Chapter 143 Stealing a Kiss

Chapter 143: A Stolen Kiss

[Star Eagle]

Qi Yanshen said, sounding puzzled, "We've only been here a minute."

His meaning was clear: why rush to the next military district so soon?

Ji Anzhi explained, "The missions in this area are done."

"...Finished?"

Ji Anzhi smiled and nodded, accompanied by Ji Anjue's casual yet slightly mocking glance from the side.

*Is that all there is?*

Qi Yanshen felt today's events were even more surreal than the day Ji Anzhi agreed to live with him, constantly challenging his understanding...

Ji Anzhi noted Qi Yanshen's reaction, smiling without comment.

When all tasks for the First Legion were completed, Qi Yanshen checked the time. It had taken five hours in total, including travel time.

Ninety-five percent of that was just travel...

Just then, the Marshal sent him a message.

"Marshal: Cleanup mission complete. There's a scenic tourist planet near you. Feel free to visit if you like."

Qi Yanshen fell silent.

The Marshal might as well have told him to find a way to tie Ji Anzhi to the Federation's cause.

"Qi Yanshen: Understood."

"Marshal: Need some public funds? We'll deduct it from your Third Legion's account."

The first sentence made Qi Yanshen's heart flutter—after all, buying gifts and treating the strategist would cost money.

The second sentence immediately dashed that idea. The last time he used public funds for personal matters, his allowance was instantly halved and it still hasn't recovered. Better not.

"Qi Yanshen: No need, thank you, Marshal."

"Marshal: Alright, do your best."

"Qi Yanshen: Yes."

He closed the chat window, and Ji Anjue's voice chimed in.

"Turning down free money. Tsk."

Qi Yanshen: "..."

*Forgot there's a mind-reader here.*

Ji Anzhi knew what had just happened. When Qi Yanshen declined the Marshal, Ji Anjue immediately sidled over to complain quietly, calling Qi Yanshen a fool for not pocketing the money. Now, with not a cent to his name, were they supposed to support him?

Ji Anzhi smiled helplessly. *An Jue practically treats Qi Yanshen's wallet as his own.*

"Alright, contact Commander Dai and ask for Star Eagle's docking location."

Ji Anzhi planned to dock Star Eagle nearby after completing the mission, to avoid returning to the Bug Swarm ruins area. Too troublesome.

Ji Anjue obediently contacted First Legion Commander Dai Mo using a special channel. Seconds later, Commander Dai's holographic image appeared before the viewport.

"Your Excellency, hello. How may I assist you?"

Dai Mo grinned. This was the savior of his legion, the one who snatched lives back from the jaws of death!

Ji Anjue didn't think much of this omega legion commander, who had once subjected his Ji-dad to a mental interrogation. He replied bluntly, "We've cleared the psychic insectoids. Where can we dock?"

Dai Mo was taken aback by how fast it was but, as a seasoned legion commander, quickly composed himself. "No problem, please wait a moment."

He then looked down, quietly consulting someone beside him. Half a minute later, he provided coordinates. They were a bit of a distance from Star Eagle's current position—not the nearest military base, but the one with the most comprehensive supplies nearby.

Half an hour later, Star Eagle arrived at the base. Since they'd been given a heads-up, nobody bothered them. Only the supplies Ji Anjue had requested earlier were delivered.

Ji Anzhi personally inspected the delivered supplies.

Qi Yanshen followed behind. Ji Anzhi first had robots scan the supply crates to confirm they contained no explosives, then had the robots open them to check for toxic gases.

After the robots finished inspecting all crates, Ji Anzhi stepped forward to examine each one, verifying the safety and integrity of the supplies.

Qi Yanshen understood this behavior but felt a twinge of disappointment. Ji Anzhi was still distrustful of the Federation.

He had no standing to demand otherwise. They were, after all, from two different worlds.

Quietly waiting for Ji Anzhi to finish the inspection, Qi Yanshen handed him a bottle of water. "Take a break."

Ji Anzhi, indeed tired and thirsty, took it with a thanks, took a few sips, and held it in his hand.

"Inspection's done. The bots can handle storing and sorting the rest. Would you like to train in the gym for a while?"

Qi Yanshen initially wanted to refuse but remembered Ji Anzhi's earlier words and changed his mind. "Alright."

After leading Qi Yanshen to the gym, Ji Anzhi headed to the command center.

Inside the command center, Ji Anjue was idly reading a novel. Ji Anzhi glanced over—some post-apocalyptic human story or a wish-fulfillment novel about plants turning into people and wreaking havoc.

*He reads these?*

Sensing Ji-dad's surprised and puzzled emotions, Ji Anjue sheepishly closed the novel page and switched to an interstellar news channel.

Ji Anzhi raised an eyebrow. *Rare to see Xiao Tuanzi embarrassed. Not easy.*

"I'm not laughing at you."

Ji Anjue: "...Hmph!"

*No one would think you're mute if you didn't say anything, Ji-dad.*

Ji Anzhi nonchalantly returned to his favorite spot, drinking tea and processing experimental data.

Meanwhile, in the gym, Qi Yanshen was undergoing physical training.

The equipment here was barely used. If not for the cleaning robots, it would likely be covered in dust.

Since the incident a month ago, Qi Yanshen had been unable to maintain his physical training regimen due to various reasons.

Having neglected it for a month, it was time to train properly.

Running, squats, grip strength training, weightlifting, agility drills, and various other exercises lasted about five hours.

It was a bit more than his usual training load, but the time it took and how his body felt told Qi Yanshen that his recent slacking off had significantly reduced his endurance and stamina.

Slightly out of breath, Qi Yanshen wiped away his sweat, activated the air purification system, and asked where Ji Anzhi was.

"Ji Anzhi: I'm in the lab. It's getting late, you should go rest first. I'll be a while longer."

"Qi Yanshen: Take care of yourself. I'll wait for you outside the lab door."

"Ji Anzhi: No need."

"Ji Anzhi: I'll be done very soon."

Qi Yanshen didn't reply. Instead, he went alone to the door of Ji Anzhi's laboratory and stood quietly, waiting for Ji Anzhi to finish the experiment.

Then, as if he'd remembered something, he took out a pheromone eliminator and sprayed himself vigorously.

After spraying, he stood obediently again, with his head lowered.

He looked like a little puppy that had been abandoned.

Ji Anjue's mental power spread throughout every corner of the Star Eagle. Generally, he would automatically avoid places where Dad Ji was, not prying into Dad Ji's privacy.

Of course, Qi Yanshen was under surveillance, and was a key, top-priority surveillance target.

He had dared to monitor his Dad Ji before, so now it was only natural for Ji Anjue to monitor him without notice.

Seeing Qi Yanshen being so scheming, even secretly learning how to appear weak, Ji Anjue felt a wave of disdain.

Ji Anzhi thought Qi Yanshen hadn't seen the message or had gone back, so he continued his experiment. It was only two hours later that he barely finished today's work.

Glancing at the time, it was already past ten, almost eleven.

Remembering Qi Yanshen was still waiting for him, Ji Anzhi packed up the experiment report to take with him. When he opened the door, he saw a tall figure.

It was Qi Yanshen.

"You've been here the whole time?"

Ji Anzhi asked in surprise. Qi Yanshen nodded, hands behind his back, and gave a low hum.

For a moment, Ji Anzhi didn't know what to say.

Thinking about it, it made sense. He had assumed Qi Yanshen went back, but he was the person Qi Yanshen had doggedly pursued for a year or two. Now they had just started living together. Lacking a sense of security, Qi Yanshen definitely wouldn't have gone back.

"Sorry, let's go back."

Hearing the word "we," the corner of Qi Yanshen's mouth lifted. He followed closely behind Ji Anzhi, returning to their room.

On the way, Ji Anzhi added, somewhat making amends, "Next time you come over, you can ring the doorbell. You don't have to wait outside the whole time."

Qi Yanshen thought for a moment, not agreeing immediately, considering testing Ji Anzhi's boundaries.

Seeing Qi Yanshen didn't reply, Ji Anzhi thought he was dissatisfied. He secretly glanced at Qi Yanshen's expression and added, "You can also get direct access permissions. How about that?"

"Okay."

Qi Yanshen knew when to stop, lest he end up shooting himself in the foot.

Seeing Qi Yanshen finally speak, Ji Anzhi relaxed slightly.

The two returned to the room. Ji Anzhi's experiment today had taken too long. If he hadn't remembered Qi Yanshen was waiting for him, he might have just rested right there in the lab.

So Ji Anzhi told Qi Yanshen not to make food for him; he was a bit tired and would just wash up and go to sleep.

Hearing this, Qi Yanshen agreed. He took out a nutrient drink to satisfy his hunger, causing Ji Anjue, who was halfway there hoping to get some food, to stop in his tracks.

Ji Anjue: "…………"

The stomach he had specifically starved for a meal was ultimately let down...

After washing up, the two got into bed.

Qi Yanshen quietly shifted towards Ji Anzhi's direction, only fifteen centimeters. Not much, but a good start.

Ji Anzhi noticed but didn't say anything.

First, he was genuinely quite tired. Second, given their current relationship, sleeping a bit closer was fine.

Besides, he hadn't said from the start that they had to sleep on opposite sides.

After falling asleep quickly, Qi Yanshen, who had been quiet before, glanced to the side. He waited a few more minutes, confirming Ji Anzhi was truly asleep, then with a restless heart, quietly got out of bed and went to Ji Anzhi's side.

He wanted to give a kiss.

The person he loved was right before his eyes, yet he couldn't be close. Wanting to be intimate, he could only sneak around after his beloved had fallen asleep.

Frustrating.

Qi Yanshen slowly leaned down, wanting to give a kiss before sleeping.

When he was only a few centimeters away from Ji Anzhi's cheek, a voice that was both amused and indifferent sounded in his mind.

'Dare to try and kiss him?'

The words were spoken casually. Qi Yanshen thought someone had infiltrated the room and immediately looked around, simultaneously retrieving an energy gun and a protective shield from his Space Bracelet. If there was any danger, the shield could safely protect Ji Anzhi.

Just as Qi Yanshen was on high alert, the voice sounded again.

'Stop looking. I'm in the command center.'

This time Qi Yanshen recognized it; it was Ji Anjue's voice.

'That's right, it's me. So behave, okay?'

Qi Yanshen: "…………"

Qi Yanshen silently put away his things, lay back in his own spot, and even moved back the fifteen centimeters he had shifted closer.

'Don't think about anything crooked.'

After saying that, Ji Anjue's mental power withdrew from the room.

If he hadn't taken a sudden whim to check, he wouldn't have known Qi Yanshen wanted to sneak a kiss from his Dad Ji.

What level is his Dad Ji? What level is Qi Yanshen?

How dare he harbor such presumptuous thoughts?

After warning Qi Yanshen and making sure he'd stay in line, Ji Anjue was finally able to sleep soundly.

The next day

When Qi Yanshen and Ji Anjue met at the command center, by unspoken agreement, neither mentioned the events of the previous night.

Ji Anzhi was still unaware of what had happened last night. Sitting in his designated seat at the command center, he processed the experimental data from the day before.

Previous experiments usually produced some findings within half a year. However, this experiment was designed to deal with the Bug Swarm, so Ji Anzhi didn't plan to work in isolation. Whenever he hit a roadblock in his thinking, he considered talking to the Federation's experts on this.

That way, results would come faster.

Thus, Ji Anzhi asked Qi Yanshen, "Yan Shen, what are the people at the Military Academy Research Institute like?"

Qi Yanshen roughly guessed what Ji Anzhi intended to do. After a brief moment of thought, he replied.

"Those old-timers are quite good. Most of them are research fanatics, pretty straightforward."

After all, the schemers had been sent to the Federal Research Institute. From what he knew about his own dad, the place where the institute spent the most effort was probably figuring out how to secure more research funding and then bad-mouthing the principal behind his back.

Ji Anzhi already had a pretty good idea; he was just checking with Qi Yanshen.

Judging from the few military academy researchers he had interacted with, while they might not be considered research fanatics, they still had a moral compass and possessed the eccentricities typical of geniuses.

Ji Anzhi called Principal Lin. A few seconds later, the call connected.

"Ji, what can I do for you?"

Ji Anzhi got straight to the point: "Principal, I need a favor."

Lin Dusheng was taken aback. If you need a favor, just ask. No need to be so formal. It made him nervous.

"Go ahead."

"I'd like to exchange ideas with experts from the Military Academy Research Institute in the fields of energy, machinery, and materials."

Lin Dusheng thought he'd heard wrong and asked Ji Anzhi to repeat himself.

Confirming he wasn't hearing things, Lin Dusheng's face was a picture of mixed emotions: "Are you sure?"

Ji Anzhi nodded.

Lin Dusheng asked Ji Anzhi to wait a moment, then exited the screen to take care of something.

Meanwhile, Lin Dusheng, at the Bug Swarm ruins site, was sending messages in the research institute's group chat to inquire.

"Lin Dusheng: Ji Anzhi wants to exchange ideas with people from our institute in energy, machinery, and materials. Who's *not* going?"

Normally, aside from funding issues, messages took at least an hour to get replies. Today, however, replies came within half a minute.

"Head of Energy Department: Our entire department is going."

"Head of Materials Department: Our entire department is going."

"Head of Mecha Department: All relevant personnel from our department are going. The Starship Department people aren't going."

"Head of Starship Department: All relevant personnel from the Starship Department are going."

"Head of Starship Department: Does your Mecha Department want to fight? Bring it on! Whoever loses has to quit!"

"Head of Mecha Department: Let's go then. Duel in the arena within five minutes. Whoever doesn't show up directly cuts half a year's funding for the other side."

"Head of Starship Department: I'm coming right now. Whoever doesn't show up will fail every experiment from now on!"

Although Lin Dusheng enjoyed watching the drama, the current priority was the academic exchange with Ji Anzhi. They could fight it out later on their own.

"Lin Dusheng: Quiet."

The chat went dead silent, with no more messages arguing.

"Lin Dusheng: I'll set up a secure channel later. We'll compile a list of all participants for the exchange. Everyone must sign a confidentiality agreement before joining, and we'll conduct it in a dedicated meeting room under top-secret mode."

"Lin Dusheng: Anyone with objections, don't come. Sign-up starts now."

Lin Dusheng then uploaded a file to the group. Within seconds, over two hundred people had signed up.

After the sign-up was complete and the personnel in the meeting room were ready, Lin Dusheng returned to the communication screen.

"The research institute side is ready. Do you have time now?"

"Yes."

"Alright. I'll send you a channel link shortly. It might be a bit troublesome."

"That's fine, I understand."