Chapter 25

Chapter 25

On the screen, the Omega smiled and said, "Moreover, I have had feelings for His Highness the Crown Prince for a long time."

"Wow, really? What a fairy-tale romance! So touching!"

"I don't believe it, sob sob, Bai Chen said in a previous interview that he wanted a dependable Alpha..."

"Was that from when he first debuted? I've seen that too, I've been binge-watching everything about Bai Chen recently."

"Me too, I stayed up last night watching his dramas; they're really great. I didn't know his acting was so good before."

"I don't believe it, actors can act out anything."

The last comment flashed by and was quickly buried under other comments, unnoticed by anyone. For the National Day celebration, many potted flowers lined the roadsides, blooming vibrantly. Amidst the flowers, the gentle breeze, and his sweet smile, the Omega continued to speak.

"It's been several years. I really admire His Highness the Crown Prince. I've collected all the information about His Highness the Crown Prince that I could find online."

Admire???

What kind of admiration?

The female director paused, taken aback, and couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

"Even that... video? Did you collect that too?"

After all, it was an empire ruled by the Emperor. As a young person of this generation, she had learned about the current royal family shortly after reaching adulthood.

Everyone has a natural curiosity and a love for gossip, wanting to understand the world around them.

Then, she discovered that there wasn't much public information available about His Highness the Crown Prince. The most infamous was that video of the bloody battle.

The brutal battlefield slaughter, the intense, hellish scenes, the heavy bloodshed—it was all shocking.

As a female Omega, she truly couldn't sleep well or eat properly for days after watching it.

It was horrifying.

Even though she respected the soldiers, she couldn't shake the fear from her subconscious. She found it all too terrifying, too horrifying. If possible, she would stay away, avoid it, and never think about it again.

...This was also the prevailing opinion online.

They respected His Highness the Crown Prince, but they preferred to keep their distance.

But now, Bai Chen was saying that he admired Xie Yilin like that?

In front of everyone watching the live broadcast, Bai Chen nodded firmly.

"Yes, because... my perspective is different from everyone else's."

"I feel that it gives me a sense of security."

"Is he crazy? His thought process is different from normal people?"

"See, now it's exposed? Publicly supporting His Highness the Crown Prince's actions? Doesn't that mean he's a war maniac?"

"Ah, I just started to like him, how could he now..."

The comments kept pouring in non-stop, but Bai Chen didn't seem bothered. He kept a polite smile as he calmly stated, "I'm not in favor of war."

The female director gulped nervously, "So... what are you saying, Mr. Bai Chen?"

"I want peace more than anything. I hope there will never be war."

The Omega's eyes sparkled with calmness, his expression very composed. "This might sound a bit heavy, but personally..."

"I've lost relatives in border conflicts."

"So, I know... peace comes at a price."

"To me, His Highness the Crown Prince is someone I really look up to. He lets people enjoy their lives and work, and he makes it possible for everyone to be here, happy, listening to a small-time actor like me, chatting about pleasant topics."

"So, he makes me feel safe."

He's like the Great Wall, the mountains that divide, a strong, unbreakable shield.

So, even when I see him in that battle video, I don't feel scared or afraid. But instead, I feel shocked, sorry, and really safe.

...Of course, it's not that kind of liking.

Maybe more like how you'd like an idol.

In other words, Bai Chen is a fan of Xie Yilin.

The female director gasped, at a loss for words.

The comments stopped for a while.

As if expecting this reaction, the Omega looked straight into the camera, tilted his head, and smiled playfully.

"Yeah, this topic is pretty heavy."

"Let's get back to the National Day ceremony!"

"I heard that the little diva Zhan Ruoyun will be performing on stage!"

...Not too far away, Xiao Ling wiped away tears that had unknowingly spilled from the corners of his eyes, turning to look at Xie Yilin.

With teary eyes, he said, "Wuwuwu, Your Highness, Mr. Bai is so good, I think he must really like you, just doesn't dare to say it directly..."

If this isn't love, then what is love!

If this isn't liking, then what is liking!

If it weren't for his lack of combat strength, Xiao Ling would have wished to immediately knock out His Highness the Crown Prince and stride over to deliver him to Bai Chen.

However, after he turned around...

"Eh? Where is he?"

...Where did His Highness the Crown Prince go? When did he leave?

***

The live broadcast ended, Bai Chen quietly packed up the equipment and returned it to the production team.

The female director hesitated to speak, "Mr. Bai, you..."

As if understanding her concern, Bai Chen smiled, shrugged, and said, "It's okay."

He has been vilified by the entire internet before, so a minor public opinion storm doesn’t faze him at all.

He never cared about online chatter before, and he still doesn’t.

But he can’t shake the feeling that this matter seems... not so simple?

Given Bai Chen’s years in the entertainment industry and his grasp of public opinion trends, Xie Yilin keeps such a low profile that he shouldn’t be drawing this much attention. Besides, the origin of that video remains a mystery...

Whoever filmed that on the battlefield must have some inside connection, right?

A flurry of thoughts crossed his mind before he chuckled to himself—this matter hardly concerns him, does it?

Bai Chen just happened to marry Xie Yilin, that’s all.

The Omega offered a polite smile once more, as the female director stammered, "Bai Chen, what you said in the interview just now..."

Is that for real? Or just PR talk?

Bai Chen gave a firm nod, "It’s the truth."

"But, but a lot of Omegas would find that pretty harsh..."

"Combat is a soldier’s duty."

Bai Chen cut in, blinking at the female director like she’d posed a bizarre question, "What’s a soldier supposed to do if not fight on the battlefield?"

The female director was at a loss for words, sensing vaguely that Bai Chen had a point.

But she hadn’t quite put her finger on it yet.

...Or rather, some key points hadn’t clicked yet.

Bai Chen had already packed up and bid a quick farewell, eager to head home and catch some sleep. He turned, took a couple of steps, and spotted a familiar figure.

A tall, upright Alpha stood at the periphery of the set, his gray eyes brimming with unreadable emotions. For the first time, Bai Chen sensed a warmth in Xie Yilin that he hadn’t noticed before.

There were still many people in the square, and the crew hadn’t finished packing up yet. Song Lei’s car was idling by the curb in the distance, about to step out when he noticed the Omega flash a wide grin and dash over.

"Your Highness!"

Bai Chen bounded over eagerly and was caught in a steady embrace. With a dimpled grin and a playful blink, he asked, "Here to pick me up?"

...Of course.

The proper and sweet Omega on the screen now actively jumped into his arms. Suddenly, the impulse from watching the live broadcast faded, replaced by another subtle thought.

It was another first surprise from Bai Chen.

He never knew that the same person could bring him so many firsts.

Xie Yilin calmly wrapped his arm around Bai Chen’s waist, holding the Omega in front of everyone.

...This part wasn’t the first time, but it felt like the first time.

Bai Chen was completely unaware.

Anyway, he hadn’t hugged today, so he might as well do it now. He was very willing to hug the man back and, as usual, rubbed his little head against him.

So good.

Today, His Highness wasn’t wearing his stiff uniform, and his embrace felt so soft—definitely worth praising.

The Omega couldn’t help but brighten up. Even in broad daylight, the little stars in his eyes sparkled brightly. To Xie Yilin, they shone like dazzling diamonds.

There were subtle movements around as people secretly raised their cameras.

Xie Yilin slightly adjusted his posture and gave a cold glance over.

Like a dragon guarding its treasure, any greedy eyes would face severe consequences.

The onlookers instinctively stepped back, thinking: ...

They scattered, muttering, “It’s just a legitimate couple embracing openly… Ahhh, how can they be so sweet!!!”

Bai Chen was still lost in the comfort of the embrace when he suddenly thought, “Huh? Is His Highness tightening his arms?”

It felt a little too tight.

As if trying to press him into his very being.

Surprised, he looked up, trying to decipher the man’s expression. But Xie Yilin’s expression remained calm, giving nothing away.

“…Your Highness?”

The heartbeat grew louder, resonating through the thin fabric. Two hearts pounded joyfully, as if eager to break free from their ribs, cross the barrier of flesh, and dance as one. The Alpha’s heart was strong and steady, its rhythm echoing in Bai Chen’s ears—until he realized his own heartbeat was racing too.

Because the other’s heartbeat and warmth merged together, blending seamlessly, becoming one. Gradually, they synced into a single rhythm, a shared warmth, harmonious like an eternal song.

Today’s hug felt different, somehow.

But it was still the same comforting embrace.

The Omega couldn’t help but hug a little tighter.

Xie Yilin noticed right away.

The Alpha’s eyes darkened, like a stormy winter sea, churning with an endless tsunami. The winter snow whispered, the sky heavy with impending frost, but in a flash, spring arrived, and tender green buds sprouted on the branches.

He seemed like a gardener, carefully planting seeds by the shore.

…The seed of a sweet orange tree.

Bai Chen nuzzled his head in his arms, turning left and right like a pampered child. His hair, already tousled by the breeze, became even messier, fluffy like his rabbit plushie.

Three minutes flew by.

As Bai Chen mentally noted the time and began to pull away, the Alpha’s arm lifted slightly, pressing against his back to keep him close.

Bai Chen: ???

“Wasn’t it supposed to be three minutes? Are we adding extra time today?”

“Don’t move.”

Xie Yilin’s voice came from above.

Bai Chen stopped moving.

He thought there might be an emergency.

But in reality... nothing happened.

The constant stream of people, the noisy streets, the staff preparing for the celebration... Groups of people passed by, stealing glances, admiring him silently, and then moving on. The Alpha stood like a statue, an immovable rock... In that moment, nothing could break his focus.

He wished time would stand still.

After a long pause, Xie Yilin finally spoke again.

"What you said in the interview..."

"Why?"

Why did you stand up for him like that?

...It was just a business deal, a marriage of convenience.

"Oh... that."

Bai Chen smiled and said honestly, "Because it was all true."

His honesty was as clear as the summer sun, as pure as the autumn sky, without a trace of falsehood, "I did have a relative who died at the border."

"I was heartbroken at the time."

So much so that I couldn't stop thinking about it later.

"Back then, I wondered, what if someone had succeeded?"

"What if someone had turned the tide and held the base back then?"

"What if someone had shown up then, succeeded... like in that brutal battle, as cruel and terrifying as it was, but we won in the end? At least then, his sacrifice would have meant something."

"I truly believe, if such a person existed, they'd be a hero... no, they are a hero."

"At least, they're my hero."

Then Xie Yilin came along. To Bai Chen, his arrival felt like a dream.

It was the greatest comfort to the fallen heroes.

"And..."

The Omega smiled, his eyes sparkling even brighter. He said sincerely, without reservation—

"Right now... I'm your partner."

"Shouldn't I stand up for you, not someone else?"

Author's note: The author: Sigh, some Omegas are so good-looking, sweet, and eloquent... some Alphas just can't handle it.

Xie Yilin remained silent...

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