SCOM - Chapter 58
Chapter 58
The day they were to leave for the Western District, Zuo Luohuan arrived at the Ji residence to pick up Ji Yuezhi. He was still upstairs packing, so she waited in the entryway, facing Ji Xixiu.
“I heard you’re going to Xijiang Exile Star?” Ji Xixiu asked coldly, looking up.
“Yes, my junior classmate’s family is there, we’re going to…” Zuo Luohuan started, but Ji Xixiu cut her off.
“You don’t need to explain yourself to me.” Ji Xixiu returned to his book. “Xijiang Exile Star is a desolate, barbaric place. I don’t care what you do there, but Yuezhi must return safely.”
Zuo Luohuan wasn’t bothered by his coldness. Ji Xixiu’s dislike for her was nothing new. She simply nodded earnestly in agreement. Her serious demeanor made Ji Xixiu look up at her again.
“Father,” Ji Yuezhi called, descending the stairs with a suitcase in hand.
Only then did Ji Xixiu stand, approaching his son. “Be careful. Contact me if anything happens.”
Ji Yuezhi’s eyes curved slightly. “I know.”
From the doorway, Zuo Luohuan watched Ji Yuezhi with his father. The usually aloof and indifferent aura around him had dissipated. Who would have thought that the always cool and distant Head of the Disciplinary Committee could be so…gentle at home?
Zuo Luohuan lowered her gaze to the floor. He only showed his true self to those he cared about, or when he was unconscious and disoriented.
“Let’s go,” Ji Xixiu said, stepping aside for his son.
As his father moved, Ji Yuezhi saw Zuo Luohuan by the door. His grip on the suitcase tightened unconsciously before he walked towards her.
The trip was originally planned for later, but Yan Yan was eager to return home, prompting Zuo Luohuan to pick up Ji Yuezhi earlier than expected.
“I’ve changed the tickets. We’re leaving at 11 a.m.,” Zuo Luohuan said as they walked out together.
“Is Jiang Hong going too?” Ji Yuezhi asked, turning to her after settling into the passenger seat.
“He’s coming with us,” Zuo Luohuan replied. She hadn’t yet told Jiang Hong that Ji Yuezhi was joining them, only informing Yan Yan.
Ji Yuezhi leaned back against the seat, his long lashes lowered, looking sleepy.
Noticing his drowsiness, Zuo Luohuan said, “Get some rest. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
“Mm,” Ji Yuezhi murmured. He was indeed tired, having slept late the night before. He had intended to sleep in, but Zuo Luohuan’s message about their imminent departure had changed his plans.
Instead of starting the car, Zuo Luohuan watched as his eyes began to close. She unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned over, and pressed the button to recline his seat.
Her movements were slow and careful, so much so that Ji Yuezhi barely registered the seat moving. But he smelled her familiar scent and opened his eyes to find her right in front of him. They were so close that anyone looking in would think they were kissing.
After adjusting the seat, Zuo Luohuan met his gaze. “Sleep,” she said softly.
Once he closed his eyes, Zuo Luohuan returned to the driver’s seat, fastened her seatbelt, and drove towards the spaceport.
An hour later, they arrived and met Jiang Hong and Yan Yan in the main hall.
Jiang Hong’s eyes widened at the sight of Ji Yuezhi. He pulled Zuo Luohuan aside. “Why is he here?”
“I forgot to tell you. He’s going to Xijiang Exile Star with us,” Zuo Luohuan said casually.
“…Wait, he’s…coming with us…?” Jiang Hong was bewildered. “Aren’t you two rivals?”
Zuo Luohuan glanced at him. “I never said that.”
Jiang Hong had a feeling things were about to get strange with Ji Yuezhi tagging along. “But…” Wasn’t it common knowledge?
“We’re all friends going on a trip together,” Zuo Luohuan interrupted, returning to the others.
Jiang Hong stood there, dumbfounded. Since when were Ji Yuezhi and Zuo Luohuan friends?
“Xijiang Exile Star is remote. Most starships don’t go directly there. We have to stop at the Western District hub and transfer,” Yan Yan was explaining to Ji Yuezhi. He’d planned to stay in the capital a few more days, but had received news of a family injury and booked an earlier flight.
“I recall Xijiang Exile Star is a mining planet,” Ji Yuezhi said, no longer displaying the relaxed demeanor he’d had in the car. He was back to his usual detached self.
“Right. It’s on the very edge of the Northern District, close to the Western District, and has always been a sort of no-man’s-land. The Winter Army stationed the 377th Army there years ago to mine resources,” Jiang Hong explained. “They say it’s a mining planet, but that’s just a nice way of putting it. So far, they haven’t found anything of value.”
More accurately, they hadn’t found Silver-Green, the metal ore the Gashro Empire used to manufacture their robot dogs. There were other miscellaneous ores, and Xijiang Exile Star relied on selling those to scrape by.
After a short wait, the four boarded the starship. Yan Yan and Jiang Hong had booked their tickets separately, but Zuo Luohuan had booked hers with Ji Yuezhi’s, so they naturally sat together.
The journey from the capital to the Western District hub would take about eight hours, putting their arrival time at 7 p.m.
While not his first time traveling, it was Ji Yuezhi’s first trip with Zuo Luohuan, and sitting next to her filled him with a quiet joy.
“It’s an eight-hour flight. Have something to eat and then get some rest,” Zuo Luohuan said, handing Ji Yuezhi a meal. She wasn’t hungry herself.
“Okay.”
They arrived at the Western District hub at 7 p.m. sharp. Stepping off the starship, they immediately felt the higher temperature compared to the capital. Most people were dressed in light jackets.
They still needed to transfer and weren’t staying at the hub. The four grabbed their luggage and headed to the opposite port.
Before they’d gone far, someone called out to Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi.
“You’re really here in the Western District?” Luo Shaoyuan hurried over, only then noticing Jiang Hong and Yan Yan. She clicked her tongue and muttered something unintelligible.
“What are you doing here?” Jiang Hong asked.
Luo Shaoyuan hefted her luggage. “Just visiting. I just got off the ship and saw you guys.”
Zuo Luohuan narrowed her eyes. “Visiting? With who?”
“An Yingjing invited me. Weren’t you invited by him too?” Luo Shaoyuan asked, feeling a bit awkward being alone.
“No, we’re going to his place,” Zuo Luohuan said, gesturing towards Yan Yan.
Luo Shaoyuan watched them turn to leave, then suddenly followed. “Wait, take me with you!”
“An Yingjing invited you. Why follow us? Besides…” Jiang Hong showed his optical computer display with their tickets. “We’re leaving tonight.”
Luo Shaoyuan glanced at the ticket. “Xijiang Exile Star?” She immediately logged into the ticketing system and booked a ticket for herself.
The others were speechless.
Luo Shaoyuan was determined to tag along, curious about what they were up to. It seemed interesting.
As for An Yingjing’s invitation, she’d postpone it. Luo Shaoyuan happily trailed after Zuo Luohuan and the others, while simultaneously contacting An Yingjing.
“I’ve arrived in the Western District, but I ran into Zuo Luohuan and the others. I’m heading to Xijiang Exile Star first. Is it okay if I come see you later?” she asked casually.
An Yingjing, looking at the background behind her, was silent for a moment. “You’ve already left. What’s the point of telling me now?” His pheromones were unique, and after his recent exposure, he couldn’t risk traveling freely, fearing the Gashro Empire might target him.
“Don’t be mad,” Luo Shaoyuan said, stowing her luggage. “I’ve never been to Xijiang Exile Star. Have you? I’ll take pictures for you.”
It felt awkward for an Alpha and an Omega to be alone together. Luo Shaoyuan wanted to wait for Ji Yuezhi and Zuo Luohuan to join her before meeting An Yingjing.
An Yingjing’s expression softened slightly. “Come back to the Western District later, and I’ll show you around. It’s not any worse than the capital.”
“Deal.”
They’d picked up a persistent tagalong mid-journey, and by the time they landed on Xijiang Exile Star, there were five of them.
“This is my first time here. The…air doesn’t seem very good,” Luo Shaoyuan said, sniffing the air after disembarking. She then looked at Yan Yan. “No offense, Yan.”
Yan Yan didn’t mind. He’d been quiet during the journey, preoccupied with worries about his family.
Xijiang Exile Star was devoid of vegetation. Stepping out of the spaceport, they were met with vast rocky mountains. Dust swirled in the air, blurring the landscape, leaving only the yellow-white rocky terrain.
“It really lives up to its name, ‘Exile Star’,” Jiang Hong remarked. Seeing it in person was a completely different experience from seeing pictures on his optical computer.
“It’s remote, but even exile stars have their bustling areas,” Yan Yan said. “I need to go to the hospital first.”
“Let’s go together,” Zuo Luohuan said.
Ji Yuezhi glanced at Zuo Luohuan. She didn’t seem like it was her first time on Xijiang Exile Star; there wasn’t much unfamiliarity in her eyes.
They boarded public transport. The scenery remained the same throughout the journey, occasionally passing large transport vehicles carrying loads of ore. As they left the outskirts, they finally saw clusters of buildings, a rough kind of prosperity.
“Is it there?” Jiang Hong asked, pointing to a large hospital. Yan Yan shook his head.
The transport continued further into a more desolate area before Yan Yan finally led them off. “My parents are at this hospital.”
Ji Yuezhi looked up at a small, dilapidated hospital across the street. The people entering and exiting looked haggard, covered in dust, some even with white dirt clinging to their hair.
“The 377th Army?” Luo Shaoyuan frowned, observing the people inside. Having always lived in the Northern District, she was familiar with the Winter Army. Even though the unit insignia were obscured by dust, she recognized them instantly. Since when did the prestigious Winter Army live like common miners?
“The 377th is responsible for mining, hence their appearance,” Zuo Luohuan explained from behind.
Yan Yan had already strode ahead to find his parents.
Both of Yan Yan’s parents had been injured in the mines. His mother was still unconscious, and his father, though injured himself, was by her side.
“Xiao Yan, you’re back?” Yan Yan’s father said, standing up excitedly, one foot hovering slightly above the ground, clearly not fully healed.
Yan Yan nodded. “How’s Mom?”
“Her injuries aren’t serious,” his father sighed. “But she hasn’t woken up. The doctor said it might be a delayed reaction and to wait a bit longer.”
Yan Yan walked to the bedside and looked at his mother. A newly healed scar ran across her face. He asked his father, “Was there an accident at the mine?”
His father nodded, then shook his head. “I was outside when they went in to blast the rock face. Your mother led a small team inside. The explosives seemed to have detonated early. They were late getting out…several people died.” He’d been injured during the rescue attempt, caught in a second collapse.
After father and son talked for a while, Yan Yan introduced the others waiting at the door. They exchanged greetings before leaving.
There weren’t any decent hotels nearby, and Yan Yan hesitated.
“Go back and take care of your parents,” Zuo Luohuan said, her gaze settling on something in the distance. A smile played on her lips. “Someone will take care of us.”
Before Yan Yan could react, an aircraft landed in front of the hospital. A man emerged and greeted Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi enthusiastically. “What brings you two to Xijiang Exile Star? The Star Lord heard of your arrival and sent me to welcome you.”
Ji Yuezhi looked at the stranger. He didn’t recognize him and had never met the Star Lord of Xijiang Exile Star.
“You’re well-informed,” Zuo Luohuan said with a casual smile. “Where’s the best hotel on this exile star? I passed by one earlier that looked decent…Xijiang Mansion?”
“Yes, that’s the Xijiang Mansion. We’ll arrange accommodations for you right away,” the man replied promptly.
Zuo Luohuan suddenly turned to Ji Yuezhi. “Weren’t you interested in the black market? I’ll take you tomorrow night.”
Ji Yuezhi hummed in agreement, his gaze falling on the man who was clearly eavesdropping.
The man leaned closer, unabashed. “Master Ji wants to visit the black market? Let me tell you, our underground black market here on Xijiang Exile Star is the largest in the Federation. We have everything.”
“Your Star Lord not only turns a blind eye, but actually boasts about it?” Luo Shaoyuan scoffed, overhearing the conversation.
“And this is…?” the man asked, clearly only recognizing Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi.
“A friend. We’d like to go rest now,” Zuo Luohuan said.
“Of course. Please, this way.” The man ushered them onto the aircraft.
Inside, Jiang Hong looked around. “Your Star Lord seems to be doing quite well. He even has an aircraft.”
“It’s a decommissioned military model, acquired from the black market,” the man said, not shying away from mentioning the black market. “We’re a small place with limited resources. We rely on the black market to survive.”
On the way, he gave them a detailed overview of the Star Lord’s businesses. “…The Xijiang Mansion and the surrounding entertainment industry are all built by the Star Lord, creating numerous jobs.”
Luo Shaoyuan listened with a sneer. “While you’re living the high life, the 377th Army is stuck in those conditions, covered in dust and plagued by injuries?”
“Miss…you misunderstand,” the man quickly explained. “The mines are outside the city. The 377th, being a branch of the Winter Army, are upstanding soldiers. They chose to live near the mines to avoid straining Xijiang Exile Star’s resources. The hospital is also run by their own people. Our Star Lord has offered assistance several times, but their commander refused.”
The aircraft landed at the Xijiang Mansion, the largest hotel on Xijiang Exile Star. Ignoring the rough and desolate surroundings, it was indistinguishable from a hotel in a thriving metropolis.
They were shown to the best rooms. The man said cordially, “You’re unfamiliar with this place. If you want to go anywhere, just ask the front desk, and we’ll arrange someone to escort you.”
“That’s not necessary. We’ll explore on our own,” Zuo Luohuan declined with a smile.
“Alright. Contact me if you need anything.” He handed Ji Yuezhi and Zuo Luohuan his business cards.
…
Their rooms were all on the same floor. After unpacking and showering, Jiang Hong, unable to sleep, knocked on Zuo Luohuan’s door.
“What’s going on? The Star Lord knew about our arrival as soon as we landed,” Jiang Hong said, frowning. “Luohuan, have you met him before?”
“No,” Zuo Luohuan said, her hair still damp. She took a sip of water. “The daughter of Zuo Dihong and the son of Ji Xixiu arriving together is enough to warrant their attention.”
“This Star Lord doesn’t seem like anything special,” Jiang Hong said. “I looked into him before we came. He’s quite ordinary. He became Star Lord purely through his local family’s influence.”
“We’re just here to have fun. Don’t overthink it.” Zuo Luohuan tilted her chin towards the door, signaling for him to leave.
Jiang Hong looked at her suspiciously. He’d assumed she had an ulterior motive for coming here, but now she seemed so nonchalant, even bringing Ji Yuezhi along. He shrugged it off.
Jiang Hong obediently left, closing the door behind him. As he turned to walk back to his room, Zuo Luohuan emerged and walked across the hall, knocking on the door opposite hers.
Jiang Hong stared at Zuo Luohuan, who was pointedly ignoring him. “???” What was going on? Did she kick him out just to go see Ji Yuezhi?
The door opened, and Jiang Hong watched as Zuo Luohuan walked in without even glancing his way!
Damn, Jiang Hong felt a pang of jealousy. How did they get so close? Was he still her best friend?!
Ji Yuezhi had seen Zuo Luohuan through the video screen and immediately opened the door, letting her in.
Zuo Luohuan’s gaze fell on Ji Yuezhi. He must have just showered as well; his body carried a faint trace of moisture.
“What’s wrong?” Ji Yuezhi asked, meeting her gaze calmly. She seemed to have something to say.
Zuo Luohuan’s eyes drifted to the balcony’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The curtains were only half-drawn, revealing a view of another building, a casino.
“I need your help with something,” she said, walking towards him.
“What is it?” Ji Yuezhi asked. He thought she was just coming closer, but she kept advancing, forcing him to retreat until his back was against the glass.
Before he could hit the window, Zuo Luohuan caught him around the waist, preventing the impact. They were incredibly close. Perhaps because he’d just showered, his eyelashes seemed slightly damp, and his eyes, as he looked at her, held a misty quality.
Zuo Luohuan pulled him closer, nuzzling her nose against his in a seemingly intimate gesture. She didn’t miss the surprise in his eyes. Shifting her head slightly, she whispered in his ear, “Someone in the building opposite us is watching.”
Just as Ji Yuezhi was about to speak, something cool and soft brushed against his ear, silencing him.
“There’s a listening device in the room,” Zuo Luohuan murmured, her hand moving against his clothes. “Do me a favor?”
Ji Yuezhi didn’t know what she was planning, but he wouldn’t hinder her.
Zuo Luohuan felt him lean closer, his arms wrapping around her waist.
In the hotel room, they did nothing more than embrace. Zuo Luohuan occasionally reached up to brush his hair away from his forehead, her movements gentle. Speaking quickly and quietly, she said, “We’re going to the black market tomorrow night. Is Yan Yan coming?”
“Something’s not right on Xijiang Exile Star. We’ve been watched since we arrived. You and I are just here at my junior classmate’s invitation. We have no other intentions,” she continued, cupping his face and stroking his soft lips with her thumb. She then leaned down, pressing his lips against her finger in a feigned kiss.
In a room across the street, the man who had welcomed them to Xijiang Exile Star was listening through headphones, watching the embracing figures through the window. He scoffed. “These young masters and misses come to our backwater exile star to play their little games. Kids these days.”
“I heard Ji Yuezhi and Zuo Luohuan don’t get along,” one of his subordinates said.
“An Alpha and an Omega? How much can they not get along? It’s probably just a game,” the man said, removing his headphones. “Report to the Star Lord. They’re just here for fun. We’ll keep an eye on them.”
Back in the room, Ji Yuezhi and Zuo Luohuan had moved away from the window and were sitting on the sofa, out of sight from the building opposite.
Now, only a corner of the sofa was visible. Their fingers were intertwined, like lovers locked in a passionate embrace.
The man clicked his tongue, finding the scene a bit much to watch. He instructed his men to continue monitoring the listening device.
The young couple seemed to be getting quite carried away. The sound of a vase shattering on the floor echoed from the room.
“Have you been here before?” Ji Yuezhi asked, taking advantage of the noise. They had separated their hands and were now sitting where they couldn’t be seen from the other building.
Zuo Luohuan chuckled, surprisingly telling the truth. “Yes. I’m a wanted criminal here.”
Ji Yuezhi was taken aback. He hadn’t expected that answer.
Zuo Luohuan stayed in Ji Yuezhi’s room for an hour. Before leaving, she deliberately ruffled her clothes, walked to the window, and closed the curtains. She pointed out the listening device to Ji Yuezhi before finally departing.
After the door closed, Ji Yuezhi sat on the sofa, lost in thought. The moment she had embraced him, he’d almost believed his dreams were coming true. Even though they hadn’t done anything, he felt a sense of intimacy with her, a light sheen of sweat on his neck and shoulders.
The way she had held his hand, pressing it firmly against the sofa…
Ji Yuezhi’s ears flushed. He pressed his lips together, forcing himself to regain his composure.
She hadn’t told him why she was a wanted criminal on Xijiang Exile Star. It couldn’t be as “Zuo Luohuan,” or she would have been recognized the moment she stepped off the ship.
Xijiang Exile Star had been mined for years without yielding any Silver-Green. The planet held no value for the Federation, yet the Star Lord’s behavior suggested otherwise.
Was it because of the black market? Or something else entirely?
…
The next morning, the four were greeted enthusiastically by the same man, and the lavish breakfast spread surprised even Jiang Hong.
“You’re living quite comfortably here,” Jiang Hong commented.
Perhaps it was just his imagination, but the man seemed even more enthusiastic today. “We must treat our esteemed guests well.”
“What was your name again?” Luo Shaoyuan asked, looking up from her food. “You didn’t give me a business card yesterday.”
The man, though reluctant, politely produced two gold-edged cards, handing them to Luo Shaoyuan and Jiang Hong.
“Zhou Li,” Luo Shaoyuan read, examining the gleaming card. “Fancy.”
“Actually, many people from nearby stars come here for our entertainment. Eating, drinking, gambling…it’s a paradise of pleasure,” Zhou Li said with a smile. “Except for the less-than-ideal environment.”
The four were about to go find Yan Yan. Zuo Luohuan packed two takeaway meals. As they were leaving, Zhou Li sidled up to her, winking as he slipped something into her hand.
Luo Shaoyuan’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the object. “Why are you giving her condoms? Are we going somewhere outdoors? That brand isn’t very good, too thin.”
“You’ve used them?” Jiang Hong asked, surprised. Luo Shaoyuan seemed like a loner.
“Of course,” Luo Shaoyuan confirmed. “A twig can easily poke through them. They’re useless for wilderness survival.”
Jiang Hong: “…” He’d clearly misinterpreted her meaning.
Zuo Luohuan held the box of condoms, her gaze lingering on Ji Yuezhi. Had he deliberately opened the package and discarded them after she left last night?
Ji Yuezhi turned his head away, avoiding her gaze.
Zhou Li, having deliberately given her the condoms, observed the subtle tension between Ji Yuezhi and Zuo Luohuan, finally confirming their relationship to his satisfaction.
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