Although Chi Yao had been the boss of Extreme Shadow for many years, while he couldn’t be said to have committed every crime imaginable, he had pretty much let himself go and never suppressed his true nature.

Playing tricks on the military every other day—for anyone else, this would be a major crime landing them in prison. But somehow, Chi Yao always managed to hold all the cards perfectly.

He committed crimes, but not completely.

Pei Zhenyue acknowledged he couldn’t out-talk him, so he consciously left the battlefield to his two old comrades, Zhao Hongyi and Lin Chengde. But within ten minutes, these two were rebuked into silence.

Lin Chengde knew the “Jing Xi” in front of him wasn’t Jing Xi, so he just went through the motions and stopped engaging. However, Zhao Hongyi, who was out of the loop, was completely confused.

“Was this kid always this eloquent?”

Hearing Zhao Hongyi’s muttered whisper, Pei Zhenyue touched his nose and cleared his throat: “Let’s return to the topic of the proposal for rewarding the Star Pirate Groups—”

Facing the surprised gazes of the surrounding people, Chi Yao sat calmly, his mind entirely filled with thoughts of Jing Xi.

Wonder if his tail is showing again, and if Jing Xi is hugging it and refusing to let go.

Next door, seeing him so calm, Huang Hao couldn’t calm down at all!

Is this kid Jing Xi muddled from illness? Where is the family doctor? Why isn’t he taking medicine when sick?

What did he mean by marrying into the Chi family?

Do you fucking know that’s a star pirate den?

He couldn’t help poking Jing Xi again.

“Boss, was what you just said t-true?”

Chi Yao glanced at him and chuckled lightly. But before he could speak, in the blink of an eye, he was back in the study of Jing Xi’s home.

“…”

The terminal was on, displaying a just-finished proposal regarding rewards and punishments for Star Pirate Groups.

He was wearing loungewear, one leg bent, with a big tail covering his leg.

Without much effort, he could imagine the scene of a certain kid writing the proposal while petting his tail just now.

Chi Yao: “…”

Really knows how to enjoy himself.

“Big brother, did Peanut come here?”

Rushing footsteps came from outside the door, and soon Tie Xiong poked his head in.

Chi Yao looked over.

“You’re Boss?”

Tie Xiong ran in and pounced onto his leg. “Boss, let’s go play with the kitties together!”

Chi Yao immediately spotted the little wolf tail dragging behind him and lifted it.

“What’s with the tail?”

Tie Xiong wagged his tail and looked at him with innocent eyes: “You have one, so I have one too.”

Chi Yao: “…”

The sunlight from the star slanted in. The spot where he sat was bathed in light. The glass insulated most of the heat, leaving only a room full of warmth.

At this moment, there was a peace he had never felt before.

Chi Yao: “Do you like it here?”

Tie Xiong nodded: “Big brother teaches me lots of things. He wants to be my master. And there are kitties. How long can we stay here? When we go home, can we ask Big brother to give us a kitty?”

Chi Yao: “Go home? Which home?”

Tie Xiong didn’t understand why he asked.

“Our new home, of course. The one with onions on the roof and strawberries in the yard.”

Chi Yao rubbed Tie Xiong’s head and chuckled low.

“You consider that place home too. Good taste.”

---

On the other side, Jing Xi had just finished writing a paragraph and was reaching out to pet the tail when, in a blink, his surroundings changed to the cold conference hall of the military headquarters, and the tail was gone.

Jing Xi, with a cold face: “…”

If I had known, I should have petted it one more time just now.

Huang Hao: “Boss?”

Jing Xi actually zones out too?

Jing Xi turned to look at him: “What?”

Huang Hao rolled his eyes and lowered his voice: “What exactly is your relationship with Chi Yao?”

At this question, everyone around pricked up their ears.

Not that they were gossipy, but—they really wanted to know!

Listening to some of Pei Zhenyue’s proposals, Jing Xi said casually: “I’m planning to propose to him.”

Huang Hao/Surrounding officers: “Holy crap!”

Pei Zhenyue was halfway through speaking when he suddenly heard swearing. He looked over.

“Do you have a strong opinion on my proposal just now?”

Huang Hao stood up abruptly, sweating profusely.

“No opinion!”

Jing Xi signaled that he wanted to speak.

Pei Zhenyue swept his gaze around and landed on Jing Xi.

Chi Yao, that brat, definitely couldn’t make such a serious expression. This time it can’t be wrong.

“What’s your view?”

Jing Xi stood up, his voice cool and tone composed.

“Excessive deprivation or giving are both not good. For Star Pirate Groups with ambition who want to change their status quo, we can register their military merits to offset penalties, open special channels for household registration, and review star pirates’ qualifications for applying for household registration—”

“To achieve long-term stable development, besides arranging for star pirates to participate in various positive activities, we also need to consider arranging employment for them to increase income—”

He was about to display the document, but upon opening his terminal, he suddenly paused.

The proposal was in Chi Yao’s terminal.

Jing Xi: “…”

Pei Zhenyue was listening seriously. Seeing him stop suddenly, he urged: “Continue.”

Of course, Jing Xi hadn’t forgotten what he just wrote, but there was too much content, which might be unfriendly for others to digest orally.

His terminal suddenly vibrated. He tapped it open; it was from Chi Yao.

A file, followed by a line of text.

【Proposal is good. Representing the star pirate circle, I agree. [Tail.jpg]】

Jing Xi: “…”

Tearing his gaze away from the tail in the photo, he enlarged the file. “Here I have listed some specific projects. We can discuss them together—”

After listening to him, Zhao Hongyi looked thoughtful: “Working when there are no missions, risking their lives on the battlefield when there are missions. Will those lazy star pirates accustomed to taking things really obediently comply?”

Jing Xi: “Actually, their living environment is far more dangerous than our frontline soldiers’. Moreover, based on professional and other comprehensive considerations, it is currently unsuitable to arrange for them to directly participate in the clearing of wild beasts.”

“I understand,” Lin Chengde praised. “It looks like they are getting a huge advantage, but actually, it’s labor reform in disguise. Even if these policies are announced, I don’t think it will arouse widespread public dissatisfaction.”

Jing Xi nodded: “If we just throw them in prison, managing such a large group of star pirates is a huge problem, and it treats the symptoms but not the root cause.”

Lin Chengde smiled: “I can also provide quite a few jobs here. Let them submit applications later.”

Pei Zhenyue: “To cure the root cause, we need more supporting policies.”

“Correct.”

Jing Xi said calmly, “After this incident, I believe we should pay more attention to marginalized groups, broaden their necessary living space, strengthen the investigation of missing persons, and improve related systems. Additionally, the garrison system should also undergo a thorough reform.”

With the plan proposed by Jing Xi as a foundation, the efficiency of this meeting was surprisingly high.

After the meeting, waiting for the three Admirals to leave, Jing Xi stood up to walk out.

It was almost mealtime. If he didn’t go home, Chi Yao would hide the tail again.

Huang Hao held back for hours, finally waiting until the meeting adjourned.

He walked to Jing Xi’s side in a few steps, his voice tight: “Are you really going to propose to Chi Yao? Think carefully, Boss!”

Everyone who hadn’t left yet and heard this: “!!!”

Really not joking?

Jing Xi, this flower on the high peak, is going to be plucked by that brat Chi Yao?!

Similarly hearing this, Zhao Hongyi’s expression was subtle.

“Is there some secret deal between Jing Xi and Chi Yao?”

The three Admirals walked together in the corridor.

Pei Zhenyue said seriously: “Sex and money trade.”

Zhao Hongyi was shocked: “What?!”

Lin Chengde, hands behind his back, shook his head and sighed: “Being too handsome for an alpha isn’t a good thing either. People are always rushing to give money.”

Pei Zhenyue: “Being too rich for an alpha isn’t good either. Just knowing how to keep a sugar baby all day.”

Zhao Hongyi looked back and forth between them: “…”

What riddles are you speaking in?

---

Before Jing Xi even got home, the various small chat groups in the military were already buzzing.

“If Jing Xi isn’t having an episode, then we might see his wedding photos very soon.”

“They fought for so many years, did they fight out feelings?”

“You think this is a movie? I stitched up the knife wound on our commander caused by Chi Yao myself.”

“Heard the omegas in various military and political departments are so devastated they’re in a trance. Too tragic.”

In the Marshal’s office, the adjutant looked at the teasing in the group chat and smiled.

If you knew Chi Yao is Bo Jin’s son, I’m afraid you’d be devastated into a trance too.

During the wait for the court session, Chi Yao often uncontrollably revealed ears or a tail, making it impossible to go out.

With really nothing to do, he started collecting tail fur and secretly learned needle felting while Jing Xi was at work.

“The dignified leader of Extreme Shadow, the ceiling of star pirates, felting here?”

Chi Yao grabbed a handful of tail fur and continued poking.

Tie Xiong, sitting opposite doing math problems, looked up.

“Boss, what is this?”

Chi Yao: “A token of love.”

Tie Xiong tilted his head: “?”

Is Boss okay?

The faint sound of an engine came from outside. Chi Yao paused, quickly opened the drawer, threw the felt and all tools inside, and locked it.

Seeing Tie Xiong staring, he warned: “Not allowed to tell Xixi, or your snacks are gone.”

Tie Xiong nodded obediently: “I know! You’re afraid it’s too ugly and Big Brother will throw it away.”

Chi Yao: “…”

So pitiful. Such bad taste at such a young age!

---

More than a month later, the military court opened session.

Chen Bingfeng and Li Bo spoke fiercely in court, firmly denying the crimes. Conversely, Bai Yi was the calmest, confessing to all facts without hiding anything.

Jing Shen, who had just woken up, appeared in court as a witness. However, none of the Jing family, including Chi Yao, were qualified to attend the hearing.

Today was Bo Jin’s trial. Since waking up in the morning, Jing Xi clearly felt Chi Yao’s anxiety.

He came out of the court waiting room, walked through two corridors, and finally saw Chi Yao alone in the corner of the smoking area with a cigarette in his mouth.

“When did you learn to smoke?” Jing Xi walked over and leaned against the wall with him.

“Living in that kind of environment, you inevitably pick up some bad habits.”

Chi Yao took down the unlit cigarette, turned his head to look at him and smiled. “Not ’emerging from the mud unstained.’ Disappointed?”

Jing Xi shook his head.

Chi Yao was forced to stay with a group of felons since he was five. Keeping his original intentions was already extremely difficult.

He reached out: “Give me one.”

Chi Yao was somewhat surprised: “You smoke too?”

Jing Xi took the cigarette from his hand, lit it on the lighter, and took a puff.

“First time. Not bad.”

Slender fingers holding the thin cigarette, white smoke slowly exhaled from his mouth. Breathtakingly beautiful.

Chi Yao stared blankly for a moment, unable to stop his Adam’s apple from bobbing.

Just as Jing Xi was about to take a second puff, Chi Yao snapped out of it, snatched the cigarette, and threw it into the recycling robot.

“I quit long ago. You aren’t allowed to smoke either.”

Jing Xi checked the time.

“Should be soon.”

Chi Yao: “Let’s go.”

Jing Xi reached for his pocket: “Give me another one.”

Chi Yao pressed his hand down and threw the remaining pack in his pocket into the recycling robot.

“From now on, this stuff is not allowed in our home. Hear me?”

Jing Xi: “…”

Back in the waiting room, Jing Rong and Bai Qi stood up to greet them.

Bai Qi pulled Chi Yao to sit down.

“Ah Yao, don’t be nervous. I asked the old man just now; the probability of your father being sentenced isn’t high.”

Chi Yao looked at Jing Rong. Seeing the latter nod, he smiled: “I’m not nervous. Even if he gets sentenced, he deserves it.”

He said it so lightly, but neither Jing Rong nor Bai Qi believed it.

Reuniting as father and son after so many years, anyone would hope for a family reunion.

Unexpectedly, the child lost from their family back then turned out to be Chi Yao. When they heard this news, neither dared to believe it, but after calming down and thinking, it made sense.

Jing Xi had been persistent for so many years, never letting his guard down for anyone. Even with them, there was an uncrossable gap.

But with Chi Yao, he could release emotions normally—he could be happy, angry, sad, and jealous.

Only in front of Chi Yao was Jing Xi like a living person.

In fact, Chi Yao wasn’t anxious about “father might go to jail.” Rather, it was that Bo Jin, as a modified subject, rebelled after awakening, planned and worked for years, sacrificed family and future, only to have prison waiting for him at the end.

If he was really sentenced, Chi Yao would feel unreconciled.

Bo Jin’s sacrifices and Chi Yao’s experiences over the past twenty-plus years would all seem worthless.

The bell rang, and everyone perked up.

“It’s over!”

Jing Rong said to Chi Yao, “Let’s go see.”

In the waiting hall, many people walked out from the door connected to the court one after another.

When he saw Bo Jin come out, Chi Yao felt the whole world go quiet.

Not seen for nearly two months, the other party still dressed the same, without a trace of dishevelment.

Meeting his gaze, Bo Jin stood there, a smile crossing his eyes.

“Father!”

Jing Shen waved to Jing Rong’s side and pulled Bo Jin over.

Approaching them, Bo Jin turned to Jing Rong and Bai Qi, smiling: “Principal, Professor Bai, long time no see.”

Jing Rong, always refined and self-possessed, instantly lost composure, patted his shoulder, eyes moist.

“Good that you’re back.”

“Father, don’t cry. Old Bo was released in court; you should be happy.”

Jing Shen looked at Bai Qi with a beaming smile. “Mom, have them prepare tonight. Let’s welcome Old Bo back.”

Bai Qi dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and smiled: “Prepared long ago.”

Bo Jin looked at Chi Yao without speaking.

Mainly because he didn’t know what to say to avoid being scolded.

Under his gaze, Chi Yao endured it and spoke reluctantly: “It’s all over?”

“Mm.”

Bo Jin nodded hurriedly. “But dual citizenship hasn’t been restored yet; might be unemployed.”

Chi Yao: “My group happens to lack an errand boy.”

Bo Jin: “One position might not be enough; have to save one for your dad.”

Chi Yao scoffed and reached out his hand.

“You are free, Father.”

Bo Jin fist-bumped him, chuckling low.

Seeing father and son reconcile, Jing Xi couldn’t help but be happy for them.

Jing Shen patted Bo Jin: “Hey, stop standing there stupidly. I’ll accompany Old Bo to handle the procedures, then we’ll go home together.”

But before they could leave, a large group of soldiers suddenly swarmed in from outside. Looking closely, none had low ranks; the lowest was a colonel.

“Major General Bo! Congratulations! We want to welcome you back at the military headquarters tonight—”

“Major General Bo, Colonel Jing, Old Principal is here too. Why don’t you all come together?”

Although Bo Jin was currently an undocumented person with no records, he had gained too many little fanboys in the military when he was young. Everyone believed he would definitely be reinstated.

Before Bo Jin could answer, Pei Zhenyue’s voice sounded from behind.

“Xiao Bo, come to my house for dinner tonight. Bring your kid and daughter-in-law.”

Bo Jin said helplessly: “Promised Ah Shen for tonight.”

Jing Shen hurriedly said: “How about you come to my house? I’ll have Xixi open good wine.”

The Jing family was a great noble family; the last thing they lacked was good wine.

Pei Zhenyue pretended to be reserved and nodded: “Then—alright.”

“Good wine? Then I’ll go too.” Lin Chengde followed.

“Drinking wine without calling me?” Zhao Hongyi walked over with a long face.

The onlookers looked at each other.

Asking shamelessly: “Then can we also—?”

One told ten, ten told a hundred. More and more people invited themselves shamelessly.

Jing Rong waved his hand and simply changed the family dinner into a banquet.

In the room, Chi Yao let Jing Xi tie his double-layered tie, feeling irritable.

“Should have let them make noise at the military headquarters. Making us wear formal dress to eat at home.”

Jing Xi: “This scene is unavoidable. You should adapt in advance.”

Chi Yao adjusted his cufflinks and scoffed: “Adapt to what?”

Jing Xi said casually: “Next up is our wedding banquet.”

Chi Yao: “…”

---

In the evening, guests arrived one after another in full dress.

Pei Zhenyue handed two documents to Bo Jin.

“I’m not drinking tonight’s wine for free.”

Bo Jin opened the folder and saw his household and military registration applications; they had been approved.

He opened his terminal and switched to the account unused for years.

In his personal file, there was finally household registration information.

Lin Chengde, who came with Pei Zhenyue, spoke up: “Your previous household registration information was fake, and there’s no need to re-register in Ursa Major. We discussed it and think Capital Star is quite good. Pick a piece of land in the military district tomorrow and build a house.”

“Thanks.” Bo Jin laughed. “But no need to rush so much—”

“You aren’t in a rush, I am!”

Lin Chengde huffed, “Drag on any longer, and my apprentice will be married off by you guys.”

Bo Jin: “…”

Speaking of Chi Yao, he hurriedly asked: “What about Ah Yao’s household registration?”

Pei Zhenyue: “Yours is a restoration, simpler process. He never had a registration; the process takes at least three days.”

“Register Chi Yao?”

Zhao Hongyi walked in, handed the gift to Bo Jin, and said with hands behind his back, “Which planet are you registering him on?”

Pei Zhenyue: “Capital Star, with Xiao Bo.”

Zhao Hongyi frowned, obviously disapproving.

“Xiao Bo is an officer with major contributions and can settle on Capital Star. But Chi Yao, no matter what, was once a star pirate—no, he is currently a star pirate. How can he settle on Capital Star?”

Bringing a wolf into the house?

Bo Jin explained: “Strictly speaking, he isn’t settling on Capital Star, but under my name.”

Zhao Hongyi: “???”

He looked at Pei Zhenyue: “To arrange a registration for Chi Yao, you guys would even do this?”

Pei Zhenyue: “If a son isn’t under his father’s name, where should he be?”

Zhao Hongyi paused, his expression blank for a good while before recovering.

“Who did you just say you were registering?”

The soldiers around who heard their conversation dropped their jaws.

What the hell?! Chi Yao is Major General Bo’s son?!

On the other side, Chi Yao and Jing Xi were surrounded by a group of soldiers.

They thought they were supporting characters tonight, drink a little wine, eat something good, and go back early for some couple time. Unexpectedly, these people were so tactless.

Huang Hao: “Chi Yao, how do you usually train your subordinates? Why are they so formidable?”

Chi Yao: “Mainly because you guys are too weak.”

Huang Hao: “…”

Fuck. Can’t continue this chat.

Jiang Feng stayed by their side, responsible for blocking drinks.

Listening to the group chat, he couldn’t help asking: “After getting household registration, what do you plan to switch to?”

Someone nearby heckled.

“Come to the military as a training instructor!”

“Yes, this is good. I always thought your combat skills were excellent.”

“Handling fighters and mechas with ease too. No pressure passing the enlistment exam.”

Chi Yao smiled: “Being a star pirate is so happy, why switch?”

Huang Hao didn’t understand: “Still being a star pirate with a household registration?”

“What are you chatting about so happily?”

Qiu Shuang’s voice rang in their ears, and Chi Yao looked towards the door.

Qiu Shuang and Chun Qin walked over hand in hand in floor-length gowns, practically walking spotlights, instantly shifting the soldiers’ gazes.

Coming with them were Qiu Tianlin, Liu Wu, Xu Ming, and others.

Chi Yao and Jing Xi went to greet them together.

All acquaintances, no taboos in conversation.

Speaking of modified human repair, Qiu Tianlin said: “Xiao Shuang and I recently discovered a gene dissolving agent. Used in conjunction with the repair agent, the effect is better. currently in the trial stage.”

Chi Yao signaled Chun Qin to look in a direction.

“Still recognize him?”

Through the crowd, Chun Qin also recognized Bo Jin at a glance.

“He hasn’t changed a bit.”

Chi Yao: “Do you think what he did was right?”

Chun Qin was silent for a moment.

“If I died back then, I would never know I could live like this now.”

As long as you’re alive, there’s hope.

Thinking of this sentence from Bo Jin, Chi Yao chuckled low.

“As long as you don’t give up, one day you can live the way you want.”

Chun Qin: “But, still really want to beat him up.”

Chi Yao: “Me too.”

Chun Qin: “Then let’s pick a time, together.”

Chi Yao: “Deal.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Don’t say this kind of thing in public. Go back and secretly sack him.

“Achoo—!”

Bo Jin, currently socializing, sneezed three times in a row.

Jing Shen: “Someone is missing you.”

Bo Jin with a wooden face: “I feel it’s likely not a good thing.”

---

Late at night, the banquet dispersed.

Jing Xi and Chi Yao saw off all guests, settled the elderly and children at home, and then returned to the bedroom.

While Chi Yao washed up, Jing Xi went to the study to organize the materials for Chi Yao’s household registration.

Bo Jin’s registration was done, so Chi Yao’s was just a formality.

After filling out the electronic application form, he printed it out. Searching the desk for a pen, he couldn’t find one. Rummaging through several drawers, he saw the left-hand drawer was locked.

He tried entering his fingerprint on the sensor, and the drawer opened.

Chi Yao finished his shower and came out drying his wet hair.

“Xixi, it’s so late. Do whatever work tomorrow—”

Halfway through, he saw what Jing Xi was holding, and his expression froze.

Fuck! Why was it discovered?!

Hearing the voice, Jing Xi turned around and shook the white fluffy thing in his hand.

“You made this?”

Chi Yao cleared his throat awkwardly: “Mm.”

Jing Xi chuckled: “Quite cute. Is this a pig?”

Chi Yao: “…………”

Keenly sensing his change in expression, Jing Xi: “Not a pig, then a cat?”

Chi Yao rubbed his hair in annoyance, walked over, and squatted in front of him: “Don’t you think this looks like my bestialized form?”

Jing Xi looked at the unidentifiable species in his hand, fat as a ball.

“…”

Do you have some misunderstanding about yourself?

Chi Yao: “I originally wanted to use it to propose to you—”