Chapter 110: Seize Power

Chapter 110: Taking Power

Gu Yuankai had originally come to take care of Shen Yu, but ended up really hitting it off with Bai Xingxing and spent all his time chatting with him.

As for Shen Yu, Gu Yuankai figured his all-capable General Shen could take care of himself.

Meanwhile, after Bai Yeye returned to Romar, he made a beeline for Bai Ningxin's chambers to find him.

Bai Ningxin had been doing a bit better lately—at least he was willing to eat now. But he was still a far cry from his old self.

The second Bai Yeye saw him, tears started streaming down his face: "Father, YeYe is back."

Bai Ningxin rarely reacted to anything, but this time he looked up at him. His haggard appearance was heartbreaking.

Bai Yeye threw himself into his arms, too choked up to say anything.

Long Shen said quietly, "It's good that you're back. Let's not talk about anything sad."

Bai Ningxin had finally started to improve, and he didn't want to see him sink back into grief.

Bai Yeye fought back his tears and forced a smile: "YeYe missed you so much, Father. Did you miss YeYe?"

Bai Ningxin looked at Bai Yeye in his arms, then at Long Rui standing off to the side, and tears suddenly streamed down his face: "Where's Ruoshui? Didn't you bring him back with you?"

The mood turned heavy with grief. Long Shen turned away and wiped his eyes.

He'd been forcing himself to accept it, thinking he already had.

But today, when he saw the two children return, something inside him started to fall apart. They'd left as three—so why were only two coming back?

He was barely holding it together, and Bai Ningxin's words were the last straw that broke him.

"Father." Long Rui's throat tightened.

No one answered Bai Ningxin's question. He seemed to slowly regain his senses, muttering under his breath, "Ruoshui is gone. He's not coming back. Why did I ever agree to let him marry into Lex? If I hadn't, maybe none of this would've happened."

Bai Yeye clung to him, sobbing uncontrollably: "No, don't think like that. It's not your fault. Please, Father, I'm begging you."

His instinct to protect his kids snapped Bai Ningxin back to reality, and he started comforting Bai Yeye instead: "Don't cry. Father is fine. I'll stop thinking crazy thoughts."

Bai Yeye wiped his tears away: "From now on, YeYe will stay by your side, Father. I'm not going anywhere."

Bai Ningxin nodded: "Good, good."

For the sake of his kids, Bai Ningxin forced himself to set aside his grief. He still had two kids to look after—he had to stay strong.

Things were better, but a full recovery might still take a year or two.

When Bai Ningxin rested, Long Shen pulled them aside for a private chat.

"YeYe, you did great this time. Father's proud of you." Long Shen didn't scold him for putting himself in danger—he only praised him.

Bai Yeye saw the silver strands at his temples, and his heart sank.

"Father, you should rest for a while too. Leave everything else to me and my big brother."

Long Rui chimed in, "Yeah, YeYe and I can handle it."

Long Shen didn't push himself anymore. He let out a long sigh: "That's what I was thinking. I thought I could give you both a lifetime of happiness, but after all this, I've realized I have limits."

These past few days, he'd had to take care of his beloved, handle state affairs, keep tabs on the war in Lex, and deal with his own grief. It was all piling up until he could barely breathe.

He wasn't afraid of getting tired, but he really couldn't stand seeing his beloved like this.

At least he still had two amazing kids.

Bai Yeye hugged him and said, "You've done more than enough."

Long Shen gently stroked Bai Yeye's head: "Mm, don't worry. Father's not going to break. I'll always be by your side."

Saying he wasn't feeling well, Long Shen stepped back and let Long Rui run the government. Bai Yeye couldn't appear in public, so he helped out with things in the study.

The best thing about their planet was how united everyone was, from top to bottom. After hearing about Bai Ruoshui, the court officials tried their best not to give Long Shen any more grief.

But there were plenty of planets eyeing them from the outside, waiting for a chance. Romar had been number one in the interstellar order for a long time. Other planets acted like they were loyal, but behind the scenes, they all wanted to tear them down.

They used to be scared of the prophecy that Bai Yeye would unify the stars, but so much time had passed that they figured if it were really going to happen, it would've happened by now. Why else would he still be hiding? They'd finally caught a break with the leader in trouble—they weren't about to let it slide.

Seven or eight planets all asked to visit at the same time. Long Rui wasn't scared and just said yes.

"Why even let them come?" Bai Yeye knew exactly what they were up to and didn't want them there at all.

"If we don't let them come, they'll just send spies anyway. Might as well let them see how strong we are, right out in the open."

Long Shen had only stepped back to second-in-command—he wasn't completely out of the game. If they pushed him too far, none of those planets would get off easy.

Bai Yeye clenched his fists: "Exactly. If they dare come, I'll knock their teeth out."

They weren't like Shen Yu, who got involved in everything. But whenever a planet had a major disaster, Romar was always the first to pitch in money and manpower. They didn't even say thanks—instead, they took advantage of the situation. A bunch of bastards!

After getting Long Shen's okay, the monarchs of those planets started scheming in secret.

This visit was to feel things out. If Romar had really gotten weak, they'd attack right away.

If Romar wasn't that weak yet, they'd team up, find Shen Yu, and talk him into taking out Romar—and killing Long Tianao!

----------------------------------------