What to Do if You Mess With an Omega? - Chapter 26.2

A single fangfish was not even a toothpicker for some Alphas.

As she sliced the fish into fillets, the viewer count finally broke 0, jumping to 3 soon after.

[Turtle grandson, no guts, huh? Just this? A fangfish takes no guts. Not like we haven’t eaten it. When I ate it raw, your dad wasn’t even born.]

[Another dark cuisine? Can it taste worse than my black hehehe’s?]

[Streamer’s knife skills are good.]

[Wow, looking at the streamer’s name, confirmed: a grumpy big sis.]

Many had been drawn by Ning Hanzhu’s username, thinking it a new gaming streamer. Upon entering, they found a dark cuisine one, and the viewer count fluctuated like a roller coaster, everyone amusing themselves.

Ye Junxi was the one who had entered by mistake. Bored today, he had planned to scout a few promising new streamers, only to wander in here.

He loathed fangfish to the bone. As a child, one had bitten him, and he had bitten back, chipping two teeth and piercing his lips with spines. Though the treatment pod left no scars, he would never forget this damn fish.

Because most people shunned it, he had not seen dark cuisine using it in ages. With a mindset of seeing what tricks she could pull, he stayed in the stream for now.

[Streamer’s hands look pretty good. Ever thought of switching to gaming streams?]

From his observation, Ning Hanzhu’s hands were very dexterous—long fingers, good bone structure, and attractive too. Better suited to holding a gun or anything else than a kitchen knife.

What a waste.

Ning Hanzhu craved pickled cabbage fish, but without pickled cabbage, she substituted another edible sour leaf. The leaves were large, even more sour than pickled cabbage or processed kimchi. She filtered them several times and added a perverse chili from here. The white fish fillets floated in the golden sour broth. Just looking made one’s mouth water.

She simulated the finished pickled sour fish with data and uploaded ten portions to the starnet. Stream viewers who liked it could choose to try, with even a rating and feedback section below.

Everything was very user-friendly, and most importantly, the data control was impressive. Ning Hanzhu tasted a bit herself, confirming the flavor matched her cooking, before wrapping up. She had to sigh that data simulation was truly amazing.

Ye Junxi stared blankly at the plate of sour fish before him. If not for watching the process, he would not connect this dish to the ferocious fangfish that had bitten him back then. The preparation was too exquisite.

Evenly thick-thin fish slices, golden and red broth intertwined, emitting a sour-spicy aroma.

He endured the twinge in his heart and bit down hard—no, ate a mouthful of fangfish meat. The spicy flavor shot straight to the top of his head, so refreshing he shivered.

Holy sh1t.

Song Kejing, a specialist in dark cuisine, shared the same thought. He was a regular fan of [I Black Hehehe], always the first to try each dark dish and write serious reviews afterward. The reason? He had to stimulate himself this way. His mental state was disordered, and doctors could do nothing.

By sheer chance, he had tried a dark cuisine stream once and discovered that eating it suppressed his occasional violent mental surges. Desperate, he became a loyal fan of dark cuisine from then on.

This time, he showed up because he thought [Turtle Grandson, No Guts, Huh?] might be a rising dark cuisine streamer. Once the product was ready, he eagerly took a bite.

The rich pickled sour fish flavor filled his mouth at once, the fish dancing on his tongue—sour, spicy, and appetizing. Song Kejing felt a fiery burst on his taste buds, so delicious it left him dazed for a moment.

What earthly delight was this?

He finished one bite and hurriedly shoveled another. Unknowingly, he polished off a small bowl of sour leaf fish soup, leaving only a few sour leaves. He simply stuffed them in too, chewing away. Sweat beaded on his forehead and nose tip, his whole body easing. Even his usually violent mental sea calmed a bit.

He had not felt this rare peace in ages.

Song Kejing drank the golden sour-spicy soup from the bowl too. “Refreshing.”

After ending the stream, Ning Hanzhu called Lu Yutang and Ning Qianqian down to taste the sour leaf fish. The sour leaves looked unremarkable but were exceptionally refreshing, crunchy to chew. Lu Yutang had not expected the plain sour leaves could be eaten like this. “How did I never know you had such wild ideas?”

Ning Hanzhu nearly choked. That sour-spicy hit straight to her brain, stinging her eyes with tears.

She gulped two mouthfuls of water to suppress the heat. “No chance to show them off before?”

Elf Star made even accessing the net a hassle, let alone surfing. Food and mechs alike were monopolized by the wealthy.

They were the cheapest, lowliest workers, sometimes not even as good as robots—entirely at the boss’s whim for a bite to eat.

Lu Yutang agreed upon hearing that. “You try it first. If it doesn’t work, we’ll figure out a way into the military. I saw an online mecha contest these days. Too bad I have no mecha; otherwise, I’d give it a shot.”

Ah, he had not given up yet.

Ning Hanzhu knew she could never enlist with Lu Yutang no matter what. But mecha… “Brother Lu, did you forget I have a mecha? Though it’s just an ornamental one, probably not much use.”

Lu Yutang’s eyes lit up. “Useful? How could it not be? Ornamental mecha are still mecha. Performance-wise, they’re standard. Bamboo, lend it to your bro for a few days.”

Ning Hanzhu had released it before and even climbed on to operate it briefly. But it had drawn too much attention on Elf Star, so she had not used it since.

She had even considered selling it for money.

If it could truly help Lu Yutang, it would be worth more than its price.

Ning Hanzhu handed him the mecha key. Lu Yutang was so excited he skipped the sour leaf fish and bolted out. “Thanks, Bamboo.”

Evidently, for Lu Yutang, the allure of a mecha far outshone food.

…

With Lu Yutang engrossed in the mecha and Ning Hanzhu busy testing ingredients and streaming, Ning Qianqian ended up somewhat neglected by the two.

Often, Ning Hanzhu only remembered after finishing her tasks.

She searched everywhere and finally spotted Ning Qianqian in the living room corner, leaning on a cushion with her head tilted, listening to the nanny robot tell stories.

Ning Hanzhu paused in her steps, not interrupting them but standing quietly for a good while.

She had been an only child before, basking in her whole family’s love without siblings. Ning Qianqian was her first nominal little sister.

Though she had no experience with children, she had seen plenty. From now on, she would be very busy. Lu Yutang was even worse, his heart all in on the mecha contest. Neither had time for childcare.

Back on Elf Star, whenever the original body got busy, she left Ning Qianqian with Lu Qianran. Now it was just a robot instead.

Ning Hanzhu felt this was no way to go.

Ning Qianqian looked a bit lonely. At her age, Ning Hanzhu had gone to amusement parks whenever she wanted, with the whole family accompanying. Even ice cream meant five people crowding around.

Little children should play with other little children, make more friends.

Ning Hanzhu hesitated for two seconds, swiping through contacts on her optical computer. Sadly, on the capital star, she only knew one person: Xu Yuqing.

Whenever something came up, her first instinct was always Xu Yuqing.

Thinking of how Xu Yuqing had stormed off last time, Ning Hanzhu felt guilty for a second. Maybe forget it. She swiped past the top number and soon recalled the message she had ignored for two days.

[Who are you?]

Ning Yingwu was nearly exploding with rage.

He had waited all day for Ning Hanzhu and gotten nothing, wasting his reserved table. Now, seeing her message, he jabbed away, ready to give her a proper scolding.

“Invite her out. Say I want to see her.”

“Hm? Mom, I can handle this little bastard. No need for you to step in.”

Du Rongrong looked at her foolish son. “I know in this family, son, you care for Mom the most. But I haven’t gauged Ning Hanzhu’s depths yet. Once I have, handing her over to you for disposal won’t be late.”

Ning Yingwu no longer saw Ning Hanzhu as a threat. Once he became Miss Yuqing’s protector, he could easily kill her.

“Fine.”

[I’m Ning Yingwu. My mom wants to see you.]

[Oh.]

The benefit of going to the banquet with Xu Yuqing had arrived.

She had only shown her face to the Ning family, and the main branch could not wait to jump out. Probably guilty consciences.

Ning Hanzhu kept the appointment as scheduled. She told no one, just had the mecha-obsessed Lu Yutang watch Ning Qianqian before heading out.

When she arrived, Du Rongrong made her entrance right on time, stepping in gracefully from the door. The woman before her was even more mature than in her memories, every gesture like that of someone from a major family head branch. Who could guess she had once been a disfavored Beta from a Du family side branch?

But she had seduced Ning Hesong, ousted his original wife, and trampled everything left by the original body’s parents to smoothly become the renowned Madam Ning of the capital star.

Who said Betas were ordinary? This woman—she dared not underestimate her.

Ning Hanzhu smiled slightly. “Madam Ning, long time no see. Your appearance remains as ever. Time seems not to have left a mark on your face.”

Du Rongrong looked as if she had seen a ghost. Back then, the child had left glaring at them viciously, as if she would devour their flesh and suck their bl00d.

“You… you are Ning Hanzhu.”

“Who else?”

That tone sounded familiar.

Du Rongrong had tea and snacks brought. “After so many years, you’ve changed so much I almost didn’t recognize you. You must have differentiated into an Alpha by now.”

Ning Hanzhu was unafraid of poison and took two sips of tea. “You had your son invite me out specially. Surely not just for family chit-chat, Madam.”

Du Rongrong smiled mildly. “I’m your aunt. Calling me Madam is too distant.”

Ning Hanzhu said, “I only remember my aunt being surnamed Zhou, not Du. Does Madam want me to say here how you stepped over her to enter our Ning family door? That story does not sound very glorious if told.”

“You—you are insolent.”

“Is it not true?”

What Du Rongrong hated most was anyone dredging up that black history of hers, and Ning Hanzhu hopped right on that point with every sentence.

She took a deep breath. “Fine. Since it’s like that, let’s lay it all out. What do you want?”

Of course, Ning Hanzhu wanted everything the original body had lost returned. The Ning main residence had been left by the original body’s parents, along with the assets the original body’s mother had left for her two daughters. Du Rongrong had seized them all under the pretext that they were too young, claiming them for herself.

The original body had left with only a drop in the bucket.

Of course, if she said that, Du Rongrong would never give in.

She crossed her legs and shook them twice, slamming the cup down hard on the table with a thud. The cup cracked along a seam.

Du Rongrong’s heart jolted in shock, nearly crying out.

Ning Hanzhu stared at her with a half-smile. “Cash is tight lately. Give me some spending money. I want it now.”

Her rogue posture of demanding money let Du Rongrong’s heart settle back in her chest. Demanding money was fine. As long as one had greed, control was possible.

Du Rongrong transferred fifty thousand to her optical computer promptly, arriving on the spot.

Ning Hanzhu raised a brow. “Madam is still so petty. Not unworthy of coming from a Du side branch. I thought your affair with my uncle would be worth at least five hundred thousand in hush money.”

Du Rongrong’s heart, liver, and kidneys ached with rage, her smile nearly slipping.

This little beast knew exactly how to rile her.

Ning Hanzhu reined it in smoothly. “Never mind. I won’t hold it against Madam today. Another day, I’ll visit personally and have a good talk with my uncle and brother. My brother probably still doesn’t know about those things of yours.”

“You—”

“What’s wrong?”

Du Rongrong took a deep breath. “Fifty thousand, right? I’ll give it. But you had better not spout nonsense, or on this capital star, I’ll make sure you can’t stay.”

Yo yo, threats already.

That big fool Ning Yingwu seemed worth quite a bit.

Ning Hanzhu leaned her optical computer over decisively. With a ding, four hundred and fifty thousand arrived.

But she knew when to stop, taking the money and rolling out immediately, playing the greedy opportunist to the hilt. Du Rongrong did not linger either. Once Ning Hanzhu confirmed she had left, she bounced happily in place.

Great.

Now Ning Qianqian’s preschool fees had a source.

Talk about someone handing over a pillow just as drowsiness struck—handing over warmth.

Ning Hanzhu planned to check out a few preschools for the environment and teachers. She had just stepped out when her optical computer vibrated. Before she could answer, the video connected automatically.

No surprise: Xu Yuqing’s cool face.

Ning Hanzhu, “!!!”

What was going on?

Was her optical computer faulty? She had noticed it last time while cooking and thought it an accident. Before she could investigate.

Xu Yuqing asked, “Where are you?”

Ning Hanzhu glanced at her location and reported it casually.

Xu Yuqing spotted the person standing not far away, looking lost and foolish, but awfully good at riling her. “Come here. I’m nearby.”

Ning Hanzhu hesitated.

Xu Yuqing arched her fine brows lightly, a certain charm in her eyes. “What, after kissing me last time, you don’t want to own up?”

The Alpha sitting across from her, “!!!”

Who, which bastard had gotten a kiss from Miss Yuqing and dared not own up.

Ning Hanzhu, “…”

Who would dare own up?

She begged for mercy from the heart at once. “Wait for me. I’ll come right now.”

She searched on her optical computer and found the two spots no more than fifty meters apart, facing each other. Ning Hanzhu jogged a few steps and arrived.

Such a coincidence.

Ning Hanzhu hurried to the spot Xu Yuqing indicated, only to discover upon nearing that someone sat across from Xu Yuqing.

The shop’s decor was very petty-bourgeois, with flowers and snacks on the table. The handsome man and beautiful woman sat together in harmony, the scene clearly telling her one thing.

Had she come at a bad time?

That person glared at Ning Hanzhu.

Such obvious hostility confirmed Ning Hanzhu’s thought. She had no memory of this person, so they did not know each other. This one probably resented her for interrupting them.

Ning Hanzhu felt like retreating and prepared to leave.

Xu Yuqing glanced at her lightly. Ning Hanzhu froze at once, unable to advance or retreat. This time, she should be under the table.

That person looked at Xu Yuqing with shy timidity. “Miss Yuqing, I like you. Can I pursue you?”

There it was.

Ning Hanzhu stared at Xu Yuqing’s profile in a daze. A perfect girl like Xu Yuqing had countless suitors.

Xu Yuqing said nothing but reached out to her.

Ning Hanzhu did not understand but still extended her hand. Xu Yuqing pulled her over and intertwined their fingers intimately. “Sorry, I have a girlfriend.”

Ning Hanzhu, “??”

Wait, how did she not know about this?

That person took the news calmly, only standing and approaching Ning Hanzhu. “If you dare let Miss Yuqing down, I’ll make you pay. Remember that?”

Ning Hanzhu, “…”

Threatened twice in one day—what was that about?

Was she made of clay?

Could anyone step on her?

Ning Hanzhu laughed in anger. “This is my girlfriend. Our private affairs are none of your business. I advise you: stop eyeing someone else’s bedmate. Otherwise, I’ll be the one making you pay.”

That person nearly choked on her breath, pointing at Ning Hanzhu for ages. Seeing the smile curve on Xu Yuqing’s lips behind her, she dropped her finger dejectedly and left heartbroken.

Ning Hanzhu sighed in relief once the person finally left. Good. No need for a fight.

“I’m your bedmate?”

A warm breath brushed her ear, carrying a familiar high-end woody fragrance. The scent sprayed on the back of her neck, turning Ning Hanzhu’s earlobe red and half her neck with it. She twitched her nose hard. She had smelled this fragrance before—it should be Xu Yuqing’s perfume.

It smelled pretty good.

Ning Hanzhu had no idea her own pheromones were leaking a bit too.

Xu Yuqing’s lips curved slightly. She rested her chin on the other’s shoulder and asked softly, “Ning Hanzhu, you actually want to share a bed with me?”