Xia Ze, who had unexpectedly received half of his fake marriage partner’s assets, continued diligently preparing his plants, assuming General Qi was just joking.
Both knew their marriage was a sham, and besides, how could he possibly accept the interstellar credits General Qi had painstakingly earned through military achievements?
No pain, no gain!
He could earn his own money!
Xia Ze tried hard not to think about how many zeros were in that number after all, no matter how many there were, it had nothing to do with him.
Not that he was actually fixated on the money, but few people could look at such a staggering figure without feeling shocked.
In the small greenhouse that afternoon, with the four assistants gone, only Xia Ze and Qi Jing remained, and the atmosphere grew much quieter.
One busied himself with transplanting plants, while the other continued handling official duties, the scene peaceful and serene.
Xia Ze immersed himself in the joy of tending to the greenery, trimming dead leaves and testing soil moisture with practiced ease.
As sunset approached, Xia Ze, still engrossed in his plants felt a light pinch on the back of his neck from Qi Jing.
“Take a break.”
At first, Qi Jing had indeed been working, but gradually, his gaze kept drifting toward the boy.
The entire afternoon, Xia Ze had been absorbed in his plants, radiating genuine happiness.
By dinnertime, he was still buried in his work, forcing Qi Jing to interrupt the tranquil moment.
Only when Xia Ze looked up did he realize it was already evening and his stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.
His face flushed. General Qi was still here! Had he heard that?!
Qi Jing chuckled. “Shall we eat out?”
Xia Ze considered it. That restaurant was nice, but the round trip would take too much time, so he shook his head. “I have a livestream soon. There’s no time.”
“Then I’ll have food delivered. Anything you’d like?”
“The stream starts in half an hour. It probably won’t make it in time,” Xia Ze murmured. “I’ll just have a nutrient drink.”
Qi Jing frowned disapprovingly, eyeing the boy’s slender waist and delicate wrists. Nutrient drinks alone weren’t enough.
“It’s fine. I’ll have them deliver it quickly, it’ll arrive in time.”
Seeing the general’s insistence, Xia Ze shyly listed a few dishes.
It felt… nice, being taken care of like this.
In the past, he would’ve just grabbed a nutrient drink and rushed into his livestream.
Coming from Earth, Xia Ze naturally disliked nutrient drinks especially as someone from a land of culinary excellence. But living alone made it easy to slack off, especially with such convenient alternatives available.
Fifteen minutes later, steaming hot dishes arrived at Xia Ze’s home.
The delivery person was one of Qi Jing’s subordinates, who discreetly stole glances at the general’s spouse while setting the table.
So pretty!
Damn, the general’s taste is impeccable!
And he can grow plants too? Every Alpha must be green with envy!
Noticing the general’s sharp glare, the subordinate quickly made himself scarce. He’d fought hard for this delivery assignment, one glance was enough to satisfy him!
Watching their interaction, Xia Ze couldn’t help but smile. It was clear General Qi had a good rapport with his subordinates.
That warmth carried into his livestream, lending his voice a cheerful lilt.
[“Two days without the streamer! What’s the little boss been up to?”]
[“Yeah! Seeing that sudden leave notice had me worried!”]
[“I want to buy flowers! The ones I got last time, my crush loved them! She even talked to me more! Aside from the short shelf life, they’re perfect.”]
[“What kind of shelf life do flowers even need? Stop dreaming.”
“I want to buy some greenery! Grandpa recommended it to his old friend, and they loved it too. Actually, the plants here last longer than those bought elsewhere.”
“Little boss, why are you laughing? You haven’t been around these past couple of days.”
Xia Ze first apologized, then explained, “Ran into a small issue, but it’s all sorted now.”
After saying that, he pointed the camera at the plants and flowers he was selling that day and added, “I’ll be selling more greenery and flowers for a while. I’ll be taking a trip soon, so the shop will be temporarily closed.”
Since he’d already brought it up, Xia Ze decided to clarify the situation. He couldn’t specify the details, so he simply mentioned the temporary closure.
His words sent the previously calm chat into a frenzy.
[“Huh??? Closing?? No way, I rely on your plants to lift my mood!”
“Even if I can’t afford them, just looking makes me happy. Now I won’t even get to see them?”
[“!!! Then I’ll buy more!! Your plants are the only reason I can sleep well!”
[“No!!! Little boss, where are you going?”
Fortunately, the twenty potted plants he’d prepared shifted the conversation slightly.
The afternoon’s stock of plants and flowers sold out in under ten minutes, with many regular customers placing advance orders.
Xia Ze had always kept a low profile, offering only a limited number of plants, so this was his first time handling so many customers at once. He was momentarily overwhelmed.
Qi Jing, who had been sitting nearby, set down his book and said, “Read out the names. I’ll help you register them.”
The moment Qi Jing spoke, the chat froze for a good thirty seconds.
[“!!! Who’s that?!”
[“Ahhhh who is this!!!!!”
[“That voice is so deep and magnetic damn, definitely an Alpha!!”
[“Oh no, my wife has another man by his side now.”
[“Staying at the boss’s place at night? Hehehe.”
Xia Ze flushed at the comments and stole a glance at General Qi, whispering, “He’s staying with me temporarily because of some recent matters. But it’ll be fine once I’m back.”
Qi Jing frowned.
This wasn’t the first time he’d heard the kid mention “coming back.”
His pen paused, the strokes turning sharper, a clear sign of his displeasure.
Once the customer orders were logged, Xia Ze exhaled in relief.
Selling over a thousand plants in a month and a half didn’t seem too difficult now.
But he’d have to work harder to prepare more potted plants. For those he couldn’t take with him, he’d just have to hope they’d survive until his return.
Hearing him mention “coming back” yet again, Qi Jing’s eyelids lowered slightly. If Xia Ze had been looking at him then, he would’ve recoiled in fright.
Instead, Xia Ze was staring in shock at the books beside General Qi.
Or rather, not just one book.
The first one, The Omega’s Self-Cultivation, had already been baffling enough.
But now there were others, The Omega’s Guide to Beauty and Poise, How Your Voice and Speech Attract Alphas, and Fast-Track to Becoming a High-Society Omega!
What even were these?!
Among them was also a stack of magazines, the cover featuring an Omega in a white lace top, eyes lively and slightly red at the corners the very picture of someone who begged to be protected.
Wait.
He wasn’t expected to act like that, was he?
Noticing Xia Ze’s fixed gaze on the magazine cover, Qi Jing’s expression darkened further. He pinched Xia Ze’s chin, forcing him to meet his eyes. “Like what you see?”
Xia Ze nodded honestly.]
That Omega was indeed quite good-looking.
Qi Jing frowned and flipped open the magazine casually: “Looking at the cover is useless, you need to learn from the content inside.”
Pretending to be an Omega as a Beta wasn’t simple. For the child’s safety, he needed to make the act convincing.
These magazines were all must-read publications for Omegas from the main planet. Qi Jing had specifically ordered them from the main planet, never expecting the kid to ignore the content and just stare at the Omegas on the cover.
What’s so great about those delicate, fragile Omegas anyway?
He’s a Beta, does he actually like Omegas?
Even if he did, shouldn’t he prefer Alphas?
Xia Ze tilted his head and glanced, whispering: “He’s inside too.”
Qi Jing’s face darkened for a moment before he pushed the magazine away out of sight, out of mind.
Xia Ze’s eyes still followed the magazine. Were all these magazines teaching Omegas about makeup? They even meticulously categorized different styles.
Seeing the eyeshadow inside, Xia Ze couldn’t help but ask: “Do I really have to do my makeup like that too?”
He was a man!
He didn’t want to wear makeup like that!
Qi Jing ruffled his hair and nodded: “Yes, these are all recommended study materials for Omegas.”
“Remember that hotel we visited last time? The same corporation runs Omega training courses, you’ll need to attend.”
Xia Ze understood. This was about learning how to pretend to be an Omega, his crucial mission.
Truthfully, Xia Ze only had a vague idea of how to be an Omega.
Ever since his secondary gender manifested, he’d rejected this identity. After all, in his previous life, there had been no ABO distinctions, he’d just been an ordinary person.
So he felt even a little nervous about these classes.
But seeing General Qi’s serious expression, he must be worried about him failing, right?
Xia Ze immediately straightened up, practically ready to swear an oath: “General Qi, don’t worry. I’ll be a proper Omega and won’t embarrass you.”
The sour feeling in Qi Jing’s heart softened instantly: “It won’t be for long. Once we win that battle, you won’t need to pretend anymore. Wherever you go, you can live openly as a Beta.”
Of course!
Xia Ze had been looking forward to that!
Qi Jing’s gaze deepened there were too many things that needed to change.
And too many things he needed to do.
With the school arrangements settled, Xia Ze never dreamed he’d be living with General Qi while attending an Omega school.
Fortunately, classes were only three times a week in the mornings, so they wouldn’t interfere with his afternoon plant cultivation or evening livestream sales.
It didn’t matter if his shop opened in the mornings anyway business was always slow then.
The next morning, Qi Jing dropped Xia Ze off at the school entrance. A few aircraft were parked there, though not many after all, there were very few Omegas on the garbage planet who could afford this kind of education.
Qi Jing asked: “Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you in?”
Xia Ze shook his head: “Why would I need that? I can go by myself.”
It was just school, he’d attended for many years in his past life. No big deal.
But when Xia Ze entered the Omega training center near the hotel, he realized how little he truly understood this world.
Previously, he’d mostly kept to himself and hadn’t given much thought to gender differentiation. Most of his interactions had been with ordinary Betas who seemed no different from people in his previous life.
Yet the moment he stepped inside today, he was enveloped by the scents of powder and perfume.
And lace.
All kinds of lace, just like in the magazines.
Xia Ze looked at his white T-shirt and light blue jeans, feeling completely out of place here.
“Is that you, Xia Ze?”
“He doesn’t even look that great. Why is General Qi so fond of him?”
“I heard he’s really manipulative and loves to flaunt his relationship.”
“He doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”
“Last time, Chairman Qiao’s daughter was so upset she cried because of him!”
Xia Ze was utterly confused were they talking about him?
When had he ever made someone cry? He had no memory of that.
