Chapter 059 Return to Yaoxing 17

Chapter 059: Return to Yaoxing 17

"July 10th—you were still aboard the April that day. Fei Li said you'd borrowed a large sum of money from him and personally placed a bet in the bar that you could survive by Wei Qing's side for a month."

"Fei Li also mentioned you'd seen the betting pool before, but your attitude was completely different this time. I suspect that was when you discovered the existence of the capsule. And—"

Zhou Mo deliberately drew out his words.

His eyes, like Zhou Younan's, were pure ink-black, impenetrably dark.

He stared fixedly at Zhou Younan, lowering his voice as he finished his sentence: "And you had already made up your mind to give Wei Qing the capsule."

Zhou Younan clenched his teeth, lowering his gaze to avoid looking at Zhou Mo. "I just wanted to earn some money. I don’t know anything about a capsule."

Zhou Mo pondered, continuing his speculation: "Because you obtained the capsule, you believed you would surely win Wei Qing’s affection. That’s why you insisted it didn’t matter where the wedding venue was."

"If not for the capsule, where would you have gotten the confidence to say it didn’t matter where the wedding was held?"

"The rumors about Wei Qing are terrifying. Even on Gonggong Star, he showed his dislike for you."

Zhou Mo lifted Zhou Younan’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Aren’t you afraid of death, Zhou Younan?"

Zhou Younan turned his head away, evading Zhou Mo’s hand.

At Zhou Mo’s reminder, Zhou Younan suddenly remembered that Wei Qing had despised him. On Gonggong Star, the barbecue he sent was deliberately offensive. That was the real Wei Qing, wasn’t it?

At this thought, Zhou Younan’s nose tingled, his eyes reddening as they grew moist.

"On your wedding day, when you met Wei Qing, you went to kiss him—your real goal was to feed him the capsule, wasn’t it?"

"You’re really bold, giving drugs to the Imperial Marshal in front of everyone!"

Zhou Younan hadn’t expected Zhou Mo to guess everything so accurately.

He opened his mouth, but his defense sounded feeble and unconvincing. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t have a capsule, and I didn’t... give Wei Qing anything."

"Zhou Younan! Are you trying to bear the consequences of this alone now?" Zhou Mo grabbed Zhou Younan’s collar, pulling him close. "Do you think this is just your problem? Even if you don’t care about the Zhou family, what about Luo Luo?"

Meeting Zhou Mo’s eyes, Zhou Younan bit his lip.

Yes. This wasn’t something he could resolve alone. He’d been avoiding the truth, deluding himself into thinking he could fix it.

Now, Zhou Mo’s words had torn away his veil of self-deception, forcing him to confront his despicable self who had drugged Wei Qing just to survive.

He had regretted it.

But if he could go back, he knew he’d make the same choice.

Zhou Younan’s hands clenched at his sides, his heart hammering, his temples throbbing. Fear surged from his chest, spreading through his body, leaving him trembling.

Like trembling from winter's bitter cold.

His teeth chattered, joints locked, muscles twitched uncontrollably.

This drove Zhou Younan to desperation.

He began defending himself: "What else could I do?! The Zhou family forced me into this marriage with Wei Qing—I never wanted it! Wei Qing didn’t like me either! I didn’t want to die! I just wanted to live! I did nothing wrong!"

In that moment, Zhou Younan relived the desperation he’d felt back then—pushed to the edge of a cliff with no way out. The capsule had been the only rope dangling over the abyss. Dangerous, but his only choice.

He had no choice but to spread his arms, praying to the hexagram for protection, and step onto it with trembling fear.

He hadn’t wanted this.

Hadn’t wanted it!

Hadn’t wanted it!!

Tears streamed from his eyes as Zhou Younan glared at Zhou Mo. "I had no choice."

Zhou Mo reached out, gently wiping the tears from Zhou Younan’s face. "Don’t cry."

His own eyes reddened. "Back then, I couldn’t help you, brother. But now I can. I’m your brother. I showed you the projection, brought out the iron box—because I want to help you, Zhou Younan."

"Help me?" The suspicion in Zhou Younan’s eyes faltered.

"I can help you leave Wei Qing. I’m now the Zhou family head—I have the power to do it. I’ve thought it through. To keep Wei Qing from discovering the truth, we’ll stage it to look like you fled voluntarily."

"You have to leave before the capsule’s effects wear off. That way, Wei Qing will only chase after you. Luo Luo, the Zhou family, and Yaoxing will all be safe."

Zhou Mo gripped Zhou Younan’s shoulders firmly, his tone resolute.

"Once you’re gone, when the drug's effects fade, Wei Qing won’t like you anymore. I can explain it away—say that after being apart for so long, your bond weakened."

"I’ve spent a long time planning this. It’s flawless."

Zhou Mo’s eyes gleamed with hopeful excitement, but Zhou Younan couldn’t meet his gaze.

Zhou Mo’s plan was perfect—for everyone. It even aligned with his own past idea of escaping with Luo Luo.

But the thought of never seeing Wei Qing again made Zhou Younan's heart ache.

He loved Wei Qing. He didn’t want to leave. Lately, he’d even considered confessing the truth.

"Zhou Younan?" Zhou Mo frowned in confusion.

Zhou Younan remained silent, head bowed.

"Why won’t you answer me?" Zhou Mo bent down, forcing eye contact, staring straight into his eyes.

Three seconds later, understanding flashed across Zhou Mo's face. He recoiled, anger flashing. "You don’t want to run?!"

Cornered, Zhou Younan offered a feeble protest, "I... I do."

"Your eyes say otherwise!" Zhou Mo released him, pacing the study like a caged animal, as if trying to calm himself.

Watching him, Zhou Younan was stabbed by guilt.

Zhou Mo raked a hand through his shoulder-length blue hair, barely restraining his fury before whirling back to face Zhou Younan. "Have you fallen for Wei Qing?"

Zhou Younan’s eyes darted away, but he didn’t answer.

Zhou Mo gave a bitter laugh, his voice climbing higher. "You’ve fallen in love with him?!"

Zhou Younan kept his head down, like a chastised child.

"Zhou Younan! You know perfectly well that Wei Qing’s affection is just the capsule’s effect—yet you still love him?! How ridiculous! Are you really that love-starved? Even knowing his feelings are fake, you still gave him your true feelings?!"

Zhou Mo was on the verge of hysteria.

"No, no! I can feel that Wei Qing truly loves me! It's real!" Zhou Younan insisted firmly.

"Not fake? But you gave him the capsule!"

Zhou Younan's certainty wavered. "No... it's not fake."

Zhou Mo glared at him, furious, before striding to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside while taking deep breaths.

Minutes passed, but Zhou Younan remained stood frozen, murmuring, "It's not fake."

Zhou Mo kicked the window hard enough to make it thud, muttering a curse.

Two minutes later.

He returned to Zhou Younan, now composed.

"Do you want to bet on this?" Zhou Mo asked wearily.

"Gamble?" Zhou Younan was confused.

With resignation, Zhou Mo sighed. "I’m willing to risk the entire Zhou family—even Yaoxing—to gamble with you."

"To gamble on whether Wei Qing truly loves you. I don’t care. Because you’re my brother, and consider this me repaying my debt to you. Now I’m paying it back."

His gaze was unwavering.

"Brother..." Zhou Younan’s voice trembled.

He realized he wasn’t the only one walking a tightrope over a cliff. Before him stood a broad-shouldered figure with shoulder-length light blue hair.

He wasn’t alone anymore.

Zhou Younan wanted to cry.

Zhou Mo exhaled deeply, gave Zhou Younan’s arm a reassuring squeeze. "If Wei Qing still loves you once the drug's effects fade, I’ll be glad for you."

"But if he doesn’t, I’ll keep you safe, no matter what."

Zhou Younan nodded gratefully.

Then Zhou Mo suddenly shifted gears. "But what about Luo Luo? If Wei Qing discovers your deception, he won't let him live."

Zhou Younan hesitated. "He... he and Luo Luo have a good relationship. Luo Luo’s just a child. He wouldn’t..."

Zhou Mo turned away, uninterested in excuses.

He took a pull from his wrist atomizer. "Do you know how Wei Qing’s first two wives died?"

"Wei Qing insists Taylor Harris is still alive—that it's a cenotaph."

"Fine, Taylor Harris isn’t dead. But what about the other one? That Omega named Xu Rong. Has Wei Qing ever mentioned him?"

Zhou Younan shook his head.

"Of course he wouldn’t. Xu Rong was truly killed by Wei Qing. Rumors say his body was never found."

Zhou Mo turned back, his dark eyes sharp.

"Who knows what Wei Qing did with the body?"

"Maybe he fed the dead Omega to his leopard."

The sounds of tearing, chewing, and swallowing rang in Zhou Younan’s ears—Wei San devouring raw flesh. He took a fearful step back.

The study fell silent for several minutes.

Zhou Mo sank onto the sofa, torn.

"You’re my brother, a Zhou by blood. Even if you spend the rest of your life running, it’s better than dying. I want you to live."

His voice was thick with concern. Zhou Younan understood.

He murmured a quiet assent.

Zhou Mo gestured toward the sofa. "Dry your eyes. I’ll explain how we'll get you out. Whether you use it is up to you."

Zhou Younan agreed.

By the time he'd explained the plan, the sun had gone down.

"We can’t leave any traces on our terminals. I’ll have people monitor you and Wei Qing. If you decide, have you both wear blue. That’s my signal."

Zhou Younan rose to leave.

Zhou Mo stopped him. "Don’t let Wei Qing see you’ve cried. Nothing out of the ordinary. This was just brothers saying goodbye."

Zhou Younan nodded. "Okay."

As the automatic door slid open, Zhou Mo called out again.

"Zhou Younan, today makes 21 days since your marriage. You're running out of time."

Leaving the study, Zhou Younan made his way slowly down the deserted hallway.

One slow step after another.

He realized he’d been walking on broken glass hidden in the grass all along. The shadows had hidden them, and he’d pretended not to see.

Now, Zhou Mo’s words were like light exposing the glinting shards. He could no longer lie to himself.

He had always been in danger.

His fingers icy, Zhou Younan pressed them to his neck, seeking warmth. The cold helped organize his scattered thoughts.

Life, to him, was like sorting through garbage—keeping what was useful, discarding the rest. Marrying Wei Qing had felt like holding a ticking time bomb.

He should’ve thrown it away. But he’d fallen for the bomb.

No—perhaps he’d fallen for the thrill of holding it. The sheer risk had dazzled him, made him forget the timer was ticking.

Only nine days remained in this 30-day month.

Time was slipping away.

Zhou Mo had offered to gamble with him, but Zhou Younan was a coward. He couldn’t bet everything. He started pulling back.

In this bet, if he wins, he gets Wei Qing and love. But if he loses, he will not only lose everything he has now, but even his closest family could be lost.

The stakes are too high—this is an unfair bet.

Zhou Younan's heart is pulled in one direction, while Wei Qing stands on the other, left unchosen.

His heart aches.

Tears roll down his cheeks, but he makes no sound. Zhou Younan covers his face with his hands, trying to stop the flood of tears, yet they continue to slip through his fingers.

He thinks of his time with Wei Qing—apart from the unpleasantness on Gonggong Star, every other moment has been joyful.

Wei Qing had the Stellar Hall relocated for their wedding, drew the vow-sealing hexagram, and taught him how to use firearms.

Wei Qing gazed at him affectionately, saying he was beautiful no matter what—his eyes, his scars, even with his hair cut short.

They held hands, embraced, kissed, growing ever closer. Zhou Younan grew to trust him more and more, even told him about his father’s murder.

Wei Qing was absolutely wonderful.

How could he help falling for such a Wei Qing? How could he not love him?

But all of this would have to be given up…

Zhou Younan loves Wei Qing.

Yet he also realizes he has always been the unlovable one, unchosen, despised—just like how Wei Qing treated him on Gonggong Star.

Wei Qing’s love was something he had to force.

If, when the one-month deadline arrives, Wei Qing stops loving him…

Zhou Younan doesn’t let himself think about it.

He can’t bear to face a Wei Qing who no longer loves him.

Only now does Zhou Younan finally realize that what he fears most isn’t death—it’s the ice-cold indifference in Wei Qing’s gaze.

Being looked at like that by Wei Qing would shatter his heart into a million pieces. And those shattered pieces would only be crushed underfoot by Wei Qing without mercy.

After all, he’s just a plain, mediocre Omega with no redeeming qualities—useless.

At this thought, Zhou Younan drops to his knees in agony, tears falling drop by drop onto the ground.

The dying light of sunset fades away.

The corridor dims into silent darkness.

The sound of falling water is stark—drip after drip, the rhythm slowing before vanishing entirely.

Zhou Younan stands up again, his legs numb.

As if unaware, he walks through the stinging numbness.

He wipes his tears, turns around, and returns to Zhou Mo’s study.

"Brother, I’ve made my decision."

Zhou Mo, sprawled on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, had gotten word that Zhou Younan was returning. He knew his plan would succeed.

He would have a bomb planted on the ship Zhou Younan used to escape.

If Zhou Younan hadn’t died in that accident fifteen years ago,

then fifteen years later, he would die in an identical "accident"—sent to join his uncles.

Masking his amusement, Zhou Mo speaks slowly, "I knew you wouldn’t keep me waiting long."

Night has fallen. Zhou Younan sits in a hovercar, watching Wei Qing, Luo Luo, and Fan Ke waiting outside the hotel from a distance.

They had agreed that once Zhou Younan returned, they would board a ship together and leave for the Apollo System. Luo Luo and Fan Ke were there to see them off.

Pulling himself together, Zhou Younan steps out of the car and walks toward them.

The moment Wei Qing spots him, he bounces over grinning. "What took you so long?"

"I’ll tell you later." Meeting Wei Qing’s loving gaze, Zhou Younan smiles.

After bidding farewell to Luo Luo and Fan Ke, the two board the ship and leave Yaoxing.

Onboard, Zhou Younan remains quiet, staring out at the cosmos through the window.

He knows he shouldn’t show any signs of distress, but his mood remains irrepressibly gloomy.

Wei Qing assumes he’s sad about leaving Luo Luo and comforts him, "We’re just going on our honeymoon. This time is special—next time, we’ll bring Luo Luo along."

Zhou Younan manages a weak smile. "Yeah, okay."

Gazing at the shimmering nebulae outside, Zhou Mo’s words echo incessantly in his mind.

"What did you and Zhou Mo talk about?" Wei Qing asks.

Zhou Younan puts on a smile. "The Apollo System is hosting a hunting event soon—did you know?"

"I do. Maurice sent me an invitation a while ago." Wei Qing’s pale green eyes light up with excitement. "Maurice Jin, the head of the Jin family and Lord of the Apollo System—we were comrades once."

"Zhou Mo wants me to represent the Zhou family at the hunt and sign an agreement with the Jin family head." Zhou Younan feeds him the excuse Zhou Mo prepared.

"Then he’ll be disappointed. You’re married to me now—you represent *me*, not the Zhou family. The agreement is not my business, but I won’t let him use you for the hunt."

Wei Qing’s refusal was within Zhou Mo’s expectations, so Zhou Younan isn’t surprised. Curious, he asks, "Will you participate?"

"Of course. I love the thrill of hunting with a group. It reminds me of home." Wei Qing’s eyes shine with nostalgia.

Zhou Mo had said that if he wanted to escape, Wei Qing’s participation in the hunt would be the perfect opportunity.

Wei Qing says with a confident grin. "Maurice mentioned that among this year’s sea monsters, one has grown a Heart of the Ocean—a perfect ruby the size of a fist. I want to give it to you."

Distracted by his thoughts, Zhou Younan doesn’t respond immediately.

"Zhou Younan, what’s on your mind?" Wei Qing waves a hand in front of his face.

"Huh?" Startling back to attention, Zhou Younan suppresses his turmoil. "Whatever you give me, I’ll love it."

Wei Qing lights up at this, his grin stretching ear to ear.

He gives a playful pinch to Zhou Younan’s cheek. "I love hearing you say that. I knew you loved me—and I love you too."

Zhou Younan reaches out, cradling Wei Qing’s hand, basking in his warmth. "Yes, Wei Qing… I love you too."

Wei Qing's profile had smooth lines—a broad forehead, a straight nose, and beautifully curved lips that felt wonderful to kiss. Zhou Younan stared dreamily at him. Quietly, he raised his personal terminal and snapped a photo of Wei Qing sitting in the driver's seat.

Since he had already decided to leave, he cherished every second with Wei Qing now.

Before parting, he wanted to love him with all his might.

He wanted to imprint Wei Qing—

Gorgeous, radiant Wei Qing.

Wei Qing, who was like the sun.

Wei Qing, who loved him with everything he had.

Branded into his heart, never to be forgotten.