Chapter 62: Allergic to Omegas [Heavy Barrage]

Zhu Lexing felt that Yan Mian could be so disarmingly frank at times.

But no one could deny that everyone loved a touch of sweet affection.

Her expression softened as she said, “I… I’ll miss you too.”

“It’s fine if you don’t,” Yan Mian replied with a smile. “We’ll see each other again soon.”

Zhu Lexing thought, How could I not?

But Yan Mian’s smile was too radiant for her to argue back. She simply fell silent and let her have her say.

As for that “soon” part… Zhu Lexing chalked it up to the short three-day shoot and didn’t give it another thought.

The next day, at the hotel.

Zhu Lexing sensed the difference the moment she woke up. Yan Mian was no longer beside her, and even the faint lily of the valley fragrance lingering in the air had dissipated, a clear sign that its owner had been gone for quite some time.

On her phone screen, half an hour earlier, the Omega had left a message:

【Got some morning shoots, heading out first~】

Zhu Lexing: ?

When did Yan Mian pick up a new schedule? And why hadn’t she heard about it?

Though a little miffed, Zhu Lexing didn’t press the issue. She sent back a kissing emoji, freshened up, and waited for the production team’s van.

《Let’s Farm Together》 was a full live-stream show, but at least the ride to the site wouldn’t go live yet.

Zhu Lexing had been planning to text Yan Mian a quick update, but the cameraman had already started rolling. When she asked, he explained it was just for some behind-the-scenes clips.

Zhu Lexing let it go and flashed a smile at the lens. “Morning!”

Following the script, the cameraman asked, “Lexing, did you catch the announcement the production team posted this morning?”

Only then did Zhu Lexing realize that one of the four rotating guests had dropped out due to health issues. In her place was a mystery guest. That morning, the team had shared a silhouette online, and the first fans to guess right would score a signed photo. The comment section was exploding—the topic shot straight to the hot search within an hour.

Zhu Lexing figured there was no point guessing; she’d find out soon enough once she got there.

But the cameraman was just doing his job, so she tossed out, “Yan Mian?”

It was the least likely pick for a mystery guest, so no harm in saying it.

Unbeknownst to her, the cameraman stiffened. “Uh… why her?”

Zhu Lexing was scrolling through her feed and missed his reaction. She thought for a second. “Because we’re really close.”

The cameraman: “…”

Hadn’t everyone said Zhu Lexing and Yan Mian were like “two kings who never cross paths,” barely tolerating each other? Close?

He swallowed a barrage of gossip questions.

Zhu Lexing’s hotel was conveniently close to the filming location. After a few more scripted questions, they pulled up right at 7:30 a.m.

The countryside was peaceful, a gentle breeze rustling through endless rolling hills dotted with quaint tiled-roof houses.

They dropped Zhu Lexing off at the village entrance; from there, she’d have to lug her own bags the rest of the way. The cameraman trailed alongside her, and this time, the live stream kicked off.

Zhu Lexing curved her lips into a grin and waved at the camera.

The stream started fast, but thousands of fans were already camped out, and the barrage comments erupted instantly.

-Am I first?

-Holy shit! Xing!

-Go insane for Ming! Go mad for Ming! Bang my head against the wall for Ming!

-You’re right, but Zhou Yi and Zhou Er are the perfect, irreplaceable idols! Support Zhou Yi and Zhou Er!

-Sister Zhang San, take me with you!

The text scrolled by at breakneck speed. The last three were support barrages for the four resident guests on 《Let’s Farm Together》:

Wang Xiaoming, a comedian with a super memorable name and a ton of casual fans.

Zhou Yi and Zhou Er, twin sisters who’d debuted from a survival show just months ago.

Zhang San, an award-winning actress and the group’s senior member, but never one to pull rank—gentle and wise.

And all four of them were Betas.

Zhu Lexing had taken the gig partly because the all-Beta cast reminded her of the Zhu Family.

She shook off the thought and engaged the barrage instead. “Do you guys know who the mystery guest is?”

Eager to chat, the support fans dropped their copy-pastes and fired off guesses.

【Who’s Xingxing guessing?】

Zhu Lexing spotted that one and opened her mouth to reply when a delicate, piping voice called from behind her—

“Xingxing!”

She turned to see Xi Xue standing a short distance away, three massive suitcases in tow.

The cameraman was stuck helping, camera in one hand while the other lugged two of her bags.

Xi Xue was dressed to the nines, complete with a designer handbag—like she was strutting a runway, not heading out to farm.

The moment she spotted Zhu Lexing, she blinked and put on a pitiful face. “Xingxing, could you help me carry one?”

Zhu Lexing: “…”

There were too many things wrong with that request for her to even start.

The barrage lit up.

-Holy shit, Missy, you think this is a vacation? That much luggage?

-No need to say more, 6!

-Uh, maybe it’s got important stuff? No need to be so vicious.

Zhu Lexing turned straight to the cameraman. “Can’t the van just drive her in?”

He looked torn, but Xi Xue was already closing in. Zhu Lexing smoothly sidestepped her attempt to cling, just as the Omega wheedled, “Xingxing, pretty please?”

Zhu Lexing kept her face blank. “How many hands do you see?”

Xi Xue: “…Two.”

Zhu Lexing: “And how am I supposed to carry all that with two hands? You think I’ve got eight?”

Xi Xue opened her mouth. “But you’re an Alpha—”

Zhu Lexing: “Alphas still haven’t evolved extra arms.”

Xi Xue fell silent.

In the end, the car did arrive. After all, the Xi Family was a major sponsor—they couldn’t afford to skimp on the details, especially not where Xi Xue was concerned.

But when it came time for the two of them to board, Xi Xue hesitated once more. “Xingxing, I want to walk with you.”

-Double-checking that I clicked on the farming variety show

-Sis, we’re not filming 《Charming Domineering Senior Sister》—snap out of it, okay?

-Feels like Zhu Lexing is about to snap

Zhu Lexing didn’t snap, but she was perilously close.

Whether they walked or rode made no difference to her—her physique had improved dramatically since becoming an Alpha. The only thing she truly cared about was Yan Mian.

Yan Mian never meddled in Zhu Lexing’s social life. Unless Zhu Lexing brought it up herself, she wouldn’t utter a single question.

That was how Yan Mian was, and it suited Zhu Lexing just fine. It only made her more determined to keep a proper distance from any Omegas besides Yan Mian.

Zhu Lexing said, “Let’s not.”

Xi Xue was stubbornly insistent. “Why not?”

Zhu Lexing gave it some careful thought and came up with a flawless excuse.

“I just got tested the other day, but it turns out I’m allergic to Omegas,” she said. “Sorry about that.”

Her tone was utterly sincere, as if it were gospel truth.

In that moment, Xi Xue wasn’t the only one left speechless and fuming as she climbed into the car. Even the barrage comments fell into a brief wave of “…” before erupting in bewildered questions.

-Is that for real?

-How could an Alpha be allergic to Omegas? Obviously fake, but come on—don’t make up something that ridiculous!

-Mystery Guest just showed her face. Zhu Lexing, you allergic to this Omega?

-!!! One look and it’s clear—she’s gotta be the one Zhu Lexing’s most allergic to hahahaha

-Who is that?!

-Holy shit! Get back to the main room quick—

The barrage went berserk in an instant. By then, however, Zhu Lexing was already shouldering her bag and strolling down a rustic path. Free-range chickens and ducks occasionally wandered by, and each time one did, she paused in her tracks.

The cameraman chimed in at just the right moment. “What’re you thinking about, Lexing?”

Zhu Lexing replied, “Free-range chicken—tender meat, should taste amazing.”

Cameraman: “…………”

-Chicken: Someone speak up for me!

-Duck: This feels like a two-man comedy skit

-To be precise: two birds

When Zhu Lexing reached the Pastoral Cottage where the other four guests were staying, the car carrying Xi Xue was parked right by the roadside.

There was no doorbell, so she knocked on the door.

No answer.

Zhu Lexing tried the handle tentatively, and the door swung right open.

The house was cozily furnished, its walls plastered with group photos of the guests. The living room stood empty of guests. Instead, the moment Zhu Lexing stepped inside, her eyes met the director’s.

The director smiled. “Lexing, welcome to 《Let’s Farm Together》.”

Zhu Lexing rarely did variety shows, but even she could spot the scheming glint in that smile.

Sure enough, his next words laid out the challenge. “Since you’re the last guest to arrive on set, you have five minutes to find all the others. Fail, and no one gets breakfast today.”

Zhu Lexing stared at the director.

The director stared right back.

Off to the side, by the doorframe, a head suddenly poked out, silently peering into the room.

Zhu Lexing spotted it in her peripheral vision but said nothing. A few stray barrage comments noticed, but otherwise, no one did.

Neither of them spoke. The living room hung in perfect silence, save for the barrage comments flooding in like mad.

-What are you two even doing?!

-Why does the silence feel funnier than actual talking?

-Everything’s in the unspoken vibe! If you know, you know!

In the end, the director cracked first. “Any questions?”

Zhu Lexing, who had been racking her brain over a slew of convoluted rules moments before: “I was just wondering—is that it? That’s all?”

Director: “…” What else would it be?!

The Pastoral Cottage wasn’t large, but searching it still took time—especially for Zhu Lexing, who didn’t know the layout, and with no clue where anyone might be hiding.

Tie everyone’s breakfast to the outcome as punishment, and even if it was all for show, you’d expect some urgency!

How was Zhu Lexing so nonchalant about it?

Spotting the director’s flabbergasted look, Zhu Lexing nodded. “Alright, start the timer now.”

She strode off without a second’s hesitation. A few barrage comments grumbled that she was being flippant, dismissive of the game, or rude—but they were quickly buried under a tidal wave of “Holy shit”—

In just twenty seconds, Zhu Lexing found the Zhou Yi and Zhou Er sisters by the swing outside the cottage.

-?? Why’d she head out so confidently? Wouldn’t a normal person hesitate first?

-Just shut it down, Xing—no point

-Or maybe… going straight was the simplest option?

-So refreshingly straightforward

The real reason was even simpler than the barrage guesses.

Zhou Yi said, “Sister Zhang’s in the room on the left upstairs.”

Zhou Er said, “Little Ming’s in…”

One sentence from each, and they’d spilled the locations of everyone else—except they said nothing about the two mystery guests.

Zhu Lexing didn’t mind a bit.

She’d search with what effort she could muster. If she came up empty, so be it.

Breakfast was everyone’s problem, after all.

If the others didn’t care, why should she play the hero?

Just go with the flow!

In two minutes flat, Zhu Lexing rounded up every last one—even hauling Xi Xue downstairs amid her unpacking of several suitcases.

The director announced, “Good, but there’s still one final guest unaccounted for.”

In the last thirty seconds, Zhu Lexing scanned the room.

She’d given every space a once-over. Time constraints meant no one could’ve strayed far—no intentional sabotage here.

The last one’s spot had to be somewhere obvious, just a few steps from anywhere.

Her thoughts drifted for a few seconds. Then Zhu Lexing’s gaze snapped to the doorway outside.

From the moment she stepped through the door, she had kept walking forward without ever considering turning back. It was only now, upon closer inspection, that Zhu Lexing realized the door was ajar.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Zhu Lexing stepped forward and pushed it open.

Outside, the sycamore trees formed a lush expanse of green, hazy light filtering down and falling across the Omega. She stared at the barrage comments, responding only occasionally, her expression one of utter detachment—as if indifference were simply her natural state.

It wasn’t until she noticed Zhu Lexing that the faintest ripple disturbed her serene composure.

Yan Mian turned to Zhu Lexing, her eyes like a crystal-clear spring, a gentle curve at her lips. “Xingxing.”

The instant Zhu Lexing laid eyes on Yan Mian, she understood exactly what that “we’ll meet again soon” had meant.

…So the morning shoot was for this?

Why hadn’t she said anything beforehand?

A thousand thoughts raced through Zhu Lexing’s mind, but all she betrayed was the smile she couldn’t suppress at the corners of her mouth.

– Keep pretending, just keep pretending.

– Some people stir up drama without even tagging first. If you can’t be a proper hater, go home and farm—turning back is the path to salvation!

– No, I’ve been watching the live stream since Yan Mian showed up. Half an hour of barrage comments brainwashing everyone that their relationship is bad? Which couple on bad terms greets each other with “Xingxing” right off the bat?

– Zhu Lexing’s reaction is weird too. Smiling like that the moment they meet, so ambiguously… I won’t buy that there’s nothing going on.

– Casual passersby, please don’t speak if you don’t get it. That smile from Zhu Lexing is clearly one of contempt! A mocking sneer!

Amid the barrage of skepticism, Yan Mian said casually, “Come help me with my luggage.”

Zhu Lexing glanced at her. “Can’t you handle one suitcase?”

Even so, she stepped forward on instinct and picked it up.

Yan Mian replied offhandedly, “I could before.”

“Why not now?” Zhu Lexing pressed, unusually stubborn.

Yan Mian met her gaze seriously, a smile playing on her lips. “Because someone takes it for me. I’ve gotten used to it.”

Looking at Yan Mian’s expression, Zhu Lexing felt it wasn’t habit so much as pure, spoiled indulgence.

And yet, she ate it up. After a few seconds of silence, she finally murmured an “Mm.”

The barrage exploded even more fiercely.

– Zhu Lexing only grabbed the luggage out of politeness, but Yan Mian’s attitude shows no gratitude—just entitlement. Case closed.

– Get real. Who’d want anything to do with your fave? All she does is romance dramas, acting like a total lovebrain with zero alpha energy. Mianmian shines solo! Stop clinging!

– Zhu Lexing’s face is red as an apple! How can some people stay so stubbornly in denial?

– Yan Mian is loving this fishing expedition. Fans, stop insisting she hates lovebrains lol.

– To avoid egg on fans’ faces, Xingxing Mianmian, please announce you’re on good terms!

– Previous commenter is wrong—it should be Lucky Star and Miemie Mian making up!

– The ship names match the real couple so perfectly, I ship it.

【Riding A Crane To Work】: Isn’t it possible—just possible—that they gave each other those names?

– Why does a farming variety show have ballet fans in the audience?

– Don’t care about the rest, but that last one, don’t go! Spill more on those five-mao trolls!

~~~