Chapter 5: Heartthrob of Thousands? Heartthrob of Billions!

They exchanged glances, the atmosphere charged with a subtle tension, unmistakably the prelude to a confession. Nian Tu held her breath involuntarily.

She admitted that Lu Zhan was undeniably, exceptionally handsome, held a prestigious profession, and possessed a gentle, considerate personality. In the time they had spent together, she could hardly find a flaw.

Yet, no matter how handsome or tragic Lu Zhan was, she would never accept his confession...

But perhaps she was overthinking it.

Most likely, she was overthinking, Nian Tu chastised herself. She had never been this vain before.

Just then, Xiang’s holographic communicator beeped.

The ambiguous atmosphere vanished instantly.

All three eyes were drawn to Xiang’s device. Xiang frowned as he glanced at the incoming call, pursed his lips in silence, then declined it.

Nian Tu quietly exhaled in relief, but she caught a glimpse of Xiang’s expression—heavy and conflicted—clearly troubled by the missed call.

She felt a pang of worry for Xiang, but since he said nothing, she dared not ask.

Lu Zhan took the opportunity to stroke her hair, soothing her.

Upon arriving at their destination, while Nian Tu surveyed the small villa registered under Xiang’s name, Lu Zhan casually inquired, “Is the Marshal contacting you? Because of Nian Tu?”

Xiang nodded but showed no desire to discuss the matter further.

Quickening his pace to catch up with Nian Tu, Xiang led her to see his room.

This small villa had been purchased by Xiang during his youth when he attended the Imperial Military Academy. Since graduating and formally enlisting, no one had lived there.

Before departing from the base to the Central Star yesterday, he remotely arranged for the place to be cleaned and, on a whim, bought many furnishings and daily necessities favored by females.

At that time, Nian Tu and he had barely exchanged a few words; he was not yet her guardian.

One could only say it was a case of unrequited love at first sight, sleepless nights spent endlessly imagining a future together.

The Empire’s youngest Major General, Xiang Lane, was imposing and formidable in public, but in private, he was utterly lovestruck, believing since his youth that he would one day find true love—

A secret known only to close family. Even if heard, most dismissed it as a ridiculous rumor no one would believe.

Blushing faintly, Xiang brought Nian Tu to the sunniest bedroom.

The room was cozy, over three times larger than the temporary cabins on a spaceship, complete with a walk-in closet, bathroom, and study. Though unfurnished, it met all daily needs, and additional items could be added gradually after Nian Tu moved in.

Xiang withheld a personal truth: this was the very room he had set his eyes on when purchasing the villa in his youth. He vowed then that this bedroom would be reserved for his future wife.

As for himself, he would live next door.

If he could often gain permission from his wife to spend the night in her room, that would be his ideal life.

Nervously, he asked Nian Tu, “Do you like it? This room.”

Nian Tu’s eyes sparkled, and she nodded happily, filling Xiang’s heart with joy.

“If you like it, I’ll transfer ownership of this house to you,” he said. To a male, gifting real estate to the one he admires was an honor.

Nian Tu was shocked and shook her head repeatedly.

Who just hands over a house without hesitation? Was this some peculiar interstellar custom? Or was Xiang simply too generous for his own good?

She firmly believed nothing worthwhile ever fell from the sky; undeserved gifts should not be accepted.

Seeing Xiang’s disappointed expression, she spent some time explaining that it wasn’t dislike but that the gift was too precious for her to accept.

Though crestfallen, Xiang respected her decision, secretly vowing that someday he would make her willing to accept his gifts.

The bedroom still felt somewhat empty.

Nian Tu opened her holographic interface, planning to browse the StarNet mall for decorations.

She recalled the staff mentioning that the Empire granted each female a monthly subsidy of 30,000 star coins, which had arrived upon her registration as an imperial citizen.

While marveling at how easily she’d achieved a monthly income of 30,000, she glanced at her personal account displayed on the device.

Nian Tu: “...?”

One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million, ten million, hundred million.

She counted dizzyingly, her face blank.

Why did her blank account, which hadn’t even posted a single blog, have so many followers—and still growing?

She was unaware that the events at the Jade Pavilion restaurant had been livestreamed, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers. Even after the livestream ended, word of mouth drew more to watch the replay.

Among the viewers, a remarkably high proportion of males became infatuated with Nian Tu, turning into her fervent fans and suitors.

Nian Tu even discovered her name trending on StarNet’s hot searches and trembled as she clicked to see the overwhelming flood of praise that made her dare not look away.

Not even Earth’s top celebrities had such fanfare or fan numbers.

She noticed her fans could send her direct donations, explaining the astronomical sum now in her account.

However, she also found a few discordant voices.

In the interstellar age, personal information was transparent enough that these people could accurately locate her account from a single livestream.

Some questioned her lack of psychic ability, pointing out that neither Xiang nor Lu Zhan was her partner, merely temporary guardians.

“It’s well known that males who choose females without psychic powers as mates are generally weaker, herbivorous beastmen with a lower risk of uncontrolled beast transformations and less reliance on female psychic soothing. If I recall, Major General Xiang and Doctor Lu Zhan are fierce carnivorous beastmen, right?”

“I think Nian Tu is quite cunning, trying relentlessly to latch onto powerful figures.”

“I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.