Chapter 35: Only Some Feel The Heat/Arc 5.2

On planet 304, the couple cuddled on the couch one night, watching a movie. As it came to an end, the shorter man peeked up at his lover and cleared his throat.

Zhou Jian looked down and noticed the other had something to say so he nodded and waited. Turning a bit in the man's arms, Chen Xiang fidgeted as he proposed nervously,

"So I've been wandering...Do you want to get married?"

Zhou Jian blinked as the question sank in. Contrary to Chen Xiang's expectations, Zhou Jian didn't agree one time and seemed to be lost in thought. The older man felt an uneasy feeling for some reason as he mulled it over.

Marriage?

Why am I hesitating?

Isn't this what I've always wanted

To marry the love of my life?

Just like when he became my Empress?

So why?

What's making me hesitate?...

___

" I have reasons to believe that Chen Xiang is merely using you and doesn't love you at all."

___

"Happy Birthday Jian Ge! I baked you a cake!"

_ _

"Vanilla?"

"Mmm."

___

Walking into Consort Xiang's courtyard, he silenced the servants. He had already concealed his presence from Chen Xiang's system and Wang Tao tended to let down his guard against the man.

Approaching the door, he opened it slightly. Peeking through the gap, he saw his lover half dressed, in front of his minister who had covered his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry. I apologize, it was my mistake."

Frowning, Wang Tao pardoned him.

"It's ok. Just ensure that this doesn't happen again."

The consort nodded and hurriedly dressed, covering up the snow white skin.

"Are you dressed now?"

"Y-yeah."

Wang Tao then lowered his hand before taking his seat. He gestured for Consort Xiang to sit as well.

Zhou Jian stood there for a moment. He turned away before ordering the servants to not inform the two of his presence here today.

Zhou Jian's face darkened recalling it in his mind. A bit away from the courtyard, he dropped his concealment.

Wang Tao, who was speaking to Chen Xiang, froze for a moment. He thought he had sensed Zhou Jian a distance away.

____

Zhou Jian snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed the young man's teary eyes. Chen Xiang was on the verge of tears and his pitiful appearance made one think he was bullied. Noticing the hesitation, the transmigrator grew worried.

"I-is there something wrong? Do you not want to marry me? Why are you hesitating? Did I do something wrong?"

Zhou Jian felt guilty as the boy rambled on. Immediately he embraced the other and wiped his tears.

"No, no of course not. That's not it. I was just…never mind. Of course I want to marry you. I love you."

The Zion kissed him lovingly and calmed his lover down. Chen Xiang composed himself and smiled at the older man in relief. Secretly, he thought that his worries weren't groundless.

[ He's still suspicious...I may have to start my plan. ]

______

Chen Xiang sat in Zhou Jian's lap as the other skimmed through some papers. The two were planning their marriage and picking a venue. Leaning back, Chen Xiang proposed.

"How about the 18th of August?"

"Mmm…that doesn't seem bad...but what about the 28th of May?"

"But that's a whole three months before?"

"Mm-hm but I like that month and the weather is more likely to be good. What do you think?"

Chen Xiang pouted and looked away from him. He frowned slightly, thinking that the man would always comply with what he wanted.

Why would he suddenly oppose? He'd sworn he heard the other agreeing at first.

[ Just a toy yet is going against me? Tch...]

Chen Xiang grumbled to himself before deciding that he'll push for the 18th.

"But I really want it on the 18th of August. It's a very special day for me in my original world."

"I..."

Zhou Jian felt bad hearing the reason but he was still reluctant, almost unwilling, to agree. He'd just gotten a message form Wang Tao saying he would return then.

How could he hurt the other more by letting him walk in on their wedding? Looking into the boy's bright eyes, he decided to reveal it to convince the boy.

"Wang Tao will be returning then."

Chen Xiang frowned in confusion at the other and asked,

"What does that mean? Is he more important than me, your own lover? "

Zhou Jian froze at that.

The boy looked deeply offended and was obviously against it.

"What is the problem? Shouldn't he be happy to attend his friend's marriage?"

Zhou Jian had no choice but to reveal his friend's affections.

"He wouldn't because he's in love with me "

Chen Xiang's eyes widened a bit.

[ Zhou Jian...knew? System, what's going on? ]

[ Well, um host...It's just as he said. ]

[ But when did he figure out? ]

[ I-I'm not sure. ]

Recovering from his shock, a deep frown rose on his face. With anger, Chen Xiang pointed out that the other should just stay away then.

"Did you forget how he hurt me? If that was because he loved you then he shouldn't be around."

Zhou Jian was speechless. He'd never seen the other like this before. Unsure of what to say he stayed silent and looked down at his lover.

His heart was conflicted and he was unsure of why. Wasn't Xiang er his lover? Shouldn't he comply then? But even then, there isn't a valid reason to let Wang Tao get hurt. There never will be.

If he doesn't agree, Xiang er will be mad though. What should he do?

Zhou Jian had never been in a fight, no matter how small, with his lover. Nor had he seen the other angry.

The Zion had always done his best to keep the other satisfied so this was a new experience. No longer able to think, he lifted the other off of him and left the room. Right now, he needs some alone time.

Chen Xiang sat on the couch in disbelief. He couldn't believe that the other just left. The older man didn't agree or cave in like he usually would.

He scowled, now understanding how deeply Zhou Jian cared for his friend. Looks like he has no choice, he needs to carry out the plan as soon as possible or the older man will slip out of his grasp.

He had done his best to repair the damage in their last life, taking advantage of the friend's absence. He'd been improving his acting skills as much as possible with the system's help. The transmigrator had thought that he'd faked his love well enough.

Unfortunately, it seemed too late. If this last resort didn't work, he might lose the other.

Chen Xiang cheered himself up.

He knew for sure, taking into account the other's personality, that his plan would fix everything. First, he needed to get married to him. Pushing down his dissatisfaction at his inner compromise, Chen Xiang went off to find Zhou Jian.

Finding him in the garden, which the man brought from the previous world, he suppressed his growing anger and ran up to him.

Zhou Jian was startled when someone jumped on him. Looking down, he observed the blond hair of his lover buried in his chest. A muffled voice spoke softly.

"I'm sorry. I-I was just jealous seeing how much you cared for him so I said some mean things. I'm really sorry. We can do it in May, there's no problem."

The young man looked up and his face showed his regret. Zhou Jian found it hard to believe otherwise but was still hesitant.

Thinking it over, he really didn't want them to continue fighting. It wouldn't be good for their relationship, besides Chen Xiang had apologized.

After a moment he agreed and also apologized for getting so mad. His lover was relieved and happily gave him a kiss.

Zhou Jian felt his heart soften. It was really hard to stay mad at someone you loved. Kissing back, he carried his lover back inside.

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

Almost half a year later, Wang Tao strolled into the spacecraft outside world 304. Listening to the explanation from the guardians, he inwardly raised a brow.

This world was an Interstellar ABO. There were three genders, Alpha, Beta and Omega. Omegas, unlike in other worlds, weren't seen as simple sex tools or birthing tools as yhis interstellar age had long moved past that. The Omega's weren't rare nor common and lived lives like most others.

Planet 304 was part of the galaxy in which this interstellar union lived. There were a number of planets, 304 being the capital of the Star Galaxy Union.

Zhou Jian here was a general, a young one at that. Meanwhile, it seemed Chen Xiang was an actor.

Wang Tao felt a bit lazy so decided to just arrange an identity as an orphan and citizen, planning to free load off his friend. He'd done plenty of work these past few years back in his Empire so he believed he deserved a vacation.

The silver eyed male also chose to be an alpha, finding it unnecessary to be any other. He had no need for a reproduction system that wouldn't even work for him after all. And he simply did not feel like being a beta.

Moments later, the Celestial disappeared from the spacecraft into the neighboring world.