Chu Shiye picked up the small white snake and gently removed it from Ji Mian’s palm.
The snake squirmed in his fingers, and Ji Mian chuckled. “It’s still very cute.”
Chu Shiye didn’t respond, his eyes fixed intently on Ji Mian.
While Ji Mian had been unconscious, Chu Shiye had thought about many things—about their situation, about Ji Mian, and about himself.
He had come to realize one thing with complete clarity: he didn’t want Su Lan to leave him.
The emotions he had been suppressing began to take root and grow uncontrollably, making his heart pound so loudly it echoed in his ears.
For the first time, he found it hard to meet Ji Mian’s gaze.
Ji Mian blinked, tilting his head slightly. “Do you have something you want to say to me?”
Chu Shiye fell silent for a few more seconds, took a deep breath, and finally mustered the courage to speak.
“I—”
Knock, knock, knock.
Three sharp raps on the door interrupted him.
Chu Shiye: “…”
The knocking came again, louder this time. Knock, knock, knock.
Annoyed, Chu Shiye turned and opened the door to reveal Fu Zeren’s somewhat hesitant expression.
The cold look in Chu Shiye’s eyes froze Fu Zeren in place.
Did he do something wrong?
Or had he come at the wrong time?
Chu Shiye showed no intention of welcoming him in, and Fu Zeren stood awkwardly in the doorway, unsure whether to enter or retreat.
Thankfully, Ji Mian’s melodious voice called from inside. “Mr. Fu.”
Hearing Ji Mian, Chu Shiye turned back and walked toward him without a word.
Fu Zeren let out a relieved sigh, forcing a smile as he stepped inside. “Mr. Su, you’re awake?”
“How are you feeling now?”
Ji Mian replied, “I’m alright.”
“That’s great to hear,” Fu Zeren said, his expression becoming serious. “Mr. Su, Mr. Chu, I’m here to express my gratitude.”
“Thank you both for saving this city. Please accept this small token of appreciation.”
He bowed slightly and presented a black interstellar bank card along with two thin electronic cards.
Ji Mian wasn’t particularly interested in the bank card, but the two electronic cards caught his attention.
“These are… interstellar tickets?”
Chu Shiye’s body stiffened slightly at the words.
Fu Zeren nodded. “Yes, they’re unlimited VIP round-trip tickets. I’ve reopened the interstellar route, and soon, our planet’s spaceport will officially resume operations.”
“I hope I’ll have the honor of inviting both Mr. Su and Mr. Chu to board one of our flights when the time comes.”
Although this planet was underdeveloped, it did possess its own interstellar ships. However, many years ago, under City Lord Tansen’s rule, the star routes had been closed off. This isolation was a way for Tansen to consolidate power, cutting the planet off from the wider galaxy and ensuring the people remained subservient to him.
Now, based on Fu Zeren’s tone, it seemed he had effectively taken over Tansen’s authority.
“You’ve become the city lord?” Ji Mian asked.
Fu Zeren smiled modestly. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t presume to claim such a title. It’s just that the former city lord is still incapacitated and undergoing treatment, so I’m temporarily handling his duties.”
As for how long this “temporary” situation would last, it was anyone’s guess.
Ji Mian accepted the tickets with a polite “Thank you,” to which Fu Zeren quickly waved his hands and replied, “No, no, it’s nothing.”
“What about the Relief Society? Have they left?” Ji Mian asked.
Fu Zeren’s expression turned serious. “I’ve had my men search every possible hiding place, top to bottom. There’s no trace of them anywhere. Combined with what Black Snake told us, it seems they’ve indeed left.”
—
Ji Mian quietly processed the information, his fingers brushing over the smooth surface of the interstellar tickets.
The Relief Society’s departure meant the immediate threat to the planet had passed, but the damage they had caused lingered.
He glanced at Chu Shiye.
The Alpha stood quietly beside him, his posture stiff. The mention of interstellar tickets had clearly unsettled him.
Ji Mian tilted his head slightly. “Chu Shiye.”
Chu Shiye looked at him, his dark gold eyes revealing a trace of tension.
Ji Mian smiled gently. “If I leave, will you come with me?”
Chu Shiye froze, his breath catching.
The room fell silent as Chu Shiye processed the question. His fingers curled slightly at his sides, and after a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice low but firm.
“I’ll go wherever you go.”
Ji Mian’s smile deepened. “Good.”
Fu Zeren, who had been standing awkwardly to the side, felt like an unintentional intruder in the moment.
“Ah… I’ll take my leave now. Please don’t hesitate to call if you need anything,” Fu Zeren said hurriedly, retreating toward the door.
As the door closed behind him, Ji Mian turned his full attention back to Chu Shiye.
“Let’s finish what you were going to say earlier,” Ji Mian said, his tone light.
Chu Shiye’s ears turned red, but his eyes softened as he gazed at Ji Mian.
“I’ll always stay by your side,” he said quietly, the words carrying more weight than a simple promise.
Ji Mian chuckled softly. “I know.”
For the first time in a long while, the tension in Chu Shiye’s shoulders eased completely.
Chu Shiye couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence as Ji Mian’s words echoed in his ears.
The two interstellar tickets in Ji Mian’s hands felt like a silent declaration: he was going to leave.
Ji Mian had only stayed because there were limited opportunities to leave the planet. With the re-establishment of interstellar travel, his departure now felt inevitable.
The realization hit like a lead weight, and the words Chu Shiye had been preparing seemed to crumble into dust.
Over the past few days, he had almost forgotten this reality—or perhaps he had been deliberately avoiding it.
But no matter how much he tried to ignore it, the truth was unchanging.
Ji Mian came from the capital planet, the brightest and most prosperous world in the Federation.
This planet was nothing but a barren, backward wasteland—a dim speck of dirt in comparison.
He had nothing to offer Ji Mian.
The thought tightened in his chest like a vice, making it hard to breathe.
For a fleeting moment, he wanted to ask:
Why? Why did you stay in the first place if you were always going to leave?
Why give me a glimpse of light, only to plunge me back into darkness?
But he swallowed the words, each one cutting into him like a blade until the pain left him numb.
Ji Mian noticed the sadness in Chu Shiye’s expression, deeper and heavier than he had ever seen.
…This Alpha looked utterly heartbroken.
Ji Mian’s heart softened. Just as he was about to speak, Chu Shiye stood up slowly and turned toward the door.
Ji Mian reached out and grabbed the hem of his shirt.
“Don’t go,” he said softly. “Come back.”
Chu Shiye froze, then, after a long pause, slowly sat back down. But he avoided meeting Ji Mian’s gaze.
“Don’t feel like talking anymore?” Ji Mian asked gently.
Chu Shiye kept his head down, his black hair falling forward to shadow his face.
Ji Mian: …He’s really upset.
The sight made Ji Mian’s heart ache. After a brief silence, he spoke again, his tone warm and soothing:
“If you won’t talk, then let me say something.”
“Would you be willing… to come with me?”
Chu Shiye’s head snapped up, his eyes wide. “…What?”
Ji Mian’s voice was steady and kind, like a breeze weaving through a quiet forest.
“Didn’t I ask you before if you’d like to see the outside world? Back then, you said you weren’t ready, but maybe your mind would change someday.”
He smiled and extended his hand, palm up—a gesture of invitation.
“Well, if I invite you now, would you change your mind, Mr. Landlord?”
“… …”
A heavy silence filled the room.
Chu Shiye sat frozen, as if unable to process the unexpected turn of events. Whether it was the shock or the sudden rush of joy, he couldn’t say a word.
Ji Mian waited patiently, not rushing him for an answer.
After what felt like an eternity, Chu Shiye finally found his voice, the word catching awkwardly in his throat.
“I…”
Ji Mian interrupted gently, “We could just visit some other planets for a little while. Treat it like a vacation and come back afterward.”
Chu Shiye tried again. “You…”
“I could also tell you about some things,” Ji Mian continued. “About my past, about who I am.”
“Because of certain reasons, I can’t stay on this planet forever. But…” Ji Mian’s fingers brushed lightly against Chu Shiye’s, “if there’s anything you want to know, I’ll tell you.”
“So, you’re still going to leave this planet,” Chu Shiye murmured.
Ji Mian nodded.
“You want me… to go with you?”
Another nod. “If you’re willing. If not, that’s okay too. Either way, I’ll come back here eventually.”
“Because… you’re here.”
Chu Shiye’s mind swirled with emotions.
Two paths lay before him:
Stay behind and wait in silence, unsure of when—or if—Ji Mian would return.
Or follow him, chasing his light, until the day he could finally stand at his side.
This planet was where he had been abandoned. It was where he had buried his father, his dark childhood, and the years spent being deemed worthless.
Ji Mian had brought him rebirth, had brought him light.
And now, it was time to move forward.
Without a word, Chu Shiye clasped Ji Mian’s hand tightly, like a traveler in the endless night clinging to the only light in sight.
Ji Mian’s smile deepened. “It could be dangerous, you know. And things might not go smoothly.”
Chu Shiye met his eyes. “It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re there.”
Ji Mian’s gaze softened.
Finally, someone was willing to stand beside him.
“So,” Ji Mian said, his tone light and teasing, “are you ready to finish what you were about to say earlier?”
Chu Shiye: “…”
Ji Mian raised an eyebrow and gave him an encouraging look.
Go on.
Chu Shiye hesitated for a long moment, his face turning slightly red. Slowly, he looked away and mumbled under his breath:
“I…”
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