Chapter 44

Left and right, they chatted idly. Mu Chenxing finished his soup and slowly sipped the so-called Firefly Star specialty juice that Pei Yao had ordered for him. He watched wide-eyed as the other man mixed two plates of leftovers into a rice concoction and ate every last bit.

Mu Chenxing frowned deeply.

Pei Yao wiped his mouth and sighed helplessly. “You’re such a delicate little thing. On the battlefield, you might not even get rice—you’d be stuck with nutrient solutions. Wouldn’t you cry then? And yet you still dream of heading to the front lines for battle merits.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

He’d watched border combat videos. They were either Space Warships blasting away or Aerospace Warships doing the same.

Mecha footage was rare—probably because it got too deep into beast territory, and the gore was too intense to leak out.

But whether Space Warships, Aerospace Warships, or Mecha, it all proved modern tech was advanced enough. No need for much hand-to-hand or close combat…

So why didn’t logistics even handle cooking?

He couldn’t believe it. “Aren’t logistics supposed to be the most capable force in the entire army? How could they go without food?”

Pei Yao: “…Why would logistics be the most capable?”

Mu Chenxing: “No army marches without supplies first. If logistics sucks, the enemy steals all the grub… Don’t the alien beasts rob supplies? What do they even eat?”

Pei Yao fell silent.

Mu Chenxing got it instantly and felt a twinge of guilt. “Did I get it wrong again?”

Pei Yao’s smile faded slightly. “Interstellar Alien Beasts swarm out in hives—tens of thousands at minimum, hundreds of thousands at max. They have no intelligence, just instincts to devour and plunder. They fight food and foes to the death.”

Mu Chenxing: “…So, how much do thermal weapons’ barrages usually clear out?”

“Up to under 50% at best, around 17% at worst.”

“17% wouldn’t—”

“17% was because the total numbers were low and the Star Beasts scattered, making bombardment tricky.” Pei Yao’s expression turned to a calm Mu Chenxing had never seen before. “The under-50% one was the bloodiest border war in nearly a century—the one with the highest military casualties.”

Mu Chenxing froze.

Pei Yao softened his voice. “Scared now?”

Mu Chenxing pondered for a moment and asked, “What’s your longest combat stint?”

Pei Yao paused, then answered, “Around thirty-something hours. Never clocked it exactly.”

Mu Chenxing nodded. “Got it.”

Pei Yao narrowed his eyes. “You planning to train to that standard?”

“Why would I compare myself to a freak like you?” Mu Chenxing didn’t think practice could get him to Pei Yao’s level—and normal Alphas probably couldn’t either.

Pei Yao was the abnormality. No point comparing.

“Thirty-something hours for you means maybe half that for average Alphas. As long as I’m above most Alphas, that’ll do.” He bared his teeth in a grin. “Not a high bar, right?”

Pei Yao blinked, then chuckled and nodded. “Not high at all.”

Mu Chenxing beamed.

After dinner, the two headed back to the Medical College.

The colleges were a fair distance apart. Mu Chenxing negotiated with Pei Yao. “Wanna stroll for half an hour, then jog back?”

Pei Yao glanced at the sparse, dim streetlights of the Command College and raised a brow. “Even jogging the second half, it’ll take at least an hour and a half to reach your dorm. You sure about that?”

No problem then. Ignoring the teasing, Mu Chenxing shoved his hands in his pockets, oriented himself, and ambled forward. “Let’s go.”

Pei Yao grabbed his collar from behind. “Wrong way.”

Mu Chenxing looked puzzled and glanced around. “Nope, this is right.”

Pei Yao: “Sense of direction’s good, but ahead’s the training grounds—no clearance, no entry. Detour doubles the distance.” He spun Mu Chenxing around. “This way—to your college’s side gate.”

“Oh.” Mu Chenxing gave him an approving nod. “Not bad. Looks like you know the campus pretty well, senior.”

“…That’s all it takes to impress?”

Mu Chenxing motioned for him to follow and sauntered ahead. Pei Yao matched his pace, strolling side by side.

“For students, knowing the campus layout and cafeteria spots is top priority.” Mu Chenxing said.

Pei Yao was speechless, then murmured after a beat, “Well… can’t argue that.”

Mu Chenxing added casually, “Didn’t you map all that out your freshman year?”

Pei Yao thought back. “Doesn’t ring a bell.”

Mu Chenxing perked up with curiosity. “So what did you do freshman year? Join clubs? Which ones?”

Pei Yao hesitated.

Mu Chenxing elbowed him. “Spill.”

Pei Yao tilted his head. “What kind of guy do you think I am?”

Mu Chenxing rolled his eyes. “Cut the crap. Whatever I think is right, I think you should start by washing that mouth of yours.” Smooth talker.

Pei Yao chuckled a few times, teasing, “Got your eye on my mouth? Want me to clean it up for a kiss—okay, okay, shutting up.”

Mu Chenxing pulled back his fist.

“Really wanna know what I did freshman year?”

Mu Chenxing frowned. “It’s not some dark secret, is it?”

“Nah.” Pei Yao cleared his throat lightly. “Just might ruin my image in your eyes.”

Mu Chenxing: “…Do you even have an image with me?”

Pei Yao: “…”

With a hint of guilt, “Freshman year, I was fighting every day—not fighting, then getting chewed out in the counselor’s office, dean’s office, principal’s office. Got real familiar with the buildings that way. Had to track people down, heh.”

Mu Chenxing: “……………”

Pei Yao coughed again. “Puts us in the same boat.”

Mu Chenxing: “Please. If it were me, I wouldn’t get caught.”

Pei Yao: “…”

That’s the takeaway?

He rubbed his nose vaguely. “Maybe ’cause there were so many, running off didn’t help.”

Mu Chenxing: “…You guys did group brawls? How many?”

Pei Yao mumbled, “No group brawls. Not that many people.”

Mu Chenxing eyed him suspiciously. “Not a group—did you take on a whole gang solo?”

Pei Yao: “Cough. I’ll be stuck around here a few days. Need me to keep training with you? Oh, doesn’t your Association have evening runs? You skipping okay?”

Mu Chenxing: “…Your topic change is lame.”

Pei Yao started coughing again.

Mu Chenxing cracked up, ribbing him. “Feeling off? Go see a doc then. Normal for old folks to have weaker bodies—don’t hide it.”

Pei Yao: “…”

Loving the rare sight of him flustered, Mu Chenxing kept grinning.

Pei Yao’s skin was thick; embarrassment lasted two seconds. Seeing the smile, he slid back into sleaze mode. “Whether my body’s good or not, you’ll find out when you grow up. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you—”

“Stop!” Mu Chenxing cut him off quick. “Better if you don’t talk—no, I’ll ask, you answer.”

To block more flirting, he grabbed a random topic. “What’s Firefly Star? Resource planet or tourist spot?”

Pei Yao backed off. “Resource planet, mainly grows Firefly Pepper. Not huge population, nice scenery though. I’ll take you sometime.”

Mu Chenxing paused but didn’t argue the last bit. “You settled on Central Star now? Family there too?”

Pei Yao: “Nah, family’s still on Firefly Star. Been at the border since graduation—no chance to buy property… Lately scouting houses though. What kinda neighborhood you think suits? Quiet or lively?”

Mu Chenxing hesitated and shook his head. “Don’t ask me—”

“Just for reference.” Pei Yao soothed. “Haven’t lived in a normal community in over a decade. On my own, I’d just grab anything.”

Mu Chenxing: “Quit joking. You don’t know if you like quiet or lively?”

Pei Yao: “Fine, I’ll pick. One near school, one downtown. Wherever else you like later, we’ll buy.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

Admiral perks, huh?

Jealousy welled up.

Maybe his stare was too obvious—Pei Yao chuckled low and changed subjects. “Sure you don’t wanna transfer colleges? Thought you were training those Omegas to force the school to open it up.”

Mu Chenxing: “No need.”

“I’m training them for stronger bodies and minds. Same reason for the school exams.”

“If the school or brass sees results like that and does nothing, that’s on their shortsightedness and incompetence.”

Pei Yao: “And then? You just leave their incompetence alone?”

Mu Chenxing: “…Bro, I’m a freshman. World-saving’s not my turn yet. Expectations that high?”

Pei Yao went quiet.

Mu Chenxing: “Plus, reforms like this thrive on mass support. Why charge ahead solo?”

He strolled with hands in pockets. “Step-by-step, subtle reforms are the easiest to spread.”

He turned, flashing Pei Yao a confident smile. “Even if it doesn’t push through now, ripping off the ‘Omegas are weak and useless’ label is victory. The rest gets easier.”

Pei Yao stared sidelong.

Under the dim yellow streetlight, those pancake-face eyes were deep and unreadable.

Mu Chenxing shifted uncomfortably, muttering stubbornly, “Your face is seriously off-putting.”

A faint rip sounded.

Mu Chenxing whipped back instinctively.

Pei Yao peeled strips from his face—stubby brows sharpened to sword-like arches, squinty eyes widened, flat nose gained height, chubby cheeks honed to sharp lines.

Even more… than before.

Mu Chenxing’s eyes widened. “So this is what you really lo—hey!”

His head was pressed back, body tumbling into warmth.

“What the—?!”

“More comfortable now?” Pei Yao murmured, hooking an arm around his waist and leaning down to kiss him.

Mu Chenxing: “Wait, mmph—”

He hadn’t decided on going gay yet!!

The man’s strength was immense, the deep kiss aggressive. In moments, Mu Chenxing’s lips and tongue went numb.

He struggled, failed, and punched the man’s abs twice.

Pei Yao finally pulled back, pecking his lips twice more before releasing.

Mu Chenxing stumbled several steps away, hand over his mouth, grumbling through it. “Were you gnawing a bone? Hurts like hell.”

Probably gonna swell.

Pei Yao smacked his lips, still savoring. “Means your skin’s too tender. Practice more, it’ll toughen up.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

Could you even callus your mouth?

Fuming, he snapped, “Didn’t you say I was too young to touch? Now you’re going back on your word.”

Pei Yao: “Wasn’t always thinking you were too young. When I did, yeah, couldn’t. But you act mature sometimes, so the guilt drops when I bite.”

Mu Chenxing: “…Nonsense. Mature or not, I’m 18.”

“Call it puppy love on your end, cradle-robbing on mine.” Pei Yao rubbed his forehead. “Your thoughts and insights don’t match 18—like a mature soul in a kid’s body. Can’t treat you like a regular student… Messing with my head.”

Mu Chenxing stilled.

Pei Yao dropped his hand, back to his roguish grin. “Didn’t you agree to date me? Kissing my boyfriend’s normal, right? Cough. Kissing won’t get you pregnant anyway.”

Mu Chenxing: “…When did I agree?”

Pei Yao arched a brow. “Two hours ago, you said you’d get to know me.”

Mu Chenxing: “…And that means agreeing to date?”

Pei Yao feigned shock. “What? Spying on an admiral’s secrets? Your motives are impure!!”

Mu Chenxing glared at this newly sharp, unfamiliar handsome face, speechless.

Pei Yao dropped the dramatics with a laugh. “With your personality, saying you’ll ‘get to know me’ is as good as agreeing.”

Mu Chenxing stayed quiet, looked away, and walked on with hands in pockets.

Pei Yao’s grin widened. He pocketed the disguise bits, caught up in two strides, and leaned close. “Anything my little boyfriend wants to tell me?”

Mu Chenxing huffed. “Nope—and don’t give me nicknames.”

“Got it.” Pei Yao chuckled, not arguing the “nickname” bit, and patted his head. “Hit me up whenever you wanna talk.”

He paused, adding, “Can’t stay on campus forever. If something comes up, tell me.”

Mu Chenxing pouted. “You’re not my guardian—and I’m 18, don’t need one.”

Pei Yao pinched his cheek. “Who said guardian? This is your boyfriend requesting protection, backup, and updates. Don’t refuse your pretty, cute little boyfriend here.”

“…What kind of trouble could I possibly run into at school?” Mu Chenxing asked.

“Plenty,” Pei Yao shot back without missing a beat. “Like you signing up for the sports festival and demanding to test every physical event that pushes the limits of an Omega’s constitution.”

Mu Chenxing frowned. “What’s the problem with that? Don’t I have the freedom to do so?”

“Of course you do,” Pei Yao replied. “But I have the freedom to worry too. Otherwise, what do you think made me rush over here? To really test for pheromone aftereffects? No matter how skilled Zhang Yunli is, when it comes to authority, confidentiality, or comprehensiveness, it’s not his place to handle my data. I came because I wanted to come.”

Mu Chenxing: “.”

Pei Yao smacked his lips thoughtfully. “Though this trip was still worth it—got dazzled by my little boyfriend’s good looks and even scored two kisses.”

“Next time something this good comes up, remember to give me a heads-up.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

When it came to thick-skinned shamelessness, he paled in comparison.