After anatomy class, Jiang Yue went to the old library. The old library at the military academy was enormous, like a maze inside, with many hidden, dimly lit corners.
Whenever she didn’t feel like going back to the dormitory, Jiang Yue would often hide in those corners to read.
In truth, her roommates were not quite what Jiang Yue had imagined. People are quick to make mistaken judgments based on appearances.
At first, she had treated her roommates like terrifying monsters. But once she got to know them a little, she realized they weren’t so scary after all.
Take Xiang Sui, for example. Back then, after kicking Xiang Sui hard enough to give him a concussion, Jiang Yue thought she would surely be targeted in retaliation. Considering Xiang Sui’s background, and weighed down by guilt, her world felt bleak and her mood was deeply depressed.
At the time, she scrimped and saved to buy a fruit basket and went to visit Xiang Sui. Nervously clutching the basket, she found her way to Xiang Sui’s hospital room.
Outside the room, Xiang Sui’s family was sitting by his side, chatting with him. Taking advantage of the fact that no one had noticed her, Jiang Yue quietly set the fruit basket down at the door and slipped away without a word.
Jiang Yue was actually very good at handling interpersonal relationships. There were always plenty of topics to bond over between girls, talking about lipstick or perfume was often enough to break the ice. But her experience only applied to interacting with other girls.
Of course, she had also been very good at dealing with men—too good, in fact. It wasn’t hard to imagine how attentive men could be when faced with a delicate, beautiful young heiress.
But now, she was an Alpha! No longer that fragile, soft-spoken girl who drew everyone’s pity.
She had absolutely no idea how to get along with other Alphas.
If she were to give her Alpha roommates those same delicate, pitiful looks she used to, she was certain they’d be so disgusted they’d beat her up on the spot.
So when it came to socializing, Jiang Yue truly felt disheartened. And on top of that, the incident with Song Yang had only deepened her psychological scars. Jiang Yue often felt anxious and afraid, completely unable to take even the first step toward building relationships.
This made her seem closed-off—cold, aloof, and hard to approach.
The fruit basket she left for Xiang Sui became a significant turning point.
As for how Xiang Sui knew it was from Jiang Yue—
Here’s what Xiang Sui said, word for word. The cool Alpha from the North had a very subtle way of putting things.
“Oh, that? Of course I knew it was from you. I mean, who else would give me something like that? Not that I’m complaining; the bananas weren’t exactly fresh, but they were actually pretty sweet. It’s just… yeah, no one else would’ve sent me something like that. One of the mangoes was even rotten, not that I’m upset about that either. It’s not like I’m short one mango or anything. But seriously, no one would give me something like that.”
After rambling on for a while, Xiang Sui scratched his head and concluded, “Anyway, I was really touched. I think you’re a good person.”
Jiang Yue was moved too. Finally, someone had realized she was a good person!
Just from those small moments of interaction, she gradually came to realize that everyone actually had pretty decent personalities and character.
And with that, she was finally able to hold a proper conversation with them.
Time always flew by when you were in school, before she knew it, Jiang Yue had already been enrolled for two months.
Today was the end of the month.
Jiang Yue, who usually had a big appetite, was out of money. The poor Alpha had no choice but to start looking for part-time jobs just to afford her meals.
The military academy was strictly controlled. From Monday to Friday, it was a closed system, and only on Saturdays and Sundays would the silver mechanical smart electronic gate open, allowing students to come and go freely.
A new barbecue joint had just opened near the academy, and Jiang Yue stood at the entrance handing out flyers.
Paper products were rare in this century, everyone was used to using thin e-ink books. The screens on these e-books could stretch and shrink, displaying colors more vivid and lifelike than traditional paper books.
The barbecue restaurant’s flyers were exquisitely made and compact. The front side featured various anime-style characters, while the back was printed with volatile ink that would fade away after a week, allowing people to freely write whatever they liked.
Jiang Yue didn’t quite understand the culture of this world, so out of curiosity, she carefully looked through each flyer.
The midday sun was scorching, making her feel dizzy. Halfway through handing out flyers, she ran into Song Yang.
Song Yang had already changed into a new outfit, dressed in a white tracksuit and expensive sneakers. His bright, handsome face easily won people’s favor.
He took a flyer from Jiang Yue’s hand and said with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “How did the representative of the class of ’11 freshmen end up like this? Handing out flyers at a barbecue joint, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Sometimes, Jiang Yue really couldn’t understand how Song Yang’s mind worked.
Irritated, she turned her head away, like trying to avoid a buzzing fly.
Song Yang’s smile faded as he crumpled the flyer in his hand and said slowly, “Actually, you don’t have to work so hard. I have a way to get rich quickly, if you’re willing…”
Jiang Yue cut him off firmly, “No, I’m not willing. Hanging around people like you never ends well.”
She stared with her gray eyes that could intimidate even enemies and said coldly, “If you don’t leave now, I’m going to hit you.”
The freshmen all had some psychological shadow when it came to Jiang Yue. Song Yang sneered, then shrugged helplessly. “Fine, then live your miserable life. Go butter up your noble roommates and scavenge the scraps they leave behind.”
Jiang Yue tossed the flyer aside, rolled up her sleeve, grabbed Song Yang’s collar with one hand, and punched him hard in the face.
Song Yang let out a sharp scream, ready to swing back, but Jiang Yue raised her leg fiercely and drove her knee into his stomach. Then, with a flying kick, she sent him sprawling over a meter away.
Song Yang fell to the ground, coughing. Jiang Yue’s reputation for violence at the military academy was well known.
He didn’t dare talk back. Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, he spat harshly, cast a complicated glance at Jiang Yue, and then turned to leave.
After handing out flyers all morning, she had only earned 200 star coins.
Two hundred star coins could buy Jiang Yue five meals, not counting snacks or late-night bites.
Driven by hunger, Jiang Yue had no choice but to find another part-time job, a sales assistant at a cosmetics counter.
Next to the Federal Military Academy was Beiqing University, a top-ranked comprehensive school.
Unlike the Federal Military Academy, which was packed with Alphas, Beiqing University had many Omegas and Betas.
Omegas and some Betas were creatures who loved beauty, so the cosmetics counters near Beiqing University did very good business.
When Jiang Yue went for the interview, the beautiful Beta manager glanced at her face and hired her without hesitation.
Jiang Yue changed into a silver-gray suit that matched her gray hair perfectly.
Not many Alphas grew their hair long, most preferred short hair, and many female Alphas sported buzz cuts just like Xiang Sui.
Moreover, Jiang Yue’s hair was quite unique. It was a deep gray, and even though she was so rough she washed it with soap, her hair remained incredibly soft.
Her silky gray hair attracted a lot of attention.
Since most Alphas were straight-A types who couldn’t even tell one lipstick shade from another, the manager specifically assigned her to the hair care section.
But Jiang Yue insisted on working at the makeup counter. At first, the manager was a bit helpless and even planned to explain the products to her. Unexpectedly, Jiang Yue was a natural talent who learned everything on her own and knew the uses of the makeup products very well, nothing like a typical Alpha.
After 5 p.m., the mall became quite crowded. Elegantly dressed Omegas, hand in hand, would gather in groups of three or five at the counters to try out the newest makeup releases.
The tall female Alpha stood in the makeup section, her impossibly long legs wrapped in gray suit pants, looking especially alluring.
When the female Alpha’s wild and cold gray eyes glanced over, the Omegas almost wanted to scream.
Soon, a handsome, shy male Omega timidly stepped forward.
Jiang Yue looked kindly at the man who barely reached her shoulder.
He wore an elegant white shirt, with cuffs adorned in intricate lace and buttons made of glossy pearls.
Jiang Yue smiled and said, “How can I help you today?”
The Omega blushed and replied, “I’d like to try the new foundation.”
“May I ask what your skin type is?”
“Dry skin. I rarely get oily.”
“In that case, you’ll want a more moisturizing foundation. I recommend this Hydrating Foundation, it’s not only nourishing but also has good coverage.”
Jiang Yue looked at the Omega’s flawless, rosy, and delicate skin with envy and said, “With skin as perfect as yours, you don’t need a foundation with heavy coverage. This Hydrating one will be just right.”
Hearing praise from an Alpha about his skin, the Omega clearly felt very happy. Blushing, he said, “I’ll take this one then.”
He chose the lightest shade and also bought two new perfumes.
Omegas smelled sweet, felt soft, and were pleasing to the eye, they were a balm for Jiang Yue’s soul, which had been bruised by Alphas.
At nine o’clock, a tall male Alpha arrived at Jiang Yue’s counter, accompanied by a charming female Omega.
Jiang Yue and the male Alpha locked eyes, and both felt a sudden thrill run through their bodies.
“Jiang Yue!”
“Xiang Sui!”
Xiang Sui was dressed in a khaki casual suit, looking quite respectable, but Jiang Yue couldn’t forget how he once sat shirtless on the bed, scratching the back of his head.
The charming female Omega leaned against Xiang Sui and, with a coquettish voice, sweetly asked, “Young Master Xiang, who is this?”
Xiang Sui patted her head and said, “Buy whatever you want. I want to talk with her for a bit.”
The Omega, wearing a little red dress, swayed her slender waist and walked away.
Xiang Sui draped his arm over Jiang Yue’s shoulder and, with an inscrutable expression, asked, “Have you really gotten this desperate?”
Jiang Yue knew this guy’s way of thinking was anything but normal.
She rubbed her forehead and said, “I’m not desperate, I’m hungry. What can I do with just a thousand credits from the relief center? If I don’t work part-time, I’ll starve here at the Federal Military Academy!”
Xiang Sui suddenly got it. “So that’s why you’re here fishing for rich Omegas? Trying to live off others, huh?”
“Brilliant!”
Jiang Yue: “…”
Really, maybe men and women just have different wiring, sometimes it’s impossible to figure out what they’re thinking.
Jiang Yue’s silence was taken as agreement by Xiang Sui, who immediately wore a disappointed, “I-just-want-the-best-for-you” expression and frowned, saying, “Jiang Yue, even though you’re good-looking enough to get by on your face, you can’t just give up like this.”
Jiang Yue rolled her eyes and snapped, “Pfft, what kind of dirty thoughts are in your head? I’m here to earn money honestly, alright? I’m really broke and need to eat.”
Xiang Sui still didn’t quite believe her. “Out of all the part-time jobs out there, why come here? Don’t tell me you’re just pent up at the military academy and itching to ogle some Omegas!”
Jiang Yue looked genuinely pained. She quietly showed Xiang Sui her account balance.
The glaring 0.00 stood out like a slap in the face.
Xiang Sui had never seen anything like it. He froze for a second, then, true to his bold northern Alpha nature, clapped Jiang Yue hard on the shoulder and said heartily, “No big deal, I’ll treat you to a good meal!”
Out of ten northerners treating someone to a meal, nine would take them out for barbecue.
Xiang Sui picked a flashy, glitzy barbecue joint and tossed the menu in front of Jiang Yue.
“Order whatever you want, it’s on me!”
“Well then, don’t mind if I do!”
After Jiang Yue placed the order, Xiang Sui added a whole case of cold beer.
The two Alphas began digging into the skewers.
An Alpha’s appetite was about the same as a tiger’s.
Two Alphas meant the appetite of two tigers.
Together, they devoured 200 beef skewers, 200 lamb skewers, 30 sausage skewers, 30 duck intestine skewers, 30 honey-glazed chicken wings, 30 plum-glazed pork skewers, and 30 racks of lamb.
A grand total of 550 skewers!
They didn’t even spit out the bones, chewed them clean and swallowed everything down.
They’d also drunk more than half a case of beer. Jiang Yue slumped back in her chair, letting out a satisfied burp, while Xiang Sui picked his teeth with a toothpick.
The buzz-cut tough guy, now full and content, looked a bit dopey, like a well-fed Northeast tiger.
Jiang Yue grabbed a toothpick too and joined in.
The two of them staggered back to the dorm arm in arm, tipsy and swaying slightly, only to find their four roommates gathered around Jiang Sen’s desk.
Xiang Sui squeezed in. “What are you all crowding around for?”
Bai Wang shut the door tightly and hushed him, “Keep your voice down, Jiang Sen brought something good.”
On the white tabletop sat a chilled container. Inside lay a translucent, blue, jelly-like orb, giving off a faint, elusive fragrance.
The moment Jiang Yue saw it, she recognized what it was: an egg of the Blue-Eyed Millipede.
Jiang Yue immediately leaned back in alarm and shouted, clearly displeased, “Who the hell brought that thing into the dorm?! Tired of living or what?!”
“Aiya, it’s frozen! Hardly any activity left in it,” Jiang Sen replied, casually poking the Blue-Eyed Millipede egg with a gloved finger.
Xiang Sui, now also wearing gloves, gave it a poke too and asked, “You brought this back?”
“Bought it off the black market. Lately there’s been a sudden surge of these eggs showing up there, so I picked up a few. Supposedly they’re good for boosting spiritual strength. I’ll extract it later, benefit the whole dorm,” Jiang Sen explained.
He pulled a distillation setup from under the desk and casually tossed the egg into the distillation flask.
As it began heating, ripples appeared on the egg’s surface, and six slender blue legs extended from within.
The heater’s temperature was extremely high. Before long, the once-gelatinous blue egg shriveled up completely. The six limbs twitched briefly, then fell still.
As the vapor condensed and cooled, Jiang Sen collected a small vial’s worth of shimmering blue liquid.
A strange, indescribable fragrance slowly spread through the dorm room, lingering in the air like a soft mist. Everyone felt a sudden jolt of clarity, eyes brightened, postures straightened, and a look of blissful intoxication appeared on their faces.
It was a soul-out-of-body sensation, as if an invisible hand was gently caressing and soothing their minds.
Jiang Yue frowned and asked, “This stuff doesn’t have any side effects, right?”
Xi Boyu replied calmly, “It’s good stuff, but inhale too much and you’ll get drunk. If you overdose, you’ll lose consciousness. This is the most blissful and most expensive method of euthanasia.”
Xiang Sui nodded. “This stuff is essentially a neurotoxin.”
Jiang Yue covered her nose. “This is way too dangerous. You guys sure have guts, aren’t you afraid something will go wrong?”
Xi Boyu replied calmly, “Talking about toxicity without considering the dosage is just fearmongering.”
Bai Wang took a deep breath. “I think we should get more of this stuff. If we roast one blue jelly every day, in a year we’ll all have 3S-level spiritual power and become once-in-a-lifetime prodigies.”
Jiang Sen laughed and scolded, “You sure make it sound easy. But these tools are all specially made. If the heater doesn’t get hot enough or the container isn’t sturdy enough, things can go very wrong.”
Ku Li asked, “What would happen?”
Jiang Sen replied, “The egg could hatch into a blue-eyed millipede larva. There was once a case where an Alpha was trying to refine the raw material, and the distillation flask exploded. The millipede shot straight into his eye—piu—and half his brain got eaten.”
Jiang Yue immediately covered her nose and took two steps back.
She was starting to get nervous and now strongly resisted the scent, mumbling, “What if something goes wrong?”
Jiang Sen gave a slight smile and pulled a flamethrower out from under the bed.
“Then we’ll just have to torch the dorm.”
Well, fair enough. Totally wasted.
After the scent in the dorm finally dissipated, the six slightly dazed Alphas lounged around with half-lidded eyes, savoring the lingering aftertaste.
Jiang Yue asked, “How did you even get those Zerg eggs into the dorm?”
Jiang Sen replied, “We packed them in a freezer box. At low temperatures, the eggs’ activity decreases, it’s actually pretty safe.”
Jiang Yue said, “If the school finds out, you’ll be looking at at least half a month in solitary confinement.”
“I don’t think this is right,” Jiang Yue said firmly. “Even if this stuff feels great, bringing something this disgusting into the dorm is just not okay.”
Xi Boyu looked at him with those icy blue eyes and mimicked Jiang Yue’s earlier tone, “Wow, these eggs look just like blueberry jelly!”
Jiang Yue snapped, “No! I take it back. Anything that’s a Zerg is disgusting. I absolutely don’t want to see this stuff in the dorm again. You all need to promise me that!”
The roommates looked at each other, caught in a silent standoff, when suddenly, a knock came from the door.
The closest to the door, Kuri opened it and called out, “Jiang Yue, someone’s here for you.”
“Who is it?” Jiang Yue walked over and saw Song Yang standing just outside.
Song Yang had his head lowered, eyes half-closed, making it hard to read his expression.
Jiang Yue frowned. “What do you want?”
Song Yang still kept his head down. Jiang Yue quickly lost his patience and said irritably, “If you’ve got nothing to say, then don’t come here and bother me.”
Just as she was about to shut the door, Song Yang raised a hand to block it.
“Don’t… don’t go… help me…”
Song Yang slowly lifted his head and opened his eyes.
But his eyes were nothing but two bloody hollows, with something writhing within the torn flesh.
“Help… help me…”
He reached out a hand, as if trying to grasp the last thread of hope left in the world.
Just an inch away from Jiang Yue’s arm, the skin on that hand suddenly split open, a pitch-black, razor-sharp tentacle sliced through the bone of his fingers, burst through the thin layer of flesh, and wriggled out.
Support me on ko-fi for more additional updates~ ʚ(´꒳`)ɞ
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152
Dang song yang literally wasted off his potential..