Chapter 72: Traveling Together

Chapter 72: Traveling Together

Compared to Carol's excitement, Ji Jing appeared quite calm, especially since he had already heard about Locke's situation beforehand.

"I was originally planning to return to Imperial Star with Locke, but it seems like they need him here more, so I came here first instead," Ji Jing explained with a smile.

Carol nodded, "Indeed, things have been a bit chaotic in terms of battle command during General Tang En's absence these past few days."

He wanted to ask Ji Jing how he ended up with Locke and where he came from, but considering his status, he didn't think it was appropriate to pry. Instead, he simply asked, "So, are you staying here for a while?"

Ji Jing shook his head, "No, this is a military base. It's not convenient for me to stay here. I'll be heading back to Imperial Star tomorrow."

Carol's eyes flickered with expectation, "I'm also returning to Imperial Star for convalescence. Would it be convenient for us to travel together?"

Ji Jing nodded, "Sure, no problem. Did you get injured? Is it something that can't be treated here?"

He had noticed Carol's pale complexion earlier, but Ji Jing didn't ask too much. Since Carol brought it up, however, he took the opportunity to inquire.

Carol replied, "I sustained some injuries, but I'm mostly healed. It's just... there are other issues that require some time to recover."

Seeing the flickering in Carol's eyes, Ji Jing guessed it was probably due to the removal of his glands. "Oh, I see. I'm planning to drive Locke's Deep Sea back. Do you want to join me?"

Carol nodded, "Is that okay? That would be great, thank you."

Ji Jing smiled, "No problem at all. It'll be nice to have some company on the way."

After leaving the cafeteria, Ji Jing didn't wander around. To avoid causing trouble for William, he headed straight back to Locke's quarters.

What he didn't know was that the gossip about him and Locke had spread like wildfire across the space base.

Someone had secretly taken photos and videos of Ji Jing and shared them in a group. Within an hour, they had been forwarded eighteen times. Amidst the tension, everyone's gossipy curiosity was burning fiercely.

Unlike ordinary citizens on the interstellar network, the people of the First Legion actually had a favorable view of Ji Jing and Locke's relationship.

Hadn't they noticed that General Tang En wasn't as serious when handling military affairs lately? Even when someone made a mistake, his scolding wasn't as harsh as before.

And Ji Jing's Alpha pheromones were so strong, clearly marking a silent warning from Locke Tang En to everyone else: He's mine, stay away!

Locke didn't return to his quarters until late at night, by which time Ji Jing had tired himself out playing on his computer and unknowingly fell asleep on the sofa.

Locke gently carried him to bed and took a quick shower before quietly slipping in beside him.

He thought he had been careful enough, but the moment he lay down, the seemingly asleep Ji Jing rolled into his arms.

Startled, Locke looked down in the dim light and saw that Ji Jing's eyes were still closed. He was just unconsciously rubbing against Locke's chest like a coquettish cat.

It was really hard not to have possessive thoughts about such a little succubus, and Locke was no exception.

His emotions felt torn in two. One half of him rationally warned: Don't fall for him; succubi will betray you.

The other half argued just as fiercely: So what if he's a succubus? He's mine now, and he'll only be mine in the future!

As the two conflicting thoughts tugged at each other, the irrational half eventually won out, and Locke unconsciously tightened his hold on the person in his arms.

It wasn't until Ji Jing let out an uncomfortable whimper that Locke suddenly loosened his grip.

The next morning, Locke and Ji Jing had breakfast together in the cafeteria. Ji Jing took the opportunity to mention his departure.

With the possibility of war breaking out at any time on the Capital Region frontlines, it was indeed neither convenient nor safe for Ji Jing to stay at the base.

"I'll arrange for Roberts and Jones to escort you back to Imperial Star," Locke said.

Ji Jing shook his head, "Really, no need to trouble them. I can manage. Carol is traveling with me."

Locke was momentarily taken aback and then somewhat gloomily said, "Alright, then when you get back to Imperial Star, just stay at my place. I've already given you the highest access before. You're essentially the other master of my home now."

Ji Jing smiled and said, "I'll take care of feeding Dahua and Xiaohua for you."

As for staying there, he still preferred to stay at his own place.

Previously, due to the public opinion stirred up by Ed Grace, many misinformed people had surrounded Ji Jing's house, posing a threat to his safety, which was why he had moved into Locke's place.

Now that so much time had passed, those people should have already left.

After breakfast, Ji Jing prepared to leave. Locke, without any hesitation, held his hand and escorted him to the Deep Sea mech, radiating an aura of reluctance to part.

Carol, standing with his travel bag, felt a little awkward witnessing this scene.

Fortunately, General Tang En still valued appearances. After a few parting words and a kiss on Ji Jing's forehead, he let him go.

The black mech initiated first, clearing nearby obstacles and ensuring there were no Zerg lingering around the flight path before signaling the deep blue mech that it was safe to proceed.

In the next moment, the deep blue mech, ready to go, shot out of the base's magnetic shield like a skyrocket.

Outside the magnetic shield, the black mech stopped advancing and hovered in place, giving a knight's salute to the Deep Sea. The Deep Sea responded with a flying kiss before speeding away without hesitation.

Inside the black mech, as he watched the Deep Sea disappear into the vastness of space, Locke couldn't help but silently facepalm—

As a pregnant man, couldn't he be a little more steady?

At that moment, inside the main control room of the Deep Sea mech, Ji Jing, seated in the pilot's seat, observed the flight path while sneaking glances at Carol, who was watching him from the side.

It was... a bit awkward.

"There's a rest room below. The room near the stairs is mine. You can pick any of the others."

After all, Ji Jing had rolled around with Locke in that room just a couple of days ago, so it wasn't appropriate to let someone else use it.

Carol shook his head, "It's okay. I'm not tired. I'll just keep you company."

Actually, he more wanted to replace Ji Jing in piloting the mech. He had also learned mech operation. However, this mech was Locke Tang En's personal unit. Without his authorization, Carol couldn't control it at all.

Ji Jing wasn't in a hurry. After successfully passing the first jump point and entering the Rose Galaxy, he switched the mech to semi-automatic flight mode. Although the speed would be much slower, with the assistance of the intelligent system, he could save himself a lot of effort.

Seeing Ji Jing idle, Carol spoke in slight astonishment, "I didn't expect you to be able to pilot a mech."

According to what he knew, Ji Jing had graduated from the Royal Omega Academy and had married Ed Grace shortly after graduation. Before this, he had almost never left Imperial Star. The fact that such a hothouse flower could now pilot a mech and travel through the vast universe was truly amazing.

Ji Jing smiled modestly, "I just learned it from Locke a couple of days ago, so I'm not very proficient yet."

Carol was somewhat surprised. When Ji Jing took off earlier, he almost stumbled. At that time, he had thought Ji Jing did it on purpose, but was it because he wasn't proficient?

"To be able to control it on your own after just two days of learning, you're really amazing!"

Ji Jing smiled without saying anything.

He felt a bit awkward. After all, their relationship was inherently antagonistic, like that of a legal spouse and a mistress.

However, Carol's gaze toward him seemed a bit... subtle.

As expected, the next moment, Carol tentatively asked, "Perhaps it's a bit presumptuous, but may I ask, are you and General Tang En really together?"

Although the strong Alpha pheromone scent on Ji Jing made Carol feel uncomfortable sharing the same space with him, he still couldn't help but want to confirm.

Ji Jing smiled and looked at him, saying, "Yes, we are."