After Rebirth, Married to a Deadly Enemy - Chapter 36

Three days after Shi Zhen left, Bai Xiangxing suddenly realized, amidst Shi Zhen’s absence, that he forgot to inform Shi Zhen’s younger brother, Shi Ning, about Shi Zhen being on a mission.

 

“Your brother is indeed on a mission, and he’ll be back in about half a month,” Bai Xiangxing explained.

 

Shi Ning, who was eating a bun with his head down, suddenly looked up in surprise, asking, “Did my brother tell you?”

 

“Yes, he informed me three days ago. It’s my fault for being too busy lately and forgetting to tell you,” Bai Xiangxing admitted with some self-blame. Shi Zhen hadn’t been home for three consecutive days, and since Shi Ning didn’t ask, it slipped Bai Xiangxing’s mind.

 

“My brother told you voluntarily?”

 

“Yes, he did. Otherwise, how would I know he’s going on a mission? Military tasks, even if not confidential, are difficult for outsiders to know,” Bai Xiangxing explained.

 

“My brother actually took the initiative to report his schedule to you? Xing Ge, you are indeed different in his eyes,” Shi Ning laughed foolishly, imagining something and finding it amusing.

 

Bai Xiangxing felt uncomfortable being laughed at. “There’s nothing special. We live together, and he suddenly disappears. Shouldn’t he report it?”

 

“Of course, it’s different. He never used to tell me when he went on a mission. I’d find out he hadn’t come home after three or four days and figure out he was on a mission by myself,” Shi Ning provided facts to support his belief that Bai Xiangxing held a special place in Shi Zhen’s heart.

 

“That’s because you didn’t ask him to tell you. Next time, ask him to inform you when he goes on a mission,” Bai Xiangxing suggested.

 

“He won’t. I used to ask him to let me know in advance, but he told me to ask our mom,” Shi Ning pouted.

 

“That’s the point. You can ask your brother anything, but I can’t,” Bai Xiangxing remarked.

 

“Then, Big Brother can let you ask me,” Shi Ning suggested.

 

“…,” Bai Xiangxing.

 

Why are you arguing so logically? What exactly are you trying to prove?

 

Feeling a bit annoyed, Bai Xiangxing recognized this familiar irritation. He had experienced it when he went to the military to deliver the medication to Shi Zhen.

 

“What are you talking about?” Xiang Rong entered with a school bag on his back, casually finding a seat.

 

He had already moved out and lived with Xiang Yan and Dong Ziyu. Their residence was not far away, just one street away from here. Since he and Shi Ning attended the same school, he came over every morning to go to school with Shi Ning.

 

Seeing him sitting at the dining table, Shi Ning knew he hadn’t eaten yet. He turned to the kitchen and instructed the household robot, “0098, bring another set of utensils.”

 

“Yes, master.” In no time, the robot brought another set of utensils.

 

Xiang Rong didn’t hesitate to start eating, devouring his food as if he had been hungry for several meals.

 

“What’s with your eating habits? Didn’t your brother feed you enough?” Bai Xiangxing teased, not pleased that his brother, upon finding him, promptly moved out without any attachment.

 

Tsk, this little brother, indeed a parasite from the past life.

 

“Are you still shameless?” Upon mentioning this, Xiang Rong became annoyed. “Since my brother started working at your company, he has only come home three times so far. Can’t you arrange less work for him?”

 

“Cough~” Bai Xiangxing tactically cleared his throat and proactively handed another bun to Xiang Rong. “Here, it’s pork filling, especially delicious.”

 

Xiang Rong snorted a couple of times, not complaining further. In fact, he knew in his heart that his brother stayed at Xinshi because he enjoyed the current job. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so calm.

 

“By the way, what were you talking about just now?” When he entered earlier, he heard Shi Ning talking excitedly in the dining room but didn’t catch the details.

 

“My brother actually reported his mission to Xing Ge this time. I said my brother treats Xing Ge differently, but Xing Ge doesn’t admit it,” Bai Xiangxing refused to believe. Annoyed, Shi Ning, seeing a third person arrive, pulled him out for an evaluation. “Xiang Rong, do you think my brother treats Xing Ge differently than others?”

 

“Isn’t that normal? They are partners, naturally different from others,” Xiang Rong, not understanding why this was an exciting topic, replied.

 

“I’m going to work.” Bai Xiangxing couldn’t eat anymore; he didn’t want to discuss such topics with two minors at the breakfast table.

 

After Bai Xiangxing left, Shi Ning spoke up, “Xiang Rong, do you think my brother and Xing Ge will be together?”

 

“Aren’t they already married?” Xiang Rong was puzzled.

 

“You know, they still sleep in separate rooms now,” Shi Ning said.

 

Xiang Rong, who had lived in the Shi family for a while, naturally knew about them sleeping in separate rooms. “Let them handle their own affairs; don’t worry about it.”

 

“But I really like Xing Ge. A while ago, my mom told me that Xing Ge married my brother because he was framed by his family and sold by his grandfather. He had no money, nowhere to go, and that’s why he married my brother. Now that Xing Ge is the general manager of Xinshi, and Xinshi is making money again, do you think, once the marriage protection period is over, Xing Ge will divorce my brother?”

 

The marriage protection period was only one year, and within that year, if the Omega didn’t get pregnant, both parties could file for divorce. However, several months had passed, and they still slept in separate rooms, making Shi Ning anxious.

 

“If Xing Ge could like my brother, that would be great. Then he wouldn’t divorce my brother, and they could continue living together at home.” Shi Ning, with his hands supporting his chin, looked eager.

 

“However, I guess your brother likes Bai Xiangxing,” Xiang Rong added.

 

“Do you think so too?” Shi Ning instantly revived.

 

“Your brother has a deadpan face, and he looks cold to everyone, but whenever he encounters Bai Xiangxing, he becomes more approachable,” Xiang Rong, having observed this for some time during his stay at the Shi family, commented.

 

“I told you. Unfortunately, my brother is like a block of wood. He doesn’t know how to coax an Omega,” Shi Ning lamented.

 

Coax an Omega? Xiang Rong thought of Shi Zhen’s face and imagined him coaxing an Omega, sending shivers down his spine.

 

At the company, Bai Xiangxing, as usual, inquired about the progress of the clinical trial and then called the head of the security team, Du Pengjing.

 

Speaking of which, apart from the time Du Pengjing took the initiative to say he would retrieve the equipment stolen by Star Thief, Bai Xiangxing hadn’t seen much of him. Initially, Bai Xiangxing didn’t know the reason, thinking it might be a personality thing common among capable individuals. Later, based on a hint from Zhou Qirong, he learned that Du Pengjing had a Beta partner. The two had been comrades-in-arms, and during a mission, they both suffered severe injuries. His partner left with irreversible disabilities, losing his eyesight.

 

Beta’s fertility is not high, so the couple doesn’t have children. Due to concerns about the inconvenience for his visually impaired partner at home, Du Pengjing always accompanies his partner when he has free time. With both of them facing health issues, relying solely on the meager allowance from retirement is not enough, prompting Du Pengjing to take on a new job at the New Corps. With his previous rank as a colonel before retiring, Du Pengjing naturally became the director of the security department at the New Corps.

 

By the way, Du Pengjing is also a participant in this clinical experiment. With his abilities, he could easily become the security department head in any company with a higher salary than the struggling New Corps. However, due to his unstable mental state, he remains at the New Corps, and the issue with his mental strength hasn’t been resolved.

 

As Bai Xiangxing recalls Du Pengjing’s resume, the office door is knocked.

 

“Please come in,” Bai Xiangxing looks towards the door, and Du Pengjing, wearing a security uniform with numerous scars, strides in.

 

“General Manager,” Du Pengjing’s attitude towards Bai Xiangxing is noticeably more courteous than the last time.

 

“Captain Du seems to be in much better spirits,” Bai Xiangxing greets.

 

“Yes.”

 

“…” Bai Xiangxing.

 

Could we have a conversation? At least say a few more sentences, like thanking the company for the clinical experiment or mentioning the mental comfort agent. Is a simple “yes” indicating an early end to the conversation to go home and be with your partner?

 

A person who could rise to the rank of colonel in the military shouldn’t have such low emotional intelligence. The more Bai Xiangxing thinks about it, the more he feels that this guy is doing it on purpose.

 

“Did the General Manager bring me over for some work arrangements?” Du Pengjing asks when Bai Xiangxing remains silent for a while. This question is straightforward, but his tone is firm, as if saying, “If you have something, say it; if not, I’m leaving.”

 

Bai Xiangxing takes a deep breath, reassuring himself that this person is a colonel, and some demeanor is understandable.

 

“I do have something to discuss with Captain Du.” Bai Xiangxing points to the sofa nearby. “Let’s sit down and talk slowly.”

 

“No need, I can stand. If there’s something, just say it.” Du Pengjing refuses.

 

“…” Bai Xiangxing is momentarily choked, stands up, and politely says, “Captain Du has experienced countless battles, extraordinary in demeanor. If you stand like this, I’ll feel pressured.”

 

Du Pengjing raises an eyebrow in surprise, “I retired many years ago, and the aura of killing is long gone. If we talk about demeanor, Captain Shi should be stronger than me.”

 

Although he says that, Du Pengjing follows the suggestion and sits down on the sofa.

 

Bai Xiangxing knows that these military guys are straightforward, saying what they think. There’s no malicious intent. But if someone with a narrow mind hears this, they might think the other person is intentionally mocking.

 

Captain Shi’s aura is even stronger than mine, huh? How come you don’t feel pressured talking to him but suddenly do with me?

 

“When Captain Shi is at home, it’s different from when he’s in the military,” Bai Xiangxing casually provides an excuse.

 

“That’s true. Alphas always unconsciously become gentle in front of their partners.” Du Pengjing understands; he himself is different in front of his partner compared to others.

 

Gentle?!

 

As Bai Xiangxing thought of Shi Zhen’s face with a gentle expression, he felt nauseous and almost vomited his breakfast.

 

“Let’s get straight to the point.” To avoid continuing the topic of Shi Zhen’s gentleness, Bai Xiangxing skips the pleasantries and goes straight to the point. “I’ve been looking into the composition of the security team these days and found that New Corps’ security team has a total of seventy-three personnel. However, considering the current scale of New Corps, twenty security personnel would be more than enough.”

 

With only one factory at New Corps currently, even with constant patrolling day and night, including stationing guards at the entrance, seventy-three people are excessive.

 

Du Pengjing furrows his brows slightly, “Is the General Manager suggesting disbanding the security team?”

 

This idea crossed Bai Xiangxing’s mind when he took over New Corps and initiated substantial reforms. The security team had an excessive number of members, and everyone knew that New Corps didn’t actually need that many security personnel. Some of them had been actively looking for other jobs, and those who found jobs had voluntarily resigned to relieve the burden on New Corps. However, many of them had some health issues, making it difficult for them to pass medical examinations for security positions elsewhere.

 

Although they were retired military personnel, most security jobs didn’t require the combat abilities of military personnel. Hiring someone with various injuries and little practical use was less efficient than hiring a physically fit civilian. Therefore, the priority for retired military personnel in job hunting was having good health; only in good health could they be prioritized over civilians in recruitment.

 

Du Pengjing knew that this security team was being supported by New Corps, so when he learned that the equipment had been stolen by Star Pirates, he led his comrades to retrieve it, hoping to repay New Corps. Subsequently, New Corps started making money, and everyone’s salaries increased. Those who participated in the Star Pirates elimination missions even received additional bonuses. They optimistically thought that New Corps might keep them, anticipating that as the company grew, more security personnel would be needed.

 

“General Manager, although our security team has more people now, but…” Du Pengjing didn’t want his brothers, who had just picked up hope, to be disappointed. He was about to speak up to try to persuade, but Bai Xiangxing interrupted with a wry smile.

 

“No, no, I wouldn’t disband the security department. If it was before you reclaimed the equipment, there might have been a possibility, but now, how could I disband such a military-like security team?”

 

“Then why did you suddenly mention the number of personnel? You mentioned too many people in the security team and then said New Corps doesn’t need them. Isn’t that suggesting disbandment?”

 

“Please don’t rush. Let me finish,” Bai Xiangxing continues, “I’ve looked into your situation, and I found that most of you need regular or irregular medical treatment. New Corps used to spend almost all of its medical funds on you.”

 

Seeing Du Pengjing’s face showing a hint of shame, Bai Xiangxing hurriedly adds, “I’m not blaming you. I just want to say that New Corps no longer has the same medical benefits as before, but your injuries still need treatment.”

 

Du Pengjing is puzzled. He knows about the abolishment of medical benefits, and he understands it, as New Corps is not obligated to keep supporting them. However, without medical benefits, how are they supposed to continue their treatment?

 

“With the current wages provided by New Corps, there may still be some people who cannot afford monthly medical expenses. Additionally, for your partner to implant a pair of bionic eyes, it will cost approximately ten million star coins,” Bai Xiangxing explains.

 

Du Pengjing looks up abruptly.

 

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to cure him?” Bionic eyes use holographic imaging technology to restore vision, and although there might be some differences compared to natural vision, it’s essentially equivalent to regaining sight.

 

“As long as it can cure him, I’ll do anything you ask,” Du Pengjing says.

 

“Why does it sound like you’re accusing me or threatening me?” Bai Xiangxing blinks, feeling that something is off.

 

“I… I didn’t mean that.” Du Pengjing hastily explains.

 

“Captain Du, don’t worry, listen to me. I’m about to get to the point.” Bai Xiangxing feels like he’s gotten into the habit of negotiating with people, always starting with the benefits and gains, which has evidently stirred up the other party. Without further ado, he goes straight to the point, “I want to establish an additional interstellar transport company.”

 

“Last time, when you eliminated the Star Pirates, coupled with my manipulation of Wan Tong on the Star Network, you already have some recognition in the Alliance. Moreover, all of you are genuine military personnel with exceptionally high combat skills. If you engage in interstellar transport, I believe no Star Pirates would dare to rob you. Your only disadvantage is the injuries and illnesses, but I’ve looked into it. If this clinical experiment is successful, most of you can recover combat capabilities. Although not as formidable as in your prime, it should be more than sufficient to deal with ordinary Star Pirates.”

 

“Of course!” In Du Pengjing’s eyes, dealing with mere Star Pirates is like dealing with a dish.

 

“So, after establishing this interstellar transport company, with a bit of promotion, you’ll undoubtedly have a flood of business. You can specifically take on cargo transport in dangerous star regions or even undertake private escort missions. From what I know, high-level private escorts can earn up to ten million star coins per mission.” Bai Xiangxing assures, and this price is certainly not something he made up; in his past life, he hired a team of bodyguards for a dangerous trip, and it cost him exactly ten million.

 

The prospect of such a fortune leaves Du Pengjing wide-eyed.

 

“But… we have nothing except for ourselves.”

 

“What else do you need?”

 

“We need warships. The old and outdated warship in the company won’t do; it can’t handle long-distance flights. We also need weapons, battle armor…”

 

“Whatever you need, take your time to think about it, make a budget, and let me know the amount. I’ll find a solution.”

 

At this moment, Bai Xiangxing, in Du Pengjing’s eyes, radiates a glow of opulence.

 

That’s the light of a tycoon.