ABRIWMTHM Chapter 17

The two words “uncomfortable” felt light, yet the moment Shi Xing spoke them, he sensed a tangible weight.

Instinctively tilting his head and blinking, he tried to restrain himself, but his eyes grew hot.

He must look so embarrassing right now, Shi Xing thought.

Unable to help but glance at Chi Yao, the prince from the royal family stood silently before him, properly dressed, his expression neutral, yet the aura of an authority figure surrounded him like a shadow. Even in such a casual stance, his presence was impossible to overlook.

Yes, both dignified and appropriate, making it seem like he could handle anything with ease.

In front of someone like this, he must look absolutely terrible.

Feeling embarrassed again.

Shi Xing forced himself to suppress the boiling emotions, trying to push them down.

The reception room fell silent once more.

Shi Xing tilted his head and blinked again, slightly turning his body away from Chi Yao, avoiding eye contact, and after a moment, cautiously looked up again…

Knowing that Shi Xing was a reserved child who also cared about appearances, Chi Yao, seeing his reddening eyes, ultimately couldn’t hold back and said, “If you can’t hold it in, then don’t.”

“When you’re feeling wronged, the more you hold it in, the more wronged you feel.”

“It’s better to let it out.”

His voice was low and gentle, and those two words—wronged—struck at the heart of Shi Xing’s feelings, causing him to lose control of his emotions in an instant.

Warm drops fell, and Shi Xing immediately covered his eyes with the back of his hand.

Letting out a light sigh, Chi Yao turned and in a very casual tone asked, “Would you like some water?”

Without giving Shi Xing the chance to respond, he continued, “Let’s drink some water first.”

Sounds of movement and a cup being picked up were heard. Realizing that Chi Yao was no longer staring at him, Shi Xing felt a bit more relaxed, and his inner struggle eased. Just after Chi Yao said those words… he felt like he really couldn’t hold back anymore…

A light sound, a paper box was placed beside Shi Xing.

“Can I sit next to you?”

Shi Xing was unable to speak, only nodding.

Feeling the sofa sink next to him, a cup of water was put on the tea table in front of him.

Chi Yao poured himself a cup and took a sip.

Shi Xing didn’t want to turn around and let Chi Yao see his face. He fumbled with the paper box in front of him, curling up on one side of the sofa.

After Chi Yao sat down, he noticed the little boy stiffly moved a bit further away, trying hard to curl himself up even more.

Seeing the space between them that could fit another person, Chi Yao silently smiled, choosing not to speak.

Time passed without either of them realizing it. Once the feeling of grievance subsided and he was able to control himself, Shi Xing turned to look at Chi Yao.

The man sat casually, looking straight ahead, not paying attention to him.

“Your Highness, thank you.”

His voice was soft, tinged with a slightly hoarse tone from crying.

Chi Yao seemed unfazed, “Thank me for what? For giving you a few words of advice, passing you some tissues, or pouring you some water?”

“…Thank you for all of it.” His tone made it sound very obedient.

“Since you’re thanking me, how about considering answering my question?”

In fact, Chi Yao had been puzzled since the first night he awoke alongside Shi Xing due to their connection.

He couldn’t understand what a Blue Star human raised in a tree nest had experienced to be so restless even in sleep.

Shi Xing’s mind turned slowly, recalling Chi Yao’s earlier question.

Chi Yao: “Of course, if it has nothing to do with the tree nest system, you don’t have to say anything.”

Chi Yao: “I have no intention of prying into others’ privacy.”

Shi Xing turned around, hugging his knees, his red-rimmed eyes especially quiet, “Then, what if I want to say something?”

At this remark, Chi Yao looked at Shi Xing, his ash-gray eyes harboring their usual calm.

Shi Xing’s eyelashes trembled lightly. He wanted to laugh but couldn’t, “I… feel useless.”

Looking at his own hand, his expression held a bitterness beyond his age.

“As a Blue Star human, before the maturity period…”

Swallowing back the overly painful complaint, Shi Xing said, “I must rely on others, unable to control my destiny, unable to fully fight for myself…”

Shi Xing shut his eyes, “It makes me feel very passive, very useless.”

Everything he received was granted by others.

Once others no longer wished to give, even struggling was futile.

The strings of their fates always lay in the hands of others.

Indeed, his past with Lu Lu made him feel somewhat wronged, but after losing his abilities, the overwhelming feeling wasn’t just wronged but a deep sense of powerlessness.

Lu Lu had family, loved ones, and could start anew, but he…

He, who lost his abilities due to someone else’s stinginess, could not.

It felt like everything had frozen at that moment.

In the past, he might have been an unlimited possibility of a Blue Star human, but moving forward, his life would simply be waiting to die.

Furrowing his brow and carefully analyzing Shi Xing’s expression, confirming that the boy was not joking, Chi Yao’s demeanor turned serious.

Sitting up unconsciously, Chi Yao frowned and asked, “Is this how you truly feel?”

Shi Xing responded softly.

Although there was no context, hearing Shi Xing affirm it made Chi Yao’s expression darken a bit more.

He realized that from the perspective of a Blue Star human, these words were heartfelt, almost as if… they stemmed from real experiences.

A moment of silence followed, and Chi Yao said solemnly, “I don’t like to offer false comfort. Blue Star humans before the maturity period are indeed very passive.”

“If it were any other Blue Star human saying this, I might not say much.”

“But for you, who has reached SS+ grade, I feel obliged to say a few words.”

Shi Xing looked at Chi Yao, his sea-blue eyes clear, sitting curled up like a good student listening attentively.

Though he looked obedient, the question he asked was quite difficult.

Chi Yao: “Have you ever heard the saying that there’s no flying without resisting gravity?”

“Yes, in the early stages, your growth is very challenging. In fact, because of your high level, you may face more trials during your maturity period than lower-ranked Blue Star humans, and it’s likely you will endure a longer maturity period.”

“But once you pass the maturity period…” When saying this, Chi Yao’s gaze towards Shi Xing shined, “Do you know what you will become?”

Shi Xing seemed to be burned by that gaze and murmured, “What?”

“You will become the first SS-level or perhaps even SSS-level therapist in the entire Empire, not to mention this entire star system.”

“Do you know the kind of treatment an S-level therapist receives in the army? Do you know how many mental power problems can’t be cured in the Empire’s hospitals because of these hundred or so therapists? Do you know how much casualties can be reduced each year with the presence of an S-level therapist in the army?”

Shi Xing was left speechless.

But Chi Yao’s purpose wasn’t to educate him; it was to solemnly inform him, “An S-level therapist is still incredibly precious, and your level after the maturity period will certainly be above S.”

“There is a massive gap in medical treatment for high-level individuals regarding mental power issues.”

“As long as you diligently pass through the maturity period and become a therapist…”

Chi Yao’s gaze swept over Shi Xing from top to bottom, affirming, “At that time, the entire Empire will depend on your abilities.”

“And the Empire is just one planet in this star system. Beyond the Empire, there are alliances and countless small planetary nations, and across the entire star system, only Blue Star humans possess healing abilities. In other words, there exists an even greater medical gap outside the Empire.”

Chi Yao chuckled lightly, his smile shallow, yet the underlying certainty was deeply reassuring.

“Though I shouldn’t be saying this in my position, the reality is that once you grow, the Empire might even rely on you for diplomacy. Do you understand?”

Shi Xing was stunned, “I… can I really become such a therapist?”

He knew he would be powerful in the future, but how powerful, hearing it described by someone else was a first.

“That will depend on you.”

Chi Yao stared directly at Shi Xing, “Indeed, before the maturity period, you must rely on others to survive.”

“But that’s just the beginning.”

“After the maturity period, I can assure you that not only will you be able to fully control your own fate, but even…” Chi Yao looked at Shi Xing, his voice suddenly dropping to a whisper, “even the fates of many others will be in your hands.”

“There’s no free lunch in this world.”

“The problems you mentioned, I can’t solve for you, nor do I disdain to offer you false comfort.”

“The only thing I can tell you is that while you might feel useless now, having to rely on others, that won’t last forever. One day, you will not only be self-sufficient but also be able to protect many others with your abilities.”

“But the prerequisite is that you must get through the maturity period well.”

“Strong beings are rare, little friend, be patient and give yourself some time.”

Chi Yao didn’t offer Shi Xing false comfort; from beginning to end, he was merely stating facts.

However… Shi Xing was indeed captivated by Chi Yao’s depiction of the future.

Looking again at his own hand, not only could he control his fate, but even the fates of many others could lie within his thoughts?

One must admit, Shi Xing was looking forward to that day.

This was a response better than mere consolation.

Shi Xing: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Chi Yao smiled again, questioning, “For what?”

Shi Xing: “Thank you for being willing to say this to me, and for never treating me dismissively.”

Shi Xing could feel that here with Chi Yao, he was always respected and noticed.

Chi Yao savored this answer, turning to hand Shi Xing the nearly empty cup of water, “Then as a token of thanks, could you pour me a glass of water?”

When Shi Xing retrieved the water and properly handed it to Chi Yao, he stood at a respectful distance, watching him drink with earnest eyes.

Chi Yao chuckled, joking, “Not feeling sad anymore? Are you waiting for a compliment?”

Shi Xing shook his head.

After a moment’s consideration, Shi Xing cautiously said, “I think you’re wonderful, Your Highness.”

This time Chi Yao really smiled, “No one in the Empire would dare say otherwise.”

But hearing this from Shi Xing, who was still unaware of his own identity, felt quite gratifying.

Shi Xing looked at Chi Yao, silently thinking to himself, it’s not that; it’s not just a simple kind of good.

It’s a goodness in every aspect, in humility and demeanor, and in how he treats others.

Shi Xing didn’t know how to praise him properly, coming to his lips was just a simple “good.”

But Chi Yao, among all the people he had met, especially those in power, was truly exceptional.

Later on, the palace attendant Xu Jin arranged everything for the little prince before finally reaching the tree nest.

In the afternoon, Chi Yao had instructed the staff to warn Lu Lu, and by evening, the feedback the staff received was more complicated than he had expected. Due to Shi Xing’s uniqueness, there were countless people wanting to see him.

Not only were the tree nest systems and inboxes filled with requests to meet them.

There were also many officers and politicians whom the staff could not refuse, directly contacting them to request meetings with Shi Xing.

With the tree nest open, there were constantly people wandering over to the residence, hoping to encounter Shi Xing.

Staff: “Your Highness, there are quite a few empty rooms over there. How about… letting Shi Xing stay there?”

While some might dare to cause trouble for the staff, no one would ever dare to do the same with Chi Yao.

Xu Jin had come to prompt Chi Yao for a match; with the staff suggesting this, Chi Yao couldn’t help but suspect that the two had privately communicated.

However… this was truly the best solution at present.

If they rashly sent Shi Xing back, who knows what chaos it might cause.

After careful consideration, Chi Yao nodded in agreement.

He was living with just the staff and Fu Qing. Even with Shi Xing and Xu Jin added, they still had ample rooms.

Once Xu Jin arrived, he took over all of His Majesty’s daily matters, also arranging for Shi Xing’s room. He didn’t dare arrange it outright next to Chi Yao, but placed it next to Fu Qing, meaning it was still very close to Chi Yao’s room.

Later, Shi Xing was assigned a room next to Fu Qing. All items from his previous residence were packed and moved over by robots. Before sleeping, Shi Xing felt somewhat uneasy but thought about Lu Lu’s persistent presence and decided against it.

He initially thought he could have a good rest, but in the middle of the night, he woke up again.

This time, it wasn’t because of a nightmare, but due to a powerful mental force sweeping past, startling him awake.

As he faced the onslaught of the mental energy outside, he was pulled toward Fu Qing, who had also awoken for the same reason, and was enveloped within his mental barrier.

“The prince’s mental power has leaked.” Fu Qing exclaimed anxiously, “Someone has to wake the prince!”

Hearing this, Shi Xing remembered that Chi Yao seemed to have a serious disturbance in his mental sea.

But he had neglected it since he had never seen Chi Yao release a large amount of mental energy before.

After contemplating this, the leaked mental power surged even more fiercely, attempting to shatter Fu Qing’s peculiar mental barrier and completely dominate the area.

Noticing the clash of two mental forces, almost instinctively, Shi Xing activated his own mental barrier.

The pressure on Fu Qing’s entire body instantly eased.

Looking up at what was unfolding, he asked in disbelief, “The prince’s mental power doesn’t actually reject you!”