Embarrassing Companion Beast

Chapter Thirty

This was not Ye Nanxun's first time entering the Imperial Palace.

But it was indeed his first time venturing deep into the Imperial Palace.

The Dream Star Imperial Palace was immensely grand and magnificent, covering more land than an ordinary city.

Whether it was the music room where Ye Nanxun had practiced the piano before or the banquet hall where he had attended the coming-of-age ceremony, both were merely located on the outskirts of the Imperial Palace.

Now, they rode a black hovercar through a transparent passageway toward the inner regions of the Imperial Palace.

At the center of the palace plaza, a towering statue of the Emperor gradually emerged from the clouds, revealing its solemn and imposing form.

The powerful, handsome alpha wore battle armor and gripped a massive sword in his hand. A fierce, majestic black dragon coiled around him, its jaws wide open to reveal sharp teeth and the faint glow of fire.

The statue was so lifelike that it seemed the dragon might spew flames capable of destroying the world at any moment.

Ye Nanxun's gaze lingered on the Emperor's statue for a long time.

That face, steadfast and commanding, representing the pinnacle of worldly power and strength, gradually overlapped with the man in his mind who stood in the kitchen with his head lowered, chopping vegetables.

He could not put his feelings into words.

"His Majesty originally wanted to pick you up himself, but there was simply too much going on today. His schedule was packed from morning to night, and he really couldn't spare the time, so he asked me to come instead."

Song Ren sat in the driver's seat. Rather than watching the controls or the road ahead, he spent most of the time with his head lowered, handling his own work.

He rubbed his slightly sore brow, set down his work, and turned his gaze toward the young man who had been looking out the window.

"Have you watched the Imperial Palace's New Year's Eve gala before, Xiaoxun?" Song Ren's gentle voice unconsciously put people at ease.

Song Ren gave Ye Nanxun a somewhat similar impression to Jiang Yuenian. Both were highly cultivated and mild-tempered people. Though they held high positions, they treated others with warmth and courtesy.

Song Ren's repeated use of "Mr. Ye" had made Ye Nanxun uneasy. After they chatted for a while, Song Ren changed it to Xiaoxun, and Ye Nanxun stopped calling him Mr. Song as well.

Ye Nanxun said, "I've only seen it on television."

The corners of Song Ren's eyes crinkled with a smile. "If you don't have anything to do today, why not stay and have some fun at the Imperial Palace? There'll be banquet performances and a fireworks show tonight. I'll take you around then."

Ye Nanxun nodded. "Thank you, Brother Song."

Closing his laptop, Song Ren casually asked, "What do you think His Majesty is like?"

Ye Nanxun froze slightly. He glanced at the imposing, magnificent statue outside the window and said, "Very... gentle."

An alpha standing at the pinnacle of power would personally cook, thoughtfully hold an umbrella for someone, and keep a little mutt that most wealthy people would look down on.

Song Ren was quietly startled. Using the word gentle to describe Yan Beiyou was a little terrifying.

Without continuing the subject, Song Ren began talking about his own research.

Although Ye Nanxun's research was not related to pheromones, he was very interested in Song Ren's work. He also vaguely guessed that Song Ren probably knew about his pheromones being poisonous mushrooms.

The hovercar gradually slowed. They had arrived at their destination.

After getting out, they could not see another soul nearby. Song Ren led the way with practiced familiarity.

Song Ren stopped at the entrance to a corridor. "His Majesty is working inside. Just go knock on the door. I'll come find you later."

Seeing that Song Ren was about to leave, Ye Nanxun called out, "Brother Song, how many people know about my pheromones?"

Song Ren turned back and smiled. "Only His Majesty and I know."

Ye Nanxun let out a breath of relief. After saying goodbye to Song Ren, he walked toward the tightly shut study door.

Before his raised fingers could fall, the person inside opened the door.

His lips parted, and Ye Nanxun looked up at the tall alpha before him.

He had seen Yan Beiyou in a long black coat. He had also seen Yan Beiyou after he took off his coat, looking at home in a warm room.

The alpha before him was still tall and straight-backed. His short black hair was combed neatly back, and his deep, sharp features instantly reminded Ye Nanxun of the enormous statue in the palace plaza.

There was not a trace of his domestic gentleness left on Yan Beiyou. His black-and-gold uniform was austere and noble.

Ye Nanxun's chest tightened, and he quickly lowered his head, his eyes falling on the alpha's black boots with jeweled clasps.

"Your Majesty."

The alpha before him did not speak immediately.

With his eyes lowered, Ye Nanxun could not see Yan Beiyou's expression. In his field of vision, the pair of black boots stepped back.

A low, cool voice fell from above, though his tone was as gentle as ever. "You can call me that in the Imperial Palace. Outside, you should still call me Mr. Yan."

Without waiting for Ye Nanxun to respond, Yan Beiyou turned and returned to the study. "Come in."

When Ye Nanxun raised his head, all he saw was the alpha's tall, broad back.

He stepped forward to follow him. The door behind him closed automatically with a soft sound.

Ye Nanxun looked back, questions flashing through his mind. Had Yan Beiyou known he was outside the door and gotten up to open it for him, or had it merely been a coincidence?

The alpha, dressed in formal uniform, walked to the liquor cabinet at the side. "Would you like a drink?"

Ye Nanxun said, "I haven't really drunk much..."

Yan Beiyou paused in the middle of reaching for a bottle, then chuckled softly. "So well-behaved?"

Ye Nanxun felt embarrassed for a moment. He had tasted his father's red wine as a child, but all he remembered was that it had been sour and bitter, impossible to drink.

After that, he gave up on the idea of drinking alcohol.

Ye Nanxun's face felt a little warm. He felt as though Yan Beiyou had teased him, so he turned his head to examine his surroundings. "Warm water is fine."

The study of the ruler of the star system was warmer and more comfortable than he had imagined.

It was neither heavy nor solemn.

The wooden bookshelves were filled with paper books. In the center, by the window, stood a clean and tidy desk with an open book upon it, as well as a wineglass half-filled with red wine.

"Woof woof woof—"

Something tugged at his pants. Ye Nanxun lowered his head and saw a round-headed little yellow dog gently biting his pant leg, its tail wagging.

Its wet, bright black eyes were filled with delight.

Ye Nanxun crouched halfway down. The little yellow dog released the omega's pant leg and pushed off hard with its short legs.

Yan Beiyou turned around with a cup of warm water in hand, only to see his Companion Beast happily jumping toward Ye Nanxun.

The cool-tempered omega flailed in panic, his eyes filled with alarm as he nearly got knocked to the floor by the little yellow dog.

Yan Beiyou's brow twitched. Little thing, how embarrassing.