“Chapter 12”

"Chapter 12"

"Queqiu, preoccupied and naturally reserved with emotions and smiles, appeared even more melancholic than usual."

"Mao Mao, sensibly, cuddled close to his mother without causing any fuss. Even when bored to the point of dozing off, he made sure not to disturb Queqiu."

"As time slowly passed, the initially cool air was gradually drawn away, and the scorching sun enveloped Duocao Street in layers of heat waves. Even inside stone houses, the outside heat was palpable. Queqiu used a bit of his spiritual power to isolate the hot air surrounding him and Mao Mao, making it more bearable and preventing them from sweating profusely like the locals."

"The duo waited until the hottest part of the day, finally welcoming the return of a dusty and weary Dodd."

"He came back carrying two tubes of strawberry-flavored nutritional fluid."

"Queqiu's eyes immediately caught sight of the pink liquid in Dodd's hands, sparkling like glowing golden gems. He quickly stood up from the sofa with a 'whoosh'."

"This unusual behavior even startled Dodd, who was used to Queqiu's generally lackluster demeanor, unlike typical Omegas who were either constantly tearful or temperamental, causing endless headaches. Most of the time, this unusual little Omega would be daydreaming, rather than showing interest in something as he did today."

"But Dodd didn't flatter himself to think it was his hardworking, handsome self that caught the Omega's attention. He quickly realized that Queqiu's gaze was fixed on the nutritional fluid in his hand."

"The usually slow-witted Beta had a moment of quick thinking as he observed Queqiu closely, then smiled warmly."

"Unaware of the deeper reasons, Dodd assumed Queqiu was just a little foodie."

"In his eyes, the beautiful little Omega shyly pointed at the nutritional fluid, his soft, youthful voice as sweet as marshmallow: 'Is this the same thing you gave me this morning?'"

"Dodd’s straightforward Beta heart almost melted. Gazing at Queqiu with golden hair and eyes, he felt as if he was basking in warm sunshine, irresistibly drawn to this dazzling presence."

"He thought, no wonder Omegas are so popular, destined to be adored wherever they go. If it were Queqiu, who could resist giving him everything?"

"He even felt a tinge of envy for those annoying Alphas who could have such sweet and adorable Omegas."

"However, these were just Dodd’s unilateral fantasies. In reality, Queqiu was only interested in eating. He had no idea what the honest Beta standing across from him was thinking in those few seconds."

"Mao Mao, with his keen senses, quickly picked up on Dodd’s thoughts and became unhappy. His little face stretched long, and his two antennae stood up in attack mode."

"Puffing out his little chest, he marched up to Dodd like a formidable general, snatched the nutritional fluid, and handed it all to Queqiu."

"After all, parents should never suffer hardships, nor should a mother ever go hungry!"

"Dodd, taken aback, scratched the back of his head awkwardly: 'I got back a bit late, you weren’t hungry, were you?'"

"Queqiu shook his head: 'No.'"

"He handed one tube back to Mao Mao, as children in their growing years need their nourishment. Even if he was in need of spiritual energy, he couldn’t take Mao Mao's share."

"Queqiu sipped the nutritional fluid gently, the liquid moistening his soft, pale lips, shining like tender jelly. He drank with such elegance, slower even than the child Mao Mao."

"Dodd watched on, marveling: 'True to an Omega, even drinking nutritional fluid is a pleasing sight.'"

"Not like us rough types, who gulp it down in one go without even savoring the taste."

"Shortly after drinking the nutritional fluid, Queqiu sensed a faint, unabsorbed spiritual energy within him. Had he not been prepared and observant, he might have easily overlooked such a subtle change."

"It seems I need more nutritional fluid,' Queqiu thought, asking Dodd, 'Is the nutritional fluid we drink usually distributed by the street chief?'"

"Dodd nodded: 'Yes. Sadly, Duocao Street has scarce resources, and the main city often cuts our allocation. So, the street chief distributes it based on the registered number of people in each household to ensure everyone gets their share. This prevents waste and ensures everyone's basic needs are met.'"

"Queqiu frowned slightly, realizing the living conditions for Dark Star's lower-class citizens were even harsher than he had imagined. He asked Dodd, 'Is your only food source the nutritional fluid?'"

"'Not really. Before the radiation outbreak in the star system, we used to eat regular meals. But as the environment rapidly deteriorated, more and more plants went extinct, and ordinary people couldn't access normal food anymore. To address this, the Imperial Genetic Research Institute developed the energy-supplementing nutritional fluid, which quickly gained attention across various planets. As it entered the market, people found it not only convenient but also richer in nutrients than regular meals, with a variety of flavors to choose from. Gradually, nutritional fluid replaced regular meals and became the new staple food of the Empire.'"

"After a thorough explanation, Dodd added: 'However, I've heard that the royalty and nobility in the capital still retain the traditional way of eating and don't rely entirely on nutritional fluid.'"

"Queqiu's focus was on the organization that developed the nutritional fluid: 'The Imperial Genetic Research Institute?'"

"Mentioning this institute made Dodd's eyes light up, his tone becoming more excited: 'That's a highly revered organization! You don't know, after the radiation outbreak, it was the quickly established Genetic Research Institute that helped us survive with minimal losses. Their researchers dedicate their lives to studying genetic diseases. If they can cure it completely, it would save millions of people and generations to come!'"

"Queqiu wasn't interested in how the institute saved the world, but in how they developed the nutritional fluid. If he had the chance, he planned to visit this place to investigate the raw materials of the nutritional fluid, which might contain higher amounts of spiritual energy."

Dodd spoke with rising enthusiasm, exclaiming, "The current dean of the Genetics Research Institute is a gentle Omega beauty. Not only is she exceptionally capable, but she's also incredibly kind and approachable. It's no small feat for an Omega to stand out among many outstanding Alpha researchers. This is why, in recent years, the proportion of Omegas in the institute's fan base has reached an all-time high."

Queqiu politely applauded, like a little seal clapping its hands, yet his face remained expressionless, and his heart was undisturbed. "Is that so? I'd like to visit the Genetics Research Institute sometime," he said, thinking of uncovering the ingredients of the nutrient solution.

"Hahaha, I knew it, you Omegas must love the institute," Dodd laughed heartily, then quickly changed the topic, "Speaking of which, as a newly adult Omega, you should need more nutrients. I'll ask the street chief for an extra portion of nutrient solution for you when I collect it tonight."

Little Rose's golden eyes sparkled, "Really?"

Dodd looked at Queqiu and, for some reason, felt a pang of emotion.

"You are an Omega!" Dodd seemed to disapprove of his unconfident response - he thought the young Omega before him was too sensible and heart-wrenchingly endearing.

"Every Omega deserves care and protection a hundredfold more than others. It's the responsibility of the entire society, as well as every citizen of the empire. Little Queqiu, you can't always be so selfless. Omegas your age are pampered with more than just an extra portion of nutrient solution; even a truckload of it is worthwhile if it can add even a bit more nutrition to an Omega."

As he spoke, Dodd felt a surge of guilt, his eyes reddening, unable to look at Queqiu.

He lowered his head, his voice muffled, "I'm sorry, the poverty of Duocao Street is profound. Even if we give all we have, it's nothing compared to what you deserve. You, being so delicate, should not have to grow up in such barren lands."

Although Dodd had never encountered an Omega before, he had been taught from a young age to unconditionally protect and indulge them, knowing that the precious and rare Omegas should be cherished.

Especially an Omega like Queqiu, who seemed more fragile and exquisite compared to others, deserved to be treated with utmost care and affection.

However, the precious Omega himself had no idea why Dodd was suddenly saying all this.

Queqiu was caught off guard by the Beta's sudden apology, initially stunned, then realizing deeply how different this world was from his own.

Queqiu felt something was amiss, but he didn't know how to express his thoughts to make Dodd understand.

His eyebrows furrowed, his long and thick eyelashes casting a shadow over his eyelids as he pondered quietly.

After a moment, Queqiu lifted his eyes, their golden pupils shimmering like a lake bathed in phosphorescence by the setting sun. He asked Dodd, "Do you know about canaries?"

Dodd, caught off guard by such eyes, was momentarily dazed, taking a while to realize that the other was waiting for his answer.

He shook his head, honestly admitting, "I don't know."

Given Dodd's limited knowledge of plants and the harsh living conditions of Duocao Street, he probably only recognized common plants like cacti or stone fruits.

As for canaries?

What are they?

Golden little birds?

While Dodd was puzzled, the melodious voice of the Omega slowly rose. The words that followed left this Beta, who had never left Duocao Street and lived at the bottom of the empire, in an unprecedented and unforgettable shock. These words would be etched in his memory and bones forever, never to be forgotten even after a hundred or a thousand years.

Even if he forgets, the winds of the Gobi will remember for him.

"Canaries are roses, golden roses."

"Roses? What are roses? There are no roses in the empire."

"Roses, like the cacti of the Gobi, are plants."

Dodd smiled sheepishly, still clueless.

For Betas like him, and not just Betas, but also Street Chief Yang, Dr. Wil, mutated Angie, and every resident of Duocao Street, even the entire Dark Star, none had ever seen a flower bloom or smelled its fragrance in their entire lives.

Dodd couldn't imagine what a golden rose looked like, just as he couldn't picture what the world beyond the Gobi was like.

Queqiu realized his question was beyond Dodd's comprehension. Dodd would never know that not all plants are as ugly and spiky as cacti, would never experience the shade of green trees or the lushness of grass, nor could he imagine the opulent world beyond the sandy expanses.

All he knew was to scavenge with the street chief daily, receive a low-grade stone fruit during the new year, and protect the best-developed part of the slum, Duocao Street.

Queqiu fell silent for a moment, not intending to embarrass Dodd with his question.

He answered his own question: "Roses are flowers with many varieties. Their petals feel like fine velvet, layered like a young girl's skirt; the leaves are a soft green, always dewy and fragrant with the scent of fresh grass."

"When roses bloom, they are fragrant, attracting many bees and butterflies."

To Dodd, Queqiu's voice sounded like a clear, flowing spring, clean and pure. As he described what roses were, Dodd sat obediently on a small stool, captivated, along with his dog Mao Mao.

"Canaries are a type of rose, their petals are a pure gold, unadulterated by any impurities, tightly wrapped together like a tiny sun that can be held in the palm of your hand."

Dodd was utterly immersed in the enchanting illusion created by Queqiu, experiencing an indescribable sense of bliss that swept away his previous fatigue.

Although he couldn't conjure images of things he had never seen, he still enjoyed closing his eyes. It was as if, in that moment, he found himself amidst an endless sea of roses, with the sound of butterflies flapping their wings in his ears, a continuous flow of gold before his eyes, and a gentle, warm fragrance of flowers at his nose.

In that instant, Dodd felt as if he was redeemed and healed from soul to body, inside and out, relaxing entirely, no longer as tense as a hard rock.

He couldn't help but wonder, "Roses sound as delicate and beautiful as Omegas, requiring careful nurturing and affection to bloom, right?"

Queqiu gently shook his head.

The beautiful, pretty, noble, and delicate little Omega, embodying the world's finest, told him, "People often think cacti need no care and roses are pampered in greenhouses, but in reality, roses possess the same resilient vitality as cacti. Even in fields overrun with wild grass, they can take deep root and bloom wildly. Especially canaries, they'll still blossom brilliantly even in neglected places."

"Cacti in the desert and roses in the wild grasslands both root in barren land."

"If cacti are thorns, then roses are also thorns."

"You and I are both thorns. He is a thorn too."

"All people are thorns."