ISMW Chapter 80

Yu Chen felt both had meaning.

 

Because life itself is meaningful, so “living” has meaning, and “dedication” also has meaning.

 

If Yu Chen had to choose between the two, he naturally hoped Yun Xunlan could live longer, but he couldn’t make any decisions for Yun Xunlan.

 

Moreover, Pei Xingting had clearly stated: Yun Xunlan didn’t accept the secondary differentiation treatment plan.

 

“…E-class.” So after answering Yun Xunlan’s question, Yu Chen lowered his gaze to avoid eye contact with the young man—both Yun Xunguang and Pei Xingting wanted him to ask Yun Xunlan whether he was willing to undergo secondary differentiation. Now that Yun Xunlan was awake, he was still struggling to decide between “asking or not asking.”

 

“About what I expected.” Yun Xunlan accepted this result well. “My body is no longer suitable for piloting mechas. Even using a life-support cocoon made from ‘XL Amber’ material, the acceleration I can withstand still can’t compare to a real SSS-level alpha.”

 

XL Amber was currently the best protective material available. Escape pods made with it had double the life-support performance.

 

Its emergence impacted the mainstream previous-generation protective materials used in escape pod manufacturing, and also put Yun Xunlan’s name on the black market bounty list—the 3 billion wasn’t really for manuscripts, but for the XL Amber material synthesis formula.

 

All these years, Yun Xunlan had been immersed in the laboratory, researching how to pilot 3S mechas with such a garbage body. Otherwise, if the acceleration during piloting exceeded his tolerance limit, it would easily disrupt his body’s self-healing balance, causing silverization values to spike and dissolve organs.

 

So when piloting other levels of mechas, he never used the pilot seat, immediately activating escape pod mode upon entry to give his body the best protection.

 

But SSS mechas had no escape devices. After great effort, Yun Xunlan finally developed “XL Amber” and had Jian Wenxi use it to custom-make a protective cocoon in the 3S mecha, which earned him this test drive opportunity on the experimental insect planet.

 

“Three hours is my piloting duration limit.” Yun Xunlan calculated the time limit for safely piloting 3S mechas. “But now that my body level has dropped to E-class, this time will also shorten. However, one hour should still be possible—longer than I imagined.”

 

“How long did you imagine?” Yu Chen asked him. “Half an hour?”

 

Yun Xunlan nodded: “Right, I only need half an hour.”

 

He looked up at Yu Chen.

 

The blue-eyed alpha wore a silver-gray guard uniform. Even sitting, his frame appeared exceptionally upright and tall, his chest muscles creating an obvious curve in his shirt, full of powerful beauty that made Yun Xunlan deeply envious.

 

“I really like your body, baby.”

 

Yun Xunlan reached out to directly touch Yu Chen’s chest, pressing twice. After pressing, he didn’t withdraw his hand, keeping it there as he said: “I wish I could be as hard as you.”

 

Yu Chen: “…”

 

His Highness the Prince’s ability to say things that left people speechless was as strong as ever.

 

But Yun Xunlan was thinking that if he had Yu Chen’s physique plus his bug-like mental power, wouldn’t he be able to soar when piloting 3S mechas? Also, was his reaction every time he saw Yu Chen undressed because what you can’t have is always tempting?

 

“The decline in physical strength levels isn’t irreversible. What’s truly difficult to break through is the upper limit.” Yu Chen tried to ignore Yun Xunlan’s hand on his chest, cupping his face and gently touching his forehead to the young man’s, comforting him warmly: “You were once SSS, and you will be again in the future.”

 

Yun Xunlan kept his right hand still while his left hand moved from shoulder to Yu Chen’s neck, feeling the arterial pulse under his palm: “But my future is probably only about four years at most—if I don’t undergo secondary differentiation.”

 

From E-class to F-class would take at most two years. After F-class, his glands would atrophy, he’d become a beta, and die within two years.

 

This cruel reality was suddenly exposed by Yun Xunlan without warning. Yu Chen was unprepared and couldn’t respond immediately.

 

Yun Xunlan asked him: “Imperial Sister should have told you about this, right?”

 

Yu Chen responded quietly, his voice as low as his emotions: “…Mm.”

 

Avoidance wasn’t the best way to solve problems.

 

Yu Chen’s barely audible sigh dissipated between his lips and teeth. He thought he should speak up, but just as he said “you,” the young man asked first: “Then would you want me to undergo secondary differentiation into an omega?”

 

After hearing this, Yu Chen was stunned for a moment.

 

He straightened his neck and looked up into Yun Xunlan’s eyes.

 

The young man didn’t dodge or avoid, seriously gazing at him with his golden eyes that had regained their sight, waiting for his answer.

 

“Why are you… asking me this question?” Yu Chen was somewhat confused. According to Yun Xunlan’s words, was he willing?

 

Yu Chen asked the same: “Are you willing?”

 

“Of course I’m willing.” The silver-haired alpha slightly furrowed his brows. “But baby, aren’t you gay—a double gay who likes male alphas?”

 

Yun Xunlan was only worried about this: “If I become an omega, then we’d become heterosexual in terms of secondary sexual characteristics. Could you still accept being with me?”

 

Yu Chen: “…”

 

“I like you as a person, always have.” Yu Chen told Yun Xunlan. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re alpha, beta, or omega.”

 

He recalled what he’d said when confessing to Yun Xunlan and reflected on his mistake: “Although I said I was gay back then, that was just to be with you.”

 

The system also froze for a moment upon hearing this, no longer nagging Yun Xunlan to do tasks, but couldn’t help sighing: “Yu Chen’s sexual orientation changes are way too flexible, aren’t they?”

 

This struck a chord with Yun Xunlan, who remembered the detours he’d taken during his “novice fish keeper” period, and also sighed: “Yes, he said he wasn’t gay to avoid being with me, then said he was gay to be with me.”

 

Completely unaware that his own sexual orientation changes were equally flexible.

 

“Fickle man.” After the system finished its commentary, its attitude even more changeable than Yu Chen’s, it began shrilly urging Yun Xunlan again: “Do tasks—!”

 

Yun Xunlan’s ears rang from the system’s noise.

 

He had been lying down for three consecutive days, three days without doing tasks, and was still in a state where he might suddenly die at any moment.

 

But strangely, when he was with Yu Chen, Yun Xunlan rarely felt the urgent sense of impending death. He ignored the system and prioritized giving his answer, wanting to ease his lover’s worries about him: “Then I’m willing to accept the secondary differentiation treatment plan.”

 

“…You agree?”

 

Such smoothness caught Yu Chen off guard instead. Afraid Yun Xunlan was saying one thing while meaning another, his blue eyes stared intently at the young man’s eyes, fearing he might miss any trace of reluctant emotion that appeared in the young man’s gaze.

 

Seeing this, Yun Xunlan curved his lips in a gentle smile: “They didn’t tell you the specific steps of secondary differentiation, did they? They only roughly mentioned that I need your pheromones?”

 

Yu Chen hummed: “Yes.”

 

“Then I’ll tell you.”

 

Yun Xunlan said: “Secondary differentiation isn’t that easy. The first step is temporary marking. If temporary marking is sufficient to bring about secondary differentiation, then the subsequent steps won’t be needed.”

 

Otherwise, more steps would be needed to help secondary differentiation complete successfully.

 

Before temporary marking begins, doctors would extract large amounts of Yu Chen’s pheromones as backup. When temporary marking fails, doctors would inject these pheromones into Yun Xunlan’s body intravenously—this is the second step.

 

If by this step Yun Xunlan still couldn’t undergo secondary differentiation, then they would proceed to the third step—permanent marking.

 

This is precisely where most alphas couldn’t accept this treatment technique.

 

Because alphas either have no reproductive cavity, or their reproductive cavity has completely degenerated and closed. How could they accommodate another alpha entering to form a knot and complete permanent marking? So for the former type of alpha, doctors would surgically create a reproductive cavity for them; while for the latter type, doctors would have them take special medications to make the degenerated reproductive cavity redevelop and open.

 

But regardless of which method, very few alphas could accept it.

 

Single alphas already couldn’t accept it, let alone alphas who already had partners and whose partners weren’t alphas but betas or omegas.

 

To ensure the success rate of secondary differentiation and the therapeutic effectiveness of pheromones, choosing 3S-level alphas to help patients complete secondary differentiation would be most perfect, but where could one find so many 3S-level alphas? And would they be willing to bind with another alpha to become destined partners?

 

It was too torturous—this was both physical and psychological torture, and this torture couldn’t be solved once and for all. Even if they survived as omegas, they would still need to regularly receive markings from another alpha to obtain pheromones, constantly undergo surgeries to replace organs… the torture would be endless.

 

And ordinary citizens had no opportunity to come into contact with insect venom.

 

Those who had to suffer from insect venom torture were all resolute soldiers fighting for their countries and all humanity. They already possessed strong convictions of willing sacrifice and dedication before being poisoned, so the vast majority would choose to give up treatment and continue fighting until the second death arrived.

 

Yun Xunlan was unfortunate because insect venom was a kind of “hereditary disease” for him.

 

But in a sense, he was also lucky, because his lover happened to be a 3S-level alpha. As long as secondary differentiation could succeed, his life could be extended by another ten-plus years.

 

What if during these ten-plus years, he waited for the Severir insect venom serum?

 

“I didn’t accept the secondary differentiation treatment plan before because I didn’t want to become destined partners with someone I didn’t love, let alone if temporary marking and intravenous pheromone injection couldn’t complete secondary differentiation, I’d have to accept him entering my reproductive cavity for permanent marking, and I would very likely need to go to the third step.”

 

“Because my level was too high, other alphas’ pheromones could hardly overpower me, and I wasn’t willing to be overpowered by them—except for you. You’ve already overpowered me.” Yun Xunlan explained to Yu Chen, even making a double entendre joke: “And the place where permanent marking should enter.”

 

Yun Xunlan dropped eight words that shocked Yu Chen: “You’ve already been inside before.”

 

The blue-eyed alpha’s eyes widened: “…When?”

 

Yun Xunlan said matter-of-factly: “When we did it.”

 

“Which time?”

 

“Every time.”

 

Yu Chen: “…”

 

“No, not every time.” Yun Xunlan corrected himself. “Your first time, you were too…”

 

Almost saying the word “fast,” Yun Xunlan quickly stopped, thought carefully, then changed to a euphemistic way that wouldn’t hurt his lover’s self-esteem: “Too crooked, didn’t go in.”

 

Yu Chen: “………..”

 

Yun Xunlan looked at his expression and asked: “Baby, you didn’t know?”

 

Yu Chen covered his eyes with his hand, then lowered it: “…I didn’t know.”

 

Yun Xunlan: “I wanted to tell you every time, but I was always interrupted. Couldn’t you feel the difference?”

 

“…Sorry.” Yu Chen apologized for his “fastness” and for not noticing his lover’s physical condition. “I’ve only done it with you… I couldn’t tell the difference. I thought it all felt the same.”

 

“It’s okay.”

 

Yun Xunlan’s right hand was still pressed on Yu Chen’s chest without moving. He only shifted position slightly, his fingertip touching the button on the man’s shirt, saying with heavy suggestion: “Do you want to experience it specifically once more?”

 

Yu Chen looked at Yun Xunlan.

 

The silver-haired alpha looked back at him, blinking very slowly. Between the opening and closing of his lashes, the crimson mole above the skin at the corner of his eye also appeared, leaving a touch of bright color on Yu Chen’s retina before hiding back in the eye fold, inexplicably stirring thoughts.

 

But the young man still felt it wasn’t enough, using his slightly hoarse and alluring voice to continue speaking ambiguous and explicit words by his ear: “This time, you can properly experience the prelude to permanent marking.”

 

Yu Chen almost instantly heated up. He was always easily seduced by Yun Xunlan.

 

Or rather, no one could refuse the young man’s deliberate enchantment.

 

When the most noble prince of the Galactic Empire was willing to defy his alpha’s controlling nature, willing to docilely raise his face to you for wanton kissing; and willing to submissively open his body to you for appreciation and plucking—everything about him completely under your control, could you refuse him?

 

Yu Chen had already surrendered to Yun Xunlan in his heart, but in reality, he gently held the young man’s nape, pulling him away, his voice hoarse and low, saying helplessly: “You just woke up. Don’t think about these things when your body hasn’t recovered yet.”

 

—His Highness the Prince’s desires were really too intense.

 

The sighs and laments from when the two weren’t together yet but shared a bed and the young man rubbed against his leg seductively surfaced in Yu Chen’s mind again.

 

He held Yun Xunlan’s hand that was still on his chest muscles, saying earnestly: “Lanlan, we need to learn restraint.”

 

But Yun Xunlan withdrew from Yu Chen’s palm and put his hand back in its original position: “But I’m still in my susceptible period.”

 

Yu Chen was suspicious: “Are you still in your susceptible period?”

 

Due to the insect venom, Yun Xunlan’s susceptible period disorders were commonplace. However, after these days of bedside care, Yu Chen had gained rich experience in judging whether the young man was in his susceptible period—when Yun Xunlan was in his susceptible period, he couldn’t control his pheromone overflow, and every inch of his body would emit a faint lychee rose scent.

 

But the pheromone surges oscillating and floating around Yun Xunlan had stopped last night, which meant his susceptible period had ended before he woke up.

 

Yet at this moment, Yun Xunlan said with an unchanged expression: “Yes.”

 

Yu Chen expressionlessly exposed him: “You’re not.”

 

Yun Xunlan insisted: “I am.”

 

To make himself more convincing, he secretly released a bit of pheromones.

 

“You’re not me, can you be in a susceptible period all day long?” Yu Chen was directly amused by his anger, and took Yun Xunlan’s hand off his chest muscles again, this time tightening his grip so he couldn’t escape. “Before your body gets better, don’t even think about these things.”

 

“But I want to.” Yun Xunlan switched hands. “Baby, don’t you want to?”

 

Yu Chen caught both his hands: “I don’t want to.”

 

Without his hands, Yun Xunlan simply leaned toward Yu Chen, pressing his face against the man’s neck, nuzzling over to whisper intimately: “Your eyes can’t lie to me.”

 

He couldn’t even see his eyes now, so what eyes was he talking about?

 

“I think you’re horny beyond belief.” Yu Chen gritted his teeth and pressed Yun Xunlan onto the bed, bending one leg with his knee on the bed edge, wrapping him up like a silkworm with the blanket and pressing the corners tight, not allowing the young man to touch or move around anymore.

 

Little did he know that this was exactly the sentence Yun Xunlan wanted to hear.

 

After the man finished speaking, he stopped struggling and causing trouble. His eyes filled with gentle laughter as he watched the blue-eyed alpha become lively again—no matter which kind of “lively,” at least he wouldn’t be so melancholy anymore.

 

And Yu Chen’s current emotions indeed had nothing to do with depression or dejection. He braced his hands on either side of Yun Xunlan, leaning down to look at the young man, his gaze dark and obscure: “You did it on purpose.”

 

Yun Xunlan neither confirmed nor denied. He only slightly parted his lips toward Yu Chen, revealing the bright red, moist inner walls of his mouth, then raised his tongue tip to touch his palate, sliding it inward to the bottom before dropping it down, making a tongue-clicking sound.

 

—Like a provocative affirmation, or like a whistle calling a loyal dog.

 

So Yu Chen came at the summons, and burning hot kisses followed closely. He caught the young man’s provocative tongue tip, stealing away the young man’s breath, even biting his soft lip flesh hard twice.

 

Yun Xunlan didn’t dodge at all. He responded to Yu Chen—it was alpha nature to compete with each other. Whether Yu Chen was biting or caressing, it only made him more excited. They were like binary stars that never gave up chasing and entwining, following each other’s every breath and respiration to survive, as if separating for even a second would be blasphemy against physical laws.

 

Then…

 

Yu Chen entered his susceptible period again.

 

Feeling his nape glands swelling and heating up, Yu Chen had to briefly withdraw, cursing: “…What the fuck? Didn’t I get better?”

 

Yun Xunlan asked him breathlessly: “Baby, are you in your susceptible period?”

 

Yu Chen really didn’t want to admit it: “…Mm.”

 

This time he didn’t enter the susceptible period because of contact with Yun Xunlan’s pheromones. The specific reason was probably stimulation—Yun Xunlan had cardiac arrest in front of him, then just now they shared an extremely tender and lingering kiss. Such great joy and sorrow—how could he not be susceptible?

 

“Baby, kiss a little more.” Yun Xunlan felt that being susceptible didn’t affect them much and continued inviting Yu Chen: “We haven’t kissed in a long time.”

 

He didn’t know when it started, but Yu Chen’s mouth was either wearing a bite guard or a pheromone isolation mask, not even taking them off when going to bed. Now Yu Chen refused to do it with him, so Yun Xunlan could only rely on kissing for intimacy.

 

But Yu Chen refused even this: “No more kissing.”

 

**

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