Rumor Has It, That Omega Rocked the Stage Again! - Chapter 16

During her time at the First Military Academy, Ji Yu had purchased a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment nearby. Back when she was a student occasionally staying off-campus, the place had felt somewhat empty. But now, with the thought of inviting Mu Li over, it suddenly seemed just the right size.

When Ji Yu finally managed to extricate herself from her teachers’ enthusiastic attention and leave the school, Mu Li—who had departed earlier—received a message: “Let’s have dinner together,” accompanied by an address.

Mu Li raised an eyebrow at the message. This was clearly not a restaurant but one of Ji Yu’s private residences. Yet Mu Li didn’t hesitate; after all, she and Ji Yu had already lived together at the Ji family home for several months. Their brief separation made today’s reunion feel like a fledgling returning to its nest, filling her with a sense of belonging.

Lately, Mu Li had grown closer to her teammates, and their conversations often revolved around relationships. Ailina, with her carefree and warm personality, was popular among Omegas and had many past relationships. She frequently enlightened Mu Li about romantic gestures between couples, such as inviting someone to your home for a candlelit dinner to create a little romance. Mu Li and Ji Yu had never crossed that line before, but now, perhaps influenced by Ailina’s stories, she found herself curious.

Arriving at the address, Mu Li composed herself and knocked on the door. Ji Yu, who seemed to have been waiting, opened it immediately.

The interior decor was similar to the Ji family home—simple and understated. It was dinnertime, yet there was no meal on the table as Mu Li had expected. Noticing Mu Li’s searching gaze, Ji Yu explained, “I combined one of the living rooms and a bedroom to create a small training room, so it’s easier for me to give you private lessons. What were you looking for just now?”

Mu Li felt a pang of embarrassment at her own expectations. Ji Yu clearly had no such intentions. Sullenly, she replied, “Nothing.”

Ji Yu was puzzled. This was her private sanctuary, a place she had never brought anyone else to—why wasn’t Mu Li happy? Maybe she was hungry after a day of training? “But you seem upset. Is it because you’re hungry?”

The joy Mu Li had felt upon reuniting with Ji Yu vanished in an instant. Ji Yu was kind to her, thoughtful, had even said she could stay with the Ji family indefinitely, and now, despite her busy schedule, had gone out of her way to coach her for the Mecha League. Wasn’t this the kind of devotion reserved for a Cultivation Partner? Just as Mu Li began entertaining that thought, Ji Yu showed no such inclination. Had Ji Yu only ever seen her as a life-saving benefactor?

“I’ve just been tired from training these past few days.”

“The area around here is all schools, so going out might draw attention. How about we order some of your favorite food for delivery?” Ji Yu opened her Personal Terminal and handed it to Mu Li.

“Sure, I’ll take a look.” Mu Li accepted it and began browsing.

Ji Yu nodded, seemingly convinced by Mu Li’s explanation. But the moment Mu Li turned away, Ji Yu tapped open the Optical Brain on her wrist and sent a message to her childhood friend Bai Tang. The Bai and Ji families had been closed for generations, though the Jis pursued military careers while the Bais entered politics. Bai Tang was an outstanding Female Alpha who had already gained significant influence in the Council. With her abilities and family connections, it was only a matter of time before she became Chairman of the Council.

I took your advice and became an instructor at the First Military Academy. Just brought my Omega to my old college apartment, but she seems unhappy.

Bai Tang seemed to be checking her messages and replied quickly, That shouldn’t be the case. From what you’ve described, you two get along well, and she doesn’t reject you. After not seeing each other for so long, wasn’t she happy to see you? If it were my little Omega, they’d definitely come running over excitedly.

Ji Yu selectively ignored the last few words—enthusiastic Omegas always belonged to others. Another day without one of her own. No, she just seemed unhappy after I invited her to the apartment. Her mood wasn’t as good as before.

Did you say something to her?

I told her I specially renovated the place to turn it into a small training room so I could tutor her privately. Bai Tang seemed to detect a tone of proud bragging in Ji Yu’s words.

That’s great! Didn’t you say your Omega usually doesn’t show much emotion? Maybe she was just too happy and froze before she could react. Haven’t I told you before? Omegas are tricky creatures—you always have to guess their feelings. They’ll say “it’s fine” no matter what. You’ll get used to reading them with more time!

Bai Tang’s confident tone filled Ji Yu with reassurance, dispelling her earlier doubts. Just then, Mu Li walked over. Ji Yu took her Personal Terminal, scanned the menu, added a few more dishes Mu Li liked, and placed the order.

The food arrived quickly. Ji Yu also brought out some alcohol she’d stored at home—unopened bottles from her university days.

After dinner, Ji Yu and Mu Li sat on the sofa watching a movie. Since it was still early, they chatted idly. Somehow, the conversation turned to Ji Yu’s past competition experiences.

“Your current team composition came later. Before me, it was always assumed only third- and fourth-year students could compete.” Ji Yu’s tone shifted. “But I became the exception.”

Mu Li tilted her head slightly, urging Ji Yu to continue.

“Everything the teachers said today was true—I went through all the rebellious phases an Alpha should. Back then, I insisted on competing and signed up for the Mecha Club. The Mecha League has no age restrictions, so why couldn’t a first-year participate? I was determined to be the first.” A faint flush from the alcohol colored Ji Yu’s cheeks. Though not drunk, she seemed more animated than usual.

Mu Li pulled Ji Yu’s hand down and asked, “Then what? How did you convince them?”

“Convince? Convincing those stubborn old teachers was impossible. They were used to the upperclassmen-only competition model—fewer lowerclassmen meant less hassle. But I refused to play along. When they were selecting participants, I forced my way in. The club president back then tried to talk me out of it multiple times, worried I’d get hurt fighting upperclassmen as a first-year.”

“What happened then?”

“Of course, I won. You wouldn’t believe it—to make me quit, during the Team Tournament, the five-on-one stronghold capture round, they didn’t assign me to any team. I didn’t have to defend a stronghold, but I had to solo their entire team.”

Before Mu Li could speak, Ji Yu cut in, “I heard from the teachers that you won a four-on-one Team Tournament? Not bad—you’ve got some of my old flair!” Mu Li couldn’t tell if Ji Yu was complimenting her or herself but didn’t bother arguing. “Yes, yes, you’re the best.”

Ji Yu was even happier upon hearing this. The alcohol had stripped away her usual tough exterior, making her seem like she’d returned to her most unrestrained and spirited years at seventeen or eighteen. Gesturing animatedly, she said, “Let me tell you, they were all so weak. No one in the later Singles Tournament could even last a few moves against me—they couldn’t fight as well as the people who usually challenged me.”

“People at the First Military Academy brawl in public?” Mu Li asked in surprise.

Ji Yu waved her hand dismissively. “Of course not, they all came at me in secret. Back then, I really was a troublemaker. Those who knew about my family background didn’t respect me—they thought I got by on my family’s connections.” She paused, then looked at Mu Li and added, “But—I beat them all into submission. After that, no one opposed me joining the tournament. Later, the school faculty realized some lower-year students were truly outstanding, so they stopped restricting participation by grade.”

As she spoke, Ji Yu’s head tilted to the side, and she fell asleep on the sofa. Mu Li shook her head at the sight, then helped Ji Yu up. Now that Ji Yu had a healthy body, she was much heavier than when she’d been weakened by the venom. Mu Li struggled slightly as she draped Ji Yu over her shoulder and carried her to the bedroom. After wiping Ji Yu’s face and tucking her in, Mu Li sat by the bed, studying her closely.

Tonight, Ji Yu seemed different after drinking. When Mu Li first met her, Ji Yu had been on the brink of death yet still held herself rigidly upright, never bending under the relentless torment of her Mental Strength. Later, after recovering, Ji Yu displayed the powerful confidence befitting a Marshal—an unfamiliar aura that had once made Mu Li hesitate.

But just now, as Ji Yu proudly recounted her past at the military academy, Mu Li realized clearly that Ji Yu was only in her twenties. Compared to Mu Li, whose soul had lived for millennia, Ji Yu was practically a young girl. This made Mu Li not only regret not having met Ji Yu sooner to share in her life but also ache for the heavy burdens Ji Yu now carried.

Ji Yu seemed restless in her sleep, her brow slightly furrowed even in slumber. Mu Li reached out to smooth it, but the moment her fingers touched Ji Yu’s forehead, Ji Yu let out a soft “Mmm…” Startled, Mu Li instantly withdrew her hand and fled in a panic.

By the time Ji Yu woke the next morning, Mu Li had already prepared breakfast. “You’re awake. I didn’t know what you’d like, so I followed the usual habits at the Ji household and bought some breakfast. See if it suits your taste.”

Ji Yu rubbed her temples. “Last night, I remember we were talking on the sofa?”

“Mm, maybe you were too tired. Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, so you fell asleep.” Remembering Ji Yu’s boastful stories about her wild experiences at the First Military Academy, Mu Li blinked at her teasingly. “Marshal Ji, you’re not a student anymore—you should take better care of your health.”

Ji Yu froze for a moment before suddenly realizing—had her own Omega just called her old? An Alpha couldn’t be old! “Am I old?” she demanded loudly.

Mu Li was startled by the intensity of her reaction and burst out laughing, waving her hands. “No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

This only made Ji Yu more frustrated. Even after finishing breakfast, that lingering irritation refused to fade.

After breakfast, Ji Yu and Mu Li went their separate ways, each heading to the Mecha Club. Ji Yu switched to a more inconspicuous spaceship, aimlessly circling for a while. Estimating the time was about right, she landed the spaceship at the Mecha Club while the students were in class.