Chapter 74
The guards officer couldn't understand why Fei had moved to an ordinary residential area, where not only was it dangerous, but transportation was also inconvenient.
"Hey, what exactly are you up to lately?"
Fei glanced at him lazily, then slowly tossed him a newspaper, indicating that he should read it himself.
"Tch, fine, look at it yourself then," the guard officer said irritably, unfolding the newspaper and making a loud noise. He flipped through it over and over, his eyes lighting up as he fawned over the officer. "You want to run for office? I remember you had no interest in the federal government whatsoever."
Fei chuckled: "I'm not really interested, but I don't want to be held back by insects on my own turf."
The guard officer knew that Fei was a very shrewd and cunning Zerg, and from that perspective, no one would guess that this guy also had his impulsive and hot-blooded youth.
He has also received a bunch of random titles such as one of the top ten outstanding youths in Beijing and a "little prince of law among the common people".
However, after suffering a setback and living a period of utter darkness, this guy transformed from a vibrant, radiant sun into a cold, dead star.
Fei was far more interested in becoming a commander than a politician, and although it was unclear what his reasons were for deciding to run for parliament, the guards officer was very pleased.
"Hey, those lowly insectoids that those guys look down on, it seems you've been planning to win them over for a while now. But why didn't you tell me about this good thing? If you don't want your family's help, I can support you too~"
The last sentence was delivered in a sly tone, and the guard chuckled. Fei suppressed the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, shifted his seat, and ignored him.
The guard officer leaned closer: "I heard that the child lives with you?"
The answer is of course no. It's just that rumors spread like wildfire. But who would believe that he was simply taking care of a child and that they were not related?
The Madisons were terrified by his warning and dared not use Toregia's father against him again, but Toto himself was unwilling to see his father again.
Fei felt a little guilty for orchestrating this whole thing, and since he also needed to cultivate a populist image for political reasons, he simply moved to a nearby location.
Well, it's twelve o'clock. Come to think of it, he should go home.
Today is the first day of school for the children, and he promised to pick up Torregia for dinner.
Fei picked up the coat draped over the sofa and straightened his collar in front of the mirror before leaving. The guard officer quietly floated over and said, "Sir, if you're going to run for office, I have a male insect brother at home. You know, family is an important factor for a politician to win votes, right?"
The female insect, adjusting her collar, stood tall and graceful, her slightly disheveled bangs falling loosely, exuding a captivatingly refined air.
He glanced at the guard officer in the mirror, smiled, and spoke calmly and composedly: "If the first eight candidates are unable to form an alliance with me for any reason, I will consider it."
Imperial Guard Officer: "..."
On the other side.
Toto refused Merck's offer to take him to school, and Merck's dissatisfaction was expressed through his breakfast, which was only served with butter.
“No nobleman, sir, I swear, no nobleman would go without an entourage. Do you know how outrageous that is? They would laugh at you for being a kid from some remote planet.”
Toto: "That's...that's great. I used to come from a den of thieves."
There was even a hint of relief in his tone.
Merck held his forehead, feeling dizzy with anger.
Ever since meeting his father, or rather, since returning from Madison's house, the obedient and sensible young male insect has become a different insect. He no longer learns aristocratic etiquette, refuses to wear aristocratic clothing, and even bought a public transportation ticket, intending to enroll in school alone.
Federation above, this is simply unheard of!
He couldn't even imagine how he would be treated in the strictly hierarchical Imperial Academy.
But no matter how much Merck objected, the male insect packed all the things he needed for school by himself, happily ate breakfast, and waved goodbye to him.
Toto didn't want to bother any insects.
Last night, Fei talked to him before he fell asleep, saying, "Do whatever you want."
Toto has never experienced being let go. His childhood was filled with demands and responsibilities, which he always willingly shouldered in exchange for equally heavy love.
But the dignified, aloof female insect, who smelled of gunpowder and blood, told him to do what he wanted. He patted Toto's shoulder, tucked the blanket in, his gaze seemingly assessing whether he had become an adult insect, or perhaps simply expressing dissatisfaction with his thinness.
There wasn't a single tear in Toto's eyes. He had grown up; his voice was deep, and he was tall and thin. He understood the rules of adult insects and wouldn't be sad or upset about it anymore.
Even if he left Fei and lived alone on this planet, it wouldn't be a big deal. He didn't crave anything here, nor did he crave the wealthy life Fei had given him.
Not only him, but Fei was also very clear about this.
He knew even better that Toto was willing to accept him because it was a benefit his mother had gained by losing her life.
Fei had never seen a child like this before. He wasn't sure if he felt pity for Toto because of his maturity, or simply because of a little guilt.
For Toto, after careful observation, this place is no different from the grassland.
He had heard those contemptuous and sarcastic laughs, those vicious and hurtful words before. He had heard far more terrible things than those: bastard, lowly dog, raised by a cripple. But his heart, like a wall that had been battered for years, had not broken but had become even stronger.
He's sad now because the wall has crumbled from the inside.
But it was only a little bit.
Toto doesn't feel guilty about his father, nor does he try to atone for his sins. He can't stop loving his parents, but he can always try to love himself.
...
Toto boarded the levitation train, which was divided into three classes based on genetic qualifications. He boarded the third-class carriage and would arrive at the Imperial Academy in about an hour and a half.
He sat quietly in his seat, watching the scenery outside the car window.
The hovercar has seats on both sides, with a spacious middle section.
When Toto boarded the train, he noticed a group of strangely dressed male insects wearing medals of different ranks, and a row of female insects holding weapons next to them.
Just then, he received a message from the commander, and Toto awkwardly turned on his personal terminal.
Commander: [Get in the vehicle]
Toto: [Yes]
Commander: [Hmm]
Toto briefly mentioned the strange passenger in the carriage, and a while later, the Commander sent him a picture: [Looks like you met him beforehand][Arnold]
Toto covered the screen with his hand, his expression unchanged, and glanced at the legendary Green Medalist, Professor Arnold, out of the corner of his eye.
The professor frowned, clutching his briefcase, rubbing the ring on his right pinky, lost in thought. After a while, the female soldier next to him noticed the almost solemn expression on his face and reassured him, "Sir, please rest assured, I've walked this road hundreds of times and have never made a mistake."
Your statement is unfounded.
The professor, with a stern face, reprimanded her without any politeness. Along the way, the female soldier had become accustomed to this pedantic, arrogant man who would gloat over others' mistakes and use them to highlight his own cleverness and competence.
He spoke with a distinct Norl County accent, a poor place, but the professor would only claim to be a member of the Shana insectoid race.
The female soldier's good-natured smile.
The professor immediately turned his face away, looking bitter and resentful, as if he were thinking about some world-changing matter, but he was just an unpleasant and annoying person.
The female soldier still remembers that when they first met, the other side asked to change the team leader.
When asked why, the other party arrogantly pointed at him and said, "Does a female like this even know how to be a military female? We need officers to protect our safety, not just one..."
The unspoken words were filled with unspeakable bitterness.
The female soldier is indeed exceptionally beautiful and has a cheerful and lively personality; she is a natural charmer. However, this is not a reason for the professor to suggest a replacement.
When the principal grew impatient, he said succinctly: “Mr. Arnold, this is an excellent officer. Although he is young, he is absolutely qualified and will never have the slightest wishful thinking about you or your students. His fiancé is a gem.”
The principal glanced at his light green medal: "You should understand."
The professor's face flushed red, as if he had been insulted, but he finally shut his incessant mouth.
The female soldier found his speechless expression quite amusing.
He glanced around and suddenly spotted a young male insect with a personal terminal dangling suspiciously. The female insect narrowed her eyes, walked over, and unceremoniously extended her hand: "Taking photos is not allowed here."
Toto looked up at the indifferent-faced female soldier, and everyone in the carriage turned their attention to him.
"I didn't take any photos."
I was just looking at the photos sent by the Commander.
"Please let me take a look at the computer."
The female soldier's tone left no room for refusal.
Toto remained motionless.
While he hesitated, the female soldier looked at him and spoke again, chuckling, "A third-level green medal is not enough to escape legal punishment."
Just as Torregia was about to speak, he heard a harsh voice: "Alright, bring him here. Can't you tell? He's a student who's going to report to the Imperial Academy."
The female soldier glanced back at him, smiled, and shrugged, her expression devoid of emotion: "Okay."
Toto was forced to sit next to Arnold. He felt a little nervous, not daring to look at the quantum computer or out the window.
Arnold closed his eyes, seemingly resting.
Toto glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, looking him up and down, trying to see what was so special about this Zerg that the commander had specifically mentioned. Then he saw a silver gun barrel, abruptly inserted between him and Arnold.
Toto wisely looked away.
The train was running smoothly, but for some reason, it made the Zerg drowsy. Arnold sat upright with his eyes closed, and it was unclear whether he was asleep or not.
The carriage was very quiet, but after a while, soft laughter could be heard.
Toto saw the strangely dressed male insects chatting and laughing with the row of female soldiers, and the female insect who had threatened him with a gun also joined the conversation with a gentle expression.
The males are overly active and too curious.
The female soldiers didn't mind them getting close; touching a gun, looking at their little hands/grenades, etc., was no big deal for them.
Just then, Arnold woke up, or rather, he hadn't slept at all.
What are you doing?
Toto sat next to him and saw the veins throbbing on his forehead. He had just given his student a good scolding in front of a whole carriage of Zerg, and now this was the embarrassing scene he was in.
Professor Arnold had a serious expression, and his face had some typical features of the Zerg: a high nose, deep-set eyes, a thin face, red hair, and blue eyes.
"Just chatting, Professor."
"Really? Aren't you just enticing ignorant students?"
The professor curled the corners of his mouth in a mocking manner, but his condescending expression lacked any real authority. His overly thin cheeks and sharp nose made him appear mean no matter what expression he made.
The commander has said that he is still alone, does not get close to any female insects, and seems to not allow his students to form intimate relationships.
The malicious speculations about him by others are based on this: he comes from an ordinary family and has no outstanding talents, yet he got into the best school and worked his hardest.
Yet he still couldn't step into the upper class, his whole being exuding a tight-lipped acrimony, unable to reach the top female insects, yet unwilling to settle for the ordinary.
That's why it turned out like this.
“Sir, I think you’re too nervous,” the female soldier explained gently.
The stern-faced male professor stared wide-eyed and said, "I am the leader of this research team."
The female soldier held back for a moment, letting out a soft hum with a hint of amusement through her nostrils, her eyes brimming with laughter. The professor, however, immediately looked away, unwilling to look at her.
The female soldier smiled and said, "Of course, I have no objection to that."
Arnold snorted and closed his eyes again.
Toto glanced at the female soldier, not missing the malice behind her smile.
Author's Note:
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