Chapter 34
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[Chu Ming: Little Qiu, I’ll arrive at the U Star Spaceport at 8 pm tonight. You promised to pick me up, okay? QAQ]
Almost forgot, Chu Ming is coming.
Originally planning to go home for dinner, Rong Qiu changed direction towards the starport instead. However, Rong Qiu’s mood wasn’t good throughout the entire drive.
The words Director Qian said during the day were still weighing on his heart, like a large stone stuck in his chest, too big to go up, making him uncomfortable. Why did other research institutes receive funding, but their research institute’s allocation was almost negligible?
And they had been doing so well, ranking at the forefront among various research institutes in recent output. Just because they excelled, their funding was cut. Although their institute could sustain itself, it felt like they hadn’t been given anything, at least in Director Qian’s eyes.
Rong Qiu couldn’t help but think, were the people in the military region all fools? How could they allow such documents to pass?
Most importantly, the person who signed these documents, an S-rank alpha, was foolish. The projects approved last night seemed to have no development prospects for the Thirteenth Military District. Why would they start such urgent designs at this critical juncture?
Yesterday, he had reviewed the approved projects.
Apart from the assistance funds still being used for education and medical aid, all the projects applied for by various research institutes were approved by the military region. Rong Qiu could even see that many of them had some padding or were downright useless. Still, the military region allocated funds for them.
For example, the “Household Robot Project Proposal” that he saw at Professor Qian’s place yesterday left him speechless. With the effort put into researching robots, why not develop medical robots to relieve the pressure on medical personnel in war zones?
In addition, there’s a pile of miscellaneous and unimportant research, such as studying automatic drip irrigation systems. The Thirteenth Military District is mostly oceanic planets with abundant marine resources, and the agricultural sector is relatively barren. Researching drip irrigation doesn’t seem practically useful here.
He’s not saying these research topics aren’t important; it’s just that in the other twelve military regions, these would be considered ordinary. Researching such things in the Thirteenth Military District probably doesn’t fit well…
The more a military region is engaged in combat, shouldn’t it focus on developing equipment to enhance its combat strength?
In this regard, it seems the military region’s conference this time was rather lonely.
Wanting the horse to run but not willing to feed it – where does such a good thing come from?
Unconsciously, he compared himself to a horse, and Rong Qiu didn’t realize it either.
His mood right now is not good.
But what annoys him even more is that this matter is likely because of him.
Otherwise, even he could see that something was wrong with these specific sub-projects. That famous S-rank alpha shouldn’t be blind to them. Although he’s just a student in the A University combat system, the other graduated from the command system, so theoretically, he should be very capable.
So the only reasonable explanation is that he offended this chief commander.
This chief commander is now retaliating.
Otherwise, why do other research institutes have funding, but theirs is so pitifully little?
***
Arriving at the largest starship landing port of the Thirteenth Military District’s main star, with an hour left until eight o’clock, Rong Qiu found a coffee shop, sat down, and waited for the people.
Perhaps he knew he wasn’t in a good mood, and his expression wasn’t pleasant either. So he chose a position closest to the corner, with a wall on the left and another behind. Rong Qiu squeezed into the 90-degree corner, absentmindedly turning the silver phone in his hand.
One after the other, two people sent him messages.
Zhao Nanchen is on the night shift at the research institute tonight, and dinner is already in the fridge.
Rong Qiu replied that he’ll go home to eat after picking up someone.
But Zhao Nanchen took the opportunity to slack off, and even replied quickly: Brother Rong Qiu, who are you picking up?
Rong Qiu idly passed the time, saying it’s a junior.
Zhao Nanchen replied with ellipsis.
Then he remained silent for a long time.
Rong Qiu guessed he was discovered by the head of the night shift, even if he’s an alpha, he still needs to work well.
Apart from Zhao Nanchen, Chu Ming also sent a message.
But Chu Ming’s message was shorter, showing that each sentence was carefully considered.
Chu Ming’s message said they encountered a meteor shower midway through the journey, slightly deviating from the orbit. So, they expect to arrive at 8:30 pm.
Without calling Rong Qiu, Chu Ming still chose to send a message, and the sentences were full of apologies.
Rong Qiu’s eye corners drooped.
He replied expressionlessly that it’s okay.
Then his fingers involuntarily slid down, and the contact number of a certain alpha appeared again.
This is the contact number of that S-rank alpha.
Rong Qiu’s eyes darkened considerably.
In fact, he was becoming more and more irritable.
Since arriving in the Thirteenth Military District, he hasn’t suffered such grievances. In the military, he could just fight, and interpersonal interactions and dealing with various matters were handled in a simple and rough manner.
But now it’s different.
He can’t fight against this chief commander…
D*mn, really want to beat him up.
If he had known that their interaction would be so unpleasant, when they first met in the office, he would have already held back in using his techniques, and he even released some of the strength at that time, just letting the person fall on the carpet.
Now Rong Qiu regrets it. He should have thrown him down fiercely.
Unfortunately, they probably won’t have a chance to be alone.
Otherwise, if he could meet Qin Muye alone, he would directly knock Qin Muye down.
Perhaps Rong Qiu’s intense resentment moved the heavens, and he actually saw Qin Muye at the port.
Although wearing a face mask, Rong Qiu quickly recognized him at the first glance. Unlike the man he saw before, Qin Muye wasn’t wearing the green military uniform and knee-high black military boots. Instead, he was in a clean and neat outfit, replacing the unwrinkled white shirt with a gray casual suit. His hair was scattered on his head, covering the ice-cold and emotionless undulations between his eyebrows and eyes.
Rong Qiu, looking at the man’s attire, felt a slight ripple in the blue-amber irises. He didn’t even notice, but at this moment, his palm was tightly gripping.
At this moment, there was no longer any thought of whether to fight or not.
It looks too similar.
The alpha’s outfit made him look five or six years younger.
So much so that in Rong Qiu’s eyes…
The man not far away looks a lot like his lover.
Or it’s the appearance of his lover when he was still alive.
***
Qin Muye came to pick someone up.
His brother is coming today, and since Rong Qin, didn’t come, Qin Muye was willing to come and pick him up. To pick someone up, he naturally couldn’t wear the stiff military uniform; otherwise, the New Port would be blocked by various security measures.
Qin Zexi is still twenty minutes away.
It’s said they encountered a meteor shower, otherwise, the broadcast would have already been announcing the passengers disembarking.
Qin Muye took a casual stroll and found a coffee shop. Before entering, he saw Rong Qiu sitting at the last table through the transparent window.
Qin Muye’s steps slightly paused.
Because Rong Qiu was staring at him.
The gaze wasn’t particularly gentle. If gazes could be visualized, Qin Muye even felt like there were numerous knives inserted into him.
But stab away.
It’s not the first time.
Every time they meet after being separated, Rong Qiu was like a hedgehog, raising sharp spines.
But this time, the hardness in Rong Qiu’s eyes quickly disappeared. He even smiled at him through the clear window.
Qin Muye subconsciously surveyed the surroundings.
The passengers and their relatives coming and going hurriedly didn’t stop because of Rong Qiu’s smile.
So, is this smile for him?
Rong Qiu smiled at him again, but this time, the smile was stiff.
Because Qin Muye could see through the glass window that the man inside had a rigidly lifted corner of his mouth, and the slight arc of his lips was trembling gently.
…
What an obvious forced smile.
Qin Muye was now sure that Rong Qiu had indeed recognized him.
***
Pushing the door open, the beta youth waved at him.
Qin Muye’s eyebrows lightly moved, and the tall and handsome man stepped towards Rong Qiu, but his heart wasn’t at ease.
Rong Qiu was too gentle.
He even thoughtfully ordered an iced coffee for him.
This wasn’t like the Rong Qiu he encountered after the argument. Qin Muye even felt that this wasn’t a friendly meeting. Perhaps there was even poison in the coffee.
Not blaming him for thinking so poorly, it was because in their few meetings, Rong Qiu’s attitude towards him had been too negative. This strange encounter at the airport was too inexplicable.
Encounter…
Qin Muye remembered something, and the dark pupils slightly widened.
“I really didn’t investigate you.”
“Are you here to pick someone up?”
The first sentence was spoken by Qin Muye, and the second sentence was immediately added by Rong Qiu.
Both of them were stunned.
Finally, Rong Qiu lightly tapped the black mug in front of him, speaking calmly but to the point, “Do you dislike me?”
This sudden question from the beta was too abrupt, and Qin Muye’s heart felt like it had been pricked by the fingertip touching the cold cup, a fierce sting.
But he was honest, “No.”
“If not, why are the budget projects for the military region conference only targeting our Mecha Research Institute? Other institutes have funding allocations, but when we have it, it’s the same as having none. Clearly, our Mecha Research Institute is already doing the best, but we are treated like this. Won’t the military region consider the morale of our institute’s researchers?”
Rong Qiu’s gaze stared firmly at Qin Muye.
This wholehearted observation seemed as if Rong Qiu’s eyes were only on him, as if, looking deeper, it was as if Rong Qiu’s eyes only contained his face, going back to five years ago when Rong Qiu’s eyes had only one person in them.
But it was different now. Rong Qiu is a beta with a partner.
The overwhelming gaze from earlier was just his illusion, disappearing in three to five seconds.
And Rong Qiu, looking at him so seriously, saying so much, it was only considering the Mecha Research Institute of the Thirteenth Military District.
But this was official business.
He had his own considerations and calculations.
He wouldn’t say much, nor could he reveal anything.
So, even if Rong Qiu said more now, Qin Muye remained silent.
Seeing him not speaking, Rong Qiu lifted the coffee cup, took a sip of the bitter coffee.
After a long time, he spoke again in a leisurely manner, “Do you really not hate me?”
Qin Muye shook his head.
Is it true or not?
Rong Qiu couldn’t help but speculate about Qin Muye’s motives.
There’s no love or hate without reason.
The first time they met in the office, the alpha hugged him; it indeed seemed like sexual harassment. Even though they never met, why did Qin Muye keep appearing in front of him, and why was Qin Muye’s attitude towards him as if they were already familiar?
But his memory clearly told him that he had never seen this person before.
Although Qin Muye looked almost identical to his lover, he could clearly distinguish the differences between the two.
Qin Muye’s features were more profound and rugged, and his way of speaking and handling things carried a noble and proud demeanor like a son of heaven. His lover was different, perhaps due to being in the beta category like him, was gentler and more restrained. Even though outstanding in various aspects, he was also quite low-key.
Most importantly, his lover would never do something he didn’t want to do.
Such a beta lover is hard to find.
So, despite the turns and twists, he had only found Ah Ye as a treasure.
The two didn’t sit in the coffee shop for too long. In the middle of it, Qin Muye received a call. He put his mask back on, nodded slightly to Rong Qiu, and left.
However, Rong Qiu’s gaze was still fixed on the alpha’s back.
Even though Rong Qiu knew that these two were very different, seeing the alpha wearing this outfit, he couldn’t help but have a slight ripple in his heart.
A daring thought even emerged.
If this alpha could stay quiet and not talk, then he would be exactly like his lover in his heart.
***
When Qin Zexi saw Qin Muye, his face didn’t look good.
But looking at his younger brother wearing a mask, with a stubborn and resistant expression, the words he wanted to say retracted back into his throat.
Qin Zexi’s assistant had already sent his luggage to the car. At this moment, the two brothers walked slowly side by side from behind. Although Qin Muye wore a mask, Qin Zexi didn’t. His handsome face was displayed in the bustling crowd, complemented by those long, towering legs, making him quite eye-catching.
After getting into the car, Qin Muye finally took off his mask.
Whether it was the stuffiness from wearing the mask or the genuine discomfort in his heart, as soon as he picked up his brother, he passed by the coffee shop again. Rong Qiu was still sitting inside, waiting. It just made Qin Muye wonder who he was waiting for.
Except for his lover?
Did Rong Qiu make other friends?
Or was he here this time just to pick up his lover?
After finishing work at the research institute and rushing to the starport, besides his lover, whose arrival could make Rong Qiu go to such lengths?
Qin Muye’s mind was running hot.
Qin Zexi, on the other hand, was earnestly examining his long-unseen younger brother.
Although they were both in the First Military Region, they were often far apart.
When Qin Muye was elected as the Federal Deputy Supreme Commander, Qin Zexi could only spare time from his busy business affairs to give him a congratulatory call.
Now, Qin Zexi didn’t hold any hope for Qin Muye finding an S-rank omega as a partner. The last matchmaking event organized by the Federation for him cruelly hurt everyone present with his pheromones.
But he still hopes Qin Muye can be happy.
So Qin Zexi asked, “How are you and that little beta?”
Knowing that the little beta mentioned by Qin Zexi was Rong Qiu, Qin Muye’s gaze turned to the window, deep and melancholic. “Just like that.”
“Just like that? Since you like him, just be together. After all, omegas are no longer suitable for you now. Why not find a beta that you find pleasing?”
“It’s not just about finding someone pleasing anymore.”
In Qin Muye’s mind, the image of the beta wearing a ring involuntarily surfaced. Even though it was such a small silver ring, it sparkled brightly.
Qin Muye closed his eyes, and when he spoke again, there was a hint of pain in his voice. “He’s already married. I won’t disturb him.”
Qin Zexi was busy replying to messages from Rong Qin and wasn’t seriously paying much attention. “Oh, if you don’t want to disturb, then don’t.”
But three to five seconds later, Qin Zexi tasted something strange.
He put aside replying to messages and raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Who told you he’s married? Ah Qin said that his later boyfriend died eight hundred years ago. It’s said that the grave is already chosen, waiting for the two of them to be buried together in the Fengshui treasure land of the Thirteenth Military District.”
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