Chapter 27
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Rong Qiu likes the sea.
Vast, ethereal, boundless, extremely inclusive.
Even though he has experienced two instances of falling into the sea, he still likes it.
The first time he fell into the sea, he was still a senior at University A.
The second time he fell into the sea, he was already on his way to the 13th Military District.
During the last stop, they encountered a rare meteor shower. The starship collided with a meteor shower, and no one knew when it would explode. All they could do was follow the captain’s instructions, enter the single-person protective pods, and jump out of the starship when it reached the lowest point.
Rong Qiu did exactly that.
Transformed into a silver cocoon, he jumped onto the sea of an unknown affiliated star of the 13th Military District.
After several bumps, he was finally picked up by a private starship arranged by Rong Qin. Only then did he successfully reach the main star of the 13th Military District.
For the rest of his accommodations, Rong Qin said he would arrange them, but Rong Qiu refused each time.
He felt he could handle it himself.
***
Rong Qiu did indeed handle it.
As a Beta, it might be difficult to survive in other military districts, but right after setting foot on the soil of the 13th Military District, Rong Qiu had a premonition that he would feel at home here in the future.
Because as long as his fists were strong enough, alphas would submit.
Coincidentally, Rong Qiu’s fists were strong enough.
He was bold enough and ruthless enough, and when he started, those alphas were terrified.
Rong Qiu fought in the 13th Military District for a solid three months.
In the end, no one dared to challenge him, and everyone he fought with acknowledged him.
There was even an alpha whose forehead was bleeding from the fight, covering the wound with alcohol-soaked gauze, still praising him somewhat begrudgingly, “You’re such a rare Beta, really powerful. I’ve only encountered two like you since I was born, and you’re one of them.”
Similar words were heard by Rong Qiu on several occasions.
But Rong Qiu didn’t take it to heart.
What’s so powerful about a Beta?
If he were really powerful, how could he have been trampled on for so long by the alphas from the 4th Military District back then?
He held grudges.
Back when he was doing missions in the 4th Military District, he remembered every strike with the police baton that the alpha officer from the 4th Military District unjustly gave him.
He even wrote it in his notebook, constantly recalling his “record of gratitude and revenge.”
But the military district he was in now was pretty good.
There were A, B, and Os.
Most of them were straightforward, without much intrigue.
Rong Qiu didn’t know that people in the 13th District were always curious about why he, from the 1st Military District, chose to come to the 13th Military District?
The 13th Military District was remote and not comparable to the 1st Military District where the capital star was located. Those who voluntarily stayed in the 13th Military District were mostly loners.
One person is full, and the whole family is not worried.
The housing prices here are particularly cheap, and apart from the dangers and challenges when going out for missions, there are no disadvantages for people like them.
But Rong Qiu is different.
On the first day he reported to the 13th Military District, he bought a small villa nearby. It was clearly a sign of wealth, and he even wore a ring on his ring finger, a clear sign of having a family.
Wealthy and with a family, yet he plunged into the 13th Military District.
They didn’t understand, and even made private bets, speculating when the Beta would go back.
But Rong Qiu never left.
At the end of the first year, Rong Qin received the “Triple-One Medal,” which could only be obtained by ranking first in individual military merits for a single year in the Thirteenth Military District.
At the end of the second year, Rong Qin received the “Triple-One Medal” and obtained the certification as a “Junior Mecha Designer.”
At the end of the third year, Rong Qin received the “Triple-One Medal” and earned the certification as a “Intermediate Mecha Designer.”
At the end of the fourth year, Rong Qin received the “Triple-One Medal” and the certification as a “Senior Mecha Designer.”
Moreover, he was persuaded by the director of the research institute to join the institute early and engage in mecha research and modification work.
In the fifth year, the “Triple-One Medal” was no longer present.
Because this year, he was researching the latest military mechs, and all the data had significantly improved. The director of the research institute didn’t know how to express his joy and helped him apply for the position of Chief Mecha Designer in the 13th Military District.
Rong Qiu didn’t care.
He still wanted to go back and pilot mechs.
The feeling of piloting mechs might be similar to the thrill that ordinary people seek in bungee jumping or skydiving.
The director of the research institute, seeing that none of these could keep him, patted his head and continued to persuade, “Those are all rewards from the military. How about this, the institute will grant you access. As long as you complete the work in the laboratory, you can use the institute’s tools to modify your own mecha during your free time.”
“I can build my own mecha?”
The director nodded immediately.
So Rong Qiu happily decided to stay.
The substantial rewards given by the military district were all invested in his own mecha.
It was costly, and the materials were rare.
This was Rong Qiu’s recent treasure.
Every day after work, he would pilot this mecha, gliding over the sea like a free-flying bird.
***
The evening sea breeze carried a salty and fishy scent, giving Rong Qiu’s slightly long hair a unique beachy fragrance.
Returning to his small villa, Rong Qiu immediately took a shower.
His hair was skillfully tied into a small bun.
Checking the time, he realized he only had time to get a haircut this weekend.
Although various tasks at the research institute were almost finished, there were still quite a few materials to submit and data to upload, keeping him busy for three or four more days.
After the shower, Rong Qiu spent five minutes reheating the two dishes he hadn’t finished at noon. Then he sat on the sofa, enjoying his dinner while watching TV.
He only watched a few channels.
At this hour, the television was broadcasting news.
Coincidentally, Rong Qiu happened to see his designed U-002 military mecha featured on the evening news.
To say he wasn’t proud would be false.
Although the performance of this military mecha still couldn’t match his private one, compared to the current military mechas used by the Federation, it was undoubtedly among the top.
Rong Qiu joyfully raised his feet and twirled his fingertips against each other.
The cigarette box on the coffee table was already empty.
He felt around and found it empty.
Unfortunately, he had run out of cigarettes.
Otherwise, he could have celebrated with a smoke.
This news about mechs lasted less than 30 seconds before transitioning to the results of the federal election.
Rong Qiu, being a member of the Mech Research Institute, had no connection to the election. But when he heard a familiar name, he couldn’t help but look up.
Rong Qiu glanced at the subtitles for a bit longer.
Qin Muye…
Was this S-rank alpha named Qin Muye really that powerful?
His promotion speed in the 1st Military District was so fast. The last time Rong Qiu saw the news, he was the First Commander of the 1st Military District. Now he had risen to the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Military District.
The Federation had only one Commander-in-Chief, while there were four Deputy Commanders-in-Chief.
But the Commander-in-Chief was already quite old, seventy years old. Unless there were unexpected circumstances, the next Federal Commander-in-Chief would be chosen from the four Deputy Commanders-in-Chief.
Therefore, the future of this S-rank alpha seemed limitless.
He might even become the future leader of the Federal Military District.
Rong Qiu raised his eyebrows, and his clear amber eyes became particularly bright. With his left fingertip holding the ring on the unnamed finger of his right hand, he slowly turned it in circles.
It seemed like he wanted to convey his loyalty to his lover through this gesture.
He came to this land where his lover had passed away.
Breathing the air his lover had once breathed.
He loved Qin Ye very much.
So, someone like Qin Muye was completely inferior to his Ah Ye.
***
Rong Qiu lowered his head and kissed the silver ring.
His thin lips lightly touched it, like the fluttering wings of a butterfly. The gentle breeze raised by this movement could connect people across the realms of yin and yang.
If Ah Ye could see it.
He would definitely want him to live well and live beautifully.
***
The federal election held every three years was the most crucial concern of the public.
After today’s evening news, the special program “Observation of Federal Affairs” used a large portion to announce the details and specifics of this election.
Rong Qiu casually glanced at it, and the top positions were all held by alphas.
Ask how he feels.
It seemed right, but there was a discomfort that made him feel choked.
Rong Qiu stared at the only vacant seat uncomfortably.
This seat was marked with the name Qin Muye.
For some reason, this S-rank alpha did not attend the election in person, but his votes left everyone else far behind.
Before he could finish watching, Rong Qiu’s phone rang.
Looking at the contact name on the phone, Rong Qiu’s brows slightly furrowed.
It was Chu Ming.
Actually, since he came to the 13th Military District, Chu Ming had not contacted him much. It might not even happen once in three months. Every time, Chu Ming wanted to deliver cheese to him. Rong Qiu figured out that Chu Ming probably had some interest in him, so he kept refusing.
Later, when the cheese was no longer delivered, Chu Ming still called him.
There wasn’t much to say on the phone, just about Chu Ming being at school or various things in the military district. Sometimes this junior even cared a lot about his life in the 13th Military District.
Rong Qiu wondered what Chu Ming wanted to talk about this time.
In the end, he still answered the call.
Chu Ming’s voice had changed a lot, lower and heavier than before.
But when talking to him, the end of each sentence always slightly lifted.
This time was no exception.
Chu Ming and him discussed matters related to the military district. Since graduation, Chu Ming had entered the First Military District and had been doing well, leveraging his A-grade alpha status and the proof of being an outstanding graduate from A University.
However, when Rong Qin heard that Chu Ming had submitted an application to transfer to the Thirteenth Military District, he was extremely surprised. “If you don’t stay in the First Military District, where are you planning to go? Back to the Seventh Military District in our hometown, Planet R?”
Chu Ming hesitated on the other end of the phone and whispered, “Not going back. I’m heading to the Thirteenth Military District…”
Holding the phone, Rong Qin’s tone was somewhat cold, “Don’t play games with your future. In the First Military District, your talents can be best utilized. Why come over here? Have you given up on your omega partner?”
Rong Qiu had a headache.
And after being scolded by Rong Qiu, there was silence on the other end of the phone for a long time.
Rong Qiu just waited quietly.
In the end, he heard Chu Ming say, “We’ve broken up.”
“Broken up?”
“Yeah…”
Words that Rong Qiu wanted to say got stuck.
How could he respond to this?
He pressed his cheekbone with the hand supporting his face, leaving deep marks on his porcelain-like face.
Rong Qiu regained composure. “It’s up to you.”
A second later, he added, “But if you come here, you’ll definitely go through some hardships. Are you still coming?”
“Yes!”
After hanging up the phone, Rong Qiu rubbed his well-shaped eyebrows.
In that phone call just now, he promised Chu Ming that if he could really transfer to the 13th Military District, he would pick him up at the airport.
What a child who hasn’t grown up.
Say it and do it.
Five years ago, when they parted ways at the small villa, he had already figured out Chu Ming’s intentions. Even four years ago, when Chu Ming called him, he asked if he liked him.
Chu Ming hesitated a lot back then, saying it wasn’t the case and claiming to see him as a brother.
Rong Qiu was half-believing.
Later, he saw pictures on Chu Ming’s social media with a handsome omega. They looked intimate, going out for meals and dates together.
Rong Qiu completely believed him then.
But now, hearing Chu Ming say he’s coming to the 13th Military District, Rong Qiu suddenly felt a bit irritated and uneasy.
He didn’t want to think about it too much, but he couldn’t help it.
Thinking about it till the end, he felt it was difficult to handle.
***
Meanwhile, Chu Ming, whom Rong Qiu found difficult to handle, was diligently submitting a transfer application.
A few days ago, when he had dinner with Professor Ren, he vaguely learned that Rong Qiu’s partner seemed to have had an accident five years ago. That’s why Rong Qiu transferred from the 1st Military District to the 13th Military District.
Rong Qiu still didn’t have anyone by his side.
He needed to take advantage of the opportunity!
But his transfer application was even harder to get approved than Rong Qiu’s.
Rong Qiu, being a the Beta, wouldn’t have been signed by the 1st Military District if it weren’t for his top-ranking in the A Battle Department. So, when Rong Qiu chose to leave, the 1st Military District immediately let him go.
Chu Ming was different.
An outstanding A-rank alpha, graduated from the top school in the capital star, he would be a highly sought-after candidate no matter where he went.
His application had been pushed and delayed multiple times, continuously shelved.
Calculating the days, half a month had passed without any notification.
And the person in charge of the transfer affairs was still being careless.
Chu Ming couldn’t wait any longer.
Since the higher-ups didn’t approve, he decided to take his application and find the superiors himself.
But Chu Ming was not familiar with the layout of the 1st Military District office area. Somehow, he ended up entering a certain office, which had no sign on it. So, Chu Ming hesitated.
Before he could knock, a man in military uniform stopped Chu Ming.
It was rare; the man in front of him was also a Beta.
The Beta sergeant gently pulled Chu Ming aside. “What business do you have with Deputy Commander Qin?”
“Is this Deputy Commander Qin’s office?! I seem to have gone the wrong way. I came to submit a transfer application to Director Wang.”
The Beta sergeant explained the location to him.
Chu Ming sincerely thanked him and, before leaving, turned back to look at the office with no sign.
“So Deputy Commander Qin is moving away?”
Chu Ming always paid attention to the federal election, so he knew.
The Beta sergeant smiled and nodded, “Yes, our Deputy Commander is about to move to the federal office. That’s why the office on this side of the 1st Military District has already taken down the sign.”
Chu Ming’s eyes were filled with envy. “That’s amazing.”
“Work hard. You’ll have a bright future in any military district.”
***
Watching a certain alpha who took the wrong path walk away, the Beta sergeant straightened out the documents awaiting approval in his hands.
He was a sergeant under Deputy Commander Qin.
He was about to deliver the documents to Deputy Commander Qin.
In five years.
This S-rank alpha had risen to a very high position in the 1st Military District, and he had even stepped into the top circles of the Federation.
His excellence was well known.
For any task, he could provide an almost perfect solution.
But compared to his perfect looks, physique, and outstanding intelligence, his temperament was like ice that had been frozen for a thousand years.
No one could fathom his thoughts.
Like a forest in mist, impenetrable, unpredictable.
This was particularly clear to the Beta sergeant who had followed Deputy Commander Qin for five years.
At first, the Beta sergeant thought Deputy Commander Qin was a gentle person, which was why he selected him, a Beta, among the many outstanding alphas. Even when he was mocked by the alphas who were not chosen, Deputy Commander Qin would stand up for him.
But in reality, it was not the case.
The man he followed was very indifferent.
Always with a cold face, an expressionless appearance.
The only time his brows would change was during the alpha’s susceptible period.
But it wasn’t a good change.
During the susceptible period, the alpha’s entire body emitted an aggressive and fierce aura. His high-arched eyebrows, already deep-set, looked like a dark abyss where not even light could penetrate.
If the sir was intimidating in normal times, during the susceptible period, he was terrifying.
The office the sir was in now had undergone special modifications.
It could be called an office, or it could be called a confinement room ready to imprison an S-rank alpha at any time.
Except for necessary personnel, no one dared to disturb him.
It was the same now.
After delivering the documents, the Beta sergeant smartly left.
***
The alpha’s emotions were very subdued.
Even though he had become one of the deputy commanders of the Federal General Military District and received countless congratulations, none of it stirred any ripples in his heart.
He had worked in the First Military District for five years, and it seemed like nothing mattered.
Everything was meaningless.
***
But Qin Muye remembered clearly.
In these five years, there were some memories that left a deep impression on him.
Even though these memories brought him pain.
***
For example, the first year of working in the First Military District.
It was also the most unstable year for his glands.
His susceptible period cycles were much shorter than ordinary alphas. Every time was a high-susceptible period, each one more fierce than the last. Even within the Federation, there was no S-rank omega available to pair with him during these times, and soothing agents were ineffective.
Ironically, his only comfort came from dreams during his susceptible period.
Dreams related to a certain Beta.
For more than three hundred nights, every interaction with the Beta repeated in his dreams. It wasn’t just the scene of the Beta sitting on the Cross-River Bridge; there were also memories of when the Beta first pursued him.
Back then, the Beta clearly liked him but couldn’t express it verbally.
The Beta didn’t know that his bright blue eyes had already conveyed all his emotions.
According to his memory, he had mocked the Beta’s expressed affection.
But in his dreams, he felt happy.
This contrast woke him up countless times.
He couldn’t distinguish his true feelings towards the Beta anymore.
But was it important?
Not important.
The dream ended.
They had already separated.
***
In the second year, there were even more dreams about the Beta.
Even during the day, Qin Muye found himself thinking about the Beta more frequently.
Unconsciously, every time he passed by the cafeteria, he would take an extra glance. When he encountered specific dishes, he couldn’t help but order them.
A cafeteria meal, a few dishes.
It was just a coincidence that it replicated the meal he and the Beta had in the cafeteria.
He didn’t pay much attention to it.
It was just a coincidence.
***
But in the third year, one early morning, when he woke up from a dream embracing the Beta, an idea surfaced in his mind that was previously unthinkable.
Could he meet the Beta in the First Military District…
But, no.
He still hadn’t encountered the Beta.
In such a vast military district, with people coming and going, none of them had a familiar face.
It made sense; the First Military District was so large.
There was no way he would come across that Beta.
Why did he even hope for such a thing?
Clearly, it wasn’t important.
Qin Muye had already stopped hoping, or rather, he deliberately suppressed this hope. It would be better not to dream of the Beta.
He was here to work.
***
In the fourth year, there was no need for Qin Muye to deliberately suppress this hope; it disappeared on its own.
Because in that year, the Beta completely disappeared from his dreams.
With closed eyes late at night and open eyes at dawn.
An empty dream.
He couldn’t even dream anymore.
***
In the fifth year, Qin Muye became increasingly exhausted and gloomy.
He poured all his energy into the work of the First Military District, as if doing so would immediately relieve all his restless feelings.
But it was in vain.
Like a spring reaching its bottom, every time he escaped from work, the Betas filled his vision.
Countless, crying, laughing, the Betas that no longer belonged to him…
***
This year, half of it had already passed.
Colleagues around Qin Muye were getting married one after another. Even Su Ran had married an omega, and then invited him to be the best man at the wedding.
He originally didn’t want to be the best man.
The festivities were too noisy.
But Su Ran said he knew a secret about the little Beta.
The Beta’s secret.
Qin Muye felt a hint of bitterness in his mouth, but it quickly dissipated.
Qin Muye agreed.
He attended the lively but absurd wedding, and that night, the heavily intoxicated Su Ran told him that the incident with Rong Qiu’s mecha breaking in the air was due to him, not Rong Qiu’s carelessness or missing parts.
“Rong Qiu likes operating mechas so much; he checks them every time before departure. If there’s an issue with anyone’s mecha, his will be perfectly fine.”
In an instant, Qin Muye felt like his heart had stalled, ceasing to beat.
His expression remained unchanged.
He just looked at his almost unconscious friend with extreme calmness. “Why didn’t you say it back then.”
Su Ran, tongue-tied, spoke with a strong smell of alcohol, “Actually, this matter was handled by my subordinate Zhou Jia. But involving me, my dad suppressed it. Rong Qiu is just an insignificant Beta without any background, so…”
Before he could finish speaking, the alpha, dressed in a groom’s suit, had already passed out on the edge of the flower bed.
No one came to attend to Su Ran.
All the main families and guests of the Su family were in magnificent attire, wearing false smiles. This wedding was just an occasion for negotiation between influential families.
Qin Muye shifted his line of sight.
Looking at the intoxicated Su Ran, his eyes carried a nearly distorted light.
After this incident.
Qin Muye severed ties with Su Ran.
Su Ran didn’t expect that Qin Muye would actually cut off all contact with him.
But that was the result.
Qin Muye no longer answered Su Ran’s calls.
Even the century-old family business of the Su family was undergoing a significant blow.
He didn’t need his brother, Qin Zexi, to intervene.
With his own assets, Qin Muye could overturn the entire Su family.
Su Ran finally couldn’t take it.
Just a few days after he got married, not even a week had passed, and his family was on the verge of bankruptcy. His newlywed wife, being materialistic, had already sent the divorce agreement to him.
Su Ran had no choice but to seek Qin Muye’s mercy.
Qin Muye refused.
Su Ran gritted his teeth, “The bond we’ve had since childhood is actually inferior to a beta you’ve known for just over a year?”
However, in this phone call, Qin Muye was exceptionally merciless.
“It has nothing to do with him.”
“I don’t believe your words.” Su Ran laughed bitterly. “You’ve done so much just to seek revenge for him. But do you know, no matter how much you do, Rong Qin can’t see it anymore.”
Qin Muye’s brows suddenly tightened, “What do you mean?”
Su Ran’s wife was crying on the side, asking him to sign the divorce papers. Su Ran, as if he hadn’t seen it, laughed wildly, “Because he hasn’t been in the First Military District for four years! Do you know where he is? I found out that the starship he took at that time encountered a meteor tide, and the entire crew has disappeared. No matter what you do, who are you doing it for? He might be dead already!”
As the words fell, there was a long silence.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
In Qin Muye’s extremely cold voice, the phone was hung up.
Afterward,
He expressionlessly opened the military district system in front of him, inputting his ID and password.
“Password incorrect.”
The man’s eyes flickered slightly, and he looked down at his hands, which had started trembling he knew not when.
Two seconds later, his heartstrings finally completely unraveled.
Because in the list of all current personnel in the First Military District, there was no mention of that beta.
And in the complete list of military district personnel over the years,
The name of the beta who had been grayed out was now shining.
Date of departure, five years ago.
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