He's Done Being a Dutiful Husband

[I'm retiring. Goodbye, Host.]

These were the words Zhou Du heard in the sixth year after he was reborn.

He looked reluctant on the outside, but was thrilled on the inside.

Six years ago, Zhou Du died and was reborn in the body of an unknown nobody in a remote star system.

To stay alive, he followed the System's instructions and won over the original story's villain.

For that, he became the villain's partner and diligently played the role of a virtuous husband.

Finally, in the seventh year, the villain's favorability toward him reached 100%.

The protagonist top and bottom held a grand wedding, and the novel reached its happy ending.

[Main quest complete. Rewards have been issued. I'm retiring. Goodbye.]

Looking at his restored S-rank mental power, Zhou Du feigned reluctance and asked, "You're really leaving?"

The System fell silent.

It had really left.

Zhou Du immediately changed his tune.

And so Lu Qi began to notice that his wife was acting strangely.

His usually punctual wife suddenly started leaving early and coming home late. His previously unsteady legs could now carry him at a run, and his body, which used to leave him panting after three steps, could easily pick Lu Qi up and throw him out the door.

His wife said coldly, "You're too much trouble. Starting today, we're sleeping in separate rooms."

Lu Qi: "??!!"

He racked his brain and finally began to suspect: Was this the seven-year itch?

*

A mysterious mechanic with S-rank mental power made a name for himself in the Fourth Star System.

The mechanic not only had incredible abilities, but also breathtaking looks.

Lu Qi ran into him just as the man got into a dispute with several other mechanics.

The mysterious, beautiful mechanic attacked viciously, every strike drawing blood, and unleashed terrifying S-rank mental power.

Someone asked Lu Qi, "I remember your missing wife was a mechanic."

Lu Qi shook his head without hesitation. "Impossible. My wife is frail, and his mental power is only C-rank."

The mechanic flashed a dazzling smile, his brows and eyes relaxed, impossible to look away from.

"The way he smiles looks just like your wife."

Lu Qi frowned in disgust. "My wife would never be so flamboyant."

One day, the mechanic was about to leave for the First Star System, and Lu Qi was assigned to the escort team.

Standing at the edge of the group, he looked up just as the man was boarding the ship.

The beautiful, mysterious mechanic shed his disguise and looked at Lu Qi with cool indifference, saying softly, "Goodbye, ex-husband."

It was Zhou Du, his long-lost partner.

*

Zhou Du had successfully run away. He returned to the First Star System to resume his post as commander, rose steadily through the ranks, and lived in perfect freedom.

His ex-husband didn't come to bother him either.

Zhou Du: "That's how life should be."

The next day, news that Lu Qi had staged a rebellion spread throughout the Alliance.

Zhou Du jumped to his feet.

A beep sounded in his mind, and the System returned.

[Host, I've been rehired. What have you done?]

Zhou Du looked around in confusion.

Apparently, maybe, possibly...

The villain had taken up his rebellion again.

Worse still...

The protagonist top and bottom had been killed, and Lu Qi had come looking for him.

As the two armies faced off, a familiar voice came through the communications channel.

"Commander, have you seen my... ex-wife?"

The System let out a piercing shriek in his mind.

Zhou Du: Wait... things can develop like this?

[Power-hungry, beautiful, ruthless mechanic bottom x straightforward, love-struck top]

Premise: Shackles must be broken.