Mid-air.
Outside the protective shield of the Admiral’s Manor, a magnificently designed, jewel-encrusted silver hovercar hovered in place.
Landon stood in front of a full-length mirror, verifying his outfit and hairstyle one more time. He then began adjusting his expression: A bit fiercer. A bit more arrogant. A bit more domineering. He absolutely had to use his sheer aura to intimidate that country bumpkin later. He could not allow himself to be led by the nose again.
He had thought about it all night, relying on his AI to run calculations and analyses dozens of times, and finally figured out what was going on.
That country bumpkin from a remote planet possessed no genuine talent or learning at all. Someone had told him the answers in advance, which was why he looked so impressive in the research hall.
And that person was his idol, Admiral Shi.
Thinking of this, Landon couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh. “Alas, they say heroes have a hard time passing the beauty trial. Although I don’t want to admit it, that country bumpkin is quite good-looking. He’s also a scheming, venomous beauty. It’s understandable that Admiral Shi was momentarily bewitched by him.”
Landon resolutely refused to admit that it was because he himself had been bewitched twice that he judged others by his own standards, assuming Admiral Shi must have been bewitched as well. But that was fine. He had already gathered all the dirt and relevant evidence on that country bumpkin. Later, he would definitely make Admiral Shi see that country bumpkin’s true colors. And when that happened…
At the thought of slapping all the dirt and evidence right onto that country bumpkin’s face later, publicly exposing his true colors, and watching Admiral Shi wake up and annul the marriage… he could finally settle the score with that country bumpkin! Landon couldn’t hold back a series of pig-like snorts of laughter: “Hmph hmph hahaha…”
After laughing enough, Landon adjusted his appearance and expression in the mirror once more. He silently recited the lines he had prepared in his head, and only then had the AI send a signal to the Admiral’s Manor requesting landing permission.
“Ah, it’s Young Master Landon. Come in, have a seat.” Butler Wang really liked Landon. The moment the hovercar landed on the lawn, he enthusiastically welcomed him.
The Shi family and the Webster family were old friends for generations. Landon had been a die-hard fanboy of Shi Xingzhou since childhood. Back when the Old Madam was still alive, Landon frequently visited the Admiral’s Manor with his mother. It could be said that Butler Wang watched him grow up.
—Young Master Landon was so adorable when he was little. A tiny, soft little ball, with a super sweet smile, wobbling on his short little legs as he chased after the Young Master calling “Brother.”
So cute!
Butler Wang bowed to lead the way for Landon. Unable to resist recalling the past, his smile became even more amiable and approachable. “Young Master Landon came at a good time today. The Young Master is awake, he’s currently in…”
“Thank you, Uncle Wang. But today I came to look for the country—” Landon paused, hastily correcting himself, “—the Admiral’s Consort. Where is he?”
Although he really wanted to see his idol, Landon still wanted to give Xi Xiuran one more chance. If, after seeing the evidence, he tactfully divorced Admiral Shi on his own and went to apologize to Mengchen, Landon could be magnanimous and forgive him, even allowing him to stay on the Capital Star. But if Xi Xiuran lacked tact…
Hmph hmph, then don’t blame me for being ruthless!
Butler Wang paused for a moment. He subconsciously assumed Landon’s purpose was the same as Professor Zhou and the others, so he didn’t ask further and respectfully led the way toward the drawing room. “The Consort is in the drawing room. Young Master Landon, please follow me.”
Ten minutes later, the two arrived outside the drawing room.
After waving his hand to dismiss Butler Wang, Landon immediately adjusted his expression and charged in fiercely. He was going to seize the initiative by striking first!
Landon roared like an evil dragon: “Xi Xiuran! I—”
Inside the drawing room, the entire group of busy people turned their heads in unison.
Landon: “!!!”
His pupils began to experience a massive earthquake. Ahhhhhh—!
Who am I? Where am I? Did I walk into the wrong room?!
Why does that old man wearing glasses on the holographic screen look exactly like Professor Zhou? Why does that kindly old grandpa on the screen across from Professor Zhou look exactly like Old Mr. Shen from the Alliance?
The person sitting on the sofa leisurely reading a book is my idol, Admiral Shi, right? And the person sitting next to him, wearing non-prescription glasses and talking eloquently… is that Xi Xiuran? And that tall, red-haired maid standing behind the two, taking notes with a pen and paper… why does she look a bit like that Turkey, Jian Feichen?
Landon’s expression turned blank. His entire body froze in place. He faintly heard someone tell him to take a seat somewhere, and he dazedly obeyed the command.
With unsteady steps, Landon walked over to the most remote corner seat and plopped down with a thud.
The interrupted deciphering work resumed. The youth’s clear voice echoed in the drawing room once again. His pace was unhurried, logically clear, and precise in his wording as he translated the contents of the star map into the Interstellar Common Language. Across the holographic screens, both the white-haired, youthful-faced Old Mr. Shen and the gold-rim-glass-wearing Professor Zhou were furiously taking notes.
The red-haired maid—suspected to be Jian Feichen—was also rapidly taking notes, occasionally stepping forward to pour tea and water for Xi Xiuran. When Xi Xiuran hesitated while translating certain specialized universe-related terminology, Shi Xingzhou would converse with him softly. Xi Xiuran would quickly grasp the meaning and accurately find the appropriate term in the Interstellar Common Language to describe it.
When Landon snapped out of it, this was the scene he saw. He felt that the entire world had become surreal.
If he had to describe the impact this scene had on him, it would probably be: Imagine the neighborhood delinquent, who you thought only had an elementary school education, suddenly giving a public lecture at your university, with all the old professors who usually teach you sitting in the audience taking notes.
The entire scene dealt a severe blow to Landon, causing his thoughts to jam as he struggled with immense difficulty to sort out the logic.
Landon completely didn’t understand the Ancient Civilization Language, but Xi Xiuran was translating a star map, which involved various pieces of information regarding interstellar routes—things he did know about. He listened earnestly for a while, and finally had to admit that Xi Xiuran truly understood the Ancient Civilization Language. Translating at this level was no longer something his idol, Admiral Shi, could help him cheat on.
Realizing this, Landon raised his eyes to look again at Xi Xiuran, who was speaking confidently and eloquently amidst the pile of holographic screens. He suddenly began to wonder: Would a person like Xi Xiuran, who possesses genuine talent and learning and has already secured the Empire’s highest honor, the Crystal Oak Medal, really set his sights on an arrogant, self-important idiot like Ying Huachi? And then subsequently poison his own younger brother over romantic disputes?
Landon silently opened his terminal and began to re-examine the “dirt” he had people collect on Xi Xiuran.
***
The Xi Family.
Hearing a knock on the door, the beautiful, slender black-haired youth sitting on the bed spoke softly: “Please come in.”
The maid Nora, dressed in a maid outfit, walked in carrying snacks and tea. She approached the bed and whispered, “Young Master, I’ve found out about the matter you asked me to inquire about.”
Xi Mengchen looked at her and asked, “What happened?”
Nora whispered, “Major General Ying didn’t come last night because he suffered severe injuries. Both his arm and legs were broken. He’s still lying in a medical pod right now. I heard it was because he got into a conflict with the Alliance people over at the First Imperial Research Institute.”
The Alliance?
Xi Mengchen thought back and realized that yesterday was the deadline for the Empire and the Alliance to fight over that batch of Ancient Civilization Heritage. He recalled that the Alliance had snatched the heritage away first, so Major General Ying was injured because of this? If that was the case, it made sense. In his previous life, he had been living in fear at the Admiral’s Manor during these two days and had no mood whatsoever to browse the Star Network, so naturally, he hadn’t known what was happening outside.
Recalling his days in the Admiral’s Manor, Xi Mengchen’s face turned pale, his fingers trembling uncontrollably. His mind couldn’t help but flash back to the tragic scene he witnessed on his very first day entering the manor: the blood winding its way down the stairs, the miserable screams of the blonde maid…
Noticing his abnormality, Nora asked with concern, “Young Master, are you alright? Is the residual poison in your body acting up again? I’ll go call the medical robot right away.”
Hearing Nora’s voice, Xi Mengchen finally snapped back to reality. He slowly exhaled, calmed himself down, and forced a smile: “I’m fine. I’m just a bit worried about Major General Ying.”
Nora was still a bit concerned. She carefully examined his complexion again, and after confirming he was truly fine, she pursed her lips and teased, “The relationship between Young Master and Major General Ying is so good; it makes me believe in love again. Young Master, you don’t know this, but the night you were in a coma, Major General Ying stayed by your bedside to take care of you the entire time. He wouldn’t even let us help. And now, seeing you worry about him like this… if Madam hadn’t forbidden you from leaving the house, you’d definitely have gone to visit him by now.”
Nora cupped her face and sighed, “Ah, such sweet love.”
Xi Mengchen smiled and gently tapped her head. “Don’t speak nonsense. If outsiders hear you, they’ll laugh at us. My marriage contract with Major General Ying hasn’t even been finalized yet.”
Nora stuck out her tongue: “Isn’t it just a matter of time? Besides, I’m only saying this in front of you, Young Master.”
Listening to her, Xi Mengchen felt helpless, yet he was in a very good mood.
Yes, it is only a matter of time.
In his previous life, he hadn’t realized Major General Ying’s worth. Arrogant and prideful, he insisted on marrying Admiral Shi, only to find out he was nothing more than a pawn in the games played by big shots, eventually tossed aside and sent to that lunatic’s side. He lived in fear every single day, not daring to take a single step outside the annex building he was assigned to. But even so, he was still choked by a berserk Admiral Shi. Although he survived, his glands were severely damaged, and he lost his ability to reproduce.
The Heavens took pity on him; God had given him a chance to start over.
This time, carrying the memories of his previous life, he would absolutely not let himself harbor any regrets.
Befriending Little Duke Landon and Eldest Princess Theresa; accepting Major General Ying’s courtship… Everything was completed exactly according to his vision.
Soon. Just wait a little longer.
Once that lunatic Admiral Shi died, the interior of the Empire would fall into chaos, and the Zerg would attack the Capital Star. Major General Ying, holding the most military power, would then become the most esteemed person in the Empire. And he himself, as his partner, would become the Empire’s most esteemed Omega.
After Nora left the room, Xi Mengchen hid under the covers, took out a spare terminal, and sent a string of numbers to an Alpha from the same club at his school.
This string of numbers contained a time and location. Even if Major General Ying were to look through his communication logs in the future, he wouldn’t be able to decipher it.
A reply came quickly from the other end, indicating that everything was fine.
Xi Mengchen instantly felt relieved. Tomorrow, he had to find an excuse to go out.
If he remembered correctly, Landon was going to be assassinated by the Zerg tomorrow. As long as he played his cards right, he could make Landon remember this debt of gratitude.
At the same time, Landon also received a message: he had to make a trip out tomorrow.
T/n: Please Vote on NU to support the novel. You can support the original author here. Happy Reading 💅