Chapter 117

Chapter 117

"The people of the empire believe your flower is like the sun in the sky, brilliant and full of hope; and you yourself are as dazzling as the sun, equally bestowing salvation upon everyone."

"They think you are the one who can change the empire and bring hope to it."

Thus, the people of the empire generously and expectantly bestowed upon Queqiu the grand title of "The Sun of the Empire."

Among billions, not a single person disputed this nickname; everyone unanimously agreed that Queqiu was the Sun of the Empire.

Even Queqiu himself had not anticipated that in just a week, his reputation in the empire would soar to such heights.

Duan Chensen and the people of Dark Star Military Academy were not exaggerating; in fact, their descriptions seemed somewhat understated now.

"And what about you, Imperial General?" Queqiu looked at Duan Chensen, "What do they call you?"

"Hiss, now that's something I need to think about."

Duan Chensen appeared to be seriously recalling: "For instance, 'the heartless executioner', 'the war machine', 'the most feared enemy of the insect race', 'the strongest Alpha of the Empire'."

"And…" He suddenly leaned closer to Queqiu, whispering in his ear, "'The Alpha of the Empire’s most beautiful Omega'."

Queqiu’s cheeks reddened slightly, and he kicked Duan Chensen's leg lightly: "Be serious."

Duan Chensen then became more earnest: "The Silver Moon of the Empire."

"The Silver Moon of the Empire?"

"They say, I am like the silver moon hanging in the empire’s sky, cold, bloodthirsty, silently and stoically guarding this nation."

Queqiu looked up thoughtfully at the moon hiding behind the city skyline, still as quiet as the first night he arrived at the capital, silently witnessing everything that transpired in the empire.

Just like Duan Chensen.

"Do you want to look around more?"

"Yes."

Receiving Queqiu's affirmative response, Duan Chensen, with his arm around Queqiu, headed to a busier park.

The capital star truly lived up to its name. Despite the scarcity of plant species and their low survival rate in the empire, the level of greenery enjoyed only by the lord's mansion on Dark Star was common in a central park here.

The flower beds were planted with evergreen ornamental cypress trees, and the paths were dotted with various colorful flowers. Though not as diverse as those on Earth's parks, they were vastly superior to any Queqiu had seen before.

Not far away stood high-rise buildings adorned with enormous posters of Queqiu, exuding a strong sense of technology. The floating car lanes built mid-air blinked with red lights, creating a bustling and lively atmosphere.

However, it seemed that the people of the Interstellar Empire, amidst all this ubiquitous opulence, preferred these natural, tranquil corners.

The park, not particularly large, was packed with at least ten thousand people.

Even though the plant variety in the flower beds was quite limited, they didn’t mind; they only wished they could live in the park.

The inhabitants had once destroyed their ecological environment for development, leading to massive vegetation destruction and rapid extinction of countless plants, almost turning every planet into a desolate one like Dark Star. Now, experiencing the bitter fruits of their actions, the people of the empire began to yearn for and cherish the days of lush greenery and fragrant flowers.

Queqiu could understand why he was so beloved by the empire’s people. Living in an environment where plants were scarce and even a hint of greenery was rare, the sight of a never-seen, stunningly beautiful flower like the Canary would enchant anyone.

Moreover, during the interstellar live broadcast, his unique floral scent had rescued many Alphas and Omegas from pheromone chaos, earning him even more respect.

As Queqiu was reflecting, a couple with a little Omega child passed by.

The little one, adorable and fair, sat on the Alpha father’s shoulders, pointing at Queqiu’s enormous poster nearby. His round, dark eyes filled with admiration as he exclaimed in a childlike voice, "It's Queqiu! So pretty!"

The Omega parent, smiling, corrected him: “You shouldn't call him Queqiu, you should call him mama.”

The little one, biting his tender, lotus-like fingers, looked puzzled: “But you are my mama. If I already have a mama, why should I call him mama too?”

“Because he is a very remarkable and great Omega, the spiritual mother of all Omegas in the empire,” explained the Omega.

The little one seemed to understand, yet not quite, and nodded.

Queqiu couldn't help but stop and turn his head towards the family that had just passed by him.

They had walked a few steps away, but the little Omega suddenly turned back, sensing something, and called out "mama" in a tender voice towards them.

Queqiu felt as if a soft, creamy cotton ball had gently bumped into a corner of his heart, incredibly sweet.

Seeing this, Duan Chensen leaned down to nibble on his ear, his warm breath in the ear canal made Queqiu involuntarily shrink back: "Although I prefer little roses, I still hope our little rose would be an Alpha, so no matter how much time passes, my shoulders and arms will belong only to you."

Queqiu didn't think much of it: "That Alpha father was giving his little Omega a piggyback ride just now, don’t you care about your Alpha son?"

"Which family’s little Alpha sits on their dad’s shoulders," Duan Chensen scoffed, "That's simply embarrassing."

"Your empire’s father-son and brotherly relationships…" Considering Duan Chensen's father passed away early, Queqiu tried to phrase it more delicately: "Are really quite…"

Duan Chensen raised an eyebrow, matter-of-factly stating: "Have the child and hand him over to Duan Chenlin to raise. Little Alphas grow up fast; they can go to the legion for experience in their teens, then throw the throne to him, and I’d have done my duty."

Queqiu: "…I thought you kept pestering me about having a little rose because you really like children."

"Duan Chenlin's childhood was enough to erase any paternal filter I had towards Alpha offspring, and indeed, butterfly larvae are quite ugly."

"You know that?" Queqiu thought expressionlessly, wondering who it was that kept pestering him, saying he wasn’t a caterpillar but a beautiful butterfly.

Duan Chensen tightened his embrace around Queqiu, usually so fluent in flirtatious remarks but now a bit embarrassed: "The most important thing is…"

"I really want to be with you, to have a family with you."

He buried his head, leaning dependently against Queqiu’s shoulder and neck: "I don't know what kinship and family are, but in my understanding, it’s about having a beloved wife and a little child."

Duan Chensen, towering in height, often behaves like a child in front of Queqiu.

"I love you so much, wife," he lifted his head, his silver eyes shining brightly like stars in the sky, "I don’t even know how to express all my love for you. It seems no matter how many times I say it, it’s never enough. I might need to continue in the next life, and the life after that."

A warm current flowed through Queqiu's heart, and he reached out to touch the Alpha's coarse hair.

"You are my only attachment to this world," he said softly, like the gentlest evening breeze after the snow melts, "I love you too."

Duan Chensen quietly gazed at Queqiu for a long while, as if trying to etch this moment deep into his very being.

He kissed him, lingering for a long time.

When they parted, the sound of their heartbeats seemed clearer than ever, a distinct sign of their unwavering affection and endless love for each other.

As they continued walking, thanks to the difference in their statures and Duan Chensen's shielding, Queqiu wasn't recognized by anyone along the way.

Turning a corner, they heard the lively chatter of youth ahead.

Queqiu and Duan Chensen stopped and peeked through the cypress trees: a group of young, lively Omegas.

"I’ve told both my fathers that when I enroll next year, I want to choose the combat series, just like Queqiu!"

"Did they agree?"

"At first, of course, they disagreed, telling me that Omegas are more delicate by nature, not as physically strong as Alphas and Betas, and that choosing the healing series would be more appropriate. I was so annoyed! Why should Omegas be pampered and protected? Some Alphas nearby can’t even run as fast as me."

The friends asked anxiously, "Then what happened?"

The little Omega proudly put his hands on his hips, his sprout-like hair bouncing energetically: "Then I brought up Queqiu, and they didn’t stop me anymore."

"That’s great. I’m going to tell my dad too. I don’t want to choose the healing series; I want to choose the command series, which I like the most," another Omega said, looking admiringly at the sprout Omega.

"If Omegas could have more choices and pursue a broader range of professions, maybe they wouldn't need to be protected by Alphas and Betas anymore," another Omega said, "They could be like Queqiu, protecting the weaker Alphas and Betas."

"I don’t think that far ahead," the grass Omega showed off a canary bracelet on their wrist, eyes full of admiration, "My idol is Queqiu, the Sun of the Empire. I’ll be a little star of the Empire!"

"Wow, you actually got the limited edition commemorative bracelet from the military academy league!" The Omegas crowded around in envy, carefully admiring the realistically shaped milky-yellow flower buds on the bracelet, their faces filled with surprise and respect.

Duan Chensen remarked, "The influence of a good role model on children surpasses any elaborate propaganda."

He looked at Queqiu, his eyes filled with satisfaction: "This empire will slowly become the world you desire, because of you, because it changes for you."

Queqiu stood there, watching for a long while, until the little Omegas left as the night deepened.

"Let's go back too."

Duan Chensen nodded and wrapped his arm around Queqiu, heading back.

On their way back, a small incident occurred.

They passed a newly opened public hospital, which was sparsely populated since it had just started a pilot program.

Not only were the Omegas who should be working as doctors absent, but there were also few Alphas or Betas seeking treatment. The occasional passersby were homeless people taking shelter in the lobby.

Queqiu remembered the new rule announced by Duan Chenlin during the personal awards ceremony, a measure beneficial for Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Why did it seem to be poorly received?

He looked at Duan Chensen, puzzled.

Duan Chensen explained: "Traditionally, once Omegas reach adulthood, they often choose to enter the military academy, opting for the healing series. While they provide obligatory services like mental counseling and pheromone comfort for the academy's Alphas and Betas, and even risk treating patients with genetic disease symptoms, they also receive substantial subsidies and benefits. Most marry high-ranking officers or nobles after graduation."

"In other words, Omegas are essentially a resource exclusive to a certain class, tightly held and not allowed to circulate in the lower market."

"For Omegas, this well-trodden path, validated by many predecessors, is the safest and least risky option. Freedom comes with risks. Society’s long-term pampering and accommodation of Omegas, like raising them in a honey pot, leaves few with the courage to step out of these advantages. So, even with new opportunities, they hesitate to take the risk, leave the mainstream system, and opt for something like a public hospital, which currently shows no clear future prospects."

After hearing Duan Chensen's explanation, Queqiu finally understood what had always felt odd about this society and the culture of revering Omegas.

Since his arrival on Dark Star, Queqiu had been puzzled by this. Looking back now, isn't it just a grand chess game played by the nobility?

Overly revering Omegas, accommodating and favoring them in everything, even having separate laws for them with special privileges beyond ordinary Alphas and Betas, might seem beneficial to Omegas on the surface. In reality, it's not true protection but a form of coddling to death.

Initially, they suppressed Omega resistance with force and bloodshed, then they shifted to a gentler approach, conceding some benefits of lower-class Alphas and Betas, leading to Omegas gradually letting down their guard and accepting this lifestyle.

And so, the flowers accustomed to the greenhouse could no longer live without the meticulous care of the gardeners – even if these gardeners only nurtured them to fetch a higher price later.

The portion of benefits the nobility relinquished was transferred onto ordinary Alphas and Betas, making them bear it all. Planting seeds of injustice, they reaped the benefits themselves.

The current state of the empire has been propelled by the nobility.

"Duan Chenlin's new regulations may seem to disadvantage Omegas, but in reality, helping them step out of this coddling environment and engage in careers worthy of respect from anyone is the true way to change the status of Omegas," said Queqiu.

Duan Chensen nodded in agreement: "Only by participating in production and society can Omegas avoid being criticized as 'useless vases requiring careful maintenance.' Currently, due to their rarity, they maintain superficial harmony in public opinion. But in the long run, ordinary Alphas and Betas will inevitably feel the unfairness, yet the Omegas will be the ones facing public backlash, unaware of who is actually orchestrating all this."

"The royal family has always wanted to make changes, but it's extremely difficult," said Duan Chensen, "Firstly, it touches upon the core interests of the nobility, and they won't let it go easily. Secondly, it affects the interests of Omegas, and no one wants to change their more privileged status."

"This is beneficial for ordinary Alphas and Betas, but if Omegas don't cooperate, it will end up being mere rhetoric."

After much analysis, they exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with helplessness.

The road ahead is long and the night deep; the dawn they yearn for may only break after countless difficulties.

"Let's go in," said Duan Chensen, holding the revolving door open for Queqiu, "It's darkest before the dawn. We just need to get through this."

Queqiu hummed softly in his embrace.

Although the path to their ideal goal is fraught with challenges, having such a warm embrace by his side, supporting each other, makes even the toughest journey seem less daunting.

As they stepped inside, they heard suppressed sobbing from a corner.

Queqiu paused and turned his head towards the source of the sound.

It was a young Alpha, sporting snow-white puppy ears, no more than seventeen or eighteen years old, his pheromones still immature.

He clutched a child tightly in his arms, also an Alpha with snow-white dog ears, but this one looked much younger, seemingly around ten years old.

"Beanie, don't fall asleep, look at your brother," the Alpha gently patted his brother’s back, his voice urgent and eyes filled with despair, "Hang in there, okay? Brother is here, it'll be okay, it's going to be okay."

The younger Alpha brother curled up in his sibling's arms, his continuously trembling back indicating the immense pain he was enduring. His snow-white tail hung lifelessly, drooping straight down.

"It hurts... it hurts so much..." the little one's voice was faint, each word seemed to drain all his strength, only daring to cry out when the pain became unbearable.

The voice was so feeble, like a sickly mouse squeaking, only audible to Queqiu and Duan Chensen with their keen senses; most others would have missed it entirely.

Hearing his brother cry out in pain, the older Alpha was even more frantic, tears nearly spilling from his eyes.

Biting his lip, he carried his brother to seek help from a Beta nurse on night duty, pleading for what seemed like the umpteenth time: "Please, find us an Omega doctor. My brother can't hold on much longer. He hasn’t started to metamorphose yet, there’s still hope to save him. If we wait any longer, it will be too late."

When he uttered "too late," his nose twitched, and tears finally fell, dropping onto his brother’s ear, wetting the snow-white fur.

Feeling his brother's sadness, the little one, despite being too weak to cry out in pain, struggled to raise his frail hand to wipe away his brother's tears.

"Brother, don't cry, Beanie doesn't hurt," he said, and then his hand dropped weakly, his eyelids too heavy to lift.

The more sensible the younger brother was, the more heartbroken the elder felt, his shoulders shaking as he tried to hold back his tears.

The Beta nurse looked on with sympathy but had to repeat the hard truth: "I'm really sorry, there are no Omega doctors in the hospital at the moment, we can't provide psychological counseling for your brother."

After a pause, she added, with a hint of pallor, "I can arrange a room for your brother and give him some painkillers to ease his suffering."

But what use are these for treating a genetic disease?!

To the elder Alpha brother, these words were nothing but a sentence to wait for death.

He had heard these futile responses too many times and could no longer contain his grief, breaking down: "Didn't they promise everything would be set up for Alphas like us, to have hospitals for treating genetic diseases, with healing Omegas as doctors, that everything would be there and get better? Why is it not like that now?!"

The young Alpha couldn't understand why there were no doctors in the hospital, nor why they had to face genetic disease. He just held his younger brother in his arms, helplessly pleading with the Beta nurse to save him.

"He's only ten, he’s never done anything wrong. He helps the Omegas at school with their duties, brings home candies given by the school, he's done nothing wrong. Why does he have to suffer from such a disease, why does he have to die in such agony..." The elder Alpha sobbed, "I just want a doctor to save him..."

"Don't, please don't…" The Beta nurse choked up, unsure of what to say, managing only to offer, "Don't be too sad, I..."

Before the sentence was finished, a crisp voice resounded near them.

Queqiu approached the Alpha brother, extending his hand, softening his tone as much as possible: "Let me try."

The Alpha brother seemed to be in a state of shock, perceiving anyone approaching as the grim reaper coming for his brother. He instinctively stepped back, clutching his brother. However, upon realizing who it was, he suddenly froze.

He stared at the Omega standing before him, so astonished that his tears stopped, momentarily unable to discern if this was reality or an illusion.

Even the Beta nurse was rooted to the spot, incredulously looking at Queqiu.

Duan Chensen followed and spoke up, jolting the two out of their daze.

"He's the doctor," he said, "here to save lives."

Queqiu nodded, extending his hand to the Alpha brother: "Trust me with him. I assure you, everything will be alright."

"It's you..." After regaining his senses, the Alpha brother's eyes, which had been filled with despair, now burst with immense joy.

Queqiu gently said to him: "Yes."

"It's me."

The Alpha brother, overwhelmed with emotion and not knowing what to say, hastily brought his brother to Queqiu.

"With you here, everything will definitely, definitely..."

His nose tingled, and he cried uncontrollably.

But this time, it was not due to despair, but because he finally saw hope.

"It will definitely get better."

For he is the Sun of the Empire.

He would bring salvation and equality to everyone, even to Alphas like them living at the bottom of the empire.

Author's Note:

Unlike other stories where the sun represents the dominant and the moon the submissive, in this tale, the Empire's Sun is Queqiu, and the Empire's Silver Moon is the one in the short shirt.

Together, the couple saved the empire, with Autumn taking on the major responsibility to support the family.

(Short shirt: Dislikes some Alpha pups.)