Chapter 43#

Boss#

In the following matches, Explosive Sheep kept winning.

A large number of commissions came pouring in, mostly E-rank, some D-rank, and even a few C-rank. The Explosive Sheep no longer had to worry about money.

Their living conditions improved—they moved to a more spacious place, and even their meals became much richer. As the captain, Wen Qianyong was very happy. Even the perpetually penny-pinching Mad Rat seemed generous and adorable, even treating everyone to bubble tea when in a good mood.

But for Ning Feng, happiness was for others; he could only drink motor oil.

Although Shamu occasionally mixed different flavors of oil, the taste was indescribable. Apart from changing to a larger charging socket, Ning Feng didn’t feel much different from before. Fortunately, he had saved up a lot of credits. Now his only pleasure was browsing the StarNet and buying things.

Sighing silently, Ning Feng typed into the search bar: “Pec shell, healthy skin tone, texture, robot, sales”…

There were ten days left until the last preliminary match. They were in good shape and morale was high. If things continued like this, they had a good chance of advancing to the elimination rounds. But making it to the eliminations wouldn’t be easy—according to the schedule, to advance, they would inevitably have to face strong teams.

The team prepared to rest up and meet the upcoming matches in top form. Unexpectedly, they received a notice that the matches were postponed.

“Did you accept a commission?” Ning Feng’s mechanical eyes swiveled.

“Yes.” Marcia nodded with a smile.

“What commission is so important that you’d rather we withdraw from the match?” Wen Qianyong was displeased.

“It’s not withdrawing—just delaying a few days.” Marcia explained patiently. “Anyway, your opponents are busy with their own commissions and can’t make it back. Consider it free time to earn some extra credits. Big Sis only arranges the best for you; would I ever lead you astray?”

“You’ve led us astray plenty of times before…”

“What did you say?”

“Is there something special about this mission?” Shamu quickly intervened.

Marcia snorted and leaned back heavily on the sofa. “It’s a D-rank commission, nothing special. If I had to point out something, it’s that the payment is exceptionally high.”

“Exceptionally high?!” Mad Rat’s eyes lit up.

“D-rank?” Shamu frowned.

“Oh, relax. I’ve checked the details—it’s perfectly safe.” Marcia patted her chest.

Although it was D-rank, it was simple. They just had to escort this Boss He to the Federation to do some shopping and then bring him back. He would cover all food, lodging, and transportation. If everything went smoothly, he’d double the payment upon return. To get a commission with such a high payment, it would normally be at least B-rank or above. She had a hard time securing this mission, but once she sent over the list of team members, the client agreed quickly.

“Boss He?” Ning Feng rubbed his chin. “Why doesn’t he arrange his own bodyguards?”

Anyone who could afford such a high price definitely wasn’t from an ordinary small family. Hiring a few personal bodyguards would be no problem. Why go out of his way to hire mercenaries of unknown background? Wasn’t he afraid they might turn on him?

Or was his background so special that it couldn’t be exposed?

“How would I know? But that sponsor is quite interested in you.” Marcia pointed at Ning Feng. “Especially you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, he’s been very focused on you, keeps asking me about you.”

Ning Feng’s engine hiccupped, and a strong sense of foreboding struck him. “Why?”

“What’s there to ask? It’s obviously because Turnip’s previous performance was too outstanding—he’s captivated!” Wen Qianyong slung an arm around Ning Feng’s neck.

“After all, such a scrappy robot is hard to come by.” Mad Rat snickered.

Ning Feng grew more uneasy. “What did you tell him, Captain?”

“What could I say? It’s not like I could tell him you’re a broken-down robot.” Marcia snorted twice. “I said you’re the team’s high-tech, an intelligent AI.”

“He believed that?”

“No idea. Anyway, he doesn’t talk much—barely uses punctuation. He’s more like an AI than you are.”

Ning Feng lowered his head and didn’t speak anymore.

“Work hard, Turnip! This boss has high hopes for you!” Marcia gave Ning Feng a firm pat on the back. The latter’s head rattled from the force, and with a clang, his arm fell off.

Everyone: …

Marcia scratched the tip of her nose, frowning as she looked the robot up and down. “You really should replace this scrap metal.”

“Replacing parts isn’t the issue, but I still have some concerns.” Shamu smiled politely. “Captain, could you send me the commission details?”

“Oh, you’re so fussy. Fine, fine, I’ll send it, send it.”

…

Watching everyone chat and laugh, Ning Feng couldn’t shake a feeling that something was off.

It wasn’t that he was paranoid—he was a black-hat now, and his body had been taken. He was afraid some troublemaker would use his insect poison situation as leverage.

But aside from Qu Yan and Shamu, no one else knew about the chip. Shamu had no reason to spill it, and Qu Yan even less so. Who would have thought that the youngest Major of the Empire, Yin Beichen’s adjutant, the second-in-command of Nora Base, had turned into a broken cleaning robot?

Maybe he was just overthinking.

Ning Feng shrugged indifferently and quickly put the matter out of his mind.

A few days later, Ning Feng and his team boarded a top-tier starship bound for the Federation at the designated spaceport.

It was an extravagant space city. The ship had five swimming pools, multiple simulated flight pools, ice skating rinks, theaters, a casino, even a golf course, and all kinds of bars and restaurants—every entertainment facility imaginable.

The sponsor had bought them first-class cabins. Under the guidance of a steward, the group ascended to the highest deck and entered a luxurious suite.

As soon as he walked in, Ning Feng’s lens was flooded by the glaring light, and it took a while for his focus to adjust. Gilded walls, crimson carpets, leather sofas, tasseled curtains, a dazzling crystal chandelier overhead, and a finely carved miniature fountain in the corner… The air was filled with a pleasant fragrance, and the entire space was opulent.

It was the first time they had ever traveled on such a luxurious starship.

Ning Feng touched this and looked at that, finding everything new.

It seemed Boss He was truly rich—buying them first-class tickets. Such a fool with money.

He began to wonder what the other party was going to such lengths to buy in the Federation.

Wen Qianyong and Mad Rat looked very restrained, sitting stiffly like statues, not daring to move their eyes. In contrast, Shamu was quite at ease. He first asked the steward for some drinks and snacks, then chatted with them, the content all gossip about the starship’s owner. The others, initially a bit tense, gradually relaxed as they ate snacks and listened to the drama.

“Where do you get all this juicy gossip?” Ning Feng was curious.

“Looked it up on the StarNet.” Shamu smiled.

“…”

Who was he kidding?

Seeing Shamu’s expression, Ning Feng wisely chose to keep quiet. Mad Rat next to him poked his arm.

“Hey, how come you’re so calm?”

“Am I?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’re like an old hand. Have you been on this kind of starship before?”

Ning Feng twisted his mouth without answering, making up an excuse to go out on the balcony and enjoy the view.

In the distance, horns sounded melodiously. The spaceport was filled with ships ready to depart. Below, the waiting area was packed with passengers queuing for boarding, a slowly moving dragon, their faces full of anticipation and excitement for the journey.

Just like himself when he first boarded a ship.

Ning Feng stared into the distance for a long time, his gaze distant and hollow.

He had indeed traveled on this kind of top-tier starship before—right after graduating from the military academy.

At that time, most of his classmates had already been assigned their posts, and it was the last holiday of their student days. They had decided to go on a graduation trip. After much discussion, they finally chose to take a starship to a popular tourist resort star and go wild.

But back then, Ning Feng was a poor kid fresh out of school, using the cheapest optical computer. He couldn’t possibly afford the high travel costs. Yet he didn’t want to spoil everyone’s fun, so he used the excuse of “going back to the orphanage to visit” to bow out. The others were disappointed but understood.

On the day of departure, everyone was excitedly discussing the upcoming itinerary. Ning Feng joked around with them, telling them to buy lots of souvenirs. He waved goodbye at the entrance, and after everyone had left, he stood there for a long, long time before returning alone to his dormitory.

Looking at the empty room, Ning Feng scratched his cheek.

It was just a graduation trip. If he didn’t go, he didn’t go. When he got the chance to earn money later, he could go anywhere he wanted.

Any talk of graduation memories was just an excuse. No big deal.

Right, no big deal.

Ning Feng chuckled twice and walked to the balcony to have a smoke. Suddenly, something slid down his face. He quickly wiped it, but the more he wiped, the more came, and in the end, he had to shamefully cry while fumbling for a lighter.

Just then, bang! The door was thrust open.

Ning Feng was startled. Turning around, he saw Yin Beichen, who should have already departed, standing at the door with a suitcase, his expression unhappy.

“Beichen? Aren’t you—”

“Why didn’t you board the ship?” Yin Beichen’s light brows were tightly knitted. When he saw the man’s face, a flicker of unreadable emotion passed through his eyes. “The tickets were already bought.”

“Tickets?” Ning Feng sniffled. He was sure he looked ridiculously stupid. “What tickets?”

“Starship tickets.” Yin Beichen’s tone was cold. “I just changed the tickets to a later sailing. The next one leaves in two hours.” Seeing the man still standing there blankly, his voice grew even icier.

“What are you spacing out for? Didn’t you want to go? Why aren’t you packing?”

“Huh? But I—tickets—”

“Hurry up.”

“…”

In the end, he and Yin Beichen boarded a top-tier starship, reached their destination, and even arrived earlier than the other classmates. By the time everyone got there, the two of them had already been partying for days.

That graduation trip, Ning Feng had a blast.

Later, he found out that all his expenses on the trip were paid by Yin Beichen. Although he wanted to pay him back later, Yin Beichen only said, “I forgot how much it was,” and casually accepted a few dozen star coins.

Not to mention anything else, a single ticket alone cost over a thousand. A few dozen star coins probably only covered the cost of a meal.

Truly… what was that guy thinking?

Ning Feng couldn’t help but curl his lips slightly, but then quickly pulled them down. Letting out a sigh, he looked at his reflection in the glass window.

Reflected in the window was a tall robot wearing a black maid outfit.

To show their respect for this sponsor, with Marcia’s funding, Shamu had put him in a new body. But the budget was limited—they replaced his upper body and hands, the parts used most. His head and lower body were still the same battered pieces, only with some more durable parts and simple eyelids and two thick eyebrows added.

Since it looked so odd, Ning Feng opted to wear a black maid outfit, complete with a headband and apron, fully disguised as a cleaning robot. That way, he could cover up his shabby lower body, and if something unexpected happened, he’d have some protection.

However, the new body’s proportions were too curvy. Even the largest maid outfit was tightly stretched. Ning Feng moved very carefully now, afraid he might burst the clothes.

Suddenly, there was a sound from behind.

Ning Feng quickly pulled himself together, adjusted his mouth in the glass reflection, and thought that this was a big sponsor—he had to serve well. He turned around, ready to greet him and use his eloquence to make a good impression. But when he saw the other person’s face, he froze on the spot.

Boss He was dressed in casual clothes. Under the light of the crystal chandelier, his handsome, composed profile seemed coated with a soft golden glow. Although he had an utterly unremarkable short brown haircut, with eye color matching his hair, and the simplest disguise, Ning Feng had looked at that face for ten full years, loved it for ten full years. He knew very well how stunning the hidden azure-blue pupils were beneath the disguise.

Yin Beichen?

Boss He was Yin Beichen?

That generous, money-rich sponsor turned out to be Yin Beichen?!

Ning Feng’s head throbbed, as if a powerful grenade had exploded in his brain, leaving it blank. He had no idea how to react.

Yin Beichen said nothing, just stared fixedly at the robot, his expression unfathomable. After a long moment, he parted his thin lips slightly.

“Blade?”

Just then, the starship’s horn sounded long and deep, the penetrating waves vibrating through his chest, shaking Ning Feng to the core.