Chapter 25: Resolving the Xi Family

Xi Ming’s gaze darkened involuntarily as he looked at the omega on the bed. He casually grabbed the swaying ankle and then wrapped his palm around Shi Chan’s calf before asking, just before Shi Chan could struggle, “Is it boring being cooped up in the room all day?”

Shi Chan didn’t pay attention to Xi Ming’s hand, instead shaking his terminal and answering, “Not boring, there are plenty of games on the star net.”

Recently, Shi Chan no longer had to spend his days reading so much information related to radiation, which freed up some time for him to enjoy his mini-games. Whether it was the holographic games in the virtual domain or the screen games directly controlled by his terminal, they helped him pass the time.

“What kind of games are you playing?” Xi Ming leaned in closer.

In the past, Xi Ming knew his life wouldn’t be long, so his conversations with Shi Chan were few, mostly revolving around daily meals, mental support, and his physical condition. He never dared to inquire too much into Shi Chan’s personal preferences or thoughts.

But now, knowing he could live for a longer time, Xi Ming couldn’t help but become curious about Shi Chan’s life.

Shi Chan didn’t mind Xi Ming’s probing. When he saw Xi Ming leaning closer, he shared the screen of his terminal with him. “Just some time-killing games, they’re pretty boring.”

Xi Ming ran his hand through Shi Chan’s hair as he watched him play the game on the screen. After a while, he spoke, “Would you like to go for a walk outside?”

“Outside?” Shi Chan looked up at Xi Ming.

As far as Shi Chan knew, there were many places on Capital Star that restricted high-radiation patients like Xi Ming from entering. The spacecraft also had detection facilities because high radiation could interfere with their equipment and pose safety risks.

It could be said that Xi Ming’s high radiation was like a natural shackle, keeping him bound to this planet, to his home.

Xi Ming knew his condition, and his expression darkened for a moment as he explained, “To the garden. You’ve been here for so many days, but you haven’t really walked around the garden.”

Shi Chan’s eyes brightened. “When can we go out? Will we go together?”

“Tomorrow, together,” Xi Ming said, slowly flattening Shi Chan’s calf that he had been holding. He then reached out and straightened Shi Chan’s sleep pants. “Alright, you can go back now.”

“Mm.” Shi Chan responded and, after getting up from the bed, bent down to hug Xi Ming. His voice was gentle. “I’ll reduce your radiation levels as soon as possible. Once they’re below the alert threshold, you’ll be able to go anywhere.”

Xi Ming looked at Shi Chan and softly said, “Alright.”

Below the alert threshold… and he wouldn’t have to control their time together every day.

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Though the plants in the Xi family’s garden were managed by servants, they still seemed a bit rough since no one took the time to carefully tend to them.

However, Shi Chan, accustomed to the delicate landscaping at the Shi family’s estate, still found it somewhat interesting to stroll around the Xi family’s garden.

It had been a long time since Xi Ming had been outside, and the scenery, while familiar, felt strange.

At first, Shi Chan was just pushing Xi Ming’s wheelchair aimlessly, but after walking for a short while, Xi Ming reached out to hold his hand. Shi Chan then moved from behind the wheelchair to its side, matching his pace with Xi Ming’s.

Xi Ming looked at the delicate, pale hand in his and then glanced at Shi Chan’s exquisite appearance. He softly called out, “Chan Chan…”

“Hmm?” Shi Chan turned his head.

“Why isn’t your name ‘Cuican’ (meaning ‘brilliant’ or ‘sparkling’)? In my eyes, you’re like a star, brilliant and shining,” Xi Ming said. When he first met Shi Chan, he had thought that Shi Chan’s eyes resembled stars, shining brightly.

“I’m not sure either.” Shi Chan shrugged. “Maybe Shi Wen (my father) thought ‘Cuican’ was too common.”

After thinking about Shi Chan’s personality, Xi Ming’s gaze softened. “That makes sense. Actually, this ‘Chan’ suits you more.”

Like water—pure, gentle, and refined.

After Xi Ming was injured, he had never imagined an omega would be there to accompany him, but unexpectedly, Shi Chan came into his life.

Thinking of his past life, where there was no sign of Shi Chan, Xi Ming couldn’t help but wonder: Could it be that Shi Chan was a gift from the heavens in this life?

Beep beep beep—

Suddenly, the sound of a long-dormant terminal rang out.

Xi Ming glanced at the caller and immediately declined the call.

Shi Chan noticed Xi Ming’s action and asked, “Who was it?”

“It’s Xi Songkai. He must have gotten the news that I dismissed the servants,” Xi Ming explained.

As Xi Ming spoke, the person called again several times, with a relentless determination.

Eventually, Xi Ming answered the call. His tone, which had been gentle while speaking with Shi Chan, immediately turned cold. “What’s the matter?”

“Xi Ming, why didn’t you pick up Uncle’s call?” Xi Songkai’s voice came through, and Shi Chan could hear the warmth in it as well.

“How’s your health? I heard that things are going well with you and the omega…” It was all idle chitchat. Xi Ming, impatient with the conversation, interrupted. “What do you actually want to say? If there’s nothing, I’ll end this call.”

“Why are you still so impatient?” Xi Songkai scolded playfully before getting to the point. “I heard you’ve dismissed all the servants at your house. It would be better to keep some people around to help, otherwise, if anything happens, no one will be able to report it.”

When Xi Ming dismissed the servants yesterday, he didn’t give a specific reason. He simply pointed out a few minor faults with Zhang Shiyi, making him work for nothing during this time.

Zhang Shiyi vaguely felt that he had been exposed but wasn’t sure. In the end, he didn’t tell his contact about his issue but only mentioned that Xi Ming had dismissed everyone. When Xi Songkai learned of this, he didn’t realize that his true intentions had already been revealed to Xi Ming.

Xi Songkai’s warm words made Xi Ming feel nothing but cold indifference. “Don’t worry about me dying alone at home. There’s no need to alert anyone.”

Before Xi Songkai could say anything else, Xi Ming continued, “And you don’t need to waste any more effort trying to get shares from Shi Chan. I won’t let him help you.”

The Xi family had gained from Xi Ming’s “reputation,” and Xi Ming didn’t take revenge on Xi Songkai because of their years of familial ties, but there was no way he would help him now.

Knowing that Xi Songkai desperately needed the shares Shi Chan held, Xi Ming was even more determined not to let him succeed.

The other side of the communication fell silent.

After a long silence, Xi Songkai sighed, “Xi Ming… Uncle knows he’s wrong, but the Xi family has to survive. This company is also your parents’ hard work. I can’t go against the royal family.”

“And your issue—there’s no evidence left. Without proof, even if you speak out, it won’t change anything. It’ll only bring more targeting and retaliation. At least you’re still free now, with both sides in a temporary truce. But if things escalate, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to fabricate evidence. A little manipulation could lead to a prison sentence, and with your health, you can’t afford to go to prison. The Xi family is really struggling right now…”

His words sounded nice, but when he agreed to compensate the royal family, Xi Songkai hadn’t known that all the evidence was gone.

And freedom? A cold sneer flashed across Xi Ming’s eyes.

“I don’t want to hear about your issues, and I don’t want to get involved,” Xi Ming’s voice was calm, and his gaze turned toward the distance. “Don’t try to make moves here.” Otherwise, he had ways to have the Xi family removed from the top-tier families.

“You—” Xi Songkai wanted to say more, but was immediately cut off by Xi Ming, who hung up and blocked him.

Watching the repeated failed calls on his terminal, Xi Songkai seethed with anger. He threw a few things in his office in frustration but still didn’t dare to provoke Shi Chan or Xi Ming any further.

Shi Chan, in this life, had also severed ties with his parents. However, in his previous life, he had experienced far more betrayal, so he didn’t feel as heartbroken when severing blood ties. But now, he was worried that Xi Ming might not be able to bear the betrayal of his family.

Xi Ming was indeed quiet, but not because, as Shi Chan feared, he was heartbroken. He was deep in thought about the future.

If his health improved and his radiation levels dropped below the alert threshold, many restrictions would be lifted, and with some manipulation, he might even be able to leave Capital Star.

In his previous life, after being injured, his radiation levels remained dangerously high, trapping him on Capital Star and even confining him within the Xi family estate. When the war broke out, he was trapped and treated as a pawn to be handed over to the enemy.

Now, with the possibility of recovering, the first thing Xi Ming thought about was leaving Capital Star.

While Capital Star was the most prosperous planet in the empire, it had too many restrictions and inspections.

Xi Ming also planned to go against the empire, and in Capital Star, he was probably the only “traitor,” so it was better to head to some grey areas. Although the danger would increase, the chance of meeting like-minded “allies” would also be higher.

Xi Ming didn’t expect to cooperate with them, but it would be good to gather information that could be detrimental to the empire.

However… Xi Ming wasn’t sure if Shi Chan would be willing to leave Capital Star.

If it weren’t for Xi Ming’s issues with the empire, Capital Star was the most prosperous, safe, and omega-friendly place, making it ideal for omega living.

“You… don’t be too sad,” Shi Chan spoke easily when comforting Lan Ying, but when it came to comforting Xi Ming, he suddenly felt awkward. “Family doesn’t always stay harmonious, they can break apart. You’ll still have to live on your own in the future…”

These were words Shi Chan often told himself. Family, teachers, or friends might all part ways or even turn against each other. The future had to be walked alone.

“And you?” Xi Ming held Shi Chan’s hand tightly, his gaze fixed on him. “Will you leave me?”

Shi Chan bit his lip, and under Xi Ming’s intense gaze, he made his decision. “If you don’t make me leave, I will stay with you.”

Xi Ming’s eyes immediately burned with intensity. How could he let him leave?

Wasn’t that… for life?

“If… I want to leave Capital Star, would you go with me?” Although he should have hidden his thoughts, Xi Ming couldn’t help but ask.

Shi Chan blinked. “Leave Capital Star?”

“Yes, when my radiation levels drop below the alert threshold, I might leave Capital Star,” Xi Ming looked at Shi Chan, not wanting to miss any of his expressions. “I might go to a… more dangerous, remote planet.”

Shi Chan frowned slightly, and Xi Ming’s heart tightened. He almost smiled bitterly, but then heard Shi Chan say, “Even if your radiation levels drop, your body won’t recover that quickly. You can’t go to too dangerous a place.”

Xi Ming hadn’t really thought about that yet, but hearing Shi Chan’s concern, his heart felt sweet, like he’d just eaten honey, then sour and soft at the same time. After a moment of silence, he pulled Shi Chan into a tight embrace.

Shi Chan, still in Xi Ming’s arms, continued to think ahead. “If we leave, we should go to a remote place first to recover, then go to the place you want, and do what you want to do.”

“Okay.” Xi Ming’s throat tightened, and it took him a long time to say a single word.