Bidding farewell to the little she-wolf from back then, Chi Yao dragged the reluctant Ying Wei back to the fighter jet.

“Did you bring back that group of Ghosts?” Chi Yao asked.

“All tied up, haven’t woken up yet.” Saying that, Old Chen sized up Chi Yao carefully, “You were too ruthless.”

Usually, it’s either kill or keep. What’s the point of leaving people half-dead?

Chi Yao’s face was cold: “I was already very restrained not to kill them.”

Seeing that file at the time, Chi Yao’s emotions fluctuated, and his strikes were more than a little ruthless.

Jing Xi didn’t need to fly on the way back.

Ying Wei lay in front of the monitoring screen, whimpering all the way. The whole dog was a capital letter ‘DEPRESSED’.

In the small conference room of the main cabin, Chi Yao rested his chin on his hand, lazily watching Jing Xi fiddle with that T-shirt.

Jing Xi: “Does the Extreme Shadow have inspectors?”

Chi Yao: “Probably.”

Jing Xi sealed the T-shirt in a container.

Fortunately, he carried gloves with him, so the T-shirt wouldn’t be contaminated by his fingerprints.

After putting it away, he asked Xiao Hong to open the copied blueprint file and sat in the seat next to Chi Yao.

“It seems your value is far higher than this 10%.”

The black mask hiding behind the door must have conveyed their words to the superior. To give the other party time to react, they even specially wandered around the small waterfall, but nothing happened.

Either the other party only sent these few black masks to deal with them, or the other party made a choice between this 10% interest and Chi Yao, and finally compromised.

Jing Xi felt the latter possibility was far greater than the former.

Thinking of those things, Chi Yao’s eyes were cold: “Do they really think they can control everything? Where does the confidence come from?”

Jing Xi pondered for a moment: “Start with Major General Bo. After going back, I’ll try to contact those who were close to him and my father to see if there are any clues.”

If the person behind the organization was a high-ranking military official, then the files Bo Jin left in the military completely lost credibility.

“The accident back then.”

Chi Yao turned his head to look at him, “The old man might know something.”

When Bo Jin had the accident, Lin Chengde was still serving in the military. He, Bai Yi, and Pei Zhenyue were strong competitors. It was impossible for him to completely ignore the accident of his opponent’s apprentice.

Jing Xi: “Find a time to meet him and ask in person.”

Chi Yao smoothed his hair irritably.

“The person is gone, yet left a pile of shit for me.”

Knowing his father might have participated in illegal research, been used, and even died because of that organization, this was definitely not something to be happy about.

Although both of their fathers left in an accident, Jing Xi didn’t have this kind of pressure.

“Yaoyao.” Jing Xi held his hand, “You are you, he is he. Whatever he did has nothing to do with you.”

Selfishly, he believed Bo Jin wasn’t a bad person, just as he believed Chi Yao would stick to his bottom line.

But before everything became clear, saying such words was also a heavy burden for Chi Yao.

Chi Yao raised the corner of his lips, his smile bitter: “Like a deadbeat, leaving a huge debt and dying just like that. His son might not have to repay the debt for him, but he won’t be able to lift his head for a lifetime.”

Jing Xi: “Then don’t introduce yourself as Bo Jin’s son when you go out in the future. Just say Jing Xi’s wife and it’s done.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Seeing his serious face, Chi Yao raised an eyebrow: “Makes sense. With such a reputable wife, how could I not lift my head?”

Jing Xi nodded with a straight face: “Have money, have power, enough strawberry tips. What else do you have to worry about?”

Actually dared to nod. Chi Yao: “Do you know how to write the word narcissism?”

How did this kid manage to say such things with a beautiful, straight face?

Jing Xi’s voice was cool: “Do you want it or not.”

When the ice beauty acted coquettishly, even gods couldn’t resist.

Chi Yao turned his head and bit his face, unable to hold back laughter: “Soft rice tastes so good, of course I want it.”

Although the plan Jing Xi proposed was completely unworkable, Chi Yao’s mood indeed relaxed a lot.

Returning to the Extreme Shadow battleship, Chi Yao accompanied Jing Xi to the inspection department to submit the T-shirt.

Hearing it was clothes the boss wore as a child, the inspection department looked at the T-shirt with reverence, bowing and taking the container.

“Rest assured, we will test everything left on it even if we don’t sleep.”

Chi Yao: “Those who don’t know would think it contains my ashes.”

Inspection department staff: “…”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Jing Xi went back with him, “I’ll talk to Grandpa.”

Chi Yao: “Mn.”

Even if Jing Rong didn’t know, with the Jing family’s status on the Imperial Capital Star, it was convenient to ask around.

After Jing Xi entered the room, Chi Yao opened his terminal and sent a video request to the communication number marked with the letter D.

The other end picked up after a long while.

“What are you doing? Want to supervise if I eat seafood again?” Lin Chengde was eating a large bowl of rice, relishing it, “You kid manage too much.”

Chi Yao poured himself a glass of water, sat at the bar counter, and sneered: “Do I care if you eat pickled vegetables or radishes? Asked you to investigate Bo Jin’s matter, no follow-up?”

Lin Chengde paused, putting down the bowl and chopsticks.

“Wasn’t I too busy?”

Chi Yao: “How many soldiers of the Xuanwu Legion are under you? Give me a few. I want to ask something.”

Lin Chengde: “Where would I have Xuanwu Legion soldiers under me? Are you still asleep, brat?”

Playing Tai Chi with him?

Chi Yao put the cup on the table, making a not-too-loud sound.

“Bo Jin is very likely also a modified human.”

Lin Chengde’s pupils contracted.

“How do you know? What did you find?”

Chi Yao: “Give me the people first.”

Lin Chengde frowned, falling silent.

“Didn’t you always want me to take over?” Chi Yao’s tone was sarcastic, “I rarely care about something, yet you don’t cooperate. Then I won’t investigate.”

Lin Chengde looked up at him: “Not not cooperating—”

“No need to say more.” Chi Yao stood up, “Extreme Shadow will detach from the Extreme Shadow immediately. Star pirates should do what star pirates do.”

Just as Lin Chengde was about to explain, the screen suddenly went black.

“Fuck, this brat! Pisses me off!”

The adjutant came in to hand over documents. Seeing his superior constantly dialing, he glanced at his bowl.

“Sir, eat first. Cold food is bad for digestion. Are the pickled vegetables enough?”

“With such a big lump left, you ask if it’s enough?” Lin Chengde cursed, “Go call those boys from Xuanwu over.”

The adjutant was stunned.

“Call them over?”

Lin Chengde looked at the interface that wouldn’t connect, frowning: “Bo Jin’s identity might have problems.”

The adjutant was shocked.

“How is it possible, isn’t he—?”

Lin Chengde looked serious: “Monitor Bai Yi comprehensively. Transfer half the people from the team monitoring Zhao Hongyi over.”

The adjutant couldn’t react for a moment, mumbling: “Are there any clean people left in the military?”

“This is the norm in the circle of power.”

Lin Chengde leaned back in his chair, “How many aloof and arrogant people can truly stand at the peak?”

After saying that, he thought of something else, not knowing if he was talking to himself or the adjutant.

“Fortunately, the seedling I found is good… the seedling he found is also good… Pity they got together. Don’t know if there will be seedlings in the future…”

Adjutant: “…”

You care about people’s promotion and wealth, and also care about people getting married and having children?

Please worry less.

The video call finally connected. Lin Chengde perked up and waved to the adjutant: “Bring the people over quickly.”

The adjutant nodded, reminding before leaving: “Eat quickly. The pickled vegetables are cold.”

Seeing the teasing look Chi Yao cast from across the screen, Lin Chengde became angry from embarrassment: “I just like eating cold pickled vegetables. Delicious!”

Adjutant: “…”

Chi Yao’s voice was cold: “Wife is warming the bed waiting for me to sleep. Speak quickly if you have business.”

Lin Chengde: “…”

He, a fine commander of the Extreme Shadow, why was he acting like a bootlicker every day?

Watching his superior politely offer people with both hands, the adjutant shook his head and closed the door.

Recalling the boy who broke into the spaceship covered in blood holding a dog back then, the superior excitedly told him he saw himself back then in this kid.

Intended to manipulate the other party, but ended up being completely manipulated.

“This is life—” The adjutant couldn’t help sighing.

The guards in the corridor: “…?”

Getting the people he wanted, Chi Yao hung up the communication.

Lin Chengde’s surprised expression didn’t look fake. He understood the other party; the other party didn’t need to act with him either.

Still had to talk to the people from the Xuanwu Legion to understand more.

Just as Chi Yao was about to find Jing Xi, the terminal rang suddenly.

He swiped open to see it was actually Zhang Sheng from Jiayu Group.

[Are you free? Do me the honor of having a meal?]

Chi Yao: “…”

Gave back the energy stones last time, ore still in hand. Can’t wait to come asking for it?

He really had no interest in dining with a middle-aged uncle, but the feeling this person gave him was indescribably strange.

“Zhang Sheng asked you out?”

Jing Xi’s voice sounded in his ear. Shoulders sank, and a big guy pasted on his back.

Chi Yao: “Can’t sleep without taking the ore back.”

Jing Xi looked at the line of words on the screen: “I think he has other intentions for you.”

Chi Yao smiled: “What intentions? Can’t be that he fancied me, right?”

Jing Xi rested his chin on his hand, tilting his head to look at him.

“You are so good. It’s not strange for him to fancy you.”

Chi Yao: “I can’t eat such old grass.”

Jing Xi: “Then how well-done do you like?”

Chi Yao looked at the thin lips close at hand, unable to resist the temptation to press closer.

“Innocent little tender grass, preferably frosted.”

Jing Xi: “Are you going?”

Chi Yao: “The ores are all marked. Have to send them back somehow.”

In the evening, after Jing Xi sent Chi Yao back, passing the hall outside the restaurant on the way, a group of soldiers were surrounding Ying Wei, holding tube bones of various flavors, trying every way to coax him. But Ying Wei lay on the ground, unmoved.

“Dog Bro, just eat a little. Haven’t eaten all day.”

“Only have strength to cry when full. Come, open mouth, ah—”

“Da Zhong, how about applying to the boss for a little female dog for Dog Bro?”

“Where are you going to find a level 5 mutated female dog?!”

Hearing them call female dog one after another, Ying Wei swept his big tail, pushing them away, covered his face with front legs, completely autistic.

The soldiers were out of ideas.

“Let me.”

Jing Xi’s voice sounded from behind. Everyone turned to look.

“Major General Jing.”

Jing Xi squatted in front of Ying Wei, rubbing his furry head.

“You are a level 5 mutated dog. She is a level 3 mutated wolf. Your lifespans differ greatly.”

Extreme Shadow crowd: “!”

Don’t add fuel to the fire!

Ying Wei whimpered twice and cried again.

Jing Xi: “I saw a female white wolf among the children she gave birth to.”

Ying Wei paused, raising his front legs, looking at him with watery eyes.

Jing Xi: “When things are over, that little wolf will just grow up. I’ll take you to propose marriage then?”

Ying Wei’s eyes lit up, ears perking up.

“Awoo?”

Jing Xi kept a straight face: “Don’t you think that child looks very much like her?”

Ying Wei tilted his head to think, scrambling up excitedly.

“Ao!”

Jing Xi: “Solve the matter quickly, we’ll go pick up the little wolf.”

Ying Wei nodded repeatedly, tail wagging rapidly.

Jing Xi: “Then eat first.”

He gave a look. The soldiers understood and immediately handed over the tube bone.

Ying Wei took it with an ‘awoo’, eating happily with huffing sounds.

Watching Jing Xi leave expressionlessly, the soldiers looked at each other.

Worthy of Major General Jing. Really has a way with beasts.

Inside the luxurious hotel, Chi Yao looked at Zhang Sheng sitting opposite, suddenly feeling very unhappy.

He and Jing Xi hadn’t even had a candlelight dinner.

“Is Mr. Chi not satisfied with my arrangement?” Zhang Sheng placed the poured red wine glass on Chi Yao’s right.

Chi Yao: “I’m fine. It’s my wife who is very dissatisfied with me eating with others.”

Zhang Sheng smiled with curved eyes: “Then you can bring her along next time.”

Chi Yao: “He is relatively introverted and doesn’t like eating with unfamiliar people.”

Zhang Sheng: “…”

Chi Yao was too lazy to argue with him, cutting straight to the topic: “Wonder what business President Zhang has to discuss asking me out this time?”

Zhang Sheng: “Nothing much. Just simply want to have a meal with you.”

Chi Yao chuckled lightly, hinting: “Developed some new accessories? Don’t be embarrassed to ask. After all, we just cooperated. I’ll give you some face more or less.”

Zhang Sheng took a sip of red wine, corners of his lips raising slightly.

“How does Mr. Chi feel about being a star pirate?”

Avoiding the topic several times, Chi Yao met his gaze.

“Free and unfettered. Very suitable for me.”

Zhang Sheng: “Ever thought of getting a household registration?”

Chi Yao: “President Zhang seems very interested in my affairs?”

Zhang Sheng put down the wine glass, smiling: “Common problem of lonely old people. Laughable.”

Chi Yao: “…”

He thought Zhang Sheng was just throwing a smoke bomb, and the ultimate goal was still that batch of ores. Didn’t expect the other party not to mention a word, just chattering idly.

Chi Yao stood up to leave after filling his stomach.

“Wife urges me home.”

“Mr. Chi.”

Zhang Sheng stopped him, “My company’s business is very miscellaneous. We do everything.”

Chi Yao turned his head to look over.

“For example?”

Zhang Sheng looked up directly into his eyes.

“Whatever you want, I have it here.”

Chi Yao narrowed his eyes slightly, sneering: “You know what I want?”

“Don’t know. But what you want most now is to go home early to avoid being beaten by your wife.” Zhang Sheng smiled, “I have a lot of experience in this matter.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Indeed, old people are not cute.

Zhang Sheng took a hotel business card from the small holder on the table, took out a pen, and wrote a string of numbers on it.

“If needed, you can contact my company.”

Chi Yao looked at the business card handed to him, took it casually and put it in his jacket pocket, walking out without looking back.

“Thank you for your hospitality. No need to see me out.”

The door closed in front of his eyes. Zhang Sheng withdrew his gaze to look across the table.

Desserts mostly eaten, every strawberry bitten once. Heavy oil and spicy dishes almost untouched, especially the sour ones, left untouched.

Zhang Sheng laughed low.

“What to eat next time?”

On the way back, Chi Yao couldn’t figure it out no matter how hard he thought.

This Zhang Sheng wanted to drag him into the water?

—Whatever you want, I have it here.

What did he know?

Have it all, what did it refer to?

Returning to the battleship, just getting off the spaceship, he saw Jing Xi walking over with the dog.

Seeing the dog radiant, Chi Yao: “Did it take the wrong medicine?”

How long has it been? Walked out of emotional trauma already?

Jing Xi: “I chose another white moonlight for it. It’s very satisfied.”

Chi Yao: “…”

What does that mean?

Jing Xi didn’t explain much, asking him: “What happened?”

“This person is very strange.”

On the way back, Chi Yao briefly explained the matter, “If he isn’t an insider of Ghost, I don’t think Ghost can necessarily control him.”

“Developing the enterprise so big in just over ten years, cooperating with the military on the surface, cooperating with Ghost in the dark, eating both black and white. A person without certain means can’t hold up this scene.”

Jing Xi looked at the white light at the end of the metal corridor, saying lightly, “That sentence of his was obviously trying to rope you in and please you.”

Chi Yao: “Please me?”

Jing Xi turned his head to look at him: “You didn’t feel it?”

Chi Yao shook his head: “Too many people please me. A bit numb.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Jing Xi: “Knowing clearly you robbed the goods, willing to buy back at original price, and showing goodwill. Why do you think he wants to do this?”

Chi Yao paused: “I have something he wants in my hand?”

Jing Xi nodded: “Business is business. If just treating him as a businessman, his behavior is easy to explain.”

“He asked me how it feels to be a star pirate.”

Chi Yao rubbed his chin pondering, “So, what he wants is likely—”

“The power of star pirates.”

The two spoke simultaneously.

Returning to the rest cabin, the two were still pondering this matter.

Ying Wei walked back and forth excitedly in the outer room, jumping around. Only after being scolded by Chi Yao did he honestly go to sleep.

Jing Xi came out of the bathroom wiping his hair, saying casually: “I promised it to help propose marriage after things end. You come too.”

“Propose marriage?”

Chi Yao took off his suit jacket and threw it on the chair, loosening his tie, “I haven’t even proposed myself yet. Propose for it first? Dream on.”

Jing Xi blocked the bathroom door.

“Then when do you propose?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Jing Xi: “If you don’t propose, I can propose.”

Chi Yao was afraid he would say something mood-killing again, pressed him against the wall, and kissed him.

“Wait for me under the covers.”

Jing Xi panted slightly: “Waiting to tell you a bedtime story?”

Chi Yao chuckled lightly: “You understand me best.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Water sounds came from the bathroom. Jing Xi dried his hair, looked at the clothes fallen on the ground, and bent down to pick them up.

Suddenly a card slipped out of the suit pocket.

Jing Xi picked it up and looked. The handwriting on it wasn’t Chi Yao’s.

Chi Yao only wore this suit to see Zhang Sheng.

Then would there be Zhang Sheng’s fingerprints on this—