After Wang Lian Gong was arrested, the atmosphere in the entire military base changed immediately.

On the pretext of cooperating with the investigation, Jiang Feng had the Flying Dragon team take control of everyone in the military base.

Almost at the same time, Li Bo received the news.

“Is he trying to rebel?!” Li Bo smashed the teacup in his hand, his temples throbbing with anger.

No officer had ever dared to suspend a stationed commander right after a transfer.

“What was the reason?” Li Bo asked.

The young aide cautiously reported, “The person didn’t know. I learned from other sources that Colonel Wang was involved in a case, but the specific case is still unclear.”

“Involved in a case?” Li Bo’s heart skipped a beat. “Jing Xi just got there. He’s already uncovered Wang Lian Gong’s past so quickly?”

The aide frowned. “Cygnus has been in our hands for almost ten years. Jing Xi hadn’t even graduated from the military academy back then. It’s impossible for him to have planted spies there. I think he just found an excuse to intimidate him and embarrass you.”

Wang Lian Gong was, to a certain extent, a protege of the White Crane team. Although he didn’t belong to the White Crane military group, he had always listened to Li Bo. Now, as soon as Jing Xi took office, he went after him. It was no different from a direct slap in Li Bo’s face.

The aide’s analysis was not without reason, but Li Bo felt a faint sense of unease.

If it were any other star system, he wouldn’t have to worry, but it was Cygnus.

After the aide left, he strode into the lounge, closed the door behind him, and made a call.

But there was no answer.

A moment later, a message came back.

[Inconvenient to contact at the moment. Handle the matter of Cygnus yourself.]

“F*ck! Why at a time like this—” Li Bo sat on the sofa, unconsciously clenching his hands and pulling out a handful of his hair.

A moment later, he opened his communicator again and made another call.

“Major.”

Xu Zhou appeared in the virtual window.

“Are you safe now?” Li Bo asked.

“Safe.” Xu Zhou subconsciously looked left and right, lowering his voice. “I took leave today and am not at the base. After I heard that the commander was arrested, I went into hiding.”

Li Bo leaned against the back of the sofa, letting out a long sigh of relief. “You did well.”

Xu Zhou: “Do you have any instructions?”

Li Bo thought for a moment and said, “If Wang Lian Gong isn’t released within two days, find an opportunity to—him. Do you understand?”

As he spoke, he made a gesture of slitting his throat.

Xu Zhou was Wang Lian Gong’s capable assistant, but he didn’t get in through his channel.

Over the years, Wang Lian Gong had become increasingly unreliable, while Xu Zhou’s personality was stable and cautious, and he was always able to complete his tasks well.

Therefore, he had gradually entrusted some shady things to Xu Zhou.

Xu Zhou’s pupils constricted, and his face instantly turned pale.

“The commander’s arrest… should be temporary. He would never say anything that could harm you.”

“Only dead men tell no tales.” Li Bo’s eyes were fierce. “If you succeed, I will recommend you to be the commander of the stationed troops.”

Xu Zhou’s eyes flickered, and a look of surprise was impossible to hide.

But the next moment, he said with some difficulty, “But now Cygnus is under the Flying Dragon’s command—”

When Li Bo heard the words “Flying Dragon,” he became agitated and wanted to kill someone.

“Not for long!”

After receiving the assurance, Xu Zhou agreed with satisfaction.

“I will do my best to complete the mission you’ve given me.”

Cygnus N1

After the Flying Dragon took over the stationed military base, they temporarily moved in.

Most military groups were in charge of more than one star system and would stay in a certain star system for a maximum of one month each year. They would usually only come over if something happened.

Although the military groups wouldn’t be stationed there for a long time, the stationed military base had accommodations prepared for the military groups in charge.

Chu Xiao and a few brothers he knew from the new recruit camp followed orders to clean up the dorms.

The group of them was quick and efficient with their work, and their mouths were just as busy.

“Isn’t our commander too awesome? He just came and arrested someone.”

“I heard he thought our commander was easy to bully and tried to intimidate him. What happened? He got schooled too fast.”

“He’s just a colonel. Does he have the right to compete with our commander? What was he thinking?”

“I’d say you’re stupid, but you wouldn’t believe it. He doesn’t have the guts. It’s the one above him!”

Chu Xiao quickly wiped the glass on one side of the wall, threw the dirty rag to the recycling robot, and grabbed a clean one.

The others saw that he wasn’t saying anything and came over to get his attention.

“Old Chu, why are there so many clueless people? They keep trying to get close to our Flying Dragon team. Do they deserve it?”

“Our commander is the best commander in all the military groups. I won’t allow anyone to bully him.”

“Look at how good his judgment is. The soldiers he picks are all top-notch!”

“Everyone but you is good.”

With that, the group started getting rowdy again.

“Hurry up. I have something to do in a bit.” Chu Xiao didn’t join the conversation. He turned around and started wiping the glass again.

The alpha with the crew cut asked, “What do you have to do?”

Chu Xiao’s eyes lit up. “I saw Brother Li! I want him to teach me how to use a sniper!”

“Which Brother Li?” The alpha with the crew cut thought through everyone they knew. “Did you go visiting other departments again, kid? Didn’t our boss say we haven’t been assigned to specific branches yet and shouldn’t go visiting other departments?”

Chu Xiao shook his head. “No, it’s Brother Li from the Phantom.”

The alpha with the crew cut: “Holy sh*t! You’re brave. You want the enemy to teach you how to shoot? Aren’t you afraid he’ll shoot you?”

Another beta with curly hair chimed in. “You’re already the best marksman in our camp. Do you still need someone else to teach you?”

Chu Xiao shook his head. “I’m just a rookie. I can’t compare to him at all.”

The others: “…”

If you’re a rookie, what are we?

Knock, knock, knock

A beta lieutenant walked in.

“Stop wiping for a moment, you guys. Come with me.”

Chu Xiao stopped what he was doing, a little anxious.

He knew about the relationship between the Phantom and the Flying Dragon. What if the two bosses got into a fight and the Phantom left in a fit of rage?

Time was running out!

“Lieutenant Wang, is there something else?” Chu Xiao walked over and asked.

Lieutenant Wang said with a smile, “Didn’t Minister Lü receive a container of chickens? Since we’ll be living here for a while, those chickens need to be let out to get some air. Otherwise, they’ll be skin and bones when we serve them to the boss.”

The alpha with the crew cut interrupted, “So you want us to go raise chickens?”

Lieutenant Wang: “Minister Lü found a nice spot for raising chickens. We’re going to go clean it up now. We’ll have to wait for the minister’s instructions on how to raise them.”

The curly-haired beta was stunned. “Minister Lü is good at raising chickens?”

Lieutenant Wang said proudly, “Of course he is! The minister’s family are big chicken farmers. The chickens he brought for our boss are three-year-old free-range hens! This concerns the boss’s health, so you guys better get your act together!”

When they heard that they were going to raise special chickens for the boss, the straightforward new recruits stomped their heels and saluted with serious expressions. “Mission accomplished!”

Chu Xiao followed the group excitedly downstairs.

The so-called “nice spot” was Training Ground 9, the northernmost part of the dormitory building. It was as big as two soccer fields.

Chu Xiao: “…”

So, would he still have a chance to see Brother Li?

The main building had a total of ten floors. Floors two to four were various function rooms and conference rooms. Floors five to eight were dorms for the aides and commanders of each unit. The top two floors were the commander’s residence.

In the study, Jing Xi sat at his desk, a virtual screen in front of him. He was troubled.

The screen showed the details of his assets in Cygnus.

There was more than he had imagined.

He had promised Chi Yao to give the Phantom a temporary place to stay.

He quickly scanned the list.

Most of the planets in his hands were mining planets. Some had not even been developed and were not suitable for living.

Most of the planets suitable for living were close to state-owned planets. It would be a hassle if the Phantom’s people got bored and caused trouble.

“Which planet do you think is suitable?” Jing Xi asked the big dog squatting next to him.

Yin Wei: “Awoo?”

It wagged its tail and ran out.

A moment later, footsteps and Chi Yao’s complaining voice sounded outside the door.

“Don’t pull my pants. They’re going to fall down!—Silly Yaoyao, can you let me eat in peace?”

The voices got closer, and soon Chi Yao was pushed in by Yin Wei.

Chi Yao walked in unhurriedly, holding a food tray.

“What now?”

Jing Xi looked at Yin Wei but only got an innocent look in return.

“…I said I would give you a planet,” Jing Xi said, switching the screen to public mode. “You can choose.”

Chi Yao casually glanced at the list. Most of them were Level 3 and 4 mining planets.

“For me?”

Jing Xi: “Yes.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Before, when Jing Xi said he would arrange a temporary docking spot for the Phantom, he thought it would be a place like a deserted space station. He didn’t expect the other party to be so generous and give him a whole planet.

Prodigal.

Jing Xi: “Are you swearing at me again?”

Chi Yao raised an eyebrow. “Is my expression that obvious?”

Jing Xi leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped in front of him.

“Consider it a thank-you gift, but after the Phantom moves in, you are not allowed to disturb the residents of other planets. Otherwise—you know what I’ll do.”

Chi Yao sat on the desk, picked up a piece of steak with a fork and put it in his mouth. After he finished eating, he said slowly, “Your methods?”

Jing Xi looked up at him. “I’ll release the half-covered photos from before.”

“Cough, cough, cough—F*ck, I had already forgotten about that.”

Thinking of the photo with his chest hair half-exposed, Chi Yao was completely rattled.

Jing Xi: “If you don’t want to ruin your image, then follow the rules.”

Chi Yao was so angry he laughed.

“You want me to follow your rules? Fine, but I have a condition.”

Jing Xi: “What condition?”

Chi Yao forked a piece of steak and held it up to Jing Xi’s mouth, a mischievous smile on his face. “If you eat it, I’ll agree.”

Jing Xi: “…”

If you get disgusted, you have to disgust them back immediately.

Are you three years old?

Normally, he would have just eaten it, but now that Chi Yao was offering it as a condition, it felt like he would lose if he opened his mouth.

After a moment of stalemate, Jing Xi felt he couldn’t be so humiliated.

He gave him a planet, and he was still being toyed with?

“Forget it if you don’t agree—” Mmm

Mid-sentence, the meat was suddenly shoved into his mouth.

Chi Yao pulled back the fork and smiled triumphantly. “Now that you’ve eaten my meat, you’re my person.”

Jing Xi chewed and turned his head away, letting out a cold snort. “Childish.”

He found pleasure in angering him.

But the steak was cooked well.

Teasing his nemesis was much more fun than eating alone. Chi Yao forked another piece, ready to continue teasing, when Yin Wei came over, wagging its tail. It rested its chin on his leg, its eyes fixed on the meat in his hand.

Chi Yao: “Old Li is stewing chicken. If you go now, you might still get a chicken neck.”

“Awoo woo—”

Yin Wei’s ears twitched. It ran away, both excited and wronged.

“You choose.” Jing Xi’s expression was serious. “I’ll send people to help you. After you get settled, bring Tie Xiong over.”

Chi Yao raised an eyebrow. “Tie Xiong? What for?”

“He sees you as family. It’s better not to be separated for too long.”

Jing Xi looked out the window. In the distance, he could see a large flock of chickens occupying a training ground.

Thinking of Tie Xiong, he couldn’t help but recall the transformed child he had seen in the maze.

Both of them could transform. Tie Xiong was protected by Chi Yao, didn’t have to worry about food or shelter, and had a cheerful personality. It was clear he was raised with love.

The other child was skinny and emaciated, and he had long lost the spirit of a “human.” He probably had never been treated like one.

“Are all the children who join the Phantom treated the same way as Tie Xiong?” Jing Xi asked, coming back to his senses.

Chi Yao casually placed his empty tray on the table and lowered his eyes to look at him. “Are you going to lecture me on mistreating children again?”

Jing Xi avoided his gaze. “Just curious.”

Chi Yao hooked a lock of Jing Xi’s long hair and played with it between his fingers.

“What do you really want to ask?”

Jing Xi: “How old—were you when you joined the Phantom?”

Chi Yao’s fingers paused slightly. “Why are you asking that?”

He was very cautious.

Jing Xi frowned, pulled his hair back, and looked up at him. “I want to understand you better. Is that not allowed?”

The duplex penthouse was large enough to fit over a hundred people.

Li Yuan and Fang Liang were in the dining room, eating chicken.

Li Yuan took a big bite, craning his neck to look upstairs. “What are they discussing? They’ve been up there for so long.”

Fang Liang: “Just do your own thing and don’t worry about it.”

Li Yuan smiled, gesturing with the chicken leg in his hand. “How is it, Brother Liang? Is the chicken we stole delicious?”

Thinking of how angry Lü Meng looked when they stole the chickens, he ate with even more gusto.

Fang Liang: “It’s good. It’s a good chicken.”

Yin Wei finished eating and lay down on the table, following the scent. “Awoo awoo~”

Li Yuan joked seriously, “You want more? The boss said you’ve been eating a lot and moving little recently. He wants to put you on a diet to lose weight.”

Yin Wei: “…!”

As soon as he said that, Yin Wei took off running.

“Hey, Brother Dog, where are you going?!” Li Yuan couldn’t stop it and was about to chase it when he saw Chi Yao suddenly coming downstairs.

“Boss, eat some chicken,” Li Yuan greeted him.

Chi Yao sat between him and Fang Liang, lost in thought.

Fang Liang was perceptive and noticed his boss was troubled. He asked at the right time, “What’s wrong?”

Chi Yao rubbed his chin. “What do you guys think I should do if my nemesis is interested in me?”

Fang Liang: “…”

Li Yuan: “Didn’t you guys already get together?”

Chi Yao seemed to not have heard what he said at all. He brought up the real estate details, circled a spot in bright red, and showed it off. “Look, he just gave this to me. I couldn’t say no.”

Fang Liang and Li Yuan leaned in to look. Wow! A Level 4 mining planet with rich resources. It had also been developed, and a third of the land was already suitable for living.

They were getting rich!

Li Yuan stared at the screen and said “holy sh*t” multiple times, unable to say anything else useful.

He never in his wildest dreams thought that Jing Xi would one day give his boss such a big gift.

Fang Liang asked, “So what are you thinking now?”

Chi Yao asked seriously, “What’s the usual procedure when you receive a gift from someone?”

“Give a gift in return?” Fang Liang thought for a moment and said cautiously, “Even regular friends occasionally exchange gifts to improve their relationship.”

But, his boss and Jing Xi weren’t friends.

“Give a gift in return?” Chi Yao pondered for a moment and quickly had an idea.

In the afternoon, Jing Xi went to watch Wang Lian Gong’s interrogation. He also had a meeting with his subordinates all afternoon. Just as he was about to return to his residence, Jiang Feng knocked on the door and entered.

“Boss, this is for you.” Jiang Feng handed him a gift box, hesitating. “It was sent by Chi Yao’s people.”

Jing Xi took it, not understanding what this was all about.

The box was black with a red ribbon, and it looked a little strange.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” Jiang Feng couldn’t help but ask when he saw that he wasn’t moving.

He had been dying of curiosity the whole way, wanting to see what Chi Yao had given their boss.

Jing Xi didn’t want to open it.

He had a feeling it wasn’t anything good.

After a moment of hesitation, he opened it anyway.

The first thing he saw was a garish pink bow, with a small card next to it.

Jing Xi’s eyebrow twitched. He picked up the card.

[This is a return gift. I carefully chose this maid outfit. Remember to take a few pictures to pay off your debt~]

Jing Xi: “…”

F*ck.