Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Most of the dancers around them were keeping their movements reserved, yet Shen Geng had no idea why Bai Xingshu had zeroed in on *that* particular couple.

Shen Geng waffled between frustration and amusement. Eventually, guiltily, he glanced down at Bai Xingshu—only to find the man wearing a shit-eating grin.

No point overanalyzing it.

Bai Xingshu, whose face was an open book, had already given himself away completely.

This guy was totally messing with him on purpose.

Recalling Bai Xingshu’s equally mischievous personality, Shen Geng could only sigh in resignation.

Did this guy even get that he was being played?

Of course he did.

Bai Xingshu wasn’t some clueless idiot. Back in the apocalypse, plenty of people had tried to pull one over on him. Aside from the fact that people in this world were weird about their necks due to physiology, Bai Xingshu had always been careful with his actions, no matter how friendly he was with others.

But right now, as he felt Shen Geng’s hands touching and holding him, all he could think was… *My turn!*

Wouldn’t payback be a bitch?

Bai Xingshu had never danced like this before, but with his control over his body, copying the other dancers’ moves was a cakewalk.

Shen Geng had said he would teach him, but once they started dancing, Bai Xingshu didn’t make a single mistake.

Before long, feeling like he had already mastered it, Bai Xingshu couldn’t resist stirring the pot.

He yanked the lead right out of Shen Geng’s hands, switching from the female role to the male role, and took over steering Shen Geng instead.

He wanted to touch and hold him too!

To Shen Geng, Bai Xingshu had only wanted to dance for fun, messing around from the get-go, so this kind of behavior wasn’t surprising at all.

Shen Geng played along, stepping back, and sure enough, Bai Xingshu’s face split into a smug grin as he eagerly pressed closer.

After indulging Bai Xingshu for a while, Shen Geng flipped their roles back with a smirk before the other could escalate his mischief.

Bai Xingshu: *Ugh, buzzkill.*

A moment later, Shen Geng noticed Bai Xingshu’s eyes already scheming again, clearly plotting something new.

Shen Geng’s lips quirked in amusement.

The other dancers in the hall watched as the two young men went toe-to-toe playfully, unconsciously claiming a large portion of the dance floor. Though they seemed to be going head-to-head, their movements were undeniably intimate, drawing knowing smiles from the onlookers.

Ah, to be young and in love.

In the end, the dance hall was where Bai Xingshu spent the most time during the event.

When they finally left, Bai Xingshu was practically dragging his feet.

This starship was far more interesting than he had imagined!

What had he been missing out on all this time?!

Eyes sparkling with curiosity, Bai Xingshu eagerly pulled Shen Geng along to explore the other areas of the starship.

Bai Xingshu's priorities had shifted, and naturally, his standards for fun spots changed too.

The lively activity areas that once appealed to Bai Xingshu no longer held his interest. His gaze began searching for spots couples frequented.

These couples mostly hung out at places like cinemas or bars.

Bai Xingshu never cared much for drinking; alcohol that messed with your head made him uncomfortable.

So, Bai Xingshu decisively chose the cinema.

However, the cinema wasn't exactly thrilling.

As two military academy students who had worked in law enforcement, the horror films playing in the theater didn't faze them one bit.

Bai Xingshu watched as the people around him screamed one after another, burying themselves in the arms of their companions, with some even quaking in their seats in tight embraces.

He mentally tsked and glanced at Shen Geng.

Such a scene was clearly impossible with Mr. Too-Cool-For-School.

This prideful guy would rather die than show fear, even if he were genuinely scared.

But still…

After observing the reactions of those around him five or six times, Bai Xingshu's gaze darted around. Finally, when the ghost on screen made a sudden appearance, accompanied by the screams of the audience, Bai Xingshu let out an over-the-top scream and flung himself at Shen Geng.

Shen Geng could only stare blankly at Bai Xingshu, who had suddenly appeared in his embrace, his face contorted in mock terror while barely suppressing laughter.

After a few seconds of silence, Shen Geng pulled him close to keep him from slipping and said helplessly, “You scared me.”

Hearing this, Bai Xingshu rolled his eyes and shot back, “If you were scared, at least change your expression a little.”

Naturally, Shen Geng wouldn’t refuse Bai Xingshu’s wish. He tried adjusting his facial muscles, but with Bai Xingshu half-sprawled in his arms, the overwhelming sense of intimacy made it impossible for him to feign fear. Instead, his expression shifted back and forth until he could no longer suppress his joy and cracked up.

And laughter was contagious.

Bai Xingshu, putting on a show of disapproval, felt the vibrations of Shen Geng’s chest and saw his amused expression, eventually failing to hold back his own laughter.

Thus… the couples in the cinema, quaking in their seats, shot daggers with their eyes toward the two of them upon hearing their laughter.

Then they saw the pair in stitches together.

Everyone: “…”

Ugh, that's just rubbing it in. These two were sicker than all of us put together!!

Over the three-day journey, the two of them hit up every attraction on the starship.

By the time they disembarked, Bai Xingshu wasn't quite ready for it to end.

So traveling was this much fun! Should've done this way earlier.

Bai Xingshu lamented.

Shen Geng was also thinking back on it all.

Most of his time with Bai Xingshu had been spent on work or ordinary study routines. This was the first time he had gone out purely for fun with Bai Xingshu.

So this was how Bai Xingshu behaved when playing with someone.

If I had known earlier... I should have set aside a few days during my long vacation with my temp job to pick a place and have fun with Bai Xingshu.

What a missed opportunity!

Shen Geng also felt regret.

But there’s still loads of time in this long vacation—they could make up for all they'd missed out on!

Shen Geng turned to Bai Xingshu and asked, “Where should we go next?”

Bai Xingshu effortlessly produced a long list of travel plans.

With the system’s help, putting together these itineraries was no trouble for him.

“First, we’ll spend two days in Starport City. Tentative destinations are…” Bai Xingshu listed several famous and Instagram-worthy spots in Xitu Star’s Starport. “We’ll also buy all the gifts we need, then head to Yilai Orphanage in three days to stop by and see the director.”

This Yilai Orphanage was where the original body's owner had grown up.

Since they were back, it was only right to stop by.

Whether it might expose his identity or raise Shen Geng’s suspicions wasn’t even on his radar—from just basic human decency, it was simply the proper thing to do, returning to Xitu Star and letting his elders know he was safe.

Dwelling on what-ifs wasn't Bai Xingshu’s style.

Do what you believe is right, and if problems arise, solve them.

Bai Xingshu had always been straightforward like this, so he bumped it straight to the top of the list.

“We can also spend a few extra days in Yilai. It’s a key city in Xitu Star’s Cultural Revamp initiative.”

“Make sure to take plenty of photos and notes, jot down your thoughts—you can share them later when you meet your uncle, aunt, or cousins.” Bai Xingshu hadn’t forgotten Shen Geng’s awkward position as an outsider trying to fit into the royal family and even planned how he could impress them.

“After that, we’ll decide where to go next. I think XX City and xx City are both good options. We can discuss it after Yilai.”

As he spoke, Bai Xingshu had everything figured out for Shen Geng.

Hearing this, Shen Geng was floored.

From the moment they decided to come to Xitu Star until now, the two had been joined at the hip. When had Bai Xingshu put this whole itinerary together? Shen Geng had no idea.

When did Bai Xingshu even have time for this?

Weren’t they on the same planet?

Naturally, Shen Geng blurted out his confusion and shock to Bai Xingshu.

Of course, Bai Xingshu couldn’t mention the system, so instead of answering directly, he chuckled and shot Shen Geng a grin, lifting his chin slightly. “See? This local tour guide is giving you your money’s worth, right?”

With that, he deflected Shen Geng’s questions, reminding him instantly of everything that had happened on the starship.

...It had been worth every second!

Looking back now, Shen Geng even pinched himself to check if this was real.

And in the days that followed, he realized this dream just kept getting better.

Their time in Xitu Star’s Starport City blew him away.

As the crown prince of the royal family, Shen Geng had naturally experienced all kinds of luxurious and magnificent places before. A backwater like Xitu Star couldn't possibly compare to the legendary scenery of the entire star system in this regard.

But Bai Xingshu could make even the lamest stuff fun.

Between all the craziness, Bai Xingshu also managed to squeeze in time to buy a ton of stuff—big bags, small bags.

These were all interesting, novel, or useful items he had spotted during their travels.

Bai Xingshu never half-assed buying gifts!

With everything prepared and carrying even more items than his own luggage, Bai Xingshu flung out an arm: "Let's go!"

Thanks to the technology of the interstellar era, getting between cities was a breeze. Although Yilai was far from Xitu’s core Xinghui District, the hovercar ride was just over an hour.

In no time, they showed up at the gates of Yilai Orphanage.

The system had provided Bai Xingshu with information, so he kinda knew the place. However, the data collected by the system didn’t include the original host’s behavioral habits or attitudes toward the people in the orphanage.

With nothing to go on, Bai Xingshu simply chose not to pretend.

Carrying all those packages, he yelled through the gates toward the inside of the orphanage:

"I'm back!!"