The travel plan for the planets was arranged by Lu Tao. His itinerary was all over the place; if they followed his route, they would almost traverse the entire Northern Star System. It seemed pretty difficult to trace Cheng Jin’s whereabouts based on his path. However, the journey he arranged wasn’t exhausting at all. After all, there weren’t many tourist spots on the list—they mostly just planned to visit iconic buildings. They set out late but arrived early, always checking into the most comfortable hotels and enjoying unique meals. The small military spacecraft made it easy to take off and land, so Cheng Jin didn’t have to expend any extra energy.

You could say this was a very relaxed trip. Cheng Jin understood that Lu Tao was taking care of his health. Traveling together allowed him to feel Lu Tao’s thoughtfulness and consideration, which was completely different from the “Lu Tao No. 2” he had known. While he felt anxious, he also experienced a bit of awkwardness.

The reason for this confusion was that, over the past half-month, they hadn’t shared any sexual intimacy. They shared kisses and embraced, and occasionally Lu Tao would take the initiative to hold his hand or help him relieve himself once, but they never had actual sex. At first, Cheng Jin thought it was because Lu Tao was concerned about his health, but after their check-up on Planet 21, the doctor had said he was fit for less intense activities. Yet, that night, Lu Tao still didn’t touch him.

Cheng Jin couldn’t figure out why. If it were about his lack of charm, it was clear that Lu Tao still got hard. Was he lying? Did he not truly accept Cheng Jin and was just playing along for the sake of the child, unable to overcome the psychological hurdle and thus avoiding him?

Cheng Jin felt insecure and even feared that the closeness they had experienced over the past few days was just a dream, and when he woke up, he would have nothing left. He wanted to ask Lu Tao why they didn’t have sex. He knew that if he asked, Lu Tao would definitely answer, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

To directly ask such a thing would make him seem desperate, although he truly craved it.

Once they checked into another hotel—this one on Planet 20, the largest in the Northern Star System with a population exceeding one hundred million and double the area of a geothermal planet—the weather was much warmer, at least sunny. This planet was their last stop on the journey. After this, they would fly straight back to the Imperial Planet.

They arrived at night, and the nightlife here seemed particularly vibrant. Cheng Jin had never seen so many lights in any city before; colorful and brightening the sky. People bustled on both sides of the street, and there were many eateries with various kinds of food, including cooking styles Cheng Jin had never encountered before. As he passed by a street vendor, he caught a whiff of a strange fragrance. Unable to resist, he looked over and found a barbecue stall nearby; that was where the delicious smell came from.

There was no barbecue on the Imperial Planet, and Cheng Jin had never seen it anywhere else. He had only learned about “barbecue” after coming here. Skewers of food were placed over charcoal to grill and seasoned with various spices, the aroma wafting through the air, making one’s mouth water—especially when the meat sizzled and oozed oil. Just looking at it made it seem incredibly delicious.

Cheng Jin swallowed several times, wanting to try some, but Lu Tao wouldn’t let him eat. The reason? “It’s not good for your health.”

While waiting to check into their room, Cheng Jin couldn’t stop thinking about that enticing smell, his gaze drifting outside. Lu Tao clearly noticed his behavior but didn’t seem affected. After getting the room key, he said, “If you’re hungry, I’ll take you to eat something else. This is the food planet; there are dishes here even tastier than barbecue.”

Cheng Jin’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really?”

Seeing the sparkle in his eyes, Lu Tao couldn’t help but slightly curve his lips before quickly masking it. “Really.”

After dropping off their luggage, Cheng Jin was eager to head out, exclaiming, “So this place is called the Food Planet, huh? I had no idea!”

“The official name isn’t this; it’s normal not to know. It’s a name the public came up with. The real Food Planet is in the Eastern Star System, known for its seafood. However, due to high prices, regular folks can’t afford it. They don’t cater to commoners either, so generally, rich people from the Imperial Planet travel there. It’s rare for them to choose this place.”

Cheng Jin replied, “Is that Planet 3? I know about it. I once begged my brother to take me there, but he refused, saying it’s chaotic.”

“It’s not chaotic,” Lu Tao replied calmly. “The crime rate in the third star system is the second lowest in the world, only after the Imperial Planet.”

“Really? Then why didn’t my brother take me?” Cheng Jin asked, confused.

Lu Tao glanced at him and said, “Maybe he’s afraid you’d be influenced badly. Alongside the A-grade cuisine, it also has the largest casino and nightclubs in the world.”

“Oh…” Cheng Jin couldn’t help but look at him. “You know so much. Have you… been there?”

Lu Tao said, “I’ve only been there to carry out a mission; I didn’t participate in anything else.”

Hearing this, Cheng Jin felt relieved and smiled again. The temperature here was around twelve degrees Celsius, which was considered cold compared to the Southern Star System but warm like spring compared to the extreme North Star System. Oddly enough, people on the street wore clothes for all seasons—down jackets, sweaters, long-sleeved T-shirts, and even some in short sleeves, which was quite astonishing.

The entire street was bustling with vendors shouting and selling, yet the ground remained clean and tidy, showing no signs of littering. Lu Tao quickly led him into a restaurant. Once seated, Cheng Jin noticed a paper menu on the table. He picked it up and exclaimed, “They have hotpot here!” He swallowed hard. “I want spicy!”

“No.” Lu Tao gently took the menu from his hands. “Try the mushroom soup hotpot instead; it’s a local specialty.”

Cheng Jin nodded reluctantly.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like mushrooms, but during their meals together, Lu Tao had forbidden him from touching any spicy dishes, so he couldn’t help but feel tempted.

The hotpot base was soon served, and the ingredients Lu Tao ordered were all nutritious, including some of Cheng Jin’s favorites. After eating a few bites, his nose was drawn back to the barbecue smell, and he couldn’t help but plead softly, “Lu Tao, can I have one skewer of barbecue? Just one?”

Lu Tao first glanced toward his stomach, then met his gaze. “Do you think you’re fit for heavy-flavored food right now?”

Cheng Jin bit his lip, looking a bit aggrieved. Just as he was about to give up, Lu Tao stood up and said, “Only one skewer. I’ll go buy it for you.”

Cheng Jin immediately felt joyful.

There was no barbecue served in the hotpot restaurant, so Lu Tao walked outside. Cheng Jin watched him open the glass door and cross the street, his heart fluttering with excitement.

It seemed Lu Tao really wasn’t avoiding sex for his health; it was not an act at all.

Cheng Jin happily took a sip of the soup when suddenly someone approached him, leaning down to whisper, “Excuse me, do you need any films? I have the latest adult films here, both male-female and male-male.”

The person looked around seventeen or eighteen, wearing a baseball cap and appearing quite clever, carrying a bulging black bag.

Cheng Jin was a bit startled, questioning his life choices. “You’re… selling adult films here?”

“Food and sex are human nature. They say that when one is well-fed, desires arise. I can see you and your partner seem to have a good relationship. Don’t you need something to spice up your couple’s intimacy tonight?” The person winked, adding, “It’s very cheap! We can even use balance for payment—fifty credits for one film.”

Cheng Jin glanced outside and noticed Lu Tao was still in line, so he felt a little more at ease and lowered his voice to ask, “What’s a film? Isn’t that something you watch on a screen?”

“Hey, you must be from the Imperial Planet, right? We don’t all have that advanced stuff here.” He pulled out a DVD from his bag. “This is a film. In our hotel, there are machines that can play it; you get to enjoy it on a big screen. Nothing can compare to a small screen.”

The DVD had colorful stickers on it, and just looking at it made Cheng Jin blush and his heart race. He felt a bit willing but worried, “What if he doesn’t want to…?”

“Such a good-looking customer, how could your partner not want it? Why not give him a couple of drinks first, then play this film? You’re guaranteed to get him right where you want him.”

In the end, Cheng Jin bought a film. He was too shy to even read the summary and quickly paid. He hid the half-palm-sized DVD in his coat pocket and called for a bottle of wine.

When Lu Tao returned with a skewer of barbecue, Cheng Jin had just poured him a glass of white liquor.

Lu Tao glanced at the glass of liquor and then noticed the redness in Cheng Jin’s ears. “What’s going on?”

Cheng Jin shook his head in a feigned manner and said softly, “I just thought this atmosphere was more suitable for drinking.”

“You can’t drink.”

“I’m not drinking, of course not; I’m replacing it with water.” Cheng Jin took the skewer and sniffed it eagerly. “It smells so good! What kind of meat is this?”

“Beef.”

Cheng Jin hurriedly took a bite of the steaming skewer, the flavor bursting in his mouth as he exclaimed, “So good! This is delicious!” Then, he nonchalantly added, “You don’t have to carry out any missions for now; we’re not in a hurry to leave tomorrow. Just have a drink; it won’t hurt.”

Lu Tao stared at the glass of liquor, contemplating for a few seconds before finally lifting it and downing it in one go. When he tilted his head back, Cheng Jin caught a glimpse of his Adam’s apple moving, stirring something in his heart, as if he had returned to the moment they first met. Back then, Lu Tao was drinking water, and Cheng Jin couldn’t take his eyes off him.

Caught in his reverie, Cheng Jin noticed Lu Tao had set down the glass and said casually, “Only this one drink. Don’t try to persuade me again.”

Seeing him like this, Cheng Jin didn’t dare to press for more liquor and quickly shook his head, obediently munching on his meat skewer. He meticulously gnawed on the skewer until he almost wanted to lick the bamboo stick clean before reluctantly putting it down. He wiped his mouth with a napkin when suddenly he noticed something wasn’t right.

Lu Tao, sitting across from him, was propping his forehead with his hand… sleeping?

Cheng Jin froze for a moment, thinking he was mistaken. He couldn’t help but wave his hand in front of Lu Tao. The husband quickly reacted, sitting up straight almost immediately, and looked at him. “What is it?”

Having been too focused on Lu Tao, Cheng Jin’s not-so-keen observation skills finally kicked in at this moment. He hesitated for a while before cautiously asking, “Are you… drunk?”