Luo Wenchuan’s show-off was blatantly obvious.
Hearing this, Yun Xingze found it rather baffling; hadn’t Luo Wenchuan just mocked carrying candy as childish behavior?
But he didn’t dwell on it, casually replying, “Sure,” before boarding the starship with Luo Wenchuan.
Nearby, Chi Yu’s expression darkened like the bottom of a pot. Watching the two walk past him, his fingers clenched into fists involuntarily.
Before stepping onto the starship, Luo Wenchuan glanced back at Chi Yu, his gaze icy yet laced with unmistakable provocation.
Chi Yu hadn’t expected Luo Wenchuan to be so direct. Jealousy surged violently within him, and he couldn’t help but wish the law mandating highly compatible Alphas and Omegas to bond would pass immediately.
Once aboard, Luo Wenchuan helped Yun Xingze stow his luggage.
The school team members had already boarded. The university had provided excellent accommodations, luxurious suites and various recreational facilities inside the starship.
Yun Xingze, having woken up early, felt drowsy. He sat on the bed in one of the suites, watching a match video from Gikot First Military Academy before closing his eyes for a short nap.
Luo Wenchuan quietly closed the door behind him.
At that moment, Zhuo Feiyue happened to call him on an encrypted line. Luo Wenchuan moved to a secluded area and answered.
“Second Highness, I apologize for not being able to see you off today,” Zhuo Feiyue said regretfully before his tone turned serious. “This morning, the royal family confirmed that negotiations between the Empire and the Federation have reached a deadlock.”
“I’m already aware,” Luo Wenchuan replied calmly. “The royal family, the planetary governors, and high-ranking officials in the capital held an emergency meeting last night.”
The negotiations between the Empire and the Federation had dragged on for years, revolving around resource allocation between the two interstellar superpowers—trade relations, technology exchanges, and disputes over mineral-rich planets.
Zhuo Feiyue frowned. “What do you think the Empire’s next move will be?”
“Accelerate military R&D, expand recruitment, incentivize population growth.” Luo Wenchuan said slowly. “The usual measures.”
Zhuo Feiyue nodded. “With tensions rising between the Empire and the Federation, you still can’t reveal your identity. After all, the Federation is cunning, and spies infiltrating the capital are impossible to guard against entirely.”
“Once negotiations conclude, the right time will come,” Luo Wenchuan replied, his voice detached.
“Honestly, as long as full-scale war doesn’t break out,” Zhuo Feiyue observed Luo Wenchuan, “conflict between the Empire and the Federation might not be a bad thing for you.”
Crown Prince Luo Qin had spent his entire life in the imperial capital. Though a graduate of the prestigious Noah Military Academy, his temperament and methods paled in comparison to Luo Wenchuan, who had survived the harsh realities of frontier planets since childhood.
Thus, if tensions escalated, the Empire would need a decisive leader. Someone like Luo Wenchuan, who could more easily secure the throne and win public support.
Luo Wenchuan remained silent, his gaze so profound even Zhuo Feiyue couldn’t decipher it.
“That’s not what I wish to see,” Luo Wenchuan finally said.
“Second Highness, have you forgotten how much you suffered because of the Crown Prince?” Zhuo Feiyue pressed urgently. “No matter what, since you’ve survived hell and returned, you must reclaim everything that’s rightfully yours from him.”
Luo Wenchuan closed his eyes for a moment before speaking hoarsely:
“The ones who personally drove me out of the Imperial Star were my own parents.”
Zhuo Feiyue was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. After a brief silence, he slowly responded, “That’s all in the past now. You must fight for this opportunity. I won’t say more; I wish you success in the competition and outstanding results. That would make the Queen happy.”
The emotional turmoil in Luo Wenchuan’s eyes was quickly concealed. After ending the call, he returned to his usual composed demeanor.
As he passed by Yun Xingze’s door, he unexpectedly encountered Chi Yu.
Seeing Luo Wenchuan, Chi Yu adopted a provocative tone and said in a lowered voice, “Luo Wenchuan, Xingze is just your mecha engineer. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you can be with him.”
Already in a foul mood, Luo Wenchuan coldly retorted, “Chi Yu, you really never give up, do you?”
“What do you know?” Chi Yu sneered, his tone brimming with confidence. “Yun Xingze will definitely be engaged to me in the future.”
Luo Wenchuan found Chi Yu’s behavior particularly odd today. He couldn’t fathom where this sudden confidence and audacity came from, allowing him to make such bold claims.
He seemed more self-assured than ever before.
Luo Wenchuan simply dismissed it as another of Chi Yu’s habitual boasts and ignored him.
The spaceship soon arrived at Noah Star.
Yun Xingze had only slept briefly. When he opened his eyes, the view outside the transparent window had shifted from starry space to blue skies and white clouds.
Noah Star enjoyed perpetual spring with abundant sunlight, giving its inhabitants a healthy complexion. Many tropical fruits preserved from ancient Earth thrived here.
Beyond that, Noah Star was renowned for its hospitable and warm-hearted people, robust economy, and prestigious institutions like the Mecha Research Institute and Noah Military Academy, making it a dream destination for mecha enthusiasts.
The NCLM was most frequently held on the Imperial Star, followed by Noah Star, which had hosted the event almost exclusively in recent years.
Upon disembarking, dedicated personnel awaited outside the station to transport NCLM competitors.
Among them was a tall, handsome man with dark green hair and fair skin that stood out among the locals.
“Hello, I’m Ming Xiao,” the green-haired greeter said with a smile, pressing his palms together in greeting. “Welcome to Noah Star. I wish you great success in the NCLM.”
Following local custom, Yun Xingze returned the gesture. “Thank you. I’m Yun Xingze.”
Ming Xiao appeared young, likely a volunteer military academy student. Without hesitation, he picked up Yun Xingze’s luggage and led the way to their transport.
The outside air was pleasantly warm, the sky a paler blue than the Imperial Star’s, filled with the scent of nature.
Luo Wenchuan walked behind Yun Xingze, watching him chat animatedly with Ming Xiao, and pursed his lips slightly.
“I’m a student at Noah Military Academy,” Ming Xiao said enthusiastically. “I love watching NCLM matches. Your school performed well last year, there was an SS-ranked competitor.”
Hearing this, Yun Xingze glanced back at Luo Wenchuan with a playful wink and a faint smile, as if saying, “He’s praising you.”
The icy expression on Luo Wenchuan’s face softened slightly at Yun Xingze’s glance.
“But you look like an Omega, are you above A-rank?” Ming Xiao asked bluntly, then quickly added, realizing it might be inappropriate, “Not that I’m looking down on Omegas. It’s just that very few Omegas participate in NCLM, so I’m curious.”
“I reached A-rank during the campus mech tournament,” Yun Xingze replied, willing to engage with Ming Xiao’s enthusiasm. “Omegas may be rare, but that doesn’t mean they can’t pilot mechs.”
“Naturally,” Ming Xiao said meaningfully after hearing Yun Xingze’s words, giving him a thoughtful look. “I’m looking forward to your performance. I’ll definitely be there to watch.”
Yun Xingze assumed Ming Xiao was just being polite.
Luo Wenchuan frowned slightly. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Ming Xiao’s gaze had been glued to Yun Xingze the entire time they were talking.
Was there some ulterior motive?
