Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Xie Hantang certainly didn't heed the subfemale's suggestion to go to a psychiatric hospital, but the incident profoundly highlighted the generational and cultural chasm between himself and this world.

"The Federation…"

Xie Hantang thoughtfully examined his freshly issued resident ID card and activated his light brain. As expected, it was out of network range—essentially useless.

He recalled the subfemale's earnest advice: "If you want an easier life, seize the military academy's enrollment period and go to school. Whether you join the military or pursue another path afterward, it's a viable option. As for matching with an Omega… that has nothing to do with someone like you, who lacks credentials, connections, and registration…"

Joining the military—of course, he would join the military.

But before enrolling, he needed to earn enough money for basic living expenses and, concurrently, understand the full extent of this cultural gap.

Xie Hantang rubbed his temples. Though the current situation was challenging, it wasn't insurmountable. As a Female Soldier, his adaptability had always been strong.

Outside, the streets buzzed with activity. Xie Hantang scanned the storefronts and finally, as he passed what appeared to be an upscale restaurant, he was pleasantly surprised to see the words "Daily-wage hourly work"—

The key point: daily pay.

Without hesitation, Xie Hantang strode into the restaurant and politely inquired of a subfemale, "Hello, I noticed you're hiring servers. May I apply?"

The subfemale assessed him and promptly called for the HR manager from the back. "Someone's here!"

Xie Hantang soon saw a brown-haired man glance at him a few times and wave him over. "Student?"

Xie Hantang hesitated but nodded.

"Hourly work, daily pay. Six hours for 120 credits. Any questions?"

The brown-haired man retrieved a black-and-white uniform from the back room. "You have a good physique. Just maintain a pleasant demeanor—our restaurant firmly believes the customer is always right."

"Oh, and there's a private event upstairs hosted by the Jiang family. Your appearance is better than most of our staff, so why don't you handle it? It's just serving dishes and such. Do you need a quick refresher on etiquette?"

"No need," Xie Hantang replied. He had taken etiquette classes at the Imperial Academy and didn’t wish to waste time on it.

"Good," the brown-haired man said, patting Xie Hantang on the shoulder. "I'm Zhuo Wan. If you have any problems, feel free to come to me."

Xie Hantang nodded. From Zhuo Wan’s instructions, he quickly grasped his tasks. In the staff changing room, he smoothly removed his combat suit—

The Empire’s combat suit could self-clean and repair. Although it had been severely damaged by the black hole, it was now intact and remained his only clothing.

Carefully storing it in his space button, Xie Hantang changed into the black-and-white uniform. The plain outfit, once on him, somehow lent him an air of refined elegance.

"Fifth floor, Jiang family private event," Xie Hantang silently reviewed the information. He proceeded to the kitchen, pushed a cart laden with delicacies, and headed upstairs.

Before even entering, he faintly overheard a familiar voice. "I don't understand what exactly you find unsatisfactory about me."

Xie Hantang’s brow twitched slightly, but he couldn't quite place where he’d heard that voice. He checked the cart—mostly tea and small cakes—and, confirming everything was in order, continued pushing inward.

Passing by a decorative screen, he finally saw the scene inside—

By the transparent window on the restaurant’s upper floor, two individuals sat opposite each other at an elegant, luxurious table.

One of them was precisely that familiar little male insect who had nearly called the police on him.

Soft light streamed through the window, illuminating both figures. He could see the little male insect’s slightly furrowed brow and the faintly tousled hair atop his head.

The beautiful little male insect pressed his lips together, watching as the Female Soldier across from him spoke with a haughty tone:

"What do I find unsatisfactory about you?"

The tall man glanced dismissively at Xie Hantang, who was pushing a cart of small cakes into the room, and drawled, "All you can do is make these little cakes. Aside from clinging to an Alpha like a parasitic vine, you can’t do anything. If it weren’t for your family’s influence, do you think you’d even qualify for a matchmaking meeting with me?"

The man tapped the table. "An Alpha like me, who’s aiming for military merits, actually admires those who are independent—ones who can be an Omega posing as an Alpha to attend military school, who can share common topics with me in mecha and military affairs—"

"Not you. What could you and I possibly talk about?"

"Whether today’s cakes are soft enough, or how to arrange flowers more beautifully?"

"Hmph."

Xie Hantang had already approached. Politely, he arranged the cart of small cakes on the table according to protocol. As he leaned down, he strategically placed a few more cakes near the little male insect.

After all, that certain Female Soldier claimed not to like small cakes.

He saw the little male insect look surprised for a moment, puzzled by his presence there, but soon the other’s attention was diverted. He seemed uncomfortable as he spoke:

"But… an Omega posing as an Alpha is illegal."

The little male insect’s gaze swept over the sweet, delicate cakes. He poked at them with his chopsticks, word by word: "I am indeed the most traditional Omega. My life’s dream is to find my dream Alpha, open a small shop, and have a child that belongs only to us."

"Yeah… I know. All of you want independent Omegas. But if you really want the most independent ones, why not go find someone from the resistance movement?"

The little male insect curved his eyebrows mockingly. "The wave of Omega rights is so powerful! You’re a famous advocate for equality—why not go find them? Instead, you’re here on a matchmaking meeting with a traditional Omega like me."

Xie Hantang let the words go in one ear and out the other. For some reason, this matchmaking meeting between a Female Soldier and a little male insect, which should have been easy to understand, left him utterly perplexed.

What exactly was an Alpha? And an Omega? And what was this about an Omega posing as an Alpha? And equality…

Were Female Soldiers fighting for equality against little male insects?

Xie Hantang’s suspicious gaze carefully swept over the two, finally lingering on the nearly destroyed small cakes. After a moment’s thought, he subtly pushed the remaining waiting cakes a bit closer to the little male insect.

These cakes were indeed sweet, soft, and delicious. Though not to his taste, they were a favorite among little male insects, and he happened to be quite skilled at making them.

"Why are you still here?"

The man beside them finally noticed that the server had been standing there too long. His eyes swept over the large number of cakes placed opposite him, and he felt that something was off. "You may leave. We don’t need anything else."

Xie Hantang didn’t speak. His gaze fell on the little male insect, who seemed upset and on the verge of tears, and his heart softened slightly. He leaned forward slightly in a respectful posture. "Is there anything else you would like to order?"

Jiang Shixu was taken aback. The voice was gentle and sincere, inexplicably making his wounded heart skip a beat. He looked up in a daze and saw that familiar face.

Just like their first meeting, the other was still so gentle and considerate. When those eyes looked at him, it felt as if they held the entire world—

Jiang Shixu curled his fingers slightly. In truth, he had seen everything.

Earlier, he had arranged to go shopping with a close friend before the matchmaking meeting, but unexpectedly, a ball of fire suddenly appeared in the sky—like something falling—and the crowd panicked and scattered. In the chaos, he somehow got separated from his friend.

Then, in a narrow alley between two buildings, he saw this handsome young man, along with the cold, gleaming wings on his back and claws that were not human.

His first thought was: alien invasion.

But when the young man gently covered his mouth and cautiously said, "Don’t call the police," his long-dormant heart suddenly spiraled into infatuation.

He nervously set down the mangled cake, flusteredly glanced around, and hesitated for a long moment, unable to think of anything to order.

How could things be so awful?

He was seen by his crush while being scolded and mocked...

Would they think I'm useless? That I can't do anything, can't stand on my own, have no common interests...

Before Jiang Shixu could figure anything out, he saw the young man next to him looking at him with gentle eyes.

He froze for a moment but still couldn't decide what he wanted to eat.

-

"Strawberry Arnold, chocolate sundae? Black Swan?"

Xie Hantang, seeing the little male insect on the verge of tears, quickly listed a bunch of cake names. He didn’t know if the restaurant had them, but as long as there were ingredients, he could make them all.

He smiled warmly at the little male insect. Although he wanted to say that trashy Female Soldier wasn’t worthy, he maintained his good manners and spoke softly, "There’s nothing wrong with liking small cakes. Their sweet, soft texture can truly lift one’s mood."

Jiang Shixu’s heart trembled slightly. Lowering his gaze, he blurted out without thinking:

"If you like them, I’ll make them for you!"

What kind of expensive cake hadn’t Omega College taught? He was the top graduate of the college—no one knew desserts better than him!

Xie Hantang’s gaze froze as he desperately tried to recall the normal flow of conversation...

How could I let the little male insect make cakes himself?

And how did the topic jump to making cakes!?

Before Xie Hantang could sort out his thoughts, the Alpha at the table grew furious. He slammed the table angrily, "What’s going on with you two? Making eyes at each other right in front of me!?"

The Alpha’s gaze swept over the delicate Omega and then turned to Xie Hantang in his work clothes. He finally smirked, though not sincerely, and said, "Jiang Shixu, this is all the taste you have. So this is what they mean by 'it takes one to know one'! I’ve really learned something today!"

All of Jiang Shixu’s emotions were abruptly cut off. For the first time, he was this angry, "You're crazy!"

Xie Hantang also spoke expressionlessly, "Your temper really doesn’t seem like someone who could find a mate. No wonder I saw such extreme matching scores at the matching bureau."

"You must be the type who has sour grapes, right?"

Alpha: ???

#Are you two teaming up to mock me!?

What the fuck, where does this broke Alpha get the nerve to talk back to me!?

Rage surged within him. The Alpha took a step forward, intending to throw this overconfident Alpha over his shoulder and show the ungrateful Omega what a top Alpha’s presence was like. But before he could act, the young man swiftly seized his wrist and twisted it hard—

"Ahhhhhhhhh—"

The Alpha was shocked to feel the sound of bones cracking. He let out a blood-curdling scream with all his strength. In his dazed state, he saw the young man expressionlessly give another "crack," and though the shattered bones in his wrist seemed to snap back into place, the pain never lessened!

Before the staff from downstairs could arrive, the young man slightly loosened his grip, his lowered gaze carrying a hint of pity. He mouthed words only the Alpha could see: "Pathetic. My hand slipped."

The Alpha was completely speechless. He watched as the young man turned his gentle gaze to the Omega beside him. Noticing the Omega shrinking back in fear, the young man suddenly fluttered his lashes and looked down, putting on a pitiful, bullied expression. "He was really too much, wasn’t he?"

Alpha: ???

#Who’s the one who went too far? Say that again!

-

After working off his frustration by handling that worthless Female Soldier, Xie Hantang finally shifted his attention to the cute little male insect. Noticing how the other was almost pressed against the wall, he belatedly realized he had scared him.

Yes, the other was already very nervous and shouldn’t be subjected to such a big shock.

He shouldn’t have been so obvious. He should've been more discreet—after all, Female Soldiers aren't exactly in high demand in the marriage market to begin with.

With a smile, he leaned in slightly and repeated, "Want one of each?"