Chapter 29: Mo Han’s Dilemma

Mo Han had always thought that the First Prince, sheltered within the palace walls since childhood, with his shallow experience and simple nature, would be easy to handle.

Back when the First Prince came to the Mo Family to investigate Mo Lin, the fabricated identity he’d concocted was seen through by Mo Han in less than ten minutes. Mo Han had played along, staging a grand act, precisely to make the First Prince lose interest in Mo Lin the Omega. That would completely resolve the trouble the royal genetic matching had brought upon Mo Lin.

The plan had gone smoothly. The First Prince had developed a strong aversion to the weeping, wailing Omega Mo Lin and never mentioned him again afterward.

Mo Han had believed the matter was settled. Yet, who could have imagined? Luo Fei, disliking Omega Mo Lin, had ended up developing feelings for Alpha Mo Han?

To even like an Alpha—the First Prince truly had unique tastes, willing to take anything, raw or cooked!

Mo Han’s expression stiffened as he stared at the First Prince before him. Luo Fei was two years his junior. He’d always thought this guy was adorably foolish and had only been playing along with the act to tease him a bit. But now… with his slightly flushed cheeks and earnest eyes looking straight at him, confessing so sincerely, Luo Fei looked every inch the typical youth experiencing his first stirrings of love.

To get himself entangled in an act of his own making—was he, Mo Han, the first case of this in the entire empire?

After an awkward silence stretched on, Mo Han finally gathered his wits. He cleared his throat lightly, averted his gaze from Luo Fei’s intense stare, and turned to walk towards the porthole.

Staring out at the distant sky, he stated flatly, “Luo Fei, I am an Alpha.”

Bathed in the golden light, Mo Han’s profile was flawlessly perfect. Luo Fei looked at it with bright, shining eyes, his gaze overflowing with admiration. “I know you’re an Alpha. But my feelings for you have nothing to do with whether you’re Alpha or Omega. I like you, the person. I don’t like your pheromones.”

Mo Han: “…”

What kind of twisted logic was that? Yet, it seemed to possess a strange sort of logic…

Luo Fei continued earnestly, “You might think it’s sudden. But liking someone—sometimes it just happens so abruptly.” He stepped forward to stand side-by-side with Mo Han, looking out at the gilded sky. With a smile, he added, “Some people can spend over a decade together and never develop that feeling called ‘love.’ Like me and Iman. Even though we grew up together, our feelings for each other are simply like those for real brothers. There’s just no spark.”

He turned his head to look at Mo Han, his tone exceptionally tender. “But you—the very first time I saw you on that spaceship, I felt you were special. You wore a mask, and your eyes were so striking. You drew me in at first glance. Later, seeing you at Old Master Mo’s banquet, standing gracefully behind President Mo, I was overwhelmed with surprise. I never expected to encounter you again.”

“I heard many stories about you from Emile, and after seeing your younger brother, my curiosity about you both only grew. Getting to know you bit by bit, selecting plants together in the botanical garden—my attention was completely captivated by you. When a day passed without seeing you, I couldn’t help thinking about you. I was fascinated by everything concerning you. I know this feeling is what they call ‘liking someone.'”

Mo Han: “…”

His confession was very sincere. Yet Mo Han felt his scalp tingling and numbness spreading through him.

Being liked by an Alpha two years his junior—it felt akin to being nipped at the pants leg by a persistent little puppy. Frankly, the sensation was not pleasant at all!

Mo Han couldn’t help but interrupt Luo Fei, “Doesn’t your Royal Family have a rule? That princes must get engaged to the most suitable Omega once they come of age?”

Luo Fei explained with a smile, “That rule was abolished by Royal Father long ago. I have absolutely no intention of getting engaged to any Omega.”

The corner of Mo Han’s mouth twitched violently. “Then why did you come to the Mo Family to investigate Mo Lin? Wasn’t it because his compatibility with you was so high, and you were thinking of getting engaged to him? That’s why you came to check him out?”

Luo Fei clarified, “No, not at all. I was just curious and wanted to see what he looked like.”

Mo Han: “…”

So, from the very beginning, he had completely misunderstood the First Prince’s intentions?! Luo Fei never had any plans to get engaged to the Omega Mo Lin. He was merely curious and came to take a look!

So why had he, Mo Han, put on such an elaborate act?! Letting the First Prince meet Mo Lin had been entirely unnecessary, a redundant move!

And because the act was too convincing, it backfired. It had piqued Luo Fei’s curiosity about Mo Han and made Luo Fei fall for the identity of “Mo Han” instead!

Mo Han was so full of regret his guts were practically turning green with it.

If he’d known it would end up like this, why on earth had he staged that whole charade?!

This felt exactly like lifting a rock only to smash his own foot with breathtaking force.

Mo Han remained silent, and Luo Fei couldn’t think of any more lines for his confession. The atmosphere inside the mecha cockpit descended into silence.

The awkward silence grew heavier, but the scenery outside was breathtakingly beautiful. The soft golden light of dusk gently blanketed Capital Star, gilding the clouds in the sky. Above the bustling metropolis, with Chongming slowing its flight, they seemed to glide through clouds of pure gold.

The vast sky surrounded them, the concrete jungle of skyscrapers sprawling far below. Standing side by side, neither of them broke the silence.

Luo Fei’s mind was racing: “What else can I say to touch his heart?”

Chongming mentally supplied, “Master, I don’t think you can touch his heart!”

Mo Han’s mind was equally occupied: “What can I say to make him give up?”

Noah mentally retorted, “Master, I don’t think he will give up easily.”

Two deeply conflicted masters, and two mechas gleefully enjoying the drama without fear of being dismantled by their masters—all communicating within the realm of their mental link.

After a long while, Mo Han finally managed to organize his thoughts. He turned back and looked calmly at Luo Fei. “Thank you for thinking so highly of me. But Luo Fei, it’s impossible for us to be together.”

Although the First Prince was naive and simple-minded, it was precisely this pure and simple confession that made Mo Han reluctant to use overly harsh words that might hurt him.

Mo Han could feel the sincerity and purity of Luo Fei’s affection. So, he felt it was better to be clear upfront, to avoid giving him false hope that would only lead to greater disappointment later.

Having reached this conclusion, Mo Han took a deep breath and spoke seriously, “First and foremost, you are the First Prince of the Empire, while my identity is that of an Alpha. For you to be with an Alpha—you would face enormous resistance. Your Royal Father might not agree. The citizens of the Empire might not accept an Alpha as Prince Consort…”

Luo Fei countered, “That doesn’t matter. My Royal Father is very open-minded. Back in his day, he defied all objections to love a Beta. So, he will certainly understand me. I guarantee I can handle that conversation with him. As for the citizens… I will also find ways to help them understand. Liking someone is inherently a pure feeling. There’s no need to obsess over status or background. The Empire now has freedom of marriage. Though there’s no precedent for an Alpha-Alpha marriage, I can set that precedent for you.”

He turned his head, his gaze meeting Mo Han’s with unwavering intensity. “I only know that you are the Prince Consort I have decided upon. Apart from you, I want no one else.”

Mo Han: “…”

His directness and earnestness sent a tremor through Mo Han’s heart.

This kind of feeling—liking someone with such simple courage and unwavering certainty, disregarding worldly conventions, wanting to be with that person—it was like the purest, most flawless first snow of the season, gently settling upon the tip of Mo Han’s heart.

Mo Han was incredibly popular at Herman University; this wasn’t the first time someone had confessed to him.

But Luo Fei’s straightforward and simple confession was like a sharp sword, instantly piercing through every barrier around his heart, striking straight at its deepest core.

Mo Han felt a splitting headache.

If it were an ordinary person confessing, he would have refused decisively without hesitation. Even if it meant speaking hurtful words, it wouldn’t bother him.

But with Luo Fei… he found himself unable to be so ruthless. A person so earnest and adorable, so sincere—it was honestly hard not to soften.

Mo Han sighed inwardly. Looking at Luo Fei, he said, “Luo Fei, even if you don’t mind that I’m an Alpha, I cannot return with you to the Royal Palace to become some Prince Consort. I bear many responsibilities. I cannot leave the Mo Family. Fengyang Group represents the blood, sweat, and tears of several generations of our Mo ancestors. Now, Fengyang Group’s subsidiaries span all the star systems of the Empire—its scale is immense. I am the designated heir of the Mo Family. I cannot abandon all of this to follow you.”

Mo Han paused briefly, then continued, “From any perspective, I am not suited to be your Prince Consort.”

Luo Fei started to protest, “But I—”

Before he could utter a rebuttal, Mo Han cut him off in a low voice. “Hear me out. You grew up sheltered by your Royal Father. The people you’ve met, the things you’ve experienced—they’re too few. You’ve never met a hacker like me before and found I’m different from the friends around you. I can understand being temporarily attracted to that. But this is a fleeting impulse. It doesn’t mean you should decide on me. I think you should calm down and seriously consider this. Perhaps after you’ve experienced more, after you’ve met even more outstanding young people, your perspective will change.”

Luo Fei fell silent.

He had known all along that Mo Han wouldn’t easily accept his confession today.

But he hadn’t expected Mo Han wouldn’t simply refuse with a cold “I don’t like you.” Instead, Mo Han analyzed so many logical points with him.

It was like an older brother advising his younger sibling in the gentlest possible manner.

This was the Mo Han he had set his sights on!

Even with his usual proud personality, when faced with crucial issues, he was always this calm and wise.

Mo Han hadn’t completely burned the bridge between them. Instead, he had laid out the reasons they couldn’t be together. Apart from not knowing each other well enough and their unavoidable responsibilities, the biggest issue was that Luo Fei lacked experience. Mo Han believed Luo Fei’s feelings were just a momentary impulse and blind admiration. With time, and after meeting more people, those feelings would naturally fade.

Luo Fei considered this carefully, then nodded seriously. “What you said makes a lot of sense.”

Relieved, Mo Han smiled slightly. “So, you should give up on me. We’re not suited for each other. You will definitely meet someone better, someone more fitting to be your Prince Consort.”

His tone was as gentle as possible, persuasively guiding the First Prince toward what he considered the correct path.

But then, the First Prince spoke seriously, “I know that right now, I’m young. In your eyes, I probably seem like a fool who doesn’t know his own limits. But it’s okay. I will mature as quickly as possible and become a man you can rely on. When that time comes, I’ll make you believe that my feelings for you are genuine, and that I have the ability to give you happiness.”

Mo Han: “????”

This wasn’t what they’d agreed upon!

I just went through all that, analyzing the pros and cons for you, all to make you give up on me!

Why does this First Prince never follow the usual script…

Mo Han rubbed his aching forehead. “Did you not understand what I said?”

Luo Fei replied, “I understood perfectly. I know I’m not mature enough yet and not yet qualified to stand by your side. But I will work hard to make myself worthy of you.”

A surge of frustration choked Mo Han, almost making him cough up blood. Frowning, he suppressed the urge to punch someone. “That’s not what I meant at all. What I meant was, you should give up on me and consider other people. There will definitely be someone more suitable to be your Prince Consort than I am.”

Luo Fei gave a slight, gentle smile, his expression exceptionally earnest. “Even if someone else is perfectly suitable, it’s useless—I wouldn’t feel anything for them. The only person I have feelings for is you.”

Mo Han persisted, “Your ‘feelings’ are just a temporary illusion of infatuation.”

Luo Fei countered, “I think about you constantly every day. How could that be an illusion?”

Mo Han said, “Calm down and think about it again after some time has passed.”

Luo Fei declared, “I’ve already calmed down and thought it through carefully. You are the one I’m sure about. I won’t give up on you. Just give me a chance to pursue you.”

Mo Han: “…”

It was the first time Mo Han had ever been rendered speechless.

Noah continued its internal gloating. “Master, what are you going to do with him? He seems to have latched onto you.”

Mo Han felt like his head was about to explode. This First Prince was like a piece of superglue—so sticky that no matter how hard he pulled, he just couldn’t peel him off.

What else could he do?

Should he send Mo Lin out again?

But the problem was, Luo Fei liked Mo Han—Mo Han’s real identity. He couldn’t exactly turn Mo Han into a crying, hysterical mental case too!

Just as Mo Han’s agitation was reaching its peak, he heard Luo Fei suddenly ask, “Mo Han, let me ask you one more question.”

Luo Fei turned to look at him, his voice soft. “Tell me honestly… do you find me repulsive?”

The young man’s eyes were strikingly clear, brimming with sincerity as he looked at him gently and earnestly. It was like a beloved pet wagging its tail at its owner.

Mo Han found, in that moment, he simply couldn’t utter the word “yes.”

Because he truly couldn’t bring himself to dislike this Luo Fei…

Seeing his silence, a surge of wild joy flooded Luo Fei’s heart. His lips immediately curved upwards, his face full of excited delight. “As long as you don’t find me repulsive, then I still have hope, right?”

“The problems you mentioned certainly exist. But external factors always have solutions. The most crucial thing is how you feel about me. With your ability, I know you can smooth things over with the Mo Family. And I’m confident I can handle the Royal Family.”

With his intellect suddenly firing on all cylinders, the First Prince had swiftly identified the key issue. “Right now, you don’t dislike me. Perhaps one day, you might grow to like me. As long as you like me, then all the problems you listed… would cease to be problems.”

Luo Fei paused, then looked at him with a bright grin. “I will work hard to make you fall for me.”

Mo Han: “…”

This was insane. Why, oh why, had he ever provoked this human piece of superglue?!