Picking Up An Alpha On Garbage Star - Chapter 78

On the day Pei Zhiyu admitted to kindergarten, Pei An and Xie Yu were in a meeting, so they asked You Xingzhou to take him.

 

You Xingzhou was happy to do it. He got up early, supervised Pei Zhiyu eating the egg yolk he didn’t like, and then took him to kindergarten with a small backpack.

 

Although all schools had been reformed from private to state-run, the teaching venues remained unchanged. The schools were still the same, but they had to undergo annual inspections by the Ministry of Education. If they failed, they would be warned, and if they failed three years in a row, their qualification to operate would be revoked.

 

Pei An was very strict about education. No matter who tried to lobby for lenient policies, they were shown the door. He was determined to strictly guard the education front.

 

After two years of reform, there were significant changes in education. Tuition fees were no longer exorbitant, and every family could afford them. If a family had financial difficulties, the state provided subsidies. The extent of universal education deepened continuously. With Pei An’s strong support, many educational resources were directed towards the peripheral star systems of the Lyte Republic, especially universities.

 

The peripheral star systems were less developed compared to the central star systems and those close to them. If the state didn’t provide support, the gap would only widen, which was detrimental. Therefore, many universities relocated to peripheral star systems, enrolling students they never would have accepted before.

 

As long as the level of primary and secondary education kept up, students from peripheral star systems could also attend good universities. Their grades were never poor; they were just deterred by high tuition fees. Now that the fees were affordable, they could apply to their desired universities.

 

Everything in the Lyte Republic was progressing well, but Pei An’s work was far from over. Today’s meeting was to gather everyone to discuss the treatment of veterans.

 

After the Independent Army seized national power, the old forces of the Lyte Empire’s military were all sent back to their hometowns and were not incorporated into the Independent Army. With no war, the Independent Army no longer needed so many people. After thoroughly checking the entire new Lyte Republic to ensure there would be no large-scale wars, the army was set for a second downsizing.

 

Soldiers in the army were supported by the state, with salaries and benefits provided. After retirement, they couldn’t receive the same salaries and benefits as active soldiers, so they could only get a certain subsidy each month, which wasn’t enough. These national heroes couldn’t be left unattended after retiring, so how to settle them became a big problem.

 

“The number of retirees this time is as high as 500,000. Arranging a good future for 500,000 people is indeed not easy. I invited everyone here today to hear your thoughts,” said Xie Yu, the military commander, starting the discussion.

 

“Some officers had other jobs before joining the military. After retirement, they can return to their previous jobs, and the state can help arrange their work units,” Pei An looked at the compiled report. “But many have stayed in the army since graduating from military school. They learned how to operate warships, and transitioning to a new career is difficult.”

 

Suddenly changing careers after many years in the army would require them to adapt to a new way of working, which would be abrupt for the officers who had been in the military for a long time.

 

“My idea is to support veterans in starting their own businesses,” said Oswald, pushing his new rimless glasses. “The state can fund their ventures and provide policy support. Opening large companies might be unrealistic, but opening a small family business is feasible.”

 

The former Minister of Finance of the Lyte Empire, now the Minister of Finance of the Lyte Republic, said this.

 

Pei An thought carefully. Oswald’s suggestion was indeed a good idea. He remembered visiting a barbecue restaurant run by a military officer’s family in the Gale Star System with Xie Yu. Although retired soldiers might not succeed right away, with state support, they could make it work.

 

Most importantly, running a small family business allowed them to stay with their families, which was very attractive to soldiers who spent years drifting in space.

 

“I support Mr. Oswald’s proposal…” Pei An was about to elaborate on his opinion when his smart device beeped with a message from Yi Rui.

 

Yi Rui had followed him to the central star system and was now his chief assistant. Young and capable, many tried to poach her, claiming the Head of State was already very powerful and she could help them instead. But Yi Rui refused, staying loyal to her Brother Pei.

 

As the chief assistant to the Head of State, Yi Rui had significant authority, and any message she relayed to Pei An was never trivial.

 

“Sorry, everyone, I need to check a message from my assistant.” Pei An paused his speech and opened the message.

 

**[Head of State, Guangguang got into a fight in kindergarten, and the teacher wants to see a parent. Should Mr. You go, or will you go after your meeting?]**

 

Pei An: “???”

 

Pei Zhiyu got into a fight on his first day of kindergarten?

 

He turned to Xie Yu with a suspicious look. Could Xie Yu have secretly taught their son something improper while he wasn’t around?

 

Xie Yu felt a chill down his spine as Pei An’s gaze made him nervous.

 

The marshal began to seriously recall if he had done anything untoward recently.

 

As an alpha, Xie Yu was essentially like a dog, but he never acted like one towards Pei An. He was always gentle and considerate around Pei An, but he often caused chaos at home with Pei Zhiyu.

 

His achievements included, but were not limited to, teaching Pei Zhiyu to climb trees shortly after learning to walk, taking the little one to the pond to dig for lotus roots, and even strapping the three-year-old into a fighter jet, fastening the seatbelt, pushing the control lever, and stepping on the gas, flying off…

 

Pei An realized that when it came to childcare, Xie Yu’s approach often bordered on recklessness. Every time he reprimanded both the big and little ones, they’d dare to repeat their antics next time.

 

If he had low blood pressure, it would have been cured by this father-son duo.

 

The kindergarten teacher reported Pei Zhiyu fighting, and Pei An’s first suspicion was Xie Yu, with good reason. He never taught Pei Zhiyu to fight.

 

Pei Zhiyu’s biological parents died in the war, and Pei An didn’t want to inadvertently lead him into a military path because of him and Xie Yu. He thought it best to wait until Pei Zhiyu grew older; maybe he would become a scholar, an artist, or a musician…

 

So he always taught his son to be a gentleman, but… Xie Yu might have been secretly up to something.

 

**[Inform the kindergarten teacher that Zhiyu’s father will go to the kindergarten after the meeting.]**

 

Pei An glanced at Xie Yu with a smile, as if to say, “If you really taught our son to fight, you’re in trouble.”

 

Xie Yu touched his neck, feeling a chill.

 

The meeting lasted a long time, and by the time Pei An found a moment to go to the kindergarten, it was already dismissal time.

 

Shedding his formal work attire, Pei An wore a simple shirt and pants. With a stern face, he had Xie Yu, who had also changed clothes, drive to the kindergarten to pick up their son.

 

While the kindergarten teacher had called for a parent, Pei Zhiyu was not the least bit flustered. He was happily watching cartoons on his child-friendly smart device, unaffected by the constant noise around him.

 

The argument was between the mother of the child Pei Zhiyu fought with and the kindergarten teacher. The mother, dressed meticulously, clearly came from a wealthy family but spoke harshly.

 

“Aren’t you supposed to be the best kindergarten in the central district? I sent my child here, and on the first day, he got beaten up. You teachers haven’t even made that brat apologize to my son!” the woman shouted.

 

The kindergarten teacher patiently explained, “Dou Dou’s mom, Guangguang’s dad is on his way from work. The children are only four years old. Let’s leave this to the adults to discuss, alright?”

 

“My son got beaten up like this, what’s there to discuss?” Dou Dou’s mom pointed at her bruised and battered son. “How ill-mannered must one be to raise such a wild child!”

 

Pei Zhiyu, hearing this, turned off his cartoon, stood up, and walked over with his short legs. “Auntie, saying things like that makes you the one without manners.”

 

Dou Dou’s mom was stunned that the boy who hit her son dared to talk back and immediately got angry, pointing at him and yelling, “You little bastard, how dare you lecture me?”

 

Pei Zhiyu looked confused. He tugged on the teacher’s clothes and asked, “Teacher, what does ‘little bastard’ mean?” He had never heard such words at home.

 

The teacher’s expression turned sour. “Please watch your language. This is a school, not your home.”

 

Dou Dou also jumped in, “A little bastard means you! You and Xiao Lie are both low-class!”

 

“Dou Dou!” The teacher was shocked to hear such words from a four-year-old. “Didn’t I teach you to be polite in class?”

 

Dou Dou, emboldened by his mother, retorted, “Why be polite to a low-class person?”

 

The worst part was that Dou Dou’s mom didn’t see anything wrong with her son’s behavior and even agreed, “Exactly! My son is right!”

 

Pei Zhiyu rolled his big eyes. He didn’t understand “little bastard,” but he understood “low-class.”

 

Both his dads had taught him that everyone in the world is equal and no one is superior to others.

 

“Auntie, first, I’m not low-class, and second, neither is Xiao Lie,” Pei Zhiyu seriously rebutted. “Everyone is the same.”

 

The kindergarten teacher gave Pei Zhiyu an approving look.

 

Dou Dou, not convinced, faced Pei Zhiyu with his bruised and swollen face. “Xiao Lie’s dad is just our driver, so he’s low-class! He is!”

 

“An omega who had his glands removed and has a son—if my family didn’t take him in, who would want a widower with a child?” Dou Dou’s mom said arrogantly.

 

The teacher’s head hurt. She knew the situation well: Dou Dou and Xiao Lie were both in her class, and Xiao Lie’s father was Dou Dou’s family’s driver. Because of this, Dou Dou bossed Xiao Lie around. Despite repeated lessons, Dou Dou wouldn’t listen. When she wasn’t looking, Dou Dou poured hot water on Xiao Lie’s hand.

 

A child’s skin is delicate and couldn’t withstand the hot water. She immediately sent Xiao Lie to the school nurse. Xiao Lie didn’t make a sound or shed a tear despite the burn, which broke her heart. After ensuring Xiao Lie was cared for, she went back to lecture Dou Dou and heard him saying nasty things about Xiao Lie. Guangguang couldn’t take it and told him to shut up. Dou Dou didn’t and even provoked Guangguang.

 

“Hit me if you dare!”

 

So, Guangguang did.

 

She saw Guangguang fight with surprising skill and tried to intervene, but Guangguang still managed to land several punches on Dou Dou.

 

Though it was called a fight, it was actually Guangguang beating up Dou Dou. It wasn’t over toys but something far worse, which was why she called both sets of parents. Guangguang’s dad didn’t know yet, but she understood why Dou Dou spoke so viciously at such a young age.

 

“Do you have glands, Auntie?” Pei Zhiyu suddenly asked.

 

Dou Dou’s mom was taken aback. “I’m a beta, why would I have glands?”

 

Pei Zhiyu spread his hands like a little adult. “Auntie, if you don’t have glands, why look down on someone else without glands? You’re the same.”

 

This was the first time Dou Dou’s mother had heard such a fresh perspective, and her tone jumped two octaves: “I’m like him? An omega who hasn’t married, had his glands removed, and is raising a child alone? He’s obviously not decent, probably slept with some alpha who then didn’t want him.”

 

As the omega who had just come back from seeing his child in the infirmary entered the office, he heard his employer’s venomous words and wavered on his feet.

 

“Madam, my boyfriend and I didn’t marry because he died heroically on the front lines fighting the rebels. Please don’t slander him.” The pale-faced omega didn’t defend himself but instead defended his deceased lover, “He was a hero.”

 

Dou Dou’s mother, used to mocking this omega, retorted with nastiness, “You say so? Where’s the proof? And even if you had a boyfriend who died in battle, the government only supports official spouses. You didn’t marry, so you don’t count.”

 

“This was our mistake,” Pei An said as he entered the office after the omega. He had heard the conversation from outside and now his face was dark.

 

Xie Yu glared coldly at the impeccably dressed Dou Dou’s mother, “Do you like talking about heroes? How about continuing this at the police station? I’ll have someone record every word you’ve said.”

 

“Dad! Father!” Pei Zhiyu saw his parents and ran over like a bullet, hugging Pei An’s leg and looking up at him with wide eyes.

 

Pei An picked him up and handed him to Xie Yu, “We’ll deal with your fighting later.”

 

Pei Zhiyu, seeing his dad was angry, quietly nestled into his father’s arms and stayed silent.

 

Dou Dou’s mother turned pale. Even with poor eyesight, she recognized the two men: the nation’s leader and the military’s commander-in-chief. 

 

Why were they the parents of this child? What would they do to her?

 

“Teacher, may I speak with this gentleman first?” Pei An nodded to Pei Zhiyu’s teacher, then turned to Xiao Lie’s father, “Hello, sir, I’m Pei An.”

 

This omega had never imagined speaking face-to-face with the nation’s leader and stammered nervously, shaking as he shook hands with Pei An, “H-hello, Your Excellency, I’m Fu Zeyu.”

 

“I heard you say your boyfriend died a hero in battle, correct?” Pei An asked gently.

 

Fu Zeyu nodded, “Yes, he was Ming Zong.”

 

Pei An turned, “Commander, check it.”

 

Xie Yu, holding their son, used his smart device to search for the name “Ming Zong.”

 

“From the 231st Corps?” Xie Yu asked.

 

Fu Zeyu nodded, tears welling up in his eyes, “Yes, he was in the 231st Corps.”

 

Ming Zong had died near the end of the war, after surviving the toughest battles. He had promised to propose with his medal when he returned home, but he died on the battlefield.

 

Fu Zeyu couldn’t bear to be with another alpha after removing his marking. Ming Zong had saved him, and from that moment, they were a family. But he couldn’t endure a lifetime of inhibitors, so he had his glands removed.

 

Removing the glands took a toll on his health. Without a marriage certificate, he didn’t qualify for the benefits given to the families of fallen soldiers. He had to support himself and their child, so he worked as a driver for a wealthy family, who agreed to let his child attend the same prestigious kindergarten as their son.

 

“Mr. Fu, if it’s convenient, we can have your child undergo a genetic test at the hospital. If the genes match Ming Zong’s, confirming the father-son relationship, you’ll receive all the benefits due to the family of a fallen soldier,” Pei An said.

 

Fu Zeyu broke down in tears. Life had been hard for him and his son, and he had refused many offers to be with other alphas for his son’s sake. Now, he was content to receive the nation’s support.

 

Dou Dou’s mother took a few steps back, her body trembling. She felt doomed.

 

Pei An, noticing her movement, handed a handkerchief to Fu Zeyu and turned to face her.

 

“Ma’am, my child and yours had a conflict, and I’m sure he is partly to blame. But we need to understand the cause of the conflict, don’t we?” Though Pei An spoke calmly, his presence was intimidating.

 

Dou Dou’s mother stammered, “You-you’re right.”

 

Pei An smiled slightly and called Pei Zhiyu over, “Guangguang, tell Dad what happened today.”

 

Given the chance to speak, Pei Zhiyu explained everything that had led up to the incident. Afterward, he admitted his fault, “Dad, I shouldn’t have fought. It won’t happen again.”

 

Pei An listened, then looked at Dou Dou’s mother with a faint smile, “Low-class? If I’m not mistaken, our laws state that all citizens of the Lyte Republic are equal.”

 

Dou Dou’s mother was on the verge of tears. She wanted to argue but couldn’t because she had indeed treated Fu Zeyu and his son as inferior.

 

Pei An had Yi Rui investigate Dou Dou’s family, and while waiting, he discussed child-rearing issues.

 

Xie Yu, sensing trouble, stepped back a few steps with their son, not wanting to get scolded too.

 

The kindergarten teacher watched, “…Is this really something I should be witnessing?”

 

Soon, Yi Rui sent the compiled information on Dou Dou’s family to Pei An’s smart device.

 

Pei An reviewed the details.

 

During the war against the rebels, many wealthy people donated to the Independent Army, which later aligned with the Lyte Republic. These people lived well, benefiting from the government’s support in business.

 

Others had profiteered during the war and were later purged along with the old regime, their assets confiscated and heavily fined.

 

Dou Dou’s family fell between these two extremes, neither supporting nor opposing the Independent Army.

 

Families like theirs, having neither merit nor fault, continued their previous lifestyles, adapting only to the new policies of the Lyte Republic. But their outdated mindset, seeing wealth as superiority, hadn’t changed.

 

“It seems the allure of Central Star’s wealth has made you forget the Lyte Republic’s laws,” Pei An said after reading the report, deciding their fate.

 

The family would be sent to the outer star systems to experience life there.

 

“Your Excellency…” Dou Dou’s mother was terrified, not understanding his intentions, and reached out to Pei An, only to be blocked by Xie Yu.

 

“Take your child to the doctor first,” Xie Yu said, noting how she had ignored her injured child.

 

Dou Dou’s mother blushed in shame.

 

The matter wasn’t over. Pei An smiled, “Pei Zhiyu, get down and stand properly.”

 

Uh-oh.

 

It was over.

 

Xie Yu set Pei Zhiyu down, and he stood straight with his hands at his sides, “Dad, you can scold me now.”

 

Seeing Pei Zhiyu’s somewhat formal but earnest military stance, Pei An suspected Xie Yu had been secretly teaching him.

 

Xie Yu unconsciously stood at attention as well.

 

The kindergarten teacher thought, “…Is this really happening?”

 

True enough, the nation’s leader could manage both a country and a family.

 

Yi Rui quickly compiled Dou Dou’s family’s information and sent it to Pei An’s smart device.

 

Pei An reviewed the information.

 

During the war against the rebels, many wealthy individuals supported the Independent Army, later aligning with the Lyte Republic. They continued to thrive, aided by the government.

 

Others had profiteered during the war and were later purged along with the old regime, their assets confiscated and heavily fined.

 

Dou Dou’s family was neutral, neither supporting nor opposing the Independent Army.

 

Such families, with no merit or fault, maintained their lifestyles, only adjusting to the new Republic’s policies. However, their outdated mindset, valuing wealth as superiority, persisted.

 

“Central Star’s wealth must have blinded you to the Lyte Republic’s laws,” Pei An said, deciding their fate.

 

The family would be sent to the outer star systems for a reality check.

 

“Your Excellency…” Dou Dou’s mother, fearful and uncertain of his intentions, reached out to Pei An, but Xie Yu blocked her.

 

“Take your child to the doctor first,” Xie Yu suggested, noting her neglect of her injured child.

 

Dou Dou’s mother blushed in shame.

 

The matter wasn’t over. Pei An smiled, “Pei Zhiyu, get down and stand properly.”

 

Uh-oh.

 

It was over.

 

Xie Yu set Pei Zhiyu down, and he stood straight with his hands at his sides, “Dad, you can scold me now.”

 

Seeing Pei Zhiyu’s somewhat formal but earnest military stance, Pei An suspected Xie Yu had been secretly teaching him.

 

Xie Yu unconsciously stood at attention as well.

 

The kindergarten teacher thought, “…Is this really happening?”

 

True enough, the nation’s leader could manage both a country and a family.

 

Author’s Note:

 

The fake Marshal Xie: Commands thousands of troops effortlessly.

The real Marshal Xie: Takes his son to climb mountains, cross rivers, and collect bird eggs.