Chapter 259: After Returning Home

Chapter 259: After Returning Home

Half a year after returning home.

"Hello, may I ask where the Minister is..."

"He's playing games."

"Then, may I ask where Deputy Minister Qin is..."

"He's playing a two-player game."

The Super Energy Affairs Processing Department in JiuZhou finally welcomed back its Minister and its Deputy Minister who had finally awakened. Despite their age difference of about ten years and their contrasting styles, they somehow worked exceptionally well together, often hiding in secluded corners to play games.

"I thought Deputy Minister Qin would be more serious, but he’s actually playing games with the Minister."

"I wish I could play games with the Minister too."

"Sigh, who wouldn’t? Let’s get back to work; at least we’re only separated by a wall."

The former Black Tower, now the Super Energy Affairs Processing Department Headquarters, was still bustling with people. It managed everything related to superhumans within the country—testing, education, employment, and crime. It also handled the entry, work, study, and crimes of foreign superhumans. Additionally, it oversaw the certification and review of supernatural schools. (Superhumans include psychics, mages, and other types of power users.)

Moreover, it dealt with super-powered pets, anomalous creatures, and mutated flora and fauna.

Even technological advancements, such as the recent mini-mecha warriors and the newly launched virtual reality games, fell under its jurisdiction.

Due to the vast scope of responsibilities, there were twelve deputy ministers, while Ji Xinghai was the sole minister and the stabilizing force.

Ji Xinghai did not involve himself in minor matters but required his approval for major decisions. Currently, there were no significant issues requiring his direct involvement. Fans from around the world tried to meet him through government collaborations, but it was almost impossible.

However, those who had collaborated with him could reach out privately to play games with him.

In the first month after returning, there were visitors almost every day, but apart from those who had collaborated with him, he refused to see anyone else, regardless of whether they were foreign politicians, religious leaders, or researchers.

After all, he was only eighteen and had the right to be capricious.

The people of JiuZhou restrained themselves from disturbing this national star, whose mental state was already fragile.

Especially those in the same city occasionally saw Ji Xinghai accompanying his father to buy groceries or walking with his mother in the park. Though they were thrilled, they pretended not to recognize him—some even took leave just to walk that route multiple times, hoping for a chance encounter.

To let Ji Xinghai enjoy a "normal and peaceful daily life," the people of JiuZhou demonstrated remarkable acting skills.

Those working at the Super Energy Affairs Processing Department were similarly composed on the surface, screaming inside, to ensure their minister felt safe and willing to come to work.

However, Ji Xinghai’s time at work was limited because he had decided to embark on a journey to another advanced civilization as an exchange student, bringing one family member along.

The family member had already been chosen.

For the country, there was no better choice than Qin Yu, who remained loyal despite becoming an anomalous being. Most importantly, Ji Xinghai did not object.

Few knew that Qin Yu had become an anomalous being; the public only knew that he sacrificed himself to join the Hungry Academy internally in spirit form, assisting Ji Xinghai and playing a supportive role.

In the end, when Ji Xinghai chose his final reward, he took Qin Yu with him, allowing him to return.

It was a mutual effort.

This was the version known to the public.

In reality, the transformation into an anomalous being was irreversible. Now, Qin Yu existed as another entity aligned with Ji Xinghai’s will. His physical body had dissipated upon return, making it impossible to go back.

But what did it matter?

They had secured the current flourishing situation, which was enough.

In the living room of the office.

"Dad, go!" In the small living room, the two held game controllers, playing a 2D fighting game. The cute snake JiaNiang coiled around them, sliding across the floor.

Since Ji Xinghai returned, the slightly clingy JiaNiang followed him everywhere. Fortunately, with the proliferation of mutant pets, various products catering to their needs were available, so Ji Xinghai bought a multifunctional pet carrier to carry JiaNiang around.

"Today is the release day of 'Hunger Game,'" Qin Yu suddenly remembered.

"Isn't Teacher Tata responsible?" Ji Xinghai casually grabbed a bunch of grapes, not looking back.

"He's the head of the Science Park, and his schedule is packed. He probably doesn’t have time. It should be the Holographic Research Institute handling it; they always complain about being broke, waiting for this game to bring in revenue."

"Oh, is that so?"

Tata and his partner were not accustomed to existing as virtual entities, so JiuZhou specially recreated mechanical bodies for them, indistinguishable from humans, complete with skin imperfections and hair. In return, they became the heads of the Science Park, focusing on holographic systems and combat suit development.

After Ji Xinghai returned, they reconnected with the Hungry Academy to develop a large-scale holographic game called 'Hunger Game,' incorporating all the scenarios experienced by students over the years.

Tata provided the holographic technology, JiuZhou supplied the equipment, and the Hungry Academy contributed the creative ideas. Players could choose specific scenarios or be randomly matched. Accumulated points from playing could be exchanged for equipment cards, similar to the previous exam modes.

If a player achieved eight consecutive wins, they could unlock the hidden scenario 'Battle of the Academy.'

Initially, they considered paying copyright fees to the Hungry Academy, but it turned out that the academy had already moved beyond such trivial gains.

Old Ji, having left Earth’s civilization, had become a rising star among lower-tier academies.

Though unlikely to encounter another exceptional case like Ji Xinghai, it now had sufficient resources to attract more promising civilizations.

However, the Hungry Academy proposed a suggestion: once students completed their studies in advanced civilizations, they could be introduced to the college system.

"Since you two are immortal beings, why not join the college family instead of being feared in your hometown?"

The Hungry Academy might seem unreliable, but it understood everything.

Now, Ji Xinghai is living as a hero, but this generation will eventually grow old. The new generation hasn't experienced all of this and doesn't have such deep feelings. Seeing that Ji Xinghai neither ages nor dies, some might inevitably turn from love to hate.

So it's better to leave an exit early, giving each other some dignity.

The academy system is not just composed of morally ambiguous academies; there are also positions like 'Civilization Observers' and 'Civilization Screeners.'

The Blue Star civilization was first discovered and recorded by 'Civilization Observers.' When signs of evolution emerged, screening teams came to confirm, and only then did the Hungry Academy draw its number.

In short, it is a relatively complete system.

After listening, Ji Xinghai remained silent for a long time. But he didn't immediately agree: "Let me say goodbye to my parents first."

Life is short, barely a hundred years. If it weren't for his parents hoping their child would spread his wings and have his own sky, Ji Xinghai wouldn't have agreed to study in a higher civilization. So he certainly wouldn't leave the Blue Star civilization while his parents were still alive.

"Best two out of three! Two wins!" Ji Xinghai put down the game controller. Despite it being an outdated flat game, he still played it with great joy and had to give it his all.

Qin Yu looked at the game controller in his hand. He lost in the virtual mech battles the day before yesterday and in the ring toss yesterday. It seemed today would be the same...

"Again!"

Qin Yu raised his head: "I've already lost." Best two out of three, and he had already lost two; the last match didn't matter anymore.

"What does it matter? Don't you like it?" Ji Xinghai asked?

Facing his straightforward gaze, Qin Yu felt inexplicably timid, like a shadow peering at the sun, which would dissipate upon exposure but couldn't help but yearn.

"I do."

"Then let's play again."

They played another round. Under Ji Xinghai's unyielding operation, Qin Yu still lost the match by half a health bar.

He silently watched the fallen avatar on the screen, and after a long while, suddenly looked up.

Even after losing so many rounds, he still wanted to...

Before Qin Yu could finish his thought, Ji Xinghai suddenly leaned over and kissed him. Those eyes, already like whirlpools, instantly turned into spirals, making his soul float away, melted by the sun.

"Sorry, you smelled too delicious, so I couldn't resist tasting you. Do you mind?" The person who did something wrong asked so boldly.

Qin Yu's head was almost smoking.

"Can we do it again?" he asked. The upright officer had become an abnormal creature willing to do anything for his goal, so even with smoke coming from his head, he still asked seriously: "Please, can we do it again?"

At quitting time, the office door opened. Ji Xinghai, who had been playing games on the company's dime, walked out, with Qin Yu following half a step behind. They exuded a unique aura that others found hard to penetrate.

"Time to go home, everyone."

"Yes, Minister," the staff members responded formally, standing up. But once Ji Xinghai's figure disappeared, the quiet office erupted.

"Ahhh, Brother Hai talked to me, he's so dazzling! And he smiled so beautifully."

"It was worth fighting through so many competitors to get here." This staff member was nearly moved to tears. These were all Oscar-worthy actors, so calm outwardly, yet their hearts were pounding.

"Still, Brother Hai seemed particularly happy today, his voice was a semitone higher."

"Did they play fishing games today?"

The platform outside the top floor of the Black Tower had been converted into a floating car parking area. They got into a fully autonomous car, set their destination, and soon arrived at the city's largest shopping mall.

"Two large original yogurt ice creams with Oreo crumbs and chocolate sauce, to eat here. One medium vanilla ice cream and one medium matcha ice cream, to go, please."

The ice cream shop attendant's cheeks were as red as apples, her heart pounding loudly, but her slightly trembling hands steadily held the knob, creating two towering ice cream cones, drizzling them with chocolate sauce, and sprinkling Oreo crumbs.

"Two large ice creams, two medium ice creams, total 172 credits, thank you for your patronage."

Ji Xinghai paid, took one himself, gave one to Qin Yu, and carried the other two.

They then went to the supermarket, bought many ingredients, and returned home.

Ji Father and Ji Mother hadn't come back yet. By the time they arrived, the table was already filled with exquisite dishes, each looking like it was made by a five-star chef.

And when they sat down, Ji Xinghai cheerfully presented the ice creams and fruit platter: "I washed every grape myself."

"Wow, what's the occasion today? So much delicious food?" Ji Mother noticed Ji Xinghai's intention and asked with a smile. Her son rarely showed such attentiveness, reminding her of how obedient he was when he did something wrong.

But what could he possibly do wrong?

Ji Father also thought about it but wasn't worried at all. How could such a well-behaved child do anything wrong? He probably just wanted to be good to them.

"Dad, Mom, didn't you say you liked Qin Yu and wished to adopt him as a godson? I helped you adopt him; we're family now." Ji Xinghai sat down and dropped the bombshell.

"Oh, and the dishes were cooked by him," he pulled the stiff Qin Yu over, "Call them Mom and Dad."

Snake Jiantang, who had been eating without lifting his head, instinctively looked up: "Dad!"

Ji Mother and Ji Father: ...

Stimulating.