Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Amid the bustling crowd, Kewen withdrew his gaze from the large screen. He looked into the distance again, his eyes sweeping over Howard behind the crowd, then suddenly stood up and walked out.

Click.

On the second-floor balcony, Kewen lit a cigarette in the wind. The flame illuminated his face for a moment before extinguishing. Soon, steady footsteps sounded behind him, but he didn’t turn around. He casually bit the cigarette, his worn-out leather shoes kicking the cigarette butt left by someone on the ground.

"Long time no see, Kewen."

Howard's voice was as pleasant as ever.

Exhaling smoke slowly, Kewen chuckled, "The word 'good' doesn’t apply to us. When I came to the Imperial Honor Military Academy, I knew I’d eventually run into you, but honestly, I still don’t want to see your face too much."

"I know."

"There’s nothing left to say between us. I was the one who chose to leave back then."

Howard smiled faintly, "You should hate me for a lifetime."

"..." Kewen closed his eyes and took a deep drag. The ember burned rapidly to the end. He shook his hand to remove it, the sensation of smoke filling his lungs giving him a slight sense of relief. Then he said calmly, "Yes, I should hate you for a lifetime." After a pause, he added, "Stay away from my son."

There was no response from behind. Kewen frowned, displeased, and was about to continue when Howard spoke, "I refuse."

His tone was gentle, but each word carried the arrogance of someone in power.

In his youth, Howard appeared to be a ruthless and highly guarded young man, but contrary to his appearance, he was actually soft-hearted and easily swayed by others' requests. At least, Kewen’s insolence had never provoked his anger. However, over the years, time had gradually sculpted his demeanor into one of amiability and kindness, while also stripping away that part of his mercy.

"He is my child. Whether you admit it or not, I have the right to care for him." Howard stood tall, his gloved fingers twirling the ring on his thumb—a gesture of determination. But then he softened his tone, "Don’t worry, I won’t tell him about our relationship. Perhaps he’ll never know who I am until the day I die."

"As a student of the Imperial Honor Military Academy, he has a long road ahead. Even if he doesn’t need me now, when he approaches the central star and enters the storm of power, he will definitely need me."

"...I won’t let him go to the central star."

Howard smiled, "Darling, you’re still as stubborn as ever. You’ve already lost control, haven’t you? Today’s broadcast will ensure that everyone remembers his face and name. He will inevitably become the focal point of everyone’s attention."

"You—" Kewen suddenly realized something and turned sharply, "Are you paving the way for him?"

Howard shook his head, "I’m just adding fuel to the fire."

Kewen, furious, rushed forward and punched Howard in the face!

"If he gets hurt, I’ll drag you to hell with me!"

A dull thud echoed as Howard’s handsome face quickly swelled and bruised, the skin scraped raw by the punch, making him look particularly disheveled. He didn’t resist, allowing Kewen, who was half a head shorter, to grab his expensive tie. After staring at his face for a long time, Howard whispered, "You should know, being able to go to hell with you would only be a compliment to me."

"You damn... bastard!"

Kewen shoved him away forcefully and strode off.

...

Yi Ye felt as though he had been asleep for a long time. During this period, voices kept coming and going, then fading into silence. After an unknown amount of time, a faint fragrance wafted past his nose, and someone softly called his name. It didn’t sound like Bai Chuan, Kaiser, or Eugene... not any of them.

"Yi Ye, junior..."

The male voice was warm and elegant.

Yi Ye groggily opened his eyes. The room was draped with curtains, softening the light that filtered through the stained glass windows into a gentle glow that enveloped the space. The youth, just waking up, hadn’t fully regained his senses. His eyes were misty, making him look soft and adorable, as if one wanted to hug and cuddle him.

Peide lowered his gaze and poured him a cup of warm tea.

"Thirsty? Would you like some?"

Yi Ye blinked, and Peide handed the teacup to his lips. Without thinking, he drank from Prince Peide's hand. The warm red tea flowed through his stomach, making his whole body feel relaxed and warm. Only then did he let out a soft "ah" and fully regain his senses.

He opened his eyes wide, struggling to accept the fact that he had been fed tea. He quickly scooted back on the soft, elastic mattress, reaching for a lace pillow and instinctively hugging it to his chest.

Peide found his actions quite amusing, as if he were ready to die rather than yield, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Do you remember fainting during the simulation duel?"

Yi Ye: "I think so."

"Today is the second-to-last day of the military academy league. You fell into a coma and didn't wake up for a long time. Principal Howard was worried that the school hospital's facilities weren't adequate, so he sent you here to recover. Counting the time, today is already the third day."

Three days? It's been that long?

As the conversation unfolded, Yi Ye gradually let down his guard against Peide and sat up cross-legged.

He was wearing the pajamas Peide had prepared for him, with lace trim on the collar and cuffs, his black hair falling over his shoulders.

Peide subtly observed him and said slowly, "The methods used by Lion Feather Military Academy are quite unique and can have certain side effects on the human body. Coincidentally, you suffered the most severe side effects. It's fortunate that you only needed three days to recover."

Yi Ye pouted. His luck was truly bad.

"What about the results for those from Lion Feather Military Academy?"

"Still under evaluation."

"You guys are that slow? Three days and still no result?"

Peide raised an eyebrow: "The normal process is actually quite fast, but many people are trying to intervene, so it's hard to reach a conclusion. However, Principal Howard should be able to secure a generous compensation for you, so don't worry about that."

Yi Ye didn't say anything more. From what Nick had told him earlier, it was clear that the military academy league committee and Lion Feather Military Academy were colluding behind the scenes. But the situation was too complex and volatile, and as a lowly student of the Imperial Honor Military Academy, getting involved would only bring trouble. It was better to just take some compensation and console himself.

Peide then briefly recounted the events of the past few days, and Yi Ye roughly understood the situation. During his coma, Bai Chuan and others had come to see him, but the aerial residence wasn't open to students of the Imperial Honor Military Academy, so they couldn't enter. He knew they must be worried, so he fumbled around the bedside and found his terminal. As soon as he turned it on, a flood of notifications came pouring in, making his eyes hurt as he tried to reply to each one.

When he got to the third message, he suddenly stuffed the terminal back under the pillow.

Peide: "Not replying anymore?"

Yi Ye: "Tired."

Yi Ye: "My brain has already replied."

Peide: "Pfft."

Yi Ye: "Don't laugh. What kind of tea did you just give me? It was really good. I want another sip."

Peide turned to pour him more tea: "If you like it, I'll have someone send you a pack. It's a rare treasure from Emerald Star, priced at 7 million interstellar credits for 500g. The taste is indeed excellent."

Yi Ye's hand holding the teacup froze.

A simple cup of water now felt as heavy as a mountain.

He then tilted his head back and drank it all.

"Do you like it that much?" Peide was somewhat surprised.

Yi Ye covered his stomach, forcing a smile: "No, mainly because drinking it makes me feel like I've appreciated in value."

If brewing a cup of tea requires 5 grams of tea leaves, then he just drank 70,000 interstellar coins. My goodness, he's terrifyingly expensive now.

While Yi Ye was lost in thought, Peide got up and brought over a plate of pastries, placing them by the bedside. Yi Ye squinted and tentatively asked, "These aren't expensive too, are they?"

"How expensive can pastries be?" he retorted.

...True, they couldn't possibly cost millions per piece.

"However, the pastry chef charges by the hour, 200,000 interstellar coins per hour."

Yi Ye: Damn! Ah!

After encountering the exorbitantly priced pastries and tea, Yi Ye could no longer look directly at any furnishings in the room. Even the pillow in his arms felt like it was sewn from top-grade silk. He tearfully denounced the detestable capitalists while tightly clutching the pillow with its exceptionally comfortable and appropriate resilience. He swore that being able to remain unconscious for three days must have been due to this pillow.

"Your uniform has been cleaned and placed beside you. If you plan to go out, remember to let me know." He paused, then added, "I'll also have a new pillow made and sent to you."

Yi Ye didn't expect his little thoughts to be discovered and quickly let go, adopting a modest demeanor of declining a red envelope: "No need, no need, it's too much trouble for Your Highness, I couldn't possibly accept it."

"You just won a victory for the Imperial Honor Military Academy, these things are well deserved. After you leave the mansion, I'm sure the gifts won't be any less, so please accept it."

Yi Ye laughed, holding his forehead: "Since Your Highness is so kind, it would be impolite of me to refuse again, so I'll accept it."

Hehe. Got a nice pillow!

So engrossed in the joy of obtaining the pillow, Yi Ye didn't realize one thing. His uniform had been cleaned, so who had changed him into these pajamas?

But he didn't recall, and Peide naturally wouldn't remind him, just smiling silently as he watched the youth's eyebrows rise, thinking: After all, isn't it safer for him to change the youth's clothes rather than letting an outsider do it?

*

When leaving the Sky Mansion, Yi Ye was as cheerful as a little hamster returning with a full load, carrying bags filled with sweets and tea leaves. Prince Peide had offered to have them delivered, but Yi Ye decisively refused, feeling more at ease carrying such expensive items himself.

He leisurely walked back to the dormitory, his body fully recovered to its peak condition after three days, so even if Ling Pei suddenly appeared to drag him on a weighted cross-country run, he wouldn't be fazed.

But just as he arrived in front of the C Zone dormitory, Yi Ye suddenly noticed a large crowd ahead.

"What's going on?"

He hid behind a tree with his bags, noticing people of all kinds, from nobles wearing top hats to reporters with long guns and cameras. Since it was still during the military academy league, external personnel with invitations could enter, but he didn't expect them to block the dormitory building. Who were they waiting for? Kaiser?

"There he is!"

Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, and then Yi Ye saw a zombie-like horde charging towards him.

Yi Ye jumped up in alarm: Damn, they're after me!

He immediately raised his bags and ran. Regretting not having Prince Peide arrange a flash delivery, why did he bother carrying this himself!!

"Don't chase me!" Yi Ye shouted as he ran, "What I'm holding is very expensive! Don't chase me!"

The crowd completely ignored his words, chasing him desperately. A wave of "zombies" rapidly closed in on Yi Ye, with someone hysterically shouting: "Student Yi Ye! Please let me interview you, just this once, I beg you!"

Yi Ye: Let you interview me? Dream on!

Yi Ye ran swiftly, his feet flying as he quickly ducked into the nearby teaching building. As he was about to circle through the corridor, a hand suddenly reached out from a door and pulled him inside!

"Where is he? Did you see that student of the Imperial Honor Military Academy?"

"He definitely ran in here. I'll go this way, you go that way, we must find him today, there won't be another chance tomorrow!"

...

On the other side of the wall, the sound of footsteps quickly faded away.

Yi Ye leaned against the wall, letting out a sigh of relief, and placed the two bags down. He then nudged the person beside him with his elbow.

"Hey, you don't live here—ugh!"

A hand suddenly clamped down on him, and Yi Ye was knocked straight to the ground. The hair tie holding his black hair came loose, and his long hair cascaded down. He hissed in pain, meeting Eugene's fierce eyes.

Eugene was like a beast crouching over him, his broad shoulders like a fortress, sealing off all possible escape routes. A sense of danger abruptly closed in, and Yi Ye's lips tightened, especially when he noticed the unrelenting anger and ferocity in Eugene's eyes. He inwardly cursed, realizing things were not looking good.

This guy seems to hold a grudge.