Chapter 76

Chapter 76

The moment Cheng Ying saw Cheng Jiu, his expression suffocated.

Lin Fu caught this subtle change in expression and raised an eyebrow when he looked at Cheng Jiu.

Cheng Jiu returned his gaze with a smile; his amber eyes clearly distinguished the nuance of his amusement — indifferent and detached when facing Cheng Ying, yet filled with a playful mockery.

When meeting Lin Fu’s eyes, his gaze softened immediately, tinged with a mischievous smirk.

Lin Fu was curious about what exactly Cheng Jiu had done to make Cheng Ying so wary.

But now was not the time for that.

Cheng Jiu proposed, “How about my suggestion? Conveniently, that area is under Master Cheng’s control. Allocating a plot of land is just a matter of speaking — not troublesome at all.”

He moved behind Lin Fu’s sofa, his hand naturally resting on the back of it, standing there in a protective posture.

The moment Pedra Lat saw him, he rose to offer his seat.

But Cheng Jiu declined with a look.

The drawing room fell eerily silent.

Cheng Ying’s face stiffened, and he forced a dry laugh, "That, of course, is possible. The land will be allocated shortly, and the Major General can send someone to take charge of it in due course."

Cheng Jiu said, “There’s no need for that,” extending his holocomputer. The interface opened and he gestured towards Cheng Ying, “I remember that all resource directives of the Cheng family can be used directly with the Master’s authority. Just give me a directive, and let Major General Lin handle the rest. No need to trouble yourself.”

Cheng Jiu was well-acquainted with the Cheng family’s protocols and had held high positions for many years, proving far more challenging to deceive than Lin Fu, a novice in these affairs.

There was no fooling him.

Cheng Ying’s gaze circled between the two, confirming the rumors of an alliance between the Fourth and Ninth Legions.

He had anticipated this when Lin Fu was promoted by the Fourth Legion to obtain command authority.

Now, his suspicions were cemented.

Cheng Jiu, satisfied, obtained the land and, in Cheng Ying’s presence, transferred the ownership rights to Lin Fu.

The pair left the Cheng residence.

Turning his head, Lin Fu murmured to Cheng Jiu, “I gave that brat a kick.”

Cheng Jiu’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “Did that feel good? If you’re not satisfied, I’ll go give him another for you. That kid’s resilient enough, no worries about kicking up any trouble.”

Lin Fu, arms crossed, got into the car: “No need. He’ll probably take a detour whenever he sees me from now on.”

Cheng Jiu naturally got into Lin Fu’s car, gesturing to his own driver to leave.

After closing the door, he heard Lin Fu’s voice, pleased, “You were better looking than him as a child.”

Cheng Jiu chuckled, his chest vibrating. “Thanks for the compliment... So, Major General Lin, does that mean you prefer my looks?”

Lin Fu was candid: “Yes, you are handsome.”

However, after this, Lin Fu’s tone shifted: “Speaking of which, how did you get here so quickly?”

Such prompt arrival indicated Cheng Jiu wasn’t far from the Cheng household.

Cheng Jiu replied, “I was handling some matters nearby. Since you came, I decided to wrap up everything else as well.”

Lin Fu had come to divert the Cheng family’s attention.

Clearly, the effect was significant.

Pedra Lat inquired from the front, “Major General... are we still heading to the port?”

Lin Fu affirmed, “Yes.”

His demeanor grew more serious, asking Cheng Jiu earnestly, “Have you received the news from the front lines?”

Cheng Jiu remarked, “Such massive swarms of insects only erupt once every decade or so, each time triggered by the queen reaching her breeding cycle, necessitating the plundering of vast resources to propagate her offspring. This current infestation has occurred less than five years since the last.”

During the previous swarm, Cheng Jiu accumulated enough military merit to be promoted to the rank of Major General.

As a participant, and a core force at that, Cheng Jiu was the most authoritative person to speak on the matter.

“The insect race is vast in number, but mobilizing for large-scale warfare invariably takes a heavy toll. Unless commanded by the queen, they wouldn't undertake such unified action.”

Lin Fu’s gaze was deep and dark, his obsidian eyes shifting as he said, “Indeed, this is the first anomaly in many years, and its timing is too coincidental.”

Right after he had provoked the royal family and convinced them of his weakened state, the insect race had erupted into chaos without delay.

The weakening of Lin Fu’s spiritual form was unexpected, yet a period of vulnerability had been accounted for in the plan to probe the royal family’s true intentions.

Lin Fu was eager to discover why they pursued “Lin Fu” so doggedly, resorting to poison, assassination, and even mobilizing warships at such great expense.

If it was for the sake of the insect race... that seemed the most plausible explanation.

Lin Fu fiddled with the ring on his little finger, the gradually returning sensation was still unclear, but the faint coolness was enough to still his turbulent thoughts.

He stated, “I will find a way to return to the Lin family.”

Cheng Jiu’s gaze fell upon the ring Lin Fu subconsciously stroked, a light smile playing on his lips, devoid of the gravity of impending war, his voice lifted, “Good, I will help you.”

His fingertips subtly rested on the ring finger of his left hand, the corner of his eyes crinkling.

Lin Fu had to depart immediately for the Fourth Legion.

Upon reaching the port, he bid farewell, grabbing his hat and placing it atop his head before turning to exit the vehicle.

He was always so decisive, both in parting and reunion, a trait so straightforward it was endearing.

But this time, Cheng Jiu wouldn’t let him leave so briskly.

He grabbed Lin Fu’s wrist, closed the car door, and took off his hat.

In an instant, they were extremely close, their breaths entwined, noses touching.

Cheng Jiu moved so swiftly that Lin Fu had no time to react.

He currently wasn't in a state to match Cheng Jiu's speed.

Pedder Latt quickly opened the partition from the driver's seat, checked the vehicle's status, and got out, leaving the space entirely to the two of them.

Lin Fu raised his eyes to meet Cheng Jiu's gaze: "What's up?"

Cheng Jiu smiled, thinking somewhat helplessly that at times like this, shouldn't other guides be shy and blushing, instead of boldly meeting a sentinel's eyes?

But Lin Fu wasn't like other guides; he was just Lin Fu, which was exactly why he was so cherished, to the point where even touching him required second thoughts, for fear of offending.

He wanted to kiss Lin Fu, to let him know of the emotions he had restrained for years, but looking into those dark, beautiful eyes, he simply raised his hand to ruffle the soft hair at the top of his head and then planted a kiss on the tip of his nose: "Major General, you do remember I'm your suitor, right?"

Lin Fu frowned, his nose wrinkling along with his eyebrows. Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Huh?"

Cheng Jiu's fingers traced the side of his face, pinching the soft earlobe: "It doesn't matter if you've forgotten, but this time you need to remember. Major General, you've entangled me in your spirit; you can't just walk away without any responsibility."

Lin Fu blinked, his mind searching for a counter-strategy but coming up empty.

His gaze unconsciously fell, landing on Cheng Jiu's lips.

Very thin... They look quite kissable, don't they?

He shook off the thought, blinking again: "Oh, I remember now, I'll consider it."

Cheng Jiu laughed out loud, pecked at his nose tip once more, then let go and leaned in to open the car door for Lin Fu.

The two got out of the car together, with Pedder Latt outside, looking towards the port entrance, his gaze unwavering.

The sky was ink-blue; the greenery at the entrance partially obscured the light, and the warm yellow light from the long corridor added a touch of warmth to the chilly objects.

Cheng Jiu looked down, placing the hat on Lin Fu's head.

Lin Fu instinctively reached up to block it, his wristband lit up.

It was a message of inquiry from his adjutant.

The hat was successfully placed on top of his head, and Cheng Jiu stepped back half a step, scrutinizing Lin Fu with utmost seriousness, then waved his hand: "Let's go. The next time we meet, Major General, I'd be very happy if your lips were redder than they are now."

Lin Fu pressed down on the hat, adjusting its position, and bent down to pull on his gloves.

His pale lips curved into a faint smile: "Sure thing, big brother."

He strode into the port, joining the protective detail in their withdrawal and heading back to the warship, preparing to depart from the Imperial Capital Star.

Cheng Jiu suppressed the fluttering in his heart, chuckling to himself before finally letting a jubilant laugh escape his lips.