Facing Jing Xi, even Li Yuan chickened out.

Chi Yao mentally calculated—it seemed that aside from him, no one could stand up to Jing Xi.

“Those second-rate groups don’t do anything useful all day, but they sure pay attention to the news,” Chi Yao said with a sneer as he leaned against the sofa.

Jing Xi sat against the sofa back and rubbed the stubble just growing on his chin. “From here on out, you’ll only have more work, not less. Have Fang Liang and Li Yuan go back. I’ll send people to handle the 810 investigation.”

Chi Yao pulled his hand over. “No need. Like you said, whoever comes, we’ll drag them all to the barren stars to open up wasteland.”

Jing Xi: “But with so many people, we can’t leave them unmanaged.”

Chi Yao: “I’m not worried they’ll cause trouble.”

Jing Xi: “You’re afraid it will attract Ghost?”

Chi Yao nodded.

The more chaotic the star pirate circle, the easier it was for Ghost to operate. If every star pirate group became obedient, Ghost’s activities would become abnormally obvious.

Jing Xi thought for a moment.

“I’ll discuss with Admiral Pei about deploying troops to stake out.”

Chi Yao looked up at him. “You trust him?”

Jing Xi leaned down close to his ear.

“It’s not that I trust him. It’s that the ‘Old Man’ trusts him, right?”

Chi Yao froze, then chuckled softly.

“Nothing escapes your eyes.”

The military issued several announcements in succession, all related to reforming the star pirate circle. One of them reposted the central media’s coverage of Chi Yao.

Not just the various forces, but even ordinary civilians sensed something different.

Three days before the election results were announced, the military’s top brass met daily, thoroughly analyzing the pros and cons of Extreme Shadow’s spontaneous participation in the rescue.

Three admirals sat at the head, with Pei Zhenyue in the middle.

He looked at the assembled officers, his expression serious. “The reform of the star pirate circle will be incorporated as a top priority in the military’s plans for the next five years. This is also the directive from above. Everyone submit at least one planning proposal. Turn them in before the 15th.”

After everyone responded, he continued: “Regarding the successful clearing of the beast tide at Number 333, Feilong’s control of both the big picture and details was outstanding. Award everyone military merit at the S0-level mission standard. Extreme Shadow Star Pirate Group’s cooperation with Feilong in clearing and rescue operations during the battle was extraordinary. They should receive military merit awards, but considering they are not active servicemen, the corresponding reward will be converted to medals.”

“Give a medal to a star pirate group?” Zhao Hongyi’s voice wasn’t loud, but everyone could see he was unhappy. “Because they did one thing right, we’re letting bygones be bygones for the hundred things they did wrong?”

Pei Zhenyue was forced to pause. After he finished, he said unhurriedly, “One thing is one thing. Naturally, Extreme Shadow must be punished for their criminal record. That’s precisely what I was about to address next.”

Pei Zhenyue crossed his hands in front of him. “For a long time, I’ve been thinking—are our methods of striking and punishing star pirate groups too one-dimensional? Whether blanket suppression is good or bad, and whether there’s some relatively fair way to achieve a win-win for both sides—please consider these questions when writing your proposals.”

Zhao Hongyi felt a lump in his throat and couldn’t get comfortable no matter what.

The election results hadn’t even been announced yet, and Pei Zhenyue was already acting like the marshal!

Bai Yi sat on Pei Zhenyue’s other side. Hearing this, he said in a low voice, “Why not take this opportunity to infiltrate military forces into Extreme Shadow, make them a model, and guide the star pirate circle to complete the restructuring of order?”

Pei Zhenyue turned to look at him more closely.

“That is highly likely to backfire. I believe at the current stage, the military should guide from the outside and adjust later based on the situation.”

“I was too hasty,” Bai Yi said with a smile. “You’re still the more thorough thinker, Old Pei.”

Pei Zhenyue’s expression remained unchanged as he flipped to the next page.

“Now let’s begin assigning the wasteland development work for the next month—”

Zhao Hongyi interrupted again. “Let’s also discuss the handling of White Crane and Chen Bingfeng together.”

Pei Zhenyue set down his work log and said coolly, “The mistakes White Crane Legion made this time had extremely bad effects. They hurt the hearts of the empire’s citizens and seriously damaged the military’s credibility. The directive from above is to handle it after the election concludes.”

Zhao Hongyi clenched his molars, his face darkening.

By that time, wouldn’t it all be up to him?!

On the day the election results were announced, everyone in the military had to attend the marshal’s promotion ceremony.

The day before, Jing Xi was circled by his grandparents and Chi Yao at home for half an hour, his expression growing increasingly helpless.

“I’m just attending a ceremony, not getting married. I don’t need to dress so formally.”

Jing Rong held a velvet cloth, carefully polishing the medal on his chest.

“The military hasn’t held such a grand ceremony in ten years. It’s definitely going to be broadcast. If you wear the wrong thing, you’ll be laughed at.”

Bai Qi held a rack of military dress uniforms and compared them against Jing Xi.

“Our Xixi is so handsome, of course, we want everyone to see him. Right, A’Yao?”

Chi Yao sat in a chair, munching on an apple and laughing.

“Yep yep, everyone’s dressed the same. Whoever’s ugly gets embarrassed.”

Jing Xi: “…”

It wasn’t a beauty pageant.

After two hours of selecting clothes and accessories, by the time Jing Rong and Bai Qi left, Jing Xi was exhausted—more tired than fighting a battle.

“Tomorrow, during the day, stay with Grandpa and Grandma. In the evening, I’ll come pick you up for the reception.”

With Chi Yao’s status, it wasn’t appropriate for him to participate in such a ceremony, but he had been invited to the reception afterward. The marshal would personally award Extreme Shadow their medal to show the importance of the matter.

Chi Yao: “Ruan Lingyun contacted me. He wants to take me to tour another arms factory tomorrow.”

Jing Xi’s brow twitched.

“He calculated that I wouldn’t be able to follow you tomorrow.”

Chi Yao chuckled. “That’s fine. Let’s see what chips he can put on the table.”

“Should I have someone secretly follow you?” Jing Xi couldn’t hide his worry, an uneasy feeling in his heart. “That omega isn’t that simple.”

Chi Yao raised an eyebrow. “Can I really be bullied by an omega?”

Jing Xi looked at him. “In certain areas, his experience is far richer than yours. I have to worry.”

Chi Yao: “…”

His hard-crafted Playboy persona was about to collapse in front of Jing Xi.

Chi Yao struggled: “I’m an old hand who’s been roaming the romantic scene for over a decade. Would I be afraid of him?”

Jing Xi: “An old hand at staring contests?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Actually, Jing Xi wasn’t worried that Chi Yao would be seduced by Ruan Lingyun. It was just that Qiu Tianlin’s words kept echoing in his ears, forcing him to worry.

Chi Yao’s pheromones had been very unstable recently, especially at night. He was often jolted awake by the aggressive pheromones coming from the other.

In this state, making contact with an omega was not a good thing.

If he lost control, the consequences would be unthinkable.

“This trip, I have to go,” Chi Yao said, pulling the person to sit on his lap. “Don’t worry. His pheromones don’t excite me.”

Jing Xi looked at the face so close before him and leaned in to kiss him.

“That better be the case.”

Early the next morning, when Chi Yao woke up, Jing Xi was already fully dressed.

A black military dress uniform with gold trim, the major general’s sash and medals on his chest, a decorative saber at his waist, and his long hair tied in a rare high ponytail that highlighted his overly refined features—he looked like an unsheathed sword.

The finest sword of all.

Chi Yao propped his chin on his hand and happily snapped a few secret photos to save in his album.

“You have to listen to lectures all day?”

Hearing this, Jing Xi turned to look at him.

“Military exercises and the promotion ceremony in the morning. Leadership speeches in Hall One in the afternoon.”

“Can you bring snacks?” Chi Yao smiled. “Crack sunflower seeds when you’re bored?”

Jing Xi: “Want to just bring a bed while you’re at it?”

Chi Yao looked surprised. “You can even bring a bed? So humane.”

Jing Xi sat on the edge of the bed, cupped his face, and claimed a good morning kiss.

“Be sure to stay safe today.”

The butterfly kiss was like scratching an itch through clothes—the more you scratched, the itchier it got.

Chi Yao pulled him over and deepened the kiss.

“Shouldn’t you be the one staying safe?”

After the kiss, Chi Yao bit a shallow mark on Jing Xi’s lip, still wanting more. “You’re dressed so beautifully, I’m worried someone will kidnap you now.”

The collar he’d just straightened was mussed again. Jing Xi glanced at it carelessly and looked at him. “If you’re worried, come back early.”

Chi Yao smiled. “Is there a reward?”

Jing Xi said coolly, “I’d like to give you one, but you’re not an adult yet, brother.”

Chi Yao: “…………”

After seeing Jing Xi off, Chi Yao changed clothes and prepared to leave.

Though there was a lot of surveillance outside, it wasn’t impossible for him to avoid it if he wanted to.

His terminal suddenly rang. He swiped it open casually.

[D: Have your wife be careful today. Don’t let that old man Pei Zhenyue croak.]

Chi Yao hadn’t planned to respond, but the word “wife” pleased him immensely, so he grudgingly replied.

[Can’t you come back and watch him yourself?]

[D: With the current situation, I can’t come back.]

Chi Yao: [You want my wife to work for you without compensation?]

[D: After I retire, I’ll give you my position. Won’t your wife benefit too?]

Chi Yao: [Fuck off.]

Chi Yao walked to the busy district. Ruan Lingyun’s private car was already waiting.

Taking off his baseball cap, Chi Yao’s gaze swept over Ruan Lingyun as he approached from the front seat.

“You’re not taking me to see garbage again, are you?”

Ruan Lingyun smiled somewhat awkwardly. “Those before were all our company’s premium products—”

“Then I have to question your company’s capabilities.” Chi Yao propped his chin on his hand, long legs crossed, looking lazy. “The junk I collect from third-rate star pirate groups is better than that stuff.”

Ruan Lingyun’s lowered eyes flashed. “I guarantee this time, you’ll definitely be interested in what you see.”

Chi Yao checked the time. “I have to be back by 4 PM. You figure it out.”

Ruan Lingyun smiled meaningfully. “Before meeting you, Mr. Chi, I thought you were the type who feared nothing. I didn’t expect you to be so… obedient in front of Major General Jing.”

“Today is the day Extreme Shadow receives their medal,” Chi Yao said, looking at him, the smile on his lips fading. “I don’t want to delay important matters just to look at junk.”

Ruan Lingyun’s expression shifted slightly as he smiled apologetically. “The weapons you’ll see this time will definitely be worthy of your trust.”

They took a shuttle the whole way, passing through a jump point to reach Dragon God Sector planet 3434. Because the Capital Star was located in Dragon God Sector, it was simply called Capital 3434.

All planets in the capital system were state-owned. Xingbang Group had paid 30 years’ rent in one lump sum to lease this planet.

This arms factory was larger in scale than the last one.

Seeing that Chi Yao couldn’t muster any interest the whole way—even colder than their last meeting—Ruan Lingyun simply took him straight to the core weapons area.

Top-tier star pirate groups were filthy rich. As long as they were interested in the products, closing deals with them was much easier than with those old military men, with far fewer restrictions.

Various firearms were displayed on metal racks.

Chi Yao walked unhurriedly past the racks, occasionally glancing over.

Seeing his gaze never linger, Ruan Lingyun grew secretly anxious.

If he couldn’t appreciate even the weapons here, then perhaps—

“This one’s a knockoff of the Phoenix?” Chi Yao picked up a handgun and spun it around his fingertips a few times. “Too light.”

Finally, one he was interested in.

Ruan Lingyun breathed a sigh of relief and explained, “So Mr. Chi knows about the Phoenix?”

Made by his wife, of course he knew.

Chi Yao glanced at the word “phoenix” on the barrel.

At first glance, the font looked identical, but looking closer, one could see this was printed on. Jing Xi’s was hand-engraved.

“The Phoenix is a work by Master 11. I’ve collected a few,” Chi Yao said casually as he played with it. “But his was a mechanical pistol. This is an air gun.”

Ruan Lingyun smiled. “Correct. His design inevitably results in excessive recoil, very low practicality. After extensive research, our mechanics converted it to an air gun. The shooting power is stronger, recoil reduced by 90%—”

“Phoenix reborn from the ashes, toward death and life—that is the Phoenix.” Chi Yao sneered, suddenly pointing the gun at Ruan Lingyun. “This light, anyone-can-play toy dares to call itself a Phoenix? Wouldn’t ‘Chicken’ be more fitting?”

Ruan Lingyun’s pupils contracted sharply, frightened enough that he lost control of his expression.

Chi Yao caught his momentary panic and casually set the gun back.

“Air guns have extremely high requirements for air compression devices. Either they can’t shoot far or the power is insufficient. Boring.”

Seeing him walk forward on his own, Ruan Lingyun’s heart belatedly began racing, his lips pale.

In that instant when the gun was pointed at his head, he had clearly felt Chi Yao’s killing intent.

After circling half the entire display warehouse, Chi Yao picked up a second weapon.

“This rocket launcher is not bad.”

“You truly have discerning taste,” Ruan Lingyun forced a composed smile. “This is exclusively developed by us. The power rivals heavy artillery. In extreme environments, a rocket launcher unit like this could rival an artillery tank unit.”

Next to the rocket launcher was a small card with a structural analysis, but Chi Yao didn’t even glance at it.

“Is it D_3 series or D_30 series?”

Ruan Lingyun’s eyes flashed. “You really are an expert.”

Chi Yao: “No matter how you design it, the D_3 series is limited by energy types. The power is what it is—pretty mediocre.”

Seeing him about to walk away again, Ruan Lingyun stopped him.

His superiors had told him he must close the Extreme Shadow deal.

They’d almost finished touring, and if he hadn’t liked anything, how could they talk cooperation?

“It’s D_30 series.”

Hearing this, Chi Yao turned around.

“All energy types for D_30 series are controlled by the military. I may not be a weapons expert, but I’ve been procuring arms for so many years. Don’t try to fool me.”

Ruan Lingyun beckoned someone over to disassemble the rocket launcher on site.

“We have our own channels to obtain the energy.”

Chi Yao’s gaze swept over the internal structure of the barrel and smiled. “As I understand it, this type of energy is very difficult to collect. The military wouldn’t be likely to sell it to you. It’s not fake, is it?”

For someone of Chi Yao’s temperament to say even two sentences about a weapon meant he was interested.

Ruan Lingyun waved the person away.

“This type of energy is not completely controlled by the military. We spent enormous manpower and resources and found this energy on unmined barren planets, collecting it ourselves.”

At this point, Ruan Lingyun added, “If you don’t believe me, we can conduct an on-site test.”

Unmined barren planets?

Energy seized after killing an entire collection team—it certainly did cost considerable manpower.

“No need for that,” Chi Yao smiled casually. “Chatting with a beauty like you puts me in a good mood. I unconsciously said more than I meant to.”

He pointed casually. “This model. Ten thousand units.”

Ruan Lingyun’s lips curved up. “Noted for you.”

With this opening, within a few more steps Chi Yao ordered a batch of light-energy weapons, ammunition, sniper rifles, fighters, and battleships.

Watching the order amount, Ruan Lingyun’s smile deepened.

As he’d expected, as long as they gained the star pirates’ trust, they spent money far more readily than those old military men.

In the rest area, Chi Yao sat by the wide floor-to-ceiling window and checked the time.

1 PM.

Ruan Lingyun sat across from him, elegantly working a knife and fork.

“This afternoon I’ll take you to tour Factory Three to the north. They just recently developed a new mech. You’ll definitely be interested.”

“Sure,” Chi Yao said, sipping his coffee with no particular expression. “Better than sitting idle anyway.”

His terminal had a message from Jing Xi, sent three hours ago.

The signal was blocked inside the arms factory; it only restored out here.

[Xixi Wife: All going smoothly.]

Just four short words, nothing intimate, yet Chi Yao couldn’t help the corners of his mouth lifting. Even that period seemed especially adorable.

[I’ll be back around 4, mwah~]

Ruan Lingyun had been in a good mood, but seeing Chi Yao’s expression now, he suddenly found it particularly jarring.

This smile was completely different from the one he showed him.

“Something make you happy?” Ruan Ling probed casually.

Chi Yao closed his terminal. “My wife messaged me. Told me not to have an affair.”

Ruan Lingyun’s expression stiffened. “I’ve never heard you had a spouse?”

“I’m already showing my face in public. Should I drag him along too?” Chi Yao let out a soft laugh from his nose. “As for him, he just needs to enjoy all the beauty this world has to offer.”

Ruan Lingyun smiled stiffly. “I didn’t realize you were so devoted. Your spouse must be very beautiful?”

“Of course,” Chi Yao smiled. “Though not as… fun as you.”

Ruan Lingyun froze, his ears gradually turning red.

After eating, they headed to Factory Three. Chi Yao placed orders even faster than he’d eaten.

Ruan Lingyun: “Don’t you need to test the performance?”

Chi Yao: “You recommended it. I trust you.”

Ruan Lingyun’s eyes flashed, his lips curving up.

A trace of shyness appeared on his pretty face.

Chi Yao kept up appearances on the surface, but inside he was growing increasingly impatient.

If there hadn’t actually been gains, he wouldn’t even bother with appearances.

Wasn’t it better to go home and hold his wife? Why spend a whole day with a social butterfly? The murky air made him want to vomit.

Time was about right. Chi Yao boarded the shuttle home.

Halfway there, Ruan Lingyun came over with a wine glass and sat on the armrest right next to him.

“I hope we can have more cooperation in the future.”

Chi Yao took the glass and swirled it, not hurrying to drink.

“How soon can you deliver?”

Ruan Lingyun: “Are you in a hurry?”

Chi Yao: “After reaching a cooperation with the military, there might be missions immediately. We have to prepare early.”

Ruan Lingyun chuckled softly, probing: “Spending so much effort to ultimately only get a medal—doesn’t seem like a very profitable deal?”

“I thought you were an omega with vision,” Chi Yao scoffed. “Seems even you don’t understand the value of that medal.”

Ruan Lingyun bit his lip. “I’m just a businessperson. Naturally I don’t have Mr. Chi’s grand vision.”

The shuttle entered the vicinity of the space jump point. The AI reminded passengers to take safety measures.

Jing Xi saw Ruan Lingyun stand up, but the shuttle suddenly jolted from air currents, and in the next moment, the person fell into his arms.

The air was filled with the scent of perfume and sweet, murky pheromones.

Though he liked sweet things, he couldn’t appreciate this kind of sweetness.

Chi Yao was just about to push him away when the other suddenly tightened his arms around his neck.

“Mr. Chi, your scent is so lovely.”

Ruan Lingyun moved close to his neck, voice low with a seductive lilt. “My legs are weak. I can’t get up.”

“Then the chair is yours.”

Under Ruan Lingyun’s astonished gaze, Chi Yao peeled him off and tossed him into the chair, getting up and walking away himself.

“Mr. Chi!” Ruan Lingyun grabbed his wrist, fingertips rubbing against the inside of his wrist, eyes looking over with a watery gaze. “Can’t you keep me company?”

Sweet pheromones, a shy, coquettish appearance—when such an omega actively seduced, most alphas would be at least somewhat moved.

Chi Yao got goosebumps all over from being touched, nearly slapping the top of his skull off.

“You—”

Just as he opened his mouth, the scent of the pheromones in the air suddenly changed.

The sweet scent revealed a strange, intensely fishy-sweet undertone.

Chi Yao’s heart lurched violently. For an instant, his vision seemed to flood with crimson, but in a blink it disappeared.

His head buzzed, breathing grew rapid.

Chi Yao shook his head, but this hyper-excited state didn’t ease at all.

It clearly wasn’t a pleasant smell, yet it held an extreme temptation for him.

Want to—

Want to devour him—

“Mr. Chi? Mr. Chi?” Ruan Lingyun pulled his hand to his lips. “Sit beside me.”

Chi Yao couldn’t control himself as he stepped forward.

Watching him approach, a smile flashed in Ruan Lingyun’s eyes. Just as he was about to kiss the back of his hand, before he could touch it, in the next moment he was knocked to the floor.

He instantly forgot to disguise himself, looking at Chi Yao in shock.

Impossible. This person absolutely couldn’t resist his pheromones!

Chi Yao looked down at him from above, expressionless. “Sorry, it’s too stinky here. I’m about to vomit.”

With that, he turned and walked out.

Ruan Lingyun watched him walk out the cabin door, biting his teeth hard, face alternating between red and pale.

The moment the cabin door closed, Chi Yao’s vision spun. He braced against the wall to barely stay standing.

This couldn’t possibly be the pheromones a human omega should have.

This intensity of mental attack—he’d only felt it from mutated beasts before.

He could no longer smell that scent, but the symptoms didn’t lessen. Chi Yao felt hot, hotter and hotter, his heartbeat unable to calm.

The image of this morning’s entangled lips and teeth with Jing Xi flashed before his eyes again and again.

Want to see Jing Xi—

Want to see Jing Xi right now—

Just as Chi Yao sat down, the shuttle began violently shaking.

His heart pounded fast and heavy.

Like the feeling every time he and Jing Xi swapped bodies.

But Jing Xi wasn’t here now!

His vision blurred, consciousness fading in waves.

Jing Xi’s words from that night suddenly echoed in his ears.

If swapping was his ability, then the person closest to him right now was Ruan Lingyun.

Absolutely must not swap into that kind of person!

Cold sweat slid down his face. Chi Yao sat upright, his hand on the armrest gripping so tight his knuckles turned white.

In another rest cabin, unable to seduce him, Ruan Lingyun didn’t dare make another move.

If Chi Yao canceled the order, he’d have no way to explain it to his superiors.

Through the surveillance, he watched Chi Yao sitting there. His body seemed to have no reaction at all.

Where exactly had it gone wrong?

Back at the Capital Star civilian spaceport.

Ruan Lingyun was just about to go find Chi Yao when he saw the other step out first, eyes looking over with an icy gaze.

“Mr. Ruan,” Chi Yao walked over. “If you want long-term cooperation, I hope there won’t be a next time.”

Ruan Lingyun’s lips went pale.

“I’m sorry, but I was—”

“Eating stinky tofu on the shuttle is something I absolutely cannot tolerate,” Chi Yao said as he passed by him. “Control your subordinates properly.”

Ruan Lingyun’s eyes widened. When he came to his senses, his expression was extremely ugly.

Chi Yao actually said his pheromone scent was stinky tofu!

Back at the Capital Star, Ruan Lingyun wanted to send Chi Yao home.

“Let me take you back.”

Ruan Lingyun realized he might have messed things up. He’d long since abandoned the idea of landing the rich guy.

Every star pirate group leader had their own personality, especially Chi Yao. Rumor had it he was moody and violently temperamental, yet he’d thought he could control him.

Chi Yao kept a cold face. “No need.”

The streets were crowded with people. The big screens on the street were broadcasting Pei Zhenyue’s promotion to marshal ceremony.

The sound of ceremonial cannons could be heard in the distance.

Usually he didn’t notice, but now Chi Yao could smell pheromones drifting from all directions.

Alphas, omegas, all kinds.

Fragrant, foul, all mixed together.

Want to kill.

Want to kill all these people!

Chi Yao yanked open the car door of a passerby and threw them out, climbing into the car himself and driving off.

“My car!” the passerby cursed as they chased after.

Chi Yao loosened his collar with one hand, his face terrible. “Black Bro, compensate him for the car.”

A palm-sized virtual screen popped up in front of him.

[Your current state is wrong.]

Chi Yao took a deep breath and murmured, “I need to find Xixi—”

He set an automatic route straight to Jing Rong’s house.

He still remembered what Jing Xi said this morning.

Before dinner, Jing Xi would come home to get him.

Halfway there, Chi Yao’s consciousness had already blurred.

Xiao Hei popped up several windows asking if he should contact Jing Xi, but he had no mind to look.

His terminal suddenly rang, followed by a string of continuous alert tones.

Annoyed by the noise, Chi Yao barely recovered some consciousness. As soon as he connected, he heard a low, rough voice.

D: “Where are you right now?!”

Chi Yao looked at the navigation, squinting for a long time before he could see clearly.

“Still 30 kilometers from Xixi’s home.”

“I’m not asking you that!” The voice on the other end was extremely urgent. “Ghost is making a move. I only intercepted part of them. Those who got through may have already infiltrated the Capital Star. Get to headquarters immediately. Tonight’s reception absolutely cannot have any problems!”

Chi Yao used all his strength to hear what he said.

“What does that have to do with me?”

D: “Now’s not the time to throw a tantrum. After this is over, I’ll grant whatever you ask. Go now!”

He hung up.

“Fuck! Damn old man.”

Chi Yao leaned back in his seat and took several deep breaths, but the more he breathed, the more suffocated he felt.

A moment later, he grabbed a decorative cone and stabbed it hard into his arm.

Bright red blood immediately seeped through his clothes.

The pain cleared Chi Yao’s head somewhat.

He turned the steering wheel, and the hovercar traced an arc in the air, heading toward the military district.

On the other end, D hung up the communication, busy and frazzled. After listening to his subordinate’s urgent report, he belatedly realized.

“That kid’s state isn’t right.”

Vice officer: “What’s wrong with him?”

D frowned, worried. “I hope nothing goes wrong, otherwise—”

Vice officer: “Xiao Chi never drops the ball when it matters. With him there, you don’t need to worry too much.”

D was silent for a long moment. “Immediately send two teams to stake out, just in case.”

Vice officer: “Our people are all far from the Capital Star. Why not have Admiral Pei deploy troops himself, it would be more—”

“Deploy those troops?” D sneered coldly. “Who knows if they’d die even faster.”

After listening to speeches all afternoon, Jing Xi looked at his very quiet terminal, growing increasingly unsettled.

By this time, Chi Yao should be almost back to the Capital Star, right?

Xiao Hong’s voice suddenly sounded in his head.

[Master, Big Brother says his fake master is in trouble!]

Jing Xi’s heart jumped.

[Where is he now? Track him!]

A radar map appeared in his vision. The location where Xiao Hei was positioned kept moving toward military headquarters.

Enthusiastic applause rang in his ears. Jing Xi glanced at the stage—there was still one last speaker left.

He tapped Huang Hao sitting next to him.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

Huang Hao looked shocked, his eyes clearly writing “So the big handsome guy has to pee too?”

Jing Xi ignored him and left through the back door in a few steps, his face immediately darkening.

Walking was too slow. He drove a hovercar straight out.

At the northern gate of headquarters, he arrived just as Chi Yao’s car was about to force its way through. Jing Xi immediately scanned his terminal over the sensor.

The gate opened, but the commotion still drew the attention of the duty personnel.

“Major General Jing, this car doesn’t have military plates. I need to register it.”

Jing Xi: “He’s a guest for tonight’s reception. I’ll submit the information to you later.”

With the major general speaking up, the duty personnel naturally couldn’t say more.

Jing Xi glanced at that car and drove toward Reception Hall Three, where tonight’s reception would be held.

He parked in the underground garage, deliberately picking a corner with less surveillance.

As soon as he stopped, he hurried out of the car toward Chi Yao’s side.

After knocking on the window for a long time, the door finally opened slowly.

Jing Xi leaned in.

“Chi Yao, how are you—”

Chi Yao grabbed his hand and pulled him over, kissing him without a word.

“Xixi—”

Jing Xi braced against the chair back to avoid falling on Chi Yao.

Hot breath sprayed on his face. He frowned deeply.

Why was this guy so burning hot?

Chi Yao’s kiss was more intense than ever, as if he wanted to devour him whole, yet his movements were very gentle.

Perhaps feeling safe with Jing Xi, the pheromones on Chi Yao’s body gradually released.

The strong alcohol stimulated his senses, drilling straight into his skin. Jing Xi felt like he was soaking in a wine vat, his head spinning in waves.

The last shred of rationality in his mind kept telling him—

Chi Yao’s susceptible period had arrived.