Chi Yao didn’t think there was anything wrong with his conversation with Jing Xi that night, but now that Chun Qin had brought it up with a “I know everything” look on her face, he suddenly had the illusion of being caught having an affair.

“We’re temporary partners right now, otherwise, I wouldn’t have let you come over.”

Chun Qin smiled and nodded, “Partners.”

Chi Yao: “…Temporary.”

After the meal, Jing Xi changed into his military uniform and took Jiang Feng to the office. Chi Yao went to the study to reply to the reports from his subordinates.

[Server 46 is online. Starting online recruitment of players.]

[Detected 34,612 player data points, 34,431 tracking discontinued.]

[Initiate forced intervention?]

Chi Yao scrolled down and asked Fang Liang, “Any follow-up from D?”

“No.” Fang Liang sat on the sofa by the window, his fingers rapidly typing on the virtual keyboard, assisting in organizing intelligence. “Besides number 46, the offline ones have been very well-behaved recently.”

Chi Yao rested his chin on his hand, his fingers tapping on the armrest.

“Observe for a few more days.”

Fang Liang stopped and turned his head to look at him. “There are only three days left until their registration deadline.”

Chi Yao sneered, “They’ve been repeatedly messed with recently. They’re probably digging a hole for me to jump into. No rush.”

Fang Liang passed on his message. He seemed to think of something and asked hesitantly, “How’s your body doing lately?”

“Very good.” After he said that, Chi Yao suddenly remembered the wound on Jing Xi’s arm. “The scar ointment Jiang Feng gave me last time was good. Go get me some.”

Fang Liang was puzzled. “When did Jiang Feng give you scar ointment? Do you want to remove the one on your arm?”

Chi Yao paused.

He forgot that it was something that happened when he entered Jing Xi’s body.

He chose not to answer and said vaguely, “It’s not for me.”

Seeing the momentary unnatural look on his boss’s face, Fang Liang suddenly had a realization.

No way?

Fang Liang: “Jing Xi is Jiang Feng’s superior. Jiang Feng will find good medicine for him himself. We don’t need to worry about it.”

“Good medicine has to be used to be effective.” Thinking of the old scars of all sizes on Jing Xi’s body, Chi Yao’s expression gradually turned cold.

Fang Liang hesitated for a moment. “Boss, are you really interested in Jing Xi?”

Hearing this, Chi Yao’s gaze shifted from the window to him, looking surprised, as if he had heard something very strange.

“How could that be?”

Fang Liang: “Then—”

Chi Yao interjected casually, “I’m only interested in his body.”

Fang Liang: “…”

Isn’t that the same as being interested?

His terminal vibrated. It was from Jing Xi.

[The rabbit from Building 10 wants to see you.]

Chi Yao casually closed it and got up to leave.

“How should we arrange for that one?” Fang Liang asked as he followed him. “Put him in Area B?”

Chi Yao walked a few steps, and said unhurriedly, “Area B. We’ll see in three months. If he’s suitable, we’ll put him in the group.”

Fang Liang: “How much will his family give?”

Chi Yao: “What’s his family situation?”

Fang Liang brought up the investigation file. “I checked the database of number 32 and the Imperial citizen information database. This person is named Lin Yuheng. His father is a gambler. His omega mother has long suffered from domestic violence and has a severe mental illness. His father ran away before the new year, and he was cornered by creditors, which is how he was targeted by them.”

Chi Yao sneered, “In this situation, you’ve heard of at least five hundred, if not a thousand, similar cases, right?”

Fang Liang put away his terminal, his tone unchanged. “The law can regulate behavior, but it can’t regulate people’s hearts. One is willing to hit, and the other is willing to take it. The children suffer.”

The laws for the protection of omega rights in the Empire are very comprehensive. If an omega suffers from domestic violence or pheromone assault during marriage, they can get full protection by complaining to the relevant authorities.

But even after a hundred years of legal enforcement, there are still a considerable number of omegas who choose to endure the harm.

Most of these people fantasize that their spouse’s actions were just a moment of impulse and that they will change their ways, so they can’t bear to punish the other person with the law.

“Too weak.” Chi Yao’s voice was light. “You can never give up your principles for others, not even for a partner.”

Fang Liang nodded and subconsciously replied, “Not a partner, but a sworn enemy can.”

Chi Yao turned his head to look at him, frowning. “Hmm?”

Fang Liang came to his senses and bowed his head in apology. “I said it by mistake.”

Chi Yao: “…”

After sending the message, Jing Xi opened the file to check the garrison distribution in the Cetus system.

The Cetus system is a second-class star system with a very large area. First-class planets account for 15% of the total, and second-class planets account for 60%. Such a high proportion is very rare in the entire Empire.

The distribution of garrisons is usually determined by indicators such as economy and resources.

Knock, knock, knock.

The office door was knocked.

Jing Xi looked up and saw Jiang Feng walk in, followed by a handsome young beta.

“Boss, this is Xu Zhou,” Jiang Feng said, bringing the person to a stop five steps away from the desk.

After he finished, Xu Zhou saluted Jing Xi. “Reporting, sir, I am Xu Zhou, the captain of the garrison base’s mech unit.”

Jing Xi put down the file in his hand and looked him over. “I heard you were sick a few days ago. Are you better now?”

Xu Zhou bowed slightly, respectfully. “Thank you for your concern, I am better now.”

“That’s good.” Jing Xi got up, walked around the desk to him. “You are Wang Lianggong’s capable assistant. You must be familiar with all aspects of the garrison in the Cetus system. Why don’t we sit down and have a good chat?”

Xu Zhou’s eyes were half-lowered.

Jing Xi was more than half a head taller than him. In addition, his face was cold and his voice was clear. The close proximity was particularly oppressive.

“Yes.”

Jing Xi glanced at his slightly curled hands and the almost imperceptible trembling fingertips, and made a gesture of invitation.

“Jiang Feng, make some tea.”

Jiang Feng responded, “Yes.”

In Building 10, when Chi Yao opened the door and went in, Lin Yuheng’s appearance had returned to normal. He was sitting at a table, tidying up the white fluff on it.

“What are you collecting that for?” Chi Yao stood far away, a little disgusted.

He hated anything that shed hair, except for Yin Wei.

“It’s from my own body, so I want to collect it as a souvenir,” Lin Yuheng scratched his neck, his ears red, a little embarrassed. “Maybe make a felt charm or something.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Is this silly boy’s nerves this thick?

Lin Yuheng glanced at Fang Liang who was standing behind him, and said carefully, “I recognized you. You’re the old miner from that day.”

Chi Yao sneered, “You’re not completely stupid yet.”

Not ridiculed, Lin Yuheng’s face turned red.

“You are very powerful. I am willing to go with you, but—my mom can’t be left unattended.”

Chi Yao: “Isn’t she in a nursing home?”

Lin Yuheng was stunned. His eyes widened as he looked at him. “How do you know?”

Chi Yao couldn’t be bothered to answer such a silly question.

“The nursing home is equipped with AI nannies. You don’t need to take care of her at all.”

Lin Yuheng pursed his lips. “But there will be a time when she’s discharged.”

Chi Yao frowned slightly, his eyes full of indifference.

“So? Your condition for leaving is that you want someone to take care of your mother?”

Lin Yuheng nodded.

Chi Yao: “What about your father’s debt?”

Mentioning this, a hint of anger flashed across Lin Yuheng’s face, but it quickly returned to calm.

“I’m destined to never be able to pay it back.”

Chi Yao looked at his expression, and said lazily, “I’ll agree to your condition. When your mother is discharged, I will send someone to take good care of her.”

Lin Yuheng was overjoyed.

“Thank you, Master Miner!”

Chi Yao: “…”

“Call him ‘Boss’ from now on,” Fang Liang couldn’t help but remind him.

“Boss,” Lin Yuheng was quick to learn. His eyes were sparkling as he asked, “Which planet are we going to mine next? Do we have to go through a primeval forest? Will we be chased by mutated beasts? Just like in the movies?”

Chi Yao: “…”

This silly boy is too optimistic.

He turned and walked out, saying to Fang Liang, “I’ll leave him for you to train.”

Receiving Lin Yuheng’s expectant look, Fang Liang: “…”

He’s not responsible for this.

“What did you do for work before?” Fang Liang asked expressionlessly.

Lin Yuheng spilled everything about his life from elementary school graduation to now.

“Wait!” Fang Liang raised his hand to interrupt him. “What did you say you minored in in college?”

“Holographic game design and research.” Lin Yuheng said with a bit of pride. “My highest record in ‘Star Wars’ is top 100 in the whole server!”

“‘Star Wars’?” Fang Liang pondered.

This seems to be that game that simulates mech combat and planetary warfare.

His eyes lit up, and his gaze towards Lin Yuheng became gentle.

“You came at the right time, young man.”

Lin Yuheng felt a chill down his spine. “…”

That afternoon, Chi Yao got a big bag of scar ointment from Fang Liang, with all kinds of different types.

He looked up at the scrapes on Fang Liang’s chin. “What happened to your face?”

Fang Liang said with a wooden face, “I asked Jiang Feng for the ointment, but he wouldn’t give it to me. I was caught by him when I tried to steal it, so we fought.”

Chi Yao: “You lost?”

Fang Liang: “I didn’t lose.”

Chi Yao: “That’s good.”

He opened the bag, picked out a familiar-looking one, and put the others back.

“Return these to him.”

Fang Liang: “Yes.”

Jiang Feng had just settled Xu Zhou and was about to go back to the office when he met Fang Liang carrying a bag.

“These are too poor quality. We don’t need them.” Fang Liang threw the bag to him and turned to leave.

Jiang Feng looked at the bag, then at his back, and gritted his teeth in anger.

He dares to be picky?

Maybe he should go whisper in the boss’s ear and ask him to lift the protection order on Extreme Shadow.

If this continues, he and the chickens in the training ground will both get depressed!

At dinner time, Chi Yao went downstairs and glanced at the door.

Chun Qin came out with the soup and said casually, “Major General Jing told Bear Cub that he wouldn’t be back for dinner and that we didn’t have to wait for him.”

Chi Yao: “…I wasn’t waiting for him.”

Chun Qin placed the bowl and chopsticks in front of him. “I didn’t say you were waiting for him.”

Chi Yao held the bowl, feeling uncomfortable all over.

He held back, but still couldn’t.

“Why would he tell Tie Xiong?”

Tie Xiong ate the chicken leg with his mouth full of oil, mumbling indistinctly, “Little Hei told me.”

After the child came, Jing Xi kept talking about tutoring his homework.

He simply let Little Hei out. With Little Hei’s intelligence level, tutoring a silly child’s homework was more than enough.

Halfway through the meal, Chun Qin suddenly spoke. “You said you were looking for someone named ‘yao’ before. I’ve found two recently that might be close to your requirements.”

As she spoke, she sent two files to Chi Yao’s terminal.

Chi Yao: “…”

Even during a meal, he was being dominated by “Yaoyao.”

He was about to forward them directly to Jing Xi, but his finger hovered over the send button. After a moment of hesitation, he opened them.

After a quick scan, Chi Yao suddenly didn’t want to give them to him anymore.

This information and the conditions Jing Xi mentioned, if not a hundred percent, matched at least 90%.

“Where did you get these two files?” Chi Yao said in a flat tone. “There was no news before. How did so many suddenly appear?”

Chun Qin sensed his displeasure and was a little puzzled.

“You looked very anxious, so I used some channels. These two aren’t the ones?”

Chi Yao: “…No rush.”

If the person was found, how would Jing Xi be so obediently fooled by him now?

At night, Chi Yao took the scar ointment and knocked on Jing Xi’s door.

A moment later, the door was opened. Jing Xi was drying his hair, his eyes looking at him with a wet look.

“Something wrong?”

Chi Yao: “Collecting a debt.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Chi Yao walked in. The room was filled with the fresh scent of toiletries.

He casually turned on the room’s ventilation system.

“Does it smell bad?” Jing Xi took two bottles of beer and tossed one to him.

Chi Yao took it and opened it. “I can’t smell your scent anymore.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Here he goes again.