"Huh?"
Everyone froze, staring at Fei Xiao, who had suddenly appeared.
"I just heard something about the Aeon of Abundance and the Aeon of Destruction. What? What is are you all discussing?" Fei Xiao asked, eyeing them suspiciously.
Aether immediately felt a chill run down his spine, but fortunately, his mind worked quickly, and he instantly came up with a solution.
"Why are you all still standing there? Get up."
Aether stepped forward and kicked the three men. "Didn't you see someone arrive? Still rehearsing? Get up, get up."
The three men were not stupid. After Aether kicked them, they reacted immediately and hurriedly stood up.
"Ahem. Fei Xiao, we were just rehearsing a performance. Why are you here?" Aether coughed lightly and asked.
"So it was just a rehearsal?" Fei Xiao glanced at the three men, clearly unconvinced.
"That's right. You know those short videos people make online," Aether said, standing in front of them and giving another kick for emphasis.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes. We make videos with big… big brother," the three men hurriedly echoed, playing along.
"I have something to discuss with you. Can they step aside?" Fei Xiao ignored them entirely and spoke directly to Aether.
"Of course, of course." Aether nodded, then turned back. "Why are you still standing there?"
After Aether's scolding, the three men scrambled away to stand guard, leaving only Fei Xiao and Aether behind.
"Um, General, what can I do for you?" Aether asked cautiously.
Fei Xiao was about to speak when she suddenly remembered Jiaoqiu's words before she left.
"General, if you don't know how to test that stall owner's character, you can try using last night's incident. Pretend you're pregnant and see how he reacts."
"Well… I'm pregnant."
Fei Xiao thought Jiaoqiu's idea was good and adopted it immediately.
"Huh? Pregnant with what?" Aether was completely confused.
"I'm pregnant," Fei Xiao said, placing a hand over her abdomen and looking straight at him. "With your child."
"Ah?!"
Aether was dumbfounded. Fei Xiao was actually pregnant, just like that. What kind of heaven-defying luck was this?
"So, what do you plan to do?" Fei Xiao asked calmly, watching Aether panic.
"This… give me a moment to calm down."
This was far too stimulating for Aether. He could not process it immediately.
"You're saying that because of what happened last night, you got pregnant?"
"Yes." Fei Xiao nodded.
"…"
Aether fell silent. The dignified Heavenly Strike General, Fei Xiao, had ended up in such a situation with him and was now pregnant. It felt unreal, like something even a novel would hesitate to write.
"Gen… General, I… I'm just an ordinary commoner. I don't think I'm worthy of you. As a General, you need to go to war constantly, and this could become a burden. What do you plan to do?" Aether asked after a long pause.
"Me?" Fei Xiao replied. "This child is innocent. I want to give birth to him."
"Give birth…"
Aether was genuinely surprised. He had not expected Fei Xiao to make such a choice. From any perspective, keeping the child would bring her no benefit.
"I'm very sorry this happened, General, but if this is your decision, then I will take responsibility to the end." Aether straightened slightly as he spoke. Regardless of anything else, this was his responsibility.
"Oh?" Fei Xiao raised an eyebrow. "You're willing to take responsibility for me? Aren't you afraid of being targeted because of our difference in status?"
"Ultimately, this is my fault. If I don't take responsibility as a man, that would be cowardly," Aether said with a self-deprecating smile.
"Besides, I can improve myself. I'll work hard to reach a level comparable to yours so people won't gossip," he added confidently.
After all, as an Emanator of Abundance, strength was not something he truly lacked.
At that moment, Fei Xiao noticed something else. Aether's body had already returned to normal.
A comminuted fracture, especially in the hip area, would normally require even a Long-Lived Species to use crutches at this stage. Yet Aether was standing there just fine.
Recalling last night, he had suffered comminuted fractures and various external injuries, and yet his recovery speed was astonishing.
A plan slowly took shape in Fei Xiao's mind.
"Your name is Aether, right?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Alright, Aether. Interested in a spar?" Fei Xiao asked directly.
"Huh? Me?" Aether pointed at himself, stunned.
"That's right. You have a strong physique, recover quickly, and you're suitable for combat. You're also willing to work hard and improve, so I want to see what your strength is like," Fei Xiao said.
She reached out and patted Aether's arm. Despite his lack of training, his build was indeed solid.
"How about it? Or do you not know martial arts?"
"Well…" Aether scratched his head awkwardly. "I know a little. Definitely not comparable to a great General like you."
"So you do know some. That's enough!" Fei Xiao's eyes lit up. "Come on. Let's spar."
Before Aether could object, Fei Xiao grabbed him and dragged him straight toward the training grounds.
---
Inside the training grounds.
Aether felt a headache coming on as he watched Fei Xiao remove her trench coat and begin stretching.
How did things turn out like this?
All I want is a peaceful life. Why is it so difficult?
I'm in despair, Killer Queen! Third Bomb! Bites the Dust!
Ahem. Wrong channel.
"What weapon are you good at? Pick one. I'll just use my fists and feet," Fei Xiao said.
"No need. I won't use a weapon either. It's just a spar," Aether replied helplessly as he removed his jacket, revealing a tight sleeveless athletic shirt.
"Oh? Not bad. With more training, it'd be even better," Fei Xiao laughed, her eyes lighting up.
Aether was the type who looked slim in clothes but had muscle underneath. It was not exaggerated, but clearly solid.
"Uh, this is just how I am. Shall we start?" Aether asked with an awkward chuckle.
"Mm. Come on. Let me see what you've got." Fei Xiao took a boxing stance.
"Alright."
Aether nodded and assumed a classic Wing Chun asking-hand stance.