99: Self-doubt

Tu Nan felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, chilling her to the bone.

She had to find a way to completely verify the accuracy of that information first. Although she already believed eighty or ninety percent of it, a small part of her still held onto a sliver of hope.

Besides, if this matter truly prevented her from reaching her goal, she needed a backup plan.

The Children were still young; she had to pave the way for them.

So, for the time being, she didn't pay any attention to Kong Jiamu.

This caused many of the peacock's schemes—schemes he had secretly planned to "teach her a lesson"—to fall through.

After all, he had smilingly extended invitations twice, but the Pearl, who was usually so perceptive and tactful, suddenly seemed unable to understand his hints.

"We'll be passing the Rose Nebula at 2 AM. It's a magnificent sight on this journey, and the viewing spots are always in high demand."

When Kong Jiamu arrived at the breakfast room, Tu Nan and the Children had already finished and were about to leave. He quickly pretended to pass by casually and threw out the bait.

"That's quite late," Tu Nan asked the Children bluntly. "Can you wake up? If you want to go, let Uncle Kong take you."

"Okay!" The two little ones were very interested, and Miao Miao acted spoiled sweetly, "Uncle Kong is so nice~"

Kong Jiamu... what else could he say?

He could only try to avoid the Children next time and find a topic unrelated to Family activities.

"Pearl."

He approached quietly when Tu Nan was alone.

"I found a bottle of Berry Treasure Brew in the storage. I haven't seen this wine in a long time; I didn't expect one to be hidden here."

Using wine to set the mood was very appropriate.

That wine looked sweet but had a strong kick; one glass could make a person tipsy, and two glasses could directly cause a blissful sense of dizziness.

It was indeed a treasure that nobles sought but could rarely obtain.

Tu Nan turned her head slightly toward him, and Kong Jiamu made his smile even more impeccable.

But that detestable Female Beast glanced at him and held her head.

"Sorry, I suddenly feel a bit unwell. I need to go back and lie down."

Tu Nan... Tu Nan did indeed have a headache.

If she couldn't solve the problem of the "Gene Lock," the most she could become with Kong Jiamu was a pair of casual lovers in space.

She might even become a unique anecdote in his history of philandering.

It was completely useless.

Kong Jiamu's perfect expression cracked, and his gaze turned slightly cold.

He had seen this kind of half-hearted rejection too many times when noble Young Misses rejected pestering Male Beasts.

He never thought that one day, he would hear someone say this to his face.

So when he saw Tu Nan chatting and laughing with several Male Beasts at the bar that evening, he became even more displeased.

Observing quietly from a corner for a long while and evaluating those Male Beasts one by one, Kong Jiamu still couldn't figure out why Tu Nan's attitude had changed so suddenly.

There must be some reason he didn't know about.

Kong Jiamu pinched his fingertips. Why did Pearl's attitude change so drastically?

Around that time, she only seemed to have said that one inexplicable sentence.

The sentence that made his teeth itch even now—'How could you be incapable?'

"Heh."

Draining the wine in his glass, he turned and walked straight out of the space.

It must be that some Male Beast said something behind his back; only the mediocre are not envied by others.

But why did he care so much about Pearl's opinion? That was what baffled him.

Was it just because this story was being dragged into a sudden downturn just as it was about to reach its climax, making him feel uncomfortable?

But even so, what was with Pearl being with those Male Beasts?

Even if he were taken apart, he would still be better than them.

He really couldn't understand it.

Kong Jiamu walked back to his room, stared out the window in silence for a while, and suddenly dialed a number.

After a long while, lights and shadows flickered in the room, and a tall, calm figure was projected inside.

"What's so important that you need a projection? I remember you're on a starship."

Hain looked over the environment around Kong Jiamu.

Everything in the room was normal.

He thought Kong Jiamu had used such a dedicated line because of some special situation.

Good, Hain had taken him off the blacklist.

Kong Jiamu wanted to speak but hesitated a bit.

If there was anyone around him whose lips were the tightest and who would definitely tell him the truth, it was this Orca.

But knowing this, he still felt a bit of shame.

Hain stood quietly in place with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe, watching Kong Jiamu pace back and forth in the room without speaking.

"If there's nothing, I'm hanging up."

Hain didn't want to waste time with him.

"Don't, don't, don't..." Kong Jiamu quickly stopped him.

He brushed his long hair back, revealing a full forehead, deep and affectionate peach blossom eyes, bright red lips, and a slender neck... "Let me ask you, if a Female Beast rejects my invitation, what could be the reason?"

He even deliberately turned his face from side to side so his friend could see that his recent beauty hadn't faded in the slightest.

Hain was speechless.

What, was Kong Jiamu so capable now? Using a dedicated line for such a thing... although he believed Kong Jiamu could afford the ridiculously high cost, the key was that only a maximum of two real-time video calls could be maintained on the starship at once.

This was even the result of Hongtu Aviation's luxurious configuration; otherwise, there would only be one.

Hain was a bit impatient. It seemed Kong Jiamu had finally suffered a setback; good.

He had long been dissatisfied with his friend's dissolute lifestyle.

"Rejects you? That Female Beast is quite smart," Hain commented bluntly. "Why, don't you know why the Female Beasts surrounding you all day are there?"

"It's either for your money or for your face."

Kong Jiamu rolled his eyes.

"Hey, don't make personal attacks. Every relationship is consensual. Besides, who doesn't consider money and looks when choosing a partner?"

Kong Jiamu sneered, including his own mother.

Hain gave up on continuing the discussion with his friend on this issue.

The Orca Family valued kinship above all; he truly couldn't understand the chaotic relationships of the Kong Family.

"Since you're asking me, I'm telling you that there are plenty of Female Beasts who aren't moved by money or looks. Congratulations, you've finally met one."

Hain's expression softened. After all, he felt his friend was rarely this serious, so he advised him.

"If you really think the other person is good, then don't keep playing around. Feelings can't withstand jokes."

Kong Jiamu felt that Pearl didn't seem like she didn't care about his face; she was clearly dazzled by him before... "No, it doesn't seem to be that."

He threw out a heavy question to Hain.

"She suspects that I'm incapable!"

Kong Jiamu asked Hain seriously, looking quite sincere.

"How can I prove it? She won't let me take the next step."

Hain was speechless. He sneered twice and decisively hung up the call.

He had originally wanted to ask for the lady's name, as he was curious about what kind of person could shake Kong Jiamu.

Now... forget it.

This peacock was beyond saving; whatever.

"Hey!"

Kong Jiamu was stunned.

He had plucked up the courage to expose himself, hoping Hain would give him some advice, but this was how Hain treated him?

He angrily redialed.

He was blacklisted again.

Fine!

This Orca hadn't touched a single relationship except for that one secret crush; what the hell does he know!

Kong Jiamu thought resentfully, winning over Pearl would have to depend on himself!