When Jing Xi forcibly brought him back to the bedroom, Chi Yao was still thinking about the small cat house.

Exactly where did it go wrong to make it feel like a coffin?

Is there such a cute coffin?

“Busy day tomorrow, sleep quickly.” Jing Xi closed the door and started to undo his clothes.

Chi Yao snapped back to reality; his shirt was already pulled open.

“You are so lecherous.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Jing Xi looked up at him: “Like it?”

Chi Yao smirked: “Being a bit more lecherous is fine too.”

Jing Xi put his hand on Chi Yao’s waistband: “Then like this?”

Chi Yao: “…”

He grabbed the hand probing inside: “Better be reserved.”

Jing Xi snorted lightly, turning to take off his own clothes.

Chi Yao was flowery from inside out, but mostly with his mouth. When it came to real action, he couldn’t handle it.

His peripheral vision swept over the small study, and Jing Xi paused.

“You touched my gun?”

Chi Yao: “Can you tell at a glance?”

Jing Xi pointed at the shelf: “The position of the Xuanfeng (Black Phoenix) is off by one centimeter.”

Chi Yao: “…”

“Haven’t seen you use this gun before.” He probed as if casually, “Bought it?”

Jing Xi said casually: “Made it when I was seventeen.”

Chi Yao was stunned: “You made it yourself?”

He went over to take down the Xuanfeng, examining it carefully.

Could it be this wasn’t the one from the auction back then, but Jing Xi’s own replica?

But this was too similar.

Jing Xi: “Had this little hobby when studying before.”

“Replica?” Chi Yao looked at him. “I—a friend saw an identical one at a black market auction before and praised it to me for a long time. I’m still deeply impressed.”

Just finished speaking, he saw Jing Xi look away, expression slightly unnatural.

“I took it to sell.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Took it to sell, why is the gun still here?

Chi Yao: “…You bought it back yourself?”

Jing Xi sat at the end of the bed, staring at the Xuanfeng in his hand.

“I wanted to see where the weapons I made fell short compared to others. If I took them to the military factory for evaluation, those people would only say good things because of my family background. So I used someone else’s identity to put it in the black market auction.”

Young people always wanted to do something to prove themselves; Chi Yao could understand this. But buying it back himself, what kind of operation was that?

“That Xuanfeng was the most sought-after item at that auction. The price was pushed very high, enough to show the value of this gun.” Receiving Jing Xi’s gaze, Chi Yao added unhurriedly, “My friend said.”

Jing Xi: “Mm, I was there too.”

“Why buy it back yourself?” Chi Yao asked. “Not satisfied with that price?”

Jing Xi shook his head: “The price far exceeded my expectations.”

Chi Yao was puzzled: “Why?”

He was ready to empty his wallet for this gun at the time, but result—

Competing with a spendthrift on wallet size, he lost completely.

“The power of this gun is comparable to light-energy guns, especially advantageous against high-level mutant beasts. But the recoil is too strong; ordinary people can’t fire a second shot.”

Jing Xi said calmly, “But this isn’t the main reason I bought it back.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Jing Xi: “Knowing its approximate value is enough. I didn’t really want to sell it.”

Chi Yao: “…”

This guy really deserves a beating.

Recalling the situation then, Jing Xi said calmly: “At that time, someone kept raising the price. I didn’t have much cash on hand and almost lost it. Luckily, he didn’t follow in the end.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Seeing him holding the gun and not letting go, Jing Xi scratched his face a bit embarrassed: “Looking at it now, it is indeed rough.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Do you have some misunderstanding about your own craftsmanship?

Chi Yao put the gun back. Thinking of the weapons frequently snatched away at auctions after that, he pretended to be casual: “Not at all, I like it very much. Are all these your works?”

Jing Xi nodded: “These are early ones. There are others; want to see?”

Chi Yao went over to pull him up: “Want to see.”

Jing Xi looked up at him: “Now?”

Chi Yao: “If you don’t show me, I can’t sleep.”

The open-plan small study wasn’t big, just holding a set of tables and chairs. There was a controller in the desk drawer.

Jing Xi pressed three buttons in succession. The weapon rack opened, revealing a staircase going down.

“This leads directly to the basement.” Jing Xi explained.

Chi Yao looked at the orientation: “Right next to the wine cellar?”

Jing Xi: “Mm.”

This was a large open room, bigger than Jing Xi’s bedroom. The surrounding walls were floor-to-ceiling shelves full of weapons. In the middle were several large workbenches, cluttered with many semi-finished products and parts, with mechanical arms of various sizes scattered high and low.

Didn’t need to look specifically; Chi Yao saw at a glance several guns he wanted very much back then but were snatched by a “fool”.

“Sure enough, they are all here—”

“Sure enough?” Jing Xi didn’t understand, saying calmly, “I didn’t have much disposable funds in my student days. Failed to buy back a few.”

Chi Yao: “Royal Guard, Sound of Hell, Desolation?”

Jing Xi was stunned: “How do you know?”

Chi Yao looked at him faintly: “These three are lying under my bed now. You haven’t looked under my bed?”

Jing Xi: “…”

Recalling Chi Yao’s abnormality just now, Jing Xi suddenly understood something, but was even more incredulous: “The one competing with me back then was you? Why would you want to buy this kind of gun?”

“Can’t I just like it?” Chi Yao rubbed his throbbing forehead. “Because I always failed to grab them, I made money frantically those few years. I found it strange; prices of other auction items were normal, but the guns I liked were ridiculously expensive every time!”

Jing Xi frowned: “Wasn’t it because you raised the price?”

Chi Yao sneered: “Didn’t you raise it? Do you know that price could buy a warship, Little Master?”

Jing Xi: “If you didn’t raise the price, it wouldn’t be that high at all.”

Chi Yao was angry: “If you gave up earlier, would I need to raise the price?!”

Jing Xi was also angry: “How could I give up the gun I made?!”

The hatred of snatching guns, both harbored for years.

Enemies meeting, exceptionally red-eyed (furious).

After arguing for a long time, Jing Xi came back to his senses, suddenly pausing.

Chi Yao saw him not retorting, also suddenly pausing.

Jing Xi with a wooden face: “Stupid or not?”

Chi Yao: “…Stupid.”

The two looked at each other and smiled, leaning side by side against the workbench, unable to stop laughing.

Chi Yao: “I must like you miserably much. Even things you make particularly hit my spot.”

Jing Xi: “You just realized?”

Chi Yao took a deep breath, laughing until his stomach hurt: “But still so angry. You must take photos to compensate me, the kind with very little clothes.”

Jing Xi: “…I was also robbed by you several times. How do you compensate me?”

Chi Yao turned to look at him, raising eyebrows: “You say.”

“How about—photos together?” Jing Xi met his gaze, saying calmly, “The kind without clothes.”

Chi Yao: “…”

The consequence of running wild at midnight was inability to get up in the morning.

At 8 o’clock, Chi Yao was dug out of the quilt by Jing Xi.

Had to go to the military headquarters to cooperate with the investigation in the morning. Jing Xi was afraid Zhao Hongyi would send troops to invite them if they were late.

Although there was a temporary pass and a written agreement, avoiding trouble was better.

Chi Yao leaned in the passenger seat, groggy and extremely sleepy.

Staying up all night last night might not have made him this sleepy.

“What happened later? Starting five years ago, you didn’t put them up for auction anymore, right?” Chi Yao found a topic to wake himself up.

Jing Xi: “Military school workload was heavy, didn’t have much time to play with these. Later my account in the black market was banned by Grandpa, so I just stopped playing.”

Chi Yao was curious: “Your grandpa discovered large amounts of money going in and out of the family account?”

Jing Xi shook his head: “Since discovering that having money doesn’t guarantee buying the gun back, I invested in some industries. Didn’t expect to earn much more than I expected.”

Chi Yao sneered: “After all that, the purpose of us both making money at the beginning was to buy guns.”

Jing Xi couldn’t help chuckling: “No, it was to defeat the ‘fool’ opposite.”

Arriving at the military headquarters.

Chi Yao’s appearance immediately caused panic.

A large wave of officers walked around him; no one dared approach within ten meters.

“Lord Major General, your military people are polite, knowing to make way for guests when they come.” Chi Yao’s gaze swept around, smiling nonchalantly.

Jing Xi was expressionless: “Behave yourself. Comment less on things unrelated to you.”

Officers who walked far but pricked up ears to eavesdrop: “…”

Worthy of Jing Xi, tough!

“So fierce.” Chi Yao tut-tutted and shook his head. “Still Major General Li is better, much friendlier.”

The operation at midnight yesterday spread throughout the military headquarters before dawn. Everyone knew Chi Yao arrived at Capital Star and brought Li Bo back by the way.

Heard Li Bo was dressed neatly with slicked hair when returned, showing no signs of abuse at all, as if he really just went out for a trip.

Chi Yao’s attitude toward him was very friendly, worlds apart from before.

Just arrived at the office door, received notice to go to a meeting.

Jing Xi turned and led Chi Yao toward the conference hall again.

“Really don’t know if coming this time was a wrong choice.”

Surveillance everywhere. Chi Yao spoke implicitly, but Jing Xi understood his meaning.

When disguised, didn’t need to care about anything. Using real identity had various restrictions, and had to be ravaged at the military headquarters every day.

Chi Yao turned to look at him: “If only we could go out for a stroll.”

Hand in hand shopping.

Jing Xi looked straight ahead: “Better cooperate to handle the case first.”

Currently unachievable.

Couldn’t do anything to Chi Yao last night; this morning Zhao Hongyi brought Chen Bingfeng over for a face-to-face confrontation.

Seeing Jing Xi and Chi Yao, Chen Bingfeng’s eyes turned red with anger.

“It’s them who colluded to rob Cygnus’s armaments!”

Uproar in the conference hall.

Jing Xi colluding with Extreme Shadow?

Although there were rumors before, hearing it from a Lieutenant General felt completely different.

Pei Zhenyue said calmly: “Do you have evidence?”

“Extreme Shadow robbed Cygnus but not Flying Dragon; doesn’t this count as evidence?” Chen Bingfeng opened the prepared video data. “They fought for so many years, but this time on the battlefield Extreme Shadow and Flying Dragon were like they agreed, living in peace. Isn’t this strange?”

Many photos were released. Some captured Li Yuan, Chen Sheng, and some soldiers in the same frame. Without exception, all were very harmonious, completely lacking the posture of fighting each other.

Everyone looked at Jing Xi, eyes very subtle.

Zhao Hongyi: “Jing Xi, what do you have to say?”

Jing Xi looked at Chen Bingfeng, speaking unhurriedly: “Regarding your first point, Flying Dragon has never lost large amounts of armaments in any war. Cygnus being robbed only shows Cygnus has internal management problems. Second point, the photos you showed are all from the northern continent. I was clearing in the south then. For specific situations, I want to ask the head of Flying Dragon rescue team to answer.”

With the Admiral’s approval, Jing Xi let Jin Ze in.

Jin Ze looked at the photos in midair, facing several admirals, respectfully saying: “I think matters have priorities. Although Extreme Shadow has always been Flying Dragon’s pursuit target, the situation was critical then, rescue tasks arduous. Under the condition that the other party didn’t cause trouble and even gave help, Flying Dragon had no need to actively create conflict.”

“A group of space pirates who do all evil would really help?” Chen Bingfeng’s tone was contemptuous. “Take others for fools?”

Jin Ze bowed slightly to him: “Some photos were exposed online before—”

“Photos online can be believed?!” Chen Bingfeng interrupted him. “At best just a show!”

Chi Yao sneered: “Photos online are all shows; Lieutenant General Chen understands well.”

Chen Bingfeng was about to retort when he belatedly tasted the sarcasm in his words, swallowing back the words at his lips.

“Not a show.” Jin Ze said respectfully. “Flying Dragon’s entire rescue team can prove Extreme Shadow was indeed helping with clearing.”

With permission, Jing Xi helped him display the materials brought over.

“This is content captured by all body-worn recorders of the rescue team. Since Extreme Shadow appeared, I checked daily and reported to the Commander to ensure the masses’ personal safety.”

Pei Zhenyue clicked into an ID randomly. In a corner of the screen was Li Yuan running toward the assembly point carrying a child.

Although movements were a bit rough, he indeed handed the child to Flying Dragon.

Clicked several in a row. If not for not wearing uniforms, couldn’t distinguish who was Extreme Shadow, because what they did was exactly the same as what Flying Dragon was doing.

Jing Xi looked at Chen Bingfeng: “Although there was no written or verbal promise, if the collusion between Flying Dragon and Extreme Shadow you speak of is in this form, then I cannot deny it.”

Got an advantage and still act innocent!

Chen Bingfeng exploded with anger.

If Extreme Shadow hadn’t suddenly appeared, he could have completely manipulated Flying Dragon. Impossible to end up so miserable now!

“Whether it is or not, compare and we’ll know.” Chen Bingfeng looked at Zhao Hongyi. “Sir, I apply to compare these materials with the materials of the group who snatched armaments.”

“I don’t suggest comparing.” Jing Xi spoke to stop it.

Zhao Hongyi glanced at him sideways: “Guilty conscience?”

Jing Xi: “I just think there’s no need.”

Zhao Hongyi snorted, signaling his subordinate: “Compare!”

Jing Xi’s eyes narrowed slightly, hands on his legs slowly clenching.

Officers sitting around him saw his appearance, hearts drumming.

No way? Is there really a problem?

Atmosphere in the conference hall was heavy; no one dared speak much.

Situation getting more complex; afraid of saying something wrong.

In the interval Zhao Hongyi had people compare, Chi Yao, who was asked to sit in the middle like a prisoner, laughed.

“Sorry, although I shouldn’t say this, even if matched, it doesn’t represent collusion between Flying Dragon and Extreme Shadow, right? Uh”

Seeing Zhao Hongyi and Chen Bingfeng look over, Chi Yao said lazily: “Adding a point, I like hot beauties. Jing Xi, this kind of frigid type, isn’t within my preference range.”

Jing Xi with a cold face: “…”

Don’t know who is frigid.

Officers: “…”

Saying you colluded, didn’t say you had illicit relations, ok?

“But it can definitely prove Extreme Shadow snatched Cygnus’s armaments.” Chen Bingfeng smiled confidently. “Don’t rush, we’ll take things one by one.”

Chi Yao leaned back: “Oh, then suit yourself.”

Military AI Valkyrie’s processing speed was comparable to the intellectual brain. Compared all materials in just over a minute.

Character overlap rate 0%.

Chen Bingfeng’s face changed drastically: “Impossible!”

Chi Yao: “Overlap rate is 0, Lieutenant General Chen, did you see?”

Chen Bingfeng’s face was ugly.

“Cygnus’s people didn’t appear in the lens the whole time.” Chi Yao smiled. “Don’t know where they went to play?”

Thought it was just that those snatching Cygnus armaments weren’t Extreme Shadow, but hearing Chi Yao say this, everyone reacted.

This problem is more serious!

Even if separated by regions, impossible to have absolutely no communication or overlap during the entire rescue process.

Everyone secretly looked at Chen Bingfeng. His face was iron-green, seeming to have given the answer already.

“This is our internal military matter.” Jing Xi looked at Chi Yao, saying coldly, “We have no need to answer your question.”

Chi Yao sneered: “I helped you save people, contributed people and effort, yet you turn around to shield that guy surnamed Chen?”

Although smiling, everyone could see he was very unhappy.

Jing Xi: “Lieutenant General Chen dedicated many years to the empire; absolutely impossible to do things harming the masses’ interests.”

“Because he is a Lieutenant General, even feigning compliance can be brushed over with pretty words. While Extreme Shadow saves people and clears, getting injured and disabled, yet gets brought here to be condemned just because we are a pirate group.” Chi Yao smiled sarcastically. “This is your justice?”

Jing Xi: “Before the law, everyone is equal.”

The two seemed to quarrel, but in a few words blocked what Chen Bingfeng wanted to say.

Bang!

Pei Zhenyue was furious.

“I am too disappointed in you!”

All officers’ hearts trembled, realizing he was speaking to Chen Bingfeng.

“Take Chen Bingfeng into custody, try later!” Pei Zhenyue got up and left.

Chen Bingfeng’s expression changed, detained by two soldiers.

“I am innocent!”

Zhao Hongyi chased out with a dark face, stopping Pei Zhenyue in the corridor: “What do you mean?”

Pei Zhenyue glanced coldly: “This matter is too big, already attracted attention from the Palace. Advise thinking clearly before acting.”

Zhao Hongyi’s eyes flashed, letting go silently.

In the conference hall, Bai Yi wrote a few words in his notebook, looking at Chi Yao: “I look at you, seem a bit familiar.”

The leader above was angered away. Chi Yao intended to leave contentedly. Hearing this, he looked at Bai Yi.

“What a coincidence, I also find you a bit familiar.”

Three-hour meeting ended. Chi Yao and Jing Xi prepared to return to the office together, but just out of the conference building entrance, they were surrounded by a group of media people.

“Hello, I am a reporter from Wave News. Are you Mr. Chi Yao of Extreme Shadow Space Pirates?”

“Hello, I am a reporter from Sunshine News. Did Extreme Shadow really participate in the rescue?”

“Hello, I am—”

A group of officers walking out together were shocked.

Working at the military headquarters for so many years, not the first time seeing reporters, but first time seeing reporters ignoring them and surrounding a space pirate with glowing eyes.

Jing Xi reached out to block Chi Yao behind him.

“Do you have passes?”

The military district wasn’t accessible to just anyone, let alone headquarters. Media wanting to interview needed to apply for passes and could only move within a small range.

Reporters hurriedly pulled out passes, almost shoving them into Jing Xi’s face.

“Yes!”

Jing Xi: “…”

“Interviewing like this is too barbaric, right?” Chi Yao calmly separated Jing Xi from those pressing up, smiling. “Lord Major General, arrange a room.”

Reporters: “!!!”

Chi Yao so handsome!

Chi Yao acting cute to Jing Xi!

So much love between the two!

Century frame!

Snap quickly!

Jing Xi being stared at by these people: “…”

Feel not like serious media.

A moment later, Jing Xi’s office outer hall.

Yan Kai brought lunch in. Jing Xi greeted him and Jin Ze to eat together.

Jin Ze looked not far away. Chi Yao was accepting interviews from a roomful of media there; flashlights never stopped.

This fucking catches up with celebrities, right?

“Boss.” Jin Ze lowered his voice. “Did you teach him what to say in advance?”

Saying “collusion” was too serious, but Flying Dragon indeed cooperated with Extreme Shadow in this war.

They themselves didn’t feel in the wrong, but others wouldn’t think so, especially those who couldn’t stand Flying Dragon being good; would definitely seize the chance to dump shit buckets.

“No.” Jing Xi ate a big plate of chili peppers, looking at Chi Yao.

The alpha under the lights was extraordinarily handsome, posture decent, talking freely facing media people, even the smile on his face just right, completely unlike a space pirate.

Reporter asked: “Mr. Chi, we all know Extreme Shadow’s reputation has always been—why sudden big change this time, joining the rescue team? What was the opportunity?”

Chi Yao faced the camera calmly, smiling: “I think everyone’s impression of space pirates still stays in the last century: barbaric, violent, burning, killing, looting, doing all evil. But these are already outdated.”

His gaze swept over Jing Xi intentionally or unintentionally, continuing: “Extreme Shadow always follows militarized management, having quite high requirements for members’ conduct, style, and strength…”

Jing Xi: “…”

Nonsense.

Reporter: “Heard some time ago you—Extreme Shadow kidnapped a certain Major General, is it true?”

Chi Yao: “Saying kidnapping is too rude. Due to Extreme Shadow’s special management system, I occasionally ask some excellent military officers for advice. They are also happy to come guide personally, that’s all.”

Jin Ze sprayed cold soda all over the floor.

Yan Kai choked rice out of his nostrils.

“…”

So fucking shameless.

Jing Xi: “…”

So dirty.

Interviewed for half an hour; asked almost everything needing asking.

Jing Xi intended to let them pack up, but heard a reporter ask: “Wonder if Mr. Chi is currently single, any lover?”

Jing Xi frowned.

Even asking such private questions; not really a public figure.

He signaled Yan Kai to communicate, telling them to get lost.

Chi Yao chuckled: “I have a wife.”

Another reporter asked hurriedly: “What age did you meet your wife, how did you meet, how long together?”

Chi Yao’s peripheral vision swept over Jing Xi’s completely cold face, smile deepening: “Inconvenient to reveal these, but—he is my first love.”

Jing Xi’s eyes widened slightly, mind exploding like fireworks.

These topics were netizens’ favorites. Reporters instantly became more energetic than before, pity being ruthlessly driven out by Jing Xi citing interview time ended.

Chi Yao went to the restroom. Just finished washing hands, looked up through the mirror seeing Jing Xi standing at the door.

“You need to use it too?”

Jing Xi entered, closing the door backhand, pinning the person between the sink and himself.

“Yao Yao.”

Chi Yao turned to face him: “This is the military headquarters.”

Jing Xi tilted his head slightly to kiss: “I’m not afraid.”

Chi Yao was just saying it.

Lips just touching, he actively deepened the kiss.

“Hiss—wait, what did you eat?”

Not lasting a minute, Chi Yao pushed him away, choking and coughing.

Jing Xi: “Chili peppers.”

Chi Yao turned to get water to rinse mouth: “Fucking spicy to death.”

Jing Xi: “Don’t you like hot and spicy?”

Chi Yao: “…”