8 Drunkenness

The pirates were all robust and fierce, each bearing a menacing expression. Their bulky frames, like small mountains, cast shadows almost enough to bury Bu Hui.

Upon hearing this, they immediately gathered around in a cluster.

“I’ve seen her on the Star Network!”

“She’s the woman who successfully matched the boss’s genes...”

“No, how did she get on the ship?!”

“She must have been brought by the boss... Looks like we’re getting a sister-in-law!”

Excited murmurs rose and fell, their voices low but still clearly audible.

Sweat poured down Bu Hui’s face as she stood surrounded in the center. Had she anticipated boarding a pirate ship one day, she certainly wouldn’t have dug such a deep hole for herself by taking advantage earlier.

The pirate leader cast cold, sharp glances at them. Several subordinates quickly reined in their gossiping expressions and sternly ordered these unrefined brutes, who knew nothing about ship repairs, to get back to their respective duties and disperse.

Reluctantly, the pirates scattered.

Hellish corporal punishment was no joke. Though eager to watch the show, their lives were more important.

With the pressure of being surrounded suddenly easing, Bu Hui caught her breath and faced a few eager, bright-eyed faces.

Inside the engineering bay, several mechanics were already frantically working at the repair stations.

“Access card logging in, identifying... identity confirmed...”

Bu Hui waited patiently.

Time was tight; Perseus had no time for idle gossip and had grabbed Bu Hui, hurrying her along to the repair location while activating a special access pass. This was the first time the pass had been used since the ship’s construction, intended solely for emergencies—Bu Hui was completely unaware of its significance.

“Access granted for Unit 01.”

With a beep, Bu Hui’s neural interface linked with the central console. After identity verification, a transparent oxygen dome rose from beneath her feet, enveloping her and gently lowering her onto the repair platform.

Before her stretched a vast, gray virtual space. Bu Hui stood at the center on a silver elliptical dais, beginning to carefully examine the damaged sections.

The sleek, black-gray superalloy wings had been bombarded and were barely holding on. Other mechanics had already begun repairs there, so flight safety was not a concern. The most severe damage was at the ship’s mid-to-rear section, where internal bulkhead doors were seriously compromised, with airflow raging violently every second.

She had never encountered such a densely constructed, perfectly designed warship before.

A pang of pity swelled within her, and she murmured reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’ll fix you.”

Stepping back, she placed her palm on the operation panel.

Her worn, basic neural interface lit up, its mechanical voice slowly announcing, “Welcome to the Theseus Repair System. 314 repair tasks identified. Would you like intelligent assistance?”

“Yes.”

“Please proceed with the next operation...”

The damage was so extensive that the entire repair process would take two to three days. Bu Hui rallied her spirits, opening the side pocket of her belt and pouring in a bottle of basic nutrient solution.

Unbeknownst to her, her monotonous work was being livestreamed in real-time.

In the bridge control area, several subordinates huddled around screens, watching Bu Hui intently.

“What a primitive neural interface—probably a model abandoned decades ago during upgrades. And it actually works? Was letting her handle this too reckless?”

The armory commander Bai San voiced his doubts.

“Poor girl, what kind of junk nutrient solution is that she’s drinking? Is that even drinkable? I’m going to send her proper supplies right now!”

The medical logistics chief, He Yin, exclaimed in shock.

“How has she survived with such a frail physique? It’s unbelievable.”

The assault team captain, Sang Tingshan, the most straightforward and burly among the captains, scratched his head in amazement.

“Cheap and effective. Why can’t I find such a good employee? I’d gladly raise her pay!”

This was a jealous calculation from Captain Perseus, who commanded the group.

Perseus was known for his shrewdness, intelligence, and cunning. When Xin Chi was absent, he was the second-in-command controlling the battle situation. Hearing praise from his usually stingy and harsh mouth meant Bu Hui was performing exceptionally well in ship repairs.

His envious, ugly expression made the others exchange glances before showing disdain.

This guy even dares to make moves on the boss’s woman!

Their conversation veered off completely.

“Enough chatting?”

Xin Chi’s cold, icy voice from the main console instantly froze their excited discussion. They had been sneaking a peek while the boss was distracted by paperwork, only to be caught red-handed.

“Perfect timing. Report what you were doing while I was away.” The pirate leader’s tone was threatening.

The familiar reckoning process made them inwardly cringe.

Punishment was inevitable again!

...

Bu Hui worked day and night on the repair files. The Theseus was equipped with the most advanced cutting-edge devices; she only needed to analyze data on the console and control nanobots remotely to repair the ship.

Previously, on business trips, she had to personally disassemble and fix components! She had even been tethered and hung outside the ship for a day and night before!

The repair progressed much more smoothly than she had imagined, and her spirits were high—mainly because the engineering bay was continuously supplied with food and nutrients. After drinking several bottles of nutrient solution and feasting during breaks, Bu Hui’s cheeks flushed a rosy red, like a cute little apple. On the third day, she emerged from the engineering bay with a light step.

As soon as she stepped out, she was surrounded by a crowd and received enthusiastic applause.

“Most of the toughest repairs were solved by Ms. Bu Hui. She turned the tide with a small frame packed with terrifying energy. She’s a genius!”

Perseus’s voice was passionate, as if he wanted to grab Bu Hui’s hand and thank her profusely.

Truly a godsend!

The elite mechanics aboard the ship were collectively outpaced by her alone. Thanks to her help, they had averted a major loss.

Within just two days, the pirates’ moods had swung wildly from skepticism to shock, then admiration.

At first, when the news of the gene match flooded the Star Network, they had scoffed, thinking the Federation was deliberately humiliating Xin Chi.

Later, as Bu Hui’s book was marketed, they amused themselves watching the spectacle.

Now, they had finally put away their mockery and disrespect, recognizing the delicate young woman before them.

Pirates were clear in their likes and dislikes.

Those who helped them were friends!

Her once rosy cheeks flushed even deeper, her beautiful doe eyes wide open as she struggled to maintain a calm demeanor.

Xin Chi quietly observed the subtle changes in her expression from within the crowd.

He rarely studied others but found this fascinating.

So this is what “shyness” looks like in humans.

That night, the ship docked temporarily at a private small planet. A rather lavish celebration banquet was held for everyone to relax. Xin Chi never participated but did not interfere with his subordinates’ harmless entertainment during rest time.

The noisy, joyous feast featured singing, dancing, drinking, and feasting, a wild revelry.

No one knew what tomorrow held; they indulged fully while they could.

Bu Hui was strictly forbidden from being forced to drink alcohol. She enjoyed a rare, carefree feast, listening to several captains joking and bantering, providing her with more material for her writing.

The warm atmosphere was something Bu Hui had never experienced before. She even mustered the courage to ask for a small glass of wine.

He Yin, a gentle-faced young man, continuously urged her to eat and drink more, teaching her what to consume to grow taller and stronger. Even the wine was carefully selected low-alcohol cherry sparkling wine, diluted half with soda at Bu Hui’s cup.

Yet, after a sip, Bu Hui’s eyes glazed over in intoxication.

Several captains were speechless.

Perseus winked and whispered, “Send her to the boss.”

Bai San flushed red and growled irritably, “What are you thinking?!”

“Tsk, such an innocent little virgin.”

Perseus’s merciless mockery drove him mad. Blushing furiously, he threw a few punches.

Completely clueless, Sang Tingshan gulped down a large bottle of wine, puzzled, “Why are they fighting?”

The confusion lingered briefly in his mind before flushing away like water down a drain. Excitedly, he joined in, “I want to spar with you guys too!”

“You two brawlers don’t drag me into this! Get lost!”

Perseus wailed miserably.

Watching this farce unfold, He Yin sighed.

Good—he knew they were in for hellish extra punishment once they returned to headquarters. They would regret their actions once sober.

He looked at Bu Hui with concern. She appeared weak and soft, her bones seemingly fragile, and she seemed difficult to move.

Their lives revolved around tough women of strength, charming women from chaotic districts, and innocent, naive nobles—they had encountered them all.

In truth, as long as Xin Chi desired, he lacked no excellent female companions.

But what he hated most was the vulgar display of unchecked desire.

Absolute composure, absolute strength and cruelty—this was the strongest belief that had carried them through following Xin Chi.

Perseus’s joking was actually a subtle probe.

If Xin Chi showed interest in her, her existence would take on a different meaning.

Such was the pirates’ cold, logical thinking.

Delivering Bu Hui to the boss was Perseus’s way of helping her, considered payment for her ship repairs.

Climbing upward with that man meant a chance at unlimited power and wealth. How many power-hungry nobles would envy the opportunity to send their daughters or wives his way!

He Yin silently speculated that Bu Hui might remain aboard after tonight. Simply being allowed on the ship was already extraordinary; how things would develop remained to be seen.

He glanced sideways, meeting Perseus’s sly gaze.

That scoundrel had calculated well. If the boss was uninterested, out of talent preservation, Bu Hui could be absorbed into the headquarters as a mechanic.

This was an exceptional opportunity for an ordinary person to leap to the top.

He Yin believed she wouldn’t want to miss it.

His chaotic thoughts were interrupted as he bent down to lift the drunken Bu Hui to the boss’s resting room, when a large hand suddenly reached over and yanked her up from the table. He froze, locking eyes with a pair of feral, cold, narrow eyes.

Xin Chi’s face was fierce and handsome, his profile sharp as a blade, untouched by the revelry around him.

The noisy banquet fell silent.

The boss...

Xin Chi, eyes betraying shock, hoisted Bu Hui onto his shoulder as if she were a sack of goods, utterly emotionless.

The onlookers’ faces cracked: “...” They had overthought it.

At that moment, the flushed and dazed Bu Hui mumbled softly, wriggling like a fish on his broad shoulder, slippery and impossible to grasp.

Xin Chi’s expression remained unreadable as he grabbed her arm to stop her from struggling.

He also restrained the sudden strange flutter in his heart.

Bu Hui babbled incoherently, furrowing her brows in distress until finally, she stopped moving, resignedly laying on his shoulder. Then, much to everyone’s shock, she suddenly vomited all over Xin Chi.

That moment shattered all romantic illusions.

The culprit was satisfied, closed her eyes, and immediately fell asleep.

Xin Chi: “...”

The captains: “...”

It was over.

Completely misjudged.

Tonight was clearly Bu Hui’s death anniversary.