Bang!
A cup smashed heavily onto the floor. This was already the umpteenth time in two days that Ji Cheng had heard such a sound.
Inside the tightly shut study, the argument continued.
“If it weren’t for him running away from the engagement banquet, how would the Suoya family be targeting us? And in the first place, I was doing it for the sake of the Ji family…”
The low sobbing of a woman was quickly drowned out by the furious voice of a man.
“Stop trying to shift blame! This is all because of you! If you hadn’t leaked his whereabouts to the outside, the Suoya family wouldn’t have come after us!”
“His mental power has clearly recovered! He’s an S-level!”
“You’re the one who brought disgrace to the Ji family. From now on, stay in your room, and don’t step out until I’ve cleaned up the mess with the Suoya family! After that, I’ll deal with you!”
“If you dare step out of your room, I’ll break your legs!”
“Guards, lock her up!”
“No… Wait! How can you do this to me?”
“I’m your wife! How can you treat me like this for that woman’s child—”
“Get out! You’re not even worthy of mentioning her!”
Amid the sharp crying and chaos, Ji Cheng numbly covered his ears, pretending not to hear anything.
—
Inside the spaceship cabin, Ji Mian watched as an Alpha clung to him, refusing to let go. He said nothing.
Chu Shiye buried his head against Ji Mian’s shoulder for a while, then lifted his gaze to meet Ji Mian’s eyes.
The two locked eyes for a few seconds before Chu Shiye lowered his head again, pressing his forehead to Ji Mian’s shoulder.
“I won’t let go,” he said quietly. “If I let go, I’ll lose you again.”
Ji Mian’s tone was soft. “I won’t leave.”
Chu Shiye replied, “Mm.”
Yet, he still didn’t loosen his grip on Ji Mian.
Ji Mian: “Hmm…”
Alright then.
At least the blanket was warm and comfortable.
Ji Mian patted the Alpha holding onto him when he heard a knock on the door, followed by a soft beep.
The electronic door slid open, and a young woman with bright red hair peeked her head in.
“Oh! Mr. Ji is awake!”
The young woman’s bright eyes sparkled as she approached.
“I’m the healer on this ship, Li Zhiyu! I’m here to perform your daily check-up!”
Ji Mian smiled and said, “Thank you for treating me during this time.”
Then he glanced at Chu Shiye.
Chu Shiye reluctantly, very slowly, let go of one hand, no longer holding Ji Mian tightly in his arms. However, his other hand still rested on Ji Mian’s waist, keeping him firmly by his side, a clear declaration of ownership.
Li Zhiyu didn’t seem to notice their interaction and said sheepishly, “Actually, I only treated some minor injuries.”
She knew Ji Mian’s mental power was severely depleted, but as a healer, she could only treat physical wounds, not provide mental support.
Moreover, she was well aware that Ji Mian himself was an auxiliary S-level healer; his healing abilities were likely no worse than hers, an A-level.
S-level!
After a simple healing check, Li Zhiyu pulled out a small tablet with a swish and tapped on it.
“Mr. Ji, can you sign this for me?” she asked expectantly, holding the tablet out. “I really admire you!”
Ji Mian chuckled and took the tablet. “Of course.”
Li Zhiyu cheered, “Yay!”
Chu Shiye silently observed Ji Mian.
Ah Mian… seems quite famous.
When the people on this ship heard that he was going to rescue Ah Mian, they didn’t hesitate to follow him.
After Ji Mian signed his name on the tablet with an electronic pen, he casually asked, “Where are we now?”
Li Zhiyu was about to answer when Chu Shiye spoke first, “Not sure. Probably near some remote planet in the Federation.”
Then he instructed Li Zhiyu, “Tell Linda to change course to the nearest interstellar mercenary association.”
Li Zhiyu responded, “To the association? Alright!”
Before joining Chu Shiye, the people on this ship had been wandering interstellar mercenaries. Returning to the association was like returning home, so she happily ran out with her tablet.
Ji Mian turned to Chu Shiye.
When Chu Shiye had mentioned the “Federation” just now, Li Zhiyu’s expression had shown a moment of confusion but quickly returned to normal.
Could it be that they were no longer in the Federation, or perhaps…
Ji Mian casually asked, “By the way, are the people here all from the Federation?”
Chu Shiye replied, “Mm.”
His answer was quick, and his expression didn’t change.
Ji Mian continued, “Then, how did you survive before you met them?”
Chu Shiye seemed to have rehearsed his response and said, “I landed on a relatively developed planet. After spending a few days in a hospital there, I went out to look for you and came across them.”
Ji Mian gazed at Chu Shiye, then suddenly cupped his face and leaned closer.
Bang!
The cup smashed heavily onto the floor. Chu Shiye froze as Ji Mian’s icy fingertips brushed softly across his face.
The closeness of their faces made Chu Shiye acutely aware of the cool, gentle touch of Ji Mian’s fingers and the faint, refreshing scent of his breath.
Chu Shiye was completely immobilized.
Ji Mian examined him for a moment with an unreadable expression, then slowly let go of his face.
With a faint smile, he patted Chu Shiye’s head. “Got it.”
Chu Shiye: “…”
Had Ah Mian figured it out?
…In the past, none of his emotions could escape Ah Mian’s notice.
Chu Shiye sneaked a glance at Ji Mian, his mind racing, before deciding to awkwardly change the subject. “I’ve actually heard of you before.”
Ji Mian raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“When I first met you, I found an old radio out in the wilderness,” Chu Shiye explained. “It was broadcasting news about you.”
Ji Mian chuckled softly. “Ah, I’m sure it wasn’t saying anything good.”
Without hesitation, Chu Shiye replied, “You’re amazing.”
Ji Mian’s smile widened. “I know.”
He pulled back the blanket slightly, then said, “I’d like to go out for a walk…”
Before he could finish, Chu Shiye immediately pressed the edge of the blanket down, wrapping Ji Mian securely and pulling him into a tight embrace.
Ji Mian met his eyes, his lips curving slightly as he teased, “You’re worried about my health, aren’t you?”
Chu Shiye remained silent, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Ji Mian, filled with a gentle pleading.
Ji Mian: “…”
This Alpha was definitely pouting again.
Alright, fine. This clingy Alpha was just worried about him.
Ji Mian gave up arguing and let Chu Shiye fuss over him.
For the rest of the day, the two stayed in the room. Chu Shiye made himself indispensable—fetching tea, cutting fruit, and offering snacks, all while ensuring that Ji Mian was never out of his sight.
Occasionally, he would randomly pull Ji Mian into a hug and refuse to let go.
Ji Mian: Clingy, isn’t he?
Around noon, there was a knock on the door, followed by two heads peeking inside.
“Ahem, I’m Linda, the pilot of this ship,” announced a confident, gold-haired woman.
“And I’m Parker, the repairman! I brought lunch!” added a freckle-faced boy, his voice full of cheer.
Apparently, they’d heard from Li Zhiyu that Ji Mian had woken up, and they took the opportunity to peek into the room, introducing themselves with smiles.
On a small table in the room, they set up a lunch spread—most of it light and mild dishes, mindful of Ji Mian’s recovering condition.
Chu Shiye sat close to Ji Mian, stealing glances at him from the corner of his eye.
…It had been so long since he had the chance to sit down and eat with Ah Mian. Now, with him by his side again, it almost felt surreal.
Ji Mian reached out and placed a piece of stewed beef on Chu Shiye’s plate.
Chu Shiye responded by pouring a bowl of soup for Ji Mian, his eyes never leaving him.
Ji Mian had always been a little picky about food, a trait Chu Shiye had noticed back on E-13. Ji Mian didn’t like to cause trouble, so he’d silently push aside the dishes he disliked, eating them reluctantly and slowly.
If Chu Shiye happened to take those dishes away, Ji Mian would let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.
Chu Shiye found this quirk of Ji Mian’s to be incredibly endearing.
Today, however, the dishes were light and perfectly suited to Ji Mian’s taste—a clear sign that Chu Shiye had gone out of his way to ensure this.
But Ji Mian didn’t eat much; the dull ache in his temple made him lose his appetite. After a few bites, he set down his chopsticks.
“Well then, how about a walk to help with digestion—”
Before Ji Mian could finish, Chu Shiye scooped him up and gently placed him back on the bed.
Ji Mian: “…”
He poked Chu Shiye’s side, but Chu Shiye simply wrapped his arms around him, locking eyes with him.
Completely immobile.
Ji Mian blinked. “Am I not allowed to go outside?”
Chu Shiye rested his head on Ji Mian’s shoulder. “Mm.”
He leaned in closer, nuzzling Ji Mian’s hair and lightly brushing his face against Ji Mian’s cheek.
Ji Mian sighed internally.
It seemed his suspicion was correct—this Alpha wanted to keep him locked up.
Perhaps the fear of losing Ji Mian still lingered in Chu Shiye’s heart. Since their reunion, his possessiveness and need to control Ji Mian had only grown stronger.
Ji Mian poked the Alpha draped over him, but Chu Shiye didn’t budge.
Finally, Ji Mian teased, “You’re not my good little brother anymore.”
Chu Shiye lifted his head at this. “If I call you ‘Brother’ a hundred times, will you promise to stay here?”
Before Ji Mian could respond, Chu Shiye tightened his embrace, his voice low and pleading.
“Don’t leave, Brother.”
“Stay here, with me, and don’t go anywhere.”
Ji Mian: “…”
Uh oh.
His once good little brother had turned into a clingy bad one!
Thank you so much for support ♡(´･ω･)(･ω･`)♡ :Ko-fi – Patreon
