Chapter 18

Chapter 18

018

He's so spicy, and I love it.

After sending Peng Zihao away, Chu Li entered the library with a calm expression.

As soon as he stepped in, the crowd gathered at the entrance dispersed promptly. Everyone sat down at their respective seats, pretending to read while secretly sneaking glances at Chu Li.

Unfazed, Chu Li went straight to the section where the book he wanted was located, selecting the material he planned to study for the day.

At nine o'clock in the evening, a post appeared on the forum of Blue Stripe Star Comprehensive College.

Title: Did you see it? Did you? Did you?

Despite the cryptic title, it garnered many replies in a short period.

Reply 2: Don't even say it, I saw it, I saw it! How daring! I could hear the crisp sound from ten meters away!

3rd Floor: I've never seen such a big Omega on the scene before. So hot, I like it!

4th Floor: What riddles are you guys playing at?

5th Floor: Let me remind everyone, it's about this afternoon at the library.

6th Floor: I get it now! My roommate told me about this; turns out it's true...

7th Floor: What library, what afternoon, what roommate, and what Omega? Can't you speak clearly?! Riddle-man, your butt must be rotten!

...

34th Floor: Alright, stop guessing. Let me tell you. You guys from the military academy should have heard. PZH has been pursuing CL these past few days. Today, he even took the initiative to go to the library entrance to find him. I was right there. It seemed like PZH wanted to hold CL's hand, but CL slapped him instead. PZH's face turned red with a red handprint on it, and before leaving, he threatened CL, telling him to wait.

35th Floor: What? Peng Zihao got slapped?! And by an Omega?! No wonder he had a gloomy expression all afternoon. An outstanding student from the military academy was slapped by an Omega. He must feel so humiliated!

36th Floor: I'm a bit worried. Those Alpha guys from the military academy usually act superior. With CL putting him in such an embarrassing situation, he surely won't let CL off easily, right?

37th Floor: Let's talk about the issue without generalizing. What did Alphas do to you? Did they eat rice from your house?

38th Floor: It seemed that the little O who dated PZH before wasn't a willing participant either. Didn't he jump off a building last year?

39th Floor: Could those who don't know the truth please not spread rumors? He jumped because he got pregnant from messing around with someone else! Also… It was clearly Chu Li who deliberately seduced our leader and then pretended to be pure to reject him. Can't you Omegas be more sincere?

40th Floor: Stop talking, you've exposed yourself. There's a mole among us. Brothers, retreat!

...

In Dormitory 304, Ning Yue lifted his head from his personal terminal and glanced at Lin Chengming beside him. Lin Chengming's expression was also very serious, and he then looked across at Xu Dongfeng.

Xu Dongfeng: "…"

Chu Li was sleeping right next to him. At this moment, he was sitting by the table reading a book. Everyone could see that he was indeed putting all his effort into changing his major; he had been studying day and night except for eating and sleeping.

Xu Dongfeng was straightforward and, after much restraint, couldn't hold back any longer. He leaned over and tugged on Chu Li. "Hey, Little Li! We have something to ask you."

Chu Li finally raised his head from his mountain of books. "Huh?"

His expression was innocent and calm, giving no indication that he was the one who had slapped Peng Zihao.

Xu Dongfeng said, "I heard you slapped Peng Zihao? Did he do something to you?"

"Ahh..." Chu Li was taken aback for a moment before realizing, "No, he went to the embassy to find me. It seems like there was a misunderstanding. I was going to explain, but he wouldn't listen and tried to pull me along, so I slapped him."

Stunned, Xu Dongfeng responded, "So you really did slap him just because he wanted to pull you...?"

"Mm," Chu Li acknowledged, casually flipping the page.

Xu Dongfeng continued, "Do you know who he is? Let's forget about that vague misunderstanding last time... He's an Alpha. You're going to suffer for offending him like this."

Chu Li hadn't even finished reading the page when his gaze fell on Xu Dongfeng. He replied indifferently, "What's wrong with being an Alpha? Should I accommodate him? Or continue with those ambiguous polite rejections? If polite refusals were effective, I wouldn't have slapped him."

Some people just didn't understand 'bounds.' If others didn't bother arguing with them, they'd push further, thinking they still had a chance.

If one wasn't straightforward, wouldn't they become the 'stringing-along' others complained about?

Lin Chengming chimed in, "Little Li is right. If subtle rejections don't work, it's better to be clear."

Despite his rugged appearance, Xu Dongfeng had a motherly heart. He didn't think Chu Li was wrong; he was merely worried that provoking Peng Zihao might bring troubles Chu Li couldn't handle.

However, since the deed was done, Xu Dongfeng could only instruct Chu Li, "Be careful when you go out later."

Chu Li was utterly baffled. Didn't they live in a society ruled by law?

But recalling the inexplicable marking incident, who knew what could happen in this world? Chu Li nodded and agreed, "Understood."

---

As expected, Chu Li's transfer application was rejected.

The school's leadership even took the initiative to find him, wanting to ask about his dissatisfaction with the Omega Academy.

A portly Beta male sat in his office, lecturing Chu Li at length. "Every Omega is the empire's unique possession. The Medical Department will eventually be on the frontlines. I couldn't bear to see a delicate Omega like you suffer in battle. Little Chu, you're still young and don't understand what the Medical Department is really like. Their curriculum is several times more rigorous than the Omega Academy; it's not some place for fun and games..."

It was the first time Chu Li had seen someone so openly use terms like 'possession' and 'delicate' to describe a human being.

He immediately realized that discussing his ideas or dreams with this leader was futile.

He was merely a possession. His inappropriate decision was due to a 'momentary lapse of judgment.' He could have a 'momentary lapse' or a 'lifelong one,' but no one would take a 'possession's' ramblings seriously.

Chu Li straightened his posture and addressed the leader, "I didn't find any rule in the school regulations that forbids Omegas from transferring to the Medical Department. Do you believe that Omegas are not fit to be present outside the Omega Academy?"

The empire's discrimination against Omegas was veiled under excessive protection. While it was universally accepted that Omegas were delicate creatures, fit only for ivory towers, these beliefs were not openly acknowledged. This was because the powerful figures of contemporary society all had Omega spouses, regardless of gender. Sometimes, the influence of a whisper in one's ear could be terrifying.

The leader was taken aback by Chu Li's question and stammered for a while, unable to utter a coherent response. "Well, um..."

Chu Li added, "Moreover, I've thoroughly read the school regulations, and it doesn't state that Omegas are prohibited from enrolling in the Medical Department."

The leader's forehead gradually became dewy with sweat. He retrieved a handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiped his brow, saying, "Well, the school certainly doesn't have such a rule... I'm just saying that the Medical Department is very challenging. If you study in the Medical Department, you'll eventually be sent to the frontlines. Do you know what the frontline is like? Their battlegrounds are out in space, an extremely cold environment without oxygen. A human can't survive there for more than three minutes. If you accidentally end up in that environment, you'll not only have to endure weightlessness and lack of oxygen but also extreme cold and cosmic radiation. Your body will become as stiff as wood, and your muscles will detach from your bones piece by piece..."

He endeavors to depict the "frontline" as terrifyingly grim in an attempt to persuade Chu Li to abandon his notion of switching majors.

Chu Li, however, remained expressionless as he said, "You're right. That's precisely why I applied for the Medical Department – because I want to be on the front lines. I wish to contribute to the empire."

The leader: "..."

How could he have imagined that the more he tried to reason with this classmate, the more stubbornly the latter would persist? There was a moment when he was so exasperated that he almost slammed his hand on the table, ready to lash out at the boy and order him to leave in anger.

But he had previously stated that changing majors didn't violate school rules. Wouldn't kicking the person out be a contradiction and a slap in his own face?

Saying that the frontlines were dangerous was merely a scare tactic to intimidate the student.

In this era of interstellar civilization, human society was divided into two factions: the Empire and the Alliance. However, they had coexisted peacefully for centuries. The only disputes they had were over the colonization of newly discovered planets, which never escalated beyond those territories. It was implausible for conflicts to reach a rearward planet like Blue Stripe.

In other words, it was an era of peace.

In times of peace, laws and regulations held great significance. At the very least, they mustn't be openly violated.

Seeing the leader's increasing perspiration, Chu Li kindly offered an alternative, "I understand that this decision puts the school in a difficult position. Teacher, you can take your time to consider it. I'm not in a rush."

The leader replied, "...Even if you give me more time, the answer will remain the same!"

Nonetheless, he was exhausted from dealing with this articulate student. Upon hearing that the student needed time to think, he hastily nodded, "Alright, alright. Your situation is unique, so we need to hold a meeting before making a decision. You can go back first. We'll inform you once we have news."

Chu Li stood up and bid farewell politely, "Then I'll take my leave. Goodbye, Teacher."

The leader waved at him, secretly hoping never to see him again.

Exiting the administrative office, Chu Li noticed everyone on the path staring at him, whispering behind his back.

Recently, the incident of Chu Li slapping Peng Zihao had skyrocketed his popularity within the school.

While people were still digesting the gossip about Peng Zihao, Chu Li appeared in the academic affairs office, inadvertently providing more conversation fuel for the masses.

Chu Li had grown accustomed to these ubiquitous whispers and fleeting glances; if he was destined to be an unconventional person, such attention would likely accompany him for a long time.

Sure enough, when he returned to the classroom, the chattering students abruptly fell silent, their gazes instantly converging on Chu Li as if he had grown three heads and six arms during his brief journey from the office to the classroom.

He gave them a puzzled glance before taking his seat.

Author's Note:

Real humans cannot survive in space for three minutes; it's a dangerous act, please don't attempt it.

I've been feeling dizzy and spent the day lying at home, so my mind isn't clear, and I might not respond appropriately. I even forgot to schedule the update, that's how out of it I am.

Thank you, 'ZHONG,' for the hand grenade, and 'Blossom Fall on the Other Shore' for the thunder; I love you both.