Chapter 45: Howling Wolves (Combined)

Chapter 45: Howling Wolves (Combined)

In the main vessel, apart from the weekly cleaning day, household robots were not authorized to enter individual quarters, let alone bring in water or mental energy supplements.

This domestic robot was clearly led in by the pack leader.

Rong Mi had been indulging in his fight, and it wasn't until he saw the replenishment medication on the robot's tray that he felt a faint ache in his mental domain.

It was a negative aftermath of having his mental power excessively squeezed and fully unleashed.

It wasn't severe and could easily be overlooked at first. Even if left untreated, the consequences wouldn't be severe: the pain would likely intensify after half an hour to an hour, but after enduring a dull ache throughout the night, it would pass.

Similar to the mild muscle soreness one might experience after light exercise, it would fully recover within a day, potentially even increasing the strength and endurance of one's mental power.

Of course, if the mental energy supplement could be taken promptly, one would reap the benefits of exercise without enduring those hours of discomfort.

"Ow," the Silver Wolf howled softly, nudging Rong Mi's ankle as a signal for him to take the medication immediately.

Rong Mi lowered his gaze to look at it, hesitated for a moment, then reached out to scoop the wolf up into his arms.

"Ayin is so well-behaved!" Rong Mi murmured.

...Such a docile and fluffy creature was truly vulnerable to being bullied.

There was something he had been longing to do, holding back time and again until this day. He could barely contain himself any longer!

Rong Mi placed the wolf on his lap, belly-up, facing the sky.

The wolf crooked its front paw, placing it on Rong Mi's palm. Uncertain of what the young man intended, it leaned to the side, lifting its hind leg as if preparing to roll over.

With breathtaking speed, Rong Mi buried... his face into the wolf's neck, rubbing his own neck against the wolf's belly, inhaling deeply!

Inhale deeply!

Wolf: "..."

Wolf: "???"

Wolf: "Aaaoooww!"

Rong Mi had always approached the wolf gradually, content with patting its head, rubbing its neck, and playing with its paws.

He knew that for hunting-type Star Beasts, their bellies were off-limits; it could hinder the establishment of trust with the furry creature.

But... he just couldn't resist!

The wolf's body was warm, and its abdominal fur was incredibly soft, offering an irresistible texture.

Rong Mi inhaled deeply, wanting more.

He was convinced that the wolf would forgive him!

Wolf: "... Aaahwoof!"

Ayin was caught off guard by the sudden action.

The wolf extended its front paws and pushed against Rong Mi's arm in refusal. It wanted to struggle but was wary of accidentally scratching him with its claws. Its tail swished, and a series of whimpers escaped its throat.

It knew that Rong Mi would never pose a threat to it.

...Yet, the youth's presence was too close, too evident!

Human bodies have a slightly cool temperature, delicate skin on their cheeks and neck, and beneath that vulnerability, the subtle pulsing of blood in the carotid artery.

Too intimate.

It doesn't enrage the wolves, but it does unsettle them.

Rong Mi was aware that such an opportunity might not present itself twice in a short span, so after indulging to his heart's content, he lifted his head.

By the time he released his grip, the wolf's fur was wildly disheveled.

The Silver Wolves were furious, swiping fiercely at Rong Mi's neck with its tail, then heavily stepping on his thigh before leaping off his knee. It bypassed the domestic robot still standing in front and swiftly exited the training room without casting a single glance back.

Rong Mi observed the adorable, bristled back of the Silver Wolves: They were indeed enraged.

It was unclear if she was infuriated enough to report the matter to her master.

Thoughtfully, Rong Mi consumed a mental energy replenisher.

Then, he stood up to "check on the guest" and confess his actions.

It wasn't just a simple room check or confession.

The wolf was well-behaved, but Ayin couldn't possibly access the Star Network, let alone know that Rong Mi had just exhausted his mental energy in a fight.

On this starship, only Lu Yi was aware of the incident.

Rong Mi softly clicked his tongue.

Some people were careless with their own health, accumulating injuries, yet they were meticulous in taking care of others.

When such attention came from Ayin, Rong Mi felt as if the wolf had gently brushed against his heart.

It was warm and fuzzy, with a slight tickling sensation.

An indescribable emotion.

*

When Rong Mi knocked on Lu Yi's cabin door, the man was leaning against the headboard of his bed.

The room was dimly lit, illuminated only by a lamp beside the bed.

Lu Yi wore a loose robe, with a mechanical book at his side, seemingly abandoned mid-read. One hand still rested on the spine of the book, while the other draped across his waist and abdomen. He lifted his gaze to meet Rong Mi's.

His ice-blue eyes held a profound, enigmatic look.

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi was absolutely certain that Ayin had come to complain.

As he pondered this, he scanned the room but found no trace of the Silver Wolves.

Lu Yi withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "I knew you'd come. Leave."

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi cleared his throat.

"Let's not make it a habit," he raised his hand, vowing first, "I'll do my best to restrain myself!"

Lu Yi didn't comment either way.

He had no idea why the young man was so fond of physically interacting with the Silver Wolves.

But based on his understanding of Rong Mi... such self-restraint was almost impossible to achieve.

Once there's one, there will be a second; and after a second, there will be countless more.

The young man was quite daring.

With a calm expression, Lu Yi reiterated to Rong Mi, "Wolves are not toys."

"I know," Rong Mi explained, "I like it, I respect it, and I would never force it to perform against its will... It was really just a momentary loss of control this time!"

He inquired of Lu Yi, "How angry was the wolf?"

Lu Yi remained silent.

To say that the wolf was furious... that wouldn't be quite accurate.

Perhaps it was merely frustration from being embarrassed.

The wolf didn't object to Rong Mi's proximity.

Just like how he... wasn't that averse to it either.

The admiral didn't respond, and Rong Mi inferred that the wolf must be quite upset.

As he pondered how to soothe the wolf, he approached and, bending down, reached under Lu Yi's hand to retrieve the mechanics manual.

"It's time for bed, patient," he said, exceeding his duties as a therapist. Holding the book in his hand, he suddenly paused.

"Why do you look a bit flushed?" Rong Mi moved closer to examine Lu Yi's complexion, concern etching his features. "Are you running a fever again?"

As he spoke, he reached out to touch Lu Yi's forehead.

Lu Yi's fingers resting by his side twitched gently.

The young man had leaned in rather closely, so close that his breath softly brushed against Lu Yi's cheek.

In that instant, Lu Yi recalled the sensations he had just received from the wolf, causing his body to subconsciously tense up slightly.

"Rong Mi," he spoke softly, stepping back slightly, "you're not burning anymore."

"Not as high as before," Rong Mi corrected Lu Yi's statement, flipping through the records of the medical robot on one side and furrowing his brow.

"The low fever hasn't completely subsided; there was a slight rebound in temperature this afternoon. Thankfully, it dropped again during the night... When we get to the Capital Star, you really need to see a doctor," he said, not retracting his hand but instead leaning in closer, whispering, "don't move. Let me check your mental domain again."

He scanned Lu Yi's mental domain, dispersing the newly formed whirlpools in his mental sea and soothing his spirit.

A pale blue glow flashed in the dark expanse of space outside the cabin.

That was the indicator light emitted from a defensive checkpoint on the outskirts of the Capital Star region.

Such lights served as a signal, symbolizing that they were less than a day's journey away from the Capital Star.

As the healing session concluded, Rong Mi straightened up, catching a glimpse of that glimmer in his peripheral vision.

"No fish have bitten the bait yet to enter the Capital Star Region," the young man scoffed. "Seems like I'll have to wait until we're inside the Capital Star to deceive my target."

The original owner had once owned a luxurious apartment in the Capital Star.

Burdened with debts, he sold it to pay them off and rented the cheapest accommodation in the outskirts of the Capital Star.

The space was roughly the size of a single occupancy cabin on a starship; a bed would make it cramped, leaving no room for personal belongings except under it.

With the original owner's debts now cleared, Rong Mi had no intention of staying there any longer.

Grooming the fluffy wolves took priority!

He resolved to seek lodging at Lu Yi's place.

As a therapist, he felt no guilt asking for this favor, and Lu Yi readily agreed.

The still-miffed Silver Wolves turned their rear ends towards Rong Mi, remaining silent.

Despite the wolf's sulking, it still spent the night in Rong Mi's rest compartment.

However, to distance itself from Rong Mi, it moved its sleeping spot from the foot of the bed to the farthest sofa away from it.

Before bedtime, the wolf ignored all of Rong Mi's attempts at reconciliation, squatting on the sofa and refusing to let him approach. Its ears pricked forward, vigilantly watching the young man until he turned off the lights and got into bed.

With no other choice, Rong Mi pretended to sleep with his eyes closed, waiting a long time before daring to sneak a peek.

He saw the Silver Wolf curled up and asleep on the sofa, its face nestled against its hind legs – a guarded posture that hadn't been seen since its arrival in Rong Mi's rest compartment.

Rong Mi: There's a price to pay for sneaking up on fluffiness.

A few minutes later, the Silver Wolf, deep in slumber, forgot about tonight's episode.

In the familiar cabin filled with Rong Mi's scent, the wolf's subconscious trust won out. It gradually stretched out its body, lying on its side with its vulnerable belly exposed.

Rong Mi blinked once.

So obedient.

Rong Mi let out a silent sigh of relief.

However, the incident of sneaking a kiss from the wolf didn't seem to be easily dismissed.

The wolf still refused to communicate with Rong Mi when it was awake.

No amount of coaxing with its adorable, fluffy appearance, deemed the handsomest and loveliest in the world, worked. It only left Rong Mi with a stubborn back view.

...Unaware that the round, plump back view of the cub made one crave to hug and rub it fiercely.

The wolf seemed to be giving the cold shoulder, yet it didn't distance itself from Rong Mi. It still appeared around the young man as before, but without getting too close. It maintained an aloof and noble demeanor, expressing its rejection.

Rong Mi: I get it now! This is actually a way of pouting and waiting to be coaxed.

No problem at all. The wolf has the right to act this way!

As Rong Mi diligently stroked the fluffy fur, the starship was approaching the capital planet.

At dawn on Capitol Star, the First Legion's Squad One passed through checkpoint after checkpoint, verifying their clearance before descending.

Rong Mi held out a snack canister in a gesture of friendliness to the Silver Wolves. As he turned his head, he saw the planet outside the viewport, magnified and looming large.

The starship was entering the planet's atmosphere, its engines throttling down for a continuous deceleration, ultimately landing at a high-altitude military airspace port above the eastern district of the capital.

The hatch opened, and Squad One marched out in formation.

They would transfer here to high-altitude flyers, escorting Adelle's remains onward to the Research Institute.

Lu Yi was also supposed to head to the Research Institute, then report to the military headquarters afterward. However, due to his "serious illness," he had excused himself from these engagements, directly boarding a private flyer for his penthouse villa.

A swift vertical elevator, stretching over a kilometer high, connected the airspace port to the ground.

An automated flyer, already instructed prior to the landing, was waiting at the elevator entrance.

Rong Mi boarded the vehicle and gazed at the distant, terraced cityscape of humanity.

It was early morning on Capitol Star.

Vast structures, numbering close to a thousand tiers, rose elegantly from the ground, their arrangement a harmonious blend of order and disorder.

The ascending morning light pierced through the city, illuminating this grand spectacle.

Within the city, every hundred floors were interconnected by skywalks. These connectors housed suspended gardens and deep plazas. Adjacent to them were specialized elevators designed for high-speed and low-speed aerial vehicles to switch lanes.

The rush hour had arrived, and the aerial routes were bustling with a multitude of vehicles. Many, in a hurry to reach work on time, exceeded the speed limit, only to be promptly reminded by traffic software after passing speed cameras, prompting them to decelerate hastily.

As they passed the business district, the crowd on the ground pathways visibly swelled. A bright yellow, self-service breakfast cart stood roadside, divided into sweet and savory sections at the front and back, while beverage dispensers occupied the sides. It was surrounded by pedestrians, its semicircular windows spewing out an array of breakfast items.

This was the authentic metropolis of humanity.

A planet truly belonging to humans.

Rong Mi sat by the window of the aerial vehicle, his gaze fixed on the scene below, his emotions intertwined.

He was deeply engrossed, not noticing Lu Yi rise from beside him and take his place at the pilot's seat.

The admiral disengaged the autopilot, manually maneuvering the aircraft to switch to a low-speed trajectory and approach the landing pad on the ground.

In the midst of their recent strife, the Silver Wolves, for the first time, approached Rong Mi willingly. With a gentle leap, he replaced Lu Yi, settling beside Rong Mi in his seat, looking up at him.

Ever since the starship descended into the planet's atmosphere and landed at the spaceport, Rong Mi had been unusually quiet.

His emotions were stirred, involuntarily recalling too many scenes.

He remembered the treatment room and battle preparation chambers aboard the "Divine Lady" flagship during the era of interstellar nomads.

He recalled the city ruled by Ice Butterflies and the enslaved humans seen from afar.

He thought of his comrades, tormented by genetic diseases, their faces etched with pain and despair during his time as a therapist.

He also remembered the distorted face of his roommate, the mechanic who loved crafting, when he fell in battle.

And there was that ever-glowing virtual star map on the dome ceiling of the flagship's central chamber.

It symbolized their longing and unwavering belief to find their way back home.

After being reborn, the fleet had been sailing through the universe. Despite making a few stops at space stations for supplies, it wasn't until this very moment that Rong Mi suddenly and vividly realized he had stepped onto the place that every nomad in the interstellar era yearned for.

That was the homeland, in the timeline of his past life, which countless people had paved with blood and ashes but could never reach.

"Ooof."

Lost in his thoughts, Rong Mi suddenly felt a weight on his leg.

He looked down and saw Silver Wolves' paw resting on his thigh, not applying much pressure, as if offering comfort.

Startled, Rong Mi subconsciously wrapped his arm around the furry creature, stroking its back.

Only then did he realize that the cold-shouldering wolf had made a complete one-eighty in its attitude and was now actively seeking reconciliation.

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi: "What's going on?"

The wolf let out a soft growl and laid down on Rong Mi's leg, allowing him to pet it without protest. Its eyes grew half-lidded from the affectionate touch, yet it remained motionless.

Rong Mi bent down to look at it, realizing something from the wolf's behavior.

Ayin seemed to have sensed his distress and had come specifically to cheer him up.

Rong Mi: "..."

He paused in his actions.

"Ao?" The wolf turned its head, its icy blue eyes meeting his gaze.

Rong Mi couldn't help but smile.

Did he look that upset?

"Ayin is so considerate..." He sat up straight, lifting the wolf to eye level, and gazed at its furry face, politely asking, "Could... could I get a little kiss?"

"One kiss, and I won't be sad anymore."

Ayin: "..."

Lu Yi: "..."

Silver Wolves: "Oooh?!"

The wolf's eyes widened slightly, its howl sounding perplexed.

"Like this." Rong Mi lowered his head, planting a gentle kiss on the wolf's forehead.

Rong Mi: Aroma!

In the driver's seat, Lu Yi's hand suddenly clenched, causing the flying vehicle to jolt momentarily.

Rong Mi didn't notice, assuming it was just a normal turbulence from air currents.

He reached out to rub the wolf, finding its dazed expression too adorable to resist. He leaned down for another kiss.

Furry! Aroma!

Lu Yi: "..."

Silver Wolves: "..."

Silver Wolves: "Ahh!"

The wolf nudged Rong Mi's arm, not a fierce struggle, but more like a reproach for Rong Mi's promise of "just once" leading to a second assault.

The young man held the wolf's paw, kneading it gently, his mood brightening. He suppressed the grim images in his mind and looked anew at the thriving metropolis.

Though his power was insignificant alone, he had Lu Yi, the military, Rong Yan...

There was still hope.

The aircraft was decelerating for landing. By the time Rong Mi regained his senses, they had already landed at a ground-level station.

Rong Mi lifted his head, somewhat puzzled. "We've arrived? This is still a commercial district. Aren't we going straight home?"

Silent, Lu Yi stood up from the pilot's seat, stepped forward to stand before Rong Mi, and bent down. From the storage compartment on the inner side of Rong Mi's seat, he took out a black leather collar.

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi: "??"

He looked up at Lu Yi, his confusion mirroring that of the Silver Wolves just moments ago.

Lu Yi: "Appearance Concealer."

He unclasped the necklace-like device.

Rong Mi's online popularity was already considerable. It would be wise to wear a concealer to avoid any hassle while out in public.

The General lowered his gaze, holding the clasp between his fingers. As he leaned in to put it on Rong Mi, the fabric of his military uniform brushed against the younger man's nose.

Rong Mi: "Uh...!"

By the time he spoke, Lu Yi had already effortlessly placed the concealer around Rong Mi's neck.

The General's fingers gently swept across the nape of the young man's neck, adjusting the length of the concealer's band. Then, he secured the clasp and softly pressed the center, activating the device's concealment mode.

Due to his low fever, Lu Yi's fingertips were slightly warmer than Rong Mi's body temperature.

The general's finger lingered with an almost imperceptible touch, so vivid despite their instant separation that Rong Mi couldn't help but tremble slightly.

It was like being jolted by an electric shock.

Rong Mi: ...

Just as he was about to protest, Lu Yi straightened up and took a step back.

The general, unperturbed by the "forced kiss," felt a subtle satisfaction, which curved the corners of his lips in a faint smile.

"Go down and enjoy yourself," he said.

Since boarding the aircraft, Rong Mi had fixated on the window, as if gazing at a flawless exhibit through a shop window.

Desiring possession yet knowing it was unattainable.

No barrier was insurmountable, especially this one, which seemed particularly easy to breach.

Lu Yi simply halted the aircraft.

"Take Ayin along. Don't close the concealment device," he said calmly. "I'll wait for you here."

*

Rong Mi didn't venture too far.

He crossed the road from the landing spot and queued up at a pale yellow breakfast stall to order, with the wolf nestled in his arms.

Rong Mi knew that Ayin disliked crowded and noisy environments, so he initially didn't intend to bring the wolf down with him.

But Ayin insisted on following.

Rong Mi guessed that Ayin, having been away from the safe star region for so long, was curious about the outside world and wanted to scout the environment, hence his insistence on coming down.

So, he wrapped the wolf up in his jacket and brought it off the flying vehicle. The zipper of his jacket was slightly unzipped, revealing the wolf's head.

It wasn't particularly eye-catching, but those who saw it were hit by an adorable barrage of 10,000 points.

"Woah woah woah... This is too cute...!"

"What breed is this puppy! Its fur color is so lovely! I want one too."

Those standing around Rong Mi kept stealing glances and whispering to one another.

Rong Mi offered a polite smile to each of them, gently declining their requests to touch the wolf.

Ayin's claws delicately hooked onto the lining of Rong Mi's outer garment, expressing a hint of displeasure.

Ayin is not a dog.

The wolf countered within.

Though it disagreed with the humans' words, its ears remained pricked attentively, catching every sound around it. Its nose twitched gently, subtly sensing the energy fluctuations in the air.

It obeyed Lu Yi's commands and followed its own will, knowing exactly what it should do.

Protect Rong Mi.

Even in this seemingly harmless place, threats could lurk unseen.

To discern the icy butterfly insects among the crowd, it had sought advice from Damon the rabbit.

Rabbits act purely on instinct, unable to articulate their methods, so the wolves couldn't possibly learn how to distinguish insectoids from bunnies.

Rong Mi was studying the breakfast menu displayed at the food stall's window.

On starships, living quarters were scarce, and humans consumed nutrient solutions while wolves had nutrient bars. But now that they were on the capital planet, things had clearly changed.

Rong Mi found the menu dizzying.

Before disembarking the aircraft, he had inquired about Lu Yi's preferences. The General simply replied that he wasn't picky.

Such an attitude posed a significant challenge for Rong Mi.

After some deliberation, he selected the category filter, requesting a light and sick patient's meal. He then scanned each image of the results before finally ordering a bowl of chicken porridge for Lu Yi.

Switching back to the initial screen, he pulled out a wolf claw from his pocket, closed his eyes, and randomly pressed buttons with it.

Silver Wolves: "..."

A high school student, who had been covertly watching the Silver Wolves from the adjacent queue: "..."

The wolf glanced at Rong Mi and proactively tapped its paw on the top right corner of the screen.

Thus, the random display mode of the menu was switched to the ranking mode by popularity.

Ayin's fluffy paw swiped across the screen, quickly browsing through the bestsellers for Rong Mi before tapping the bottom right corner, leading straight to the payment interface.

Ayin howled softly.

The wolf wanted to pay, but wolves didn't have communication bracelets.

Opening her eyes, Rong Mi: "..."

Peering from the neighboring queue, a curious high school student eager to see what the lucky wolf's paw had chosen: "..."

"Sob... Too... Too cute... Sob! How can there be such an adorable puppy!" The student, who had been holding back, couldn't resist any longer. "It even knows to sort by sales! So clever! Does it know how to read?! It seems much smarter than a typical star beast! ——"

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi originally didn't intend to explain much to a stranger, but sensing the accumulating dissatisfaction in the wolf's heart, he eventually corrected the misunderstanding, "It's not a puppy."

"It's a Star Beast of the Wolf Clan."

Icefield Silver Wolves were a rare breed, easily attracting attention when mentioned.

However, other varieties like White Wolves and Gray Wolves were more commonly seen.

Fortunately, Ayin was still in its juvenile form, making it difficult to distinguish by its fur color or physique.

"Ahh! It's a wolf-wolf!" The high schooler exclaimed excitedly, his enthusiasm soaring, "Wolf Clan Star Beasts are not easy to raise! I follow a wolf pet owner on the Star Network! I've heard they're very picky about their food and supplies."

"Um... you must be new here, right?" Seeing that Rong Mi was unsure what to order for breakfast, the high schooler warmly suggested, "On Capital Star, people mostly keep cats, dogs, and bunnies. Pet stores selling items for hunting-type Star Beasts are quite rare."

"But I know of one not far from here! ...Would you like me to show you?"

Rong Mi: "....Yes!"

After a few seconds of hesitation, Rong Mi nodded resolutely.

When people have food to eat, how can wolves survive solely on energy bars?

A minute later, Rong Mi was seen strolling across the road towards the aircraft landing pad, his right hand carrying several large bags of breakfast, while his left hand held equally large packages of wolf food, toys, and grooming supplies. He engaged in conversation with the high school student as they walked.

"Young man, let's exchange contact information," the high schooler, obviously an extrovert, proposed. "Do you have a social profile where you post pictures of your wolf? It's really adorable... Even though I don't have a wolf at home, I do have a little wolfdog. If you have time, we could take them to the Star Beast Park together!"

As he spoke, he rolled up his school uniform sleeve, revealing his communicator, eager to swap contact numbers with Rong Mi.

"No need for that..."

Rong Mi was about to decline, but then she noticed the tattoo on the teenager's wrist as he rolled up his sleeve.

Five dots represented the stars, with an equilateral triangle connected at their base.

Rong Mi: "...."

...The Ice Butterfly Symbiosis Association?

Was this high schooler a member of the Ice Butterfly Symbiosis Association?

He maintained his composure, lifting his gaze to meet the other's, and casually remarked, "That tattoo design looks great."

"Do you like it?" The high schooler exclaimed, "It's the new emblem for the music boy group 'Echoes of Deep Space'! Their music is super cool! Do you want to give it a listen?"

"This is a temporary tattoo; I specially ordered it from the Star Network, and it just arrived. I'm trying it out today to see how it looks! Hey, I have some extras... I'll give them to you!"

"Echoes of Deep Space has a garden concert tonight. I'm going to support them!"

Rong Mi hummed in response.

"Let's exchange contact info." He placed his communicator close to the high schooler's, and their numbers automatically synced. He casually glanced down at it.

"'First Mech Master of the Future'?" he read out the nickname on the contact.

"Oh," the high schooler said, a bit embarrassed. "My name is Marco. You can call me Little Mark or Little Ko... I just love piloting mechs. I joined a mech club... the most famous one on the Capital Star, the Lyra Mech Club. I thought, if I improve drastically, maybe I could join the military someday."

"Sure," Rong Mi smiled. "I have that dream too."

"Right!" Marco's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but say, "You like mechs too! What a coincidence! Have you joined the club as well? Want to have a sparring match? I'm free every afternoon after school... umm..."

He didn't pay much attention to Rong Mi's communication profile, only speaking eagerly. However, mid-sentence, his excited voice suddenly faltered.

It was as if a tape had suddenly become stuck, producing a faint screech.

Confused, Rong Mi followed Marco's abruptly wandering gaze and saw a spacecraft parked at the outer edge of the landing pad.

The silver-gray craft shimmered under the freshly risen sun, drawing ample attention.

Even more striking was the figure leaning against it.

The man had an unremarkable appearance, dressed in a standard shirt and pants, but exuded an intimidating aura.

With his arms crossed, he silently lifted his gaze to observe the approaching group. His expression was cold, his ice-blue eyes fixed on Marco. Though his gaze seemed ordinary, it instinctively made people shut their mouths.

Marco: ... Why is this guy looking at me!

He had never encountered such a person before, but in one glance, he knew this was someone not to be provoked.

The high schooler swiftly averted his eyes, turning his head with a wary expression. He quickly whispered to Rong Mi, "M, let's change direction. There's someone over there who doesn't seem friendly..."

High schoolers have boundless imagination. In an instant, they conjure up countless movie and novel scenarios.

"Don't look that way, you know we can't meet his gaze..." He reached out to pull Rong Mi back.

Before the young man could speak, the wolf had already pushed its way out of his clothes, leaping from Rong Mi's chest and dashing towards the "dangerous individual" whom the high schooler dared not even glance at again.

Ayin: "Woof!"

It let out a short howl, stopping at Lu Yi's feet before turning its head back to Rong Mi.

Rong Mi raised an eyebrow, vaulted over Marco, and in a few strides stood before Lu Yi, who was also wearing a face-concealing device. "What did the wolf say?"

It sounded as if it was tattling.

He hadn't done anything wrong just now!

Lu Yi shifted his gaze from Mark to look at Rong Mi. Without answering Rong Mi's question, he simply stated,

"The friend you just made is too scared to come over."

Rong Mi turned his head for a glance.

"Its other owner," he introduced to Marco, "A good person, just looks fierce."

Lu Yi: "..."

Marco: "..."

Marco: ...Are you sure it's just the appearance of fierceness?

The high schooler mustered up his courage to look at Lu Yi, then at Rong Mi. He observed Rong Mi and then the wolf circling around their feet.

Suddenly, Marco understood.

"Oh-" He nodded, enlightened.

These two must be a couple! Otherwise, why would they raise a wolf together?

Wolf Star Beasts were incredibly loyal and wouldn't acknowledge just any two individuals as their owners.

"May I ask," he scratched his head, still not daring to look directly at Lu Yi, and whispered to Rong Mi, "What does your... partner do?"

Rong Mi didn't clarify their relationship. He felt it would be more polite not to abruptly reveal their connection.

"We're both professional mecha pilots in a club team."

Assuming the pause was just a stumble over words, Rong Mi gave a partially true response.

"Wow!" Mark's eyes lit up. "Professional mecha pilots! The kind that compete in club leagues! That's amazing!"

"Not really," Rong Mi replied casually.

"Go to class. We have something to attend to." Waving at Mark as a farewell, he then took Lu Yi's hand, signaling him to hurry into the flying vehicle.

"Why is your hand so cold? Didn't you wear a jacket? Why are you standing out here?" As they turned around, Mark heard Rong Mi mutter softly. He then nudged aside and placed a warm porridge into the hands of the person beside him.

"I was waiting for you," Lu Yi said calmly.

He had heard the wolf's complaint. Specifically, he had disembarked early from the flying vehicle to see how someone could come back from buying breakfast, chatting amiably with another person shoulder-to-shoulder.

A young man.

Frank and passionate, unlike himself, a terminally ill person riddled with ailments.

Lu Yi held the spoon, not adding anything more to the conversation.

It was good for Rong Mi to make friends.

Lu Yi knew himself well.

The more he cherished something, the more irrational his desire to possess it became.

But such negative thoughts shouldn't be displayed openly.

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi: "I can't get lost again."

He found it somewhat amusing, holding the wolf in his embrace. He took out a piece of jerky from the puppy breakfast pack he had just bought to feed it. With his other hand, he opened the breakfast bag, grabbed the wolf-print pancake that the wolf had touched, and took a bite.

Delicious.

Rong Mi was highly satisfied.

He let out an appreciative growl and took another large bite, leaning back in his seat. He nudged Lu Yi with his shoulder and said, "I'm going to attend that 'Deep Space Echo' concert tonight."

"It might be related to the Ice Butterfly Symbiosis Association, but I can't be sure..."

Handing the pancake to one hand, he freed the other to reach up and caress the nape of Lu Yi's neck, unfastening the disguise device's clasp.

The black leather collar dropped onto the seat, and in the next moment, a purple glint appeared at the tip of Rong Mi's finger.

A thin purple psychic chain emerged from his fingertips, looping around Lu Yi's neck.

Loose and ethereal, the chain solidified into a necklace resembling a delicate amethyst collar once its hue stabilized.

Half of Rong Mi's body leaned against Lu Yi's, one hand holding the collar of his shirt, gently tucking the psychic chain inside Lu Yi's clothes and adjusting its position.

Sitting somewhat awkwardly with a pancake still in one hand, he rubbed his arm inside the general's collar back and forth for a while, ultimately concealing the psychic chain entirely within the folds of Lu Yi's shirt collar.

"Maintain your secrecy, put on a safeguard. Acting as both armor and a tracker, you can use your own mental energy to create a barrier if you wish to conceal your whereabouts from me."

He chuckled and said, "Mainly because I'm worried that someone might try to snatch you up while I'm away... We can't afford to lose the bait before catching the fish."

Lu Yi: "..."

With his eyes lowered, Lu Yi remained silent. He grasped Rong Mi's wrist, gently pulling the young man's wandering hand out from the collar of his shirt, away from his neck and collarbone.

It's crucial. Sen*Wan*Zeng*Edited

The admiral subtly shifted his posture, crossing his legs to conceal a subtle change in his body. He spoke briefly, "You're taking the wolf with you."

Rong Mi found it amusing. "Is Ayin your wolf or mine?"

Of course, he wanted the fluffy companion, but despite its small size in its juvenile form, the wolf was quite capable in combat.

He felt that Ayin would be more suitable as Lu Yi's "bodyguard."

Lu Yi's gaze swept over the silver wolf, who was tilting its head to chew on a piece of jerky. He countered with a calm voice, "It likes following you."