Chapter 144 Kiss

Chapter 144: Kiss

Under Lin Dusheng's guidance, Ji Anzhi soon entered the temporary, confidential, one-time-use channel.

Inside, the researchers of the institute were already in place and ready.

They had originally wanted a holographic meeting, but Lin Dusheng feared these old-timers wouldn't know how to behave and could end up scaring Ji Anzhi.

Given Ji Anzhi's current physical condition, if anything went wrong, the trouble would be immense.

Though a two-dimensional communication channel was more trouble than it was worth, circumstances forced their hand, leaving them to reluctantly settle for it.

Ji Anzhi glanced around. He had seen some during the earlier course selection. Others he hadn't met, but he recognized them from major interstellar research awards.

There were also completely unfamiliar faces. Yet, their presence in the Military Academy Research Institute was proof enough of their competence.

Lin Dusheng was the first to speak.

As the intermediary, he was responsible for setting the tone and easing the atmosphere.

"Alright, let's do some simple introductions."

"This is Student Ji Anzhi, a third-year at the academy. The research you've all been working on lately is based on his achievements."

Ji Anzhi: "…………"

It felt like déjà vu of the freshman challenge tournament, where the principal's opening remarks had managed to draw their full resentment and animosity.

"And these are the so-called 'wasteful' members of our academy's research institute. They've been clamoring for a chance to talk with you."

Researchers from various departments: "…………"

Great introduction. Please don't introduce us like that next time.

In the mutual awkward silence, the atmosphere suddenly eased.

On the institute's side, the head of the Energy Department spoke first.

"Hello, Student Ji. I am Daisy, head of the Energy Department. I look forward to our discussion."

The head was a female Alpha. Her age was unknown, but to hold such a position, she was likely over fifty.

Ji Anzhi replied politely, "Hello."

The introductions wrapped up quickly, and everyone tacitly moved straight to the main topic.

When Ji Anzhi mentioned wanting to improve the energy decomposition and charging rate, and that he had preliminary progress—though the rate had only increased by 0.1% over the baseline, and he felt his direction was correct but he was overlooking something—the researchers were left with their worldviews shattered.

The head of the Energy Department asked a question that cut to the heart of the matter.

"...May I ask, Student Ji, how long have you been researching this?"

"This? The rate increase? Only about a week."

After all, while at the academy and during his time wandering, he had been safe and didn't need it to be fast, so he hadn't looked into it before.

This casual, offhand remark made the institute profoundly agree with Lin Dusheng's statement.

Compared to Ji Anzhi, they truly were wasteful...

The assembled experts took a deep breath, adopting an even more respectful attitude, and began the discussion.

The facts proved that the benefits of daring to exchange ideas far outweighed those of working behind closed doors.

Both sides gained inspiration from each other's thought processes and research. They only talked for two hours, but the gains surpassed what they had achieved in the previous three years.

Afterwards, everyone tacitly rushed back to their own laboratories.

Epiphanies and inspiration were elusive. If you didn't seize them, they might vanish the next instant.

Ji Anzhi was no exception. After telling Ji Anjue to use his own judgment for the time being, he hurried to leave the command center.

After a few steps, he paused.

He turned, grabbed Qi Yanshen who had followed him, and headed for the laboratory.

Qi Yanshen was in high spirits. Anzhi hadn't forgotten to take him along even to the lab. Indeed, as his brother said, people tend to favor the weak.

Upon arriving, Ji Anzhi swiftly completed the preliminary work and dove right back into his research.

Qi Yanshen sat in his designated spot, obediently browsing the StarNet while messaging his younger brother to inquire about the medication for Ji Anzhi's condition.

"Younger brother Qi Jinsi: Dad sought help from Uncle He and the others. They've both been busy with this, but progress hasn't been very promising."

Qi Yanshen had braced himself, but seeing the message, he still felt a pang of disappointment.

Ji Anzhi's frail body was a thorn lodged in Qi Yanshen's heart, a constant reminder that his past weakness had been paid for by Ji Anzhi.

"Qi Yanshen: Keep me updated on any progress."

"Younger brother Qi Jinsi: I know. Dad and the others are more anxious than anyone."

Qi Yanshen knew Ji Anzhi's importance to the Federation was extraordinary. Setting aside his role during the Bug Swarm, his research achievements alone—if leveraged skillfully elsewhere—could potentially elevate another nation's technology to match the Sco Federation's.

This significance spoke for itself.

Ending the brief chat, Qi Yanshen had his adjutant send over electronic documents. Later, the adjutant even bundled and sent his own work as well.

Qi Yanshen accepted it all. With nothing else to do, handling more wasn't a problem.

And so, with one handling duties and the other researching, time slowly passed.

The next two weeks continued this way, until preliminary results emerged and Ji Anzhi finally stopped to rest.

On the day the research succeeded, Ji Anjue was en route to clear the psychic-type Bug Swarm from the Fourth Legion.

Only after the cleanup and signal stabilization did Ji Anzhi send a video call request to the principal.

Several minutes later, it was answered.

"...Student Ji, must you call without regard for the time?"

Ji Anzhi glanced at the time in confusion. It was past 9 PM. Wasn't that still early? And given the principal's position, wasn't he supposed to be busy?

"9:30 PM."

Lin Dusheng suppressed his anger, glaring through gritted teeth at Levin—who had just been pulled into bed to rest but, upon answering the call, had slipped away unnoticed back to work.

You're going to work yourself to death at that desk one day!

"You'd better have a reasonable explanation, Classmate Ji!"

Ji Anzhi was puzzled. He hadn't done anything, so why did the principal look like he wanted to murder him?

But Ji Anzhi still got to the point.

"The energy charging rate research has succeeded."

With just that one sentence, Lin Dusheng's anger vanished. He let out an "ah," utterly confused.

A moment later, Lin Dusheng repeated Ji Anzhi's words, and Ji Anzhi nodded.

Lin Dusheng rubbed his forehead. He really wanted to drag the whole research team out and give them a beating. What was he supposed to do?

Getting a hold of himself, Lin Dusheng asked for details.

"It can increase the rate by 20%."

Given the earlier revelation, although Lin Dusheng was still shocked, he was able to take it in stride.

"So, what conditions do you want?"

After spending time with him, Lin Dusheng had figured out Ji Anzhi's character—he always drove a hard bargain, especially regarding money and power.

True to form, Ji Anzhi began spelling out his demands.

Besides money and various supplies, these included a copy of all the research results from the institute over the past two hundred years, including abandoned experimental data.

Hearing this, Qi Yanshen looked at Ji Anzhi in disbelief.

Lin Dusheng raised an eyebrow. As for all the research from the institute over the past two hundred years—never mind the number of confidential and top-secret files involved, data that could shake the Federation's very foundations—just compiling that massive amount of data would take three to four months.

Lin Dusheng said with a forced smile, "Classmate Ji, do you know what you're saying?"

Of course Ji Anzhi knew what he was saying, but he wanted them for his own purposes, and he'd already thought about how to make the Federation agree.

Ji Anzhi said calmly, "What if I throw in another bargaining chip? For example, a potion that can boost a person's mental power?"

Lin Dusheng's face remained impassive, but his quick reply betrayed his interest.

"Oh? Go on."

"A potion that can permanently enhance mental power. This boost can raise mental power by at least a quarter. However, I must state upfront: there's a catch."

"What cost?"

"Any power gained through a shortcut comes with a ceiling—you'll be stuck right there, unable to progress."

Lin Dusheng weighed the offer carefully. Ji Anzhi waited patiently. This was a crazy deal, one even he himself thought was crazy, let alone Lin Dusheng.

A few minutes later, Lin Dusheng slowly said, "It might be doable. But all the research results from the past two hundred years are too much. The Federation can give you all the experimental reports from the past one to two hundred years. The finalized results cannot be provided. Does Classmate Ji agree?"

Just like that, it was cut from two hundred years down to one hundred, and without the results, only the reports.

Ji Anzhi agreed so promptly that Lin Dusheng felt he had been tricked.

In fact, Lin Dusheng had indeed been tricked. He hadn't actually expected to get reports from a full two hundred years. He originally thought he could only get reports from about sixty to seventy years, so getting reports from one hundred years was an unexpected windfall.

Once they'd hammered out the details, they agreed to meet tomorrow for the exchange.

After ending the call, Qi Yanshen, who had been sitting to the side, didn't know what to say.

But one thing was certain: the principal had definitely been outmaneuvered.

Having read Qi Yanshen's thoughts, Ji Anjue said flatly, "The Federation should have realized from the start that they are the ones asking for our help. It's not about tricking anyone."

Ji Anzhi didn't make a sound, silently making his position clear.

After a moment of silence, Qi Yanshen said, "I'm sorry. After all, I am still a Federation citizen."

"I get it. The Federation *is* a good place..."

_It's just not my own country._

The thought filled him with a pang of sadness and envy.

Ji Anjue glanced out of the corner of his eye. Dad Ji's old issue was acting up again.

Dad Ji was still haunted by what happened to his sister. Even though he was much better now, seeing the treatment of omegas in the Federation still made him think of his sister and feel sad unconsciously.

Tsk, at this rate, he's going to make himself sick.

He was already in poor health, and all this brooding was a surefire way to land him in bed.

But Ji Anjue was powerless. Some shadows needed to be overcome by oneself.

After a while, Ji Anzhi composed his emotions and said to Ji Anjue, "Leave tonight or tomorrow morning?"

Ji Anjue said casually, "Either is fine for me. I have nothing to do anyway."

"Then let's leave tonight. It'll be faster."

"OK."

With this brief exchange, the two quickly decided.

Ji Anzhi said to Qi Yanshen, "Let's go, we should go back and rest."

Qi Yanshen followed him out. Halfway there, he said, "Is this really okay?"

Ji Anzhi smiled. "Don't worry. An Jue has plenty of energy."

After all, An Jue was essentially a plant. He controlled everything about that body. Even going seven days without rest wouldn't be a problem.

Although Qi Yanshen was concerned, it wasn't his place to pry, so he didn't say anything more.

Back in the room, thinking that Ji Anzhi's research had reached a temporary conclusion, Qi Yanshen called out, "Anzhi."

Ji Anzhi turned around, puzzled, tilting his head slightly.

What?

Qi Yanshen spoke nervously, "I... can I kiss you before bed tonight? Just on the forehead."

The last part was said very quickly, as if afraid Ji Anzhi would misunderstand.

Ji Anzhi hadn't expected that was the only reason. He smiled and said, "Of course."

He had nothing against Qi Yanshen. Given their current relationship, Qi Yanshen was indeed being overly deferential.

It really was time for a change. Feelings weren't about one person doing all the work; they needed compromise from both sides.

Of course, compromise had its limits—it mustn't infringe on his personal independence.

After Qi Yanshen, floating on cloud nine, finished cooking and washing up, Ji Anzhi sat on the edge of the bed, amusedly watching the alpha standing before him.

He suddenly understood why some omega seniors at the military academy enjoyed teasing the innocent younger alphas—it was quite fun.

Before Qi Yanshen even leaned in to kiss him, he had turned as red as a boiled shrimp.

Qi Yanshen was genuinely nervous. Last time, he had mustered the courage to try stealing a kiss, only to be caught by Ji Anjue. He was worried history would repeat itself.

"You really don't mind?"

Qi Yanshen asked once more. If Ji Anzhi changed his mind, he... wouldn't kiss him.

Ji Anzhi nodded, amused. Seeing Qi Yanshen so timid, he simply said, "Three seconds. After that, the offer expires."

Hearing this, Qi Yanshen immediately bent down and kissed Ji Anzhi's forehead with great care.

Feeling the warm, soft touch on his forehead, Ji Anzhi tugged at Qi Yanshen's collar before he could straighten up and returned the gesture with a kiss on Qi Yanshen's forehead.

Qi Yanshen froze in place, not daring to move a muscle. Only after the sensation on his forehead faded did he dare to stir.

No one spoke. Qi Yanshen didn't dare meet Ji Anzhi's gaze, while Ji Anzhi watched him with overflowing amusement, observing his flushed yet stern expression.

"Haha, let's sleep."

Faced with Ji Anzhi's laughter, Qi Yanshen silently returned to his spot and lay down.

"Get some sleep."

Qi Yanshen: "…………" He wanted to go to the bathroom...

Unfortunately, the one who had stirred him up fell asleep immediately after speaking. Qi Yanshen didn't dare disturb him and could only wait until Ji Anzhi was sound asleep before making a hasty, awkward dash to the bathroom.

A good night's sleep

Only for Ji Anzhi

The next morning

Seeing the dark circles under Qi Yanshen's eyes, Ji Anzhi roughly guessed the reason and stifled a laugh without saying a word.

The Star Eagle had already landed in the Bug Swarm ruin site, waiting only for Ji Anzhi to wake up and confirm the transaction.

Both Ji Anjue and Qi Yanshen would accompany him. As for the Star Eagle's safety, its main body remained on board, so there was no need to worry.

This transaction was to be signed and completed on the Moon Goddess, marking Ji Anzhi's first time seeing the ship.

Its overall design featured smooth, flowing hues of moon-white and silver-white, and it was roughly the same size as the Star Eagle.

Ji Anzhi observed carefully. The ship's color didn't seem to be from paint; it appeared to be the metal's natural hue, which piqued his interest.

He didn't recall any metal of this color that could be used as ship hull material.

Arriving at the docking bay, they were greeted by Levin and Lin Dusheng.

Behind them were five soldiers, each carrying a case without exception.

Ji Anzhi stepped forward and shook hands with Lin Dusheng.

Both sides wore pleasant, smiling expressions, but who knew what they were really thinking?

"Classmate Ji, please come inside."

"Thank you, Principal."

The two groups proceeded inward.

However, in this transaction, Qi Yanshen stood on Ji Anzhi's side.