Chapter 19: A Gifted Pet

When connecting to the Virtual Domain using one’s mind, the physical body still retains a degree of awareness. If someone nearby shouts or creates a loud noise, the user can still perceive it within the Virtual Domain.

Although the technology in this world has advanced to the point where reality could be completely blocked out, doing so might lead to avoidable accidents such as fires or thefts. Therefore, all Virtual Domain interfaces on the market are semi-blocking—they weaken physical sensations while enhancing the five senses in the virtual world. This setup ensures a highly immersive experience in quiet environments while mitigating potential risks.

Because of this, when Xi Ming entered the room and approached, Shi Chan was already somewhat aware. However, since he was engrossed in reading an article and Xi Ming didn’t call for him, Shi Chan assumed it wasn’t urgent and chose to finish the article before logging out.

When Shi Chan opened his eyes, he was startled to see Xi Ming’s fingers hovering just above his neck.

Shi Chan dared not move, softly blinking in response.

Xi Ming’s movement paused, and his gaze shifted upward.

Seeing Shi Chan’s clear eyes, which carried a hint of curiosity but no rejection, Xi Ming stopped suppressing his desires. He tightened his arm and directly pulled the omega from the sofa into his lap, letting Shi Chan sit on his thighs.

Xi Ming leaned closer, inhaling the faint scent of Shi Chan’s neck.

Shi Chan felt the ticklish sensation of Xi Ming’s soft hair brushing against his skin. Although it made him a little itchy, he relaxed his body and allowed Xi Ming to hold him, his voice gentle. “Is it a headache again?”

Xi Ming tightened his embrace, holding the omega even closer, savoring the warm body in his arms.

“Mm,” Xi Ming murmured after a moment, his deep voice brushing against Shi Chan’s ear as if confirming the omega’s guess.

Shi Chan’s eyes filled with concern, and he immediately released his spiritual energy to intertwine with Xi Ming’s, slowly soothing and comforting him.

Meanwhile, Xi Ming’s hand moved gently along Shi Chan’s waist, feeling the omega’s compliance. Only then did the inexplicable emotions brewing in his heart gradually calm down.

Holding Shi Chan, Xi Ming moved to the bed. As Shi Chan’s gaze shifted to the box beside them, Xi Ming spoke. “It’s for you.”

“For me?” Shi Chan’s eyes lit up with surprise and a touch of uncertainty. “What is it?”

“Open it, and you’ll find out.” Xi Ming released him and rolled back slightly, leaving Shi Chan enough space to unwrap the gift.

Glancing at Xi Ming, Shi Chan then turned his attention to the box and began unwrapping it.

Inside the packaging was a futuristic, semi-transparent incubator filled with insulating materials to keep its contents warm.

Shi Chan’s eyes widened slightly in surprise and delight because, inside the incubator, there was an egg!

Just as Shi Chan was about to turn and ask, Xi Ming spoke again, “Stay where you are. The moment you opened the box, the egg began to hatch. In a few minutes, it’ll break out of the shell and recognize the first person it sees as its master.”

Hearing this, Shi Chan, though still unsure what kind of egg it was, instinctively froze in place. His gaze, now filled with anticipation, focused on the incubator.

Inside, the egg gave a slight shake. About ten seconds later, there was a crisp “crack,” and a crack appeared on the shell.

The sound was like the opening note of a symphony. Soon, other cracks followed, and pieces of the shell began to fall away, leaving a sizable opening. Shi Chan, holding his breath, stared unblinkingly, barely daring to breathe.

A few minutes later, a small creature with soft, fluffy white fur cautiously and clumsily poked its head out of the shell, locking eyes with Shi Chan. Its pair of black, glistening eyes were full of innocence.

The little creature hadn’t even fully climbed out of the shell before letting out a faint, high-pitched cry—soft, babyish, and urgent. It instinctively turned toward Shi Chan’s direction, using its tiny pink claws to grip the edge of the shell as it struggled to climb out faster.

“What is this?” Shi Chan asked, unfamiliar with the species, even as the small creature fully emerged. It looked soft and tiny, with two relatively long ears that drooped weakly behind its head. Its four little legs wobbled, and it fell after every few steps. A pair of wing-like appendages on its back seemed disproportionately small and were covered in white fluff. It likely couldn’t fly far, if at all. A tail as long as half its body trailed behind it.

“It’s a Lirong Beast, a specialty of Lixing,” Xi Ming explained, observing the creature in the incubator. He mentally added its characteristics: fragile, mischievous, and clingy. It would need constant companionship, requiring at least ten hours of interaction daily. If left alone for more than three days, it could become depressed or even self-destructive.

Due to its high maintenance needs and the excessive time required from its owner, this pet wasn’t popular on the Capital Star. Xi Ming had spent a considerable amount on the dark web to acquire one.

The Lirong Beast had a slow adaptability to new environments and was best raised in a fixed location. Its small size meant a single room could provide enough space for its activities, eliminating the need for outdoor walks.

Xi Ming narrowed his eyes, thinking about how nice it would be to keep both the Lirong Beast and Shi Chan “domesticated” at home, living together in this secluded old mansion—unseen, untouched, and timeless.

“Oh, there’s a care guide here,” Shi Chan said, entirely unaware of Xi Ming’s thoughts. Smiling, he pulled out a small booklet from under the incubator. The cover featured a fluffy white animal, presumably an adult Lirong Beast, looking both adorable and harmless.

Shi Chan flipped through it quickly, scanning the contents. It seemed to be a standard care manual, explaining how to raise the Lirong Beast during its juvenile, adult, and elder stages.

Meanwhile, the newly hatched Lirong Beast had wobbled to the side of the incubator closest to Shi Chan, pressing against the glass. Unaware of what glass was, it continued trying to reach Shi Chan, its cries growing more pitiful.

Shi Chan couldn’t bear to hear it. He immediately crouched down and pressed his finger to the glass where the little creature’s head was. The Lirong Beast quieted, seemingly comforted, and soon fell asleep, its tiny body stubbornly pressed against the glass where Shi Chan’s finger rested.

Seeing the small creature’s sleeping posture, Shi Chan’s heart melted. Fluffy baby animals were truly the cutest beings in the world.

When he turned back to Xi Ming, his eyes still sparkled with affection for the little creature, and a smile played on his lips. “Thank you. It’s so adorable. I really love this gift.”

“Glad you like it,” Xi Ming replied, watching Shi Chan’s delighted expression.

Shi Chan hesitated. “Can I name it?”

“It’s yours now. Name it whatever you like,” Xi Ming said.

After thinking for a moment, Shi Chan said, “Lirong Beast… Lirong… no, let’s go with Rong. How about Rong Feifei? Little Feifei! I hope it’ll grow strong enough to fly.”

Xi Ming watched Shi Chan, whose eyes glimmered with joy, and couldn’t help but feel captivated.