What to Do if You Mess With an Omega? - Chapter 29

Treating someone to a meal required some sincerity.

Ning Hanzhu stole a moment amid her busyness to order fresh ingredients on the starnet. When she returned to collect the delivery, she found her front door blocked.

Lu Yutang was confronting Ning Ruoxin, the atmosphere tense with neither yielding an inch.

Lu Yutang spotted her and waved at once. “Bamboo, perfect timing. This one insists on waiting for you to personally inspect some items. I said I could stand in for you, but she refused. Tell her what our relationship is. Why couldn’t I do it?”

Ning Ruoxin turned sideways. When she saw Xu Yuqing beside her, she frowned imperceptibly.

“Sis, why did you come in person?”

“Sis?”

“To avoid prolonged delays breeding trouble.”

Lu Yutang sized Ning Ruoxin up and down, whispering—but his voice was not lowered at all, clear to everyone present. “Bamboo, where did you get such a bargain sister from? Didn’t you only have Qianqian as a sibling?”

Bargain… sister?

Ning Ruoxin gave Lu Yutang a cool glance.

Ning Hanzhu always felt the two might come to blows over a word. Were their auras incompatible? She hurriedly wedged herself between them with difficulty. “No fighting. We are all family.”

“Who is family with her?”

The two spoke in unison.

And they had such good chemistry?

“Brother Lu, this is my cousin Ning Ruoxin.”

“Sis, this is Brother Lu Yutang, who took special care of me on Elf Star.”

Ning Ruoxin paid Lu Yutang no mind at all. She handed Ning Hanzhu a list. “This is an inventory of your mother’s items from back then. Aside from a few that Du Rongrong cheaply sold off for cash—which may take some time to recover—the rest are here. Check it and see if anything is missing.”

Boxes upon boxes piled at the doorway.

This lightning speed truly opened Ning Hanzhu’s eyes.

She had thought it would take at least ten days or half a month. After all, extracting things from Du Rongrong’s grasp… She glanced and pocketed the list. “Sis, you delivered them personally. No need to check. I trust you. Why not stay for a casual meal?”

Ning Ruoxin had military duties. “No.” Her gaze lingered on the child Xu Yuqing held by the hand. Ning Qianqian’s little features resembled Ning Hanzhu’s by fifty percent, and given the age, it was easy to guess.

Back when they left, Ning Qianqian had been too young to remember anything. Clearly, she did not recognize her, her eyes full of stranger’s wariness.

Ning Hanzhu beckoned to Ning Qianqian at once. “Qianqian, this is Sister Ruoxin.”

Ning Qianqian timidly hid behind Ning Hanzhu’s waist, her gaze on Ning Ruoxin tinged with curiosity. She called out obediently, then fell silent.

Ning Hanzhu seized the chance to invite. “Sis, you must not have seen Qianqian in ages. You even held her before. Today marks her first day of school. Why not stay for a casual meal to celebrate?”

Ning Qianqian was a true Ning family member, after all. Building rapport with Ning Ruoxin now meant an extra ally later—far better than the isolation they had faced on Elf Star.

Ning Ruoxin always felt like an outsider who did not fit, yet the true outsider Xu Yuqing remained utterly at ease. She hesitated three seconds. “Fine.”

Lu Yutang rolled his eyes dramatically. “Ning sis, with so many underlings, are you inviting them all? You’ll go bankrupt feeding them.”

Ning Hanzhu, “…”

So embarrassing.

Bro, can we not air dirty laundry?

Ning Hanzhu laughed dryly. “I’ll go prepare the ingredients first. Brother Lu, come help me out.”

Lu Yutang was practically shoved into the kitchen. He peeked out, his words sour as vinegar. “Hmph, what military department is your sis from? So imposing.”

He had nearly been tied up the moment he arrived.

Lu Yutang’s eyes kept drifting to that imposing uniform. If he had been on the capital star, he might have worn one too.

Ning Hanzhu was unclear on the details. Second Miss Luo had helped make the connection. She had only tried her luck in convincing her, and then the cooperation happened.

“If you want into the military, I can ask sis later.”

“Nah, forget it. I don’t want to be her underling. You have to believe in your bro. I can get in on my own merits.”

“Mecha contest?”

The mecha contest was currently the hottest thing.

Ning Hanzhu occasionally surfed the starnet and saw ads everywhere, showing it was a full-star event with massive participation and fierce competition.

Lu Yutang’s expression turned awkward, the earlier bravado about entering the military on his own merits deflating.

Ning Hanzhu did not know how to comfort him. Compared to these favored children, they not only started from different points but lacked even shared information.

Some had touched mecha since childhood, while they had only an ornamental one—gifted by Xu Yuqing.

But she believed Lu Yutang’s resilience surpassed most. She nudged him with her elbow. “Brother Lu, do you know what I thought when I saw you solo Yan Feipeng back then?”

“Hm?”

Wow, what a big fool.

“Wow, this guy is so impressive. I want to become someone like him.” Ning Hanzhu said with a smile. “You might not know, but you have always been my benchmark. So, Brother Lu, keep pushing. Be the example. I’ll always be watching you.”

Lu Yutang looked at her deeply and extended a fist. Ning Hanzhu did the same, their knuckles bumping lightly.

…

“Miss Xu, may I speak with you?”

“Qianqian, sister is a bit thirsty. Can you pour me a lemon tea?”

“Yes, pretty sister, wait.”

Ning Qianqian had already learned how to communicate with the nanny robot. A lemon tea was no big deal. She pattered off.

Ning Ruoxin got straight to the point. “Miss Xu, Ning Hanzhu is not suited to be your protector. I hope you will show mercy and let her go.”

Xu Yuqing said, “I wonder on what grounds or from what position you play this mediator. Outside today, you two should be the most familiar strangers. Could a single cooperation—or transaction—turn you into such a devoted older sister?”

Ning Ruoxin frowned. “She told you?”

Xu Yuqing chuckled lowly. “How do you think she contacted you? Ning Ruoxin, if you truly care for her and Qianqian, why did you not act when they were bullied on Elf Star?”

…

“Dinner’s ready.”

“Qianqian, wash hands before eating.”

Ning Hanzhu busied herself with serving dishes. Xu Yuqing took Ning Qianqian to wash up, then sat beside her. Once Ning Hanzhu had brought all the food, she naturally took the seat on Xu Yuqing’s other side.

The two exchanged smiles.

Ning Hanzhu specially placed spicy dishes in front of Xu Yuqing and sweet ones before Lu Yutang. In front of Ning Qianqian were non-spicy options—for the child’s stomach health, better to eat less spice. “I noticed you seem to like lemon. This lemon beast chicken feet is made specially for you. Try it.”

Xu Yuqing’s worldview shattered anew with each of Ning Hanzhu’s dishes. Beast feet were edible? Those beast chickens frequented ruins, trampling who knew what underfoot. Edible?

In fact, not only edible, but the flavor was exceptionally savory.

The lemon’s acidity whetted the appetite. Xu Yuqing, who had little hunger at first, unwittingly peeled several beast chicken feet.

Ning Hanzhu handed her water from the side.

Lu Yutang had long grown accustomed to their rapport. Ning Ruoxin, however, watched and could not help frowning inwardly. She wanted to warn them but heard Xu Yuqing’s earlier question in her ear.

Forget it.

She picked up a seemingly normal slice of meat at random. The fragrance on her tongue conquered her at once. Ning Ruoxin’s eyes widened. “You made all this?”

Lu Yutang said proudly, “Didn’t know, huh? Our Bamboo’s culinary skills are top-notch. Way better than that Yijian Shisuo’s head chef.”

“Cough, cough cough.”

Ning Ruoxin choked. She glanced instinctively at the composed Xu Yuqing, who continued eating the feet unfazed. Since the principal party said nothing, she would not play the villain.

“The taste is indeed beyond my expectations.”

“Sis, if you like it, eat more.”

The meal passed with host and guests alike pleased.

Ning Ruoxin had business and left after a complex glance at the pair chatting and laughing with Xu Yuqing, without lingering.

Once her people withdrew, Xu Yuqing lazed on the sofa. Lu Yutang had sharp eyes and took Ning Qianqian upstairs to play games early on.

Soon, only the two remained in the living room.

“Table wiped clean, dishes washed, floor swept spotless by you. Ning Hanzhu, stop pacing. You are making my eyes dizzy.”

“Hahaha, how could eyes get dizzy.”

“Then come here.”

Ning Hanzhu saw Xu Yuqing in that same reclining pose from last time. Dead memories assaulted her suddenly, inexplicably stirring a trace of heat. The surrounding air seemed particularly viscous, making it hard to breathe.

“My arm hurts.”

“Ah?”

“Massage it for me.”

Ning Hanzhu scooted over at once, wanting to but unsure where to start in awkwardness.

Her arm had actually healed in the treatment pod that day. Xu Yuqing made it up on the spot, just to see if this person would truly worry for her.

She turned sideways, lifting her hair to expose half a round, white shoulder. Looking closely, even the faintly visible gland at the back of her neck could be glimpsed.

Ning Hanzhu swallowed rapidly.

“I… I’ve never massaged before. First time doing it for someone. Tell me if it hurts.”

“Alright.”

Ning Hanzhu’s hand trembled, her breath cautious. Touching smooth shoulder, silky as satin, just as touchable as imagined. Pfft.

She tried to keep her mind clear, rubbing clockwise twice, then counterclockwise twice. Whether the skin was too tender or her force too great, that small area reddened in moments. “Is my pressure okay? Does it hurt?”

Xu Yuqing buried her face in her hand’s back. The exposed sexy nape gradually reddened too. She closed her eyes, breath unsteady, voice trembling. “Ning Hanzhu, enough.”

The touch in her palm was warm, even scorching, that heat making her fingertips quiver. Xu Yuqing bit down hard to stifle any sound.

Ning Hanzhu thought she had hurt her and simply knelt. “What’s wrong? Did I use the wrong technique? Hurt you?”

That scorching breath brushed her smooth shoulder. Xu Yuqing’s fingers clenched tight.

“Xu Yuqing, are you alright?”

“Leave me alone. Let me lie down a bit.”

This felt very off.

How could Ning Hanzhu leave her like that? She only reached to pull the other’s slipped clothing back. “Really okay? How about I take you to the hospital.”

Endless, isn’t it.

Xu Yuqing’s hand shot out, yanking the unprepared Ning Hanzhu over. Meeting her widened eyes, she sealed that chattering mouth with her lips.

The world went quiet.