Zhou Younan bit through the gelatin capsule hidden inside his mouth. Reaching up, he grabbed the collar of Wei Qing’s uniform, lifted himself on tiptoe, closed his eyes, and pressed his lips to Wei Qing’s.
Wei Qing’s gaze was cold, but his lips were soft, his breath warm, his body heat scorching. It reminded Zhou Younan of a starship engine in winter, blazing, alive, powerful.
Gasps echoed around them. The sharp clicks of cameras filled the air, flashing lights reflecting off polished boots and medals. From afar, General Henry’s furious voice roared, “Marshal! Don’t move!”
Under the gaze of countless eyes, Zhou Younan could only think of one way to make sure Wei Qing swallowed the capsule, he had to kiss him. It was clumsy, reckless, and desperate, but it was the only way.
He believed the plan would succeed without fail, until the terrifying thought struck him.
What if Wei Qing pushed him away?
What if he refused him? What if he retaliated?
His heart lurched painfully. He opened his eyes just a fraction, and found himself staring into a pair of pale green eyes, clear and bright, filled with laughter.
Wei Qing was amused. The corners of his mouth lifted in a small smile.
Zhou Younan’s mind screamed that he should pull back, stop now, but his mission demanded otherwise. He steeled his nerves, leaned closer, and tentatively licked Wei Qing’s lips.
A soft chuckle slipped past Wei Qing’s throat. “Heh.”
Zhou Younan’s pulse faltered. Fear flooded him. His grip on Wei Qing’s collar loosened, and he instinctively stepped back.
Failed.
It’s over.
His shoulders trembled as he bowed his head. All his hopes, everything he’d risked, collapsed in that instant.
A pair of black gloves dropped soundlessly to the floor. Zhou Younan barely noticed them before a hand hooked under his chin, forcing his face upward.
A second hand slid around his waist, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. Startled, Zhou Younan’s arms clung around Wei Qing’s neck, his fingertips brushing against the back of the man’s neck, warm, almost burning through the strands of golden hair.
“Mm?”
He barely had time to gasp before his lips were captured in a wild, consuming kiss.
Heat. Force. Possession.
Wei Qing’s mouth claimed his completely, tasting, teasing, devouring.
Zhou Younan’s mind went blank.
The capsule was gone.
Success! He had done it, Wei Qing had swallowed the capsule.
For a fleeting second, triumph surged in his chest. But before he could even breathe, the kiss deepened again. Wei Qing didn’t stop.
He pressed closer, his breath hot and heavy, his scent filled with dark wine. Their chests were flush together, heat spilling between them. Zhou Younan’s heart pounded uncontrollably, his breath catching in his throat.
He tried to push Wei Qing away, bracing his elbows against the man’s chest, but his resistance only tightened the marshal’s hold. One arm locked firmly around his waist, the other pressing him impossibly close.
Zhou Younan’s mind swam. He could barely think, barely breathe.
Enough… please… stop…
Why was his body so hot? His skin felt as though it were melting into Wei Qing’s burning temperature.
Overhead, the hall lights cascaded down upon them, illuminating their entangled figures.
The image was broadcast live across the interstellar network.
The comment feed exploded,
【Aaaaaahhhh!!!】
【My poor heart!!!】
【This is too much! Too sweet!】
【I’m going to write fanfiction about this!!】
Gamblers watching the stream stared wide-eyed, “Holy, hell!”
In the betting lounge, Zhou An’s face twisted in disbelief. His eyes reddened with rage. “How, how could this happen?!”
On the other side of the hall, Lance, sweating from his dance performance, collapsed beside Jack and happened to glance up at the live feed. The moment he saw the kiss, all color drained from his round face. “It’s over. It’s over. It’s all over, completely over!!”
“I like your pheromones.”
The low, husky whisper by his ear jolted Zhou Younan back to his senses.
He was still cradled in Wei Qing’s arms. The marshal’s green eyes no longer held their usual frost, they blazed instead with unmistakable heat.
Zhou Younan’s breath caught. He said… he likes my pheromones? Had the capsule already taken effect?
As if sensing his hesitation, Wei Qing lowered his head and brushed a gentle kiss on his forehead. “You smell so good,” he murmured, voice rough with want. “I could eat you whole.”
Eat me…? As in literally?
Zhou Younan stiffened in alarm, until something nudged his thigh. Oh. That kind of eat.
Flustered, he tried to move away, but the arm around his waist tightened possessively.
“Don’t move,” Wei Qing rasped, his voice hoarse. “Let me hold you… just for a moment.”
Zhou Younan went still. Lowering his eyes, he stole a glance at the man’s face, so different now, warm and almost tender. That capsule really works fast…
“Eh?”
A startled exclamation came from nearby. General Henry had just rushed over, wide-eyed, his jaw nearly dropping as he overheard their exchange.
He looked from Wei Qing to Zhou Younan, then back again, once, twice, utterly dumbfounded.
What was going on?!
Wasn’t his marshal notorious for hating physical contact?
Didn’t he despise fragile little Omegas?
Hadn’t he always shown open disdain for the Zhou family’s young master?
When he’d seen Zhou Younan kiss the marshal, Henry had been certain disaster was coming, that the young man would be punched across the room, maybe even through a wall.
And yet… here they were.
What the hell is happening?!
Henry Grey’s mind went blank. Nearby, General Su Xi, expression icy, grabbed him by the arm and pulled him aside before the reporters could capture his gawking face.
“I heard our wedding was supposed to be held at the Stellar Hall?” Wei Qing asked suddenly.
“Huh? Uh… yes.”
Zhou Younan blinked, lost.
Wei Qing plucked the earring from Zhou Younan’s left ear, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply, his expression one of utter satisfaction.
He really liked his pheromones that much?
Zhou Younan’s ears burned crimson.
“I’ll go fetch the hall,” Wei Qing said lightly, pinching Zhou Younan’s cheek. “Consider it my gift to you. Wait here for me, alright?”
Fetch the hall?
What does that even mean?
Still dazed, Zhou Younan nodded automatically.
Wei Qing took two steps, then turned back, bent down, and pressed a quick kiss to his lips before striding off with a grin.
Camera shutters clicked wildly.
“Marshal Wei! Where are you going? The ceremony hasn’t even started!” called Wang Han.
“I’m just picking something up. I’ll be right back,” Wei Qing replied over his shoulder, tossing something from his pocket. “Returning this to you.”
Wang Han caught sight of the object midair, his snuff bottle!
“Wait, that’s mine!”
Luckily, Su Xi, familiar with Wei Qing’s antics, intercepted it neatly and handed it back before it could shatter.
Wei Qing stepped outside the hall, just as a colossal mecha dropped from the sky with a thunderous boom.
The ground shook. Streamers hanging from the ceiling swayed violently. Gasps and shouts filled the venue.
Golden hair whipped upward in the blast of air, ribbons snapping straight. Wei Qing stood firm, unshaken, as the massive crimson machine knelt before him, one knee to the ground in solemn salute.
The crowd erupted into chaos. Reporters surged forward. Cameras whirred.
Wei Qing vaulted into the cockpit with practiced grace, golden hair streaming like fire. Before the hatch closed, he looked toward Zhou Younan, gave a playful wink, and blew him a kiss.
“My fiance” he said with a smile. “I’ll be right back.”
The mecha’s eyes, narrow and sleek, flared to life, glowing molten gold.
The head lifted. The giant stood.
Scarlet armor gleamed beneath the light, traced with thin golden lines, its chest emblazoned with a black teardrop emblem, sharp, fierce, commanding.
It was Crimson Flame, Wei Qing’s personal mecha, scarred from countless battles, each mark a testament to glory.
With a roar, it tilted its head skyward, and launched into the heavens.
“Why did he summon Crimson Flame?! Where’s he going?!” Henry exclaimed.
“Levis Royal Hotel,” Zhou Younan murmured.
The broadcast drones couldn’t follow beyond range, and chaos rippled through the press. Reporters shouted into communicators, ordering teams to redeploy.
Those without backup grabbed their own flight pods and shot into the sky in pursuit.
Inside the hall, reporters swarmed toward Zhou Younan.
“Master Zhou, were you and Marshal Wei secretly involved before today?”
“N.. no,” Zhou Younan stammered, lowering his head. “This is… the first time we’ve met.”
“Then why did you kiss him first? Was it part of a plan?”
“Did you know he wouldn’t reject you? Weren’t you afraid?”
Zhou Mo stepped forward protectively, his tone polite but firm. “No comment. Please give us some space.”
The cameras pressed closer. Su Xi moved to stand beside him, her cold gaze sweeping across the reporters. “Our young master will not be giving interviews.”
The journalists hesitated. No one dared challenge Su Xi’s expressionless face.
Catching her signal, Henry quickly ushered Zhou Younan away from the crowd.
Wang Han approached, his face dark with worry. “If Wei Qing’s gone to the Levis Hotel, that’s bad news,” he muttered. “You, go after him. Stop him before he makes things worse.”
Before Zhou Younan could reply, Wang Han turned to Henry. “You’re escorting him. Immediately.”
“Yes, sir!” Henry saluted instinctively.
Wang Han’s tone softened as he faced Zhou Younan again. “Try to reason with him, alright? Don’t let this spiral out of control.”
Zhou Younan nodded, though his heart twisted uneasily. The capsule’s effects were far too strong.
Maybe he shouldn’t have used the whole dose. Half would’ve been enough.
He’d overdone it.
Wei Qing had been kissed, by Zhou Younan.
They hadn’t spoken a single word. Just one look, and then that sudden, impulsive kiss.
Why?
Wei Qing quickly supplied his own answer.
Obviously, Zhou Younan had fallen for his charm.
He must have been overwhelmed, captivated at first sight, helplessly in love.
He likes me!
Then what was there to hesitate about?
Wei Qing ripped off his gloves, seized the young man, and kissed him back, harder, deeper, until the taste of catmint filled his senses. The flavor was intoxicating, addictive. Every nerve in his body seemed to sing.
He wanted to drown in it.
If only the man in his arms knew how to breathe properly, Wei Qing might never have stopped.
Reluctantly breaking away, he stared into those wide, dark eyes shimmering with moisture.
So adorable.
His heart surged with unrestrained delight.
In his mind, he could already see their future,
They’d be the military’s golden couple, the perfect model of love and unity. Together they’d fight side by side, live long lives, raise children, and grow old hand in hand.
My wife and I, destined by the stars themselves.
My darling wife smells like catmint.
Ah, what a blessing!
With a roar of its engines, Crimson Flame soared into the sky.
And Wei Qing thought fiercely,
No one. No one will ever bully my wife.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ you know what to do
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Escape from Zhou familyChapter 2 · Bride To BeChapter 3 · Attacked on SpaceshipChapter 4 · FiancéChapter 5 · Wild one Tastes betterChapter 6 · Cousin, Zhou MoChapter 7 · Wedding DressChapter 8 · Wedding Hall disputeChapter 9 · Marshal Fainted!Chapter 10 · CATNIP!Chapter 11 · His Pheromone is Catnip!Chapter 12 · The show beginsChapter 13 · He likes me!Chapter 14 · He is crazy!Chapter 15 · Auditorium, I brought it. Do you like it?Chapter 16 · Only I can bite your lipsChapter 17 · Wei Qing grabbed his wristChapter 18 · Your posture just now was perfect for kissingChapter 19 · This is… Wei Qing’s leopard?Chapter 20 · Let’s do what newlyweds should do.Chapter 21 · Release your pheromones and overwhelm meChapter 22 · Zhou Younan, I miss you.Chapter 23 · The promise to bite your lip isn’t just for yesterdayChapter 24 · You beast! You enormous beastChapter 25 · My patience is almost at its limitChapter 26 · Touch Wei San? Pluck its feathers?Chapter 27 · Doesn’t Wei Qing like you a lot?Chapter 28 · You’re the dog, your whole family are dogsChapter 29 · How did things turn out like this?!Chapter 30 · Zhou Younan, I love everything about youChapter 31 · Cheetahs do react to catnip.Chapter 32 · Second PrinceChapter 33 · Immersed in the fluffy touchChapter 34 · What can you do to help if you stay?Chapter 35 · Sand WormChapter 36 · I gave Wei Qing a capsuleChapter 37 · His vulnerable period has arrivedChapter 38 · Reason has long since been burned awayChapter 39 · I can’t believe I did that! I’m insane!Chapter 40 · The person I want to protect is my wifeChapter 41 · Zhou Younan, you can only be mineChapter 42 · Until the last star in the universe is annihilated.Chapter 43 · The light in Wei Qing’s eyes dimmed.Chapter 44 · Family?Chapter 45 · The green capsule was in his palmChapter 46 · Zhou Younan was filled with fearChapter 47 · Brother won’t abandon youChapter 48 · What a piece of trash!Chapter 49 · Zhou Younan, are you looking at me?Chapter 50 · Zhou Younan feared Xu QiChapter 51 · Zhou Younan, you’re such a foolChapter 52 · You really don’t want to marry me?Chapter 53 · My braceletChapter 54 · Zhou Younan, I can’t mark youChapter 55 · A symbol of brotherhoodChapter 56 · How old are you?Chapter 57 · Abnormal!Chapter 58 · Did you give Wei Qing the capsules from the tin box?Chapter 59 · Brother, I’ve made up my mindChapter 60 · Doing things for you is my wishChapter 61 · You’re the first person I’ve ever liked, Wei Qing.Chapter 62 · Childhood sweetheartChapter 63 · He can’t live without youChapter 64 · Teacher RigenChapter 65 · Were they running togetherChapter 66 · You two kidnappersChapter 67 · GiftChapter 68 · Don’t look back, just carry onChapter 69 · Maurice Jin is already a thing of the past for meChapter 70 · I finally found youChapter 71 · Who’s your wife?Chapter 72 · How would he interpret his leaving?Chapter 73 · Wei Qing was Wei San?Chapter 74 · Maurice Jin had been assassinated?!Chapter 75 · Turn your face towards the sunChapter 76 · Wei Qing’s eyes were brightChapter 77 · Pheromones are a double edged swordChapter 78 · Don’t stareChapter 79 · He’s the Empire’s MarshalChapter 80 · So WeakChapter 81 · Are you alright?Chapter 82 · Was he really that kind of person?Chapter 83 · He remembered his forgotten goalsChapter 84 · Come on, shoot me in the heartChapter 85 · Why are you unhappy again when I touch you?Chapter 86 · Don’t you even like me anymore?Chapter 87 · Wei Qing transformed into Wei San.Chapter 88 · I’ll give you my love, and I’ll give you my lifeChapter 89 · Just do it for me, okay?Chapter 90 · Don’t bother me until you explain clearlyChapter 91 · I want to stop your time when you still love meChapter 92 · Damn it! Zhou Younan! You just waitChapter 93 · From the very beginning, I had no choiceChapter 94 · From the very beginning, I had no choiceChapter 95 · A gunshot rang outChapter 96 · I grew up in the research instituteChapter 97 · You complete liar! You’re despicableChapter 98 · You will always be the only one in my heartChapter 99 · You are actually the same as meChapter 100 · Zhou Younan, I’m leavingChapter 101 · How could a big cat possibly resist the allure of catnip?Chapter 102 · The EndChapter 103 · Extra: 1