Blame the Villain – Chapter 27
by Little PandaThe Villainous Scientist (7)
Starting From Scratch: Little Marshal x Mad, Dark, Sickly Scientist
The Empire also had mechs, but they couldn’t withstand the corrosive mucus of the Zerg. Furthermore, the Empire’s mechs were incredibly heavy and slow to operate, meaning they hadn’t been deployed on a large scale on the battlefield. Instead, the military relied primarily on Alphas operating heavy weapons to combat the Zerg.
Song Xuyi had a suspicion of her own: perhaps the combat weapons of the Imperial Star were kept so primitive precisely to restrict the rise of Betas and Omegas, thereby maintaining the absolute dominance of Alphas…
But the mechs of Blue Star looked entirely different.
The materials used in Blue Star’s mechs appeared exceptionally light and thin, allowing them to move with remarkable agility. Furthermore, their joints were designed with great precision, rendering them as nimble as a living person…
“This is the secret of Blue Star that your mother gave her life to protect. Blue Gold is a metal unique to our planet. It can withstand the corrosive mucus of the Zerg and possesses exceptionally high corrosion resistance…” Huang Fu tapped the arm of the mech, introducing it to Song Xuyi with a look of immense pride.
Song Xuyi looked up at the imposing, majestic mech before her, finally connecting all the dots. No wonder Huang Fu had insisted on her solving those problems. Operating a mech required a certain level of physical strength. Even though her overall abilities had been severely degraded, her physical stamina was still considered outstanding among Omegas. Beyond raw strength, operating a mech relied heavily on piloting skills—such as anticipating the stress points of the joints, judging the structural load limits, and using the smallest possible movements to inflict the maximum amount of damage on the enemy…
Huang Fu had not been wrong; she was indeed the most suited person for this kind of combat!
At the same time, the mech could also empower Song Xuyi. With the mech, which represented power, as her backing, she would once again be able to possess strength no less than before…
A surge of enthusiasm welled up in Song Xuyi’s chest. Without even visiting the house Huang Fu had arranged for her, she immediately followed him to register at the military academy.
The Military Academy was dedicated to supplying talent to the army, and its absolute crown jewel was the Mech Major. Students in this major trained at the school for two years before being deployed directly to the battlefield as part of the mech corps.
Huang Fu had already informed the Mech Academy of Song Xuyi’s prior academic performance. In accordance with custom, the mech corps arranged an exam for her. Song Xuyi completed the theoretical exam with a perfect score and received a “good” rating on her physical evaluation. She was quickly granted her admission certificate to the Mech Academy, set to matriculate with the rest of the freshmen in a week.
“How far you go in school from now on is entirely up to you,” Huang Fu said, giving Song Xuyi’s shoulder a firm pat. “In two years, I look forward to seeing you in the army. Let me witness the formidable presence of our Blue Star’s Marshal, Song Xuyi…”
Unlike the Empire, which was ruled by an autocratic Emperor and dominated by various Alpha families in the upper class, Blue Star’s position of Planetary Lord had remained vacant ever since the death of Song Xuyi’s mother. Instead, a few generals selected by her mother discussed and handled all planetary matters under public supervision…
Blue Star selected its talent through examinations. It was only then that Song Xuyi learned Huang Fu was actually one of Blue Star’s generals, specifically in charge of recruiting and selecting military personnel.
“That day will come.”
Song Xuyi snapped to attention and saluted. Flashes of the original host’s memories flickered through her mind: the Omegas locked away in back courtyards, the hideous Zerg on the battlefield, the thick smoke that seemed as though it would never clear… A sudden surge of heroic pride welled up in her heart—
There was a certain kind of idealist in this world:
In times of peace, they studied diligently, strove forward to serve their country, and fought tirelessly so that people could enjoy a more prosperous and abundant life.
In times of war, they used their hot blood as a pen and their unyielding spirit as ink to support the backbone of their nation, writing a blood-red romance amidst gunfire and thick smoke.
If she were in her original world, Song Xuyi might have harbored countless reservations…
But this was a task world…
Song Xuyi narrowed her eyes, looking up at the mech sculpture in the very center of the military academy, her gaze steadying slightly:
A favorable wind lends me its strength, sending me up into the blue clouds!1
Clutching her admission certificate, Song Xuyi happily took Huang Fu’s aircraft back to her home on Blue Star.
Huang Fu had arranged a modest-sized, two-story villa for her. To conceal the reason for her coming, he claimed to the public that Song Xuyi was his long-lost niece.
Having finally returned to Blue Star, Huang Fu felt a weight lift from his mind. He immediately set to work arranging a table full of fine wine and exquisite dishes to welcome her back.
Even though she had now turned into an Omega, certain traits of Song Xuyi’s body remained unchanged—for instance, her tolerance for alcohol.
After three rounds of drinks, Huang Fu’s face was flushed crimson. With a glassy-eyed gaze, he grabbed Song Xuyi and began to ramble, weeping and sniffing, while Song Xuyi remained completely clear-headed, save for a faint rosy tint on her cheeks.
Huang Fu had been only in his teens when Song Xuyi’s mother married and left for the Imperial Star. Overnight, the teenage boy had to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a nation, tasking himself with leading a fragile planet toward strength and prosperity. His thin shoulders grew robust over time. Weathering countless trials and hardships, he ultimately lived up to her mother’s entrustment, working alongside his comrades to build a powerful Blue Star…
Throughout this process, fearing that if he suddenly died one day he would only hold a young woman back, Huang Fu had remained unmarried all these years, pouring his entire being into managing the affairs of Blue Star…
These words must have been bottled up in Huang Fu’s heart for many years, for once he started, he couldn’t stop rambling. Song Xuyi didn’t show the slightest hint of impatience. She listened quietly until he finally passed out on the table. In the end, his adjutant carried him on his back to the aircraft to take him home…
By then, it was already late at night. After seeing Huang Fu off, Song Xuyi returned to the room, intending to clean up the mess on the table, only to find someone already standing beside it.
—Jiang Qianyu was standing there with her head bowed, diligently clearing the cups and plates.
Why was Jiang Qianyu in her house?
For a brief second, Song Xuyi thought she was hallucinating. It took her a moment to snap out of it and hurriedly step forward to help…
“I’ll be attending school soon, so I might not have much time to look after you,” Song Xuyi said softly as she gathered the cups. Even though she knew Jiang Qianyu was more terrifying than anyone, she had to pretend to know nothing as she continued. “The promise I made you a while ago still stands. If you find someone you like, I’ll see you off in grand style. If you don’t, that’s fine too. I have plenty of properties and assets under my name, and the one thing I don’t lack is money. I can fund any activity you’d like to pursue…”
Song Xuyi desperately hoped that Jiang Qianyu could develop some interest other than researching pharmaceuticals. Perhaps once she felt the beauty of the world, she would gradually reconcile with it…
“Then I must thank you, Marshal!”
Song Xuyi had initially assumed Jiang Qianyu would ignore her, but to her surprise, Jiang Qianyu turned to look at her. Her gaze swept past Song Xuyi to rest on a spot on the cabinet behind her, and her lips curled slightly. “I’ll give it some serious thought—”
Song Xuyi had wanted to say more, but she hadn’t expected Jiang Qianyu to agree so readily. Caught off guard, she could only change the subject. “Also, to the people on the Imperial Star, I’m already dead. Besides, Blue Star doesn’t have such a rigid hierarchy. We’re friends now, so you don’t have to call me ‘Marshal’ anymore. You can just…”
“—Xuyi,” Jiang Qianyu interrupted before Song Xuyi could finish her sentence about calling her by her name. She turned her head quite solemnly, looking at her intently. “My name is Jiang Qianyu.”
This was the first time Jiang Qianyu had ever revealed her real name…
Song Xuyi widened her eyes, trying her hardest to suppress her shock while a tempest raged in her mind. Yet, meeting Jiang Qianyu’s gaze, she could only force a smile. “Your name is truly beautiful.”
“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard anyone say that. Or maybe someone did in the past, and I just don’t remember,” Jiang Qianyu said, her eyes curving as she reached out to caress Song Xuyi’s cheek. “After all, everyone who used to know my name is dead…”
“But don’t be afraid,” Jiang Qianyu smiled, no longer bothering to maintain her submissive facade in front of Song Xuyi as she raised her head proudly. “Since you said we’re friends, I will naturally do my best to protect you…”
Song Xuyi had highly complex feelings about being declared a friend by Jiang Qianyu. She vaguely guessed that Jiang Qianyu’s declaration was due to her having saved her life, which indirectly proved that this villain’s nature was not entirely beyond redemption—at the very least, she knew how to return a favor.
Yet, what followed for Song Xuyi was mostly regret. That very night, just as she had finished bathing and was preparing to go to sleep, Jiang Qianyu knocked on her door and walked into her room carrying her own quilt.
Jiang Qianyu stated confidently, claiming she was afraid of the dark and, as a friend, she wanted to share a room with Song Xuyi.
As if Song Xuyi would believe such nonsense—if she were truly afraid of the dark, there was no way she could have survived inside the cargo containers of that black market ship…
Song Xuyi instinctively wanted to refuse.
Ever since Jiang Qianyu’s previous research on her, Song Xuyi had become extremely sensitive to the scent of Jiang Qianyu’s pheromones. If they shared a bed, she was afraid that she might be influenced by the pheromones and do something utterly unforgivable…
Before her refusal could leave her lips, however, Jiang Qianyu had already walked in with her quilt, bypassed her bed entirely, and placed her quilt and pillow inside the closet.
Having just moved in, Song Xuyi’s closet was completely empty of clothes. Jiang Qianyu seemed to have targeted this spot long ago. She sat inside, leaving one of the closet doors slightly ajar, curled up to lie down, and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, Xuyi!”
“Goodnight.”
Though the words left her mouth, Song Xuyi couldn’t help but frown. She had noticed something: Jiang Qianyu seemed to require a confined, narrow space to fall asleep. This looked like a form of psychological trauma. What on earth had happened to make her develop such a habit?
Could her intense hatred for Alphas and the Emperor be connected to this symptom?
Soon, the sound of Jiang Qianyu’s breathing from inside the closet became steady and rhythmic…
Listening to Jiang Qianyu’s breathing, drowsiness gradually overtook Song Xuyi. She had a faint inkling that she had overlooked something, but she couldn’t grasp what it was. Eventually, weighed down by heavy exhaustion, she fell fast asleep.
What Song Xuyi didn’t know was that in the middle of the night, Jiang Qianyu suddenly opened her eyes. Beneath the hazy moonlight, she pulled out a vial of medicine and, with a face devoid of emotion, plunged the needle straight into her own arm…
…
When she woke up the next morning, Song Xuyi found that Jiang Qianyu was no longer inside the closet.
Staring at the empty closet, she suddenly realized something belatedly: Jiang Qianyu hadn’t listened to the sound of ocean waves while sleeping last night!
Had Jiang Qianyu managed to free herself from her dependence on the sound of the waves, or had she simply been afraid of disturbing her?
If it were the former, Song Xuyi recalled some psychology concepts she had learned in her previous world. Certain psychological traumas could indeed be cured through specific therapy.
Song Xuyi felt a spark of hope. If she could heal Jiang Qianyu’s psychological trauma, perhaps the scientist wouldn’t go on to do the things outlined in the plot summary…
Song Xuyi changed her clothes, washed up, and went downstairs. During breakfast, the old servant informed her that Jiang Qianyu had already left early in the morning.
Did Jiang Qianyu actually know someone on Blue Star?
But at present, Song Xuyi lacked the means to pry into Jiang Qianyu’s movements.
Having just arrived on Blue Star, she had to run around all day handling various administrative procedures. Yet when she returned in the evening, she noticed that Jiang Qianyu still hadn’t come back.
If they were still on the Imperial Star, Song Xuyi would have worried about Jiang Qianyu returning so late. But after witnessing Omegas walking freely everywhere on the streets of Blue Star today, and remembering Jiang Qianyu’s strength, she was far more worried for anyone foolish enough to cause trouble for her.
Through her interactions with the Alphas and Omegas she met, Song Xuyi also confirmed one thing: she seemed to have completely transformed into an Omega.
She couldn’t smell the pheromones of other Omegas. Perhaps because she had once been an Alpha herself, she wasn’t attracted to Alphas either, and even felt a faint repulsion toward their pheromones…
Only Jiang Qianyu’s pheromones could trigger an irresistible impulse within her. For Song Xuyi, this was actually a good thing: at least she could avoid being suppressed by other Alphas…
As for Jiang Qianyu, she had been relatively well-behaved lately. With school about to start, and boarding school only allowing students out during winter and summer breaks, perhaps by the time the holidays arrived, Jiang Qianyu would have lost interest in her…
That evening, Jiang Qianyu didn’t return until almost nine. Song Xuyi assumed she would go back to her own room, but not long after she closed her door, a knock sounded. Jiang Qianyu, her hair still damp from being washed, walked in holding her quilt and pillow and once again slept inside Song Xuyi’s closet…
A week flew by in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Qianyu seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed herself on Blue Star, lost in its pleasures. She left early and returned late every day, and with clockwork regularity, she would sleep in Song Xuyi’s closet every single night without ever playing the sound of waves again.
On the morning school officially started, Song Xuyi woke up exceptionally early.
To her surprise, when she was ready to set off, Jiang Qianyu was still curled up asleep inside the closet. Not wanting to disturb her, Song Xuyi left a card with the butler to pass on to Jiang Qianyu and headed to the academy alone.
As it was orientation day for freshmen, the main avenue of the campus was lined with registration booths for various majors. The coolest among them was undoubtedly the Mech Major, which had released a gleaming silver mech directly from a capsule, capturing the attention of every passerby.
The Mech Major admitted the fewest students each year, offering Blue Star’s most elite education. Practically every student admitted was destined to become a pillar of the planet’s future. Thus, as Song Xuyi approached the registration queue for the Mech Major, she instantly drew a crowd of curious eyes.
This girl was so young and beautiful; could she really handle the grueling, tedious training that came with piloting a mech?
…
Song Xuyi paid no heed to their stares. Maintaining a poised, neither-haughty-nor-humble demeanor, she collected her student ID card and dormitory keys, politely declined a senior student’s offer to accompany her, and carried her luggage into the dormitory building.
The dormitories were partitioned by secondary gender: Alphas had their own building, whereas Omegas and Betas shared another. The rooms were doubles, containing two very small single beds pushed side-by-side, two closets, a small vanity desk, and nothing else.
Song Xuyi’s identity card listed her gender as an Alpha. Even though she had been converted into an Omega by Jiang Qianyu’s drug, the designation on her card remained unchanged. Consequently, she was still assigned to the Alpha dormitory.
In any case, the pheromones of other Alphas had no effect on Song Xuyi, so she wasn’t the least bit afraid of rooming with them.
Song Xuyi quickly finished tidying her bed. Just then, footsteps echoed at the doorway. Wanting to greet her new roommate warmly and make a good impression, she looked up and offered a smile. “Hello, I’m Song—”
The rest of her sentence died in her throat—
Dragging a suitcase behind her, Jiang Qianyu stood at the doorway with a beaming smile, looking straight at her—
“I know. You’re Song Xuyi…”
The author has something to say:
Wuu-wuu, I hope the nutrient solution can reach four digits~
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