Inside the command room, Xiahou Shaoxuan looked at the two files his second uncle had sent over. In the end, his attention settled on one of them. His hands slowly tightened, and fine cracks spread across the cup in his grip before it shattered into pieces on the floor.
“Elder Yuan!”
His blood-chilling voice spread through the command room. A storm was brewing beneath the dark expression on his stern face.
…
Inside the auditorium, which could hold nearly ten thousand people, Lian Qiguang sat in an inconspicuous seat at the very back with his arms folded, hiding himself in the darkness as he expressionlessly watched the performances on stage.
Even three thousand years later, performances were still nothing more than ability demonstrations, a few military combat routines, and some songs by popular celebrities.
Just as Lian Qiguang was getting drowsy from boredom, his optical computer suddenly received a message.
He lowered his head and glanced at it, pausing slightly.
A strange ripple flashed quickly through his silent eyes.
He raised his head and expressionlessly glanced around before slowly standing up.
Without drawing anyone’s attention, he quietly left the auditorium.
Far away from the noisy crowd, he arrived at a quiet corner and sat down beneath a tree, opening his optical computer.
“Wife.”
The moment Xiahou Shaoxuan saw Lian Qiguang, his tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and a faint smile curved at the corner of his lips.
“I’m at the auditorium watching performances.” Lian Qiguang looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan expressionlessly. After thinking for a moment, he added, “Very boring.”
“That kind of thing really is a waste of time.”
As if recalling his own school days, disgust flashed through Xiahou Shaoxuan’s eyes.
“You have something you want to say.”
Sensing that Xiahou Shaoxuan was acting differently than usual—and never one to enjoy guessing games—Lian Qiguang spoke directly.
Looking at his wife’s blank, wooden expression, Xiahou Shaoxuan felt even more worried and irritated.
For the first time, he cursed his past self for being so stubborn and choosing a place so far away from Blue Planet.
“What happened?”
Xiahou Shaoxuan’s irritation made Lian Qiguang tense up as well. A flood of bad possibilities began spinning through his mind.
“Nothing.”
Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Xiahou Shaoxuan calmed himself slightly and gave Lian Qiguang a reassuring look.
It was better not to let his wife see those disgusting matters.
Lian Qiguang stared at him expressionlessly.
His eyes slowly turned cold.
“You’re lying.”
His calm voice was like stagnant water—utterly still, without the slightest ripple.
But the chill in it was enough to send shivers down one’s spine.
“Wife…”
Click.
Lian Qiguang cleanly cut off the call.
He removed the optical computer and stuffed it into his pocket, then lay down with both hands behind his head, expressionlessly staring at the red moon overhead.
The wind stirred his hair and brushed against the corner of his eyes.
It was cool.
A little itchy.
But it couldn’t calm the strange turmoil in his chest.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The optical computer in his pocket rang again.
Lian Qiguang acted as if he hadn’t heard it, not even shifting his expression.
After ringing for a while, it fell silent.
Lian Qiguang’s brows furrowed slightly.
But before a few seconds passed, the metallic ringtone started up again.
A flicker passed through Lian Qiguang’s eyes, and the slight crease between his brows slowly eased.
Again and again.
The optical computer rang, stopped, then rang again.
Relentless.
Whether because the noise annoyed him or for some other reason, Lian Qiguang finally pulled the endlessly ringing device from his pocket.
Looking at the four flashing words on the screen, a faint smile flashed in his eyes—
Then vanished so quickly it seemed like an illusion.
He opened the connection.
Xiahou Shaoxuan appeared on the virtual screen with a dark face.
Lian Qiguang slightly lifted his chin and stared at him expressionlessly.
Neither spoke.
Silence filled the air.
“Wife.”
In the end, Xiahou Shaoxuan gave in first.
The expression on his face softened as he looked helplessly at the silent Lian Qiguang.
Lian Qiguang lifted his head and expressionlessly looked at the moon above, completely ignoring his surrender.
“Wife, truce.”
Seeing that his wife truly refused to acknowledge him, all of Xiahou Shaoxuan’s anger instantly deflated.
He raised the white flag without hesitation.
“No.”
Lian Qiguang rejected him directly without even glancing at him.
“I was wrong.”
The serious apology coming from Xiahou Shaoxuan somehow sounded more righteous than remorseful.
“I know.”
Lian Qiguang nodded calmly.
“Wife, I’m worried about you.”
Looking at Lian Qiguang’s cold profile, Xiahou Shaoxuan felt utterly helpless.
Lian Qiguang shifted slightly.
After a long silence, he slowly turned over and stared at Xiahou Shaoxuan’s stern face.
“I’m not stupid.”
He understood many things.
He simply chose not to involve himself because those matters had nothing to do with him.
He wouldn’t interfere in other people’s affairs.
And he wouldn’t allow others to intrude into his world.
What he wanted wasn’t much—
Just one peaceful corner of land.
Looking into Lian Qiguang’s calm eyes, Xiahou Shaoxuan finally spoke.
“Wife, be careful of Elder Yuan.”
“I know.”
Lian Qiguang nodded expressionlessly.
His calm reaction startled Xiahou Shaoxuan slightly.
“He’s not simple. I’ve always known that.”
Lian Qiguang sat up and looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan calmly.
“He has no ill intentions. At least, he has no ill intentions toward me.”
“Wife, caution never hurts. His background is far deeper than you imagine.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan frowned.
“I’ll be careful.”
Lian Qiguang nodded.
“Help me investigate someone.”
As if suddenly remembering something, Lian Qiguang spoke.
“Who?”
“Qiu Limò.”
This boy gave Lian Qiguang a strange feeling.
There was a familiar energy fluctuation around him.
“What kind of person?”
Xiahou Shaoxuan thought for a long while but couldn’t recall anyone by that name.
“My classmate.”
After a pause, Lian Qiguang added, “He has an ability fluctuation that feels familiar, but I’ve never met him before.”
The former Lian Qiguang had also left behind no information about this person.
“Okay.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan nodded.
“I’ll get it for you in a few days.”
“Wife, that Ji Renlin hasn’t tried hitting on you again, has he?”
Thinking of the report he’d read, Xiahou Shaoxuan’s face darkened again.
If he didn’t trust his second uncle’s capabilities, he would never have believed the information in that file was about his wife.
What was so great about that bastard?
Not as handsome as him.
Not stronger than him.
Not higher in status than him.
He truly couldn’t understand what his wife had seen in that bastard back then!
Hmph!
His wife had never clung to him like that!
Xiahou Shaoxuan cursed internally, absolutely refusing to admit he was jealous.
“He said he hopes I’ll forgive him.”
Expressionlessly, Lian Qiguang repeated Ji Renlin’s exact words, very calmly helping Ji Renlin rack up hatred points with Major General Xiahou.
“……”
Xiahou Shaoxuan’s face turned black.
“He called me Xiao Guang.”
“……”
Crack. Crack.
Frost began forming throughout the room.
“He said he likes me. That I’m very important to him.”
Crack!
Xiahou Shaoxuan snapped off a corner of the specially forged metal desk with his bare hand.
“WIFE!! GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW! WE’RE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL ANYMORE!!!!”
Xiahou Shaoxuan exploded in rage.
…
After ending the call, Lian Qiguang was in an excellent mood.
Though judging from his face, no one could tell whether he was happy or angry.
He casually smoothed out his wrinkled clothes, shoved both hands into his pockets, and expressionlessly strolled toward the dormitory.
But—
Lian Qiguang stopped.
Expressionlessly, he looked at the young man standing not far ahead.
Dressed in black, arms folded, he stood silently in the darkness with an icy, indifferent expression.
Qiu Limò…