Chapter 66: You Will Get Better

As the two figures gradually disappeared into the distance, the Imperial Alphas on the ground groaned as they struggled to get back on their feet.

It felt as if every bone in their bodies had been disassembled and reassembled by those two.

If this weren’t a virtual world, their lives would have been in serious danger.

“Should we keep chasing?”

After a long silence, one of the Alphas spoke. “There are only a dozen of us. If we go after them now, it doesn’t look good.”

“We should wait until we have more people, then surround them.”

“That makes sense.”

After all, no one had warned them that Federation soldiers had become this terrifying!

The Imperial Alphas’ faces twisted in frustration.

This mission was an absolute nightmare for Alphas.

…

Meanwhile, Ji Laili carried one person with one arm while gripping his gun tightly with the other.

His mind was in chaos.

He felt a little nervous.

Though he wasn’t quite sure why he was nervous.

Somehow, everything he had just said felt incredibly stupid. Damn it, Imperial soldiers were the worst! Ji Laili made up his mind—he would follow the Federation’s stance and resist the Empire at all costs!

“If Instructor Aiger heard you, he’d probably grab you by the ear and scold you.”

“Huh?” Ji Laili let out an awkward laugh. “Did I say something?”

From within his arms, Shen Yu’s gaze darkened. “I called you three times, and you didn’t respond.”

“So you were thinking about those Alphas.”

“They’re ugly, disgusting, and repulsive. Just thinking about them is an insult to my brain. What’s the point?”

Feeling like his words were a bit too harsh, Shen Yu rephrased, “They almost hurt you. Were you thinking about how to kill them?”

Ji Laili: “…”

Wow. What a ruthless little butterfly.

But in the end, they were the ones who had done the damage.

“I wasn’t thinking much. I just suddenly realized why everyone hates them. They’re always up to some underhanded tricks.”

Thinking about that syringe, Ji Laili had the nagging feeling that something wasn’t adding up.

But for now, his focus returned to finding the antidote.

He couldn’t quite grasp what was bothering him.

Shen Yu’s voice was cold. “The feud between the Empire and the Federation runs deep. This exam must have been planned for a long time. That syringe…”

He suddenly paused and then asked, “Zhai Yifei got hurt, and you were very worried. What if I had been injured in the same way?”

This was the first time Shen Yu had ever mentioned anything related to his differentiation period.

His chaotic differentiation—the fact that he had nearly become an Omega—was something they had silently agreed to never bring up.

Yet, at this moment, Ji Laili heard the question.

The medical building was cold, its interstellar-era design marked by sterility, metal, and an utter lack of warmth.

Many times, Shen Yu felt just like these buildings—cold, lifeless.

Ji Laili slowed his pace, feeling the wind brush past his cheeks, his bangs swaying slightly.

And the warmth of the person in his arms, cool yet reassuring.

“Your differentiation period… was it because someone injected you with something?”

“Yes.”

Shen Yu’s voice was indifferent, as if recounting something insignificant. “It was a sudden accident. When I woke up, it had already begun.”

“Then why are you telling me this now?” Ji Laili hesitated before remembering something. “The hovering surveillance…”

His eyes widened. He stopped running and frantically looked around for cameras, terrified that the secret had been leaked.

Perhaps this was what Shen Yu had sensed—that someone cared about his secret even more than he did.

Shen Yu cupped Ji Laili’s flustered face, tilting his head to meet those worried eyes. He smiled.

And then immediately got scolded.

“How can you still be smiling at a time like this?!”

Ji Laili was furious, his voice shaking with intensity. “You idiot! Is this really the place to talk about something like this? Do you know how many people are watching us right now?”

“We’re doomed. I don’t know if destroying the surveillance is enough to cover it up…”

What if it wasn’t?

Ji Laili suddenly didn’t dare to imagine the consequences.

At that moment, a system notification echoed in his ears:

【Male lead’s corruption level -1000】

Huh???

Ji Laili was completely stunned by the number.

That’s such a huge drop!

Did this mean Shen Yu had reached peak corruption, was about to take revenge on society, and was planning to drag all the Alphas down with him in some kind of doomsday scenario—?!

Wait, no!

He was still standing right here, perfectly fine!

Ji Laili turned to Shen Yu in shock.

Only to see a faint, beautiful smile at the corners of his lips.

Shen Yu rarely smiled. The few times he did, it was always in front of Ji Laili.

But at this moment, Ji Laili couldn’t appreciate it. His eyes were full of accusation.

“You knew they couldn’t hear us, didn’t you?”

“Why didn’t you just tell me from the start?”

Even though Shen Yu had no idea what Ji Laili was thinking, that didn’t stop Ji Laili from blaming him anyway.

Shen Yu blinked, momentarily stunned, before seeing Ji Laili angrily shaking his head—

Throwing off Shen Yu’s hand that had been resting on his fluffy, curly hair.

His face was full of “I trusted you completely, but you actually scared me. Do you have any idea how much this can terrify a little puppy? Of course I have to be mad at you.”

A glimmer of genuine amusement flashed through Shen Yu’s dark eyes. He said, “I didn’t do it on purpose. I forgot.”

Ji Laili narrowed his eyes. “You definitely did it on purpose.”

Shen Yu didn’t argue, obediently admitting fault. “I was wrong. Don’t be mad.”

That fast?!

His immediate surrender left Ji Laili no room to stay angry, but the frustration still lingered.

If the surveillance was still active—if someone had overheard this conversation…

If, if, the past were to repeat itself…

He sighed, reaching up to tug at his fluffy curls under Shen Yu’s gaze.

“Actually, this isn’t entirely your fault.”

His brows lowered, sharp and resolute, as his grip on his hair unconsciously tightened.

A cool touch brushed against his fingers. Shen Yu gently took Ji Laili’s hand away from his hair.

Two strands of hair lay in Shen Yu’s palm. He rubbed them lightly between his long fingers before casually slipping them into his pocket. Then, he lifted his gaze. “You said you don’t blame me. So, you’re not angry anymore?”

Shen Yu’s way of shifting attention was far more subtle than Ji Laili’s.

Ji Laili withdrew his gaze from his hair, unconcerned about where those strands ended up. The little butterfly could throw them away later.

What he really wanted to say was—“Shen Yu, you will get better.”

Shen Yu’s fingertips trembled slightly as he listened to the Alpha speak, each word steady and serious.

“I was just really mad. In such a dangerous situation, it felt like you didn’t really think about what would happen if your secret got exposed.”

“From now on, don’t tell anyone else.”

Shen Yu replied, “There is no one else, Ji Laili.”

He looked up, and in the depths of his dark eyes, only one figure was reflected.

“Only you.”

Ji Laili smiled, his brows curving gently. “I’d love to say ‘not even me,’ but…”

He grabbed Shen Yu’s hand and pulled him forward. They ran through the dark underground passage, their overlapping shadows cast onto the cold, metallic walls.

Two figures, side by side, racing ahead.

They reached the basement.

As the door swung open, a faint light filtered in.

Shen Yu heard him say—

“I will keep your secret for a lifetime!”

“Senior Shen, thanks for your trust. The organization will not disappoint!”

His bright, crisp voice was full of energy, carrying a joyful lilt.

“But for now—” Ji Laili grinned, excitement bubbling in his tone.

“We have a world to save!”