I Transmigrated as the Protagonist and Was Kidnapped by the Villainous Omega - Chapter 24

The moment the thought crossed her mind, even Su Cheng herself was startled.

Just now, for a split second, it felt like she’d been possessed by a starving ghost—she wanted nothing more than to pin Ling Yuexi to the ground—

And… bite her.

Hu Ziyuan’s chopsticks were still hovering midair, gripping a piece of meat. Her hand froze, and her eyes were wide with shock as she stared at Su Cheng.

“……”

Feeling the strange looks from her teammate, Su Cheng thought, “No, no, it’s not what you think…”

“Hey! Already eating, and no one called me? ” Shi Yunqi strode over to their table, rubbing her temples. “Got so caught up with stuff I totally lost track of time. I’m starving to death.”

She Yunqi and Pupu had gone to the Water Curtain Cave right after leaving the little fenced courtyard that morning. Pupu was full of wild enthusiasm about upgrading the robot—one trip out and she already had a bunch of new ideas.

They’d spent the whole afternoon tinkering, but Pupu was still just a kid, and after days of running around, she was clearly worn out. Toward the end, she started nodding off like a little pecking chick, barely able to keep her eyes open. Shi Yunqi told her to go back and rest, while she stayed to keep working.

All the robots in Red Sleeve were junk that they’d salvaged from the infected zones. The large mech Pupu piloted was actually repurposed from an old factory cargo bot.

Pupu had always loved these things—not only was she a natural genius, but more importantly, she had an amazing mother.

Before the outbreak, her mom had been the best machine operator in the factory, with an uncanny understanding of robotics. She’d raised Pupu all on her own, always bringing her along to work and even teaching her how to pilot in their spare time.

Shi Yunqi deeply respected her. Even as a single mother, she gave Pupu all the love and companionship she could. Even after the virus broke out, she protected her daughter well.

No matter what hardship life threw her way, she always had that breezy, unbothered look and never once complained.

Even after she got infected.

“Pupu, be good and listen to your big sisters,” the woman said, her face pale as she gently rubbed her daughter’s little head, forcing a smile. “Mom’s got something important to do; I’ll be gone for a while…”

“When will you be back? ”

“I’ll be back when you’re all grown up. By then, let’s see whose mech is cooler, yeah? ”

——

Years passed in the blink of an eye. Pupu was already eighteen now.

Shi Yunqi came back to the present, glancing down the long table. She didn’t see the pink twin-tails anywhere. “Probably sneaked into the kitchen again,” she thought.

Shaking her head with a helpless smile, she sat down beside Su Cheng, grabbed a pair of clean chopsticks, and eyed the dishes on the table. “Yo, all this saved just for me? ”

Not bad. The food appeared to be quite substantial.

“In your dreams, we haven’t even started properly yet,” Hu Ziyuan grumbled as she reached out to grab some food. The portions were small to begin with—if everyone went at it, there wouldn’t be much left after a few bites each.

“Hey, hey! That’s way too much! ”Shi Yunqi yelled when Hu Ziyuan practically took half the meat in one go. Her brows shot up, and she moved lightning-fast—like a martial arts master—as her chopsticks snapped against Hu Ziyuan’s with a loud “pa!”

Hu Ziyuan felt the sting in her hand as the meat slipped and scattered.

Ugh, so annoying!

She clenched her teeth and glared up, eyes narrowed and burning with fire. Her whole face radiated murder.

The next second, the two of them looked like they were in a wuxia film—like their chopsticks were three-foot swords drawn with a flourish, ready for a duel.

They even added the occasional “hah!” or “heh! ” as they sparred with their chopsticks, making it feel surprisingly legit.

“……”

Su Cheng’s eyelid twitched. While the other two were busy fighting, she sneakily grabbed the plate and, with two quick steps, plopped down beside Ling Yuexi. She split half the food into the other girl’s bowl.

“…Damn.” Shi Yunqi blinked. “She totally fished in troubled waters! ”

“Much appreciated.” Su Cheng did a cupped-fist gesture and grinned at Ling Yuexi. “Want anything else? I’ll grab it for you.”

Ling Yuexi’s cheeks were still pink. She turned her head with forced calm and muttered, “…Whatever.”

“Alright then,” Su Cheng said with a teasing, spoiled smile. “In that case, I’ll just snatch everything.”

The way she said it was outrageously smug—like she’d forgotten she was a weak little pseudo-A, and everyone else didn’t matter.

“Yuan Yuan, how about we team up and take down this cunning little Su? She’s always playing dirty.”

“Forget it, we’re better off on our own. You’re no saint either.”

“Oh, come on, is that really how you see me? ”

……

All three of them gripped their chopsticks like weapons, watching the “battlefield” intently. No one dared make the first move.

Shi Yunqi had fought Hu Ziyuan for years—she already knew her moves inside out. So now, most of her focus was fixed on Su Cheng.

But the longer she stared, the more something felt off.

“Why does your face look so pale? You were fine this morning.”

“Ahem, not feeling great,” Su Cheng coughed awkwardly, feeling a bit annoyed. She snuck a glance toward the kitchen.

Ugh… I completely forgot about Shi Yunqi earlier. Should’ve sent someone to act sooner…

Across the room, Pupu was munching on a chicken leg by the window. The moment she caught Su Cheng’s signal, she got up and zipped away like a little bullet.

“Ha? With moves that fierce, what part of you is unwell? ” Shi Yunqi gave her a full once-over. Su Cheng looked totally healthy—vibrant, even!

“I’m emotionally drained, okay? ” Su Cheng muttered, drinking some water and using the cup to hide most of her face.

Stay calm; don’t panic.

She was wearing Hu Ziyuan’s custom-made, all-natural foundation. It was completely scentless, breathable, and didn’t look cakey. She had even applied it down to her neck and behind her ears—there was no way anyone would notice.

“Damn, your face is way paler than your hands! ”

“Pfft—”

Damn it! She’d overlooked that!

Su Cheng coughed a few times and quickly dropped her hand, wishing she could seal Shi Yunqi’s mouth shut right there…

Unfortunately, Ling Yuexi had heard it. She turned back and glanced at them, reaching out to catch the hand Su Cheng was trying to hide.

The cold touch jolted Su Cheng like a shock, and she howled inside: It’s over. There’s no escaping now…

The woman lifted her hand and compared it to Su Cheng’s. She instantly understood.

“Quite the bold one, huh? ” She sneered, then turned to Hu Ziyuan. “You gave it to her? ”

“Absolutely not! ” Hu Ziyuan denied it on reflex without thinking.

This woman hated being lied to—there was no way she’d admit it even under torture.

She glanced up and glared at Su Cheng. “Did you steal my foundation?!” ”

Steal???

Su Cheng, upon realizing her situation, exclaimed, “Are you kidding me?”

At least pretend to cover for me! You just ditched me that fast?

Realizing she was in the wrong, Hu Ziyuan looked up at the sky, blatantly avoiding eye contact…

Su Cheng: I swear to god… Where’s that shovel I threw away this morning? I kind of want to dig a hole and crawl in.

“Oh, Su Cheng, you silly thing—why do you always step on landmines? And I always seem to catch you in the act~” Shi Yunqi laughed gleefully, sneaking her hand toward a plate of lotus-leaf chicken while everyone was distracted.

Su Cheng was too furious to notice the sneak attack. She’s practically seeing stars from rage.

She screamed internally, “Catch me in the act?!” Every time it’s because of you!

Things had been going smoothly—until she showed up. Now Ling Yuexi might use her as target practice again!

“Yuexi… I-I can explain…” All Su Cheng’s earlier swagger vanished in an instant. Her voice turned meek, and her head drooped as she stammered in front of the big boss.

“If you want something from me, just say it.” Ling Yuexi’s tone was calm. She gave Su Cheng’s hand a light squeeze and added, “Weren’t you trying to help me snatch it? With that, she casually reached out with her right hand and pinned down the plate Shi Yunqi was sneakily pulling away.

“Picking on my girl right in front of me? ” Her voice turned cold as she turned her head slightly and let out a soft, chilly laugh. Her eyes shot daggers at Shi Yunqi. “What’s this? Feinting east to attack west? Sneak attacks? Using the Thirty-Six Stratagems just to grab some food? ”

Shi Yunqi: ???

Wait, what?! Isn’t Ling Yuexi supposed to be furious at the one who lied to her?

Back then, when they tried to get her to move out of the small courtyard, she faked an illness. She claimed the mountain air was damp and made her sick—so obviously she couldn’t stay long or it’d ruin her health.

Purely out of goodwill!

And what did that get her?

Ling Yuexi instantly saw through the lie, turned the tables, and forced her to drink bitter herbal medicine for a whole month.

Shi Yunqi’s face literally turned green—she had to beg before Yuexi let her off the hook.

Now what? She’s siding with Su Cheng?

And that look—smiling but murderous—isn’t that using the *Thirty-Six Stratagems?!

*The Thirty-Six Stratagems is a Chinese essay detailing strategies for politics, warfare, and social interactions. These stratagems emphasize misdirection, deceit, and dominance.

The double standard is insane!

Shi Yunqi felt a chill down her spine under Yuexi’s gaze. She gave a dry laugh and tried to deflect, “Hehe… come on, food tastes better when you fight for it~ Isn’t that, like, our Red Sleeves tradition? ”

“True.” Ling Yuexi’s lips curled slightly. She turned to Su Cheng with a soft smile. “Then just fight her for it.”

The smile was faint but warm like a spring breeze—it sent tingles down Su Cheng’s spine.

She blinked, then realized Yuexi was standing up for her.

The pitiful look on her face instantly vanished. She grinned wide and grabbed the plate of chicken. “Gimme that~”

“Wait, no, hold up!” Shi Yunqi tried to grab it back but couldn’t reach. “Can’t we be reasonable here?!”

Reasonable? With Ling Yuexi?

Hu Ziyuan shot her a helpless look, then immediately pulled her final move. “I’m full. You guys carry on.” She slapped the table and fled like a ghost, speed-walking to another table.

“Hahahaha!” Su Cheng was overjoyed. She held the plate and fed a bite to the woman beside her. “How’s it taste?”

“Mmm~” Ling Yuexi swallowed the meat and nodded, clearly satisfied. “Stolen food really does taste better.”

Shi Yunqi looked like she’d seen a ghost.

Not only did Yuexi not punish her—she let her feed her?!

“Yuexi, don’t tell me you’re—”

“Shi Yunqi!”

Before she could finish, Elder Zhen Yuan suddenly shouted, cutting her off. “That’s not cool! You’ve got good wine stashed away and you’re not sharing?!”

“I have what now?” Shi Yunqi looked bewildered. If she really had something hidden, how would anyone find out?

“Doesn’t matter who said it. Come with me.” Elder Zhen Yuan stormed over, grabbed YunQi by the back of her collar, and started dragging her away.

“Hey hey hey—what are you doing? I haven’t eaten yet!”

“Give me the wine and I’ll let you go!”

“I don’t have any wine!”

“It’s in your room! Move!”

They bickered and stumbled off, getting farther away. Su Cheng was laughing so hard that she collapsed onto the table. When she looked up, she caught a flash of pink twin tails in the distance. It was Pupu and she gave her a cheeky peace sign.

*****

After the meal, Su Cheng was in high spirits as she walked hand in hand with Ling Yuexi along a mountain path, escorting her back to her courtyard.

“Yuexi.” With no one else around, she stopped in front of the wooden house, she let go of her hand, and said softly, “Thank you for helping me back there~”

“Thank me?” Ling Yuexi had been quiet the whole way. Now she let out a sudden, cold laugh. She turned, pinched Su Cheng’s chin, and said:

“You thought I was letting you off the hook?”