Chapter 23: Logging Out of the Virtual Realm

While eating, Shi Chan shared with Xi Ming about the virtual realm designer, and Xi Ming agreed to accompany him to meet the designer.

By noon, Shi Chan logged into the virtual realm and added Xi Ming’s virtual account to his contacts, but he waited for quite some time without receiving an approval.

A few minutes later, a newly registered account sent Shi Chan a friend request.

Shi Chan looked at it for a moment before approving.

[Xi: I’m coming to find you]**

[Chan: Xi?] Shi Chan hesitated before replying, as he knew Xi Ming’s reputation in the Star Network, and he feared he might mistake someone else, so he didn’t even type the full name.

[Xi: It’s me.] The new account had a nickname that looked randomly generated.

Shi Chan relaxed upon receiving the reply and sent his location. A few seconds later, a male avatar dressed in default clothes appeared next to Shi Chan.

Shi Chan felt a bit uncomfortable as he had to look up at the person, who was about half a head taller than him.

“Where to?” Because the avatar was data-processed, Xi Ming’s voice sounded slightly different from reality, but it was enough for Shi Chan to confirm that it was Xi Ming.

“It’s not yet time. Let’s just walk around for now,” Shi Chan said, looking up at Xi Ming and asking, “Do you mind going to a place with more people, like the food planet? I usually hang out there when I have free time.”

Xi Ming didn’t mind. “Sure, let’s go there.”

The virtual realm avatar Xi Ming used was different from his real-life appearance, with a face shape bought from the store, making it unrecognizable.

Shi Chan had also altered his appearance in the Star Network to be different from his real-life one, so he wouldn’t attract attention. Furthermore, since Shi Chan hadn’t disclosed his omega status in the virtual realm, no one paid attention to them, even though they were on the busy food planet.

However, Xi Ming seemed a bit out of place in the crowd, frowning throughout, with his gaze gradually shifting towards Shi Chan.

Although their appearances in the virtual realm were different, the atmosphere between them was still the same. Xi Ming didn’t care much about food and stopped eating after a bit, watching as Shi Chan ordered dish after dish, eating gracefully and elegantly.

Xi Ming’s thoughts shifted, and he blurted out, “We should get a robot chef for the house, right?”

Shi Chan looked up at him.

Shi Chan had actually considered this idea, but after spending some time with Xi Ming, he realized that Xi Ming didn’t like interacting with strangers, and perhaps even preferred to avoid contact with anyone other than him. So, Shi Chan gave up on the idea.

Now that Xi Ming brought up the subject of the robot chef again, Shi Chan thought for a moment before declining. “There’s no need. Actually, robot chefs each have their strengths, but the food they make in unfamiliar fields isn’t as good as machines. Now, with how convenient the virtual realm is, if I want to eat, I can just come here or order takeout.”

Xi Ming wasn’t keen on having anyone else in his home either and regretted speaking about the robot chef. He didn’t press further and accepted Shi Chan’s refusal.

In the afternoon, Shi Chan took Xi Ming to meet the designer as scheduled.

Shi Chan had made the appointment in the virtual realm, and the designer had no idea who the client truly was, nor did they know that the person beside Shi Chan was the infamous Xi Ming from the Star Network, so the designer was very polite.

While Shi Chan communicated with the designer, Xi Ming quietly sat next to him. His gaze moved downward, landing on Shi Chan’s hand resting on his lap. He paused for a moment, then gently pulled it into his own hand, holding it tightly.

The interaction between AOs in this era was naturally close, and Xi Ming’s actions didn’t attract the attention of the other two people in the room. Shi Chan had grown used to Xi Ming’s “touching” behavior and responded by curling his fingers slightly before continuing to chat with the designer.

After Shi Chan finalized a few design options with the designer, Xi Ming’s arm had already wrapped around Shi Chan’s waist, holding him tightly.

Xi Ming usually sat in a wheelchair, so the only way he could hold Shi Chan was for Shi Chan to sit on his lap. But in the virtual realm, his virtual body was no longer bound by the effects of his leg disability. Sitting side by side on the sofa with Shi Chan, Xi Ming found this experience to be new and different, though the only thing he missed was not being able to smell Shi Chan’s pheromones in the virtual realm.

The designer, observing the couple, smiled and teased, “You two seem to have a good relationship.”

Shi Chan felt the pressure around his waist and gave the designer a polite smile in return. He stood up, pulling Xi Ming with him. “We’ll leave now.”

“Alright, the clothes will be delivered in about half a month,” the designer nodded and escorted them out.

As soon as they left the designer’s place, the two teleported to the center of a plaza.

Shi Chan’s main purpose for logging into the virtual realm today was to meet with the designer. Now that the goal was achieved, he had no other plans.

As he was about to suggest leaving the virtual realm, he noticed something was off with Xi Ming. Although he had been fine earlier at the designer’s, now Shi Chan could feel the surging emotions that Xi Ming was trying to suppress under a calm exterior.

“…I heard that General Xu made another achievement. Truly, he’s a hero of the Empire.”

“Which General Xu? He’s already a Major General now.”

“Major General?! Has he been promoted so quickly?”

“Yeah, he’s a real man of ability and responsibility, unlike that useless person who caused so many problems for the Empire!”

“Don’t even mention that person. Just hearing his name disgusts me. Let’s talk about Major General Xu. I heard the royal family is going to hold a promotion ceremony for him. Do you know when it is?”

“It should be in the next few months. It’ll definitely be publicized. The Sixth Prince even said online that it’s going to be a big event.”

“The Sixth Prince, huh. Speaking of which, his reputation has been growing more and more these years. I used to favor the Third Prince.”

“The Third Prince is a lost cause. He’s just the son of a concubine. No matter how talented he is, he won’t make a good emperor. He even framed his own brother. Someone like that shouldn’t be the next emperor of the Empire. The Sixth Prince, on the other hand, is different. He’s the legitimate son of the Empress, smart, and not only exposed the Third Prince’s schemes but also cleared his other brothers’ names.”

“Seems like the Sixth Prince really is impressive…”

As the conversation faded away, Xi Ming’s mood seemed to worsen, his emotions roiling, and his avatar flickered a couple of times before being forcibly logged out of the virtual realm.

Seeing this, Shi Chan quickly followed suit, exiting the virtual realm. He tried to make sense of what he had just heard and Xi Ming’s reaction—Xu Li Han, the Sixth Prince, the Third Prince… who was it that triggered Xi Ming’s emotional change?

Opening his eyes in the real world, Shi Chan quickly removed the virtual interface, gently set Feifei, who had been lying on his lap, down on the ground, and hurried to Xi Ming’s room.

“How are you feeling?” As soon as Shi Chan entered the room, he felt the heavy presence of pheromones and the chaotic mental energy filling the space.

Shi Chan skillfully calmed Xi Ming’s turbulent emotions with his own spiritual power.

Xi Ming, who had been closing his eyes and enduring the pain, slightly opened them when he heard Shi Chan’s arrival. Looking at Shi Chan, his voice was hoarse as he whispered, “Come here.” Dangerous undertones of desire and anger were faintly detectable.

Shi Chan didn’t hesitate, walking toward Xi Ming. As Xi Ming pulled him into his lap, Shi Chan leaned into him and began calming his chaotic mental energy.

Xi Ming’s fingers trembled slightly as he gently rubbed the back of Shi Chan’s neck, attempting to suppress the fury and hatred in his eyes.

Lowering his gaze, he looked at the omega in his arms, his fingers pausing for a moment.

“Xi Ming…” Shi Chan called out softly, his expression full of concern and questions.

“Bow your head,” the hoarse but firm command sounded in Shi Chan’s ear.

Shi Chan hesitated for a moment but ultimately obeyed. He lowered his head to expose the back of his neck, closing his eyes and fully accepting the intense pheromones Xi Ming was injecting into him.

It seemed that Xi Ming found a channel to release all his pent-up emotions, transferring everything to Shi Chan. He held him tightly, kissing him, marking him with his pheromones.

“Xi Ming…” The low cry was full of pleading, breathless, almost on the edge of tears.

The amount of pheromones Xi Ming injected was far greater than usual, and Shi Chan, who had already gotten used to his pheromones, now felt a burning sensation all over his body. He felt suffocated, his mouth and throat filled with the taste of Xi Ming’s pheromones.

After a long while, Xi Ming withdrew from the overwhelming emotions, looking down at Shi Chan, who was now flushed, looking almost drunk. His eyes darkened, and his hand gently caressed Shi Chan’s head. His voice became strained, hoarse yet somewhat strange as he murmured, “So obedient.”

His omega, truly obedient.

After a period of overwhelming temporary bonding, the room fell silent again. Shi Chan rested against Xi Ming’s chest, biting his lip lightly, and softly spoke, “I overheard what they said…”

The hand that had been soothing Shi Chan’s back froze.

“I feel like I’ve never asked you about what happened before,” Shi Chan looked up at Xi Ming, bracing his spiritual energy and mental power, ready in case Xi Ming’s emotions erupted again.

It was a long while before Xi Ming spoke again, his expression obscure. “There’s no evidence… it’s all gone.”

Shi Chan held Xi Ming’s hand, his voice gentle yet firm. “You don’t need evidence, I believe you.” He trusted the man who, even at the cost of his own life, would instinctively protect a stranger omega.

“Can you tell me the truth about 823?”