Chapter 73
The golden eagle pretended not to understand Bai Nuosi’s words, wrapping him tightly with its wings.
Still holding the five potted plants in his arms, Bai Nuosi could only poke his head out from beneath the golden eagle’s wings, looking helplessly at Huo Ranchuan.
In his storage terminal, Huo Ranchuan had anesthetics specifically designed for spiritual beasts. He was actually considering knocking out the golden eagle and carrying it back.
He exchanged a glance with Bai Nuosi, who looked at him with pleading eyes, and his heart softened.
Teacher Bai must be frightened.
Indeed, anyone would be scared in this situation—being treated as a nesting partner by an out-of-control golden eagle, even being given potted plants to “incubate eggs.” The fact that Bai Nuosi hadn’t run away screaming was already commendable.
Huo Ranchuan placed the anxious Little Nabi into his jacket pocket. Nestled against his chest, Little Nabi poked out its fluffy head, looking pitifully at Bai Nuosi. Despite his rugged demeanor, Director Huo with a little bunny in his chest pocket appeared unexpectedly adorable.
Bai Nuosi gazed at him imploringly. Huo Ranchuan gave him a reassuring nod, then quietly took out the anesthetic behind the golden eagle, planning to knock it out first and then take both the golden eagle and Bai Nuosi to the hospital. After that, he’d need Chen Min to come over.
Of course, the golden eagle’s condition was secondary; the important thing was that Teacher Bai couldn’t be harmed.
Bai Nuosi sat nervously beneath the golden eagle, wrapped in its wings. Surrounded by soft, fluffy feathers, he felt warm. The golden eagle was even careful not to crush Bai Nuosi or the potted plants in his arms.
On one hand, Bai Nuosi found the golden eagle gentle and considerate; on the other, he was troubled by the fact that it regarded him as its mate.
Although he had thought about falling in love, he had never imagined falling in love with a bird…
Even though he knew the other was a beastman with a human form, first impressions were crucial. In his mind, the golden eagle was just a bird; he really couldn’t think of it as a potential partner.
The key issue was that the golden eagle’s mental state was unstable and it couldn’t even speak. Bai Nuosi didn’t have a way to reject it.
Huo Ranchuan crouched in a corner, slowly taking out the anesthetic from his portable terminal.
Bai Nuosi watched him nervously, heart pounding.
At that moment, the golden eagle, which had been quietly leaning against Bai Nuosi, suddenly moved.
Huo Ranchuan paused, looking up at the golden eagle. Bai Nuosi also grew tense, thinking that the golden eagle had noticed Huo Ranchuan’s actions.
After all, a golden eagle in its nesting period was extremely territorial and irritable. Only because Huo Ranchuan had suppressed his spiritual power and Teacher Bai was obediently nestled in its embrace had it remained calm.
Now, the golden eagle raised its head with a serious expression, giving Bai Nuosi a complicated look. Then, it suddenly turned around, eyes full of anger as it stared at Huo Ranchuan.
Huo Ranchuan put the anesthetic back into his pocket, his expression calm as he looked at the golden eagle. Little Nabi, nestled in his jacket pocket, shrank back upon seeing the golden eagle’s gaze, trembling inside the pocket.
The golden eagle’s eyes held hostility as it stared at Huo Ranchuan for a long time. Its gaze didn’t seem to be about noticing Huo Ranchuan’s actions; rather, it was the look of seeing a rival.
It regarded Huo Ranchuan as a male trying to steal its mate.
Although that was the case, wasn’t this a bit unreasonable?
Huo Ranchuan narrowed his eyes. “Why are you looking at me?”
If it really came down to fighting over a mate, he wouldn’t back down.
The golden eagle’s eyes turned fierce and was about to rise. Bai Nuosi was so frightened that he quickly reached out and grabbed it. “Mr. Golden Eagle, please calm down!”
We’re all on the same side; don’t fight!
With Bai Nuosi’s touch, the golden eagle immediately halted its movement, smoothly settling back down with a soft plop.
Huo Ranchuan: “…”
Next, the golden eagle slightly loosened its wings around Bai Nuosi and used its sharp beak to gently peck at the black coat Bai Nuosi was wearing.
It was the coat Huo Ranchuan had given him. Since it was warm, Bai Nuosi hadn’t taken it off.
Bai Nuosi hesitated and asked, “Do you want me to take it off?”
The golden eagle nodded, its gaze expectantly turning to Huo Ranchuan.
Bai Nuosi had no choice but to place the potted plants on the ground and began to remove the coat.
Huo Ranchuan couldn’t bear it any longer. He stood up and walked over. “Don’t take it off.”
Bai Nuosi looked up at him uncertainly.
Huo Ranchuan said, “It’s cold at night; you’ll feel better if you keep it on.”
The golden eagle was furious. It had worked hard to make the little one’s body full of its scent, only to find that there was a lingering scent that didn’t belong to him and wouldn’t fade away.
As expected, it knew this man had bad intentions!
Completely enraged, the golden eagle suddenly lunged at Huo Ranchuan, using its sharp talons to attack him.
Huo Ranchuan instinctively raised his arm to block, about to release Teng Snake, when he saw Bai Nuosi’s shocked expression.
He paused, withdrawing his action, allowing the golden eagle to slam him heavily to the ground. Bai Nuosi immediately forgot about taking off the coat and hurriedly stood up, running over and anxiously pulling at the golden eagle. “Mr. Golden Eagle, calm down! Director Huo is your good friend. If you regain your senses, you’ll regret hurting him!”
Huo Ranchuan thought, if it regained its senses, it might hit even harder…
With Bai Nuosi pulling it, the golden eagle didn’t dare make any big movements, afraid of hurting the little one. But seeing the little one protecting this man, the golden eagle suddenly felt very sad.
After all, it had once given one of its feathers to the little one, but he hadn’t accepted it at the time.
But now, the little one was wearing Huo Ranchuan’s “feather”!
In the golden eagle’s understanding, the little one had accepted Huo Ranchuan!
Feeling aggrieved, it retracted its talons, releasing Huo Ranchuan from being pinned to the ground.
Huo Ranchuan was uninjured, but seeing Bai Nuosi’s worried gaze, he silently placed a hand over his chest.
Bai Nuosi quickly came over to support him. “Director Huo, are you okay?”
Holding his chest, Huo Ranchuan said softly, “I’m fine.”
Bai Nuosi frowned. “How can you be fine? You were hit very hard just now.”
When the golden eagle had slammed him down, there had been a loud bang that had frightened Bai Nuosi.
Seeing the little one supporting Huo Ranchuan, speaking softly and asking questions, the golden eagle angrily flapped its wings against the walls, letting out sharp cries.
The golden eagle was both angry and sad—it was going to throw a tantrum!
The walls of the cave trembled under its wings, dirt and rocks falling down. Huo Ranchuan immediately pulled Bai Nuosi’s head into his embrace, shielding him with his body, and quickly said, “We need to get out.”
With the golden eagle’s strength, if it kept this up, the cave might collapse after a few more hits.
So, before Bai Nuosi could react, Huo Ranchuan had already protected him and led him out.
By now, the sky was beginning to lighten; dawn was approaching. What a thrilling night it had been.
Seeing Bai Nuosi leaving with Huo Ranchuan, the golden eagle was even more furious and heartbroken. It went on a rampage inside the cave, screeching and beating the walls with its wings, as if venting its frustration.
Bai Nuosi looked back worriedly. “What’s wrong with Mr. Golden Eagle?”
Could it be having another episode?
He even wanted to go back and check on it. From the sounds of it, Mr. Golden Eagle seemed very upset.
Huo Ranchuan immediately grabbed his arm. “You can’t go in there now.”
Bai Nuosi said anxiously, “Then what should we do, Director Huo? Is it feeling unwell?”
Huo Ranchuan felt a bit guilty. “Well, perhaps it’s feeling emotionally unwell.”
Bai Nuosi looked at him in confusion. He didn’t quite understand bird nesting behavior, let alone that of a spiritual golden eagle.
Some avian spiritual beasts would court by singing, dancing, or displaying their feathers.
Golden eagles, for example, would give their most beautiful feathers to their mates.
Though a bit embarrassed, Huo Ranchuan patiently explained, “A golden eagle courts by giving its most beautiful feathers. You don’t have any of its feathers on you, but you’re wearing my coat. Influenced by its animal instincts, the golden eagle thinks that by accepting my ‘feather,’ you’ve agreed to my… courtship. So, it’s unhappy.”
As he spoke, Huo Ranchuan felt a bit awkward himself.
Courting and such—though he did want to pursue Bai Nuosi, nothing had started yet. Saying it out loud now was a bit embarrassing.
The golden eagle’s spiritual beast form was quite gentlemanly. It respected its mate’s choice, didn’t harm the mate due to “betrayal,” nor did it go all out against its rival.
This suggested that its human consciousness was gradually awakening. Perhaps one day, it could truly return to its host Chen Min’s spiritual sea.
Hearing this, Bai Nuosi also blushed with embarrassment. He looked at the coat he was wearing and suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.
But if he took it off now, wouldn’t that make him seem guilty?
Bai Nuosi scratched his head, feeling a bit at a loss.
Huo Ranchuan coughed lightly and added, “It’s throwing a tantrum, trying to destroy its nest, hoping you’ll go back to comfort it. Have you often comforted it before?”
Bai Nuosi hesitated. “N-no, I don’t think so?”
It’s just that when he saw the golden eagle was bored, he’d bring it a music player. When he saw it got wet in the rain, he’d bring it a towel. Seeing it lonely in its cage, he’d bring it potted plants. He’d open the window every day to let it bask in the sun. If it left food uneaten because it didn’t like it, he’d talk to it and make food it preferred…
Thinking about it, Bai Nuosi suddenly wasn’t so sure anymore.
Perhaps he really had been comforting the golden eagle?
Now the golden eagle was throwing a tantrum, getting itself all dirty and messy, and had destroyed the cave. It turned out it was using this method to try to get Bai Nuosi’s attention, hoping he would go back to soothe it?
Just like how it waited in the cage every day; when the time came, Bai Nuosi would always come. It had gotten used to the little one approaching it, so now it was waiting in the cave.
It had been hard enough for Huo Ranchuan to get Bai Nuosi out, and since the golden eagle hadn’t attacked, he didn’t want Bai Nuosi to go back in.
He held Bai Nuosi’s hand and said softly, “Since it let you go, what if you go back and it doesn’t let you leave again?”
What if the golden eagle thought that Bai Nuosi didn’t want Huo Ranchuan and had chosen it again?
Sure enough, after the golden eagle’s rampage, it didn’t take long before there was a loud rumble—the cave collapsed.
Huo Ranchuan remained expressionless.
Bai Nuosi was extremely worried. “Director, is it really okay?”
Huo Ranchuan said, “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”
Probably just a bit heartbroken.
The cave had turned into a pile of rubble.
After a few seconds, a dusty golden eagle emerged from the debris.
Covered in dirt and stones, it hung its head low, looking as if it had lost the will to live.
The little one was gone, its love nest destroyed, and it hadn’t even finished building the nest.
The little one hadn’t even laid eggs for it.
With tears in its eyes, the golden eagle walked out, glanced at Bai Nuosi, then squatted in a corner at the entrance, silently shedding tears.
Bai Nuosi: “…”
Huo Ranchuan: “…”
Huo Ranchuan almost couldn’t keep his expression straight. Was Chen Min’s spiritual beast really like this?
Did it have no shame?
Bai Nuosi frowned, unable to bear seeing the golden eagle like this.
The golden eagle, while shedding tears, loosened the wings covering its chest, revealing that it had been protecting a small basket containing the five potted plants.
Huo Ranchuan: “…”
This scene of an abandoned father and children—what was going on here?
Seeing that the five potted plants were unharmed, not even covered in much dust, Bai Nuosi slowly walked over to the golden eagle. Even squatting, the golden eagle was taller than the standing Bai Nuosi.
Its eyes were bright, looking at Bai Nuosi with anticipation.
Bai Nuosi reached out and gently patted the golden eagle’s head, speaking softly, “Don’t cry, Mr. Golden Eagle.”
The golden eagle blinked, looking at Bai Nuosi.
Bai Nuosi slowly said to it, “Thank you for saving me today, and for rescuing Little One and Little Five. But now, it’s almost dawn; we should go home.”
He looked at the collapsed cave. “The cave is nice, but it’s not my home. Also, the families of Little One and Little Five are in the park at the Rose Garden, right?”
The golden eagle hung its head pitifully, pretending not to understand.
Bai Nuosi walked over, hugging the golden eagle’s neck, gently stroking its head to comfort it. “Come back with me, okay? I still have little ones to take care of; they’re waiting for me at home.”
The golden eagle didn’t care about those other cubs; its own cubs were right here in its arms. As long as its own cubs were fine, what did it matter about others’ cubs?
But with the little one hugging it and speaking so gently, it really couldn’t refuse.
Although the little one was still wearing another male’s “feather,” and even if they went back together, the little one wouldn’t accept its feather.
The golden eagle leaned against Bai Nuosi’s shoulder, eyes full of sadness.
If the little one wanted to go back to take care of his cubs, then it would stay by his side to protect him in the future.
The golden eagle thought silently. At the same time, it looked up at Huo Ranchuan standing nearby.
Huo Ranchuan raised an eyebrow, meeting the golden eagle’s gaze warily.
The golden eagle rolled its eyes. It hadn’t expected the little one to like this type, but in fact, its own human form wasn’t any worse than Huo Ranchuan. It wondered if the little one would like it.
If the little one liked it, then perhaps it could consider sharing him with its human host.
The little one could have babies with its host and lay eggs with it; it didn’t seem to conflict.
Seeing the golden eagle’s expression, Huo Ranchuan raised an eyebrow. “What are you thinking now?”
He was truly baffled by the golden eagle’s thought process.
Ignoring Huo Ranchuan, the golden eagle’s softened expression was noticed by Bai Nuosi.
Bai Nuosi happily said, “Are you willing to come back with me?”
The golden eagle handed the basket of potted plants back to Bai Nuosi and nodded.
Bai Nuosi was a bit excited. “You’re so kind, Mr. Golden Eagle. You even saved me; I don’t know how to repay you.”
The golden eagle thought, if you really want to repay me, just offer yourself; forget about anything else.
It sighed silently.
Since the golden eagle agreed, everything became easier. To avoid startling it, Huo Ranchuan only contacted Mons, asking him to come alone with a vehicle to take them directly to the hospital.
The golden eagle couldn’t appear in public yet, so it was taken to the room next to Bai Nuosi’s in the hospital. Although it wasn’t injured, keeping it close to Bai Nuosi would prevent it from going on another rampage.
Bai Nuosi changed into hospital attire and lay on the bed. Although he kept insisting he was fine, Huo Ranchuan still had the doctors examine him and re-bandage all his wounds.
The bruise on his waist was quite severe, and the doctor advised him to rest well for the next two days.
By the time all the hustle and bustle settled down, it was already noon.
Bai Nuosi couldn’t stay idle; he kept thinking about the little lion.
After everything that had happened, and not having seen the little lion and Teng Snake for a whole night, Bai Nuosi felt like ants were crawling in his heart—he couldn’t sit still for a moment.
Huo Ranchuan went to handle some official business, got an update on the kidnapping investigation from his adjutant, changed his clothes, and hurried back to the hospital to check Bai Nuosi’s medical report and injuries. As soon as he entered, he saw Bai Nuosi packing his things.
Frowning, Huo Ranchuan said, “Why are you up? Didn’t the doctor tell you to rest?”
Bai Nuosi looked a bit embarrassed. “Principal Huo, my injuries are all superficial; I don’t need to be hospitalized. I want to go back and see the little lion and Teng Snake.”
Having not seen them all night, he said worriedly, “I wonder if they slept well last night.”
Sleeping was impossible—never mind Teng Snake, but the little lion was currently being punished.
Qin Yuxing’s attempt to run away from home by buying a spaceship ticket on the black market to become a space pirate was now known worldwide.
Because on the star network’s hot searches, everyone was discussing the little lion’s midnight escape and Teacher Bai’s kidnapping. Initially, the discussions were fine, but some people started spreading rumors that Bai Nuosi’s live broadcasts had always been scripted. Young Master Qin couldn’t bear it, so he escaped back to the Qin family in the middle of the night. The Qin family came to pick him up late at night and even kidnapped Teacher Bai to let Young Master Qin vent his anger.
Such rumors were getting more and more outrageous. Although most people didn’t believe them, Qin Yuxing couldn’t stand people slandering Teacher Bai.
So, he directly started a live broadcast, confronting netizens, and even confessed his grand dream of running away to become a space pirate. During the live broadcast, he kept crying and wiping his tears out of concern for Teacher Bai and his classmate Song Hengye:
“All those accounts spreading rumors, I’ve noted every one of you. Be responsible for what you say, and wait for the lawyer’s letters!”
He wiped his tears with a tissue, looking up at a 45-degree angle toward the sky. “Everyone must pay for the mistakes they made in their youth. From now on, Teacher Bai and Song Hengye are under my protection! Anyone who opposes them opposes me, opposes the entire Qin family! Those who bully me will be punished, no matter how far away they are!”
Seeing this, Huo Ranchuan silently turned off the live broadcast. As the chief instructor of the military academy, he picked up Qin Yuxing, who was wailing in the hospital every day—so loudly that even the unconscious Song Hengye couldn’t help but wake up and try to kick him out—and locked him in the confinement room to reflect on his actions.
As for the little lion, it was temporarily under Mons’s care.
The little lion had been staying in Song Hengye’s hospital room. After Qin Yuxing was taken away, it anxiously went to the hospital entrance. Hearing that Huo Ranchuan had gone to pick up Teacher Bai, it waited at the door, hoping to see him as soon as possible.
However, to avoid the media reporters, Huo Ranchuan had taken Bai Nuosi through a side door.
Partly as a punishment, Huo Ranchuan didn’t tell Qin Yuxing that Teacher Bai had returned.
So at this moment, the little lion was still lying by the hospital’s front window, eagerly waiting for Teacher Bai to return.
Seeing Bai Nuosi, Huo Ranchuan could only comfort him. “You should rest here. I’ll have Mons bring the little lion over.”
Bai Nuosi’s eyes lit up, and he said happily, “Was Mons taking care of the little lion last night? Did the little lion cry? Oh, and what about Teng Snake?”
Huo Ranchuan felt a bit guilty. “They’re here too; they’ll be over shortly.”
At that moment, Mons called, his voice excited. “Commander, Song Hengye is awake!”
Song Hengye had woken up earlier, but by “awake,” Mons meant he had awakened.
Because he had inhaled too much of the substance that could affect spiritual power, he had been unconscious for the first half of the night. In the second half, he was probably forcibly woken up by Qin Yuxing’s wailing.
After waking up, his spiritual sea suddenly showed fluctuations.
Due to the effects of the substance, Sajinna initially thought that his spiritual sea had been stimulated and that it might affect his awakening.
Unexpectedly, he had turned misfortune into fortune and awakened directly. Whether there would be any aftereffects was unclear for now, but his awakening level was very high.
Walking out of Bai Nuosi’s room, Huo Ranchuan asked, “What level? Was everything smooth?”
Mons was extremely excited. “Sajinna said his spiritual sea is relatively stable, but further examinations are needed to confirm any residual substances or aftereffects!”
Mons continued, “Commander, I never expected it! Song Hengye actually awakened at S-level!”
He had poor resources growing up, coming from the barren star belt. Conditions were tough, and even at 19, he hadn’t awakened yet. Honestly, Mons had always thought that if he could awaken at A-level, it would already exceed his limits.
Huo Ranchuan was also surprised. “Another S-level.”
It seems that this year’s military academy freshmen are quite strong—this is already the fourth S-level this year.
