Mu Chenxing instinctively lunged forward to grab his hand, but Luo Chen couldn’t withstand even a bit of force and staggered backward.
Mu Chenxing was greatly startled and hurriedly moved to catch him.
He hadn’t been steady on his feet to begin with and was pulled forward along with him—
Mu Chenxing barely managed to steady himself and looked toward Pei Yao, who had blocked Luo Chen from behind. Still shaken, he offered a word of thanks, quickly straightened up, and pulled Luo Chen to his feet.
Luo Chen trembled a little. “You—”
Mu Chenxing hurriedly pulled Pei Yao over. “Dad, take a good look. Calling the cops would land us on the hot searches.”
Luo Chen paused. “What do you mean?”
Pei Yao cleared his throat lightly and extended a hand. “Good afternoon, Mr. Luo. I’m Pei Yao, Xingxing’s boyfriend.”
Luo Chen said coldly, “I don’t want to know your name—”
“Dad, his name is Pei Yao. The Pei Yao from Falcon Squadron.”
Luo Chen’s eyes widened.
Mu Chenxing seized the moment, quickly yanking off his backpack and reaching for the suitcase—only for Pei Yao to take it the next second.
Mu Chenxing said nothing more and swiftly pulled the still-staring Luo Chen, who was confirming Pei Yao’s identity, inside.
He shut the door behind them, and the three sat in the small living room.
Luo Chen pulled up the holo-screen and searched for photos of “Pei Yao,” scrutinizing the man in front of him against them over and over.
Mu Chenxing: “…It’s really him.”
Luo Chen said coldly, “People can look alike. If not for that face, how would you have been fooled?”
Mu Chenxing was torn between laughter and tears. “Our school principal and teachers know him too. That’s actually how I got to know him—through the principal.”
Luo Chen: “…”
He finally closed the holo-screen.
“That 37-year-old rich old Alpha you mentioned… is him?”
Pei Yao: “…”
He shot Mu Chenxing a half-smile.
Mu Chenxing cleared his throat lightly. “I didn’t get anything wrong, did I?”
Luo Chen eyed Pei Yao coldly. “Admiral Pei, no matter what your original intentions were, I hope this farce ends here.”
Pei Yao’s smile faded.
“Xingxing never had many good days growing up. As long as someone shows him the slightest kindness, he’ll cling to it desperately and chase after it with everything he’s got.” Luo Chen paused, took two deep breaths to steady his trembling voice, and continued coldly, “He can’t afford to play games like this—please, Admiral Pei, show some mercy and let him go.”
Very precise, Mu Chenxing mused inwardly. From the fragments he’d pieced together, he could sense the original body’s stubbornness.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t the original “Mu Chenxing.”
“Perhaps you’re letting concern cloud your judgment,” Pei Yao said calmly. “The Mu Chenxing I know isn’t the one you’re describing.”
Luo Chen: “What gives you the right—”
“If Xingxing were the weak, dependent sort you describe—who needs to latch onto others just to survive—he wouldn’t be standing on Central Star today. He wouldn’t even have the chance to stand before me and speak.”
Luo Chen fell silent.
Pei Yao looked at him steadily, his words growing colder with each one. “Even if you once knew him, on this day when you’ve abandoned him for 18 years, what right do you have to control his life and emotions?”
Luo Chen’s face paled.
Pei Yao: “No matter—”
“That’s enough.” Mu Chenxing kicked him. “Don’t you have work to handle back at the hotel? Go deal with it. Don’t scare my dad here.”
Pei Yao shut his mouth.
Mu Chenxing turned to Luo Chen. “We only rented this place two days ago. The daily essentials arrived this morning, and the bedding’s still in the dryer.”
He was beating around the bush to tell him they hadn’t moved in yet—and that nothing could possibly happen here.
“Pei Yao’s been taking care of me lately, and he’s spending New Year’s alone too. So I invited him to celebrate with us—of course, he’ll stay at the hotel at night and just eat meals here. He’s already booked one nearby; he won’t be staying with us.”
Perhaps Pei Yao’s earlier words had an effect, because Luo Chen pressed his lips together and listened quietly.
Mu Chenxing breathed a slight sigh of relief. Looks like he’s the reasonable type.
He continued, “That said, I respect you. If you can’t accept him for now, I’ll make other arrangements.”
Pei Yao raised a brow but said nothing.
Luo Chen glanced at him and asked, “What kind of arrangements?”
Mu Chenxing shrugged. “Keep you two apart. One meal with him, one with you—alternating.”
Luo Chen: “…”
He glanced again at the unruffled Pei Yao and couldn’t help asking, “He’s that important?”
Mu Chenxing: “For now, yes. After all, he’s the first family member I’ve chosen.”
Luo Chen’s face grew even paler.
Mu Chenxing noted his knuckles whitening from gripping so tight and said to Pei Yao, “Head back first and get settled for the night. Wait for my message tomorrow.”
Pei Yao smiled. “Sure.” He stood and looked at him. “Walk me to the door?”
Mu Chenxing glanced at Luo Chen, who had his eyes downcast and silent, then stood readily. “Let’s go.”
They walked out side by side, and Mu Chenxing didn’t forget to grab Pei Yao’s jacket from the back of the dining chair and hand it to him.
“My place is less than four kilometers from your hotel. How about I jog over tomorrow morning and bring you breakfast?” he asked.
Pei Yao took the jacket and slipped it on. “Don’t head into the city. I’ll come over and run with you. After the workout, we eat breakfast, then bring some back for your dad. Sound good?”
Mu Chenxing: “Works for me. Tonight I’ll check out some good local breakfast spots… Eight o’clock too early?”
Pei Yao: “Eight’s better. Seven’s too cold.”
“It’s not that bad, right? It’s the same temperature at eight or nine at night.”
“There’s a difference between a short jog and a full hour. Don’t want you freezing.”
“Fine, eight it is.”
Pei Yao finished dressing and opened the door to step out. He turned back and stopped him. “No need to see me off. It’s cold outside, and you aren’t wearing a jacket.”
“Oh, okay. Be safe.”
Pei Yao raised a brow and pinched his nose. “Me be safe?”
Mu Chenxing swatted his hand away. “It’s just polite well-wishing. It doesn’t mean you don’t need to because you’re tough, okay?”
Pei Yao smiled faintly. “Alright, I’ll take it… See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, tomorrow.”
Mu Chenxing watched Pei Yao enter the elevator, then closed the door and turned—right into Luo Chen’s gaze.
He walked back to the living room and asked, “You’ve been flying for days; you must be exhausted. Want to shower and nap? I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
Luo Chen: “…You learned to cook?”
Mu Chenxing said calmly, “There are tons of cooking videos online. Just follow them—it’s not hard.”
The principles are straightforward. It might not be gourmet, but it’ll be edible.
Luo Chen stared at him for a few seconds. “I kept a regular schedule on the ship. I’ll just sit for a bit. I’ll cook dinner.” He stood. “Any ingredients at home?”
Mu Chenxing: “Not yet.”
Luo Chen: “…”
He sat back down and opened the holo-screen. “I’ll order some.”
Mu Chenxing thought for a moment. “Sure. I’m not familiar with kitchen tools or seasonings anyway. You pick, I’ll pay.”
Luo Chen: “…”
He opened the holo-screen. “I’ve saved up a bit; daily necessities are no problem… How much was the rent? I’ll transfer it to you. And you’re heading back to school in a few days, right? I’ll send living expenses too.”
Mu Chenxing blinked. “I’ve got money.”
“Save yours then.” Luo Chen kept his head down. “The money I saved is meant for you anyway. I was planning to give it to you after graduation for your independence, but now’s fine too.”
Mu Chenxing grew curious. “How much did you save?”
Luo Chen: “…”
After a hesitant pause, he said, “I only started saving these past few years. Just 120,000.”
He paused again, looking at Mu Chenxing as if explaining. “I just transferred it from a fixed deposit the other day. Last time, I didn’t mean to send you just a little on purpose… Well, okay, it was on purpose. You always spent without restraint before; I was afraid you’d blow through it all at once.”
The original body had blown over a thousand in less than a month on Central Star buying gifts, so Mu Chenxing understood the concern.
But 120,000 after over a decade…
Luo Chen must have been in poor health in earlier years, with low wages, unable to save. These past few years, after getting certifications, his salary rose, life improved, and he started saving?
What about Luo Chen’s family?
His mind raced, but Mu Chenxing kept his expression neutral, smiling. “Then I’m relieved. Your salary’s decent, and rent here’s cheap. You can live comfortably. On days off, I can come back and mooch meals.”
A smile crossed Luo Chen’s face for the first time since arriving. “Yeah. From now on, I’ll take care of you. Military Academy tuition isn’t too bad; I can cover it—”
“No need.” Mu Chenxing waved it off. “I can handle tuition and living expenses.”
“I have to contribute.” Luo Chen grew serious.
Mu Chenxing: “I’ve got money—”
Luo Chen’s eyes reddened.
Mu Chenxing shut up immediately.
Luo Chen choked up. “Do you blame me too… for not looking after you for 18 years?”
“…No.”
The original body might have, but Mu Chenxing wasn’t some real 18-year-old kid. He understood the man’s situation.
Luo Chen took a deep breath. “Your father… no matter his faults, he’s still your father. If you’d stayed on Galaxy Star for university and work, following him, you’d have had better opportunities.”
Mu Chenxing: “But I came to Central Star.”
Luo Chen: “Yes.”
He’d calmed considerably. “That’s why I came here.”
He looked up at Mu Chenxing, tears in his eyes but a smile on his lips. “You’ve really changed a lot. Good thing I insisted you apply to the Military Academy back then.”
Mu Chenxing: “That was your recommendation?”
“Mm, sort of. When Ming Tao was applying to university, Uncle Shen asked my opinion. You were chasing after Ming Tao back then, and I hoped that once he got in, you’d work hard too… Lucky I bet right.”
Luo Chen sighed. “For a kid from an ordinary family, the Military Academy’s the fastest path to success.”
Mu Chenxing fell silent.
If he hadn’t come over, that choice… probably wasn’t great.
Luo Chen watched him, a bit uneasy. “I’m not really trying to stop you from dating. It’s normal at your age. It’s just… his age, his status…”
Mu Chenxing snapped back. “Oh, that. Don’t worry—if he’s not right, I’ll just find someone else. I’m still young.”
Luo Chen: “…”
“But you’re an Omega. Even without your Heat Period yet, it’s still dangerous.”
Mu Chenxing: “What’s to fear? Just no gland bonding.”
Luo Chen’s face darkened. He wiped his tears and glared angrily. “You two have already—already—”
Facing his son, he couldn’t bring himself to say the word “sex.”
“No.” Mu Chenxing was helpless. “If you don’t trust me, at least trust an Alliance Admiral.”
Luo Chen frowned gravely. “An Alpha in Heat Period has no reason left. Don’t trust any Alpha.”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
He could roughly guess what had happened to Luo Chen back then.
After a moment’s hesitation, he came clean. “Actually, Pei Yao’s Pheromones went out of control recently—pretty much like a Heat Period state.”
Luo Chen was alarmed. “And you—”
“I’m fine.” Mu Chenxing’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “I was called in to help, injecting Pheromones into his out-of-control state. He didn’t touch me. For the next two weeks in high-stress mode, he kept a safe distance too—never laid a hand on me. You might not believe it, but Principal Fu and an expert from the Medical Office at school were overseeing it. They were nervous about my safety too.”
He spread his hands with a grin. “But look at me—perfectly fine.”
Luo Chen looked incredulous, opening his mouth but saying nothing.
Mu Chenxing gazed at him. “The Alpha you met might’ve been a bad apple, but Pei Yao’s character? I think you could try trusting him.”
Luo Chen fell quiet.
After a while, he forced a smile. “I’ll go order stuff for dinner first.”
Mu Chenxing didn’t push. “Okay.”
In this interstellar era, online shopping was incredibly efficient.
They’d just placed the order when, twenty minutes later, a small robot delivered the goods straight to the balcony.
The two put everything away in the kitchen together. Luo Chen started prepping dinner, with Mu Chenxing helping out.
By around five-thirty, their dinner was ready.
Mu Chenxing had grown used to the colorful meats and veggies of this era. He took a taste and lit up. “This is delicious! Dad, you’re a great cook.”
I’ve got blessings of good food ahead.
Luo Chen didn’t seem like the type who cooked often.
Luo Chen smiled. “I’ve been cooking for myself for over a decade; I’ve picked up some experience.”
He served Mu Chenxing some veggies and said softly, “Eat more if you like it. You’ve had a tough few months—you’ve slimmed down a lot.”
Mu Chenxing stuffed his mouth and mumbled, “It’s more like toned up.”
Luo Chen watched him eat, his eyes gentle just like in his imagination. “Mm. Then have more meat—better for your health.”
Mu Chenxing picked up some food with his chopsticks and placed it in his bowl. “Dad, don’t just watch me eat. You eat too.”
“Okay.” Luo Chen lowered his head and stuffed the food Mu Chenxing had given him into his mouth, chewing slowly. Midway through, he stealthily wiped away a tear, then smiled and picked up some food for Mu Chenxing in return.
Mu Chenxing pretended not to notice. He happily devoured two big bowls of rice, then leaned back in his chair and rubbed his belly. “Ah… it’s been so long since I ate until I was this full…”
Luo Chen had made a full four dishes, and he’d polished off more than half of them by himself.
The cafeteria never served portions that generous on a normal day.
Luo Chen was delighted. “A good appetite means a healthy body. If you like it, I’ll make it for you every day from now on.”
Mu Chenxing was just about to respond when Luo Chen paused, then added, “Have Pei Yao come over for dinner tomorrow.”
Mu Chenxing’s eyes lit up in surprise. “Dad, you’ve accepted him?”
Luo Chen shook his head. “Pei Yao was right. You’ve grown up. I shouldn’t have been absent when you needed guidance, only to try stopping you now that you’ve made your own decisions.”
He looked at Mu Chenxing, his voice soft but solemn. “Dad hasn’t done much for you all these years. Dad just wants you to be happy. Even if something happens to you, Dad will do everything in his power to take care of you. I absolutely won’t let you suffer alone and helpless.”
Dad Luo is making me cry 😭