Chapter 142 Rescue Operation

Chapter 142: Coexisting

After processing the experimental data, Ji Anzhi stretched wearily, about to collapse onto the bed when he noticed a soft breathing sound beside him.

Turning his head, he saw Qi Yanshen.

Ji Anzhi had almost forgotten that Qi Yanshen was on his bed, thinking it was Xiaoxue sneaking in again.

Qi Yanshen's eyes were closed, his breathing even and measured—he must have fallen asleep.

"Qi Yanshen?"

Ji Anzhi whispered. Qi Yanshen's breathing remained unchanged; he appeared to be truly asleep.

Ji Anzhi lay down gently, and then... he couldn't sleep.

He really had been too rash; he shouldn't have pushed himself like this.

A glance at the clock told him an hour had passed. His body was exhausted, but his mind was tense, unable to fall asleep.

Looking at Qi Yanshen sleeping peacefully beside him, Ji Anzhi quietly got up.

I should just sleep on the couch.

He slipped out of bed carefully, making sure not to disturb Qi Yanshen, then slowly walked out of the bedroom and closed the door.

Three seconds after Ji Anzhi closed the door, the supposedly sleeping Qi Yanshen immediately opened his eyes, looking toward the bedroom door, lost in thought.

Over ten minutes later, the bedroom door opened. Qi Yanshen walked to the sofa and crouched down.

Gazing at Ji Anzhi's peaceful sleeping face, Qi Yanshen let out a soft sigh.

The next second, he gently scooped Ji Anzhi up and carried him back to bed.

After tucking in the covers and confirming Ji Anzhi hadn't woken up, he went to the other side and lay down.

He had originally planned to carry out his scheme, but now it seemed better to let it go.

...

The next morning, when Ji Anzhi woke up in bed, he immediately guessed what had happened.

Turning his head, he didn't see Qi Yanshen.

Right, his routine had always been very regular.

To be precise, military academy students' routines were all very regular, while he was the exception—but that's beside the point.

Getting up to wash up, he opened the door and scanned the room, spotting Qi Yanshen at a glance.

Wearing a pink apron, holding a pan in his left hand and a spatula in his right, paired with the alpha's wasp-waist and broad-shouldered physique, the scene was almost surreal...

Hearing the noise, Qi Yanshen looked back and, seeing it was Ji Anzhi up, said, "Just a moment longer, it'll be ready soon."

With a complicated expression, Ji Anzhi said, "You don't have to do this."

"It's fine, just small things."

Ji Anzhi didn't know what else to say, so he just sat quietly at the dining table to wait.

By the time Qi Yanshen finished making breakfast, before Ji Anzhi could move, Qi Yanshen had already prepared everything.

Just like before when he was still "He Zhi," all Ji Anzhi had to do was reach out, and Qi Yanshen would hand him what he needed, sometimes even before Ji Anzhi realized it himself.

Feeling a mix of emotions, Ji Anzhi's lips parted slightly, hesitating several times, but in the end, he said nothing.

After the meal, Ji Anzhi asked, "Do you have anything to do?"

"No."

Even if he wanted to go on a mission or do something now, the Marshal and the others wouldn't agree.

Ji Anzhi continued, "Then how do you plan to spend your time later?"

The opportunity had arrived.

Qi Yanshen met Ji Anzhi's gaze, then lowered his head and said softly, "I want to be with you..."

As he said this, Qi Yanshen tried hard to recall his brother's teachings from yesterday: the tone must be gentle; to receive "affection," one must learn to show weakness.

Just like that Chi Yan.

The evidence proved the military advisor's skills were very much on point.

Ji Anzhi inexplicably heard a pitiful, wronged tone, as if he had bullied him, leaving Ji Anzhi speechless.

What if he suddenly regretted it?

Being a heartless scumbag seemed easier.

"Um... but I have experiments to do today..."

"I can watch from the side, I won't disturb you."

Even though it was said without emotion, it always sounded weak.

Ji Anzhi had no choice but to agree, taking Qi Yanshen to his laboratory.

His recent experiments weren't particularly dangerous. If they were truly hazardous, he would bring Ji Anjue's main body. In case of an accident, Ji Anjue's psychic power would immediately contain the danger.

"First, disinfect and sterilize, then go change into a lab coat."

Qi Yanshen obediently disinfected and sterilized, then changed into a lab coat and followed Ji Anzhi into the laboratory.

Inside were various instruments, most of which Qi Yanshen recognized, with a small remainder being relatively unfamiliar or simply never seen before.

Ji Anzhi put on protective gloves and a mask, then turned to Qi Yanshen and said, "There's a seat over there; you can sit. If you get bored, you can also browse the StarNet."

"Okay."

With that, Ji Anzhi turned back to continue yesterday's experiment.

Even with Qi Yanshen present, Ji Anzhi quickly entered his focused state, thus overlooking Qi Yanshen's presence.

Noticing this, Qi Yanshen silently opened his personal terminal, logged onto the StarNet, and started reading the current interstellar news.

"Lu Yan: You there?"

Probably seeing he was online and wanting to gossip, Lu Yan suddenly sent a message.

"Qi Yanshen: Need something?"

"Lu Yan: Any progress?"

"Qi Yanshen: Slept in the same bed yesterday."

"Lu Yan: You slept in the same bed!!! That fast?"

"Qi Yanshen: With three meters between us."

"Lu Yan: Oh, I see."

He thought progress couldn't possibly be that quick; even a starship isn't that fast.

"Lu Yan, so how are you two getting along now?"

"Qi Yanshen: He's doing experiments; I'm keeping him company."

"Lu Yan: …………"

"Lu Yan: Never mind. Just remember not to disturb him during experiments. Researchers hate being interrupted mid-experiment the most."

"Qi Yanshen: Mm."

"Lu Yan: That's all then. I don't miss you right now; I'm swamped. Little Madman's rut cycle has started, and I still haven't introduced him to the omega I promised Uncle Jian."

"Qi Yanshen: Good luck."

Lu Yan didn't reply, probably busy right after sending the message.

Qi Yanshen closed the chat window and stole a glance toward Ji Anzhi's direction—still experimenting.

With nothing to do, Qi Yanshen messaged his adjutant, instructing him to send over all backlogged military district documents that could be processed electronically.

When the adjutant received the message, he was handling files originally belonging to his superior. Seeing it, his eyes welled up with grateful tears and he immediately sent over all official documents eligible for electronic approval.

His workload was reduced by two-thirds.

To thank his superior, the adjutant added a wish for the commander to win his beloved's heart.

Qi Yanshen didn't reply, directly opening the official documents to start processing.

Thus, in the lab, one conducted experiments while the other handled official duties—an unexpectedly harmonious scene.

By lunchtime, if not for Qi Yanshen's reminder, Ji Anzhi would likely have waited two hours until his energy was completely depleted, his hands too unsteady to hold tools, before drinking a nutrient solution.

After finishing the nutrient solution, the two repeated their morning routine.

Dinner was eaten back in the room, again prepared by Qi Yanshen, with Ji Anjue dropping by for a meal.

Although he didn't like Qi Yanshen, he wouldn't let that come between him and good food.

So, Ji Anjue's arrival unceremoniously devoured the portion meant for Qi Yanshen, leaving Qi Yanshen with only a bit of soup and the rest relying on nutrient solution.

At bedtime, worried about another bout of insomnia, Ji Anzhi brought Xiaoxue to bed.

Xiaoxue loved sleeping with her owner, but after Ji Anzhi's total genetic cellular collapse, his health declined and he became prone to infections, so Xiaoxue was strictly forbidden from entering his room.

Later, when Ji Anzhi improved significantly, Xiaoxue was allowed in again but still not on the bed.

Rarely able to sleep with her owner, Xiaoxue excitedly licked Ji Anzhi's hair, her tail held high.

Qi Yanshen watched with a cold expression from the side.

If not for knowing Xiaoxue's importance in Ji Anzhi's heart, he really wanted to throw the cat out.

Finally, Ji Anzhi held Xiaoxue and quickly fell asleep.

Qi Yanshen lay beside them, two meters away, as the man and cat slept peacefully.

After watching for a long time, Qi Yanshen withdrew his gaze and went to sleep.

The next two days passed similarly for both.

Until the third day, when Ji Anzhi didn't go to the lab.

"Marshal Laiwen sent a message yesterday. A large number of White Worms have appeared within the First Legion's jurisdiction, requiring us to go clean them up today."

"The nearest military district to the First Legion is at least five superluminal jumps away. Your body won't withstand it."

Ji Anjue said calmly, "No need for your concern. With me here, nothing will happen."

Given that Qi Yanshen's recent cooking had been to his taste and even included special treats for him, Ji Anjue refrained from sarcasm.

Ji Anzhi also spoke up, "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

Though still uneasy, seeing Ji Anjue and Ji Anzhi's composed attitudes, Qi Yanshen had no choice but to remain silent.

Then, from the command center of the Star Eagle, Qi Yanshen witnessed a scene he never imagined possible in his life.

Ji Anjue activated the Star Eagle without any connected conduits, issuing commands fluidly with almost no delay.

Ji Anzhi noticed Qi Yanshen's disbelief. Having spent enough time together, even without significant changes in expression, he could sense the other's emotions.

Ji Anzhi explained, "An Jue's psychic power is extremely strong. Psychic link cables can't handle it, and even if they could, there would be considerable delay. So, I modified the equipment for psychic starship piloting."

Logically, Qi Yanshen knew this was a groundbreaking research achievement, but Ji Anzhi described it lightly as a 'modification,' as if it were a minor tweak, nothing to be surprised about...

He suddenly understood the messages the Marshal and the Dean had sent him earlier.

"Get along well, and by the way, ask Ji Anzhi if he'd consider moving his citizenship to the Federation. The Federation welcomes him anytime."

If he were in their position, he'd also want Ji Anzhi to move to the Federation. After all, what country wouldn't want a genius with groundbreaking research achievements?

However, the Marshal and Dean's plans were likely futile. He was barely holding onto the boyfriend position, let alone persuading Ji Anzhi to change citizenship.

A few minutes later, superluminal space jump preparations were complete. Without warning, Ji Anjue initiated the jump.

Normally, given Ji Anzhi's current physical condition, even with the starship's protective shield, he would experience discomfort during a superluminal jump.

Yet Ji Anzhi showed no change in expression, sitting comfortably near the command center door, leisurely sipping tea.

Even Xiaoxue was fine, playing with a fuzzy ball she'd found somewhere, rolling it around without any signs of lethargy.

Qi Yanshen assessed his own condition; indeed, it was like floating in space, without the slight discomfort usually felt during space jumps.

Ji Anjue explained leisurely, "My psychic power envelops the starship. Nothing will go wrong."

While shocking Qi Yanshen, he secretly begged Ji Anzhi for sustenance: 'Dad Ji, psychic energy overconsumption. Can I have some Psychic Stimulant?' Ji Anjue: '…………'

Seriously? Was that necessary?

Ji Anjue grumbled inwardly—why was his dad getting stingier and stingier?

Still sulking, the Star Eagle made eight consecutive jumps before reaching its destination—the Koshi Military District.

The Koshi Military District is one of the zones relatively close to the insect nest. Yesterday, the Insect Monitoring Bureau reported at least twenty psychic-type bugs within its defensive line.

It would've been fine at first, but over the past ten days or so, too many bugs had broken through the firepower coverage and reached the front, where close-range combat relied on mecha battles.

If a White Worm broke through the coverage, reached the line, and took control of a human to suddenly attack a teammate, the line could be easily breached.

The district commander knew the situation was abnormal and that the Marshal had found a high-level psychic specialist. But this rescuer probably couldn't arrive soon—they needed to hold out another day or two.

Who'd have thought that after the report yesterday noon and the request sent that afternoon, the rescue would arrive this morning?

The speed made the commander think it was a joke. But the Marshal's inquiry, coupled with frontline reports of a new warship, forced him to believe it.

The commander didn't even know how he managed to fumble out the message.

"Marshal, reporting. Reinforcements have arrived."

"Marshal: Forgot to mention earlier. Their psychic level is probably beyond SSSS-grade. That's old data; they're stronger now. Mind your manners."

"Koshi Commander: Received."

More than just manners—they could be treated like royalty and it wouldn't be a problem.

His soldiers were saved!

That was the commander's first thought. This year's bug offensive had just begun, yet there were already thousands of casualties. Small losses for a district of hundreds of thousands, but those were Federation-trained elites—each one a life!

The commander made a snap decision to contact the Star Eagle and express his gratitude.

Before he could send the request, a subordinate messaged him.

"The starship has left."

The commander was blank for a second.

Left? What left?

The starship left?

Which starship left?

Why message me if it left?

Maybe because the commander didn't reply, the subordinate added another line.

"The reinforcements stayed about a minute, then left for the neighboring district."

The commander was dumbfounded. He could understand every word, but together, he couldn't make sense of them.

A few seconds later, he sent a message, his hands shaking.

"You mean they *left* left?"

"Yes. The Bug Swarm Monitoring Bureau just reported most psychic-type bugs in our district have vanished."

'Vanished' was the official term, but everyone knew the truth.

They were dead.