Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Xie Yilin had indeed been injured once, and it was reported in the news.

It happened several years ago and was considered an accident—just that one time, and it was a very minor news piece.

It was a small local media outlet, trying to curry favor with the royal family by highlighting how the Crown Prince led by example and fought bravely.

Afterward, they were warned not to repeat such behavior. Since then, there have been few reports on the Crown Prince's military service.

Until... that brutal battle.

After the brutal battle, there was a lot of negative public opinion about Xie Yilin.

The barrage collectively gasped.

"So it was intentional..."

"I've also been injured many times, and since watching this show, my heart has broken several times..."

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Where can I find such a good Omega! Where! Why haven't I met one! Why!!!"

"Wuwuwuwu I deeply relate! A warrior going out to battle and a little wife waiting at home, cooking and waiting for his return..."

"Bai Chen is too... but I'm a bit curious, why didn't he haggle for this?"

"I found out that although Sweet Duo Dish is a specialty of Endo Star, it's very hard to cultivate artificially..."

"Those who grow this dish usually struggle, doing it out of necessity."

"So Bai Chen..."

"Yes, he heard the auntie say it was homegrown, so he specifically didn't haggle."

The audience chattered, piecing together the scene at the time.

However, there were also different opinions.

"Aren't all vegetable growers hardworking? Then why did that uncle haggle?"

"To the previous commenter, I can give you an answer."

"Here are two price lists from the Endo Star vegetable market: the first is from the day before the show filmed, and the second is from when the show was filming. Take a close look—what's different?"

"Hmm... I see, that uncle secretly raised the price a bit..."

"But not by much—ah, wait, let me calculate!"

"...Oh my god, Bai Chen is amazing! After he haggled, it was exactly the normal price without the increase!!!"

"I'm convinced, totally convinced."

"I'm also convinced, bowing in admiration."

"Wow, what kind of brain is this? It works so fast!"

"It must be someone who often shops for groceries and is very familiar with prices."

"Too... too amazing, I declare I'm a fan of Bai Chen!!! Don't stop me!"

"Who's stopping you? You're the one who shouldn't be cutting in line!"

Even with thorough and careful medical treatment, battlefield injuries can still leave lingering issues. For warriors like Xie Yilin, who’ve spent years fighting in space, the accumulated damage inevitably takes a toll on their bodies.

That’s why many retired soldiers buy a lot of specific foods to help with their health through diet and daily care.

But this was the first time.

It was the first time someone had personally made this dish for him, remembering his past injuries.

The Omega tugged at his arm, looking up at him with a hint of pride, as if seeking praise.

His eyes sparkled, mirroring Xie Yilin’s face.

The Alpha suddenly lifted his right hand, covering Bai Chen’s eyes.

"...Huh?"

The sudden darkness made Bai Chen blink instinctively, his lashes brushing lightly against Xie Yilin’s palm. Xie Yilin didn’t seem to notice, simply reaching out with his left hand...

To pull him into a tight embrace.

He held him close.

Xie Yilin murmured softly, "Your daily hug."

Bai Chen: ...Oh. Got it.

Alright, alright, he understood.

So the Omega quickly and decisively hugged him back.

And once again, his dimples appeared.

...Public hugging wasn’t exactly new for them.

The onlookers were left speechless.

"Here we go again, the same old scene, the same old feeling."

"Yeah, I’m almost choking... but it’s so sweet, I can’t look away."

The crew quickly set up a close-up shot, while the nearby guests pretended not to notice.

Han Yunyun: ...She lowered her head, focusing on stir-frying.

Wait, no—she pushed Xin Yu’s head down, telling him to hurry up with the cooking.

"I’m dying, it’s the first time I’ve seen a dating show guest getting fed dog food just like me."

"Honestly, this show could just be about Bai Chen and His Highness, right? Hahaha..."

Bai Chen remained nestled in Xie Yilin’s arms.

Familiar with Xie Yilin’s embrace, Bai Chen fully immersed himself in it, savoring the moment.

The Omega pressed tightly against Xie Yilin’s chest, the taller man wrapping his arms around him, their bodies fitting together perfectly, as if they were one. The air was filled with some meaningful subtle particles, and at such a close distance...

Xie Yilin caught a faint whiff of sweet orange fragrance.

It was too close.

So there was no hiding it; he could sense it clearly.

The pheromones were the Omega's natural scent, like invisible willow branches swaying gently in the breeze, their lush green tendrils occasionally brushing against his heart. The Alpha prided himself on his restraint, but in that moment, his arm tightened suddenly.

The sweet orange must be incredibly sweet.

Absolutely delectable.

Bai Chen checked the time.

Three minutes must be up by now.

Any more delay would mess up the filming.

He shifted slightly, his disheveled head nuzzling reluctantly twice, trying to push Xie Yilin away—but he didn’t budge?

Bai Chen was taken aback.

He struggled to adjust his posture, looking up to hint at Xie Yilin, "Your Highness? Should we eat?"

Xie Yilin slowly let go of his arm.

The Alpha's expression was cold, seemingly unaffected, but then his gaze followed Bai Chen back to the steaming stove, watching as he turned off the heat, ladled a small bowl of soup, and brought it over.

Bai Chen scooped a small spoonful, raising it with great anticipation, "Want to taste it?"

The lights, the night, and the moonlight.

And the Omega's sweet dimples.

Sweet, as if filled with the most exquisite honey wine in the world.

"Please, Your Highness, just a tiny taste..."

"I'm not greedy! Just a bit of the leftover soup!"

"Neither of you gets it—let me, I'll just lick the bowl!"

"I want a taste too—I'd even take poison!"

"I'd even take aphrodisiacs!"

"I'd accept..."

The comments grew stranger and stranger, once again flooding the screen. Under the many gazes, the icy coldness in the man's demeanor melted away, and in the blurred light, Xie Yilin took a sip and said softly, "It's delicious."

The guests pretending not to notice: ...

The staff, nearly blinded: ...

Bai Chen smiled, ladling a spoonful for himself, "Hmm, my first time making this..."

"It's actually pretty good!"

***

Dinner wrapped up quickly.

The guests returned to their respective rooms, wrapping up a tiring day. After washing up, Bai Chen threw himself onto the big bed, grabbing a pillow to hug, as usual.

He rested his chin on the soft, fluffy head of the pillow, hesitating a bit, wondering whether to... tell Xie Yilin about what Cheng Ziang had said today?

But upon careful thought, it seemed Cheng Ziang hadn’t said much, just being sneaky.

Dodging the main issues and skirting around the point... it was the kind of talk that sounded meaningful but was actually vague and flimsy.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit concerned.

Concerned about what Cheng Ziang had mentioned, about what Xie Yilin had done today.

If the emperor, as a father, didn’t approve of this marriage, it would really complicate things.

The Omega rolled over in bed, first to the left, then to the right.

The blanket was tangled, and his hair was a mess.

...When Xie Yilin pushed the door open, he saw the Omega sitting cross-legged on the bed, hugging a pillow, lost in thought.

He gently closed the door, walked over casually, and naturally sat down on the edge of the bed, asking casually, "What happened today?"

"Ah..."

Bai Chen looked up, paused before slowly saying, "I went grocery shopping in the afternoon, came back to cook dinner... and then you got home."

He subconsciously glanced at the ever-present cameras, suddenly hearing Xie Yilin say, "They’re turned off."

"Wait, what???"

Bai Chen was surprised, off? What’s off? Did he mean... what he thought?

He quickly sprang up like a fish, ran barefoot to the nearest one, waved his hand, and saw no reflection.

The indicator light was off too.

They were completely off, like someone had unplugged them.

The Omega jumped back onto the bed with a plop, his smile growing wider.

"Actually, it’s no big deal," he said as if it didn’t matter, casually mentioning, "Cheng Ziang just came by to chat for a bit."

"Hmm... saying it’s tough to join the royal family and all that, and that he could support me, telling me to reach out if I ever needed help."

Cheng Ziang.

Xie Yilin’s eyes darkened a bit, his fingers tapping out of habit. The man tilted his head slightly, casually continuing to ask, "So..."

"How did you respond to him?"

"Well..."

Bai Chen blinked, then suddenly smiled.

"Your Highness."

He tilted his head, staring into the man’s cool gray gaze, seeing the tiny reflection of himself within, and with a curled lip, he smiled, "Of course, it was a total jerk move."

Xie Yilin: ...What?

What does "scumbag behavior" mean?

The Alpha's brow furrowed slightly, puzzled, struggling to comprehend Bai Chen's meaning. The latter couldn't help but grab the pillow, laughing so hard he collapsed onto the bed, right next to Xie Yilin.

"It's... it's... hahaha..."

"No effort, no rejection, no accountability."

Bai Chen's shoulders shook, his cheeks flushed from trying to stifle his laughter. He lay on his back, and suddenly, his gaze locked directly with the Alpha's.

One above, one below; one to the left, one to the right.

Moonlight streamed into the room.

The Omega, his bangs disheveled, smiled and delivered the final line.

"I didn't say anything."

The whole time, Cheng Ziang was just talking to himself, directing and acting out his own little drama.

Xie Yilin: ...

Typical Bai Chen.

The man paused, silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from the Omega's forehead.

He spoke softly, his cool gray gaze holding a hidden gravity: "Not a scumbag."