Don't pretend, everyone knows you're the villain!

Xie Sicen was ready to run away as soon as he could get out of bed. After winning a battle, he should at least be given some freedom. It wouldn't be too much to ask him to go see Yin Zhaoshu for a moment, would it?

As soon as they arrived at the door, they were stopped by Xie Yuan's personal guards.

Xie Sicen frowned.

He looked at the two men guarding the door, staring at him as if he were a thief.

"?"

One of the guards explained, "General Xie ordered that we are not allowed to go out. Any special circumstances must be reported and approved."

Xie Sicen took a deep breath; she had miscalculated.

Xie Yuan didn't have time to keep an eye on him every day, but General Xie had people under his command, whom he could use as he pleased.

"Can't I even go out for a walk?"

The guards responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, "We can stay at the hospital and follow you."

Xie Sicen knew it was hopeless; it wasn't easy for her to rush back from here just to see Yin Zhaoshu.

Now that he's being watched, it seems his mother really doesn't intend for him to see Yin Zhaoshu again anytime soon.

Xie Sichen sighed softly, then returned to the ward and stood by the window to text Xie Yuan.

He did consider going through the window, but from a height of more than ten stories, going down would most likely mean dying.

[Mother, I can walk now. I want to be discharged and go home.]

Xie Yuan did not reply until General Xie himself came to visit her at noon and asked the doctor if Xie Sichen had been discharged from the hospital.

Xie Sichen and Xie Yuan were both a little restless the whole way.

Xie Yuan, with a stern face and half-lowered eyes, looked at Xie Sichen and said coldly, "Did you grow thorns in your butt from staying in the hospital? Sit still, what are you doing moving around?"

Xie Sicen stopped moving and obediently looked at Xie Yuan.

"Mother, we're going back, right?"

Xie Yuan lifted her eyelids, "Otherwise, where else do you want to go?"

Xie Sicen didn't bother to hide it; he could tell that Xie Yuan knew exactly what he was thinking.

"You don't need to guess where I want to go. Don't you understand what I'm thinking about? Would I go looking for trouble and risk my life at the border if it weren't for that?"

Xie Yuan snorted coldly, her aura becoming even more oppressive.

"Since there are still people you care about alive, why are you so reckless with your life? Who taught you that?"

Xie Sicen pouted and responded irritably.

"I also want to save my life. It would be much better if you sent me to a reliable position. The more we fight, the fewer people we have left. Every time we send out a mech, several are lost. It's a situation where we're clearly going to lose. I can't just desert and abandon them, can I?"

"If word got out that General Xie's alpha son ran faster than a rabbit on the battlefield, would that sound good? I don't care, but I'm afraid it would embarrass you."

The soldier driving the car twitched his lips several times, pursing them to force himself to continue driving as if nothing was wrong.

Seeing that Xie Yuan ignored him, Xie Sicen continued to speak to herself: "Besides, there are no perfect solutions. If you want to save face and survive, there has to be a balance between risk and reward. Moreover, I am indeed eager to be promoted, and I don't even have the authority to operate a mecha. Mother, you should understand that it's really grueling to fight with real weapons down there and get all dirty."

Xie Yuan investigated and found that Xie Sichen's self-destructing mech on the battlefield hadn't even been registered through an account. They could find some information about when and how it was purchased through the mech manufacturing team, but tracing the account details left them completely in the dark.

Xie Sicen possesses a secret that even someone of her status and authority cannot know.

That little madman said he didn't have permission, yet he secretly acquired mechs. And he managed to bring them to the battlefield without anyone noticing—that's an incredible skill.

"Where is there a chance to rise to the top in one step? On the battlefield, victory or defeat doesn't matter; you have to experience all kinds of environments. If you rely on the Xie family's name to get ahead, who will respect you in the future?"

"Don't use authority as an excuse. You're quite capable; your promotion isn't about that kind of authority. Acquiring mechs isn't difficult for you at all. You're eager to climb the ranks, but not for mech authority..."

Before Xie Yuan could finish speaking, Xie Sichen interrupted her with a smile.

"Mother, you and I know what I'm after."

"Whether I marry that person or not, I need to have him under my control before I can feel at ease. I'm currently without a formal status, and I'm very anxious. Please understand me. I'm really worried that if I drag this out, the cooked duck will fly away."

Xie Yuan choked up; Xie Sicen was truly devoted to her.

He said coldly, "What use is a title if you're already dead?"

Xie Sicen chuckled softly and responded slowly.

"I didn't do this because I knew my mother wouldn't abandon me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to do it. It's a matter of putting myself in a do-or-die situation. Although not all of my calculations were entirely accurate, the result was consistent, so there's no need to dwell on the process."

Xie Yuan knew Xie Sichen was using her, but there was nothing she could do; all her scheming against her child had to take a backseat to her own life.

She didn't intend to help Xie Sicen, but at this critical moment, she couldn't let Xie Sicen head towards destruction.

"no next time."

Xie Sicen smiled and said ingratiatingly, "Mother, I can't guarantee that. Swords have no eyes, and besides, the battlefield is full of firearms. The ever-changing situation is beyond my control."

“It’s easy to maintain a winning streak, but who can guarantee that they will be invincible for their entire life? I can only say that I will not make such a flawed plan in the future, and I will give myself more chances to survive.”

"It really hurts... I'm terrified of pain."

Xie Sicen was afraid of pain since she was a child. She would always cry and scream when she was first beaten, but after being beaten many times, she stopped howling and crying.

But not crying or making a fuss doesn't mean you're immune to pain.

Knowing that crying out wouldn't change the fact that the pain was unbearable, they could only silently endure it.

Xie Yuan's expression softened upon hearing this. She didn't want to force Xie Sicen down this path, but some people are just born with a certain destiny.

Her harsh training of Xie Sicen was a safety net for Xie Sicen's differentiation. If Xie Sicen were an omega, all the pain she had endured would have ended there. Even if she were a beta, it would simply be a continuation of the pain, but not more, and she could adapt. However, once she became an alpha, the suffering would only intensify.

The moment Xie Sicen differentiated into an alpha, she was destined to bear this heavy responsibility.

It is both glory and shackles.

"Mother, just let me see him, just once."

Xie Yuan gave in to Xie Sicen's plea.

“After your promotion and transfer of authority, you should have gone to provide support to other border areas, but you only have the opportunity now because you are injured. His unit is undergoing intensive training, so as long as it doesn’t interfere with the training, you can go quietly.”

Xie Sicen smiled broadly, "I know."

When Xie Sicen followed Xie Yuan's personal guards to find Yin Zhaoshu, Yin Zhaoshu was in training.

Four months have passed since the two separated in the summer.

Xie Sichen originally wanted to say as few words as possible to Yin Zhaoshu, but since Yin Zhaoshu and his group were training in a completely closed environment, Xie Sichen was really getting restless from not getting any responses.

Xie Sichen was originally standing at a distance, watching the group of people on the training field through binoculars. However, after witnessing Yin Zhaoshu facing off against the group of people with ill intentions below the arena, her face instantly darkened.

The junior leader, who knew that Xie Sicen had brought Xie Yuan's personal guards to the training ground, had been following them closely. When Xie Sicen suddenly turned her head and her face darkened, he noticed something was wrong and waited for instructions.

"Make me a copy of the training roster."

After Xie Sicen finished speaking, she continued to look at Yin Zhaoshu. She noticed that Yin Zhaoshu had gotten much darker. She regretted not letting Yin Zhaoshu come to the army.

Xie Sicen's request was immediately taken care of, and a list was sent over in no time, including accommodation assignments and personal information.

Xie Sichen scanned the photos and matched them with the people on the training field.

Are these people just taking advantage of their family's status to coast through their time in the military? They send all sorts of trash to the army; it's really annoying.

Judging from the way the leader looked at Yin Zhaoshu, he must have done a lot of bad things for people these past few months.

Xie Sichen didn't care about those who relied on their family's power to cause trouble on the training field, but such people could be deadly if they were allowed to cause problems on the battlefield, so he didn't dare to keep them by Yin Zhaoshu's side.

Even if I can't protect him forever, I'll just let him see it now and deal with it as I see it.

She works so hard, she should at least get some benefits for her boyfriend.

Xie Sichen had to leave the training ground to send a message, which was truly baffling.

[Mother wants to transfer a few people.]

[Yin Zhaoshu is not suitable.]

[The younger generation from the Gu and Chu families are around my age. I feel resentful and want to take them to practice in a different place.]

Isn't he prone to bullying others by abusing his power? General Xie's name is much more useful than those of Colonel Gu and Colonel Chu.

Moreover, Xie Sicen was promoted to lieutenant by His Majesty for his meritorious service, so it is within His Majesty's authority to transfer a few soldiers from the ordinary training grounds.

The problem is that it would be difficult to explain to Colonel Gu and Colonel Chu after the transfer, so it would be easier for Xie Yuan to handle it.

[You definitely need to promote some of your close associates.]

Xie Yuan's words were tacit approval.

Xie Sichen's sudden reassignment brought the training to a halt, and the group was immediately notified and had to pack their belongings.

Xie Sicen went to Yin Zhaoshu openly and honestly.

As soon as Yin Zhaoshu arrived at the dormitory entrance, someone suddenly rushed into her arms and hugged her.

It came so unexpectedly; I wasn't prepared at all.

Just as Yin Zhaoshu was about to push away as a conditioned reflex, he smelled a familiar scent.

His pupils contracted sharply, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Xie Sicen smiled as sweetly and adorably as ever, a far cry from the cold and dignified demeanor she displayed in front of others.

"Ashu, do you miss me?"

Several well-off students in the dormitory, who were packing their things with their transfer orders, had originally thought that following General Xie's alpha son would lead to a bright future.

They were completely stunned when they saw Xie Sicen fall into Yin Zhaoshu's arms with a bright smile on her face.

After being petrified, he couldn't quite accept reality. How could someone like Yin Zhaoshu, with no background, know General Xie's only son? And be so close to him?

Those who weren't transferred swallowed hard, their minds racing as they tried to recall if they had bullied Yin Zhaoshu, and how much they had bullied him.

After Xie Sicen's actions, who would dare to provoke Yin Zhaoshu in the future? They would have to carefully consider their own background before daring to oppose General Xie.

"Why aren't you talking to me? I've missed you so much! You see me but don't say a word. It's so hard for me to come here. My mother only allowed me to see you once, and I have to go back to training."

As Xie Sicen spoke, she took a bite out of Yin Zhaoshu's cheek.

Everyone else present was in a panic, unsure where to look.

Yin Zhaoshu hugged Xie Sicen tighter, wanting to drown in the scent of his beloved.

I miss you so much.

"You haven't been fooling around with other alphas behind my back, have you?" Xie Sicen said, glancing back at everyone.

The other people in the dormitory have no idea where to go. Has no one informed them that the Xie family's future young general is gay?

His homosexual partner is an Alpha with no identity or background.

After scanning the room, Xie Sicen toned down her deliberate behavior and gave a disdainful snort.

Yin Zhaoshu fully understood who Xie Sicen was putting on this show for.

Xie Sichen said slowly, "I transferred those few who I liked to train with me, and my mother agreed. I told the person in charge here that you can live on your own if you want, or you can share with the rest of the people here if you don't want to live on your own."

"Ashu, remember to message me when you leave the training ground. I tell you every time I miss you, but unfortunately you can't see it."

Xie Sichen really wanted to hold Yin Zhaoshu and not let go, and even more so, she wanted to do something intimate with Yin Zhaoshu, but there were too many onlookers here.

Seeing that the others had almost finished packing, Xie Sicen arrogantly ordered, "You guys finish packing and wait outside."

Anyone who hadn't packed their things immediately ran away upon hearing this.

As soon as the dormitory door closed, Xie Sicen pounced on her and showered her with kisses.

The two had been separated for a very, very long time.

What's more, Xie Sicen also experienced a brush with death during this period.

Having survived a catastrophe and reunited, their longing for each other is overwhelming.

After being closely intertwined for a long time, they separated.

Xie Sicen was panting, her breathing still a little erratic.

"Ashu, don't let anyone bully you."

Yin Zhaoshu's fingers were hidden in Xie Sicen's hair. "No one bullied me."

Xie Sichen smiled and said, "If Yin Zhaoshu doesn't want to say anything, then so be it."

Anyway, he had done almost everything he could and arranged, and with Xie Yuan's help, he figured that no one else would interfere with Yin Zhaoshu's training.

Xie Sicen glanced at the time, then lowered her head and nuzzled against Yin Zhaoshu's chest.

"What should I do? I miss you so much. I don't want to leave..."

Yin Zhaoshu asked with a worried expression, "Pei Pei, are you in danger?"

Xie Sicen's eyes flashed with surprise, but she didn't show it on her face.

“What danger could there be on the training field? I’m my mother’s only son, and she cherishes me dearly.”

Yin Zhaoshu breathed a sigh of relief. He was always worried that Xie Sicen might be in danger where he couldn't see her.

"That's good."

"Time is running out, so give me a temporary marker before you go as a keepsake?"

Xie Sicen pulled down her collar, revealing the back of her neck without any warning.

Yin Zhaoshu didn't want Xie Sicen to be in pain, but it seemed that the pain marked by this moment of separation was secondary.

In a brief encounter, one wants to leave something behind for the other person, and also wants to leave something behind for the other person.

Yin Zhaoshu bit hard, and Xie Sicen bit back just as hard.

They both wanted to permeate each other's scent, hoping it would never dissipate.

Yin Zhaoshu kissed Xie Sicen's forehead and whispered, "Pei Pei, I miss you every moment."

Longing always keeps me awake at night, suffocating me. Only by expending double the energy can I get a moment's respite.

"Me too, keep it up! I'll come see you again when I have time. Train hard and don't get injured."

Xie Sichen kissed Yin Zhaoshu's lips again; Yin Zhaoshu was his home.

The sense of smell, which had been disturbed by the stench of blood, returned to normal as Yin Zhaoshu's scent diluted it.

Xie Sicen left with a few people with connections and Xie Yuan's personal guards. But the remaining few in Yin Zhaoshu's dormitory, as well as the others who had slipped through the net, no longer dared to provoke Yin Zhaoshu.

Those present all knew that Yin Zhaoshu was covered in the scent of General Xie's little alpha son.

They're simply not to be trifled with.