Hill’s performance was forced to a halt before it could even begin. A military doctor, who had rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, didn't say a word. The moment she saw Hill’s tear-filled eyes, she decisively commanded a small robot to restrain him. Then, like the Big Bad Wolf cornering a lamb, she ruthlessly jabbed him with a needle.
As the medication containing suppressive components entered his system, the military-grade sedative proved to be both domineering and effective. Instantly, the pheromones clinging to Hill’s body stabilized completely. The potent suppressant coursed through the Omega’s veins, ensuring his state remained as solid as a rock and unbreakable; for a short time, there would be absolutely no pheromone fluctuations.
As a doctor with exceptional medical skills within the First Legion, the freckle-faced Beta patted her chest and guaranteed Captain Xu that this single injection was foolproof. If this Omega’s pheromones showed even the slightest ripple within the next month, she would consider it a professional failure.
Hill, who had never been treated so roughly in his life, was fuming. *That needle-wielding sadist isn't a doctor at all—she’s a lunatic! An eyesore!*
Regardless of the fury raging in Hill’s heart, Captain Xu highly approved of the doctor’s straightforward methods. He nodded, and thanks to her guarantee, he temporarily abandoned the idea of dismissing Hill from the competition.
*As long as this brat doesn't cause any more trouble, I’m willing to give these youngsters one more chance,* Captain Xu thought silently. Having led countless troublemakers in the past, he still harbored a few idealistic delusions.
The crisis was perfectly resolved—at least from one side's perspective. With the most pressing matter settled, Captain Xu’s attention immediately shifted to Ji Yeran. His gaze flickered toward the joined hands of Ji Yeran and Feng Zhixi.
Having long ago decided in his heart that Feng Zhixi and Ji Yeran were a young couple, Captain Xu wasn't surprised by the sight at all. He looked at Ji Yeran with a beaming smile. "You’ve got skills, kid. Want to join the First Legion after graduation? Our legion has excellent benefits~"
Looking at Captain Xu’s rugged face, which was currently grinning like a blooming flower—a fake smile reminiscent of the Big Bad Wolf trying to kidnap Little Red Riding Hood—Ji Yeran shook his head firmly. He delivered a cold, ruthless, and immediate refusal.
His experiences before his rebirth told him that when rejecting Captain Xu, one had to be resolute, firm, and fast. Being subtle or tactful simply didn't work here!
Captain Xu wasn't annoyed by the second rejection. He simply stared at Ji Yeran again with eyes full of longing, refusing to give up. "Are you really not going to consider it? The First Legion’s benefits are really, *really* good~" *I guarantee there are fights to be had every day! Young man, aren't you tempted?*
*No, I am a pacifist!* Ji Yeran shook his head firmly, righteously rejecting Captain Xu’s invitation to join a team of brawlers. He had no interest in using violence.
Faced with Ji Yeran’s heartless, cruel, and "unreasonable" refusal, Captain Xu only grew more determined. When it came to fighting, Captain Xu was dead serious.
Watching the bizarre scene in the training room—a "Tyrannosaurus Rex" chasing a talented youngster to pick a fight—the officers who had followed Xu Yi for a long time were hardly surprised. In fact, they deeply admired this firm-willed young man. He was capable, talented, and could steadfastly refuse "Yama Xu." Ah, the kid was practically their role model!
While the soldiers silently cheered for the resolute Ji Yeran in their hearts, they couldn't help but recall their own miserable pasts. It was all because they had been too young back then and hadn't recognized the true nature of this Tyrannosaurus. Their pasts were a trail of bitter tears, too painful to look back on.
The officers, collectively lost in their memories, silently wiped away imaginary tears. They instinctively looked at Ji Yeran with admiring eyes, applauding the steadfast youth. After all, a kid who could fight Yama Xu to a draw was terrifyingly impressive!
While stealing these glances, the officers inevitably noticed the other person standing next to Ji Yeran—someone Ji Yeran was clearly shielding in a protective stance.
It was a very beautiful Omega with exquisite features and eyes that held a hint of a smile. A sharp, piercing aura made the Omega’s beauty appear exceptionally bold and flamboyant.
When he saw that black-haired, black-eyed Omega smiling so wantonly, one person in the crowd let out an instinctive gasp of surprise.
As the head of the Mecha Department for the First Legion during this joint exercise, Luther had once been a member of the Lanli Research Institute. He looked at Feng Zhixi with a mix of confusion and astonishment. The Omega before him was very young; his handsome features, just as he remembered them, had relaxed, losing some of their aloof coldness and gaining a touch of unbridled spirit.
*Is this the Chief of our Lanli Research Institute, Feng Zhixi?*
Luther rubbed his eyes, feeling uncertain, and took a closer look. Faced with a Chief who looked the same but possessed a completely different temperament, he couldn't help but call out, "Chief?" *Why would the Chief of our Lanli Research Institute be here?*
That word—"Chief"—laden with uncertainty, drifted across the room. It stubbornly bypassed the hulking Captain Xu and slowly meandered into Feng Zhixi’s ears, only to be completely ignored.
At that moment, Feng Zhixi was focused on watching the drama unfold, entirely unaware that someone was calling him. Or rather, it never occurred to him that he still had any connection to the word "Chief."
In Feng Zhixi’s heart, he was simply himself. He had nothing to do with the Chief of the Lanli Research Institute; he had ceased to be that person long ago.
The Lanli Research Institute was the Federation’s premier research facility. This long-standing, supreme research institution had always maintained a tradition: the Lifetime Chief system. It could be said that anyone selected as a Chief of the Lanli Research Institute held that status and its benefits for their entire life.
The selection process for a Lanli Chief was extremely rigorous. Under such a strict evaluation system, almost all Chiefs were heaven-sent geniuses. This lifetime system was designed to better facilitate the future development of such prodigies.
The reason the word "almost" was used was because, before his rebirth, he had become the sole exception.
He was the only person ever stripped of his Federation citizenship and, consequently, his position as a Chief of the Lanli Research Institute. Of course, even before that, countless people had been whispering behind his back, believing he was utterly unworthy of the title.
*That seat should belong to a true genius, not occupied by an arrogant person of mediocre talent relying on his family background.* This was a sentiment Feng Zhixi had heard countless times before his rebirth.
Those people naturally didn't dare to say it to his face, but when a rising star began to shine, a "lackluster" person like him was deemed unworthy of holding the title of Lanli Chief.
*The title of Chief should belong to Hill!* This was the thought shared by everyone at the Lanli Research Institute. They were only hindered by his status and the ironclad rule of the Lifetime Chief system, unable to find a way to drag him into the mire for a time.
Thus, when Feng Zhixi was brought before the tribunal on charges of conspiring to harm the Federation Marshal’s spouse, no one felt there was anything wrong with the flawed evidence. No one believed he was innocent. At that time, the old Director of the Lanli Research Institute had already passed away. With the final obstacle gone, the only thought in everyone’s mind was: *Wonderful! The position of Chief at the Lanli Research Institute is finally vacant!*
On the starship, having inexplicably heard the word "Chief," Feng Zhixi gently shook his head, tossing the ridiculous notion aside.
***
Meanwhile, the training room on the starship remained crowded. The cold-faced Warden, with a resolute and ruthless attitude, calmly rejected Captain Xu’s invitation. He had no intention of joining the First Legion, nor did he want to fight him. Not at all!
The aggrieved Captain Xu: "..." *This cold and heartless kid isn't cute at all.*
All around them, a group of soldiers loath to leave were enjoying the spectacle of the cold-faced youth heartlessly rejecting their Captain. It had been a long time since they’d seen Yama Xu get shut down. They weren't exactly gloating, but it was a truly rare sight.
*Someone can not only fight Yama Xu to a draw but also make this Tyrannosaurus take a loss. Kids these days are terrifying!*
These bored officers watched and marveled. Anyway, there was safety in numbers; surely Yama Xu couldn't beat them *all* up at once?
What these officers didn't know was that the Captain Xu who had been heartlessly rejected by Ji Yeran was now the "Tyrannosaurus Rex Plus" version. Beating them up would only take him a matter of minutes.
Unlike the other officers focused on watching Captain Xu’s defeat, Luther’s attention remained fixed on Feng Zhixi. Seeing that the other party hadn't reacted, he couldn't help but raise his voice and call out again, "Chief? Chief!"
Luther’s shout happened to land right in the moment of silence following Ji Yeran’s cold refusal. Consequently, this throat-tearing cry of "Chief" sounded exceptionally loud, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present.
Xu Yi: "?"
The spectating officers: "??"
Ji Yeran and Feng Zhixi: "???"
Faced with the collective gaze of the crowd, Luther’s movements stiffened for a moment. But when his eyes met Feng Zhixi’s, that familiar look of cold, aloof pride finally confirmed the young officer’s suspicions. He couldn't help but show a look of excitement. "Chief, it really is you!"
As he spoke, Luther pushed through the crowd, walking toward Feng Zhixi with an excited expression. However, before he could get close, an Alpha suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
Ji Yeran frowned as he stood before the officer. He hadn't forgotten that this man had arrived with Hill earlier. In Ji Yeran’s mind, anyone associated with Hill was likely not a normal person.
"Chief, it really is you! I’m Luther!" Even though he was blocked by Ji Yeran, Luther didn't mind. He craned his neck excitedly, looking toward Feng Zhixi with the adoring gaze of a fan meeting an idol.
"???" Feng Zhixi was utterly bewildered.
"!!!!" Emil felt like someone was trying to steal her spot as the number one fangirl.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
蓝礼研究院 | Lanli Research Institute | The Federation's top research institution.
首席 | Chief | A prestigious lifetime title and position within the Lanli Research Institute.
路德 | Luther | An officer in the First Legion's Mecha Department, formerly of the Lanli Research Institute.
阎王许 | Yama Xu | A nickname for Captain Xu Yi, comparing him to the King of Hell (Yama).
