In the end, Chi Yao got neither the photos nor the kiss.

He looked at Jing Xi, who was surrounded by a group of young soldiers, and was not very happy.

A palm-sized virtual screen popped out from between his fingers.

[Do you need help expanding the learning tutorial?]

“Thank you for being so thoughtful.” Chi Yao jumped down from Flying Dragon’s instep, his voice chilly. “I’ll have him reward you with a new set of clothes later.”

Xiao Hei: […]

Over there, Jing Xi seemed to sense something, turned his head slightly, and only caught Chi Yao’s departing back in his peripheral vision.

Lu Meng saw that his group of young soldiers had finished talking and shooed them away.

“The reinforcements are the Cygnuss?” Lu Meng’s expression was subtle. “There are so many excellent corps in the military, why did they have to pick them? Who doesn’t know we have a bad relationship with the Cygnuss?”

Jing Xi’s expression was faint: “How the higher-ups arrange things is not for us to interfere with. Just do our own job.”

If one didn’t know Jing Xi well, seeing him say this with a cold face, they probably wouldn’t dare to say anything. But Lu Meng knew his own boss’s temperament and was fuming inside.

“If they valued us even a little bit, this would never have happened! Fighting to the death isn’t enough, now they have to send people to mess with us!”

Jing Xi unexpectedly dropped a sentence: “It’s not certain who’s messing with whom yet.”

Lu Meng’s eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

Did he hear that right?

The boss actually has this kind of awareness?!

He’s grown up!

After inspecting the battlefield, Jing Xi returned to the Flying Dragon mecha.

The cockpit was quiet. Chi Yao was leaning against the seat next to the pilot’s, asleep. He had already pulled off the biological mask on his face.

Jing Xi moved quietly to the secondary cabin to get a thin blanket.

Being close, Jing Xi’s gaze slowly swept over Chi Yao’s brows and eyes. He stole a kiss.

The touch was dry and soft.

Jing Xi carefully looked up. Seeing that the person hadn’t woken up, he couldn’t resist stealing another kiss.

Chi Yao had woken up the moment Jing Xi came in, he was just too lazy to open his eyes.

After being kissed for the third time, he couldn’t hold back and bit the other’s mouth.

Jing Xi was startled and was about to pull back, but Chi Yao held him in his arms first, deepening the kiss.

Unsurprisingly, they bumped teeth again.

Before he suffocated, Jing Xi pushed him away, his breath a little unsteady.

“When did you wake up?”

Chi Yao licked the spot on his lip that had been bitten and smiled. “How did it feel?”

Jing Xi: “…”

Tricked again.

Chi Yao leaned into his neck and sniffed.

The scent of his pheromones was so faint it was negligible, and the aggressive quality from the past two days had disappeared.

Even through the clothes, Jing Xi could feel Chi Yao’s breath. He felt a little uncomfortable, got up, sat in the pilot’s seat next to him, and returned to his usual cold demeanor.

“Did you only have spiritual relationships with your past lovers and wives?”

Chi Yao: “I’ve never had a spiritual relationship.”

Jing Xi fastened his safety buckle. The indicator lights on the console lit up one by one. He pulled the joystick, and Flying Dragon ascended.

“Then why is your kissing skill so bad?”

Chi Yao: “…”

He’s been told this twice now.

Chi Yao was not the least bit guilty. “You don’t like it?”

Jing Xi’s face was expressionless. “I’m just curious, how did you get lovers like this?”

Chi Yao: “…………”

Chi Yao leaned back relaxedly and took the biological mask from the sterile box, applying it to his face.

“If even you can be captivated by me, what person could possibly resist my charm?”

Jing Xi: “…”

Such a narcissistic playboy.

He didn’t even refute the “being captivated” part.

Chi Yao smiled and said deliberately, “Since we have time now, should I tell you about my love life?”

Jing Xi’s brow twitched.

“No need.”

Chi Yao: “Really don’t want to hear it? This is your only chance.”

Jing Xi looked at the surveillance feed. “You don’t even have a susceptibility period. What kind of juicy love life could you possibly have?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Jing Xi’s expression was serious. “With your pheromones that can take down a level-five mutated beast, I don’t believe any omega could last a second near you.”

Chi Yao: “…………”

Arriving at the northern island, the shallow sea area was stained red, and the sea surface was covered with various severed limbs and metal fragments.

The buildings on the island were almost completely destroyed, with marks of bombardment everywhere.

Jin Ze had arrived first and was leading his men to clean up the battlefield and tally the losses of equipment and personnel.

“Captain, Flying Dragon is here!”

Hearing a team member shout, Jin Ze looked up, his feelings complicated.

It couldn’t be that big shot again, the one who single-handedly took on a level-five mutated beast and was also the boss’s future wife, could it?

The white mecha traced a beautiful arc and landed steadily. Jing Xi’s slender figure descended from the mecha, followed by a soldier of similar height and long legs.

Jin Ze and his group of men’s eyes lit up.

“Boss, why are you here?” Jin Ze went to greet him.

Jing Xi: “How are the brothers?”

The group of men who followed him teared up instantly upon hearing their commander’s first words being about their condition.

“All thirty-two brothers who fell into the sea have been found. Five are seriously injured and are being rescued,” Jin Ze wiped his face. “Two brothers had their hands blown to pieces, they might not be able to continue—”

Even with prosthetics, they would no longer meet the conditions of a soldier. They would either have to transfer to logistics or a clerical department, or be forced to retire.

But the number of applicants each year far exceeded the number of positions available.

Jing Xi walked along the coast.

“Contact Jiang Feng and have him arrange for the Central Biological Research Institute to make prosthetics for them. Put the cost under my name.”

Jin Ze was taken aback.

“Boss, making prosthetics there is super expensive. We should find another—”

Resources were limited. For soldiers disabled in the line of duty, the military would provide free prosthetics. Although these metal skeleton prosthetics had good sensitivity and wouldn’t affect daily life, they had many limitations on the battlefield.

But the prosthetics from the Central Biological Research Institute were made by extracting genes and tissues to recreate a real hand through biological means.

Though called prosthetics, they were no different from one’s own hand.

The only thing was that the cost was exorbitant, something ordinary people simply couldn’t afford.

Jing Xi waved his hand. “I hope they can stay in Flying Dragon, but if they want to transfer to another department, it’s up to them.”

“With such a good commander, they would die to stay here!” Jin Ze was happy for his men, but also felt sorry for his boss’s wallet. “But you can’t pay out of your own pocket. How about we fundraise within the corps?”

Jing Xi: “It’s just a small amount of money, no need to fundraise.”

Jin Ze: “…”

A small amount?

Boss, that’s a lot of money!

Chi Yao saw this and somewhat understood why Flying Dragon was so united internally.

“A money-squandering spendthrift.”

Hearing Chi Yao’s soft mumble, Jing Xi: “…”

Jin Ze, who accidentally overheard: “…”

It was hard not to support that statement.

After walking a few steps, Jing Xi felt he needed to defend himself. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by Chi Yao.

“Forget it, spend as you like,” Chi Yao said generously. “However much you spend, I’ll rob it back.”

Jing Xi: “…………”

Jin Ze and his subordinates: “…”

Why does this have the scent of a public display of affection?

After the heavy blow to the beast swarm, the remaining beasts were very scattered and posed no immediate threat.

At the island camp, everyone was busy in an orderly manner. The three little beans, red, black, and blue, were linked together, swaying in a small bamboo grove.

Chi Yao sat in a clearing surrounded by the bamboo grove and handed a bowl of hot soup to Jing Xi.

“You want to fight your way to the south?”

Jing Xi took it and stirred it with a spoon.

“Constantly being on the defensive is not a solution. We’ll act once the reinforcements arrive.”

After the pressure on the front line eased, it was indeed a good time to pursue, taking advantage of the next two days when the beast tide was not yet formed.

“But the person coming is Chen Bingfeng,” Chi Yao sneered. “Are you sure he will act according to your wishes?”

Jing Xi: “Even if we have personal grudges, he can’t do anything to me. If this place falls, he won’t get any benefit either.”

Chi Yao: “It would be good if he could think that way.”

Chen Bingfeng was Li Bo’s direct superior. This time, he was coming with Li Bo’s corps, clearly with the intention of backing Li Bo up and venting his anger.

Moreover, Li Bo had a Ghost business card, so the probability of Chen Bingfeng being the “mole” was extremely high.

With Jing Xi present, everyone else automatically kept their distance, afraid of disturbing the leader.

Jing Xi took a sip of the soup, his voice low. “That fleet, are you not going to explain?”

Chi Yao casually picked up an orange and started peeling it.

“I don’t know them.”

Jing Xi looked through the bamboo grove at the soldiers receiving treatment on the other side.

“I’ve never seen the models of their warships, battlecruisers, or fighter jets, but I can see they are well-trained, completely different from Extreme Shadow’s unorthodox methods.”

Chi Yao’s peeling hand paused for a moment, then he nonchalantly broke off a piece of the orange and put it to his lips.

“Oh, who knows.”

He took a bite and the sourness made his whole person feel unwell.

Why was he so determined to eat an orange? Isn’t it good to be alive?

Just as he was about to throw it away, his hand was held by Jing Xi.

Chi Yao watched as he bit the orange slice he had half-eaten into his mouth.

“It’s very sour,” Chi Yao kindly reminded him.

Jing Xi ate it, his expression unchanging.

“It’s very sweet.”

Very sweet?!

Are your taste buds a little bit perverted?

Jing Xi: “I want more.”

Chi Yao looked at him, then at the orange in his hand, broke off another piece, and fed it to him.

Jing Xi ate it from his hand and continued the previous topic.

“There have always been rumors in the military that a portion of the military force is hidden and used to carry out secret missions. Unlike other special forces, even general-level officers do not have the authority to view their files.”

Facing Jing Xi’s probing gaze, Chi Yao smiled. “Then who has the authority?”

“The Commander-in-Chief,” Jing Xi looked into his eyes. “Who sits in the position of Commander-in-Chief is very important.”

Chi Yao’s eyes darkened slightly, but in a blink, they returned to normal.

“No wonder those old men are fighting to the death for this position.”

Jing Xi didn’t miss the momentary change in his eyes and nonchalantly looked away.

“The position of Commander-in-Chief has been vacant for many years. Some people are already getting impatient.”

Chi Yao sneered. “But how those people fight has nothing to do with us.”

Jing Xi: “It is indeed not something we can interfere with.”

Chi Yao casually broke off a piece of orange and smiled.

“If you can’t make it in the military, come to Extreme Shadow. Big brother will take you to conquer the stars and the sea.”

Jing Xi: “Is that the fleet?”

This sentence came out of nowhere. Chi Yao was about to speak but suddenly stopped.

He looked at Jing Xi. “Setting a trap for me?”

Jing Xi: “You know?”

Although it was a question, his tone was very certain.

Chi Yao: “Don’t know.”

Jing Xi watched as he stuffed the piece of orange he had broken off into his own mouth. It was too late to stop him.

The sourness made Chi Yao’s biological mask almost fall off. He belatedly realized he had fed the wrong person.

“Serves you right for being stubborn.”

Hearing Jing Xi’s merciless ridicule by his ear, Chi Yao leaned against him and said pitifully, “Wifey, it’s so sour.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Shamelessly acting cute and spoiled.

But he just happened to fall for it.

“Drink this,” Jing Xi handed him the soup in his hand.

The corners of Chi Yao’s lips lifted slightly. He took it and happily took a big gulp.

“Pfft—cough cough cough—are you trying to kill me—cough cough—”

Jing Xi patted his back. “?”

He looked left and right, and after seeing the empty vinegar bottle: “…”

He had forgotten he had casually added vinegar.

Jing Xi thought for a long time for some words of comfort and managed to squeeze out, “You’ll get used to the sourness.”

Chi Yao: “…”

I’ll be damned if I believe you.

In the afternoon, Chen Bingfeng arrived with the Cygnus Corps.

Jing Xi stood on the tarmac of the garrison base to welcome them.

“Lieutenant General Chen.”

Chen Bingfeng glanced at him and walked forward with his chin held high.

Yan Kai stood behind Jing Xi, watching the group of people swagger past them, and was furious.

He didn’t even acknowledge the boss! What kind of person is he!

Jing Xi didn’t mind Chen Bingfeng’s attitude and followed him unhurriedly.

In the temporary command post’s conference hall, Jing Xi had Yan Kai report the current battle situation in detail to Chen Bingfeng.

Before Yan Kai could speak, he was interrupted by Chen Bingfeng.

“He can’t explain it clearly. You do it.” Chen Bingfeng gestured with his chin for Jing Xi to speak.

Although he was one rank higher, this time Chen Bingfeng was here as the temporary commander of the Cygnuss for support, so in terms of status, he should be equal to Jing Xi.

But all along the way, he had put on an air of superiority.

Yan Kai was disgusted.

He respectfully took a step forward, and was just about to speak when he saw his boss’s hand signal in his peripheral vision.

Jing Xi’s finger swiped lightly, and a virtual screen was projected in the middle of the conference table.

“This is the scan from 11 a.m. this morning. The red areas are the regions currently under attack—”

Jing Xi spoke at a moderate pace and, in just a few minutes, had reported the entire battlefield situation in an orderly manner.

“There was a small peak last night?” Chen Bingfeng asked.

Jing Xi nodded. “This beast tide is persistent. It’s estimated that there will be a counterattack of considerable intensity in two days.”

Chen Bingfeng’s fingers tapped on the tabletop.

“A counterattack?” He snorted. “Where would so many beasts come from? This is a populated area!”

Jing Xi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Chen Bingfeng: “According to the law of beast tides, based on the current intensity curve, the strongest wave has already passed, and it will continue to decline. You’ve studied under me for so many years, have you learned nothing?”

What the f—!

Yan Kai was furious, his expression uncontrollably ferocious.

This person wasn’t here to provide rescue, he was here to cause trouble!

Chi Yao stood behind Jing Xi with his hands behind his back. He glanced at Chen Bingfeng out of the corner of his eye, the ring on his hand that was hanging by his side being played with.

Seeing Jing Xi’s expressionless face as he let him talk, Chen Bingfeng became even more annoyed.

He hated this look on Jing Xi the most.

A video call came in from headquarters. Chen Bingfeng answered it.

“How’s the battle situation?”

Pei Zhenyue asked seriously.

Chen Bingfeng spoke first. “A small peak of the beast tide appeared this morning. As of now, the Cygnuss have stabilized the situation.”

Swooping in to take the credit as soon as he arrived.

Even Chi Yao laughed when he heard this.

There were people this shameless.

How did Jing Xi stay under such a person for so long?

Receiving Jing Xi’s glance, Chen Bingfeng ignored it and repeated the battle results Jing Xi had just reported to him.

“Although the intensity of this beast tide outbreak is great, it is still controllable. Barring any accidents, the remaining beasts can be cleared within three days.”

“Well done!” Zhao Hongyi praised loudly. “I’ve always been confident in your work.”

Chen Bingfeng nodded. “Thank you for the encouragement, Commander.”

Pei Zhenyue’s gaze swept over Jing Xi, and he instantly guessed most of what had happened.

Since the other party was already being so shameless, he might as well be direct.

“The Cygnuss have just arrived. With limited intelligence, they can only cooperate with Flying Dragon’s operations. The reason this battle was fought so beautifully is, in the end, thanks to Flying Dragon.” Pei Zhenyue looked at Jing Xi. “You did very well.”

Zhao Hongyi said sarcastically, “If he was that good, would he still need to call for rescue?”

Pei Zhenyue: “Those who know they can’t win but still insist on fighting are fools.”

“Alright, alright,” Bai Yi interrupted them. “Winning a battle is a good thing, why are you arguing?”

He looked at Jing Xi and Chen Bingfeng, his eyes curved, his smile very amiable.

“Chen Bingfeng is experienced on the battlefield, and his meticulousness is very reassuring. Jing Xi is a student who has surpassed his master. It’s truly rare for someone so young to have such strong command ability. The military needs exactly this kind of talent.”

A student who has surpassed his master?

Chen Bingfeng’s face darkened.

Wasn’t he the “master” who was surpassed?

Chi Yao keenly caught the change in Chen Bingfeng’s expression and glanced at Bai Yi on the virtual screen out of the corner of his eye.

The other’s age was not far from Jing Rong’s.

When Jing Rong had a straight face, he was serious, but when he smiled, he was an amiable old man, which made him feel like letting him win when playing chess.

But this Bai Yi also smiled amiably, yet he was inexplicably repulsed.

After the rather unpleasant meeting ended, Chen Bingfeng went directly to the rest lounge. The people he brought with him took control of the entire command post.

Jing Xi glanced around, then turned and walked out.

After returning to his temporary residence, Yan Kai couldn’t help but curse.

“This is too much! The victory that Flying Dragon exchanged its lives for just became the Cygnuss’ credit like that?”

Jing Xi: “What’s ours, he can’t take away.”

Yan Kai was so angry his eyes were red.

“Boss, do you have a plan?”

“You go back and keep an eye on them,” Jing Xi said in a low voice. “Don’t worry, the brothers’ military merits will be what they should be.”

After the person left, Jing Xi loosened his tie and sat on the sofa, a throbbing pain in his temple.

A pair of warm hands pressed against it, massaging for him.

Chi Yao: “What did I say? It would be good enough if he didn’t cause trouble.”

Jing Xi closed his eyes and leaned back relaxedly. “He is indeed very annoying.”

Chi Yao pecked him on his fragrant cheek. “Hubby will stand up for you.”

Jing Xi: “What are you planning to do?”

“Return a welcoming gift,” Chi Yao woke up Xiao Hei. “Brother Black, you in on this job?”

Xiao Hei: [I’m in.]

Chen Bingfeng’s rest lounge.

The Cygnus’s deputy commander and the chiefs of two main units were in the room with him, talking and laughing.

“So satisfying, let them be so arrogant.”

“In front of Lieutenant General Chen, how could he be arrogant?”

“Our commander’s incident must have had Flying Dragon’s hand in it!”

Chen Bingfeng leaned back in the massage chair, feigning sleep with his eyes closed. His face didn’t show it, but he was very pleased inside.

Suddenly, he was hit on the neck.

“Hiss—!”

Chen Bingfeng clutched his neck and sat up straight, his features contorted in pain.

Seeing this, the other three gathered around him.

“Lieutenant General Chen, are you alright?”

“This massage chair—ah!”

Before he could finish, his legs were suddenly hit with great force.

Seeing his legs shaking nonstop, the others finally noticed something was wrong.

One person tried to press the switch but couldn’t turn it off. Two others managed to pull his legs out by dragging and carrying him.

“Damn it, what the hell is this thing!” Chen Bingfeng’s legs were numb with pain, and he cursed.

The adjutant: “This place is remote. It might be an old model from many years ago that’s not working well.”

[Hello, I am the intelligent AI here, Daddy Hei. How can I be of service?]

The crowd: “…”

Chen Bingfeng was furious.

“Turn off the massage chair for me!”

[Okay.]

As soon as he said it, the wildly shaking massage chair stopped.

The others didn’t take this to heart. After their discussion, they returned to their own rooms.

After closing the door, Chen Bingfeng got up and went to the bathroom to use the toilet.

Just as he finished urinating, a jet of water suddenly shot up from the toilet bowl.

He couldn’t dodge in time and was drenched.

“Damn it!”

Chen Bingfeng retreated in a sorry state.

[Hello, were you calling me?]

Chen Bingfeng’s face was dark. “Turn it off for me!”

[Okay.]

Smelling of urine, Chen Bingfeng took off his clothes and threw them far into a corner, then went to the shower to wash.

“Ah!”

Chen Bingfeng frantically pressed the button to lower the water temperature, but it was useless no matter how he pressed it.

“Lower the water temperature for me!”

He pressed himself against the corner where the hot water couldn’t reach, cursing angrily.

The small shower stall was soon filled with steam, so hot he almost suffocated. The crucial ventilation system wouldn’t turn on either!

[I don’t know what you are talking about.]

Chen Bingfeng: “Lower the water temperature for me!”

[Okay.]

“Ah!”

The lid above the shower opened, and it was all replaced with showerheads.

Chen Bingfeng heard the noise and looked up. The next moment, scalding hot water poured down on his head.

“Ah!”

He furiously grabbed a bathrobe, wanting to get out, but the door wouldn’t open no matter what.

“Open the door!” Chen Bingfeng kicked the door.

[Okay.]

The temperature in the bathroom suddenly rose, quickly approaching 40 degrees.

Chen Bingfeng was so hot he almost passed out. He frantically hit the switch for the thermostat, but it was useless.

“Open the door! I told you to f—ing open the door!”

[Okay.]

Click.

All the lights in the bathroom turned off.

[Have a good dream, bye-bye.]

“F—!”

Chen Bingfeng was going crazy. He used his terminal to notify his subordinates to come over, only to find that they were also locked in their rooms and couldn’t get out.

Jing Xi!

Chen Bingfeng dialed Jing Xi’s communication number.

As soon as it connected, before he could curse, Jing Xi’s slightly hurried voice came from the other side.

“Lieutenant General Chen, please rest in your room for the time being. The base’s AI control system has been illegally invaded and is currently under emergency repair.”

Chen Bingfeng gritted his teeth. “You f—er, get over here and open my bathroom door!”

Jing Xi: “Sorry, I’m also trapped in my room.”

Chen Bingfeng: “…”

Seeing Jing Xi hang up, Chi Yao laughed loudly.

“Shall we roast him until he’s golden brown on both sides before we let him out?”

Jing Xi: “Oh.”

Chi Yao: “You agree?”

Jing Xi: “A pirate did it. I can’t control it.”

Chi Yao: “…”

This kid has learned to feign compliance while acting in defiance.