Chapter 128 Epilogue (6) Amidst shocked gazes, we saw Wei...
Keeping his promise, Vitley took Fu Li out shopping in the afternoon.
Fu Li had been wandering alone outside the Central Star Region for several years. After returning, he was sent to a labor reform bureau and put into a small world for reformation. He hadn't seen the most prosperous streets of the interstellar empire for a long time.
He appeared indifferent, but inwardly he was quite interested.
The starship travels between high-rise buildings that float against gravity, while the most popular pictures and landscapes scroll across an electronic screen a hundred meters high.
Today, Vitterle wasn't wearing his military uniform, so few people recognized him or bothered them. The two strolled side-by-side through the bustling commercial city like close friends.
The handsome young man wore wide-legged trousers, which concealed the tracking device that had been reinstalled on his ankles. As he walked, the trousers left a faint outline, but he seemed oblivious to it. His bright eyes darted between the new mecha design drawings, and his long eyelashes could not hide the longing in his eyes.
Vitterle noticed this. So, after lunch, he casually remarked:
"The military just received several state-of-the-art war machine suits. Would Ali like to give them a try?"
Fu Li's ears immediately perked up. But upon hearing that it was the military headquarters, she expressed her resistance with a look of reluctance:
"Then forget it. I don't get along with that place, I won't go looking for bad luck."
Thinking of something, she said threateningly, "Also, don't call me Ali, especially outside! We're not that close!"
Vitley didn't continue to persuade her, and a slight smile appeared on her face where Fu Li couldn't see.
He knew the other person too well. Back in military school, he had a special fondness for war mechs. Every time he touched the cockpit during live-fire training, he couldn't help but caress it, his eyes sparkling with a delicate, bright light that stirred the same emotions in others.
Back then, Vitley had already begun to unconsciously focus his attention on Fu Li, but neither he nor she realized the unusual nature of their feelings.
Sure enough, when passing by the mecha exhibition area, Fu Li couldn't help but walk over.
The two mechs in the exhibition area are the latest X-type mechs, which have combat experience on the front lines. Compared with the ones Fu Li drove at the military academy, they are significantly improved in both size and weaponry.
Fu Li raised his head and looked from the base all the way to the top of the mecha. His gaze lingered on the intricate joints and the pipelines made of high-density, high-precision materials. His eyes were filled with longing, like a little fox drooling over newly formed grapes on a vine.
He swallowed hard, and just then, Vitley, who was standing beside him, spoke up:
"I remember that these two models of mechs have been widely deployed to the military. Two were just decommissioned from the front lines and sent to the research institute for repair. They are now repaired and in the final testing phase."
Fu Li finally couldn't hold back any longer and stammered, "Then, I mean..."
Vitley readily agreed:
"The research institute welcomes skilled mech pilots to participate in the testing; all you need to do is apply. If you'd like to come and take a look, I can help you skip the application process."
Fu Li's eyes shone brightly, "Of course, can we go now?!"
Vitley smiled: "Of course."
An hour later, at the Military Mecha Testing Research Institute.
At first, Fu Li was somewhat resistant. But she couldn't resist the allure of the new type of mecha.
He disliked the military, disliked obeying strict rules and regulations and being disciplined from top to bottom, but he was very fond of mechs, which were born for war and competition. Every time he controlled the behemoth and shook every precisely fitted part, he would feel his blood surging. This kind of extreme excitement was a romance unique to men.
Fu Li sat in the cockpit and quickly grasped the principles. The basic operation was no different from the mecha in the military academy, only the movements were more precise and some details were smoother.
He first conducted several combat tests, then switched to weapon mode and tested all the usable laser cannons, quantum guns, and intelligent strike aiming systems. After a thoroughly enjoyable match, his excitement only increased.
Through the force field curtain wall of the training ground, Vitley watched the young man having a great time. That vigorous vitality seemed to have returned to him, as lush as grass and as dazzling as the sun, making it impossible to look away.
So he extended an invitation:
Want to have a duel?
Fu Li smiled and said, "Of course!"
The tester asked, "Should we get two more operators over?"
Vitley activated his personal terminal and accessed the control system. "No need. I'll do it myself."
Shortly after, a brand-new mech of the same model was hoisted into the training ground, and several operators assisted the general into the cockpit. With brainwave access established and neural connections successful, the mech made a combat preparation motion, indicating that everything was normal.
Fu Li felt his blood boil instantly; it had been a long time since he had actually fought a mecha battle. The feeling of metal colliding and immense forces crushing each other was incredibly exhilarating, like a natural stimulant hitting his heart.
In an instant, adrenaline surged. Then the two mechs began their duel. The massive steel swords clashed, creating a dazzling display of sparks like fireworks, accompanied by thunderous roars. Their fists met in a single blow, like two giants fighting in the center of a vast space. The spectacle was breathtaking; whenever a brilliant exchange occurred, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the other side of the screen, as if transported back to an ancient gladiatorial arena.
Vitley was, after all, a soldier who had served on the front lines, and Fu Li hadn't touched a mecha for many years. Despite his superhuman talent in piloting mechas, he was no match for the seasoned killing machine on the battlefield, and after holding out for more than an hour, he was finally defeated.
As Fu Li emerged from the cockpit, his excitement still lingering. Upon seeing Vitley, he rushed forward and gave the latter a bear hug.
"This is amazing! I haven't had this much fun playing in ages!"
This was a habitual interaction they had back in military school. Fu Li always harbored a deep passion for mecha, and after each training session, he would inevitably remain excited, and this was his way of expressing and venting that excitement.
Vitley did not dodge. In front of dozens of eyes, he opened his arms and caught the young man. He slightly tiptoed and turned slightly with the force of the young man's lunge. His upturned face was also full of undisguised smiles.
After getting off the man, Fu Li's feverish mind calmed down a little. She couldn't help but wonder if her brain had been invaded by a virus, which made her do such an embarrassing thing. Her already slightly red cheeks turned even redder.
The others present tacitly turned their heads away, pretending not to see, and tacitly thought that the fact that the general could make exceptions for someone, especially a former space pirate who had just been released from prison and was under surveillance, made it clear what that scene just showed.
Only Vitley showed no embarrassment, reaching out to affectionately touch the young man's reddened nose. A wave of familiarity washed over Fu Li once more—this was the gesture Xie Qiu Chen used to make when coaxing him. Even after so long, it still felt familiar.
His movements froze instantly. When Vitley asked if they should try another mech, he quickly declined.
He had no idea what expression he had on his face at the time. By the time he came to his senses, he had already gone home with someone.
That night, the moon was bright and the stars were few. Fu Li lay on her back in bed, unable to fall asleep. Her heart was beating rhythmically, but the frequency seemed to be faster than usual.
Fu Li tried to meditate, but found that she couldn't fall asleep, so she couldn't help but sit up.
Questioning myself in my heart---
Why would you develop a dependence on Vitley? Are you thinking about that man right now? This is abnormal, and it's not right.
He was a space pirate, born to live for freedom, and should never have crossed paths with Vitale, who swore to dedicate his life to the Imperial Army.
In six months, as promised, Vitellini would set him free. During this time, all he needed to do was uphold his principles and remain steadfast in the face of wealth and poverty. But now? Has he wavered?
Otherwise, how could she have instantly regarded Vitley as a man from her own little world, and even developed a fleeting attachment to him?
Looking through the glass window at the high-tech city floating in the air and its bright, dazzling lights, Fu Li thought to herself---
This can't go on any longer.
The next day, Vitley could clearly sense the change in Fu Li's attitude; she resumed ignoring him, like a sulking little fox.
At breakfast, Fu Li came downstairs late, his face stern, his eyes still seeming sleepy. He ate a couple of mouthfuls of pork porridge, but didn't even touch his favorite dessert, pudding, before listlessly heading back upstairs. When asked, he replied impatiently:
"I'm not hungry, I'm going upstairs to play games."
Looking at the barely touched breakfast on the table, Vitter sighed softly. He knew that getting Fu Li to open up and accept him would have to be a slow process.
In the days that followed, Vitley continued to treat Fu Li well, giving her everything she wanted in terms of material possessions and lifestyle. But no matter how much he tried to please her, Fu Li remained unmoved, often even sternly rebuking him and saying unpleasant things. Even when Vitley tempted him with a mecha, he refused to go out with him.
More than a month passed like this.
That day, Vitterle received an invitation to a banquet. The invitees were all high-ranking officials and nobles of the empire, but surprisingly, Fu Li's name was also on the list.
Perhaps the banquet organizers heard some gossip about him from somewhere, and in order to curry favor with this young imperial general, they added Fu Li's name to the guest list.
This is not surprising. Over the past few days, the upper echelons of the empire have almost all heard the news that the general brought a space pirate who had been released from prison home to recuperate. This move was actually a test of his attitude.
Vitterle sat in his military office, clutching the gold-embossed invitation through his gloves. His brows were cold and deep, his eyes dark and unfathomable, as if he were deep in thought.
After a long while, his cool gaze returned. That afternoon, he returned home, went upstairs, and knocked on Fu Li's door until an impatient reply came from inside: "What is it?"
Through the door, Vitter told Fu Li about the banquet invitation and calmly asked him:
"Ah Li, your name is on the invitation. Do you want to come along?"
Fu Li disliked those occasions where the powerful and wealthy indulged in debauchery. Moreover, if he went with Vitterley, how would he explain their relationship? Friends? In the eyes of those shrewd people, he was probably no different from the general's pampered concubine.
Thinking of this, he sneered and firmly refused.
Vitley didn't insist, but added, "Drinking is inevitable at banquets. If I come back with a little, it won't bother you."
Fu Li rolled over, sat up, and continued playing her game, not taking his words seriously.
However, as the night drew near midnight, the doorbell suddenly rang several times. Fu Li woke up from her dream and heard the urgent doorbell ringing and the AI butler tablet of the house repeatedly saying, "Registered guest detected, no access permission; registered guest detected, no access permission." She had no choice but to go downstairs cursing.
Upon opening the door, two figures appeared, one on each side. One was Vitley, his eyes glazed and unfocused, clearly drunk. To his right, supporting his arm, was a man who seemed vaguely familiar. Upon seeing Fu Li, Vitley's expression became somewhat subtle. He politely saluted and said:
"The general drank a bit too much tonight, so I brought him back."
Fu Li narrowed his eyes, only then remembering that this person seemed to be one of Vitley's adjutants, who had shown up when they went to arrest him.
Before he could say anything, the adjutant helped Vitley inside, said "Thank you for taking care of me," and then quickly left.
At this moment, Fu Li stood barefoot in the foyer, his expression still somewhat dazed. By the time he remembered and turned to look at the man, Vitley had already opened his eyes, seemingly regaining consciousness.
So Fu Li said irritably, "A general like you, getting drunk at a banquet? Was you at a banquet or a bar?"
Saying she wasn't going to pay him any attention, she headed straight upstairs, but unexpectedly, the person on the sofa grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his arms as she passed by.
Fu Li fell backward into his arms, and to her astonishment, she saw a tender, lingering smile on Vitley's face, his voice soft yet carrying a familiar, almost obsessive quality.
"Ah Li, really, didn't you promise to listen to your brother obediently?"
"Why didn't you go out with your brother today? Did that bastard Xie Qiu Chen come looking for you again?"
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