Chapter 68 Care to Join Me for a Midnight Snack?

Chapter 68: Want to Grab Some Late-Night Snacks Together?

Perhaps sensing Yu Xin was a little overwhelmed by Ji Mingcheng's exuberance, Bai Yizhou interjected just in time: "Alright, why are you suddenly here again? Don't they have classes at the Imperial Military Academy anymore?"

"Brother Yizhou, as an outstanding graduate of the Central Military Academy, how could you forget when your alma mater's break is?" Ji Mingcheng rolled his eyes fluidly, those deep-set eyes characteristic of the Ji family. "Come on, I’m already on break, okay?"

Bai Yizhou was momentarily speechless, then retorted irritably, "You think I had it as easy as you do in school? Back in my day, I followed your uncle to the battlefield even before break started. I spent the entire vacation day and night fighting insects. Who do you think you have to thank for being able to enjoy your holidays so happily now?"

"I know, I know. Who isn’t aware of my uncle’s great achievements? I even aced the questions about him on my final exam this year—didn't miss a single one."

Whenever Ji Yixing was mentioned, Ji Mingcheng’s tone swelled with pride. If he had a tail, it would probably be standing straight up by now.

And truly, having a direct relative featured in textbooks was itself something to be proud of, let alone when that relative was still alive, holding a high rank in the military at a young age, and enjoying an extremely high reputation among the public.

Bai Yizhou was used to his idolizing the general and gave Yu Xin a helpless wink. "Yu Xin, just ignore him. He’s like this—the more attention you give him, the more he gets carried away."

"Hey, Brother Yizhou, what are you saying about me!"

"Alright, alright, come with me to your room. Don’t bother Yu Xin while he’s resting. I can't believe you—leaving your suitcase in the lobby and vanishing. Aren’t you afraid someone might steal it?"

"Come on! This is Iris Base! My uncle’s turf. If my luggage got stolen, that’d be a major issue. If it really happened, I’d have some serious questions for Vice Commander Bai about how he manages this place…"

The two bickered noisily as they walked away, clearly showing their close relationship. After all, Vice Commander Bai was seen as quite stern and proper by others—otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to manage such a large base effectively. It was only around those he was familiar with that his talkative nature emerged.

These socially adept people seemed born with two faces, but what made them so skilled was that if the more likable side was shown to you, it was hard not to feel pleased by this special treatment unlike what others received.

It wasn’t just Bai Yizhou; Ji Yixing was sometimes like this too. It seemed like an unspoken social convention among those from so-called high society. Even someone of General Ji’s status was no exception.

Yu Xin found it difficult to handle social interactions with the same ease they did. Not that he envied them—Yu Xin had his own philosophy when it came to dealing with people. Whether relationships were deep or shallow, he always remained consistent, being true to himself, always leading with sincerity.

Evening.

In the empty hallway, a figure paced back and forth, steps messy and heavy, stomping on the floor as if venting anger.

"I said I’m not going back. If they think I’ll compromise, let me tell you straight—that’s fucking impossible!"

The speaker had tried to keep his voice low, but the angry, low male voice was still particularly noticeable in the quiet night corridor.

"I’m the fucking first rank cadet, the first rank cadet! If even the academy’s first rank cadet can’t decide which legion to serve in after graduation, if they want me to go to the Third Legion and slave away for those worthless playboys who only know how to drink and hire prostitutes, they can dream on!"

Ji Mingcheng snarled into his communicator. Though he had been the image of a bright, cheerful young man that afternoon, he now had a completely different demeanor, like a lion trapped in a cage. Too young to conceal his feelings, he could only vent his frustration through his tone and actions.

He was about to graduate from the First Imperial Military Academy and enter the military, right at the stage where he had to decide which legion he would serve. Ji Mingcheng was the first rank cadet of his year and should have been able to join whichever legion he wanted. But someone had intervened, trying to control his choice.

The reason was simple: some couldn’t stand the Ji family’s strong hold on military authority. The Ji family already had a Ji Yixing, who had extremely high public standing. They couldn’t allow the new generation of the Ji family to continue growing and potentially produce another Ji Yixing.

The Third Legion was deeply infiltrated by royalists and noble families loyal to the monarchy. It was a place where privileged young masters went to gain experience. Ji Mingcheng had always despised their behavior, and there had been plenty of friction between them. The idea of starting as a common soldier under those he looked down on was worse than dying honorably in battle.

"Mingcheng, don’t be willful. This isn’t just about you. Remember, you carry the Ji name. Behind you stands the entire Ji family." The person on the other end of the communicator changed, someone likely accustomed to authority. Even their light tone carried undeniable authority.

"Aunt."

As soon as the speaker changed, Ji Mingcheng’s tone immediately became more subdued. He swallowed his anger and forced out a tone of obedience and politeness, controlling his anger.

"Besides, this is only a temporary measure. It’s not like you’ll be stuck there forever. When the time is right, I’ll transfer you back to the Fourth Legion immediately. Your aunt keeps her word." The woman’s voice on the other end also softened slightly.

She, too, wanted her nephew to achieve his wishes. But even though the Ji family was powerful, resisting pressure from the monarchy and other families wasn’t easy. She had to consider the Ji family’s interests. This was the best solution they could come up with for now.

"Stop making vague promises. I don’t care about temporary measures or not. All I know is that from the day I entered the military academy, my goal has been to serve under my uncle. Now you want me to go to the Third Legion, to be a dog for those complete wastes? Then what’s the point of me attending this damn academy? I might as well enter the entertainment industry. Tomorrow I’ll go shoot an idol drama, and the day after, I’ll be top trending on StarNet—'First Rank Cadet of First Imperial Military Academy Joins Showbiz: What Shocking Secrets Lie Behind?'"

"Ji Mingcheng! Stop talking nonsense!"

"I’m done talking. There’s no getting through to you. Anyway, I’m not coming back. Unless you change your minds, I’ll stay here till I die!"

The communication cut off. Ji Mingcheng’s face was flushed with anger. He gave the nearby door a hard kick in frustration.

Unexpectedly, the door wasn’t locked. Under the force of Ji Mingcheng’s kick, it slowly swung open.

A panting Ji Mingcheng and a calm Yu Xin stood facing each other.

...

Both were clearly stunned by the sudden encounter. Ji Mingcheng, unable to control his expression, blurted out, "Wh-what are you doing here?"

Someone he’d just met that afternoon had now witnessed—or rather heard—him argue furiously with someone else. Who could handle that?

The thought made him speak again: "You... heard everything just now?"

Really, given how loud you were being, it would’ve been hard not to.

Yu Xin nodded with a complicated expression and said calmly, "Young Master Ji, maybe take a look around. Where do you think this is?"

Ji Mingcheng glanced around. "The kitchen? What about it?"

"So, isn’t it perfectly normal for me to be here?"

He’d arrived much earlier than Ji Mingcheng. Who would’ve thought the young master would take a call all the way to the kitchen?

"......" Ji Mingcheng was speechless. After a moment, he realized nothing he’d said was classified or shameful, so he relaxed.

"...Whatever. Just pretend you didn’t hear anything. Don’t tell anyone."

Though he didn’t know Yu Xin well, meeting those calm dark eyes made him instinctively trust that Yu Xin wasn’t the type to gossip.

"Don’t worry. I didn’t hear a thing." Yu Xin made a zipping gesture over his lips.

The anger from Ji Mingcheng’s earlier argument faded, his broad shoulders slumping slightly. He sighed self-deprecatingly, "Bet you didn’t expect someone like me to have moments where I’m not in control, huh?"

Perhaps it was the quiet night, or perhaps it was Yu Xin’s consistently unruffled expression—as if he wasn’t the least bit curious about what had provoked such fury—but Ji Mingcheng somehow felt that Yu Xin was a good person to confide in.

"Sometimes, I wish I’d been born into an ordinary family. I could still be the first rank cadet, and I’d have the freedom to choose my future. Not like now, trapped by damn, messy constraints. Can you understand that feeling?"

He didn’t wait for Yu Xin’s answer, pouring out everything he usually kept bottled up.

Yu Xin listened silently, unusually at a loss.

He really wasn’t good at handling situations like this. Who could understand?

Hesitating, he seized a pause in Ji Mingcheng’s outpouring to interject.

"It’s pretty late. Are you hungry?"

"Huh?"

Ji Mingcheng, who had expected some words of comfort, was taken aback, wondering if he’d heard correctly.

But he had to admit, now that Yu Xin mentioned it, he did feel an empty stomach.

He rubbed his stomach. "Now that you say it... I am a bit hungry..."

"Well then... want to grab some late-night snacks together?"