SZAR Chapter 74

The next morning, Yi Xi dug the still-drowsy male out from under the covers.

The bartender kept odd hours, sleeping by day and working by night. Chu Xiu was used to sleeping late. His beautiful peach-blossom eyes drooped sleepily as he looped his arms around Yi Xi’s neck: “Is it really eight already?”

Yi Xi sighed helplessly: “It’s eight.”

He gestured for the male to get up: “Si Si has breakfast ready. Eat first, then go.”

The male in the morning was like a soft noodle, pliable and floppy. He sat up sleepily, hair all messy, and reached out to Yi Xi: “Morning kiss.”

Yi Xi bent down and lightly pressed a kiss to his cheek, soothing the male’s morning grumpiness. Chu Xiu dressed quickly and climbed out of bed, joining Yi Xi at the breakfast table.

Si Si followed its fixed breakfast routine. The menu was limited, the taste correct but not remarkable. Chu Xiu chewed a bite of buttered bread and asked, “Yi Xi, can you cook?”

Although every female in the Zerg species could cook, someone like Yi Xi, a giant in the business world, didn’t look like he’d ever touch a stove.

Yi Xi paused: “I learned once… and I was okay. But it’s been many years. I don’t know how I’d do now.”

Every female learned these little domestic skills at school to please, but Yi Xi had left school over twenty years ago. Chu Xiu’s cooking was excellent, and Yi Xi wasn’t confident he could satisfy the male.

“All right.” Chu Xiu scooped a spoonful of mushroom soup. “Don’t eat at the cafeteria at noon. I’ll go to Stellar with you and cook together.”

He handed Yi Xi the light-brain device, displaying a blank space. The fan count was skyrocketing at an absurd speed, updating every second, and the visible tips were climbing as well. This was Chu Xiu’s newly created account from yesterday:《Yi Xi’s Home Meals Today.》

He hadn’t expected such a rough account, without even camera cuts, to become so popular. But since it was started, he might as well keep doing it; any earnings could go into the foundation.

Of course, the greatest benefit from the account wasn’t there. The male’s performance yesterday had reassured worried investors, Stellar’s stock reversed its decline and rose overnight, instantly earning Yi Xi hundreds of billions in net worth.

As Yi Xi’s male and co-holder of Stellar Group’s wealth, Chu Xiu’s net worth also skyrocketed.

He had never imagined that his face could be worth so much. For a moment, he pictured those human elites who married celebrity influencers—celebrity wives brought attention, traffic, and reputation to their companies.

Since the benefits were this great, giving it up would be a waste. Chu Xiu said, “I’ll go to Stellar today and cook with you.”

Yi Xi, of course, nodded in agreement.

After breakfast, they each boarded their aircraft, Yi Xi to work, Chu Xiu to court.

Even lawsuits treated males with special privilege. He wasn’t called to the stand or locked in the small iron cage. Staff politely guided him to his seat, providing snacks and fruit, and, to avoid startling him, they didn’t even place a defendant sign on the table.

The lawyer Yi Xi hired sat beside Chu Xiu, meticulously organizing the trial documents. Honestly, the chance of complete victory was slim, after all, the opposing party was a respected B-rank male and had even been enraged to the point of coughing blood. But money could solve everything for Yi Xi; when he handed the case to the lawyer, he didn’t even ask about the potential compensation amount.

He hired this lawyer just to make sure Chu Xiu wasn’t wronged.

Chu Dian was still in the hospital receiving an IV, unable to attend, while Chu Jin sat on the plaintiff’s side, watching from afar with a hint of provocation in his eyes.

His demands were simple: he wanted at least 20% of Yi Xi’s estate; if possible, he wanted all of it.

His timid older brother had suddenly shown audacity, inexplicably separating from the Chu family, causing Chu Jin to miss out on what should have been his inheritance. The Chu family, a long-established aristocratic house, had long been living beyond its means, bringing them shame among the old nobility. Yet, relying solely on Chu Dian’s illness to claim everything was unrealistic. After consulting multiple lawyers, Chu Jin planned to ask for the maximum feasible portion — 20%.

The case files had already been delivered to the judge’s desk, and Chu Jin’s lawyer spoke first.

He spoke fluently and confidently, starting by exaggerating Chu Xiu’s actions, how unfilial he had been, how arrogant, how he had angered his kind and gentle father to the point of a cerebral infarction. He emphasized Chu Dian’s serious condition, bedridden and on continuous IV drips, and finally presented Chu Xiu with two options.

“First, you may keep your Chu family noble status, but you must take Yi Xi back to live at the old estate.”

“Second, the Chu family will disown you. You must compensate 20% of the family assets as your father’s emotional damages, medical expenses, and maintenance costs.”

He looked at Chu Xiu. “How does Young Master Chu decide?”

Chu Jin looked at Chu Xiu as well.

Based on his understanding of that useless older brother, he would choose the first option.

Chu Xiu was an F-rank waste; apart from his noble status, he had nothing. He was even worse off than high-rank civilian males at school. All his self-esteem in his early life came from this title, he valued it more than his own life. Chu Jin was certain he would never give it up.

After all, without the Chu family, what was Chu Xiu even worth?

His father, Chu Dian, thought the same. He knew his eldest son’s personality best, timid, incompetent, and afraid of trouble. Learning the truth about the car accident had been hard for him, but after the argument passed, he would still return home.

To even repair the relationship, he had sent one of the female slaves Chu Jin liked, waiting for Chu Xiu’s return today.

Thinking about that slave, Chu Jin felt a bit resentful. He had originally planned to enjoy both twins, one after the other, a presumably exquisite experience. Now that one had been separated, he was clearly dissatisfied.

The lawyer beside him also looked nervously at Chu Xiu.

He was employed by Stellar Group, directly responsible to Yi Xi, and everyone knew that if Chu Xiu chose the first option, Yi Xi’s future days wouldn’t be easy.

Returning to the old estate would mean being completely at someone else’s mercy.

Chu Xiu thought: Leaving the Chu family… and there’s still such a benefit?

He lifted his eyelids, taking in Chu Jin’s overconfident gaze, and subtly rolled his eyes.

‘What era do you think this is, little brother? Still talking about nobles? The foot-binding cloths of the Qing dynasty have rotted away, the Russian nobles went to Siberia to plant sweet potatoes, Puyi lost his gardens, and even Empress Dowager Cixi wasn’t this backward. Besides, the Chu family only has a noble title left, no money at all. They raised the original owner, a fine young man, into a punky mess. Clearly, their taste is terrible. Chu Xiu really doesn’t understand what good such a noble is, just to show off?’

His lazy voice came from the defendant’s seat: “I choose option two.”

The lawyer let out a sigh of relief and messaged his boss: “It should only require a monetary compensation.”

Chu Jin’s brows twitched. Chu Xiu’s choice was unexpected, but it wasn’t bad. The Chu family had huge debts coming due. Returning to the main estate would mean more negotiation and maneuvering, so taking 20% of the assets first to offset debts was reasonable; the rest could be sorted out later.

A high-rank male was made sick by his own son and that son happened to be low-rank. 20% was a high but reasonable figure. The judge’s gaze swept over the two males: “Do either of you have objections to the following judgment?”

He read aloud in a strong voice: “Male Chu Xiu, F-rank, provoked male father Chu Dian, B-rank, causing his cardiovascular attack and hospitalization. According to Imperial law, the defendant Chu Xiu shall allocate 20% of his family assets to the plaintiff Chu Dian for medical and maintenance expenses. Any objections?”

A trace of frenzy flashed in Chu Jin’s eyes.

After the ruling, the property would be publicly displayed. Yi Xi’s shareholdings would appear on the screen. He couldn’t wait to see how much the Empire’s richest had, even fantasizing about how he could spend the money, how many beautiful female attendants he could buy at the auction…

Chu Xiu put down the snack in his hand, a sticky rice cake he had just studied the ingredients for.

He raised his hand: “I have an objection.”

Amid Chu Jin’s shock and the lawyer’s puzzled look, he said: “I request the judge to re-examine my rank.”

After a male’s second awakening, data takes a few days to update; it was normal for the case files not to reflect it.

Chu Jin glared at him sharply: “What do you mean?”

Chu Xiu lazily looked away: “Re-examine my rank. Don’t you understand?”

A bad feeling rose in Chu Jin, but he forced it down. In panic, he sneered and blurted: “Why re-examine? You’re F, the lowest of the F’s. You don’t actually think re-examining your rank will surpass our father, do you? Even if you advance five ranks, what ridiculous dream are you thinking of?”

Chu Xiu looked up at the judge. “Your Honor, can it be checked?”

“Yes, it can.” The judge closed the case file and glanced at Chu Jin with a hint of pity. He had long ago obtained Chu Xiu’s true rank, but due to privacy rules for males, the information had to be strictly confidential. Since Chu Xiu hadn’t requested an update to the files, they couldn’t change them on their own, hence the ridiculous scene of a B-rank male lecturing an A-rank.

Currently, the highest males were A-rank, the true tip of the pyramid, making up less than one percent of B-rank numbers. No wonder Chu Jin was so shocked, an F-rank awakening directly to A-rank was extraordinarily rare. Probably the only case in the entire Zerg species. The appraisal center had retested five times; all staff stared at the reports, then concluded: “It must have been a misread during the awakening test.”

Damn it. The previous testing instruments were too poor to detect His Excellency’s true level. Otherwise, how could a male who awakened to A-rank only have been F-rank before?

The judge felt pity for the entire Chu family. First, mistaking a worthless gem for a pearl, then a pearl for a worthless gem. If Chu Xiu were still in the family, just through marriage alliances he could restore the family’s glory. He could marry several major generals, some mid-level officers, a few top business magnates… in that situation, even Yi Xi would have to step aside.

The judge pushed up his glasses. “Have my assistant recalibrate the rank data for His Excellency Chu Xiu.”

Chu Jin visibly tensed.

He looked at Chu Xiu, who sat calmly in his seat, showing no sign of nervousness, utterly confident. He ignored Chu Jin completely and even picked up the snack wrapper on the table, reading the ingredient list carefully, word by word.

Hmm… what should we make for the live stream at lunch today? Chopping meat feels too rough, not very elegant. We made porridge yesterday… maybe we can knead some dough and make small desserts?

Chu Jin bitterly withdrew his gaze, nervously staring at the large screen. His fingers clenched his sleeves, trembling slightly.

It shouldn’t happen. It shouldn’t happen. Only surpassing B-rank could change the judgment, but that useless brat, he was clearly useless… how could he possibly surpass B?

He wasn’t the only one anxious. Many were tense. The Empire’s judicial trials were public and transparent; besides the plaintiff, defendant, and judge, journalists could observe. Yi Xi was extremely popular now, and yesterday Chu Xiu had made a viral hit with 《Yi Xi’s Home Meals Today》, which had practically become the interstellar viral hotspot. If Chu Xiu’s rank really changed, it would be another headline grabbing everyone’s attention.

Cameras were set up, recording the screen non-stop, capturing everything faithfully.

The court was connecting to the appraisal center’s database. A progress bar appeared on the screen. Once it finished, Chu Xiu’s level would appear.

As the bar neared the end, everyone instinctively held their breath.

5… 4… 3… 2…

1—

A-Rank!

The huge letters appeared in the center of the screen, and the courtroom erupted in shock.

A-Rank! Fewer than a hundred individuals in the entire Empire ever reached this!

Bold, proper words, yet everyone felt dizzy. An F-rank had awakened to A-rank, from a useless male to one of the highest purity pheromone males. Could this really happen?

Chu Jin swayed, barely able to stand. He glared at the judge, face twisted, his voice hysterical: “Impossible… impossible… how could this be?”

“…You must have colluded, joined together to deceive me. It must be! How could this happen…”

“There is nothing impossible, Your Excellency Chu Jin.” The judge watched his outburst calmly. “The result has been repeatedly confirmed by the appraisal center. They would not dare joke with a noble A-rank male. His Excellency Chu Xiu is truly A-rank, legitimately, an A-rank that is beyond dispute.”

“The Empire’s courts are absolutely fair, and it is impossible for us to collude with any noble to undermine the dignity of the law. If you have doubts, you may appeal to a higher court, but I guarantee on the honor of the judiciary that your appeal will yield no result.”

The judge’s words were calm, stern, leaving almost no room for negotiation. Chu Jin felt all his strength drain away and slumped unsteadily into his seat.

Chu Xiu… that waste of a brother he had bullied since childhood, weak and powerless, always bullied by others, the brother whose father would have sacrificed his life to pave the way for himself had become an A-rank?!

The judge ignored Chu Jin’s twisted posture and brought the gavel down heavily.

“Considering that Lord Chu Xiu’s rank has risen, and based on Lord Chu Dian’s statement that he automatically expels him from the Chu family, Lord Chu Xiu bears no obligation to support Lord Chu Dian. This court rules that the plaintiff’s claim is invalid and hereby dismisses it.”

Chu Xiu didn’t even glance at Chu Jin and stood up to leave.

It was almost noon, and he was rushing to Stellar to livestream lunch with Yi Xi.

Cameras in the courtroom flashed like mad, capturing Chu Xiu’s profile, Chu Jin’s hysterics, and the dazzling A-rank on the screen, freezing them into frame after frame.

In the photos, Chu Xiu stood tall, his black suit hugging a perfect physique. Guided by staff, he rose from his seat, speaking quietly with his lawyer. His side profile perfectly followed the “three highs and four lows¹” aesthetic standard: a prominent bridge, long eyelashes like butterfly wings. The jewel cufflinks on his sleeves sparkled. Compared to the insane Chu Jin beside him, he looked every bit the noble young master raised by an old-established imperial family.

Unlike the media frenzy, Chu Xiu’s lawyer stayed behind, sending him off, staring blankly at the files, sighing with worry.

He meticulously drafted notes on the light-brain, writing, crossing out, rewriting, deleting, and rewriting again. Finally, he let out a long sigh, grit his teeth, and opened Yi Xi’s communication interface.

Some things cannot stay hidden. Chu Xiu’s rank would hit the Star Network that afternoon, and Yi Xi would find out sooner or later.

But they had only been newlyweds for a few days. This news was far too cruel.

His boss was, of course, exceptional. Yi Xi had a gentle temperament and considerable wealth, and in his youth had been the ideal partner in every noble male’s mind. But times had changed. Yi Xi was older now. Though time had granted him a calm, elegant composure he never had when young, to a noble male, these fine qualities were hardly worth mentioning.

To a male, youth and beauty were what mattered most.

Now, this aging female, with pheromone issues and questionable fertility, was unfit to occupy the position of a female monarch for an A-rank male.

He closed his eyes, clicked send, and immediately cut the connection at light speed, not even daring to look at Yi Xi’s reply.

【 Boss… there’s something I need to tell you. 】

【 Your male lord… he seems to be A-rank… 】