ABRIWMTHM Chapter 16

During the time Fu Qing and Chi Yao were communicating, the focus had already shifted from the matching issue to the Lu family. Lu Lu, both surprised and angry, urged Shi Xing to clarify, but when it came to the Lu family’s matters, Shi Xing preferred to touch on it lightly and did not want to elaborate.

If not necessary, that was the time he least wanted to think back on.

The two of them pushed and shoved each other without using mental power, but as a Blue Star human with a weaker physique, Shi Xing relied solely on the drive within him to push Lu Lu away several times.

Lu Lu’s eyes widened in fury, unwilling to believe that the harmonious family he had always known had the fractures described by Shi Xing; it was even more absurd than Shi Xing rejecting him. It shook the long-held basic understanding he had, making Lu Lu feel that, while collapsing, his world was crumbling as well…

Shi Xing truly could not shake off the other, and just as he was about to shout, a wave of mental power struck, sending Lu Lu flying away.

“All candidates are prohibited from entangling with Blue Star humans during the matching period!”

Fu Qing warned harshly.

The attack was primarily a warning; once Lu Lu’s mental power activated to protect himself, he quickly landed, but the difference in rank was too great. After landing, he staggered back several steps before finally stabilizing.

When had Young Master Lu ever been treated this way? He raised his eyes in anger, but once his gaze landed on Fu Qing’s shoulder insignia, his pupils contracted.

The Imperial Royal Guard.

In the next moment, a fierce wave of mental power struck again, forcing Lu Lu to bend slightly at the waist, straining to avoid kneeling.

Fu Qing ascended a step, “If there’s a next time, I will personally throw you out.”

The shoulder insignia gleamed; he held the rank of Major General.

This sudden turn of events left Shi Xing’s gaze shifting between Fu Qing and Lu Lu, instinctively feeling that he should say something but unsure of what.

Fu Qing nodded slightly to Shi Xing, casually saying, “You walked too fast; His Highness said you still have documents to collect. Would you like to come back with me?”

Only then did Shi Xing remember the application form he had been reviewing halfway through.

He never imagined that Fu Qing had come specifically to bring him the documents, and with that question, Shi Xing instinctively replied, “Sure, I’ll go get it right away. Sorry.”

In the chaos, he didn’t even know what he was apologizing for.

Noticing that Shi Xing was not in a good state, Fu Qing simply said, “Then let’s go.”

Shi Xing followed Fu Qing’s pace.

Lu Lu wanted to keep him back, just as he was about to speak, a wave of mental pressure descended again. Lu Lu dropped to one knee with a thud, unable to spare any thoughts for anything else.

Having heard this commotion, Shi Xing whispered to Fu Qing as they walked away, “Major General, it’s just a misunderstanding between classmates, not a big deal.”

Shi Xing didn’t want to escalate the situation. Fu Qing, however, did not relent. “When he can’t catch up anymore, I’ll retract my mental power.”

Shi Xing let out a sigh of relief.

Along the way, his mind was in a daze. One moment he was recalling scenes along the path in the Nest, and the next, fragments of trivial matters from long ago.

Shi Xing tried his best not to think but couldn’t help it.

He had no regrets about everything he said to Lu Lu today; sooner or later, such a confrontation would occur, and there would never be an easy time.

He just… never expected that the aftermath would be this intense.

This state of mind continued until he stood before Chi Yao.

Leading Shi Xing inside, Chi Yao’s gaze fell upon him, and his eyebrows furrowed instantly.

“What happened?”

Shi Xing stood dazed.

Chi Yao gestured, and when Shi Xing looked down, he noticed that he had been shoved quite fiercely; his clothes were wrinkled, and a button had popped off his collar, revealing a portion of his neck… He looked truly disheveled and inappropriate.

“Sorry, I…”

Shi Xing tidied his clothes, flustered as he tried to regain his composure, but Chi Yao did not give him the chance.

With a flick of his fingers, Chi Yao used his mental power to pry Shi Xing’s hands away from his clothing, speaking in a stern voice, “I’m talking about this.”

A gust of wind brushed by, causing a sharp pain, and only then did Shi Xing see several long scratch marks on his neck that had broken skin.

“……”

Striving to recall, it seemed he had indeed been too vigorous while shoving Lu Lu, but… he couldn’t remember when he had gotten those, as he had only been focused on getting Lu Lu off him.

As expected, the physique of a Blue Star human couldn’t compare with that of an Imperial person.

When Shi Xing looked back at Chi Yao, the man’s expression showed no emotion, merely waiting for his answer.

Shi Xing: “I accidentally got them; I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

“Accidentally?”

Chi Yao raised an eyebrow.

Shi Xing lowered his head.

A silence enveloped the room.

Realizing Shi Xing was reluctant to speak, Chi Yao called for an attendant, telling them to take him away for treatment and to change clothes.

Once only Fu Qing and Chi Yao remained in the study, Fu Qing reported everything that had transpired on their journey to Chi Yao.

“A misunderstanding between classmates?” Chi Yao lightly tapped on the table with his long fingers, seemingly not buying this explanation.

Fu Qing lowered his head. “Yes, that’s what Shi Xing said, and that person hasn’t been ranked yet. His age is indeed similar to Shi Xing’s.”

Due to the presence of the Mother Tree, many sought approval to reside in the Nest each year. If they were young enough to not have completed their education, it was indeed possible to become classmates with the Blue Star humans during their stay.

Chi Yao: “Inform the Nest’s officials about this and have them relay it back.”

About ten minutes later, the official, having reviewed the surveillance footage of the residence, called Chi Yao with a complex expression.

Chi Yao was dealing with office matters, multitasking. “So they really are classmates?”

The official had a subtle expression but nodded. “They are classmates.”

But they were also matching candidates, however, it seemed that neither Major General Fu nor the Emperor had recognized Lu Lu; the official didn’t want to get involved in matters between the various military corps. Chi Yao did not inquire who it was, and he wouldn’t actively bring it up.

It appeared that Shi Xing had genuinely listened to his advice, and his relationship with Lu Lu could end here. The official would not be so tactless as to let the matter become widely known; youthful admiration fades, and it would be fine once past.

Chi Yao hadn’t anticipated it to be true, and his fingers paused above the paperwork. “About the same age as Shi Xing?”

“Roughly.”

Chi Yao’s expression relaxed slightly.

He had no interest in making it difficult for a twenty-something child. Chi Yao merely chided the official, “Then Imperial people cannot lay hands on Blue Star humans. The physical strength of the two sides isn’t on the same level. This time, give a warning. If I see it again, it won’t be so easily dealt with.”

What could the official say? He could only comply.

Not only complying but also ensuring that all candidates were notified firmly to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

After ending the call, the attendant came to report, saying Shi Xing had not only scratches but also some bruising, and his emotions were not quite right, asking how Chi Yao would like to arrange it.

Chi Yao thought for a moment, “Is the second reception room set up comfortably?”

After receiving confirmation, Chi Yao handed the projector to the attendant. “Take him over to rest; also give him the application form.”

The attendant went downstairs.

More than half an hour later, all of Chi Yao’s projection screens were turned off.

He held a brief meeting via connection with the Senate, and when he shut off the communicator, Chi Yao felt that the world had quieted down.

After resting for a while, he decided to go check on the young Blue Star human.

At the door, Chi Yao sensed an excessive stillness inside. He knocked, but no one answered. Using his mental power, he opened the door and silently stepped in, finding Shi Xing curled up on the sofa, clutching a pillow in his sleep.

The projection was still on; Chi Yao flipped through it, and it wasn’t that he had fallen asleep during the review, but rather that he fell asleep afterward.

His eyelashes were gently lowered… He didn’t seem to want to leave after finishing; it appeared he was not eager to return to his residence.

Turning off the projection, Chi Yao’s gaze finally fell entirely on Shi Xing.

The clothes were slightly large; those were probably meant for his nephew. Yet even if it were for his little nephew, it still looked roomy on Shi Xing. The casual outfit revealed the collar, and the scratches were now fully exposed in plain sight against his fair skin.

“A misunderstanding between classmates…?” Chi Yao didn’t believe it.

But since Shi Xing didn’t speak, he had no intention of pressing.

After watching for a while, Chi Yao found that, though Shi Xing slept with his eyes closed, he appeared very obedient and seemed even younger.

Would this face really mature further?

While he was puzzled, Shi Xing, sleeping, suddenly frowned, and the relatively stable mental power around him began to fluctuate. Chi Yao was no stranger to this situation; he hesitated whether to soothe him when Shi Xing’s eyes suddenly opened wide, sitting up without making a sound, but his face was filled with terror.

Shi Xing had dreamt again.

Seeing something, Chi Yao’s expression darkened.

“I’m very curious about what exactly is so terrifying in the Nest. Is there a management oversight?”

Chi Yao spoke up, and only then did Shi Xing realize he was standing before him, hurriedly wanting to call for someone. Chi Yao’s finger, however, pointed at his eyes.

Shi Xing stood dazed, trembling as he wiped with the back of his hand, noticing the wetness, only then realizing he had been crying.

“I…”

“Your Highness, I…”

Unable to explain how he felt, Shi Xing opened his mouth but found no words.

Chi Yao: “If you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to. I’m just curious.”

He regularly inquired about the situation within the Nest, paying attention to the growth of Blue Star humans, especially since Shi Xing would be staying for a while before and after the matching banquet. Shi Xing’s condition truly made Chi Yao question his jurisdiction.

Shi Xing steadied himself, forcing himself to meet Chi Yao’s gaze, and indeed found a gentle light.

Strong, gentle, and accommodating.

Even with sharp edges, Shi Xing could discern that it wasn’t directed at him.

The smoky gray was very cold, but those smoky gray eyes held warmth, revealing deep concern.

Perhaps it was due to having absorbed the other’s mental power, creating a natural familiarity, or perhaps because Chi Yao had never truly harmed him, or maybe it was the timing that hadn’t allowed Shi Xing to build up emotional walls fast enough.

In their brief eye contact, Shi Xing’s trembling voice softly confessed.

“Your Highness, I’m feeling a bit unwell.”