ISMW Chapter 55

Is there an inherent connection between alphas?

 

If there is, it must be one of mutual repulsion, like the same poles of a magnet.

 

The pheromones released by an alpha act as a magnetic field, clashing with those of another alpha.

 

Yet Yu Chen chose to defy this natural instinct, allowing himself to be enveloped layer upon layer by another alpha’s pheromones. He even felt it wasn’t tight enough, wishing his mouth and nose could be sealed as well so that the liquid flowing through his veins would no longer be blood but fire—a fire ignited by the lychee rose scent that could easily set both his soul and desires ablaze.

 

In the cramped dormitory, Yu Chen cupped Yun Xunlan’s face, his fingers combing through the youth’s silver hair, gently holding the back of his neck. His touch was so light, afraid that if he applied too much force, he might crumple this piece of snow-white silk.

 

But his actions as he kissed Yun Xunlan’s lips were anything but restrained.

 

Yun Xunlan leaned back slightly, his voice low and hoarse as if reciting a love letter: “Did you shower?”

 

Yu Chen’s voice was even raspier than Yun Xunlan’s, as if he were the one who had secretly smoked a cigarette behind his partner’s back, his vocal cords burned by love, desire, and nicotine: “…No.”

 

Yun Xunlan chuckled softly, his fingers brushing over Yu Chen’s Adam’s apple as he said: “Then I… want to sink into the sea with you.”

 

This wasn’t Crescent Moon Paninsula; opening the window wouldn’t bring in the scent of the sea breeze.

 

But when Yun Xunlan and Yu Chen squeezed into the narrow bathroom together, every breath Yun Xunlan took was filled with the salty chill of tides. It felt as though he were submerged in seawater, while the droplets falling from the showerhead above were like waves drenching both him and Yu Chen.

 

They were both sinking into the sea.

 

Their breaths were stolen; their heartbeats spiraled out of control.

 

It was a sensation hotter and more restless than any susceptible period.

 

“…Baby, do you have any preferences about top or bottom?” Yun Xunlan asked Yu Chen but didn’t wait for an answer before continuing: “If not, I’d like to be on the bottom.”

 

Yu Chen complied with any request Yun Xunlan made: “Alright.”

 

“But… here?” Yu Chen raised a hand to wipe away water droplets from his face and asked Yun Xunlan amidst the swirling mist and steam around them.

 

The first time—in the bathroom?

 

Standing up?

 

Yu Chen felt this might be difficult for someone inexperienced like him. He was also worried about hurting Yun Xunlan. Although he had looked up various precautions beforehand, theory was theory, and practice was practice—the two didn’t always align perfectly.

 

The silver-haired youth smiled again at Yu Chen’s question. Crossing his hands behind Yu Chen’s neck, he whispered softly near his ear: “Then let’s go to bed.”

 

The warm water washed them clean but couldn’t extinguish the heat between them.

 

Yu Chen carried Yun Xunlan out of the bathroom. Each step left wet footprints trailing toward the bed.

 

With a physique honed through years of training and discipline since graduating from military academy, Yu Chen’s tall and muscular frame loomed over Yun Xunlan as he leaned down. His shadow enveloped the silver-moon-like youth completely—an imposing presence that was both overwhelming and inescapable. Yet despite this commanding aura, his words carried a hint of awkwardness and uncertainty: “I… don’t have experience.”

 

—”I might hurt you.”

 

Yu Chen wanted to tell Yun Xunlan this so that if he caused any pain, Yun Xunlan could say so, and he would stop immediately.

 

Before he could finish speaking, Yun Xunlan misunderstood. Thinking that Yu Chen didn’t know what to do—while conveniently recalling how he had studied related knowledge earlier that day—Yun Xunlan reassured him: “It’s okay—I’ll teach you.”

 

Yu Chen: “…”

 

Was Yun Xunlan very experienced? Yu Chen didn’t know, nor did he ask.

 

Instead, he told himself in his heart: It doesn’t matter. The past is the past, and now is now. He absolutely, completely, does not care!

 

[====== What happened here remains an unsolved mystery of the universe =====]

 

Yun Xunlan froze for several seconds before hesitantly asking, “You… you’re done?”

 

Yu Chen: “…”

 

Yu Chen wanted to defend himself: “…It’s my first time.”

 

Yun Xunlan wanted to say that it was his first time too.

 

How long had it been?

 

It seemed like just fifteen minutes had passed, right?

 

—Truly, people cannot be judged by appearances.

 

Yu Chen looked so capable, yet it was only fifteen minutes.

 

Had Yun Xunlan known it would be so quick, he felt he wouldn’t have even needed to activate the silent mode on his light-brain bracelet. Couldn’t he have just asked the doctors to adjust the warning system for his rapid heartbeat to trigger at sixteen minutes instead?

 

However, Yun Xunlan knew better than to tell a man—especially an alpha—that he was “fast.” So instead of saying “It’s my first time” out loud, he swallowed the words back down. To preserve Yu Chen’s dignity, he offered some kindhearted reassurance, albeit against his better judgment: “Baby, it’s okay. Fifteen minutes is still very impressive.”

 

Yu Chen: “…………”

 

Yu Chen felt more wounded now than when he watched Yun Xunlan’s disastrous *War Psychology* practical exam performance—so much so that he doubted he’d ever recover in this lifetime.

 

“Lanlan, shall we… try again?” Yu Chen closed his eyes briefly and hesitated before speaking. He wanted to prove that next time would definitely last longer than fifteen minutes.

 

Yun Xunlan didn’t refuse: “Alright.”

 

He had already activated the silent mode on his bracelet and still had over two hours left—why waste it?

 

However, Yun Xunlan thought perhaps they should switch positions this time. After all, he could last at least three hours. While that might not be much compared to alphas across the galaxy, it was certainly longer than Yu Chen.

 

So Yun Xunlan asked Yu Chen: “Baby, do you need me to be on top? Would doing it again be too tiring for you?”

 

“No need, no need,” Yu Chen gritted his teeth so hard they were nearly breaking. “I’m not tired—not tired at all.”

 

Yun Xunlan nodded and decided he should be more accommodating toward his younger lover. He encouraged him: “Alright then. Baby, you can do it!”

 

Yu Chen seemed to have said all the words he’d ever say in this lifetime and didn’t speak again.

 

Silently, he leaned over once more.

 

The dormitory seemed devoid of other sounds; if one were to listen closely, they’d hear only their rapid heartbeats—almost synchronized.

 

Yun Xunlan tilted his head back and called out the alpha’s name repeatedly.

 

The light from the ceiling lamp swayed as it fell into Yun Xunlan’s eyes. He blinked once, and his lashes became damp with sweat and tears. He felt as though he were being thrown into the clouds—his entire body weightless and unable to find any point of support.

 

“Yu…”

 

Before Yun Xunlan could finish saying “Chen,” his lips were gently covered by Yu Chen’s fingers.

 

“Don’t call out,” the alpha said hoarsely, brushing aside the sweat-dampened strands of hair at Yun Xunlan’s temple with a tone of helplessness.

 

Yun Xunlan’s nails dug into Yu Chen’s arm during yet another wave of weightlessness, leaving scratch marks. Yu Chen merely hissed softly in response, but then retaliated excessively—in another way.

 

The rebellious instinct of an alpha to never submit to another alpha was vividly evident in this moment.

 

Yu Chen let himself drift with Yun Xunlan in their shared sea. He desperately wanted to see Yun Xunlan as his omega—someone he could mark, someone who could belong to him completely as his one and only love.

 

Releasing Yun Xunlan’s lips, Yu Chen leaned down again to kiss him just as the youth gasped for air.

 

He was unreserved in releasing his pheromones, even though they could never truly merge with Yun Xunlan’s body.

 

In that final moment, Yu Chen suddenly wished he could become the vast ocean surrounding Imperial Star, while Yun Xunlan would remain the high and distant silver moon in the sky.

 

It didn’t matter if Yun Xunlan was unattainable or out of reach—he was meant to be admired and longed for by the world.

 

All Yu Chen needed was patience—to wait for nightfall and for the stars to rise. Then he could reflect that silver moon on the surface of his ocean and cradle it gently in his embrace.

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)