After Rebirth, Married to a Deadly Enemy - Chapter 40

On this day, after having breakfast, Bai Xiangxing was getting ready for work, and Shi Zhen followed him out.

 

Outside the courtyard gate, Wang Ping was already waiting there. Every day, he would wait in his car five minutes before Bai Xiangxing left.

 

“Good morning, General Bai. Morning, Captain Shi,” Wang Ping greeted as he quickly went to open the back door of the car. When he saw Shi Zhen, dressed in military uniform, walking out of the yard, Wang Ping instinctively saluted.

 

“Morning,” both replied simultaneously.

 

“I’ll go to work first.” Bai Xiangxing was about to get into the car after greeting Shi Zhen.

 

“Do you want to take the military vehicle?” Shi Zhen suddenly spoke up.

 

Bai Xiangxing paused, subconsciously looking at the military vehicle Shi Zhen had driven. After all, which man hasn’t dreamt of military service? Although he knew that this type of military vehicle used for daily travel wasn’t much different from a regular civilian car, he still liked it.

 

A military vehicle, just the appearance alone, looked cool.

 

But…

 

“Aren’t we going in different directions?” The military unit and the Xinshi were in completely different directions.

 

“It’s on the way. I’m also going to the Xinshi,” Shi Zhen quickly explained.

 

“You’re going to the Xinshi?” Bai Xiangxing was surprised.

 

“Captain Du said they’re buying a decommissioned warship from the military, and it’s been approved. It’s being transported today, and I want to go see it,” Shi Zhen explained. “I wanted to tell you last night, but when I came back, you were already resting.”

 

Bai Xiangxing nodded. Just as he was hesitating, Wang Ping suddenly closed the open back door with a “smack”: “General Bai, Captain Shi, I’ll drive back to the company first.”

 

Without giving Bai Xiangxing a chance to speak, he directly drove away.

 

“…” Bai Xiangxing.

 

I haven’t said anything yet, and why did you make a decision for me?

 

“It seems I can only hitch a ride with you.” Bai Xiangxing smiled and shook his head.

 

Shi Zhen’s eyes lit up. He quickly unlocked the car and, imitating Wang Ping, walked over to open the back door.

 

Bai Xiangxing walked over, raised his hand, and closed the back door: “If I sit in the back, it’ll look like I’m treating you as a chauffeur. I’ll sit in the front.”

 

“Why?” Shi Zhen instinctively asked.

 

“Sitting in the back would make you look like a driver.” Bai Xiangxing said, opening the passenger door and getting into the car.

 

Shi Zhen hesitated for a moment. He knew the basic etiquette of sitting in a car, but he had momentarily not reacted, coupled with the fact that in Shi Zhen’s impression, Bai Xiangxing always sat in the back seat. So, he instinctively opened the back door.

 

However, Bai Xiangxing noticed a detail that he himself didn’t pay attention to?

 

“Why were you standing there smiling foolishly? You’ll be late if you don’t hurry up.” Bai Xiangxing, seeing Shi Zhen not getting in the car for a long time, leaned out to check and found him standing there smiling foolishly, suddenly showing a puzzled expression.

 

Shi Zhen turned around, said “oh,” and quickly got into the car, driving away.

 

“What were you standing there smiling about? Did something happy come to mind?” Bai Xiangxing asked curiously. It was the first time he had seen Shi Zhen smile like that.

 

“I didn’t.”

 

　”If you don’t want to talk, then don’t.” Bai Xiangxing casually asked, seeing Shi Zhen unwilling to answer, he didn’t bother to delve deeper.

 

Shi Zhen glanced at Bai Xiangxing and suddenly said, “Thank you for the battle armor you gave me, it’s very useful.”

 

“Your thought process is really slow; how long has it been?” Bai Xiangxing was speechless.

 

“I didn’t find the right opportunity before.” He didn’t forget to express gratitude when Bai Xiangxing gave him the battle armor; he was just too astonished at the time and was stunned on the spot. By the time he reacted, the optimal time to thank had passed. Just now, he didn’t know why, but the words naturally came out.

 

“It’s fine, as long as it’s useful for you.”

 

“It is.” Shi Zhen loudly affirmed. With the seventh-level battle armor, his missions became easier and safer.

 

“You too, why not buy the armor yourself if you need it? Xinshi is rich now, no need to save money. If you want to buy something, buy it. If you’re short on cash, just tell me, and I’ll figure it out for you,” Bai Xiangxing asserted confidently.

 

“You’ll figure it out for me?” Shi Zhen subconsciously repeated.

 

“Yeah. What’s wrong, do you need money?” Bai Xiangxing asked.

 

“No, I don’t.” Shi Zhen quickly denied.

 

Thinking he might be embarrassed, Bai Xiangxing continued, “If you need money before the shareholders’ dividends at the end of the year, just transfer it from my account. You have the authorization anyway.”

 

“Okay.” Shi Zhen agreed lightly, but in his mind, he couldn’t help but think of the recording Shi Ning sent him.

 

“Why are you smiling again?” Bai Xiangxing noticed Shi Zhen smiling foolishly.

 

Shi Zhen couldn’t see his own expression but instinctively tightened his lips. At the same time, he was surprised inwardly – did he just smile foolishly again?

 

“I know,” Bai Xiangxing seemed to have guessed something.

 

Shi Zhen’s breath caught.

 

“Knowing that there will be dividends at the end of the year, so you’re happy, right?” Bai Xiangxing confidently stated.

 

Shi Zhen: “…”

 

“Just hearing the news makes you so happy. When the dividends come at the end of the year, seeing the actual numbers will probably shock you even more,” Bai Xiangxing cheerfully said, slapping Shi Zhen’s shoulder, “How about it, I told you collaborating with me pays off.”

 

Shi Zhen glanced at Bai Xiangxing’s hand on his shoulder, nodded, and made a sound of agreement.

 

The military vehicle’s speed is faster than regular civilian cars, so even though they left a few minutes later than Wang Ping, they arrived at the company earlier. As soon as they got off the car, without anyone reminding them, they saw a massive warship behind the factory from a distance.

 

“This ship is so big?” Bai Xiangxing exclaimed.

 

“You provided a generous budget, so we bought a big one.” Even the fact that Bai Xiangxing approved a budget of six billion for the security department was known to him.

 

“I provided the budget for them to buy new ones, but in the end, they bought the decommissioned warship from your military department,” Bai Xiangxing expressed frustration. He wanted to give the employees the best, but they insisted on saving money, making him feel helpless.

 

“This warship is 70% new, it’s one of the ones phased out in the military’s recent upgrade, not a scrapped one due to reaching its usage limit. The facilities inside are well-maintained, and its combat capabilities surpass those of the average market warship. Moreover, military warships have a sturdier material than regular ones, and their energy systems are more stable,” Shi Zhen explained, showcasing his considerable knowledge on the subject.

 

“It does sound pretty good when you put it that way,” Bai Xiangxing admitted. He didn’t understand warships, but habitually thought that new things were generally better than second-hand ones.

 

Bai Xiangxing was also interested in military warships, so he decided to skip the office and went with Shi Zhen to see the location where the warship was parked. As they walked closer, they could hear a lively commotion from a distance.

 

Most of the security department personnel, except those on duty, were gathered here. They excitedly surrounded the warship, inspecting it inside and out, their eyes filled with excitement.

 

“This warship has been maintained like new. If it weren’t for the bullet holes on the metal shell, I would believe it’s brand new.”

 

“You can tell it’s equipped with a fifth-level mech’s energy gun.”

 

“There are scratches here; the original pilot of this warship wasn’t that great; even in space, they managed to leave scratches.”

 

“Alright, we know your piloting skills are amazing. You could navigate through an asteroid belt without damaging the warship.”

 

“Of course, this warship is now under my control.”

 

“Get lost! I can also pilot a warship. Why should I give it to you?”

 

“How about I pilot it there, and you pilot it back?”

 

…

 

Seeing their high enthusiasm, Bai Xiangxing felt pleased; he loved having motivated employees.

 

“General Bai.” Du Pengjing, from outside the crowd, noticed the two and walked over.

 

Bai Xiangxing looked up and saw Du Pengjing holding another person, a Beta with a handsome face but lifeless eyes. To match the Beta’s movements, Du Pengjing walked with great satisfaction.

 

“Colonel Du.” Shi Zhen greeted Du Pengjing.

 

Du Pengjing just nodded lightly to Shi Zhen, showing no politeness or respect as he did with Bai Xiangxing.

 

“Captain Du, who is this…” Bai Xiangxing had already guessed the person’s identity but didn’t know the name.

 

“This is my partner, Pei Wen. Ah Wen, this is the General Bai I mentioned to you,” Du Pengjing introduced.

 

“Hello, I’m Bai Xiangxing.” Bai Xiangxing greeted proactively.

 

“General Bai, nice to meet you.” While speaking, Pei Wen extended his hand, seemingly wanting to shake hands. Bai Xiangxing noticed and reached out to shake hands.

 

“I’ve always wanted to thank you, and today I finally get to meet you,” Pei Wen’s eyes lacked luster, and his emotions were hard to discern. However, the strength transmitted through the handshake made Bai Xiangxing realize that he was very excited. “Thank you for healing them and giving them the opportunity to embark on their journey again.”

 

Bai Xiangxing smiled, “You’re too kind. I did it to make money for the company.”

 

Pei Wen smiled and assured, “I won’t say much else, but for interstellar transportation, we will be the safest company in the Alliance.”

 

“Then I’ll look forward to counting the money,” Bai Xiangxing said, “Captain Du, you better manage it well. If it runs at a loss, I’ll deduct it from your performance.”

 

Bai Xiangxing independently formulated a compensation system for the interstellar transportation company, where a small portion was fixed salary, and a significant part was based on performance.

 

“Don’t worry; if we lose a contract, I’ll resign immediately,” Du Pengjing immediately made a military commitment.

 

Bai Xiangxing was speechless; resigning at the drop of a hat, where would I find replacements?

 

“Alright, you guys continue to be busy. I’ll go back to work,” Bai Xiangxing said, heading back to the office.

 

“Oh, by the way,” Du Pengjing called Bai Xiangxing, “Can we still hire more people?”

 

“Don’t we have enough personnel?” Bai Xiangxing was surprised. With just one warship and according to Du Pengjing’s plan, a maximum of thirty people could be taken on a transport mission, so the current staff was more than enough.

 

“I need to recruit a military doctor.” As mentioned before, the remaining members in the Xinshi Security Team were retired soldiers who found it hard to secure jobs outside, but military doctors were not part of this category. They could easily find work with their medical skills.

 

“Sure, I’ll have the HR department help with the recruitment,” Bai Xiangxing agreed.

 

“Can we do it ourselves?”

 

Bai Xiangxing looked at him in confusion.

 

“I know a military doctor, someone I used to go on missions with. He’s currently working as a doctor in a small clinic and heard that we need a military doctor, so he wants to join us,” Du Pengjing explained.

 

Bai Xiangxing understood, smiling, “Sure, Captain Du, from now on, you personally handle the recruitment for the transportation company. When the company grows in the future, if you have comrades with good character, you can bring them in.”

 

“Really?” Du Pengjing had secretly considered bringing in those comrades from the outside once the transportation company expanded. Now, hearing Bai Xiangxing’s personal assurance, he couldn’t help but feel excited.

 

“Yes, but it must strictly adhere to the company’s rules and regulations. Anyone not meeting the standards will be dismissed,” Bai Xiangxing stated.

 

“Don’t worry; discipline is paramount for soldiers.” Du Pengjing grinned, then turned and shouted at an Alpha not far away, “Shi Cheng, call Xia Wei and ask him to come for orientation.”

 

Ignoring Bai Xiangxing, he walked back to the warship, leading his partner.

 

“Will the transportation company make money?” Shi Zhen suddenly spoke up.

 

“Of course, when have I ever lost money on an investment?” Bai Xiangxing proudly declared.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Not because of that.”

 

Bai Xiangxing turned to look at Shi Zhen, who was also looking at him. They were close enough for Bai Xiangxing to see his clear reflection in Shi Zhen’s dark pupils.

 

“Thump.”

 

“Why are you so cheesy?” Bai Xiangxing turned awkwardly and then… ran away.

 

Shi Zhen stood there somewhat stunned. He saw Bai Xiangxing suddenly stop after running a distance, and then he received a message on his communicator.

 

【I’m just doing it for the money!!!】

 

Shi Zhen smirked.