Chaoge smiled silently to herself.
"If you still have any conscience as a child, don't do anything to worry your mother. Fighting with Yan Xi for things that don't belong to you will only make your life miserable." Yan Chen's eyes held a deep warning, concealing an unknown weariness. As one of the three great families, the Yan family was already walking on thin ice, and he did not want any complications to arise in the matter of succession.
Yan Chaoge's smile didn't fade at all. Upon hearing this, she simply replied, "So you're using my mother to blackmail me?"
"Yan Chaoge! What are you saying! After all these years of schooling, is this how you should talk to your father?!" Yan Chen was furious at Chaoge's disrespectful behavior today, and his anger was rising rapidly.
The sound exploded in his ears like a thunderclap, and Chaoge could almost hear his own heartbeat quickening in fright.
She even felt her body involuntarily shrink back.
As long as they are normal parents, even if they are raising the child for someone who is a great benefactor, she has never seen anything so extreme. This makes her wonder many times if Yan Xi is actually their biological child.
Chaoge finally wearily looked away and fell silent, listening to Yan Chen's words, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. When she came to her senses, the screen in front of her had already disappeared.
【I'm going to skip class and skip school, that's my decision!】Chaoge looked at her empty room, then glanced out the window, and announced to Little Red Riding Hood in her heart.
Skipping class?! A bright student who just made a very deep impression on the teacher, is it really okay for you not to think more carefully before making this decision?
Little Red Riding Hood wanted to protest and remind Chaoge that relying solely on cheat codes instead of studying properly is something that deserves condemnation and should be taken as a disgrace.
Five minutes later—Chaoge had already walked several hundred meters away from the school.
"So, as long as you hack the communication system and leave the school, what's the big deal? Little Red Riding Hood, as an AI, you must have the system qualities to withstand big storms, understand?" Chao Ge Guang not only ran out himself, but also gave Little Red Riding Hood a serious lecture.
What does it mean to be innocent after getting a good deal?
Little Red Riding Hood's answer was just one word: Get lost.
Chaoge tugged at her casual clothes and carefreely began her truancy. She explored the city by various modes of transportation, but unfortunately, the vehicles of this era were all very fast, limiting her views. Furthermore, Tianzixing had very few natural landscapes; cultural sites dominated the landmass.
Chaoge got off the car at the side furthest from Yuandu Military Academy. A map of the surrounding area was projected onto his wristband. He glanced at it briefly and then walked toward a peculiar mountain that looked like a good place to watch the sunrise.
At the foot of the mountain are rows of boardwalks made of unknown wood, and on the mountain are stone steps that emit a pale white light. It is still unknown what kind of stone they are made of, making people hesitate when they step on them.
"Look what I found! A kid sneaking out of school, huh?" A voice so beautiful it made Chaoge feel like her ears were pregnant came from behind her. She racked her brains but couldn't find a suitable word to describe it. All she could think of was: So beautiful! So beautiful! So beautiful!!!
But when she turned around and saw the person's true face, she was instinctively stunned.
Although Qin Muge's personal guards were all outstanding in appearance, each one of them would stand out from the crowd, Chaoge still had a deep impression of this person, all because although he was a man, he was more beautiful than any woman Chaoge had ever seen.
Basically, whenever Chaoge saw these people from the three major families, they were always dressed in military uniforms. Now, he had taken off his black military uniform, and his imposing aura seemed to have been deliberately toned down. Even so, he was still a conspicuous presence in the crowd.
—Ling Tianji.
Chaoge was unsure of his attitude towards her, so she could only smile awkwardly and not greet him, just in case he was out for a walk in disguise.
"Tired of being at school?" he asked in a low voice, more of a statement than a question to Chaoge. His voice was melodious and gentle, like the song of a lark, drawing everyone to listen intently as soon as he uttered a single word.
Chaoge had long known that even if she didn't say anything, in this world, as long as others wanted to, someone would always find out all her whereabouts.
He chuckled softly, a smile so beautiful that Chaoge felt a warm breeze brush against her face.
His curved eyes, brimming with autumn water, reflected the image of Chaoge. His casual, light coat accentuated his slender waist and long legs, and his long hair cascaded in the air, swaying gently with each step he took.
"What a coincidence~" Seeing that Chaoge did not respond to his words, he did not mind at all. He smiled to himself, his charming demeanor causing countless passersby to stop and secretly take a few glances.
"Did you also realize that this person is scary, which is why you didn't dare to approach him?" Little Red Riding Hood sensed Chaoge's deliberate avoidance and asked curiously.
"Huh? When did I become so sharp?" Chaoge thought for a long time before finally choosing to honestly tell Little Red Riding Hood: "Actually, what I was thinking was, how broad-minded do I have to be to stand next to a man who's even better looking than me?"
Little Red Riding Hood: ...That makes so much sense, I'm speechless.
"Ahem, actually, the reason I suddenly spoke up wasn't to remind you of this. I wanted to say, look at the strategy panel; it shows the affinity ratings of all the characters you've recently encountered." Little Red Riding Hood coughed twice in a very humane way, emphasizing the important point to Chaoge.
Chaoge suddenly had a bad feeling. If he had to describe it with one expression, it would be like clutching his chest, half-supporting himself on the ground, and vomiting blood.
【Or... why don't you just tell me what's wrong?】 She felt that the current strategy panel was so beautiful that she couldn't bear to look at it.
[Luo Qinghe's favorability rating has increased to the same level as General Qin's, both reaching fifty. If she reaches one hundred first, her "conquest mode" will be unlocked.]
Ling Tianji had imagined a hundred possible reactions from Yan Chaoge upon seeing him, but this was definitely not one of them. How so? In just a few seconds, her expression shifted from initial aloofness to stunned silence to shock, and finally to an indescribable sadness.
Ling Tianji: ...Is this person really mentally sound?
He was starting to believe the rumors circulating outside.
Chaoge, in a panic, answered Qin Muge's signal and typed in only one sentence: General! Please love me one more time!
☆ Chapter 37: The Thirty-Seventh Evaluation of General Qin
When Qin Muge saw this message, she first noticed the location from which it was sent. After searching her memory and discovering that Yuandu hadn't organized any off-campus activities recently, a knowing smile appeared on her rosy lips.
He even chatted leisurely with Chaoge: "Oh? If you want me to love you more, you have to be sincere. Are you free to come to the palace for a chat tonight?"
Chaoge: ...I want to chop off the hands that sent her the message just now.
Temporarily ignoring the information on the AI screen and trying to figure out how to deal with the Ling family general in front of him, he heard a shout from afar. The voice was somewhat strained and thin, as if someone was deliberately lowering their voice: "Isn't this Brother Tianji? What a coincidence! Brother Tianji, have you found some free time at the military headquarters to come and enjoy the scenery lately?"
If a girl had said this, Chaoge would at most have thought it was a bit unpleasant to hear, but even though it was said in a high-pitched voice, it was clearly a grown man! The kind with broad shoulders and a thick waist! Chaoge would believe that this guy was more like a soldier than Ling Tianji.
Chaoge couldn't help but shudder, disgusted.
He lowered his hand from his throat, shook his head from side to side to clear his mind, and then his eyes darted around before landing on Chaoge. A knowing glint flashed in his eyes: "Oh dear, Brother Tianji, what are you doing here? Am I disturbing your lovey-dovey conversation? But I seem to remember... it's said that Ling family's Tianji joined the military entirely because he admired—"
Ling Tianji slowly turned to the side, half of her face backlit. Even with only her profile visible, she exuded an indescribable beauty, like a goddess of beauty from ancient Greek mythology. This face was truly sculpted with all the heart and soul of the Creator.
With a voice as sweet and pleasant as if dipped in honey, he calmly uttered two words: "Get lost."
The man was slightly taller than Ling Tianji, and for some reason, he stood there without taking a single step forward. He scrutinized Ling Tianji's expression. Behind him were several figures who appeared to be bodyguards, their eyes sharp as tigers and wolves, their very aura enough to make anyone else keep their distance.
Ling Tianji smiled, his face as beautiful as a peach blossom; that smile alone captivated the hearts of several people present. As if worried they might not understand his meaning, he continued unhurriedly, "I followed you all the way here, originally not intending to let you go. But with her here, I'll spare you this time." He raised his eyes, his gaze, which should have been alluring, now held a chilling coldness, like drinking a sip of poison in the dead of winter—first warm, then excruciatingly painful.
"So, get lost." He uttered the remaining words, then stood there calmly, hands in his pockets, the smile on his lips undiminished.
The guy he let go showed no sign of leaving, so Chaoge's attention wasn't entirely focused on him. She noticed that, without realizing it, the number of people on this only road had been decreasing, and now, there were practically no people coming at all.
Is this... being cleared out?
[Ling Feng is Ling Tianxuan's cousin. Would you like to take a look at his information?] Little Red Riding Hood is quite perceptive now. Seeing that Chaoge seemed somewhat confused about the situation, she immediately used her privileges to access some firsthand information.
Chaoge initially thought it was just a minor internal dispute within a large family, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a whole host of unresolved issues. As the saying goes, every family has its own troubles.
Ling Feng didn't react to Ling Tianji's words, seemingly unfazed by them. Ling Tianji had already turned around and taken two steps towards Chaoge.
Chaoge disliked wearing buttoned clothes more than anything else in her life, simply because buttoning them all the way up to the collar made her neck uncomfortable. However, in military school, as everyone knows, appearance and grooming were paramount. If she dared to miss even one button, she might be spending countless laps on the parade ground.
Sunlight streamed over the mountaintop and fell upon her, a thin silver chain around her neck catching Ling Tianji's eye. He subtly lowered his gaze, suddenly recalling that General Qin seemed to wear a similar silver chain around his neck, though he had never seen what was actually hanging on it.
Ling Feng then looked at Chao Ge, and this time, as if remembering something, he suddenly revealed a wolf-like smile: "So it's the young lady of the Yan family, interesting. I'm afraid that you, Ling Tianji, are not giving her face, but rather to the person behind her. Of course, I would like to remind this young friend that you should stay away from this guy in front of you, otherwise, you won't even know how you died."
[I totally agree.] Before anything even happened in Chaoge's mind, Little Red Riding Hood had already offered her own assessment.
Chaoge, however, did not think so. After all, she hadn't witnessed it firsthand, and she felt it was better not to make a judgment so soon.
"Thank you for the advice." Chaoge smiled and replied, not wanting to get involved in this complicated mess.
After realizing Chaoge's identity, Ling Feng hesitated for a moment. It seemed that he didn't intend to resolve his matter with Ling Tianji today. After speaking, he turned and left, quickly disappearing from their sight.
Ah…it seems a lot of people saw me skipping class. Chaoge was a little worried. What if she turned around and found out some nobody had gone to the teacher to tattle on her? Tsk, people in this world are so unpredictable; such a thing isn't impossible.
Little Red Riding Hood: You're really overthinking it.
This time, it was indeed just Chaoge and Ling Tianji left. Chaoge felt the scene was getting stranger and stranger. She had just been passing by, but now she had witnessed such a strange scene. It seemed like she should leave now?
Ling Tianji chuckled lightly. When he looked at Chaoge, Chaoge felt that the other party had already seen through her intention to leave. And that was indeed the case. Ling Tianji said, "I'm not so foolish as to attack General Qin's people. You can rest assured."
...Oh, I don't know why, but hearing you say that suddenly made me uneasy.
"Even if I did something here, it wouldn't matter much. This is a rare blind spot for AI." His smile grew even brighter, and Chaoge almost lost herself in it. Only she knew in her heart that his smile was like a poppy, and she couldn't be tainted by it even a little.
Chaoge tilted her head and looked at him for a while. "I came out today because I didn't want to deal with the complicated ins and outs of the military, nor did I want to guess what I had done to offend you or get in your way. I probably wouldn't understand any hints you might be trying to give. If you, General, are here for more than just a stroll, please forgive me for not being able to keep you company."
Ling Tianji nodded knowingly and took the lead, walking forward as if accepting Chaoge's suggestion that it was just a walk and wouldn't involve anything else. "Then, let's go." His voice carried on the wind, like the sound of a spoon scooping up clear honey and letting the warm liquid fall back into the bowl, his voice carrying a sweet ambiguity, perhaps innate.
Chaoge then followed his steps, walking step by step toward the small hill. It would only take half an hour to reach the top of such a small hill.
When only one last set of steps remained to reach the summit, Ling Tianji, who had reached the top first, turned around and looked at the steep, straight path behind Chaoge. He said, half sighing and half questioning, "Tell me, what would happen if I pushed you off from here?"
Chaoge actually looked back seriously and actually considered his thoughts, without any awareness of being the person involved: "Well, let's just push him, he won't die from the fall."
Yes, this kind of place is fine for ordinary people. But the physical fitness test in Chaoge wasn't for nothing; it's impossible for someone to fall to their death.
Ling Tianji also felt that her suggestion was too futuristic, and a hint of self-deprecation appeared in her smile: "How could I dare? The general would kill me." It was precisely because her gaze was focused on that person that she inadvertently realized how important this person was to her.
Chaoge's starry eyes held a faint smile, and she didn't take Ling Tianji's words to heart. Upon hearing this, she simply replied, "I thought that since we are so similar, there might be some sense of kinship among us."
Ling Tianji wasn't surprised by Chaoge's words; after all, his identity wasn't exactly a secret among the three major families.
Ling Tianji's smile faded slightly at this moment. He looked into the distance, and the light fell on his profile, casting a long shadow on the ground beside him. The light shards fell into his eyes, forming a golden crescent moon in the depths of his eyes.
After a long while, Ling Tianji turned her head and smiled, a smile as beautiful as snow falling on a blade and blooming into ice, carrying a chilling aura. "I should go now. Perhaps we'll meet again at the military headquarters."
After saying that, he turned and walked down the mountain, as if he had really come all this way just to climb this mountain. As he stepped down the first stone step, he paused, and his sweet, honey-like voice slowly drifted into Chaoge's ears on the wind: "We are not like that. At least I will pull out the tongues of all those gossipy guys, so that they can never speak again."
The hem of his coat traced a clean, crisp arc in the air as he walked further and further away in Chaoge's gaze. His figure carried the steadfastness of a soldier, and even his elongated silhouette did not appear lonely.
Ling Tianji had so much to say, but the journey had made him swallow many of his words. He squinted at the setting sun, which no longer radiated its dazzling brilliance; it was now too pale to look directly at.
—Yan Chaoge, how could we be the same? No matter when, perhaps from the very beginning, we were never on the same page.
"What are you doing here? Miss Yan, you've learned to skip classes now, that's quite an improvement." A figure silently appeared behind Chaoge, reached out and wrapped his arm around her neck, and whispered a sentence in her ear in a soft, sweet voice.
Holy crap, this terrain! How did it even come about?! It's terrifying!
Chaoge was startled and reached out to grab the wrist of the hand that was wrapped around her neck. "How did you get here!" she said, turning her head to look at her.
Qin Muge didn't loosen his grip, nor did he loosen his strength in the slightest. In fact, he subtly increased the pressure. "Oh? It's not that someone's gotten bolder, daring to ignore my messages anymore, so I had to go out and find them myself. Tell me, how are you going to make up for all the worry and fear I've endured along the way?"
...The wind was so strong just now, were you worried and scared? Is this General Qin's heart? I give this blatant lying a perfect score.
☆ Chapter 38: The Thirty-Eighth Evaluation of General Qin
p4 Nebula.
Looking up at the sky, Rhett's upright figure, illuminated by the light of some unknown planet, resembled a straight, sturdy tree—the only thing on this planet that could be considered a plant, growing straight, never flowering, never bearing fruit, and never having leaves.
As far back as he can remember, the world has been this simple, and even his thoughts are as simple as this desolate world. When he grows up, like everyone else on this planet, he will activate the genetic potential of his family and then defend his country.
They don't even know why they're guarding this place; it's just that everyone else is standing here. There are many people who, from birth to death, have stood in the same positions he's in now, never having witnessed much war, and thus isolated from this world.