Chapter 68 [VIP]

The data verification process was much easier than Pei Xingzhi had imagined.

He and Chu Ling had prepared for the worst, but the final result was better than they had expected.

Their project was unanimously approved, and their program undoubtedly made a significant breakthrough in optimizing the military security system. In return, Chu Ling received a medal from the military. The price was that Chu Ling and Pei Xingzhi had to hand over the complete source code to the military and completely relinquish their authorship rights. Omegas and Betas are forbidden from embroiled in political power; only Alphas can make outstanding contributions.

Chu Ling refused the reward. He could agree to the request for no attribution, but as a condition for providing the program for free, Chu Ling requested to join the military with Pei Xingzhi.

The military naturally couldn't directly agree to Chu Ling's request. While the procedure was important, once they knew the problem existed, they could simply mobilize manpower to develop it. It was only a matter of time before the military developed it themselves. Allowing Omega and Beta into the military for an event that might be resolved in a few months was simply unnecessary.

Xie Nanyi had already advised Chu Ling that his idea was unrealistic, so she didn't feel indignant about the military's decision. Pei Xingzhi didn't tell him that he also wanted to join the military, and Chu Ling naturally wouldn't tell him either. Chu Ling and Pei Xingzhi had already anticipated the military's attitude; they hadn't intended to get the military to budge based on a simple security procedure. This procedure was merely a stepping stone.

A nation's politics are divided into two factions that balance each other to maintain stability, and the military is no exception. The government is currently controlled by the Democratic Party, led by the chairman, but the conservative party, led by the Shen family, is also eager to seize power. The military and government have always been inseparable; power struggles are common, and those in the military must learn to choose sides to protect themselves. Xie Nanyi's father belongs to the conservative party, and Pei Xingzhi cannot rely entirely on his influence, so he has to shift his focus to the other party.

He and Chu Ling have already made their final bet; now it's up to General Lin to see if he can appreciate their worth.

Waiting for the final results at home was truly agonizing. Pei Xingzhi not only had to deal with Ms. Qin's matchmaking attempts, but also Xie Nanyi's harassment every day. After this period of intensive training with this group, Pei Xingzhi's resilience had undoubtedly reached a new level. He even felt that he could now enter the military without any further training.

Of course, these are just fantasies.

Pei Xingzhi is currently on the verge of being beheaded.

*

Fifteen days later, Pei Xingzhi and Chu Ling received an email from the military.

Their application was approved.

They were hired by the military as special instructors, responsible for confidential work such as program development for the military.

To put it simply, they are unofficial staff without formal employment status. They not only have to remain anonymous, but their names will not even appear at the commendation meeting after the project is successfully developed. At most, they will receive a symbolic reward of a small amount of money.

The conditions proposed by the military were undoubtedly meant to discourage them, but these weren't Pei Xingzhi's and Chu Ling's initial goals. Pei Xingzhi didn't know what Chu Ling wanted, but he simply wanted a suitable reason to leave.

To truly leave this place.

He's finally going to do it now.

There are seven days left until his departure, and eleven days until Pei Xingzhi's semester starts. Ms. Qin has already prepared all the necessary documents for his leave of absence; he only needs to send an email to the school to leave with Liu Yiyuan. Xie Nanyi messages him every day asking if they can meet a few days earlier; he misses Pei Xingzhi.

Pei Xingzhi outwardly complied with Ms. Qin's words but inwardly disagreed, unsure how to face Xie Nanyi's questioning.

In fact, they seem to have an engagement that is now unclear in terms of its legality.

However, the confidentiality agreement he signed took far above the so-called marriage contract, so Pei Xingzhi didn't need to consider whether he would be punished for violating the contract. But... Xie Nanyi still bothered him somewhat.

He still needs to meet with Xie Nan.

With three days left until the opening, Pei Xingzhi declined Ms. Qin's suggestion to have a meal with Liu Yiyuan to reconnect, citing the need to submit some materials in person. Instead, he went out and met Xie Nan at a restaurant near the school.

Prices in the commercial area near the school were outrageously high, and Pei Xingzhi was initially hesitant to treat this young master to a meal there, but considering he had taken advantage of him quite a bit recently, and this was the last meal he would treat him to, he decided to meet him there anyway. Furthermore, Pei Xingzhi didn't know where Xie Nanyi lived, and he couldn't wait near his own home for Ms. Qin to catch him in the act, so he chose the area near the school.

Pei Xingzhi couldn't afford a private room, so the two of them could only sit in the lobby. There were too many people coming and going around them, making it inconvenient for Xie Nanyi, who had been wanting to do something, to extend his groping hands. This suited Pei Xingzhi's wishes. He just wanted to sit down and have a proper chat with Xie Nanyi.

"Xiao Zhi, do you miss me too? I knew you cared about me too." Although he couldn't do anything with his hands, Xie Nanyi's verbal skills were just as good. He looked at Pei Xingzhi with a sly gaze, giving Pei Xingzhi goosebumps and making him forget what he wanted to say.

"Can you be serious for once?" Pei Xingzhi said helplessly. Who would have thought that Xie Nanyi initially established a cold and aloof persona at school?

“I’ve always been serious, I get it. Xiaozhi, do you want me to be even more unserious? You’re such a pervert~” Xie Nanyi said, resting her chin on one hand and giving Pei Xingzhi a flirtatious wink.

"..." He must have lost his mind to think he could have a proper conversation with Xie Nanyi. This person never seriously listened to his thoughts. Every time he wanted to say something, this person would try to gloss over it with jokes. Their conversations always ended inconclusively.

"Xie Nanyi, I still want to ask that question: Did you pursue me because of the imprint?" Pei Xingzhi didn't want to waste any more time on useless things. He put away his chaotic emotions and asked Xie Nanyi with a straight face.

"..." Xie Nan saw that he was being so formal, so he also put away his smile. He thought for a moment and asked in a strange tone, "Is it because the imprint is that important? Liking someone needs a trigger, and the existence of the imprint is just a trigger. Or do you want to hear some other answer? Can you tell me the answer you want to hear? I also want to know the standard answer to this question."

Xie Nanyi didn't know what to answer. He didn't understand the answer Pei Xingzhi wanted, nor did he understand Pei Xingzhi's feelings. He didn't understand what Pei Xingzhi had been struggling with all this time. Didn't he also enjoy the time he spent with him? Didn't he also care about him? Didn't he also like... even just a little bit? That could be called liking, couldn't it? Since he already liked him, why did he keep asking about the source of that liking?

He never understood Pei Xingzhi.

Just accept him, why always deceive yourself and run away from everything about him?

"..." Pei Xingzhi didn't know how to answer him, because he himself didn't know what the standard answer to this question was. Or rather, there was no answer to this kind of question at all. No matter what Xie Nanyi answered, Pei Xingzhi was going to leave. He wouldn't stay here because of Xie Nanyi's answer.

"Sorry, just pretend I didn't ask that question."

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?" Pei Xingzhi's unusual attitude made Xie Nanyi feel inexplicably uneasy. Pei Xingzhi had never apologized to her before, and this sudden gentleness made Xie Nanyi subconsciously think that he wanted to ask her for a favor. "Did some Alpha bully you again?"

"No one bullied me..."

"Then why did you suddenly apologize to me?"

“You’re crazy…” Pei Xingzhi felt that he would probably never be able to have a normal conversation with Xie Nanyi.

"Okay, it should really be alright." Hearing the familiar tone, Xie Nanyi breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Pei Xingzhi was still the same.

Pei Xingzhi didn't understand his masochistic thoughts and could only respect Xie Nanyi.

The meal was not very pleasant. Pei Xingzhi was preoccupied with whether or not to tell Xie Nanyi that he was about to leave, but judging from Xie Nanyi's attitude today, it was better not to say anything.

Xie Nanyi's initial infatuation was only temporary; it would naturally fade after a while if he couldn't contact him. Although he always spoke passionately and often said jealous things like he wanted to lock him up for life, Pei Xingzhi simply couldn't believe that someone could be so crazy about another person. If even his blood relatives could use him as a bargaining chip, how could Xie Nanyi, who was a stranger to him before they made contact, truly care about him?

The most superficial relationship between people is the ephemeral and elusive love.

After a short lunch, Pei Xingzhi wanted to go home to pack up the things he needed to take or destroy, but Xie Nanyi was still a little reluctant to leave and wanted to drag Pei Xingzhi to see a movie or go shopping to experience the daily life of a normal couple on a date.

These were things they had never done before.

Pei Xingzhi refused to no avail, and was forcibly pulled into the car, speeding all the way to the mall that his family had invested in, ostensibly to buy Pei Xingzhi some things for the start of school.

Pei Xingzhi spent the entire afternoon being dragged around by Xie Nanyi. They didn't get to see a movie, but they did buy a lot of clothes. Everything was based on Xie Nanyi's aesthetic, resulting in Pei Xingzhi's entire being being styled in Xie Nanyi's way.

Xie Nanyi originally wanted Pei Xingzhi to take the clothes home directly, but Pei Xingzhi refused, saying he was afraid of being discovered and questioned by Ms. Qin. Xie Nanyi could only have someone deliver these things to the dormitory first, and then he would have Pei Xingzhi become his dress-up doll after the start of the semester.

Pei Xingzhi had no objections, after all, that day would never come. Xie Nanyi was very satisfied with Pei Xingzhi's cooperation, and even went so far as to ask Pei Xingzhi to kiss him. Upon hearing this, Pei Xingzhi couldn't help but punch him, finally making Xie Nanyi restrain himself a little. But the effect only lasted a few minutes.

Pei Xingzhi wouldn't let him kiss her, so Xie Nanyi settled for hugging him, burying his head in Pei Xingzhi's neck and greedily inhaling his scent. His imprint had been restless lately, as if warning him of what might happen between him and Pei Xingzhi. Pei Xingzhi's scent comforted his imprint; he had never felt so relaxed, even making him somewhat drowsy.

Submitting the materials wouldn't take that long, so Pei Xingzhi declined Xie Nanyi's suggestion to have dinner together and chose to go home before it got completely dark.

"Fine..." Xie Nanyi muttered softly, her eyelids lowered, clearly dissatisfied with Pei Xingzhi's words. "Can't you stay with me a little longer?"

“My house has a curfew,” Pei Xingzhi refused.

“You’re an adult now, you can stay out all night.” Xie Nanyi didn’t want to let go of Pei Xingzhi, whom she had finally gotten her hands on. She clung to Pei Xingzhi like a big dog, urging him on, while her right hand mischievously tried to slip inside his clothes.

“My family is quite strict; I can’t stay out all night.” Pei Xingzhi wasn’t buying it. He grabbed Xie Nanyi’s hand and pinched his acupoints, causing Xie Nanyi to have to let go. Xie Nanyi sat to the side, looking at Pei Xingzhi with a pitiful expression.

"Then I'll take you back." He wanted to stay with Pei Xingzhi a little longer.

"No, it would be hard to explain if my mother found out." Pei Xingzhi refused again. No matter how much Ms. Qin knew about him and Xie Nanyi, as long as she didn't find out, he wouldn't be questioned. Besides, he was leaving soon and didn't want to cause any more trouble before he left.

"..." Xie Nanyi had nothing to say and could only try to gain Pei Xingzhi's sympathy with her eyes.

"Alright, I've spent the whole day with you. Is there anything else you're not satisfied with?" The unyielding Pei Xingzhi wouldn't be fooled by Xie Nanyi's acting skills. He threw everything he was holding onto Xie Nanyi's car and sprayed himself with pheromone inhibitors. He didn't want to be covered in Xie Nanyi's Alph pheromones.

"You didn't spend the whole day with me, you only stayed with me from noon to six in the afternoon..."

"...Okay, I'm leaving now."

It's really troublesome to encounter such a stingy person.

Xie Nanyi escorted Pei Xingzhi to a nearby station, her gaze still filled with reluctance as she got off the train, as if this were their last meeting.

That is indeed the case.

Pei Xingzhi felt his gaze and suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

He coughed lightly, turned around, and quietly beckoned Xie Nanyi to come over. Xie Nanyi obediently walked over, and Pei Xingzhi pulled him close, gently kissing his cheek.

"Goodbye." A blush crept across Pei Xingzhi's face, and before Xie Nanyi could react, he quickly fled the scene of the crime.

It was nearly 6:30 when he got home. Ms. Qin and Mr. Xie were not home. Pei Xingzhi glanced at his phone. They had a meeting tonight, and Liu Yiyuan would pick him up later to stay at his house for the night.

Pei Xingzhi turned off his phone, unsure if Xie Nanyi's pheromones remained on him. If he could, he would rather it was Xie Nanyi who picked him up tonight.

But obviously, that's impossible.

With three days left before his departure, Pei Xingzhi could no longer endure it.

[Pei Xingzhi]: I'm sorry, I probably won't be going home tonight.

After sending the message, Pei Xingzhi packed his already prepared luggage and sent Chu Ling another message saying he was going to stay at his place for a few days. Chu Ling replied with a brief "OK" as usual.

Pei Xingzhi's room was very simple, with almost nothing to tidy up. He didn't have much to bring, since nothing here belonged to him.

He pushed open the door, took another step, and was about to leave the place that had imprisoned him for over twenty years.

Pei Xingzhi didn't turn back. He placed the key in his hand on the shoe cabinet by the door, then turned and strode away.

A note from the author:

All those regimes are just talking nonsense. Let's just say I created my own system. (Yeah)

Friend: If Chu Ling and Pei Xingzhi were Koreans, they could directly enlist in the military.

I:……

Don't make jokes like that!