Chapter 56

Mu Chenxing was just about to put away the holo-screen when a message came in—

Pei Yao: Little baby?

Mu Chenxing: .

Mu Chenxing: Ten minutes. I’m packing my luggage.

He shut off the holo-screen and quickly gathered his things.

If it weren’t for his seamless entry into the training team tomorrow, he wouldn’t have rushed to pack tonight.

Luckily, he hadn’t brought much luggage. He’d already packed most of it while waiting earlier, and now he just needed to double-check and fill in the gaps. It was done in no time.

He glanced at his three roommates, who were huddled together whispering.

“I’m heading out. No need to see me off.”

Most of the Omegas at the Association were taking early morning rides straight to the Aerospace Port. Some locals from Central Star had already started leaving one by one.

“Hold on.” Tong Xiao grabbed him. “Isn’t Uncle Shen coming over? We just asked around—the hotel prices near the school are all listed here.”

Mu Chenxing paused, then chuckled with a sigh. “You’re not packing, but you’re digging into this?”

“We’re not in a rush. Uncle Shen’s health—”

Mu Chenxing hugged him, then went around embracing Xia Weizhen and Tao Xirui one by one. “Don’t worry. Since I asked my dad to come to Central Star, I have it all figured out.”

Xia Weizhen fretted, “What do you have figured out? You barely have any money—”

Tao Xirui elbowed him, and he shut up.

Tong Xiao jumped in quickly. “The area around the school is great, and the prices are cheap. It’s really pretty good.”

Mu Chenxing said, “I don’t plan on having him stay near the school.”

The three: “?”

Mu Chenxing coaxed them. “Stop fretting. You all head home and rest easy. The holiday’s only got a little over two weeks left. By the time you get back, my dad’s only been here a few days. Plenty of time for you to worry then.”

The three thought about it and relaxed a bit.

“Stay safe. Message me when you arrive,” Mu Chenxing instructed a couple more things, grabbed his luggage, and headed out.

His roommates were still worried and tried to walk him to the door. He laughed helplessly. “Since when does the one leaving see off the one staying? I’m just going back to the dorm. You’ll be back in half a month…”

After some coaxing, he finally got them to stay put and hurried downstairs with his luggage.

It was late at night, with cold winds whistling. Mu Chenxing pulled up his collar, quickened his pace, and headed to their usual spot around the corner up ahead to meet Pei Yao.

But a figure approached briskly from the front.

“I’m here.” The man in black, hood pulled up over his head, reached out to take his backpack.

Mu Chenxing: “…No need.”

He glanced around. “Have you been waiting long? Why don’t you head ahead—”

“Not many people around. It’s fine.” The newcomer was naturally Pei Yao.

He pried Mu Chenxing’s fingers loose and firmly took the backpack, weighing it with a helpless sigh. “You gotta learn to rely on your boyfriend a little.”

Mu Chenxing: “…It’s not even much stuff. And it’s just a short walk.”

Pei Yao’s big Alpha tendencies were… whatever. He was strong anyway.

“Mm,” Pei Yao didn’t argue. He grabbed the suitcase too before asking, “Back to the dorm first, or straight to the flight vehicle?”

Mu Chenxing: “…Dorm first. I can head straight there tomorrow to shower.”

“Got it.”

On this winter night, the roads were empty. The two stuck to their old habit, strolling leisurely back to the Omega Dormitory District.

“You’ll be the only one living there for the next two weeks or so. Not scared?”

With no luggage to pull, Mu Chenxing simply pulled up his holo-screen to browse. He looked puzzled at the question. “I’m not the only one. I heard some third- and fourth-years are staying on campus.”

Omegas from farther planets usually waited until summer break to go home, so the dorm district still had a few scattered around.

Pei Yao snorted. “You could wander around and not run into a single one.”

Mu Chenxing shot him a sideways glance. “Why would I need to run into them? My point is, there are people around. The school will have power, water, heat. The cafeteria will be open too.” Even if only at set times, it was convenient enough.

Pei Yao chuckled lowly. “Not scared of the dark? Not scared of being alone…? What are you scared of?”

Mu Chenxing thought for a moment. “Probably letting people down.”

Pei Yao: “?”

Mu Chenxing: “Letting down the trust others put in me.”

Pei Yao frowned. “That’ll make life exhausting.”

Mu Chenxing bared his teeth in a grin. “Life’s all about the hassle. What’s a little exhaustion?”

Pei Yao paused, then reached out to ruffle his hair, his expression softening. “So lively.”

Mu Chenxing: “…Your definition of ‘lively’ is a bit off.”

He turned the question back. “What about you? What are you scared of?”

Pei Yao flashed a confident smile. “Nothing scares me.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

He rolled his eyes and kept scrolling on the holo-screen.

They walked and chatted.

Pei Yao glanced over, helpless. “What’s so captivating? Making you ignore your handsome boyfriend.”

Mu Chenxing didn’t look up. “Job hunting.”

Pei Yao: “?”

Mu Chenxing didn’t explain, just tapped a few times. “Done. Now we wait.”

Pei Yao frowned. “You won’t have time for a job except those few days over New Year. If you’re short on cash, I can—”

“Not for me.” Mu Chenxing pocketed the holo-screen. “For my dad.”

Pei Yao: “…He’s coming to Central Star for a job? With his health—”

Mu Chenxing: “Hmph, you’ve investigated me pretty thoroughly, huh.”

Pei Yao, thick-skinned as ever, felt no guilt. “Of course. Gotta know what I’m getting into. So why’s your dad suddenly switching jobs?”

Mu Chenxing: “He’s not switching. I tricked him into coming—I told him I have this rich 37-year-old boyfriend who showers me with money.”

Pei Yao: “…”

Mu Chenxing: “So you’d better stay out of sight for now when my dad’s around.”

Pei Yao looked heartbroken. “We’re in an upright romance, and you paint me as some sugar daddy? How am I supposed to prove my innocence later?”

Mu Chenxing shrugged it off. “You’re dating me, not my dad. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I’ll handle my dad.”

Pei Yao paused.

Mu Chenxing: “I’m young now, so he’s worried—that’s normal. Once I’m in my twenties, he won’t—”

Pei Yao looped an arm around his neck, tipped his chin up, and leaned down to kiss him.

Mu Chenxing: .

It was roadside, and cold out, so Pei Yao only gave a light kiss before pulling back. Before letting go, he nipped at his cheeks twice, grinning. “Little baby always tempting me~”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

Pei Yao: “Don’t find your dad any sketchy jobs. He’s got years of tutoring experience—have him go through the disability association channel and transfer to Central Star.”

Mu Chenxing: “Funny you say that. That’s exactly my plan. I checked the Federal Disability Act, confirmed the path exists, then scoured schools in nearby cities. Sent applications to all that matched his qualifications.”

Pei Yao eyed him for two seconds, his smile widening. “Not my little baby for nothing—even our ideas match~”

Mu Chenxing: “…Quit it.” He raised a concern. “Will this disability protection law actually work? Or is it just empty policy?”

Pei Yao: “It’s solid. Schools get subsidies for hiring disabled staff—they love it. As long as qualifications match, that’s the real hurdle.”

Mu Chenxing: “Should be fine then. Uncle Shen said Dad’s gotten some high-value certs these past few years.”

Pei Yao ruffled his hair. “Then no problem. I’ll keep an eye out too.”

Mu Chenxing side-eyed him. “Pulling strings?”

Pei Yao chuckled lowly. “Whether I do or not, at least it’ll be fair.”

Mu Chenxing didn’t stand on ceremony. “Fine. But if it doesn’t pan out, no forcing it. I have backups.”

Appreciation filled Pei Yao’s dark eyes. Then he asked about lodging.

If Luo Chen’s condition allowed, he’d board a ship in a few days and arrive on Central Star before New Year. Mu Chenxing still needed to sort housing.

Mu Chenxing: “Already checked rental prices around a few schools. Once the job’s set, we can rent right away.”

Pei Yao sighed. “Are you really only 18?”

Mu Chenxing deadpanned. “Nah, I’m actually 30.”

Pei Yao laughed, pinning his head down for a good scrub.

…Probably taken as a joke.

Fine.

They bantered the whole way, strolling for over an hour from Command College back to the Medical College’s Omega Dormitory District.

On this holiday midnight, the Omega dorms were lit only by streetlights. The buildings loomed dark and lifeless.

Pei Yao stood at the entrance of the pitch-black dorm building, frowning at him. “You sure you’re not scared?”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

He snatched his luggage back. “Wait here.”

He swiped his wristband and slipped inside.

Just around the corner, he felt a cool thread of aura winding around his ankle.

Helpless but with the corner of his mouth twitching upward, he quickened his steps, lighthearted as he dragged his luggage to his room. After dropping it off, he came back out.

He’d strolled the whole way without a hint of tension.

When he emerged, Pei Yao looked almost disappointed. “Not even a scream? Let me show off a little.”

Sensing the cool silk thread reluctantly retreating from his ankle, Mu Chenxing’s smile wouldn’t fade. He just hummed and sauntered toward the landing pad.

…

Around seven, Mu Chenxing’s wristband buzzed as he slept soundly on the hover bed.

The Association Omegas who’d left last night had arrived at the Aerospace Port, gearing up for the shuttle to the near-orbit space station. Bored, they started chatting in the group.

Mu Chenxing woke to the familiar ceiling of the flight vehicle interior. He yawned and turned to Pei Yao, who was lying on the mat beside him—meeting his clear, deep black eyes.

He blinked. “Did I wake you, or were you already up?”

Pei Yao stretched lazily and sat up. “Right on time. Woke up quick.”

Mu Chenxing rolled off the bed smoothly, skirted around him to the little sink at the back, dug out his toiletries, and started brushing his teeth.

Pei Yao followed, arms crossed, leaning behind him to watch.

Through the small mirror, Mu Chenxing spotted the stubble that had sprouted all over Pei Yao’s face overnight. He brushed while shooting him a questioning look with his eyes.

Pei Yao spoke up. “Your dad’s arriving around New Year. How about we hold off on renting and spend it together?”

Mu Chenxing arched a brow, calmly spitting foam. “Eager to prove your innocence already?” He took a big mouthful of water to rinse.

Pei Yao: “Nah, mostly wanna meet the parents.”

Mu Chenxing rolled his eyes, gargled, and spat. “Meet my ass.” Took another mouthful.

“Talk wedding plans while we’re at it—”

“Pfft—cough cough cough—”

The newly awake Pei Yao finally grinned. “Since you’re so thrilled, it’s settled—”

“Settled my foot.” Mu Chenxing set down his toothbrush cup, grabbed a disposable face towel to wipe his mouth, and glared. “How old am I? What wedding?”

Pei Yao: “We can get engaged. Marry in a couple years.”

Mu Chenxing ignored him, washed his face, tossed the towel, and brushed past. “Don’t even think about it.”

Pei Yao trailed after. “Why not—”

His wristband buzzed.

Mu Chenxing glanced and picked up. “Dad, morning. Feeling better—”

He swiftly turned away, yanking Pei Yao—who was leaning in with half his chest exposed—out of frame.

Too late.

“Mu Chenxing!” Luo Chen, propped up in his hospital bed, face darkened, voice gritted through clenched teeth. “You’re not in the dorm?! Where are you?!”

Mu Chenxing gave a dry laugh. “At—having breakfast. Heading to training soon.”

Luo Chen: “Breakfast at seven? Since when do you get up this early? Who was that just now?”

Mu Chenxing remembered his fib and steeled himself. “Okay, truth: I wasn’t in the dorm last night. My boyfriend picked me up. We crashed in his flight vehicle…”

Laughter erupted from beside him.

He pressed on woodenly. “But Dad, trust me—we’re clean. I’m not even of age.”

“…You know you’re out with someone else. An Alpha, right?”

Mu Chenxing: “…Yeah.”

Luo Chen: “Fine. Got it.”

Call ended.

Mu Chenxing pinched his brow, eyeing Pei Yao’s scruffy face. “Was that too shocking?”

Pei Yao shrugged. “Nah, if it’s too shocking, we can just get engaged.”

Mu Chenxing rolled his eyes and kicked him. “Go wash up. I’m getting breakfast.”

Pei Yao checked the time. “Wait—I’ll eat with you.”

…It was still early. Barely anyone at school. Mu Chenxing hesitated, then stayed.

Pei Yao pinched his cheek and headed in.

Once he’d finished washing up and shaved, the two finally set off.

The flight vehicle doors had just opened when Pei Yao’s wristband vibrated.

“Huh?” He looked surprised and answered the call. “Old Fu? What do you want from me at this hour?”

Fu Mingyuan’s scowling face appeared on the holo-screen. “What are you doing?”

Pei Yao was baffled. He shot a puzzled glance at Mu Chenxing. “I didn’t do anything. I’m just taking my little baby to breakfast. Spit it out if you have something to say.” With that, he casually pinched Mu Chenxing’s freshly washed, tender cheeks.

Fu Mingyuan: “……”

Mu Chenxing, who had just swatted that person’s hand away: “……”