Chapter 017 Wedding Ceremony 09

Chapter 017 The Wedding (Part 9)

The ceremony concluded, and Zhou Younan was swept into Wei Qing’s arms as they boarded the aircraft piloted by Henry.

"Take us home," Wei Qing instructed Henry.

"Yes, Marshal," Henry replied.

This aircraft’s cabin was far more spacious than the one Zhou Mo had used. Zhou Younan had initially wondered why such a large space was necessary.

Now, sitting beside Wei Qing, he understood. Wei Qing’s long legs alone occupied a significant amount of room.

They sat shoulder to shoulder, thighs and knees pressed together, Wei Qing’s warmth permeating through their light clothing.

Unaccustomed to such intimacy, Zhou Younan subtly tried to retract his legs, but Wei Qing’s followed suit.

He was absolutely doing this on purpose.

Zhou Younan stole a quick glance at him.

Just then, Wei Qing’s comm device chimed—an incoming transmission from Old Marshal Wang Han.

Wang Han’s robust voice came through: "Wei Qing, first thing tomorrow, you must go and explain the Levis Royal Hotel incident to His Majesty. And mind your tone."

Wei Qing responded, "That’s the plan."

"I heard from Wang Wu that she’s been studying the Crimson Flame lately. Since you activated the Crimson Flame today, knowing her, she’ll definitely come looking for trouble."

Wei Qing gave a noncommittal grunt.

"Give her a good talking-to for me. Tell her it was her father's orders! And while you’re at it, ask her when she plans to get my eldest grandson back."

"Understood."

Wang Han ended the transmission.

Wang Wu—the name sounded familiar.

Zhou Younan couldn’t quite recall where he’d heard it before.

Through the window, he caught sight of the Crimson Flame parked conspicuously in the square.

Were they really leaving a mech out in the open like that?

Sensing his unspoken question, Wei Qing explained, "The Crimson Flame can only be activated once per day. Tomorrow, it’ll return to its proper place."

Zhou Younan nodded in understanding.

Wei Qing retrieved a box from beneath the seat and placed it on Zhou Younan’s lap. "Hungry?"

The box was filled to the brim with small dried fish, emitting a distinctive briny aroma.

With slender fingers, Wei Qing picked up a piece and crunched into it. "The Jin family’s preservation method—not bad."

It was Zhou Younan’s first time trying dried fish. He selected a small piece and took a bite.

Though the initial scent was slightly fishy, the moment he chewed, the brittle bones crumbled in his mouth, releasing a rich, savory burst of flavor.

"Good?" Wei Qing asked.

Zhou Younan nodded. "Mm."

"Once our marital leave is approved, for our honeymoon, we’ll visit the Apollo Galaxy, where the Jin family resides. They have endless varieties of fish there."

Zhou Younan’s chewing stalled.

Honeymoon?! He’d never even considered it.

The capsule’s effects lasted only a month—he couldn’t afford to waste time on a honeymoon.

"Oh, sure," he agreed outwardly while already devising ways to subtly defer it.

"You even get marital leave?" Zhou Younan asked curiously.

Wei Qing paused mid-chew.

General Henry, still piloting, chimed in, "Your Highness, the Empire’s laws are comprehensive. Marital leave applies regardless of how many times one marries."

"Oh." Zhou Younan turned back to Wei Qing. "When will the leave be approved?"

Wei Qing tossed back another fish, chewing pointedly. "There’s a military exercise scheduled. After it concludes."

"When does the exercise end?"

"Seven days."

A full week!

A plan crystallized in Zhou Younan’s mind.

He picked up a piece of dried fish and held it out to Wei Qing with an innocent smile. "Would it be possible for me to return to Yaoxing first?"

Wei Qing didn’t take it. Instead, he opened his mouth expectantly.

He really knew how to press his advantage.

Zhou Younan’s fingers itched to stuff a fistful of fish into that infuriating mouth.

Suppressing the impulse, he delicately positioned the fish at Wei Qing’s lips.

Just as he tried to pull back—

His wrist was caught.

"You’ve got crumbs on your fingers."

Wei Qing’s tongue licked clean Zhou Younan’s fingertips.

Warm. Soft. Damp.

Zhou Younan’s face flushed crimson.

Wei Qing released him just as quickly, leaving Zhou Younan no opportunity to object.

With utter calm, Wei Qing stated, "I hate waste."

Zhou Younan didn't like waste either, but...

He took a deep breath.

Everything Wei Qing did was because of the capsule's effects. In a sense, he'd brought this upon himself.

He'd put up with it for now—after all, he wouldn’t have to stay with Wei Qing for too long.

Zhou Younan told himself this.

"I have a military exercise and can’t accompany you back to Yaoxing," Wei Qing continued, eating another small fish snack.

"I’ll go back alone," Zhou Younan emphasized the word "alone."

"I don't like that idea."

"I can take care of myself. You don’t need to worry."

"The world out there is dangerous. What if you get hungry, tired, or run into space pirates? I’d be worried."

"If I’m hungry, I’ll eat nutrient paste. If I’m tired, I’ll sleep. If I encounter space pirates, I’ll run away."

Wei Qing swallowed the fish snack in his mouth and took Zhou Younan’s hand. "I'll miss you if you go so far. Don't you think you'll miss me?"

No.

Zhou Younan really wanted to say that to Wei Qing.

But—was Wei Qing saying no to him?

It seemed that even with the capsule, Wei Qing wasn't completely under his control.

Zhou Younan quickly realized a crucial issue.

Right now, Wei Qing liked his pheromones because of the capsule’s effects, but aside from Wei Qing himself, no one knew how strong those feelings really were.

If his feelings weren’t that strong, and Zhou Younan’s words or actions angered him, would Wei Qing still kill him?

It was possible.

After a moment of thought, Zhou Younan gave his answer: "I’ll miss you too, but I believe what we have can withstand the test of distance."

Wei Qing kissed the back of Zhou Younan’s hand, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Zhou Younan didn’t press for an answer. He glanced at General Henry, who was piloting the aircraft. He couldn't make it too obvious—others might notice.

The aircraft soon left the People’s Square, passed through the bustling city center, crossed the urban district, and arrived above a vast lake.

The sun had completely disappeared, leaving only a vibrant red sunset on the horizon. The sunset reflected on the lake’s surface as the aircraft flew over, its passing rippling the water and breaking the reflection into pieces.

"This lake is called Cang Lake," Wei Qing said, pointing to an island in the middle. "Our home is there—Plum Blossom Island."

Zhou Younan looked over. The small island, covered in towering trees, stood quietly on the lake like a mirage. The last rays of the setting sun couldn’t penetrate it, leaving only the dark silhouette of the island visible from here.

"Are there many people living on the island?" Zhou Younan asked.

"Just our home," Wei Qing replied.

Zhou Younan thought gloomily.

Wei Qing’s home was on Plum Blossom Island, surrounded by water on all sides. If he tried to sneak away in an aircraft, flying over the lake would be way too obvious.

It would be like writing "I’m escaping" in bold letters on the aircraft.

Zhou Younan thought with a mental sigh. He couldn’t help but think: Wei Qing is allergic to cocoa powder—it makes him faint.

If possible, just knocking him out would do it.

But how could he get hold of cocoa powder?

By the time they landed on Plum Blossom Island, night had fallen completely, and Henry flew the aircraft away.

Zhou Younan and Wei Qing walked hand in hand along a forest path. Though there were streetlights, beyond them lay only completely dark woods.

The air was fresh, carrying a faint dampness.

A thought suddenly occurred to him: If Wei Qing decided to kill him now, he’d have no way to resist. He'd die without anyone knowing...

The terrifying idea made Zhou Younan shiver.

"What’s wrong?" Wei Qing stopped and asked with concern.

"The forest is a bit cold," Zhou Younan said as an excuse.

Wei Qing unbuttoned his military jacket, revealing a smooth white shirt underneath. The shirt was neatly tucked into his sharp military trousers.

He draped the jacket over Zhou Younan’s shoulders. Along with the warmth, Zhou Younan noticed a faint sunny smell.

"Better now?" Wei Qing’s eyes were full of concern.

"Much better," Zhou Younan replied.

Wei Qing took his hand again, lacing their fingers together, his warmth spreading through Zhou Younan’s palm. In that moment, Zhou Younan was really glad he had used the capsule.

Wei Qing, who liked his pheromones, was completely different from the Wei Qing who had purposely tried to disgust him before. He treated him so well—better than anyone in Zhou Younan's memory.

The forest path was paved with cobblestones, neat and well-maintained. Leaf piles were neatly placed at intervals along the roadside, clearly maintained by someone. Zhou Younan guessed there were others living here besides him and Wei Qing.

"Sir, you’ve returned."

A mechanical voice sounded as a yellow robot—with triangular treads for feet, a square body, and two large mechanical eyes—approached them.

It waved its mechanical arms and did a little spin, seeming happy.

Upon seeing Zhou Younan, it paused for two seconds before quickly pulling in its arms, treads, and eyes, leaving only its square body in place.

A mechanical voice came from the speaker on its front: "An unfamiliar guest."

Zhou Younan arched an eyebrow. Was this robot acting shy?

Wei Qing turned to Zhou Younan. "Wuhuarou, a home robot. A ten-year-old model."

Then he gave the robot an order: "Wuhuarou, this is Zhou Younan, my partner. He has the same access as I do."

"Command acknowledged." The robot named Wuhuarou extended its arms, treads, and eyes again, positioning itself before Zhou Younan—reaching up to his thighs.

A blue beam scanned Zhou Younan from toe to head. "Scanning in progress. Please do not move."

The blue light vanished after five seconds.

Wu Huarou spun in circles again and said to Zhou Younan, "Welcome back, Third Lady."

Third… Lady?

The atmosphere turned icy. Zhou Younan didn’t know how to respond.

Wei Qing crouched down, grabbed Wu Huarou’s large mechanical eye, and forced it to face him. He demanded, "Were you watching dramas again without permission? You will address us as Marshal and Madam."

"Wu Huarou... only watched just a little—"

Zhou Younan actually detected fear in the robotic voice.

Wei Qing lifted Wu Huarou by its mechanical eye, hoisted it up, and then flung it away.

Zhou Younan watched as Wu Huarou swiftly transformed into a mechanical cube mid-air.

The cube traced an arc before disappearing into the forest with a "whoosh."

The culprit Wei Qing adjusted his long hair without looking at Zhou Younan. "Wu Huarou loves watching dramas. Once it gets absorbed, it starts mimicking the titles from the shows. Pay it no mind."

"Can it come back on its own?" Zhou Younan glanced toward where Wu Huarou had vanished—pitch-black, nothing visible.

"It’ll return. No need to worry."

"Oh."

Zhou Younan followed Wei Qing to a three-story villa.

This villa’s style was completely different from the Zhou family’s residence. The current interstellar architectural trend favored vibrant colors, and the Zhou family’s building was a riot of colors on its exterior, with each floor inside done in a single color.

The building where Wei Qing lived, however, had a golden exterior—ostentatious and eye-catching, echoing the style of the formal attire Zhou Younan was wearing.

The villa was surrounded by expansive grasslands, beyond which lay dense forests. Zhou Younan scanned his surroundings and sighed inwardly.

Any escape attempt would require careful planning.

"Shall we head inside?" Wei Qing opened the door and gestured for Zhou Younan to enter.

Zhou Younan glanced at the door beside Wei Qing. The lower half had a square-shaped opening in the center.

Was that Wu Huarou's entrance?

Wondering this, Zhou Younan walked past Wei Qing and crossed the threshold.

Wei Qing drew in a deep breath, his eyes fixed on Zhou Younan with a hungry possessiveness.

Under the amber glow, the black teardrop tattoo beneath his eyes stood out starkly.

My catnip, finally home.

With that thought, he closed the door behind him.

Not a sliver of light remained from inside.