Chapter 85: Sourness Spreading Through the Body

Chapter 85: Jealousy Spreads Through Every Limb

"Major Pei Du of the Aland system's main planet is here, for personal reasons, to request Chu Lanting's cooperation in returning to the main planet for an investigation."

The sudden voice from outside the door stirred the office, which had just quieted down, back into motion.

Feng Xingyun looked toward the door at the sound. Upon catching sight of Pei Du's tall figure, he arched a brow and gave a derisive snort.

"Who knows if you're telling the truth. And even if you are, as long as Xiao Chu doesn't nod his head, you think you can just strong-arm him out of here?"

"A major, huh? You should know about Planet 207. This planet was abandoned long ago—it has nothing to do with the Aland Star System. I don't care if you're a lieutenant general or a full general—it doesn't matter."

He shot Pei Du a sidelong look, then turned his gaze to the man in front of him.

"And you—you just believe whatever anyone tells you? I could say I'm his dad, you gonna believe that too?"

"Enough, I'm calling the shots here. You—are not going with him. If he really is from the main planet and tries to take you away by force, I'm not some pushover."

Chu Lanting had no idea what face to make or what to say in response to Feng Xingyun's kindness.

When Pei Du had spoken his full name, the heart he'd spent all night calming still couldn't help but ache with a fine, stinging pain.

Not enough to kill him, but it still left him breathless.

He swallowed hard and pressed his lips together, then said softly, "I've got this handled."

"You don't know what you're doing! I never liked this punk from day one—he latched onto you the second he showed up. Wasn't it just 'cause he thought you were pretty—no, easy to push around—that he stuck to you like glue!"

"Even when he lost his memory, he still went for the softest target. Now that his memory's back, he's not even pretending to be a sheep anymore—he's just gonna haul you off, plain and simple."

"No way, I don't agree. 207 already has so few people. You leave, and that's one less. How are we supposed to build our beautiful new home after that?"

Chu Lanting knew Feng Xingyun had a silver tongue.

But he hadn't expected it to be this quick.

His scalp prickling from the verbal assault, Chu Lanting raised his head to meet his gaze. "It's just an investigation, I'll be back before you know it."

"Then I'm coming too—"

"I'll let Factory Director Yan know, and I promise he won't get hurt."

Pei Du had slipped into the office at some point.

He stood right behind Chu Lanting, gaze lowered toward the man in front of him. "I wouldn't go around cutting people up and selling their organs. Even space pirates wouldn't stoop to that."

With today's tech, nobody's been doing that kind of thing for ages. Feng Xingyun was just trying to scare Chu Lanting into saying no.

"What kind of investigation requires going all the way to the main planet? Isn't he a major? Can't he just send his guys over to check it out..."

Before he could finish, feeling a sharp stare land on him, Feng Xingyun looked up and locked eyes with it.

Already pissed that Chu Lanting was leaving, he scowled. "What, did I say something wrong? Xiao Chu's been on 207 since he was a kid. This place is cut off in every way—no communication, no transport. Not a single person's gotten out in decades."

"And look at him—what a spineless coward. Does he look like the type to hurt you?"

"If he really wanted to hurt you, he'd have stabbed you when you were half-dead. Why would he have waited all this time?"

He said that last part in a lowered voice.

He was used to walking all over everyone on 207. Even though he was born in the slums, his fearless streak—and a few other reasons—meant even the rich folks in the fancy district didn't dare cross him.

He was so used to strutting around with nobody daring to glare at him, that now, feeling the bone-chilling pressure coming off Pei Du, he instinctively dropped his voice.

Then, realizing what he'd done, he went red and stuck his chin out defiantly.

"Supervisor Feng, I'll handle this matter. Besides asking for leave, I also wanted to ask you for another favor."

The teaching situation still wasn't sorted out. Uncle Tian and Uncle He are getting old—they can't be pushed too hard.

Although Feng Xingyun was a factory supervisor, he didn't have much to do on a daily basis.

Chu Lanting had always done everything himself and never liked asking for help, so this was his first time asking someone for a favor.

"I don't have many friends, and Uncle Tian and Uncle He are getting old. If you're not willing, I'll go ask Feng Pei if she knows anyone suitable."

Finding someone in the slums who could read and knew how to teach was about as likely as grabbing a star out of the sky.

The reason Chu Lanting sought Feng Xingyun's help wasn't just to spare Uncle Tian and the others from exhaustion—it was also because beneath Feng Xingyun's seemingly unreliable personality lay an unexpectedly soft heart.

The classroom where the children were currently being taught was provided by him.

As was the help he gave to people like Xiaoyi.

But asking for help required the other party's consent. If Feng Xingyun refused, he couldn't force it.

After waiting a moment and seeing no sign of agreement, Chu Lanting parted his lips to speak when he saw the other man wave his hand impatiently.

"What use is she? What can she do besides eat?"

"Half a month—I'll give you half a month's leave. If you're not back in half a month, I'll grab all your students and lock them up!"

Deliberately putting on a fierce expression, Feng Xingyun even raised his fist and shook it at Pei Du as he spoke.

As if warning the other man not to do anything strange.

With the students sorted and the immediate crisis handled, the worry on Chu Lanting's face visibly eased.

After taking his leave from Feng Xingyun, he left the factory with Pei Du.

Next, he needed to prepare at least half a month's worth of lesson plans. Not an overwhelming amount, but it would still require some brainpower and time.

"Oh, right—we're almost out of noodles at home. I'm going to the market. Is there anything you need me to pick up for you?"

The words had barely left Chu Lanting's mouth when he stopped in his tracks and turned around, only to collide with a wall of flesh and nearly tumble to the ground.

Fortunately, the other man was quick to react and reached out to grab him, saving him from a fall.

Letting out a breath of relief, Chu Lanting opened his mouth to thank him.

When he looked up again, he saw that Pei Du's expression didn't look too good.

Recalling the other man's condition from yesterday, Chu Lanting's eyes widened slightly, and when he spoke again, his tone was filled with concern.

"What's wrong? Is your head hurting again? We're close to Uncle Tian's place—let's go get you checked out."

Pei Du's head did hurt. It ached so badly that the heart he had kept steady for years had been thrown into complete disarray in just these two days.

The reason for it all was the man standing before him right now, looking at him with such concern.

His heart felt as though it were being squeezed tight by a hand—aching and raw, but more than anything, sour.

An uncontrollable sourness welled up from his chest, then spread through his entire body, utterly shattering the calm composure he had prided himself on for years.