After Rebirth, Married to a Deadly Enemy - Chapter 30
When Bai Xiangxing saw Xiangyan again, the latter appeared much calmer. He held his brother’s hand, and while his gaze towards Bai Xiangxing still held caution, it was devoid of the previous frenzy.
Bai Xiangxing glanced at the restraints still binding Xiangyan’s wrists and said to Warden Wang, “Release the handcuffs.”
Warden Wang acknowledged with a nod and used a device to unlock the handcuffs restraining Xiangyan’s wrists.
Xiangyan rotated his arm and stood up from the chair. “I’d like to speak with you alone,” he said.
Bai Xiangxing nodded and looked at Warden Wang.
“You can talk; I’ll wait outside,” Warden Wang said and closed the door behind him.
“Take a seat, let’s talk,” Bai Xiangxing said as he pulled out a chair, assuming a relaxed posture, as if he were in his own living room.
Xiangyan furrowed his brow. He had yet to interact with Bai Xiangxing, but he sensed that it might be challenging to gain the upper hand in this negotiation.
Regardless, he thought, as long as he could leave the prison and live with his brother, nothing else mattered.
“What would you like to discuss with me?” Bai Xiangxing took the initiative after seeing Xiangyan’s hesitation.
“Firstly, as Xiang Rong’s older brother, I want to thank you for taking him out of Sector 64,” Xiangyan said.
Bai Xiangxing glanced at Xiang Rong, who appeared surprisingly well-behaved, unlike the usual spirited boy who would often defy authority.
“Thank you is not necessary. He obtained the prescription to leave Sector 64 through his own efforts,” Bai Xiangxing replied.
“But I’d like to thank you as well. I know Sector 64 better than anyone else. If you didn’t want to take him out, there are plenty of ways I could have obtained that prescription,” Xiangyan said, recalling his past experiences.
“In that case, I’ll accept your thanks,” Bai Xiangxing said.
“Just earlier, Xiang Rong told me a lot about you. He described you as a man of commitment, responsibility, courage, and a philanthropist,” Xiangyan said, trying to flatter Bai Xiangxing.
Bai Xiangxing gave Xiang Rong a glance. He noticed that his usually mischievous demeanor had been replaced with surprising meekness. Even in this lifetime, let alone the previous one, he had never seen this side of Xiang Rong.
“Both of you are older brothers; how can you be so different?” Bai Xiangxing wondered aloud.
Both brothers shared a moment of surprise upon Bai Xiangxing’s reply, leaving Xiangyan slightly confused, and disrupting his planned approach. He initially thought Bai Xiangxing would make some demands, and he was prepared to agree as long as they weren’t too harsh. Now, if he brought up leaving the prison, it would appear that he was the one seeking Bai Xiangxing’s help.
Xiangyan was a little inexperienced in such matters.
While Xiangyan was deep in thought, Xiang Rong couldn’t care less about his brother’s scheming. After their lengthy conversation, he had grown impatient. He asked directly, “So, can you help my brother leave this place?”
“Little Rong,” Xiangyan was startled by his brother’s blunt tone and couldn’t help but think, “How can you be so unkind? What if you provoke him?”
“If I help you, how will you repay me?” Bai Xiangxing looked at Xiang Rong.
“Any condition you want,” Xiang Rong replied. “As long as you can help my brother leave here.”
“Xiangyan,” Xiangyan grew anxious, afraid that Bai Xiangxing would set unfavorable conditions for his brother. He hurriedly said, “This is my matter, Mr. Bai. If you can help me leave here and reunite with Xiang Rong, you can set any condition, as long as I can fulfill it.”
“Then… a million star coins,” Bai Xiangxing said.
“What?!” Both brothers were left stunned.
“Just now, I inquired about your situation. Your original sentence has already ended. The ruling to extend your sentence wasn’t fair. As long as you appeal to the court, you’ll be released soon. I can find you a lawyer to assist until your appeal is successful, provide you with round-trip tickets to the capital star, and cover miscellaneous expenses. A million star coins should be sufficient,” Bai Xiangxing explained.
“Are you asking for just 1 million starcoins? No other requirements?” Towards the end, it’s a bit hard to believe,” asked Xià ng Yán, “You don’t need me to develop the serum for you?”
He had inquired about White’s situation just now, and the company he currently managed primarily sold the modified pheromone suppressant.
“Of course. If you want to find work after getting out, and you’re willing to come to my company, I’ll offer you a satisfactory salary. However, it’s a mutual choice. If you don’t want to join, I won’t force you,” said Bai Xiangxing decisively.
“That’s all?” To express his gratitude, Xià ng Yán had a hard time believing that Bai Xiangxing had no ulterior motives.
“I’m a businessman, and I like to maximize benefits in everything I do, but unequal benefits are illegal, and I’m a legal businessman,” replied Bai Xiangxing.
“Legal?” After living in darkness for so long, Xià ng Yán had almost forgotten about the existence of fairness and the law. So when a situation of fairness finally arrived, he couldn’t believe it. Yet, looking at the man, he realized that Bai Xiangxing had very clear eyes and was so good-looking. Perhaps he truly wouldn’t deceive him.
When Xià ng Róng was released from the Third Prison, he was unwilling to leave, clinging to the idea of staying in prison to be with his brother. If it weren’t for Xià ng Yán scolding him sternly, he might not have left.
“I’m staying here to wait for my brother to get out,” Xià ng Róng stated, not wanting to wait another second.
“Alright, I’ll go back and arrange to move your registration out. Once your brother is released, you can both have your registrations in the same place,” Bai Xiangxing said, showing that he had even considered moving his brother’s registration.
“Thank you,” said Xià ng Róng, finally expressing his gratitude.
“You’ve finally stopped despising me,” Bai Xiangxing chuckled when he heard a rare ‘thank you’ from the young man, who had regarded him as an enemy since their first meeting.
“Then, can you explain why you used to hate me? We hadn’t even met before,” Liang Chen took the opportunity to ask.
Xià ng Róng’s face reddened, and he kept his head down, focused on his food.
“You used to be his enemy. You’re not anymore,” Bai Xiangxing explained, “He always thought you were the reason his brother was dead, even though you didn’t know each other. If he didn’t hate you, that would be surprising.”
“An enemy?” Liang Chen was taken aback.
Bai Xiangxing clarified, “Before, he thought that his brother was dead, and he blamed you for it.”
Liang Chen realized that the young man was captured when they were eliminating space pirates, which is why he thought his brother had died. He felt quite wronged, “That’s even more absurd. We were exterminating space pirates.”
“He’s not seeking revenge from you, which is already good enough,” Bai Xiangxing added, “He’s been through a lot, growing up in the 64th District. His temperament is quite extreme. It’s a wonder he didn’t transfer your blame.”
“Once again, we appreciate your help,” Xià ng Yán said to Bai Xiangxing with gratitude, feeling a bit uneasy after the earlier hostility.
“You’re welcome. I’m just happy to help. Your brother will be out soon,” Bai Xiangxing assured him.
“Xing-shao, when should we leave for the starport?” Liang Chen asked Bai Xiangxing, “I’d like to buy something when we go there. Could we depart an hour earlier?”
“Alright,” Bai Xiangxing agreed, “We can leave an hour earlier. What do you want to buy?”
“A fourth-level battle armor,” Liang Chen replied.
“Sure.” Bai Xiangxing naturally didn’t object to this small matter.
After having a meal and resting at the hotel for a while, they set off for the port when it was about time. On the way, they made a detour to the weapons store that Liang Chen wanted to visit.
At the weapons store, the two headed straight to the combat armor area. Combat armor assembly has certain requirements for body strength, and Omega’s body strength is far from meeting them. So, even in two lifetimes, Bai Xiangxing had never worn combat armor.
However, the inability to wear it did not diminish his longing for combat armor. Bai Xiangxing looked at the various combat armors displayed inside, his eyes unconsciously filled with desire.
“Boss, I’m here to pick up the goods.” Liang Chen went straight to the counter and reported a number.
The boss, after checking in the background, replied, “The combat armor is ready, in the warehouse. I’ll go get it now, please wait.”
While waiting for the boss to fetch the armor, Bai Xiangxing casually asked, “You pre-ordered it?”
“Not me, it’s Lin Qing, Chang Feng, and the others.” Liang Chen looked enviously at a set of deep blue combat armor displayed nearby. “I don’t have the money to buy it.”
“Why would they ask you to help them buy it? Can’t they get it in the capital star?” Bai Xiangxing frowned.
“The combat armors here can be selected and assembled with specific attributes, and the prices are relatively cheaper.” Liang Chen explained.
Bai Xiangxing nodded in understanding. “You just said you don’t have the money to buy?”
Liang Chen scratched his head embarrassedly. “A set of fourth-level combat armor, the cheapest is still around 3.5 million. I still have a long way to go.”
Bai Xiangxing furrowed his brows. “Doesn’t the military provide combat armor for you? Do you have to spend your own money to buy it?”
“The combat armor provided by the military cannot be taken away from the unit. It can’t be used for vacations or when taking on bounty missions independently. Last time, Captain got injured because he couldn’t break through the beast’s defense without advanced combat armor during a mission to the barren star. Otherwise, with the Captain’s skills, he wouldn’t have to resort to using mental power to the point of exhaustion.”
Talking about the previous mission to the barren star, Liang Chen regretted, “But unfortunately, Captain didn’t bring me along on the last trip. Otherwise, I would have enough money to buy combat armor now.”
The money to buy combat armor for Lin Qing and the others was the amount Bai Xiangxing gave to Shi Zhen, asking him to return it to the team members.
“Xing-shao, why don’t you ask Captain to lead the team to the barren star again? This time, I’ll go with him, and I can earn a set of combat armor too.”
Bai Xiangxing listened in silence for a moment. “Just for a set of three million combat armor, is it worth it?”
“It’s worth it. I’ve been eyeing it for a long time.” Liang Chen had wanted a set of fourth-level combat armor for a long time. Especially in the last few days, when he encountered Wang Ming at the port and was punched back because of the lower combat armor level, he still felt resentful.
“If that’s the case, pick a set for yourself.” Bai Xiangxing said.
“Ah?!” Liang Chen was stunned.
“Follow Captain to complete a mission, and you can earn a fourth-level combat armor set. If you follow me, you can earn one too.” Bai Xiangxing pointed to the combat armor displayed in the store and said arrogantly, “Choose any you like.”
Just a few million? The new team’s account now has six billion lying around. When he had no money, Bai Xiangxing didn’t frown at spending a few million. Now, it was even less of an issue.
“I… I didn’t mean that.” Bai Xiangxing wanted to give it as a gift, but Liang Chen felt embarrassed about it. He was just here to help and didn’t do anything to deserve such an expensive set of combat armor.
At this moment, the boss happened to bring three sets of combat armor over. Bai Xiangxing didn’t waste any more words with Liang Chen. He directly said to the boss, “Boss, another set of fourth-level combat armor, the most expensive one you have here.”
He might not understand combat armor, but the basic principle of buying things, where the more expensive, the better, was something he knew.
“Hey, I’ll get it for you right away,” the boss said upon hearing that they wanted another set. He was visibly delighted.
While Liang Chen tried to stop him, Bai Xiangxing had already paid on the spot. “If you don’t choose, I’ll let the boss pick one randomly.”
Liang Chen was scared off by Bai Xiangxing’s extravagance. That was a five-million combat armor; he couldn’t let the boss pick one randomly, not caring about anything else. He chased after the boss to pick the combat armor.
Due to the extra set of combat armor, Liang Chen took longer in the weapon store than anticipated. They almost caught up with the spaceship on their way. Throughout the journey, Liang Chen’s mouth remained open in joy, a sight that made Bai Xiangxing shake his head.
After thirty hours of space travel, they arrived at the capital star. When they arrived, there was still some time left, so Liang Chen sent Bai Xiangxing home and eagerly returned to the military base to show off his combat armor.
He endured all the way and didn’t tell his comrades in the group. He saved it for a face-to-face display. As expected, just as he appeared on the training ground in the cool dark blue combat armor, it caused a huge sensation.
“Wow, this combat armor looks expensive. How much is it?”
“Five million.” Liang Chen proudly stated.
“Five million in the Cancer Star System. This should be the top-tier fourth-level combat armor, right?” Lin Qing, who had bought his own for around three hundred and sixty thousand, remarked.
“The most expensive in the entire store!” Liang Chen confidently declared.
“Did you win the lottery to have so much money?” others asked one after another.
“It’s not for me; it was a gift from my sister-in-law.” Liang Chen said.
“Sister-in-law? Xing-shao?!” Lin Qing reacted.
Originally, he had only glanced at Liang Chen when he entered and saw the combat armor on him. Suddenly, he turned his head to look.
“Yes, my sister-in-law said, accompany Captain on a mission, earn a set of combat armor, and if I accompany him to Cancer Star, it’s worth a set of combat armor too.” Liang Chen said.
As soon as this statement came out, the training ground exploded.
“Damn, it’s also a gift from Sister-in-law?”
“When I received money from Captain to distribute to Lin Qing and others, they didn’t want to take it at first. Because it was agreed from the beginning that the money earned from the mission to the barren star would be given to the new team without any compensation. Seeing that they didn’t accept it, Captain mentioned Bai Xiangxing, saying that the money was given to them by Bai Xiangxing, and if they didn’t take it, he wouldn’t be able to explain to Bai Xiangxing when he went back.”
For the sake of the captain’s family harmony, a few people reluctantly accepted the money and used the money given by Sister-in-law to buy combat armor. Now, as a few of the only team members who will soon have fourth-level combat armor, they were the subject of envy these days. Unexpectedly, Liang Chen, who did nothing, just accompanied Sister-in-law on a trip, and now he has a top-tier fourth-level combat armor set.
“I’ll go, this is the top-tier one, better than Captain’s set.”
“Have you tested it? What are the specific values?”
“By the way, if Sister-in-law bought it for you, did she also buy it for Captain?”
“Uh…” Liang Chen.
The person involved, Shi Zhen, didn’t speak, but somehow, Liang Chen suddenly felt a chill all over his body. Subconsciously, he put away the combat armor.
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