Watching General Qi’s expression, Xia Ze’s voice grew quieter, his words laced with growing guilt.
After all, he had been brought here specifically to handle the media and nobility. If he didn’t take it seriously, wouldn’t that be highly unprofessional?
Qi Jing repeated the last few words in a low voice, enunciating each syllable as if they carried immense weight: “No need to be so intimate.”
The statement made Xia Ze instinctively want to retreat. It wasn’t his fault, the Alpha-Omega dynamic in this world was just too overwhelming.
Soon, however, Qi Jing’s expression softened as he spoke again. “My apologies.”
“I’ve put you in an awkward position.”
Hearing the general say this, Xia Ze’s guilt surged once more. Maybe being a little more intimate wasn’t such a big deal, it was all just for show anyway.
His gaze flickered back to the emails on General Qi’s screen, filled not only with media skepticism but also doubts from the royal family and aristocracy.
What’s more, countless unopened messages were still pouring in, each recommending other Omegas. Everyone seemed obsessed with General Qi’s superior genes, as if he weren’t a person but some cold, calculated genetic specimen.
The attitude disgusted Xia Ze. Taking a deep breath, he said, “It’s fine. But, how do we do this?”
Though they had already scheduled their wedding, this was actually the first time they had spoken face-to-face in years.
Compared to the General Qi of the past, Xia Ze could clearly sense that he had grown even stronger now resembling an icy, unyielding weapon, exuding an intimidating sharpness.
Instinctively, Xia Ze feared him, yet deep down, he knew General Qi was an exceptionally good man.
The Qi family’s willingness to save a fallen wasteland of a planet, and the fact that he had rescued Xia Ze and his grandfather, proved he was an outstanding general.
That was precisely why Xia Ze was willing to repay the debt with a fake marriage.
Still, despite the scheduled wedding, the whole thing felt surreal to him.
Sitting up straight, Xia Ze lifted his small face with earnest determination, looking every bit the diligent student. “I’ll study hard learn how to fake a marriage properly.”
The boy’s seriousness amused Qi Jing, though the word “fake” still grated on his ears.
Choosing to ignore it, Qi Jing pressed his lips briefly before leaning back comfortably on the sofa. “Take your time. There’s no rush.”
Though he said that, it was clear Qi Jing already had a plan. He continued, “If they find out this is a sham, the battlefield deployment will be delayed again.”
“So, in the meantime, we need to get used to each other’s lives. By the time we reach the capital planet, there can’t be any slip-ups.”
Xia Ze was practically ready to take notes. Fortunately, his memory was sharp, he could retain every word General Qi said.
This conversation also revealed more details to him.
Their wedding was set for July 7th, just two months away. Xia Ze didn’t need to worry about the arrangements; he and Qi Jing only had to arrive at the capital planet half a month before the ceremony.
But in this month and a half, they had to quickly grow accustomed to each other.
If anyone could tell at a glance that they were a fake couple, it would be disastrous.
Not just the royals even the aristocracy wouldn’t let it slide. And the interstellar public would never forgive them.
Especially General Qi’s fans.
Yes, Qi Jing had millions no, hundreds of millions of fans.
As a legendary general, his popularity across the galaxy had even surpassed that of the royal family at times.
Over the years, he had kept such a low profile, rarely appearing in the media with scant coverage, which had somewhat cooled his fervent fanbase.
Indeed, as a top-tier Alpha, his looks and physique made him the dream partner for countless people.
Just look at the barrage during Xia Ze’s past livestreams even on his remote streaming platform, there were so many fans of Qi Jing, let alone across the broader StarNet.
If people found out their marriage was fake, it would undermine Qi Jing’s authority in leading the military.
But that wasn’t the main concern.
If exposed, Xia Ze, a Beta pretending to be an Omega would face collective backlash from the royal family, nobility, and fans, becoming public enemy number one.
The sheer volume of criticism that would follow was unimaginable.
In short:
They couldn’t get caught.
Exposure would be disastrous!
Not only did they have to hide the fake marriage, but also his identity as a Beta.
He had to play the role of a genuine Omega flawlessly throughout their marriage.
Seeing fear in the boy’s eyes, Qi Jing reassured him, “Don’t worry, nothing will go wrong.”
“You being a Beta, only I know that.”
With him around, no mishaps would occur.
Xia Ze glanced up at him repeatedly before murmuring, “Would things be simpler if I were an Omega?”
Qi Jing inhaled the scentless air around them. As a top Alpha, he could usually detect any trace of pheromones.
This complete absence confirmed one thing: the person before him was a Beta. So without suspicion, he assumed the boy was either scared or insecure about being a Beta.
Though Qi Jing didn’t care about such distinctions, many still took pride in presenting as Alphas or Omegas, given their superior mental prowess over Betas.
Thinking the boy felt inadequate, Qi Jing softened and leaned down. “It wouldn’t be simpler.”
“Besides, I don’t like Omegas.”
As if to emphasize, he added, “Too troublesome.”
Flustered, Xia Ze missed the subtext, his mind flooded with shock.
An Alpha who dislikes Omegas?
Every media outlet, novel, and show portrayed AO or BB pairings as the norm.
General Qi was truly an exception.
This statement left Xia Ze conflicted.
His earlier hesitation wasn’t out of fear or insecurity, he’d been debating whether to reveal his Omega status.
Now, it seemed unnecessary?
Explaining would be too complicated anyway.
Here he was, a Beta-passing Omega, mistaken by the empire’s general as a real Beta, now asked to fake being an Omega in a sham marriage.
Xia Ze shook his head. Once Qi Jing returned from the battlefield, their contract would dissolve automatically. No need to complicate things.
Resolved, he met the general’s gaze with determination, he’d play the perfect fake spouse!
Watching the boy’s expressive face, Qi Jing found it unbearably cute and pinched his cheek.
“Since we’ve agreed, we’ll start living together today.”
Nothing built intimacy faster than cohabitation.
Over the next month and a half, they would be together until their wedding on the main planet.
Living together, getting married.
No matter how you put it, it sounded strange.
Xia Ze quickly rubbed his face it was all fake, completely fake.
For the sake of repaying a debt of gratitude, for the sake of obtaining those blue planet plant seeds after the divorce, he would do his best!
Just as Xia Ze finished mentally preparing himself, he noticed the book by General Qi’s side. The bold title was impossible to ignore.
The Self-Cultivation of an Omega
???
Omega, self-cultivation?
What kind of nonsense was this?
Qi Jing picked up the book beside him and said seriously, “One more thing starting today, you’ll also need to learn how to pretend to be an Omega.”
The main planet was full of shrewd people. The slightest slip-up would give them away.
So, this had to be executed flawlessly.
Xia Ze was even more dumbfounded.
Being an Omega who was mistaken for a Beta was one thing.
But now he had to pretend to be an Omega?
Acting like myself? How bizarre!
