What to Do if You Mess With an Omega? - Chapter 8

A flurry of chaotic thoughts spun through Ning Hanzhu’s mind, only to dissipate like mist.

When she reached Xu Yuqing and met her cool, clear eyes, all her jumbled thoughts vanished. “I looked for you for ages. Your suitcase is with Qianqian for safekeeping.”

Xu Yuqing saw her drenched in sweat, like she’d been fished out of water, her cheap clothes soaked through, wringable like a sponge.

She frowned, leaning back slightly, visibly repulsed.

“I’ll go get it.”

Ning Hanzhu fell silent, her apology rolling in her throat. “Are you going with Yan Feipeng?”

Xu Yuqing looked baffled. “Why would I go with him? I don’t even know him.”

A delusional creep.

She’d been minding her own business when he’d scampered over, chatting her up, offering snacks, tea, even jewelry and a house—his fawning clearly up to no good.

Ning Hanzhu nodded. “Good, good.”

Yan Feipeng, a self-proclaimed king of West Street, was ruthless and without principles. It was where the original owner had been forced to wander. That place was rife with theft, fights, and bullying of the weak—minor scuffles every three days, major brawls every five, chaos rivaling lawless zones.

Bloodshed and death were commonplace.

Those living there had only numbness in their eyes, like walking corpses. Ning Hanzhu and Ning Qianqian had once been among them, only escaping thanks to Lu Qianran.

Confirming Xu Yuqing’s intentions, Ning Hanzhu slowly returned to Lu Yutang’s side.

Lu Yutang was still trading barbs with Snake Bro, the two glaring like gamecocks, ready to throw punches if the setting allowed.

But when she approached, both recoiled as if facing a threat.

Ning Hanzhu felt a pang of sadness. Xu Yuqing’s disdain was one thing, but these two were no better off than her, dressed just as shabbily. Born from the same roots, why shun each other?

“Brother Lu, Snake Bro.”

“Bamboo, don’t move. Stay there.” Lu Yutang grimaced in disgust. “Or I might not resist punching you.”

“???”

Was this the Brother Lu who’d always looked out for her? Had he been body-snatched too?

Ning Hanzhu glanced back suspiciously. Yan Feipeng and his crew also stepped back, eyeing her warily. She grew doubtful but didn’t dwell on it, sticking to her plan. “My friend’s from the capital star, close with the second young miss of the Luo family. She doesn’t know Yan Feipeng. He’s the one trying to kidnap her.”

“The capital star?”

“The richest Luo family on Alpha Star?”

Ning Hanzhu kept her composure. “Luo Wu was very respectful to her.”

“You all want to leave Alpha Star, right? This is a godsend opportunity. Seize it, and the future’s yours.”

Everyone on Alpha Star dreamed of bigger planets with more opportunities for education or wealth—better than being stuck here forever. Even Lu Yutang, Snake Bro, and the original owner had shared that dream. Before being banished to this planet, the original owner had a loving home with doting parents, making her yearn for the main star even more.

What a pity.

The two exchanged glances.

Snake Bro’s look toward Ning Hanzhu turned sour. “You’re the one who got lucky.”

He’d known this Beta lady wasn’t ordinary.

Back then, Xu Yuqing was under their protection. If he’d built a good relationship, this opportunity wouldn’t have fallen to Ning Hanzhu and Lu Yutang.

Lu Yutang was tempted too. “Fine, for Bamboo’s sake, I’ll cooperate for now and get Yan Feipeng to back off. This standoff’s going nowhere.”

Ning Hanzhu sighed in relief as the two groups finally united.

The three-way standoff shifted abruptly.

Yan Feipeng laughed in anger. “I’ve taken a liking to this Beta. I’m taking her today, and what can you do about it?”

Lu Yutang sneered. “You think this is your turf, where you call the shots? Have you asked us?”

It looked like a fight was brewing.

All for forcibly taking a Beta.

This world was damn insane.

Ning Hanzhu’s scalp tingled. These people were serious—brawls could be deadly. Memories of those killed in skirmishes, treated like worthless trash and carted off, flashed in her mind. “Wait, wait.”

“Before fighting, I think we should talk.”

“What?”

Yan Feipeng laughed as if he’d heard a joke. “Did you hear that? She wants to talk. Hahaha!”

His crew roared with laughter. What a spineless Alpha.

Xu Yuqing’s clear, melodic voice rang out like pearls scattering on a plate. “Why, can’t we talk?”

Yan Feipeng always liked aloof beauties, and this Beta wasn’t scared of him—unlike others who lost their cool at his sight. It made him want to take her home and pamper her. “Sure, we can talk. Whatever you say goes, heh heh.”

Xu Yuqing was thoroughly grossed out and shot Ning Hanzhu a look.

Ning Hanzhu seemed to catch her meaning: I’ve secured you a chance—perform well.

Lu Yutang was curious what she’d negotiate at this critical moment, giving her a push. “Go on, talk well. I’m rooting for you.”

Ning Hanzhu, “…”

A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek.

She’d only made a suggestion—why was everyone shoving her to the negotiation table?

She steeled herself and approached.

Yan Feipeng’s cheeky grin faded as she neared, his slouched posture straightening slightly. “You here to talk or to fight solo?”

Ning Hanzhu, always the good girl, said, “Talk, of course.”

She didn’t know how to fight—she was being forced into this.

“Speak. What’s there to talk about?”

“You can’t take her.”

“Bullshit.”

Ning Hanzhu knew talking to a brute like him required bluntness—he wouldn’t get subtlety. “If you take her, you’ll face big trouble within a day.”

Yan Feipeng thought she was bluffing. “Oh? What kind of trouble?”

Ning Hanzhu said, “Your human trafficking network will be busted, and your dealings with interstellar pirates will be exposed, including—”

Yan Feipeng grew angrier. “You think you can do that?”

Ning Hanzhu shrugged. “Not me, of course. But you don’t know this Beta’s background. Think about the Luo family. Check their status on the capital star. Luo Wu bows and scrapes before her. You think you, a toad, can eat swan meat?”

She even flaunted the mecha she’d just gotten. “See this? She pointed, and Luo Wu handed it over like it was nothing. She didn’t care for it, so she gave it to me.”

“If you kidnap her today, your money-making schemes will collapse within a day. We won’t need to lift a finger—someone will crush you like an ant. Wanna try?”

Yan Feipeng narrowed his eyes, weighing her words.

Ning Hanzhu lowered her gaze, calm on the surface but panicking inside. If he didn’t buy it and insisted on taking Xu Yuqing, someone would die here today—something she didn’t want, no matter who it was.

The air was thick with tension, everyone waiting for Yan Feipeng’s call.

Xu Yuqing’s demeanor barely changed, her expression serene, as if accustomed to such scenes, showing no fear.

Right, from the start, she’d never been scared of him. Even when he said he’d take her, she just smiled and said, You’re not worthy.

That was what sparked Yan Feipeng’s interest. He believed Ning Hanzhu’s words about a quarter of the way. Most people fled at the sight of him, yet she sat there unfazed. His gaze lingered on the mecha Ning Hanzhu toyed with—something a broke nobody like her couldn’t afford. He’d check with Luo Wu, and the truth would come out soon.

“Remember what you said. If I find out you’re lying, you’ll see what I’m capable of.”

Ning Hanzhu smiled faintly. “I’ve seen your tricks. Nothing new. Forget it.”

Yan Feipeng snorted, turning to Xu Yuqing. “Beauty, I’m leaving for now. We’ll have tea and chat another day.”

With a wave, most of his crew cleared out.

Once they were gone, Lu Yutang elbowed Ning Hanzhu. “Not bad, your silver tongue talked Yan Feipeng down in a few words. Unbelievable.”

Ning Hanzhu smiled, her face stiff.

Snake Bro scurried to Xu Yuqing, fawning. “Where are you staying? We’ll escort you back, guarantee Yan Feipeng’s people won’t bother you again.”

Lu Yutang scoffed. “Bamboo, look, a cow’s flying in the sky.”

The others burst into laughter.

Snake Bro’s face turned green. “Fishpond, I’ll let you off today, but you wait.”

Xu Yuqing declined his offer. “I appreciate today’s help. I’ll treat you all to dinner another time. Head back for now.”

Lu Yutang said casually, “Yan Feipeng’s a sneaky bastard. He might change his mind. I’m picking up my mom, and Bamboo’s getting Qianqian. Let’s go together.”

This time, Xu Yuqing didn’t refuse.

Snake Bro was reluctant but didn’t cling.

Xu Yuqing took a few steps, noticing Ning Hanzhu hadn’t followed. “Not coming?”

Ning Hanzhu shouted, “Coming!”

Yet she stood rooted to the spot.

Xu Yuqing looked closer and saw her long, straight legs trembling. She’d been terrified yet still negotiated. Amused, she said, “Weren’t you all bold, using me as a trump card? What’s this now?”

Ning Hanzhu gave a dry laugh. “I learned it all from you, copying your style.”