WMSR — QT Chapter 166

 

WMSR – QT Chapter 166

By

siofra

Chapter 166

In truth, not only Colin's previous three date partners, but the vast majority of alphas participating in the annual marriage matching, were only ever treated to a single glass of beverage. The rare few who secured the privilege of having food ordered for them were universally the candidates with whom the omega felt exceptionally satisfied, as a spread of exquisite delicacies allowed the two parties to converse leisurely while dining, easily stretching the duration of the date by two-to-threefold.

Even so, what they were witnessing right before their eyes was simply too preposterous—an omega proactively picking up the menu to ask an alpha what he wanted to eat was something they wouldn't even dare to dream of in their wildest fantasies.

Naturally, Bai Yichen remained completely oblivious to all of this. Although he was striving hard to adapt to the world's abo framework, his soul was fundamentally non-native, meaning many of his instinctive habits and thought patterns could not be overhauled overnight. Seeing the opposite omega take the initiative to pick up the menu and ask what he wanted, he simply replied with polite indifference that anything was fine.

Seeing this, although Colin felt a pang of regret at failing to probe what food the other favored, he didn't dwell on it and began making selections on his own. Omegas were generally quite familiar with high-end dining establishments, and Colin had patronized this specific restaurant on a few prior occasions. Relying on memory, he ordered a couple of dishes he personally recalled being flavorful, and then—driven by a certain private selfishness—intentionally added several items that required an exceptionally lengthy preparation and consumption time.

While one person diligently handled the ordering and the other sat quietly waiting, the arrangement appeared remarkably harmonious. However, inside Colin's livestream chat room, a massive wave of viewers was already howling in sheer disbelief.

"Ah!"

"Ahhh! What’s wrong with you, Colin, wake up! This guy is acting like some supreme master, why are you being so nice to him?!"

"I’ve truly seen it all today; to think there actually exists an alpha in this world who carries himself higher than an omega, yet still manages to have an omega doting on him."

"My mind is completely fried, I refuse to believe this isn't a dream."

Regardless of how rowdy the livestream chat room grew, within the couple restaurant itself, soft and soothing music played softly in the background. The two individuals sat quietly across from one another inside the secluded dining booth framed by decorative dividers and greenery, presenting an idyllic picture of tranquil harmony.

A gentle smile remained plastered across Colin's face—an expression he had carefully practiced in front of his mirror over the past few days to ensure it looked its absolute best. He gazed at the alpha seated directly opposite him, virtually reluctant to blink even for a second. He really came; he is right here before me, and he's actually on a date with me.

Observing this alpha up close and facing him in the flesh, Colin found himself utterly incapable of curbing his racing heartbeat. This alpha was even more exquisite than he had appeared through the digital recording.

For reasons unknown, ever since taking his seat opposite this omega, Bai Yichen had harbored a lingering sense of subtle discomfort—as though he were being fixed under the steady gaze of some invisible observer. 

Yet when Bai Yichen cast a casual, seemingly nonchalant glance to the left and right, he failed to detect anything out of the ordinary. He then turned his attention back to the serene, gently smiling omega seated across from him; surely, it couldn't be coming from him.

While Bai Yichen remained lost in silent contemplation, the dishes previously ordered by Colin were served to the table. Because the couple restaurant had been entirely bought out for the duration of the three-day matching event, catering exclusively to the participating couples without accepting outside patrons, the service speed was remarkably prompt, boasting truly first-class hospitality.

"Bai, can I call you that?" Colin inquired in a soft, melodious tone, wearing an engaging smile.

Bai Yichen paused momentarily before giving a slight nod; it was merely a form of address, and he held no particular objections.

Seeing the other party grant permission for the moniker, Colin's eyes lit up and he smiled even brighter. "Then let's dig in."

Bai Yichen gave a nod of assent. However, the moment he cast his gaze down toward the assorted platters resting on the table, he abruptly froze into silence.

Concurrently, an explosion of activity erupted inside the livestream chat room. Countless viewers clutched their chests, declaring that their emotional health bars had been completely depleted by how breathtakingly radiant Colin's smile was.

Yet an even larger faction of the audience experienced a deep, sour sense of alienation. That cold, aloof Colin they carried in their memories—when had he ever grown so prone to smiling?

Additionally, a subset of viewers whose focus veered in a rather peculiar direction stared intently at the livestream feed, peppering the chat with perplexed inquiries directed at other users: Why on earth wasn't Bai Angus eating anything?

Once one person pointed it out, an increasing number of spectators tuned in to observe the anomaly, promptly verifying that it was indeed true: Colin had already commenced his meal, yet the alpha opposite him remained rigidly seated like a wooden post, completely motionless.

Returning to the reality within the booth, Bai Yichen stared at the bizarre, intricate contraptions resting inside every plate, concluding that it wasn't that he lacked appetite, but rather that he was utterly at a loss as to where one was even supposed to begin.

The brightly colored, complex objects laid out before him appeared somewhat analogous to armored, shelled aquatic organisms akin to crabs or seafood from Earth. Yet their structural anatomy bore zero resemblance to standard crabs, exhibiting a vastly more intricate configuration that left Bai Yichen completely baffled regarding how to crack them open. 

He attempted to observe how others handled the task, only to find his opposite companion executing a series of nimble, fluid maneuvers with practiced ease, rendering any attempt at observational learning futile. Left with no viable alternative, he simply remained seated in motionless stillness.

Having consumed his first bite, Colin noticed with mild bewilderment that the alpha across from him had yet to touch his food. Hesitantly raising his head, he queried his companion: " Bai, what's wrong? Do you not care for these dishes?"

Bai Yichen maintained a brief silence before opting for absolute candor: "I'm not particularly adept at eating these."

Colin blinked in surprise, before a realization struck him with sudden clarity. His Bai had served within the military department all this time, and military rations invariably emphasized balanced nutritional profiles, speed, and convenience—entirely devoid of complex, time-consuming delicacies. 

Furthermore, many of these seafood varieties represented newly discovered biological species unearthed in recent years from a distant star system, currently distributed exclusively across high-end dining establishments within the Imperial Capital. Even within those luxury venues, patrons would never encounter them unless specifically requested.

Once he pieced together those critical factors, a wave of heavy remorse and self-reproach flooded Colin's chest. Every single dish on the table had been hand-picked by him; during the ordering process, driven by the selfish desire to prolong their date for as long as humanly possible, he had subconsciously gravitated toward ingredients that demanded agonizingly extended consumption periods, completely failing to factor in extraneous variables. This oversight had culminated in such an awkward misunderstanding—would his Bai suspect he had deliberately laid out a trap to embarrass him? 

Panicking, Colin hastened to offer an apology and explanation: "I'm so sorry, it's my fault, it's entirely—"

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