I Transmigrated as the Protagonist and Was Kidnapped by the Villainous Omega - Chapter 23

Tonight’s dinner was especially sumptuous—besides egg fried rice, there were chicken rolls, lotus leaf chicken, and all kinds of vegetables. The long table was brightly lit, everyone digging in with gusto, chatting and laughing. The air was lively and cheerful.

Yet at one end of the table, everything seemed to have frozen.

A woman held a small bowl in her hands, with long silver hair cascading down like soft silk, her eyes lowered and lost in thought. The person standing across from her was completely still. Her hands were still suspended mid-air and looking completely blank.

“Ahem, what are you two spacing out for? Eat some chicken! Hu Ziyuan handed each of them a pair of chopsticks and pulled Su Cheng down into a seat. “It’s just the soup that’s missing; let them bring it over. You’ve been busy long enough; take a break already.”

Seriously now—just standing there staring, what good does that do?

“I suppose you’re right.” Su Cheng snapped out of it and sat at the table, saying, “I just got excited seeing Xixi come back. We’ve been apart for so many days, and it’s been eating me up inside.”

Hu Ziyuan naturally picked up the thread, “Exactly! These past few days you haven’t eaten or slept properly. Anyone can see you’ve caught a bad case of lovesickness. Just a few days and you already look so worn out.”

Listening to their back-and-forth conversation, Ling Yuexi couldn’t help glancing up at the person in front of her—sure enough, her complexion was paler than before.

“Is it really that obvious? Su Cheng reached up and touched her face in disbelief, then her expression turned sorrowful. “Xixi… It’s all your fault. Please don’t leave me again, okay? When I don’t see you for a day, I feel like I can’t even breathe…”

Her voice grew softer and softer until it was barely a whisper.

“I’m broken. Of course people look down on me,” Su Cheng said, sniffing as her eyes turned red and tears brimmed in her eyes. “But I’m not stupid. I just want to help the one I love and to help a bit more. I don’t ask for forever; I just hope that in this end-of-the-world mess, I can be by your side through wind and rain… to cling to each other and survive…”

“Who’s looking down on you? Ling Yuexi frowned slightly and patiently explained, “The infected zones are too dangerous. We’re not like the Dragon Domain—we don’t have healing serum. Once infected, there’s no saving you.”

“But I used to be a vanguard soldier in the Dragon Domain! At least I’m stronger than a Beta—I can protect myself.” Su Cheng’s eyes turned red as she choked up. “You just don’t want me anymore…”

“But I don’t blame you. It’s just my fate. A plaything like me… destined to be tossed aside…” She shut her eyes with a look of sorrow, and tears finally spilled down her cheeks.

Even Hu Ziyuan was stunned by her pitiful, lovestruck act.

“…When did I toss you aside? ”

The way Su Cheng said it made Ling Yuexi feel like she was one of those heartless, flaky scumbag types who loved every new face she saw.

Su Cheng waved her hand in pain, refusing to open her eyes, tears still falling. “Still denying it…”

“…”

“Ugh, just take her with you next time,” Hu Ziyuan cut in, playing along when she saw Su Cheng’s gesture. “She’s not bad in a fight—we’ve both seen that. And isn’t Yunqi a crippled Alpha too? If she can go, why not Su Su? Don’t play favorites.”

“Who’s playing favorites? What kind of comparison was that? ”

One line from each of them, and now she was the villain?

Ling Yuexi gave Hu Ziyuan a reproachful look. “If you want to come that badly, I’ll take you next time.”

“Really? Su Cheng instantly looked up, big watery eyes shining as she held out her pinky. “Pinky swear.”

“…”

Something feels off.

Ling Yuexi wanted to ignore it but somehow still ended up hooking her pinky with Su Cheng’s. “Let me say this first—if you get infected, I won’t be able to save you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself.” Su Cheng wiped her tears, gaze firm. “And I’ll protect you, too.”

The moment their eyes met, it felt like a faint current passed between their pinky fingers.

Ling Yuexi’s chest trembled faintly. She let go at once and turned her head, brushing back her hair with unnatural stiffness. “Mm. Let’s eat.”

“Okay~” Su Cheng picked up her chopsticks and secretly exchanged a glance with Hu Ziyuan. A sly grin crept onto both their faces.

“Well done, sister~” “Of course—who do you think I am? ”

Though Ling Yuexi didn’t catch their little exchange, she was starting to feel like she’d been played.

Like she’d been pushed into agreeing without even realizing it.

But the words were already out, and they’d even pinky-sworn, and no backing out now.

She subtly glanced at Su Cheng from the corner of her eye. Her face really was paler than usual, and she looked thinner, too. Thinking back to the small room she’d stayed in—the furnishings did look like someone had put a lot of care into them. Maybe she really had worked too hard.

…Forget it, then.

Su Cheng kept a calm face, but inside she was dancing with joy.

After all this time, she’d finally made some progress! Otherwise this undercover gig of hers would’ve turned into full-time housekeeping.

Next up: figure out their combat patterns, then wait for the perfect moment to mess it all up…

She diligently picked food for Ling Yuexi and silently thought to herself that Hu Ziyuan really was reliable—when she wasn’t drinking.

“You know, Yuexi,” Hu Ziyuan said while munching on meat, “when I was little, I had a dog. One time I forgot to close the door when I went out, and it couldn’t stand waiting at home. It ran off looking for me and got lost. So with pets—you either take them with you or tie them down properly.”

“Mhm, fair point.”

Cough—Su Cheng choked on a sip of water she had just taken.

…

While they were chatting, the chicken soup was finished simmering. Even with the lid still on, the aroma was irresistible as it was brought to the table.

“Try some. Been slow-cooking it for a while,” Su Cheng said, ladling out a bowl for Ling Yuexi. She scooped up a spoonful, blew on it gently, and held it out. “Open up.”

Ling Yuexi glanced at her. The warm glow of the evening lights cast soft shadows on Su Cheng’s striking features—half illuminated, half mysterious. Her eyes were a deep blue, like tonight’s starlit sky.

Love surged like the tide, full of tenderness.

She had meant to decline, but in the end, she bowed her head obediently.

The soup was rich and flavorful, with subtle hints of ginseng and astragalus blending perfectly into the broth.

It lingered on her palate, fragrant and unforgettable.

“Not bad,” she praised with a nod. Taking the bowl from Su Cheng, she scooped another spoonful. Noticing Su Cheng hadn’t picked up her chopsticks yet, she added, “You should eat too.”

“No need.” Su Cheng propped her elbows on the table, resting her face in her hands. Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “I’m fine just watching you—a feast for the eyes, you know.”

Grrrr…

Right on cue, her stomach growled.

“…” Su Cheng froze. Her face stiffened instantly.

Damn it, traitorous stomach! Why now?! She’d worked so hard to set the mood just right!

Ling Yuexi didn’t call her out. Instead, she curled her lips into a sultry smile and replied, “Then enjoy the view.” With that, she calmly tore off a piece of chicken, dipped it in sauce, and slowly raised it to her mouth, brushing it past Su Cheng’s line of sight before taking a delicate bite…

Hu Ziyuan, recognizing that Ling Yuexi was about to cause some serious damage again, let out a quiet sigh. She glanced at the dishes, then looked down and quietly resumed eating.

Laughter and conversation filled the air around them—lively and relaxed.

But Su Cheng’s full attention was locked on one person. Her eyes were fixed on Ling Yuexi’s lips—plump, glossy, and temptingly red from a trace of oil.

Her brain short-circuited. She wasn’t sure if it was hunger or something else, but she couldn’t look away. Her eyes were glued in place like they had been superglued there before.

Ling Yuexi ate slowly and gracefully. Though she only took a small bite, her expression was one of deep enjoyment, as if tasting some rare delicacy. She even closed her eyes at the end and gently licked the corner of her lips.

Su Cheng kept her upper body still, but under the table, her toes were practically clawing the floor.

This woman… she’s doing it on purpose.

Should she throw in some flashy Cooking Master Boy effects next?

Goddamn, she’s finally met her match.

Who would’ve thought that someone who usually looked so aloof could be such a damn good actress? Trying to steal her “Best Actress” crown now?

Not on her watch.

Su Cheng steeled herself, channeling the same energy she used to deal with annoying bosses. Internally cursing but outwardly keeping a perfect, polite smile and completely unshaken.

Hah. Like hell she’d back down from her own flag. So what if she had to watch her eat? What’s the big deal? The woman didn’t even eat that much—she could endure it.

But then, in the very next second, she watched Ling Yuexi raise her fingers to her lips and slowly and deliberately lick them clean…

F*ck…

That’s cheating…

She watched as the Ling Yuexi  wrapped her lips around her own fingers, sucking them one by one. Her eyes were half-lidded, sultry, and locked on Su Cheng like a heat-seeking missile. She seemed unsatisfied, like there wasn’t enough flavor; her eyes were full of hunger—raw and burning.

Her red lips and slender fingers entangled in a seductive dance, so intimate that it made Su Cheng’s throat tighten.

Heat rose fast and sharp from her chest to the tips of her ears. She licked her lips and finally leaned back with a long breath while closing her eyes.

No big deal. Flags are meant to be broken, right…?

“Why’d you stop watching? Didn’t you say I was a feast for the eyes? ”Ling Yuexi teased, a mischievous glint in her eye. She leaned forward, brushing close to Su Cheng’s ear, and murmured, “Mmm~ want some more…”

Thud. Hu Ziyuan’s chicken leg hit the table.

Su Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. Under her sleeves, her fists clenched tight and her fingertips were pale.

Goddamn…

She won’t even let me off with my eyes closed?!

She felt like her skull might literally catch fire. She wouldn’t be surprised if smoke was pouring out of her head right now.

If you want more, just take it! It’s a whole damn plate—who’s going to fight you for it?!

Who eats chicken like this?! Seriously!!

What did I do to deserve this torment?!

Sure, she might’ve lost her ability to respond to Omega pheromones thanks to the scarring over her glands…

But that didn’t mean she was dead!!

Su Cheng let out a slow, heated breath, then suddenly turned her head with a glare. Right in front of her was Ling Yuexi’s smug, breathtakingly gorgeous face with lips curled in victory.

The next moment, Su Cheng surged forward, grabbed the back of Yuexi’s head, and kissed her fiercely before the woman could react.

The scent of lime and mint rushed into her nose as she greedily inhaled her breath. Her lips were soft like jelly, and Su Cheng couldn’t stop herself from sucking on them. While Ling Yuexi was still stunned, her tongue slipped past parted teeth, taking over with bold abandon…

“Mmm…”

Ling Yuexi trembled, trying to pull away but failing to. A tingling sensation spread through her body—new and electric, exhilarating…

Su Cheng kissed like she was claiming her—intense, possessive. But just as she was getting into it, a sudden pain shot through the back of her neck from her gland.

The sharp sting jolted her back to her senses. She finally pulled away; her voice was hoarse. “That’s what I call a feast for the eyes… and more.”

Freed from Su Cheng’s grip, Ling Yuexi immediately leaned back into her chair.

Her eyes were still glazed, and her cheeks were flushed. She glared at Su Cheng with a mix of embarrassment and anger.