Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Affection turned into kissing you.

Bai Chen was stunned.

Xiao Ling was stunned.

Old Brother Wang... naturally, Old Brother Wang was also stunned.

He was too skilled, really too skilled—if anyone dared to claim that His Highness the Crown Prince was cold-blooded and only knew how to kill, he would shove their head under the galaxy's largest waterfall to cool them off properly.

Does this look like someone who only knows how to kill? Could someone who only kills chase after such a sweet and beautiful Omega?

Is this what you call cold-blooded? Just standing there, they could star in the greatest romantic drama of all time!

What was most shocking was that His Highness the Crown Prince's demeanor was reserved solely for Bai Chen.

Only for him.

At any other time, he remained cold and indifferent, keeping everyone at a distance.

It was as if Bai Chen was the key to his heart, the trigger to his emotions.

No one else could move or concern him except Bai Chen.

Old Brother Wang thought that a more empathetic interviewer would already be in tears.

As a single old bachelor, Old Brother Wang narrowly escaped.

But he was still pretty shaken.

After that, he didn’t ask many questions before making a hasty retreat.

A full-on retreat.

Without even looking back.

Once the door closed, Bai Chen quickly pulled his hand back, his ears slightly red.

He cleared his throat and smiled calmly, "Your Highness, you were incredible."

His eyes sparkled with admiration as he gave Xie Yilin an exaggerated thumbs-up, "This was my first media interview, and I totally bombed it."

Xiao Ling: ...This is it.

He really regretted coming in to stand there like a statue.

After saying this, Bai Chen felt relieved.

Xie Yilin: ...

His expression darkened briefly before returning to normal as he handed over the grilled meat, casually brushing his thumb over the corner of the Omega's lips to wipe away a bit of grease.

The Alpha's voice was low and steady as he said, "You did just fine."

Perhaps he would need to learn more about Bai Chen when he returned.

To see just how bad his so-called poor performance was and how it had turned into his current ease and composure.

The moment Xie Yilin's fingertip brushed past the corner of Bai Chen's lips, Bai Chen's face flushed again.

He quickly held back, wondering if the room was too warm. Otherwise, why did he feel like he was sweating? After Xie Yilin's gesture, he stayed calm and composed, as if nothing had happened, like he had never made that gesture.

Thus, Bai Chen had no choice but to suppress his doubts, treating it as just mutual help after getting to know each other.

Just like when he asked for a hug, it seemed normal.

But what he didn't see was...

When the Omega turned his attention to happily eating the grilled meat, the Alpha beside him was staring at him.

Kind of like how Bai Chen looked at the grilled meat.

Of course, it was more than that.

***

The photo of the 'kiss you' moment hit the top of the hot search list that night.

At first, netizens thought it was because the fourth episode aired. But when they clicked in—damn, it stung even more!

Isn't this kind of sweetness just for the show? This has to be staged!

Brother Wang quickly stepped in to explain.

"It's my photo. Not staged at all, just a natural snapshot. Trust my skills with the shutter!"

The netizens below were a mix of envy and jealousy.

"I don't buy it, this has to be staged... sob, I'm fooling myself, who could get His Highness to stage a photo?"

"Sob sob sob, I'm done for, really done for, what kind of fairy-tale love is this ahhh..."

"So they actually met online??? Ahhh, I'm on the star net all the time, why haven't I found love!"

"Ah, I get it, it's because our star net isn't like Bai Chen's."

"How is it different!"

"Bai Chen's out there searching for His Highness's info online. Meanwhile, we're just laughing at memes and gossip—how can it be the same?"

"Sob sob... too real, stop spying on me!"

Some people had quite unique perspectives.

"Favoritism is bias, love will back you up... learned, learned. This interviewing brother is also quite skilled, must have a rich past."

"Indeed, such a literary sentence isn't something just anyone can come up with. I bet this brother has stories."

"His Highness actually said yes! He actually admitted it! So suave, ahhh that kiss photo is too perfect..."

Then, someone noticed new details.

"Wait, this doesn't seem like an interview during the show, does it?"

"Looks like a shop, quite familiar..."

A few tech-savvy onlookers quickly used various tools to start searching across the vast star net.

"Found it, found it, it's that famous barbecue shop by the square!"

"What? I was there eating barbecue yesterday too!!!"

"Me, me, me, I pass by there every day on my way to and from work..."

"Oh my god, so down-to-earth. It's so touching, I'm crying. His Highness must have gone there to eat with Bai Chen, after all, it was previously confirmed that His Highness doesn't have any particular favorite food..."

"Absolutely, ahhh, so doting and charming, it's perfect!"

"I think to myself, this Crown Prince is just like any other Alpha in love, an Alpha who can bravely admit and seriously express his love. I really think there's nothing wrong with such a Crown Prince."

"+100000! I agree, His Highness should've been on this show sooner, otherwise everyone really has many misunderstandings about him."

"That couldn't happen, since Bai Chen didn't meet him sooner..."

"Share this with your boyfriends! Family! Everyone needs to see this! His Highness is the Crown Prince, and he still makes time to accompany his wife to eat barbecue! Why don't you spend more time with your family and loved ones?"

"Exactly, exactly! Exactly ahhh!"

Without realizing it, Xie Yilin's image has significantly improved... it really can make people change their views.

Soon after, another trending topic popped up.

#CrownPrinceMakesTimeForHisWife

Today, countless boyfriends, husbands, and partners, no matter their gender or age, got a wake-up call.

"You say you're busy? Are you busier than His Highness? Do you contribute more than His Highness?"

"You say you need to work overtime? What, is your job more crucial than the Crown Prince's?"

"Oh, you say you don't have time, okay, then I'll find someone who has time..."

Partners: ...

This isn't fair, you know??? Weren't you very opposed to His Highness the Crown Prince before? Didn't you used to get scared at the mention of him, saying it's terrifying, don't look?

How did just one photo and one interview make you completely change your mind?

A few couldn't help but retort: "Well, you're not nearly as cute as Bai Chen..."

"Exactly, Bai Chen is so thoughtful, sweet, and handsome. Tsk tsk, if I were an Alpha, I'd cherish him and do anything for him."

"Right, not just meals, I'd take care of him 24/7! His dimples are so sweet, one look perks me up, two looks and I'm over the moon!"

...In the end, of course, a fight broke out.

The scene got pretty chaotic. That day, police had to respond to a lot more family disputes.

Bai Chen, the person involved: ...Huh? It's not my fault.

He was lying in bed, hugging his favorite pillow, happily reading fan comments on his social media.

Most comments were supportive, some were very supportive, and a few were absolutely supportive... oh, and a few stubbornly held their ground, insisting, "Bai Chen, don't fall for His Highness's charm, wealth, sweet talk, and those long legs!"

"Sob sob, don't marry him, marry me instead!"

"Sob sob, my wife, my wife, my wife..."

Hmm... it's pretty chaotic here too.

He quickly scrolled down and saw another post.

"That barbecue place Bai Chen and His Highness went to—I'm hitting it up tomorrow!"

Reading this, Bai Chen couldn’t help but think back to today, realizing he’d been so distracted he’d eaten way more than he meant to.

Now his stomach felt a little too full.

He gave his belly a few rubs, just as Xie Yilin stepped out of the shower, still damp and trailing a bit of steam. As he opened the door, he caught sight of Bai Chen’s loose pajamas riding up, exposing his pale, soft belly, his hand gently kneading his little tummy.

From afar, it looked like a little bunny preening itself.

One stroke, then another, and another.

He also looked a little down.

The Alpha’s throat bobbed slightly as he quietly walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

The bed dipped as Xie Yilin sat down, and Bai Chen instantly turned his head to look at him: "Ah, you must be exhausted today. Ready to call it a night?"

They were already back on Endo Star for filming.

They’d made a round trip to the capital planet. Even with the latest high-speed spacecraft, interstellar travel still takes a toll, leaving them needing sleep to recover.

So Bai Chen's question was quite normal.

But...

The man’s tall, straight frame settled beside him, his usually rigid posture now relaxed as he leaned against the headboard. From Xie Yilin's height and angle, it was easy to see the specific movements of the Omega under the piled-up hem of his clothes.

He slowly turned to his side, reaching out his hand to cover Bai Chen's, whispering in his ear, "Upset stomach?"

"...I'm fine."

Bai Chen instinctively tried to pull away.

Like an animal wary of showing its soft underbelly, he wasn't quite used to such intimate interactions. The Omega quickly pulled back, saying, "I'm ticklish, haha."

He was subtly rejecting Xie Yilin.

The man withdrew his hand, his cool gray gaze deepening, naturally lifting the blanket and lying down. He said casually, "I know a quick remedy for that."

Bai Chen, now curious, immediately asked, "What is it?"

"Let me show you."

After saying this, Xie Yilin turned over, his slender fingers pressed against Bai Chen's stomach, fingertips together, gently rotating and pressing with just the right amount of force.

One circle, then another.

It actually felt a bit better.

Bai Chen couldn't bring himself to refuse anymore, and as he was being massaged, his whole body relaxed, like a kitten lounging on the bed. The Omega was naturally soft, sweet, and exuded a refreshingly sweet orange scent. At such close proximity, it was inevitable to smell it, refreshing and delightful.

The Alpha's gaze grew darker.

He restrained the strength of his hand, only pressing and kneading gently, not too hard or too soft. The slightly bulging upper abdomen relaxed wave after wave, the night was too deep, Bai Chen's eyelids gradually grew heavy, and he couldn't help but yawn.

"I'm a bit sleepy..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Omega closed his eyes, his dense eyelashes fluttering a few times, and fell asleep.

Xie Yilin turned off the lights in the room.

Moonlight quietly peeked through the gaps in the curtains.

After a long while, the tall Alpha leaned down slightly and cradled the Omega in his arms.

He held him firmly, as if guarding a precious treasure.

...And so, the next morning, Bai Chen woke up in Xie Yilin's embrace.

The Omega thought he was holding a pillow—he had this habit to begin with. Thus, he clung tightly, unwilling to let go.

At the same time, he wore a contented, smiling expression, his little dimples seemingly filled with honey, sweet enough to melt anyone's heart.

He clung like an octopus, refusing to let go, his small head nuzzling into the center of the "pillow," rubbing vigorously.

So comfortable...

Xie Yilin had already woken up.

Having undergone rigorous training, he could control his sleep. When light sleep was necessary, even the slightest movement would quickly wake him.

Especially at moments like this.

Though, to be fair, even an untrained Alpha would find it hard to sleep peacefully with a sweet Omega in their arms.

So when Bai Chen's little head rubbed against his chest, he noticed it.

The sensation of the fluffy hair was very noticeable. The loose pajamas, though neatly worn when he went to sleep, had become crumpled after the Omega's all-night clinging, and...

Two buttons had come undone.

His chest was exposed.

The Omega's cheek was pressed against his chest, just a tiny distance away. Any closer, and he could have heard the Alpha's heartbeat.

Xie Yilin didn't move.

Even though, at this moment, he wanted to hold the Omega tightly, to press him into his chest, to become one.

As if only then would he not be so affected by him, so attuned to his every move.

This feeling was too unfamiliar to Xie Yilin.

He only vaguely guessed at its meaning and instinctively knew that it was all related to Bai Chen.

But Bai Chen was completely unaware.

After rubbing a couple of times, the Omega had completely undone Xie Yilin's clothes. Even after doing so, he continued to sleep soundly, oblivious to the consequences of his actions. Xie Yilin remained silent for a moment, then finally raised his hand and pulled the blanket up a bit.

He also tucked in the corners.

The blanket was tightly pressed by Bai Chen, so even the slightest movement caused him to shift as well. Then, reflexively, he suddenly lifted his leg—

And twisted into a pretzel.

...Now, Bai Chen was tangled up with the blanket, his arms still wrapped around Xie Yilin's arm.

He just wouldn’t release his grip.

As he slept, he murmured, "So warm..."

The Alpha’s body ran a bit warmer than his.

Bai Chen’s back was uncovered, feeling a bit chilly. He murmured again, almost subconsciously, "Hug..."

Just a hug.

Xie Yilin suddenly recalled that Bai Chen really seemed to... enjoy hugs?

Filming was set to continue today.

***

They were scheduled to shoot the fourth episode. The production team had already prepped and crafted a new theme.

But it still revolved around marriage and relationships.

At breakfast, with cameras off, the now-familiar guests sat around the table, peeling eggs and speculating about the day’s challenges.

"Probably not dealing with kids this time."

Han Yunyun accepted the peeled egg from Xin Yu, yawning as she said, "I can’t seem to escape the kid thing... I’m putting off having kids for at least ten years."

Beside her, Xin Yu remained silent...

Bie Jiaze chimed in, "Maybe it’s games or another hike? Didn’t you hike last time?"

"Either way, it’s going to be mentally or physically draining, or both."

Han Yunyun groaned, "I can’t handle either. No brain, no energy, wuwu."

"Cameras are off, right? Don’t catch me like this."

Xin Yu held back from speaking.

Unnoticed, Han Yunyun looked up and spotted Bai Chen and Xie Yilin approaching. She waved and called out, "Hey! Breakfast’s ready!"

Bai Chen hurried over, all smiles and greetings. He pulled out a chair, gesturing to Xie Yilin, "Tea eggs today!"

He always had this infectious enthusiasm for food.

And it was pretty catching.

The group gathered around the table. Xie Yilin’s arrival brought a serious tone, but Bai Chen’s words quickly warmed things up.

"I’ve got something for everyone."

The Omega, ever thoughtful, pulled out some snacks, "I stumbled upon this amazing shop yesterday..."

"Oh, I adore that place!"

"Is that the top-rated spot on StarNet?"

No one anticipated that, even after just one night, he’d remember to bring back treats for everyone.

Han Yunyun couldn’t help but say, "Bai Chen, you’re so nice. I love you so much, wuwu..."

Next to him, Xin Yu froze.

Xie Yilin's fingertips momentarily froze as well.

But just for a second, he snapped back to normal, though his cool gray gaze grew a bit darker. Across the table, Xin Yu pushed his glasses up and mumbled something too low for anyone to hear.

After breakfast, with no plans from the production team yet, they all went their separate ways.

Bai Chen and Xie Yilin headed back to their room, about to crash for a nap, when someone knocked on the door.

He was in his pajamas and bunny slippers, clattering to the door.

A staff member from the production team was outside, telling them filming was set up and asking them to come over.

Bai Chen called to Xie Yilin, threw on some clothes, and walked out, yawning.

Then, he froze. He stood there, dumbstruck, for what felt like forever.

In the temple hall, there stood a familiar figure—one he’d recognize anywhere.

Madam Bai Yinyi turned and spotted her son.

She smiled and said, "Chen Chen? Why are you up so late?"

Bai Chen: ... No way. He must still be asleep, dreaming this up!

Author's note: Thank you to the readers who voted for me or supported me with nutrient solution from 2021-09-03 15:28:11 to 2021-09-04 13:51:23~

Thank you to the readers who supported me with nutrient solution: Oh, 20 bottles; Huli, 14 bottles; Vilnius Murmansk, 10 bottles; Qingtian Xingqin, 6 bottles; Left and Right, Pi, Yiyi, 5 bottles; °Squandering-, Dumb, Falling Flowers Departing Trees Carp Sinking Stream, 2 bottles; Yuhuajing, 1 bottle.

Thank you all so much for your support—I’ll keep giving it my best!