Chapter 75 Just Partners 20
Zhou Kai was momentarily stunned by Duan Rui's sudden remark. Then, he suddenly realized why the kid had been so hostile towards him in the hospital room earlier—it was because he'd overheard the word "partner." Thinking about it, it made perfect sense. Back in his military academy days, if he'd heard someone trying to steal his partner, given his personality, he might have reacted more than just hostile; he might have even resorted to violence.
Before Zhou Kai could say anything, as if he felt that his previous statement was not convincing enough, Duan Rui immediately added "fixed partner" after speaking.
Without even thinking, Zhou Kai instinctively retorted, "Impossible."
He had personally witnessed Ren Yi's authority on the Star River. It couldn't be because of their "lover" relationship or "inheritance," but because Ren Yi was another master of the Star River, the co-pilot who would one day board it. And the latter's proficiency on the Star River indicated that this was no first time he had used it.
Ren Yi's regular partner has already been chosen.
Although Marshal Hall has passed away, judging from Ren Yi's obsession with reclaiming the Star River even if it means going to the blockade star, he doesn't seem to have "let go" at all. Given this premise, it's impossible for him to choose someone else as his fixed partner.
Duan Rui was unaware of these inside details, but Zhou Kai's resolute rebuttal was enough to make him realize something, and his face turned pale instantly.
He remembered; they weren't.
Everyone on campus assumed they were a fixed pair, and over time even Duan Rui almost forgot. He had extended an invitation at the very beginning, but it had been rejected.
However, since it was the same duo every semester, Duan Rui gradually stopped taking that matter to heart.
In fact, until Ren Yi's accident, they had to submit applications in advance when the list of partners was determined each semester, which was more like a long-term temporary combination.
Duan Rui couldn't actually remember what Ren Yi's reason for refusing was. The matter of a fixed partner did require careful consideration, and it was normal that the other party didn't agree immediately. Even Duan Rui wasn't sure if his impulsive suggestion was appropriate. But now that he thought about it, the meaning of that answer might not have been "I'll think about it," but rather "refusal."
Is it because of the person in front of you?
Duan Rui pursed his lips again and looked at Zhou Kai.
Zhou Kai felt uncomfortable under that gaze; the almost overflowing hostility felt very familiar to him.
Zhou Kai is actually the kind of person who is very popular. He is talented, good-looking, and has a good personality. He has received all kinds of love letters and confessions since he was a child. However, he is clueless and has managed to kill off all his potential romantic partners. He seems to be in love with mecha and destined to be single for life.
However, Zhou Kai refused, but that "good fortune" alone was enough to make people dislike him and even hate him to the core. This was not the first time he had been surrounded and chased—although he was unlikely to be the one who got beaten up in the end.
After a while, Zhou Kai became familiar with some of those looks.
Duan Rui's appearance doesn't seem like he's had his partner stolen; it's more like his wife has been stolen.
Zhou Kai?!
The thought struck Zhou Kai so hard he was stunned. Unable to contain his astonishment, he blurted out, "You like him?!"
Duan Rui "..."
After a brief silence, he answered decisively, "Yes."
Zhou Kai couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out, "Holy crap?!"
—That's really bold!
Do you even know who you're competing with for someone?!
Although Zhou Kai was taken aback by Duan Rui's resolute answer, after calming down and thinking it over carefully, it didn't seem like a bad thing. Ren Yi's problem was largely psychological; if he couldn't resolve his inner conflict, he would eventually get into trouble even if his body recovered. He had to get through it himself.
What if you start another relationship?
Since he chose this kid as his partner, he must at least not dislike him.
Zhou Kai thought about it more and more and it seemed feasible.
He almost wanted to applaud his own brilliant mind.
Thinking this, he had already turned on his personal computer, quickly tapped it twice, and shoved the screen in front of Duan Rui's eyes. "I have two tickets here for a trip to Yalan Star. The doctor said that Ren Yi's recovery is going well and he can be discharged in a few days. This place is perfect for relaxing. Do you want to invite him to try it out?"
Duan Rui?
Duan Rui was taken aback by the other party's completely unconventional approach, but he quickly recovered and his voice was as cold as ice, "What do you mean?!"
Zhou Kai: "Weren't you going to pursue him?"
Duan Rui frowned at him. "Aren't you her boyfriend?"
Zhou Kai?!
His face turned pale, and he almost jumped up from the spot. "I didn't! I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!!"
After a series of denials, he finally asked, still somewhat shaken, "Where did you hear that from?"
Duan Rui "..."
Ren Yi's neighbor, Xia Yanshen's tip-off, plus his guesses based on what he saw, but he didn't explain in detail. Instead, he looked at Zhou Kai and asked, "Do you know her boyfriend?"
Zhou Kai was still immersed in the lingering fear from earlier. When asked this question, his eyes darted around and he replied, "I guess so."
Duan Rui: "Where is he?"
Duan Rui asked this question with the tone of "Where is that scumbag?" The other person wasn't by Ren Yi's side during his two hospitalizations, coupled with the vague statements from the elderly neighbor and Zhou Kai's obvious desire for Ren Yi to find a new partner. All of this was enough for Duan Rui to label the person he hadn't even met as a "scumbag."
Unexpectedly, after a brief silence, he heard a slightly somber voice say, "He's gone."
Duan Rui suddenly looked up and was momentarily taken aback by Zhou Kai's solemn expression.
He made many guesses, but he never expected such an answer.
What does "no longer here" mean...?
Zhou Kai's gaze was deep and unwavering, making the answer immediately clear.
Noticing Duan Rui's expression, Zhou Kai forced a smile, seemingly trying to ease the tension, but he clearly failed. However, he didn't press the matter; it wasn't an easy topic to begin with. He explained in the simplest way possible, "That large-scale alien invasion three years ago, that was it."
Zhou Kai didn't intend to tell Duan Rui the truth, but he also didn't plan to keep it all from him; at least, what he said was indeed true.
This was enough for Duan Rui to remain silent.
Regardless of what the future holds, this chosen one, favored by the world, is currently just a military academy student. While at school, under the protection of their teachers, the most serious situation they suffer is injury, but on the actual battlefield against the alien race, it is filled with life and death separations.
Duan Rui thought he was mentally prepared, but he never expected to face it in this way.
Zhou Kai, unusually considerate, gave the boy some time to process his thoughts before stepping forward and patting him on the shoulder. "Let's go back."
The two walked outside the ward. Ren Yi seemed to be on a call, and the boy's voice came through the half-open door.
"No, I don't need them. Leave those to the League."
"Yes, only the mecha."
Although there were only two vague replies, Zhou Kai immediately knew what the people inside were talking about: Marshal Hall's legacy.
Zhou Kai knew that Ren Yi had no intention of taking over the inheritance.
—That legacy is not just money, but also a network of connections that is far more valuable than money and cannot be measured in monetary terms.
However, Ren Yi probably never intended to inherit the contract from the beginning; otherwise, he wouldn't have left that notarized document untouched for three whole years. If it weren't for this unexpected incident, probably no one would have known about it until the notarization expired.
Zhou Kai had a vague idea of why Marshal Hall had kept his relationship a secret back then. The young man was outstanding enough, and his brilliance should not be overshadowed by anyone, nor should he be relegated to being a mere foil for others.
But understanding all this in your heart is one thing, actually hearing it is another.
Zhou Kai paused slightly at the door, stopping Duan Rui who wanted to continue forward, and gestured for him to leave. Duan Rui was slightly taken aback, and then peeked through the crack in the door. From his angle, he could only see half of Ren Yi's face after he turned his head, and he couldn't clearly see the latter's expression, but he seemed to suddenly understand the meaning of those two sentences.
Zhou Kai led Duan Rui a short distance away, found a chair for people to rest on, and leaned back. He sighed softly, "Let him have some peace and quiet for a while."
Duan Rui did not answer.
However, since he had already followed them over, there was no question of whether he would answer or not.
After a long pause, Duan Rui, who had been staring down at the ground, suddenly spoke up, "I'm no worse than him."
Zhou Kai couldn't sit still, so he went to buy two drinks. Just as Duan Rui was about to speak, Zhou Kai handed one of the bottles to Duan Rui with one hand, casually asking, "Who?"
Duan Rui stared at him.
While thinking, "This kid's eyes are a bit fierce," Zhou Kai unceremoniously shoved the unclaimed drink over, and casually ruffled the other's short hair with his free hand.
Duan Rui was initially staring, but after being pressed down like that, he immediately turned into a glare.
Zhou Kai didn't care at all and apologized insincerely, "Sorry, sorry, I have a younger brother at home who is about the same age as you, so I just did it on the spur of the moment."
As he said this, the person next to him was already sitting down, pulled open the tab, took a sip, and then asked, "What did you just say?"
Interrupted like this, Duan Rui lost his initial momentum.
He didn't answer directly, but instead said in a slightly stiff tone, "I will also have my own mecha."
Zhou Kai nodded twice, seemingly used to this kind of statement.
Which mech pilot wouldn't want their own mech?
After Zhou Kai went over these words in his mind twice and finally connected the dots, he almost choked on his drink.
His own mech? And then he remembered what Ren Yi said in the communication earlier—this kid saying "wouldn't be worse than him"—could it be… Marshal Hall?!
After a series of earth-shattering coughs, Zhou Kai finally managed to calm down.
He chuckled twice at Duan Rui, "Haha, that's ambitious."
Duan Rui could easily tell the perfunctory tone in his words, and his expression, which had been somewhat worried by Zhou Kai's display of power, immediately turned ugly.
Zhou Kai found the kid rather amusing, but remembering his earlier arrogant remarks, he couldn't help but laugh for a while longer. Under the increasingly gloomy gaze of the boy beside him, which had evolved into a murderous glare, Zhou Kai finally stopped laughing. He waved his hand dismissively, "Sorry, I didn't mean to mock you."
He said this with a slight panting sound after laughing, which was not convincing at all.
However, Zhou Kai quickly looked up. He still had a smile on his face, but his eyes were very serious.
“If you can do that,” he smiled, as if looking at the boy opposite him, or as if looking through the boy at someone else, “not just me, everyone will be very happy, extremely happy.”
That means that humanity has a new banner.
Duan Rui's eyes widened slightly.
A vague guess briefly surfaced in his mind and then dissipated, and he vaguely felt that he had grasped something.
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