Picking Up An Alpha On Garbage Star - Chapter 79

The young Pei Zhiyu, having been scolded thoroughly, deeply repented for his wrongdoing. He promised that next time he encountered injustice, he would not resort to fighting but would instead leave it to the adults to handle.

 

As for Xie Yu, he would have to wait until they got home for his scolding.

 

Pei Zhiyu admitted his mistake and even apologized to Dou Dou, acknowledging that it was wrong to hit people. However, Pei Zhiyu also precisely struck Dou Dou’s sore spot by insisting, “You shouldn’t have bullied Xiao Lie. I apologized to you, so you should apologize to Xiao Lie too.”

 

If it were any other day, Dou Dou’s mother would never have allowed her son to bow his head and apologize. But today, facing Pei An and Xie Yu, who were the top authority figures in the country, she was terrified when they asked Pei Zhiyu to apologize. She couldn’t imagine the consequences if her son didn’t apologize to Xiao Lie.

 

So, Dou Dou’s mother forcibly made Dou Dou apologize to Xiao Lie.

 

Xiao Lie remained calm and wasn’t particularly moved by Dou Dou’s apology.

 

“This is your first time apologizing to me, but I don’t want to forgive you,” Xiao Lie said, simply expressing his true feelings without the complexities of adult principles and conduct.

 

Fu Zeyu hugged Xiao Lie and cried. He had an inkling that his son was not having an easy time, but Xiao Lie had never complained to him. He had no idea his child had been bullied for so long.

 

Dou Dou widened his eyes. “I apologized to you, why won’t you forgive me!”

 

Dou Dou’s mother couldn’t tolerate this now. She quickly covered her son’s mouth and didn’t dare to say even a single “Kids don’t understand,” because the people in front of her were not to be trifled with.

 

Yes, even now, she was only bowing her head because she was in front of Pei An and Xie Yu, the nation’s head and the military marshal, not because she truly recognized her mistake.

 

“Mr. Fu Zeyu, can we go to the hospital now?” Pei An had already decided how to deal with Dou Dou’s family and resolved the matter of Pei Zhiyu’s fight in kindergarten. Next, it was time to settle things for Fu Zeyu.

 

Fu Zeyu, holding his son, nodded. “Yes, I also want to take Xiao Lie to the hospital to get some medicine.”

 

Xiao Lie’s entire left hand was scalded by hot water. The kindergarten’s medical room could only handle simple wounds. For a burn like this, they could only apply a cold compress and some basic ointment, which wasn’t very effective.

 

Fu Zeyu submitted his resignation to Dou Dou’s mother, meaning he could no longer drive the employer’s car. Instead, they took the car Pei An and Xie Yu came in, driven by Xie Yu.

 

Originally, Fu Zeyu offered to drive, but Xie Yu refused. Fu Zeyu could only nervously sit in the back with the two kids.

 

Who would believe it if he told them? One day he actually rode in a car driven by the Marshal himself, with the Head of State in the passenger seat.

 

Pei Zhiyu wasn’t riding in this car for the first time. He skillfully found some snacks and generously shared them with Xiao Lie. “These are delicious. Let’s eat together!”

 

Xiao Lie first looked to his dad for approval. Only after his dad nodded did he say “thank you” and accept the snacks from Pei Zhiyu, eating them in small bites.

 

In stark contrast to Pei Zhiyu’s big bites.

 

Xie Yu drove to the First Hospital, which Manzhu had taken over after the founding of the Lyte Empire. She preferred working in the hospital to staying in the lab and, despite being the director, she scheduled many surgeries for herself.

 

Before coming, Pei An sent Manzhu a message asking her to prepare a tube of healing gel.

 

When Manzhu saw Pei An asking for healing gel, she feared Pei An was injured and rushed to the parking lot with the gel. As soon as she saw Pei An’s hovercar, she hurried over.

 

“Where are you hurt?” Manzhu anxiously asked Pei An as she examined him.

 

Pei An helplessly replied, “Sister Manzhu, who could possibly hurt me?”

 

He pointed to Xiao Lie, who Fu Zeyu was carrying out of the car. “The healing gel is for that child.”

 

Manzhu sighed in relief. Once Pei An clarified who needed the gel, Manzhu immediately switched to her serious doctor mode. “Little one, let Auntie see where you’re hurt, okay?”

 

Xiao Lie extended his scalded left hand.

 

Manzhu frowned at the sight of the burn. How could someone be so harsh to a child?

 

“The cooling was timely, but the ointment used isn’t effective enough.” Manzhu took out the healing gel and applied it gently to Xiao Lie’s hand with a cotton swab. “This will heal you quickly.”

 

Fu Zeyu looked at Pei An, who smiled at him gently.

 

Such a high-quality medicine was usually reserved for special use. Without Pei An’s approval, Xiao Lie couldn’t have used such good medicine.

 

The healing gel’s effect was visible to the naked eye. Fu Zeyu watched as Xiao Lie’s scalded hand gradually healed.

 

“Sister Manzhu, please take the child for a genetic match test.” Pei An didn’t intend for himself and Xie Yu to go inside the hospital, as their faces were too well-known and would draw attention.

 

Manzhu understood and said to Fu Zeyu, “Please follow me.”

 

Fu Zeyu took Xiao Lie for a genetic matching test, while Pei An and Xie Yu discussed people in Fu Zeyu’s situation.

 

The army’s vast number meant that there were indeed cases where soldiers had children but had not yet registered their marriages. This group had been overlooked previously, as they only provided compensation and assistance to those with verifiable family ties. People like Fu Zeyu had been neglected.

 

“We need to organize a nationwide survey. Children who can be matched with their parents and AOs who can be matched with their markers should all be treated as relatives of martyrs,” Pei An pondered, then frowned, “But there will still be cases we can’t cover.”

 

Some AOs had beta partners, making it impossible to check for pheromones. Also, once the information was released, there would be many imposters trying to claim benefits. Such occurrences had to be prevented.

 

“Investigate privately. Visit the places where martyrs lived and talk to their relatives and friends. Local governments should pay extra attention. It’s a big project, but it’s something we must do,” Xie Yu suggested.

 

Pei An rubbed his temples. He really hated war; the parting and death it brought were too heavy.

 

Pei Zhiyu, leaning against the car window, noticed his father was not in a good mood. Nervously, he asked, “Dad, did Guang Guang upset you?”

 

Pei An ruffled his son’s hair. “It has nothing to do with Guang Guang. It’s about Dad’s work.”

 

Pei Zhiyu made an “oh” sound, then raised his favorite pudding. “Then Dad, eat a pudding! Guang Guang always feels better after eating pudding.”

 

“Having Guang Guang makes Dad happy. No need for pudding.” Pei An, who still couldn’t accept snacks after all these years, smiled and fed the pudding to Pei Zhiyu.

 

With Manzhu personally overseeing it, the genetic test results came out quickly. The results confirmed that Xiao Lie was indeed the biological son of the martyr Ming Zong.

 

Given that Fu Zeyu dared to bring Xiao Lie to the hospital, he couldn’t be lying. Pei An was not surprised by the test results.

 

“Mr. Fu, do you have a place to stay?” When Fu Zeyu and Xiao Lie came out, Xie Yu wanted to drive them home but realized that as a driver for a rich family, Fu Zeyu likely didn’t have his own place.

 

Sure enough, Fu Zeyu awkwardly said, “The compensation for Xiao Lie’s medical expenses and my wages add up to quite a sum. I can take Xiao Lie to a hotel tonight and look for a place tomorrow. Marshal, you can drop us off at any hotel.”

 

“Then come to our place tonight!” Pei Zhiyu suddenly said, “Tomorrow I can go to kindergarten with Xiao Lie!”

 

Pei An asked Fu Zeyu, “What do you think, Mr. Fu? Guang Guang and Xiao Lie seem to get along well.”

 

Fu Zeyu was stunned. Go stay at the home of the Head of State and the Marshal?

 

Pei Zhiyu continued his diplomatic efforts, “Xiao Lie, come home with Guang Guang? Guang Guang wants to build blocks with you!”

 

Xiao Lie looked at his father.

 

“It’s rare for two kids to get along so well. Let’s have you stay with us tonight. You can handle the formalities for the martyr’s family tomorrow. Housing will be taken care of by the state,” Pei An reassured Fu Zeyu.

 

In the end, Fu Zeyu accepted the invitation to go to Xie’s home because he saw the eager look in his son’s eyes.

 

Xiao Lie really wanted to play with Guang Guang.

 

Xie Yu drove home and informed Xie Rao that they were bringing guests and to prepare a guest room. Seeing there were guests, You Xingzhou dragged Xie Rao to make two extra dishes.

 

When Fu Zeyu and Xiao Lie entered Xie’s home, his heart raced. Today he not only rode in a car driven by the Marshal but was also a guest at the home of the Head of State and the Marshal. Seeing Xie Rao in an apron, he was even more bewildered.

 

Oh, there’s also a former commander of the Third Corps, now an honorary general, in this home.

 

You Xingzhou treated Fu Zeyu like a friend, even preparing a matching dining bib for Xiao Lie, making him feel more at ease with this older, gentle omega.

 

“My husband’s cooking is quite good,” You Xingzhou said, leading them to the table. “Sit down and eat. You must be starving at this hour.”

 

Fu Zeyu almost cried. Since his alpha passed away, no one had treated him this well.

 

“Thank you,” Fu Zeyu said, holding back tears, to You Xingzhou.

 

Pei Zhiyu skillfully climbed into his chair, picked his favorite dishes with his spoon, and served some to Xiao Lie. “This is delicious. You should try it too.”

 

Xiao Lie, who always ate with other servants in his employer’s home, had never dined at the main table and felt bewildered.

 

But with Pei Zhiyu around, it wasn’t a problem. The little host treated the little guest very well.

 

After learning about Fu Zeyu’s situation, You Xingzhou offered to help him find a job.

 

“Xiao Fu, may I call you that?” You Xingzhou asked gently. “Would you be interested in working as a receptionist? Our company’s receptionist got promoted, leaving a vacancy. If you’re interested, would you like to give it a try?”

 

“Can I really?” Fu Zeyu asked, delighted.

 

“Of course. You have a good image and temperament. You’re a bit thin, though. Eat more and gain some weight; you’ll look even better,” You Xingzhou replied.

 

Fu Zeyu continuously thanked You Xingzhou and also thanked Pei An and Xie Yu.

 

He was very lucky. Ming Zong must be watching over them from above.

 

…

 

After dinner, Pei An took Pei Zhiyu and Xiao Lie to the playroom that You Xingzhou had specially decorated. You Xingzhou spoiled Pei Zhiyu, buying him many toys.

 

“Xiao Lie, let’s build the Blaze Resurgence together!” Pei Zhiyu pulled Ming Lie over to the unfinished Lego model, “It’s too big for me to finish alone. Can you help me?”

 

Ming Lie looked at the pile of Legos; it was indeed very large. His father also buys him toys, but they can’t afford something this big.

 

This was Ming Lie’s first time playing with such a large toy. At Dou Dou’s house, Dou Dou never shared his toys with him.

 

Besides the toys, there was fruit after dinner, served in a large plate by You Xingzhou. Pei Zhiyu fed a piece to Ming Lie after having one himself, and both of them ended up with full bellies.

 

“Dad, I’m so full…” Pei Zhiyu patted his swollen stomach, “I’m so full I can’t sleep.”

 

Pei An sighed, “Don’t sleep yet. Dad will take you out to digest.”

 

It wasn’t just Pei Zhiyu who needed to digest; Ming Lie was also stuffed. Pei An took both children to the garden to help them digest.

 

Fu Zeyu felt quite awkward. His son had eaten so much as a guest that he needed to digest. However, after the awkwardness passed, he only felt heartache. Ming Lie was the same age as Pei Zhiyu but was much smaller and thinner. He had been rescued from a thieves’ den by Ming Zong and had never learned any skills for livelihood. After Ming Zong’s sacrifice, Fu Zeyu lacked the means to provide a good life for Ming Lie.

 

The house had several retired military dogs. Pei Zhiyu took Ming Lie to their little house. Seeing that they hadn’t gone to sleep yet, he called them over to play.

 

“Military dogs won’t bite!” Pei Zhiyu said proudly, “They are heroes, just like Ming Lie’s father!”

 

Pei Zhiyu didn’t yet know that these dogs, like his parents, were also heroes.

 

With Pei Zhiyu’s efforts, they managed to digest their food successfully. Each child was carried back to sleep by their father, but they first needed a bath and to change into pajamas.

 

Pei Zhiyu had many clothes, including many new ones. You Xingzhou picked out a set of pajamas and clothes for the next day’s kindergarten and washed and dried them. He then gave them to Fu Zeyu for Ming Lie to wear.

 

Pei Zhiyu was overly excited to have a friend over. He didn’t want to sleep with his father that night and insisted on sleeping with Ming Lie.

 

Fortunately, Pei Zhiyu’s bed had guardrails, so even without a parent beside him, he wouldn’t fall out. Ming Lie received a matching small pillow from Pei Zhiyu and lay down on the soft bed.

 

However, Ming Lie had never experienced Pei Zhiyu’s dominant sleeping posture before. In the middle of the night, Pei Zhiyu’s leg landed on Ming Lie, waking him up. In the dim light, Ming Lie saw that Pei Zhiyu was half-hanging on him, sleeping soundly.

 

Ming Lie: “……”

 

Pei Zhiyu’s sleeping posture was so unreasonable.

 

Pei Zhiyu had always slept with his family before. As a child, he naturally didn’t move much. This was his first time sleeping with another child, and his dominant sleeping posture was evident.

 

Fortunately, Pei Zhiyu only hung on Ming Lie and didn’t do anything else. Ming Lie was also tired, rubbed his eyes, and fell back asleep.

 

The two children slept comfortably, while some others did not get to bed.

 

Xie Yu stood pitifully by the bed, pleading with Pei An, “An An, I know I was wrong. Can I please sleep on the bed?”

 

Pei An remained unmoved, “Xie Yu, I’ve said before that I don’t want to influence Pei Zhiyu too early, letting him subtly follow the path of joining the army.”

 

No one could predict whether the future would be as peaceful as today. Therefore, Pei An didn’t want Pei Zhiyu to be influenced early by them to join the army. Xie Yu secretly taught Pei Zhiyu fighting skills, which was hard not to impact Pei Zhiyu, who had already flown a fighter jet.

 

“An An, I think you’re overthinking it,” Xie Yu argued, “If Pei Zhiyu inherently didn’t like it, he wouldn’t be so enthusiastic. You see, our parents taught him painting, but he never liked it.”

 

Pei An gave Xie Yu a glare, “I didn’t need reminding.”

 

Xie Yu moved closer, hugging his partner, “An An, I understand. You don’t want Pei Zhiyu to be like them, and you want him to have a smooth life, or you’d feel guilty, right?”

 

Pei An rested his forehead against Xie Yu’s shoulder, “I just can’t imagine how to explain it to his parents if something happened to Pei Zhiyu.”

 

He didn’t want to send a martyr’s child to become a martyr.

 

Xie Yu gently patted Pei An’s back, “I get it, but you should also respect Pei Zhiyu’s own wishes. Look, he’s interested in the Blaze Resurgence Lego model and collecting fighter jet models. He shows no interest in cartoon character puzzles.”

 

Pei An sighed, perhaps some things were destined from the start.

 

“Alright, it’s getting late. We have a meeting tomorrow, so let’s go to sleep,” Xie Yu said, pulling Pei An to bed, turning off the lights, and holding him close, “Go to sleep quickly.”

 

Pei An, exhausted from the day, fell asleep easily on the comfortable bed.

 

The next day, Pei An and Xie Yu attended a meeting, working hard to arrange support for people like Fu Zeyu. Pei Zhiyu was once again sent to school by You Xingzhou.

 

Today, Ming Lie was dressed in Pei Zhiyu’s clothes, a cute little set of British-style overalls. Pei Zhiyu praised Ming Lie enthusiastically, using his limited vocabulary to compliment him throughout the journey.

 

Dou Dou didn’t come today. Pei An had ordered Dou Dou and his family to be sent to the edge of the star system. Relevant personnel had already handled it yesterday, so Dou Dou would be transferred to a kindergarten in the edge system.

 

The absence of Dou Dou didn’t affect the other kids at the kindergarten. Yesterday was just their first meeting. Aside from Pei Zhiyu, who was sociable, no other kids had yet developed friendships.

 

The kindergarten teachers felt somewhat uneasy after learning about Pei Zhiyu’s identity. It was understandable; who wouldn’t be excited to teach the children of the Head of State and the Marshal?

 

Pei Zhiyu adapted well. Except for being a bit harsh with Dou Dou yesterday, he got along nicely with the other children, sharing his snacks with them, playing games, and even telling stories to kids who cried after being separated from their parents.

 

The teachers concluded that Pei Zhiyu would definitely grow up to be a very sociable person.

 

During a meeting that day, Pei An received another message from Iris, and he had a bad premonition.

 

【Head of State, someone has resurfaced your previous statements and questioned why children are appearing in kindergarten if you once said reproductive organs couldn’t have children.】

 

It was clear that only a few people knew about Pei An’s presence in the kindergarten, so it was easy to identify who was behind it.

 

Pei An ignored the message and continued with the meeting, addressing urgent matters first.

 

Public interest in the issue quickly escalated, and soon it was trending as the top topic.

 

Pei An tolerated Dou Dou’s rudeness and arrogance, sending them to the edge system for reformation. However, he was surprised by their audacity to spread rumors about him.

 

“Immediately contact the nearest military force, intercept their spaceship, and arrest them,” Pei An ordered decisively.

 

Spreading rumors about the Head of State was a serious crime.

 

While Pei An issued orders for arrests, he also clarified the situation to the public. He posted a statement from his account: The children are the descendants of two martyrs, and I, along with the Marshal, am raising them. Please do not disturb the children.

 

Xie Yu also spoke out, but with less composure than Pei An: “He is the Head of State of this country, but he is also my partner. I cannot tolerate my partner being unfairly attacked. We have lost one child and will never have another. Some people attack my partner without discernment. Is this how you use your freedom?”

 

Along with Xie Yu’s statement, a lawsuit was filed against those who deliberately spread rumors and insulted Pei An.

 

Xie Yu said, “At this moment, I am an ordinary citizen of the Lyte Republic. I will use legal means to sue those who deserve to be sued.”

 

Some people, after reading the statements, realized they were adding insult to injury. They apologized in droves under Pei An’s statement.

 

Those who deliberately stirred trouble among the crowd were on Xie Yu’s lawsuit list.

 

Pei An did not hold a grudge against those who exposed his scars. Instead, he used the opportunity to clear out some stubborn old forces and stabilize the rule of the Lyte Republic.

 

After being Head of State for several years, he was not easily defeated by such small matters.

 

The incident online did not affect Pei Zhiyu’s happy school life. He didn’t understand the complex and affectionate looks from his teachers; he just listened to them well.

 

Pei Zhiyu formed a good partnership with Ming Lie at kindergarten. Due to Fu Zeyu’s special circumstances, You Xingzhou made arrangements for the two children to attend the same primary and secondary schools, and their future university placements would depend on their own achievements.

 

At fifteen, Ming Lie’s differentiation into an alpha caused him to grow taller than Pei Zhiyu, who was unhappy about it and constantly wished to also differentiate into an alpha to surpass Ming Lie in height.

 

However, Pei Zhiyu did not differentiate even as an adult.

 

Realizing something was amiss, Pei Zhiyu asked Pei An and Xie Yu for the reason. That was when Pei An and Xie Yu revealed that his biological parents were different people.

 

Pei Zhiyu was not sad about being adopted. Instead, his only thought was: So, my biological parents are so amazing!

 

Although he had no memories of them, Pei Zhiyu took Pei Song and Geng Ting as role models. He ended up attending a military academy, alongside Ming Lie.

 

Pei An couldn’t turn Pei Zhiyu into a scholar or artist, but he was still pleased to see Pei Zhiyu start studying second-year courses in his first year and constantly auditing courses in other majors.

 

This child, with the blood of heroes, had not let down his heritage.

 

He became more challenging to manage as he grew older, and verbal education alone wasn’t enough.

 

Fortunately, Ming Lie, who was a few months older, could act as a brother and keep Pei Zhiyu in check, preventing him from bouncing around like a monkey all day.