The art of speaking lies in saying only half and leaving the other half unsaid, thus sparking endless imagination. What Lu's younger brother thinks next is no longer his concern.

Wu Lin, who had been listening intently, was so shocked by the news that he immediately loosened his grip and did a headstand on the spot.

"Really?"

It hopped and skipped over again.

“It’s true, of course. This is a sad story for Glasses. You must not mention it, lest it trigger his memories. Glasses is a man with a past. You are too young, eldest brother and younger brother, and it’s not appropriate for you to provoke him.”

Be careful, or he might actually send you to the palace to be a young lady. Then I'll have failed my boss's trust.

Except for the last sentence, Gu Chen didn't say a single truth, but Lu Fangyao actually took it seriously.

"Does he really like my brother?"

"Really, I swear to God." I like the boss too, but it's not the same kind of liking. This isn't against the rules, God, please don't get it wrong.

Gu Chen's confident declaration immediately silenced the room. Wu Lin turned to look at Lu Fangyao, only to see his pure black hair trembling slightly as it drifted aimlessly in the air. He felt a pang of pity; after all, Lu Fangyao was his brother, and his first crush on a boy had ended so quickly.

"Fang Yao, don't be sad. When you get back to the academy, there will be plenty of green grass waiting for you to harvest. You won't miss Instructor Qiu Bai. The next one will be even better."

"Hehehe, who said I was sad?"

"Stop pretending, we're brothers."

“I’m not sad. He likes my brother, which is… wonderful. No one in the world is more outstanding than my brother than me, so he will like me too.”

Wu Lin: Could this guy be any more shameless?

Gu Chen: Where did this crooked and unorthodox method come from? Why does it sound like it makes a little sense? He really is no match for brains.

Seeing Lu Fangyao's infectious laughter almost piercing the sky, Gu Chen was so exasperated he could have used arrows to express his dismay.

In the darkness, Glasses, who was walking towards them with unease, heard the slightly lewd smile, thought for a moment, then his lips curled up slightly before quickly closing again. He said nothing and walked away again.

...

"Brother Chen, what did you say?" Wu Lin reached out a hand, ready to pick his ear to see if he was imagining things, but his sweaty hand was covered with a layer of fine sand. After thinking about it, he gave up and shook his head frantically.

"Brother Chen, please say it again. I'm afraid I'm hallucinating."

"Let me tell you, in a couple of days the new students will start school. Sister Lan and Grandpa will have classes, so Brother Gu Chen and Instructor Qiu told us to go back and attend the new student ceremony and welcome party, and then rest at the academy for a week before coming back to continue training."

...

"Yo-ho!"

Wu Lin clapped happily, but forgot that he was still upside down and fell into the sand with a splash.

"Hmm, straight," Gu Chen thought to himself.

Although Lu Fangyao wasn't as overjoyed as Wu Lin, the corners of his mouth remained upturned. It didn't seem like much time had passed, but having gotten used to the carefree life on Rose Star, the high-intensity training on the base star did make time feel slower.

"Brother Gu Chen, when are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow, a spaceship will be passing by. You can leave directly."

"No need, we'll fly back in our mechs ourselves." Wu Lin refused outright; spaceships were too slow, and he couldn't wait to get back.