The No. 1 Hunfen King in the Entire Server [Interstellar] Chapter 51

Perhaps because of his mother’s diary, Lin Jing’s first night at the base was far from peaceful. He had a dream.

Butterflies fluttered through an endless sea of hyacinths.

A young boy with jet-black hair sat on a rock in the center of the field, his pale legs swinging. The golden sunlight filtered through branches and leaves, casting shifting patterns over him as he looked up in confusion.

A soft, childish voice echoed from the depths of time.

“Why did the witch put the princess to sleep?”

His mother sat across from him, patiently explaining.

“Because the king didn’t invite her to the banquet.”

“Does the king have a bad memory?”

“…No.”

“Then why didn’t he invite her?”

“Because—alright, fine, yes, the king had a bad memory.”

“Someone with a bad memory can still be a king?”

Caught off guard, the adult grew exasperated.

“Lin Jing! Are you going to sleep or not?”

The boy pouted.

“Are all princesses pretty? Why do so many people like them?”

“I already told you—the fairies blessed her with wisdom, kindness, and beauty.”

“Wow, I want to kiss a princess too.”

“Where do you get these ideas? Go to bed!”

The little boy was scooped up, his short legs kicking in protest. Then, he muttered mischievously, “Mom, the way you’re forcing me to sleep kinda makes you seem like the witch.”

His mother laughed in exasperation. “And you think you’re Sleeping Beauty?”

Lin Jing bared his teeth. “No, I’m the prince.”

“You’re a frog.”

Children’s minds always wandered in strange directions. He watched a butterfly circle around before suddenly adding, “Grandpa took me to see fireworks last week.”

“And?”

“And I saved the day.” Lin Jing puffed up proudly. “If it weren’t for me, everyone would’ve ended up in the hospital.”

“What did you do?”

“The firework tube tipped over, and the sparks were coming right at us! I bravely threw it into the lake.”

His mother took a deep breath. “Did your grandpa tell you that all the fireworks at the banquet were holographic projections?”

“Huh?”

“You didn’t throw a firework tube. You threw the projector into the lake. Did they ask you to pay for it?”

Lin Jing panicked. “…No, no! They just brought in another one.”

His mother let out an amused huff and teased, “Lucky you. Otherwise, the banquet would have gone smoothly and ended right on time.”

Lin Jing: “…” That’s so mean.

“Completely useless, except when it comes to taking credit.” His mother chuckled and finally relented. “So, did you like the fireworks?”

Lin Jing mumbled, “Yeah… they were beautiful.”

He lowered his head, embarrassed.

The truth was, he thought they were beautiful because, in that moment, he had imagined himself as a hero—thinking that all those dazzling fireworks were celebrating him.

God, he even bragged about it to others. That was so embarrassing.

***

Imperial University was vast, with beautifully maintained greenery. Just a few steps led to a tree-lined path where sunlight wove through the leaves like threads in Frigg’s hands.

The teaching buildings cast long shadows as vibrant young students hurried past. Lu Xingyu was somewhat of a well-known figure at Imperial University, attracting quite a few glances along the way.

Their dynamic wasn’t quite like childhood friends—it was more like a father and son. They both saw it that way.

Biting into an ice pop, Lu Xingyu tried to persuade Lin Jing, “Don’t bother renting a place. What a waste of money. Just crash with me.”

Lin Jing replied, “Might as well go back to District One then.”

Lu Xingyu asked, “So you’re not awkward with your senior anymore?”

Lin Jing shrugged. “You get used to it.”

Lu Xingyu clicked his tongue, crunching loudly on his ice pop before suggesting, “Since you don’t want to crash at mine, how about we switch places? I give you my apartment, and you give me your keys. I’ll go live with your senior—I don’t mind! I won’t feel awkward at all!”

Lin Jing didn’t even hesitate. “Get lost.”

Lu Xingyu pouted. “Cheapskate.”  

 

Lu Xingyu whined, “Waaah, I just want to see what Senior Xu looks like.”  

 

Lin Jing rolled his eyes. “Xu Wanzhi will be at the midterms tomorrow. You’ll see him then.”  

 

Lu Xingyu said, “I don’t want to look up at him from the audience.”  

 

Lin Jing: “Then go up and challenge him.”  

 

Lu Xingyu nearly choked on his own saliva. “No, no, no, don’t scare me like that.”  

 

Lin Jing said, “This is all you’re good for. You pick on the weak and fear the strong, only daring to run your mouth in front of me.”  

 

“That’s not true,” Lu Xingyu argued, chewing on a wooden stick. “As my childhood friend and the senior’s rumored boyfriend, shouldn’t you give me some benefits?”  

 

Lu Xingyu and Lin Jing had grown up bickering with each other. After saying that, Lu Xingyu braced himself for Lin Jing’s mockery or even a beating.  

 

Unexpectedly, when he turned to look, Lin Jing fell into a brief silence, looking a little lost in thought.  

 

He had spent a year bedridden in the hospital. His skin was pale, his faint blue veins barely visible, giving him an indescribable gentleness and fragility amidst the lush green trees swaying in the breeze.  

 

Lu Xingyu: “……”  

 

Snapping back to reality, Lin Jing curled his lips. “Say one more word, and I’ll sew your mouth shut.”  

 

Though Lin Jing’s threat was like a bomb, his two moments of unusual behavior were an even bigger shocker.  

 

Lu Xingyu took the stick out of his mouth, dumbfounded. “Lin Jing, you’re done for.”  

 

“Hm?” Lin Jing lifted his head.  

 

Lu Xingyu, like a disappointed father, sighed with grief and indignation. “You like him.”  

 

Lin Jing: “……”  

 

Lin Jing: “?”  

 

At the cafeteria.  

Ignoring the glances and hushed whispers from the senior girls around them, Lin Jing kept piling food into Lu Xingyu’s bowl, trying to shut him up.  

Lu Xingyu, stuffed, raised his chopsticks. “I know I can be bribed with a meal, but do you have to treat me like a pig?”  

 

Lin Jing: “Even pigs aren’t as dumb as you.”  

 

Lu Xingyu sat up indignantly and argued, “You can’t insult my intelligence just because you’re embarrassed that I told the truth.”  

 

Their conversation was interrupted when a senior girl in a flowing white dress approached, smiling sweetly. “Junior Lu, what a coincidence.”  

 

Lu Xingyu, knowing when to act proper, immediately stopped lecturing Lin Jing and sat up straight. “Hello, Senior.”  

 

After greeting Lu Xingyu, the girl’s gaze landed on Lin Jing. Her eyes curved as she smiled, her intentions crystal clear. “This handsome guy looks unfamiliar. Is he your friend?”  

 

Lu Xingyu: “……” No, this is my son, who’s about to start an early romance.  

 

Lin Jing was always polite in social situations. He gave the senior a brief smile but didn’t say anything.  

 

That one smile struck her heart like lightning. She swallowed hard, internally screaming—Is this what they call a puppy-like boy? I’m in love!  

 

Lu Xingyu, feeling a father’s duty to protect his son from fleeting romances, cleared his throat. “Senior, uh… my friend already has a partner.”  

 

The senior froze. “Huh? Oh…”  

 

She looked disappointed for a moment but quickly recovered with a smile. “No worries, I was just checking for my friend. But wow, he really is adorable.”  

 

Lin Jing: “?”  

 

Was that… a compliment?  

 

Should he say thank you?  

 

Lu Xingyu looked speechless. Lin Jing’s personality was being called “adorable”? Please. This guy was more of a dominant alpha than a puppy. And sorry, Senior, but your little puppy had already fallen for a little wolf.  

 

After the senior left, Lu Xingyu once again shouldered his fatherly duty, solemnly saying, “Lin Jing, let’s make a bet.”  

 

Lin Jing, slightly more relaxed after the brief distraction, asked, “Bet on what?”  

 

Lu Xingyu smirked. “Let’s bet on whether you’ve fallen for him or not.”  

 

Lin Jing was about to get up and punch him. “Are you done yet?”  

 

Lu Xingyu: “Are you betting or not? If you refuse, that means you’re guilty!”  

 

Lin Jing curled his lips coldly. “Trying to provoke me? You think I’d fall for that?”  

 

And yet, in the next second, expressionless, he asked, “What’s the bet?”  

 

Lu Xingyu: “If you don’t like him, I’ll call you dad.”  

 

Lin Jing looked disgusted. “Haven’t you already called enough people ‘dad’ over the years? You practically have a whole nation of fathers. What’s the point of betting on this?”  

 

Lu Xingyu: “……” What nonsense is this about a nation of fathers?  

Gritting his teeth, Lu Xingyu said, “Fine, let’s change it. If you don’t like him, I’ll livestream myself washing my hair while doing a handstand.”  

Lin Jing shrugged, seemingly satisfied.  

Lu Xingyu raised an eyebrow, then smirked smugly. “But if you do like him, you have to livestream your next *Survivor* match and prove yourself to the whole internet by crushing all the noobs.”  

“……” Lin Jing stared at him, speechless. “You’re so annoying.”  

Lu Xingyu was so stimulated that he slammed the table. “What do you mean, annoying?! Dad is doing this for you! Look, I care so much about your reputation!”

Lin Jing exposed him immediately. “You just want to watch the drama. Shut up.”

Honestly, Lin Jing never took this bet seriously. A lie? Ridiculous. He was just humoring his idiot son over a meal, keeping him entertained.

But then, Lu Xingyu dropped another bombshell.

“Alright then, the bet is set. A student club at school invented a lie detector, and they’re exhibiting it on the first floor of the library tomorrow. It detects lies based on hormone secretion and microexpressions. We’ll use that as the standard to see whether you actually like him.”

Lin Jing nearly spit out his drink. “You’re a mecha engineering student, and you actually believe this?”

What kind of bizarre club was this? Detecting lies through hormone secretion?

This was beyond ridiculous!

Lu Xingyu shamelessly doubled down. “You already agreed, so no backing out. We’ll settle this with the lie detector—whoever chickens out is the grandson.”

Lin Jing just scoffed. “Heh.”

Lu Xingyu was moved by his own generosity. “I’m really looking out for you here. This whole bet is me sacrificing myself for your sake. If you win, you get clarity on your true feelings. If you lose, you at least save face. And yet, you won’t even give me a picture of your senior? Lin Jing, do you even have a heart?”

Lin Jing: “Let’s test tomorrow if you like him or not.”

Lu Xingyu couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Hahaha, no, seriously, I just admire geniuses. But you’re different—I know you too well after all these years. You zone out a lot when you mention him. I’m really curious, what exactly happened between you two in the game?”

Lin Jing finally stopped avoiding the topic. He sighed and explained seriously, “You’re overthinking it. It hasn’t reached that level. It’s just that in almost twenty years of my life, I’ve never met someone like Xu Wanzhi before, so he left a strong impression.”

Lu Xingyu: “Never met someone like him? In what way?”

Flashes of memory ran through Lin Jing’s mind, but he couldn’t put it into words. “You’ll understand when you see him.”

***

When Lin Jing stepped outside, he saw an aircraft parked in the plaza.

This type of aircraft was extremely expensive, practically a status symbol. Students gathered around, sneaking glances and whispering among themselves.

Lin Jing felt a headache coming on—his grandfather was as stubborn as ever.

“Young Master,” the butler stepped out from the cockpit and greeted him respectfully.

Lin Jing sighed. “Uncle, please tell Grandpa that it’s not that I don’t want to go, it’s just that my dad—”

The butler interrupted, “Sir said that your father’s decision to leave home is his own business. If he wants to see his grandson, he doesn’t need his son’s permission.”

Lin Jing: “……” Got it.

His grandfather was one of the Empire’s nine supreme judges—a strict and uncompromising man. It was still a mystery how someone like him had raised Lin Jing’s father, who was gentle and scholarly.

As the aircraft lifted off, it soared past the towering skyscrapers of District 1, moving toward the central area where the royal family and nobility resided. The buildings became less cold and modern, shifting to a more classical and luxurious style.

Looking out from the co-pilot seat, Lin Jing watched as the Lin family estate grew closer.

He spaced out slightly. This had once been his other home, aside from the military base. But he barely remembered it.

Just like he had no idea why his father fought with his grandfather. Or why they moved to Hailan Star.

In the study.

Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting shadows over the heavy law books on the shelves.

His grandfather sat at the desk, expressionless. He wore a perfectly tailored shirt and glasses, his graying hair meticulously combed.

They stared at each other for a long time.

Lin Jing was the first to back down, bowing his head in admission. “Grandpa, I was wrong.”

Grandfather Lin’s face remained cold as ice. “You’re not wrong. Your father is the one who’s insane. Did he forbid you from coming to see me?”

Lin Jing hesitated—how was he supposed to respond to decades of family grudges?

Grandfather Lin sneered. “So he’s really that stubborn? Looks like he never plans to come back. Fine by me. I stopped considering him my son a long time ago.”

The atmosphere turned unbearably tense, but thankfully, Grandmother soon arrived and took Lin Jing away.

As they walked downstairs, she sighed. “Don’t believe what your grandfather says. He’s all sharp words and soft heart. Over the years, he’s kept a close eye on everything happening on Hailan Star. The moment you arrived on the main star, he knew.”

Lin Jing nodded obediently. He already knew.

His grandmother’s gray-blue eyes softened as she looked at him, welling up with tears. She whispered, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”

Lin Jing gently hugged her. “I missed you too.”

After a pause, he asked, “Grandma, what exactly happened with my dad back then?”

She said quietly, “He and your grandfather had a fight. Something about your father’s research.”

Lin Jing: “Huh?”

Grandmother continued, “There was a vote. That’s all I know.”

Lin Jing was momentarily stunned.

In the end, he didn’t stay the night.

Before he left, Grandmother arranged for him to have a personal car for convenience in District 1.

When he arrived at Dean Chang’s house, the place was empty. Xu Wanzhi wasn’t home.

Lin Jing looked around the quiet room and slowly realized—Xu Wanzhi didn’t seem to stay here often.

In the game, Xu Wanzhi had always been an elusive figure. Now, even in real life, all Lin Jing knew was his name.

***

This year’s midterms at Imperial University were unusually lively, almost like a school festival. From the entrance onward, the streets were lined with paintings and artwork. Flowers and crowds filled the campus, drones buzzed overhead, and chatter filled the air.

As Lu Xingyu led Lin Jing through the throngs of students, he complained, “Remember that senior we met yesterday? Overnight, she got your photo onto the BBS trending page.”

Lin Jing pondered. “Isn’t your school atmosphere a little strange?”

Lu Xingyu: “What’s strange about it? Be confident—if you hadn’t had that accident, you’d be the undisputed campus heartthrob.”

Lin Jing smiled. “Oh? As expected.”

Lu Xingyu smirked. “Too bad for her, though. Who would’ve thought the campus heartthrob has a crush on the school’s top student?”

Lin Jing: “Give me your goddess’ number.”

Lu Xingyu immediately became defensive. “Why?”

Lin Jing: “So she can see just how absurdly gay your thoughts are.”

Lu Xingyu: “……”

Out of sheer frustration, Lu Xingyu dragged Lin Jing straight to the library’s first floor to settle their bet once and for all.

Only Imperial University students were allowed inside, so Lin Jing used Lu Xingyu’s roommate’s student card.

“This way, this way.”

The first floor of the library was spacious and open. These kinds of student-run exhibitions were given a lot of freedom by the university.

The lie detector exhibit, thanks to its infamous reputation, had attracted a long queue.

The head of the club that invented it sat at a desk, looking utterly defeated. “Why is everyone using this thing to test love confessions? Can’t someone ask something different for once?”

Most of the people in line were couples or close friends, laughing at his exasperation. Only the boyfriends dragged there by force looked like they were on the verge of a breakdown.

In an attempt to avoid getting beaten up, the club leader quickly raised his hands in surrender. “Uh—just so you all know, our lie detector is still in early development. It’s not necessarily accurate. Please don’t take it too seriously. If you love someone, believe in them, not in us. We are not to be trusted!”

Beside him, the female club leader had had enough. She smacked him over the head with a book. “Shut up!”

Lin Jing was at the back of the line, scrutinizing the lie detector. It was a white, circular device with a glowing red core, seemingly capable of scanning a person’s entire body.

No scientific basis whatsoever.

He must have lost his mind to agree to this stupid game.

Imperial University students were all top-tier geniuses, and most of them probably shared his skepticism. But they came here anyway—just to show off their relationships.

Especially the girls, who forced their boyfriends to make dramatic love declarations.

“Okay, stand here. I say a sentence, you repeat after me. Ready? Say, ‘I love Sheng Shuhui the most.'”

“…I love Sheng Shuhui the most.”

“Every day, I only have eyes for her.”

“Every day, I only have eyes for her.”

“I met her at nineteen, and I’ll stay by her side till ninety.”

“I met her at nineteen, and I’ll stay by her side till ninety.”

“Who is her?”

“She is… Sheng Shuhui.”

The girl burst into laughter. The boy, ears red, grumbled, “Enough. Are you satisfied? Can we go now? This is ridiculous!”

The onlookers: “Burp.” Overfed on sweetness.

Lu Xingyu still hadn’t won over his goddess. He took a vicious bite of his popsicle, sour and jealous. “Showing off your love? You’ll break up fast.”

Just then, the crowd erupted in excitement, exclamations ringing out.

“Lilith?” “Why is she here?”

Lin Jing and Lu Xingyu were already in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by people. Hearing the commotion, they turned back—only to see a girl in a flowing blue dress pushing an elderly man in a wheelchair through a private passage of the library. Lilith’s expression was impatient, the kind of well-known cold arrogance she always had. But when she leaned down to speak to the elder, there was a rare touch of warmth in her eyes.

There were bodyguards flanking them, keeping others at a distance. After they entered the elevator, the murmuring crowd was left behind with mixed expressions.

Lu Xingyu nudged Lin Jing. “Don’t stare, it’s your turn.”

Lin Jing snapped back to reality—only to find the lie detector’s white, round head staring directly at him.

The female staff member’s eyes lit up. She immediately pushed aside the male staff member beside her and personally stepped forward to welcome the handsome guy. “Hello, junior. Just have your friend face the device and ask him questions.”

Lu Xingyu corrected her. “It’s him who’s getting tested, not me.”

With that, he shoved Lin Jing in front of the machine.

Lin Jing: “……”

Was it too late to regret coming here?

Lu Xingyu looked eager to watch the show. “I won’t make this hard for you. Just speak yourself.”

Lin Jing stared at the round-headed robot but couldn’t bring himself to speak.

The female staff member was gentle. “What would you like to test, junior?”

Lu Xingyu chimed in with a wicked grin. “He wants to test whether he actually likes that person.”

The female staff member’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, so you’re embarrassed? That’s fine. Every sentence has some truth and some falsehood. We can take it step by step.”

Lin Jing: “……” This was getting more and more ridiculous.

The female staff member enthusiastically took the lead. “I’ll guide you! Junior, now, calm down and think about that person with all your heart.”

Lin Jing remained expressionless. The only face in his mind was Lu Xingyu’s.

The female staff member asked, “Do you like her?”

Lin Jing answered firmly, “No.”

Lu Xingyu, biting into his popsicle, shook his head in disbelief.

The female staff member hesitated for a second, then asked softly, “Who don’t you like?”

Lin Jing: “……”

She became even more convinced that his first answer was a lie. “Come on, tell me her name. The name of the person you don’t like, loud and clear.”

Lu Xingyu exaggeratedly mouthed, “Xu Wan Zhi,” winking and nudging.

Lin Jing couldn’t bear to look at him. He chose to close his eyes.

Darkness enveloped his vision, making his thoughts and heartbeat unnervingly clear.

To be honest, when Lilith appeared, he had already thought of Xu Wanzhi.

The clearest image was of Xu Wanzhi’s smile. It was hard to imagine that someone so aloof and indifferent could smile so warmly, so beautifully.

Memories he thought he had forgotten resurfaced.

— “Why did Bao Si smile?”
— “Who knows? Maybe because of love.”
— “We’ve been through two mass extinctions together.”
— “Technically, from the Cambrian to the Carboniferous, from Chengjiang to Siberia. Through countless seas. Through 150 million years.”
— “Maybe it’s liking. Perhaps this word isn’t quite right, but the feeling of wanting to make someone happy—what else could it be?”
— “One, two, three.”

A teasing, half-smiling tone.

— “Open your eyes.”

As deep as the ocean, an eternity in a single glance.

Lin Jing opened his eyes—only to find his gaze landing on a large painting displayed across the hall.

It depicted a magnificent starry sky, a vast and endless universe.

Suddenly, he didn’t want to know the answer anymore.

The female staff member prompted, “Now, can you tell me who you don’t like?”

Lin Jing said, “I don’t like…”

Lu Xingyu instantly straightened, holding his breath in anticipation.

Below the painting, the display label slid into view: The Universe.

The three words that were about to escape his lips changed at the last moment.

Lin Jing softly said, “The universe.”

Lu Xingyu’s expression exploded. “???”

Lu Xingyu: “Hey!”

Lin Jing had had enough. He grabbed Lu Xingyu and dragged him away, leaving the confused female staff member behind.

What? The universe?

Did someone’s parents really name their kid that?