Chapter 102
Bai Nuosi sat across from Huo Ranchuan with the little chubby bird, while Teng Snake obediently lay next to Huo Ranchuan, eating a bun and occasionally sneaking glances at Bai Nuosi.
Bai Nuosi himself ate very little; a bowl of wonton soup was enough for him. The buns were primarily for Huo Ranchuan and the Teng Snake.
The little chubby bird, though not in great spirits, was very hungry. It needed a lot of food to replenish its energy, and as a spiritual entity, the energy it absorbed could also transfer to its host. Its host, Adean, was in poor condition, so the little chubby bird’s appetite increased, devouring all its food and even two extra buns.
Huo Ranchuan watched Bai Nuosi, but Bai Nuosi continued to avoid eye contact with him.
In a low voice, Huo Ranchuan said, “You don’t need to prepare breakfast for me anymore. I can just eat at the cafeteria.”
Bai Nuosi finally glanced at him and said, “It’s not a bother. The cafeteria is so far; it takes a long time to get there. It’s easier to eat here.”
He didn’t find cooking troublesome; what he found difficult was the current relationship between him and Huo Ranchuan.
The Teng Snake, sensing that its presence was the reason Bai Nuosi rejected Huo Ranchuan, didn’t dare draw attention to itself anymore. It quietly returned to its room after breakfast, refusing to come out again.
Watching the Teng Snake retreat into the room, Bai Nuosi felt a pang of sadness. The Teng Snake had been with him the longest, and he was attached to it.
The Teng Snake used to be so clingy, rubbing against him for attention, begging for its bowl of milk, and playing with the little black panther and panda cubs, competing for milk. Now, it had become so quiet and well-behaved, which made Bai Nuosi feel uncomfortable and even a little sad.
After finishing his meal, Huo Ranchuan noticed something and walked to the balcony, pulling open the balcony door. The golden eagle, which had been craning its neck, quickly pulled back, glaring at Huo Ranchuan with wide eyes.
Huo Ranchuan: “…”
Expressionless, he called out to the balcony opposite, “Chen Min!”
Chen Min poked his head out from the other balcony. “I’m here, I’m here. I did my best, but I couldn’t stop it.”
Huo Ranchuan sneered, “Your best? You opened a door for it?”
Chen Min looked a bit guilty. “Well, didn’t Teacher Bai mention wanting Ares to help mentor the little bird? I thought opening a door would make communication easier for them.”
Huo Ranchuan was at a loss for words over the golden eagle’s audacity.
He couldn’t bring himself to refuse Teacher Bai, but deep down, he didn’t want the golden eagle to get too close to him. After all, who didn’t know about the eagle’s feelings?
Just then, Bai Nuosi approached, holding the little chubby bird and carrying his streaming ball. He came to the balcony and, seeing the golden eagle in the garden, exclaimed with delight, “Ah, is Mr. Golden Eagle here?”
The viewers in the live chat were also very interested in the golden eagle’s situation. The news that Chen Min and the eagle had reconnected hadn’t been released, so seeing the gentle golden eagle and a healthy Chen Min was a delightful surprise.
Live Chat:
[Help… everyone, what am I seeing? I see the golden eagle! And Captain Chen!]
[Is the golden eagle recovered? Is it really on good terms with Captain Chen now?!]
[For military cadets seeing this, it’s truly touching. It’s been so long since we’ve seen the golden eagle like this. The last time was three years ago when Captain Chen led a mech combat class for new cadets.]
[Yes, Captain Chen was once one of the best instructors at the academy, and the golden eagle was an icon for all avian spiritual beasts. I thought it would never recover.]
…
Chen Min, leaning on the opposite balcony, waved when he saw Bai Nuosi. “Good morning, Teacher Bai.”
Bai Nuosi, holding the little chubby bird, responded, “Good morning, brother Chen.”
Bai Nuosi now knew that the golden eagle was Chen Min’s spiritual entity. Thus, the “close as family” person Huo Ranchuan had mentioned was not the golden eagle but Chen Min.
Chen Min, seeing the little chubby bird in Bai Nuosi’s arms, exclaimed, “Whoa, it really is a bird! And its level isn’t low.”
The golden eagle also approached curiously, leaning closer to inspect the little chubby bird. Sensing the presence of a similar kind, the little chubby bird raised its head sharply, glaring fiercely at the golden eagle while extending its round wings, letting out a defiant “chirp.”
The golden eagle: “!!!”
Its eyes widened as it took two steps back, staring at the little chubby bird in shock.
The little chubby bird, fluffy and soft like a cotton ball, had a red beak and claws, and its round black eyes darted about. Oh no, it must be Teacher Bai’s biological child! Otherwise, how could it look exactly like him?
The golden eagle’s heart melted; it thought that Teacher Bai must have looked like this as a baby!
With a face full of affection, the golden eagle gazed at the little chubby bird without blinking.
Chen Min was also momentarily stunned. Perhaps when seeing their own kind, it was easy to find them adorable.
In Chen Min’s eyes, this little chubby bird was indeed cute!
Chen Min asked softly, “Teacher Bai, can I hold it?”
Bai Nuosi nodded. “Of course.”
Chen Min immediately leaped from the balcony, covering the two-meter gap between them with a jump that startled Bai Nuosi.
However, Chen Min seemed unfazed. His golden hair was tied in a ponytail, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses, looking scholarly. But with that leap, Bai Nuosi couldn’t help but glance at the golden eagle.
As expected of someone with a golden eagle as a spiritual entity.
Chen Min approached, reaching out to hold the little chubby bird, but it pouted and clung to Teacher Bai, refusing to budge.
Chen Min wasn’t upset. He and the golden eagle circled the little chubby bird twice, then remarked, “This one has great potential. Is it going to participate in the academy’s special recruitment?”
Chen Min was addressing Huo Ranchuan, who knew what he meant. The Empire’s military academy recruited avian predators every year but had yet to find one with exceptional potential.
Predatory beasts were easy to recruit, but flying creatures were often smaller and lacked sufficient attack power or speed. They were not adept at close combat and had disadvantages in the forest. Warriors like the golden eagle were rare.
Chen Min saw great potential in the little chubby bird and wanted to train it himself.
However, Huo Ranchuan’s words quickly dispelled that notion. In a low voice, he said to Chen Min, “Its host is from a mercenary group and is currently in the water cell.”
Chen Min: “…”
After a moment’s silence, Chen Min cursed, “What’s your plan for it?”
Huo Ranchuan glanced at Bai Nuosi. “Let’s wait and see. No rush.”
The matter needed to be reported to the royal family, and a proper solution was required. They had captured so many people that it would take time to process everything. He decided to let the boy stay in the water cell for a while longer. If he changed his mind, there might still be a way out.
Chen Min immediately lost interest, and he and Huo Ranchuan went inside to discuss official matters. Bai Nuosi placed the little chubby bird on the stone table, pointing to the golden eagle. “This is Teacher Golden Eagle, little one.”
The golden eagle, standing nearby, gazed eagerly at the little chubby bird. It was so fond of the little one that it couldn’t take its eyes off it. It was the first time it had seen such a fluffy, cotton-like bird cub; it was completely captivated.
The live stream viewers were also melting from the cuteness:
[This fluffy little ball is too adorable! Teacher Bai, I want to be its teacher too! I can teach it to walk!]
[Haha, I can teach it how to eat!]
[I’m different. I can teach it to wiggle its little butt. dog emoji]
[Could it be that the golden eagle likes the little chubby bird? By the way, when the little one evolves, who’s going to be on top between the two?]
[You’re shipping too early. The host of the little chubby bird hasn’t even shown up yet; anything could happen.]
…
The little chubby bird knew about the golden eagle—who in the entire beastman star system didn’t?
Adean was shocked to hear Teacher Bai suggest that the golden eagle would be its teacher. How could he be so fortunate?
Although he didn’t pledge allegiance to the Empire, Chen Min’s mech combat motto was well-known throughout the mercenary groups.
In their group, there was a rule about avoiding the black snake and the golden eagle at all costs. If encountered, they were advised to retreat or face the consequences.
The thought of having the golden eagle as his teacher filled him with excitement, but he also wondered if Chen Min would agree. Would he be willing to teach someone from a mercenary background?
The little chubby bird timidly looked at the golden eagle, keeping its beak shut and not daring to make a sound.
Bai Nuosi called softly, “Little one, greet your teacher!”
The little chubby bird shyly lowered its head, looking bashful.
The golden eagle was so fond of the little chubby bird that it leaned in and gently pecked its head. Startled, the little chubby bird let out a chirp.
The golden eagle immediately clutched its chest with its wings: Oh! It’s so cute; I’m going to faint.
Bai Nuosi: “???”
He glanced between the golden eagle and the little chubby bird. They seemed to get along well, so he stepped back and sat on the lounge chair by the balcony door, observing how the two birds interacted.
The golden eagle liked the little chubby bird. The little chubby bird admired strong creatures and enjoyed sticking to the golden eagle. However, the little chubby bird was not in great condition. The golden eagle initially wanted to test it, but as soon as it opened its wings, the little chubby bird was overwhelmed by its powerful spiritual force and collapsed.
The golden eagle: “…”
It retracted its wings, eyes wide with panic: It’s not my fault! I didn’t do anything!
Seeing that the two birds got along well, Bai Nuosi felt relieved. He went back to the kitchen to bake some cookies and small bread and prepare some stuffing for dumplings.
Suddenly, his neck felt itchy. Something didn’t feel right, so he closed the live stream and went to the bathroom alone to check.
He peeled back the gland patch and examined it.
The gland had been temporarily marked by Huo Ranchuan, and a faint bite mark remained. The area was swollen, red, and hot, feeling itchy and painful—almost like an allergic reaction.
Bai Nuosi touched it, looking hesitant. It was the first time he’d encountered such a situation. What should he do? He wondered if there was an ABO (Omegaverse) doctor around who could help.
