Chapter 152: (End of Main Story) This Time, They Will All Be the Protagonists
After returning to Baimeng, everything returned to its former state. Aside from the increased working hours each day, there was no difference.
A week later, Shen Zhuo received word that everyone had returned to the Imperial Capital. With the newly developed second-generation recovery agent, everyone was basically able to look after themselves after half a month. However, to return to their pre-war state, they would still need several years of rest.
Yet, while Shen Zhuo thought his body would need a longer time to recover, the baby was like before, continuously providing warm energy to his gland every day. His gland, which should have taken a long time to heal, was mostly recovered in just half a month.
“Is the baby already awakening their ability?” Shen Zhuo curiously touched his lower abdomen.
He didn’t show much; at three and a half months, his belly was still flat. There was only a slight curve, which couldn’t be seen at all once covered by clothes.
Du Feng didn’t quite dare to touch Shen Zhuo’s belly; he only dared to hover his fingertips close by to mimic a touch, but he truly loved it. His eyes were filled with doting smiles.
“Then their rank will probably be very high, maybe even more powerful than me. By then, Madam won’t need my protection anymore.”
Shen Zhuo was sitting on Du Feng, leaning against his chest. Hearing this, he turned back to look. “Why do I smell a hint of jealousy?”
Du Feng lowered his head into the crook of Shen Zhuo’s neck, smelling the Night-Blooming Cereus pheromones emanating from the smooth, delicate gland.
“A little bit.” The Alpha was now quite honest.
Shen Zhuo pinched his face, finding it rather funny. “Why be jealous of a child?”
Du Feng stopped talking and simply held him tighter. “Wife, let’s hold a wedding.”
Shen Zhuo’s fingertips paused on Du Feng’s face for a few seconds.
Wedding photos, a honeymoon, the marriage certificate, the exchange of rings—they had already done it all. Shen Zhuo had long since forgotten that they hadn’t actually held a wedding ceremony. Or rather, whether there was a ceremony was no longer important to Shen Zhuo.
He and Du Feng had stood at the pinnacle of the Empire. He and Du Feng had fought side-by-side. They had sworn their vows under the seaside sun, confessed their hearts amid night-sky fireworks. They had their own crest, their own flower, even their own country.
Now, they even had their own child. Shen Zhuo was very satisfied.
“There are so many things to do in the Empire after the war; we should keep everything simple—”
Shen Zhuo’s words were interrupted by the man. “No.”
“Leave the wedding matters to me. You only need to be a beautiful bride that day.” Du Feng kissed Shen Zhuo’s forehead, then trailed down his cheek. “Once your body is a bit better, we’ll hold the wedding.”
Shen Zhuo was tickled by the kisses and had no choice but to agree. “Alright, alright, stop kissing… it itches…”
“Once the baby’s body is a bit better, we can supplement the pheromones.” The Alpha’s voice was low and husky, unintentionally seductive. “Doesn’t the ‘baby’ miss me?”
The youth indeed hadn’t been soothed for a long time. The pheromones released by the gland weren’t enough for a pregnant Omega. They needed closer, deeper, more intimate contact.
But Du Feng kept saying they needed to wait, to let the body recover more. Every day, the room was filled with high concentrations of pheromones to alleviate the restlessness of the Omega’s body during early pregnancy.
“Mm…” Shen Zhuo turned to wrap his arms around Du Feng’s shoulders, tilting his neck in response. He couldn’t bring himself to say an explicit “I miss you,” but he couldn’t say he didn’t, either.
The man’s large hand kneaded Shen Zhuo’s lower back with just the right pressure, but after unbuttoning the pajamas and giving a lick, he stopped abruptly.
The youth moved his waist, letting out a few dissatisfied hums.
He was held down by Du Feng. “Not yet.”
Shen Zhuo had to settle for biting Du Feng’s Adam’s apple, only letting go after hearing the man’s muffled groan. His fingers slid down, gripping.
“You’re clearly so excited, Du Feng.” The youth blinked slowly. “How can you hold back like this, like a saint?”
Du Feng bit back, though only a nip on Shen Zhuo’s lip. “Being a saint is impossible, but my wife’s health is the most important.”
Just then, An knocked on the door, saying the Master was needed for a meeting. Du Feng shared one last warm, moist kiss with the youth before Shen Zhuo watched him leave the room.
The only times during the day the two could be this lovey-dovey were for an hour after lunch and dinner, and after ten at night. But Shen Zhuo slept a lot during pregnancy and was usually sound asleep by ten. This resulted in the two of them barely seeing each other during the day, even though they were both at Baimeng.
Du Feng resumed control of all military matters, while Shen Zhuo and Feng Muya took over the Royal administrative duties. Countless documents were sent to Baimeng every day. Shen Zhuo sat on the bed, propping up a small table to begin reviewing them.
He and Du Feng had always had issues with the Imperial Royalty. So, now that the Broodmother was destroyed and the insect tide had passed, it was time for the renewal of the entire Empire. From laws to policies, all regulations related to the people’s livelihood needed to be revised. This left him and Feng Muya with countless tasks every day.
At that moment, a video call came through. Shen Zhuo answered and found two people already on the call. No, to be precise, there were three.
Ai Li’s grinning face filled the screen. “Shen Zhuo-zhuo, still busy? Once Old Ji’s prosthetic arrives, shall we meet up?”
Ji Weishen saluted behind Ai Li. “Sister-in-law, we’re all mostly recovered.”
The scar on Ji Weishen’s face was still prominent, but the slightly ferocious scar didn’t take away his right to be loved.
Before Shen Zhuo could speak, another voice from a different screen said gloomily, “Could you consider someone who can only sit in a wheelchair?”
Fu Qishang’s external injuries were the most severe among them. Multiple comminuted fractures made it difficult for the recovery agents to heal him completely in a short time.
Liang Yeta’s voice came from behind him, a bit distant, sounding like he wasn’t in the same room. “I’ll push you. I can push you wherever you want to go.”
Fu Qishang glanced outside the screen, the corners of his mouth curling up, yet he said, “Who wants you to push?”
Shen Zhuo looked at the screen, momentarily filled with a mix of emotions. They had once been hostile, later fought together, and perhaps could continue walking together in the future. Friendship was a rare thing.
After everything had passed, he hoped they would still be the same youths.
“Next weekend, let’s gather and celebrate together,” Shen Zhuo said. Celebrate the lives preserved from battle, and celebrate new life.
Everything had ended; everything was about to begin.
At dusk, Shen Zhuo walked alone to the top floor of Baimeng. That door was still tightly closed, locking away the layers of the past that had trapped Du Feng. Perhaps out of fear of bringing back the pain, Shen Zhuo hadn’t mentioned anything about what he had discovered. Neither had Du Feng.
The youth stood at the door, his hand resting on the handle for a long time.
Until a large hand covered his, gently applying pressure, leading him to open the door.
Countless words of blood, countless deaths rushed toward them. When all the memories—the tragedy like evil ghosts crawling out of hell—grabbed Du Feng’s ankles, trying to pull him down.
But at the same time, his wrist was held.
“Let’s face it together, alright?”
The youth’s soft voice, like the sacred tolling of a church bell, pushed the darkness back.
Du Feng lowered his head, seeing those bright yet dark eyes that looked like the North Star.
“Alright,” the man smiled. This was the first time he had smiled in this room.
Throughout the night, Du Feng recounted his past experiences in detail—things he had hidden from the moment he met Shen Zhuo.
Don’t be afraid. There was nothing to be afraid of anymore. He was alive, his wife was alive, and no one could stop them anymore.
No need to be afraid anymore, Du Feng, the Alpha told himself repeatedly.
Shen Zhuo sat cross-legged on the soft padded floor, his body leaning over to rest on Du Feng’s shoulder. Du Feng’s finger, pointing at a certain death record, paused for a moment as he heard the youth say:
“In the previous life, if I had met you, I still would have loved you.”
“The Rosemary pheromone link has always existed; you can only belong to me.” Shen Zhuo looked up into the man’s gray-blue eyes.
“Actually, I’m the same.”
“The Evening-Primrose Peacock can only belong to you.”
Shen Zhuo smiled. “We are destined, no matter how many cycles.”
Du Feng raised his hand to pull the youth into his embrace, kissing his brow. “Yes, we are.” The man lowered his eyelashes, feeling the warmth in his arms. “I won’t let go again.”
Shen Zhuo closed his eyes with a smile. “We have to keep walking together from now on, Du Feng.”
“Mm.”
“No more worrying about this or that.”
“Mm.”
“Don’t hide anything from me anymore; I can bear it with you.”
“…Alright.”
Shen Zhuo raised his hand, carefully using his fingertips to wipe away the moisture at the corners of the man’s eyes. He turned and straddled Du Feng’s lap, his nose touching the man’s, rubbing affectionately as he whispered:
“I love you, Du Feng.”
“Always, always, I love you.”
In the dim room, a lamp was lit. The bright glow dispersed the shadows in the room. The haze that had oppressed the man’s heart for countless years finally vanished. For the first time, Du Feng’s eyes were clear, without a single shadow of sadness.
“…Me too,” he responded.
The past layers were like smoke; now they could look back. The 200th ending heralded the first arrival. This was the beginning of their lives.
This time, they will all be the protagonists.
Translator’s Note: This is the official end of the main story! I’m so happy, please support the author! But don’t go yet—there are extras (Side Stories) coming up next!
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