Whizz!

A steel marble flew through the tangerine grove, shaking a branch of one of the trees, and a tangerine fell from the top.

Tie Xiong put down his slingshot and shouted: “Xiao Li, go pick it up quickly!”

But before Xiao Li could go over, the tangerine was caught by another hand.

“Finished the homework your master assigned?”

Chi Yao weighed the tangerine in his hand and peeled it casually.

Tie Xiong’s gaze was glued to the tangerine in his hand, swallowing uncontrollably.

“Did it.”

Chi Yao: “Math score?”

Tie Xiong lifted his chin, proclaiming proudly: “Doubled it, 32 points!”

Chi Yao: “…”

Surrounded by two kids looking at him expectantly, Chi Yao pretended not to see them, eating the tangerine as he walked back.

Tie Xiong turned his head, wanting to tell Xiao Li to go ask for the tangerine back, but the other kid was just standing there gnawing on his finger.

Xiao Li: “Tangerine…”

Since his partner was unreliable, Tie Xiong decisively chose chasing Chi Yao over shooting another one.

Without turning his head, Chi Yao’s voice was cool: “If I catch you stealing food again, homework triples.”

Tie Xiong: “!!!”

He silently retracted his slingshot, jumped down the terrace, and complained to Chi Yao: “I just wanted to help Grandpa Gold see if they were ripe!”

Thinking he might get a bite if he caught up, he heard a tumbling sound behind him.

Tie Xiong turned to look. Good grief, Xiao Li had rolled down the terrace again.

“Why didn’t you take the stairs?”

Xiao Li got up covered in dust, patted his dirty clothes, and said nonchalantly: “You didn’t take the stairs either.”

Tie Xiong: “But I won’t fall.”

Xiao Li: “It’s okay, doesn’t hurt anyway.”

The six-year-old solemnly lectured the other six-year-old.

Listening to Tie Xiong’s grumbling behind him, Chi Yao chuckled.

After several artificial climate adjustments, 0520 had become more distinct in its four seasons, more suitable for developing agriculture and animal husbandry.

It had been a year since the Ghosts’ trial, and everything had finally returned to tranquility.

Just as he returned to the main road, a Seedling Group underling carrying a hoe greeted him, pointing toward the tarmac.

“Boss, heard Major General Jing is here. You should go see.”

Chi Yao nodded slightly and continued walking in that direction.

As a stationed legion, Flying Dragon didn’t need to stay in the Beluga Constellation long-term. But because there were too many leftover problems from before, aside from expeditions, they had barely left this star system all year.

Chi Yao turned his head, looking at the sizable chicken farm in the industrial zone in the distance.

Or maybe it was because raising chickens was addictive.

On the low wall by the roadside, Peanut led Sweet Potato, patrolling their territory.

Chi Yao passed by and casually abducted one.

Peanut only felt a blur before her big brother disappeared.

Seeing the Flying Dragon warship at the tarmac from afar, Chi Yao unconsciously quickened his pace.

Soldiers disembarked from the warship one after another. Some in plain clothes would go to the chicken farm later, while others in uniform would go to the 0520 garrison base for inspection.

Since they were developing long-term, this planet inevitably had to introduce troops and other supporting facilities.

Seeing Chi Yao approaching holding a cat, they saluted one after another.

“I’m not your leader; no need to be so polite.”

Though he said this, Chi Yao’s attitude was very casual.

Jin Ze walked over: “You are currently listed as military personnel too.”

Chi Yao smiled: “My rank isn’t as high as yours. Should I salute when I see you?”

Jin Ze waved his hands hurriedly, laughing: “I dare not. I’m afraid Admiral Lin would invite me for tea.”

Lu Meng, in plain clothes, drove a hover car closer, rolled down the window, and said to Chi Yao: “Our Boss is still inspecting equipment on the warship. You should go up; it’ll take a while.”

Chi Yao nodded and waved to them.

“Old Li and the others started preparing dinner early.”

Lu Meng’s eyes lit up: “What are we eating?”

Chi Yao smiled: “Chicken.”

Lu Meng cursed under his breath: “This old boy stole my chickens again!”

After speaking, he slammed the gas pedal and rushed off.

Jin Ze shouted from behind: “Old Lu, take me with you!”

Chi Yao walked through the crowd. Seeing them walking in twos and threes, chatting and laughing relaxedly, it was like they had returned home.

He petted Sweet Potato in his arms and stepped up the stairs to the warship.

After every mission, Jing Xi habitually inspected the warship personally to ensure no safety hazards.

Jing Xi: “How is the energy system?”

Xiao Hong: 【Energy reserve remaining 75%, depletion rate normal, equipment operation normal—】

Jing Xi: “What about the propulsion system?”

Xiao Hong: 【Wear value below 0.5, equipment operation normal—】

Chi Yao stood at the hatch, watching Jing Xi walk from one end of the console to the other with a focused expression, and secretly took a photo.

“Meow?”

Sweet Potato saw his fingers sliding and extended a paw to scratch.

In the vast space, the cat’s meow sounded particularly abrupt.

Jing Xi turned back to see Chi Yao standing there, watching him with a smile, unsure how long he had been there.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

Jing Xi finished his inspection and strode towards him.

Chi Yao: “Didn’t know watching a beauty work was so pleasing to the eye.”

Jing Xi took the cat from his hands, and they walked out together.

“You mean usually I’m too ugly to look at?”

Chi Yao was amused.

“Is my taste that bad?”

Jing Xi leaned in for a kiss.

“Haven’t seen you for a week.”

Chi Yao kissed the corner of his mouth: “How many days can you stay this time?”

Jing Xi: “The whole legion took annual leave; can rest for half a month.”

Chi Yao: “…Can do that?”

The two walked home along the small path.

Jing Xi: “Originally no, but the new garrison system framework is complete, and there are no urgent battles recently. If they don’t rest well, they won’t hold up.”

Chi Yao nodded slowly: “Just right, factory output can’t keep up recently. Let them moonlight as assembly line workers.”

Jing Xi: “…”

“Teasing you.”

Chi Yao laughed aloud. “Rare to have a half-month vacation. Any place you want to go?”

Jing Xi looked at him: “As long as I’m with you, anywhere is fine.”

Back home, Jing Xi showered and changed into casual clothes. As soon as he sat down, he was surrounded by five or six cats, becoming their climbing frame, while a big dog rubbed against his feet.

Chi Yao touched his slightly damp long hair.

“A room full of animals all like you.”

Jing Xi looked up: “Jealous?”

Chi Yao huffed: “Jealous, eating old vinegar.” (T/N: “Eating vinegar” means being jealous.)

Tie Xiong and Xiao Li went to the brothers’ carnival hosted by Old Li, so dinner was just the two of them.

Chi Yao watched Jing Xi gulp down a bottle of vinegar until only a third remained, his stomach churning.

“Wait.”

Jing Xi: “What’s wrong?”

Chi Yao adjusted the position of the logo on the vinegar bottle, switched to the camera, aimed at Jing Xi, filmed him pouring vinegar, edited it, and posted it online.

“Can’t let my family’s vinegar be drunk for free. It’s a waste not to advertise with such beautiful hands.”

“Advertise?”

Jing Xi moved next to him and looked at the post he sent.

【Drinks a bottle a meal, who has a way to stop him? [Video]】

The video only captured Jing Xi’s shoulder. The most prominent things were a pair of slender, glowing white hands and the vinegar bottle refracting brilliant light under the lamp.

Jing Xi was puzzled: “Aren’t you advertising vinegar? Why such a big close-up of my hands?”

Chi Yao: “Feinting to the east while attacking the west?”

Jing Xi: “…”

Refreshing the comments, the number of people discussing vinegar and hands was about the same.

“Ahhhhh~~~ These hands are too beautiful, right?!”

“These hands, this long hair, could it be the legendary Boss Chi’s wife?!”

“These hands feel inexplicably familiar, hiss——why can’t I remember.”

“Heavens! This vinegar bottle fits my aesthetic perfectly! Is it a new product?”

“Kid, I give you three seconds to list the vinegar, or I’ll cry for you to see!”

“Totally love Extreme Shadow brand rice vinegar, just can never grab any stock. Hard to get a bottle boohoo.”

Chi Yao: “Hei-ge, put up ten thousand bottles for pre-sale.”

Xiao Hei: 【Listing——Listed——Sold out. Add inventory?】

Chi Yao: “Add another five thousand—”

Before he finished, he was interrupted by Jing Xi: “Don’t sell the rest.”

Chi Yao looked at him for two seconds, then said to Xiao Hei: “Just say this version is the Anniversary Collector’s Edition. Notify the factory, stop making this bottle, switch to another design.”

Xiao Hei: 【Switch to what design?】

Chi Yao: “Old rules, generate randomly.”

Xiao Hei: 【…】

Jing Xi was just joking; didn’t expect Chi Yao to take it seriously.

“Really not selling externally anymore? What about the extra bottles?”

Chi Yao chuckled: “Gift them. The higher the exposure rate, the higher the value.”

Just then, Jing Xi’s terminal suddenly rang. Seeing the caller’s ID, his expression changed.

Chi Yao keenly noticed the change in his expression.

“What’s wrong? Who’s calling?”

Jing Xi looked puzzled and serious: “This frequency band is from the Palace.”

Chi Yao frowned: “The Palace?”

Although Jing Xi’s rank was high, he had little interaction with the Palace. Even if they needed him for something, it was usually conveyed through Pei Zhenyue, never contacting him directly like this.

He tapped to answer.

To their surprise, the person on the screen wasn’t a member of the King’s secretarial team, but the Queen herself.

Jing Xi said respectfully: “Your Highness, you were looking for me?”

The Queen was a gentle and beautiful female omega, wearing a white dress and holding a teacup, exuding elegance.

She didn’t stand on ceremony with Jing Xi either, getting straight to the point: “Jing Xi, I heard from His Majesty that you are quite familiar with Extreme Shadow.”

Mentioning Extreme Shadow, Jing Xi was vigilant internally and said cautiously: “We have some official dealings.”

“I really like their rice vinegar, but unfortunately, I can’t order more than a few bottles despite trying everything.” The Queen put down the teacup, somewhat helplessly. “The Royal Family intends to order their rice vinegar long-term. Ask Mr. Chi if he is willing to cooperate.”

For things the Royal Family wanted, usually, a notification sufficed. When had they ever specifically asked?

To be safe, Jing Xi asked one more question: “I will handle it immediately. Is there anything else you need me to convey?”

Seeing the Queen shake her head, Jing Xi breathed a slight sigh of relief. Just as he planned to find an excuse to hang up, a young girl’s voice suddenly came from the screen.

“Mom, Extreme Shadow released a new model again; I didn’t grab it!”

Queen: “Where?”

The Princess sat next to the Queen, showing her the video: “Gone long ago! The bottle is absolutely beautiful; must taste very good!”

The Queen looked and immediately stopped Jing Xi.

“If possible, ask Mr. Chi if this Collector’s Edition rice vinegar can be added to the Royal Family’s procurement list.”

Jing Xi: “…Okay.”

Hanging up the communication, the Princess thought of the clothes Jing Xi was wearing just now, inexplicably feeling very familiar. Something seemed to flash before her eyes, but too fast to capture.

Where have I seen it before?

Hanging up, Jing Xi looked at Chi Yao, who was resting his chin on his hand with a subtle expression.

“No need to advertise in the future.”

The Royal Family’s procurement list was the best advertisement.

Chi Yao: “Mm.”

Jing Xi looked at him: “Why not very happy?”

Chi Yao scoffed lightly: “I just don’t get it. Why do so many people like something so sour?”

Building the rice vinegar factory a year ago was only for Jing Xi. Chi Yao didn’t want to brew vinegar on a large scale and always controlled the scale strictly. As a result, every time it was listed, it sold out instantly, becoming the legendary rice vinegar—the series everyone heard was delicious but could never buy.

You wanted to advertise, yet you’re unhappy it sells well.

Jing Xi chuckled and served him a bowl of soup: “Let’s go for a walk tomorrow, just the two of us.”

Chi Yao tilted his head to look at him: “No cats? No dogs? No kids?”

Jing Xi: “Just you.”

Chi Yao’s mood improved slightly, and he picked up the soup.

Jing Xi: “Your susceptible period hasn’t come for almost a year, right?”

“Pfft—cough cough cough—”

Chi Yao successfully choked.

The words “susceptible period” had become synonymous with dark history for him.

Thinking of that state where he was neither human nor beast, Chi Yao was irritable enough to want to hit someone.

His image in Jing Xi’s mind was no longer tall and mighty.

Jing Xi wiped him with a tissue and whispered: “Calculating the time, my susceptible period is coming soon—”