Marshal Wei Qing harbored nothing but malice toward him.
Fully aware of this, Zhou Younan pondered why.
Was it because the Zhou family had switched betrothal partners, and Wei Qing felt that he was inferior to Zhou An, losing face, and thus treated him this way out of displeasure?
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
If that was the case, would Wei Qing also kill him like he did his previous two wives?
Worry and fear coiled tightly in his chest, refusing to leave.
After vomiting, Zhou Younan refused the aide’s help. He wanted to be alone.
The Epril was the Zhou family’s ship. As the Young Master, his room was naturally at the top deck, the largest and most luxuriously decorated on the entire ship.
Now, Zhou Younan had to cross the VIP deck and use the stairs to return to his room.
Since boarding the Epril, he had mostly stayed hidden and never explored the ship. He slowed his pace, letting the evening breeze brush against his cheeks.
He didn’t care much about Wei Qing’s attitude toward him; he wouldn’t have to interact with that man for long.
What mattered was that Luolu was on the Zhou estate.
Before the wedding, he couldn’t escape. Could he only flee afterward? Then go to Yaoxing to rescue Luolu?
For now, that seemed to be the only feasible plan.
“Ha ha ha…” Two five- or six-year-old children laughed as they ran past Zhou Younan.
Their faces radiated innocent joy, and Zhou Younan paused, surprised.
He thought of Luolu.
The two children stopped in front of a double door. One pushed it open slightly, and the yellow light inside lit up his small face.
“Wow! It’s so lively in here!” the child exclaimed.
The other child leaned in: “Let me see too!”
“Wow!” Their faces were filled with astonishment, and upon exchanging glances, their smiles grew even wider.
Luolu often wore such a smile.
Growing up in the 411 Research Institute under a peculiar environment, Luolu had rarely seen the outside world properly. At five, everything astonished him.
The first time he saw the Short-Tailed Star Detention Center, he was amazed. The first time he saw the Zhou family estate, he was amazed. The first time at school he saw children his age, he was amazed.
After being amazed, Luolu would laugh loudly at Zhou Younan, take his hand, and say: “Brother, this place is so interesting!”
If Luolu had come aboard the Epril, he would have worn the same expression as these two little children.
Thinking of this, Zhou Younan’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and a trace of gentleness appeared in his dark eyes.
The two children whispered to each other, pushed the door open wider together, and hunched their shoulders as they slipped inside.
Zhou Younan’s steps paused. In the light, he noticed their clothes were dirty and faces unwashed, they clearly weren’t guests from the VIP deck.
The lower decks housed ordinary passengers. These two must have run up from the regular decks. If ordinary-deck children were discovered in the VIP area, they would surely face harsh punishment.
Without hesitation, Zhou Younan walked to the double doors and pushed them open.
It was a bar. As the doors swung, the smell of alcohol hit him. Smoke curled around yellow crystal lights on the ceiling, dimming them. Compared to the quiet outside, the bar was loud and bustling.
Business was thriving; many patrons filled the space. Some danced in the center, some sipped and chatted at small tables, others lounged at the bar, idly observing the room.
The deafening noise made Zhou Younan’s head throb. He caught sight of the two children from earlier standing in a corner.
Suppressing his discomfort, he approached them, crouched, and whispered that they couldn’t wander freely here. He firmly took their small hands, ready to guide them out.
Suddenly, the blaring music stopped. A small four-square-meter stage in the center materialized a screen out of nowhere.
The blue screen, tinged green by the yellow light, displayed a title in large letters:
“Can Young Master Zhou Younan Survive for One Month?”
Below the title were two boxes: one reading “Can”, empty inside; the other “Cannot”, already filled with countless names, crammed together as if there was no room left.
Seeing the screen, Zhou Younan held his breath, his mind blank.
Those pale names were like dozens of watchful eyes. Strangers with no relation to him, yet staring into his eyes as if hoping for his death.
Philip’s loud voice echoed through the speakers:
“I’ll act as banker for this wager. Everyone is betting under real names. I, Philip, guarantee that one month from now, all money will be paid out in full.”
The crowd erupted in cheers. Zhou Younan felt goosebumps crawl over his skin, his back chilled. The cheers sounded like a death knell in his ears.
A holographic projection of bald Philip appeared on the small stage.
“Oh my, Philip, maybe try some hair tonic, your bald head is dazzling my eyes!” a guest shouted teasingly.
Philip ignored it, patting his bald head. “Hehe, baldness is my trademark! No tonic needed. Anyway, to let everyone understand the situation for betting, I’ll briefly explain what happened in the VIP room today…”
Zhou Younan had always thought the Epril was a safe place for him.
He had been wrong.
People around him cheered intermittently. Zhou Younan couldn’t stay still for a moment.
He wanted to rush forward, smash the damned projector, shout at them that they were strangers, and demand why they wanted him dead.
But he knew it was useless. He would only become a joke in their eyes. He had become a tool for their entertainment, forced to stand on the stage in powerless rage, awaiting his inevitable death.
He did not want to die.
Suppressing the emotions threatening to explode, he hurriedly led the two children out of the bar.
Before leaving, he heard Philip repeatedly emphasize that Wei Qing’s previous wife had been killed in the second week of marriage.
He called for attendants, sent the children away, and trudged back to his room, heavy steps echoing.
Once the door closed, the stubborn tears finally streamed down his face.
Wei Qing’s malice, combined with the gambling scene in the bar, had momentarily drained Zhou Younan of hope for the future.
He instinctively covered his mouth and nose to make no sound.
If he died… what would happen to Luolu?
Purple moonlight from Gonggong Star spilled through the huge windows, silent and serene.
The question returned to his mind.
Zhou Younan wiped his tears. He could not die.
He retrieved the sugar pills Luolu had given him, ate a few to calm himself.
His hands trembled slightly; he had little strength, and the box became difficult to open.
After much effort, Zhou Younan finally managed to open the box, and the sugar pills spilled out, clattering across the floor.
The colorful candies scattered everywhere, and Zhou Younan hurriedly bent down to pick them up.
In his fluster, the metal box also fell to the floor. Somehow, he had triggered a switch, and the previously ordinary box underwent a change.
A tiny holographic projection appeared above the box, depicting a researcher in a white lab coat.
The metal box was actually a hidden miniature projector!
Seeing the person being projected, Zhou Younan froze instinctively, forgetting to move.
He knew the person very well, it was Xu Qi, the director of Research Institute 411.
Xu Qi had reddish-brown hair, strands standing distinctly upright. Though an Omega, his gaze was extremely cold, like a powerful Alpha.
Only, the Xu Qi in the projection looked much younger than the one Zhou Younan knew.
Pushing up his glasses, Xu Qi said, “Today is October 30, 706 of the Galactic Calendar.”
Zhou Younan quickly realized: today was July 10, 718—this projection had been recorded by Xu Qi twelve years ago.
“I’ve developed an interesting little device today,” Xu Qi continued, holding up a miniature vial in front of the lens.
The projection was high-definition. The vial was pure green, and Zhou Younan could even see the transparent liquid swaying inside.
“Once an Alpha takes this drug, he will perceive the pheromones of the Omega around him as his favorite scent, for an entire month.”
Zhou Younan thought: such a potent vial, so despicable as always.
As if sensing his thoughts, Xu Qi squinted, a meaningful gleam in his long eyes.
“It’s the scent he likes most, the one he can’t resist,” Xu Qi added.
Drawn by Xu Qi’s words, Zhou Younan couldn’t take his eyes off the tiny vial.
If he had this vial and made Wei Qing take it…
A whole month, that was enough to accomplish a lot.
In that month, he could use his position as the future Marshal’s wife to bring Luolu out of the Zhou estate.
He could even earn a huge sum from the recent gambling event and use it to secure Luolu’s future, enough that even if he himself didn’t survive, Luolu could live well.
While Zhou Younan pondered this, the projector automatically shut down. A hidden compartment at the bottom of the metal box opened, revealing the small green vial Xu Qi had been holding in the projection, lying quietly inside.
Moonlight shone on the vial, the transparent liquid inside glimmering with the unique purple glow of Gonggong Star, both mesmerizing and enchanting.
After picking up all the sugar pills, Zhou Younan sought out Philip.
Using his identity as the Zhou family’s Young Master and the future Marshal’s wife, he borrowed ten thousand star coins from Philip and placed them in the “Can” square of the bar’s betting game.
The frail Zhou Younan straightened his back, standing tall like a pole in the center of the bar stage.
He scanned everyone in the bar and shouted, “I will survive for one month!”
Conscience and survival, Zhou Younan quickly made his choice.
At the Blooddrop camp:
After finishing the delicious red phoenix, Wei Qing, satisfied, stretched lazily, ready to join the enthusiastic residents of Gonggong Star dancing around the bonfire.
“Marshal, His Majesty wishes to see you,” said the soldier with the lightning-shaped facial tattoo beside Henry.
“Ah!” Wei Qing sighed, reluctantly glancing at the dancing Gonggong Star inhabitants, then slowly returned to his tent.
Inside the tent, Henry was reporting work to His Majesty.
Wei Qing tugged at his robe, feigning seriousness as he entered.
Passing Henry, Wei Qing saw the holographic projection of the 9th Emperor of the Tyren Empire, Arthur Long.
Arthur was in his prime, a strong Alpha, tall and bear-like in physique. His hair was fluffy and curly blonde, and his golden eyes always shone with sharpness.
Even as a hologram, Wei Qing could smell the danger radiating from him, the sensation akin to facing a lion king on the savannah.
Trusting his beastly instincts, Wei Qing always restrained his temperament in front of the Emperor.
Seeing Wei Qing enter, Arthur, clad in expensive silk sleepwear, chuckled, “Tried the red phoenix? Is it good?”
“Just so-so. Wild ones taste better; the Mart family-raised ones are too fatty,” Wei Qing replied honestly.
He knew that red phoenix wasn’t rare even on Gonggong Star, and the Mart family still tightly controlled its export, so petty!
Arthur asked again: “And the one sent to Zhou Younan, was it tasty or not?”
“Of course it had to be not tasty, that’s why it was sent…” Wei Qing began, then realized something and clicked his tongue.
Arthur laughed heartily: “You, really.”
Wei Qing and Arthur had been comrades-in-arms, so they were familiar enough to speak casually.
Wei Qing, somewhat displeased, sat in his chair and raised an eyebrow at Henry, who had been giving overly detailed reports.
Henry deliberately turned his head away, avoiding his gaze.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Every small bit of support means something to the person behind the translation.
☕ 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