AEKMEM chapter 40

After the snowstorm passed, the sky cleared. Beneath the pristine blue sky, the snowfield stretched out in a vast expanse of white, resembling pure jade and crystal.

A colossal black dragon, so immense that it blotted out the sky and was enveloped in the golden rays of the sun, swooped down from the peaks of the snow-capped mountains and the edge of the floating clouds.

An Qiao looked up with unblinking icy blue eyes.

Upon closer inspection, one would notice that his eyes were brighter than usual, with barely perceptible excitement and heat deep within them.

A dragon!

The black dragon he had longed for so long!

Its black scales were cold and magnificent. Its massive, blood-red eyes were like raging flames and appeared ferocious and dangerous.

An ordinary person might feel suffocated and terrified.

But An Qiao felt it was just right. He loved exceptionally ferocious, majestic, enormous beasts, especially dragons at the top of the food chain—the more dangerous and ferocious, the better.

Now, the dragon spread its wings and swooped down on him. He felt no fear. Instead, he was so excited that he wanted to rush forward and fight.

He had one regret, though: he couldn’t see the dragon’s intense, dangerous breath. A dragon in battle would better suit his aesthetic of violent beauty.

In the blink of an eye, the black dragon was before him.

The arrogant, ferocious dragon lowered its massive, unyielding head. Its blood-red, fiery eyes gazed at him with gentle, yet helpless, intensity.

The instant their eyes met, An Qiao’s heart pounded wildly.

A palpitation. An uncontrollable palpitation.

However, it wasn’t because of his proximity to the dragon he so desperately wanted to see; it was because he realized, clearly and consciously, that he was looking at Chu Heng.

Because of Chu Heng’s gaze.

At that moment, he seemed to understand something… yet also seemed not to fully understand.

**

The handling of the Wolf Star Pirates’ affairs was handed over to the newly arrived adjutant, Jiang Qi. Chu Heng transformed into his black dragon form and led An Qiao away from the Spirit Burial Snowfield. They then boarded a flying vehicle and arrived in Blue Star City.

Blue Star City, the capital of Water Blue Star, is renowned for its livable environment, beautiful scenery, and pleasant climate. It has a spring-like climate year-round with evergreen vegetation and blooming flowers, attracting countless tourists annually.

Before bringing An Qiao to Water Blue Star, Chu Heng arranged for someone to select and purchase a suitable manor or castle in Blue Star City.

His friend Yin Que happened to be in Blue Star City at the time. Knowing of his desire to buy a suitable manor or castle, Yin Que offered his assistance.

Yin Que had also come from the same garbage planet where Chu Heng grew up to attend the Imperial Capital’s first military academy, and they were in the same graduating class.

When Chu Heng was still on the garbage planet, the two were merely acquaintances who nodded to each other when they met. It was only after entering the academy that they became close friends and roommates.

Chu Heng was passionate about collecting gold, silver, and jewelry, while Yin Que was obsessed with earning star coins and possessed exceptional business acumen. Chu Heng invested and Yin Que managed the business; together, they amassed a fortune.

Despite his exceptional combat and military talent, Yin Que didn’t join the army after graduating from the Empire’s top military academy; he entered the business world instead. With his intelligence, cunning, and connections, he built a vast business enterprise in just a few years. He’s now one of the Empire’s top business tycoons.

Many of Chu Heng’s businesses collaborate with Yin Que, who was aware of Chu Heng’s visit to Water Blue Star.

After hearing Chu Heng’s description of the requested manor and castle, Yin Que winked and teased, “Is this for your crown princess? People really do change when they’re in love.”

“Since my sister-in-law is visiting Blue Star City, I should treat him to a meal.”

Chu Heng was silent for a moment. “I’ll treat you, but don’t call him ‘sister-in-law’ in front of Qiao Qiao.”

Yin Que immediately understood the implication and almost dropped his jaw. “Seriously? It’s been so long, and you still haven’t defined your relationship? Aren’t you always known for your swift and decisive approach, never dragging things out?”

Chu Heng rolled his eyes. “This… It’s different. My Qiaoqiao doesn’t know how I feel about him yet. If you’re not careful and reveal something you shouldn’t, you know the consequences.”

Hearing the word “consequences,” Yin Que immediately recalled being humiliated by Chu Heng during their “sparring” at the top military academy in the Empire, and a chill ran down his spine. “Don’t worry. I promise I won’t hold you back. I won’t ruin your plans. I absolutely won’t tell my sister-in-law that you have feelings for him!”

Chu Heng: “… ”

**

An Qiao stepped off the aircraft and looked at the lush, elegant manor castle, his eyes lighting up.

This is a great place to visit!

Falling into the Burial Snowfield was purely an accident. However, this unexpected turn of events also brought him an unexpected gain.

His discerning gaze swept over the surroundings, and he nodded inwardly with slight satisfaction.

Chu Heng’s taste and judgment had improved considerably. At least it wasn’t the cold, austere aesthetic of the Marshal’s residence, devoid of flowers and trees.

But then, as if he had suddenly remembered something, his expression became more subtle.

“If I remember correctly, you don’t seem to like this lifestyle, do you?”

It wasn’t just dislike. Compared to Chu Heng’s marshal residence, this place was completely different. Before An Qiao planted roses there, there weren’t any flowers, trees, or shrubs.

A person’s aesthetic sense and habits shouldn’t change drastically in a short period, barring unforeseen circumstances. Yet, it’s truly baffling that Chu Heng chose a garden castle that clearly doesn’t fit his style.

—It seems as if it was deliberately chosen according to his preferences.

However, Chu Heng mistakenly believes he’s not satisfied with this place. “You don’t like it here?”

An Qiao: “… ”

He remembered asking Chu Heng if he disliked this lifestyle, so why did Chu Heng suddenly decide he disliked it?

Is it because Chu Heng’s focus is on whether he’s satisfied with it?

A barely perceptible twitch crossed his brow, and the recent suspicion in his mind resurfaced.

“I quite like it,” he said.

This was the truth.

Elves are naturally drawn to nature. Seeing vibrant flowers, trees, and lush greenery instantly brightens their mood and soothes their brow.

He also liked the architectural style—elegant, refined, and beautiful without being gaudy.

—But was it too considerate of him to give up his preferred lifestyle in favor of one he liked? Wasn’t that a bit strange?

Would someone be this attentive and considerate toward business partners and friends?

“If you like it, that’s good.” Chu Heng couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Then he added, “I’m not sure if the chefs here will suit your taste. If not, we can find someone else or have one of the chefs from the Marshal’s residence come over.”

An Qiao: “… ”

Something felt even more off.

Would someone really be this attentive and caring toward a friend?

Recalling everything that Chu Heng had done over the past few days and the things revealed through his words and actions—especially the undisguised look in his eyes when he lowered his head like a dragon and gazed at him—he had a vague feeling that Chu Heng might like him.

But he wasn’t quite sure.

After all, there’s a saying in this world: one of the biggest illusions people have is thinking that someone likes them.

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