Chapter 73 Online Romance with a Bad Beta 26: "I Like You"
Central Star Hospital is no different from other hospitals; it is essentially a place filled with the smell of disinfectant.
It's strange, this isn't Tan Yicheng's first time at the hospital, nor is it her first time coming alone. But this time, she has an unusually cold feeling, as if her usual habits have disappeared, and she feels uncomfortable.
As she approached the office door, she realized with a start why—because Xi Congshuang was not with her.
Whether she hated her or missed her, she was always there.
In fact, Xi Congshuang is not a talkative person. When she is quiet, her presence is not strong. She is like a handful of snow, pure and cold, but easily melted when exposed to the sun.
Tan Yicheng lowered her eyes, raised her hand to push the door open, and when she looked up again, she had already adjusted her expression: "Dr. Wei, it's me."
"Please come in."
After completing the examination, Tan Yicheng did not leave immediately. Feeling bored, she neither wanted to go back to school nor wanted to stay outside.
Without realizing it, I found myself sitting downstairs at the hospital, watching the patients strolling nearby.
Recalling her time at Red Tea Star Hospital, she came out with her test results and, on a whim, looked down the corridor. Xi Congshuang was sitting downstairs in the hospital, staring blankly at the people in the distance.
I can't quite describe my feelings right now; it's probably a sense of emptiness or tranquility. Recalling the look of surprise on Xi Congshuang's face when she didn't hear her approaching voice that day, I couldn't help but smile.
It was really difficult to get her to show that kind of expression. In the days that followed, Xi Congshuang was no longer frightened because of her hearing impairment. Tan Yicheng thought she had already gotten used to it, but it turned out that she was just very adaptable.
Few people even noticed that Xi Congshuang was deaf in her right ear; they all thought she was a healthy and able-bodied person.
After that barely perceptible sweetness faded, all that remained was melancholy.
Now that this matter is resolved, Xi Congshuang should return to Red Tea Star, regain power, and focus on company affairs.
If she doesn't go back... what reason does she have not to go back?
Once again, I recalled what Xi Congshuang said at the school clinic. She made it very clear that she had to temporarily avoid me because she was under someone else's control, and she would not appear in front of me unless necessary. Xi Congshuang did all of this.
Her plan had reached its final stage: bringing down her ambitious uncle.
Although it felt a bit too smooth and easy, the matter was still completed, and it was time for Xi Congshuang to return to Red Tea Star.
The woman, who was feeling melancholy, suddenly heard someone approaching from afar. She assumed it was a passing nurse or patient and ignored it.
But the footsteps grew closer and closer, making it impossible for Tan Yicheng to miss them. He turned his head and was immediately stunned.
The person who should least be here was standing not far away, hands behind his back, and softly uttered, "I've been spotted."
The afterglow of the setting sun fell upon the person, bathing them in a gentle, dreamlike glow.
Tan Yicheng's gaze followed closely as the other person walked step by step towards him.
This hospital is quite large, with each floor responsible for different departments. Finding the right person is no easy task. What she didn't expect was that Xi Congshuang, who is usually very busy, would come over.
She thought she wouldn't see Xi Congshuang today, and that the chances of seeing her in the future would only become fewer and fewer.
Parting always comes suddenly, just like when we were kids. The night before, we were talking about Tan Yicheng's birthday. I said I was confused and then I wanted to apologize to Tan Yicheng in a low voice, saying that I had dragged her down.
She passed away the next day, leaving behind only a final message.
From then on, she knew that true separation never comes without warning. The doctor said that her mother might be able to stay with her through the winter, but she passed away before autumn arrived, much earlier than the prophecy had predicted.
Just like now, she thought Xi Congshuang would at least stay here for the rest of the year, but little did she know that time had already quietly passed.
Tan Yicheng asked in a sleepwalking voice, "How did you find me?"
“No matter where you are, I will find you,” Xi Congshuang said. “I promised to take full responsibility, and I won’t break my promise.”
"..." Tan Yicheng's heart pounded wildly for a few seconds, and her ears, disregarding her will, grew hotter.
Xi Congshuang then said, "It's getting late. How about we go eat, and then take a walk along the riverbank while the night is still beautiful?"
She extended her hand to Tan Yicheng and offered a very good suggestion.
No one would refuse a hand extended by someone in front of them at this moment.
This suggestion successfully lured the still confused alpha. Tan Yicheng raised his hand and placed it in Xi Congshuang's palm, and was led to stand up.
They only let go of each other's hands just before boarding the aircraft. The familiar warmth of their hands left, and Tan Yicheng felt an indescribable melancholy welling up in his heart again.
The question weighing on her mind remained unasked; she was afraid of the unknown answer and didn't want to gamble on the possibility of something going wrong.
While Xi Congshuang was setting the destination using her AI, she noticed Tan Yicheng's gaze, turned her head to look back, and asked casually, "There's a shopping district around here, let's eat there, it's about a five-minute walk from the river."
Tan Yicheng was in a daze and forgot what she had answered. After a lot of effort, she realized that she must have replied with an "um".
Not long after, the aircraft slowed down and automatically searched for a landing spot. Two more people were walking around in the bustling commercial district.
While we were eating, the artificial sun on the horizon had not yet completely set, and all the lights around the business district were on, shining brightly.
There were quite a few people around, and at first glance, they were all couples.
Xi Congshuang's question interrupted Tan Yicheng's self-judgment: "This is my first time in this area. Are there any restaurants you'd like to go to?"
This place isn't far from the First Academy, and most students have definitely been here before. Even if they're not very familiar with it, it's normal for them to have some understanding of it.
However, Xi Congshuang misjudged the situation. Tan Yicheng, who had been studying diligently since she was admitted to the First Academy at the age of seventeen and had extremely little desire for material things, had only come here a handful of times. She and Xi Congshuang were equally clueless about this place.
It was a rare opportunity for her to stand up for herself, and she didn't want to show weakness in front of Xi Congshuang.
Tan Yicheng casually pointed to whichever shop had the nicest signboard: "This one will do."
Even at this point, Tan Yicheng's thinking remained simple: a restaurant that could open a shop in this area and still have many customers couldn't be too bad.
Xi Congshuang looked in the direction she was pointing, a clear look of surprise in her eyes: "Here?"
Before Tan Yicheng could change her mind and say that they should choose the next one, she walked over first, making it difficult for Tan Yicheng, who was a step behind, to back out.
Once inside, Tan Yicheng understood why Xi Congshuang had shown such obvious surprise.
Because here! It's full of! Couples!
Everyone sat in pairs at the pure white round dining table, talking quietly. Red roses, symbols of love, were placed on the corner of the table, their delicate petals glistening with dewdrops—Tan Yicheng could still smell that they were artificial plants as he passed by.
There is a difference between real and artificial floral scents, but that's not the point!
Tan Yicheng subtly observed the restaurant from the corner of his eye, taking in the entire interior and confirming that it was a couples' restaurant where some kind of event was taking place.
The diners each had their own sweet moments. Two people walked in, their actions not particularly intimate, appearing distant in contrast to their surroundings. Tan Yicheng's bad premonition grew stronger.
"This way, please, gentlemen." A sharp-eyed waiter stepped forward and led the two to one of the few empty seats.
Xi Congshuang strolled leisurely, seemingly unaware of where she was, and calmly took her seat.
The waiter brought out the menu and asked what she wanted to order. Tan Yicheng also received a menu, but she didn't have time to look at it.
She typed the restaurant's name into the search bar under the table, and the search results that popped up shocked Tan Yicheng. She then realized that it was a famous restaurant for couples.
The restaurant recently launched a new promotion: after your meal, you can take a photo of yourself kissing on the heart-shaped wall in front of the entrance for a chance to win a free meal. The high winning rate, combined with the attractive wall decorations, has attracted many couples to dine and take photos.
Couples who come to eat aren't necessarily there for the free meal; they're just there to legitimately show off their affection.
The internet is flooded with sweet kissing photos, making Tan Yicheng feel dizzy and disoriented.
The decor looked quite respectable, so she casually pointed to a restaurant, only to discover it was actually a couples' restaurant!
"What would you like to order, miss?" The waiter's voice drew Tan Yicheng's attention, and she snapped back to reality.
"Let me see." Tan Yicheng raised his hand and opened the menu, then froze completely.
Upon seeing the menu, Tan Yicheng felt even more disoriented. The signature dish was a couple's set meal, and even the drinks were large cups with Y-shaped double-ended straws.
Wouldn't that be... wouldn't that be an indirect kiss?
This was going too far; she could hardly imagine what kind of expression Xi Congshuang, who seemed so detached from worldly affairs, would show.
Not to mention kissing in public... Stop thinking about it, stop thinking about it.
The waiter's enthusiastic voice was still enthusiastically recommending to Xi Congshuang: "Our restaurant has a promotion recently. If you order the couple's set meal, you can get a reward by taking a photo at the heart wall after your meal..."
At that moment, only three words remained in Tan Yicheng's mind—stop her!
Tan Yicheng: "Hello, I'll take this set meal. For drinks, I'll choose a single serving of orange juice."
In her haste, she emphasized the words "single serving".
In the end, I ordered the regular set meal.
The waiter's attention was indeed drawn, and he subconsciously raised his wrist to enter the menu: "Okay, this lady has ordered a C set meal. And this lady?"
Xi Congshuang paused, closed the menu, and handed it back to the waiter: "The same as hers is fine."
Waiter: "Okay, two Set Meals C for Table 32. Please wait a moment, a robot will bring you your meals shortly."
The two finished their dinner in silence in a sweet and ambiguous atmosphere.
The more they ate, the less they felt they tasted the food. Their movements as they cut the steak with their knives gradually slowed down, as if an invisible barrier separated them from the atmosphere.
After finishing her meal, Xi Congshuang got up to pay the bill and passed by the exquisitely decorated heart wall. A couple was standing under the flower wall, kissing in front of the camera, and then excitedly took photos to draw lots.
Xi Congshuang didn't linger and followed the people in front. Tan Yicheng said that Xi Congshuang had treated everyone last time, and this time she had to treat everyone, otherwise they wouldn't eat together next time.
This seemingly joking threat actually worked on Xi Congshuang, successfully preventing her from making the payment.
"I won! I won!" A joyful voice came from the other end of the line. Xi Congshuang stopped again and turned around to look.
The girl on the left won the free meal and jumped onto another girl like a rabbit, excitedly shouting that she won and kissed her face like a stamp.
The person being hugged, fearing the other person would fall off, held her waist tightly with both hands, unaware that her gaze was following the other person the whole time.
This is an AO couple, basking sweetly in the smiling gazes of everyone, without caring about anything at all.
Near the business district, across the river, lies a quiet and livable residential area.
As night fell, many people strolled along the riverbank.
The entertainment activities of interstellar people after meals are similar to those in ancient Earth times; taking a walk together is a good option.
However, most people walking on the street are either AO or BB, and there are no AB couples like them.
Pheromones are a topic unique to AOs; betas have never had a say in it, as they have no idea what pheromones smell like.
She also can't provide timely comfort when an alpha needs pheromones. Would forcing her to be with an alpha harm her?
The pheromones she smelled that day seemed like a clever trick of fate. At that moment, she even understood the original owner's obsession to some extent, because she had also fallen in love with an alpha.
Long ago, her parents had the foresight to prevent her from developing any extraneous feelings. Like a training program, they used strict standards to correct her, not allowing any flaws. And Xi Congshuang grew into the person they wanted her to be.
She once thought that this would be her life forever, but who knew that her words would come true. Driven by utilitarian motives, she developed unnecessary emotions and created a weakness for herself.
The apple, who's been late and early lately, said that at her current pace, she could complete the mission in less than three years and then move on to the next world.
Keep accumulating points to earn your own life.
With three years hanging in the balance like a countdown, every second felt precious.
For the first time, Xi Congshuang had a pang of conscience. She calmly realized that she was just a beta without any pheromones.
She was unable to comfort the other person, nor could she offer them any further help.
Without realizing it, she slowed down and saw the back of the figure walking ahead of her.
The person by the river railing had a deep look in their eyes, having completely memorized the departing figure and imprinted it in their mind.
Tan Yicheng stopped, his back to her, and asked, "Will you go back to Red Tea Star?"
Xi Congshuang: "Yes, but not now."
This answer was unexpected, and it improved Tan Yicheng's mood considerably. Her tone became lighter when she asked, "Why?"
Tan Yicheng couldn't help but turn around to look at Xi Congshuang's expression, but unfortunately, she couldn't glean anything from her face this time either.
"Because I want to stay here." Xi Congshuang sighed inwardly, realizing she was no good person, knowing she was an alpha but still not letting her go.
Tan Yicheng paused, her eyes betraying her feelings. Her apprehension turned into a subtle mix of nervousness and barely suppressed joy.
She felt her expression must be very strange, and wanted to turn away to avoid looking embarrassed, but she was also afraid of missing what the other person was going to say next.
The anger she had forcibly quelled was reignited, and Xi Congshuang took a step towards her: "Can't you tell?"
Tan Yicheng felt strange; she wanted to say that she couldn't see anything at all.
Xi Congshuang stepped forward, her pale lips opening and closing, clearly conveying each word to her ears: "Because I like you, I want to stay by your side a little longer. What I said before was just an excuse."
If she rejects me, I will...
She hadn't thought it through at all; her rationality had long since vanished, and she didn't care about any of that.
Xi Congshuang said, "Those were just excuses for me to stay by your side. I deliberately approached you, and I never had any ill intentions."
These are all true.
She is not a good person; she deliberately approached him, and she had ulterior motives.
Tan Yicheng was stunned into silence by these words: "You..."
She meant to say that I don't need to talk about myself like that, and that she wasn't exactly well-intentioned...
To some extent, they are accomplices.
"And you?" Xi Congshuang gazed at her earnestly, her eyes gentle. "Are you the complete opposite of me, or the same as me?"
The expression on a person's face already tells the story of someone whose mind is in turmoil.
Xi Congshuang relaxed and pulled her closer. Sure enough, the other party did not dodge and even took the initiative to move closer to her.
Xi Congshuang's face gradually magnified in his amber eyes. The distance was so close that every detail was clearly visible in the dim moonlight.
The moonlight on the river was as white as frost. In a secluded spot by the river, a couple approached each other. Someone put his arm around her shoulder, bent down, and placed a kiss on her lips.
A light touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water, brings a fleeting, cool, and soft sensation.
"Like this, this is how I like you."
The person who instinctively closed her eyes heard someone say this in her ear.
She heard it clearly, her heart was pounding, and her ears were incredibly red.
"..."
Because they were standing too close, Xi Congshuang couldn't see Tan Yicheng's expression. Dissatisfied, she stepped back, wanting to see Tan Yicheng's face more clearly.
Suddenly, her clothes tightened at her chest. Tan Yicheng had raised his hands and grabbed her open thin coat without her noticing.
Xi Congshuang stopped retreating and looked down at the person who was so close to her.
It's impossible for her not to be nervous.
Her thick eyelashes opened, revealing a mixture of tension and joy in her eyes.
It's a joyful thing when the person you like likes you back; your heart is filled with excitement, like fireworks.
But when she spoke, her voice was reduced even further, and she replied in a low voice that only Xi Congshuang could hear, "Me too."
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Let's go, there's still plenty of time. Let's arrange the couple's meal and take some photos.
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