Chapter 98

Silence pervaded the isolation room.

Sen Qiu rested his snake head on his coiled body, determined to push aside the profound statements he just heard.

Of course, the couple had some assets. They could probably buy energy crystals if necessary, but doing so conspicuously could attract trouble.

Many knew of Sen Qiu's injury and psychic disturbances. If Yin Wei began purchasing large amounts of energy crystals now, and especially in significant quantities, people might connect the dots to Sen Qiu's healing needs. Word could then inadvertently spread about Xia You's presence in the underground city.

If anything goes wrong, the first to suffer will be the Underground City.

Yin Wei whispered, "I initially considered buying under someone else's name, but it seemed risky. And if I were to steal them, the timing might be too tight..."

Before Yin Wei could finish, her computer emitted a series of warning beeps.

Both human and snake looked simultaneously at Yin Wei's computer.

Recognizing the alarm came from the door, Yin Wei grew extremely cautious. With Shen Shi accompanying Xia You outside, and since Shen Shi wouldn't leave Xia You within the city's boundaries, the returning visitors couldn't be them.

The monitor displayed the scene outside the door.

The guest knocking seemed aware of the camera's location, turning to face it with a deliberate reveal.

Yin Wei: "?! "

The door clicked open, and a not-so-large capybara nudged the door open with its head, strolling in nonchalantly and even remembering to close the door with its hind paw.

With swift steps, Yin Wei emerged from the isolation room, hurriedly reaching the living area. She scooped up the capybara, which was about to jump onto the sofa, wrapping it in a coat and holding it as she headed purposefully towards the study.

Wrapped in the clothing, the capybara showed no signs of resistance, instead daydreaming with half-lidded eyes.

Once the study's security measures were activated, Yin Wei placed the bundled coat on the desk.

Clearly acquainted with the capybara's temperament, Yin Wei didn't expect it to emerge on its own and instead unwrapped the coat, revealing a placid Miss Capybara.

With exasperation, Yin Wei said, "You scared me half to death!"

The capybara opened its eyes momentarily and then closed them again.

An expression of disbelief filled Yin Wei's face.

But if their relationship were exposed, wouldn't the one affected be her—the head of the inspection team—and not the leader of the trading arena?

It had been years since their last meeting, but as Yin Wei gently stroked the capybara's coarse fur, she chuckled, "After all these years, your personality hasn't changed a bit."

The young girl she once saved, now the head of the inspection team, didn't feel like a stranger to Yin Wei despite the years that had passed.

As if finally awakening, the capybara flicked its ears, scratching its paw to produce a space node, which it handed to Yin Wei.

Yin Wei, who initially wanted to ask if she needed help, hesitated. As she took the space node, she realized it was the very one she had given away years ago.

The mental bond has now been released.

Initially, when Shen Shi saved this capybara, everyone genuinely didn't realize it was a companion beast. The absence of mental energy fluctuations was a secondary concern; mainly, they believed no human should spend their days eating, sleeping, waking to lounge in pools, and essentially doing nothing else.

However, with time, they discovered that she wasn't pretending to be a capybara; she was just genuinely lazy. And she wasn't just content with this idle lifestyle, she genuinely enjoyed it.

It was only when Shen Shi insisted on giving the capybara a bath that she clung to Yin Wei, clarifying that she was, in fact, a girl.

Recalling that moment, Yin Wei's eyes shimmered with a gentle yet exasperated light.

This individual's temperament was quirky yet endearing.

She'd say she's a girl to prevent Shen Shi from bathing her, but every time Shen Shi reached out to pat her, she'd roll over, exposing her belly for a then-young Shen Shi to touch.

Yin Wei didn't think much of it initially, but a glance at the contents of the space node quickly changed her expression.

"Where did you get all these energy stones?!"

An entire space node filled with energy stones left even the worldly Yin Wei slightly dazzled, and she felt an instinctive breathlessness.

Thoughts of corruption, blackmailing galaxy merchants, and even conspiracies with the federation spiraled in her mind.

Mumbling to herself, Yin Wei said, "Is it easy to flee from a position like Chief Inspector...?"

The capybara glanced at Yin Wei, seemingly chuckling, then slowly pulled up a screen, typing calmly: [Saved up.]

Skeptically, Yin Wei responded, "How young are you to have amassed so much? Even an imperial salary shouldn't be this generous! These energy stones would fetch a fortune if sold. Who, other than those with mines, can produce so many at once?"

Mentioning mines, Yin Wei felt a pang of envy.

Unfazed by Yin Wei's disbelief, the capybara continued at her unhurried pace, typing: [Started saving at ten. Though, had a boss who ran off with some money, so I lost a bit.]

Yin Wei: "Your life story is truly... extraordinary."

Who could explain why someone with such credentials, occupying the Chief Inspector's seat in the Drifter's Galaxy, started saving money at ten and even experienced being swindled by a shady employer?

But having said that, Yin Wei assertively handed the space node back to the capybara's tiny black paw, saying, "If you're saving energy stones, you surely have a reason. Don't worry about me; neither your brother Shen Qiu nor I are short of money."

Holding the space node in her paw, the capybara's small, beady eyes fixed intently on Yin Wei.

Is that so?

Yinwei's gaze was resolute. "Don't try your interrogation techniques on me! I might not have any energy stones on me now, but a few raids on the Federation side, and I'll have some."

The Federation has abundant energy stone veins, and its system is much more relaxed compared to the authoritarian Empire. Their border defense isn't as formidable, making it easier to raid than on the Empire side.

The capybara set aside the spatial knot from its paw, squinting its eyes in thought for a few moments, then typed: [I lend it to you; you repay me.]

Yinwei hesitated for a moment.

To be honest, it's tempting.

[I entrust my money with you; can I trust you?]

Yinwei slightly lifted his chin.

Of course.

She's not like those untrustworthy bosses he's dealt with before.

Yinwei, who was always straightforward, promptly said, "Alright, I'll borrow it. Based on market interest rates, I promise to repay the principal plus interest within a year."

The capybara nodded and slid the spatial knot towards Yinwei.

With his major concern resolved, Yinwei relaxed and whispered, "Speaking of which, you're aware of his identity, aren't you? Right, things have been chaotic in the underground city recently. Your mistrust is understandable."

But something seemed to strike the capybara, and a fierce intensity suddenly burst forth from its beady eyes.

Yinwei's eyes twitched, "What...what are you up to?"

The capybara swiftly typed with its four paws: [Can you introduce me to him?]

Yinwei looked baffled for a moment: "…Excuse me?"

The capybara, uncharacteristically alert, stared intently.

Yinwei took a long pause before dryly remarking, "Don't you think, given your status, you'd have an easier time approaching him than someone like me who operates in the shadows?"

Is there really a need to go through her for an introduction?!

The capybara snorted lightly: [I tried before, but he's always surrounded. It's inconvenient.]

Yinwei: "Is it Sen Shi? Or..."

Suddenly, Yinwei thought of the young black panther she had once suspected.

She instinctively sat up straight.

[Don't ask, pretend you don't know.] The capybara glanced at Yinwei, [I was supposed to retire from the Inspection Team this year, but my transfer request hasn't been approved yet.]

While Yinwei wasn't familiar with these intricacies, she did know that the Inspection Teams in the Drifter Galaxy operated differently. They underwent major personnel changes at regular intervals, and she had never really paid attention to where those rotated out ended up.

Clearly, the capybara had its reasons: [I can't withstand scrutiny. The best course of action is to bypass the military and join the noble guard directly.]

Yinwei responded, "Then why did you ever join the Inspection Team as its captain in the first place? And it doesn't have to be him, right? Given how sensitive his identity is, and the fact that... aren't you sabotaging yourself?"

[I had too many pursuers back then. The military was the best place to hide.]

Compared to the strictly vetted military corps, the Drifter Galaxy's Inspection Team, which most competent individuals were reluctant to join due to its demanding nature, was perfect for falsifying identities.

As for why he's interested in Xia You...

The capybara didn't continue, but its beady eyes blazed with an intensity that Yinwei had never seen before.

……

When Xia You and Sen Shi returned, Yinwei was waiting for them in the living room.

Lu Yinghuai hadn't returned yet.

These days, he had been wandering the underground city. His panther form made his movements particularly convenient.

Yinwei's gaze shifted to Sen Shi.

Sen Shi, interpreting his sister-in-law's look as a hint to leave, was puzzled for a moment. However, upon receiving a similar smile from Xia You, he scratched his head and headed upstairs to his room.

Xia You's eyes fell on a small blanket on the sofa, with a slight bulge in the center. His eyes curved in amusement as he approached with a smile.

Yinwei gave a polite nod to Xia You and then departed.

A small creature peeked its head out from the pale-yellow blanket, staring intently at Xia You.

Xia You settled onto the sofa, extending his hand in a friendly manner, his smile just as warm as before. "How can I assist you?"

The capybara, covered by a pale-yellow blanket without any intent to disguise its status as a companion beast, activated its holographic screen and got straight to the point: [Do you know Zhuo Xi?]

At this, Xia You's expression shifted, his smile fading slightly. He looked at the capybara in front of him but remained silent.

Observing his reaction, the capybara pulled up a heavily encrypted contract from its data storage, enlarging it on the holographic display before Xia You.

[This is my contract with Zhuo Xi.]

Xia You: "..."

Observing the large employment contract before him, Xia You scrolled silently to the bottom, his eyes catching two signatures side by side. For a moment, he felt a lump in his throat.

The capybara in front of him typed furiously: [He owes me wages, absconded with funds, and now I'm being pursued because of him. I will settle this score with him!]

When Zhuo Xi disappeared, even though the dark web was eradicated, many of its minor leaders remained at large.

They didn’t dare to confront Zhuo Xi, who was now under protection, so they shifted their vendetta onto her. They had pursued her relentlessly for over a decade, making her not only unable to save money but also end up incurring many losses.

In the end, out of sheer desperation, she chanced upon a disgruntled noble relative unhappy with his assigned post. Without hesitation, she spent money to purchase an identity, eventually joining the Inspection Team in the marginal, impoverished regions of the Drifter Galaxy.

Xia You opened his mouth, looking somewhat at a loss for words.

It felt as if...

There was a surreal sensation, akin to having a family member who owed debts outside and fled, and now the debt collectors had come knocking.

But no, Tang Gao didn't exactly leave of his own volition...

[Even if he was initially captured, what about after that? He didn't even consider transferring money to me! My account has been open for so many years!]

The capybara fixed a fierce stare on Xia You, typing emphatically—

[He needs to pay me back!]