Chapter 70 Bluntness

Chapter 70: Directness

Ji Anzhi woke up bleary-eyed and opened his eyes.

Great, he was on Qi Yanshen's mech again. He had definitely overslept again.

Ji Anzhi packed up his sleeping bag and settled into the passenger seat for the injured with practiced ease.

Today was the tenth day of the assessment. Out of these ten days, he'd overslept five times, and with today, that brought the total to six. At first, Ji Anzhi felt a bit embarrassed, but he gradually got used to it.

So what if he overslept?

It wasn't like he was holding anyone back.

Still, Ji Anzhi was quite grateful to Qi Yanshen in this regard. Knowing his situation, Qi Yanshen never made an issue of it and even proactively explained things for him.

Xiaoxue, on the other hand, was much livelier, bouncing around inside the mech cabin. Thankfully, Qi Yanshen piloted steadily. If the ride were any rougher, Xiaoxue would definitely end up with a bump on her head.

Thor noticed Ji Anzhi was awake and immediately started chatting behind his pilot's back.

"Awake?"

Ji Anzhi still replied by typing, "Mhm."

"You really can sleep. Xiao Yanshen wasn't exactly gentle when he carried you up here, but you didn't wake up once."

"My health isn't great. Sorry to trouble him."

"It's fine, it's fine. I heard Xiao Yanshen wants to pursue you. What do you think?"

Ji Anzhi paused. He had learned from Ji Anjue that Qi Yanshen did indeed want to pursue him, but judging by his recent behavior, Ji Anzhi hadn't felt any pursuit at all, okay?

And for some reason, the looks Ye Qiming's team gave him and Qi Yanshen were teasing, clearly in on something. Even that red-haired senior, Shi Lan, had asked for his opinion on Qi Yanshen...

"He's great, but we're not really suited for each other."

"I told you Xiao Yanshen wasn't good enough."

Ji Anzhi: "...Do you even know who your pilot is?"

Thor's words made Ji Anzhi stifle a laugh. So this was an Intelligent Mech? Definitely had personality.

Noticing the laughter from behind, Qi Yanshen guessed Thor was secretly chatting with Ji Anzhi again and warned through the mental link, "Watch what you say."

"Got it, got it. I know my limits."

Qi Yanshen didn't interfere too much. Having Thor keep Ji Anzhi company was good; it kept him from getting too bored.

As of today, they had a total of 240 points. They could check the rankings in real-time, and they were firmly in first place.

Fortunately, their seventh group had fewer senior teams. Compared to the third group, where half the teams were third or fourth years, this was practically a dream start.

Once they got through today, they could head to the starship tonight to confirm command authority and set course for the Zerg front line.

When Ji Anzhi woke up, it was already 10 AM. Not long after, it was lunch break. Ji Anzhi took Xiaoxue and jumped off the mech to stretch his legs.

Their current location was a desert oasis. On this generally arid and hot planet, it was a paradise left behind after the Zerg erosion.

Chi Yan had been getting closer to Shi Lan recently. According to Ji Anjue, he was learning about potions from her. Shi Lan had great talent in potions, and even though she wasn't in the Pharmacy Department, she could easily outperform many students who were.

Ji Anzhi enjoyed the peace. Everyone was drinking nutrient solutions now, so he didn't have to explain why he couldn't eat solid food.

Walking to a corner with some low trees, Ji Anzhi let Ji Anjue out for some air. If he didn't let him out soon, he was going to be driven crazy by the chatter.

Finally free, Ji Anjue proudly displayed his beautiful flower: 'Look, this is my flower. Isn't it pretty?'

Like a child showing off a treasure.

Looking at the violet, jade-like flower before him, its petals alluring and slender, somewhat resembling a night-blooming cereus but even more stunning, with an intoxicating fragrance, Ji Anzhi sincerely praised, "It's very beautiful."

'Of course! Just look at whose flower it is, hmph!'

With that, he used a leaf to cover the flower, not letting Ji Anzhi look at it for another second.

Ji Anzhi was both amused and exasperated. He also let Xiaoxue out to play for a while. These two little guys had been practically suffocating lately. Xiaoxue had even stuffed herself full with chew toys.

He hadn't been watching them play for long when Qi Yanshen suddenly came looking for him, holding a few yellow fruits that looked crisp and sweet.

Qi Yanshen walked over and handed the fruits to Ji Anzhi, saying, "They're edible. I washed them."

Ji Anzhi accepted them with thanks. Qi Yanshen's intention to court and pursue him was so obvious that even a blind person in the whole team could see it. Ji Anzhi, of course, could too, especially with Ji Anjue providing real-time commentary in his mind.

'He learned this move from that Li Zhi guy. And he plans to pester you relentlessly. He's clearly a bad person!'

A bad person? Ji Anzhi didn't think so.

After a year of interaction, Ji Anzhi had also figured out Qi Yanshen's personality: cold on the outside, warm on the inside. But when it came to matters concerning himself or the Federation's interests, he would prioritize those interests first before considering others'. This was quite normal among higher-ups.

With the help of Ji Anjue, this "mind-reader," Ji Anzhi had also pretty much figured out Qi Yanshen's reasons for wanting to pursue him.

First, Qi Yanshen seemed to have genuinely developed feelings, hence the idea. Second, currently only Qi Yanshen knew his true identity, and he wanted to test Ji Anzhi's stance towards the Federation. Third, Qi Yanshen wasn't sure if anyone else knew his identity. If someone knew but, like him, hadn't revealed it, then Ji Anzhi would constantly be in danger. In this case, Qi Yanshen's pursuit would, to a certain extent, serve as protection, a warning to others not to touch him.

Summarizing these three points, Qi Yanshen was quite good for him, and quite useful too.

Ji Anzhi even considered whether he should play the heartbreaker for once. After all, being with Qi Yanshen would be equivalent to gaining the protection of the entire Third Legion. Before his identity was exposed, he wouldn't have to worry about his safety.

After all, the most dangerous place is often the safest.

'Are you afraid of being dissected?'

Ji Anzhi teased Ji Anjue in his mind. Ji Anjue denied it: 'Who's afraid?'

In reality, Ji Anjue was truly afraid of being dissected. Qi Yanshen's father was terrifying...

Setting aside the chattering Ji Anjue in his mind, Ji Anzhi ate the fruit. It was indeed quite tasty, sweet and sour, seedless, and small in size. Two were just enough to satisfy his current appetite.

But Ji Anzhi handed two of them back to Qi Yanshen, asking, "Do you want to try some too?"

Qi Yanshen said he had already eaten some and that these remaining ones could be snacks for the afternoon. Ji Anzhi didn't refuse, took the two fruits back, and thanked him.

There were still over ten minutes left in the break. Qi Yanshen sat down in this corner. Although the two were sitting together, they didn't have much in the way of common topics. In the end, Ji Anzhi was there playing with the cat, and Qi Yanshen was there watching the cat.

"Ji Anzhi, what kind of person do you like?"

"Huh?"

Qi Yanshen's question caught Ji Anzhi off guard for a moment. Although he knew Qi Yanshen was a typical straight Alpha, wasn't being this direct a bit unbefitting of his position as the top student in the Command Department?

Ji Anzhi countered with a question, "Why do you ask?"

Qi Yanshen replied tersely, "Curious."

"As you humans say, 'His intentions are as clear as day.'" Ji Anjue sneered mockingly in his mind. What 'curiosity'? He just wants to hit on Ji Anzhi, using curiosity as an excuse.

After a moment of thought, Ji Anzhi replied, "I'm not entirely sure either, but I'd probably end up with a Beta female."

Qi Yanshen: "…………"

Great, he didn't even make it past the first round.

Qi Yanshen asked leadingly, "What do you think of Alphas?"

"Alphas?" Ji Anzhi pondered briefly before saying, "Alphas are alright. They make good friends but aren't suitable as partners or anything like that."

The first half of the sentence gave Qi Yanshen a glimmer of hope, but the second half shattered it completely. His already expressionless face now revealed a hint of despondency.

After a while, Qi Yanshen asked seriously, "Then what do you think of me?"

Qi Yanshen clenched his fists silently, like a prisoner awaiting judgment.

"You? Aren't we roommates?"

"I want to pursue you."

Qi Yanshen's blunt confession caught Ji Anzhi off guard. He stopped playing with the cat and looked directly at Qi Yanshen, who, for once, shifted his gaze uncomfortably.

The next moment, Ji Anzhi said calmly, "Why?"

"...I like you."

"Is it because of your reaction during your last rut?"

"...Yes, but not entirely... I don't know if I like you, but I don't like seeing you with that omega."

"So you're not sure yourself?"

"...Yeah."

"Then why do you want to pursue me?"

"……"

Ji Anzhi stood up, put Ji Anjue back into his space, picked up Xiaoxue, and said calmly, "Chief Qi, before pursuing someone, you must at least ascertain whether your feelings are genuine. Without that clarity, it's doomed to end badly."

With that, he got up to find Chi Yan. Qi Yanshen suddenly grabbed Ji Anzhi, calm yet tense, "Then do you object to me pursuing you?"

Ji Anzhi stopped and smiled gently, "True feelings can't be stopped, and they don't care about gender or status."

A few seconds later, Qi Yanshen let go. He wasn't foolish; of course he understood Ji Anzhi's meaning. Ji Anzhi didn't object to AB relationships, but for himself, unless he truly developed feelings, nothing would happen.

A faint smile, unnoticed even by himself, appeared on Qi Yanshen's face, "Thank you for being willing to accept my foolish pursuit."

"We'll see what you've got. After all, I'm not blind—the whole team knows your intentions."

Ji Anzhi's words made Qi Yanshen somewhat embarrassed. He fidgeted with his thumb and apologized softly.

Ji Anzhi didn't mind; there was no need to apologize. Everyone has the right to like and pursue others, and he has the right to refuse. As long as it doesn't affect his normal life, he could give the other person a chance.

Of course, whether he would develop feelings was another matter.

When the two returned to the temporary camp, the atmosphere was visibly different. Previously, Qi Yanshen would watch Ji Anzhi from a distance, but now he stuck close like a shadow, never more than five steps away.

Once the break was over, Ji Anzhi boarded Qi Yanshen's mecha and skillfully took the wounded personnel seat. As soon as he settled, Ji Anjue asked in confusion, 'Why did you give him a chance? Isn't this what you humans call being a player?'

Ji Anzhi replied in his mind, 'Yep.'

Ji Anjue: '…………You're actually that kind of person...'

Ji Anzhi explained proactively, 'There's too big a gap in our statuses. Based on military academy rumors and Qi Yanshen's actions, everyone assumes Qi Yanshen and I have a relationship. I can't pretend to be completely unaware.'

'Qi Yanshen just confessed, saying he wants to pursue me. Whether I reject or agree, he'll continue pursuing. You don't understand—alphas can be quite obsessive in this regard. It's better to keep him on the hook. That way, he'll still pursue me, but to keep up appearances, he'll definitely be more polite and friendly.'

'Still a player,' Ji Anjue muttered softly.

'...You don't get it.'

You can't be too absolute; you have to leave room for both sides. Who knows, maybe Qi Yanshen will lose interest someday, or maybe I'll need his help again. That way, neither of us will be too embarrassed.

As for whether I'll develop feelings, who can say? Let things take their natural course. It's better to live in the present than to worry about unknown things in advance.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Ji Anzhi opened the materials and continued studying the starship modifications. No matter what, the starship must be modified.

So, Qi Yanshen controlled the mecha to kill insectoids while battling other squad members, fighting until evening. Meanwhile, Ji Anzhi researched starship modifications until evening.

When the evening rankings came out, their squad firmly held first place. The fleet's coordinates came through on the smart brain—they needed to reach them within an hour, no exceptions.

The fleet's coordinates weren't far. They arrived successfully in half an hour. The remaining tasks were handled by Qi Yanshen, Li Zhi, and the others; the rest couldn't intervene, so they found rooms to rest.

Especially Ji Anzhi—he coasted through the first half and pretty much the second half too, leisurely and carefree.

He randomly chose an empty room, went in, changed the bedding, let out Ji Anjue and Xiaoxue, washed up briefly, and soon fell asleep in bed.

Over the next two days heading to the insectoid front line, Ji Anzhi spent most of his waking hours drawing diagrams and researching the starship, occasionally patrolling inside the small mothership. However, since the starship had various robots for self-inspection, Ji Anzhi just went through the motions.

They soon reached the insectoid front line. The instant they crossed into the defensive perimeter, an alert sounded inside the mothership.

"Attention: Entering insectoid defense line."

This message indicated they had entered the First Legion's insectoid defense line. Here, low-level insectoids ran rampant everywhere, mid-level insectoids were also numerous, and with luck, you might even encounter advanced insectoids.

The biggest difference from the first half was safety.

Previously, rescue teams could arrive in time, but on the insectoid front line, that wasn't guaranteed. Once a battle started, it was fight to the death, and rescue teams might not even make it before the insectoids finished devouring their prey.

So, before coming, the vice-principal specifically reminded everyone to prioritize their own safety, not to play the hero, as dying would be due to arrogance and foolishness.

This didn't concern Ji Anzhi much. At most, he was support personnel and didn't need to go into battle.

Commanding and exterminating insectoids was Qi Yanshen and the others' job. He couldn't help even if he wanted to, so there was no point in worrying unnecessarily.

With this mindset, Ji Anzhi continued researching the modifications for the Star Eagle inside the mothership until the eighth day, when trouble struck.

"Woo—woo————"

A piercing alarm sounded abruptly throughout the mothership. Ji Anzhi immediately slipped into his combat gear, brought Ji Anjue and Xiaoxue, and headed to the command room.

On the way, he messaged Qi Yanshen to ask about the situation.

"Ji Anzhi: What's going on? What happened?"

Qi Yanshen noticed Ji Anzhi's message, then looked at the massive number of insectoids displayed on the detector. He took a deep breath to calm down before replying to Ji Anzhi.

"Qi Yanshen: There's a small insectoid swarm."