Chapter 98

Chapter 98

After hearing Shen Geng's words, Bai Xingshu instinctively went to mute the system, but...

Why wasn’t the system saying anything?

Bai Xingshu was stunned for a couple of seconds before hearing the system start wailing loudly:

[Host, you actually didn’t mute me! Oh my gosh, you didn’t mute me!!]

Bai Xingshu: […]

Fine.

He’d give the system what it wanted.

With cold indifference, Bai Xingshu tapped the mute button, then nuzzled slightly where his head lay against Shen Geng’s shoulder.

He tried to get a clear look at Shen Geng’s expression, but it was obvious his body wouldn’t obey him.

Bai Xingshu couldn’t see anything clearly—instead, the golden haze in his vision seemed to worsen.

Tsk.

He really wanted to know what Shen Geng looked like when acting all obedient and pitiful.

Bai Xingshu’s thoughts were slower than usual right now, but that didn’t mean he was totally out of it.

He knew.

He knew very well that Shen Geng’s whole routine—setting things up, playing for sympathy—was all part of some plan.

In this game of mutual understanding, both of them were fully aware that it had been Bai Xingshu who truly resolved the crisis.

Shen Geng’s words were nothing more than brazenly suggesting, *Look how hard I tried—how about showing me some appreciation?*

How could even his scheming be this cute?

Bai Xingshu chuckled, then teased Shen Geng, “So tell me… who should I like?”

To Shen Geng’s ears, those words sounded like Bai Xingshu was basically saying, *Are you asking me to like you?*

His own secret thoughts had been mercilessly laid bare.

In an instant, Shen Geng’s face flushed completely red.

Unable to see Shen Geng’s expression, Bai Xingshu only noticed how Shen Geng suddenly stopped breathing, his heart seeming to stop.

As if he’d been struck with complete shock.

Bai Xingshu lowered his gaze.

“Pfft.” He started laughing, leaning against Shen Geng’s shoulder as he laughed for quite some time before finally calming down. Then, he spoke again, “I promise you…”

Shen Geng snapped his head around to stare at Bai Xingshu.

What was Bai Xingshu implying?

After asking that question about who to like, what did it mean to say "I promise you"?

His heart hammered in his chest.

Then, Shen Geng heard Bai Xingshu's words immediately following.

"I promise you, I will definitely find..."

"A *elite Alpha* I like."

"I won’t take it lightly."

"You don’t need to worry."

"I would never... settle for less..."

Shen Geng listened as Bai Xingshu's voice grew weaker and weaker, until finally, his shoulder bore a sudden weight.

Bai Xingshu slumped against him, dead weight, and the man fell asleep.

Listening to Bai Xingshu's even breathing, Shen Geng: "..."

Utterly... rejected.

Shen Geng gritted his teeth and glared at Bai Xingshu, this heartless little jerk.

What kind of considerate person could lean on someone and fall asleep right after rejecting them?

Recalling Lin Lie, Song Xiyan, and Cheng Yunxi...

After shifting Bai Xingshu to let him rest easier, Shen Geng gave his cheek a sharp pinch.

This flirtatious jerk who never follows through!

Before Bai Xingshu asked him that question, Shen Geng had been able to hold himself back, avoiding thinking or dwelling on his own feelings.

But now...

After having the fragile facade he’d painstakingly built shattered, how was he supposed to move on?

Bai Xingshu, this magnet for trouble!

About an hour later, Bai Xingshu and Shen Geng were rescued.

But by then, Bai Xingshu was still asleep.

Showing no signs of waking up at all.

According to the system's earlier explanation, abilities were a manifestation of psychic energy. Once depleted, the body forces rest instinctively, recovering through sleep.

Thus, Bai Xingshu slept for an entire day this time, waking to find it still night.

But that wasn’t the scariest part.

The real shock was waking up surrounded.

Shen Geng, Wu Jigao, Junqian Factory’s Guard Captain, and Director Liu.

Bai Xingshu froze: "..."

Since when do you call in the parents?!

"Uh... hey?" Not daring to voice any protest, Bai Xingshu let out a strained chuckle as he greeted them.

Seeing that Bai Xingshu seemed unharmed, the Guard Captain sighed in relief.

For him, as long as no one was hurt, that’s what mattered.

He glanced at the two grim-faced adults beside him and jumped in to lighten the mood.

"It's good that you're awake. The doctor said you were just extremely exhausted—just get some rest and you’ll be good as new."

Though the words were directed at Bai Xingshu, they were really meant for the scowling Wu Jigao and Director Liu.

Kid’s okay—no need to come down too hard on him.

But to these two, the message sounded more like...

Bai Xingshu felt the weight of their gazes grow even more hostile.

To them, it probably meant: The kid’s physically fine, so feel free to let him have it.

Bai Xingshu: "."

Gee, thanks.

Seeing that the Guard Captain was about to continue, Bai Xingshu quickly cut in, asking him, "Is everything alright in the sealed-off area?"

The Guard Captain was promptly derailed from that train of thought. "It’s fine. Experts came later for an assessment—no gas leaks. All dangerous chemicals have been removed now."

"Since the incident happened so suddenly, the spies helping with the setup inside the factory were also caught."

"At first, those captured didn’t even realize they were being evacuated because of the explosives." After all, Bai Xingshu and Shen Geng had initially caused a wild goose chase with a crowd, making quite an impression on the factory staff.

Even the undercover spies were stunned.

Who the hell goes this hard?

It wasn’t until the factory explosion that they realized they were the ones being hunted.

"So they didn’t have time to transmit the new equipment’s data. Thank you for your contributions to Junqian Factory’s safety. I’ve already applied for service medals for you both."

Originally, the Guard Captain had intended to request cash rewards, but upon learning... these two were actually military academy students.

Well...

The Guard Captain recalled the earlier off-road madness led by Bai Xingshu.

Is this what they’re teaching now?

Baffled, the Guard Captain changed the reward application.

Since military academy students could be considered active-duty personnel, this incident was basically part of their job. No way they’d get cash, but medals were doable.

Hearing this, Bai Xingshu perked up.

Cash or medals—neither was what he cared about.

"So there's no punishment?!" Bai Xingshu felt like he'd been given a new lease on life.

He hadn't forgotten the endless list of rules Shen Geng had recited to him while waiting for the evacuation—violations that took them over two minutes just to list out.

Hearing this, the Guard Captain silently shut his mouth, looking at Bai Xingshu with wordless sympathy.

He had originally intended to bail Bai Xingshu out.

But this kid just had to stir the hornet's nest...

The Guard Captain closed his eyes, not daring to meet Bai Xingshu’s bright, triumphant eyes—the ones that seemed to believe he was saved.

He heard the mirthless chuckles from those two superiors.

"So you know you’d be punished?"

"You listened to the rules and regulations?"

"I wondered why we got off work on time yesterday—turns out it was just the calm before the storm!"

"Taking off your uniform after work and storming into a suspect’s place—who taught you that was okay?"

The two tag-teamed him with criticism, until Bai Xingshu ducked completely under the blankets.

Only his eyes peeking out, Bai Xingshu gave Shen Geng a pitiful look.

—*Save me!*

—*Help me—!!*

Shen Geng: "..."

Shen Geng looked away without a word.