Chapter 57: Confession * Commendation

Chapter 57: Confession and Commendation

Under the faint, scattered light.

Qi He’s figure was fluid, his muscles elegantly powerful, shimmering with a soft glow.

Yan Chuanbai paused for several seconds before walking over.

He lowered his gaze, taking in those clear, bright eyes and delicate lips. He released a held breath heavily: "…What?"

Qi He met his intense gaze.

He didn’t know how to entice either. After a moment’s thought, he looked up and said, "If you want something, go ahead and take it."

Yan Chuanbai’s eyes changed abruptly.

Two seconds of silence.

The next moment, his gaze swept over him! Qi He felt a strong force push against him. He didn’t resist, and with a "thud," he was pressed down onto the bed behind Yan Chuanbai—

His back sank into the soft bedding.

Yan Chuanbai’s tall figure hovered above him, one hand pinning his wrist above his head, the other wrapping around his waist from behind. He lowered his eyes and whispered:

"Are you serious?"

A jolt of electricity shot up Qi He’s spine. Instinctively sensing danger, he still met Yan Chuanbai’s gaze: "…Yeah."

His lips were sealed a second later: "Mmph."

Unable to restrain the intensity in his brows, Yan Chuanbai kissed him fiercely. Like a siege, he was enveloped in intense heat. Qi He’s breathing grew ragged.

After the overwhelming kiss, Yan Chuanbai drew back slightly.

Qi He caught his breath, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Yan Chuanbai moved to his neck, his breath hot and rapid: "What does this mean? I was going to go easy on you today…" His trembling voice almost brushed against Qi He’s skin.

What? Qi He tilted his head slightly.

Before he could think further, kisses trailed to his ear and neck, sending shivers through him. Pinned beneath, in the dim light, only the outlines of their bodies and the curve of Yan Chuanbai’s shoulders were visible.

He still remembered to follow the "plan."

Then, he gently wrapped his leg around Yan Chuanbai’s waist. The man above him jerked! Yan Chuanbai pushed himself up, looking down with a fierce, excited glint in his eyes:

"What’s wrong, taking the initiative?"

Qi He paused.

He finally realized what was off: they were already in this kind of relationship, so to Yan Chuanbai, this wasn’t seduction—it was "initiative."

—He excelled at all strategies and analyses. But emotions weren’t data; they couldn’t be referenced or learned.

The steps were wrong.

What now? Stop or continue?

Yan Chuanbai, aroused beyond restraint, leaned down again.

Qi He’s fingers trembled. He tilted his head back—amid the waves of shivers, his heart stirred even as he clung to his original purpose.

A momentary lapse caught Yan Chuanbai’s attention, causing displeasure.

A sharp pain at his ear! Qi He was brought back to the moment: "Mmm."

Yan Chuanbai released his bite, eyes dangerous: "…Distracted at a time like this? What are you thinking?"

Then, an even fiercer kiss consumed him.

Qi He endured Yan Chuanbai’s uninhibited advance, his natural instincts taking over. As their lips and tongues tangled, his eyes grew moist: they’d already started—should he give up now?

His mind grew hazy with desire, more intoxicated.

His vision focused and unfocused. Wrapping his arms around Yan Chuanbai, he struggled to maintain clarity in the overpowering sensations.

What should he do…

Something he wouldn’t normally do…

Suddenly, he gasped and drew away.

Qi He looked up, impulsively gathering his resolve: "Yan Chuanbai... do whatever you want to me."

Yan Chuanbai jolted! His expression changed.

Almost uncontrollably, his knuckles clenched for two seconds. But he held back, staring deeply at Qi He:

"…What’s wrong with you?"

If it were him, he’d never put himself in a vulnerable position.

Even in something like this.

Qi He’s eyes lit up, pressing further.

He grabbed Yan Chuanbai, his lips already swollen from kissing, and leaned close to his ear: "I’m yours."

Yan Chuanbai was at his limit. He ducked his head, breathing heavily, then looked up fiercely: "…As much as it pleases me."

He lifted Qi He’s chin, staring directly with a predatory intensity, "But normally, you should say, ‘You’re mine’—"

"Right, Qi He?"

Qi He felt unmoved when he said it himself.

But Yan Chuanbai’s words genuinely excited him.

His gaze flashed with heat for a moment before he suppressed it, continuing to lead. But anything more explicit wouldn’t come out. He was accustomed to being in control; "do whatever you want" was already his limit.

Qi He took a steadying breath, then guided Yan Chuanbai’s hand to his body. He didn’t speak, just stared straight ahead.

Yan Chuanbai couldn’t stand it. "Qi He, who are you torturing?"

Sweat dripped from his forehead, dampening his brows, giving him a drenched, predatory aura.

They held each other's gaze for a moment.

"You…" Yan Chuanbai’s lips moved, as if hesitating, probingly staring at Qi He, "is there a reason you’re doing this?"

—Finally.

Qi He let out a breath and looked back. "Yes."

Yan Chuanbai’s breath caught several times.

Sensing the meaning behind Qi He’s eyes, he forced himself to hold back, paused for two seconds, and then continued asking:

"Is someone requiring this of you?"

Qi He, behind his defenses, replied, "The script."

Yan Chuanbai fell silent for a long while, as if deep in thought. Then he asked, "Is it related to me?"

Qi He looked directly at him. "It centers on you."

"What happens if you don’t do it?"

"I’d be… punished lightly at best, or cease to exist at worst."

The hand around his waist tightened abruptly, as if trembling. Heavy breaths fell near him as Yan Chuanbai gathered those earlier "fragments":

"If it wasn’t the broth, what else were you supposed to come into contact with?"

"Higher-ups from Base III."

A sharp light flashed in Yan Chuanbai’s eyes, as if he finally understood some of the tasks "he" needed to complete.

"Is that 'list' some kind of monitor or transmitter?"

"Not anymore."

"Did you find a way out?"

"Yes."

"Then… will you still disappear?"

"No."

The edges of their probing expanded further, yet the world-line showed no signs of wavering.

Their implicit words were left at that.

He knew Yan Chuanbai should understand by now.

After a long silence, Yan Chuanbai said in a low voice, "Last time, you said you were 'fine now.' So, now that everything’s over… it's ended, right?"

Qi He’s tone softened. "Yes."

The tense shoulders before him finally relaxed.

Yan Chuanbai rested his forehead against Qi He’s chest, spreading sweat dampened his collarbone. His arms tightened gently, enveloping him completely. His lips pressed against him devoid of desire:

"…That’s enough."

Qi He’s heart quivered, and he lowered his gaze.

Stiff hair brushed against his neck, itching a bit. Skin pressed against skin, the most genuine warmth and heartbeat directly conveyed to him. Once again, he felt it clearly:

Yan Chuanbai truly loved him.

…

After burying his face against him for a while, Yan Chuanbai finally got up.

The emotions Qi He had stirred up earlier had already subsided. Propped up by the bed, he considered whether to go back.

Everything he wanted to confess had been said.

He shifted, about to get up.

But a hand suddenly pressed against his waist, fingertips pressing down, eliciting a light tremble.

"Since it’s all over now, then what was tonight about? Was that also out of necessity?"

In the dim light, Yan Chuanbai’s handsome face appeared somber.

Qi He paused for a moment, then understood.

He pulled Yan Chuanbai closer, looking straight at him. "I never do things I’m forced to do. Whether before or today, I only 'follow the script' according to my own will."

There were clearly many other methods.

"The reason I did it like this…"

—Just like how, at the source, he accepted infection in that manner, beyond just "following the trend."

Qi He’s ears felt hot. "It’s because I wanted to."

The face before him suddenly relaxed.

Yan Chuanbai lunged forward!

His vision tilted as Yan Chuanbai held Qi He’s face, his chest heaving: Of course, no one could force Qi He.

"So all of this… you were willing."

Burning kisses and palms slowly descended, one after another. The receding tide surged back, wave upon wave, washing over him. Qi He turned his head, cheeks tinted red. "Mm."

Then, as if remembering something, he added, "But I still retract 'that phrase.'"

That 'whatever' line was just too…

"I know." Vines unknowingly entangled them both as Yan Chuanbai leaned down, kissing his ear. "From now on, I’ll defer to you in matters like this."

"?" Qi He was genuinely surprised this time. "Really?"

Yan Chuanbai lay over him, lifting his blazing eyes. "Really."

Suddenly, he slid down. "If you say no, then I won't." With those words, he dug in.

"!"

Qi He’s hand gripped tightly.

"Ha…" This was impossible to refuse. He tilted his head back, eyelids trembling lightly as they closed, surrendering to the moment.

-

It wasn’t until early the next morning that Qi He finally woke up.

When he opened his eyes, it was already bright outside.

It had been a long time since he had such a restful night.

He took a moment to collect himself, a strong arm still draped over his waist. Qi He raised his hand, telekinetically pulled the clothes from the floor, sat up, and put them on.

"Getting up already?"

The arm around his waist suddenly tightened.

Yan Chuanbai was awake, his face buried against Qi He’s side, his voice low and slightly hoarse. "Won’t you sleep a bit longer?"

Qi He pointed out, "The Colonel's gotten lazy."

A low chuckle came from below, followed by a question, "Did you like it yesterday?"

Qi He paused, his fingertips warming slightly. Yesterday, he had all the enjoyment, and it felt good.

He replied with restraint, "Keep striving."

"Mm." A kiss pressed against his waist. "I’ll practice more until you’re satisfied."

"…" Qi He halted his movements while dressing, processing the words, then looked down deeply. "Stop being indecent."

After tidying up, he prepared to head back.

It wasn’t appropriate to take the air route in broad daylight. Qi He exited through the main door and hit the down button for the elevator.

The elevator descended from above, *ding!* The doors opened.

Yu Jin was inside, with Yu Jiang in her wheelchair, along with Xia Jiu.

A morning run-in.

Both sides froze for a moment. Xia Jiu glanced at the floor number, then shot him a side-eye. Yu Jiang’s eyes widened, blinking quietly before she said, "…Morning. Didn't get to say ‘congratulations’ yet."

Qi He paused for a second before stepping in. "Thanks."

With the ice broken, the conversation flowed more smoothly. Yu Jiang turned to greet him, "It seems everything’s been resolved."

"?" Qi He’s hand, about to press the elevator button, stilled. He looked back at her. "Resolved what?"

Resolved. Yu Jiang said contentedly, "That’s good."

After a few seconds of silence, Qi He pressed the button and said to her, "Do you have some misunderstanding?"

Misunderstanding. Yu Jiang nodded. "I know."

Qi He took a soft breath. What exactly did she know?

Yu Jiang dropped her eyes, genuinely happy for them. "The way you two were before, I thought there was something unforgivable between you."

"…Forgive what?"

"So it’s not about forgiveness, but about letting go?"

Yu Jiang looked at him gently. "Well, after experiencing life-and-death situations, what’s left to hold onto?"

Qi He stared at her quietly.

*Ding!* The elevator doors opened.

Qi He averted his gaze, let the topic go, and said as he stepped out, "I’m heading back."

Yu Jiang waved. "You won’t have to suffer anymore."

The elevator doors closed with a thud in front of him.

Back in the quiet elevator, Xia Jiu was about to have a breakdown: What on earth were they talking about?!

When the elevator stopped on the first floor and the doors opened,

She walked out in a daze and asked, "Did all the previous Psychic types here end up with mental illnesses?"

Yu Jiang tilted her head: Huh?

Yu Jin: "…"

-

Qi He dismissed the nonsensical conversation and returned home.

As soon as he entered, a voice rang through his head:

"You! You—!!"

On the nightstand, the system blinked rapidly. "Out all night, only returning in the morning!"

Qi He walked over, expressionless. "I was going over the script."

System Hehe: "Script work at night."

Qi He paused, images flashing in his mind. The remaining heat surged but was quickly suppressed. "Your mind's in the gutter." The system’s dot eyes gleamed sharply. After a moment’s thought, he turned and patted it.

"Besides, Yan Chuanbai and I are in a confirmed relationship now. Even if something happens, it’s normal."

The system’s dot eyes widened abruptly: ●—●

A moment later, it was forced to accept reality: …Heavens! Its host and the male lead had gotten together after all!!!

After giving the system a warning,

Qi He picked it up from the nightstand, cradling it in his palm, and returned to serious matters. "About the plot, Yan Chuanbai already knows."

A *snap* sound came from his palm: [He knows everything?]

Qi He nodded. "Pretty much."

Yan Chuanbai had already had suspicions about his actions, perhaps guessing that someone—or some coercing force—was behind him, manipulating or coercing him. But based on the key information Qi He revealed yesterday, along with the system’s level of intelligence—

And his own unorthodox methods of breaking the plot—

With Yan Chuanbai’s intellect, he should have realized that the force coercing Qi He wasn’t human but something of a higher dimension.

He told the system, "He also knows what you are."

The system went alert: […What will he do to me?]

Qi He thought for a moment, reassuring it. "Probably see you as family."

[……] The system: [Well, thanks.]

…

Qi He thought he had nothing going on today.

But by noon, he received a message from You Tianxing. It said the commendation from headquarters came through, and a wrap-up awards ceremony would be held for them at the base.

You Tianxing: 『Some of the footage has also been dropped. Information regarding the source still needs to be processed and filtered before it can be made public, so we’ve released the videos of you taking down the first two bosses first.』

『It’ll be perfect to show a bit during the wrap-up awards ceremony. Haha.』

The first two bosses?

Qi He remembered there were two mutants at the second location. Yan Chuanbai soloed one, and Zhu Gedun’s perspective got the best footage.

Another message from You Tianxing came through: 『Don't sweat it. See you at the training ground at 3 PM.』

Qi He tucked away his comm.

3 PM, training ground.

As the largest open space in Base I, the training ground could accommodate all the superpowered individuals. A temporary stage was set up at the front, with a projection screen behind it.

News of the wrap-up awards ceremony had spread throughout the base.

Not only superpowered individuals but also regular people could come to watch, finding spots around the training ground.

As 3 PM approached, the sun was shining bright.

The training ground was packed, both inside and out.

You Tianxing stood on the stage managing the crowd, while military personnel guarded the perimeter. The large screen first displayed the dark, eerie footage from the hospital corridor.

Everyone’s adrenaline spiked instantly.

Amid this tense and electrifying atmosphere, Qi He stepped forward.

He was wearing just a simple white T-shirt.

Yan Chuanbai followed a step behind him, his crisp military uniform exuding a stern, sharp aura.

As the two stepped onto the stage, the crowd fell silent.

You Tianxing smiled and announced loudly and clearly, "This decisive battle was a victory for all humanity. Everyone, including those at our base, gave it their all. At the same time, we must solemnly thank the two big heroes who resolved the source—"

"Qi He, Yan Chuanbai."

"They also brought back invaluable footage, part of which will be publicly screened for the first time today at this wrap-up awards ceremony."

You Tianxing stepped aside and pressed play.

The crowd went wild for a moment!

Qi He also turned to watch, seeing his own combat footage from an observer’s perspective for the first time.

The corridor scene sprang to life.

As the two halted their steps, a hand with distinct knuckles reached out, and a calm voice spoke: "Reinforced concrete becomes brittle under freeze-thaw cycles. From here downward…"

"Wow!" and similar exclamations rose continuously from below.

After the corridor suddenly collapsed! A humanoid mutant entangled with vines came into view, followed by a chorus of "Holy shit!" and retching sounds from the audience.

On the screen, spot-on commands were issued one after another.

Qi He’s white figure moved like a bright streak in the dimness, agile and resilient, bending into impossible-looking arcs as he evaded.

He appeared again and again in unexpected and extremely dangerous spots.

Magnetism, gravity, traction…

The entire underground parking lot was thrown into chaos.

The scene played out like a blockbuster, with intense visual impact that struck deep into the hearts of the viewers!

Everyone held their breath.

This… is what humans can do?

…

Before the crowd could recover, Yan Chuanbai’s footage cut in immediately.

The plant-based boss came into view.

In the footage, the mutant resembled a massive web of intertwined vines, sprawling and complex, occupying a three-story-high underground storage space! Its enormous size made humans seem minuscule in comparison.

Yan Chuanbai stood before the colossal vine system and just lifted a hand.

The vines attacking him from all directions were instantly flash-frozen! Meanwhile, even more eerie and sinister poison vines emerged from behind Yan Chuanbai, wrapping around the vine creature instead—

Vines tangled and wrestled with vines.

They nearly filled the entire screen.

Such a massive mutant was completely pinned down by Yan Chuanbai’s dual Superpowers until his gloved hand clenched before him.

"Break."

BOOM!!! The screen filled with shattering ice.

…

Shattered ice fragments burst toward the camera, carrying immense impact, as if about to spray right out of the screen—

Someone in the audience gasped.

Then, You Tianxing paused the footage.

This was also Qi He’s first time watching Yan Chuanbai’s combat footage—equally powerful and clean. It was a fighting style that was right up his alley, pleasing to the eye.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled.

Beside him, You Tianxing spoke again, snapping the breathless crowd out of their trance: "The above is part of the combat footage. The complete footage will be released gradually."

"Next, we’ll proceed with the commendation for this operation."

After the impact of the real video.

Now, everyone fell completely silent.

No one would question the value of the upcoming commendation, and many were stunned: the two individuals in the footage were only at the super 4S-level at the time, yet they were already this powerful…

Now that they've advanced to the 5S level, what must they be like now?

Regardless of what everyone was thinking, the commendation ceremony had already begun.

You Tianxing officiated the ceremony. After delivering a commendation speech, he presented the epaulettes: "…Yan Chuanbai is hereby specially conferred the rank of Major General. This is in recognition of his contributions."

Beside him, Yan Chuanbai saluted.

The epaulettes were fastened, their insignia reflecting the sunlight, illuminating his sharp and handsome face—

From this moment on, he became the youngest Major General in the military.

"Qi He," A voice drew his attention.

Qi He turned to see You Tianxing smiling at him. A medal with ribbon was handed over with both hands: "Since you are not joining the military, headquarters has specially awarded you the highest honorary medal—"

"And appointed you as a tactical instructor to the military. Whenever you teach, all attendees will be your students."

Qi He paused briefly before accepting it: "I won't fail this duty."

Applause broke out across the training grounds. Amid the chorus of praise, You Tianxing and the two of them saluted in unison:

"The human bases will remember your contributions!"

-

The award ceremony was nearing its end.

The crowd gradually began to disperse.

Military staff directed the exit outside. Qi He and Yan Chuanbai remained on the platform, waiting for the crowd to leave in an orderly manner before departing themselves.

You Tianxing was below, wrapping up equipment. The images on the large screen switched a few times.

The departing crowd turned to look again.

On the screen, the two figures moved with powerful agility.

Gazes shifted back to the two figures standing before the screen.

One was refined and tall, standing casually, his gaze fixed somewhere unknown; the other wore a crisp, tailored military uniform, standing half a meter away, calmly observing the scene below.

Yesterday's rumors came back to their minds:

"Did you hear that Instructor Qi He and Major General Yan Chuanbai got together?"

"Yes, it was announced when they returned yesterday. Everyone who went to pick them up saw it."

"Really? I never saw any hints…"

Amid the murmurs, someone suddenly glanced at the two perfectly matched figures on the screen: "Do you think it might be a political or military alliance?"

Those around them were surprised, but soon someone understood:

"That makes sense. Both are 5S-level. Instructor Qi He isn't even part of the military…"

"Right, otherwise why would they announce it so suddenly?"

"No wonder there were no signs—it's that kind of deal?"

…

On the platform, Yan Chuanbai suddenly glanced down.

The scattered murmurs were not loud, and the distance made them faint, mixed with other noises.

But the hearing of a 5S-level far surpassed those of ordinary people.

Especially when certain words caught his attention.

Qi He turned and saw Yan Chuanbai's intense gaze, following it to where the voices came from. The conversation reached his ears as well. Some nearby seemed drawn into the topic and joined the discussion:

"…What kind of arrangement are you talking about?"

"About Instructor Qi He and Major General Yan Chuanbai—it must be a military alliance. Even their colleagues didn't hear anything, so it's not a real relationship—"

The murmurs abruptly fell silent.

The crowd below turned to look at the platform.

Because the Major General Yan Chuanbai they were discussing had suddenly taken Qi He's hand.

…

On the platform, Qi He was also stunned.

He felt a tickle between his fingers and looked down to see a slender vine coiled around his left ring finger.

He raised his eyes to meet Yan Chuanbai's gaze.

The other's eyes were burning and direct.

Yan Chuanbai raised his hand between them, and an ice crystal began to crystallize, settling onto the vine ring: "The previous occasion wasn't right. My proposal to you was missing a crucial part."

Qi He held his breath, his heart pounding.

"This ice crystal is formed with 5S-level spiritual power. No matter how far apart we are in the future, whether I am here or not, it will never melt—"

Sparkling in sunlight, the ice crystal shone brilliantly.

In this world, every ice crystal is unique.

"Qi He."

Yan Chuanbai kissed his ring finger and looked up at him: "I love you, undying."