Among the nobility’s many Omegas, surely there was a perfect match.
When Duchess Dier received no response to her flawless plan, she was about to reprimand them when Qi Jing’s adjutant, Xu Chuan, spoke up. “General Qi is temporarily off-planet on military orders.”
The duchess was stunned. “The wedding is in two weeks, and he’s not on the capital planet?”
“Where is he? Order him to return immediately.”
Ding Ruijie smirked. “Military secrets, strictly confidential.”
How could this be?
If Qi Jing only returned right before the wedding, would there even be time for pheromone testing?
For years, she had exhausted every means to arrange pheromone pairings, yet never succeeded.
This time was no different. She couldn’t possibly watch Qi Jing marry some low-grade Omega.
Xia Ze lowered his gaze, more certain than ever that he disliked General Qi’s mother.
All she cared about were genetic rankings and pheromones.
In her eyes, was General Qi’s worth only measured by his genetic superiority?
Xia Ze added, “General Qi is handling important matters far more crucial than pheromone matching.”
Duchess Dill looked at him disdainfully: “What use is an Omega who couldn’t even keep their Alpha before marriage? Which Alpha doesn’t personally accompany their Omega to choose wedding venues and select dresses before marriage?”
“Qi Jing only chose you to rebel against his mother. If you had any sense, you should leave.”
“An Alpha of his high rank will definitely marry an Omega stronger than you.”
Xia Ze turned to General Qi’s mother and said earnestly: “Why should I leave? General Qi is so wonderful, I’ll never leave him.”
“Rest assured, for the sake of his high rank, I won’t let go either.”
Xia Ze’s words now bordered on provocation, leaving Duchess Dill speechless.
The logic was flawless.
Everyone knew Qi Jing was the best.
So why should he let go?
Even Duchess Dill couldn’t find a rebuttal.
Xia Ze spoke with such sincerity, even seeming to have been enlightened by the Duchess.
Exactly!
General Qi is the best, and I won’t let go!
The Duchess trembled with rage, but noble etiquette left her powerless.
She was accustomed to others groveling before her, she’d never met an Omega like this.
Xia Ze wanted to laugh but restrained himself, though he noticed Miss Ding Ruijie secretly recording.
Caught in the act, Ding Ruijie remained unflustered, instead cheerfully sending the mother-in-law versus daughter-in-law standoff footage to General Qi.
She was certain the General would appreciate it.
Such scenes were rare indeed.
The General’s wife completely disregarding Duchess Dill’s tactics was simply too amusing.
No one had ever dared speak to the Duchess like this.
From birth, she’d been the daughter of a great noble house, and her high-ranking Omega status after differentiation had brought her nothing but privilege.
How dare anyone address her this way!
The Duchess clutched her chest, nearly committing an undignified act, until her steward stepped forward and whispered something, prompting their indignant departure.
She and the Qi family were clearly incompatible!
She’d never return.
But the steward was right.
With Qi Jing currently off the main planet, only Xia Ze remained here.
Let’s see who could protect him now.
He’d soon learn his lesson.
Within half an hour of the Duchess’s departure, all of the main planet knew Qi Jing was away.
Leaving on official business two weeks before the wedding.
It seemed Qi Jing didn’t care much for this Omega after all.
And with their wedding arrangements entirely handled by stewards, neither appeared invested.
Many began scheming anew.
If they could break them apart, opportunities might arise.
Xu Chuan and Ding Ruijie clearly understood the Duchess’s intentions, recognizing her steward as the true power behind the scenes.
Xia Ze, however, remained unconcerned.
His worry was simpler, why hadn’t the seeds arrived by evening?
Steward Qi said, “I’ll inquire again.”
Xia Ze nodded, planting some cactus seeds he’d brought from the trash planet as he waited.
Harvesting cactus seeds wasn’t complicated, but timing was crucial.
Cactus flowers bloom briefly, most lasting only a day the seed pods must be collected precisely then.
Seed preservation also had specific requirements.
Even so, in this era, cacti remain the most common and ordinary green plants.
Xu Chuan and Ding Ruijie couldn’t help much on the sidelines, but as Xia Ze handled the seeds, they seemed to sense a gentle wave of psychic energy.
This energy didn’t spread toward them but instead enveloped the seeds.
Had they not been particularly perceptive, they wouldn’t have noticed it at all.
Was Xia Ze really this skilled in controlling psychic energy?
This was no ordinary feat.
Xu Chuan couldn’t help but remark, “Has Xia Ze never undergone genetic testing? No checks for pheromones or psychic levels?”
Ding Ruijie nodded.
The general had never mentioned it, and Xia Ze himself never brought it up, so naturally, no one knew.
Ding Ruijie even suspected that Xia Ze might not be aware of these details himself. Most inhabitants of the garbage planet were Betas, with no facilities for comprehensive testing.
This, however, was a misunderstanding on their part.
Both Xia Ze and Qi Jing had deliberately avoided medical examinations, Xia Ze to conceal his Omega status, and Qi Jing, believing him to be a Beta, to minimize the risk of exposure.
“Xia Ze, if you have time, you should get a genetic test. I bet your psychic level is incredibly high, and your genetic grade must be impressive too,” Xu Chuan suggested. “That way, they wouldn’t have any grounds to oppose you.”
“They,” of course, referred to the faction led by Duchess Nadir.
Xia Ze hesitated before replying softly, “No, it’s not important anyway.”
If he got tested, it would all be over!
He didn’t want to be an Omega.
This identity was temporary soon enough, he could go back to being a Beta.
As someone from ancient Earth, his understanding of ABO dynamics was still mostly theoretical, only slightly better than before.
And seeing how people fawned over General Qi’s high genetic grade, Xia Ze instinctively recoiled from the idea of testing.
Even if he did, he’d prefer to be the lowest-tier Omega.
Xu Chuan and Ding Ruijie didn’t press the matter, as they soon noticed something even more astonishing.
In Xia Ze’s hands, the seeds seemed to come alive, their dull, lifeless appearance transforming into a glossy sheen.
They had been gray and lifeless just moments ago!
The seeds were then placed in transparent grid boxes sprinkled with nutrient powder, a blend Xia Ze had prepared himself using organic materials to stimulate growth.
He had long observed that green plants in this era struggled to survive because their growth and decay cycles were drastically accelerated.
The same species withered five times faster than they had on ancient Earth.
The likely causes were environmental shifts excessive airborne impurities and unstable magnetic fields.
Yet, this rapid decay also meant accelerated growth.
By tomorrow, these hydroponic cacti would be ready for transplanting, and within two days, they would sprout tender green shoots.
Newly grown cactus spines would be soft and irresistibly cute.
Once they matured, they would need to be transferred to soil, which helped stabilize their growth and slow their rapid aging.
Otherwise, they risked withering outright, surviving only a few days, or rotting from the roots.
Of course, temperature and humidity had to be meticulously controlled, any misstep could doom an entire batch of plants.
Xia Ze had become quite skilled at planting cacti, so it hardly took any effort at all.
There was even a certain beauty to the way he worked.
The soil that other Omegas were reluctant to touch seemed completely different in his hands like a treasured gem.
It wasn’t until dinner time that Old Qi returned with a frown, carrying a tightly wrapped wooden box. His face immediately lit up when he saw Xia Ze: “Young master, these are the seeds we ordered.”
Xia Ze was overjoyed.
Seeds!
If he remembered correctly, there were several types of rose seeds inside, along with large hydrangeas, perfect shrubs for decorating gardens. There were even a few narcissus seeds.
“Thank you, Old Qi. I’ll definitely grow them successfully.” Xia Ze wiped his hands before carefully accepting the box.
Instead of opening it immediately, he placed the box in the greenhouse, adjusting the temperature in a small section to stabilize overnight, planning to handle them during tomorrow’s morning dew.
Xia Ze had experience dealing with such seeds, so everything came naturally to him.
Old Qi couldn’t help but nod approvingly.
This proved his young master truly knew gardening despite what those doubters said.
Those people from the Interstellar Academy of Natural Sciences had tried to forcibly take these seeds, even though the Qi family had placed the order first. The manager had clearly stated that General Qi had reserved these seeds last month, storing them temporarily at their family’s trading company.
Yet those people kept insisting “precious seeds shouldn’t be wasted” and tried to seize them. Fortunately, Old Qi had noticed in time and personally retrieved this box of valuable plant seeds.
However, recalling their persistence, Old Qi sensed this matter wasn’t over yet. Not only would the Academy people cause more trouble, but Duchess Dier would surely make another fuss too.
That night, freshly bathed Xia Ze hesitated.
Yesterday they’d agreed he would sleep in General Qi’s room to soak up his pheromones. But just going to sleep there like this… wasn’t it too awkward?
Xia Ze glanced at the door, then quietly opened the small connecting door between their rooms. This door could be opened from either side, swinging open with just a light push.
Though the rooms were adjacent, their styles were completely different. His own room featured warm tones throughout, while this one carried General Qi’s characteristic cool aesthetic. It was also evident the general seldom rested here the bed remained exactly as it was yesterday, neatly made as if waiting to be used.
Sneaking into someone else’s room to sleep at night, how embarrassing! Xia Ze closed his eyes and dove straight under the covers.
There. Done.
Whether real or imagined, Xia Ze felt a faint coolness surrounding him. This chill felt strangely comforting, making him pleasantly drowsy.
Just as sleep began to claim him, the communicator on the bedside table rang. Still half-asleep, Xia Ze absently pressed answer only for General Qi in full military uniform to appear on screen.
!!!
As Xia Ze scrambled to cover himself, the man’s slightly hoarse voice came through: “So obedient.”
“In my bed.”
Xia Ze’s ears burned crimson instantly.
Why did he have to say such embarrassing things?
Stationed at a temporary rest area, Qi Jing had received two messages from Old Qi, one about the seeds, another about his mother causing trouble. He’d intended to comfort the boy, never expecting to find him obediently sleeping in his bed.
All irritation from his mother’s interference instantly evaporated, his gaze now solely focused on Xia Ze’s flustered expression.
Completely missing Qi Jing’s intense look as he burrowed deeper into the blankets, Xia Ze mumbled in a small voice: “You… you’re the one who told me to sleep like this.”
“Mm, I said that.” Qi Jing smiled, then added, “I’ve already told Uncle Qi that we won’t be receiving Duchess Dier from now on. You don’t need to bother with her.”
Xia Ze’s eyes showed hesitation. Qi Jing thought he was worried, but unexpectedly heard him whisper in support: “You don’t have to listen to what she says. Who says you must marry the Omega she chooses? I stand with you!”
Xia Ze was actually still thinking about that genetic selection program.
The more he thought about it, the more horrifying it became, instinctively repulsive.
Seeing the boy’s expression, Qi Jing confirmed his suspicions: “I’m a product of that genetic selection.”
That night, Xia Ze listened as General Qi calmly recounted his past.
At some point, the royal family and nobility, already particular about bloodlines had begun another practice.
They started selecting people with high genetic ratings and strong abilities from across the land to bear children for them, continuing their superior genes.
The Qi family was one of their prime targets.
The heads of the Qi family had always been high-ranking Alphas, especially so by Qi Jing’s father’s generation.
Under various pressures, the highest-ranking Omega from the most prestigious family at that time was married into the Qi family.
She was Duchess Dier.
The child they produced, Qi Jing, was indeed handsome and outstanding, seemingly inheriting the best genes from both parents.
This only made the genetic selection program grow more frenzied.
In truth, Qi Jing’s father had been the program’s greatest opponent.
Before dying in battle, he secured for Qi Jing the right to keep his pheromones confidential.
This prevented various factions from using Qi Jing’s pheromones to match him with other Omegas.
Qi Jing said slowly, “What I feel toward Duchess Dier is mostly pity.”
“Pity?” Xia Ze was surprised.
“Though Father opposed the program, they had a good relationship. She did too.”
“But soon after, as an elite Omega supported by her family, she remarried the head of the Dier family.”
“That man’s greatest wish was to produce an Alpha like me.”
Xia Ze was shocked.
What… what kind of madness was this?
How could childbearing become some sort of competition?
Not everyone could be Qi Jing. Qi Jing had trained arduously to become who he was today was this something one could be born with?
Qi Jing remarked casually, “To date, she’s borne three children one Alpha, two Omegas.”
“But I’ve realized my pity may be misplaced, because she seems to enjoy it immensely.”
In fact, Qi Jing’s very existence had become leverage for her family and Duchess Dier to gain benefits.
Her marriage into one of the empire’s oldest noble houses was secured by having produced a son like Qi Jing.
Understanding dawned on Xia Ze, followed by another sharp intake of breath.
General Qi’s father had only passed away three or four years ago, and Duchess Dier had already borne three children?
And by the looks of it, she would keep bearing more.
Was this the fate of Omegas in this era?
If he were treated as breeding stock, he’d go insane.
No one could endure endless childbearing.
But as General Qi said, Duchess Dier seemed to take pride in it.
Xia Ze fumed: “I don’t like her.”
“She never considered your feelings at all.”
What went unsaid was that the Duchess treated General Qi as nothing more than a masterpiece, proof of her breeding prowess.
And that rule about unmarried soldiers being barred from the battlefield?
Without her pushing, it would never have happened.
After Qi Jing finished speaking, he didn’t expect the child’s eyes to redden, unusually sullen.
Seeing this, Qi Jing instead chuckled quietly. Meeting the child’s puzzled gaze, his magnetic voice came through: “Don’t cry. I’ll let you hear something fun.”
Something fun?
Xia Ze received a short audio clip from Qi Jing. What played in the audio was “General Qi is so wonderful. I’ll never leave General Qi.”
Qi Jing’s voice followed immediately: “A sleep aid video. Extremely effective.”
Huh???
Using this as a sleep aid video?!
Xia Ze’s sadness vanished instantly, he nearly sat straight up in bed!
“I only said that to provoke the Duchess! Don’t take it seriously!”
Qi Jing didn’t seem to care, deliberately teasing: “You sleep in my bed, I use your video to sleep. Isn’t that fair?”
Fair?!
How is that fair?!
This is completely inappropriate!
Aren’t you supposed to be out fighting battles? How do you even have time to make things like this?!
Xia Ze was clearly pouting.
And that line was so embarrassing, he hadn’t even realized he sounded like he was whining when he said it.
Was his tone really like that back then?
Qi Jing gently stroked Xia Ze’s image on the screen, murmuring, “Things outside will be resolved soon. Wait for me to come back.”
Successfully soothed by his voice, Xia Ze tugged the blanket up and mumbled, “Mm.”
“Okay.”
General Qi’s voice was just too pleasant, if anything, his voice should be used for sleep aid videos.
Xia Ze could definitely fall asleep to a voice like that.
The sleeping Xia Ze didn’t notice the video call was still connected, only ending when the device ran out of battery.
Qi Jing glared impatiently at the darkened screen before firing another shot at the now-cleared battlefield of the remote planet: “Who’s your leader? Get out here.”
The row of bound space pirates didn’t dare utter a word.
What kind of low-tier pirates were they, to have this demon personally lead a squad to wipe them out?
Had their ranking on the pirate leaderboard risen or something?
This made no sense.
On the desolate, nameless planet, amidst swirling yellow sand, Qi Jing put away his communicator and planted his military boot squarely on the pirate leader’s face, the already swollen features distorting under the pressure.
“Talk. Who’s pulling the strings?”
The pirate didn’t dare bluster anymore, wishing he could sink into the ground.
Why had he been so greedy? Why had he done this?
And targeted Qi Jing’s wife, no less he really wanted to live a few more years.
“I swear, it was just some anonymous email! They said to use my account to pay off those media outlets, direct them to do those things. And then, then they’d give me a gold mine!”
Even in the interstellar era, gold mines remained rare. In the black markets of any planet, gold could still be used as currency.
Exchanging untraceable interstellar credits which pirates couldn’t even spend for practical gold? He hadn’t hesitated.
Now, it was too late for regrets!
Qi Jing had stormed straight into their hideout!
“Pull up the email. Every single record of your communication not a single word missing,” Qi Jing said coldly.
With his life in someone else’s hands, what choice did he have?
Qi Jing gazed at the sand-choked planet before turning to his adjutant. “I heard there’s a planet nearby with a unique plant something called a desert rose?”
His subordinates, Ding Ruimu and Lei Chen, were clueless.
Qi Jing clicked his tongue. “Single dogs. Of course you wouldn’t know.”
???
Fine, they didn’t know!
But they could look it up on the star-net!
After checking, he couldn’t help but remark, “The Natural Science Academy has offered such a high bounty in star credits, yet no one’s willing to pick it. The surrounding environment must be extremely dangerous.”
The Natural Science Academy frequently posted bounties for rare plants. Some soldiers, when not engaged in combat, would occasionally gather special plants to claim the rewards.
After all, the Academy’s dean was notoriously generous when it came to plants.
Not to mention the bounty hunters who specialized in scouring various regions for flora.
Yet none of these groups had managed to obtain the desert rose, leaving it still ranked among the top ten on the bounty list.
And now their general wanted to pick it?
Qi Jing raised an eyebrow. “Is it really that dangerous? I’m not so sure.”
Ding Ruimu and Lei Chen promptly shut their mouths.
They’d overthought this!
If General Qi couldn’t retrieve the desert rose, no one else stood a chance!
Qi Jing’s expression turned serious. “Conduct a thorough search of this entire area. Don’t overlook any details.”
A mere space pirate wouldn’t have reason to slander his fiancée.
They needed to uncover whoever was behind this first.
When he returned, he’d bring the rose to meet him.
