LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 102: A Dinner Party Under Distorted Rules
A bizarre scene unfolded: three versions of Mei, each with a distinct personality, sat at the same table. Dr. MEI, mature and composed. The fabricated Mei, shy and withdrawn. And the real Mei, gentle and innocent.
Kiana was in heaven.
"Hee hee… three Meis…" She practically drooled.
But something even stranger happened. Li Mo, usually impassive, stared intently at Kiana, his teeth unconsciously biting his lip, a telltale sign of emotional turmoil.
The real Mei, oblivious to Kiana's antics, watched Li Mo, her gaze mirroring that of the fabricated Mei.
Li Mo watched Kiana, Kiana watched the three Meis, the Meis watched Li Mo… a tangled web of gazes.
The three near-identical girls, their shared beauty and distinct auras, drew the attention of the other diners.
"Triplets? Who are those girls? They're gorgeous."
"Don't you know? That's Raiden Mei! The ME Corp heiress. The one who was in prison."
"Who are the other two? Ryoma's illegitimate daughters?"
"That guy's so lucky! I'm so jealous! Surrounded by beautiful girls!"
"Isn't it strange, though? He's clearly into the white-haired girl, staring at her like that…"
"But she's not even looking at him. It's Mei who's looking at him…"
"What a weird love quadrangle."
The restaurant buzzed with gossip, but their table remained eerily silent. Except for Dr. MEI, none of them seemed… normal.
"Let's eat. Mei is treating us, to thank Li Mo for saving her life three days ago."
"Eat quickly. We have things to do."
"Well? What are you waiting for?" MEI picked up her fork, noticing the strange stillness at the table. The others were just staring at each other. And Li Mo… he shouldn't be showing such blatant, human desire. That's why she'd brought him here in this state, to avoid such distractions.
The dream's influence? Does it apply to all Kianas? What a twisted Kiana-fanboy…
And the real Mei… why is she looking at him like that? She's not supposed to be interested in boys. Only Kiana.
MEI smiled, spearing a piece of steak and holding it to Li Mo's lips.
"Say ah~"
Li Mo blinked, his mouth opening instinctively. "Ah?"
She popped the steak into his mouth.
He chewed slowly, glancing at her, confused by her amusement.
"I want some too! Mei, feed me! Ah~" Kiana opened her mouth wide.
Li Mo instinctively reached for another piece of steak.
"Kiana, I…"
"Brother… I want to feed you too," the fabricated Mei whispered.
The real Mei froze, her hands clenching her skirt. Why do I want to feed him? I barely know him. This dinner is just to thank him…
But she felt a strange compulsion, a need to… do something.
Her will crumbled. She mimicked MEI's actions, spearing a piece of steak and holding it to Li Mo's lips.
"I… I… thank you for saving me! Please… eat… me…" She blurted out the words, a jumbled mess of gratitude and a bizarre, misplaced offer, her face burning, her mind screaming.
What am I doing?! Where's a hole to hide in?!
"What… did you just say?" Li Mo asked, bewildered.
MEI chuckled. She'd anticipated this.
"Mei, wrong target!" Kiana giggled.
Li Mo was confused. He barely knew the real Mei. And "eat me"? What did that even mean? He felt no attraction towards any of them, not even MEI, only a sense of camaraderie, of shared purpose.
"I don't want it."
"Sorry… I was being presumptuous." Mei sat back, a wave of guilt washing over her. She hadn't helped him. The thought was a physical ache, a constant torment.
"Kiana, do you want some?" Li Mo offered.
"Huh? Why would I want your steak? You saved Mei, not me. Go away."
"Okay…" He withdrew his hand, his appetite gone. He shook his head. The dream's influence was still lingering. He had to be more careful.
He noticed MEI recording the scene with her phone.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking a souvenir."
"Did you get their consent?"
"Sue me."
"Can I?"
"Obviously not. I'll throw the judge in jail too."
Li Mo was speechless. He lacked the emotional capacity for outrage, but if he did, he'd be erupting like a volcano.