Chapter 235

Chapter 235

When Shen Geng heard Bai Xingshu’s question, his gaze naturally fell on the young shoot as well.

Because of the practice session with Bai Xingshu last night, he had studied the plant many times—enough that he could’ve drawn its leaf veins from memory. There was no doubt about it: this shoot looked nothing like it had the night before.

Its new growth had fully unfurled two segments and stretched out by at least a centimeter.

And it was now a vibrant emerald green.

Shen Geng even thought it looked healthier than when Bai Xingshu had first picked it.

He froze, opening his mouth in confusion. “That can’t be right. I couldn’t move it at all.”

Bai Xingshu didn’t seem surprised at all and simply replied, “Maybe the way abilities manifest is just different for everyone.”

Abilities were mostly unique to each person—even those of the same type varied. For example, Bai Xingshu could manipulate metal. As long as something conceptually counted as metal, he could make it roll, fly, or change shape.

Other metal users might have abilities like making metal multiply or altering its properties.

Shen Geng’s ability seemed more like a wood-type, related to plant growth. Its exact effects would probably only become clear once Shen Geng actually mastered it.

Bai Xingshu didn’t think it was strange. The reason he hadn’t mentioned it before was because, technically, he wasn’t supposed to know this much.

What did surprise him was that Shen Geng had managed to tap into his energy in just one night.

But thinking back, the system had said before that Shen Geng’s mental energy was extremely strong—so strong, in fact, that his initial test results labeled him as a Beta, but he later presented as an Alpha.

Bai Xingshu couldn’t help wondering whether his earlier excuse—that it had taken him months to barely control his own powers—was off in terms of timing.

But there was no use worrying about that now. Bai Xingshu reached over and plucked the young shoot.

“Come on, let’s bring this new discovery about our abilities with us!”

At the school gate, they got into a civilian hovercar.

Inside the vehicle, Shen Geng removed the disguise covering his face, revealing the features of Sheng Yunchen.

Bai Xingshu couldn’t help looking at him a few more times.

Under Bai Xingshu’s curious stare, Shen Geng started feeling unsure about his real face.

After all, Shen Geng still thought his real face was better-looking.

He cleared his throat carefully and asked, “What? Not used to it?”

Bai Xingshu shook his head, still staring. “It’s just kind of new seeing this face in daylight.”

As Shen Geng recalled every time he’d shown this face to Bai Xingshu, he coughed several times, his ears burning red.

No…

Don’t connect that kind of situation with this face!

Shen Geng wanted to facepalm.

Teasing his partner was fun. Bai Xingshu watched Shen Geng’s flustered expression with satisfaction, and before they knew it, the hovercar landed at the palace gates.

Seeing a civilian hovercar descend, the palace guards snapped to attention—only to see their Crown Prince step out. Since meeting Bai Xingshu, Shen Geng’s visits to the palace had dropped sharply. In two-and-a-half years, he had returned only a few times. This was truly the first time the guards had witnessed such a scene.

The guards froze in shock, and then they saw an even more stunning sight.

They watched as the Crown Prince stepped out of the hovercar but didn't leave immediately. Instead, he held the door open, and a strikingly handsome man, poised and elegant, emerged from the otherwise ordinary vehicle and stood beside the Prince.

Their fingers laced together.

That face… As imperial guards, they knew every noble and their kin in the empire by heart—yet this was someone they had absolutely never seen before.

Though trained to keep straight faces, many guards were already cooking up wild stories based on that public hovercar ride.

Titles like *The Crown Prince’s Secret Exposed: His “Poor” Boyfriend Is Actually the Prince!*

Or *I Called My Boyfriend Cheap—Then He Showed Up at the Palace in a Taxi!*

Blissfully unaware he was now the star of a soap opera, Bai Xingshu maintained his princely composure, holding Shen Geng’s hand as they walked into the palace. As expected, all eyes turned toward them.

Heartwarming!

Their Crown Prince—always buried in his studies, acting like love was beneath him—had finally gotten a boyfriend!

Word spread like crazy.

Meanwhile, the Emperor, hearing the news at the same time, snorted in displeasure, prompting the Empress to cover her mouth in laughter.

He’d called Shen Geng to the meeting without explanation and sent Lin Li to fetch Bai Xingshu—partly to unmask his son in front of him.

Back in his day, the Emperor had gotten an earful (and worse) from the Empress when she found out he’d hidden his status.

—Not everyone would willingly accept a relationship that crossed so many social boundaries; the pressure alone was immense.

Having been through it himself, the Emperor was all too eager to yank away his son’s umbrella.

But in the end… *Tch.*

From the moment he entered, Bai Xingshu carefully examined the imperial palace.

In a word: huge and lavish, every inch dripping with luxury.

This was, after all, a palace that had lasted a thousand years in the Interstellar Era. Even with only minor renovations each generation, the cumulative effect was anything but simple.

Bai Xingshu stretched out his senses and realized the palace was as big as his old base.

This got him thinking—like the Empress fretting over whether palace buns had scallions.

"In a place this huge, do you have to hike half a day to eat, like in school? Even if they deliver it, would it even stay hot?" Bai Xingshu mused.

As a post-apocalyptic badass, he couldn’t care less about status—but food? That mattered.

Shen Geng, tense under Bai Xingshu’s inspection: "..."

Sometimes, he really couldn’t follow Bai Xingshu’s thoughts.

Still, he answered, "Every wing has its own kitchen. Wherever you are, they’ll station chefs close by."

Clearing his throat, Shen Geng tentatively offered, "The palace has plenty of rooms, all set up. For the long vacation… wanna stay here?"

This time, Bai Xingshu didn’t jump at the offer. Instead, he said, "Long vacation? What about Shang Qing’s invite? I was actually thinking of accepting."

Actually, it wasn’t just Shang Qing—Shunwang Precinct (where he’d temped) had also invited him, and Lin Li passed along the Fourth Legion’s regards.

But during the passionate phase, being able to stay with Shen Geng at Shangqing and revisit the places where he'd first been drawn to Shen Geng seemed really nice to Bai Xingshu.

Shen Geng truly thought it was a great idea.

Upon hearing this, Shen Geng froze for a moment, then his face showed a hint of conflict: "Wouldn't that be... a bit inconvenient?"

"Huh? What's inconvenient about it?" Bai Xingshu asked, puzzled.

Shen Geng studied Bai Xingshu’s completely oblivious expression and realized that his lover once again lacked some basic understanding.

After glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby, Shen Geng gave an awkward cough before speaking haltingly.

"It's just... the heat cycle."

"The palace has fully functional isolation chambers." This was exactly what Shen Geng had meant earlier when emphasizing the palace rooms' complete facilities.

An Omega's first heat cycle usually arrives about half a year after presentation—right during the long break.

An Alpha always longs to fully mark their mate. Ever since finding out Bai Xingshu had presented as an Omega, Shen Geng had practically started counting the days on his fingers.

Only now did Bai Xingshu realize this point.

He had indeed learned about this and understood the basics, but he hadn't even considered calculating the timing.

Now...

Bai Xingshu smiled as he watched Shen Geng keep up his princely demeanor, pretending nothing was happening.

"Oh," Bai Xingshu said teasingly, purposely giving a vague answer.

Sensing the mischief, Shen Geng: "...”