Chapter 016 Wedding Ceremony 08

Chapter 016: The Wedding Ceremony, Part 8

How to solve the hexagram problem?

Lost in thought, Zhou Younan unconsciously bit his lip.

Wei Qing’s index finger touched Zhou Younan’s lips.

“Hmm?” His thoughts interrupted, Zhou Younan looked at him blankly.

Wei Qing mimicked Zhou Younan, biting his own lip, his verdant eyes sparkling with amusement.

“I don’t like you biting your own lips. From now on, only I can bite your lips—you can’t just bite them whenever you want.”

“What kind of logic is that?”

“My logic is, if you bite your lips,” Wei Qing leaned close to Zhou Younan’s ear, lowering his voice, “I’ll take it as a signal that you want me to kiss you.”

Zhou Younan ignored him: “I’m used to biting my lips. There’s no reason why I can’t bite my own lips.”

Wei Qing suddenly bent down, closing the distance between them.

Thinking he was about to kiss him again, Zhou Younan instinctively recoiled half a step to create space.

But Wei Qing’s hand snaked around his waist, pulling him back effortlessly until their noses nearly touched.

“My wife—can’t I kiss you whenever I want?”

Wei Qing’s breath brushed against his skin, making Zhou Younan hold his breath nervously.

“Hmm~?”

His teasing tone, like a soft hook, sent a shiver through Zhou Younan’s heart.

Wei Qing tilted his head slightly, closing the gap even further, by mere millimeters.

Zhou Younan hurriedly said, “I won’t bite my lips casually from now on.”

“Good.” Wei Qing released him, eyes brimming with laughter.

The moment his waist was freed, Zhou Younan’s hand was taken again.

Wei Qing said, “Let’s go to the hall for the ceremony. Old Wang just texted me—he’s arrived.”

“Oh.” Zhou Younan swallowed hard.

Suddenly, he noticed something odd about Wei Qing.

Wei Qing was an Alpha, yet he emitted no scent of pheromones at all.

At Old Marshal Wang Han’s residence, Zhou Younan hadn't picked up any pheromones. Even when they were just inches apart moments ago, there was still no scent.

Could it be that once the scent glands are damaged, pheromones disappear entirely?

Didn't that make him no different from a Beta?

Zhou Younan glanced at Wei Qing—

Only to meet his gaze directly.

Wei Qing had been staring at him the whole time.

Zhou Younan’s intuition told him:

He must be waiting to catch me biting my lips!

Zhou Younan fumed inwardly.

“Why are you looking at me?” Wei Qing preempted him.

“Why are *you* looking at *me*?” Zhou Younan retorted irritably.

Just as Zhou Younan thought he’d gained the upper hand when Wei Qing averted his gaze—

Those green eyes turned back, drinking him in shamelessly.

Wei Qing put on a show of helplessness: “See? I failed. I can’t help but look at you.”

Zhou Younan became even more convinced—Wei Qing was watching him closely just to catch him in the act.

He wouldn’t let him succeed.

Fine, no lip-biting!

Hold back!

Upon arriving at the Stellar Chapel, Wang Han had a brief exchange with Wei Qing.

Wang Han suggested proceeding with the ceremony sooner rather than later—no further delays.

Wei Qing said they’d hold the wedding as soon as the hexagram was drawn.

Inside the hall, Zhou Younan saw a med-bot lifting a man.

The man, noticing the police escorting Wei Qing, raised his head slightly.

Zhou Younan spotted a vicious scar on his cheek.

The man suddenly shouted, “I called the cops to arrest Wei Qing, not to escort him! You good-for-nothing—”

One of the officers muffled his mouth with something, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Zhou Younan couldn't help feeling disappointed—if this man had been more energetic, he might have disrupted the wedding.

A squeeze from Wei Qing brought his attention back.

“Younan, let’s draw the hexagram together.”

“Ah? Oh.”

Zhou Younan deliberately made a show of dragging his feet behind Wei Qing.

His thoughts whirled, trying to figure out how to avoid using the hexagram.

Wei Qing wanted the hexagram at the wedding to pledge his devotion—to their marriage and to Zhou Younan.

But in his current altered state, once the effects wore off, he’d surely regret it too.

This marriage was built entirely on deception and lies. As the only sober one, Zhou Younan believed it was his duty to stop Wei Qing from using the hexagram.

Wei Qing bent slightly, a strand of golden locks slipping down to his chest. He held a lightsaber in his right hand, its tip resting on the ground.

Zhou Younan quickly called out to him, to stop him.

Hearing Zhou Younan call his name, Wei Qing looked over, arched a brow with a smirk. “Care to join me?”

Zhou Younan cleared his throat and walked toward Wei Qing. “I know you like my... pheromones.”

He took Wei Qing’s hand holding the lightsaber to stop his movement. “The hexagram isn’t necessary. I already know.”

Wei Qing lifted Zhou Younan’s hand, his eyes glinting as he gave a bitter smile. “This is my third wedding, Zhou Younan.”

“You must have heard the rumors about my first two wives. Those... aren’t the full truth. I’ll tell you everything about my past someday.”

“Forgive my selfishness.” Wei Qing gently pinched Zhou Younan’s cheek.

“I like you so much that I wanted to use your starfarer’s ritual to keep you by my side.”

He took Zhou Younan’s hand and brought it to his lips.

His eyelashes fluttered as he placed a careful kiss.

For the first time, Zhou Younan felt what it was like to be treasured, and for a moment, he felt lightheaded.

Wei Qing began drawing the outer circle of the hexagram, and Zhou Younan didn’t stop him in time.

Zhou Younan had to admit, Wei Qing had a dangerously deceptive face.

Though the tattoos under his eyes gave him a dangerous edge.

But just now, with that earnest expression, his eyes shimmering with affection...

For a few seconds, Zhou Younan was thoroughly bewitched.

Digging his fingers into his palm, he gritted his teeth. Even if the love in Wei Qing’s eyes turned into real honey, it was still fake!

Right now, he only liked his pheromones because of the capsule’s effect.

Zhou Younan, stay sharp.

While Zhou Younan was lost in thought, Wei Qing had already swiftly drawn the outer circle and one triangle. One more, and the hexagram would be complete.

“Wei Qing.” Zhou Younan called his name again.

Wei Qing looked up.

Zhou Younan bit his lip.

Wei Qing was first surprised, then a smile bloomed in his eyes.

With a knowing grin, he strode toward Zhou Younan, lightsaber in hand.

It was already evening, the setting sun painting half the sky crimson.

The crumbling yet magnificent Stellar Hall stood in the projected valley, the Great Wall resting silently on the mountain peaks.

Wei Qing stopped in front of Zhou Younan.

Cupping his face, he bent down and kissed him.

The long golden hair danced in the breeze, brushing against the back of Zhou Younan’s hand.

His heart... tingled.

When their lips parted, Wei Qing squeezed Zhou Younan’s hand, his gaze burning. “After the ceremony, we’ll have plenty of time. You’ll need to learn to catch your breath first.”

Zhou Younan’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Wei Qing was an excellent kisser—every time left him a little lightheaded.

No wonder he’d been married three times.

Pretending not to understand Wei Qing’s implication, Zhou Younan glanced at the lightsaber. “I want to draw the rest.”

“Alright.” Wei Qing handed him the lightsaber.

Zhou Younan gave Wei Qing a coy smile. “I don’t like triangles. I want to draw a heart... to represent my love for you.”

It was cheesy, but it solved the immediate problem. To achieve his goal, saying things Wei Qing liked was a small price to pay.

Hearing this, Wei Qing hesitated.

Was he going to refuse his request?

Zhou Younan’s smile stiffened slightly.

But the next second, Wei Qing laughed, his sharp canines peeking through.

He nuzzled Zhou Younan’s cheek. “I like it when you’re straightforward.”

Zhou Younan gripped the lightsaber with both hands and turned the last triangle of the hexagram into a heart.

Now it was no proper hexagram.

If he ran away later, he wouldn’t have to go to prison. Problem solved.

Once finished, Zhou Younan looked at Wei Qing, who stood in the center of the hexagram, waving at him.

Wei Qing’s eyes were filled with deep affection, completely unguarded.

Zhou Younan thought to himself—the capsule was too effective.

Changing the triangle to a heart was an obvious dodge, yet Wei Qing agreed so easily.

At the same time, Zhou Younan gained another insight about love: not only was it useless, it also made people lose their minds.

Luckily, he didn’t need love.

Wei Qing, smiling, held out his hand to Zhou Younan.

Zhou Younan slid his hand into Wei Qing’s warm palm.

Side by side, they stood in the center of the distorted hexagram, facing Old Marshal Wang Han on the steps, surrounded by police and a few guests.

Wang Han stroked his goatee, surveying the pair as he recited his prepared wedding speech:

“Honored guests,

Binary stars in the cosmos, even if born in different nebulae, are ultimately drawn together by the gravity of fate, destined for eternity.

Today, we’ve gathered in this special venue for many reasons to witness the union of this couple.

I believe the deepest emotions often begin with unfamiliarity. It’s like exploring an uncharted planet—it takes courage to land, patience to discover, time to familiarize, and sincerity to nurture...”

Zhou Younan’s gaze grew distant; he could no longer hear Old Marshal Wang Han’s words.

Because he had no sincerity.

To survive, he’d given Wei Qing a capsule that would make him fall for his pheromones.

Glancing sideways at Wei Qing, he met his affectionate gaze.

Zhou Younan looked away guiltily.

He suddenly realized what a fraud he was in this relationship with Wei Qing.

Old Marshal Wang Han solemnly delivered the final blessing: “May your marriage shine like the radiant galaxy, blooming with your shared radiance in understanding and companionship.”

Even if he felt guilty about Wei Qing, it was Wei Qing who first intimidated him, bullied him, and disliked him.

With that thought, his guilt faded away.

Old Marshal Wang Han took the ribbon from Wei Qing’s shoulder and placed it in Zhou Younan’s hand.

The ceremony concluded.

Zhou Younan stared defiantly into Wei Qing’s sea-green eyes, silently repeating his goal in his heart: Luo Luo, survive.

Knowing Wei Qing’s feelings weren’t real, Zhou Younan reminded himself over and over: Don’t get swept up in Wei Qing’s fabricated love.

They kissed again.

Applause and camera shutters clicked all around.

Not far away, Scarlet Flame slowly knelt on one knee before the hexagram where the couple stood, the aurora cascading over it like a glowing cape.

The towering Great Wall, the kneeling mech, the ever-shifting aurora.

Police, officers, merchants, reporters.

A shooting star blazed across the sky, adding a touch of mysterious and beautiful blessing to the scene.

Live-stream comments:

“Aaaaaah so sweet!!!”

“New OTP alert!”

“My old maiden heart——”

“That smile from the Marshal is everything”

“The Marshal actually has pronounced canines”

“I’m so jealous I could spit, I need to buy lemon slices”

“This place is GORGEOUS, I want to visit too”

“Officially declaring this the most romantic wedding of Star Year 718”

Live reporter Deng En captured this grand wedding scene.

The photo, hitting all the right aesthetic notes with the interstellar populace, shot straight to the top of the charts.

Netizen comments:

“The heart-shaped hexagram is classy yet cute”

“This scene is MINDBLOWING, with the mech as the backdrop”

“I declare this the most lavish makeout session of the century”

“Marshal Wei Qing is so handsome, he’s too much, omg”

“Girls, I’ve decided—I’m SWORN to only marry a boyfriend who can pilot a mech!”

“Dream on, you can’t even get someone who can fly a shuttle”

“Weddings can be this fun? My whole life is a lie”

Watching the live stream of the kissing couple, Zhou An furiously swiped everything off the table.

He roared, “This CAN’T be happening!!”

Zhou Mo had skipped the People’s Plaza event.

He sat in the hall of Old Marshal Wang Han’s residence, clutching the iron box Zhou Younan had left with him.

Zhou Younan had said it contained candies from Luo Luo, but Zhou Mo had seen the projection inside.

His ice-blue hair resisted the sunset’s golden hues.

His black eyes glued to the wedding live stream in the terminal, Zhou Mo murmured, “Xu Qi actually developed a capsule this powerful, and I didn’t know?”