Substitute Alpha Gets Confessed to by Her Ex’s Aunt on a Survival Variety Show – Chapter 121
by Little PandaDo You Like Your Life with Me?
A gentle breeze swept across the quiet little field.
Liu Yinxi leaned against Nan Huaixu, her cheek resting against the other woman’s soft warmth. The scent of locust blossoms lingered at the tip of her nose, peaceful as a childhood summer dream.
Nan Huaixu’s lips parted. Against her own chest, Liu Yinxi felt the vibration of Nan Huaixu’s chest, hearing her say, “Who isn’t?”
Liu Yinxi fluttered her eyelashes. For Teacher Nan to say that… did she mean she missed home too, yet had no home to return to?
How could that be?
Nan Huaixu belonged to such a powerful, prominent family. She had a mama and a mami, an older sister, and plenty of other relatives. Why would she say something like that?
A powerful desire welled up from the depths of Liu Yinxi’s heart. She wanted to understand this person she had spent day and night with for dozens of days.
She wanted to share her joy, and she wanted to bear her sorrow.
No longer caring whether it was abrupt or overstepping, she only wanted to enter this person’s inner world and see the sunshine, rain, and snow of her heart.
Liu Yinxi placed both hands on her knees and sat up straight, leaning back against Nan Huaixu. “Teacher Nan, you sound very lonely.”
Nan Huaixu gently patted Liu Yinxi’s fluffy head, her lips curving upward. “Yes, I live alone. Though I have friends to keep me company, meet many people through work, and have so many lovely fans, in the end, I always have to return to a life of solitude.”
Liu Yinxi thought about it. The period after she transmigrated into the book, when she left Ying Luoling’s apartment and rented that dilapidated place in the Old Town, was exactly the kind of lonely life Nan Huaixu was describing.
Liu Yinxi nodded, her hair rubbing against Nan Huaixu’s collar. “Mm, I know that feeling. The warmth and lights of the bustling alleys reach everyone else, yet not a single spark is meant just for me.”
Nan Huaixu stroked the crown of Liu Yinxi’s head. “Me too. But during these days in the wilderness, you’ve made meals for me every single day. No matter how far I wander into some remote ravine, I know you’ll definitely wait for me, that you’ll come looking for me.”
Liu Yinxi was slightly stunned, repeating Nan Huaixu’s words over and over in her mind.
A miraculous power took root and sprouted in her heart, breaking through the soil. The flower that blossomed was the warmth of daily life, a light shining in a window, capable of illuminating all things and following her wherever she went.
Nan Huaixu had said she knew she would definitely find her.
Perhaps a person only said such things when they hoped to be found.
Suddenly, Liu Yinxi realized that to Nan Huaixu, she was not a burden or an intrusive nuisance, but a somewhat more important existence…
Liu Yinxi couldn’t define what kind of relationship that existence was, nor could she guess her share of importance, but she was certain of one thing: she was needed by Nan Huaixu.
This single point was enough for Liu Yinxi to find her balance on the scales of social status between her and Nan Huaixu.
She had never feared worldly distinctions of wealth and poverty, or noble and lowly status.
She only feared that the lamp beside her window, keeping her company day and night, was actually the distant, unreachable moon in the sky. A lamp illuminated her but needed her to charge it; the moon, however, lit up the night sky without needing anyone at all.
As long as their inner worlds could build a bridge to each other, that was enough.
Liu Yinxi hesitated for a couple of seconds, then slowly tilted her head back to look up at Nan Huaixu. “Teacher Nan, do you like your life with me? I mean… do you like a life where someone cooks for you every day, waits for you to return, and comes looking for you?”
Nan Huaixu nodded, then shook her head.
Liu Yinxi tilted her head in confusion. “Hmm?”
Nan Huaixu said, “Every day, I have nutritionists cooking for me, assistants waiting for me to return, and countless people looking for me with all kinds of matters waiting for me to handle.”
Liu Yinxi pondered. So, Nan Huaixu’s denial was directed at the latter half of her question?
Then the nod must have been an affirmation of the first half?
Nan Huaixu liked her life with her.
Was that it?
Should she ask?
How would she ask?
Liu Yinxi pursed her lips, too embarrassed to ask.
Nan Huaixu lightly patted the top of Liu Yinxi’s head. “I think the quality of life depends on who you live it with. I don’t care who does what. I just want the person I care about to care about me—and for whatever she does to be for my sake.”
With that, she lowered her head, her clear laughter ringing right above Liu Yinxi’s head. “I want to be like the sun, with a sunflower turning to follow me.”
As Nan Huaixu laughed, her chest vibrated against Liu Yinxi’s ear. Infected by her laughter, Liu Yinxi also curved her eyes in a smile. “Alright.”
Liu Yinxi herself wasn’t sure what she meant by saying “alright” either.
Was she responding to Nan Huaixu’s wish to become the sun?
Or was she imagining herself as the sunflower turning with her?
Neither of them probed deeper; they simply let it pass with a laugh.
The laughter dispelled the previously heavy atmosphere. Liu Yinxi placed the cassavas Nan Huaixu had dug up into the woven vine basket submerged in the stream. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the two of them busied themselves once more, preparing the final dinner of the day.
【How subtle.】
【I feel the same way. What did Manman mean by what she said to Liu Yinxi? （scratching head）】
【My understanding is this: Manman’s work is incredibly busy, but she’s very lonely in her private life. She wants someone who can give her peace of mind and keep her company, someone who will revolve around her every single day.】
【Why does this feel so much like someone who’s starved of affection?】
【Maybe she really is, and it’s probably related to Manman’s family of origin. To share something that might be a bit offensive to Manman—her mama is the head of the Nan family, and I heard her mami used to work in public relations. She was much younger than her mama and married into the family later. After having Manman, she wanted to secure a foothold in the Nan family, so she was incredibly strict with Manman, to a pathological degree. She had to interfere in absolutely everything Manman did.】
【Feels like she gave birth to a chess piece.】
【Which is why Manman has distanced herself from the Nan family now to set up her own independent studio.】
【Then why have a child in the first place? Just as a tool for seizing power and profit?】
【They’re a wealthy elite family; it’s different for them.】
【No, no, no, it’s still different. If I try my absolute best and can’t get into a good school, then I just can’t. But a wealthy heiress can just rely on the power of money and excellent connections to secure a great future even if she can’t get in.】
【Actually, I think kids who are whipped into testing into prestigious schools and high-end companies to bring glory to their families are pretty much the same. （covering face）】
【Don’t just blame everything on family. Is it bad for you to test into a prestigious school and find a good job?】
【It depends on the specific situation. Some people are truly just incredibly utilitarian.】
【Maybe I’m just an emotional person, but I prefer the vibe of Liu Yinxi’s friend’s family. I always remember something Liu Yinxi said: a home is a shelter from the wind, a place to heal. I have plenty of hardships to face outside, plenty of lessons and whipping. Am I lacking pressure? No, what I lack is encouragement, favoritism, and uplift. I want to be with someone who can give me that kind of energy.】
【Then Xixi is perfect for her!】
【Thanks for the recommendation, but she’s out of reach TAT】
【Sigh, and here I thought Manman was a super happy person. Good family, rich, beautiful, and famous. Turns out she has her own difficulties too. （resting chin on hands）】
【Who isn’t?】
【Damn it, there are so many good people in the world. Why did Manman open her heart to Liu Yinxi of all people? （going crazy）】
【Manman probably didn’t expect Liu Yinxi to be such a sincere and pure person. When you’ve eaten too much Hextech1 food, suddenly coming across something organic makes you feel sentimental 0v0】
【I don’t care, anyway Xixi promised she would revolve around Manman.】
【I’ve recorded the screen~】
【Witnessing +1】
Bracelet Date: June 22.
Every day, Liu Yinxi would take a walk by the lake beach where the airdrops landed to see if there was a pile of stones.
Yesterday, she had spotted the stones piled up—the signal from Huang Heshan—so this morning, she and Nan Huaixu headed to the lake beach together to claim their camellia chicken.
Given their previous experience with the contactless drop-offs in the bamboo forest, Liu Yinxi had assumed Huang Heshan would hang the chicken meat from a tree for them to pick up. She had not expected that when they arrived at the beach, Huang Heshan would be waiting there in person.
To their even greater surprise, what Huang Heshan was holding was a live chicken.
Liu Yinxi inspected the camellia chicken. There was a wound on its wing. Huang Heshan must have shot its wing without hitting any vital areas, allowing it to survive.
Live meat was far more valuable than dead meat, so Liu Yinxi was highly satisfied. “Thanks, Huang-jie, for giving us a live one. For such a fat camellia chicken, trading just one protein bar and a single pill, plus all those herbs we took—I was feeling a bit guilty about it. How about I give you two more sweet cassavas? They’re sweet, low in toxicity, and can be eaten right after roasting.”
Huang Heshan did not refuse. She merely said, “It’s nothing. She wanted the cephalosporin.”
Liu Yinxi understood. Her meaning was that as long as it was something Yu Yan wanted, it was worth it. Since they were not short on staple foods anyway, she handed two sweet cassavas to Huang Heshan. “These are really delicious. Go back and give them a try. If we do business again in the future, everything is negotiable—just make sure you don’t steal from us.”
Huang Heshan took the cassavas. Nan Huaixu, observant as ever, asked, “Yu Yan wants cephalosporin? Is she injured? How is she doing?”
Huang Heshan was slightly taken aback, a look of surprise crossing her face. She had probably not expected her opponents to show concern for them.
Nan Huaixu said, “Don’t overthink it. We requested support supplies before and have surplus medical items. If she needs anything, we can trade.”
Huang Heshan shook her head. She rolled up the sleeve of her windbreaker, revealing a wound on her arm that had not fully healed. It looked like the scratch of some animal, likely sustained while hunting and wrestling with her prey.
She pulled her sleeve back down, and Nan Huaixu understood. “She wanted it for you.”
Huang Heshan let out a low grunt of assent. Then she said, “I… also want to ask you a question.”
This time, it was Nan Huaixu’s turn to be surprised. “Ask me?”
Huang Heshan stepped a bit closer and whispered, “What do you… feel like eating when you’re unwell?”
Nan Huaixu was puzzled. “When I’m unwell? Everyone is different, and it depends on what kind of discomfort it is…”
Seeing Huang Heshan and Nan Huaixu leaning in so close that their faces were almost touching, Liu Yinxi frowned. Holding the wild chicken, she stepped forward and shoved herself between them, nudging Huang Heshan aside. “Hey, hey, hey, what are you talking about? Watch your manners, please.”
Huang Heshan took two steps back, her eyes remaining fixed on Nan Huaixu. Liu Yinxi clicked her tongue in annoyance, positioning herself protectively in front of Nan Huaixu. Behind her, Nan Huaixu took in her reaction and could not help but secretly smile.
Nan Huaixu stepped up behind Liu Yinxi, resting a hand on her shoulder as she spoke to Huang Heshan over her shoulder. “You’re trying to find something nice for Yu Yan to eat, aren’t you? Since you came specifically to ask me, is she experiencing discomfort during her cycle?”
Huang Heshan did not answer, looking slightly embarrassed. Nan Huaixu figured it must be related to an omega’s cycle; otherwise, there would be no reason for Huang Heshan to seek her out specifically.
Nan Huaixu said, “If it’s discomfort from her heat2, she should eat light, hydrating foods. If she’s experiencing dizziness as a side effect of suppressor drugs, peeling some lemon skin for her to smell might help make her feel better.”
Huang Heshan quickly thanked Nan Huaixu, then hurried away.
Liu Yinxi silently made a mental note of this.
Nan Huaixu patted her shoulder. “Let’s go. Let’s head back and try out the fishing net.”
Liu Yinxi let out a soft, grumbling hum. “Why didn’t you ever tell me that before?”
Footnotes
- Hǎikèsī, Chinese internet slang referring to food containing excessive chemical additives, derived from the video game League of Legends. Here, it metaphorically contrasts artificial personalities with genuine ones.
- Fārèqī, a physiological heat cycle or estrus period experienced by Omegas in the ABO secondary gender system, characterized by biological vulnerability and pheromone release.
0 Comments