Chapter 30: I Am Her Guardian

Sang Yao was currently just one step away from being labeled a dangerous individual under interstellar law.

"You've misunderstood; he is my uncle," Sang Fuying explained, already quite accustomed to the routine. Back when she went out with her uncle, people often mistook her for his girlfriend, and she had long ceased to be surprised. It was just that her uncle looked young, appearing to be of the same generation as her, though he was not actually that old.

"Uncle? Is she General Sang Yao’s niece?" the people around them whispered, eyeing Sang Fuying suspiciously. "Isn't it said that the Sang family has no females? Where would General Sang Yao get a niece?"

"General Sang Yao does have a niece, though not by blood. She was adopted by Dr. Sang in the slums years ago. But they say she’s a 'defective' female, so the Sang family doesn't really want to acknowledge her. After Dr. Sang passed away, General Sang Yao was the only one willing to take her in."

"A defective female? Aren't they supposed to be plain-looking, or even ugly? She’s stunning. I’ve never seen a defective female this beautiful. She’s even prettier than the princesses in the royal family!"

"Do you think there’s a possibility that the reason Sang Yao hasn’t been matched with a female even at thirty is because of some improper relationship between him and his pretty little niece? Just now, when she saw him, she threw herself right into his arms. And the way he held her—that didn't look very innocent either. Tell me, what normal uncle and niece are that close?"

The crowd’s murmurs were quiet, but Sang Yao heard every word. He was already struggling to clear his name regarding Yuan Feiye’s misinterpretation of his feelings for Yingying; having this group whisper rumors about them made him feel as helpless as a widower being slandered with scandalous gossip. Previously, he and Yingying had not been close at all—their relationship had been as pure as could be. But from his own perspective, ever since he had lost control in front of her, he could no longer maintain that dynamic.

Sang Fuying was equally bewildered by the gossip. Is this not the future interstellar world? It wasn't some ancient society where men and women were forbidden to touch. Why was it a problem for family members to be physically affectionate? Even on Earth, there weren't so many restrictions. She had yet to realize that those restrictions on intimacy were not aimed at females, but at males.

"Sang Yao, come play cards! Three's company, but we need one more!" a hearty voice called out. Yuan Feiye and Muer were already seated at a table in the ballroom.

Sang Yao led Sang Fuying over. Before sitting down, he glanced at Muer. The young man sat in silence, his presence a stark, otherworldly contrast to the decadent royal banquet. His thin, strong hands shuffled a thick deck of cards with practiced rhythm. This dangerous boy was Yingying’s ideal match.

In the letters his older brother hadn't been able to send, it was written that Yingying possessed a terrifyingly powerful soothing talent. If females were categorized by mental power, she would be higher than any other. Her pheromones held a lethal attraction for males; even the most stubborn male genes would disarm and surrender before her. Because of her near-pathological soothing talent and mental power, if the Federation found out, they would force her to match with beast-men against her will.

His brother had not wanted Yingying to become a mere soothing machine. In those letters, she was the purest, most beautiful angel, and he hoped she would live a carefree and happy life forever. Sadly, his brother could no longer care for her; he would never return to the Capital Planet and would sleep forever in the slums. Thus, he had entrusted his most beloved daughter to the brother he trusted most—himself. Furthermore, his brother had noted that research showed Yingying’s talent was a hundred times that of an ordinary female, meaning she would need males even more desperately during her heat cycles after reaching adulthood. Yet, he hoped she could find a male who loved her wholeheartedly, or with whom she shared a true, mutual love. If possible, he wanted Sang Yao to act as her guardian and strictly vet any potential partners.

For Yingying’s sake, he now had to prevent her from being with Muer. Secondly, Yuan Feiye was someone to be guarded against. As a male himself, he understood how other males thought, and he felt Yuan Feiye’s motives for approaching Yingying were far from pure. Ultimately, he blamed himself for previously being too indifferent, thinking Yingying just wanted to climb the social ladder by finding a more powerful man. Yuan Feiye was someone whose background he knew well; as long as she didn't mind that he was ten years her senior, he hadn't cared.

Sang Fuying sat obediently by Sang Yao’s side, watching the three men of such disparate styles play cards. She didn't quite understand the game. After a few rounds, she leaned toward Sang Yao and whispered, "How much longer do I have to stay at Brother Yuan's house?"

"Until your uncle is matched with a female," Yuan Feiye replied, tossing a card to "bomb" Sang Yao’s hand.

"Once General Sang Yao is matched with a female, she probably won't be able to stay at the General’s house anymore, will she?" Muer added, playing a pair of jokers.

Sang Yao didn't respond to the cards, only the comment: "It doesn't matter. By then, I can move out and leave the house for Yingying."

"Sounds like you intend to keep raising her yourself, then?" Yuan Feiye asked, sounding slightly skeptical.

"Otherwise? I am her guardian," Sang Yao said, his calm tone sounding like a declaration of sovereignty.

Melodic music filled the hall as the dance began. The Empress of the Vileya Empire, wearing a mermaid gown encrusted with diamonds, appeared to the gaze of the crowd. She looked like an ageless goddess who had stepped out of a fairy tale, her beauty and figure perfectly preserved despite being in her forties, not a single fine line visible.

Sang Fuying couldn't help but stare, exclaiming, "She’s so beautiful!"

"You are more beautiful than she is," the three men at the table said in near-unison.

The Empress was accompanied by a young man in extravagant attire, wearing a white Attila cape over his shoulder. His suit was sharp, and his long, pink-purple gradient hair flowed down. His features were refined and sharp, with a hint of androgyny. He was arguably more striking than the Empress, though his expression was weary and listless, as if he had been dragged there against his will.

"Is that your brother?" Sang Yao asked Yuan Feiye, glancing at the man.

Yuan Feiye, with a thin cigarette between his lips, shuffled the cards distractedly. "How did you figure that out?"

Muer took one look and added, "He looks a lot like you, especially the eyes."

"Oh, I have so many brothers in my family, I don't even know which number he is," Yuan Feiye replied, showing no concern.