Chapter 89 Part 1

The two of them ate quickly, polishing off most of the dishes on the table in less than half an hour.

Of course, most of it had gone into Pei Yao’s stomach.

Mu Chenxing felt jealous. “If I ate this much, do you think I could grow a bit taller?”

“You’d probably just get a little chubbier,” Pei Yao chuckled. “I like you chubby too. Eat more.”

Mu Chenxing glared at him. “You’re hopeless.”

“How is that hopeless?” Pei Yao glanced at the remaining dishes on the table and actually pulled up the ordering holo-screen. “I’ll get a few desserts for you to take back as a midnight snack. I hear sweets make you gain weight the fastest—”

He got kicked.

Mu Chenxing glared at him. “I can’t eat anymore.”

Pei Yao hesitated, then got kicked again.

He relented. “Fine, then. I’ll order for you when you get back to Central Star.”

Mu Chenxing wrinkled his nose. “Didn’t we agree not to order food anymore?”

They were on different planets, and Pei Yao was often out on inspections. Their schedules never aligned, and they couldn’t always stay in touch. He’d once ordered food for Mu Chenxing, but he’d been off visiting Luo Chen at the time, and it spoiled.

They’d agreed after that not to order anything perishable.

Pei Yao wouldn’t give up. “Fresh-made stuff won’t work, but something shelf-stable should be fine, right?”

Mu Chenxing said, “…Stop messing around. Factoring in shipping time, I won’t have many days left on Central Star. What are you even buying?”

Pei Yao replied, “Even a few days is a few days. I can’t shortchange my baby—”

“No buying!” Mu Chenxing grabbed his arm, exasperated. “Haven’t you bought enough for me these past few years? Don’t go looking for trouble!”

Pei Yao grumbled, “I’ve hardly bought anything. You never really like it anyway. You always just brush me off.”

Mu Chenxing let go of him. “…It’s not brushing you off. It’s just your taste—I can’t like it.”

It was all pink, yellow, sparkly stuff. The fact that he hadn’t thrown it out was already true love.

Pei Yao protested, “Those are all top-selling Omega styles, straight from the bestseller lists!”

Mu Chenxing pointed at himself. “Look at me. Take a good look. Your Omega can punch a bunch of Alphas flying. You think an Omega like me can wear pink pants?!”

Pei Yao argued righteously, “Why not? No matter how strong you are, you’re still an Omega. Hobbies are hobbies, behavior is behavior. You’re an Omega—you can wear pink lace and still beat up Alphas!”

Mu Chenxing accidentally pictured it and instantly broke out in goosebumps. He swung a fist.

Pei Yao took the punch out of nowhere and blinked in confusion. “What?”

Mu Chenxing gave him a deadpan stare. “You like pink lace?”

“I don’t.”

Mu Chenxing punched him again. “I said pink pants, and you bring up pink lace?”

Pei Yao: “…”

He pulled the man into his arms and coaxed helplessly, “Alright, alright. You don’t like lace. You like pink.”

“…I don’t like either!” Mu Chenxing struggled. “Let go. This is uncomfortable.”

They were sitting face-to-face. He’d been yanked forward from the waist up, but his butt was still on the chair. It was torture.

Pei Yao scooped him up with one arm and settled him on his lap. “There, that’s better.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

He glanced at the time. Over half the hour was already gone.

He hesitated, then shifted a little to get comfortable… No one could see anyway.

Pei Yao had been watching him the whole time and caught the glance at the clock. He soothingly stroked the back of Mu Chenxing’s head.

Mu Chenxing pushed his hand away—but then grabbed it back and stared at the ring on his finger.

Pei Yao kissed his temple. “The match is over. Remember to wear the ring when you go out.”

“Oh.” Mu Chenxing touched the ring. “What material is this?”

“Star Night Stone.”

It really was star-related. Mu Chenxing’s eyes curved in a smile. He didn’t ask the price. “I might not be able to wear it after enlistment.”

Pei Yao said, “No problem. The main thing is for you to wear it outside. No one in the military district would dare go after you.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

So arrogant.

He touched the ring again, circling back to the earlier topic. “Don’t buy me stuff from Omega bestseller lists anymore. Just ask me.”

“Where’s the surprise in that?” Pei Yao played with his fingers in turn. “Why don’t you tell me now?”

Mu Chenxing was straightforward. “Sure.”

“For clothes, I like casual, comfortable stuff. Nothing too flashy in color. Daily items should be simple and practical. For food…”

He rattled off his preferences.

Pei Yao listened quietly.

Mu Chenxing finished a long list but got no response. He grabbed Pei Yao’s hand. “Were you even listening?”

“Mm.” Pei Yao tightened his arm and chuckled lowly. “We still have to meet in person. Online, you barely say a word.”

Mu Chenxing: “…Messages take over ten hours or even days round-trip. Who has the mood for that?”

The time lag alone annoyed him.

Pei Yao kissed his temple again. “Mm. These past few years must’ve been tough on you.”

“…It’s not that bad. It’s just…” Mu Chenxing paused, then admitted honestly, “First relationship. I’m not used to it. Cut me some slack.”

Pei Yao laughed, pinching his ear and brushing his cheek. “Same here. Cut me some slack too.”

Mu Chenxing’s gaze fell on those smiling thin lips. He licked his own, steadied himself on Pei Yao’s shoulder, and leaned in.

…

…

“…Can’t anymore.” Mu Chenxing grabbed Pei Yao’s hand sneaking under his clothes and struggled. “You— you should go…”

Pei Yao: “…”

He let go, dropped his head on Mu Chenxing’s shoulder, and sighed. “Gotta wait another month.”

Mu Chenxing caught his breath, trying his best to ignore the “lap cushion’s” reaction. “Just one month left.”

“…True.” Pei Yao lifted his head, planted a couple more kisses, and said, “Good thing you’re on break at home. At least that’s reassuring.”

“…What are you worried about when I’m at school?”

Pei Yao said, “You’re around a bunch of Alphas every day. How can I not worry?”

He gnashed his teeth a bit. “Daily training is one thing, but sparring? Don’t you get groped every day?”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

If those Alphas he’d beaten black and blue heard that, they’d curse up a storm.

“You think everyone is like you? Even when I hit you, it feels like flirting?”

Wait.

“No, wait. I’ve built up my strength these past few years…” He sat up straight, eyeing Pei Yao eagerly. “Maybe now I could beat you— land a few hits on you.”

Pei Yao: “…”

He pressed the man back into his arms and rubbed him roughly. “Even ten more years of training, and you still couldn’t beat me. Don’t even think about it.”

Mu Chenxing struggled. “Let’s try. Maybe?”

The “lap cushion” hissed, and he froze, not daring to move.

Pei Yao was dying here. He kneaded Mu Chenxing’s lower back fiercely. “One day, we’ll have it out—you die, I live.”

What kind of “fight” that would be went without saying.

Mu Chenxing pouted but didn’t dare provoke him further.

He’d trained hard for over three years and still couldn’t break free of Pei Yao’s arm. Winning a real fight? No chance. And that other thing? Hopeless too… So, later, then.

Pei Yao held him and calmed down for a while. Time was almost up.

It was dinnertime rush now, and the restaurant had gotten busier.

Pei Yao had taken off his military jacket, but with that face and build, he still stood out. Mu Chenxing had been worried he’d get recognized, but as they left, people only glanced—no one cared.

He looked around and relaxed. Then he couldn’t resist saying, “Looks like you’re not that famous after all.”

Pei Yao sighed helplessly. “I’m not a celebrity. Outside military fans and academy students, who remembers what I look like? Think about it—do you even remember what the Alliance ministers look like?”

…That comparison made sense. Mu Chenxing fully relaxed. “Nice. We can go out to eat and travel together in the future.”

Pei Yao ruffled his hair and slung an arm around his shoulders. “Come on. I’ll walk you back to the hotel.”

“Mm.”

It only took a few minutes to fly from the restaurant to the hotel. After landing on the rooftop pad, Pei Yao insisted on escorting Mu Chenxing to his room door.

Zhang Yunli and Fu Mingyuan were already waiting.

The moment they saw them, Zhang Yunli pulled Mu Chenxing over and inspected him up and down, even tugging at his collar.

Mu Chenxing was mortified and clutched his clothes. “Teacher, we just went to eat. Eat! That’s it!!”

Pei Yao had just nodded to the saluting Fu Mingyuan when he saw this and immediately pulled Mu Chenxing to his side.

Fu Mingyuan also yanked Zhang Yunli back. “Ahem, sorry. My spouse is just a bit nervous.”

Zhang Yunli struggled. “Xingxing’s still a kid! He went after an 18-year-old. Who knows what he’d do—”

Fu Mingyuan clamped a hand over his mouth and gave Pei Yao a dry laugh.

Pei Yao ignored them completely, straightened Mu Chenxing’s collar, and said, “I have to go. Call me if anything comes up. If you can’t reach me, leave a message.”

Mu Chenxing: “Mm. Stay safe.”

Pei Yao caressed his cheek, nodded to Fu Mingyuan—who was still holding Zhang Yunli—and turned to leave.

Mu Chenxing watched until he was out of sight before looking away, only to meet Zhang Yunli’s exasperated glare.

“Coaxed at 18, still getting coaxed now? Can’t you show some backbone?!”

Mu Chenxing touched his nose. “I didn’t lose out. He’s an admiral, after all.”