Meanwhile, Lu Fanghai was thinking he should go buy a planet lottery ticket.
He stared blankly at his baby brother who came back and kept harping on as he hugged his second brother whose fever was so high that he couldn't even stand while crying like a mess. Choking on sobs, he said that Second Brother was the best and his most favorite. Although big brother looked gentle on the surface, his heart was already being tormented by a strangled pain that couldn't be heard.
Seeing the corners of that scoundrel second brother's mouth grinning up to his ears, Lu Fanghai felt that he had just fed all his worries to the white-eyed wolf.
Just deserve a beating.
One beating is not enough, better be three.
Even though he expected his brother to return, he was prepared to fight a long battle for eight or ten years. But after only a month, he saw his baby brother, who had to be assisted when he left, running down from the airship by himself.
Gu Song was with him every step of the way but had no intention of coming to his aid. The youngest brother looked obviously better than when he left, but he was still thin and uncomfortable. His breath was already becoming unsteady from the dash he just took, and when he cried too much, he coughed repeatedly as soon as he lost his breath and his back shuddered.
"Qing Shi, don't let him scare you, he's not even in trouble!"
That was a powerful push!
Lu Fanghai furiously intervened and plucked his baby brother out of Lu Jueming's arms, and pushed back the medicine that was about to be handed over from Lu Qingshi's palm, holding it and putting it inside his pocket. "No, he just needs to be beaten up, he'll get better after a few more beatings, why take medicine?"
Even though he had just been shouted at by his eldest brother, who had just kicked him out of his position, Lu Jueming, who had won his youngest brother's favour, was still so happy that he didn't know where to put his hands and carefully patted his baby brother's back to soothe his breath.
"Xiao Shi is good, Second Brother is fine, and Second Brother also likes Xiao Shi the most…Second Brother loves Xiao Shi…"
Lu Fanghai raised his foot in anger and kicked him.
After they got over the shock of their older brother sitting in solitary confinement with keys in his pocket, they saw their second brother, who had just been dying of fever, was suddenly in high spirits. The rest of the brothers were reluctant to get outdone and started fighting over each other and trying to hug their baby brother for a good spin.
"Stop it, all of you! What time is it, still only know how to fight?!"
The situation was chaotic, with the brothers fighting for the right to raise their baby brother to the top of the pile, while the sound of their father's angry rebuke came from behind.
These sons were getting more and more crooked. Not only were they not properly confined, but they were even fighting with each other. Lu Feng, who had just been pulled over by Lu Nanxing, knitted his eyebrows together and let out a deep sigh as he was about to go forward to restrain them, but his steps suddenly stopped.
Blocked tightly by a group of older brothers, Lu Qingshi looked up at the sound, met his father's gaze that was almost poured on him, and called out softly, "Father⎯⎯"
When he met those gentle black eyes, Lu Feng's breath hitched slightly. His eyes suddenly ached hard and he hastily turned his head to the side.
Lu Nanxing was panting heavily and looked confused. He couldn't figure out how his second brother, who was seriously ill, came back alive and fought with a bunch of brothers, and his baby brother, who he thought he would never see again, was now standing in front of him.
After all, his father's pressure was heavy. Lu Fanghai took a deep breath and was about to step forward to take his scolding when he was suddenly gently tugged on his sleeve.
Lu Qingshi looked up at him. The corners of his lips pursed up, holding Gu Song's arm that was supporting him before gently pushing it away, and he took the initiative to walk over towards Lu Feng.
The import of data had been bound, but due to the difference in time flow between the main world and the subsidiary worlds, the time it took for his body to truly recover was actually quite long.
Voyaging through the vastness of the universe, passing through countless new galaxies, and encountering many beautiful and magnificent landscapes, was certainly a wonderful experience that would never be forgotten.
However, he was still tossing and turning, being homesick, after he had only gotten a little better.
Missing home, missing his brothers.
Wondering if his big brother's bottom still hurt from bearing his father's wrath, wondering if his second brother, who had hidden it for him, would blame himself and feel bad, wondering if his brothers would still hug him and lift him up and spin him around, wondering if they would be angry that he had left so rashly or if they would think of him over and over again when they couldn't sleep, just like he thought of them.
He would have to think of twelve brothers for ten minutes each, which would be a full two hours.
The system went to the black market and somehow bought him a wonderfully programmed prop pack, plus with Gu Song's intimate touch, allowing him to "recharge" his body for a short period of time which lasted for about an hour at a time, enough for him to jump around and hug his brothers for a while.
But he didn't expect to meet his father, who was always strict and stubborn, when he came back secretly.
The original intention was to wait until he got better really well before returning to see his father and asking him to believe him.
Lu Qingshi's pursed lips were slightly white, but his gaze was still clear and firm. He walked up to his father without asking anyone to help him, opened his arms, and hugged him. "Father, I'm sorry⎯⎯"
Even with his frail youngest son, Lu Feng only worried and fretted when he was not in his presence, wanting to scavenge for all the good things for him. When it came to facing him personally, he would at most look a little milder, but he would not be less demanding and disciplined.
The warm, hot body of his youngest child crashed lightly against him, holding him motionlessly. The soft, gentle top of his hair rubbed against his shoulder, and he could feel that there was only little energy left in his body, but he was still trying hard to stabilise his breathing and heartbeat.
The long-standing shell of coldness suddenly felt like a hole had been cut through it, and Lu Feng's shoulders and back trembled lightly as his eyes turned red, and he hesitantly raised his arm.
Having experienced the beating from his father for a long time, Lu Fanghai's heart tightened. As he was about to pounce on him to plead for mercy, he was pulled back by Lu Jueming.
Lu Feng's arm fell and brushed against the still thin spine of his youngest son.
"Father, I⎯⎯"
The hand behind his back was broad and warm. Lu Qingshi's chest palpated slightly as he raised his head to speak, but the magnificent body in front of him shuddered slightly as if waking up, and the force from his back suddenly increased, holding him tightly in his arms.
"Daddy knows it's wrong, I really do. Xiao Shi, daddy will never think those thoughts again. From now on, you can do whatever you like. Do you like that slave? Tomorrow, I'll get someone to abolish the proposed law that says you can't intermarry. You can go and get married, do whatever you want, go out and have fun, as long as you come back again – as long as you let daddy see you and don't disappear without a word again, OK?[mfn]Anna:They really did his father dirty! He did all of this because he deeply loved his son, and he just up and elopes.[/mfn]"
Obviously having repeated these words in his heart countless times, Lu Feng's voice was low and softly trembling as he held his youngest son close to him, speaking without even a single pause.
Never realising that his hasty departure would make his father so sad, Lu Qingshi's heart tightened silently. He raised his hand to wipe the tears from his face, only to be gripped by his father's broad, coarse palm, trembling lightly as he pulled him further into his arms.
"I went to the palace to look for you and tore down that ninth prince's chambers and kitchen. I thought you would be hiding at his place, but I couldn't find you anywhere. I thought you…thought you were angry with Daddy and never wanted to come back to see me again⎯⎯[mfn]Jue: please, he even dared to go against the prince, just how much he loves his son (ಥ﹏ಥ)[/mfn]"
Quietly aching in his heart, Lu Qingshi tightened his arms and pressed them against his father's broad shoulders and arms. "Father, I'm back."
His body was still not strong enough to withstand the overwhelming emotional turmoil. After speaking softly, his body was unable to support itself and slid downwards, being hastily held by Lu Feng. "Xiao Shi, what's wrong? Where do you feel uncomfortable⎯⎯"
Gu Song had caught up in time and reached out to pick him up and hold him steady. Lu Qingshi stood up straight with his support, smiled at his father with a pale face, and shook his head gently. "It's alright, Father. I'm just a little tired, I'll be fine after a rest."
Although his face was not well, his eyes were still clear and bright, and his voice was not as weak and wavering as it had been when he was seriously ill, so he did seem to be in better health than before.
Looking at his youngest son's still thin body, Lu Feng only abruptly woke up, his gaze slightly dwelling on Gu Song. He stepped forward and gently held Lu Qingshi's arm. "Is it faster to get better in the universe? Wouldn't it be harder on the ground?"
Never having considered this before, Lu Qingshi was slightly stunned and blinked. Before he could respond, he was tucked back into Gu Song's arms by his father.
"Quickly go back to the airship and let Gu Song take care of you. Daddy will be content to see you once in a while – go and get well soon. Come back when you're well, remember to send more postcards, let Daddy know where you've been. Daddy will be saving them all for you to make into a book so that you can go through them one by one when you come back."
Their father said more today than he said in the past ten years combined. The group of Lu children listened in shock as their father chattered on and on while watching as their baby brother, who hadn't had enough hugs, was packed into Gu Song's arms and pushed back onto the airship in one piece.
"Second brother⎯⎯"
Still thinking of his sick second brother, Lu Qingshi wriggled out of Gu Song's arms to see his brother one more time. Gu Song smiled dumbly and lightly, hugging the Youngest Master and shaking his hand reassuringly. He firmly stopped at the hatch of the airship. "Master, the Youngest Master is in good health and can stay at home for a few more days, I will keep an eye on the Youngest Master."
Even if he did not believe it, his youngest son's health was indeed getting better day by day with Gu Song's company. Lu Feng hesitated for a long time, but relaxed his arm and met Lu Qingshi's gaze inquiringly. "Xiao Shi…is that okay?"
Having never seen such a cautious and careful attitude from his father, Lu Qingshi looked up from between Gu Song's arms, his eyebrows softly arching down and he nodded gently.
Lu Nanxing couldn't resist whistling and rushed to snatch back his baby brother as the brothers, who were waiting with bated breath, swarmed up with cheers in a twinkling.
❊
Lu Qingshi stayed at home for a week this time and waited until his second brother was completely well before embarking on a new journey with Gu Song.
The world had been bought, and the direction of the plot development had become less important. In order to be responsible for the demolished kitchen of the protagonist, Lu Deng insisted on taking the plot down seriously.
Although not completely retired, the Lu family had gradually faded away from the heart of power in the imperial capital as the head of the family had taken up a strange hobby of stamp collecting and interplanetary travel, and was absent for half of the year.
Although the head of the family was determined to resign and travel, a group of sons still held important positions despite the royal family's efforts to hold them back. Even though they deliberately kept a low profile, their family and power were still among the top in the imperial capital.
The postcards sent back by Lu Qingshi were all carefully hand-drawn. Every scene they saw was personally drawn by Lu Qingshi, and they were again made into a painting exhibition by Sixth Brother. It caused a great attraction in the imperial capital, causing many people to revive their childhood desire to drift through the universe and open up a whole new exploration towards the distant stars.
The ninth prince, who was forced to go on the plot, was not allowed to travel. He had to work diligently to take over the throne and finish the plotline, and was kicked out of the world sharply and dryly at the moment he had achieved fame and fortune and was on the top of his life.
"Host, I've adjusted the time flow between that world and the main world to be the same!"
After patiently waiting for that main character to dawdle through the plot, the system immediately set the bought worlds right back and reported back home with glee, "From now on, whenever the host completes a world's mission, bring the target character back for a look, only a few months will have passed in this side of the timeline, so don't worry about them being anxious!"
Gu Yuan himself had been upgrading and was now able to retain his memories during the short time he had been waiting for the transition back to the main world, just in time to visit home together.
Lu Deng lifted his lips and nodded. He then transferred a considerable amount of compensation points to the unknown protagonist who didn't even have time to enjoy the pinnacle of his life. He rested his body a little before raising his hand to click on the next world.
The new world was still set in an interstellar setting, but unlike the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the previous world, the focus was on galactic warfare and mecha armies.
The cannon fodder he needed to save was named Gu Gui, a powerful marshal of the Solin Empire in the Kord Star System, who had led his Iron Army to countless victories and was the number two figure in the Solin Empire after the Emperor. He should be the standard cutting-edge top man, but he was hiding a secret which no one knew about.
He was a normal human being who lived in the ABO world but had neither pheromones nor the ability to perceive them at all. He also did not go into heat for any reason.
Only strong alphas were allowed to exist in the military. A marshal of non-A origin would be subjected to numerous questions and might even shake the army's heart and lose the trust of his subordinates, thus leading to the defeat of the war. In order to prove Gu Gui's identity, the emperor gave him an omega in marriage. Despite all the efforts, it still failed to prevent the marshal's identity from being leaked.
During a key battle, the army rioted due to suspicion of the marshal's identity and was defeated in disarray.
Gu Gui alone drove his mech into the herd of beasts, holding them at bay and buying the army the precious time to retreat, but he himself was torn apart by the sharp teeth and claws of the beasts along with his mech, disappearing in a blinding fire in front of everyone.
An iron-blooded marshal who did not have to die, with an all-conquering record, fell to suspicion and mistrust of people because of his identity, to the planet he was guarding, and to his comrades.
That heartbreaking event sent shockwaves through the military and the public, who had been firmly entrenched in their perceptions of class. More and more people took to the streets in petitions that gradually became unquenchable, finally overturning the perception of class. Numerous inhibitors and special surgeries were created. Omegas and betas were encouraged to strengthen themselves through exercise and were allowed to take up important positions, and a new and open road was paved before everyone.
The omega who was given by the Emperor for the marriage was not a character in the main plot line. He had no appearance scene, just a backdrop that didn't even have a name. Lu Deng wanted that identity immediately and smoothly filled in his new alias. He then inquired curiously, "Can I have pheromones too?"
"The host just won't have it if they import their own body⎯⎯"
The previous body had limited a large part of its strength. Lu Deng had already predetermined that with his original body, due to the pheromone setting, he would become an "ordinary" person who did not fit in that world, just like Gu Gui.
The system had helped a world of attack and deeply felt that this matter was much easier than protecting the cabbage. It spun two buffering circles and found another way to voice comfort, "…But the target can't smell it either! I can help the host sprinkle perfume every day! Any kind of scent!"
Lu Deng was dumbfounded. The corners of his lips curled helplessly as he nodded and imported himself into the world. "Work hard. Can you help me pull up the detailed notes for such worlds?"
Having been a minor at the time of the mission and having never been exposed to a world set in such a specific way, he had only heard of ABO. Although he could more or less guess what the term meant, he still did not understand it fully.
The system was already running at a much higher speed than it had been at the time and had pulled up additional notes and cast them clearly into his mind as he dropped into the void to import into the said world.
In the world of the ABO, humans were divided into three categories: alpha, beta, and omega. Alphas possessed absolute mental and physical strength and they were the dominant group in the world, carrying out the main tasks of military and political affairs. Betas were weaker than alphas in all respects, closer to an ordinary human being. Strength, however, was relatively weaker. There was little chance of strengthening to match the alpha.
Omegas, on the other hand, were a rare and exotic group of people who were extremely weak both physically and mentally, but have the ability to reproduce.
Alphas and omegas had their own specific pheromones. Alpha pheromones tended to be strong and aggressive while omegas were naturally attractive. At certain times, it would even stimulate the compatible alpha to go into heat to be successfully 'marked' to bond with the corresponding alpha. Then, they would become true partners.
Even in a world where betas and omegas had evolved over a long period of time and had the opportunity to become stronger, people's perceptions remained old-fashioned, which was why tragedies like Marshal Gu Gui's happened.
After browsing through the introductory text, Lu Deng opened his eyes. His body was already bound by soft ribbons and placed on a large, wide, comfortable bed.
The ribbon was as soft as if it were nothing. Lu Deng tried his best to understand the notes he had read on the way here, propping himself up to adjust his posture, when the system's blaring voice came from his mind, "Be careful, host, don't move anymore⎯⎯"
Lu Deng was slightly stunned and remained in his original position halfway, but the ribbon binding his arms broke in two with a silent struggle and fell.
System: ...
Lu Deng: ...
Lu Deng: "Never mind, I'll tie it up again."
His hands were tied behind his back so it was a little difficult to tie them up himself. The system, which was accustomed to the host's physical state in the last world, hurriedly reacted and was about to invade a sweeper to help him tie them when Lu Deng's hands behind his back were already pulling up the ribbons sharply.
As he used his original body stats, his thin white wrists bent in amazingly supple curves, and his small arms tensed in beautifully smooth muscular lines from the slightest exertion.
The system crouched in the sweeping robot, helplessly flashing its little red light, watching the host's fingers move around with precise, light and steady force. With a deft flick, he had re-tied the broken ribbon with a nice knotted clasp.
Lu Deng had just re-tied himself with a ribbon when the sound of unhurried footsteps came from outside the door.
The system projected the target's location in time. Gu Gui was standing outside the door. Lu Deng took a light breath and did his best to relax his body according to the omega's "soft and delicate" introduction, watching as the system adjusted the skin finish by another two frames.
The door was gently pushed open.
The straight and long figure stood at the door, the sharp aura from him felt almost real.
The Imperial Marshal, known as the "Cold Blooded Iron Blade", stood in the doorway in silence. He looked handsome with a cold expression, his uniform making him even colder and more majestic, and with his obsidian-like pupils, his gaze faintly swept over him as he slowly walked over.
"Marshal, this is the omega the Emperor gave you in marriage, Lu Chiqiu, the mate that has been calculated to be the most compatible with you."
The civil official beside him trotted along with a pleasing smile on his face, racking his brains to try to get him to agree to the marriage. "He has never been marked by anyone, and he knows his way around so he will not cause you any trouble. Just put him in the house so that the people will know you have a family and the rumors that slander you will disappear⎯⎯"
"Slander?"
Gu Gui raised his eyebrows slightly, a vague cold aura sliding in his eyes as his snow-white gloved hand reached over and gently picked up the softly-defined jaw of the omega who had been given in marriage.
"According to your calculations, I would be in heat for a full fifty-five days, and His Majesty the Emperor is not afraid that on the spur of the moment, I will⎯⎯"
There was a sudden, slight pause in his words. Hesitantly frowning, his eyes fell into those soft, quiet dark eyes.
Suddenly realizing that such a gesture would be rude, he withdrew his hand instantly but felt that it was still inappropriate. After a moment's pause, he removed his gloves and brushed his palm against the delicate face of the omega in front of him, applying a little force to lift his head.
It was not the soft, silky smoothness of his imagination, but a real warmth that touched his palm, firm and delicate, warmly stirring his mind, which had been an ancient well for so long.
Those dark, moist eyes met his gaze, and the soft eyebrows arched, brushing aside a soft smile.[mfn]Anna: the author really has a thing for eyes and eyebrows uh???[/mfn]
"On the spur of the moment⎯⎯"
Almost forgetting what he was about to say, the Imperial Marshal, who had been adamant about not accepting the offer of marriage when he arrived, leaned down slightly with total respect so that the height of those eyes was at his own level.
"I don't have to go to work for 55 days, right?"