Chapter 116

After witnessing the combat prowess of the large white goose firsthand, Xia You developed a reverence for its head, only daring to occasionally pat its wings when it came near.

Xia You felt it might take some time for him to digest the ferocious sight of the large white goose chasing and biting the cheetah.

Granted, the indoors didn't offer much space for the cheetah to exhibit its speed, but the scene of such a large goose, flapping its wings and chasing the cheetah, nipping at its tail, was truly... terrifying.

One day, noticing the pleasant sunlight outside, Xia You casually chose a spot on the lawn to sit down. He took out his live-streaming orb, adjusted the broadcast frame, and aimed it squarely at the elegant and melancholic large white goose in the distance.

The pristine white goose stood by a pond, bathed in sunlight that gently caressed its feathers, looking as beautiful as a painting.

However—

[Hiss...]

[Gasping...]

The live stream chat was filled with neatly organized onomatopoeic words.

Xia You chuckled, "Do all of you recognize him?"

[How could we not? The mecha pilots at the base have been quite resentful recently, all because the Marshal made them reflect on why their mechas got bitten and damaged by companion beasts.]

[Which decent companion beast can actually bite through a mecha?]

The previously distracted large white goose, hearing Xia You's voice, looked up, and upon spotting the floating live stream orb, visibly paused for a moment.

Just as Xia You was about to explain, she saw the goose promptly turn, waddle eagerly to the pond's edge, and lean down to fussily adjust the tiny, elegant bowtie on its neck with the tip of its wing. It also smoothed out some of its slightly ruffled feathers.

Then, turning back and captured by the camera, it folded its wings, fluffed its tail feathers, and walked towards Xia You with grace and poise.

Xia You: "…Um."

[My apologies... My companion beast, well, he's quite fond of the camera.]

The main consciousness of the large white goose wasn't dormant. After an episode of psychic power instability, its psychic power has been fluctuating. Sequestered in the isolation chamber exercising self-control, it's now watching itself from afar via the live stream.

Even though, in its eyes, its goose form always looks charming and stylish, being suddenly revealed to have childhood dreams of stardom is still somewhat embarrassing.

[Hey, he's got a great camera presence!]

[Honestly, not many companion beasts carry themselves like that.]

[Heh heh, that's right, that's right.]

The one being praised in the isolation chamber felt triumphant, and as a result, the companion beast, the large white goose, held its head even higher, determined to show its most elegant and beautiful side.

[How come you didn't become a performance artist in the military? Such a waste of talent.]

[Ah, my psychic power is too strong. If I'd joined, they'd fear I might inadvertently hurt my colleagues.]

The comments in the live stream chat were hilariously entertaining. Xia You, trying not to laugh out loud, buried her face in Yuan Yuan's fur, muffling her giggles.

Yuan Yuan's leopard tail curled up into a small loop, and it affectionately nuzzled Xia You's hair with its snout.

Just as Xia You managed to compose herself and was about to treat the large white goose, she noticed it carefully examining the live stream screen and eagerly trying to fulfill various "song requests" from the chat.

— Indeed, the goose seemed even more like the main broadcaster of the live stream than Xia You herself.

Xia You now looked at the large white goose without a trace of fear, her blue eyes gleaming with excitement. She leaned over to whisper in Yuan Yuan's ear, "Your Highness?"

Yuan Yuan's feline pupils momentarily shifted to a deep purple hue, gazing inquisitively at Xia You.

In a soft voice, Xia You asked, "May I keep the large white goose to help me with the livestream?"

Lu Yinghuai remained silent for a moment.

The black panther looked up at the large white goose, which was now posing playfully in front of the livestream orb.

Xia You's computer flashed a message from Lu Yinghuai: [Aren't you worried he might accidentally bite other companion beasts coming for treatment in the future?]

Just as Xia You was about to defend the goose, there was a rustling from the nearby bushes. A leopard's head cautiously peeked out, eyeing the large white goose warily.

Only after noticing that the goose had its back turned, and seeing the black panther lounging with that sweet bipedal creature, did the leopard, limping slightly, emerge from the bushes, its tail tucked between its legs. It then sulkily found a spot in the sunlight.

Xia You: "..."

She was abruptly reminded of yesterday's chaos that ended with the goose fiercely biting the leopard's tail.

Swallowing hard, Xia You said with lingering fear, "Perhaps... let's reconsider."

The companion beasts brought by Wei Cheng were mostly alright; most of them were from the Blue Star base soldiers. Though they couldn't speak, their clarity of mind made communication possible.

However, the fluffy creatures brought by Cheng Zhi Nian and An Jing were a different story. If another one unintentionally messes up the goose's bowtie, like the leopard did, there's a significant chance of getting bitten.

Having Xia You treat mental power disorders, only to then seek a medic for bite wounds on one's rear, is truly...

Xia You summoned the livestream orb back. Seeing that the large white goose wasn't afraid of Yuan Yuan at all, it quickly followed with waddling steps.

Xia You smiled and reached out her hand to the goose.

The large white goose lifted its right wing, placing the tip gently into Xia You's outstretched palm.

[Wow, you're really timid. Xia You is right in front of you and you don't even dare to get close?]

[Exactly! We didn't get a turn, but what's your excuse?]

[If it were me, I'd totally jump up and act all cute and cuddly in front of Lady Xia You. On my return, I'd strut around proudly!]

The live stream camera was directly aimed at a man, a panther, and a goose. The white goose, seeing the black panther in front of it, lifted its head to gaze deeply at the screen, its feathers bristling in response.

[Please don't put me in danger! Can't you see the Marshal's massive companion beast, or do you just want to see me get bitten?!]

In the isolation room, the goose felt like its feet were nearing its boss's shoes. It hastily typed a message, trying to distance itself from the aggressive comments.

[It's a shame, really. People can divorce after marriage, but Lady Xia You is a perfect match with the Marshal. She leaves no room for others.]

The black panther, upon seeing this comment, visibly softened its previously icy demeanor, its tail wagging playfully on the grass.

The white goose raised a wing to wipe the cold sweat from its head, relieved to have escaped becoming dinner.

Xia You tuned out her surroundings. Her psychic tendrils entered the goose's body and, after a quick sweep, headed straight for its brain, ready to feast.

……

The goose's mental disorder was easily treated. In less than forty minutes, Xia You released her grip, watching as the goose frolicked drunkenly on the lawn, occasionally attempting to fly.

As the goose approached the cheetah, the feline was startled and dropped to a defensive stance, showing its fangs and emitting a warning purr.

The goose had never felt its psychic powers so obedient. It wouldn't dare to approach the Marshal's companion or get close to Lady Xia You, but it could tease the cheetah a bit.

The injured cheetah, unable to run away fast, was embraced around the neck by the goose, resulting in an up-close live stream of the moment.

[A cheetah... aren’t they rare in the First Legion?]

[Right, this isn't one from the First Legion. It's that actor who came to experience life in the First Legion for a few months for a film role.]

[Oh, the one who played our Marshal?]

[Exactly. An S-class from the entertainment circle with a companion beast, a military academy graduate. Upon arrival, he was judo-thrown by a then-reserve tabby cat and didn't get up for quite a while.]

[That's rough. Really rough.]

[That little tabby was fierce when it first came to Blue Star. Eventually, it worked its way up to the Marshal's personal guards. It's no surprise he got floored.]

[So, size doesn't determine everything, huh?]

Xia You, cradling the panther's head, glanced at the lively chat in the streaming room. She gently bit the panther's ear, mumbling, "This poor cheetah has had it tough. Cut him some slack, he'll be leaving once he's healed."

Last night, Xia You was held by Lu Yinghuai, watching two hours of the Marshal's combat records. As they left this morning, Lu Yinghuai casually asked whether she preferred the film or the actual combat records.

Only then did Xia You finally recognize the musty scent permeating the old house.

Yuan Yuan turned his head, giving the ground two firm swats with his tail.

The leopard wouldn't listen.

Xia You hugged the leopard's head, rubbing it with his cheek while gently shaking it back and forth.

Annoyed to the point of surrender, Yuan Yuan emitted a low growl from his throat as if conceding to Xia You, signaling that he wouldn't stoop to the level of the pathetic leopard.

In truth, Yuan Yuan quite enjoyed Xia You's affectionate gestures, even finding that his efficiency in processing documents in the office improved slightly.

Upon waking from his afternoon nap and looking out from the second-floor window, Tang Gao saw a gooey scene of a man and a leopard in the garden below, and next to them, another leopard and a goose laughing in a "buddy" frame. After a few seconds of silence, he extended his paw and swiftly drew the curtains closed.

At that moment, in the Marshal's Mansion's laboratory, Meng Wenxuan was deeply engrossed in a pile of data.

Upon entering, Wei Cheng almost tripped over the items scattered on the floor.

Projected screens covered the room's ceilings, floors, and walls, displaying dense arrays of data that hurt Wei Cheng's eyes.

Wei Cheng bent down to tidy up the mess and set it aside.

"Haven't slept for days? Are you intent on running yourself into the ground?"

Meng Wenxuan looked up dazedly, pausing for a moment before suddenly asking, "Wei Cheng, can you help me obtain a sample of the Bug Queen's psychic power?"

Wei Cheng responded sarcastically, "Do I look like the Bug Queen to you? Why not dissect me directly?"

To mention a sample of the Bug Queen's psychic power was ambitious, even obtaining that of an average bug was rare.

It's common knowledge throughout the galaxy that after the Bug Queen's death, vast numbers of bugs began self-destructing. It has been a long time since any bugs appeared in the star system.

The last sample of the Bug Queen's psychic power is stored at the Federal Research Base, guarded like a precious gem.

How could he possibly obtain it for Meng Wenxuan?

Research had been stalled for several days. Although Xia You provided many research directions and hypotheses, Meng Wenxuan felt he was always one step short and couldn't grasp it.

Frustrated, he swiftly removed his glasses, roughly ruffled his hair, and before Wei Cheng could speak, stood up abruptly and strode out of the room.

Wei Cheng was puzzled, "Where are you off to?"

The white lab coat worn by Meng Wenxuan fluttered behind him, he replied without turning back, "Going to see Xia You."

Wei Cheng acknowledged with an "Oh," but recalling the white coat on Meng Wenxuan, he quickly turned and chased after him.

"Take off that white coat first—!!"

That goose couldn’t stand anyone looking better than him in white!