The following period of study left Xia Ze completely stunned. The sensation of knowledge flowing through his mind left him utterly numb.
Yet he learned with remarkable speed. After watching the teacher demonstrate once, he could perform the tasks flawlessly.
His classmates were even more astonished, becoming increasingly convinced that Xia Ze must have been practicing secretly. How else could he be this skilled?
If you’re grinding, we’ll grind too!
Within days, all the Omegas attending class sported dark circles under their eyes clear evidence of their covert efforts. Yet when they met, they’d maintain their composure with excuses: “Oh dear, I stayed up too late reading novels last night.”
“I went to see that new movie only showing on the main planet, that’s why I’m tired.”
“Couldn’t sleep last night couldn’t find that houseplant I wanted to buy. So frustrating.”
After exchanging these pleasantries, they’d glance at each other’s dark circles.
Yeah right!
As if anyone believed that!
But when they turned to look at Xia Ze, his beautiful eyes remained as clear as ever. In fact, with someone now taking care of his daily needs, his eyes appeared even more luminous and attractive.
Infuriating.
Not only was this guy secretly grinding, he was getting beauty treatments too!
Typical of him, playing at a whole different level!
The teachers noticed with surprise that this might be their best class ever students taking diligent notes during lectures, reviewing seriously after class, and paying attention to every detail.
This will be my final graduating class!
Only one problem emerged: everyone started copying Xia Ze’s minimalist fashion style, leaving all those lace garments gathering dust at the bottom of drawers.
The teachers felt both pleased and concerned, though they had to admit the simpler clothing suited the students better. Besides, this was General Qi’s person no one dared make trouble.
Whether Xia Ze’s attendance here was ultimately good or bad remained unclear.
The fashion instructor frowned privately this kind of student was truly undisciplined.
Another Wednesday noon arrived, and Xia Ze could barely contain his smile.
Wednesday!
Classes done for the week!
Next session not until Monday!
The day before break is always the happiest, when home feels closest!
In his haste, Xia Ze didn’t notice General Qi approaching and walked straight into his solid chest, letting out a small pained cry at the impact of the firm muscles.
His classmates had grown accustomed to such scenes.
Damn it, must take notes learning so much from Xia Ze.
Who wouldn’t love an Omega like this?
Qi Jing struggled not to laugh as he checked the boy was unharmed before relaxing.
But the general had come with news, he needed to return briefly to the main planet due to mounting opposition there. If left unaddressed, it might cause complications here.
No need for the boy to know about such troubles though.
After lunch, Xia Ze blinked: “You’re leaving?”
“Mm.” Qi Jing added, “I’ll return quickly.”
Xia Ze nodded. Calculating, General Qi had already been here over ten days.
Each morning waking to find the general preparing hot breakfast, spending mornings together at the little shop when there was no school.
Afternoons with one working while the other tended plants.
Evenings with Xia Ze streaming while Qi Jing assisted.
Xia Ze had expected to struggle adjusting to this routine, yet time had flown by so fast.
“Have a safe trip then! I’ll wait here for you.” Xia Ze raised his juice glass in a toast-like gesture.
“Mm. Wait for me to return.”
This sounded a bit strange, but Xia Ze didn’t think too much about it. He finished his juice in one gulp, it seemed to be apple juice with a hint of blueberry flavor.
The trash planet could only provide three cups daily, and recently, Qi Jing had been sending all of them to Xia Ze.
Unaware of this, Xia Ze watched General Qi leave, then looked around the room that had clearly accumulated more belongings.
This was Qi Jing’s usual cup, that was his coat, and there were a few unused documents lying around.
Unconsciously, it felt as if the two of them had been living together for a long time.
Over the next few days, Xia Ze continued his routine as usual, but during his evening livestream, customers quickly noticed someone was missing.
[Hey? Where’s that deep-voiced, handsome-handed alpha?]
[None of you have even seen him! How do you know he’s an alpha?]
[That voice, that presence definitely alpha material.]
[Whether he’s alpha or not, only the little boss would know best.]
Xia Ze’s ears turned red at the bold comments flooding the chat. Fortunately, he didn’t show his face, so no one could see how flushed he was otherwise, the teasing would have been even worse.
“He’s busy lately, so he can’t come.”
“When will he be back? I’m not sure.”
“Ask him? No need, it might seem like I’m rushing him.”
Xia Ze was now much faster at registering customers for plant reservations, thanks to the forms Qi Jing had prepared for him.
This method was indeed much more efficient.
His pen paused as he sighed, “Without him here, there’s no one to help.”
[Lonely little boss misses his hubby~]
[Hahahaha just call him and whine a little—he’ll come running back!]
[Oh god, with that tone, what man could resist?]
[Actually, you two could meet up in the virtual space.]
[Hehehe absence makes the heart grow fonder! The haptic feedback in VR is pretty realistic perfect for long-distance relationships.]
[Someone here sounds experienced.]
[I won’t go into details, but VR offers plenty of options!]
[Really?! My husband and I should try it!]
Xia Ze went from confused to beet-red in seconds these customers had no brakes.
He knew the interstellar era’s VR technology was advanced.
But using it for that kind of thing???
In his original time, such high-tech didn’t exist. When people imagined VR back then, they at least thought of gaming.
Would the ancients approve of using cutting-edge tech for such blush-inducing activities?
Meanwhile, the man now stationed on the home planet saw the same comments, fingertips tingling with the memory of the boy’s soft cheeks.
VR.
Not a bad idea.
Just as his thoughts drifted into dangerous territory, he heard Xia Ze announce, “That’s all for today’s plants! I’m ending the stream!”
[So sudden!]
[Stay a bit longer! It’s not like your alpha’s home anyway!]
[Hahaha the little boss is definitely embarrassed!]
[Don’t be shy, enjoy it!]
[Heh, maybe he’s logging off to VR-date his man.]
[Makes sense!]
[Makes sense!]
[Honestly, I could admire the little boss’s hands for hours.]
Xia Ze immediately pulled his hands out of frame, jostling the camera in the process.
The chat erupted in laughter at his reaction.
Such an innocent little boss absolutely delightful!
After ending the stream, the flower shop felt eerily quiet. Rubbing his flushed cheeks, Xia Ze realized he’d never be able to hear the word “VR” the same way again.
Coincidentally, the communicator beeped again, it was another message from General Qi.
The general’s question was perfectly ordinary, just a routine greeting, but Qi Jing was clearly busy. After saying goodnight, he must have returned to his official duties.
After replying, the room felt even more desolate.
Fortunately, he was used to this kind of life. After washing up, he didn’t go straight to bed. Instead, he plucked a single petal from the most unique flower in his greenhouse.
The pristine white petal of Gabriel’s Lily rested in Xia Ze’s palm, its delicate texture so soft it was irresistible to touch.
After a simple treatment, he gently pressed the petal against the freshly cleaned scent gland on his neck.
Almost instantly, the faintly sweet fragrance dissipated, leaving behind only a soothing, plant-like aroma.
Xia Ze exhaled in relief this special petal had successfully masked his pheromones.
It was a little secret he’d discovered while tending to his plants. The petals of this particular flower could completely block his scent, working better than any Omega suppressant on the market.
Perhaps these plants had evolved over time in the interstellar era, developing new uses despite looking nearly identical to those from his past life.
Once certain his pheromones were concealed, Xia Ze finally settled into bed.
Being an ordinary Beta really was the best no pheromone troubles, no heats, and no susceptibility to Alpha pheromones.
Most importantly, no risk of pregnancy.
With these thoughts, he hugged a pillow and drifted into a deep sleep, even dreaming.
In his dream, he was back in Omega training classes specifically, the final lesson on how a proper Omega should care for a baby.
Dream Xia Ze looked down at his own round belly and immediately sat up.
What kind of horror story was this?!
Upon waking, he frantically patted his flat stomach.
Thank goodness just a dream!
This morning, there was no steaming breakfast waiting on the table. Out of habit, Xia Ze grabbed a bottle of nutrient solution. The icy drink filled his stomach with artificial satisfaction.
With no classes today, he planned to focus on making more potted plants. Sales were still too slow—hundreds of plants remained unsold.
It wasn’t that there weren’t buyers, but transplanting and maintenance took time. Since he didn’t have classes, he decided to keep the shop closed and work on more greenery.
Unbeknownst to Xia Ze, who was diligently working behind closed doors, rumors had already spread across the trash planet after General Qi’s departure the day before.
Ordinary citizens might not know, but the upper echelons merchants and officials were well aware that General Qi had come to the trash planet on official business and that he’d kept a little lover here.
That lover wasn’t much to look at, but he was spoiled and notoriously difficult to deal with.
Yet after lunch yesterday, General Qi had abruptly returned to the capital, and this morning, the lover’s flower shop remained shuttered.
Everything felt off.
Two days passed, and the shop stayed closed.
Now, the rumors were all but confirmed.
General Qi’s business here was done!
He wasn’t coming back to the trash planet!
That little lover had been abandoned!
Of course, how could an Imperial General truly settle for some ordinary Omega? There were even whispers that General Qi’s return to the capital had to do with his fiancée.
It seems this little flower shop owner was just a fleeting romance!
Not opening the shop at all today must be crying secretly in there.
Stretching his arms, Xia Ze, who was supposedly “crying secretly,” finally finished his work!
The recent clearance sale of potted plants had honed his transplanting skills to lightning speed. Today he’d completed fifty in one go.
Just as he was admiring his handiwork with satisfaction, his communicator suddenly rang.
Seeing General Qi’s name, Xia Ze casually answered. Before he could speak, the man’s voice came through: “Had breakfast?”
“Yep.”
Qi Jing continued, “Lunch?”
Xia Ze hesitated slightly, sounding guilty: “Had it.” Nutrient paste.
“Dinner then?”
Xia Ze quickly replied: “It’s too early for that, isn’t it?”
On the other end, Qi Jing pointed helplessly at the clock behind him.
It was already 8 PM!
He was going to be late for his livestream!
He’d thought it was just past noon.
Qi Jing sighed. After a busy day, he’d received a call from the F31 Planet hotel asking whether to preserve the fresh juice reserved for Mr. Xia that’s how he discovered the boy hadn’t eaten properly all day.
“No more nutrient paste. The hotel will deliver proper food shortly. I’ll supervise you finishing it before your livestream,” Qi Jing declared firmly, though his tone softened slightly seeing the boy’s visible guilt. “Be good now.”
Xia Ze touched his burning ears.
Even without full holograms, why did General Qi’s voice feel like it was whispering right beside him?
