Chapter 128: Extra – Drunk Shenanigans

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

The first month after Zhou Yunchen returned to New Blue Star was filled with endless, bizarre rounds of physical examinations, mental evaluations, and follow-up reports. The military and the Federation Academy took painstaking measures to ensure that Zhou Yunchen had suffered no lasting physiological effects from his continuous passage through the Temporal Streams. His mental state, while not entirely intact, was at least stable enough that he wouldn’t spiral into solitary madness and destroy the world. Finally, the authorities decided that Director Lu Yao should take charge of this human hero and let him properly recover at home.

News of Zhou Yunchen’s successful return spread immediately. The thrilling events from thirty years ago captured public imagination once more. Zhou Yunchen and Lu Yao’s names were whispered like divine epithets, synonymous with unparalleled wisdom, courage, and glory.

Yet Zhou Yunchen did not grant any media interviews. Chang Jian carefully controlled public opinion, releasing only a few photos—one of which showed Zhou Yunchen in a hospital room, peering longingly through a glass window at Lu Yao, who was waiting patiently outside.

Online, netizens fiercely debated whether the Supreme Commander resembled a big cat or a big dog. Zhou Yunchen had no idea about any of this. He was busy logging into internal forums under a secondary account, scanning for every image and video Lu Yao had ever released publicly over the years. The forum erupted: That crazy DW is back!

The military counted Zhou Yunchen’s thirty years of drifting in space as active service, awarding him a substantial salary and an exceptionally long leave. Lu Yao, knowing Zhou Yunchen might need time to adjust to life thirty years in the future, allowed him to spend a few months at home recovering. The Supreme Commander became, unexpectedly, a cheerful domestic cook.

One afternoon, as he faced the courtyard preparing cat food for Libi, Lu Yao’s call came through. “Open my work panel, use your admin privileges to access the local storage, and send me a file,” Lu Yao instructed.

“All right.” Zhou Yunchen wiped his hands and headed upstairs. Libi, the long-haired snow leopard cat, stared expectantly at the half-prepared meal, mewing anxiously.

The Supreme Commander ascended coldly. Around the corner, three fluffy silver-gray bundles appeared out of nowhere, bouncing toward him, eyes locked on his hands while chittering softly and licking their lips.

Before accessing Lu Yao’s work panel, Zhou Yunchen washed his hands again. Finally, the three little snow leopards settled, tumbling and pouncing playfully at his feet. He stubbornly refused to admit that these three snow leopards shared his genes.

Lu Yao guided him remotely through accessing the secure storage, locating the necessary file, and uploading it. Zhou Yunchen, recovering his voice, paused suddenly. “What’s wrong?” Lu Yao asked.

Zhou Yunchen glanced at the work panel. His eyes flickered nervously. Voices in the background suggested a meeting was in progress, and he forced himself to remain silent. “Nothing. Continue your work. I’ll wait at home.”

A new mail notification popped up in the corner of the screen. Zhou Yunchen knew he shouldn’t open it, but the sender and subject were written boldly: Anderson Bionic Pet Store.

Instantly, his nerves twitched. The preview intensified his sense of crisis: “The large bionic snow leopard has arrived! We’ve increased the size and improved the sound and interaction system!”

Large! Bionic! Snow leopard!!!

Three minutes passed. Perhaps because no one clicked the email, Anderson Bionic Pets automatically sent a second message:

“Dear customer, based on your browsing history of 10,086 snow leopard entries over the past three years, we recommend the new Giant Interactive Bionic Snow Leopard!”

Giant! Bionic! Interactive! Snow leopard!!!

The scent of jealousy seemed to permeate the air. The three playful little snow leopards froze, craning their heads toward Zhou Yunchen in fear.

He stared at them, a mixture of exasperation and frustration in his eyes. He had left the little snow leopards with Lu Yao so that Lu Yao would always have them to touch, always remember him—and now, these mischievous furballs almost allowed a bionic version to slip in.

Zhou Yunchen took a deep breath, reminding himself that he was a considerate mate. He couldn’t let himself get jealous simply because Lu Yao wanted to buy a second large snow leopard.

That afternoon, when Lu Yao called again, all that came through the line was the rumble of a cat purring and the thump of tails on the floor. When Lu Yao asked Zhou Yunchen how he was, the only reply was snow leopard sounds.

“???”

Lu Yao frowned. “I just wanted to tell you—the planning department is hosting a banquet tonight. You and I are invited. Make sure to come.”

“Meow~” came the drawn-out response. In Lu Yao’s office, Mo Feng had no idea what was happening on the other end. He only saw Lu Yao stare blankly after the call ended, fingers resting idly on his knees, lost in thought. “What’s wrong?”

Lu Yao shook himself free from the warmth and softness of his imaginary snow leopard memories. “Nothing.”

The banquet hosted by the Planning Department was a quiet, understated affair—essentially a buffet reserved for high-level personnel only. When Lu Yao appeared in his white military uniform, everyone greeted him politely and wisely refrained from unnecessary chatter. Thirty years of experience had taught them that the Director was cold, unapproachable, and impervious to flattery; talking too much in his presence only invited mistakes. Lu Yao, therefore, enjoyed a surprisingly relaxed dinner.

He started by popping a mushroom pizza slice into his mouth to stave off hunger. Nearby, Chang Jian was still coordinating the guest list with the event planners, while Mo Feng mingled down the hall, swapping drinks with others. The collective murmur of voices floated above the guests like a thin buzzing cloud.

A passing waiter offered him a glass of white wine to cut through the heaviness of cheese and dough. Lu Yao positioned himself against a windowed wall, immersed in reviewing Verrièr’s latest exploration-type mecha model designs. Upon seeing him, the young engineer had fled Shen Zishen’s supervision to place the drawings in Lu Yao’s hands. Thirty years on, the boy was more than capable of handling things on his own—but Lu Yao still corrected his designs, quietly enjoying the process.

The two huddled by the wall, Lu Yao modifying the diagrams while sipping wine. Verrièr attentively handed him a fresh glass whenever one emptied. Lu Yao, engrossed in the work, barely noticed how many rounds of drinks he had gone through, just instinctively accepting and finishing each glass.

But it wasn’t the alcohol or his flushed cheeks that first made him aware of another presence. The entire hall fell silent in an instant—the buzzing cloud frozen mid-air—and the clearest sound was the steadily increasing stomp of military boots.

Only when the sound stopped right in front of him did Lu Yao look up, blinking as if emerging from a dream. He raised an eyebrow. “Zhou Yunchen? I thought you weren’t coming.”

Seeing Lu Yao’s browsing history, Zhou Yunchen had considered skipping the event—but in the end, he couldn’t refuse. And now, it was clear he had made the right choice. On the windowsill beside Lu Yao sat seven or eight empty glasses. Judging by the shapes, Zhou Yunchen estimated the alcohol consumed: wine, whiskey, vodka, gin and tonic… nothing refused. Normally, Lu Yao rarely drank, and even then, only lightly—and he was meticulous about giving up driving to AI systems afterward. Yet here he was, tipsy from at least five or six strong drinks, a rare sight that betrayed the ordinarily unflappable Director.

Zhou Yunchen stepped forward amidst curious glances, extending a hand. Lu Yao squinted at him, trying to discern something through his blurred vision—a gaze both naïve and strangely desirous. He was clearly drunk, his usual cold, composed demeanor nowhere in sight.

Before Lu Yao could react further, Zhou Yunchen closed the gap, placing a protective shoulder between Lu Yao and prying eyes. Lu Yao’s fingers instinctively scrabbled at Zhou Yunchen’s palm, then wandered to his chest medals and shoulder tassels, toying with them like a confused little animal.

Zhou Yunchen didn’t want the “little beast” exposed to the crowd. He wrapped Lu Yao in his arms, excused himself briefly to Chang Jian, and hurried out. His appearance in the hall was fleeting, a mere pretext to escort Lu Yao home.

Outside, Zhou Yunchen carried the nearly limp Lu Yao toward the garage, carefully placing him in the backseat of their flying vehicle. He climbed in as well, leaving piloting to the AI.

The cityscape of New Blue Star blurred past, night lights sparkling like stars across the curved windshield. Lu Yao lay across Zhou Yunchen’s lap, reaching out to stroke his face. His slender fingers, slightly calloused from years of work, rubbed gently across Zhou Yunchen’s cheeks, then moved to his hair and neck, murmuring softly. Zhou Yunchen leaned in to hear: “Ears… feel the fluff… tail…”

So this was everything on Lu Yao’s mind? Zhou Yunchen almost laughed. He didn’t need an alpha—just a cat. Seizing the moment, Lu Yao looped his arm around Zhou Yunchen’s neck, pressing his head into the older man’s chest. A blend of subtle scent and strong alcohol enveloped Zhou Yunchen, almost overloading his nerves. Lu Yao’s nose pressed into his collarbone, his hands exploring the softer nape of Zhou Yunchen’s head.

“Good… good boy…” Lu Yao murmured. The name struck Zhou Yunchen’s heart. “What did you just call me?” Since Lu Yao realized the snow leopard was him, he rarely used that name.

“Good boy.”

“And if you only had one snow leopard for life… who would it be?” Zhou Yunchen asked, taking advantage of the moment.

“Good boy… darling… cute kitty…” Lu Yao’s voice trailed, vibrating against Zhou Yunchen’s nose with every word. It was irresistible.

The flying vehicle landed, and Zhou Yunchen immediately carried Lu Yao inside, placing him on a wide, soft sofa. Dizzy and dazed, Lu Yao tried to sit up but was held down by strong, heated hands. His will to resist melted under years of reunion and the fervent kiss he received.

“Bad kitty! Bad kitty!” he muttered, scratching Zhou Yunchen’s back in half-conscious protest, leaving streaks of red. Words fragmented; only small sounds and touches echoed in the night.

Seven little snow leopards and the long-haired leopard cat hid upstairs, too intimidated by the alpha’s dangerous aura to come downstairs. By dawn, Zhou Yunchen finally released Lu Yao, taking the weary omega to wash. Surrounded by warm water, Lu Yao slowly stirred, grasping Zhou Yunchen’s shoulders, whispering faintly, “I remember you… didn’t like water…”

Zhou Yunchen, massaging his lower back, assumed it was a joke. But Lu Yao’s hand lingered over him, puzzlingly searching for his tail.

Something was off—Lu Yao’s consciousness still seemed clouded despite the alcohol having likely dissipated overnight. Zhou Yunchen quickly cleaned and dressed him, then rushed him to the emergency department.

Medical staff, seeing the marks and his disoriented state, assumed another reckless AO incident. But blood tests revealed the truth: Lu Yao hadn’t suffered alcohol poisoning—he had ingested raw mushrooms that caused mild hallucinogenic effects. The doctors assured Zhou Yunchen that the toxin would have dissipated if they had arrived later.

Author’s Note:

You actually wanted another snow leopard?

In the end, despite browsing thousands of times, Director Lu Yao didn’t order a “transforming cat” version—he settled on a lynx. The size was just right, and that expression of disdain fits Lu Yao perfectly, haha.

 

 

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