Chapter 54: Feels Nice

Chapter 54: Feels Nice

"What did you give him?" Rong Mi walked up to Lu Yi and felt his pulse at the side of his neck.

After confirming that Lu Yi's vital signs were normal, he lifted his head and asked with a cold tone.

Lu Tianxing: "…"

Lu Tianxing glanced at the Silver Wolves on high alert, not recognizing the small one as the juvenile form of the mighty Silver General.

Thus, he turned his attention to inspect Rong Mi without reserve. "Are you the person Xiao Yi has been waiting for?"

"He's unwell, running a fever. It's so late, yet you still made him stay here and maintain his spirits just to wait for you?"

Rong Mi tilted his head slightly.

"You think so?" Rong Mi examined Lu Tianxing's expression. "So you want to take him back?"

"Although you're Lu Yi's uncle, you don't have the right to do that."

"Did you know me?" Lu Tianxing asked in curiosity. "Lu Yi mentioned me to you?"

"We've conversed," Rong Mi replied casually.

During their journey to the capital planet, the Admiral had briefly introduced his family background to him.

Both his parents had died in battle, leaving only two close relatives behind.

One was Elder Lu, who was also Lu Yi's maternal grandfather. The other was Uncle Lu Tianxing, a doctor at the military hospital, about a decade older than Lu Yi. When Lu Yi was young, both his parents and grandfather were preoccupied with military affairs. Thus, he grew up under the care of Uncle Lu Tianxing until he started junior high school.

"I'm delighted to meet you," Rong Mi greeted Lu Tianxing politely. His demeanor was courteous, but his actions were not so harmless.

Rong Mi walked over to the passenger seat and manipulated the control panel, using his authority to interrupt Lu Tianxing's driving and changing their route. He calmly said, "It's late. I'll take you to the nearest public flight station."

"Are you trying to kick me out?" Lu Tianxing remained unperturbed, maintaining his usual warmth. "Lu Yi might not be too pleased when he wakes up."

"He's sleeping soundly now due to the side effects of the potent nutrient serum."

"I suspect Lu Yi is unaware of the significant side effects of the nutrient solution you provided." Rong Mi landed the aircraft smoothly, equally courteous as he held the door open for him. "We'll discuss it when he's in a less pleasant mood."

Lu Tianxing shrugged.

"I'll come back tomorrow morning to check on Xiao Yi," he said amicably as he stepped out of the aircraft. "Are you sure you want me to leave now?"

"If you hadn't insisted on my departure, I could have finished a thorough examination on Xiao Yi tonight and prescribed more effective medicine."

"Let's wait until he wakes up," Rong Mi suggested. "I'll convey your message."

With that, Rong Mi closed the aircraft door right before the young man.

The youth promptly drew the blackout curtain, blocking Lu Tianxing's view.

The aircraft lifted off again. Rong Mi activated the autopilot and went to Lu Yi's side, feeling his commander's forehead temperature and sighing softly.

Ayin sniffed around the aircraft, confirming that no one else was present. The wolf then leaned against Rong Mi's feet, relaxing and lying down.

Seemingly worn out, the wolf narrowed its eyes, resting its head on its forepaws.

Rong Mi looked down at it, recalling Ellen's words that ever since Lu Yi was severely injured in the mental battlefield, the wolf had been extremely cautious around others.

It wasn't surprising that Ayin was so vigilant.

After all, even his own kin had taken advantage of Lu Yi's trust to drug him.

Although Lu Tianxing had given a sedative out of concern for Lu Yi's well-being, Rong Mi didn't wish for the other to remain near the Admiral when he was not fully conscious.

The aircraft smoothly landed in Lu Yi's apartment complex.

Rong Mi gazed at Lu Yi for a moment before supporting his shoulders, attempting to lift him up.

The Admiral was half a head taller than him, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs – a physique that others would envy.

As Rong Mi's arms circled around his waist, almost as if possessed by some unseen force, he shifted his grip slightly.

He tentatively touched the Admiral's abdominal muscles.

Rong Mi: "..."

Lost in his thoughts, Rong Mi didn't quite know what he was pondering.

But he reached out to touch anyway.

The Admiral was still asleep, and his abs felt soft, not revealing their defined shape under his touch.

Yet, the sensation was pleasant.

Rong Mi: Well, maybe... I should check out his pectorals too?

As Rong Mi indulged his curiosity, the butler robot rushed out of the apartment. Its electronic eyes scanning Lu Yi's condition, it promptly activated the medical robot.

A white medical robot emerged swiftly from the apartment, accompanied by a compact mobile medical bed that extended from its side.

Rong Mi got back to business. He withdrew his hand, gently helping Lu Yi onto the medical bed. Turning his head, he noticed the Silver Wolves staring intently at him.

Rong Mi: "..."

Silver Wolves: "..."

Rong Mi: "..." He whispered, "Good boy, Ayin. Don't tell him I secretly touched him."

After all, petting a wolf was still within the norm, but petting a person... it was just a bit peculiar.

Ayin: "..."

Ayin: "...Ahh."

While wolves might remain silent, it didn't mean that Lu Yi wouldn't "look back" at what they had seen.

Ayin felt a momentary guilt.

Behind Ayin was the big lion Sandel. On top of the lion's head sat a fluffy white ball, which was none other than the gem rabbit Damon.

On the flying vehicle, Rong Mi had feared that Damon would be uncomfortable staying in her coat pocket all the time, so she had summoned the rabbit out.

At first, Damon was extremely frightened of Sandel. However, it gradually realized that this golden-haired lion was listless and obedient to both Rong Mi and the Silver Wolves, not daring to do anything to the rabbit. Thus, Damon timidly extended its exploratory rabbit paw.

When they landed the vehicle, Damon the rabbit had already made a nest on Sander's head.

Rong Mi: Damon Rabbit's danger radar is indeed very accurate.

Like the Silver Wolves, Sander hunted exotic beasts, but under normal circumstances, he would never consider star beasts as his food.

Rong Mi snapped a photo of the rabbit and the lion and sent it to Chen Shu. He then fetched some apples from the fridge for the robotic butler to chop and feed to the rabbit, and grabbed a few slices of exotic beast meat for the wolf and the lion.

In Rong Mi's vicinity, the household medical robot was bustling with activity.

It first tended to Lu Yi, then scanned the wounds on Sander's body, hurriedly dressing the lion's injuries while chasing after the Thunder Lion that was following Rong Mi around.

Looking at his three star beasts, Rong Mi let out a contented sigh.

He stretched, somewhat tempted to sprawl on the sofa, surrounded by fluffy creatures for stress relief, but he remembered that there was still a patient upstairs.

After a brief struggle, the young man got up and headed upstairs to Lu Yi's bedroom.

He was momentarily stunned by the scene inside.

Upon detecting that Lu Yi was unconscious, the medical robot seemed to have activated an internal protocol, promptly connecting the general to a life monitor. A series of life support devices were arranged around Lu Yi's bedside, though the tubes were not yet connected, the insertion points were already secured on the general's body, ready for immediate life-saving intervention.

Rong Mi: "..."

The scene appeared rather ominous.

He pressed his lips together, then approached the bed, lifting the corner of Lu Yi's blanket, intending to remove the attachments from the general's life support devices.

His fingers delved into Lu Yi's collar, touching the general's chest.

Suddenly, Rong Mi felt the muscles beneath his palm tense up.

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi turned his head, meeting Lu Yi's gaze.

The general had just awakened, his brows deeply furrowed due to the lingering headache and dizziness caused by the sedative.

He slightly raised his head and reached out, loosely grasping Rong Mi's wrist.

The young man sighed, "I'll help you remove the... implant. Don't move around. What's wrong with a touch? It's not like I'm taking advantage of you."

Lu Yi: "..."

He lay back on the pillow, closing his eyes to alleviate the dizziness in his head. He calmly asked, "Just now as well?"

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi turned his head to look at him again, filled with disbelief.

No way! The young man was incredulous. Had Ayin really divulged the secret that quickly?

But the wolf had just promised not to tell Lu Yi about it!

Rong Mi's ears tingled with a slight flush.

After all, he himself wasn't entirely sure what thoughts had crossed his mind while touching Lu Yi's abs.

Yet, the mecha pilot remained composed, unperturbed even in the face of a crisis like a mountain collapsing before him.

He cleared his throat and casually replied, "Yes."

"That was just now too."

He lied without any guilt, swiftly removing an inserted device.

Lu Yi: "...."

Staring at the young man's profile, Lu Yi observed for a moment before ultimately deciding not to pursue the topic further.

He rubbed his forehead, allowing Rong Mi to fuss over him as he slowly absorbed the wolf's recollections.

Currently in a state of leave, he had delegated all military affairs; he wouldn't intervene in any investigations or pursuit operations for the sake of his fishing trip.

Rong Mi removed all the implants from his body and, afterwards, flicked the spatial button at his neck, gesturing to Lu Yi, "Yadai's corpse is with me."

"No one in the military has been informed about this yet," Rong Mi said. "The Academy is still under lockdown, and we haven't even caught a glimpse of the culprit."

"I'll hold onto the items until the matter is resolved," Lu Yi stated.

Lu Yi: "I'll do it."

Rong Mi glanced at him and teased, "Don't trust me?"

"No," the general's response was straightforward, "It's dangerous."

Holding the spatial button with Adice's remains was like painting a target on oneself. Once discovered, one would become the next victim.

"In that case, it's even more dangerous for you to have it." Rong Mi returned the spatial button to his collar, "You're still a fish waiting to be hooked. Don't let them catch you all in one go."

"After all, you're not as skilled in combat as I am."

Lu Yi: "..."

Lu Yi fell silent for a moment.

Evidently wanting to refute, but then realizing there's no grounds for contradiction.

"If you're not satisfied, just focus on recovering your health," the young man smiled. "Once you've healed your mental domain, we'll have a match."

He put away the life support equipment. "By the way, you're aware of the side effects from the medicine Lu Tianxing gave you, right?"

Lu Yi: "..."

Lu Yi's headache intensified.

In the past, he had a great relationship with Lu Tianxing. In recent years, due to his constant deployment in war zones, their communication had lessened, causing some distance between them.

...But he never would have imagined that the other party would resort to such actions.

For a moment, Lu Yi found himself amused, thinking that perhaps he had placed too much trust in Lu Tianxing.

"{Rong Mi} said, "He originally intended to come with us to the apartment, but I made him get off the aircraft."

The young man paused, then spoke honestly, "The kind where you say sorry on the surface but don't actually feel any remorse."

Lu Yi: "..."

Lu Yi couldn't help but smile.

"I won't be upset." He met Rong Mi's candid gaze and chuckled, shaking his head. "Thank you."

The Admiral straightened in his seat and initiated communication with Lu Tianxing.

Rong Mi didn't wish to eavesdrop on Lu Yi's private conversation and returned to his own bedroom next door.

Upon opening the door, he paused for a moment and looked back.

Footsteps followed him – the wolf had left Damon Rabbit and Sandel Lion in the living room to trail Rong Mi up the stairs. It strolled over gracefully, brushing against Rong Mi's ankle before squeezing into the bedroom and surveying the space inside.

Rong Mi smiled, watching its retreating figure, and said, "Your fur seems a bit dirty, Ayin. Would you like a bath?"

He had just bought a variety of new shampoo flavors at the Star Beast supply store that morning!

Ayin: "Huh?"

Ayin halted, quite tempted.

Unlike most star beasts, Ayin was an exceptionally cleanliness-conscious wolf.

Rong Mi wasted no time and scooped the cub into the bathroom, filling the bathtub with warm water. Just as he did, his wrist communicator vibrated.

The young wolf was tiny, with its body submerged underwater except for its neck. Its fur gradually became soaked, looking both pitiful and adorable.

As Rong Mi squeezed shampoo into the water, he absentmindedly opened the communicator to find a communication request from Lu Tianxing, accompanied by a message.

"I got scolded by Xiao Yi."

"I spoke harshly just now. That was my mistake. Sorry about that."

Rong Mi formed a bubble pile on the wolf's head, kneading them together.

The silver wolf gazed at him with its ice-blue eyes, letting out a low whine as it submitted to his actions.

Rong Mi swiftly replied to Lu Tianxing's message: "You're welcome."

"Don't forget to apologize to Lu Yi."

Lu Tianxing responded swiftly, sending a long string of ellipses.

Rong Mi was disinclined to ponder his meaning and dismissed the communication, scooping up another handful of foam to pile onto the Silver Wolves' back, then began to massage it.

Silver Wolves: "....Woof."

"So handsome, Ayin, so obedient! You'll just have to eat more from now on." With its fur soaked, the wolf appeared significantly smaller, its face slender, which prompted Rong Mi to reach out and rub its chin affectionately.

Rong Mi thoroughly cleaned the furry creature, rinsed away the soap suds, then wrapped it in a towel, carrying it over to the newly purchased dryer.

Seeing the wolf snugly wrapped in the towel, with only its head exposed, Rong Mi found it too adorable and couldn't resist planting a kiss on its forehead.

Ayin: "Woof!"

"It's a sneak attack," said Rong Mi as he placed the wolf inside the dryer and closed the door.

The wolf's fur fluttered about in the blowing air, causing it to circle half-heartedly before turning back to gaze at Rong Mi through the transparent door.

After a moment, the warm breeze began to lull it into drowsiness.

The wolf curled up and lay down, squinting its eyes, only to suddenly open them again, looking back at Rong Mi as if to ensure the young man remained within its sight.

Rong Mi found his appearance utterly adorable. She propped her chin on her hands, watching him from outside the device, and chuckled. "What's wrong? Never used a dryer before, huh? Are you scared to be in there as a wolf?"

The wolf was oblivious to Rong Mi's words. It wagged its tail and tilted its head, as if asking her to speak louder.

"Sleep if you want," Rong Mi changed her seating position and leaned forward slightly, mouthing, "I'm here."

As she spoke, her communicator on her wrist vibrated again.

Assuming it was still Lu Tianxing, Rong Mi glanced at it impatiently, only to see that the message came from the mecha pilot, Gu Ming.

"Woah, that was a brilliant slap in the face!" Gu Ming's tone was filled with excitement and indignation. "Let those Deep Space Resonance fans squirm! I really don't get it, have they had their brains drained by Ice Butterfly?! They still try to justify such blatant mass manipulation and even dare to curse at you! ...Deep Space Resonance is just disgustingly awful!"

Rong Mi: "..."

Rong Mi was completely oblivious to the events unfolding on the Star Network and responded with a puzzled question mark.