Chapter 31 The Crystal Core Crisis Is Imminent

Pei Zhenwei told the truth about her experience, but omitted her relationship with Huo Qi. She looked at the four people sitting in the interrogation room, stood up, and pushed her long hair to one side. Her gland was badly damaged and had not been treated. The blood scabs had congealed, and it was obvious that half of it was missing.

Xu Lingzhao was deep in thought. This thing was definitely not simple. Had the Zerg evolved to this extent? Just how much had it infiltrated? Were the Federation's high-ranking officials also infected and parasitized by the crystal core, like Pei Zhenwei?

Xu Lingzhao tapped her fingers incessantly on the table, looking at the pale-faced Pei Zhenwei: "So you're so eager to die because you feel you'll be parasitized sooner or later? That's right, by then, you won't be yourself anymore, you'll truly be dead." She opened her communicator to contact Song Shuci and asked her to bring Jin Chenyu over.

She began researching the crystal core and devising a solution, then carefully said, "Next, you will fully cooperate with the investigation... I won't let you die." With that, Xu Lingzhao got up and left, Lu Qianxue following closely behind.

In the corridor, Lu Qianxue's pupils flickered slightly. She tucked her hair behind her ear and said, "This matter is still too bizarre. The civil war has just ended. If this matter spreads widely, I'm afraid..."

Xu Lingzhao stopped in her tracks, gazing at the snowflakes falling outside the window. She pinched the bridge of her nose and said, "Announce it as soon as possible. Restrict everyone from entering or leaving the border forest. Strengthen defenses in all areas. Conduct a census. Anyone found to have inexplicably increased mental strength or behaving strangely should be locked up."

“Okay.” Lu Qianxue nodded and turned to walk in another direction.

When Xu Lingzhao entered the lounge, she saw someone standing next to Chu Jingze. Huo Qi? The two seemed to be talking about something, which made her heart tighten.

She knocked on the door, the crisp sound making them both turn around at the same time. Chu Jing smiled and ran towards her, Xu Lingzhao put her arm around his waist, and she looked at Huo Qi: "What are you doing here?"

Huo Qi's face remained expressionless. He put his hands in his pockets and looked away, saying, "I heard he has amnesia. It's just a chat, no need to be nervous."

Chu Jing raised his head slightly. He sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere. He said in a low voice, "He said that we used to be good friends and he talked to me about some things from the past."

Xu Lingzhao nodded slightly, patted his head with his hand, and turned to leave.

Huo Qi stepped forward, seemingly hesitant, and asked, "Pei Zhenwei... how is she?"

Xu Lingzhao was slightly surprised that he asked her, but she still responded in a businesslike manner: "Cooperating with the investigation."

"Can I see her?"

"I'll have Lieutenant Song tell you when it's time to see her." Xu Lingzhao took Chu Jingze's hand and led him away from the area. She looked at Chu Jingze's profile; he was clearly interested in the snow. "Shall I show you around?"

"Yes!" Chu Jing nodded.

The two strolled along a scenic road. Planetary soldiers passing by kept greeting Xu Lingzhao, disrupting the atmosphere between them. Xu Lingzhao squeezed his hand and led him to a secluded spot. Meeting Chu Jingze's bright eyes, Xu Lingzhao felt that there was nothing better than having him by her side.

She leaned down, wrapped one arm around his waist and pulled him into her embrace, while pressing the back of his head with the other to keep him still. Warm kisses landed on him, Xu Lingzhao's movements gentle, and soon the person in her arms was dizzy from the kisses. After soft moans escaped from their intertwined lips, she finally let him go.

Despite the cold weather, Chu Jing felt incredibly warm. Embarrassed, he buried his head in her arms, savoring the tranquil moment like any normal couple.

"Alright, I'll take you to get something to eat." Xu Lingzhao smiled and pinched his cheek. They hadn't gone far when they bumped into someone. Unlike the other planetary soldiers, he didn't give way or show any respect.

His gaze lingered on Chu Jingze, whose cheeks were flushed and lips glistening with moisture—clearly the sign of being well-loved. His expression darkened.

Meeting the gaze of the person opposite him, Chu Jingze keenly sensed a subtle hostility, which made him tighten his grip on Xu Lingzhao's hand. Xu Lingzhao frowned; the person in front of her looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't quite place him. Just as she was about to speak...

"I am Li Ming, it's been a long time, Commander Xu." Li Ming stepped aside and lowered his head, but he was observing Xu Lingzhao's reaction. Did she still remember him? The former colonel had now become the new leader of the Federation, and he was resentful. If only he had asked his aunt to pressure the two of them to get married earlier.

Could it be him standing next to Xu Lingzhao now?

Xu Lingzhao narrowed her eyes. Li Ming? She had a vague impression of him, but not much. She only remembered that he was Li Fengguang's nephew. After killing Li Fengguang, she did not make trouble for Li Ming, but she did not want to see him either, especially now, when Chu Jingze was in a sensitive situation. She put her arm around Chu Jingze's shoulder and walked straight past him. Her cold voice rang out: "Long time no see, Major Li." There was no intention of exchanging pleasantries.

Li Ming watched their departing figures, his eyes dark and unfathomable. Why... were they so indifferent? He clenched his fists. He was unwilling to accept this. He had been implicated by his aunt. In the past few years, he had remained a major and had suffered countless cold shoulders from others. Even Bai Feng and Song Shuci, who were once inferior to him, were now living splendid lives. Why was it that they were treated this way?

Upon reaching the entrance of the restaurant inside the base, Xu Lingzhao entered a private room under the guidance of a staff member. Looking at Chu Jingze, who seemed somewhat sullen, she reached out and pulled him onto her lap, her nose brushing against his earlobe: "What's wrong? Baby."

The word "baby" made Chu Jingze's blush return, but he still kept his head down and murmured, "That person just now, he likes you."

Xu Lingzhao chuckled. Chu Jingze could become a reconnaissance soldier. His brief encounter led him to this conclusion. She pinched the back of Chu Jingze's neck with her hand: "Silly boy, I almost don't remember him. We had a brief encounter a few years ago." She paused and kissed his soft cheek: "You look so cute when you're jealous."

The He family's old residence.

He Zaining stood before her parents with Ji Siyu in her arms. Her voice was firm: "Mom and Dad, I want to call off the engagement... I have someone I love." She held Ji Siyu's hand tightly. This matter could not be delayed any longer, because the scheduled wedding date was approaching, and she did not want to let either of them down.

Looking at their tightly clasped hands, Mr. He's face remained unchanged, though a fleeting shadow of gloom crossed his eyes. He then asked with a smile, "Who is he?"

“He is Ji Siyu, he is… a Sityas.” She pursed her lips. “Ji Yao’s child, and he saved me.” After saying this, He Zaining observed her parents’ expressions. When everyone thought she was dead, he was the one who saved her. So when she entered the house, her parents hugged her and wept uncontrollably.

The atmosphere is subtly shifting between what just happened and what is happening now.

Mother He broke the silence by stepping forward and taking He Zaining and Ji Siyu's hands: "Let's eat first. There's no rush, okay?"

At the dinner table, a table full of delicious food did nothing to change the stagnant atmosphere. Before leaving the table, He's father said to He Zaining, "Come to the study after you finish eating."

Ji Siyu abandoned his usual demeanor and appeared obedient and sensible at this moment. He leaned slightly close to He Zaining's ear and said in a slightly pitiful tone, "How about... I come back another day?"

“No need. You’ll sleep in my room tonight.” He Zaining looked at him, gave him a slight smile, and gave him a firm look.

As soon as she entered the study, He's father slapped her across the face. He Zaining turned her head to the side, blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.

"Break off the engagement? What are you thinking? Your engagement was arranged since childhood, and your two families have supported each other for so many years. Now, for the sake of a Sitias person, you want to break off the engagement? You've been using your career as an excuse to postpone the engagement. How many years has Lin Yue waited for you? Now you just say you're not going to get married?" He's father suppressed his anger and began to reason with He Zaining: "Besides, what's wrong with Lin Yue? Everyone can see how much she likes you. You must marry Lin Yue. As for the one you brought back, you can keep her."

"No! How can this be?" He Zaining firmly opposed this approach. Lin Yue was a good person, but after all these years, she really couldn't bring herself to like her. She didn't want to hold Lin Yue back. She had previously hinted at canceling the engagement, but was sternly rejected. At that time, she was just a military academy student.

The two argued to no avail.

Father He left only one sentence: "Lin Yue will be here tomorrow. You can decide what to do yourself."

He Zaining walked out of the study and closed the door. She leaned against the door, exhausted. Over the years, she had followed the rules and almost never disobeyed her parents. She had thought that she would continue to follow the path planned by her parents, but now the situation had changed. Xu Lingzhao showed her another life.

She didn't want to be restrained anymore. Ji Siyu's boldness and passion were something she had never experienced before. She lowered her eyes. The happiest times were when she was with her friends, but now, there was another person who allowed her to be herself.

Lu Qianxue was absolutely right; people always fall in love with the parts of themselves that are missing in their hearts.

She walked towards the bedroom, and just as she was about to open the door, Ji Siyu opened the door ahead of her and hugged her slender waist. He Zaining smiled and carried her into the room, closing the door behind him.

"Did I...make things difficult for you?" Ji Siyu groaned muffledly. He looked up and saw the redness and swelling on He Zaining's face, and his self-blame intensified. He gently touched it with his cool fingertips.

He Zaining held his hand and kissed his palm: "It's okay, don't worry, I'm used to it."

The words "used to..." made Ji Siyu blink blankly. He had lived a life of comfort and ease since childhood. Ji Yao had raised them with a laissez-faire approach, hardly caring about them at all. Moreover, she was surrounded by countless Omegas. Ji Siyu brought medicine to apply to her wounds, and he whispered, "Actually... it's okay for me to be a mistress..."

These words made He Zaining frown. She gripped his waist, her tone somewhat serious: "What do you mean by 'be a concubine'? No way. According to our marriage law here, although an Alpha can have many Omegas, they can only have one legal partner. The others are not protected. No, no way." He Zaining shook her head. She didn't want to compromise; she didn't want her marriage to be bound by her family.

.........

Inside the apartment building, a male Omega was packing his clothes, muttering to himself, "They're not letting us into the Border Forest anymore, what are we going to do?" He looked at his husband, a hunter, who had been absent-minded ever since they returned from the Border Forest a few days ago, and had also spent a lot of money on a treatment pod.

"Tsk, say something? You're usually quite talkative, aren't you?" Omega nudged her husband with her elbow, completely oblivious to his unusual behavior—his nails were growing longer and sharper, and his eyes were gleaming with a faint green light.

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Author's Note: Finished writing this in just two hours today!! ([Exaggerated emojis][Exaggerated emojis])