This was the virtual Inner World. Even if a pilot’s mecha was struck during battle, it caused no physical harm in real life.
Therefore, no one worried as Zhong Heng’s mecha was thrown backward at high speed.
The other five students, aware of their limits against a top-tier Alpha like Zhong Heng, coupled with the sheer pressure they had felt facing General Chu’s mecha, were completely demoralized.
They huddled together, trembling, utterly incapable of resisting. Who could possibly stand against him?
Fortunately, General Chu made no further moves.
The large screen shifted to the interior of Chu Xi’an’s mecha. Despite daily training under sun and wind, the esteemed general’s skin remained flawless, ready for the camera’s close scrutiny.
His pale gray eyes flicked briefly toward the lens as if noticing it, then immediately returned to the control panel, his focus unwavering.
Soon, the other five students were all neutralized.
“Students, feeling the thrill of close-range mecha combat, exciting, isn’t it?” the host exclaimed, raising the energy in the room.
Indeed, the students had been drawn in by Chu Xi’an’s performance. His presence was both cool and commanding, and their responses were loud and enthusiastic.
Some even stood, wishing they could take the place of those previously selected to challenge General Chu themselves.
“Now, let’s take a look at some highlights from General Chu’s battle just now…”
“Yes!”
“Ahhh, General Chu is so cool! Especially that scene with Zhong Heng! Not saying Zhong Heng isn’t skilled, I just… wow, General Chu is incredible!”
“Right? I want to pilot a mecha like him too!”
“Whoa, that slow-motion replay is insane!”
Su Xu, ever discreet, clapped along with the crowd. Then he crossed his legs, propped his elbows on his knees, and rested his chin on his hands, feeling the drowsiness creep in.
Suddenly, Su Xu tensed and looked over his shoulder. He sensed a pair of eyes on him,watching with ill intent.
“General Chu is amazing…”
“One more time!”
Everyone else was focused on the giant screen at the center of the arena. Su Xu could barely detect anything unusual. But as he scanned the sides, he noticed a black figure moving swiftly away.
He tried to get up quickly, but the crowd blocked him. At this point, chasing after them was pointless.
Su Xu took a deep breath and sat back down, frowning slightly.
At that moment, his terminal suddenly pinged,a message from an unknown number, one he had never seen before. It read,“Baby, you’re sharp.”
…Who?
Without hesitation, Su Xu immediately traced the source, trying to uncover the account’s IP and source code. But the sender was skilled; by the time the message had been sent, all traces were being erased. Su Xu couldn’t catch up.
He pursed his lips, his thoughts returning to the gaze he had just felt. His expression grew colder.
This was just a small incident.
Soon after, Chu Xi’an returned to the stage, sharing some small tips about piloting a mecha.
Once the students returned to the real-world auditorium, the large screen flashed news of the military’s expansion. Chu Xi’an stood at the podium.
“I’m here today partly to speak about the military recruitment program. Any questions? About mechas, about the military, anything you want to ask.”
The students perked up instantly, raising their hands eagerly.
Chu Xi’an pointed casually.
“General Chu, will joining the military mean we get to pilot mechas?”
“Of course. Our nation is actively building armed forces, and there is a batch of standard mechas. During training, recruits may borrow them using their ID.”
“Is the military like a school? How many years of training?”
“Yes, currently a five-year program.”
“General Chu, are you single?” asked an Omega, voicing what many in the room were thinking.
Su Xu suddenly felt a familiar gaze land on him. He looked up and, as expected, saw Chu Xi’an staring directly at him.
Their eyes met for a brief moment before Chu Xi’an looked away, answering simply, “Yes, at present.”
A murmur of excitement spread through the auditorium.
However, Chu Xi’an seemed intent on avoiding further discussion of his personal life. After taking a few more questions, he casually shared some amusing anecdotes from his military days before concluding:
“It’s getting late, so let’s end here. I hope to have the chance to fight alongside you one day, to defend our country and protect those we hold dear.”
The lecture ended.
As the crowd dispersed, Su Xu was about to leave when a student council member wearing an armband called out, “Su Xu, wait. General Chu has something to say to you. Would you come backstage with me?”
Those sitting nearby stole glances at Su Xu.
He nodded, keeping a calm expression. “Alright.”
Ignoring the rest of the auditorium, he followed the student council member backstage, where Chu Xi’an was speaking with the principal and others.
Chu Xi’an remained cold and distant, casually rolling up one sleeve to reveal a well-toned forearm. Noticing Su Xu’s arrival, he turned sharply to look at him. After saying something to the principal, he walked over.
“Su Xu.”
Su Xu instinctively took a half-step back. “I heard you had something to tell me?”
“Yes.” Chu Xi’an nodded once, “Wait here. I’ll walk you home afterward.”
“…Alright.”
Su Xu found a spot to sit and opened his terminal. At that moment, the campus network was flooded with posts tagged “General Chu” and “Chu Xi’an,” showing full footage from the Inner World. Online viewers quickly surpassed five thousand.
Scrolling through the comments, Su Xu read:
“Damn, I couldn’t get a ticket.”
“Missing the live event was such a pity, it looked amazing, sob!”
“Wow, Zhong Heng got wrecked so badly, it hurt just watching…”
“Do these two have a personal grudge? He seemed so gentle with everyone else, even that clumsy Beta, but with Zhong Heng… damn, so ruthless!”
“I saw General Chu calling out to Su Xu backstage. Popcorn time.jpg”
“Su Xu knows General Chu?”
“Oh, that explains everything. Considering the previous recording incident, if it were me, I’d dislike Zhong Heng too.”
“Ugh, Su Xu is everywhere.”
“Su Xu.”
He looked up to find Chu Xi’an standing before him. Glancing around, he realized the principal and others had already left during the brief time he had been reading.
“You finished your business?” he asked.
“Yes. I spoke with the principal about military recruitment, but it’s late, so the specifics will wait until tomorrow,” Chu Xi’an replied. “Shall we go?”
“Sure.”
They walked side by side out of the auditorium. By 10:30, the sky was completely dark. The two largest lamps in the school illuminated the surrounding area, revealing small groups of students lingering.
Descending the steps, Su Xu noticed Chu Xi’an walking silently ahead. Not wanting to call out and attract attention, he instinctively reached to touch the other’s arm.
Chu Xi’an’s body radiated warmth. The brief contact with his slightly cool fingers made Su Xu feel as if he had been burned, and he immediately withdrew.
Chu Xi’an looked back. “What’s wrong?”
Su Xu pointed to a narrow, inconspicuous path. “Fewer people here. Let’s take this way.”
Chu Xi’an studied him for two seconds before nodding. “Alright.”
The path was overgrown, filled with insects. Aside from the faint sound of their footsteps on leaves, all that could be heard were chirping insects and the distant laughter of a few lingering students.
Su Xu led the way, frowning slightly and awkwardly adjusting his collar, pulling the already snug neckline higher.
After a moment, he pressed his lips together and slowed his pace to walk alongside Chu Xi’an.
Breaking the silence, he asked, “What did you want to tell me?”
Chu Xi’an stopped in his tracks.
Su Xu halted as well.
They faced each other, pale daisies quietly blooming at their feet.
“This might seem abrupt, given how long it’s been since we last met,” Chu Xi’an said, his voice slightly hoarse. “Do you… like that Alpha, Zhong Heng?”
Su Xu froze, surprised that Chu Xi’an would ask such a question. He smiled faintly. “That’s… quite abrupt.”
“So?”
Chu Xi’an’s pale gray eyes never left the Omega before him, studying every microexpression. He spoke slowly, deliberately, “Do you really like that Alpha, inexperienced and reckless, someone even I can’t beat?”
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(╯°□°）╯︵ ☕ — deploy caffeine!
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · The Inner WorldChapter 2 · Pheromone Testing CentreChapter 3 · Low Grade OmegaChapter 4 · Faking to be Top tier OmegaChapter 5 · Zhong YiChapter 6 · The culprit behind the videoChapter 7 · Lecture ticket of powerful military OfficerChapter 8 · Zhong Heng acting like a thugChapter 9 · General ChuChapter 10 · Do you really like that good for nothing, Alpha?Chapter 11 · Chen TingyiChapter 12 · Class AssessmentChapter 13 · Call me HusbandChapter 14 · Almost Like AffairChapter 15 · Lantern BloomChapter 16 · Mild Pheromone overflowChapter 17 · Hi, WifeChapter 18 · Or you can kiss me. I’m not pickyChapter 19 · It’s not too late for you to call off the engagementChapter 20 · My BoyfriendChapter 21 · Kidnapped?Chapter 22 · Sister in LawChapter 23 · So you didn’t differentiateChapter 24 · PrinceChapter 25 · That Alpha… is none other than His MajestyChapter 26 · My mom said you’re too oldChapter 27 · Do you still have me in your heart?Chapter 28 · You Can call me Brother in law or sister in lawChapter 29 · I fell in love with you at first sight.Chapter 30 · What kind of friend? Alpha, Beta, or OmegaChapter 31 · Your current boyfriend is hereChapter 32 · I can protect youChapter 33 · Mental suppressionChapter 34 · It doesn’t matterChapter 35 · Watched another horror movie?Chapter 36 · Did you hear thatChapter 37 · You’d know what it tastes like once you try itChapter 38 · He is my boyfriend, his name is Zhong YiChapter 39 · This is what I just received from your father todayChapter 40 · Who did you return the photos of me and Su Rui to?Chapter 41 · As a result, Rui Rui ran away with meChapter 42 · Constitutes accomplice behaviorChapter 43 · You can’t stay in the second bedroomChapter 44 · No one will think you are inferior anymore.Chapter 45 · I am inferior, what’s it to you?Chapter 46 · Let’s wait until the debt collectors come knockingChapter 47 · Focus on your studiesChapter 48 · Am I that valuable?Chapter 49 · From now on, call me MasterChapter 50 · I have always been tolerant of beautiful MenChapter 51 · Don’t be so recklessChapter 52 · He’ll only get more excitedChapter 53 · Call him sister in lawChapter 54 · You haven’t even fulfilled your obligations yetChapter 55 · What? Grandma Su Xu is sick?Chapter 56 · That wasn’t what he meant at all!Chapter 57 · I could actually share him with youChapter 58 · Why was someone added at the last minute?Chapter 59 · You can’t record videos here.Chapter 60 · I like it tooChapter 61 · Distinguish between two similar pheromones.Chapter 62 · Why do you think I blocked you?Chapter 63 · Why hasn’t Su Xu replied yet?Chapter 64 · His Majesty never comes back to eatChapter 65 · Hide your things wellChapter 66 · Connection?Chapter 67 · Maybe I can even inhale it for some comfortChapter 68 · So you don’t run awayChapter 69 · Will you be with His Majesty?Chapter 70 · Take itChapter 71 · Who is this person?!Chapter 72 · Who did you just call worthless?Chapter 73 · Weren’t we talking about Mr. Su and His Majesty?Chapter 74 · Aren’t you very capable?Chapter 75 · As expected of Wu ChuChapter 76 · Help him sleep?Chapter 77 · Su Xu’s Alpha was His MajestyChapter 78 · You really are something, playing favorites like thatChapter 79 · World of a novelChapter 80 · I simply… know them inside outChapter 81 · Wait for meChapter 82 · But I think you’ve become a lot cuter latelyChapter 83 · The feeling of me kissing you?Chapter 84 · Our Xuxu… is finally becoming an adultChapter 85 · Rare stolen moments for an affair like this.Chapter 86 · What kind of death-level love triangle battlefield was this!?Chapter 87 · It was practically torture!Chapter 88 · What sinful karmaChapter 89 · You weren’t worried I’d get angry?Chapter 90 · I’m going to mark youChapter 91 · Who did you go with?Chapter 92 · Chu Xian….. You really aren’t humanChapter 93 · Did this man actually know how to kiss?Chapter 94 · After all, he’s still the current boyfriendChapter 95 · Did they mark you again?Chapter 96 · It’s not my bloodChapter 97 · Did you seduce another alpha??Chapter 98 · After that, don’t use that kind of thing anymoreChapter 99 · Even at this point, Su Xu is still lying to him!Chapter 100 · What’s wrong with you?Chapter 101 · Don’t tell anyoneChapter 102 · I Think my hear startedChapter 104 · You’re Wu JiChapter 104 · A wedding?Chapter 105 · Exceptionally Beautiful OmegaChapter 106 · If you’re with him, aren’t you afraid of being cheated on?Chapter 107 · “Am I the same person as him?”Chapter 108 · What important matter could Chu Xian possibly have to do?Chapter 109 · Did the boss actually steal someone else’s partner?Chapter 110 · Wu Chu is preparing for his weddingChapter 111 · I know better than you what’s so great about Su XuChapter 112 · Chu Xian had gotten a bit tannedChapter 113 · Su Xu, your boyfriend is here!Chapter 114 · I’ve completely lost face!Chapter 115 · Don’t you think your sister-in-law is interesting too?Chapter 116 · I will definitely tell Wu Chu the truth.Chapter 117 · Didn’t you already meet your boyfriend today?Chapter 117 · Why do I need to take a day off on Saturday?Chapter 119 · This is a TrapChapter 120 · This is the future queen chosen by their monarch!Chapter 121 · Could it be that Su Xu went directly to the scene?Chapter 122 · Slipped the ring on Su Xu’s ring fingerChapter 123 · You have no experienceChapter 124 · I haven’t even mentioned your lover in Galaxy A yetChapter 125 · He suddenly had a strong urge to kiss Qi YanChapter 126 · May I ask what you encountered?Chapter 127 · It’s not Jiang Cang, it’s Jiang CangxingChapter 128 · Where does the money come from for a single line of code?Chapter 129 · This is unbelievable!Chapter 130 · Su Xu slammed the box shut.Chapter 131 · This is so weird!Chapter 132 · This person and Teacher Sang are mutual followers!Chapter 133 · I can finally keep my promise and come see youChapter 134 · Extra 1: He’s mango FlavouredChapter 135 · Extra 2: Boyfriend meets ParentsChapter 136 · Extra 3: The Game (1)Chapter 137 · Extra 4: The Game (2)