Picking Up An Alpha On Garbage Star - Chapter 54

After spending two days in the Baleem star system, Xie Yu thoroughly mocked Huleike several times. Finally, he took a large sum of money and led his team back home.

 

Xie Yu planned to return to the Central Star. Worried that Pei An might not get along well with his team, he set up a signal booster to contact the remaining captains of the 258th Legion.

 

These so-called captains didn’t each manage a main ship; they typically oversaw two main ships as needed. The 258th Legion had eleven main ships and seven captains, all of whom held the rank of colonel or lieutenant colonel, and they all appeared quite young.

 

Xie Yu had already discussed this privately with his trusted group. Their choice was the same as Lika and the others: they would stick with Xie Yu.

 

The patrol star region of the 258th Legion was not close to the Baleem, Locke, or Moran star systems, so it had been a long time since they last communicated. Using the signal booster to connect, everyone enthusiastically started chatting.

 

Pang Li and Ye Xiuzhe were too far away to join in, but this didn’t stop Lika and Zhuge Yue from sharing all the gossip.

 

Since Xie Yu and Pei An hadn’t arrived yet, it was the perfect time to gossip.

 

“Zhuge, even a straightforward guy like the commander has found someone. Why haven’t you made a move? Don’t you always boast about your charm?” The person chatting with Zhuge Yue was a female alpha with shoulder-length black hair and upturned eyes, giving her a fierce look.

 

“Ms. Lin Bieyan, have you ever heard the saying, ‘Every pot has its lid’?” Zhuge Yue cracked a sunflower seed. “The commander found someone not because he’s more charming than me but because he met the right person. If we talk about charm, I still have the upper hand.”

 

Lin Bieyan sneered, “Oh, please. Omegas don’t like your slick talk.”

 

Zhuge Yue dramatically lifted her pinky, “How do you know I’m slick? Have you secretly tried me out?”

 

“Ugh…”

 

Not only Lin Bieyan, but everyone else was also disgusted by Zhuge Yue.

 

“Zhuge, if you keep this up, I’ll throw these sunflower seed shells at your face.” Lika, sitting next to Zhuge Yue, was directly hit by the grossness.

 

“Do it! Do it now!” Even Brandon had had enough of Zhuge Yue’s antics.

 

Zhuge Yue threw the sunflower seed shells into the trash bag. “Do you guys still want to hear gossip about the commander?”

 

Their attitudes changed instantly.

 

“Come on, Zhuge, tell us what the commander’s significant other is like!” Lin Bieyan’s eyes sparkled; this was their commander’s love life!

 

Drifting in space all day was boring, so they had to find something to pass the time.

 

Zhuge Yue cleared her throat, “From appearance alone, it’s the first time I’ve seen such an outstanding omega. It’s not that his looks are unmatched, but he has a unique aura.”

 

In the common perception, omegas were seen as fragile, needing protection. Even omegas like Ye Xiuzhe, who joined the military and became high-ranking officers, still had a certain soldierly toughness honed in the army.

 

Pei An was different. He hadn’t been in the military, yet he had habits that could only be formed in the military or at a military academy. She had noticed more than once that Pei An’s belongings were always neatly arranged, reminiscent of their internal regulations. He habitually wore loose-fitting shirts, his back straight, and when he stood, he truly looked like someone with a military academy background.

 

But there were no military academies on remote stars, and Pei An had been on a remote star for years.

 

It was quite amazing.

 

Moreover, Pei An had an extraordinary resilience. He could carry heavy burdens forward, as if nothing could bend his spine.

 

“Only in front of the commander does he seem like someone enjoying being pampered,” Zhuge Yue unconsciously added a touch of maternal glow.

 

“And… apart from his looks?” Brandon asked. “The commander said the energy oil supplied to KM-008 was given by this Mr. Pei.”

 

This topic excited Lika, who slapped the table, abandoning the sunflower seeds to speak passionately.

 

“You have no idea! Mr. Pei quickly identified the problem with KM-008 as an issue with the energy oil. His mind works so fast! And he had the energy oil delivered to us in no time. We’re now following the transport ship carrying the energy oil!”

 

Those using KM-008 weren’t just the people around Xie Yu; even the patrol fleets in the star region used it. Upon discovering the problem, Xie Yu immediately relayed the information, advising them not to use KM-008 until the new energy oil arrived. This batch of energy oil, of course, was also sent by Pei An.

 

“Strictly speaking, Mr. Pei is a lifesaver for many,” Lika said emotionally. If Pei An hadn’t led the inspection, the problem with KM-008 wouldn’t have been discovered. They would have continued using it, and more soldiers would have faced accidents due to the energy oil.

 

Moreover, Xie Yu’s life was also saved by Pei An.

 

“Putting everything else aside, just for this, I’m willing to listen to him.”

 

If Xie Yu had directly ordered them to follow Pei An’s command, they might have had reservations despite following orders. But understanding what kind of person Pei An was made those reservations quietly disappear.

 

“Mr. Pei is amazing!” Lika exclaimed energetically after her admiration. “He’s really good at designing weapons: the C1 bomb, Star-02, and the four main ships named Canglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Xuanwu… We used to think the technicians who stayed in the military were impressive, but they all look at Pei An with admiration.”

 

“He also repairs orphanages, builds schools, and protects many people,” Zhuge Yue added. “He really is an exceptionally good person.”

 

If Pei An wasn’t so wonderful, their commander, who usually lacked emotional intelligence, wouldn’t have suddenly become so enlightened.

 

Although, in her opinion, Xie Yu’s enlightenment wasn’t quite complete.

 

As Xie Yu walked into the meeting room with Pei An, he was met with a large bag of sunflower seed shells.

 

“You all should eat less of these; too many can cause heatiness.”

 

He regretted giving the order for everyone to spend freely after extorting a large sum from Huleike. Zhuge Yue had somehow hauled back fifty kilograms of sunflower seeds, leading to many people cracking them open everywhere.

 

Zhuge Yue quickly cleaned up the table, Lika took out a napkin to wipe it down, and the few who were video-conferencing held their breath.

 

So, this person beside their commander was Pei An?

 

Hmm, he did seem like a perfect match for their commander.

 

…

 

With Xie Yu bridging the gap between Pei An and everyone else, things went smoothly. The fleet’s return journey would take many days, and Xie Yu seized the opportunity to help them get thoroughly acquainted with each other.

 

This put his mind at ease.

 

When the fleet arrived back at DS009, Xie Yu generously gave everyone a break to relax on the ground.

 

Due to long-term efforts, the residents of DS009 had developed a strong liking for Pei An and his team. Some restaurant owners even refused to accept money from the soldiers, but the soldiers insisted on paying before quickly leaving.

 

The house on DS009 had been unoccupied for dozens of days and was covered in a layer of dust. Luckily, before leaving, Pei An had activated a cleaning robot, which kept the place relatively clean. They only needed to tidy up areas the robot couldn’t reach.

 

“DS009 is already in winter,” Pei An said as he put on a coat, wrapping himself tightly.

 

He envied Xie Yu, who only wore a shirt and a thin sweater but still felt warm, like a big heater when hugged.

 

Xie Yu conscientiously finished cleaning and went to Pei An’s room to change the bed sheets and duvet covers, throwing the used ones into the washing machine.

 

“Xie Yu, no need to make up the other room,” Pei An said as Xie Yu reached for clean bedding.

 

Xie Yu’s hand froze in mid-air. Though he had been sleeping on the floor in Pei An’s room these past few days, they had never shared a bed.

 

“Isn’t this too fast?” Xie Yu asked. “Shouldn’t we take things step by step?”

 

Pei An pulled Xie Yu out of the room and closed the door behind him. “I say, and you listen.”

 

Other alphas would have eagerly consumed their omega, marking them permanently with their scent and teeth marks. But Xie Yu was different.

 

He never overstepped boundaries.

 

“You’re leaving for the Central Star tomorrow. Isn’t it good to spend more time with me?” Pei An unreasonably hugged Xie Yu’s waist. “This trip will be for months, not days.”

 

Xie Yu lowered his head and kissed Pei An on the eyes. “I’m just afraid of offending you.”

 

“You won’t offend me.” Pei An’s arms slid up from Xie Yu’s waist to his neck.

 

Pei An kissed Xie Yu’s lips, a light, teasing kiss that tickled Xie Yu’s heart.

 

“Xie Yu, let’s go to the supermarket and buy some ingredients. Make me one last meal before you leave, okay?”

 

Xie Yu naturally agreed to his request.

 

They returned to the supermarket, moving with practiced ease as Xie Yu selected Pei An’s favorite foods.

 

Pei An liked many dishes, but today they could only make a couple. It was such a pity.

 

They were like any ordinary couple in the supermarket, discussing which ingredients to buy, yet unlike any other couple, they couldn’t enjoy this kind of warm, domestic life every day.

 

“Cold cucumber salad and scrambled eggs with tomatoes,” Pei An said, placing the bright red tomatoes into the basket. “These two dishes are significant; I want to eat them tonight.”

 

Xie Yu held Pei An’s hand, warming it with his own: “Alright, shall we also make a soup?”

 

“Hmm… I want to drink shiitake mushroom chicken soup,” Pei An smiled. “What do you think?”

 

“Black chicken is good, it’s especially tasty when stewed until tender,” Xie Yu replied.

 

They moved from the vegetable section to the fresh produce section.

 

Pei An chose the three dishes for today: cold cucumber salad, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and shiitake mushroom chicken soup.

 

Xie Yu’s special apron, carefully kept by Pei An, was spotless.

 

“The little red flower I drew is a plum blossom; I wonder if you’ve noticed before,” Pei An said as he helped Xie Yu put on the apron. “But I guess you probably didn’t.”

 

Xie Yu touched the flower on the apron. “Indeed, I hadn’t noticed. Am I particularly dense?”

 

Pei An fastened the apron strings from behind. “You’re only dense when it comes to me.”

 

This was the way Xie Yu’s emotions showed when he was with him, naturally different from how he treated others.

 

Xie Yu, now wearing the apron, started cooking while Pei An leaned against the door frame, watching him busy at work.

 

It was hard to imagine someone with Xie Yu’s background being so skilled in the kitchen. His knife skills, whether deboning the chicken or scoring the mushrooms, were precise and meticulous.

 

Pei An thought to himself, apart from professional chefs, no other alpha could match Xie Yu’s culinary skills.

 

The smart device buzzed, and Pei An saw that Li Chengrui had sent him a message.

 

**[You’re back and didn’t come out to meet me?]**

 

Since Pei An wouldn’t be staying long, Li Chengrui naturally wanted to catch up and introduce him to some people.

 

**[Big Brother, my boyfriend is about to leave, and we’ll be separated by several star systems. Can I spend some alone time with him first before meeting up?]**

 

Today, he specifically chose non-spicy dishes.

 

**[Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t being considerate enough. How about we meet tomorrow then?]**

 

Li Chengrui thought that with Xie Yu leaving soon, it was better to wait. If he told Pei An about finding a partner now, Pei An might block him immediately.

 

**[Xie Yu has to leave for the Central Star tomorrow morning, and it’s urgent there. We can meet at noon after I see him off.]**

 

The time he had left to spend with Xie Yu was very limited.

 

**[Alright, I’ll treat you to a big meal tomorrow. You can choose whatever you want.]**

 

Pei An smiled and immediately looked up the most expensive restaurant in DS009. Since Li Chengrui said he could choose anything, he wouldn’t hold back.

 

He chose a specialty restaurant with an average cost of 2000 credits per person. Although pricey, it had excellent reviews.

 

Pei An sent the restaurant’s details to Li Chengrui.

 

Previously, Li Chengrui might have been pained by the cost, but today he agreed readily.

 

The chicken soup needed to simmer, so Xie Yu didn’t have to stay in the kitchen the whole time and went back to the living room.

 

“Shall we watch some TV?” Xie Yu, who didn’t usually engage in much entertainment, suggested. He didn’t want to discuss work now either.

 

Pei An wasn’t much into TV, but he definitely didn’t want to watch it.

 

He walked over and straddled Xie Yu’s lap: “Xie Yu, kiss me.”

 

Xie Yu’s eyes darkened as he fiercely captured Pei An’s lips in a passionate kiss, so intense that Pei An could barely keep up.

 

Initially, Pei An was straddling Xie Yu, but he soon shifted to sitting across Xie Yu’s lap, and eventually, Xie Yu pressed him down onto the sofa.

 

They continued kissing, pausing only briefly to catch their breath before resuming again.

 

Outside, a cold wind swept through the treetops as the sky gradually darkened and night slowly descended.

 

In the short days and long nights of winter, night arrived unnoticed.

 

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew a crystal-clear snowflake onto the bare branches of a tree that had shed its leaves in autumn. The snowflake melted almost instantly.

 

The first snow of the year in DS009 was falling quietly.

 

If it weren’t for the soup still simmering in the kitchen, they might have continued their playful antics on the sofa.

 

When they finally disentangled themselves, they both wore expressions of burgeoning affection.

 

Xie Yu, feeling a scratchy dryness in his throat, gulped down a large glass of cold water before rushing to the kitchen to serve the chicken soup for dinner.

 

Pei An touched his burning ears, his mind abuzz with thoughts.

 

“How did you get into cooking?” Pei An suddenly remembered this question.

 

Xie Yu replied, “My dad suffered a lot alongside my father, and his stomach wasn’t in good shape. My father used to cook for him, avoiding any ingredients that might irritate his stomach to help him recover. When I got older, my father said that an alpha who can’t cook would have a hard time finding a mate. So, he taught me to cook when I was very young. Later, I even took cooking classes in school.”

 

Pei An’s eyes widened: “Your father sounds like quite a character.” From Xie Yu’s occasional hints, it was clear that Xie Ao had an interesting personality.

 

“One day, when the time is right, I’ll take you home to meet them. They’ll definitely love you to bits, and my position in the family hierarchy will drop to seventh place again,” Xie Yu joked.

 

“Seventh?” Pei An was puzzled. “Isn’t it just you in your family?”

 

Xie Yu counted out loud for Pei An: “You and my dad would rank first, my father and I would be after that, and in between are Lightning, Hero, and Knight, all retired service dogs.”

 

Pei An’s mouth dropped open. So Xie Yu’s family position was more accurately a “family subordinate position.”

 

“Adopting retired service dogs isn’t easy in my world,” Pei An remarked, knowing the strict vetting process involved.

 

“When you visit, you can play with Lightning and the others. Lin Bieyan also has service dogs in training; you can see them and learn how to train them too,” Xie Yu said as he served Pei An a piece of chicken. “Eat more.”

 

Pei An ate earnestly; he indeed needed to eat more.

 

After dinner, Xie Yu went to wash the dishes, and Pei An retrieved a package he had ordered earlier.

 

It contained lubricant and condoms.

 

Tonight, he was determined to take Xie Yu.

 

Pei An placed the items in the bedside table in their bedroom.

 

Since it wasn’t advisable to shower immediately after eating, Pei An and Xie Yu snuggled on the sofa. More accurately, Xie Yu sat properly while Pei An nestled in his arms.

 

“You’ll face many dangers when you return to Central Star this time. Make sure you protect yourself. If you come back injured, I’m telling you, you’ll be in big trouble,” Pei An warned, though it sounded more like he was being coquettish than threatening.

 

Xie Yu kissed Pei An’s forehead. “How about you count the hairs on my head now, and count them again when I return? If even one is missing, you can punish me.”

 

Pei An was stunned. Xie Yu had never joked like this before: “You’ve really grown, Xie Yu,” he said playfully, tickling Xie Yu.

 

Both hands reached under Xie Yu’s sweater, tickling him through the thin shirt.

 

But Xie Yu wasn’t ticklish at all, his waist not sensitive to tickling. Instead, Xie Yu tickled Pei An, making him squirm and flail until Xie Yu had to hold him to prevent him from falling off the sofa.

 

After their playful tussle, Pei An rested his head on Xie Yu’s lap, enjoying the serene moment in silence.

 

“Xie Yu, you go shower first,” Pei An said, getting up from Xie Yu’s lap. “I’ll get you a towel.”

 

“Alright,” Xie Yu agreed, glancing down absentmindedly. He indeed needed a good shower.

 

Xie Yu went into the bathroom first, but Pei An didn’t go get a towel for him as he said he would. Instead, he slowly took off his clothes, put on a bathrobe, and knocked on the bathroom door.

 

“Xie Yu, open the door.”

 

Xie Yu heard him and opened the door a crack, hiding behind it.

 

Pei An smiled smugly and then, catching Xie Yu off guard, pushed open the bathroom door and went in, closing it behind him. In Xie Yu’s astonishment, he pressed Xie Yu against the bathroom door.

 

“Xie Yu, you’re taking a cold shower behind my back again.” Pei An poked Xie Yu’s face disapprovingly. “Even if you’re strong and healthy, you shouldn’t be taking cold showers in the winter, understand?”

 

Xie Yu’s heart was already pounding in his chest, and he wasn’t sure if his voice was trembling as he spoke.

 

“Pei An, don’t do this. Please, just go out, okay?”

 

Xie Yu, too, was a hot-blooded adult. Seeing Pei An in nothing but a bathrobe, how could he not understand what was happening?

 

Pei An smiled and then stepped on Xie Yu’s foot. “I. Won’t.”

 

As an omega, he took the initiative to kiss his alpha.

 

He kissed Xie Yu with an unyielding force, claiming his breath.

 

A faint, sweet fragrance filled the bathroom, stirring even the frost.

 

Pei An had prepared himself well. Not only did he kiss his alpha, but he also met him, body and soul.

 

Their pheromones mingled in the small space, throwing everything into chaos.

 

“An An, do the scars on your body hurt?” Xie Yu tenderly caressed Pei An’s scars.

 

Pei An shook his head gently. “They don’t hurt anymore. Besides, you have more scars than I do.”

 

Their eyes were filled with each other, and they kissed each other’s scars.

 

These were not ugly marks, but the thorns they had broken along their journey.

 

Pei An didn’t remember when his bathrobe fell to the bathroom floor. He only remembered the steam and Xie Yu’s restrained, husky breathing in his ear.

 

Xie Yu carried Pei An into the bedroom, laying him carefully on the bed.

 

“In the bedside drawer, there’s something,” Pei An said, pointing to the drawer where he had hidden his treasure.

 

At his words, Xie Yu opened the drawer and took out a condom.

 

Pulling one out, Xie Yu fell silent.

 

“What’s wrong?” Pei An asked, his eyes still slightly hazy.

 

“You bought the wrong size,” Xie Yu said, throwing the condom back into the drawer. “Shall we continue?”

 

If they continued, they wouldn’t have any condoms to use. Stopping now to order some online would be unbearable.

 

Pei An sighed. “Never mind, just go ahead.”

 

He had underestimated Xie Yu. He had already bought the largest size, but this was the power of a top alpha.

 

With Pei An’s invitation, Xie Yu’s body heated up instantly.

 

Luckily, Pei An had also bought lubricant; otherwise, they wouldn’t have progressed as smoothly tonight.

 

[You thought there would be details? Nope, lights off.]

 

Pei An’s nape bore a deep bite mark from Xie Yu, so deep that pheromones were almost spilling out. As Xie Yu looked at the fierce mark he had made, he was about to get some medicine to apply to it.

 

“Are you really that dumb?” Pei An hit Xie Yu with the towel draped around his neck. He had never seen anyone apply medicine after a temporary mark.

 

Xie Yu frowned. He had bitten much deeper this time, and it looked painful.

 

“Really don’t need it?” He still wanted to apply some medicine.

 

Pei An wrapped himself in the quilt, refusing to come out. “You’ve taken biology classes, haven’t you?”

 

Biology class had made it clear that the higher the pheromone compatibility between an AO pair, the more pleasurable the marking.

 

“Get into bed and sleep. I’m tired. Aren’t you going to hold me while we sleep?” Pei An questioned.

 

“I will. I’ll hold you,” Xie Yu said, turning off the light and getting into bed, pulling Pei An out from under the covers and into his arms.

 

Breathing in each other’s pheromones and listening to each other’s breathing, they felt an immense peace.

 

—

 

Author’s Note:

 

Dear reader, please note, I didn’t write any explicit details. The lights were turned off immediately.