Jiang Qingli froze for a moment.

Her mind involuntarily replayed the emergency she had encountered on the day she first arrived here.

The Vermilion Bird, several meters tall, was immense yet graceful. Its crimson feathers gleamed dazzlingly in the sun, its tail feathers swaying like streams of light.

The moment their eyes met, the Vermilion Bird’s majestic gaze locked onto its target. It let out a long cry to the heavens as its wings ignited in flames several meters high, whipping up a powerful gale as it dove toward her.

Some time had passed since that encounter, but the Vermilion Bird’s formidable Superpower, its frenzied and nihilistic destruction, and the sheer pressure of its size had left a deep impression on Jiang Qingli.

But when he had gently nuzzled her face, he hadn’t seemed so fierce.

’He was actually... kind of cute.’

"What are you spacing out for? You like this type?" Ai Li slung an arm around her neck, nodding in approval. "Perfectly normal! I mean, this Brother Stone is seriously hot—way better looking than all those guys who asked for your number. He used to be a student at the military academy..."

Ai Li paused. "That’s weird. Isn’t he only nineteen? How could his pollution level be so severe that he needs to be locked up?"

Jiang Qingli didn’t know either, so she turned her attention to the detailed file—

[Name: Que Feiling

Sex: Male

Race: Vermilion Bird

Age: 19

Superpowers: Fire Element, Wind Element (Dual Superpowers)

Mission Details: The subject’s pollution level is high, fluctuating between 65%-85% for the past six months, which has severely affected his life and mental state. Specific symptoms include: extreme instability in his full human form (spends most of the day in a half-beast state); somnambulism; depressive moods; etc.

This purification mission will last for four weeks, every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Schedule is adjustable in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Projected Goal: Reduce pollution level to 50% or below.

Mission Rewards: 365 days of access to the Third District’s imperial fruit and vegetable supply chain; ten Repair Gemstones; ownership of a 500-square-meter property in the First District’s Zone D-011; the Moon God Crown (Note: The Moon God Crown is a diamond jewelry piece provided by the subject’s relatives and has been authenticated as genuine by a jeweler.)

Warning: The subject’s squad was ambushed by Mutant Beasts during a secret military academy mission, during which a classmate was killed. The subject consequently developed severe PTSD. Although his condition has improved, the mission operative is requested to avoid mentioning the subject’s "studies," "past," or "friends" during the process. Thank you very much.]

Due to differences in status, physical build, and Superpowers between the two sexes, females held absolute authority in politics and the justice system. Meanwhile, only about 20% of the military was female, with most concentrated in the relatively safe Upper City District and Central District, primarily responsible for management, communications, and logistics.

Over 80% of the students in military academies were male, mainly tasked with fighting Mutant Beasts.

The closer one got to the Lower District, the more severe the pollution, and the higher the risk of casualties.

The information was laid out in simple, direct black and white, yet it carried an overwhelming sense of cruelty.

Ai Li’s eyes widened. She clearly hadn’t expected a rich young master like him to have such a past.

"I remember now. This was a huge deal back then," Lin Xiyue suddenly said. "The one who died was the Qiao Family’s youngest son, who was also the brother of your secretary-general."

"His mother is the head of Tianyue Media. At the time, she insisted that Que Feiling, as the squad leader, had given a wrong command that led to her son’s death."

"Everyone online was cursing him out. The talk only died down after the military tribunal found him not guilty, ruling that the deceased had been caught in a surprise attack."

"Now that you mention it, I remember too. Didn’t their whole squad take a leave of absence from the academy?"

Ai Li sighed and patted Jiang Qingli’s shoulder. "Girl, I feel for him, but someone with that kind of trauma could go berserk and Beastify. If you don’t think you can handle it, you can always turn down the mission."

"It’s fine. The Prison has Superpower-blocking devices." Jiang Qingli gave her a reassuring smile. "Trust me."

After speaking, her finger tapped the [Confirm and Accept] button on the screen.

—

The sun had set by the time she said goodbye to her friends.

Downstairs from Ai Li’s apartment, a lavish black car slowly pulled up in front of Jiang Qingli. The rear window rolled down, revealing the sharp, untamed profile of the snow leopard youth.

He had just returned from a visit with the Imperial Family and was still in crisp formal wear. He had taken off his black suit jacket, and his white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing his pale collarbones. Combined with the way he was deliberately avoiding her gaze to look cool, he had the alluring wildness of a thug in a suit.

Jiang Qingli stood still, her gaze slowly sweeping over his face.

A few seconds later, Qin Muye broke character.

The young man pursed his lips, a little uncomfortable. "Stop staring. Get in."

Deciding not to tease the easily flustered puppy, Jiang Qingli agreed and walked over.

The moment she sat down in the car, he reached out and pulled her into a tight hug.

"So clingy," Jiang Qingli said with a smile, caressing his face.

Qin Muye mumbled, "Am not," but then turned his other cheek for her to stroke as well.

As she caressed his face, his breath grew hot. He lowered his head to find her lips, simultaneously pressing her against his waist.

Sensing certain changes in Qin Muye, Jiang Qingli’s face flushed.

After letting him kiss her for a while, she placed her fingertips on his forehead and pushed him back slightly, her tone a fond complaint. "We just spent the night together the day before yesterday."

"We didn’t even do anything," Qin Muye grumbled, his arms still around her waist. He ground his teeth in frustration at the memory of that night.

Every year during the Moon Festival, the Imperial Family holds a grand ceremony.

Every member of the Imperial Family is required to attend, participate in the lengthy rituals, and give a speech.

In the past, Qin Muye would just do the bare minimum to get by, but the thought that it was a national broadcast and Jiang Qingli would be watching made him swallow his annoyance and participate properly.

He hadn’t paid much attention before, but after going, he realized the whole thing was absolute torture!

And that’s not even mentioning all the tedious etiquette.

The key issue was that last year, the public had complained that Qin Muye using a pre-written script lacked sincerity, so this year the Emperor demanded he write it himself.

On Wednesday, Qin Muye had written over twenty drafts, all of which were rejected by the Emperor. When the final submission still wasn’t satisfactory, the Emperor got fed up and simply summoned the head of the propaganda department to sit beside him and coach him.

By the time he got back, it was already after midnight. Jiang Qingli had fallen asleep at her desk while reading through some documents and waiting for him.

How could Qin Muye bear to disturb her? After washing up, he just held her and fell asleep.

Then he was summoned to write more drafts. He had finally gotten approval today and was just now let go.

Jiang Qingli patted his head. "It’ll be over soon. Be good."

"Mhm."

Qin Muye rested his face on her shoulder, his eyes glancing up at her expression. He twined his fingers with hers, the tips of his ears turning red.

His gaze clearly showed he had something to say.

Jiang Qingli gave him a look, encouraging him to speak.

Qin Muye averted his gaze and cleared his throat. "...What about Saturday morning?"

He felt like he sounded too eager and quickly added an explanation, "I have to study etiquette in the afternoon."

She gave his earlobe a gentle pinch. "I have a mission on Saturday morning," she said soothingly.

"What mission?" Qin Muye’s eyebrows drooped.

"The Healing Association assigned me a mission. On Saturday morning, I’m going to the Prison to perform healing on a Beastman with a high pollution level."

’The Prison?’

Qin Muye’s grip on her hand tightened, his brow furrowing deeply. "Who’s the mission subject?"