Chapter 112
On the way, Bai Nuosi noticed that Little Birdy suddenly disappeared. Mons, who was accompanying him, explained that this happened when the main body called its spiritual beast back through the spiritual sea. In other words, Adian had summoned Little Birdy.
Mons reassured him, “Don’t worry, Little Bai. It should be fine.” Mons knew the people at the military academy well; they were probably fighting right now. So, he flew the aircraft around the academy twice, waiting for them to finish before heading down with Bai Nuosi.
Adian, covered in dirt and carrying a ruffled Little Birdy, returned to his dorm and wiped the blood off his face with his sleeve. Little Birdy was also dirty; it had nearly been swallowed whole by a tiger just now!
Although there was no winner, due to the significant strength difference between their spiritual beasts, the instructor had intervened. It was a bit much for an adult tiger to bully a Little Birdy that couldn’t even fly yet.
Chen Min arrived with his eagle just as Bai Nuosi did. The two of them and the eagle entered together.
Chen Min said, “Teacher Bai, Director Huo asked you to stay at the Rose Nursery. It’s safer there.” Even though the empire was generally safe, with Huo Ranchuan’s cautious nature, he wouldn’t allow any accidents. If he could, he would even hide Bai Nuosi in his spiritual sea.
Bai Nuosi responded, “I just came to check on Little Birdy. I’ll go back soon.”
Chen Min nodded. “I’ll take you back in a bit.”
As they walked, Chen Min paused and added, “I sensed Little Birdy’s spiritual power fluctuating. It’s likely going to evolve soon. Tonight, let it stay with Adian.”
This meant that Bai Nuosi’s work was nearly done; the last cub of the year was about to grow up. Bai Nuosi felt a bit melancholy as he nodded. “It’s so soon. It’s only been a few days.”
Chen Min explained, “When you found it, it had already been awakened for some time. With Adian’s recent treatment stabilizing his spiritual power, Little Birdy, which had been weak, has quickly recovered.”
Chen Min believed that once Little Birdy evolved and received further treatment and guidance, it could potentially reach an S-grade level when it matured.
Adian, in his room, grew nervous when he heard Chen Min’s voice. He worried that Chen Min had come to send him away, especially since he had just lost a fight and ruined the clothes Bai Nuosi had given him.
Feeling tense, Adian stood there as Chen Min and Bai Nuosi entered. Bai Nuosi was surprised when he saw Adian. “Oh no, how did you get hurt?”
Adian glanced awkwardly at Chen Min and, blushing, said, “Teacher Bai, I’m fine. I just went for training earlier…”
Bai Nuosi placed the lunchbox he had brought on the table. “Do you want me to take you to see a doctor?”
Adian shook his head. “It’s nothing serious, no need.” When he was in the mercenary group, his injuries were much worse than this. He didn’t even feel the pain from this minor wound.
Bai Nuosi then opened the lunchbox he had brought. “Would you like to eat something first?”
Adian instinctively looked at Chen Min, who sighed. “Go ahead.”
This kid used to be so stubborn, tougher than a rock. Now, as soon as he became his student, he was suddenly so obedient. Chen Min found it a bit hard to get used to.
Little Birdy, feeling wronged, chirped as it ran to Bai Nuosi’s side, complaining tearfully about its ordeal. The eagle stood nearby, staring at the dirty Little Birdy for a long while. The bird was usually white and soft, like a fluffy cotton ball, but now it looked so ragged. Who could have bullied Little Birdy like this?
With a cold expression, the eagle wanted to fly out and teach someone a lesson, but Chen Min restrained it in his spiritual sea.
Bai Nuosi comforted Little Birdy for a while. Meanwhile, Chen Min watched Adian eat and explained his upcoming training schedule. Chen Min took a bottle of spiritual power enhancer from his pocket and placed it on the table, addressing Adian, “Little Birdy is about to evolve, and you’ve probably sensed it too. I’ll arrange for a doctor to come over, so you should rest for a couple of days.”
Adian took the bottle without asking what it was and drank it straight away. After setting things up and making sure Adian was finished eating, Chen Min led Bai Nuosi out.
“Teacher Bai, I’ll take you home now.”
Seeing how thorough Chen Min was with Adian’s arrangements, Bai Nuosi felt reassured and nodded. “Thank you.”
Chen Min smiled. “It’s no trouble; this is all Director Huo’s arrangement. I wouldn’t dare disobey.”
Bai Nuosi blushed slightly, sensing Chen Min’s playful tone. “Captain Chen, can you contact the director? How is he doing now?”
Chen Min could reach Huo Ranchuan, but the communication was encrypted to prevent revealing the fleet’s coordinates. Unless it was an emergency, they wouldn’t contact him during such a dangerous mission.
Chen Min explained, “We can’t contact him directly. But if he has the chance, he will message you.”
Chen Min considered saying more, like advising Bai Nuosi to think carefully about his relationship with Huo Ranchuan. It wasn’t about taking anyone’s place but rather the reality that such long, dangerous missions would continue. As the commander of a fleet, Huo Ranchuan had heavy responsibilities. He had even once said he wouldn’t seek a partner unless he retired.
Bai Nuosi seemed like someone who valued family and care. Companionship from a partner would be crucial to him, something Huo Ranchuan might not always provide. Chen Min worried for him but figured Bai Nuosi, though gentle, was smart. He might already understand these things, and his hesitation might not be solely about Dahei.
After dropping Bai Nuosi off, Chen Min left.
For the first time in a while, Bai Nuosi felt truly relaxed. He cleaned the house thoroughly, tended to the balcony garden, and tidied Little Nabi’s rabbit pen, letting it roam freely in the garden. Despite doing all this, it was still early. Feeling bored, he sat on the sofa and turned on the TV.
He thought back to the movie he watched with Huo Ranchuan, the first they watched together. The director had chosen a romantic film about a beastman and an Omega, which even had scenes involving beastman markings. The beast’s sharp teeth were like those of a predator, and the marked individual couldn’t escape, pinned down completely.
Remembering when Huo Ranchuan temporarily marked him, Bai Nuosi blushed and sighed softly. He opened his terminal, looked at Huo Ranchuan’s profile picture, and whispered, “You must come back safely.”
***
Huo Ranchuan’s fleet traveled through space for three days before finally locating the mercenaries’ coordinates. As planned, he led his troops into battle. During the intense conflict, the mercenaries once again used their spiritual power-disrupting drugs, but Huo Ranchuan, prepared this time, wasn’t affected.
However, being in his nesting period and separated from his partner left him feeling anxious. That night, when the battle finally ceased, he sat on the floor of his room while the agitated Dahei, in its large form, circled around him. Huo Ranchuan closed his bloodshot eyes, draped the small blanket Bai Nuosi had given him over his head, and tried to rest. It had been days since he last slept.
But the more he tried to rest, the more alert he became, and his spiritual sea grew increasingly turbulent. Dahei grew restless, even starting to bang against the walls.
Then, Dahei paused, its senses sharpening. It stared intensely at the wall as if it could see through it, noticing Bai Nuosi approaching from outside.
Huo Ranchuan abruptly stood up, clutching the small blanket. He walked quickly to the door, hesitating. “No, why would Bai Nuosi be here?”
His mind was foggy, and he hadn’t yet realized that he had already returned. Dahei also looked serious: *Was Little White Teacher kidnapped?*
Man and snake stood by the door, their golden eyes fixed on the wall, listening closely.
With his eyes bloodshot, Huo Ranchuan waited, a hint of eagerness in his gaze. Then, through the thick door, Bai Nuosi’s gentle voice came, “Director? Director, are you okay?”
Dahei’s eyes widened in surprise: *It really is Little White Teacher!*
Dahei was about to open the door excitedly, but Huo Ranchuan stopped it. “Go back to the spiritual sea. Don’t scare him.”
They had agreed that if Bai Nuosi accepted Huo Ranchuan as his partner, Dahei would remain in the spiritual sea during their interactions. Huo Ranchuan didn’t think Dahei had much to complain about; after all, they could share feelings.
Reluctantly, Dahei disappeared into the spiritual sea.
Outside, Bai Nuosi grew anxious. “Director, can you hear me?”
He turned to Huo Ranchuan’s lieutenant. “Is the door too thick? Can he not hear me?”
The lieutenant scratched his head. “It shouldn’t be…”
Just then, the door suddenly opened. Huo Ranchuan stood there, reached out, and pulled Bai Nuosi inside.
Bai Nuosi: “!!!”
Everyone outside: “…”
The onlookers exchanged sympathetic glances at Bai Nuosi, who was dragged inside. Could
his small frame withstand what was to come?
Huo Ranchuan shut the door and locked it. Unlike the tension and fear from their last encounter in the cave, Bai Nuosi now felt relief and excitement. The director’s state seemed much better than before. Leaning against the wall in the dim light, he looked at Huo Ranchuan. “Director, you’re finally back.”
Bai Nuosi’s hair had grown to his shoulders. He brushed it back, his face blushing. “I’ve been waiting for you to take me for a haircut.”
Huo Ranchuan leaned against the wall, looking down at Bai Nuosi with eyes full of longing. “It doesn’t need to be cut. Long hair suits you.”
Bai Nuosi felt shy. Seriously, the haircut wasn’t the main point.
Suddenly, Huo Ranchuan bent down, burying his face in Bai Nuosi’s shoulder and taking a deep breath. His voice muffled and tinged with grievance: “The blanket doesn’t have any scent left. It doesn’t last at all.”
Feeling sorry for him, Bai Nuosi hugged Huo Ranchuan, just about to say something when Huo Ranchuan lifted his head and seriously asked, “Teacher Bai, have you thought it through?”
Bai Nuosi: “…”
Sometimes Huo Ranchuan could be so dense. Bai Nuosi had hinted at it with the haircut comment and even hugged him, but Huo Ranchuan still didn’t get it.
Bai Nuosi sighed. “Thought about what?”
Huo Ranchuan’s gaze was intense. “Being my partner. Have you made up your mind?”
Bai Nuosi blushed and looked down, feeling shy.
Huo Ranchuan grew impatient. “If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes, okay?”
Huo Ranchuan moved closer, hugging Bai Nuosi tightly and burying his face in Bai Nuosi’s neck again, breathing in deeply. “Little Bai, I missed you so much.”
During the nesting period, beastmen usually stayed close to their partners. Being apart for nearly a month had made him anxious and irritable. Holding Bai Nuosi now, his restlessness finally eased.
Bai Nuosi softly whispered, “I missed you too.”
With the cubs gone and nothing to occupy his time, he had found himself alone, missing Huo Ranchuan more than ever.
Huo Ranchuan’s eyes widened as he lifted his head, his face full of excitement. “Little Bai, what did you say? Say it again!”
Blushing, Bai Nuosi cupped Huo Ranchuan’s face and said louder this time, “I said, I missed you too.”
After Huo Ranchuan left for his mission, Bai Nuosi had quickly sorted through his feelings. He realized he liked Huo Ranchuan. Mutual affection was rare, and in such a vast universe, with so many lives, finding someone compatible was difficult. Bai Nuosi felt that since they liked each other, they should give it a try, give each other and their future a chance.
They could break up if it didn’t work out, but if they didn’t try, he feared he’d spend the rest of his life regretting it.
Bai Nuosi hugged Huo Ranchuan tightly, whispering in his ear, “Let’s date, Director.”
[End of Main Story]
Huh?! That’s it?