First Interstellar Guide Chapter 118: Extra 19: Parallel World; Graduation Ball

Chapter 118: Extra 19: Parallel World; Graduation Ball

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

In the blink of an eye, Lu Zexuan and Xie Ran had spent five years at university, and they were about to graduate.

Every year, the capital city hosts a graduation ball for graduates. Only outstanding graduates from universities rated A+ and above are eligible to attend. This graduation ball is also known as the “matchmaking ball” among students. At the ball, if you meet someone you’re interested in, you can actively pursue them.

Xie Ran suggested, “The ball requires formal attire. Let’s get a tailored suit.”

The two agreed on a time and went to a tailor shop in the capital city together. Xie Ran walked into the shop and chose a simple and elegant suit, looking at Lu Zexuan, “You’ll look handsome in this one.”

“Yeah.” Lu Zexuan certainly liked the clothes chosen by RanRan and decisively said, “I’ll take this one.”

“Alright.” The designer looked at Xie Ran, “Would you like to choose something else?”

“I’ll take the same one as him.” Xie Ran said, “Just change the color.”

“Understood, please follow me.” The designer had a knowing expression, making Xie Ran and Lu Zexuan feel a bit embarrassed. They, a sentinel and a guide, came to order formal wear together, even ordered matching couple outfits, which didn’t look like ordinary friends at all.

On the way back, the two walked side by side. Xie Ran joked, “At this year’s graduation ball, you’re the only S-class sentinel. You’ll definitely be the center of attention. If a guide asks you to dance, would you agree?”

“No.” Lu Zexuan said.

Xie Ran curiously asked, “Why not? Isn’t it impolite to refuse someone?”

Lu Zexuan said, “The significance of this ball is different. Dancing with someone else is like accepting their pursuit. I…” He paused, pretending to be calm, “I don’t have plans to date for the time being.”

Xie Ran looked at him and asked, “Really don’t want to date? Or is it because you have someone you like and don’t want to accept others?”

Lu Zexuan’s heart skipped a beat, unable to meet Xie Ran’s gaze for a moment. He did have someone he liked in his heart, the childhood sweetheart who grew up with him, lively and lovely, smart and carefree, who haunted his dreams yet he couldn’t let go. But he also knew that their identities made it impossible for them to be together easily. Besides, he didn’t know what Xie Ran felt about him; perhaps carefree Ranran only saw him as a friend.

He carefully concealed this liking in his heart, not daring to confess, afraid that they couldn’t even be friends.

Now that they were about to graduate and go their separate ways, Lu Zexuan felt extremely reluctant. But as heirs of the two major legions, it was their destined fate since birth. Lu Zexuan couldn’t betray the Eagle Legion, and Xie Ran couldn’t leave the Starlight Legion. They would eventually part ways.

Thinking of this, a sourness suddenly surged in Lu Zexuan’s heart. He resisted the urge to confess to Xie Ran, and said softly, “I don’t have anyone I like. My father has arranged for me to join the eagle Special Forces directly after graduation. As for relationships… I won’t consider them for the time being.”

Xie Ran said softly, “My parents also want me to train in the Starlight Legion for a few years. After that, we’ll hardly see each other again, right?”

Lu Zexuan fell silent. After so many years, he had already gotten used to having Xie Ran by his side, wanting to share everything with him. Now they were going to be separated, and his heart felt strangely empty, as if something important had been taken away from him.

The two walked side by side to the parking lot and bid each other farewell.

For the next few days, Lu Zexuan would see Xie Ran in his dreams every night. When he woke up, the bitterness in his heart only grew stronger.

At that time, he was only 19 years old. The rule of no marriage alliances in the legions was like a mountain pressing down on him. Moreover, Ranran’s feelings for him were not clear. He was a bit at a loss, unsure whether he should speak up…

With a complicated mood, Lu Zexuan attended the graduation ball.

The graduation ball was held in the rooftop garden of a hotel, with hundreds of graduates from different schools dressed up and in attendance. Among the handsome and beautiful people in formal wear, Lu Zexuan locked onto Xie Ran’s position at first sight.

Xie Ran was already good-looking, and when he put on a suit, he looked even more tall and handsome, with outstanding temperament.

A sentinel from another university approached him and warmly said, “Hello, can I have this dance with you?”

Lu Zexuan’s back stiffened, his fists clenched at his sides, but his feet involuntarily moved towards Xie Ran.

Xie Ran’s gaze fell on Lu Zexuan, smiled, and said to the sentinel, “Sorry, we’re not quite compatible.”

The sentinel unwillingly said, “How do you know we’re not suitable if you haven’t tried dating me?”

Xie Ran said, “I don’t have feelings for you, no need to force it.”

The other person turned away disappointedly.

Seeing Xie Ran reject that sentinel, Lu Zexuan felt secretly happy and walked up to Xie Ran, saying, “Ranran.”

Xie Ran looked him up and down, confirming his own judgment. Lu Zexuan did look quite handsome in this suit. Xie Ran asked, “The ball is about to start, why are you just arriving?”

Lu Zexuan said, “Got delayed on the way.”

As they chatted, another bold guide approached Lu Zexuan and said, “Lu Zexuan, I’m a guide majoring in emergency medicine at the Medical College, and I’ve been following you for a long time. Can I invite you to dance?”

Lu Zexuan politely declined, “Sorry, I already have a dance partner.”

“Sorry to bother you.” The guide was tactful, glanced at Xie Ran and Lu Zexuan, then turned and left.

The two wearing matching suits did indeed look like a couple standing together. However, their classmates from the Federal First Military Academy all thought of them as merely close friends, and despite continuous invitations to dance, they were politely declined.

Xie Ran grew somewhat impatient and said, “There are too many people here. Let’s go over there.”

The ball officially began at 7:00 in the evening, and soft piano music filled the venue as sentinel/guide pairs entered the central dance floor.

While no one was paying attention, Xie Ran quietly led Lu Zexuan to a corner of the buffet area and said, “I heard the buffet at the graduation ball is delicious.”

Remembering the scene of six-year-old Xie Ran hiding to sneak food at the military department’s annual meeting, Lu Zexuan’s lips couldn’t help but curve up slightly. “Your focus is always on food. So, did you come to this ball just to eat?”

Xie Ran raised an eyebrow. “You see through me.”

Lu Zexuan got up to get him some food and soon brought over a plate of Xie Ran’s favorite dishes.

As handsome men and beautiful women danced to the music in the ballroom, those without partners searched for someone they clicked with in the crowd. Only Lu Zexuan and Xie Ran, hidden away in the buffet corner, seemed out of place at the ball.

Xie Ran discreetly used the Fox’s invisibility ability to erase their presence, creating an invisible barrier around them, isolating them in their own world.

Unbeknownst to them, one dance ended after another.

Xie Ran looked at Lu Zexuan, who seemed gloomy, and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Not having fun?”

Lu Zexuan said, “Graduation is approaching, and I…”

I just can’t bear to be apart from you. He didn’t dare to say this out loud and instead furrowed his brows and drank a glass of wine.

Xie Ran extended his mental tendrils and whispered, “You’re tired. Why not take a nap?”

At 10:00 in the evening, the ball came to an end, and one by one, the classmates left the venue. As the staff came to tidy up the tableware, the invisibility effect of the Fox worked its magic, and they didn’t notice Xie Ran and Lu Zexuan in the corner.

After a while, when the staff finished clearing the area and left, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.

Xie Ran looked at the sleeping Lu Zexuan, reached out, and gently touched his handsome face, saying, “Zexuan, I can’t bear to part with you either…”

Lu Zexuan, who had fallen into a daze, didn’t know how long he had been asleep. When he woke up, he found himself in darkness and listened alertly to approaching footsteps.

Not far away, a person walked towards him. Lu Zexuan, with his ability to see in the dark, immediately recognized who it was. He hesitated for a moment before asking softly, “Ranran, the ball has ended, right? Why did I fall asleep?”

Xie Ran whispered, “You’re still defenseless against me. I just used a little mental energy to hypnotize you.”

Lu Zexuan was puzzled. “Why did you hypnotize me?”

Xie Ran smirked. “To give you a surprise.”

With a soft sound, the lights in the center of the dance floor suddenly came on. Xie Ran walked gracefully to Lu Zexuan, gently extended his hand, and asked like a gentleman, “Lu Zexuan, may I have this dance with you?”

Warm light poured down from above, casting a soft golden glow around Xie Ran. His eyes were clear and bright, with a familiar smile in them as he earnestly gazed at Lu Zexuan. For a moment, Lu Zexuan thought he was dreaming.

Lu Zexuan stared blankly at Xie Ran, momentarily forgetting to respond.

Xie Ran continued, “It’s our graduation ball, just the two of us. Would you like to dance with me?”

Lu Zexuan’s heart almost stopped beating, his voice hoarse, “Ranran, you…?”

Without saying another word, Xie Ran directly took Lu Zexuan’s hand and led him onto the dance floor.

The ball had already ended, and now there were only the two of them on the dance floor.

With soft music playing in the background, Lu Zexuan’s heart skipped a beat as he instinctively wrapped his arms around Xie Ran’s waist.

Although they were dancing together for the first time, their movements were well-coordinated, quickly syncing with the rhythm of the music as they danced slowly.

Stepping, spinning… With no one to disturb them, this was their graduation ball, meant only for them.

Lu Zexuan felt a bit dizzy, unable to believe the scene unfolding before his eyes, feeling like he was in a beautiful dream.

Xie Ran closed his eyes, holding Lu Zexuan’s hand tightly, enjoying this tender moment that belonged only to them.

After the song ended, Lu Zexuan finally came back to his senses and stopped, asking, “Is this… not a dream?”

Xie Ran smiled, looking up at him. “Do you often dream of me?”

Lu Zexuan’s ears turned red. “I…”

Xie Ran candidly said, “I often dream of you too.” Before Lu Zexuan could react, Xie Ran suddenly tiptoed and gently kissed Lu Zexuan on the lips, whispering against them, “Lu Zexuan, I like you.”

The feather-light kiss caused Lu Zexuan’s mental defenses to crumble instantly.

With Xie Ran’s warm breath brushing against his lips, it tickled, leaving him feeling flustered. Lu Zexuan stood frozen, unable to believe what Xie Ran was saying. His lips trembled slightly as he asked, “Ranran, what… what are you saying?”

Xie Ran repeated, “I said, I like you.”

A surge of joy filled Lu Zexuan’s heart. He hadn’t misheard; Ranran said he liked him. Xie Ran wasn’t just treating him as a good friend after all; Xie Ran liked him too!

Overwhelmed with the bittersweet prospect of separation looming ahead, all of it turned into sweetness and joy at this moment—realizing that the person he secretly liked also liked him back, there was nothing more delightful.

Lu Zexuan tightly held Xie Ran’s hand, his voice trembling with excitement. “I like you too, Ranran. I’ve liked you for a long time!”

“After graduation, we’ll be apart. I wanted to tell you my feelings, to let you know that I really like you and just want to be with you.” Xie Ran looked into his eyes, speaking earnestly. “Zexuan, no matter what happens in the future, let’s face it together, okay?”

Listening to Xie Ran’s firm words, Lu Zexuan felt warmth in his heart and whispered, “Okay, we’ll face it together.”

The two of them locked eyes on the empty dance floor. Xie Ran blinked and, boldly, leaned in to kiss Lu Zexuan. Unable to restrain the desire in his heart any longer, Lu Zexuan lifted Xie Ran’s chin and passionately returned the kiss. Xie Ran closed his eyes and hugged Lu Zexuan’s shoulders.

The inexperienced yet sweet kiss made both their hearts race. Although they had possessed each other in dreams, the feelings in dreams were blurry. Now, in reality, they were touching each other like this for the first time.

“Mmm…”

In the quiet dance floor, only the two of them were intimately embracing and kissing. Previously, they had been too worried, afraid that the other wouldn’t like them back, and feared that this affection wouldn’t end well. Now, finally free from external interference, they could express their feelings for each other openly.

I like you.

I like you too.

They had already fallen for each other. They had kept these feelings hidden in their hearts until this moment, daring to express them boldly at the graduation ball.

Graduation meant parting ways, and from now on, they would serve in different legions. Though physically apart, their hearts had never been closer.

After a long while, Xie Ran pushed Lu Zexuan away gently and asked with a soft breath, “Do you like the graduation gift I gave you?”

Looking at Xie Ran’s smiling face, Lu Zexuan couldn’t help but rub his head helplessly. “You’re full of tricks. You used the Fox’s invisibility to conceal us from everyone, hypnotized me, and finally secretly danced with me.”

Truly, only Xie Ran could come up with such a plan.

Xie Ran said, “After all, our relationship can’t be made public yet. We can only keep it discreet and have a clandestine affair.”

Lu Zexuan’s gaze softened as he hugged Xie Ran and whispered in his ear, “Ranran, although being together might not be easy, I believe that as long as we are united in purpose, we can overcome any difficulties.”

Xie Ran nodded vigorously. “Yes, I believe in you, and you must believe in my determination too.”

The scene of confessing at the graduation ball became the most unforgettable memory for both of them. Even though they would be separated and serving in different legions afterward, unable to meet each other, whenever they thought of the kiss on the dance floor, they would feel their hearts filled with happiness.

The person I like also likes me, and that’s enough. Even though they would face many pressures in the future, they would stand firm together.