Chapter 134 Arrival

Chapter 134: Arrival

For the next few days, because that area was still a bit sore, Ji Anzhi hadn't gotten out of bed.

Only on the fourth day was he just barely able to get up and move around.

During this time, Ji Anzhi tried contacting Ji Anjue. It was only on the evening of the third day that Ji Anjue replied, saying he had just entered the range of the star network signal and would need two more days to reach Federation space.

He also asked what was going on.

Ji Anzhi calmly replied that he had done it with Qi Yanshen.

Ji Anjue replied the next day, with just one sentence.

"Little Tuanzi: Wait for me to come back."

Just one sentence, but Ji Anzhi already guessed what Ji Anjue intended to do.

It seemed that in a few days, Qi Yanshen would be making a home in the treatment pod.

Ji Anzhi didn't let anyone else know Ji Anjue was coming into Federal territory. Since Anjue knew his cover was already blown, he wouldn't give a damn about the Federation's opinion and would come straight over.

As for Little Tuanzi's safety, he had already finished his upgrade. Rather than worrying about his safety, it was better to worry about the safety of anyone who tried to cause trouble for him.

During this period, Chi Yan, worried Qi Yanshen would bother him, came over every day. If not for the no-overnight-visitors rule in the medical room (of course, those with pull didn't count), Chi Yan would've moved into the treatment room.

After being up and about in the treatment room for a day, Ji Anzhi felt a lot better, and he finally remembered his pot of mint. He asked Chi Yan to go get it for him.

When Chi Yan went to get it, he inevitably ran into Qi Yanshen.

Chi Yan managed to hold back a sneer, which was a struggle, but Qi Yanshen had to go and ask.

"How is he now?"

It was obvious who 'he' was.

Using his temporary clearance, Chi Yan opened the door to the room Chief Ji had been staying in and retorted, "Brigadier General Qi, why didn't you consider his safety before? Only showing concern after causing harm?"

Qi Yanshen really wanted to say it wasn't intentional, but claiming it was unintentional couldn't erase the real harm caused. He could only remain silent.

Seeing Chi Yan walk out holding the pot of mint he had bought for Ji Anzhi, Qi Yanshen felt that Ji Anzhi didn't hate him; perhaps he still liked him but didn't know how to broach the subject...

"Can you pass on a message for me?"

"No."

Chi Yan refused decisively without a second thought. Who knew what Qi Yanshen wanted him to convey?

Besides, did he look friendly?

Chi Yan quickly left with the mint, ignoring whatever Qi Yanshen said.

Returning to the treatment room, Chi Yan placed the mint on the table beside Ji Anzhi's bed.

It was just past six in the evening, but Chief Ji had already fallen asleep again, just like during his first year at the military academy when he had those suppressants in his system—he could sleep like the dead.

After waiting quietly for an hour, Chi Yan approached, gently pulled out Chief Ji's arm, administered the nutrient solution, and then left.

The next morning, when Ji Anzhi opened his eyes, it was 8:00 AM.

A bit early. His eyes wandered and spotted a splash of vibrant green. Looking closer, it was the pot of mint Qi Yanshen had bought him.

The mint, having gone days without water, had slightly yellowed leaves, and the nutrient soil in the pot had dried and hardened into clumps.

Ji Anzhi got up, rummaged in the space bracelet he had retrieved the day he woke up, found some plant nutrient solution, and watered it.

After watering, Ji Anzhi stared at the mint leaves and the faint, refreshing scent, his mind wandering.

He wondered where An Jue was now, and also Xiaoxue. He also wondered how the animals in the ecological park were faring, and whether Ji Anjue's food supplies were still sufficient. Little Tuanzi's monthly food expenses started at a hundred million star credits, not even counting his plant nutrient solutions and psychic stimulants...

Sigh!

Fortunately, the Federation had issued another star card, otherwise, it really would be hard to raise that precious, high-maintenance Little Tuanzi.

Just as Ji Anzhi's mind was wandering, Levin and Lin Dusheng entered.

Ji Anzhi only noticed someone had arrived when the two approached a few steps after entering.

Seeing it was Levin and Lin Dusheng, Ji Anzhi immediately put on a harmless, faint smile and inquired, "Good day, gentlemen. What can I do for you?"

Apart from the first day he woke up, these two important figures hadn't visited again during the following days. Their sudden appearance likely meant something related to him.

The fact that the Federation hadn't found Ji Anzhi all these years, even during his time at the military academy, was sufficient proof of his caution and exceptionally high intelligence and emotional quotient.

If he hadn't exposed himself, the Federation probably still wouldn't know that the one who modified the energy tank was actually a current student of their First Military Academy.

Levin stated directly, "We've detected traces of the Star Eagle within Federation territory. Based on its route and space jump frequency, it will arrive here in about four hours."

Ji Anzhi replied calmly, "I know."

Levin really wanted to ask how the other party could perform so many superluminal jumps in such a short time.

According to the Federation's current observations, the other party performed four superluminal jumps within an hour, essentially preparing for the next jump immediately after completing one.

Such frequent superluminal jumps—forget people and other living beings, even starships could easily disintegrate under the strain.

In the end, Levin didn't ask.

He could inquire when the person arrived later.

"I have issued orders for the Star Eagle to have unimpeded passage within Federation territory. It will arrive here soon. Can we speak with him when he arrives?"

Ji Anzhi nodded, but he offered a friendly reminder.

"You'd better prepare a treatment pod first. Qi Yanshen will probably need it."

No explanation was needed; they all knew why. Ji Anzhi's personal terminal had been returned, and as a gesture of goodwill, they hadn't monitored it, but it was easy to guess the two must have been in contact.

Levin thanked him, "Thank you for the reminder. I'll have the medical department prepare one."

Ji Anzhi did not refuse Levin's request.

In fact, Ji Anzhi was also inclined to cooperate; otherwise, he wouldn't have reminded Ji Anjue not to hurt anyone.

The Federation guarded nearly 50-60% of the human star domain's Zerg defense line, single-handedly supporting half of humanity's sense of security.

This year's Bug Swarm was extraordinary, compounded by the internal issue of the alpha Conservative Party within the Federation. In this situation, the Federation would either have to abandon the Zerg defense line or abandon its founding principle—equality among the three ABO sexes.

Ji Anzhi did not wish to see either outcome.

But Ji Anzhi's offer to help was really more like a partnership.

He wasn't a Federation citizen, and neither was Ji Anjue. They had no obligation to assist the Federation. If the Federation did not offer compensation that satisfied them both, he would never let Ji Anjue work for free.

Hmm... and on top of that, it was basically child labor.

Xiao Tuanzi was only about three years old this year...

While lost in these idle thoughts, Chi Yan entered without knocking, immediately locking eyes with the marshal and headmaster sitting inside.

The air fell dead silent for three seconds before Chi Yan stepped back, closed the door, and rang the doorbell.

Ji Anzhi chuckled into the intercom beside him, "Come in."

This time, Chi Yan entered properly, saluting the marshal and headmaster before taking a seat on the other side.

Marshal Levin didn't show any particular reaction. At his age, it was good to be energetic and full of vitality.

Lin Dusheng, however, was different. He smiled and said, "Young friend from the Chi family, don't be so reserved. It's normal for kids your age to be lively. Why are you looking down?"

Hearing this, Chi Yan lowered his head even further. He was just socially anxious right now.

To save Chi Yan from dying of embarrassment, Ji Anzhi intervened, "Yanyan, could you help me exchange this small accessory for some rose cakes with General Hong? I remember her sending me a message a few days ago saying she made another batch."

Chi Yan quickly nodded, took the pigeon-blood ruby accessory from Ji Anzhi, and went to his master to exchange for rose cakes.

Lin Dusheng looked puzzled and kindly reminded him, "Young friend Ji, do you know what those roses for the cakes were grown with?"

Ji Anzhi smiled faintly and nodded, "I know."

Lin Dusheng looked at him as if he were a brave warrior and exclaimed, "Aren't you creeped out?"

Ji Anzhi replied, "It's General Hong's goodwill. I think she would be very happy to share her joy with someone."

To share the joy of the spoils obtained after dealing with those scum.

Lin Dusheng fell silent. Ji Anzhi wasn't wrong. General Hong had always been quite lonely. Although she didn't dwell on it, having someone willingly accept her sharing and exchange something in return would surely make her happy.

Thinking this, Lin Dusheng muttered, "No wonder you were so popular among the omegas at the military academy..."

Ji Anzhi scratched his nose sheepishly. He was indeed very popular, and he was well aware of it.

Chi Yan spent nearly three hours fetching the rose cakes.

Partly because he deliberately delayed, and partly because when General Hong heard that Ji Anzhi had asked for them himself and even sent her a pigeon-blood ruby accessory, she immediately stopped selecting targets for the wanted list and hurriedly picked the freshest roses to remake them.

She even had Chi Yan pick the most vibrant roses, remove the thorns, and wipe the stems several times with tissue paper to avoid injuring Ji Anzhi, who had just recovered.

Chi Yan, forced to assist, wondered, "Who exactly is your disciple?"

After nearly three hours of fussing, General Hong finally finished making the rose cakes. Fortunately, interstellar technology was advanced; otherwise, it would have been impossible to complete them in three hours.

Once packed, General Hong not only gifted a bag of precious flower tea but also wrote a small note, inviting Ji Anzhi to visit her rose garden anytime. If he wanted to grow flowers, she could even teach him her exclusive flower fertilizer recipe.

"Alright, don't damage the roses. Make sure they're delivered intact!"

"...Okay."

Chi Yan, carrying a box of rose cakes in his left hand and a bouquet of roses in his right, walked speechlessly toward the treatment room.

However, before reaching the treatment room, he heard the base's highest-level defense alarm sound. Though it lasted only two seconds, he was certain he hadn't misheard.

"What happened..."

But since the alarm stopped, it probably wasn't a big deal. Chi Yan continued toward the treatment room where Chief Ji was.

As he approached the door, he saw a man standing in front of it—golden long hair, a white robe, and slightly disheveled hair, clearly uncombed.

Not a military person.

Chi Yan grew wary. The man's appearance was completely out of place in the cold, sterile military environment, like an elf who had wandered into a steel forest.

His hand holding the rose bouquet moved closer to his waist. If anything seemed off, he would draw his gun and eliminate the threat on the spot.

But the next moment, a white cat emerged from under the golden-haired man's robe. For a second, Chi Yan doubted his eyes. Why did that cat look so much like Xiaoxue?

Once the white cat emerged, it kept hissing at the golden-haired man. Though Chi Yan couldn't understand cat language, he could tell from the tone that it was cursing fiercely.

After a few hisses, the white cat suddenly levitated, as if someone had pinched the scruff of its neck, making it stomp in anger.

The golden-haired man's voice, clear and cool yet gentle, sounded impatient, "Control your psychic energy. Don't tattle to Dad Ji, or I'll tell him you killed his favorite gardenia plant."

The white cat seemed to understand and stopped hissing, though it continued to glare angrily.

Chi Yan froze. Dad Ji?

So... this was Ji Anjue?!

Knowing that the little Tuanzi from a year ago could transform into a human was one thing, but seeing it with his own eyes was another. It was almost unbelievable.

"A-Anjue?"

Ji Anjue had noticed Chi Yan approaching earlier but was mentally preparing himself, so he didn't greet him immediately.

Ugh... he was still a baby! Why did he have to socialize on his own?

And this socialization was a negotiation! With that bad O who had bullied him before!

Ji Anjue turned around and smiled, greeting him, "Brother Yanyan, long time no see."

Seeing the man's face, Chi Yan froze in shock.

He knew little Anjue was good-looking and had imagined what he would look like grown up, but he never expected such perfection—more exquisite and beautiful than Marshal Levin.

Yes, beautiful.

Worthy of being called divine.

It took Chi Yan over ten seconds to regain his composure. Hesitantly, he asked, "Are you really little Anjue?"

Ji Anjue nodded, holding Xiaoxue in his arms while silently threatening it with his psychic energy to behave. He was really nervous right now.

Chi Yan didn't know what to say. He wanted to ask how little Anjue could transform like this or how he and Chief Ji had been living all these years. After opening and closing his mouth a few times, he finally just asked, "Are you going in?"

Ji Anjue nodded. Of course, he wanted to go in.

But before coming here, he had beaten up Qi Yanshen, who was now probably being treated by his father in another treatment room. So, feeling guilty and socially anxious around those two omegas, he hadn't dared to enter.

So Ji Anjue invited, "Together?"

Chi Yan nodded. He had come specifically to deliver the rose cakes to Chief Ji, along with the roses his master had asked him to bring. No matter what, he needed to get these things to Chief Ji first.

Chi Yan stepped forward, verified his identity, and opened the door.

As soon as the door opened, the gazes of the three people inside immediately focused on Chi Yan, and the next second, they shifted to the person behind him, who looked like he'd just walked out of a painting.

Though it was their first meeting, Levin and Lin Dusheng were certain—this was the person they had been waiting for. His appearance was the spitting image of a grown-up Ji Anjue.

The man, as radiant as the sun, held an exquisitely delicate white cat in his arms, appearing both affectionate and compassionate...

Of course, all of this was just a facade. In reality...

'Ahhhh! Dad Ji! Dad! Hurry up and tell me what to do next!!!'

Listening to Ji Anjue's wailing in his mind, Ji Anzhi used every ounce of his willpower to hold back his laughter, though the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upward.

'Come sit by me first. Chi Yan brought the rose cakes.'

Ji 'The Foodie' Anjue immediately shifted his focus: 'Really? Seems like it: they're freshly made. I'll try one in a bit.'

As he spoke, Ji Anjue glanced at the box in Chi Yan's hands, wondering what the rose cakes would taste like.

With Ji Anjue's wailing stopped, Ji Anzhi couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Indeed, nothing calms a foodie like the promise of a good meal.