Chapter 63

Luo Chen trembled as he opened the holo-screen to report the emergency, quickly explaining the situation.

Voices drifted in from outside, accompanied by the nonstop bangs.

Mu Chenxing helped him onto the sofa and turned—

Luo Chen hurriedly grabbed him. “Chenxing!”

Mu Chenxing patted him and said softly, “Don’t worry. You sit tight. I’ll go check it out.”

“Don’t go!” Luo Chen said anxiously. “Wait for the police.”

Mu Chenxing: “Pei—bro’s got it. I’m just taking a peek.” He gestured for Luo Chen to answer the video call. “The police are still waiting for your address.”

Luo Chen startled and turned back. “Yes, this is…”

Mu Chenxing slipped away, striding to the door and shoving open the ajar entrance—

“…you might not know me that well,” Pei Yao’s voice carried a laugh. “I’ve got this little quirk—I don’t like being lied to. So, you’re sure it’s this one, right?”

“It’s this one, really! Big bro, I was wrong—don’t hit me—ah—”

“Then I won’t hit.” Pei Yao grinned. “You’re being so honest. I’ll be gentle—just break your arms and legs. No blood at all.”

The burly men sprawled on the ground stared at him in terror.

Pei Yao, squatting by one, turned to another. “Big bro.”

The man clutched his gut, scrambling backward desperately. “I don’t know anything—”

“No need to be scared. I’m real easygoing.”

“…Bro.”

Pei Yao looked back with a smile and waved. “How’d you get out? Nothing to see here. Go keep your dad company.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

He scanned the ring of terrified, groaning faces. Three familiar figures among them had already passed out.

He asked, “Everyone’s here, right?”

Pei Yao clapped his hands and stood. “Nah, just a small batch—police here yet?”

Mu Chenxing didn’t ask how he knew about the call. “Probably soon. Need an ambulance?”

Pei Yao: “Nah, let the cops handle it.”

He smiled. “They don’t come out here often. Let ’em enjoy it a bit.”

Mu Chenxing nodded. “Fair point.”

He glanced around, reined in his thoughts, and said, “Then let’s head home and wait. It’s chilly out there.”

Pei Yao arched a brow, his smile widening. “Now that’s thoughtful~”

Mu Chenxing turned back inside. Pei Yao stepped over the bodies on the floor and sauntered after him.

Luo Chen, pale-faced, peeked through the door. When he saw them enter, he slammed it shut. “No injuries? You can’t just rush into stuff like this. Best to lock the door and wait for the police…”

He pulled them both in, checking them over top to bottom.

Mu Chenxing hurried to reassure him. Pei Yao subtly slipped free, positioning himself just behind Mu Chenxing’s side.

Once Luo Chen confirmed they were fine, he exhaled and asked, “Was it that midday bunch?”

Mu Chenxing: “Yeah, those three are out cold over there.”

Luo Chen heard they’d been taken down and wasn’t pleased at all. He fretted, “Offending local thugs like this—what happens next?”

Pei Yao: “No worries. I’ll handle it.”

Luo Chen: “You can’t stick around forever.”

He’d glimpsed it through the door crack: the spacious elevator hall—big enough for a flight vehicle—littered with Alphas Pei Yao had floored. Terrifying.

Mu Chenxing eyed Pei Yao. “If the police show, you gonna be in trouble?”

“Minor issue—”

“Don’t move! Nobody move!”

Shouts erupted from outside.

The police had arrived.

Pei Yao paused. “I’ll go deal with it.”

Mu Chenxing blocked him. “Maybe I should.”

Pei Yao chuckled. “I don’t make Omegas take the fall for me.” He pinched Mu Chenxing’s cheek. “Be good.”

He sidestepped and headed out.

Mu Chenxing tsked. “Big Alpha chauvinism.”

Luo Chen caught on late. “Ah, his status—hurry, go explain before he gets in hot water.” He dragged Mu Chenxing out the door.

Of course, no need for them to step in.

The elevator hall cams had been cut. A pack of Alphas mobbing a residential door? Anyone could see the problem.

Especially since these looked like career criminals.

The police needed photos, statements, and ID scans for the record.

Pei Yao cooperated fully.

One scan of his personal code, and the cops gasped.

Pei Yao smiled.

The single-lidded cop—who seemed like the squad lead—snapped to attention, saluting shakily. “Admiral, sir! District 67, 181st Street, Squad 19 reporting!”

The other cops followed suit, saluting rigidly.

The downed Alphas: “?!?”

What the hell?

Luo Chen and Mu Chenxing emerged to this scene, paused, then hung back by the door.

Pei Yao smiled. “I’m on leave—no need for formalities. Ready for statements? You should move quick.”

Single-Lid: “Yes, sir!”

He didn’t dare ask why the rush.

Steeling himself, he began questioning carefully.

Pei Yao answered in full detail, even recapping the midday incident.

The cops questioned him, then the men on the floor—even Mu Chenxing and Luo Chen.

Once everyone was done, the ambulance—called after the police arrived—finally showed.

Injuries weren’t severe: broken limbs mostly. Medics checked them over, then wheeled stretchers downstairs in trips.

Right then, a device on Single-Lid’s chest beeped.

“Officer PF6718—”

“Qi-ge, factory at 472nd Street, 771 blew up. 162 casualties inside. The perp—uh—not—anyway, get over there quick.”

Single-Lid’s face twisted oddly. “Where’d you say?”

The other cops whipped around.

Even the Alphas struggling up went pale, staring intently.

Mu Chenxing and Luo Chen were baffled.

“That District 67 trouble crew! Hurry—I’m calling more squads.”

Call ended. Single-Lid looked at Pei Yao.

Everyone did.

Single-Lid struggled. “That factory at 472nd Street, 771…”

“Mine,” Pei Yao smiled faintly. “Guard Regiment HQ. I’m on leave, but stationed on Central Star—overseeing security for it and 28 surrounding planets. For organized, premeditated black ops with a fixed base like this, I have the right and duty to assist local cleanup. Right?”

Single-Lid: “…”

Everyone: “…”

Luo Chen got it, gripping Mu Chenxing tightly, expression complicated.

Mu Chenxing fixated elsewhere. “You brought the Guard Regiment? When?”

Pei Yao glanced at him, half-explaining. “Always. They keep distance.”

Mu Chenxing recalled their makeouts in dark spots and flight vehicles. Numb. “…Dozens here couldn’t touch you. What the hell do you need guards for?!”

Pei Yao rubbed his nose. “Sometimes need ’em to run errands—like today.”

Mu Chenxing glared, then looked away.

Pei Yao stepped up. “I—”

“Business first.” Mu Chenxing nodded that way. “Don’t they need you?”

Pei Yao: “Nah. Chu Heng’s there. He’s a captain at least.”

“Oh.” Mu Chenxing turned to Single-Lid. “Anything else we can help with, just call.”

Single-Lid nodded mechanically, leading his team in a daze to the elevator.

In a blink, the cops were gone—leaving Alphas for the medics.

Mu Chenxing saw it was handled, helped the silent Luo Chen home.

Pei Yao hurried after.

Mu Chenxing settled Luo Chen on the sofa. Seeing his pallor, he poured water.

Luo Chen watched, took it, then smiled wryly. “I came to take care of you.”

Ended up the one cared for.

Mu Chenxing: “Pouring water’s ‘taking care’? You cooked for me exhausted—that’s risking your life to keep me company?”

Luo Chen paused, then chuckled.

A faint smile, then he turned to Pei Yao, calmly seated on the single sofa. “Thanks for the help today, Admiral.”

Pei Yao shifted from Mu Chenxing. “No problem. My duty.”

Luo Chen hesitated. “Mind if I ask what you like about my Chenxing?”

Mu Chenxing arched a brow at Pei Yao.

Pei Yao thought. “That stubborn streak.”

Mu Chenxing griped. “What kinda answer’s that?”

Luo Chen frowned. “Plenty stubborn folks out there.”

Pei Yao shrugged. “Told you, you won’t believe it.”

Mu Chenxing rolled his eyes.

Luo Chen pondered. “So many saw you with us today. Won’t it leak? Chenxing’s young, still in school—if it spreads…”

Pei Yao: “Won’t.”

Luo Chen pressed. “How’re you sure?”

Pei Yao smiled. “No platform dares post it.”

Luo Chen: “…”

Mu Chenxing narrowed his eyes. “Border life’s turned you bandit, huh?”

Pei Yao rubbed his nose, changed tack. “After today, all District 67 knows you’re tied to me. I’ll have ’em patrol more. You can live easy now.”

Luo Chen stood, bowed in thanks.

Too formal—Pei Yao jolted off the sofa.

Luo Chen finished. “Dunno how far you two go, but take good care of Chenxing for now.”

Pei Yao: “Cough. You got it.”

Mu Chenxing deadpanned: “What’re you doing? Acting like last rites? I’m a college freshman.”

Pei Yao stifled a laugh.

Luo Chen flushed, lightly smacked his head. “Know you’re a kid and still dating?”

A heavyweight one, too.

Mu Chenxing, thick-skinned: “Rebel phase. Early romance.”

Luo Chen: “…Turning 19 tomorrow. Where’s the ‘rebel phase’?”

Mu Chenxing: “Late bloomer!”

Luo Chen choked, but smiled despite himself. “Never knew you were such a talker.”

Mu Chenxing: “That was the real rebel phase.”

Father and son bantered back and forth until Pei Yao’s wristband buzzed—report from the Alphas’ main camp.

Mu Chenxing overheard, asked: “How many with the captain? Staying at your hotel?”

Pei Yao closed the holo-screen. “Yeah, four.”

Guessing his thought, he added, “They’re on leave actually. Hometowns far, nowhere to go—stayed with me. Public tab, no personal cost… cough.”

Mu Chenxing: “…”

Public tab my ass.

“Fine. They got company, so no calling ’em over. Wouldn’t wanna cramp their style.”

Pei Yao arched a brow. “Worrying about my bros already? Nice big-sis energy.”

Mu Chenxing: “You—”

“Cough cough.” Luo Chen faked a choke, stood. “I’ll grab something from my room.”

Moments ago trembling, now he bolted—vanishing into his room, door shut.

Mu Chenxing: “…Look what you did to my dad. Spouting that in front of an elder?”

Pei Yao, innocent: “What’d I say?”

Mu Chenxing huffed, remembered something, and opened his holo-screen.

Pei Yao, not done teasing, slid over from the single sofa. “You haven’t—why search me?”

Mu Chenxing, head down: “Suspect the Pei Yao I know ain’t the real one. Gotta check.”

Pei Yao leaned in. “Real me’s online? Just ask.”

Mu Chenxing hit search results, looked up with a smile. “Wrong. This shows character best.”

Satisfied grin, he read aloud: “Amid the massive Star Beast Tide threat, Pei Yao led Falcon Squadron elites in and out ten times, carving a bloody path with overwhelming strength to buy the main force more time…”

Pei Yao: “…How the hell did you read my personality from this fabricated, wildly exaggerated bullshit?”

Mu Chenxing raised an eyebrow. “You led the team, right?”

Pei Yao nodded.

“The elite Falcon Squadron at that?”

Pei Yao nodded again.

“No storming in and out ten times over, but you were still the ones holding the front lines, yeah?”

Pei Yao sighed helplessly. “I’m the Admiral. Where else would I be but up front? Sipping coffee in the rear?”

Mu Chenxing: “Mm. Results are in.”

Pei Yao: “??”

Mu Chenxing spat out the words: “Violent, belligerent, and a total perv.”

Pei Yao: “???”

He lowered his head to scan the report, a bewildered look on his face. “How did you even get that?”

Mu Chenxing kept a straight face. “Analyzed from what went down half an hour ago.”

Pei Yao: “…”

Mu Chenxing tapped his wristband. “So… can I keep digging?”

Pei Yao: “…Knock yourself out. Take all the time you need.”