ABRIWMTHM Chapter 126

In the midsummer weather, there are insect chirps outside.

The cold stars hang high in the night sky, their clear light illuminating the quiet night of the empire.

Several palaces in the royal palace have long since fallen into deep slumber.

Shi Xing feels dazed, lost in thought; by midnight, not only do his limbs feel limp, but his mind seems to have stalled as well.

Shi Xing thinks his brain must have been knocked silly too.

He extends his sweaty hand out of the curtain, grabs the idle communicator, glances at the time, and sees that it’s just past midnight.

Immediately after, the communicator is snatched away by another hand and placed back.

“Your Highness, I’m tired. I want to sleep.”

Shi Xing rubs his eyes and mutters.

Chi Yao brushes his fingers through his hair. “Where do you feel tired? You look quite energetic to me.”

Shi Xing: “…”

A passionate kiss descends without explanation.

Shi Xing’s throat lets out broken syllables.

Before long, the world sways again in a hazy blur.

The cold stars are distant, but this space is nothing short of warm.

The communicator lights up again at three in the morning.

Shi Xing’s throat is hoarse.

He is coaxed to the point of saying things he doesn’t even know, before being cradled by Chi Yao into the bathroom.

As soon as he’s set down, he feels warmth trickling down the inner side of his knees.

When he realizes what it is, embarrassment shudders through him.

Chi Yao runs the water for him, and Shi Xing can’t wait, “A shower will be fine.”

Chi Yao glances at him for a moment, then nods, “As you say.”

At that moment, Shi Xing doesn’t understand the meaning behind those words.

Until the shower head actually turns on.

Breathing turns hot, and the water is even hotter; during the cleansing process, Shi Xing can’t tell the difference between his body temperature and the water temperature, it all merges into one.

Another reaction arises.

Chi Yao whispers softly in his ear.

Shi Xing’s whole face flushes crimson.

Finally, he nods.

“Such a good boy?”

Chi Yao, having taken advantage, teases Shi Xing.

This earns him a sharp bite on his shoulder from Shi Xing, a hard one, but fortunately, Blue Star humans aren’t that strong, leaving only a mark.

Chi Yao doesn’t get angry, but rather laughs, kissing Shi Xing’s ear, “The last time we used this, I still have more. Want to use it? It’s more convenient.”

He gestures to a square plastic package.

Chi Yao reaches to grab it, but as he moves, Shi Xing feels cold and instinctively tightens his grip.

Chi Yao is taken aback for a moment, and after a while, Shi Xing shakes his head.

“I don’t like it.”

Not liking it when there’s a barrier.

Shi Xing: “I like to feel you.”

“I want you, Your Highness.”

Once the words escape his lips, there’s no taking them back.

Shi Xing leans against the glass, helpless tears stream uncontrollably from his eyes, as if he’s being bullied.

The clear reflection in the glass shows Chi Yao pinching Shi Xing’s chin, making him look, his voice carrying a strange intention, “Why do you look so pitiful?”

Shi Xing wipes his tears, “Then let go of me.”

A bite on his ear, with warm breath drilling into his ear canal, “Not letting go, I like to see you this way more.”

Shi Xing bites Chi Yao again.

It feels like boarding a treacherous ship, swaying until dawn, never reaching the harbor.

Shi Xing truly closes his eyes, in his last view, Chi Yao is closing the curtains.

Is it already bright?

Shi Xing doesn’t know; as soon as he closes his eyes, he falls into a deep sleep.

Skipping breakfast, it isn’t until lunch when Chi Yao shows up, and he is alone.

Looking at the bite marks on Chi Yao’s neck, Xu Jin is rendered speechless for quite a while.

The Imperial physique is good, able to leave such obvious marks; who knows what they’ve been through.

But Xu Jin won’t ask, not looking any other way, he only says, “Isn’t Xingxing coming to eat?”

Chi Yao shrugs, unashamed, casually says, “Still sleeping, just took a break this morning.”

Xu Jin is shocked.

Isn’t this a bit too much for a Blue Star human?

Chi Yao: “We’ll eat, have the kitchen prepare a serving for Shi Xing. I’ll take it up to feed him.”

“Oh, okay.”

At a loss for further words, Xu Jin can only agree dryly.

…

Thus, for three consecutive days, Chi Yao has been taking meals upstairs; the only two attendants in the palace, Yan Changyue and Xu Jin, have not seen Shi Xing show his face.

However, Chi Yao’s mood can be visibly seen improving with each passing day.

Yan Changyue is worried.

Xu Jin initially thought Chi Yao had his limits, but after seeing the second bite mark left, he no longer felt secure.

But talking about this isn’t easy.

Xu Jin thinks, if in another two days, Shi Xing still doesn’t come downstairs, he’ll have to say something more tactfully.

Good news is, on the fourth day, Shi Xing finally came down.

He looked alright, but appeared extremely sleepy.

Once downstairs, he plopped onto the sofa and fell asleep.

Xu Jin: “…”

Xu Jin asked Yan Changyue to bring a blanket.

He was only awakened at noon, where Chi Yao was feeding him.

Watching Shi Xing constantly moving his shoulders and neck, Chi Yao said, “I let you sleep upstairs; it’s easy to get a sore neck on the sofa, isn’t it?”

Shi Xing rarely shot him a glare, cheeks puffed out, “I don’t want to eat in the room again at noon.”

Chi Yao smiled.

Shi Xing pushed an entire plate of shrimp toward him.

Chi Yao didn’t lose his temper, carefully peeling one by one of the shrimp for Shi Xing, almost going as far as to feed him.

Shi Xing’s mood lifted again.

During the lunch break, Shi Xing also refused to go upstairs to rest.

He ran to Chi Yao’s study to sleep.

With the radiance of the twin stars around him, warm, Shi Xing felt like he finally saw the sun, no longer dazed, and contentedly fell asleep in the glow, which amused Chi Yao.

During the day he recovered, but there was a new routine at night.

Shi Xing’s voice was hoarse, “Your Highness, I think I’m going to break.”

Chi Yao: “How could that be?”

Shi Xing fell apart, “It’s too frequent.”

It’s hard to believe that in just three days, Shi Xing has gone from waking up feeling refreshed every day three days ago to now waking up feeling completely filled with Chi Yao’s presence every day.

His pajamas were utterly ruined, unrecoverable, shredded by the housekeeping robot.

Everything newly bought had been put to use.

Shi Xing still remembers a day influenced by those things, clinging to Chi Yao and refusing to let go.

Called him husband, yes.

Begged him, yes.

Even worse, he said he was hungry, wanting to be fed.

In front of the person he likes, his lover.

These words, wedged between shame, brought a new, addictive experience.

Sitting across from each other, Chi Yao held Shi Xing’s ankle; at the moment his fingers touched his skin, Shi Xing shivered.

It was a reflex.

Refusal strangely turned into an invitation, and then naturally fell into place.

Shi Xing felt uncomfortable, pointing out, “You’re just taking advantage of the fact that I like you.”

Upon mentioning this, Chi Yao had Shi Xing look at him, asking back, “Are you not taking advantage of me liking you by making me peel an entire plate of shrimp for you?”

Shi Xing fell silent.

His eyes glistened, and he went to bite Chi Yao’s shoulder.

Chi Yao laughed, “You’ve turned into a little dog these past few days.”

Shi Xing sulkily replied, “I want you to peel them!”

Chi Yao indulgently said, “Alright, I’ll have the kitchen make more tomorrow, and I’ll peel another plate for you, okay?”

Shi Xing’s heart softened.

He rested his forehead against Chi Yao’s chest, giving up, “Your Highness, I really like you.”

It seemed it was about to end, but upon hearing this declaration, Chi Yao pressed Shi Xing down and came at him once more.

The consequence of this declaration was that the next morning, Shi Xing slept in again.

It had been a wild few days.

Life finally returned to normal.

If it didn’t return to normal, Shi Xing wouldn’t be able to go on, preparing to go back to his own room to sleep separately.

Thankfully, it didn’t come to that.

After a day’s rest, the following day, Chi Yao asked Shi Xing if he wanted to go out to play, and Shi Xing of course was willing.

In his early twenties, having spent his early years in the Tree Nest, his playtime had been relatively scarce.

Xu Jin arranged a formal date.

As an elder, he didn’t attend, having Yan Changyue follow along, but even then, it was only to wait on the spaceship; upon arrival at the actual venue, it was just Chi Yao and Shi Xing. Xu Jin instructed that they leave all the time for themselves.

Shi Xing enjoyed the new restaurant that had opened in the Imperial Capital, as well as tasting dishes from some small planets of the Alliance.

Sometimes they would sit in a private room, and occasionally, they would sit in the main hall.

Such restaurants generally come with a hefty price, frequented by the upper echelons of the Imperial Capital. Even if some recognized Chi Yao and Shi Xing, the guards wouldn’t allow anyone to pass by, nor would they dare approach without discretion.

After a few days of fun in the Imperial Capital, the star network was filled with gossip and candid shots of them as a couple.

Ren Yan Yong started to feel it was time to take care of the situation. He reviewed the content and communicated with Chi Yao; both felt it was a positive public disclosure of their lives. They decided to let it slide.

Only anything with a clear frontal picture was handled.

Shi Xing only learned of this on the last day.

It was after Er Ya, Fu Qing, and Fei Chu returned, hearing the news from them.

“You still don’t know? It’s been quite the sensation online recently; you should check for yourself.”

Saying this, Er Ya handed Shi Xing a term.

Not knowing what to expect, when Shi Xing opened the star network, he realized just how many photos of himself had been taken.

【It seems like I’ve stumbled upon His Majesty and Prince Shi Xing, ah ah ah so excited, the rumors hold true, their relationship is great!】

【Only managed to snap this one, but it’s so sweet.】

It’s a side profile of Shi Xing borrowing Chi Yao’s hand to drink water, where neither of their faces are visible.

【I also encountered them at the latest cinema; they were the last pair to come in without clearing the hall.】

【Didn’t dare to take a picture, I was too timid.】

【But I was sitting just behind them; how should I put this? I think I saw His Majesty kiss Prince Shi Xing once.】

【They came in holding hands and were still holding hands when leaving. Whuu, I’m so envious!】

This was when they went to the movies.

Actually, Chi Yao didn’t just kiss Shi Xing once; he kissed him multiple times.

But thankfully, they weren’t seen.

【Report from Central Park—】

【There’s a picture of His Majesty carrying Prince Shi Xing, who seemed to have played until he was tired, on his way back to the spaceship.】

Oh, that day they had walked for so long that Shi Xing felt exhausted and didn’t want Chi Yao to carry him. Chi Yao offered to give him a piggyback ride, and thinking it was just the two of them, Shi Xing agreed. Who knew…

Upon seeing the profile image, Shi Xing’s face burned and he scrolled past quickly.

The evaluations of these idle encounters on the star network were remarkably uniform.

【When His Majesty and the Prince are together, they feel more humane; they are finally not just wearing official smiles.】

【Such a wonderful relationship, it’s not surprising. Every time the royal family marries, the direct line of succession and their partners have great relationships, never have I seen a pair that are not on good terms. I’ve been pondering whether the feng shui of the ancient royal tombs has a positive influence on descendants.】

【Reminds me of the former King and Queen; the photos taken of them all have this sort of down-to-earth vibe.】

【The former King and Queen were true lovebirds, *ding*—reminiscing.】

Shi Xing chuckled as he read, feeling the goodwill of the star network community, accepting their blessings.

Chi Yao noticed him reading and opened the star network himself.

Before long, the star network exploded.

The reason was simple: Chi Yao not only looked but also replied to a message.

【MaoMaoRabbit: With such a good relationship, doesn’t the royal family need to add more members soon? The royal family currently has too few people.】

Chi Yao replied: 【Not yet, we haven’t had enough of our two-person world.】

With that reply, it caused an uproar.

Everyone rushed to clock in and left comments asking Chi Yao further questions.

Chi Yao usually doesn’t interact with the public; the Star Network account had been set up by the Elders Council decades ago. Initially, they urged him, but later the council lost hope and just treated it like there was no such public channel.

So on that day, miraculously, Chi Yao’s account sent a message telling everyone to ask whatever they wanted in the comments, and he would pick and reply.

Due to the star network being poorly maintained, his optical brain had no choice but to expand the network overnight.

In terms of replies, Chi Yao only chose two to respond to.

The first question was, 【Do you really like your partner?】

Chi Yao answered with two words, 【Of course.】

The second question was, 【Your Majesty hasn’t paired up for decades; what made you choose to pair with a Blue Star human now?】

Chi Yao thought for a moment and replied, 【Because I saw a miracle.】

Later that evening, those two messages flooded the star network.

Lu Lu stared at the communicator for quite some time.

A week later, life returned to normal completely, and the palace resumed handling its backlog of paperwork.

Chi Yao went out today.

Shi Xing stayed in the palace.

Halfway through reading a document from the Forestry Bureau, Fu Qing came in to report that someone wanted to see Shi Xing.

When Lu Lu’s name was mentioned, Shi Xing was taken aback.

A bit surprised, he hadn’t given up hope.

Fu Qing continued, “So he’s the youngest son of Lu Guangyu. At that time, he was sneaking around outside the mothership; I don’t know what his character is like. He claims to be your classmate; is that true, Xingxing? Do you want to meet him?”

Shi Xing didn’t refute, simply nodding, “He is indeed my classmate.”

After thinking for a bit, Shi Xing closed the document, stood up, “Let the attendant bring him in.”

Continuing to linger would no longer serve any purpose.

The past grievances from the previous life won’t be carried into this one.

However, there were still some things from the Tree Nest that Shi Xing hadn’t settled with Lu Lu. Seizing this opportunity to clear the air would be better.

So when old classmates meet again, from a bit of distance, Fu Qing saw Shi Xing throw a punch right into Lu Lu’s face, leaving him stunned.

Caught off guard, Lu Lu turned away, and Shi Xing coldly stated.

“How’s the countdown to the matching banquet treating you?”

At the Imperial Senate, Chi Yao touched his chest, feeling as though something was pulled momentarily.

Chi Yao asked, “The banquet arranged today, right?”

Xu Jin nodded, “Together with the senators.”

Chi Yao signed another document, then suddenly said, “Cancel it; after finishing up here, we’ll go back to the palace directly.”

Xu Jin went down to make arrangements.