Xi Xiaoyan was having breakfast when she suddenly felt a jolt of surprise. What kind of wind was blowing today? Her sister had actually shown up uninvited.
“Miss Xi…”
Chi Qing had just started speaking when Xi Xiaohe raised her hand to interrupt. “This has nothing to do with you. You can leave.”
She acted like this was her own home, giving orders to someone else’s house staff without hesitation.
Chi Qing looked at Xi Xiaoyan. Seeing her nod and give no further instruction, Chi Qing quietly left the dining room.
Xi Xiaohe stopped across from her younger sister and folded her arms in front of her. “It’s only been a few days since your wedding, and the famous Movie Queen Meng is already tired of you? My beautiful little sister sitting here eating breakfast alone… it’s almost heartbreaking.”
“Do you have to ruin my mood this early in the morning?”
Even as she spoke, Xi Xiaoyan remained calm inside. She was already used to her sister’s constant sarcasm and had long since given up on trying to get along. It was just a waste of energy.
“Oh, so I’m not allowed to have breakfast in Movie Queen Meng’s house?”
“You came all this way just to eat breakfast with me?”
Sometimes Xi Xiaoyan could be just as sharp-tongued when dealing with her always-antagonistic sister.
Before getting out of the car, Xi Xiaohe had actually made up her mind to speak to her sister nicely. But earlier, she had run into Ji Yi at the door. After that brief and irritating encounter, her determination vanished.
Now, she just wanted to vent. What she didn’t expect was that her sister, ever since her second differentiation, seemed to have changed. She was no longer the passive pushover she used to be.
“If Mom and Dad hadn’t kept nagging me and forced me to come, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
“Well, as you can see, I’m doing fine. You can leave now.”
Xi Xiaohe’s hand froze on the chair she was about to pull out. Xi Xiaoyan really was getting harder to deal with.
“Since I’m already here, aren’t you going to let me meet your precious Movie Queen wife?”
Xi Xiaoyan had lost interest in finishing her breakfast. She put down her utensils and looked straight at her sister who had now sat down across from her.
“No, I’m not. And if you’re curious about our married life, I’m sorry to tell you it’s nothing like the rumors online or in the newspapers. I didn’t run away because of some tantrum. On the contrary, Sister Chu Wu has been treating me even better than before.”
“Really?” Xi Xiaohe clearly didn’t believe her sister. She thought Xi Xiaoyan was just pretending everything was fine to save face.
Eating alone at breakfast and still claiming everything was better than before? Who would believe that?
Everyone knew that Movie Queen Meng had always lived like a night owl. It was already late morning and she still hadn’t shown up. Before the wedding, she made all sorts of promises to change for the Omega she loved. Only her silly little sister would believe those sweet words.
Seeing her sister still doubting her, Xi Xiaoyan didn’t want to waste any more breath.
“If there’s nothing else, I’m going to paint.” She had no intention of entertaining her sister.
“All these years and you still haven’t given up? Don’t you understand that hard work alone isn’t enough? Art takes talent. Not everyone is meant to be a painter.”
Xi Xiaohe didn’t like being so mean, but something about her sister always made her say things she didn’t mean.
She used to be the golden child everyone praised and admired. That all changed when Xi Xiaoyan’s genetic test results came out. Overnight, all the attention shifted away from her.
Only after Xi Xiaoyan failed to differentiate into an S-class Omega did Xi Xiaohe regain her place as the family’s pride.
She had worked hard for years, practicing and studying nonstop. Her efforts finally paid off when she began gaining recognition as a pianist in college and quickly became a respected figure in the music world.
What she was proudest of was the praise she received from General Xi and Professor Guan.
She thought that recognition would last forever.
But then Meng Chuwu appeared, suddenly lighting up her sister’s life and even triggering her long-overdue second differentiation. From that moment on, the spotlight once again shifted back to her genetically rare and high-ranking Omega sister.
Even if she didn’t want to admit it, in their superficial and status-driven family—no, in society as a whole—the truth was clear. Whoever brought more honor to the family received more attention and respect.
“I’m not obsessed with becoming a painter,” Xi Xiaoyan said calmly. Ever since being with Meng Chuwu, her heart and perspective had broadened. She realized there was no point in arguing with her sister. She had no interest in going back to that empty, materialistic home. “I paint because I like it.”
“Only failures say things like that to make themselves feel better,” Xi Xiaohe said with clear disdain. In her view, there was no such thing as pure passion. People only did what was profitable.
The conversation was going nowhere. Xi Xiaoyan got up, ready to leave.
“Wait a second,” Xi Xiaohe called out when she saw her sister getting up.
Xi Xiaoyan had seen it coming. Her sister had always been like this. If you treated her with kindness, she thought you were weak. If you responded bluntly, she respected you. What a strange personality.
“If you have something to say, then say it. I’m busy.” She sat back down again.
“You’re really okay now?”
“Yes.” At this point, Xi Xiaoyan started to believe that her parents really had asked her sister to check in.
“Where is Movie Queen Meng?”
“She’s not feeling well and is resting.”
Just before Xi Xiaohe came in, Meng Chuwu had asked Xiao Chi to tell Xi Xiaoyan that she was going to rest in case Xi Xiaoyan came looking for her.
“She’s not the one who took suppressants. What’s she feeling unwell about?”
“You’re an Alpha too. Don’t you know you all have a few rough days every year?”
Xi Xiaoyan had no problem taking a jab, but not if it was directed at Meng Chuwu. If her sister crossed that line, she would fight back.
“Oh come on. You’re married now. Shouldn’t you be looking after her at a time like this?”
“Our relationship is none of your business.” Xi Xiaoyan was tired of her sister butting into everything.
“You try to be nice and people just take it the wrong way.”
“Please tell Mom and Dad exactly what you saw here. It’s just like what I told them on the phone. There’s nothing to worry about.” Xi Xiaoyan made an effort to stay civil.
“You make it sound like I’ve got so much free time. I had performances both yesterday and the day before. They made me come here first thing this morning and now you’re scolding me for it?”
Xi Xiaoyan was speechless. If her sister hadn’t come in already being sarcastic, she wouldn’t have responded the way she did.
“Oh my dear sister, how could I ever be annoyed with you? You’re the world-famous pianist, after all.”
“Save it.”
What surprised Xi Xiaoyan was that her sister didn’t even react to her sarcasm.
“I wanted to ask you something…”
She was hesitating. That wasn’t like her at all. Xi Xiaoyan’s internal alarm went off. “What?”
“It’s about Ji Yi…”
Her sister’s face turned slightly pink. Was this really the proud eldest daughter of the Xi family?
Xi Xiaoyan kept a straight face. The universe was finally giving her a chance to return every ounce of condescension and arrogance she had suffered over the past six years.
“Oh, Sister Ji Yi? She’s been dropping by every day lately.”
She deliberately revealed just enough to spark her sister’s curiosity.
Knowing her sister liked women and seeing her rare look of shyness, Xi Xiaoyan couldn’t help but think, Well well, Xi Xiaohe, looks like it’s your turn.
“Why does she keep coming?”
As expected, her sister took the bait.
“What else could it be? Of course it’s about the person who tried to harm me. Sister, didn’t you talk to her at all during our wedding when you were one of the bridesmaids?”
Talk? Xi Xiaohe nearly sneered. They hadn’t just talked. They had shared far more than a conversation, ending in a night together.
But some Alphas were truly heartless. One moment they were full of sweet words, comforting you in your loneliness, and the next, they disappeared without a trace—no messages, no calls, no visits.
“Sounds like you didn’t chat much. I heard Sister Ji Yi is…” Xi Xiaoyan deliberately trailed off. Today, she was going to properly tease her sharp-tongued sister.
“Where did you learn to talk like that? Why can’t you just say everything at once?”
“Sister, you don’t seem very interested.”
Let her feel what it was like to be left hanging.
“When did I say I wasn’t interested?”
“But you didn’t say you were either.”
“If I didn’t care, why would I bring her up?”
“Oh no, now I’m confused. Do you want to hear it or not?”
“I want to hear it!” Xi Xiaohe snapped.
“Then…” Xi Xiaoyan tilted her head and smiled, “ask me nicely.”
“Xi Xiaoyan!” Xi Xiaohe clenched her back teeth so tightly it hurt. She barely stopped herself from leaping over the table to strangle her sister.
“Oh my, that scared me. Why are you yelling so loudly?” Xi Xiaoyan pretended to be startled. It had been a long time since she’d seen her sister this worked up. It felt amazing.
“Are you going to say it or not?”
“That depends. Are you going to ask nicely?”
Xi Xiaoyan made a playful face.
Under the table, Xi Xiaohe clenched her fists tightly and repeated to herself over and over, lowering your pride for love is a brave thing to do. Lowering your pride for love is a brave thing to do. Lowering your pride…
“I… I beg… beg you.” The words barely made it through her gritted teeth.
“I couldn’t quite hear that.” Xi Xiaoyan casually touched her left earlobe.
“Are you going to tell me or not?” Xi Xiaohe had completely lost her patience. “If you dare pretend to know what you don’t in front of me, today might be your last day!”
“You seriously don’t know? Sister Ji Yi and Sister Chu Wu grew up together. I’ve heard about her so many times I’m sick of it. If you don’t want to hear it, then fine.”
“Xi Xiaoyan, you win this round.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m begging you. I’m begging you!”
“Why are you yelling? You’re hurting my ears.”
Xi Xiaohe felt like her sister was a little demon, grinding her pride into dust and then tossing the ashes into a whirlwind to scatter them. Because she had been dominant for so many years, she had forgotten how Xi Xiaoyan always held grudges since childhood.
“I swear, I should teach you a lesson right now.”
“No need for that. Normally, I don’t like to argue. But since it’s you, my dear sister, go ahead. What exactly do you want to know about Sister Ji Yi?”
“Everything. Absolutely everything.”
“You know, Sister, questions that vague are basically the same as not asking at all. Even if I answer, it’s meaningless.”
“…”
“I’ll start by telling you what you want to hear most. Sister Ji Yi also likes women. She’s into female Alpha-Alpha relationships.”
“What do you mean also?”
“Oh please.” Xi Xiaoyan nearly rolled her eyes. “Do you think I don’t know you’re into female Alphas too?”
“When did I ever tell you that?”
“You didn’t need to. Your bedroom, your notebook, your phone, and especially the way you looked at Sister Ji Yi on my wedding day… it couldn’t have been more obvious. Honestly, I feel bad for Mom and Dad. They still have no idea you like Alphas. No, let me be more specific. You like female Alphas. So, Sister, how long are you planning to keep this hidden from them?”
In the world of the novel Movie Queen Meng Chuwu, Alpha-Alpha and Omega-Omega relationships weren’t outright banned, but because the responsibility of reproduction mainly fell on Alpha-Omega pairs, these relationships were often seen as shirking that duty. They faced moral pressure, family expectations, and social criticism.
Betas were rarely able to reproduce, so Beta-Beta couples were common. Alpha-Beta and Beta-Omega couples existed too, but society was far more tolerant of them than Alpha-Alpha or Omega-Omega relationships.
That’s why Xi Xiaohe had never come out to her family.
“You know how old-fashioned Mom and Dad are. I’m not going to tell them.”
“Up to you. I’ve known for ages anyway.”
“Does Big Brother know?”
“How should I know if he does?”
“Everyone knows Ji Yi likes women. Can you tell me something I don’t already know?”
In the female Alpha-Alpha community, Ji Yi was a well-known figure. Her cold aura and sharp appearance made her the ultimate heartthrob.
“Like what?”
“What kind of person does she like?”
“How about this? Go home and make a list of questions. Send it to me, and I’ll write back with answers. How about that?”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never lose. Do you want to win her over or not?” Xi Xiaoyan had seen her sister sneaking glances and smiling foolishly at Ji Yi during the wedding. Now, with her asking questions so shyly, it pretty much confirmed everything.
“I… I think I do.”
“Then listen to me.”
“Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you get to act all high and mighty.” The moment she mentioned the marriage, Xi Xiaohe felt annoyed. Her younger sister had gotten married so young, and she suddenly became the family’s golden example. Meanwhile, Xi Xiaohe was stuck with the label of an unwanted leftover woman. Please. She was only twenty-five!
“Sister, if I’m not mistaken, you’ve got zero relationship experience. Am I wrong?”
“… I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Someone like Ji Yi, with that cold personality, isn’t easy to win over. If you don’t want my help, then suit yourself.”
“When did I say I didn’t want your help?”
Wow. Who knew Sister Ji Yi would be this useful?
Xi Xiaoyan felt quite pleased with herself. So pleased, in fact, that the corners of her lips kept turning up uncontrollably.
She decided to fan the flames a little more. “Sister, honestly, I think you and Ji Yi would make a good match. One warm, one cool. That kind of contrast often sparks chemistry.”
“I think so too.”
No kidding.
Otherwise, how else would they have clicked so perfectly that night?
What she didn’t understand was how Ji Yi could wake up the next morning acting like a completely different person. She had even apologized and asked her to forget what happened.
Forget it? After sleeping together? Who gets off that easy?
“Do you want Ji Yi to think the same way about you?”
“Do you have a plan?”
Xi Xiaoyan beckoned with her finger, and Xi Xiaohe reluctantly got up and walked over.
She whispered a bunch of things in her sister’s ear. When it was done, Xi Xiaohe walked away looking satisfied.
After seeing her sister off, Xi Xiaoyan checked the time. It was about right. She was ready to head upstairs and check on how Meng Chuwu was doing.
She still hadn’t heard the rest of what Ji Yi had come to say earlier.
That matter needed to be resolved quickly. The longer it dragged on, the more unpredictable things would become.