Chapter 36: Reunion on the War-Torn Planet.

She doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t stutter, just says it straight: “Fine, I’ll listen to you, brother. I won’t take that damn serum.”

Her voice is sharp, almost chilling, as though she’s branded this decision into her very soul. No second thoughts, no backing out. It’s a commitment made with no room for doubt.

Shao Ye stares at her, his disbelief written all over his face. He’s caught off guard, eyes wide with shock.

He repeats it, like the first time didn’t sink in. His voice tightens with a mix of worry and suspicion, almost pleading for reassurance: “You’re serious? You’re really giving up on that serum?”

Another pause. He needs to hear it again, to calm that pit in his stomach, that gnawing feeling that won’t leave him alone.

She just smiles. That smile—smirking, teasing—because she knows what she’s doing. She nods, slow and deliberate, before letting the words drip out, calm and final: “Yeah. I’ll listen to you from now on, brother.”

Shao Ye looks at her, and for the first time, he believes her. He’s convinced. His face softens, that weight in his chest lifting as if a mountain’s been removed. He finally lets out a relieved breath.

But let’s be real—Shao Ye’s got it all wrong. Shao Lan doesn’t give a damn about giving up. Not for a second.

She’s playing the long game, always thinking ahead. Her mind’s a labyrinth of schemes, and this—this is just one piece of the puzzle.

She may have control of the rebellion now, but her suppressants?

They only work on the damn Alphas. The rebellion is made up mostly of Betas, and they’re not impressed by her little mind tricks. That’s been her headache from day one, something she hasn’t solved yet.

And then there’s the D serum. The one everyone talks about, the one that works on all of them—Alpha, Beta, Omega. That thing’s the holy grail as far as Shao Lan’s concerned. It’s practically a gift from the gods, showing up right when she needs it most, solving her biggest problem without breaking a sweat.

So there’s no way in hell she’s letting that go. Not when she’s got the perfect chance to fix everything. All she needs is to keep it from her brother. Keep him from finding out.

She’s got it locked down. She knows exactly how to play this.

That smirk of hers, that subtle curve of her lips? It’s confidence—pure, unshakable confidence. She's got this.

*

It had been over a month since the last time the two of them parted ways. A month filled with nothing but longing and obsession, especially for Shao Ye, who couldn’t stop thinking about Lu Zhanxing.

The guy had no idea how Lu Zhanxing's wounds were healing, or what the hell their next meeting would even be like. And now, with the guy still out of sight, he was already a mess.

Sweat started trickling down his palms, his mind spinning in chaotic circles, and a million questions gnawed at him.

Would Lu Zhanxing remember everything he’d said and done before they split?

The way their last interaction had been charged, heavy with unspoken words and unfinished business?

Shao Ye wasn’t fooling himself anymore; he was in deep.

He knew damn well this wasn’t just a fleeting crush—he was head over heels. He loved Lu Zhanxing as much as Lu Zhanxing had ever loved him. No denying it.

But the issue? He was a straight guy, and the thought of saying those three words out loud, of showing his emotions, made him want to dig a hole and bury himself alive. Especially now, with the secret he was carrying—Lu Zhanxing’s kid. Yeah, that little bombshell made everything worse.

Every time he thought about it, his embarrassment hit harder, making him want to curl up into a ball. How the hell was he supposed to admit all that? It felt like a massive weight on his chest, one that might just crush him.

His insides were at war with themselves. His heart was a storm of anticipation, anxiety, and an unsettling kind of excitement.

Finally, the military ship of the alliance slowly docked in the Eighth Star System. The colossal vessel gleamed in the sunlight, its metallic shine exuding dominance. Shao Ye stood off in the distance, his eyes fixed on the ship, barely blinking. His whole body was on alert, like a predator zeroing in on its prey, hoping to catch a glimpse of that one familiar face among the sea of people disembarking.

And then, just as if fate had timed it perfectly, there he was.

Lu Zhanxing.

Dressed in his commander uniform, tall, strong, and walking with a confidence that could put any king to shame. Every step was deliberate, filled with an aura of power and unquestionable authority. Behind him, the special forces team trailed, though the once proud squad had dwindled to just four members.

Still, they walked through the crowd like they owned the place, like they were lit from within, impossible to ignore.

Shao Ye could feel Lu Zhanxing before he even saw him. His heart rate picked up, wildly out of control. His eyes locked onto the man, unable to tear them away, filled with nothing but raw longing and adoration.

And then, as if some invisible thread pulled at them, Lu Zhanxing's gaze shifted, locking onto his from a distance. It was like they shared some secret connection, some silent understanding.

The moment their eyes locked, it hit him—like a surge of violent waves crashing against his chest. The longing that had gnawed at him for the past month was suddenly unbearable, as if every inch of his heart was being torn open, spilling out restless emotions like fireworks.

Lu Zhanxing had damn good eyesight, and even at this distance, there was no way he didn’t see Shao Ye standing there. No fucking way.

Shao Ye’s heart skipped a beat. He was ready to flash that look—the one full of love, the one that said everything without needing a single word. He was aching for it, for any sign that maybe, just maybe, the feeling was mutual.

But before he could even make a move, Lu Zhanxing casually shifted his gaze away. No pause, no hesitation—just fucking turned his back. The coldness in that look was like a blade, slicing through Shao Ye’s chest, leaving him gasping for air.

He froze. The smile that was about to bloom on his lips vanished before it even had a chance to show itself, replaced by nothing but crushing loneliness and bitter embarrassment.

Did he… did he not even see me?

Shao Ye’s brow furrowed, panic creeping into his eyes as he tried to talk himself down. It had to be a mistake, right?

Maybe there were too many people between them, blocking the view. It wasn’t like Lu Zhanxing had the ability to zoom in on him from all the way over there. This was fine. It was normal.

But his lips betrayed him. A tremble, too subtle for the untrained eye but enough for him to feel it. His heart beat erratically in his chest, and no amount of self-assurance was going to stop the anxiety from flooding in.

With his mind buzzing, Shao Ye turned and began walking back with the bodyguards his sister had sent to accompany him. They formed a tight circle around him, serious faces and armed to the teeth, like some damn royal entourage. All the while, Shao Ye’s thoughts were miles away, far from the quiet, guarded surface they saw.

His sister, Shao Lan, had agreed to let him meet Lu Zhanxing, but only after the crucial talks were done and the peace agreement signed. She wasn’t wrong, though. There were bigger things at play—political things, war-ending things. Love wasn’t meant to take precedence in times like this. Shao Ye understood that.

At first, he could be patient. But as time stretched on, that little seed of unease grew out of control, like wild grass in spring.

Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore.

He had to see Lu Zhanxing, had to make sure things were still... whatever they were between them.

But when he got to the door, it was slammed shut by the guards.

"Sir, the Commander instructed that you remain inside."

"Please return to your quarters."

The guard’s voice was firm, his tone unyielding. No debate. No questions.

Shao Ye just stood there, stunned, a mix of disbelief and frustration bubbling up inside him.

What the hell?

Was this… another fucking house arrest?

And right when it mattered most?

Ever since he’d pledged to stay by his sister’s side, she hadn’t restricted him like this. But now? He was being locked down. Again.

In the past, no matter whether it was Shao Lan's office or the lab, he could come and go as he pleased.

Just a while ago, his sister had even allowed him to visit the alliance army. So why the sudden change of heart now?

Shao Ye’s heart dropped, a dark sense of foreboding gnawing at him.

“Are you guys messing with me? She agreed to let me go to the negotiation site, so why the hell am I being locked up now?” His voice sharp, his frustration barely contained.

The bodyguard remained stone-faced. “The Commander did indeed grant you free movement earlier, but there was a new order issued just now. Due to unexpected circumstances, we need to beef up security to ensure your safety during the talks. We must follow orders for your protection. Please remain in your room for the time being.”

As the bodyguard spoke, a cold unease swept through him, growing stronger by the second.

This could only mean one thing—the negotiations weren’t going smoothly, and in fact, they might have even collapsed.

The thought of it clenched Shao Ye’s chest like a vise, suffocating him.

But the more chaotic things got, the calmer he needed to be. He had to think, act cautiously.

He returned to his room, pulled out his laptop, and within minutes, he’d hacked into the conference room’s security footage.

The rebel army's network wasn’t anywhere near as strong as the Sky Dome system. Even in secure locations like the conference room or the lab, anyone with a little hacking knowledge could break in.

…

In the conference room, Shao Lan and Lu Zhanxing were seated at opposite ends of the negotiation table.

The air was thick with tension, sharp and serious.

“You think you can just hand over the Eighth Star System to the rebels like we’re nothing?” Lu Zhanxing slammed the agreement onto the table.

On the other side, Shao Lan was as calm as ever.

“Commander Lu, the Eighth Star System is nothing but a ruin now. The original inhabitants? Those who could escape already have. The ones left? Dead.”

“The reconstruction costs? That’ll fall on the Alliance government.”

“Even if you pour all your money, energy, and time into rebuilding it, do you think anyone from the other star systems will want to live there? To face the constant fear on the border every damn day?”

“I suggest you don’t act out of spite, and consult the Council first.”

“After all, you’re not like me. You don’t have the authority to make decisions on your own.”

With that, Shao Lan leaned back in her chair, a smug, confident look on her face.

Lu Zhanxing's fists clenched, and he muttered through gritted teeth, “Not a single inch of Alliance territory will be ceded.”

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Shao Ye stared at the screen, his mind racing.

And then, just as he was about to turn away, he noticed something. Shao Lan had turned toward the camera, her eyes locking onto it as though she sensed something was off.

His heart lurched.

With a snap, he slammed the laptop shut.

It wasn’t long before Shao Lan appeared at his door.

Shao Ye coolly asked, “The negotiations fell apart, didn’t they?”

“No.” Shao Lan poured herself a drink, casually swirling the glass. “They’ll agree to my terms. They just need some time to think it through.”

Shao Ye frowned, “Ah Lan, I know Lu Zhanxing. He would never agree to cede the Eighth Star System to the rebels, not in any treaty.”

“If he won’t sign, we’ll just find someone who will.” Shao Lan downed the drink in one go, turning her back to him, her voice cold and cutting.

The words sent a chill down Shao Ye’s spine, his back breaking out in a sweat.

He was worried his sister might take advantage of the situation and go after Lu Zhanxing.

“Ah Lan, what are you planning to do?” Shao Ye asked, his voice trembling.

Shao Lan spun around, flashing him a sweet, innocent smile.

“Big brother, what are you so nervous about? I know he’s the Alpha who marked you. Don’t worry, I won’t let you end up alone.”

“But he’s always been against us. He’s a problem we can’t just ignore.”

“And let’s not forget, the baby inside you is growing every day. Without an Alpha dad’s pheromones to calm him, it’s not good for the baby’s development.”

“So, the best thing to do is to make sure he can’t leave our turf.”