Chapter 192

Chapter 192

As news of the front-line defeat spread, the empire was thrown into a panic. The StarNet was buzzing with endless arguments every day, and even the γ-3 district had lost its usual calm. Scientists, once engrossed in their research and indifferent to the outside world, now changed their tune, logging onto the StarNet daily to follow the latest battle updates. The entire administrative zone was restless.

Under these circumstances, the Monarch departed urgently for the front lines to negotiate with the Federation, which had paused hostilities for now. The Left Knight Captain was recalled to the Monarch's side to protect him.

The Monarch had set off overnight, and Xue Ji had no chance to see him, naturally missing the chance to find out the real situation on the border stars. But Kexinia's defeat had happened in his past life too. The empire lost, but the Federation took heavy losses as well. After more than two months of negotiations, both sides agreed to a temporary truce. The empire paid a huge indemnity before the Federation pulled out. Meanwhile, the war had made space pirates in that region more rampant, with all kinds of gray-market trades booming, turning it into a no-man's land.

He didn't know how things would go in this life, but the end result was probably about the same.

Not long after the Monarch and his crew left, Xue Ji got an invitation.

"It's the birthday party for the Villard family's daughter. Unless something comes up, the nobles and corporate directors will all be there," Niallo said. "If you accept, you'd better bring a date to handle the socializing."

Even with the front lines in such a mess, these old-timers still had time to celebrate their daughter's birthday. Xue Ji was speechless. He put down the invitation and said, "Have Laisen get ready."

A flicker of disappointment, barely noticeable, crossed Niallo's eyes, but she acknowledged the order and went to do what Xue Ji said.

The birthday party was set for three days later, and it flew by. It was held at the Villard estate. Xue Ji was held up by his experiments, so by the time he got there, the party had already been going on for a while. From a distance, the estate was lit up and packed with guests.

Laisen, who was always stuck in the lab, had never been to such a fancy party. He was so nervous he didn't know what to do with his hands or feet. Seeing Xue Ji set the aircraft to auto-park and walk in cool as a cucumber, he quickly tugged at his suit and followed close behind.

As soon as they walked through the gates, they heard music playing. At the same time, everyone inside seemed to freeze, stopping mid-action or mid-conversation to stare at the entrance.

Suddenly, all eyes were on them. Laisen spotted a few familiar faces: the four deans, corporate directors he'd met at past bidding events, celebrities he'd only ever seen on the StarNet, and a bunch of young Alphas and Omegas he didn't know by name but who looked high-status from their clothes.

Laisen's skin crawled, and he wished he could just hide behind Xue Ji. But Xue Ji, ignoring his discomfort, scanned the room and headed off in one direction. Laisen had no choice but to grit his teeth and follow.

"Count Villard, good evening," Xue Ji said, stopping before the estate's host. He politely presented a gift box. "A small token, wishing Miss Villard a happy birthday. Please forgive my lateness—I was held up by work. I hope I haven't interrupted your enjoyment?"

Count Villard, advanced in years with graying hair and leaning on an ornate cane, was still sharp-eyed. He gave Xue Ji a subtle once-over, had an attendant take the gift box, and smiled. "Not at all, not at all. Chief Xue is a busy man now, handling matters that affect the entire empire. My granddaughter's modest birthday party hardly warrants you setting aside your work."

By convention, a normal person would deflect such a remark. But Xue Ji was not one to follow convention. He nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Since becoming Chief, I've come to realize how tough Baron Meier had it before. The work isn't exactly important, but it's tedious and exhausting. Before you sent the invitation, I'd been holed up in the tower for three days straight—I was practically reeking. I was hoping to unwind at Miss Villard's party, but I still missed the opening dance. What a shame, don't you think?"

Count Villard's mouth twitched slightly. "Not too late. There's a formal dance later. Is this your dance partner, Chief Xue?" He glanced at Laisen, who was half-hidden behind Xue Ji.

Laisen looked at Xue Ji in panic.

No way! He didn't know how to dance. Xue Ji had told him to come as an assistant, not a partner.

Xue Ji didn't spare him a glance, but his words put Laisen at ease.

"To be honest, I'm usually too busy to learn dancing."

"No matter. I'm sure a talented young man like Chief Xue picks things up quickly. A few dance steps should be no challenge. Coincidentally, my granddaughter is an excellent dancer. Let her teach you." Count Villard smiled, and without waiting for Xue Ji's reply, called out, "Viliane!"

Within seconds, a lively, radiant young girl approached. She first addressed Count Villard as "Grandfather," then glanced at Xue Ji, turned, and curtsied, holding up her fluffy skirt.

Though she curtsied, there was a hint of reluctance in her manner. Her brief look at Xue Ji carried a trace of arrogance. Xue Ji noticed it immediately but said nothing, merely bowing slightly in return.

"Chief Xue, you're young. You'll surely have more in common with someone like Viliane than an old man like me. Viliane, Chief Xue is our honored guest tonight. Treat him well, and don't be rude."

Viliane shot Xue Ji a look, reluctantly agreed, and then, ignoring him, headed back the way she came.

Xue Ji nodded slightly to Count Villard. "Excuse me." He followed her.

Laisen moved to follow, but a server appeared before him, gesturing politely in the opposite direction. "Mr. Laisen, this way, please. Your colleagues are over there; I believe they're waiting for you."

Laisen looked back repeatedly as he was guided away. Seeing Xue Ji glance back and nod at him, he hesitantly went along.

Viliane led Xue Ji straight into a crowd of young men and women. Xue Ji couldn't be bothered to distinguish Alphas from Omegas or Betas. He casually took a glass of wine from a passing server, shoved one hand in his pocket, and stood there. "Good evening, everyone."

Introductions and pleasantries followed, all of which Xue Ji brushed off with a few words. Still, a few youngsters kept approaching him. Xue Ji scanned the room aimlessly, noting the handsome men, beautiful women—Alphas handsome, Omegas delicate, Betas gentle—covering all six genders.

Xue Ji sneered inwardly. Since coercion failed, they were resorting to seduction.

The nobles, looking down on his background, weren't willing to send their own children. Instead, they'd gathered a bunch of distant relatives. Noticing his cold demeanor, they couldn't gauge his preferences. When the dance began, a tall, handsome Alpha stepped forward, as if to invite him to dance. Before he could even bow, his hand reached out.

Xue Ji stepped back, expressionless. "Sorry, I'm allergic to Alpha pheromones."

The man froze awkwardly. Viliane quickly signaled, and a delicate little Omega approached, casting shy, lingering glances. As a normal Earth male who had lived half a lifetime, Xue Ji found such behavior off-putting. He stepped back again, politely saying, "Thank you for the honor."

The little Omega, rejected, blushed and ran off. Next came a female Beta and a female Omega. Xue Ji didn't like women, so he declined again. As for male Betas, he wasn't gay, so he kept a three-meter distance.

Finally, Viliane grew impatient. "Chief Xue's standards for a dance partner are truly extraordinary. None of my friends seem to meet your expectations."

Friends? More like tools.

"Miss Villard's friends are all precious. I can't dance, and if I accidentally step on their feet, I'd only embarrass us both." Xue Ji smiled faintly. "But if you'd deign to dance with me, I wouldn't dare refuse."

Their feet can't be stepped on, but mine can?

Viliane was already annoyed at being forced into this task by her grandfather for her own birthday party. Having to lead a group to fawn over Xue Ji, only to be rebuffed at every turn, was exhausting. Now, she snapped, "Fine, then Chief Xue, please do as you wish." With that, she clicked her heels, gathered her skirt, and stormed off.

When the dance began, Count Villard saw Xue Ji standing in a corner with his wine glass, watching, while his granddaughter danced merrily with another Alpha. Furious, he approached Xue Ji. "What's this? Has my useless granddaughter not taught you to your liking?"

Xue Ji swirled his glass and smiled without a word.

Count Villard followed his gaze to another corner where several corporate directors were chatting and drinking. His mind stirred. "Or is Chief Xue more interested in something else?"

Xue Ji finally raised his glass and clinked it lightly with the Count's. "The Count has sharp eyes."

Count Villard's expression turned thoughtful. After a few seconds of contemplation, he broke into a smile and clinked Xue Ji's glass again. "It seems you're not quite satisfied tonight. How about we arrange another meeting? I hope you'll honor me with your presence then."

"My pleasure."

The evening ended as the banquet wound down. Xue Ji left early and waited by the aircraft for about ten minutes before Laisen came rushing out, panting.

Xue Ji's gaze fell on his chest. "Got it all?"

Laisen tapped his brooch proudly. "Every face, crystal clear."