The ground vibrated violently, making his head buzz.

Just as it slightly subsided, the second bombing came.

At the moment of the explosion, 01, with Little Brother, activated defense mode. The two large light bulbs transformed into a sealed space, protecting Rong Shi and Song Yu inside.

01: [Woohoohoo, it hurts so much on my back, I need energy stones to feel better~]

Rong Shi shielded Song Yu’s head. After the second wave of bombing passed, he switched to 01’s synchronized view mode to check the situation outside.

“Don’t talk like Xiao Yu.”

Seeing that he couldn’t move Rong Shi, 01 immediately switched to external speaker mode.

“Sugar Daddy, it hurts so much~”

Song Yu looked around the metallic space, sat up, switched to 00’s synchronized view mode, and casually asked, “Is one ton enough?”

01: “Enough, enough, enough! More than enough, damn it! Hehehe.”

Rong Shi: “…”

Was he so poor that his battle armor had to go out begging for food every day?

Little Brother’s voice slowly chimed in.

“I’m hurt too.”

Song Yu couldn’t help but be amused by the two brothers: “You get one ton too.”

Little Brother: “Mm!”

Rong Shi: “…”

This child would be corrupted by 01 sooner or later.

The virtual window in his vision showed the situation outside the tunnel.

Five hundred meters ahead, three people were hidden in tree branches, carrying rocket launchers and firing rockets towards them.

Ordinary small firearms could only cause individual casualties, while a rocket could destroy everything within a ten-meter radius of the target.

Using such a lethal weapon against a narrow tunnel meant they were leaving them no escape.

The dust from the explosion hadn’t dispersed yet. Rong Shi said coldly, “01, retreat to the laboratory.”

01: “Alrighty!”

“They’re not the same group as the previous ones,” Song Yu sat beside Rong Shi, observing the surroundings. “Do you think they were lying in wait here, or did they follow us?”

Rong Shi watched them fire a third rocket, shaking his head: “If they were lying in wait, 01 would have detected them.”

The most likely scenario was that these people approached after they entered the laboratory.

The laboratory had anti-detection devices, which would affect 01’s judgment.

The situation was dire, but Song Yu wasn’t upset anymore: “Guess if this is still the regular army?”

Rong Shi: “What’s the bet?”

Song Yu chuckled, seemingly having thought of something.

Rong Shi: “…”

What mischief was he planning now?

“If we’re going to play, let’s play big,” Song Yu deliberately lowered his voice: “The loser gets ten minutes to be at the other’s mercy, no resisting. How about it?”

Seeing no reaction from Rong Shi, Song Yu urged: “Bet or not?”

Rong Shi’s face was expressionless: “Not betting.”

Song Yu: “Why?”

“What can you do in ten minutes?” Rong Shi stroked his head, paying attention to the commotion outside. “You’re still young; I’m not in a hurry.”

Song Yu: “…”

This dead rabbit really thinks of himself as an old man?

After three waves of bombing, the group of assassins outside jumped down from the tree branches and walked towards them.

Taking advantage of this lull, Song Yu leaned into his ear: “I ordered custom cat ears, exactly like your favorite little cat’s—”

Hearing “cat ears”, Rong Shi’s eyes finally showed a flicker of emotion. His gaze swept over Song Yu’s beautiful peach blossom eyes, then looked at the top of his head.

If he wore cat ears—

Rong Shi unconsciously swallowed.

“Then, alright—”

“Since you’re not interested, then forget it.” Song Yu retreated with a cold face.

Rong Shi: “…”

Was he being baited by his wife again?

After the bombing, the metal-imitating tree trunk split open from the middle like popcorn, severely deformed.

Five assassins wearing biological masks gathered in front of the exposed tunnel. After confirming with each other, two remained above as lookouts, and the other three walked down the tunnel.

The tunnel below was a mess, with metal and rocks chaotically piled after the collapse.

The leading assassin made a gesture, and the three of them split into three directions, searching for Rong Shi and Song Yu’s remains.

As long as they found a piece, whether bone or flesh, they could go back and report.

The assassin on the left jumped over the rubble. His flashlight beam swept across a cabinet against the wall, and his vision was filled with dust.

He walked forward step by step, then suddenly stopped after a few steps.

Something was wrong! Why wasn’t that cabinet covered in dust just now?!

He sharply turned his head, pulled out his handgun from his leg pouch, and walked towards the cabinet.

The flashlight beam shone on the cabinet again.

“Strange, why is this cabinet here—ugh!”

The cabinet door suddenly opened. In the flashlight’s beam, he saw Rong Shi’s cold face.

Before the assassin could raise his hand, Rong Shi struck like lightning, pulling the man over with his left hand and covering his mouth with his right, twisting forcefully.

Crack!

The assassin in his hands went limp.

The other two assassins suddenly heard a faint thud. Alerted, they quickly shone their flashlights in the direction of the sound.

“Jiu Tong?”

But no one answered them.

The two exchanged glances, cautiously approaching with their handguns raised.

There were too many obstacles in the laboratory, plus all the dust, obstructing their vision.

When they got closer, they found that Jiu Tong had already fallen to the ground, lifeless.

The two instantly broke out in cold sweat down their spines. The next moment, their bodies were violently pulled backward.

Rong Shi and Song Yu struck simultaneously, cleanly dealing with them.

Song Yu lifted the assassin’s right hand, checked the calluses, and then turned up his collar.

“Absolutely no surprises.”

Rong Shi’s gaze swept over the three assassins on the ground.

These five were clearly not from the same group as the previous three. If the earlier group was sent by Song Ke, then who sent this group?

The face of Queen Ji Ling and the sketch of the Persian cat flashed before his eyes, and his mood turned very sour.

Song Yu’s situation was practically surrounded on all sides.

“Wait here, or go up?” After asking, he didn’t get an answer for a long time. Song Yu nudged Rong Shi, “Gege?”

“Lead them down.”

Rong Shi snapped back to attention and fired a shot towards the tunnel entrance.

The two lookouts heard the gunshot and immediately jumped down, but before they could even see what was happening, they were headshotted.

“These soldiers’ enlistment time won’t exceed three years,” Rong Shi’s voice was clear and cold. “You can have someone investigate who was responsible for training the new recruits in the past three years.”

Song Yu: “You can tell all that?”

Rong Shi: “Not much combat experience, very poor vigilance. Either new recruits or defective old soldiers.”

Song Yu: “…” Defective.

Though his words were harsh, Song Yu understood his meaning.

Since the assassination target was him, a royal, the person behind it couldn’t possibly send old, weak, or disabled people.

Song Yu: “If they’re new recruits, does that mean this person’s ability to deploy the Dark Unit is poor?”

Rong Shi led him out: “Perhaps it was done intentionally to hide their identity.”

They returned to their original spot, which had been swept clean again, making it relatively safe.

The medical team set up camp nearby, treating the injured who couldn’t be moved on the spot.

Remembering the back he saw earlier, Rong Shi’s gaze searched the area.

“Who are you looking for?” Song Yu asked.

Rong Shi shook his head: “Thought I saw an acquaintance.”

“Where did you go? Why are you just getting back?”

A beta with an arm in a sling walked over.

Rong Shi didn’t answer him, instead asking, “Where are Old Lin and the others?”

The beta wasn’t really interested in where they went; he just asked casually. Hearing him mention Old Lin, he answered, following the conversation: “They went to check the artificial atmospheric devices with Lieutenant Qiu. Don’t go too far; our mission for today will be complete once they return.”

The location where the artificial atmospheric devices were installed wasn’t far from here. They had intended to go check, but before they had walked two steps, they encountered Qiu Tianhao and Old Lin returning.

Qiu Tianhao quickly walked over: “Are you two alright? You disappeared as soon as I turned around.”

Rong Shi shook his head: “How were the inspection results?”

Speaking of which, Qiu Tianhao frowned: “A bit strange.”

Rong Shi: “Strange?”

“The energy device was destroyed,” Old Lin interjected. “With no energy supply, it has been shut down for three or four years.”

Song Yu: “Destroyed by whom? Mutated beasts?”

Qiu Tianhao shook his head, thoughtfully: “Doesn’t look like it. The cut is very clean, not like it was bitten off by a beast, more like it was cut.

After saying that, he found his own guess preposterous: “But who could get in? And what would be the purpose of destroying that device?”

The importance of artificial atmospheric devices goes without saying; maintaining their stable operation is fundamental to keeping a planet’s various indicators stable.

All devices were under military jurisdiction; ordinary people couldn’t even get close, let alone sabotage them.

“No wonder there are so many mutated creatures in the M80 zone.” Thinking of being surrounded by venomous bees and losing two brothers, Old Lin gritted his teeth in anger: “If I find out which bastard did it, I’ll skin them alive!”

The four found a spot in the camp and sat down.

Qiu Tianhao handed them two bottles of water, then looked at Rong Shi: “Your mech operation is very impressive. I always wanted to find time to spar with you, but I didn’t expect to meet so soon.”

Rong Shi twisted open a bottle of water, took a sip, and casually handed it to Song Yu: “I’m not good at mechs; it’s just that my opponents are too weak.”

Song Yu took the water and took a big gulp, listening to his wife’s deadpan nonsense.

Qiu Tianhao’s gaze swept over the water bottle, and his eyes became intriguing.

They were given two bottles of water, but only drank one. Was Rong Shi unconsciously showing affection, or was he having Song Yu taste for poison?

Noticing his gaze, Rong Shi asked, confused: “What’s wrong?”

Qiu Tianhao shook his head and chuckled: “Seeing you two, I feel a sense of familiarity.”

Rong Shi: “Familiarity?”

Qiu Tianhao said seriously: “I also like alphas.”

“Pfft—cough, cough, cough—”

Song Yu, who was drinking water, choked, coughing until his throat hurt.

Rong Shi took the water bottle from his hand, patted his back, and frowned: “Drink slower.”

Song Yu waved his hand, then looked at Qiu Tianhao: “Rong Shi isn’t into your type.”

Was he afraid he’d steal his man?

Qiu Tianhao explained: “I like older ones.”

He thought this explanation would eliminate Song Yu’s hostility, but to his surprise, the other party’s gaze became even sharper.

Song Yu: “He can never remarry in this life; give up.”

Qiu Tianhao: “…”

Unwittingly force-fed a mouthful of dog food, why did he even bring up this topic?

The atmosphere on V99 was thin, and the day-night temperature difference was extreme.

They hurried back to the warship on a small spaceship before the star set.

Rong Shi and Song Yu had just come out of the cafeteria when they were blocked by Old Lin and a group of restless injured soldiers.

“Uh, thank you two for today.” Old Lin shoved a basket of fruit into Rong Shi’s arms, scratched his head, and blushed deeply, his old face reddening from the effort. “This is from the team, a small token of our appreciation, really. Yeah, that’s it.”

His mouth was smooth when telling dirty jokes, but he stammered uselessly at times like this.

Rong Shi instantly thought of Liu Hong, that crude fellow.

Seeing that there were strawberries, which Song Yu liked, in the basket, he accepted it.

“Don’t bully newcomers in the future. If you’re really suppressed, just call your brothers and sing.”

In his previous life, Liu Hong suggested setting up a few KTV rooms on each warship of the legion, specifically for venting emotions.

Every time he passed by, he would hear a group of people howling like ghosts, off-key and cracking their voices, absolutely disastrous.

But from the results, the effect was very good.

Singing? What kind of ridiculous idea is that?

Old Lin and a few comrades behind him looked constipated.

Old Lin complained in his heart, his face wooden as he agreed: “Okay.”

After Rong Shi and Song Yu returned to their rest cabin, Old Lin wiped his face and walked back with a few brothers, arms hooked over shoulders.

The air was like wet concrete, solidifying more with time.

From the moment they embarked on this military path, they were prepared to die in battle at any moment.

If you didn’t take life and death lightly, you’d collapse one day.

“Shall we go singing?” the beta on the far side suddenly spoke. “Just to send off Brother Yong and Gou Zi.”

Old Lin lowered his head, suppressing the moisture in his eyes, and sniffed: “Alright! Grab the gear and head to the medical room! Our A8 squad is having a farewell party tonight!”

Back in the rest cabin, Rong Shi picked out the strawberries from the fruit basket, wanting to soak them in saltwater, but found there was no salt.

Song Yu walked over after finishing his communication with Qin Zhuo. Seeing Rong Shi walking out, he asked, puzzled: “Where are you going?”

Rong Shi: “You go shower first. I’ll be back with a bag of salt.”

Song Yu: “…” Salt?

Originally, the legion’s accommodation for soldiers was large communal rooms, usually ten people per room. Only officers of Second Lieutenant rank and above were qualified for single rooms.

But since they were interns, they were given a small rest cabin to themselves.

Ten minutes later, Rong Shi emerged from the cafeteria with a bag of salt.

As he reached the fork in the road leading to the medical area and rest area, a rhythmic sound faintly drifted from ahead.

Rong Shi paused, thought for a moment, and walked towards the medical area.

The closer he got to the row of medical rooms, the louder the music became. The strong rhythm pounded against his eardrums, accompanied by ear-splitting wails.

They cried as they screamed, making Rong Shi frown.

The small medical room was packed with people. Old Lin had a small robot playing music tucked under his arm, holding a microphone, singing with complete abandon.

The patients on the two rows of beds swayed with the music, occasionally howling, showing strong desire for attention.

Others sat on the floor, holding beer bottles, taking a swig and yelling, faces red and veins bulging, even shedding tears.

Rong Shi: “…………”

Forget it, at least it’s better than causing trouble for others.

Just as he was about to go back, his peripheral vision caught a young medic walking out of the medical room diagonally opposite. Rong Shi’s brow twitched, and he stepped over.

He intercepted the medic before he could enter the office.

“You—”

“Hey, is that you?” Before Rong Shi could finish, the medic muttered, “Old Wu, really, there’s nothing to be ashamed about having hemorrhoids, even making the new guy run errands.”

Rong Shi: “…”

The medic reached out, pushed him aside, and hurried into the office: “I’ll mix the medicine now; you wait.”

Rong Shi stood at the office door, watching him pull a white paper from a drawer, take out several medicine bottles from the cabinet, pour a few pills onto the white paper, and then skillfully wrap the medicine in the paper.

“Here,” the medic handed the packet of medicine to Rong Shi, instructing: “Help me tell him not to strain if he can’t go, be patient. Rushing can cause prolapse.”

Rong Shi looked at him deeply, then raised his hand to take it: “I will convey the message.”

Back in the rest cabin, as soon as the door closed, Rong Shi quickly walked to the table, took out the medicine packet, and opened it.

There weren’t many pills, only five, each with its corresponding abbreviated drug name.

He looked at them one by one, found no issues, then picked up the white paper to examine it.

But after several passes, he saw nothing but creases.

A faint fragrance suddenly filled the air. Footsteps sounded behind him. Before Rong Shi could turn around, he was embraced around the shoulders, and a hand reached over from behind, snatching the white paper from his hand.

“What’s this?” Song Yu held the white paper between his fingers, examining it. “A blank piece of paper?”

Rong Shi turned his head to look at him.

Perhaps due to his inability to tan, Song Yu’s skin was glowing white. Freshly showered, his golden hair was slightly damp, and water droplets sliding down his neck along his collarbone flowed into his open collar.

Song Yu noticed the medicine in his hand, his brows furrowing: “What happened to you?”

Remembering the bombing earlier today, his heart tightened: “Are you injured?!”

“No,” Rong Shi forcibly tore his gaze away from the beautiful cat fresh out of the shower. “Someone gave me this, but I haven’t figured out what it means yet.”

Song Yu released him, turned around, and leaned back against the table: “Are those pills okay?”

“Mm,” Rong Shi spread his palm. “They don’t look unusual. I’ll have 01 check their composition later.”

Song Yu’s attention returned to the white paper. He held it up to the light, examining the patterns on the paper.

“Creases?”

Rong Shi: “It’s the paper for wrapping medicine.”

“Maybe—” Song Yu looked for a long time, thoughtfully.

He tried to reassemble it according to the existing creases. A moment later, a small paper boat rested in his palm.

Rong Shi’s eyes flickered, intuiting that this was the correct answer to the code.

“How did you figure it out?”

Song Yu handed him the small paper boat: “There was someone who really loved playing with crease reassembly games before.”

Rong Shi examined the small boat, and unbidden, a thought crossed his mind: Little Song Cat also had such dexterous moments.

“Who?” he asked casually.

Song Yu looked at the small boat, his expression very faint.

“My father.”

---

Author’s Note:

Song Cat: Bunny can’t remarry in this life!

Rong Bunny: Mm, the divorce quiz is too hard—

Song Cat: Mm? [claws bared]

Rong Bunny: I love him to death.