128: Hein, I understand.

In the end, even after Lance took his leave and Tu Nan finished dinner by herself, the number of people waiting in the living room for Kong Jiamu's audience had not decreased; instead, it grew.

Late at night, after going downstairs to check again, Tu Nan finally fell into despair.

Nothing can be accomplished today... she was certain.

Just as she opened her eyes on Kong Jiamu's large bed, Tu Nan immediately rolled over and reached out beside her.

No one was there.

Had this man not returned to the room all night?

Surely he couldn't have been working overtime until now? What exactly was that Peacock busy with?

He truly lived up to being a Colonel. Given his leisurely demeanor on the spaceship, Tu Nan had almost suspected he was a ghost employee.

So when Kong Jiamu said he was technically on vacation, he wasn't lying.

As soon as Tu Nan walked down the stairs, she was startled by a group of sharp-eyed young men with crew cuts.

Two stood straight at the door, and four sat facing each other in the living room. In an instant, they all stood up straight, their gazes snapping toward her in unison.

"Young Miss Pearl! GOOD! MORN! ING!" The voices of the six young men were loud and synchronized, nearly shaking the roof down... With such obvious traits, don't think that just because you're not wearing military uniforms, others won't recognize you.

"Good morning..." Tu Nan's gaze was blank. "Where is Colonel Kong? What are you all..."

Influenced by the atmosphere, she even addressed Kong Jiamu by his military rank.

"Colonel Kong had business and went out! He ordered us to come here and protect Young Miss Pearl!" One person in the living room took a large step forward and answered with his chest puffed out.

Tu Nan slowly tilted her head in disbelief, looked at the front door, and then slowly turned back.

"Can I go out?" She had a feeling the answer was... "Apologies! You cannot!" the soldier answered decisively. "It's dangerous outside! Colonel Kong instructed that everything must wait until he returns!"

Tu Nan laughed with Qi.

Fine then, Kong Jiamu. Using public resources for private ends, even resorting to using soldiers for house arrest?

She didn't argue with these soldiers in plain clothes who were just following orders; she forced a stiff smile and returned to the second floor.

Just as she entered the bedroom, Kong Jiamu's communication call came through; clearly, someone had reported Tu Nan's movements to him.

"Pearl~" His voice was as magnificent as ever, but listening closely, it was clearly tinged with a desire to please.

"I have some official business to attend to and can't accompany you. I sent those people to protect you, so don't get Life Qi. That..." He hesitated for a moment before deciding to clarify the seriousness of the situation.

"Don't take it lightly. The person coming for me this time isn't simple; they're at least A-rank. Having those soldiers at home will be of some use." His voice suddenly turned tender.

"Since I'm not by your side, don't go running around, okay? Don't make me worry."

After saying this, Kong Jiamu didn't explain further.

But... silence is the most Advanced form of leaving things unsaid.

The sound of their breathing was transmitted through the communication line until Tu Nan couldn't take it anymore, and she asked softly.

"Tonight... are you coming home?"

Leaning against a small Aircraft, Kong Jiamu felt a wave of fine goosebumps ripple across his skin like an electric current.

He suddenly felt an unprecedented longing to return to that house, to return to a specific person's side.

"Will you... wait for me?"

"Silly talk," Tu Nan chuckled.

Kong Jiamu swallowed, glanced at the time, and calculated the timing for the operation.

"I'll definitely be back by eight o'clock tonight." He didn't realize how tender his expression was. "I'll bring you a gift. As for those young men, bear with them for one last day, how about it? You'll be safe once I'm back."

"Mm... but once you come back... you'll be in danger." Tu Nan held the small bottle in her hand, a dangerous light gleaming in her eyes.

"I'll be waiting." Kong Jiamu understood her meaning; he laughed huskily and finally hung up the call, walking toward the three colleagues waiting for him.

One of them punched him in the chest and teased, "Oh, what a lucky guy! You'd better put in more effort in today's operation then. Eight o'clock... we can wrap up early too."

Kong Jiamu raised an eyebrow, his slender hands unhurriedly braiding his curly hair and tossing it behind his back.

He jumped onto the Aircraft, flashing a disdainful smile.

"Stop talking nonsense, let's go!"

In an instant, that tenderness receded, and he became the arrogant and powerful Colonel Peacock once more, looking down on everyone.

Having obtained the exact time, Tu Nan could naturally make the best preparations.

She discussed some company regulations with Lance and organized the initial product sequences.

She spent the entire afternoon on video calls with the Children, even staying on to watch them finish all the homework left by Hain.

After dinner, Tu Nan took a long soak in the bathtub that was large enough to swim in and was now grooming her black hair—those were Kong Jiamu's favorite "feathers."

She received a message from Kong Jiamu.

「Finished. Wait for me. Eight o'clock.」

It was six o'clock. Tu Nan looked closely at the short message; the moon of this alien world had already appeared on the curtain of the night sky.

Just after six, after a long wait, Hain finally landed on Xiuyin Star.

He had originally walked into the Terminal with a smile, but as his gaze swept across the hall's screen, he saw a local news report.

Who was that?

His black pupils remained motionless, frozen.

"What's... going on there?" he murmured to himself.

"Ah? Are you talking about Colonel Kong? He was attacked when he landed the day before yesterday, but he's fine." The VIP Receptionist at the Terminal followed Hain attentively and softly told him about this major event on Xiuyin Star.

"They've been collecting clues from the public these past few days. Colonel Kong himself put up three hundred thousand; everyone says he's acting out of a hero's rage for a beautiful woman."

Hain could not mistake the person appearing on the screen, even though she was quickly picked up by Kong Jiamu, clutching his lapel to hide her face.

That was his treasure, his Pearl... Tu Nan.

Had they not already shared their hearts? Tu Nan had already accepted his confession.

Had she not? He was both angry and confused.

Kong Jiamu, what was with him? He clearly said he was passionately involved with a Female Beast... a Female Beast.

Hain quickly searched his memory for conversations with Kong Jiamu and found nothing; Kong Jiamu had never mentioned the name of that Female Beast.

Unable to speculate further, he dialed Kong Jiamu's communication line directly.

It was picked up almost instantly, but the other side was extremely chaotic; he heard the buzzing sound caused by heavy firepower impact.

Kong Jiamu was practically shouting!

"Hain! Great, Hain! We've stirred up a hornet's nest and need to finish them off! You're truly my savior! Quick, quick, quick, go to my house and help me take care of Pearl."

The signal on Kong Jiamu's end paused briefly, then reconnected, but it began to break up.

"My woman... is in danger... targeted by an A-rank, you... hold the fort."

"I beg you! When I'm... back, I'll thank you..."

The communication was completely cut off.

Hain called again, but no one answered.

Half of his brain operated automatically, allowing him to understand everything.

Kong Jiamu had made it very clear; the Female Beast he had boasted about to Hain several times over video calls was indeed Tu Nan. The name Pearl had even been given by him, Hain.

Kong Jiamu should be on a mission right now, lacking a Clone to handle everything, and needed him, as a good friend, to help take care of... his woman, who was also in danger.

His other half of the brain, however, was roaring.

He could not understand any of this.

It was like a calm sea suddenly churning with massive waves.

Hain ignored everyone and headed straight in one direction, walking faster and faster.

He had to find out everything.

Tu Nan... she leaned by the window, gazing at the night sky as it gradually darkened.

Smiling, she pulled the curtains closed.