Chapter 2#
The Adjutant#
Many people in the base knew that Ning Feng liked Yin Beichen.
Including Yin Beichen himself.
**
As Yin Beichen’s adjutant, Ning Feng was extremely busy.
He had to screen and summarize all matters within the base—keeping the important ones for Yin Beichen to decide, such as strategic adjustments and troop expansions—while handling the trivial ones himself, signing off on them as long as he saw no issues.
“Feng-ge, here’s the new plan for the dormitory expansion project.”
“Feng-ge, have you confirmed the two new routes for the spaceport?”
“Feng-ge, the heavy weapons factory is requesting an update to the mecha cockpit blueprints.”
“Feng-ge, this quarter’s mercenary list has been updated.”
“Feng-ge…”
…
Ning Feng really wanted to throw his neural interface device and leave, hopping onto his beloved Jiaolong-2 to roam the galaxy. But the moment he thought of Yin Beichen’s icy face…
He sighed, cut a small piece of durian mango cake with a silver fork, and chewed it slowly. Frozen durian tasted like ice cream, and paired with fresh mango and silky cream, it was refreshingly sweet.
Ning Feng squinted his eyes in satisfaction.
Forget it. This was fine for now.
Fork still in his mouth, he quickly filtered out the important information, compiled it into a document, and uploaded it. During the upload, he accessed the Empire’s database to pull up the past year’s battle data.
As the Empire’s largest database, it stored not only the Empire’s battles but also records on the hostile Federation. After staring at the holographic images woven with light for an entire afternoon, Ning Feng finally finished a ten-plus-page analysis report. He slumped back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
“This guy really knows how to work people to the bone.”
Counting the days, it had been over ten days since the last insect toxin outbreak. The next one should be soon. Maybe that was why his body had been feeling tired lately—even a little exercise left him out of breath.
For a mecha pilot, that was definitely not a good sign.
The research department wouldn’t be able to figure it out anytime soon. He’d have to find another way to deal with the antidote.
Just then, a subordinate came over with some documents. “Feng-ge, your love rival just came by to ask if General Yin has confirmed the sampling list sent by the research department a few days ago.”
“What love rival?” Ning Feng’s brow twitched, his tone annoyed.
“Qiao Xi, of course.” The subordinate grinned. “Isn’t he your boss’s sweetheart?”
“Feel like getting your hide tanned?” Ning Feng snorted. “What’s the rush? Tell him to wait.”
The subordinate pursed his lips. “I don’t get it. Qiao Xi’s a pretty nice guy. Why do you dislike him so much?”
Ning Feng didn’t answer. He just leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Qiao Xi. A researcher in the science department, working under Qu Yan.
Also the rumored sweetheart of Yin Beichen.
Ning Feng let out a scoff.
Sweetheart, my ass. Just because people saw them having a few meals together, talking softly, and being a bit more polite than usual—and the man himself never confirmed anything.
He and Yin Beichen had known each other for years. If meals were the measure, they ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner together every single day, even using matching plates.
Yeah, nothing to worry about.
He turned to find his subordinate staring at him with a lecherous grin. Ning Feng raised an eyebrow. “What now?”
The subordinate rubbed his hands together with a smile.
“Feng-ge, my girlfriend’s flight arrives tonight…”
“Ask Yin Beichen if you want leave.”
“No way, no way. I wouldn’t dare. That workaholic would chew me out and deny the request anyway. Feng-ge, can you just approve it?”
Grossed out by the sappy look, Ning Feng clicked his tongue. “Fine, fine. You win.”
The subordinate cheered and immediately submitted a leave request on his neural interface. “Feng-ge, hope you find someone soon!”
Watching the subordinate scurry off happily, Ning Feng opened the leave form. Seeing the reason listed as “dating,” he shook his head with a muttered laugh.
“Finding someone? That’s gonna be tough for me.”
A sharp chime pulled him out of his thoughts. Ning Feng quickly stuffed another forkful of cake into his mouth, gathered his documents, and hummed a tune as he headed toward Yin Beichen’s office.
**
Yin Beichen had always paid close attention to the movements of the insectoids.
As a border star sector, this base was the first line of defense against them.
With their strong reproductive abilities and capacity for self-enhancement, the insectoids had plagued the Empire for centuries.
Ever since the Overmind was eliminated, the leaderless xenomorphs had scattered like loose sand, disappearing for years—until recently, when they suddenly reappeared in the border star sector.
Compared to before, their attacks were fewer, but their actions were more covert and cunning. There were even faint signs of tactical thinking. The Overmind was the insectoids’ brain, but that brain had been blown to pieces by photon cannons. How could they possibly be using tactics now?
This was not a good sign.
“Could these bugs have evolved brains?” Ning Feng leaned against the star map, stroking his chin.
“A new Overmind?” After listening to Ning Feng’s report, Yin Beichen closed his eyes slightly and ran a finger along his jawline.
“Not necessarily an Overmind, but definitely something with a brain.” Ning Feng twisted a small dial, and a holographic image of the star sector appeared before them, with bright red dots flickering along the edges.
Looking through the insectoids’ recent attacks, most were concentrated on satellites at the edge of the star system—either infections or invasions. These were places both the Empire and the Federation tended to overlook. By the time they thought to deal with them, the areas were already riddled with damage, not even worth salvaging.
Yin Beichen’s gaze remained unreadable, his voice flat.
“Are there any planets nearby that fit the criteria?”
“After data comparison, these are the potential targets. This one has the highest probability of anomalies.” Ning Feng tapped the trigger rapidly, and several holographic spheres rose above the star map.
Yin Beichen’s blue eyes fixed on the glowing green map. He said nothing, leaning back in his chair, tapping his pale, slender fingers against his lips as if deep in thought.
Sunlight spilled into the room, catching the light on his golden hair. Ning Feng stared at the contemplative man, momentarily lost. His gaze fell on the hair tie that bound the golden locks—a black ribbon the same color as his own hair.
Tied together.
At that thought, the corners of Ning Feng’s mouth lifted.
He had long forgotten when he started liking Yin Beichen.
Maybe it was after their first fight at the military academy, or after their first mission together, or after they both got promoted to key positions… By the time Ning Feng realized it, his eyes were already stuck on Yin Beichen.
Speaking of which, when he tied Yin Beichen’s hair this morning, the other man hadn’t resisted as much. He even finished his dragon fruit at breakfast. At this rate, he’d eventually get his hands on that cabbage.
Good. Keep it up.
“What are you smiling about?” Yin Beichen’s cool voice cut through his thoughts.
“Guess?” Ning Feng quickly schooled his expression.
A layer of coldness settled in Yin Beichen’s eyes. Suddenly, he sniffed and frowned. “What did you eat again?”
“Oh? Little Chenchen has a good nose. I only had a tiny bit of durian, and you still caught it.” Ning Feng leaned forward slowly, his lips curling into a faint smile as he looked at the other man. “You hate durian so much. If we ever get married, what am I supposed to do? Not even a single bite on the sly? That’s too cruel—”
“Ning Feng.” Yin Beichen jabbed an elbow into his chest, his expression displeased. “Stop joking like that.”
The push wasn’t strong, but it made Ning Feng’s breath catch slightly.
“Ah, Little Chenchen is so mean.” Rubbing his chest, he straightened up. “Fine, fine. Let me pick which planet to scout.”
“I haven’t decided to investigate yet.”
“Come on, I know what you’re thinking.” Ning Feng quickly pressed a few buttons. “I’ll upload the strategic data to the star map. Then I’ll dispatch personnel. We can set off in two days at the earliest.”
“…Mm.” Yin Beichen’s expression softened slightly.
The two were still discussing the team composition when the room’s intercom buzzed. Yin Beichen pressed the button, and a small surveillance screen showed a delicate face.
Seeing who it was, Ning Feng’s expression darkened.
Qiao Xi.
“Beichen, are you busy?” Qiao Xi looked restrained, his eyes cast upward at the lens. His short, flaxen hair filled half the screen, his ingratiating demeanor hard to refuse.
Ning Feng narrowed his eyes dangerously.
Beichen?
He actually called him Beichen?
Yin Beichen was the most particular about propriety. Even Ning Feng had to call him ‘sir’ during work hours. This guy just casually used his given name?
Ning Feng waited for Yin Beichen to coldly shut him down, but to his surprise, Yin Beichen showed no reaction. He simply asked flatly, “What is it?”
“I wanted to ask about work.” Qiao Xi’s voice was soft.
Yin Beichen glanced at Ning Feng, then turned off the star map. “Come in.”
With a beep, the door slid open, and Qiao Xi entered.
He wore large black-rimmed glasses, his eyes bright and clear, giving off no aggressive vibe. He looked at the tall man in the middle first, then cautiously at Yin Beichen, exuding an air of vulnerability.
“Hello, Adjutant Ning. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Contrary to his usual demeanor, Ning Feng just smiled and said nothing. Yin Beichen looked at the newcomer with a detached expression.
“What’s the matter?”
“I wanted to ask about the sampling list.” Qiao Xi’s cheeks flushed.
“Sampling list?”
“It’s been a few days. I asked someone before, but got no response…” Qiao Xi’s voice grew quieter, soft and syrupy, enough to make one’s heart tingle.
“Someone? Who did you ask?”
Qiao Xi clenched the hem of his clothes, hesitating.
Seeing this, Ning Feng let out a light laugh. He leaned back casually.
“Me.”
Yin Beichen’s gaze snapped to him, his brow slightly furrowed. “What’s going on?”
Ning Feng half-lidded his eyes, hiding his emotions.
He had already looked over that list. It was just data on some wild animals and stool samples. The next patrol could collect them on their way.
Qiao Xi had come to ask about it in the afternoon. Barely any time had passed, and now he was personally chasing Yin Beichen all the way here.
Was it that urgent?
Sensing the tension, Qiao Xi quickly stepped in to mediate.
“It’s my fault. I didn’t pick a good time. I didn’t know Adjutant Ning was busy.” He tugged at Yin Beichen’s sleeve. “Beichen, please don’t blame him…”
Blame?
Ning Feng’s black eyes narrowed. He slowly stood up, his muscular frame looming over the slender man, radiating pressure.
“Oh, my bad. I forgot to confirm it. Sorry about that.” He smiled at Qiao Xi, but the warmth didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re not mad, are you?”
This was the first time Ning Feng had been this close to Qiao Xi.
He saw the other man’s nostrils flare slightly, a sheen of moisture in his eyes. He seemed to freeze for a moment, his neck flushing red. “No, no! It was my rudeness…”
Ning Feng glanced at him from under his lashes, a lazy smile on his handsome face. “Thanks for your magnanimity.”
Yin Beichen pressed his lips together, then turned to Qiao Xi. “Is there anything else?”
Qiao Xi blinked, coming back to his senses. His face reddened all the way to his ears. “I… I wanted to report on the progress of the antidote development…”
“Now?” Yin Beichen checked the time.
It was almost mealtime. Unless it was urgent, who would come to report at this hour? It was as annoying as being called to a meeting five minutes before the end of the day.
Reporting was a pretext. Asking for a meal was the real deal.
“Daily pick-up line tip number one,” Ning Feng whistled.
Qiao Xi’s face flushed as he lowered his head, sneaking glances at Yin Beichen from the corner of his eye. His doe-like eyes stirred a protective instinct.
“Ning Feng, watch your attitude.” Yin Beichen warned coldly.
Seeing the other man quick to defend his sweetheart, Ning Feng felt as if a pair of large hands were squeezing his stomach. He lowered his gaze, silent for a moment, then quickly put on a cheerful expression.
“Next time for sure.”
Yin Beichen’s frown deepened as he kept staring at him.
“Oh, it’s getting late. A lonely soul like me better not interrupt your date, sir.” Ning Feng straightened up, hands in his pockets, and walked toward the door. Just before leaving, he turned his handsome face sideways.
“Enjoy your meal, sir.”
Frowning at the man’s retreating figure, Yin Beichen withdrew his gaze after a long moment.
“Qiao Xi.”
“Ah!” Qiao Xi’s shoulders jumped.
Yin Beichen looked down at him, a hint of distant coldness in his tone.
“In the future, reports like this should be submitted to Ning Feng first. As my adjutant, he’ll handle the scheduling.” He paused. “Also, on base, I expect you to mind your forms of address.”
At this, Qiao Xi stiffened, the flush on his face fading. He stammered after a long pause, “Understood… sir.”
Seeing the other man’s fingers twist white, Yin Beichen thought of the antidote issue and relented slightly. “Didn’t you say you had a report?”
Qiao Xi blinked, his eyes lighting up. “Yes.”
“Let’s go.” Yin Beichen walked out of the room.
Qiao Xi lowered his head, adjusting his glasses, a faint smile curling on his lips.
“Alright, sir.”
That night, someone saw Yin Beichen and Qiao Xi enter a VIP room at the restaurant together, not returning to their quarters until late. Meanwhile, Adjutant Ning Feng had a sparring session with a certain cheeky subordinate in the training room all night, with blood-curdling screams echoing through the base corridors.
“Ooh, Feng-ge’s heartbroken again?”
“How many times has he been heartbroken now?”
“He just wants to see the major general get all worked up. You really think he likes the commander?”
“Exactly. Who would dare go after the Empire’s Flower?”
“More like the Empire’s Man-Eating Flower, am I right? Hahaha!”
**
Many people in the base knew that Ning Feng liked Yin Beichen.
But no one took it seriously.
Including Yin Beichen himself.