Chapter 21

Bai Ruonian had heard of the Imperial Academy before. He’d always heard Bai Shouyi and Bai Jianyin talking about it, looking very proud. He’d always been curious, what was this place that everyone praised so highly?

“The Imperial Academy is the highest institution of learning in the Empire. It doesn’t just produce elites for society; it also feeds core strength into the military and government. I’m in the Combat Department, and I too aspire to fight on the battlefield to uphold peace…”

Whenever Imperial Academy was mentioned, Rui Rui’s chest would puff up. She was quite proud to have gotten in, and her introduction quickly became a bit of an unstoppable torrent. She noticed the omega’s expression next to her—his small, pointed chin slightly raised, making him look very young, his blue eyes blinking with a mix of longing and naivety.

“Speaking of which, Imperial Academy is on a floating island right above the Capital Star. It’s closed for the holidays now, but I can take you for a tour when the semester starts. You’re about to take your college entrance exams soon, right?”

Bai Ruonian paused for a moment, blinking. He was nowhere near about to take his exams. He’d already taken them.

No, wait. His original self had already taken them.

If it weren’t for Bai Jianyin causing him to miss the last subject’s exam, he should have been able to pass.

What a pity…

He answered honestly. “I didn’t get in.”

Rui Rui’s words came to an abrupt halt. “Ah… you look so young…”

Bai Ruonian stated frankly, “I missed one exam.”

“Then what was your score without that one?”

Bai Ruonian thought for a moment and quoted the number. Rui Rui was taken aback.

The Chancellor frowned slightly.

That last subject, basically just a passing grade would have been enough.

What a real shame.

“If you’re willing, you can retake it next year. It’s such a pity to miss by just that much. And with one subject missing, I’m afraid right now…” Rui Rui found it hard to speak the words. Missing one exam meant there was probably no school to attend.

The Empire still followed the 80/20 rule, or more accurately, the 90/10 rule, even beyond that.

Ten percent of the people controlled ninety percent of the resources.

Getting into Imperial Academy was equivalent to getting a golden key to join that ten percent. It was incomparable to other galactic academies in the Empire.

“Missing by just one subject is truly a pity,” the Chancellor also said. “Why don’t you try again next year? Today’s incident can count towards bonus points. If your performance is normal next year, you could get in.”

Bai Ruonian tilted his head and sighed.

“I…”

He hesitated, stopping himself.

He was already married… How could a married Omega go back and repeat a year of school?

Besides, he didn’t even know any of that stuff.

He was a cat that had transformed. His speech was a bit topsy-turvy. He probably couldn’t even understand or memorize the material…

Bai Ruonian hung his head a little dejectedly, staring at the ground.

He felt like he was still so far from being a real person.

Being this far off, how could he help his Master? He still didn’t even understand how to help his Master.

Thinking about how his Master wouldn’t even let him snuggle made him even more unhappy.

Rui Rui saw his discouragement and assumed he just didn’t want to repeat a year. She opened her mouth, but didn’t know how to comfort him.

At that moment, the Chancellor spoke up. “Why not try Star Dome?”

“Oh, right!” Rui Rui smacked her forehead, remembering. She grabbed Bai Ruonian. “You should try Star Dome.”

Bai Ruonian tilted his head. Wasn’t that a game?

The name felt familiar.

Had he seen his Master playing it when he was a cat?

It was something like a military-grade holographic battlefield simulation, which could connect to bodily data in real-time and provide feedback.

When his Master had first picked him up, he’d often hold him while tinkering with an information pod. But later, as matters increased, his Master hadn’t logged in as often.

He didn’t understand. “A game? What for?”

Rui Rui was a little excited. “I knew you’d heard of it.”

“This game was originally developed internally by the military for talent selection. It can test and train mental power. But now, with the public’s high enthusiasm for exterminating the Zerg, it’s been popularized. Our academy even uses it for the entrance exam now. Those who can’t pass get expelled directly. And those with extremely high talent and strong mental power in the game get directly scouted by our school. A special recruitment straight into the academy, skipping the entrance exam entirely.”

The Chancellor said, “You can prepare in two ways.”

He’d already decided: as long as the boy’s mental power was roughly acceptable, an admission wasn’t impossible.

Bai Ruonian blinked with some interest, not because he wanted to go to the Imperial Academy.

He was a cat, playful by nature. Hearing it was a game his Master had played made him like the sound of it even more.

Much better than repeating a year of school.

With a casual, try-it-and-see attitude, Bai Ruonian nodded, his eyes bright. “Okay.”

He’d heard you could fight bugs in there. When he was a cat, his favorite thing was pouncing on butterflies!

After Rui Rui and her companions left, Old Cao asked Bai Ruonian if he needed a ride home. Bai Ruonian shook his head. “I want to walk around by myself for a while longer.”

He actually wanted Uncle Cao to take his daughter out to have some more fun.

The girl was bouncing around, clinging to Old Cao, begging to play. Old Cao was a bit embarrassed. Bai Ruonian showed his canines in a grin. “Uncle Cao, having you around would make me feel awkward instead.”

Old Cao naturally understood his kindness. He stroked his daughter’s hair, his expression gentle, and finally stopped refusing.

Watching their two figures recede into the distance, Bai Ruonian seemed lost in thought.

Being human really was quite nice.

It was just that his Master didn’t like him snuggling.

Thinking of his Master, Bai Ruonian shrank his neck back. Song Hanshan had told him before leaving that his Master might be looking to settle accounts with him.

He thought hard for a while, recalling how his Master used to cheer him up every day.

Whenever he was unhappy, his Master would open a new cat toy for him, or use shiny things to tease him, making him jump and pounce.

Bai Ruonian’s eyes darted around as a good idea came to him.

He’d buy his Master some gifts too.

After Old Cao and the others left, Bai Ruonian was still on a high. Having just helped people, he was very happy, so he treated himself to a bunch of shiny things in a toy store. His Master should like these…

Looking at the armful of crystal balls and glass marbles, Bai Ruonian felt a moment of doubt. He looked up and saw a clothing store. After a brief thought, he puffed out his chest and went in.

Five minutes later—

“This trench coat is so handsome!”

“This tie is nice too…”

“That shirt isn’t bad either!”

“And another pair of cufflinks!”

He felt sure his Master would look great in them!

In the end, the store manager personally came over and temporarily closed the shop with a velvet rope. The entire store’s staff was dedicated to serving the VIP customer, leaving some prospective shoppers barred outside.

“Hey, isn’t that Bai Ruonian?”

Bai Jianyin, who had come to buy a wardrobe for the start of the semester, found himself blocked outside. His expression was ugly. Just then, someone beside him said that, and he looked in the direction indicated, sure enough, he saw a familiar figure.

It really was Bai Ruonian.

Ever since their last encounter, Bai Jianyin had been choked with resentment. All of the family’s projects were being blocked, he was being pushed out of his social circle before he could even break in, and his father constantly looked at him as if he were a disappointment, clutching his injured hand. One moment he’d lament to the heavens, the next he’d blame Bai Jianyin.

How could Bai Jianyin not lament the twists of fate?

He was the one who had been meant to alter the compatibility rate. By a strange twist, it had become Bai Ruonian instead.

He stared at the person buying things inside.

That should have been his life.

“Got the whole place booked, did he? You didn’t make a reservation in advance?”

Another tall young man gave a malicious grin, his tone sarcastic. “Why didn’t they just invite you in to help Young Master Bai pick out some nice clothes?”

Bai Jianyin was so angry he was nearly biting through his lips. The gazes of everyone around shot at him like venomous stings, making him utterly uncomfortable.

Even having passed the Imperial Academy exam, even being the pride of the heavens, even having his family background restored, he still couldn’t fit in.

Bai Jianyin’s face was pale. He wanted to turn and leave, but forced himself to stop, looking at the tall young man.

“Gao Siyang, Young Master Gao, he’s buying clothes for his Alpha. Why should I butt in? I’m going to Imperial Academy to study, not to be someone’s omega.”

He glanced at Bai Ruonian inside and raised his chin, deliberately trying to stir up trouble. “I almost forgot. You two were supposed to be engaged back then. It’s a pity my younger brother didn’t fancy you, and would rather die than marry you. Otherwise, he’d probably be inside buying clothes for you right now.”

So the tall young man was the person Bai Ruonian had originally been set to marry—Gao Siyang from the Gao family of the Federation Chamber of Commerce.

Gao Siyang ground his teeth, having been talked back to. He licked his lips. “What’s the rush?”

He’d heard Bai Ruonian had gotten married, but didn’t know to whom. But given Bai Ruonian’s background and situation, all he had left was a pretty face. No one with any real status or reputation would want him. At best, he’d be a kept concubine. Sooner or later, he’d be his.

Bai Ruonian, inside, had no idea of the turbulent undercurrents outside. He was utterly lost in the thrill of buying without restraint. Because he was buying for Lu Mingjin, he had absolutely no psychological burden over it.

In the end, laden with numerous bags, the store manager very thoughtfully told him they could have it all delivered for him, so he could go out and continue strolling. Bai Ruonian was overjoyed. He even forgot all about his Master in his excitement.

He had thoroughly enjoyed his shopping spree today.

=

Lu Mingjin was currently at Military Command, having just endured Ji Shiyu’s barrage of complaint messages.

Accusations about how awful Bai Ruonian’s temperament was—wild and untamable, refusing to let them draw blood, throwing things, and running off in Old Cao’s car.

Listening, Lu Mingjin couldn’t help but recall the image of Bai Ruonian climbing onto the table and smashing Bai Shouyi’s plate.

That was indeed quite wild and untamable.

Ji Shiyu had stopped making noise on the other end.

After a long pause, he said, “Lu Mingjin, were you spacing out?”

“The omega was being playful. I’ll talk to him later.” Lu Mingjin’s tone was flat.

Ji Shiyu angrily hung up the phone.

Not long after, Song Hanshan returned with the people from the Genetic Defense Department.

“What’s the situation?” Lu Mingjin asked.

“There was indeed something wrong. The guy actually had a Blue Snowflake collection permit and claimed to be the Governor’s brother-in-law. Little Bai hooked a big fish this time.” Song Hanshan let out a derisive laugh.

Lu Mingjin looked up.

If even a blockhead like that dared to con people on the Capital Star, the fishy circumstances indeed seemed significant.

“Lock him up and interrogate him thoroughly. Also, summon the Planetary Governor to watch the proceedings from the sidelines,” Lu Mingjin said coolly. “If it’s true, he’s finished.”

“Yes, sir.” Song Hanshan saluted and left with the Genetic Defense Department personnel. Before walking out, he asked Lu Mingjin, “Will you be attending the interrogation?”

The Boss always cared deeply about genetic matters. And given his personality, he’d usually make a point of being present.

However—

“No.” Lu Mingjin stood, grabbing his jacket as he went. “I need to head back.”

He had to go home and check on the omega. After an incident like this, he was probably terrified.