“Although these are all succulent potted plants, their care methods differ. For instance, thicker leaves like these adapt better to dry environments, while thinner leaves require more moisture.”
“So when purchasing, make sure to choose plants based on your planet’s environment. That way, they’ll survive much longer.”
Xia Ze showcased the finished plants one by one, his voice carrying a soft lilt that sent pleasant shivers down the spine.
The delicate potted plants looked especially charming in his hands, his slender fingers strikingly pale so much so that one couldn’t help but imagine how nice they’d feel to squeeze.
Meanwhile, the ten newly listed plants sold out instantly, leaving no room for Xia Ze to continue his introduction.
Pausing, he murmured softly, “Please think carefully before buying. If the environment isn’t suitable, the plants will die easily, and your money will go to waste.”
[No worries! Even if they last just a month, it’s fine!]
[A month? Try half a month!]
[Tsk tsk, the rich folks really have money to burn.]
[It’s not about money. The plants from this shop genuinely improve sleep! My grandfather has been overworked and couldn’t sleep well, but after I gave him one last month, he said his sleep improved. I’ll fight for his rest any day!]
[Same here! My father also said these plants help with sleep. The expensive ones he bought before didn’t even come close.]
[Are you guys paid shills? If they really help with sleep, the boss is selling them way too cheap.]
[Well, there’s no certification here, so of course they’re cheaper. Us regulars have begged him to get them tested on bigger planets, but he won’t!]
[Ahem, no price hikes are good. If they get more expensive, I won’t be able to afford them. cries I work in mining on a remote planet, conditions here are brutal. My whole crew relies on these plants to cope with the pollution. Otherwise, medical bills would pile up.]
[Wow, mining on a remote planet? That’s rough.]
[From a junk planet? No wonder.]
[Hey, what’s with the sarcasm? What’s wrong with junk planets? We’re still Imperial citizens!]
Seeing the argument brewing, Xia Ze swiftly banned a few accounts spewing discriminatory remarks and explained, “I also live on one of the many junk planets. We’re all Imperial citizens.”
With that, he brought out the two roses he’d prepared for the day.
The moment the roses appeared, the screen flooded with awe.
In a world starved of greenery, lush plants alone lifted spirits but these exquisite blooms brought sheer delight.
One deep pink rose, one pure white, both radiant and dewy, their beauty magnified by the verdant leaves.
[Such gorgeous flowers.]
[Heavens, they’re called roses? Even the name is lovely.]
At the mention of roses, Xia Ze’s gaze softened further, breathtakingly tender. “In ancient China on Earth, roses were also called ‘flowers bought for smiles’, a reference to an emperor who spent a fortune in gold just to see his consort smile at them.”
“The emperor said, ‘These blossoms outshine even a beauty’s laughter.'”
“And there’s an ancient poem from Earth that’s even more enchanting.”
“‘Under lush trees, the summer day grows long;
Pavilions cast reflections in the pond.
Crystal curtains stir with the breeze’s song,
A trellis of roses perfumes the lawn.'”
“Enjoying the cool shade on a summer afternoon, with pavilions reflected in the pond, a breeze rippling the water like crystal curtains, and walls covered in roses filling the courtyard with fragrance.”
Xia Ze’s vivid description immersed everyone in the livestream in this atmosphere.
It felt as if they were transported to that summer afternoon on Ancient Blue Star, lounging in the pavilions, feeling the breeze over the pond, surrounded by the scent of roses.
[OMG, Ancient Blue Star people were so romantic! Walls covered in roses? That’s unbelievable!]
[One rose is already so beautiful, but a whole wall??? Just imagining it, I could die happy in that sea of flowers!]
[Ahhhhhh I dream of living in a place like that!]
[Stop dreaming! With our current environment, it’s impossible. And walls of roses? They don’t even exist here.]
Seeing these comments, Xia Ze explained, “This wasn’t just imagination, it was real.”
“Roses come in climbing, semi-climbing, and upright varieties.”
“With proper care, walls covered in roses are achievable.”
[!!! It’s achievable!!!]
[Wow, but wouldn’t that be a scene only royalty could enjoy?]
[Uh, even royalty doesn’t have roses like that. Boss, stop exaggerating.]
Xia Ze just smiled without further explanation and said, “Well, these two roses are now listed. Buy as needed.”
At that, the chat fell silent again.
Whether they doubted Xia Ze, questioned the existence of rose-covered walls, or fully supported him, everyone stopped talking.
No more arguing!
They couldn’t afford to miss out on buying the flowers!
As expected, the roses sold out instantly. Xia Ze stretched lazily his busy day was finally over, and his earnings for the day had come through.
Ten potted plants and two roses had brought in quite a sum.
Holding onto his little fortune, Xia Ze couldn’t be happier!
But then he checked his communicator still no new messages.
A whole day had passed since he agreed to General Qi’s proposal, yet there had been no further contact.
As if sensing his thoughts, the livestream chat started discussing the topic. Usually, after selling plants, they’d chat casually for a while.
And this topic was being debated all over the StarNet.
[Did you hear? General Qi’s Omega has been decided, and the whole capital is in an uproar.]
[Who? The Empress’s nephew?]
[If it were him, it wouldn’t be this shocking. Apparently, it’s some unknown Omega. The nobles and the royal family are all opposing it.]
[I’d oppose it too! He’s General Qi, how can he marry some ordinary Omega?]
[Oppose? No one’s opposition matters. I live in the capital, and since this morning, the media and noble families have been in complete disbelief.]
[Damn, that’s insane pressure. To still insist on marrying that Omega despite all this, how deep must his love be?]
[Well, from what my parents said, General Qi was summoned by the Emperor and Empress overnight. Probably discussing this.]
Xia Ze was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.
Was he… dealing with all that trouble?
The entire capital’s nobility and the royal family just the thought was terrifying.
His silence prompted teasing from his livestream fans.
[Little Boss, why so quiet? Jealous of that Omega, huh?]
[Hahaha who wouldn’t be jealous!]
[“It’s alright, boss, we understand you!”]
The teasing in the livestream made Xia Ze feel a bit embarrassed. He wasn’t jealous, just wondering what General Qi was up to.
If he had to face so many people, he would have been scared long ago.
After washing up, Xia Ze followed his usual routine of rolling around on the bed before hugging his plush stuffed animal.
A busy day had ended, but sleep still eluded him.
Just as Xia Ze was starting to drift off, he suddenly tensed and glanced toward the small greenhouse outside his door.
The uneasy feeling grew stronger.
Xia Ze got up, instinctively grabbing a mask before stepping out. Before he could get close, he heard two familiar voices.
“Holy crap, so many plants there must be thousands!”
“And fresh flowers, at least two hundred!”
“If we sell all this, we’ll be rich!”
“Keep it down, don’t wake up that Beta!”
“He’s just a Beta, no way he’d notice two Alphas sneaking in. Heh, we’re gonna make a fortune!”
The voices sent a chill down Xia Ze’s spine.
Those two troublemaker neighbors had always wanted to resell his plants, but Xia Ze had refused. Now, they had actually broken into his home to steal.
What came next was even more horrifying.
The two men, holding crude homemade laser guns, whispered, “Find him first, capture Xia Ze, and lock him up make him the lowest kind of slave.”
“Better chop off his legs. As long as his hands work, that’s enough.”
They shared a vicious grin, clearly in agreement.
Kill Xia Ze? That would be stupid!
Imprison him! Treat him like a slave!
That way, they’d have an endless supply of plants!
