Jiang Xie couldn't help but stroke her hair again, letting Yun Shui, as if suddenly remembering something, hurriedly put the mask on him.
The Fleet Commander asked in a low voice: "The flowers… do you like them?"
Yun Shui praised softly: "I like them. And yours are very understated."
The corner of Jiang Xie's mouth curved as he calmly took credit: "These are gardenias from the garden at home. They just tend to attract little bugs easily. I cleaned them for a long time."
Yun Shui was so easy to please that she immediately looked at him with adoring eyes, and he contentedly smoothed out the wrinkles on her shirt.
The Fleet Commander promised solemnly: "You're afraid of bugs. I'll carefully catch them for you."
This was the first time Yun Shui heard him murmur sweet nothings that weren't particularly eloquent. She couldn't help but laugh. The elevator doors opened, and the Fleet Commander gave her a small nod of farewell.
…
She had trouble sleeping that night. When she came downstairs the next day, she found a bouquet of flowers tucked into the gap of the mailbox marked with her unit number. She unfolded the note wrapped around the flower stems, which read "Away on business for a week," signed with the same strange wavy lines that Yun Shui had almost mistaken for a Star Pirates insider's mark.
Yun Shui stared at those wavy lines for a long time.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck—she realized this was the oracle bone script form of "water"!
Yun Shui: "…"
What kind of new trend was this—Jiang → water → wavy line oracle bone script? It was far too convoluted!
Jiang Xie's personal communicator remained completely silent, clearly indicating that this ancient method of writing little notes had won his heart.
When Yun Shui went to work, she habitually checked today's earthquake casualty numbers and rescue situation. She saw that transportation infrastructure had largely recovered, two of the troublemaking rioters had been captured, and some were still at large.
Suddenly, her communicator rang.
Yun Shui heard an elegant male voice on the line: "Hello, may I ask what time you'll be available today? We have a precious item to deliver to your door, and we'll need your signature to confirm."
A very precious item!
Could it be…!
Yun Shui immediately said: "Would 6 PM tonight work? Will you still be on duty then?"
The other party maintained a smile in their voice: "No problem."
When there were still five minutes before the end of her shift, Yun Shui pretended to go to the restroom but actually left early. She also grabbed a luxurious roast meat rice from the cafeteria to take home.
At 6 o'clock, the knock on the door came right on time.
Yun Shui opened the door and saw two burly delivery personnel wearing white gloves and tailored suits, elegantly bowing as they solemnly handed her a very exquisite box. They also glanced worriedly at Yun Shui's living environment and earnestly explained that this was an ISPM 15 standard shockproof, fumigation-free wooden crate, with shockproof foam cut into custom shapes to fit the contents inside.
Yun Shui received it with both hands, unable to suppress her excited trembling.
She signed the receipt and watched them walk away.
She locked the door and placed the box on the dining table.
She opened it.
For an instant, Yun Shui seemed to see a magnificent golden glow, even more dazzling than the special effects of crafting a rare dish in a casual mobile game.
An antique lotus-shaped porcelain incense burner lay quietly within.
Yun Shui felt dizzy and utterly enchanted, as if amidst a sky full of splendor, an immortal had descended to bless her. It was like a dream within a dream—immersed in it, wandering freely, an ethereal smile involuntarily spreading across her face.
"Surely no one would break in to rob me, right?" Yun Shui thought worriedly. "Where should I put it?"
She admired it for a long time, then looked around the room, searching for a secure place to put it.
Before her pounding heart could even settle, she suddenly received several message notifications.
It was a messaging app.
【Jiang Xie: .】
【Jiang Xie: .】
【Jiang Xie: If you haven't blocked me, why haven't you messaged me?】
【Cloud from the Window: Because I have to work. I love my job and never slack off.】
【Jiang Xie: Thick-skinned.】
【Cloud from the Window: How many days is your business trip?】
【Jiang Xie: Three days. Going to Cloud City. The takeout I ordered has arrived—remember to pick it up.】
Yun Shui dashed to the entryway. The moment she opened the door, the fragrant aroma of a seafood hotpot wafted toward her—there was even a small electric warmer keeping it warm inside the insulated box.
But she had already packed up the char siu. Yun Shui carefully lifted out the sealed bowl, then, as if betraying her earlier choice, swiftly shoved the char siu into the crisper drawer. She made a show of cleaning the table, smoothing out the tablecloth, and opening the seafood hotpot lid. Then, with the gravity of facing a formidable foe, she angled her phone to snap a photo that made it look twice as delicious.
【Cloud from the Window: [Image]】
【Cloud from the Window: Thank you, General [Bear hugging honey.jpg]】
【Jiang Xie: Mm】
【Jiang Xie: Just verbal thanks?】
Yun Shui: "…"
Her cheeks were burning slightly. She paused tactically, flustered. She quickly opened her chat with Chen Xi.
【Cloud from the Window: I'm dying. Save me save me save me save me!】
Chen Xi was probably baking bread and didn't reply.
Yun Shui switched back in despair.
【Cloud from the Window: Yes.】
【Jiang Xie: You're terrible at conversation, you idiot】
【Cloud from the Window: Because I'm upright. I bend but never break. I won't bow for five bushels of rice.】
【Jiang Xie: Because you don't understand romance.】
It was going to rain, and the Fleet Commander actually knew what "doesn't understand romance" meant!
Yun Shui, with zero experience in flirtation, suffered a crushing defeat and felt looked down upon.
【Cloud from the Window: [Bear kissing honey.JPG]】
【Cloud from the Window: Is this thanks enough?】
【Jiang Xie: It's enough.】
【Jiang Xie: Wait for me to come back and collect it.】
Yun Shui's cheeks burned, her head spun, and she quickly closed the chat.
Chen Xi finally replied belatedly: My Yun! What's wrong! Tell me quick, what do I need to save you from!
【Cloud from the Window: Beyond saving. [Crying loudly]】
Strangely, she simultaneously received a message from Bai Mingyi.
【Bai Mingyi: Hi! Yun Shui, I've been assigned to the temporary earthquake rescue team at Gaotang Fortress!】
【Cloud from the Window: ! [Admiration]】
【Bai Mingyi: I heard many of my colleagues were transferred from your command center's departments.】
【Bai Mingyi: Are you on the team too? ^_^】
【Cloud from the Window: We should be assigned uniformly. I haven't received a deployment email yet, so it's probably someone else [Wilted flower]】
【Bai Mingyi: Okay [Sad puppy.JPG]】
【Bai Mingyi: But I have a temporary residence permit for Gaotang Fortress now. I'm staying at the hospital in the Core Zone.】
【Cloud from the Window: Nice! Has your school resumed classes?】
【Bai Mingyi: It has. But I'm a special case as a volunteer—I can get leave approved and earn practical credits too! [Puppy spinning in circles.JPG]】
Yun Shui thought his stickers were adorable and couldn't help saving a few.
【Cloud from the Window: That's great. Keep it up!】
【Bai Mingyi: Are you free this Saturday? [Pleading puppy eyes]】
【Yun from the Window: Need any help?】
【Bai Mingyi: Would you drink with me?】
Yun Shui paused, a bit cautious.
【Yun from the Window: Did something happen? [hug]】
【Bai Mingyi: Something unpleasant. Can we talk in person? [puppy crying.JPG][puppy lying down.JPG][puppy dazed.JPG]】
【Yun from the Window: Let me treat you to a meal. Thanks for your help at the Core Zone shelter! Drink whatever you want, okay?】
【Yun from the Window: [bear hugging honey.JPG]】
【Bai Mingyi: Great! Thank you, Yun Shui.】
Yun Shui estimated that the Fleet Commander would return from his business trip in three days, which happened to be Saturday. She felt a twinge of guilt for no clear reason, but looking at the perfectly innocent chat history, there didn't seem to be any problem.
The last workday of the week was busier than usual. She was responsible for copying and organizing a top-secret classified document. The archive room was very quiet, with only the faint hum of electrical currents.
Yun Shui rarely handled classified documents. Her hands trembled slightly as she signed the confidentiality agreement and removed the materials from the kraft paper envelope.
She couldn't help letting her mind wander—if someone overheard her talking in her sleep, would that count as a leak?
[Alliance · Gaotang Fortress Central Command]
[File No.: CONF-2046-X-042]
[Classification: Level One]
[Subject: Biophysical Characterization and Counter-Reconnaissance Vulnerability Analysis of "Chameleon" Type Biomimetic Morphology Remodeling Agent]
[Source: Testimony from an infiltrator within the Candlelight Society]
The Candlelight Society was actually a branch of the interstellar pirates, except they also periodically caused trouble in the Alliance, spreading their ideological manifestos to stir up unrest. They dealt arms on the black market, occasionally committed robberies—a star pirate organization with a remarkably diverse repertoire.
The ones who had orchestrated the explosion during the earthquake were from the Candlelight Society. This file was presumably the result of interrogating the captured perpetrators.
[Product Overview: The "Chameleon" series agent is the Candlelight Society's latest disguise technology—a nano-grade semi-solid hydrogel specifically designed for short-term deep disguise. Administered via subcutaneous infiltration injection, combined with targeted ultrasonic sculpting technology, it can completely alter facial anatomical features.]
The more Yun Shui read, the more confused she became. What kind of black technology was this—more powerful than plastic surgery? After injecting the agent into the face, combined with the device, one could "sculpt a person" like molding clay, creating an entirely new face!
Fortunately, it couldn't disguise someone as a specific existing person, because it was impossible to perfectly replicate an individual's muscle fiber patterns. But being able to change one's own appearance was more than enough for committing crimes.
Although it required considerable sculpting skill, had severe side effects, and could be detected by thermal imaging, it was still terrifying.
She carefully moved the gardenia from the pen holder into the mineral water to keep it alive. But having been cut from its branch, it was inevitably withering—the edges of its petals already yellowing and curling.
Saturday night.
She had arranged to meet Bai Mingyi at a very down-to-earth iron-pot stew restaurant.
Yun Shui had chosen it because the portions were generous and filling.
Since Bai Mingyi had mentioned wanting to drink, she ordered a "supreme beer machine"—which was essentially a large vessel resembling a water dispenser, filled with beer and placed on the table like a giant trophy.
Bai Mingyi: "This is my first time seeing such a miraculous… piece of equipment."
He really did seem exhausted, his face pale. He wore a casual athletic jacket, but had matched it with care, and had even sprayed on pleasant-smelling cologne. He lounged there lazily, only his eyes holding a smile as he complained, "I originally wanted to take you to a bar."
Yun Shui sipped her juice slowly. "Sorry, our department has rules against drinking and going to bars."
There actually wasn't such a rule—it was just that wartime regulations forbade it.
Bai Mingyi saw through her without mercy. "Yeah, right. Do you take me for a fool?"
He fixed his gaze on her and said softly, "Too cunning. I wanted to share a quiet drink with you, but you treated me to beer. I wanted to have a nice dinner with you, but you brought me to a iron-pot stew place. Do I really not have even the slightest chance?"
The young man's eyes sparkled as he looked at her with a pitiful expression.
Yun Shui: "…?!"
A chance… what chance…
His features were clear and handsome, standing out strikingly under the lively lights. He sat there with his long limbs stretched out, like a hunter who had everything under control.
The atmosphere turned somewhat ambiguous.
Yun Shui said honestly, "I don't see any reason you'd fancy me. You seem like a romance scammer, honestly."
Bai Mingyi burst out laughing.
A Fleet Commander was supposed to be unapproachable, keeping everyone at arm's length. But someone like Bai Mingyi—a handsome man with such easy charm—was the real heartbreaker. Walking down the street, people would definitely ask for his contact info. Sociable and fun-loving, with a smile as radiant as scattered stars, he was always the center of attention.
Yun Shui shook her head. "Alright. Stop teasing me. I've been single my whole life and can't take jokes like that. What if I end up clinging to you afterward? After a tragic breakup, would I go to your school and hand out flyers denouncing you as a scumbag, then write up your personal scandal sheet in a shared document?"
She paused, suddenly remembering that she was actually taken now! Although her boyfriend… well, he'd been coaxed and tricked into it.
Bai Mingyi said jokingly, "Hey hey, what's that supposed to mean? I'm not that kind of person."
Yun Shui thought, "Sorry about that, but you do have the looks to pull it off."
She said seriously, "You're a really good person, truly. Back then, when I scrambled to get help, you were the first to come to my aid. Thank you! If you have any troubles, feel free to pour them out—I'll comfort you!"