Chapter 45: Surging and Intense Desire

An image of a female was thrust directly toward him. Tan Konglin turned his head away, his gaze deliberately avoiding the picture as a silent refusal.

The Emperor and Empress always periodically recommended noble female ladies to him, showing him their photographs and asking if he liked them. If he did, they would immediately arrange a meeting.

In the past, Tan Konglin had zero interest in choosing a mate. Out of respect for his parents, he would usually glance obediently at the photos and then politely state that they were not his ideal type.

But this time, he didn't even bother to look, rejecting his father flatly.

Because he already had a beloved female, and he would remain utterly faithful to her, refusing to cast a single glance at any other female.

Suppressing his irritation, the Emperor continued to persuade, "This female is different. She might awaken an S-class spiritual power. Before she awakens, you'd better meet her and win her heart in advance..."

"Forgive me, Father," Tan Konglin said calmly. "I already have a female I love. I will not betray her."

Whether an A-class female or an S-class female, none could compare to the warm, soft embrace of the one in his dreams.

The Emperor frowned. "You have never even been together. How can you talk about betrayal?"

A male during the period of loss of control was no different from a beast; it was entirely impossible for him to engage in romance with a female. Even if Tan Konglin had genuinely fancied some female during his madness, they certainly had not formed a couple.

"Go meet Nian Tu. You will like her," the Emperor recommended Nian Tu to Tan Konglin once again.

Such a pretty little female, and her personality was reportedly wonderful. Even that old iceberg Felix had his heart set on fire by her; her charm was self-evident.

"No," Tan Konglin retorted with absolute conviction. "I will not like her."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince could never have imagined at that moment that speaking such words guaranteed his face would soon be slapped.

While the Crown Prince preserved his chastity for the female in his dreams, the little female he thought of day and night was currently surrounded by armfuls of fluff to soothe the melancholic depression left by the departure of her cat.

A little snow fox in her left hand, a large snow leopard in her right.

Immersed in the snow mountain hot spring with sheer bliss, Nian Tu squinted her eyes.

The hot spring vapor swirled around, quickly forming a layer of white frost on her eyelashes. The little snow fox crept closer, eager to lick it away for her, only to be caught by her and rubbed until it rolled around on the ground.

Seeming envious of the snow fox's pampering, the snow leopard's tail swung back and forth, deliberately dangling in front of Nian Tu to catch her attention and entice her into grabbing it.

The fluffy, oversized tail tickled the tip of her nose, and Nian Tu couldn't help but chuckle out loud.

A chubby big rabbit happened to pass by and, completely ignoring the deterrent aura of the two predators, blindly flung itself right into Nian Tu's lap, pressing close against her.

Nian Tu petted the silly rabbit a few times, patted its rump, and let it go.

Seeing her having so much fun, Felix's stern and sharp brows softened slightly.

"If you like them, you can take them back to raise," he suggested.

Nian Tu shook her head and released her hands.

Whether snow fox or snow leopard, both were pure wild animals. Their home was in this vast, boundless world, and they should not be trapped within a tiny courtyard.

The snow-capped mountains stretched endlessly in a vast expanse of white. The snow fox darted into the mountain forest, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye, only to scurry back shortly after with a string of berries in its mouth, cautiously offering them to Nian Tu.

With a beaming smile, Nian Tu praised it as "such a good boy" and reached out to accept the bright red berries.

Seeing this, the snow leopard sprinted into the woods and soon returned with its own harvest, panting as it dragged a piece of prey. Radiating body heat, it dropped the fresh, blood-scented carcass right in front of Nian Tu with a heavy thud.

"!" Nian Tu jumped in surprise, then burst into a helpless chuckle, massaging the creature's fluffy, massive head.

The snow leopard let out a low rumble, sounding both pleased and urging.

Not only did it willingly share its food, but it even generously let Nian Tu eat first, an act that practically defied animal nature.

Nian Tu was not short of a bite to eat, nor was she accustomed to eating game, but this pure and sincere offering of fluffiness made it impossible for her to refuse.

"Uncle," she looked at Felix for help.

Felix timely took charge of the ibex hunted by the snow leopard.

Out of regard for Nian Tu, although the snow leopard kept a wary eye on his every move, it did not stop him from touching its kill.

With his back to Nian Tu, Felix's tall figure blocked her line of sight to spare her from witnessing anything bloody. Working with practiced efficiency, he skinned and dismembered the animal, cutting off the most tender piece of meat for Nian Tu while returning the rest to the snow leopard. He asked Nian Tu, "How would you like it cooked?"

Although it was a primitive planet with a very low development index, the Marshal's personal guards were stationed here year-round. The snow mountain hot spring had been developed almost like a resort, with basic living facilities lacking nothing; even though everyone usually drank nutrient packs, automatic cooking equipment was also available.

Nian Tu did not entirely trust the automatic cooking equipment, fearing it would ruin the snow leopard's thoughtful gesture.

"Let's have barbecue," she stood up from the hot spring with a splash, water droplets clinging to her long, straight legs.

A patch of snowy white flashed right before Felix's eyes, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Oblivious, Nian Tu dried herself, changed into fresh clothes in a second, and drew close to Felix. "Uncle, where is the kitchen?"

A faint fragrance lingered around her, subtly stirring the male's nervous system. Felix was in his prime and utterly vulnerable to such temptation; the casual expressions and smiles of the little female easily drove him to wild, involuntary fantasies.

For the first few decades of his life, he had never felt so acutely that he, too, was a male brimming with animal instincts, plagued by a fierce and overwhelming urge to court.

Meeting those pure, clear eyes, Felix forcefully suppressed those unruly thoughts, maintaining a steady and reliable outward appearance on the surface. Only his hoarse voice betrayed him: "Follow me."

The fresh mutton was sliced, marinated, and grilled on a heated pan until it sizzled and dripped with oil.

Nian Tu had always disliked greasy roasted meat, but inhaling the rich aroma now, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Obediently squatting on a chair waiting to be fed by Felix, she snapped a few photos.

Coincidentally, she had also taken some pictures while soaking in the hot spring. Picking out her absolute favorites, she shared them on her Interstellar Network personal space, imitating Felix by setting them to be visible only to friends.

Nian Tu: Out having fun with Uncle. [Image], [Image], [Image], [Image]

Snow-capped mountain peaks, wild little animals, Felix intently grilling meat, and a selfie.

Nian Tu didn't have many friends on her list, just a sparse few.

The photos went out quietly, and she had expected no reaction, yet everyone proved surprisingly enthusiastic. Even the veteran professors from the Imperial Military Academy chimed in to like her post.

"Are those wild animals? Stay safe!"

Professor Li, unaware of Nian Tu's constitution which naturally attracted animals, still felt compelled to leave a reminder in the comment section out of concern, even though he knew the Lord Marshal would never let the little female fall into danger.

Several other senior professors also inquired about her well-being.

Nian Tu awkwardly expressed her gratitude.

The only person on the list with no movement whatsoever was Xie Jili.

He seemed to have completely vanished without a trace.

Nian Tu frowned.

The messages she had sent him previously still remained unanswered. She sent another message to inquire: [Are you okay?]

Utter silence. No response.

On the other end of the chat box, Xie Jili stared silently at Nian Tu's message, his fingertips trembling slightly as he wrestled with a fierce internal struggle.

He had already left Central Star, no longer a student of the Imperial Military Academy, but an interstellar pirate.

An interstellar pirate's domain, much like the black market, was equipped with advanced anti-surveillance devices. Even if he replied to Nian Tu's message, the Empire would not be able to trace the signal back to him.

He simply didn't dare reply.

He ought not to entangle himself with Nian Tu any longer.

Doubtless, Nian Tu would soon learn that he had become a wanted criminal of the Empire, even a notorious interstellar pirate. By then... would she be deeply disappointed in him?

Cautiously, Xie Jili tapped open the photos Nian Tu had shared.

How wonderful... she was living happily.

As his gaze fell upon Nian Tu's selfie, the young male's pupils violently constricted.

In the picture, sunlight bathed the little female in gold, making her breathtakingly gorgeous. A touch of blue adorned her neck, resembling ripples of glistening spring waves.

This was... the necklace he had given her!