolite, reached out and covered Xi Shuang's eyes.
Wen Xinghuo, on the other hand, was smiling.
The heavy weight in her heart lifted a little. She looked around but didn't see any sign of the other person.
Xuan Ping said, "That's great! I was so afraid you'd end up in a pile of Zerg like before."
Hearing this, Xi Mingguang raised an eyebrow.
Wen Xinghuo frowned, her gaze falling on the identical bracelets on Chi Yueshan's and Xi Mingguang's wrists.
So, was this why Xi Zhoumeng tossed me that box that day?
Why does this group of people know everything!
Xuan Ping said, "Then, Yueshan, you get some rest. I'll come see you as soon as you get back to the Capital Star!"
The beeping of instruments could be heard from her end, suggesting she was very busy. The communication was cut off shortly after.
Another wave of silence fell. Chi Yueshan bit her lip nervously, feeling like she ought to say something.
Xi Zhoumeng didn't come back with me. Everyone must be disappointed, right?
She tentatively glanced at Xi Mingguang, only to find the Alpha elder leaning down to give her a hug.
"It's good that you're back safely, my child."
Xi Mingguang's long hair was always tied back neatly. She didn't smile much during work, which often made her seem unapproachable at first glance. Xi Shuang and Ling Xun had been on the warship for a month, and even though they knew Xi Mingguang wasn't fierce, they still felt a little nervous around her.
After all, her uniform outlined a tall, straight figure, carrying the aura of someone who had bathed in blood for years, along with the commanding presence of high office.
As Chi Yueshan was gently embraced, all she could smell on the elder Alpha, whose scent was covered by an pheromone patch, was the scent of laundry detergent from her uniform.
It was completely different from Xi Zhoumeng's intoxicating fragrance, and instead felt exceptionally fresh.
The only thing was, the medals on her chest were a bit uncomfortable, especially since Chi Yueshan was still in her nightgown.
But it had been a long time since Chi Yueshan had experienced such care from an elder. Perhaps it was the mood swings of pregnancy, but she couldn't control the stinging in her nose and the welling in her eyes, and tears began to fall.
Xi Mingguang was stunned for a good while. It was Wen Xinghuo at her side who handed her a tissue, gesturing for her to wipe Chi Yueshan's tears.
Even with her mouth covered, Xi Shuang couldn't help but mumble a complaint, knowing full well she was being muffled yet still chattering away: Who does she think she's ordering around?
Ling Xun, however, felt uncomfortable with the heat and tickling in her palm and let go.
Xi Shuang shot her a glare before cheerfully asking Chi Yueshan, "How are you feeling, junior? What's going on with you?"
She then asked, "Why didn't Zhoumeng come back with you?"
After all, Xuan Ping had explained to them that magnetic field fluctuations where the Zerg appeared could pull people into alternate dimensions. Compared to Wen Xinghuo's worry, Xi Shuang held a more optimistic view.
Xi Zhoumeng was with Chi Yueshan anyway. That girl had been pampered since she was little; she definitely wouldn't let herself suffer.
Besides, she had even turned into an Alpha and hooked up with Chi Yueshan. How could she possibly let Chi Yueshan endure any hardship?
But Xi Shuang also hadn't expected that one month could turn an Omega's honeymoon into a pregnancy.
And wasn't this baby a bit too big for one month?
In the old legends, figures like Nezha had to be carried for three years. Are you some kind of reverse Nezha?
Good heavens, what kind of thing would be born then?
Something even more terrifying than Xi Zhoumeng… Ugh, I can't even imagine.
Chi Yueshan looked at Xi Mingguang and sniffled, "She said she had something to take care of and would be out for a few days. I didn't expect to suddenly get in touch with Pingping and come back so abruptly."
Xi Shuang asked, "You're already like this, what business could she possibly have? What kind of world is that over there?"
"The end of the world, or a paradise of pleasure?"
Xi Shuang got her foot stepped on by Ling Xun again.
Xi Mingguang studied Chi Yueshan carefully and noticed that the thin, small girl she remembered had actually put on some weight. She looked to be in good spirits, not like someone who had gone through hardship.
That also proved that Xi Zhoumeng was safe and sound.
Xi Mingguang wasn't too worried. After all, Xi Zhoumeng's consistent display of being in control was enough to make her trust that she could handle whatever she set out to do.
Chi Yueshan hesitated, feeling it was better not to mention that Xi Zhoumeng was actually a native of that other world who had crossed over.
Let that rascal Xi Zhoumeng explain it herself!
Always making trouble for me!
Chi Yueshan said, "A world without Zerg and mechas."
The next moment, Xi Mingguang spoke, "I'll have a doctor examine you."
She patted Chi Yueshan's shoulder. "Now that you're back, get some proper rest. Don't think too much about other things."
Aside from her initial shock, Xi Mingguang was remarkably composed. She had her secretary arrange a room for Chi Yueshan while she personally went to contact the warship's medic.
If Xi Mingguang hadn't been walking with her arms and legs on the same side moving together, Chi Yueshan would have thought she was truly worthy of being the strongest commander of this generation, but…
Xi Shuang said, "I feel like Commander Xi is pretty shocked too. Ai, I can understand. We're talking about Xi Zhoumeng, after all."
She turned to look at Chi Yueshan… at her belly.
"The first one among us to have a child is actually that rascal Xi Zhoumeng! Is her life on fast-forward?! How dare she get a wife, a child, and a warm home so quickly!"
Her righteous indignation was clearly laced with personal feelings. Perhaps because she had revered Xi Zhoumeng as her dream Omega for so many years, she still couldn't fully believe it, even after her idol had fallen from grace.
Now, with the clear evidence right in front of her, it was no less shocking than seeing her favorite idol suddenly announce, "Yes, I have a child."
Chi Yueshan watched as Xi Shuang started to sob and sniffle again.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say. She could only turn to the most reliable person there, Wen Xinghuo.
She smiled at Wen Xinghuo. "Senior, have you been well during this time?"
Wen Xinghuo's complexion was the same as ever, but perhaps because daily combat was so draining on her spiritual power, she had lost weight.
Her previous image as a muscular amazon had faded considerably. She seemed to have thinned down so much that her features looked gaunt, making her eyes appear incredibly sharp, like a blade about to be unsheathed.
But Chi Yueshan wasn't just anyone.
Wen Xinghuo couldn't help but think of Xi Zhoumeng's past entrustments and her complete buck-passing of "you handle it first if something comes up."
In reality, it was always Xi Zhoumeng who charged into the fray. Regardless of Xi Zhoumeng's motives, Wen Xinghuo felt a sense of responsibility.
She worried about those two, and she was tormented by her longing for Sheng Yangkui. The side effects of long-term nutrient injections were showing, casting a shadow of melancholy over her once healthy and bright face.
Wen Xinghuo nodded. "I'm fine."
Xi Shuang blurted out, "Bullshit, she was about to die for love."
With Xi Mingguang gone, Ling Xun couldn't be bothered to shut Xi Shuang up. She leaned against a wall, watching the others chat, her posture looking unusually relaxed, a faint smile on her face.
Wen Xinghuo said, "I was not."
Xi Shuang eagerly tattled to Chi Yueshan. The woman looked like she would suffocate if she didn't talk for a day.
Neither Ling Xun nor Wen Xinghuo were very talkative. Wen Xinghuo had never been one to play along with jokes, but she was good-natured, so she never got angry no matter how much Xi Shuang provoked her.
Ling Xun, on the other hand, would sometimes play along with Xi Shuang's words, but Xi Shuang clearly felt that since regaining her memories, her cousin had become more controlling of her.
She was clearly getting cocky, taking advantage of the fact that she had become a battlefield-capable Alpha in this life.
She even wanted to one-up Xi Shuang.
But now was not a good time for a duel. As combative as Alphas were by nature, their current priority was to deal with the Zerg.
Once world peace was achieved, they could challenge each other to duels as much as they wanted.
Xi Shuang said, "You have no idea, she was like she was on steroids, but her appetite was a third of what it used to be. She spent all day and night out there fighting Zerg, her mecha was all battered and broken. One time, she over-exerted her spiritual power and was almost sliced by the limb of a low-grade Zerg. If Ling Xun and I hadn't arrived in time, you might never have seen your beloved Senior Wen again."
Chi Yueshan corrected her, "My respected Senior Wen."
Xi Shuang let out a theatrical "oh" and winked. "Right, right, your beloved now is the Xi family's arrogant young miss."
Chi Yueshan coughed. Ling Xun handed her a glass of warm water and urged her to go rest.
"You must be exhausted. Why don't you go take a nap first? Commander Xi should have everything arranged."
Chi Yueshan's eyes were already beautiful, and now, having just cried, they glistened with moisture, seeming to radiate their own light when she looked at people.
No one disliked looking at a beauty. Even if Chi Yueshan wasn't a stunning, world-class beauty like Xi Zhoumeng, she was now a little beauty with her own unique charm.
Perhaps Ling Xun's admiration was a bit too obvious, because Xi Shuang pulled her back. "I told you to find someone else to like."
Ling Xun just smiled without saying a word.
Wen Xinghuo asked, "Were you in that world for a long time?"
Chi Yueshan nodded, subconsciously touching her belly. The baby inside was very well-behaved and hadn't caused her any discomfort later on.
She looked a little plumper than she had a month ago. But before, Chi Yueshan had always been a whirlwind of activity, leaving the impression of someone in oversized mechanic's overalls. Even when she dressed up for balls or other occasions, the impression of a slightly disheveled, scruffy girl remained.
Moreover, Chi Yueshan had a fiery temper, which made people realize only much later that she was, in fact, a petite Omega.
Now, Chi Yueshan was wearing a wide, square-necked nightgown. The cuffs and collar were of a vintage style. Because it was a nightgown, it wasn't as layered as the dresses Xi Zhoumeng wore, but it was still easy to see the fine workmanship and soft fabric of the garment.
Coupled with the fact that Chi Yueshan's face had rounded out a bit and her figure had become more curvaceous, she exuded a rare, delicate charm.
Like a wildflower from the roadside that someone had noticed and transplanted into fertile soil.
Watered and nourished with care day after day, it too could blossom into a garden of vibrant colors.
At this moment, Chi Yueshan was completely unaware that her smile was anything but ordinary.
"Mhm… She and I were separated at first. I didn't even know I was pregnant."
"And that rascal Xi Zhoumeng even forgot about me. I had such a hard time finding her."
Chi Yueshan's cheeks puffed out. "But heaven was on my side. The moment she saw me, she remembered everything."
She shook her head, looking at the three Alphas across from her. "Isn't that amazing?"
Xi Shuang: "Mhm, mhm, mhm."
Ling Xun: "Did it take you a long time to find her?"
She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Being pregnant and alone, it must have been very hard, right?"
For a split second, Chi Yueshan's mind flashed back to her time alone in the other world.
Was it hard?
Of course, it was hard.
But surprisingly, she felt no resentment.
After all, she loved Xi Zhoumeng, and she had to bear the consequences of her own decisions.
The me in this world is already lucky enough.
And I had the help of that other me.
Chi Yueshan nodded, then shook her head, before saying with some displeasure, "It was okay, but the most infuriating thing wasn't the pregnancy. It was that I was a working girl, while she was the type who could make money just by lying down!!!"
Xi Shuang put herself in her shoes and became furious. "Exactly, exactly! She's just that infuriating of a person."
Wen Xinghuo fell silent, not at all surprised.
Ling Xun said, "But you could consider this a honeymoon, after all, only a month or so has passed for us."
Chi Yueshan scratched her head, feeling a bit awkward again. "But I don't know how to explain it, disappearing for a month and coming back almost eight months pregnant… well, more like seven months and a bit…"
Xi Shuang said, "What's the big deal? Xi Zhoumeng is an S+ Alpha now. Nothing is impossible."
"It's just that our Lao Wen was born at the wrong time, otherwise, you two wouldn't have been the first to get pregnant!"
Wen Xinghuo: …
Xi Shuang continued, "But with such a high compatibility rate, don't tell me you'll get pregnant… every time?"
Chi Yueshan: …
No way!!!! I'd rather she be an Omega and have an O-O relationship!
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