What to Do if You Mess With an Omega? - Chapter 25

“How was the date today?”

“What date?”

“You’re dressed like this. Wasn’t it a date?”

“I attended a banquet with her.”

Lu Yutang nodded in admiration. “With that outfit, even I’d believe you grew up on the capital star. But didn’t your Miss Xu keep you around?”

Ning Hanzhu looked puzzled. “Why would she keep me?”

The banquet had been just like that—full of complicated relationships, and everyone harboring at least eighty schemes in their hearts. No wonder Xu Yuqing had brought her along to gain some exposure.

Ning Hanzhu had actually found it quite boring. The buffet had offered a wide variety, with plenty of foods she had never seen, but unfortunately, she had not managed to try more than a few bites.

Lu Yutang was about the same age as her, but because he had grown up navigating the chaos of Elf Star, he had long been exposed to the dealings between Alphas and Betas. Being with a Beta was far simpler than marking an Omega; the two just needed to take a liking to each other.

But for people like them, they probably would never encounter an Omega in their lifetime. Having a Beta like Xu Yuqing by one’s side was pretty good too.

He worried Ning Hanzhu might act foolishly. “Miss Xu may be a Beta, but I can tell she quite likes you. Opportunities are for seizing yourself. Don’t be silly.”

Ning Hanzhu, “?”

How had it veered so far off course?

Ning Qianqian spotted Ning Hanzhu the moment she returned and charged over like a little firecracker. Ning Hanzhu scooped her up. The little one had not seen her for half the day and immediately nuzzled into her embrace.

That motion inexplicably reminded her of Xu Yuqing, who had burrowed into her arms like a kitten, rubbing and nuzzling, light and soft.

“Sister, you smell nice.”

“Hm?”

Where was the nice smell?

She had not even sprayed perfume today.

Ning Hanzhu lowered her head and sniffed, detecting nothing.

Lu Yutang twitched his nose and grinned wickedly. “Still denying the date? Bamboo, you sneaky one—tricking even your Brother Lu. Go wash up quick.”

Ning Hanzhu, “??”

How was she sneaky?

And why did Brother Lu keep saying such odd things?

But since the clothes were not hers and she needed to return them, Ning Hanzhu played with Ning Qianqian for a bit before heading upstairs to change.

Lu Yutang saw her come back down quickly and flop onto the sofa, where her sleeves and pant legs immediately rode up short by a large margin. “Bamboo, don’t we need to go out and buy a few outfits? Forget anything else—for dating Miss Xu, we can’t head out looking like this, right?”

Ning Hanzhu, “…”

Could she not just wear cropped pants?

Besides, she had only agreed to help out a little.

She still had no idea how to repay Xu Yuqing’s favor.

Ning Hanzhu nodded perfunctorily, then thought of something she had overheard today. “Brother Lu, do you really want to enlist? How about going to a military academy for a few years first?”

Enlisting directly seemed too dangerous. Aunt Lu was still waiting for them to go back and fetch her.

Lu Yutang had long passed the age for schooling, and even if he wanted to, it was impossible. It required not only a recommendation from someone authoritative but also a slew of assessments. “Getting into a military academy isn’t as simple as you make it sound. As for you, Bamboo, I think you still have a shot.”

Ning Hanzhu froze. They had clearly been talking about Lu Yutang, so how had it circled back to her? She waved her hands frantically. “No, no, I can’t. I’m not cut out for it.”

Lu Yutang looked exasperated. “Hear me out. As long as you rejoin the Ning family, you’ll have a chance at the academy. We’re no worse than the capital star folks. If I hadn’t missed the prime age, I’d definitely enroll too.”

Ning Hanzhu shook her head like a rattle.

Military academy student.

The term alone screamed short lifespan.

She had just gained a spark of inspiration from the food today. No way was she becoming some military cadet. Sending someone like her onto a battlefield—she feared she would not last a day.

“Bro, Brother Lu, I just thought of a way to make money. How about we become streamers? Food streamers. What do you think?”

Ning Hanzhu looked at him expectantly.

Lu Yutang’s eyes widened in shock. “What? You want to be a food streamer?”

Ning Hanzhu knew these Alphas were used to roughing it and drank nutrient solution whenever they could. Most had no appreciation for the joys of fine food.

Even if any did, they were few and far between.

She had surfed the starnet before coming back and done a quick background check. There were food streamers out there, but most peddled dark cuisine. Among the active big streamers, gaming and adventure ones dominated the shares.

Plus, the aversion to prickly shrimp she had seen today sparked an idea.

It was the perfect chance for her to test the waters.

“Forget it. No point explaining—you wouldn’t get it. I’ll cook a meal myself today, and you’ll see.”

“…”

Lu Yutang was stupefied. Before they left, he had fantasized about the two siblings joining the military together, earning merits. Yet just two days on the capital star, before they even touched the enlistment threshold, Ning Hanzhu had veered off onto a completely different path.

This… was the split way too wild?

And could that stuff even be eaten? Could it make money?

In contrast to Lu Yutang’s doubts, Ning Hanzhu brimmed with confidence in her future career. She had often cooked for herself in the past, experimenting with flavors.

Now was her chance to tend to her own stomach first.

She had no idea how she had endured all that nutrient solution on Elf Star. With means available now, she naturally wanted to improve her diet.