Everyone in the dining hall had already learned about Luo Xingzhou’s identity from the StarNet. Those who hadn’t met him on Hong-ai Star were especially surprised at this unexpected twist upon reuniting on the ship.
“Luo Ge, don’t be upset,” said Milo, usually the friendly type, now struggling to find the right words to comfort him.
Luo Xingzhou smiled. “I stopped feeling sad a long time ago. You don’t have to act this way. So, what’s on the menu today? I’m tired of all the grilled and stewed dishes.”
Huo Zhijun could tell that Luo Xingzhou didn’t enjoy this atmosphere, so she followed his lead. “I asked, and they’ve got something special today. The show’s crew arranged for the chef to make his signature dishes as a treat for us. Let’s order and see if it’s as good as your cooking, Luo Ge.”
Milo perked up at the mention of food. “Yes! We can’t miss this. Oh, Luo Ge, exchange contact with me! I want to visit you with Kangning for a meal sometime.”
“Exactly! We agreed to exchange contacts back on the ship. Let’s make plans to get together,” Fang Yang added, noticing that Luo Xingzhou didn’t want to dwell on personal matters. Everyone cooperated, creating an atmosphere that discouraged those who hadn’t spent much time with Luo Xingzhou from prying further.
The chef’s special dishes were indeed delicious, and everyone enjoyed a hearty meal before going their separate ways. With more time left on the ship, there was no need to stick together all the time.
As Luo Xingzhou was about to return to his room, Huo Zhijun stopped him. “I’d like to speak with you alone.”
“Alright, how about the bar?”
“Sure.”
They found a private booth in the bar. Once inside, Huo Zhijun expressed her gratitude. Luo Xingzhou had saved her more than once. She realized now that she’d underestimated the dangers on this planet; her decision to act alone had taught her a big lesson.
Luo Xingzhou smiled. “No need to be so formal. I saved you because I had the ability to. If it had been beyond my limits, I wouldn’t have acted recklessly. Since I could do it, why wouldn’t I help?”
Huo Zhijun was struck by how lightly he downplayed such a significant act of kindness, yet her gratitude toward him only deepened. In her view, if it were beyond his power, letting her die wouldn’t have been wrong—it would be unreasonable to risk his life and add another burden. Luo Xingzhou’s decision was wise and didn’t diminish his life-saving grace.
Huo Zhijun said, “Regardless, I survived on Hong-ai Star because of you. Luo Ge, besides wanting to thank you personally, my second brother also wants to meet you. By the way, my brother is Huo Junting. I’m the youngest daughter of the Huo family from Zhongyang Star, and joining the show was my own decision. My family only found out after the broadcast, and those mech rescuers were sent by my brother. Since I spent most of my time with my grandparents, I haven’t lived on Zhongyang Star much, or I might have recognized you right away.”
Luo Xingzhou looked at Huo Zhijun in surprise, recalling what he knew about the Huo family from Zhongyang Star. They were an even more prominent family than the Wu family. He remembered that the Huo family had two sons and a daughter. “So you’re the third young lady of the Huo family?” Seeing Huo Zhijun nod in acknowledgment, Luo Xingzhou chuckled, “Good thing your identity didn’t get revealed. Otherwise, the StarNet would’ve been even more lively.”
Huo Zhijun laughed. Indeed, this survival broadcast had turned out unexpectedly, featuring two participants with rather unique backgrounds. Luckily, both of them were safe. Otherwise, the show’s producers and sponsors would have been in serious trouble.
Huo Zhijun winked at Luo Xingzhou. “You’re right, Luo Ge, but there aren’t many people who know me outside, so no one would recognize me. Are you okay with meeting my second brother?”
Luo Xingzhou nodded. “Sure. I didn’t expect the final mechs to have been sent by the Huo family. In that case, your second brother also did me a life-saving favor.”
“I’ll notify him right away. Even if it weren’t for my second brother, the mech team on the ship would still have come down to rescue us.”
Just as Huo Zhijun used her personal terminal to contact her brother, there was a knock on the door. She quickly opened it to see her brother standing outside.
Although they had been in contact, and he had confirmed through a hologram that his younger sister was unharmed, Huo Junting still gave her a thorough once-over upon seeing her in person. He then ruffled her hair roughly. “I’ll deal with you later. First, I need to talk with Xingzhou.”
“Alright, you two chat.” Huo Zhijun slipped out quickly, giving Luo Xingzhou a wave as she left.
When Luo Xingzhou saw Second Young Master Huo, he rose to greet him. Huo Junting was well-known on Zhongyang Star; while the eldest Huo had joined the military, the second young master was in charge of the family business and was a business genius himself. Coupled with his handsome and noble demeanor, he was highly popular on Zhongyang Star.
Luo Xingzhou had never met Huo Zhijun and hadn’t associated her with the Huo family, but he had seen Huo Junting before and recognized him instantly—he was the kind of person one couldn’t easily forget.
“Second Young Master Huo, you wanted to see me?”
Meeting Luo Xingzhou in person, Huo Junting couldn’t help but feel impressed. Despite everything that had happened, Luo Xingzhou remained calm and composed, a rare trait.
Huo Junting extended his hand, shook Luo Xingzhou’s, and smiled. “First of all, congratulations on awakening your ability and becoming a C-level ability user.”
Luo Xingzhou responded calmly, “Thank you.”
Huo Junting sat down and said, “The second matter is to thank you, Xingzhou, for saving my younger sister. This means a lot to our Huo family, so I took the liberty of looking into your situation before getting your permission. I wanted to find a way to properly express our gratitude.”
Only then did Luo Xingzhou’s expression shift, showing a hint of surprise. “So, the medicine at the hospital where my mother is staying was donated by the Huo family? And it was the Huo family that arranged to keep our location private? Thank you!”
Luo Xingzhou’s gratitude was genuine. He knew that once his mother’s whereabouts were exposed, she wouldn’t be able to rest peacefully in the hospital. He had limited financial resources and couldn’t afford to place her in a facility that would maximally protect her privacy. But since he’d been stuck on Hong-ai Star since returning, he hadn’t been able to make any arrangements.
Huo Junting sighed in relief. “I’m glad you’re not upset that I investigated on my own. For the Huo family, those arrangements were trivial matters.”
“They might be easy for the Huo family, but for my mother and me, they’re extremely important,” Luo Xingzhou said sincerely.
Huo Junting studied Luo Xingzhou for a moment, then chuckled. “Alright, let’s not keep thanking each other. Remember, if you ever need help, don’t bear it alone. Come to me—your second brother Huo. I’ll give you my contact information. Things turned out well this time, but it was far too risky. If something happened to you, your mother wouldn’t survive it.”
Luo Xingzhou pressed his lips together, nodded, and accepted Huo Junting’s offer. He could distinguish goodwill from ill intent. “Alright, Second Brother Huo.”
“Now that’s more like it. My main purpose today is actually the third matter. Take a look at this document and see if you have anything to add.” Huo Junting sent a file from Zhongyang Star to Luo Xingzhou’s personal terminal. Checking the time, he knew the Wu Corporation’s press conference would be held soon. Stopping it was out of the question, but he could tell that Luo Xingzhou mainly wanted to uncover the truth.
Luo Xingzhou didn’t fully understand Huo Junting’s intentions, but he opened the file and reviewed it carefully. His expression grew more serious and focused, and his furrowed brows made Huo Junting want to smooth them out. Such a young person carrying such heavy burdens—if only Grandmaster Luo were still alive, Xingzhou wouldn’t have to endure so much and could have someone to rely on.
Once he estimated that Luo Xingzhou had finished reading, Huo Junting tentatively asked, “Xingzhou, how much do you know about Duan Cheng? Are you familiar with the medicine mentioned in his research?”
Luo Xingzhou’s face showed a flash of anger. He looked up at Huo Junting and said, “While I don’t know Duan Cheng all that well, I know about this medicine. It wasn’t his creation—it was developed by my grandfather!”
Luo Xingzhou spoke with conviction, causing Huo Junting to inhale sharply. Duan Cheng had actually stolen his teacher’s achievements as his own? “Is there any evidence?”
Luo Xingzhou shook his head. “I don’t know if there’s any evidence, and even if there was, Duan Cheng probably destroyed it. But I do know this: my grandfather mentioned this particular medicine to me. The No. 1 and No. 2 versions were alright, but the No. 3—what he called a medicine that could help a B-level user advance to A-level—had flaws. He wasn’t planning to release it until he’d perfected it. At the time, he had other formulas he needed to work on, so the research on this one was put on hold.”
Then, he added with anger, “Duan Cheng was my grandfather’s disciple. He couldn’t possibly be unaware of this medicine’s issues. And there’s no way he could have refined it further from my grandfather’s work. Can he bear the consequences of any adverse effects? It’s grossly irresponsible—he’s unworthy of being my grandfather’s disciple! My grandfather once said Duan Cheng was a bit too impetuous and had hoped to temper him, but later he went over to Wu Zhenqiu. It was clear he’d aligned with Wu Zhenqiu early on, which I know was a source of disappointment to my grandfather.”
Huo Junting could barely stay seated. “You’re saying the medicine has flaws? What would happen if someone forcibly took it?”
Luo Xingzhou nodded. “My grandfather mentioned that taking it forcibly carries a certain risk of causing mental unrest, and in severe cases, it could lead to a mental outburst. My uncle also knew about this; if he were here, he would definitely stop Duan Cheng.”
Huo Junting sneered. “If your uncle were here, Duan Cheng wouldn’t dare steal his teacher’s work. Duan Cheng truly deserves condemnation!”
Luo Xingzhou’s stance was clear. He referred to his elder uncle, Luo Luan, with respect, while he addressed Duan Cheng, the second disciple, directly by name, making the closeness—or lack thereof—obvious.