Chapter 146: Extra: Bai Ruoshui × Bai Yuanzhou [Four]

Chapter 146 Extra: Bai Ruoshui & Bai Yuanzhou "Four"

Bai Ruoshui didn't want to disappoint Bai Yuanzhou, so he went ahead and slept in the tent Bai Yuanzhou had set up for him that night.

Inside, there were soft cushions and brand-new blankets, all in Bai Ruoshui's favorite colors.

Bai Ruoshui lay there trying to rest but couldn't fall asleep, his mind replaying all the little moments he'd shared with Bai Yuanzhou.

He noticed how outgoing and easygoing Bai Yuanzhou was with everyone else—so why was he always so nervous around him?

Bai Ruoshui wondered if Bai Yuanzhou had feelings for him, but Bai Yuanzhou's way of showing affection was different from other people's. He was kind to him but rarely made eye contact, and if Bai Ruoshui didn't start the conversation, Bai Yuanzhou rarely spoke up first.

Maybe he just wasn't used to being around omegas?

Bai Ruoshui rolled over, still unable to figure it out.

"Still awake? Is it the mosquitoes bothering you? Or are you hungry?" Bai Yuanzhou's voice floated in from outside. He had been watching for any movement in Bai Ruoshui's tent, holding it in for a long time before finally speaking up.

Bai Ruoshui unzipped the tent and smiled at him. "You're still awake too?"

When he saw Bai Ruoshui's smile, Bai Yuanzhou lowered his head and looked away. "I'm not that tired today, so I can't sleep. What about you—why are you still up?"

"It's a little stuffy in there." Bai Ruoshui came out of the tent and sat down next to Bai Yuanzhou.

Bai Yuanzhou felt a twinge of regret—he'd forgotten to bring a fan for Bai Ruoshui.

"Should I go ask around to borrow a fan?"

"It's so late, where would you even find one? I'll just sit here and enjoy the breeze."

Bai Ruoshui wrapped his arms around his knees and tilted his head to look at Bai Yuanzhou.

Bai Yuanzhou unconsciously grabbed the hem of his clothes, getting nervous all over again.

"Yuanzhou, is there something I'm doing wrong? Are you a little scared of me?"

"What? No, no! How could you be doing anything wrong?"

Bai Ruoshui's beautiful eyes locked onto him. "But you always seem so nervous around me. If I'm making you uncomfortable, you can tell me, and I'll change."

Bai Yuanzhou's face flushed as he hurried to explain. "Really, it's nothing like that. I'm comfortable with you. It's just—I—I just think I'm too dumb, afraid I'll say something wrong and make a fool of myself."

"How could that be? Yuanzhou, you're amazing."

"I'm not amazing. I can't hold a candle to Shen Yu."

Bai Yuanzhou regretted the words the moment they left his mouth. That sounded way too bitter.

He'd always known he couldn't compare to Shen Yu, and he'd never thought about competing with him. But ever since Bai Ruoshui showed up, he couldn't help but resent himself a little—if only he were a bit more capable, maybe Bai Ruoshui would like him instead.

Bai Ruoshui smiled softly at his words. "General Shen is indeed remarkable—he commands respect across the galaxy and leads the soldiers to protect interstellar peace. But in my heart, you're just as worthy. Remember the first time we met? You had the chance to run, but you stayed to protect the little rabbits. That's when I thought you were an alpha truly worthy of my admiration."

Bai Yuanzhou's face turned red at his words. "I almost failed to protect them back then. It was all thanks to you."

"But without you, they wouldn't have held on until the end. You're a great alpha—don't doubt yourself, alright?"

Bai Ruoshui's words lifted some of the weight from Bai Yuanzhou's heart. At least he had earned the approval of the one he admired.

"From now on, don't be so nervous around me. I really want us to be good friends." Bai Ruoshui looked at him expectantly.

Bai Yuanzhou's heart felt both sweet and bitter. Friends—that's all he could ever be to him.

"Yeah! If anything comes up, just tell me. And if Shen Yu ever dares to bully you, I'll give him a piece of my mind!"

"Why would Shen Yu bully me?" Bai Ruoshui didn't understand. He barely even knew Shen Yu.

Bai Yuanzhou misunderstood, thinking Bai Ruoshui meant Shen Yu was a good person who wouldn't bully him.

"Good that he won't. But if he ever does, you come straight to me."

Shen Yu could be with Bai Ruoshui, but if he ever wronged him, Bai Yuanzhou would go to war with him!

Little did Shen Yu know that his good brother was ready to throw down with him. He was chatting with the other soldiers about Bai Ruoshui and Bai Yuanzhou.

"Does Yuanzhou like Bai Ruoshui?"

"Yeah, it's written all over his face. Like he's afraid no one would notice, yet he still insists he doesn't."

"No wonder he went ballistic when I suggested sending Bai Ruoshui to the front lines."

"General, you're not upset, are you?"

Shen Yu looked confused. "Why would I be upset?"

"Didn't they say Bai Ruoshui came here for a marriage alliance with you?"

"Marry me? No, he's just here to help get rid of the insect plague."

"That's what Gu Yuankai said. He claims he personally heard Long Shen talking about a marriage alliance with you."

"...There's no such thing. But don't tell that big mouth Gu Yuankai, or he'll spread it to everyone." It was just an excuse—without it, Long Shen would never have let Bai Ruoshui come here.

"Good to know it's not real. We've been worried sick these past few days, afraid you and Yuanzhou would end up fighting over it."

Shen Yu sighed helplessly. "Don't worry, I don't have any feelings for Bai Ruoshui."

"We can tell. None of us could bear to send him to the front lines, but you had no problem with it—that definitely means no feelings. But with an omega that gorgeous and you're not interested... are you sure you don't actually like alphas?"

Shen Yu kicked him. "Hell no!"

The scrawny four-hundred-jin YeYe shuddered. Who's talking about me behind my back?

Whatever, back to the chicken leg. Brother Ruoshui said before he left that he couldn't get skinny—he had to fatten himself up!

Bai Yuanzhou and Bai Ruoshui spent a full week on Planet Amel completely eradicating the insect plague. Without a moment's rest, they hurried back to meet up with Shen Yu.

"The insect plagues on the other planets are all taken care of. Now we only need to handle the one on Planet Lex. Do you want to head back to Romar first? We can manage on our own," Shen Yu asked Bai Ruoshui.

Bai Yuanzhou's heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand. Was he really leaving?

"I'll stay until everything's resolved."

"Alright, these are gifts from the nearby residents. See if there's anything you like," Shen Yu said, offering them because he felt Bai Ruoshui had contributed to this campaign and deserved to take something back.

Bai Ruoshui initially didn't want any, but then he spotted a Samoyed wood carving among the items and couldn't help reaching for it. "Then I'll take this one. Thanks, General Shen."

"You're welcome. Want anything else?"

"No, just this one." YeYe is going to love it.

Bai Yuanzhou watched Shen Yu give him a gift, and he happily accepted it, feeling sour inside.

Shen Yu nudged his shoulder: "Come find me by yourself tonight—we need to talk."

He figured Bai Yuanzhou was reading too much into it; if he truly liked Bai Ruoshui, how could he have let the two of them spend so much time alone together.

Bai Yuanzhou, however, thought he was being told to draw a clear line with Bai Ruoshui, and a sense of helplessness rose in his heart.

These past few days of close interaction had created an illusion for him that Bai Ruoshui would be with him. Now that Bai Ruoshui had returned to Shen Yu's side, it was time for him to wake up from his dream.

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