Picking Up An Alpha On Garbage Star - Chapter 58

Gu Fan didn’t stay long at the base. He just came to meet with Pei An, had lunch together, and then hurriedly left. 

 

Over the years, he had seen how his father felt about Pei An, who, as the orphan of Pei Ruyu, held significant weight in his father’s heart, even though his father had barely met him a few times.

 

Pei An was indeed as excellent as Xie Yu described. Knowing that his father held him in high regard, he did not use this to his advantage to get closer but instead proceeded gradually. The first time he used the key was only to help the First Corps with a military equipment inspection.

 

Such a person is hard to harbor ill will against. Even Xie Yu, who was accustomed to seeing all kinds of omegas in the Central Star and was the rightful heir of the Third Corps, fell in love with him in this short time.

 

Pei An had qualities that made him endearing.

 

After sending Gu Fan off, Lin Bieyan reported to Pei An as usual.

 

“The detox process is going well. They went from needing multiple fixes a day to being able to control it to once a day, and some recover even faster, with relapses every two days.”

 

The detox results were good, and the perpetrator was caught.

 

“The company that produced this batch of sedatives has been fully investigated. All sedatives in use have been recalled and destroyed. The military doesn’t use sedatives often, except for Antonio, who was intentionally targeted, which is why so many officers and soldiers fell victim to what’s called mental drug addiction. Other units have very few cases.”

 

This was a blessing in disguise.

 

Moreover, they tracked down the higher-ups involved based on Nakashima Daiki’s memory, uncovering an entire covert network, all of which were being dealt with. The inspection work was progressing smoothly as well.

 

Pei An had stayed at the base for quite some time without leaving, and Lin Bieyan finally extended an invitation: “President Pei, we’ve received orders to rotate with the brother troops and join the mobile units. Care to join us?”

 

“Sure, I’d like to see more.” Pei An accepted the invitation. He indeed wanted to see how Xie Yu’s troops fought and wanted to bring his team out for some training.

 

They reorganized the troops and set out.

 

…

 

Xie Yu had been drifting in space for dozens of days. Initially, he was supposed to return directly to the Central Star, but because Pei An discovered a large interstellar pirate hideout, he urgently summoned the troops to head to the Baganar system to battle the pirates.

 

Although they sped up, they could have returned to the Central Star quickly. Xie Yu was entangled in affairs and had to continue drifting outside, handling many matters via remote command.

 

He sent Ye Xiuze back to the Central Star to handle some tasks, while Zhuge Yue stayed by his side.

 

He instructed Ye Xiuze to personally deliver Pei Ruyu’s relics to Gu Yuanyang in the Central Star. Following Xie Yu’s instructions, Ye Xiuze handed over the old cat clip, bringing Gu Yuanyang to tears.

 

Ye Xiuze sighed silently. Gu Yuanyang, the commander of the First Corps, despite being criticized for his origins, was a figure who could shake the entire Wright Empire with a stomp. Yet, such a figure cried his heart out holding an old cat clip.

 

After delivering the cat clip to Gu Yuanyang, Ye Xiuze started dealing with the Xi Huai Lai Company. He admitted to personal vendettas during the process, feeling justified in avenging the soldiers stranded due to faulty energy oil.

 

Since the day Ye Xiuze returned to the Central Star as Xie Yu’s representative, the whole star was abuzz with activity.

 

Still in the Baganar system battling pirates, Xie Yu couldn’t intervene much in Central Star affairs. Fortunately, his father was very supportive, making Ye Xiuze’s work smooth and efficient, quickly dismantling all the relationships behind the Xi Huai Lai Company.

 

Yes, physically dismantled.

 

Xie Rao wasn’t skilled in intrigue and scheming; his partner, Xie Yu’s omega father, You Xingzhou, handled the thinking. Xie Rao focused on brute force.

 

For a time, the people of the Central Star reminisced about Xie Rao’s glorious history of storming the Parliament Building with a high-energy particle cannon.

 

Regardless of who was involved, if they were targets to be taken down, Xie Rao would lead his men and blow up their bases. No one could escape; even if they went underground, he’d drag them out.

 

Xie Rao’s rampage in the Central Star couldn’t go unnoticed by the emperor, who summoned him to the palace at the request of many.

 

“Commander Xie, for the stability of the empire, I hope you cease this behavior,” said the emperor, who was much younger than Xie Rao and had not experienced the chaos of humanity’s early days in space, looking every bit the idealist.

 

“You’ve troubled many parliament members, Commander Xie. This will severely damage the parliament’s prestige and is detrimental to the empire’s stability.”

 

Xie Rao wasn’t very respectful to the emperor, who was younger than him. After all, he had fought alongside the emperor’s father for territory. This emperor had just ascended to the throne shortly after the Wright Empire was founded and truly considered himself the founding emperor.

 

“If Your Majesty believes that the stability of the Empire relies on a few people in the most expensive clothes debating each other, then I, Xie Rao, have nothing more to say. However, as a member of the Lait Empire, I cannot help but remind Your Majesty that being a good emperor is not so easy.” With these words, Xie Rao finished speaking. The Emperor had his coffee brewed for him, but he didn’t touch a drop.

 

Perhaps after that old man’s passing, the fate of the Lait Empire was doomed not to last long. This Emperor not only couldn’t suppress the influence of the old aristocracy but was instead manipulated by them. To be an Emperor, one cannot be controlled by others.

 

If this Emperor cannot fulfill his duties, then finding a new one, or perhaps foregoing an Emperor altogether, might be a good choice.

 

Xie Rao walked out of the increasingly magnificent palace, dressed in military uniform, without looking back.

 

…

 

Xie Yu fought fiercely against interstellar pirates in the Baganer System for a long time, finally crippling them. Such mop-up operations didn’t require his personal oversight on the front lines, so he returned to Central Star relying on trustworthy officers.

 

During his time at the front, Ye Xiuzhe had managed many affairs on Central Star. When Xie Yu returned, he wouldn’t be too busy, aiming to complete what needed to be done quickly before going to find Pei An.

 

Separated for over a month, their communications were few and far between, mostly squeezed in between work, without a single private greeting.

 

Couples who part after making love are rare, and they were one of the unfortunate pairs.

 

Xie Yu longed to see Pei An, very much so.

 

Yet Xie Yu never expected that upon returning to Central Star, before he could even go home, he would be dragged away by Gu Yuanyang.

 

“Couldn’t you wait for me to go home first, Uncle Gu?” Xie Yu said. He hadn’t seen his father and dad in over a year and was eager to catch up.

 

“Alright.” Gu Yuanyang let Xie Yu return home first, then squeezed into the hovercar bringing him home. “Then I’ll just go directly to your place.”

 

Xie Yu: “…” Fine, as long as you’re happy.

 

It was easy to guess that he was eager to inquire about news related to Pei An.

 

Returning home with Gu Yuanyang trailing behind him, Xie Rao and You Xingzhou hurried to prepare fine tea and Xie Yu’s favorite small cakes to entertain them. Xie Rao and You Xingzhou were typical parents who complained on the surface but deeply cared for their child. Especially after Xie Yu’s ambush and the explosion of the spaceship he was on, leaving him without any news for a long time, Xie Rao was pounding tables and glaring at anyone who dared mention Xie Yu’s accident. You Xingzhou even stopped going to the company, just waiting every day for news about Xie Yu. It was during this time that the first wrinkle appeared on You Xingzhou’s face.

 

After more than a year without seeing his family and experiencing life and death, Xie Yu looked at his two familiar fathers, choked with emotion, unable to speak.

 

“You little brat, you’re finally home.” Xie Rao punched Xie Yu’s shoulder, tears and laughter welling up.

 

“It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back.” You Xingzhou wiped his eyes, brushing away tears that were about to fall.

 

Xie Yu was pulled back home by Xie Rao and You Xingzhou, being served water and tea, a rare occasion where his two fathers personally did all this for him.

 

“Old Xie, you three have plenty of time to chat. How about lending young Xie to me first?” Gu Yuanyang heartlessly disrupted the warm scene of father and son reunion.

 

Knowing his old friend’s mind for many years, Xie Rao didn’t argue with him and handed Xie Yu over to Gu Yuanyang.

 

“But you must make time. We’ve arranged for this little rascal to go on a blind date tonight.” Xie Yu suddenly jumped up from the sofa. “Father, I’m not going on a blind date!” 

 

But Xie Yu hadn’t had a chance to tell them that he already had Pei An and didn’t need to go on blind dates. His father’s scolding burst out of his mouth: “You say you won’t go on a blind date, but can’t you at least meet some people? We understand you, but you need to give us some hope. We’re getting old…”

 

“Stop, stop, stop!” Xie Yu interrupted his father’s lengthy speech. “I already have a lover. There’s no way I’m going on a blind date. Please just cancel the one for tonight.”

 

Xie Rao looked at Xie Yu with suspicion, and even You Xingzhou found it hard to believe that his son, who was always buried in work, would actively seek a partner.

 

Even Gu Yuanyang expressed doubt about this.

 

Xie Yu sighed and explained, “My boyfriend is an omega, and you’ve already heard of him. His name is Pei An.”

 

Xie Rao and You Xingzhou reacted calmly, but Gu Yuanyang jumped up in surprise.

 

Pei Ruyu’s son actually got entangled with Xie Yu!

 

He had planned to meet Pei An and treat him as a foster child, giving Pei An some support. However, it seemed he was late …

 

“Uncle Gu, there’s no need to be so shocked.” Xie Yu was startled, thinking the sofa at home had suddenly become a trampoline with so much flexibility.

 

Gu Yuanyang sat back awkwardly, feeling disappointed.

 

You Xingzhou cleared his throat and asked, “So, you didn’t mistreat him, did you?”

 

Xie Yu replied firmly, “How could I mistreat him? I wouldn’t even let him run in the mornings!”

 

The Commander Xie who knew his son well retorted, “I’m sure my son is very clean. I said that.”

 

“….” Father, I heard your loud voice, but thank you for thinking Pei An is the best. 

 

“Where are you going now? I have a completely successful one? 一

 

Pei Ruyu ran into Gu Yuanyang, who was dressed lightly, at that time.

 

As a visually striking omega, Pei Ruyu easily attracted the attention of alpha students at the military academy. After all, people are visual creatures, and it would be odd not to glance a few more times at someone attractive.

 

Because of his appearance, some alpha students at the military academy were willing to help Pei Ruyu without asking for payment, hoping to secure a date with him instead.

 

Pei Ruyu’s expression changed immediately. He didn’t want to entrust his design achievements to such frivolous military academy students.

 

He only wanted someone to help test his reconnaissance plane design. He was willing to pay for their assistance, but when they suggested he pay with his company, he felt deeply offended.

 

“Since none of you are interested in my reconnaissance plane, there’s no need to discuss further.” Pei Ruyu lifted the briefcase containing the reconnaissance plane. “Please make way. Thank you.”

 

Pei Ruyu’s aloof behavior irritated the alpha military academy students surrounding him. One even spoke bluntly, “Just want to have a meal and watch a movie with you, not take you to a hotel.”

 

Even the students from his own school, even if they weren’t good people, had to put on an intellectual facade. Pei Ruyu had never encountered such frivolous people, especially those receiving higher education.

 

“Sir, please mind your language,” Pei Ruyu wasn’t someone who would curse. His good manners compelled him to emphasize politeness when dealing with the rude.

 

“I’m not backing down today, what will you do about it? Am I giving you face?” The disrespectful alpha approached Pei Ruyu, releasing his pheromones.

 

But the expected intimidation did not occur. The rude alpha student was kicked away.

 

Pei Ruyu looked up and saw a male alpha in a black windbreaker. He had a stern expression, and behind him stood several people. Pei Ruyu guessed they might be the school leaders of this military academy.

 

Sure enough, the surrounding military academy students confirmed this. They all lowered their heads, no longer as proud as before, resembling a group of quails.

 

“Who’s your father?” Gu Yuanyang’s gaze was sharp as he locked onto the foul-mouthed alpha, exerting pressure.

 

Others might not recognize Gu Yuanyang, but as military academy students, they had a mandatory course on knowing the commanders of the Eight Major Corps, so they all knew Gu Yuanyang.

 

“Thinking of doing something to this omega?” Gu Yuanyang kicked again. “Is this how the military academy teaches you?”

 

The principal wiped his sweat nervously and stepped forward, “Commander Gu, it’s my fault for not managing these students properly.”

 

Gu Yuanyang sneered, “You are indeed negligent, causing such an ugly incident during the school celebration.”

 

And they still had the face to invite him to the school celebration? Wasn’t this humiliating?

 

The principal sweated even more profusely behind his back, “Send them all to the disciplinary office! Let the director of discipline handle them properly!”

 

The disciplinary office of the military academy specialized in dealing with unruly students.

 

Gu Yuanyang raised his hand to stop them, “No need. These people, if they enter the military, we can’t afford them. Just expel them directly.”

 

What kind of place was the military? If they could harass omegas in school, what would they do once they were officers in the military?

 

Although only the school had the authority to decide whether to expel students, when Gu Yuanyang wanted to expel them, the principal swiftly complied, not daring to procrastinate.

 

As the commander of the First Group Army, Gu Yuanyang even apologized to Pei Ruyu, “I’m sorry you had trouble at the military academy.”

 

Pei Ruyu instinctively said, “It’s okay,” then tightened his grip on the briefcase, stopping Gu Yuanyang before he left. “Commander, please wait.”

 

Gu Yuanyang turned around, looking composed, “What is it?”

 

Pei Ruyu raised the briefcase, “I came to the military academy to find someone to help me test my reconnaissance plane design, but I haven’t found the right person. Could the commander help?”

 

By “help”, he meant asking Gu Yuanyang to provide two soldiers. As a commander, he had many under his command. However, Gu Yuanyang misunderstood Pei Ruyu’s request and thought he wanted him to personally test the reconnaissance plane.

 

Curious how such a young student dared to make such a request, Gu Yuanyang agreed to assist Pei Ruyu with the testing. He asked Pei Ruyu to open the briefcase and take out the reconnaissance plane.

 

“I designed this unmanned reconnaissance plane myself. It has longer endurance, smaller size, and less noise compared to current models,” Pei Ruyu explained about his design, shedding away the discomfort caused earlier by the alpha students.

 

He assembled and started the reconnaissance plane, handing the control screen to Gu Yuanyang. “Commander, please.”

 

Gu Yuanyang did not refuse Pei Ruyu’s request. In fact, he successfully misunderstood it and personally tested the reconnaissance plane.

 

As a commander forged in the fires of war, he deeply understood what constituted good military equipment. During the testing of Pei Ruyu’s design, he saw immense potential in Pei Ruyu.

 

Gu Yuanyang thought, it would be great if he could recruit this person into the First Group Army.

 

So, after that hasty encounter and parting at the military academy, Gu Yuanyang began actively approaching Pei Ruyu’s circle of life.

 

When he had no work to do, Gu Yuanyang would go to the school where Pei Ruyu studied and wait for him. If he met Pei Ruyu, he would say, “What a coincidence,” and then rack his brains to walk with Pei Ruyu and talk more with him.

 

It’s just a pity that Commander Gu was a rough man. Despite his impressive military prowess, he lacked refinement and understanding of such matters. In the process of “accidentally” meeting Pei Ruyu multiple times, he always ended up saying things that angered Pei Ruyu.

 

Gu Yuanyang also wanted to control his mouth, but his mouth didn’t listen to his brain. He would blurt out things that made Pei Ruyu want to smash him into a meat patty with the books in his hand.

 

Because of this, Commander Gu expressed genuine distress.

 

Gu Yuanyang’s wish to recruit Pei Ruyu into the First Group Army was shattered before it even began. In Pei Ruyu’s final year of college, his mentor, an academician at the Imperial Academy of Sciences, recommended him for a job there.

 

Failing to secure talents for the First Group Army left Gu Yuanyang feeling disappointed for two days. Nevertheless, he still found time to visit Pei Ruyu’s school frequently. He believed that building a good relationship with Pei Ruyu would eventually pay off.

 

Convinced of this, Gu Yuanyang, slightly more astute, began bringing flowers or cakes whenever he visited Pei Ruyu. Whether Pei Ruyu accepted them or not, his intentions were clear.

 

Later on, Pei Ruyu graduated and directly started working at the Imperial Academy of Sciences, often staying at the academy’s offices. Gu Yuanyang, for a long time, couldn’t catch up with Pei Ruyu.

 

“Hey, Lao Xie, why doesn’t Pei Ruyu reciprocate my earnest efforts?” Gu Yuanyang, deeply perplexed, sought out his friend Xie Rao.

 

Xie Rao: “…”

 

“Lao Gu, I suggest you reconsider yourself. Are you sure you’re seeking Pei Ruyu for his skills, and not something else?” Xie Rao didn’t want to say it, but it was the first time he encountered such an obtuse alpha who didn’t realize it earlier, unlike his relationship with You Xingzhou.

 

Gu Yuanyang was stunned. After returning, he seriously pondered his friend’s words. Combining them with some self-reflection on his behaviors, Gu Yuanyang belatedly realized that he wasn’t pursuing Pei Ruyu’s technical skills but Pei Ruyu himself.

 

Facing the fact that he was emotionally clueless, the brave alpha had to confront himself. Gu Yuanyang sought out Xie Rao again, seeking much advice to earnestly pursue Pei Ruyu.

 

With a significant age gap between them, he resolved to live longer for this pursuit.

 

Just as he was making plans to confess, Gu Yuanyang had to leave Central Star for two years.

 

Two years might be negligible in the vast universe, but for Gu Yuanyang, it marked a point where he could no longer be with Pei Ruyu.

 

Pei Ruyu married the new head of the Mondeli family, and the wedding was grand, known throughout Central Star.

 

Heartbroken, Gu Yuanyang dragged Xie Rao for a midnight drinking session. Fortunately, he had a good alcohol tolerance and couldn’t get drunk, but he drowned his sorrows in drink.

 

“Lao Xie, why are we so fated to be apart?” Gu Yuanyang muttered between sips, “I regret it so much now. If only I had brought a bouquet of roses to confess to him two years ago before leaving Central Star, would today be different?”

 

Love is not something that can be explained in a few words. Besides keeping Gu Yuanyang company and drinking two more bottles, Xie Rao couldn’t comfort him much.

 

After drinking dozens of bottles of beer without getting drunk, Gu Yuanyang ventured to Pei Ruyu’s college campus in the middle of the night.

 

Wandering aimlessly on campus, Gu Yuanyang spotted a long-haired cat that Pei Ruyu used to feed. Perhaps recognizing Gu Yuanyang, the cat meowed at him.

 

Though a stray, the cat was the campus darling, leading a pampered life free of troubles.

 

“Do you know I’ve been heartbroken and came here for comfort?” scratching the cat’s chin, Gu Yuanyang looked up at the sky.

 

The cat couldn’t understand, it only meowed.

 

Taking advantage of the cat’s inability to understand him, Gu Yuanyang poured out his heart to it.

 

The more he talked, the worse Gu Yuanyang felt. Why hadn’t he realized sooner? If he had, maybe he and Pei Ruyu could have been together long ago.

 

No doubt about it, Commander Gu’s language skills were like this. He could infuriate countless highly-skilled language teachers.

 

Towards the end, Gu Yuanyang felt uncomfortable and, unable to be with Pei Ruyu, sighed as he left with the cat.

 

He kidnapped the cat and turned it from a stray into a domesticated cat. 

 

Later on, Gu Yuanyang suddenly had the idea to collect a cat hairpin made from the fur shed by a cat. He sent this cat hairpin to Pei Ruyu through his aide, even claiming it was a congratulatory gift for his friend’s wedding.

 

Bitterness filled his throat with every gulp of alcohol.

 

Although Gu Yuanyang couldn’t let go of Pei Ruyu in his heart, he wasn’t the type to disturb Pei Ruyu’s life. He watched Pei Ruyu and Hila raise a cute child together, feeling sorrow deep inside but keeping it to himself. Whenever it became unbearable, he would drag Xie Rao out for a drink.

 

Years passed like this, one after another. Then one day, he received news that the Light of the Goddess had encountered a rebellion from insurgents, and after that, the ship disappeared without a trace.

 

He never saw Pei Ruyu again.

 

Nor did he find himself attracted to anyone else.

 

Even after so many years, Gu Yuanyang still couldn’t let go. “Before he boarded the Light of the Goddess, he gave me a gift, the same unmanned reconnaissance aircraft I helped him test. It was that exact one, not a similar model.”

 

Pei Ruyu had said he might not return to Central Star often in the future, treating their meeting as a cherished memory.

 

At the time, Gu Yuanyang had secretly wondered if he might have a chance if Pei Ruyu and Hila had a falling out. If Pei Ruyu divorced Hila, he would immediately pursue Pei Ruyu and not give anyone else a chance to take the lead.

 

“Xiao Xie, it’s not easy to find someone you love and who loves you back, like your father and your dad, or you and Pei An. You must live happily like they did.” Gu Yuanyang hoped Pei An would have a happier life, so Pei Ruyu’s spirit could rest in peace.

 

Reflecting on his unrequited love history, Gu Yuanyang asked Xie Rao to tell him about Pei An, the child.

 

Xie Rao said Pei An could talk endlessly about how proud he was of his family background.

 

In front of the three elders, Xie Rao felt no embarrassment and wholeheartedly praised Pei An.

 

It wasn’t just flattery; every word was heartfelt and backed by practical experience.

 

Pei An had designed the main battleships Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, as well as the Star-02, developed the C1 bomb, and many other things Gu Yuanyang didn’t even know about.

 

Moreover, Pei An harbored lofty ideals and had been working tirelessly for years, founding the Stellar Organization, building teams, refurbishing orphanages and schools, and cleaning up many interstellar pirates.

 

Xie Rao sincerely exclaimed, “I’ve never seen anyone as outstanding as Pei An.”

 

Gu Yuanyang agreed, “He’s Pei Ruyu’s son, so he must be outstanding!”

 

Xie Rao: “… No, he still thinks his omega is the most outstanding.”

 

You Xingzhou didn’t understand alpha’s competitive nature; he calmly instructed the butler to prepare dinner.

 

Originally intending to drag Xie Rao out for a blind date, now that it wasn’t necessary, they didn’t need the pretentious restaurant reservation either.

 

With the appetites of these three alphas, even the delicate dishes at that restaurant wouldn’t have been enough to satisfy them.

 

Gu Yuanyang often mooched food and drinks at his friend’s house. He lived alone and lacked the motivation to cook, finding military canteen fare more than sufficient. As a result, his home showed almost no signs of cooking activity. If his son, Gu Fan, wasn’t home, Gu Yuanyang would be left alone, making it convenient for him to wander over to Xie Rao’s house every time.

 

Having meals at Xie Rao’s place became a regular occurrence, with the butler instructing the chef to cater to the tastes of all four people.

 

During one such meal, Gu Yuanyang listened to Xie Rao praise Pei An throughout, and he joined in, managing to lighten his own despondent mood considerably.

 

As Xie Rao saw Gu Yuanyang off, helping him into a hovercar back to his own home, he couldn’t help but remark, “Pei An is now the rope that ties old Gu down,” adding some color to Gu Yuanyang’s life.

 

You Xingzhou smirked, “Old Gu has devoted his entire life to work, except for Pei Ruyu.”

 

Knowing that Pei Ruyu had left behind such a wonderful child as Pei An, Gu Yuanyang felt somewhat relieved.

 

On this particular evening dining with the Xie family, Gu Yuanyang couldn’t resist drinking quite a bit of alcohol. Upon returning to his empty, dusty home, he had a sudden urge to retrieve the unmanned reconnaissance drone that Pei Ruyu had left him years ago.

 

This item, originally a gift from Pei Ruyu, had become a relic, untouched by anyone but Gu Yuanyang, who regularly dusted off the password-protected case containing the drone.

 

Since receiving the case, Gu Yuanyang had never dared to open it, fearing he might damage the unmanned drone inside.

 

Shaking his head, Gu Yuanyang chuckled to himself. This drone was designed to military specifications; it couldn’t possibly break from a slight bump, could it?

 

He opened the case and took out the unmanned drone that had been stored inside for so many years. It was time to wipe off the dust.

 

But just as Gu Yuanyang lifted the drone to set it aside, it suddenly cracked open right before his eyes.

 

“What the hell?” Gu Yuanyang immediately blurted out in surprise and frustration.

 

No way! He had just been thinking it wouldn’t be so easily damaged, and now it was broken?

 

“Hmm?” Wait, the break was too clean, and there seemed to be something inside.

 

Gu Yuanyang placed the drone on the table and carefully extracted what was partially revealed inside.

 

It was a storage chip.

 

Instantly, countless thoughts raced through Gu Yuanyang’s mind, all revolving around one question: Why did Pei Ruyu hide a storage chip inside this drone?

 

He inserted the storage chip into his smart brain and decided to see what exactly was stored on it.

 

The storage chip had been unused for so long that it briefly lagged when inserted into the smart brain before finally starting to read normally.

 

Within minutes, Gu Yuanyang’s eyes widened, his hands trembled, and cold sweat broke out on his body.

 

…

 

The next morning, Xie Yu rose early intending to buy breakfast for Xie Rao and You Xingzhou. Some breakfast places on Central Star made particularly good food, but they were far from where they lived. Since neither Xie Rao nor You Xingzhou would go out of their way for breakfast, Xie Yu rarely had the chance to enjoy it. Learning this, he would intentionally run out to buy breakfast for Xie Rao and You Xingzhou.

 

However, Xie Yu didn’t manage to leave the house that day. He found Gu Yuanyang looking dejectedly by his doorstep.

 

“Uncle Gu, I remember seeing you get on the hovercar yesterday.” Xie Yu’s sudden appearance at his door early in the morning surprised Gu Yuanyang. “What’s going on?”

 

Leaning against the wall, Gu Yuanyang rubbed his face vigorously upon Xie Yu’s call.

 

“Xiao Xie, do you think Pei An might hate me?” Gu Yuanyang blurted out without any preamble.

 

Xie Yu: “???”

 

Gu Yuanyang was welcomed into the house by the Shes, and Yu Xingzhou came downstairs as well, joining them on the sofa just like the previous night.

 

“Old She, I opened the password box that Pei Ruyu left me yesterday. Inside was that unmanned reconnaissance plane. As I took it out to clean, it cracked open, revealing this.” Gu Yuanyang placed a small storage chip on the coffee table.

 

She Yue: “Gu Bobo, what’s on this storage chip?”

 

Gu Yuanyang scratched his messy hair, filled with regret: “Inside this storage chip are evidences of Hila Mondry’s illegal drug research, and also… “

 

She Yue held his breath. “And what else?”

 

“And information about Pei An being used as an experimental subject by Hila.” Gu Yuanyang nearly collapsed. “Old She, Pei Ruyu was reaching out to me for help. If I hadn’t put away the password box but opened it, the tragedy of the Bright Goddess wouldn’t have happened, and Pei Ruyu wouldn’t have…”

 

As a member of the Imperial Academy, Pei Ruyu had encountered many important figures, all of whom were interested in his husband, Hila Mondry. However, none of these people were trustworthy. The only person he could trust was Gu Yuanyang, which was why Pei Ruyu had entrusted such crucial evidence to him.

 

Perhaps back then, he had hoped Gu Yuanyang would find a way to stop Hila’s drug experiments. But times had changed, and the opportunity was lost. Gu Yuanyang couldn’t forgive himself for not discovering the truth sooner.

 

“I’m sorry for him. If only I had realized earlier.” Gu Yuanyang felt immense pain whenever he thought about how he could have saved Pei Ruyu.

 

She Yue couldn’t offer comfort. Gu Yuanyang had cared deeply for Pei Ruyu all his life. Even now, more than a decade after Pei Ruyu’s death, Gu Yuanyang still couldn’t let go. To help Gu Yuanyang move on from Pei Ruyu’s death was harder than reaching the heavens.

 

“Gu Bobo, instead of grieving over Pei Shushu’s passing, what we can do is seek justice for him. What do you think?” She Yue spoke frankly about their current situation. “The old nobility of the Lai Empire is on its last legs. Whether for justice or personal gain, I believe you don’t have time for self-blame.”

 

Gu Yuanyang clenched his teeth. “You’re right.” He shouldn’t spend his time on self-reproach but rather on bringing the mastermind down and making him pay for his crimes against Pei Ruyu.

 

“I won’t let Hila Mondry get away. I will make him pay with his life.” Gu Yuanyang bid farewell to the She family and strode away with determination.

 

She Yue watched Gu Yuanyang’s retreating figure silently sighing to himself.