"…"

Fenix was stunned.

What’s going on?!

Ferran is so unlucky!

Fenix couldn’t believe how Ferran ended up connected with Raven.

… Oh.

Actually, it made sense.

After all, the Fernando Group was in the aerospace industry, and in the space age, everything was related to this field.

It was normal for Raven to be associated with the top company in this sector.

But normal as it may be…

Fenix watched Ferran being taken away, looking completely bewildered. He turned to look at Lion and then Raven.

One was munching on a rabbit head, the other was eating rice, neither paying any attention to the news.

Damn.

You ex-pirates really have no heart!

Fenix turned back, touched his small conscience, and wondered—would he have suggested Lion report for the reward if he had known Ferran would get caught?

Fenix seriously pondered for two seconds, then reached out with his paw and patted Lion’s hand.

Lion turned his head, "Hmm?"

Fenix pointed at the projection, "Meow~"

Lion understood, "He won’t be in trouble."

Good!

Very good!

Fenix’s conscience immediately perked up.

Punishing evil and promoting righteousness!

Reporting criminals and improving social morals—everyone has a responsibility!

Lion looked at the suddenly excited Fenix and withdrew his gaze.

How could the Fernando Group allow their little prince to get into trouble? Among the three children, Ferran was the only Awakened. Even if they weren’t particularly close, they wouldn’t abandon him.

This business was already in the gray area, and they had long prepared for every possible scenario.

Indeed, Ferran was prepared.

He had considered the possibility of getting caught someday, so since taking over this part of the family business, he had planned several escape routes.

But he never expected things to unravel so suddenly and unexpectedly.

To be honest, he never considered the possibility of being ambushed by the military police.

Come on.

Where was this place?

This was Raven’s temporary base!

There’s a saying about rabbits—“a cunning rabbit has three holes.”

Rabbits are naturally timid, cautious, and suspicious—although Raven didn’t seem much affected by his Awakened form, there were subtle points that matched rabbit behavior.

Given the many times Ferran had worked with Raven, he knew that Raven chose the safest and most hidden spot for his base, even if it was temporary.

Who would have thought they’d get caught here!

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Ferran didn’t expect it.

He really didn’t.

No matter what, he shouldn’t have encountered this situation.

Ferran sat in the police car, being taken to the station. In urgent situations, direct questioning was standard procedure.

Ferran calmed down and looked up at the interrogator, nodding.

"What were you doing at the crime scene?"

Isn’t it obvious?

Did you not see that almost scrapped small spacecraft?

Ferran kept a straight face, "A client requested repairs."

"What’s the client’s name?"

"Sorry, officer, I can’t disclose client information."

The officer paused, flipping through the hastily compiled documents.

"Why would you, as the CEO, personally handle this repair job?"

"Important clients usually require special treatment. My resume clearly states I specialize in innovative technology for small spacecraft. If I have the time, I handle requests from major customers myself."

In truth, Ferran didn’t trust his engineers to deal with Raven alone.

Raven was rumored to be reasonable, but he was still a pirate.

Even if Raven didn’t harm anyone, the mere fact that he once drove six designers bald with his spaceship design was enough to make Ferran nervous.

Those six top-notch designers quit crying after their project with Raven, their heads shaved bald from stress.

Ferran feared the same would happen to these three engineers.

The officer sighed, "You didn’t seem surprised by the damage on the spacecraft."

"Officer, first, I’m a top repairman and have seen countless damaged ships during my studies; second, I’m an Awakened who has been temporarily drafted."

Ferran maintained his composure, breathing a sigh of relief inside.

Good.

Small problem!

Clearly, these military police didn’t have any information on Raven’s movements or their connections.

Probably some unexpected event led to Raven’s base being exposed.

The officer flipped through files, finding no loopholes.

The interrogation of the three engineers also yielded similar stories.

The toolboxes had been examined and contained legitimate repair materials and tools.

From the current situation, Ferran seemed like an innocent bystander arrested due to work-related reasons.

However, the officer thought seriously:

There was another possibility—perhaps Ferran was called to confuse their vision.

Tsk, how underhanded!

Absolutely despicable!

The officer asked, "Do you know who your client is?"

Ferran remained calm, "Investigating personal information without consent is illegal."

"Your client is a pirate, Mr. Ferran."

Ferran feigned surprise, "How did you know?"

"We received a tip-off," the officer said.

"…???"

Ferran was genuinely shocked.

What?

Wasn’t Raven’s pirate group already the top force?

All images of Raven, from wanted posters to gossip papers, were fake.

How could he be discovered and reported by passersby?

This couldn’t be!

It shouldn’t be!

Ferran was puzzled.

So he decided not to think about it.

Whether Raven’s base was exposed or not had nothing to do with him.

What bothered him was that Raven got reported, and he was the one taking the blame.

Before entering the police car, Ferran saw reporters outside. Once he was released, social media would likely be unkind.

The officer packed his documents, "Alright, you can go, but you might need to come back for further questioning."

Ferran frowned slightly, nodded, and walked out.

If he found out who reported him, he’d be the first to confront them!

Ferran thought fiercely.

He just retrieved his terminal and received a message from home asking him to lay low until the incident was resolved.

In short, Ferran was now on paid leave.

Ferran stood dazed at the door for a moment, then his heart exploded with joy.

Grass!

Triple grass!

Those skinflints at home actually gave him a holiday!

It was good news!

Great news!

Okay, no killing the informant.

The informant is my little treasure, my lucky star, my savior!

Truly a model citizen, a pillar of society!

Ferran wanted to laugh maniacally.

But he held it in, though his joy couldn’t be concealed.

Ferran walked out with light steps, face aglow.

He led the three confused engineers out, seeing a car besides the company’s waiting at the curb.

The window rolled down, revealing a white kitten poking its head out. Seeing Ferran, it meowed twice.

Ferran’s eyes lit up. He sent the engineers to the company car and walked to Fenix.

Besides Fenix was someone he didn’t recognize, probably a bodyguard given Lion’s care for his brother.

Ferran guessed.

Didn’t matter, as long as it wasn’t Lion!

Recalling Lion’s leap as an Awakened, Ferran shuddered.

That image left a deep psychological scar on this poor dog.

The huge lion leaped onto his spaceship, two meters off the ground, forcing it back down and denting the roof.

Damn.

That material could withstand atmospheric entry!

Though impact pressure and surface strength were different, Lion’s strength was still incredible.

Unreasonable!

Ferran’s smile faded, asking, "Linix, what are you doing here?"

The bodyguard’s fingers twitched hearing the name.

He stared at the kitten.

The kitten was unperturbed.

Pfft.

Just a name change.

Fenix had already experienced humiliation in front of Lion, so this bodyguard couldn’t embarrass him again!

Fenix meowed at Ferran, flicking his tail tip.

Hey!

Actually, there’s nothing much.

Fenix thought, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Initially, Lion said Ferran would be fine, which comforted Fenix.

But when the news reported Ferran’s temporary suspension, Fenix felt guilty.

Suspension was serious to him.

Fenix felt guilty: "I saw the news. It said you’re suspended…"

"Yes!" Ferran replied cheerfully, "I’m on vacation!!"

Fenix: …?

Fenix was stunned.

Wait.

Bro, didn’t you act like you lived and died for work?

Why do you sound like a senior celebrating post-exam book-burning?

Filled with pure joy and imminent liberation.

Ferran truly felt liberated.

He held back, but his joy spread from face to body.

Thank heavens!

Now, there’s cat but no lion, vacation ahead, perfect opportunity to hit the dessert shop!

Ferran jumped into Fenix’s car, urging, "Go, go, go to the top floor of Ruby Mall. There’s a new ice drink shop I haven’t visited."

The bodyguard glanced at Fenix.

Fenix checked social media, searched the ice drink shop, reviewed the menu and ingredients, confirmed no cocoa products, and nodded.

Ferran watched Fenix check the menu, feeling his tail would wag if he had one.

If only this kitten was his brother.

Adorable, caring, and comforting—too bad for Lion.

The bodyguard waited in the parking lot. Ferran held Fenix, using the kitten as a shield, entered the ice drink shop with a stern face.

Ferran kept thinking of adopting the kitten as a brother, mumbling, "How can Lion have such a good brother…"

Fenix was startled.

He looked at Ferran, slowly typing a question mark.

Bro, why do you sound like you have issues with my boss?

Fenix was unhappy.

He typed rapidly: "My big… brother is gentle, generous, understanding. Though he’s not talkative and looks fierce, he’s a great person!"

Ferran read the words.

They didn’t sound like Lion at all.

He believed it the first time he met Lion.

But after seeing Lion carry high-damage weapons and being attacked by him, he didn’t believe a word!

Fenix saw Ferran’s disbelief and continued typing: "You don’t understand my brother. He’s really great!"

Ferran: "…really?"

Fenix: "Really! He grooms me, trims my nails, buys me a bed, climbing frame, clothes, and teaches hunting!"

Ferran’s eyes widened in shock.

Fenix pressed on: "He’s honest, kind, tolerant, upright, sincere, and even got a commendation banner!"

???

Ferran wore a shocked expression.

"I was saved by him personally!" Fenix praised wildly, showing his clean paw pads, "He even trims my foot fur! Can your brother do that?!"

Ferran’s shock escalated from mom to the whole family.

Lion was such a brother!

Damn!

Suddenly, he didn’t know whom to envy!

Translator's Note:

Title: Unexpected Vacation

Fenix: Is my whitewashing technique professional enough?