After having a “friendly exchange” with his new deskmate, He Qing finally met his dear instructor.

The instructor was a disheveled middle-aged man with flaxen hair tied into a small braid at the back. He had a leaf tucked behind his ear and a sharp, yet lethargic gaze. Walking back and forth on the podium, clutching a small notebook, he spoke:

“My name is Qiao Yi, and I’m your class instructor. You have one year left before graduation, so this year’s military training is replaced with an internship. Classes will start a month later, and whether or not you attend is entirely up to you.”

Qiao Yi paused here, leaned on the desk, and swept his gaze across the room: “As long as you don’t fail at the end of the term, you’ll graduate. If you don’t pass, you’ll be expelled. There are no second chances. I hope everyone understands.”

“Understood!” the students responded in unison.

The First Academy can be called both strict and lenient. Among the many schools that mandate attendance, it stands out in its own way, but that doesn’t stop it from being a place where competition is fierce.

He Qing also joined in on the chant. He mentally counted his selected subjects: majoring in plant cultivation and pharmacology, and minoring in biology’s dissection, floral design and painting from the arts department, history from the literature department, and mecha theory and spaceship theory from the combat department.

He Qing did a quick calculation. He’d figure out how to approach the exams when the time came.

“Alright.” Qiao Yi smiled. “Now we’ll start the system allocation. This is randomly assigned, so let’s see how lucky you all are.”

At his words, some students couldn’t help but start praying.

“Help! I heard there was once a class leader who got unlucky and was assigned to feeding pigs! Pigs!”

“Pfft haha… cough, didn’t that class leader get so mad he leveled up? Became even stronger.”

“Uh, feeding pigs is pretty much a do-nothing job, right? Aren’t there machines for that now?”

“Still, it’s kind of hilarious. That senior ran three angry laps around the school after hearing his assignment.”

He Qing thought this job sounded more his speed: “Seems fine to me.”

He wasn’t speaking loudly, but everyone around him heard. They all turned to look at him, then gave him strange expressions before moving their desks away from him.

Even Qiao Yi glanced at him and grinned: “It is indeed fine. I was assigned that same task back in the day.”

“Instructor, you seem to have enjoyed it.” He Qing responded naturally.

“It wasn’t bad. When there’s nothing to do, I just do my own thing.”

“…” The entire class quietly bowed their heads, not daring to speak. What on earth had they just said that was so blasphemous?

Qiao Yi looked at the group of regretful students with a grin and said, “No need to feel embarrassed, everyone. After all, you might also get assigned to feed pigs. I wish you all good luck.”

“Thank you, Instructor…” The students, deeply regretful now, didn’t dare speak carelessly again. Their instructor seemed to have a bit of a dark side!

With an enigmatic smile, Qiao Yi turned around, pulled up a holographic screen, and pressed a button. Everyone anxiously watched the large display.

He Qing silently prayed to be assigned to a leisurely position. After a moment of static, the screen settled, and He Qing nodded to himself. Not bad, he was assigned to care for adorable pets.

“?!? Why did He Qing get assigned to the Central Panda Base!!!”

He Qing: Is that really the point here?

“Didn’t he want to feed pigs?” someone blurted out.

Qiao Yi looked at the screen with interest: “Congratulations, He Qing. The Panda Base is a dream job for many. Besides pandas, there are also peacocks, swans, crocodiles, and other animals. Plus, the pig farm is right next door.”

The students glanced at him, feeling a mix of relief and envy.

Qiao Yi addressed the rest of the class: “Wherever you’re assigned now, don’t worry. The real internship begins after the midterms, where your grades and potential will determine your placement. So, everyone, do your best.”

“Also, your schedules will be sent to your terminals. You can choose to attend online classes if you want. Now, head to the sports field for the opening ceremony. Our class’s area is in C-A. But honestly, if you don’t feel like attending, it’s fine. It’s the same every year, and the Dean’s speech is especially long-winded balabala…”

Qiao Yi rambled on, perhaps due to many years of teaching, which inevitably made him talkative.

Once the instructor finished, the students got up to head to the sports field, some grumbling about their assignments as they walked: “I heard the XX company treats people horribly! Super exploitative!”

“I heard that too. Their higher-ups practically want to split people into two to work them harder.”

“Compared to you guys, my assignment at the auction house is pretty good, right? At least I’ll meet some interesting people.”

“I got assigned to the First Expedition Team!”

“I’m so jealous!”

He Qing overheard them. The First Expedition Team, also known as the Xingchen Expedition Team, as the name suggests, explores new planets.

This team was the first established after humans left Blue Star and has been in operation ever since. Its significance is unmatched by any other team. What’s more, it’s led by top experts in various fields, including geologists, botanists, biologists, energy scientists, as well as combat specialists in hand-to-hand combat, mechas, and other fields.

Being in this expedition team means exposure to all the top leaders in their respective fields. It’s easily the best internship one could get, especially now with Duan Chenhui joining this year.

He Qing clutched his chest, relieved he wasn’t assigned to the general’s group. Otherwise, working there would’ve been very difficult for him.

Soon, all the teachers and students gathered on the field.

He Qing stood in his designated spot, though he found himself the subject of attention from the neighboring class. He didn’t mind and looked up toward the podium. Moments later, someone strode onto the stage.

He Qing froze for a second—he didn’t expect it to be Duan Chenhui.

People around him immediately began whispering: “Is that the general?”

“It’s rare to see him…”

He Qing chuckled softly, then listened as Duan Chenhui recited the speech with a steady, no-nonsense tone.

The Dean’s face twitched as Duan Chenhui revised the speech on the spot, turning what was originally a lighthearted script into something far more serious, even cutting out the jokes entirely.

The Dean was caught in a dilemma but ultimately didn’t correct Duan Chenhui—after all, there was nothing technically wrong with what he was saying.

Once the speech ended, Duan Chenhui stepped down, and the Dean quickly took over to lighten the mood.

He Qing wasn’t really listening to the Dean. He was feeling the space ring on his finger, realizing it was time to hand off “Bi De” to be delivered to its designated location.

The first morning of the new term passed with everyone standing around listening to speeches until their legs were sore.

As soon as they were dismissed for lunch, He Qing saw Duan Chenhui waiting for him at the gate, surrounded by curious onlookers. He Qing smiled—now it was time for the lovey-dovey show.

“General, you were waiting for me?” He Qing walked over, pretending to ask innocently.

“What else?” Duan Chenhui opened the car door. “Get in.”

Under the envious, jealous, and resentful gazes of the crowd, He Qing got into the car. Duan Chenhui followed and closed the door. “Ten, drive.”

“Yes.” The AI started the car.

He Qing turned his head to look out the back. The crowd of students finally dispersed after watching the show, but the car remained silent. Sitting properly, He Qing hesitated for a moment before speaking, “What a pity I wasn’t assigned to the general’s team.”

Duan Chenhui glanced at him through the rearview mirror, seeing He Qing’s bright eyes and relaxed expression.

He chuckled, “Then you’ll have to work harder next time.”

“Yes, General,” He Qing responded with a smile. “I’ll definitely work hard.”

Duan Chenhui nodded, his fingers brushing over the terminal. He Qing’s words were like sugar-coated bullets, sweet-talking people, but also able to quietly leave others speechless. He could feign weakness to earn sympathy, yet during their wedding night, he’d said things that completely killed the mood.

But his room was so cold, controlled, even ascetic.

Still, the First Expedition Team was pretty dangerous. If He Qing didn’t want to work hard, that was fine—he could afford to take care of him.

“I might be home less this month.”

“I’m fine with that.”

“…Don’t answer so quickly.” Duan Chenhui’s temple twitched. Even though theirs was a contractual marriage, He Qing’s reaction was a bit too obvious. After all, he was still his nominal husband.

“Then I’ll wait for the general to return.” He Qing clasped his hands together and closed his eyes in a silent prayer, “General, take care. That’s my heartfelt wish.”

“Hm.” Duan Chenhui nodded in satisfaction.

He Qing opened his eyes and glanced at him. Enigma was so hard to please. One minute they’re in a contract marriage, and the next he complains about them being too distant. He Qing wasn’t some pampered lotus flower… Wait, actually, now he kind of was.

He Qing closed his eyes again and pulled out a wooden fish to tap lightly.

“What are you doing?” Duan Chenhui turned to look at him.

“Tapping the wooden fish brings inner peace and clears away all worries.” He Qing continued to tap. “General, why don’t you try listening too?”

Duan Chenhui loosened his tie slightly, leaned back in his seat, and reined in his somewhat restless mental power. “Alright, I’ll listen.”

He glanced at He Qing’s calm profile. Perhaps He Qing was more emotionally stable than he had imagined.

Even after getting a zero on his exam, even after being ridiculed online, even after being pressured by his family, even after being ostracized at school.

But still… that zero, he had to ask: “Did you really score a zero on your exam?”

“Absolutely.”

“Why? Were you unwell on the exam day?”

“No, I just hit my head.”

“You’re surprisingly honest.”

“Yes.”

“I wasn’t complimenting you.” By the end of the conversation, Duan Chenhui was both amused and exasperated. He Qing could be sharp when arguing with his family, so how did he manage to score a zero on an exam?

“I didn’t lie.” He Qing opened his eyes and stared at him. Generals are so hard to please.

“I believe you didn’t even guess the multiple-choice questions correctly.” Duan Chenhui echoed meaningfully. He Qing was certainly different from the “vase” he had imagined—too good at pretending. He wondered what lay beneath that polished exterior.

“Exactly.” He Qing smiled, turning back to tap the wooden fish even more evenly. “Because at that time, I was barely clinging to life, and my luck for the next three years had already been used up.” He wasn’t lying.

Duan Chenhui paused slightly. “Then this year, your luck should improve.”

“Thank you for the general’s blessing.” He Qing suddenly felt a surge of virtue energy and looked up sharply at Duan Chenhui. It turns out Duan Chenhui’s virtue could be transferred, as long as he genuinely blessed someone.

“Hm, keep tapping,” Duan Chenhui said, pleased with He Qing’s gratitude.

As He Qing tapped the wooden fish, he thought to himself that Duan Chenhui had just fed him virtue energy. Since he cultivated a virtue-based method, it was quite delicious. Would the general feed him virtue every now and then? Wait… something felt off.

He Qing spent the rest of the trip trying to figure out what was wrong. As he put the wooden fish away, Duan Chenhui suddenly leaned over and took his hand.

“?!?!” He Qing’s eyes widened. What was the general planning? In this world, men shouldn’t casually touch other men.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Duan Chenhui removed the surveillance ring from his hand. “I’ve already checked you out. You’re free now.”

“…Is this some kind of entrapment operation?” He Qing rubbed his newly “freed” finger and blurted out.

“…!” Duan Chenhui left the car for the first time in a huff.

He Qing leaned on the car door, watching Duan Chenhui’s retreating figure with an innocent expression. Sigh, so the general could get angry too. He raised his hand to inspect his finger, and now, with the surveillance ring gone, the only one left was the wedding ring—so bright, so dazzling.

He Qing squinted against the sparkle. The diamond was too blinding, covering the entire ring’s surface. At first, he’d thought Duan Chenhui would order a simple band. This was so unexpected; it was totally out of character for him.

“Keep up,” Duan Chenhui called back.

“Yes…” He Qing lowered his hand and jogged up. “General, what’s for lunch?”

“Koi fish.”

“…Amitabha, I hope it’s not because of collateral damage.”