What to Do if You Mess With an Omega? - Chapter 27.1

“Don’t talk in my ear.”

Ning Hanzhu always felt that their current posture was too intimate. In the past, if a friend got this close to her, she would not have thought twice.

Sigh. In the end, she had still been assimilated by this world.

Xu Yuqing felt a bit regretful. As she pulled away, she could not help pinching the other’s earlobe, which resembled bl00d jade. This pinch nearly made Ning Hanzhu’s hackles rise. She practically leaped away from Xu Yuqing.

Xu Yuqing smiled brightly. “So sensitive.”

Now Ning Hanzhu’s face flushed through completely. She covered her earlobe, like a virtuous young wife who had just been teased. She warned stiffly, “Don’t touch randomly. I am a genuine Alpha, after all. If things go too far… you’ll be the one at a loss.”

Alphas were such creatures: you said they were strong, and from the perspective of their five senses, they truly were. Even she, an outsider, felt that their great strength and sharp hearing and sight provided great assistance in key moments. But once influenced by an Omega’s pheromones, they easily turned into irrational beings. In her view, anyone who could not control their lower half was little different from an animal.

So she preferred Betas, who were unaffected by pheromones and self-reliant.

But she had no choice in the matter.

Xu Yuqing rubbed her fingertip, where the scorching, soft sensation lingered. How magical: an Alpha, yet so soft. Especially nice to touch.

“Of course I know you are an Alpha. But somehow, I feel you are different from other Alphas.”

“!!!”

Alarm bells rang in Ning Hanzhu’s mind. Had her disguise failed that badly?

She panicked inside but kept a fearless expression on her face. “How different? Still just one nose, two eyes, and one mouth.”

That was not wrong.

Xu Yuqing did not intend to dwell on the question. “I just saw you looking around across the street. What were you doing?”

Ning Hanzhu choked on her words.

She had not planned to ask Xu Yuqing for help with Ning Qianqian’s preschool. Who knew they would run into each other like this? She could only sigh over fate.

Thinking it was no big deal anyway, she simply laid it all out for Xu Yuqing.

Xu Yuqing pondered for a moment. “I happen to know a school I can recommend. Come with me.”

What could Ning Hanzhu do but follow?

Xu Yuqing had driven herself in the hover car, the same one from before. In the cramped space, they sat side by side, knees brushing now and then. The air seemed to thicken with unusual viscosity.

At first, Ning Hanzhu could focus her attention outside the window. But as time passed, her Alpha’s keen five senses tormented her.

For instance, right now.

Their knees rubbed occasionally. It should have been an ordinary thing—people’s limbs inevitably bumped in crowded spaces. But whether due to thin fabric or something else, Xu Yuqing’s body heat transmitted clearly through the brief contact. She could even feel a trace of pleasure from the muscle tension in the rubbing collision.

Save save save her.

Was she not quite right somewhere?

Ning Hanzhu covered half her face with one hand and then rubbed hard. It was not her; it was this body. After all, this world’s essence was all about sauce and brewing again. She was an Alpha, unable to withstand provocation, so feeling flustered and infatuated was normal.

Yes, definitely.

She sat up straight, trying to avoid their points of contact. The strange sensation from her mind receded like the tide.

Ha, she knew it. It was definitely not her problem.

Xu Yuqing naturally noticed Ning Hanzhu’s efforts to avoid her. She had practically plastered herself to the hover car’s inner wall. It was amusing yet infuriating to watch.

So innocent, thinking she could avoid her like that.

Who on the capital star did not want to become her protector? Yet this one Alpha shunned her like a viper. Xu Yuqing refused to let her have her way.

“You had better sit over a bit.”

“Haha, no need, no need. I think the scenery outside is quite—ow.”

She had not finished speaking.

The hover car braked sharply, then swerved hard. Ning Hanzhu floated like duckweed on a boat, tossed left and right until dizzy. When she came to, she had knocked Xu Yuqing down, half her body pressing on the other. The two lay one atop the other in an ambiguous position.

Xu Yuqing seemed pained by the collision and glared at her fiercely.

Ning Hanzhu raised her hands at once.

Before she could speak, Xu Yuqing continued for her. “An accident. I know. But can you get up first?”

“…”

Ning Hanzhu clambered up in a fluster. But the hover car jolted, and she fell back again.

“Mm.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

Flustered was too mild for her current panic. Her heart pounded wildly, about to leap from her throat. Everywhere her palms passed was soft body, scorching her until she had nowhere to place them.

Finally, the two sat up properly again.

Xu Yuqing rubbed her arm. “How are you so heavy?”

She was human, of course she was heavy.

But Ning Hanzhu wisely chose silence this time. Seeing Xu Yuqing’s clothes disheveled and two strands of hair fallen loose, Ning Hanzhu suppressed the urge to help tuck them away. “How is your arm?”

Xu Yuqing had only meant to tease her, but in the end, she had tired herself out. Hardly worth it. She snapped irritably, “I don’t need you to take responsibility. Don’t worry.”

Hearing those words from her mouth somehow made Ning Hanzhu feel like she had become the slag woman. If she had truly injured her, she would take responsibility. Seeing Xu Yuqing seemed angry, Ning Hanzhu coaxed softly, “How about I let you press back on me?”

Xu Yuqing laughed at that. “You think beautifully. Taking all the cheap advantages.”

Ning Hanzhu wanted to defend herself, but no defense could clear her. Just then, the hover car stopped; they had arrived. The two got out. She saw Xu Yuqing occasionally shaking that arm. “How about we go to the hospital to check? Don’t want it injured.”

Xu Yuqing saw the worry in her eyes, and the pent-up frustration eased a bit. “If you are truly worried, massage it for me later.”

Ning Hanzhu did not know whether to agree or not.

But Xu Yuqing did not wait for her answer and walked ahead first. The school seemed vast, with a row of security at the gate, all in uniform and armed with guns. Upon seeing them, they saluted at once.

Ning Hanzhu wondered. Did regular schools have such protocol? Was it some interstellar custom?

“The principal has been waiting a while. Please follow me.”

“Lead the way.”

The school’s landscaping was excellent, but Ning Hanzhu’s attention focused entirely on the nearby climbing frames and slides. The equipment was extensive, showing the school had plenty of money. These should be spots where the little ones gathered to play and frolic. From the row of teaching buildings, she could still faintly hear children’s clear responses.

“Little friends, who can identify all these plants? Raise your hands for teacher to see.”

“Come, listen to me count one, two, three.”

“Don’t grab. Everyone gets a share of cake today.”

“Let’s applaud for Little Star. She sang so beautifully.”

“Wah wah wah wah.”

“Hey, don’t cry. At worst, I’ll give you my toy, okay?”

Voices surged from all directions. Before they met the principal, Ning Hanzhu had already overheard a general sense of each class—voices of male and female teachers and children.

The principal, upon seeing Xu Yuqing, rubbed his hands excitedly. “Miss Yuqing graces us with her presence. Our humble school is honored.”

Xu Yuqing nodded slightly. “You took time from your busy schedule to come. You must be tired, Principal. This is the friend I mentioned. Why not take us to see the first-year classrooms?”

The principal smiled until his teeth vanished. “Not tired at all. Back when Miss Yuqing studied here, I had not yet come. We missed meeting sooner.”

Ning Hanzhu, “???”

This was actually Xu Yuqing’s alma mater?

Once the principal turned his back, Ning Hanzhu could not help asking curiously, “You studied here as a child?”

Xu Yuqing had just opened her mouth to answer when the principal ahead interjected. “Not just that. Miss Yuqing was the top student in every subject, earning straight excellents every year. She is the model in every little friend’s heart.”

Wow, a total academic overachiever.

Xu Yuqing pursed her lips. “That was all in the past, Principal. Let’s talk about the present. If my little sister studied here…”

The principal, upon hearing that, let his surprised gaze linger on Ning Hanzhu for two extra seconds. Everyone on the capital star knew Xu Yuqing had no little sister, only an older one.

He immediately focused with utmost attention, leading them to each classroom. They did not enter but looked from the windows.

The little ones listened intently to the teacher, not one glancing outward. Ning Hanzhu found it quite magical.

After touring the circuit, she was surprised to discover the school’s courses were mostly practical: identifying plants and beasts, making pastries, various crafts. Most outrageous of all, there seemed to be classes on shooting and fighting.

Was this curriculum for elementary students?

Full of doubts, Ning Hanzhu asked while the principal was away, “Did you learn fighting and shooting back then too?”

Xu Yuqing glanced at her. “Didn’t the principal just tell you? I excelled in every subject. Any other questions?”

Ning Hanzhu shook her head.

She suddenly recalled their first meeting, when Snake Bro and the others threatened her with knives. Xu Yuqing had shown no fear, entirely relaxed instead.

And that suitcase of hers, never opened from start to finish. Did it really contain clothes?

“You—”

“If Qianqian studied here, she could take all courses before differentiating.”

“And after?”

Xu Yuqing fell silent for a moment. “That depends on what she differentiates into. If Alpha, then special training. If Omega…”

Ning Hanzhu saw her trail off into a daze and continued for her. “Omega is out of the question. If she differentiates into Beta, can she still learn?”

Xu Yuqing’s expression grew complicated. “So sure Qianqian won’t become an Omega?”

Ning Hanzhu could not be sure, of course. She scratched her head. “I lean toward Beta. But if Qianqian differentiates into Alpha later, that’s fine too. Omega… let’s pass on that.”

Omegas held noble status in this world, but marriage buried a massive landmine. Did this world’s reproduction rely entirely on those Omegas?

Utterly absurd.

Differentiating into an Omega was too tragic.

She did not want Ning Qianqian spinning endlessly among different Alphas later, turning into a pure breeding machine.

Xu Yuqing murmured, “You are right.”

Ning Hanzhu was very satisfied with the school. Once she confirmed no barriers, she agreed to send Ning Qianqian there right away.

But on the way back, she noticed Xu Yuqing in low spirits, entirely listless and wilted, leaning against the hover car window in a daze.

She looked burdened with worries.

Ning Hanzhu fretted all the way until the hover car dropped her off at the residence. She could not even voice words of comfort. “I have to thank you for today’s matter. How about this: let me treat you to a meal.”

Xu Yuqing shook her head. “Another day.”

Ning Hanzhu watched the hover car drive away until it vanished, still unable to figure out why Xu Yuqing’s mood had soured so much after leaving the school.

But having resolved Ning Qianqian’s schooling, she was still very happy.

By the time Lu Yutang finally came downstairs, the three gathered. She announced the good news. Ning Qianqian blinked.

“I can go to school?”

“Wait, Bamboo, what did you just say the school is called?”

“Future Star.”

Lu Yutang stared at her in shock. “You mean our little Qianqian will study at Future Star Academy from now on?”

Ning Hanzhu nodded. “Yes. Miss Xu recommended it. We visited today. The atmosphere is nice, management seems strict, security measures were beyond my expectations. And it’s Miss Xu’s alma mater, so it should be top-notch.”

Lu Yutang watched her grin foolishly, then glanced at the oblivious Ning Qianqian. “Bamboo, I always thought you were the most likely among us to attend military academy. Never dreamed Qianqian would be our first to enter one. Too impressive.”

Ning Hanzhu, “!? What? Military academy?”

Lu Yutang hoisted Ning Qianqian high, her favorite game. She could not help giggling. “Qianqian, you are our family’s future star.”

Ning Hanzhu checked the starnet explainer and learned the school trained future military stars. Children from ordinary families rarely got in.

Thinking back to how she had politely asked the principal about enrollment requirements that day, and that smooth-talking principal had immediately approved with no requirements, welcoming her warmly and handling the procedures on the spot…

Damn.

Was dropping out still an option now?

Had she owed Xu Yuqing another favor?

Ning Hanzhu sighed to the side while Lu Yutang and Ning Qianqian played happily. Truly, the joys and sorrows of life did not connect.

She did not fret long anyway. Debts did not weigh when piled high.

After preparing tonight’s dishes, she checked the account backend and unexpectedly found a generous tip of three thousand.

Plus ten reviews.

[Just this much? Who are you looking down on? Gone in a few bites, not even enough to pick my teeth.]

[Whoa, went in expecting dark cuisine, but the streamer made such delicious food. Followed, followed.]

[Delicious.]

[My friend told me fangfish is hard to eat, then I recommended your fangfish soup. He blocked me.]

[Can you make two extra portions of sour leaf fish soup? I’ll pay you.]