Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Before making this decision, Yang had spent many days pondering, finally gathering the courage to speak up.

He wasn’t as resolute and nonchalant as he appeared on the surface; in fact, his inner turmoil and hesitation were much greater than Dodd's.

Dodd might just be reluctant to part with Queqiu, cherishing the beautiful yet not overly delicate Omega; but as the street chief, Yang had much more to consider in the decision of Queqiu's stay or departure.

After all, on the Dark Star, everyone knew how precious Omegas were and their significant role in maintaining group stability—even a regular Omega had an extraordinary impact.

However, as the linchpin of Duocao Street, Yang couldn’t openly display his true feelings and thoughts; he had to appear calm and composed at all times, as much in handling Angie’s genetic disease outbreak as in deciding Queqiu’s fate.

But neither the deeply strategic and devoted Yang, nor the simple-minded and straightforward-thinking Beta Dodd, expected Queqiu to give such an answer.

Both men were stunned upon hearing those words, frozen in place, taking a long while to come back to their senses.

Then, a surge of incredibly complex emotions welled up in them.

Their first reaction was surprise; even they saw Duocao Street as barren, but to the delicate Omega, it seemed like a treasure, praised without any disdain.

The second reaction was a bit of shame.

They had never really given Queqiu anything, yet he still remembered their kindness. If it were any other Omega, hearing about the opportunity to go to the Dark Star Military Academy, they would undoubtedly choose it over Duocao Street without hesitation.

These mixed emotions left Yang and Dodd feeling like their hearts were a jumbled mess of flavors on a cooking table. Amidst their contemplation, they had made up their minds.

Queqiu was great, the best Omega in the universe. Therefore, such a good Omega deserved a better place.

Duocao Street was just a temporary stop for him. Having him for even a short time was a rare fortune for all the residents of Duocao Street.

After pondering for a while, Yang finally steeled himself, looking directly into Queqiu's eyes with sincerity, "Duocao Street is honored to be a part of your beautiful memories. We'd love for you to stay, but more than that, we wish for you to have a better life."

Queqiu listened quietly to Yang's words, not responding immediately, but first glanced at Dodd.

Dodd, who had been the most vocal in his opposition, now agreed with Yang. Although his eyes shimmered with tears of reluctance, he firmly said, "The Dark Star is fraught with danger, and Duocao Street is just surviving in the cracks. Only the Dark Star Military Academy can truly protect you. Going there is the right choice."

Dodd's change of heart was within Queqiu's expectations. Although he hadn’t spent much time with this honest and kind Beta, it was enough to understand what kind of person he was.

Dodd might initially struggle to accept Yang's decision, but once he had time to think it through, he would never say anything to stop Queqiu. Instead, he would do everything possible to persuade Queqiu to accept.

Because Dodd sincerely hoped that the Omega he had met could have a better life.

In his heart, Queqiu was like a rose, beautiful and needing careful nurturing.

Aren’t roses supposed to grow in lavish estates? Especially canaries. They should be planted in sunrooms, their tiny golden petals closed together like adorable custard buns, shining brilliantly under the sun behind glass walls.

Seeing Queqiu's silence, Yang, unsure of his thoughts, tentatively asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

Queqiu remained silent for a moment, undecided, unable to give a definite answer right away, and said, "It's not just my decision to make; I have to ask Mao Mao."

From a practical standpoint, the Dark Star Military Academy was indeed the better choice. Queqiu knew this, as did Yang and Dodd. He couldn't possibly stay in Duocao Street forever. Or rather, both choices were already clear to all parties involved. But making a choice doesn’t mean denying the other; the chosen option isn’t necessarily better than the unchosen one, nor is the unchosen necessarily worse. If Queqiu were truly just a wandering Omega exiled to the Dark Star, having encountered such warm and friendly people in Duocao Street, he was certain he would have chosen to stay.

No matter the assumptions made, Queqiu was not an Omega of this world – that was an undeniable fact.

He was a canary from another realm, and in this brutal, survival-of-the-fittest world, he could only keep moving forward, never able to stay in one place.

The reason he hadn't come to a conclusion was that one person remained uninformed – Mao Mao.

Queqiu had his own choices, but he didn't want his decisions to burden others, especially Mao Mao.

In Queqiu’s eyes, Mao Mao was never just a naive child. He deserved his own right to know and choose, and Queqiu would support Mao Mao in exercising his rights. Queqiu wouldn’t presume to make choices for him, just because he was older.

He always believed that regardless of age differences, social status, or other factors of strength and weakness, these were merely external conditions. When two people truly interact, setting aside all external factors, what remains are two equal souls.

When both are placed on the scales, the weight of their souls is the same, with none more precious than the other.

Therefore, even with the so-called "precious Omega" status, Queqiu never felt superior in his interactions with the residents of Duocao Street. The same applied to Mao Mao.

Naturally, Yang and Dodd wouldn’t think this deeply, having been raised with the empire's survival-of-the-fittest and rarity-values mindset. Facing Queqiu and other Omegas, they always thought of him as a "kind and delicate Omega, different from the others," without delving into why he was different.

Therefore, they didn’t overthink Queqiu’s response, assuming he was just more indulgent with Mao Mao, and there was no reason to disagree.

“Then, once you've made up your mind, come and let me know,” said Yang.

Queqiu nodded, “Okay.”

“I’ll be going then. Dodd, take good care of Queqiu.”

“Okay,” Dodd replied, his voice hoarse and slightly tearful from the recent agitation.

As Yang prepared to leave, Dodd offered, “I’ll walk you out, Chief.”

“No need, you two get some rest,” Yang said, waving his hand without turning back, indicating they shouldn't bother.

Queqiu called to Dodd, intending to invite him inside, but Dodd, lost in thought watching Yang leave, didn’t hear him. After calling a few times to no avail, Queqiu gave up and went inside alone.

However, just as he turned, Queqiu saw Mao Mao, illuminated by the bright moonlight, leaning against the door frame.

"The child, wearing oversized slippers, was dressed only in a thin nightgown and shorts, his soft silver hair tousled from sleep. The little tuft of hair tied by Queqiu and his two feathery antennae together resembled the shape of a WiFi signal."

"Mao Mao, with eyes the color of moonlit silver, stood quietly at the doorway, gazing in Queqiu's direction. Upon seeing him turn around, he slightly lifted his chin, seeking eye contact."

"Queqiu wasn't sure how long Mao Mao had been listening there alone. He approached and squatted in front of him, hands on his knees, and asked softly, 'What's wrong?'"

"While speaking, he extended a hand to rub the child's cool little cheeks."

"Mao Mao let him do so without a word."

"'When did you get up?' Queqiu wasn't upset about Mao Mao wandering around or eavesdropping on adult conversations; he was just concerned that the child might catch a cold."

"If this scene weren’t happening in reality, no one would believe that a youth who seemed so distant could wear such a gentle expression, speaking in a soft, tender voice."

"The stark contrast only made Queqiu more captivating."

"Indeed, Queqiu embodied an indescribable form of maternity, just as Mao Mao, Anjie Lie, and even Dong Kui had felt numerous times. It wasn’t confined to just one person, nor was it the typical motherly love often depicted. It was something greater, more sublime, a nurturing essence of life itself."

"A giver of life, a bringer of redemption."

"To Mao Mao, Queqiu appeared as if draped in moonlight, wrapped in a thin, silvery veil as delicate as a cicada's wing. His hair flowed like molten gold, turning almost translucent against the backlight of the moon, shimmering like amber held to the sun."

"Looking up unerringly into those golden eyes, Mao Mao's voice was soft and faint as he asked, 'Mom, are you going to leave me behind?'"

"He had heard from Yang Shu and Dodd about being sent to the Dark Star Military Academy, and a panic of abandonment overwhelmed him at that moment, enveloping him like the thick, unyielding night, leaving him unsure how to react or what expression to make."

"Queqiu was momentarily surprised, not understanding why Mao Mao would think he wanted to abandon him, but patiently explained, 'No, it's just that we might have to leave here. If you want to come with me, I'll take you along.'"

"'Where to?'"

"'The Military Academy on Dark Star. I'm not familiar with it, but the conditions should be better than Duocao Street. However, the people there may not be as kind as the uncles and aunties here, so if you want to stay, I respect your choice and will come back to visit you when I can.'"

"Before Queqiu could finish speaking, Mao Mao said, 'I'll go with you.'"

"'It might be dangerous, and you’re still very young. I don’t recommend you come with me.'"

"But Mao Mao's determination was unwavering, and in that moment, Queqiu felt like he was facing not a four or five-year-old child, but a resolute general."

Mao Mao intently gazed into Queqiu's eyes, his silver-gray pupils, though youthful, imparting a familiar sharpness to Queqiu.

"No matter how dangerous, no matter where it is, I want to be with you."

Queqiu, taken aback at first, then gently nodded and caressed Mao Mao's soft antennae, "Okay."

Standing up, he said, "Let's go inside and sleep. Staying up late will stunt a child's growth."

Mao Mao hurriedly followed, clutching Queqiu's hand tightly, pleading, "Mom, no matter what happens, you can't abandon me."

Queqiu stopped in his tracks, about to respond, when Mao Mao continued, "Please, Mom, don't leave me alone."

The child seemed a bit too dependent, didn’t he?

Queqiu, without overthinking it and somewhat helplessly said, "Okay, I promise you."

Mao Mao earnestly stated, "If one day you really abandon me, and I find you again, I will definitely punish you."

Queqiu initially didn’t take the child's words seriously, but Mao Mao spoke with such solemnity that it sent a chill down his spine, prompting him to agree, "If I break my promise, Mao Mao can punish Mom however he wants."

Only then did the extremely insecure child feel satisfied, reverting to his usual affectionate self with Mom. Holding Queqiu's hand, he led him to rest, shyly touching their foreheads together and softly wishing a good night.

Author’s note:

Mao Mao: Mom can't abandon me QAQ

Mao Mao declared with resolve, "If Mom abandons me and I find her again, I will punish her severely."

The General simply affirmed, "Yes."