With a large Alpha clinging to him like this, Ji Mian fell silent.
He poked Chu Shiye.
Chu Shiye stared at him without blinking.
Ji Mian: Why is he suddenly so clingy?
Of course, it must be because of what just happened, right?
To be honest, Ji Mian was a little surprised.
Though the situation earlier had been dangerous, nothing bad had actually happened in the end.
He was still standing here in front of Chu Shiye, perfectly fine. So why was this person so worried, so shaken?
Why… did he care so much about him?
Ji Mian looked into Chu Shiye’s dark brown eyes. His reflection was crystal clear in those depths.
In the past, even when he was injured and bleeding, the people from the capital star wouldn’t show much emotion.
But now, even though he hadn’t been hurt, only faced a moment of danger, this Alpha was so tense he wouldn’t leave his side, not even for a moment.
Chu Shiye knew Ji Mian wasn’t weak.
He also knew how vast the gap in strength was between Ji Mian and that A-level beast.
And yet, at that moment, this Alpha had rushed over to shield him.
A faint smile appeared in Ji Mian’s eyes, and he spoke warmly, “I’m fine, and I’ll be more careful in the future.”
Chu Shiye said nothing.
Ji Mian waved his hand slightly, trying to get a reaction.
After staring at him in silence for a while, Chu Shiye slowly, hesitantly released his arm.
But in the next second, his fingers lightly hooked onto Ji Mian’s.
Not tightly, but also not letting go.
Ji Mian: Alright then.
Anyway, he didn’t dislike this.
Ji Mian took two steps to the side.
Chu Shiye obediently followed, keeping his gaze fixed on Ji Mian.
He didn’t want to let go.
The sensation of his fingers brushing against Ji Mian’s and feeling his real, living warmth gave him reassurance.
There was something Chu Shiye would never say aloud:
—When the black wolf lunged at Ji Mian with its jaws open, his mind had gone completely blank.
Yet, even without conscious thought, his body had moved first, rushing forward.
If—just if—he hadn’t reacted in time in that moment… what would have happened to Su Lan?
Chu Shiye didn’t dare to think about it. Even now, his heart felt like it was tightly clenched in an invisible fist, making it hard to breathe.
No matter how hard he tried to suppress the memory, that nightmarish scene replayed itself in his mind over and over, leaving a searing imprint.
With it came a flood of dreadful possibilities.
If Su Lan were gone…
If Su Lan left him…
If he could never see Su Lan again.
Chu Shiye suddenly realized he couldn’t bear such possibilities.
Even the fleeting thought was intolerable.
Chu Shiye took a step forward.
Then another.
The Alpha silently drew closer, standing so near that Ji Mian turned to look at him.
Chu Shiye lowered his eyes slightly, meeting Ji Mian’s gaze.
Ji Mian: Hmm, he’s tall.
He hadn’t noticed before, but now, at such close range, he realized that Chu Shiye was half a head taller than him.
How did he grow so much taller when he’s a year younger?
Ji Mian patted Chu Shiye’s head.
Chu Shiye froze for a moment, then lowered his head, muttering something quickly under his breath.
Ji Mian only caught the first two words: “If…”
The rest of the sentence melted away like water into snow, lost in the air.
Ji Mian: “What?”
Chu Shiye pressed his lips tightly together, forming a straight line.
He didn’t say another word.
Ji Mian: “?”
What was this Alpha just muttering about?
Was he cursing me?
Ji Mian couldn’t make sense of it, but seeing Chu Shiye’s stubborn ´I won’t talk’ expression, he knew it would be pointless to ask.
This Alpha is acting so strange today.
Forget it. I’ll take him home first.
Ji Mian pulled Chu Shiye along, and Chu Shiye obediently followed.
“Mr. Su, please wait.”
A voice from behind interrupted their steps.
Black Snake stood there, his injuries still untreated but appearing much better off than the others.
“I’m curious, Mr. Su, where are you from?”
Ji Mian: “The Seventh Star System.”
He had anticipated that these people might investigate his background, so he had prepared this answer in advance.
This planet was so isolated that even the city’s highest-ranking officials couldn’t gather information beyond the Seventh Star System.
Black Snake didn’t respond immediately.
Though the answer was vague, he knew the C12 planet in the Seventh Star System had a prominent Su family, rumored to have several B-level ability users.
Could it really be as he suspected?
Black Snake showed no outward reaction, only saying, “This time, thank you.”
“I owe you a favor.”
With that, Black Snake turned and left. A few steps behind, Heisen quickly followed in silence.
Next, Fu Zeren approached, cautious as ever.
“Mr. Su…”
“This matter is settled,” Ji Mian interrupted. “There’s no connection between us anymore.”
Fu Zeren hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice. “Mr. Su, as an outsider, you should still be careful in the coming days.”
It wasn’t a threat, but a warning.
After saying this, Fu Zeren bowed slightly and left with his subordinates.
Lastly, Berg approached.
“I owe you a favor too. Next time you’re in trouble, just use my name—”
“It seems faster if I solve things myself,” Ji Mian replied.
Berg’s face twitched before forcing a smile: “Well, no matter what, you’re strong. I acknowledge that!”
With that, he ordered his subordinates to carry him away, unable to walk on his own.
The group dispersed, though the matter was far from over.
—
On the way back, Chu Shiye’s communicator buzzed softly.
He opened it to find a stream of messages, most of them sent earlier but only now coming through due to the lack of signal in the mine.
Scanning them briefly, Chu Shiye said, “Don’t go back to the city for now.”
Ji Mian: “Oh, look at you, talking now.”
Chu Shiye: “…”
Ji Mian, grinning: “Alright, I won’t tease you. Why shouldn’t we go back?”
“Something happened in the city.”
“There’s been another attack, and wild beasts from the wilderness have assaulted the city.” Chu Shiye explained. “The city gates are locked for now, so we can’t go back.”
Ji Mian raised an eyebrow. “How convenient. It just so happens that this occurred while the leader is away, and the city is short on ability users?”
Chu Shiye nodded. “It’s suspicious, but Fu Zeren will handle it. You don’t need to worry.”
Right now, his only concern was getting Su Lan home.
Back to safety.
Back to somewhere without anyone else around.
—
The familiar little house soon appeared in front of them.
As they stepped inside, Ji Mian swayed slightly.
Chu Shiye immediately moved closer. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. I just tripped on the threshold,” Ji Mian replied.
In truth, he was feeling faint from overusing his mental energy. But compared to before, his recovery speed had improved significantly. A little rest was all he needed.
The two sat by the bed. Chu Shiye closed his eyes briefly, as if seeking relief.
“What’s wrong?” Ji Mian asked, tilting his head toward him.
“It’s nothing,” Chu Shiye replied.
Ever since leaving the mine, he’d felt a dull ache in his temples, as if a fine needle were stabbing into his brain. Now that they were back inside the house, the pain had become sharper and harder to ignore.
Ji Mian frowned and raised his hand, intending to help soothe Chu Shiye’s mental strain.
But Chu Shiye caught his wrist. “I’m fine.”
Ji Mian tried again, but Chu Shiye held firm.
Ji Mian: …Stubborn idiot.
With a sigh, he changed the subject. “Earlier, I mentioned something about my real name…”
“It doesn’t matter,” Chu Shiye interrupted.
“Hmm?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Chu Shiye repeated, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with Ji Mian. “As long as you’re here, that’s enough.”
Names, identities—none of it mattered.
The person in front of him wouldn’t change because of those things.
Ji Mian was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by the intensity in Chu Shiye’s dark brown eyes. Whatever he’d been planning to say faded away.
For no particular reason, a fleeting thought crossed Ji Mian’s mind:
If the day ever comes when I have to leave… this Alpha would probably be devastated, wouldn’t he?
He lowered his gaze briefly to avoid Chu Shiye’s eyes. But in the next moment, he looked up again, smiling softly.
“Let’s rest for now.”
His gentle tone carried a calming magic.
Chu Shiye closed his eyes, letting exhaustion overtake him.
He collapsed all at once.
Ji Mian caught him, feeling the weight of the young Alpha pressing down on him. Chu Shiye’s furrowed brow revealed the discomfort he was still feeling.
Ji Mian sighed.
I told you not to push yourself.
His fingertips lightly touched Chu Shiye’s temple, establishing a mental connection.
—
In the void of unconsciousness, Chu Shiye’s awareness plummeted into endless darkness.
At the bottom of the abyss, a pair of golden eyes opened, silently watching him.
Chu Shiye lowered his head. The golden light burned like fire, blazing into his gaze.
When the flames finally extinguished, he awoke.
—
Still groggy, Chu Shiye lay quietly, his eyes closed.
The headache that had plagued him earlier seemed to have faded.
He was resting on something soft and incredibly comfortable.
A new pillow Su Lan bought?
No. Wait. This wasn’t a pillow.
Chu Shiye’s eyes snapped open.
“You’re awake,” Ji Mian greeted him with a smile. “How did you sleep?”
Chu Shiye: “…”
Ji Mian poked him lightly. “Can you get up? My legs are numb.”
Chu Shiye: “…”
He realized.
He had been lying on Su Lan’s lap.
He had been lying on Su Lan.
And he felt…
Ji Mian: “Hey, did you hear me?”
“…”
In Ji Mian’s puzzled gaze, the Alpha slowly sat up, his movements stiff and awkward.
He stared at Ji Mian for a few seconds, unblinking, as if trying to process the situation.
Then he turned away, grabbed the blanket, and…
Buried himself in it.
Self-isolation achieved.
Ji Mian: “?”
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