Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Xie Yilin's mind was a whirlwind of emotions.

Right then, it hit him how utterly captivating the Omega in front of him was.

Watching Bai Chen interact with the kids, the thought popped into his head without warning.

His sweet little one.

He followed his instincts without a second thought.

It felt as natural as breathing.

Bai Chen was left speechless once more.

Where on earth did His Highness pick this up?

Wait... this actually feels kinda nice???

As the camera swung over, the comment section predictably exploded once more.

"Little one, oh my god! I'm freaking out!!!"

"Their love story is straight out of a fairy tale!!!"

"I'm so unworthy, it's me who's unworthy. Wuwuwu, stop feeding me this sweetness, I can't handle it!!!"

But Bai Chen quickly snapped out of his daze, flashing Xie Yilin a sweet smile.

"Sure thing."

"Wuwuwu, I'm fine too, really."

"I can't, I can't, I can't. This sweetness is killing me."

The crew signaled for the guests to gather. Bai Chen and Xie Yilin walked side by side as the fifty kids huddled together.

The female director, seeing everything was set, smiled and said, "Well, Your Highness and Bai Chen are still leading the pack today."

Honestly, it'd be weird if they weren't in first place.

The other three guests didn't argue with that.

With plenty of daylight left, they said goodbye to the kids, packed up, and headed back.

On the way back, the female director suggested, "We've got over half an hour—how about we kill some time?"

"This time, skip the acting—just do your thing."

Han Yunyun, ex-girl group member turned singer-songwriter, and Bie Jiaze, a rising singing star, could just sing.

Bie Jiaze offered, "I'll back you up—I brought my instrument."

He pulled out a modified guitar-like instrument, strummed a few chords, and eagerly asked, "Ready?"

Han Yunyun jumped in, "Alright, I'll sing your big hit."

"The Heart of a Lover." The melody filled the air as Han Yunyun's voice rang out clear and strong.

"The heart of a lover is elusive; the heart of a lover is a cloud in the sky; my beloved, oh my beloved..."

Her voice wasn't particularly soft, but it had a unique charm. With a slightly androgynous tone, she sang a love song with such tenderness and emotion that it was exceptionally moving.

"Wuwuwu, so good!"

"It seems Han Yunyun has indeed found her path as a solo artist; it sounds so good."

"Yes, she was always a great singer, and her career has only flourished more since going solo."

As the song ended, everyone burst into applause.

When it was Bai Chen's turn, he paused for a moment and said, "I'll sing too."

"Wow! Bai Chen's first public performance!"

Before the comments could get excited, Bai Chen added, "This song is dedicated to His Highness."

"If everyone knows it, feel free to sing along too."

"Huh? A song for His Highness!"

"Wuwuwu, I won't listen, I won't listen, it must be a love song to torture us single dogs!"

"Help, as a single dog, I really can't take it anymore, but I can't bear to turn off the show, wuwuwu..."

"I'm suddenly curious, can His Highness sing? It feels like he barely speaks."

"Ah, he only speaks when it's important, like whispering sweet nothings to his spouse. You just babble nonsense."

"...Take down the cameras!"

Hearing this, Xie Yilin hesitated for a moment.

He really wasn't familiar with songs.

Especially love songs.

Xie Yilin's daily entertainment, though not that scarce, mostly involved maintaining mechs.

So singing love songs was definitely not his forte.

But...

The Omega's captivating eyes looked over, brimming with confidence and a touch of mischief.

He cleared his throat and began to sing a cappella.

"Snowflakes blanket the mountain ridge, drifting through the valleys..."

"Pfft!"

Bie Jiaze, the accompanist, was the first to burst out laughing, "How is this the song?"

"Wait, I just looked it up, it's such an old song!"

"This song is probably older than all of us combined."

But he quickly adjusted the melody and seamlessly followed along.

"The maiden stands at the mountain's base, her song as radiant as spring sunshine."

Bai Chen's voice drifted softly, blending the clarity of youth with the steadiness and resilience of a young man maturing.

"She sings of her beloved, while secretly keeping letters from her lover."

"Her song reaches the soldiers on the mountain, carrying the maiden's heartfelt greetings."

"May he bravely protect the peace, and the maiden's love will always be his..."

"I checked. Turns out, this was the theme song of a movie from over three centuries ago."

"Whoa, how did Bai Chen even know this?"

"Hold on, this song has military ties. Did Bai Chen sing it just for His Highness?"

"But the movie seems unrelated—just your average war flick."

"...Oh no, I knew it! Brace yourselves! This is gonna hit hard!"

The carriage erupted into lively chatter.

But...

Xie Yilin, seated beside Bai Chen, stiffened his fingers slightly.

Except for Bai Chen, no one else there knew the song had a deeper meaning.

...It was the unofficial anthem of Keshan Base, known by every soldier who'd served there.

So Xie Yilin knew it well—intimately, in fact.

The cold, aloof Alpha paused, his gaze thoughtful. But when the Omega, with starry eyes, smiled brightly and sang the last line again, he silently echoed it in his heart.

"May he bravely protect the peace, and the maiden's love will always be his..."

As the chords echoed, Xie Yilin subtly moved to shield Bai Chen, keeping him from bumping into the car door's edge.

Unconsciously, a passionate, sweet orange tree had taken root in his heart, growing wildly, impossible to remove.

It was something he could never part with, no matter what.

Before nightfall, they returned to their lodging at the temple.

***

Dinner ingredients were ready, and guests were invited to pitch in—after all, self-sufficiency brings abundance. Bai Chen washed his hands quickly, grabbed an apron, and headed straight for Xie Yilin.

He handed it over, self-aware: "Your Highness, mind helping me with this?"

The apron's ties were unusually long.

Xie Yilin took it naturally, his arms reaching around the Omega's slim waist.

He looped it once, then again. From afar, it seemed he was tenderly handling a prized treasure, nurturing a young orange tree.

Then, Xie Yilin tied a military knot—so sturdy, no one else could untie it.

It was purely a reflex.

By the time he noticed, Bai Chen had already thanked him and hurried over to the stove to get busy.

The knot he tied was snug against the Omega's lower back, dangling just so.

The live chat seemed to have struck gold.

"Wow... apron play! Never crossed my mind before, hehehe..."

"Quit joking, I've already snapped a hundred HD screenshots! Hit me up if you want 'em, first come first served, prices go up for latecomers!"

"What? Selling them? I'll report you in a heartbeat!"

"This knot feels like His Highness has sealed the deal."

"After all, the clothes he dressed him in, he should... hehehe..."

In the kitchen, Bai Chen was happily bustling about, completely oblivious to the knot.

He was quite focused, washing and prepping vegetables... Since the other guests were clueless in the kitchen, they left it to Bai Chen to delegate tasks.

When Xie Yilin joined in, Bai Chen was instructing Han Yunyun to pour flour into a bowl.

The classic 'add water if it's too dry, add flour if it's too wet' scenario.

"A little more, a little more... okay, that's good!"

Han Yunyun, not the strongest, nearly toppled the flour bag, but Xin Yu, quick on his feet, swiftly caught the bottom, saving the entire bag from a floury disaster.

"Whew..."

Seeing Xin Yu step in, Han Yunyun, who was nearly sweating bullets, sighed in relief and shot a grateful glance at her fiancé.

"...Suddenly realizing that the fairy-tale romance between Bai Chen and His Highness was hard to come by, but Xin Yu wasn't so bad either, hehe."

Lost in thought, she glanced up and saw Xie Yilin entering, quickly stepping aside to avoid the spot nearest the stove—and closest to Bai Chen.

Xie Yilin made a beeline for him.

His tall frame filled the small kitchen, his presence impossible to miss. Bai Chen soon noticed, looked up with a dimpled smile, and asked, "Your Highness, could you pour me some water?"

As he spoke, he swiped his forehead with the back of his hand, wiping away a few beads of sweat.

The kitchen was sweltering.

But as Bai Chen lowered his arm, Xie Yilin caught a smudge of flour on the tip of his nose.

White and unmistakable.

"Hahaha, what a little flour face!"

"Screenshot saved—meme material, hahaha..."

A faint smile flickered in his cool gray eyes.

He poured some water first, then grabbed the basin, wetting his fingers in the process. Moving closer to Bai Chen, he lifted his hand and gently brushed the flour away—like he was booping his nose.

The white flour was gone, but Bai Chen's nose was now wet. He widened his eyes in surprise, "My Lord?"

What’s going on?

Why did he suddenly wipe his nose?

"Haha, Bai Chen has no idea he’s turned into a little kitty with a flour-covered face."

"Wow, My Lord’s gesture is so sweet and charming, I’m melting all over again!"

The twinkling little stars were back again.

This time, with his dimples, it was a double knockout.

It felt like sharing a sweet glass of honey wine with a loved one on a quiet summer night, or walking hand in hand through an autumn garden, gazing at the same starry sky.

Xie Yilin couldn’t help himself and leaned in, brushing a light kiss on Bai Chen’s forehead.

...The kitchen, bustling with life, suddenly became a stage for public displays of affection, leaving everyone feeling like third wheels.

"I... I feel like jumping into a boiling pot and turning into dog meat hotpot [dog emoji] wuwuwu..."

"I can’t even eat anymore—my tears are just pouring out..."

"Wuwuwu, I’m going home to tell my mom I need to go on blind dates! A hundred of them... no, find me someone like Bai Chen!"

"That’s it, I’m totally crushing on My Lord now."

"Wuwuwu... I’m speechless..."

Bai Chen was left speechless for the third time today.

He sensed something was off about Xie Yilin.

But... he couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

Was he more relaxed? Less distant? Or just playing along to keep up the act of being a loving couple?

The kiss was soft, fleeting, barely a touch—hardly even a kiss.

His eyes drifted to the camera nearby, and he quickly snapped back to reality, handing the basin to Xie Yilin. "My Lord, could you get me some more water?"

Xie Yilin, now holding the basin, paused: "..."

A flicker of unease crossed his mind as he went to get more water.

Just then, he spotted Bie Jiaze walking in from afar.

The moment he walked in, he flashed a goofy grin at everyone.

A closer look revealed he was cradling a bundle in his arms.

With the camera on him, Bie Jiaze strutted over, proudly showing off his bundle. "I finally got my hands on this..."

"They say it’s a local specialty, aged for a century... they only crack it open during the New Year."

"I went there, and guess what? It was my fan!"

It turned out to be several bottles of white wine. "A meal without drinks is no meal at all. Hmph~" Bie Jiaze suddenly transformed into a wine enthusiast, smiling as he said, "Tonight, we’re drinking till we drop!"

"Haha, since when did Bie Jiaze turn into such a boozehound?"

"Seriously, if you were stuck filming with two couples, you'd probably hit the bottle too."

Han Yunyun just had to ask, "If it's your fan, why did you say it was hard to get?"

"Well..."

Bie Jiaze let out an awkward chuckle, "Yeah, I had to go all out..."

He gestured with his fingers, "A family photo, signing every single one of my albums..."

Oh, Bie Jiaze's been around for over a decade, with just a dozen albums—but that family's huge, over a hundred members.

"Hahaha... over a hundred!"

"And they were all animated photos, where you have to hold a pose but also come up with unique variations for each one."

"I remember Bie Jiaze's got that serious idol image? So each one's gotta be unique, hahaha..."

After his explanation, everyone was at a loss for words.

...But the wine wasn't going to drink itself.

They've been here for days, and the food and drinks haven't been anything special. A little wine to spice things up is just what we need.

Bai Chen thought for a moment and sent Bie Jiaze off to borrow some wine glasses.

Bie Jiaze set down the wine and skipped off happily. Meanwhile, Bai Chen grabbed the big spoon, gave it a few expert flips, and soon had a stir-fry ready.

Garnished with some decorative carvings, it was a treat for all the senses.

"Mmm, mmm, mmm, I can't wait to dig in!"

For five people, six dishes and a soup were just the right amount.

A big round table was set up in the courtyard, twinkling with small colored lights. As night fell, the world went dark, but the temple shone brightly, like all the stars had gathered there.

They gathered around the table, with Xie Yilin, the highest-ranking, in the middle, and Bai Chen to his right.

Bie Jiaze was to Bai Chen's right, and Han Yunyun and Xin Yu to the left.

The dinner was piping hot, and the vibe was perfect. Bie Jiaze poured wine for everyone, the cups cool and clear, the aroma wafting through the air.

Bai Chen took a whiff and blinked, "This is some good wine!"

Bie Jiaze grinned, "You know your stuff, huh?"

"It's got that local Jixiang grass in it, right?"

Unexpectedly, Bai Chen naturally revealed the secret, "Jixiang grass is also called lucky grass, and it's a specialty of Endo Star."

"Locals also use it as a medicinal herb, and when added, the wine has a slightly bitter, astringent taste."

"Wow, Bai Chen knows so much!"

"But still, how old is he? How does he know so much?"

The people at the table had the same question. Han Yunyun asked curiously, "Bai Chen, how do you know all this?"

"I also heard it from my mom; she's been to many places before."

Bai Chen smiled, smoothly changed the topic, and placed the wine glass in front of Xie Yilin, asking softly, "Your Highness, do you drink wine?"

If he couldn't drink, Bai Chen could sneakily swap it out for plain water.

After all, without tasting it, no one could tell the difference.

Xie Yilin slightly shook his head, "No need."

He could drink, but only in moderation.

Moreover, no one would dare to force the Crown Prince to drink.

He was more concerned about whether Bai Chen could handle alcohol.

The small wine glass in front of the Omega was already full.

The glass wasn't large, the kind specifically for spirits that you could down in one gulp. But the alcohol content wasn't low, and according to Bie Jiaze, it had a strong initial taste and a powerful kick.

Before dinner even started, Bie Jiaze took a sip, squinting in satisfaction.

"What's going on? Why does it taste like my dad's drink?"

"Laughing my head off, got the middle-aged expression chart early."

All the guests had their glasses filled. Bai Chen tasted a couple of dishes, and they were quite good.

In a brief moment, he picked up his glass and took a small sip.

His rosy lips immediately glistened, looking especially enticing under the flickering lights and hazy moonlight.

Xie Yilin, who had been watching him, felt his throat tighten.

The man's fingers subconsciously intertwined and rubbed, recalling the smooth touch from before. He subtly adjusted his posture, pretending to also pick up his glass.

He took a sip.

The rich aroma of the wine instantly filled his mouth, the pre-chilled coolness rushing up, startling Xie Yilin back to alertness.

Bai Chen had finished his glass by then, stood up, and tapped the side of his glass.

He cleared his throat and said with great seriousness, "Hello everyone, I'm Bai Chen."

"Hahahaha..." Han Yunyun was the first to laugh, "Bai Chen, say something!"

Indeed, Bai Chen was perfect for saying a few words now, like a toast.

Although it wasn't the first day of the show, with Cheng Ziang and the others gone, the program felt more harmonious and more authentic.

So doing this now was quite fitting.

Bai Chen smiled playfully, gave an exaggerated bow, and said, "Then I'll speak."

"First, welcome our guest for this episode, Bie Jiaze!"

Bie Jiaze suddenly straightened up, made a funny face, and because he had been drinking, felt a bit dizzy and plopped back down.

"Hahahaha, I think he didn't sit down; he fainted."

"Up next, our regulars for the season, Han Yunyun and Xin Yu!"

Han Yunyun had also had quite a bit to drink, her face lit up with a tipsy smile. She tried to stand up but swayed to the left, quickly steadied by Xin Yu, who just managed to wave his hand.

"And now, the last two regular guests."

Bai Chen paused, a sweet smile spreading across his face as he said, "That's me! Bai Chen Chen!"

"And the most handsome, the most powerful, the most... the most formidable His Highness Xie Yilin!"

...He was clearly drunk.

Xie Yilin's eyes flickered with surprise.

He didn't expect Bai Chen to have such a low tolerance for alcohol.

Just one cup, and...

Han Yunyun also noticed, exclaiming in disbelief, "Bai Chen, you only had one drink?"

Bie Jiaze burst out laughing, "Just one cup, I saw it! Hahaha, Bai Chen, how about another round?"

He was about to egg Bai Chen on for another drink when a pair of strong arms reached out, firmly steadying Bai Chen.

At the same time, a chilling gaze turned towards him.

Bie Jiaze immediately shivered, wondering if he had also had too much to drink. He almost forgot, Bai Chen wasn't... alone anymore!

"Hahaha, Bai Chen's down after just one drink!"

"Hahaha, when he stood up, I thought he could down a thousand drinks without a buzz, his presence was so commanding hahaha..."

"So adorable, so adorable, so adorable!!!"

"Wuwuwu, His Highness's gaze is icy, protecting Bai Chen? Don't even think about getting my wife drunk!"

Bai Chen melted into his embrace.

The Omega's eyes sparkled like stars, now glowing brightly as they met his. He still clutched the small porcelain cup in his hand, now empty. Bai Chen glanced at it, his lips forming a pout of disappointment, "Empty."

He drew out the last syllable, whining like a child, "I want more."

More.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!!! What a big straight hook! I'm biting!!!"

"Ahhhh! I can't live anymore! I need to record this, listen to it ten thousand times a day!"

"Sisters, give me a copy! I've already lit a post-event cigarette!"

Bai Chen's voice was soft and tender, slightly hoarse from the alcohol, like the rustling sound one might hear in the snow during a silent night.

It was a sound Xie Yilin had heard alone by the window on countless dark nights.

Instinctively, Xie Yilin tightened his arms, holding the Omega close, deeply confining him.

Bai Chen felt a bit hot, struggling slightly but unable to break free.

He looked up confused, searching for the Alpha's eyes, wanting to see his gaze. But the Alpha suddenly stood up, holding Bai Chen in his arms, and turned around.

...headed to the room.

Han Yunyun mumbled, dazed, "Oh, are you guys going to rest first?"

"Ahhh, hurry up! Show me what happens next!"

"They’re in the room! On the bed! Right? Right?"

The comments instantly flooded the screen.

However, amid everyone's excitement and soaring anticipation, after gently laying the Omega on the bed, the first thing Xie Yilin did...

was to turn off the cameras.

He really turned it off.

The screen went black.

Bai Chen had no idea.

The alcohol hit him, making him restless and overheated. Feeling the soft bed beneath him, he instinctively rolled over and cocooned himself in the blanket.

He curled up into a tight ball.

The blanket was snow-white, his face flushed red, like a little sweet orange that had tumbled into the snow.

Plump, juicy, and perfectly ripe... a large hand reached over and gently pulled him out of the blanket.

"Huh..."

Bai Chen looked up, dazed, and met a pair of cool gray eyes.

He knew exactly who this was.

Xie Yilin—His Highness the Crown Prince, his fake husband, his pretend lover on the show...

On top of that, he was someone he deeply admired.

He grinned goofily.

He reached out and poked the Alpha's cheek, saying, "Your Highness, you're so handsome."

"I think... I might be a little drunk..."

...this wasn’t something he’d normally do.

The alcohol was still coursing through him, fogging his thoughts. He blinked once, then again, before suddenly tilting his head and asking nervously, "Are the cameras still on?"

"Did they catch everything? Did I mess up?"

The Omega clutched Xie Yilin's sleeve, pleading, "Your Highness?"

Xie Yilin took his hand, holding it as if it were a tiny star. In a soft voice, he said, "It’s off."

Bai Chen probably wouldn’t want to be caught on camera while drunk.

Bai Chen: Oh... that’s good, that’s good. He’s not in control of himself right now.

...Tipsy, but not completely drunk.

Hearing this assurance, Bai Chen completely relaxed. The Omega leaned back, sprawling on the bed, limbs splayed out like a starfish, flailing a bit like he was swimming.

He mumbled, "Your Highness, today you..."

"Worked so well with me..."

Xie Yilin heard this.

...His fingers tensed up, and he froze.

Author's note: [1] Katyusha, with some adjustments.

————————————

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