Chapter 140 Confession

Chapter 140: Coming Clean

For the next two hours, Ji Anzhi was at loose ends.

Ji Anjue was the same; he was only responsible for psychic-type Zerg. Under the current bombardment, no psychic Zerg could get through, so he was now just a worry-free ornament.

After watching for a while, Ji Anzhi felt they probably wouldn't need to intervene, so he asked Ji Anjue, "Have you been to the ecological room today?"

Ji Anjue, who was reading a novel, froze and replied miserably, "No..."

"Then go finish today's chores first."

Ji Anjue: "......"

Qi Yanshen, when will you chase after my dad again?

I approve of you being my stepmother!

Seeing this, Xiaoxue happily strutted over to Ji Anzhi with cat-like steps, rubbing her head against his face and wrapping her fluffy tail around his wrist.

She was the very picture of a seductive concubine who could topple kingdoms.

Seeing Xiaoxue's actions, Ji Anzhi couldn't help but tease her with amusement.

"Xiaoxue is becoming more and more human-like. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was a magical creature."

Hearing this, Xiaoxue meowed repeatedly, eager to tell Dad Ji that she had gained intelligence and could use psychic power to communicate with humans.

Unfortunately, Ji Anjue's psychic blockade still prevented her from conveying her thoughts to Ji Anzhi.

Suddenly remembering that humans also had writing, Xiaoxue, after serious thought, resolved to learn human writing to expose that scoundrel Ji Anjue's misdeeds!

Unaware of this, Ji Anzhi put Xiaoxue down and took out some toys for her.

Life continued as usual over the next few days, with no need for Ji Anjue to intervene at all.

According to the Bug Swarm distribution map sent by the Federation, their location wasn't particularly close to the Zerg nest, yet most Zerg were heading their way.

The Federation was perplexed, while Ji Anzhi silently glanced at Ji Anjue.

The culprit behind this phenomenon—Ji Anjue—continued to eat and drink heartily.

Ji Anzhi couldn't help but ask, "Where did you get the food?"

At Ji Anzhi's question, Ji Anjue replied guiltily, "Just from before... I've been saving it..."

Ji Anzhi remained skeptical. After thinking for a moment, he sent a message to Chi Yan.

"Ji Anzhi: Yanyan, has Anjue asked you for food?"

The reply came a minute later.

"Chi Yan: Yes, he said Chief Ji, you haven't had much appetite lately, so he asked for some snacks and fruits to satisfy cravings."

Ji Anzhi silently looked at Ji Anjue, revealing a "nuclear-friendly" smile.

"Anjue..."

"Dad Ji, I was wrong!"

As soon as Ji Anzhi called his name, Ji Anjue immediately stood up and sincerely admitted his mistake.

Unfortunately, Ji Anzhi wasn't buying it. With a forced smile, he used the gentlest tone to deliver the coldest words.

"Since you know you were wrong, your snack allowance for the next six months will be reduced to ten million, and you'll get ten tubes of Psychic Stimulant per month. Acceptable?"

Ji Anjue: "...Acceptable."

If he didn't accept, he'd probably end up zero-distance with caterpillars.

Chi Yan didn't know what had happened, but from Ji Anzhi's message, he could sense something was off.

"Chi Yan: What's wrong?"

"Ji Anzhi: Nothing. Next time Anjue asks you, don't give him anything. He made a mistake and is being cut off from snacks."

"Chi Yan: I see. I'll ask Chief Ji first next time I give him anything."

"Ji Anzhi: Okay. How much was the food? I'll transfer the money to you."

"Chi Yan: No need, no need. It's normal for Anjue to be greedy with his childish nature."

"Ji Anzhi: If anything happens in the future, tell me. Your Chief Ji will back you up."

"Chi Yan: Thank you in advance, Chief Ji!"

"Ji Anzhi: No problem."

After chatting with Chi Yan, Ji Anzhi warned Ji Anjue again: no next time.

Ji Anjue nodded obediently and repeatedly promised.

Though his promises were of dubious credibility.

Another day passed, and the principal suddenly hailed the Star Eagle.

Ji Anzhi initially thought something major had happened, but the principal said Qi Yanshen had arrived and asked if he was willing to meet him, as Qi Yanshen wanted to discuss something.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally agreed.

"Let him come to the Star Eagle to talk."

"Alright."

When Qi Yanshen piloted Thor to the Star Eagle's landing bay, his hands unconsciously tightened. Though only half a month had passed, it felt like over a decade.

Exiting the mech, the first person he saw was the blond man who had beaten him up so fiercely.

Although his mother and dad had both told him this man was Ji Anjue, Ji Anzhi's adopted son, Qi Yanshen remained skeptical.

Ji Anjue didn't treat others the way he treated Ji Anzhi; he didn't casually read minds.

With others, especially these key individuals, he didn't care about their privacy and freely read their memories.

Learning that Qi Yanshen doubted his identity, Ji Anjue scoffed, "Believe it or not."

Qi Yanshen immediately realized, "You're reading my memories?"

Ji Anjue leisurely retorted, "Don't you know my psychic level?"

Of course, Qi Yanshen knew. Before coming, his father had repeatedly warned him that Ji Anzhi's adopted son was an SSSS-level psychic, and he needed to be extremely careful.

With this in mind, Qi Yanshen changed the subject: "Where is Anzhi?"

"He's in the ecological room. The environment there is good and relaxing." At this point, Ji Anjue glanced back casually, with a hint of warning: "I won't be there, but if you try to do anything harmful to Dad Ji, I'll make you disappear without a trace."

Qi Yanshen had no doubt about that.

This man had that capability.

The rest of the way was silent. When they arrived at the ecological room, Ji Anzhi had been waiting for some time.

Ji Anzhi was by a pond. Not far away was a plant commonly seen at the military academy, the very one Ji Anzhi often kept with him.

Ji Anzhi was dressed in his usual white shirt and casual pants, seated on a stool, with a tea set on the table between them. Opposite him was another stool, undoubtedly his seat.

"Go ahead."

Qi Yanshen walked over. The short walk of just over ten meters felt tense, his palms clenched unconsciously.

Standing before Ji Anzhi, about two meters away, Qi Yanshen's lips moved slightly. After several false starts, he finally uttered somewhat nervously, "Anzhi."

Ji Anzhi didn't react much, just smiled faintly and said, "Come, have a seat."

Qi Yanshen walked to the seat opposite Ji Anzhi and sat down.

As soon as he sat, Ji Anzhi asked, "Got your memories back?"

Qi Yanshen nodded stiffly, unsure whether to voice the question in his heart.

"Ask whatever you want."

"...Do you really want to break up with me?"

As he said this, Qi Yanshen lowered his gaze, not daring to look at Ji Anzhi.

Ji Anzhi replied calmly, "At the time, I unilaterally announced the breakup."

Qi Yanshen reacted swiftly: "I don't agree, so we're still together."

Ji Anzhi chuckled.

"Qi Yanshen, have you ever thought about what life would be like if we two actually went the distance and got married?"

Qi Yanshen had imagined it. He knew Ji Anzhi liked a life of freedom, but he... seemed unable to provide that.

Silence itself was an answer.

"We two aren't really compatible. I've mentioned this before, but you stubbornly kept getting close to me."

Qi Yanshen had no reply and lowered his head.

Ji Anzhi continued: "When I was on Suo'ao'er, I witnessed the evil in human nature. So, I don't want a future life filled with scheming and deceit."

"I can escape everything, explore the unknown stars, but you can't. You are the eldest son of Commander Qi and Minister Yun. They'd be reluctant to let you leave the Federation. Moreover, you're a genius from the military academy; the military wouldn't easily let you go."

This was an undeniable fact. Qi Yanshen couldn't refute it.

"I actually like you too, but I don't know if I should let this liking go so far as to love you."

Hearing this, Qi Yanshen abruptly looked up at Ji Anzhi, asking, voice trembling with excitement, "Really?"

Ji Anzhi smiled and nodded.

There was nothing embarrassing about admitting you liked someone.

He was just afraid, afraid this fondness would make him lose himself.

"There's nothing to deny. I do like you. Otherwise, that time you were drugged, I definitely could have killed you first."

Regarding this point, Qi Yanshen had no argument.

Although Ji Anzhi's health wasn't great, if he truly wanted to resist, there were plenty of ways. For instance, from the very beginning, Ji Anzhi could have pulled out a bunch of things from his Space Bracelet for a mutual demise.

Qi Yanshen softly said, "Sorry."

Ji Anzhi said frankly, "There's nothing to apologize for. I was the victim, you were also a victim. Besides, An Jue has already gotten justice for me."

Qi Yanshen couldn't help but ask, "That man really is Ji Anjue?"

Ji Anzhi smiled and nodded, confirming Qi Yanshen's guess.

"Hard to believe, right? But that's the fact."

Thinking back to the little dumpling Ji Anzhi first adopted, and now this golden-haired man taller than Ji Anzhi himself, Qi Yanshen fell silent.

"Speaking of which, do you still want to be with me? I mean, together with the intention of marriage."

Qi Yanshen said firmly, "Yes."

Ji Anzhi took out an agreement, placed it in the middle of the table. Qi Yanshen took it and flipped through it.

"You can take a look. Some things are better said upfront. Think it over carefully. It's better for both of us."

"First, neither of us is someone who can't live without the other. Everyone is a complete, independent individual. I'm not a dodder plant; I don't need to cling to someone else to live, nor do I want to."

"So, even if we end up married, I won't make changes that compromise myself just because our relationship status changes."

"Similarly, you don't need to compromise yourself to accommodate me. Everyone has their own dreams and careers. We are first and foremost ourselves, and only then each other's partner."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Qi Yanshen listened in silence. He understood Ji Anzhi's meaning perfectly.

But for a moment, he wished he didn't understand what Ji Anzhi was saying.

Ji Anzhi disliked human scheming and wanted to explore the unknown stars, but Qi Yanshen was destined to continue serving in the Third Legion.

Although the position of Commander wasn't hereditary, nepotism, coupled with his own talent and the power struggles within the Federation, destined him to take over the Third Legion.

Seeing Qi Yanshen silent, Ji Anzhi didn't rush to urge him.

Although he liked Qi Yanshen, this fondness wasn't something he absolutely had to have.

As he said, even if the two of them really went all the way, he would first be Ji Anzhi, and only then Qi Yanshen's partner.

After a long time, Qi Yanshen finally said bitterly, "After the Bug Swarm ends... you'll leave, won't you?"

Without hesitation, Ji Anzhi nodded in response.

Qi Yanshen was overcome by a sense of helplessness and loss, like a dragon compelled to give up its own treasure, knowing full well it couldn’t bear to part with it, yet still having to “willingly” let it go.

“…Then, can we define our relationship before you leave?”

“How so?”

“With a marriage certificate.”

Ji Anzhi was somewhat amused, but soon couldn’t bring himself to laugh.

He knew he was being selfish—this approach would leave Qi Yanshen utterly passive and insecure.

But he, too, lacked security; love between an Alpha and a Beta held too many uncertainties.

Qi Yanshen was afraid, and so was he.

“Let’s talk about this after the Bug Swarm ends,” Ji Anzhi said, dodging the topic.

But he still felt he needed to offer Qi Yanshen some reassurance, so he suggested, “Would you like to stay on the Star Eagle for a while?”

The shift in topic was somewhat abrupt, but Qi Yanshen, after only a moment's hesitation, promptly agreed.

Once he'd agreed, it occurred to Qi Yanshen that they had been dating since the beginning of their second year—two years now. Wasn’t it about time… they moved in together?

He asked, “One room?”

Ji Anzhi smiled and nodded. “One room. If you’d rather sleep separately, that’s fine too.”

“No need.”

Qi Yanshen said decisively.

After two years of progressing from separate rooms to sharing one, only a fool would choose to revert to square one.

“Take this agreement back and look it over. Most of the terms are my suggestions. If you want to add anything, we can discuss it. Just sign it before we marry.”

“Mm, I’ll head back for a bit then.”

“Alright, message me later.”

“Okay.”

After Qi Yanshen left, Ji Anzhi was alone in the eco-room, leisurely sipping tea.

‘So rash?’

Ji Anzhi countered, “What else?”

Ji Anjue was indignant. ‘But he forced himself on you. Besides, back then, you nearly lost your life saving them…’

“An Jue, you can’t judge things solely by appearances. Him forcing himself on me—the original sin lies with those who drugged me. As for saving them, the root cause was the Bug Swarm you triggered.”

“It’s hard to clearly define right and wrong in this world.”

Ji Anjue still felt his Ji-dad was being too hasty and protested in Ji Anzhi’s mind, ‘But today was the first time you've seen each other in a year! How did you end up discussing marriage? And moving in together!’

After finishing his tea, Ji Anzhi spoke slowly.

“An Jue, do you think Qi Yanshen loves me?”

‘Anyone with eyes can see that.’

“When he stepped into the forbidden zone to pursue me, I kept avoiding him, even took advantage of him. Even after losing his memory, he still recognized me and looked after me in every way possible, yet I continued to evade him.”

“After what happened that day, I figured some things out. I was simply afraid—afraid the tragedy from my childhood would repeat itself, afraid those who loved me wouldn’t meet a good end, afraid those I loved would abandon me.”

“But looking at it from another angle, if I’ve already fallen for someone yet still fear these things, then a tragic outcome is inevitable.”

“So why not throw caution to the wind for once and openly accept his affection?”

“No matter what choices a person makes, there will always be regrets—the only difference is the depth of that regret.”

“Besides, I dislike dragging things out. Procrastination only makes situations worse.”

Ji Anjue acted as a patient listener. Only after Ji Anzhi finished expressing his tangled thoughts did he say he understood, leaving Ji Anzhi alone with his reflections.

It had taken Ji Anzhi immense courage to finally dare to accept Qi Yanshen—to accept an Alpha who, by all rights, should have remained a stranger on a separate path.