THIP Chapter 22

The Imperial Capital Star was a stark contrast to the dark and chaotic Dark Star.

Towering skyscrapers pierced through the clouds, and futuristic aircraft soared through the sky—everything around them screamed of a highly advanced interstellar age. It made Mu Liuyin all the more aware that this was indeed the era of spacefaring civilizations.

She glanced at the dazed Si Yibing beside her and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Did you just remember something else?”

Si Yibing reached over to ruffle the short hair of the young teen. “I remembered a bit about the royal family.”

Mu Liuyin nodded, but her expression soon turned troubled.

“What’s wrong?” Si Yibing blinked at her.

Mu Liuyin sighed. “Did you forget we’re both technically illegal residents? Without registered identities in the Empire’s Lightbrain system, where are we even going to stay?”

The body Mu Liuyin now inhabited had originally belonged to an orphan from the Dark Star, whose information was never entered into the Empire’s database. And Si Yibing’s Lightbrain had been destroyed during the war. The small ship South Cross prepared for them had smuggled them in, which was the only reason they made it to the Imperial Capital.

But now that they were here, having no identity meant they couldn’t do anything—not even find a place to live.

Hearing the worry in her voice, Si Yibing smiled and gently patted her head again. “Come with me.”

Mu Liuyin: ???

Si Yibing took her hand and led her forward, completely ignoring the stares and gasps of awe from passersby dazzled by her beauty.

They walked to a wide, deserted area. Mu Liuyin tugged at the corner of her lips—whenever Si Yibing veered off the usual path, she always seemed about to pull off something big.

And sure enough, just as that thought crossed her mind, an ice-blue mech appeared before them.

Though its outer structure bore clear damage from battles with the insectoids, the mech’s sleek lines and grand form were still visible. It was unmistakably “Liubing,” the exclusive mech of the royal family’s eldest princess—Si Yibing.

As soon as Si Yibing summoned the 3S-class mech from storage, the royal family’s systems detected the powerful energy signature.

Looking at the worn-out mech, Si Yibing seemed a little embarrassed. She gave Mu Liuyin a sheepish smile. “It should still fly…”

She’d originally wanted to surprise Little Yuyu with how impressive the only 3S mech in the galaxy was, but now… it looked like a wreck.

Si Yibing looked a bit disappointed.

Mu Liuyin frowned at her. “Why did you summon the mech?! Do you want the people hunting you to know you’re alive and back in the capital?”

She hadn’t even fully regained her memories yet! How was this soft-hearted, easily tricked Si Yibing supposed to deal with Si Yan, who had been reborn and was undoubtedly scheming already?!

Si Yibing looked aggrieved. Her plan had been simple—fly the mech straight to the palace to confirm her identity, skip the long walk, and also fix Little Yuyu’s “ghost ID” problem by getting her officially registered. That way, they’d have a place to stay, too.

Shouldn’t she be praised for being so efficient?

But instead of praised, Little Yuyu looked mad. Si Yibing pouted, then picked up the now thoroughly flustered Mu Liuyin and gently placed her in the copilot seat of the mech.

Mu Liuyin: “……”

As soon as she realized what just happened, she exploded. “Si Yibing! Don’t you know Alphas aren’t supposed to be randomly picked up like that?!”

Si Yibing calmly piloted the mech, replying with complete seriousness, “I know. I only pick up Little Yuyu.”

Mu Liuyin: Something about that sounds so… off?!

It took her a second to realize what exactly she’d said wrong. It wasn’t just that Alphas shouldn’t be picked up randomly—it’s that even if it’s not random, one Alpha shouldn’t be princess-carried by another Alpha!

She glared at Si Yibing, wanting to set the record straight, but Si Yibing suddenly said with a bright smile, “We’re almost at the palace.”

Mu Liuyin: “……”

Forget it. She should focus on figuring out how to keep this sweet, clueless girl away from her scheming little brother once he realizes she’s still alive.

But then again, there’s truth to the saying—no matter how many schemes are thrown your way, they’re nothing in the face of overwhelming strength.

Not to mention, Xiao Jiu was still monitoring all of Si Yan’s movements. Even a direct return might not be so risky.

Mu Liuyin looked at Si Yibing—beautiful and extraordinary, the rightful eldest princess of the royal family, a 3S-level warrior capable of slaying the Insect Queen. There was no need for her to hide.

The ice-blue mech landed in the royal hangar. It was supposed to be an empty space, but it was now surrounded by royal guards.

The moment Si Yibing stepped out of the mech, tears welled up in the Emperor’s eyes. Beside him, Si Yan could hardly hide the stormy look on his face.

Someone they believed to be dead had returned alive. Si Yan refused to believe it even after the system picked up Liubing’s signal. But now—there she was.

He clenched his fists tightly, suppressing the violent urge that surged inside him as he recalled all the reports his subordinates had sent confirming Si Yibing’s death.

Si Yibing pulled Mu Liuyin up to the front of the Imperial Emperor and said clearly, “Father, I’m back. This is my lifesaver—Su Yu.”

As she spoke, she cast a subtle glance at Si Yan. Though her memory hadn’t fully returned, the Princess’s instincts were sharp—she could already sense that her younger brother was far from thrilled about her return.

The Emperor, seeing his daughter alive and standing before him, was almost overwhelmed with joy. Given the situation at the time, her survival had seemed impossible.

Si Yibing had been tested as a 3S-level talent from a young age and was raised by the Emperor himself. Add to that the fact that he had only ever loved Si Yibing’s late mother—her supposed death in battle with the Insect Queen had nearly broken him.

Though Si Yan was also technically qualified to inherit the throne, his temperament was far from suitable.

Now that Si Yibing was alive and back, not only was the Emperor overjoyed to have his daughter return, he was relieved to know the Empire could be passed into the hands of a 3S-level powerhouse.

That night, Si Yibing sat in her enormous bedroom, completely unable to sleep. She frowned, convinced that Little Su Yu was also probably not used to sleeping alone.

So, on the very first night of her return to the Empire, Her Highness Princess Si Yibing of the Galactic Empire quietly slipped out of her room, pillow and blanket in hand, and sneaked into the room the Emperor had prepared for Mu Liuyin.

No one was inside.

She laid her blanket out neatly on Mu Liuyin’s bed but had no idea where the boy had gone.

Just as she turned to go look for him, the bathroom door creaked open—and out walked a beautiful boy, completely naked.

He was drying his damp, tousled hair with a white towel, water droplets sliding down his fair, porcelain skin.

Si Yibing, stunned, couldn’t look away.

A second later, a wet towel was flung square into her face.

Mu Liuyin had been startled nearly out of his skin to find someone just standing there watching him like that. Once he realized it was Si Yibing, he was furious and tossed his towel right at her face. He stormed back into the bathroom, threw on a robe, and returned.

Si Yibing looked at the now-clothed boy and, for some reason, felt a little… disappointed.

“How did you even get in here?” Mu Liuyin asked irritably. He was sure he had locked the door.

Si Yibing blinked, smugly replying, “Other than Father, I have the highest level of clearance in the royal system.”

A simple room lock was nothing to her.

Mu Liuyin sighed. “Okay, so why are you in my room?”

“I’m here to sleep with you,” Si Yibing said seriously.

Mu Liuyin: “…”

Not understanding why Si Yibing wanted to share a bed, he immediately declined. “Thanks, but I’m more used to sleeping alone.”

Si Yibing looked hurt. Back on the Dark Star, Little Su Yu had always shared a bed with her. How could he be used to sleeping alone?

After thinking it through, she figured Su Yu must be too embarrassed to ask her to stay now that they were back at the palace and each had their rooms. After all, he was an adult now.

He was always so prideful and contradictory.

Convinced she had figured out the real reason behind his rejection, Si Yibing kindly decided to spare his pride. So she changed her angle: “But I’m not used to sleeping alone. Su Yu, will you stay with me?”

Mu Liuyin: “…”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Without mercy, he kicked Si Yibing out of his room, blanket and pillow included, tossing them right after her.

Princess Si Yibing of the Galactic Empire: QAQ

Why did Little Su Yu still kick her out?

Sad emoji.

Outside the door, the royal princess quietly picked up her tossed belongings, determined to sneak back in once Little Su Yu was asleep.

An hour later, after finishing a game session, Xiao Jiu—who had been monitoring everything—watched as Si Yibing snuck back into the room, carefully climbed into bed once Mu Liuyin was asleep, and pulled him into her arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Xiao Jiu: “…”

So this was the reason Su Yu kept waking up in Si Yibing’s arms every morning for the past year during their mission…

Xiao Jiu realized he was late to the party.

Imagining the storm Mu Liuyin would unleash once he woke up, Xiao Jiu curled up with his fluffy tail and pretended to be in sleep mode.