At 9:00 AM, Jiang Feng walked toward Jing Xi’s office carrying a stack of documents. In the corridor, he ran into Yan Kai, who had just walked out.

Yan Kai: “Brother Jiang, going to report to the Boss?”

“Yeah. Do you have any files you want me to bring in?” Jiang Feng asked.

Yan Kai opened the folder in his hand: “This is the equipment damage report submitted by the Star Pirate Groups. The Boss said earlier he’d reimburse them. This is the last batch.”

Jiang Feng flipped through it in his hands; the quantity was large.

“They aren’t falsely reporting, are they? Did our people supervise the tally?”

Yan Kai smiled: “With Mr. Chi there, how would they dare? When the Boss said he’d reimburse them earlier, none of them even dared to accept it, afraid of making Mr. Chi unhappy.”

Jiang Feng was amused by his tone.

“Chi Yao really has a stranglehold on their weak points.”

Yan Kai walked forward with him.

“Isn’t that the truth? Who would have thought there’d be a day when star pirates were this obedient? If we knew they wanted household registration this badly, we could have proposed this plan long ago.”

The Empire’s star map was vast, with countless uninhabited planets. If it was just about registration without demanding a specific location, it wasn’t actually difficult to handle; it was just a matter of a word from the higher-ups.

Moreover, having household registration meant having constraints. While star pirates enjoyed the rights of citizens, they would cherish the hard-won status and wouldn’t commit crimes casually. The government could also use this to track and restrain their behavior.

Jiang Feng looked ahead and shook his head.

“It’s not that simple. They wouldn’t believe the military would grant them registration, and the military wouldn’t believe they would truly change for the sake of registration. Without Chi Yao as the link, this wouldn’t work.”

Yan Kai thought for a moment.

“If not Chi Yao, there are others. Couldn’t the military find another star pirate to discuss this with?”

Jiang Feng chuckled: “Who do you think has such influence in the star pirate circle? And is that person worthy of the military’s trust?”

There was one more thing he didn’t say.

No one in the military was willing to sit down and negotiate with star pirates either.

Arriving at Jing Xi’s office, the two knocked and entered.

In the bright office, Jing Xi was approving internal legion documents.

Seeing them enter, Jing Xi took the folder Yan Kai handed over and looked through it.

“The process will start in the next couple of days. Tell Fang Liang.”

Yan Kai: “Yes.”

Jiang Feng handed over the folder in his hand.

“The Ministry of Justice needs us to supplement the criminal evidence regarding the ‘Ghosts.’ These are the transfer materials.”

The trial of the main offender had ended, but the number of Ghosts, modified humans, and related corporate organizations involved was huge, and further hearings were ongoing.

Jing Xi: “When is the trial for Xingbang Arms?”

“The morning after tomorrow.”

Speaking of this, Jiang Feng’s expression became subtle. “Heard that the omega named Ruan Lingyun released pheromones to confuse the guards after being caught and almost escaped. When he was recaptured, his face had bestialized.”

Jing Xi: “Was it a fox?”

Jiang Feng rubbed his nose awkwardly: “Mm. Heard from Miss Qiu that he was fused with red fox genes. His pheromones have a stronger kick than an ordinary omega in heat. Those guards still haven’t recovered.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Good thing Chi Yao has strong willpower and wasn’t led astray by him.

Thinking of this, he unconsciously looked at the white ball of felt on his desk.

Yan Kai and Jiang Feng followed his gaze, looked at each other, and found it strange that such a thing would be on the Boss’s desk.

As the king of hype, Yan Kai praised: “Boss, did that kid Tie Xiong poke that? Truly dexterous.”

Jiang Feng also added: “You can tell effort was put into it. The little pig captures the spirit well, especially the nose and beady eyes.”

Jing Xi kept a straight face: “This is a white wolf. Chi Yao poked it.”

Jiang Feng/Yan Kai: “…?!”

Flattery landed on the horse’s leg. The two finished their reports and walked out sheepishly.

Yan Kai: “Mr. Chi actually knows needle felting? I really couldn’t tell he had such a girlish heart.”

Jiang Feng: “I was wondering where that fur came from.”

Yan Kai paused: “…It can’t be what I think it is, right?”

Inside the office, Jing Xi’s gaze fell on the chubby little “pig.” A moment later, he video-called Qiu Tianlin.

---

On the other end, Chi Yao went to Qiu Tianlin’s laboratory, sitting in front of a medical pod, looking at the person inside the glass cover.

Movement came from the door, and a moment later, Qiu Shuang walked over.

Chi Yao: “Drop another 0.2 and he can wake up?”

Dressed in a white coat, Qiu Shuang walked around the medical pod to his side.

“The data drop only indicates his bodily functions are temporarily stable. But given his current organ failure, it will take quite a long time to recover.”

Chi Yao: “A few years? More than ten years? Decades?”

Qiu Shuang: “Major General Bo handled the initial stages very timely. It won’t take decades. In three to five years, he should be able to gradually leave the medical pod. Then find a planet with a good environment to recuperate for a while; it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“Mm.”

Qiu Shuang asked: “How is your own body?”

Chi Yao took a final look and stood up: “Condition is a bit more stable this week.”

Seeing him leaving, Qiu Shuang teased: “Leaving after just a short while? Going back to find the wife?”

Chi Yao smiled: “I really should go.”

The smile on Qiu Shuang’s lips froze: “Go where?”

Chi Yao walked out without looking back: “Home.”

Walking out of the lab, he sat in the hover car and casually video-called Fang Liang.

The virtual screen popped up. Fang Liang had shed his usual capable image. Wearing a coarse cloth undershirt and a bamboo hat, sickle in hand, he looked like he was working in the fields.

“Boss.”

Chi Yao looked at the endless rice paddies behind him. Occasionally, a few red-haired and green-haired guys could be seen hugging rice stalks and darting past.

“Harvesting rice? Why not use machines?”

Fang Liang: “Machines are too fast. Everyone is bored to death. We barely got King Gold to agree, otherwise, they wouldn’t even let us touch it.”

Chi Yao: “Where are Viper and the others?”

Fang Liang with a wooden face: “Building processing factories. Pestering King Gold every day to teach them how to brew rice vinegar.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Fang Liang: “If they stay idle any longer, I think they’ll turn perverted.”

Chi Yao: “…I’ll be back in the next couple of days. We’ll discuss it then.”

Fang Liang’s eyes lit up: “Have you recovered?”

Chi Yao: “Not that fast.”

Hanging up the video call, Chi Yao looked ahead, fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.

Bai Yi had been caught and sentenced. There was no point in him staying on Capital Star anymore. Moreover, his body hadn’t recovered, making travel inconvenient. It was better to return to 0520.

At dinner, he told Jing Xi his thoughts, expecting to be asked to stay.

Jing Xi’s family and work, everything was on Capital Star. Even expeditions were temporary.

Unexpectedly, after a moment of silence, Jing Xi actually agreed.

“I know you can’t sit still.”

Jing Xi put down his bowl and chopsticks to look at him. “I discussed it with Doctor Qiu today. I asked him to take the entire medical team to 0520. He agreed.”

Chi Yao: “Take them there?”

Jing Xi nodded: “Capital Star is special; entry and exit are inconvenient. Currently, your people are settled in 0520. Once your testing ends, they can also receive treatment nearby.”

Not just Extreme Shadow; the many Ghosts, even if sentenced, would need to receive treatment successively.

Chi Yao smiled: “I thought you couldn’t bear to let me go.”

Jing Xi: “Once I handle the work at hand, I’ll go to the station too. If fast, I’ll set off in a month.”

The garrison system in the Beluga Constellation had collapsed. Multiple planets had just experienced beast tides and were still in post-disaster reconstruction. A pile of matters awaited his return to handle.

Chi Yao spread his hands: “Wanted to trick a few tears out of you. Looks like no chance.”

Jing Xi: “…”

“By the way, regarding the income increase for the Star Pirate Groups—”

Halfway through, Jing Xi’s mouth was stuffed with a piece of sweet and sour spare rib by Chi Yao.

Chi Yao: “Talk work after eating.”

Jing Xi nodded with puffed cheeks, picked up the bowl at hand, and took a sip, looking satisfied.

Sitting opposite, Chi Yao could smell the sour odor.

He glanced at the bowl with concern: “Red wine?”

He made egg drop soup tonight; it wasn’t this color.

Caught, Jing Xi’s eyes flashed, and he hurriedly took a big gulp: “Vinegar.”

Just as he finished speaking, the bowl was snatched away.

“Drinking vinegar as soup?!”

Chi Yao placed the bowl far away on the corner of the table and flicked Jing Xi’s forehead. “I think it’s necessary to find that quack Qiu Tianlin to confirm whether you have delusions or taste paralysis.”

Jing Xi: “…”

---

Learning he was going home, Tie Xiong was overjoyed.

“I want to go play in the fields with Old Li and the others too! Big brother too!”

Chi Yao leaned against the table holding a coffee cup, watching him frolic.

“He’s not going.”

Tie Xiong’s face changed in a second, turning to look at Jing Xi.

“Why? Big brother, aren’t you coming home with me?”

Jing Xi packed his schoolbag, walked over, and put it on his back.

“I still have unfinished work. I put your homework in the bag. Remember to finish it on time; I will check.”

Tie Xiong’s shoulders slumped, and he burst into tears with a wah.

It was bad enough Big Brother wasn’t coming, but bringing a bag full of homework home? Life was too bitter.

“Can I take a kitten?”

Tie Xiong asked between sobs. “Without a kitty, I can’t finish my homework.”

Jing Xi thought for a moment and nodded: “You can take them all.”

Tie Xiong grinned: “It’s a deal! No take-backs!”

Jing Xi: “…”

Changing faces faster than the weather.

“I’ll go tell the kitties the good news!”

Throwing down a sentence, Tie Xiong ran off like a streak of smoke.

“This little firecracker—”

Chi Yao shook his head helplessly.

Jing Xi walked over, wrapped his arms around his waist, and rested his forehead against his.

“Won’t see each other for a month.”

The cool flower on the high peak began his coquettish offensive again.

Chi Yao patted his head: “Taking all the cats away, you want to live there long-term?”

Jing Xi lowered his head obediently to be petted: “You like it there, I’ll follow you.”

Chi Yao: “What about your father and dad? Rare to reunite.”

Jing Xi: “Father and Major General Bo have a lot to be busy with. Even on Capital Star, they might not meet every day. Later, when the dads wake up, take them to 0520 to recuperate.”

Chi Yao chuckled: “Did you learn mind reading?”

Jing Xi smiled too: “Likewise, right?”

---

Two days later, Chi Yao’s household registration application was approved. It was under Bo Jin’s name, but he kept his own surname.

Originally, the registration matter was kept low-profile. But coincidentally, it happened on the same day Bo Jin was reinstated. People in the military checked Bo Jin’s file, and this matter was exposed along with it.

In the training ground, Huang Hao and a group gathered together, looking at the information on the virtual screen, falling into a deathly silence.

“Maybe… just the same name?”

“Also possible—Major General Bo adopted Chi Yao as a godson.”

“Or maybe just to give Chi Yao registration, hang it there casually first?”

As they spoke, voices faded.

Huang Hao felt unwell all over.

“Even if hanging, Chi Yao should be under Jing Xi’s name. These two will be on the same household register sooner or later.”

Chi Yao abducted one male god, and now he abducted the newly returned male god, too.

Can he still be a decent human being?!

The group was too curious and decided to go to Bo Jin in a group to verify.

Before they left the training ground, Bo Jin walked in with Pei Zhenyue.

Hearing their question, Bo Jin nodded and dropped a bomb lightly: “Chi Yao is my son. Didn’t the Marshal tell you?”

Huang Hao and the others: “!!!”

Facing the accusing eyes of the group, Pei Zhenyue touched his nose and cleared his throat: “Stop caring about others’ private matters all day. Back to training!”

The two walked in as if nothing happened.

Pei Zhenyue continued the previous topic: “Old Lin and I both want Chi Yao to enter the military system. Old Lin has always wanted him to take over the Special Investigation Group. Help persuade him.”

Bo Jin: “He doesn’t have a formal background, nor has he passed the military unified recruitment. I’m afraid—”

“The Special Investigation Group is special in nature. As long as he is capable, conditions can be relaxed.”

Pei Zhenyue whispered, “Old Lin can’t work on the front line for many more years. He complains to me all day about pain here and there. Currently, Chi Yao is the most suitable successor.”

Able to walk between the black and white worlds and control all resources—besides Chi Yao, a second person couldn’t be found.

Bo Jin: “He has his own ideas. I might not be able to persuade him.”

Pei Zhenyue: “Getting married soon, gotta have a proper job. Persuade him along this line of thought; better chance.”

Bo Jin: “…”

Huang Hao and others who heard this: “!!!”

Two big leaders want to recruit Chi Yao into the military?! And begging so humbly?!

They really aren’t jealous at all!

---

Chi Yao didn’t feel much about having a household registration until Jing Xi handed him a civilian terminal.

Jing Xi: “It’s already bound to your file. All benefits available to Capital Star citizens will be issued to this terminal. Don’t mess with it.”

Chi Yao: “…”

An ordinary silver wristband. He had seen countless ones, not as good-looking as his original black one.

But this one belonged to him.

Chi Yao put on the wristband and snapped his fingers. The virtual interface popped open.

His name was written in the personal information column.

He really had a registration.

Jing Xi: “Major General Bo’s land hasn’t been approved yet. Your home address is temporarily registered at my place.”

Chi Yao didn’t care about these details.

He shook his wrist and smiled: “Look good?”

One black and one silver terminal worn together. Jing Xi: “Would it match better if both were black?”

Just as he finished speaking, a small black bean popped out of the black terminal. The bean wrapped around the silver wristband, instantly turning it jet black.

Chi Yao looked dark: “Change back.”

Xiao Hei: 【Didn’t you think it was ugly?】

Chi Yao: “Why does it need to look so good?”

Xiao Hei: 【…】

Hearing Jing Xi’s laughter, Chi Yao asked: “What about theirs?”

Jing Xi: “Checking qualifications. Will open gradually based on the severity of crimes.”

Chi Yao rubbed his chin thoughtfully: “Isn’t the one with the heaviest crimes me?”

Jing Xi raised an eyebrow: “You do have self-awareness.”

Chi Yao: “Thanks.”

Jing Xi: “Wasn’t praising you.”

Chi Yao: “Let Extreme Shadow register on 0520.”

Jing Xi: “That’s what I intend too.”

“As for the other groups—”

Chi Yao thought for a moment, “Let them submit applications themselves, or crowdfunding to buy a planet to live on is fine too.”

Jing Xi nodded: “Don’t worry. The military will review carefully before transferring to relevant departments.”

---

Arriving at 0520, Chi Yao almost thought he was in the wrong place.

As far as the eye could see was golden yellow, and the nose was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Rows of small animals made of straw lined the road. Li Yuan and some underlings were drying grain with rakes, covering the entire road surface, leaving only a small gap in the middle.

In the golden rice fields, a group of red and green people romped around carrying rice stalks, occasionally eliciting roars from the Seedling Group members.

“Don’t ruin my grain! Give it back!”

The Extreme Shadow underling grinned cheekily: “Brother Wang, don’t be angry. I’ll harvest that acre over there for you too, okay?”

Brother Wang: “Scram, scram, scram! I’ll do it myself!”

Chi Yao: “…”

He looked into the distance. Some large mechanical arms were operating on the construction site in the original residential area.

From far away, he spotted that little old man, Viper, supervising the work.

“Ow ow ow, Old Li! I’m back!”

Tie Xiong shouted in Li Yuan’s direction, then turned to ask Chi Yao, “Boss, can we go down?”

“Let’s go.”

Chi Yao walked unhurriedly down the steps before the spaceship hatch.

Vaguely hearing the commotion, Li Yuan wiped his sweat, turned to look, threw down the rake, and ran over.

“Xiong-bao, finally back!”

Li Yuan picked up the rushing Tie Xiong and rubbed him vigorously.

Tie Xiong struggled to get down.

“You’re crushing Sweet Potato.”

“Sweet Potato?”

Li Yuan looked down. A lump bulged in Tie Xiong’s collar, revealing a cat head staring at him warily.

Li Yuan looked at Chi Yao. The other was even more exaggerated, holding a big one, two small ones hanging on his legs, and two more crawling on his body.

“Boss, did you poke a cat’s nest?”

Chi Yao petted the cat: “Don’t talk nonsense, you’ll get beaten.”

Seeing the big cat licking its paws, Li Yuan: “…”

Fang Liang came back from the fields, legs covered in mud.

“Call them over to assemble?”

Chi Yao: “No rush.”

He sent a message to Jing Xi that he arrived safely, then walked down the steps into the fields. Occasionally people put down their work and ran over to say hello.

Seeing King Gold puffing over, Chi Yao teased: “How is it? Is this planet enough for you to plant?”

King Gold took off his bamboo hat to fan himself, hands on hips, smiling with a face full of wrinkles.

“Environment and soil are both good. The new seeds you gave me last time have borne fruit! Those grains are crystal-like, tsk tsk tsk, so beautiful!”

Chi Yao gazed at the rice fields, lips curving up.

“Don’t run around everywhere in the future. Just plant here.”

King Gold said blankly: “I didn’t plan to go elsewhere for now anyway—”

Li Yuan hooked his arm around his shoulder and patted him: “Big Old Brother, our Boss means he wants to help you get household registration. This will be your home from now on!”

“R-Registration?”

King Gold was confused and hurriedly looked at Chi Yao for confirmation. “Really can get registration?!”

Chi Yao: “If you can teach this group of star pirates so they have the ability to feed themselves, not just registration, even—”

“Done!”

Before Chi Yao finished, King Gold agreed instantly. “I’ll teach!”

After speaking, he ran out ten times faster than he came, shouting.

“Brothers, we can get registration! We can fucking get registration! Waaahhhhh—”

Chi Yao: “…”

“Waaah—hahaha—”

Tie Xiong mimicked his crying sound, laughing uncontrollably. “So old and still crying, shameful.”

Listening to Fang Liang’s explanation, Chi Yao continued forward.

Suddenly his pant leg was tugged. Thinking he hit some thorny weeds, he looked down—it was a child.

About the same age as Tie Xiong, a bit shorter. Half-long hair tied in a small bun, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, dirty, with several mud streaks on the face, blinking big eyes at him.

He remembered this child.

When rescued, half the body was almost bestialized; he was the one who taught him to change back.

Seeing Chi Yao silent, Fang Liang thought the child dirtied his pants and upset him.

“Xiao Li, go wash your hands quickly.”

Xiao Li looked at him—Chi Yao’s cat.

“Kitty—”

Looking thin and delicate, voice soft and fine, not like an alpha at all. Yet he was an alpha fused with pangolin genes.

Rarely seeing a peer, Tie Xiong shyly hid by Chi Yao’s leg, peeking out with one eye, swallowing saliva.

Such a pretty little brother. Wonder if he can help write homework.

Chi Yao looked at Yao Yao in his arms, then lifted Peanut from his shoulder and placed it on Xiao Li’s head.

Xiao Li was startled, daring not move, reaching out tremblingly to touch.

Chi Yao: “Cats love cleanliness. If you don’t wash your hands, it will scratch you.”

Xiao Li’s expression froze. He carefully shuffled to the sink, washed his hands obediently, and seeing Chi Yao leaving, quickly ran back to follow closely.

Seeing this child, Chi Yao suddenly thought of something and asked Fang Liang: “How is that batch of people we received adapting?”

When clearing the sites, Chi Yao brought back a group of people. Most were close to losing control, like Xiao Li. Some serious cases were still locked up receiving treatment.

Fang Liang: “Rabbit arranged a curriculum and goes to teach them every day.”

“Rabbit?” Chi Yao asked. “That kid who sent the felt pendant to Xixi?”

Li Yuan laughed on the side: “That’s him. Bored with nothing to do, organized a teaching team himself. Said he’s teaching our brothers. Gets scolded by students all day; it’s miserable.”

“Mm.”

Chi Yao didn’t probe further.

He never asked much about small matters in the group. As long as they didn’t violate his principles, let them make noise.

Halfway there, hearing faint barking, Chi Yao looked over.

Behind a patch of orange trees, Ying Weiwas carrying a pretty little wolf, circling the grove while howling.

Chi Yao with a wooden face: “What is that stupid dog doing?”

Fang Liang snickered: “Full from eating, taking the little wolf for a walk to digest.”

Maybe smelling the master’s scent, Ying Weisuddenly looked over, tail wagging furiously.

“Awoo awoo~”

Chi Yao: “…”

---

At night, everyone gathered for a meal in the open space in front of the rice fields. Countless people, young and old, mixed with a few fighting animals—the scene was once out of control.

Eating facing the fields for the first time, Chi Yao was in a good mood.

Satiated, he called all Star Pirate Group leaders to sit together.

“The official notice from the military hasn’t come down yet, but it’s basically confirmed.”

Hearing Chi Yao say this, everyone held their breath, unconsciously nervous.

Chi Yao said calmly: “You know clearly what bastard things you did before. Canceling it out won’t be that easy.”

Everyone’s faces fell.

Meng Dahu: “Knew registration wouldn’t be simple.”

Old Dog: “Can’t be helped. No medicine for regret.”

Chi Yao poured himself a glass of wine: “Battlefield support can add points to reduce sentences. Besides that, you can’t do your old trade anymore. How will you solve meals in the future? Extreme Shadow doesn’t cover room and board.”

Everyone: “…”

Not doing the old trade, they really had nowhere to get money.

First, no registration; second, no skills.

“Then we steal money while supporting—”

Someone in the crowd said this and immediately got punched by a neighbor.

“Only lousy ideas! If we do that, points will be deducted!”

“Then what to do? Can’t live off savings for long.”

Discussing this, everyone panicked.

Viper Boss sat closest to Chi Yao. He asked smilingly: “Major General Jing said before he’d buy rice vinegar unlimitedly, so we—”

Before finishing, he was interrupted by Chi Yao.

“Even if he can drink, he can’t drink that much.”

Chi Yao said indifferently.

Viper Boss shut up instantly.

Chi Yao made a silencing gesture and gave a look to Ying Weifighting the cat nearby. The dog ran over happily and lay down to be his backrest.

Yao Yao, losing her opponent, jumped onto Chi Yao’s lap, patting the table with her paw to indicate hunger.

Chi Yao leaned on the big dog, petting the big cat, and said slowly: “Actually, there is a road right in front of you, just don’t know if you are willing to take it.”

Meng Dahu raised his hand first: “Me! I want to listen!”

Seeing others looking at him strangely, he silently retracted his hand.

Chi Yao: “With the Seedling Group here, grain, vegetable, and fruit output isn’t a worry.”

Hearing this, King Gold straightened his back, looking around at the brothers big and small boastfully, harvesting a wave of admiring gazes.

Chi Yao continued: “There are many types of agricultural by-products. I mean to process agricultural by-products for sale. Go back and discuss with your groups. Each group decides on one type for now. Build the factories yourselves. As for assembly lines and sales channels, I’ll figure it out.”

King Gold: “What assembly line? Handmade is the GOAT!”

Chi Yao: “That output is too low. But doing it for now is okay too. Decide the next step based on sales.”

After the meeting, everyone was excited, clamoring to go back and hold meetings overnight to discuss product types.

Li Yuan, holding the sleeping Xiao Li and with Tie Xiong hanging on his back, followed Chi Yao back to the residence.

“Boss, what product will our group make?”

At the door, Chi Yao smiled: “You decide. I don’t care.”

“Alright! Then we’ll make whatever we want to eat.”

Li Yuan was about to leave when Chi Yao stopped him.

“Keeping in touch with Chu Xiao?”

Speaking of his son, Li Yuan smoothed his buzz cut somewhat embarrassedly.

“Such a big boy, getting clingy is unbearable. Telling me all day to soak goji berries in my thermos. I don’t even have a damn thermos.”

Chi Yao: “…”

After they left with the two kids, Chi Yao opened the door and went in.

The flowers and grass planted in the yard before had turned into cabbage and green onions. Only the strawberry seedlings in the greenhouse survived and had borne fruit.

Chi Yao picked one and took a bite.

“So sweet.”

The night breeze was cool. He sat on the rocking chair on the open-air balcony, petting the cat and cooling off.

In this boundless night sky, finally, there was a star belonging to him.

The terminal rang; it was Bo Jin calling back.

“Sorry, was in a meeting just now.”

Time difference issue; it was after 3 PM on Capital Star.

Chi Yao glanced at the military uniform on him and the red stripes on the cuffs representing Major General, suddenly finding it much more pleasing to the eye.

“Didn’t you acquire a lot of industries over the years? Any experience in agricultural by-products?”

Rare to have a calm conversation, Bo Jin smiled: “Yes. Can provide full technology and personnel.”

Chi Yao nodded: “Good. Will find you when needed.”

“Actually, I’m quite busy now,” Bo Jin considered his words. “Lots of matters accumulating in the legion and headquarters; overtime every day.”

Chi Yao didn’t understand his reason for saying this.

“Will be better after this period passes. Uncle Shen is a good helper.”

Bo Jin looked at him: “So why not take this opportunity for me to transfer all industries under my name to you? Have to give them later anyway—”

Chi Yao: “Signal in the countryside is bad. What did you say?”

Bo Jin: “…What about now?”

Chi Yao: “Mm, speak.”

Bo Jin changed the topic: “Do you want to take over Extreme—”

Chi Yao: “Hello? Why can’t I hear again? Countryside signal too poor, hanging up first.”

Looking at the dark screen, Bo Jin: “…”

---

One month later, when Jing Xi arrived at 0520, many factories had been built around the perimeter, hanging signs like “Tiger Canned Yellow Peach Factory,” “Wolf Dog Rice Cake Factory,” “Viper Dried Fruit & Veggie Factory,” “Extreme Shadow Rice Vinegar Factory,” “Seedling Agricultural Group”…

Meeting Chi Yao, Jing Xi smiled: “Extreme Shadow makes rice vinegar?”

Chi Yao held his hand, humming: “Stuff for you to eat, shouldn’t I be cautious?”

Lu Meng got off the warship, saw this grand occasion, and immediately got inspired.

“Boss, I want—”

Jing Xi: “…”

A few days later, a new sign appeared at the construction site next to the factory group—”Flying Dragon Chicken Farm.”

Jing Xi also brought some military notifications.

“Numbering the existing Star Pirate Groups?” Chi Yao asked.

Jing Xi nodded: “The Marshal established a special non-staff unit, incorporating all Star Pirate Groups that participated in the rescue. If there are battlefield support missions, they will screen from the listed units. If other Star Pirate Groups want to join, they must pass joint review by you and me.”

Jing Xi opened a metal box: “These are the terminals for this batch of registered personnel. I brought them along.”

Inside were over thirty small boxes. Chi Yao saw Fang Liang and Li Yuan’s names at a glance and casually video-called them.

In the virtual screen, Fang Liang was working in the field.

“Boss?”

Chi Yao shook the box in his hand: “Guess what this is?”

Fang Liang squinted to look, cursed “Holy crap,” and ran speedily to the roadside.

“Coming right away!”

Chi Yao laughed out loud and video-called Li Yuan.

Not five minutes later, crashing sounds came from the door.

“Boss, m-my registration—”

Li Yuan rushed in, looked at Chi Yao then Jing Xi, stammering from nervousness, “Major General Jing, is it m-m-me—”

Jing Xi picked up the box with his terminal and handed it over: “Yours is down.”

Li Yuan took it carefully, as if holding something fragile.

Seeing his name pasted on it and a string of incomparably familiar ID numbers, he rubbed his eyes with muddy hands, afraid of seeing wrong.

Fang Liang was calmer. He opened the box, took out the silver wristband, buckled it on his wrist to activate, and confirmed personal information.

After confirming no errors, he stood up and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Major General Jing. Thank you, Boss.”

Jing Xi: “You were originally within the military system. Just helping you restore it. It’s only right.”

Fang Liang’s situation was special.

He was an Anbu investigator who went missing while investigating modified humans. Anbu found his blood and clothing fragments, thinking him dead. Unexpectedly, two years later, they received intelligence feedback from him.

Lin Chengde took the opportunity to arrange him beside Chi Yao, handling internal affairs and facilitating communication between both sides.

Sobbing sounds came from the side. Jing Xi and Fang Liang turned to see Li Yuan, the big fierce Alpha, finally unable to hold back tears.

Chi Yao pulled out a tissue and handed it over, patting Li Yuan’s shoulder.

“Can go back to see your son anytime. What are you crying for?”

Li Yuan’s voice was terribly hoarse: “I thought I’d never find the child in this life, nor get back my registration… These days feel like a dream.”

Jing Xi: “Your history as a mercenary is indeed sensitive, but given your outstanding performance in these wars, we managed to secure it for you.”

Li Yuan, red-eyed, said with rare sincerity: “Thank you.”

Chi Yao asked Jing Xi: “Can transfer his son back to his registration?”

Before Jing Xi expressed his stance, Li Yuan shook his head.

“His adoptive parents treat him very well. I don’t want to make it difficult for him. Whose registration he’s on isn’t important; living well is enough.”

Chi Yao gave him a surprised look.

“Starting to look like a father.”

Li Yuan chuckled: “I’ve thought a lot too.”

Fang Liang nudged him: “Hurry open and see. Maybe wrist too thick to wear.”

“Jinx!”

Li Yuan happily opened the box and buckled the silver wristband on his wrist. “This workmanship, this weight, this touch—superb!”

Fang Liang: “…”

Enough.

The terminal wristbands Jing Xi brought exploded on 0520 like an atomic bomb. The Star Pirate Groups were even more pumped, working shifts day and night on construction.

After dinner, Chi Yao held Jing Xi’s hand for a walk in the fields.

“When going to N1?”

Jing Xi: “Jiang Feng went first. I came to check here. If no issues, leaving in a few days.”

Chi Yao: “Massive overhaul of the garrison?”

“Not just personnel; the entire system needs reform. Higher-ups are still discussing plans.”

Speaking of this, Jing Xi suddenly thought of something. “Major General Bo is taking over Ursa Major. Chen Bingfeng’s original duties are all handed to him.”

Chi Yao: “Then Beluga Constellation is also under his control?”

Jing Xi nodded: “Counts as my half-superior.”

Chi Yao was puzzled: “But he’s same rank as you.”

Jing Xi: “He’ll be promoted to Lieutenant General soon.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Jing Xi observed his expression and said calmly: “Actually, I’ll be very busy next—”

Chi Yao: “…”

Why does this sound so familiar.

Jing Xi: “But I don’t want to be separated from you long-term.”

Chi Yao raised an eyebrow: “So?”

Jing Xi chuckled: “Commander Lin’s suggestion, could you consider it a little?”

As expected.

Chi Yao huffed: “After taking over his mess, we’ll really be separated.”

Jing Xi tightened his grip on his hand: “The Marshal promised me that if you take over the Special Investigation Group, related coordination work will be given to me. We’ll be colleagues.”

Chi Yao: “Want to work with me that much?”

Jing Xi nodded.

Chi Yao smiled: “If you can coax me to be happy, I’ll consider it.”

“Okay.”

Jing Xi pulled him hurriedly back.

Chi Yao drawled, smiling lazily: “No rush, not dark yet.”

The result was not going home, but boarding the Flying Dragon warship.

“I’ll show you something.”

Jing Xi took him into the workroom.

Under the light, a majestic white wolf stood in the huge space.

Chi Yao’s eyes flashed: “This is—”

“Needle felting.”

Jing Xi pulled him closer. “I poked it.”

Thinking of the one he poked, Chi Yao raised his hand to touch: “…What did you poke with?”

Both poked by humans, why is the gap so big?

Jing Xi: “Your tail fur. I secretly collected a lot.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Jing Xi looked at him smiling: “I use it to propose to you, how about it?”

Chi Yao: “…………”

Jing Xi: “Happy?”

Chi Yao: “My heart is pierced through by you, what do you think?”

The two looked at each other and laughed simultaneously.

---

At night, Jing Xi worked in the study. Chi Yao went in with coffee.

“It’s late, do it tomor—”

“Meow~”

Playing cats suddenly darted over. Chi Yao stepped back, fearing to scald them, stepped on Hidden Guard’s paw, dodged again, stood steady, but spilled the coffee.

Seeing Chi Yao’s face darken, the cat and dog instantly behaved, squatting by the door, daring not move.

Hearing the noise, Jing Xi put down work and went over.

“Not scalded, right?”

Chi Yao wiped the back of his hand clean with a tissue.

“I’m fine.”

Jing Xi frowned: “Red from scalding. Go apply some ointment.”

Chi Yao: “Forgot my constitution? Need ointment?”

But half an hour later, the scald on the back of his hand hadn’t disappeared, still burning with pain.

Jing Xi applied an ice pack for him personally.

“Do you think—”

Chi Yao was thoughtful. He had Xiao Hei turn into a military knife and lightly cut across the back of his hand.

Blood instantly seeped from the wound, sliding down his hand.

Chi Yao counted silently in his heart, but at ten, the wound showed no sign of healing.

He looked at Jing Xi: “The wound is still there—”

Jing Xi hugged him tightly, couldn’t help chuckling, but his eyes were red.

“It worked.”

To be safe, Chi Yao immediately video-called Qiu Tianlin.

“When the regenerative enzyme concentration in your body drops to a certain level, wounds won’t heal so easily. Normal phenomenon. Can proceed to the next treatment stage.”

Qiu Tianlin said excitedly, “Preparations on my side are ready. Will set off for 0520 in two days. Save blood samples for me then!”

Hanging up, Chi Yao and Jing Xi interlaced fingers, laughing low.

“My time is finally drawing closer to yours.”

Three days later, Qiu Tianlin’s team arrived at 0520.

After a series of checks confirming Chi Yao’s recovery status was stable, Jing Xi finally relaxed.

On the way home, their terminals rang simultaneously.

Chi Yao opened it to look; it was from the military system.

“I can’t go to N1 anymore.”

Jing Xi frowned, voice cool: “Beast tide outbreak at N0996. Military assigned this mission to Flying Dragon.”

“I received the message too.”

Chi Yao signaled him to look at his virtual screen, helpless: “Extreme Shadow is the rescue team for this time.”

Jing Xi: “Then go together?”

Chi Yao: “Only way.”

The two dialed out video calls simultaneously.

Jing Xi: “Xiao Yan, notify everyone to check instruments and meters, prepare for expedition—”

Chi Yao: “Old Fang, mission came. Tell brothers in the group to assemble at the tarmac—”

Chi Yao/Jing Xi: “Set off immediately!”

—End of Text—