Chapter 60 The Angry General.

Chapter 60: The General's Fury

"Brother Xin, did you really move in with that unreliable top donor? I don't mean to pry, but this seems a bit rash. You don't even know who's behind that screen—what if they're a pervert? You have no idea how dangerous people can be these days. Those creepy old men especially love young, fresh-faced boys like you who are great at gaming and can cook well. Besides, everyone on the Starnet uses real names now, don't they? Yet he's being so secretive and hesitant—he definitely has something to hide…"

The communicator lay by the bedside, ignored, but the person on the other end, oblivious to the cold shoulder, continued to chatter. Yu Xin felt his head swell with the incessant noise.

He was in the middle of packing when Cheng Zikun called to check on his housing progress. Yu Xin took the opportunity to mention he'd found a new job and had already moved into his employer's home. Of course, General Ji's identity couldn't be casually revealed to outsiders, so he simply told Cheng Zikun that his employer was the mysterious top donor from before.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Zikun immediately became agitated, launching into a half-hour tirade against Ji Yixing, centered on the theme: "See, I knew he was no good."

Cheng Zikun would probably never want to know the true identity of the "creepy old man" he had been railing against for thirty minutes.

"Brother Xin, are you listening?" Cheng Zikun felt like he was worrying himself sick over Yu Xin. This wasn't like having an older brother; it was more like dealing with a rebellious son. "I know you're short on money now that you've left home and are living on your own, but I can give you money too. Please don't be swayed by some old man's sweet talk, Brother Xin! I've seen this trick too many times—they pretend to be some kind of caring, understanding older brother to get close to you, when all they really want is your body!"

Yu Xin: …

It was getting more and more absurd.

He paused his packing, his voice laced with danger. "What, in your mind, am I so easily corrupted into a 'fallen youth'?"

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. I just think you're too pure and kind-hearted. I'm afraid you can't see the darker side of the world!"

Everyone moved in the same circles, so of course Cheng Zikun knew about the Yu family's affairs. While ordinary people often felt outraged on Yu Xin's behalf, those who grew up in wealthy families like Cheng Zikun didn't see it that way. In their view, even if Yu Xin wasn't biologically related, he had called the Yu parents "Mom and Dad" for so many years. Families like theirs could easily afford to feed one more mouth. Even if he couldn't inherit the family fortune, whatever scraps the parents let fall his way would be enough for Yu Xin to live comfortably for the rest of his life. Yet, not long after the real young master returned, Yu Xin was cast out by the Yu family. In short, he was just too foolish.

Cheng Zikun had met the Yu family's real young master once or twice and didn't have a good impression—too pretentious, acting like some pure, innocent little white lotus. That act might fool netizens, but did they really think no one could see through it? Cheng Zikun refused to believe that Yu's father, who had been navigating the business world for so many years, couldn't see through his acting. Yet, the Yu parents seemed to have been put under a spell, completely believing every word the real young master said.

At first, Cheng Zikun thought the Yu family's drama was just a case of a low-level "green tea" character encountering a fool—a lucky coincidence. But after accidentally getting to know Yu Xin, he changed his mind. In his eyes, Yu Xin was now viewed through a thick filter—not a fool, but a poor, naive soul unaware of the world's dangers!

Yu Xin didn't know how to make this overly protective younger brother realize that he wasn't the easily bullied "little white flower" he imagined. He could only explain, "You're overthinking it. I've already met my employer. He's not some creepy old man like you said. Stop imagining things that aren't there. I'm doing great here."

"Then can you still play games with me? Can you still live-stream? Your live-streaming career just started with such high momentum—it's really a shame to give it up. My friend, the young master of the Flying Fish Platform, even said he'd give you a featured spot…"

"I'm here to work, not to be imprisoned. I already discussed it with my employer—I can continue live-streaming. Don't worry," Yu Xin reassured him casually. "Besides, there's a game room here with top-tier gaming pods. Much better than the gaming helmet I used before."

"Really that good? Turn on the video and let me see what kind of luxurious place that rich donor prepared for you."

Yu Xin tapped his communicator a few times, and Cheng Zikun's hologram appeared in mid-air.

"No way, I thought it would be super luxurious, but it's just this??"

Cheng Zikun looked around the room from all angles but couldn't see how this ordinary fifty-square-meter room had anything to do with luxury.

"Brother Xin, what are you trying to gain here? You should've listened to me back then. The apartment I found for you was much better than this. Even my dog lives in a more luxurious place than this, okay! Your employer seemed generous throwing money around in the live-stream, but offline he's such a scheming cheapskate…"

He tsked, criticizing every aspect of the room from top to bottom: "There's not even a bathtub? The bed isn't big enough, the sheets are made of some garbage material—they don't look comfortable at all. And where's that luxurious gaming pod you mentioned? Isn't it just an empty promise?"

"That's in the dedicated game room. Stop complaining about this and that. I think this room is perfectly fine." Yu Xin meant every word. Between both lives, he couldn't remember the last time he lived in such a normal place.

"You've been put under a spell too," Cheng Zikun fumed, throwing his head back. He looked at Yu Xin like a father looking at his hopelessly romantic daughter who insisted on marrying some good-for-nothing. "Brother Xin, you're a live-streamer with a name now. Anywhere would be better than living here, except for that dump you used to live in. This clearly shows they didn't sincerely invite you over. Why don't you just pack up and come back?"

"...Are you done? I'm hanging up if there's nothing else." Yu Xin couldn't be bothered to listen to him babble on. Ignoring Cheng Zikun's "Hey, hey, hey" protests, he ruthlessly ended the call.

He was almost done packing anyway. The original owner had left very few belongings, and Yu Xin hadn't bought much since arriving. Once everything was packed up, the room looked almost the same as before he moved in.

He carefully placed the original gaming helmet by the bedside. Looking at it now, thinking about his few interactions with Yu Xingzhou, his feelings were indescribably complex.

No matter what… I hope you're living a happy and free life in another world now.

The next day.

The white stone steps in front of the Central Tower were dozens of levels high. Bai Yin had brought his people to wait at the base of the steps early this time. He was always meticulous about his appearance, but today he looked especially sharp. He Chu, standing beside him, could smell his superior's perfume—more fragrant than usual.

They had been waiting for quite some time, but Bai Yin showed no impatience, his red lips curved in a pleasant smile.

A moment later, several hovercars approached from the direction of the docking port and slowly came to a stop before the main entrance steps of the Central Tower. The wing-shaped metal doors opened one after another. A leg clad in a patent leather boot stepped out onto the ground, followed by its owner. The figure encased in the Empire's black military uniform was lean and stood tall, silver cufflinks gleaming with a metallic cold gleam, stamped with the base's unique iris emblem.

Bai Yin adjusted his most pleasing smile and was the first to step forward. "Welcome back, General Ji."

"Mm, thank you for your hard work." Ji Yixing nodded, simultaneously removing his gloves. Someone immediately reached out to take them.

Ji Yixing strode up the steps with long legs. Bai Yin quickly followed, completely ignoring his own biological brother who had returned with them.

Bai Yizhou, who had just emerged from the hovercar: "Alright, he was used to this by now."

"General Ji, it must have been a tiring journey. I have prepared a relaxing soaking tub in your room. You can bathe before having a meal…"

The Silver Galaxy and the M26 star where the Iris Base was located were very far apart. Even with the aircraft at full speed, the journey took a considerable amount of time. A full star day had passed since Ji Yixing left the Silver Galaxy.

"Leave these matters to those specifically responsible in the future. You only need to focus on your own duties." Ji Yixing nodded and then asked, "That person I asked you to settle—Yu Xin. How is he? Is he settling in at the base?"

Bai Yin's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. When he spoke again, there was a hint of unnaturalness. "He's fine, of course. He should be adjusting."

"'Should be'? Such an ambiguous answer is coming from Secretary Bai Yin?" Ji Yixing looked with surprise at this usually efficient subordinate. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that this time. Where is his room? I'll ask him myself."

"I assigned him to the Red Building."

Ji Yixing suddenly stopped walking. He was at the front, so everyone behind him halted as well. Ji Yixing turned around, looking directly at Bai Yin, who was much shorter than him, and slowly narrowed his eyes. "Repeat that. Where did you assign Yu Xin?"

Bai Yin clearly read the displeasure in those piercing golden eyes. This was the first time he had faced a General Ji like this. Bai Yin even began to tremble slightly involuntarily, his voice dry and unfamiliar even to his own ears:

"General Ji, please listen to me. That Yu Xin—I don't know his background yet. So I couldn't recklessly place him in the Central Tower, near you. What if he means you harm, or poses a threat to the base? That would be a grave dereliction of duty on my part. I would never allow such a thing to happen!"

He took a few deep breaths, struggling under Ji Yixing's increasingly icy gaze, and continued with difficulty: "There happened to be an available room in the Red Building, so I sent him there. And—and Yu Xin himself was satisfied with it. He Chu! Tell General Ji, isn't that right…"

"I—I'm here…" He Chu, who had been following unobtrusively behind General Ji, jumped at being named. As General Ji's extremely displeased gaze shifted to him, he felt the urge to pull out his handkerchief and wipe his sweat again. "General Ji, I asked. Mr. Yu indeed expressed no dissatisfaction… I was afraid of disturbing him, so I left after seeing him to his room."

He knew this assignment wasn't simple. He should have said he was busy and passed it to someone else when Bai Yin called for him…

"What's going on here?"

Bai Yizhou had been discussing the accumulated base affairs during his absence with the subordinates who had remained at the base. Seeing everyone stopped and not moving, he pushed his way through from the back, full of questions. "Why has everyone stopped? Enjoying the scenery? Haven't you gotten tired of it yet?"

Anyone could feel the tense atmosphere. He was even more confused. Why was everyone dead silent?

"Tell me the specific room number."

Ji Yixing's voice was still calm, betraying no emotion.

But no one answered. No one dared to speak. Ji Yixing said more sternly, repeating himself.

"I—I'll look it up right away, General Ji. Please wait a moment." He Chu's hands trembled as he opened his comms unit, operating it rapidly. "Found it. Seventh floor, east wing, Room 11."

"Bai Yizhou, have someone tidy up the suite adjacent to mine. Right now. Be quick about it."

Ji Yixing headed alone towards the Red Building. Before leaving, he paused briefly in front of Bai Yin, leaving behind a sentence: "Come see me before tomorrow. Give me a more reasonable explanation for your actions."

"Yes."

Bai Yin closed his eyes, forcing out a single syllable from between his teeth.