Xiang Wan looked up at the moon and said softly, "From the moment I saw you, I knew something big was going to happen here. When I was a child, I loved the tranquility and simplicity here, but the older I got, the more I realized that behind the peace and simplicity lay signs of a backward civilization."

From the moment you fell into the sea, I knew you weren't from here. Everything you had was something that didn't exist here. Later, many people came here to look for you without anyone noticing. I knew then that you were either someone very important to them, or a threat they had to eliminate.

I risked my life to save you, not only because I couldn't bear to see someone in such a predicament, but also because it was an opportunity—a chance to protect this planet from disaster. I could even bet that once you returned to your original planet, it would be destroyed.

“I will send people to protect you,” Xuan Yuanlie said in a deep voice.

Xiang Wan chuckled and said, "Can you protect someone for a while, or for a lifetime? Besides, even a renowned war god like you can be betrayed, let alone these villagers who know nothing about this?"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanlie abruptly turned to stare at Xiang Wan. Xiang Wan was looking at him, her eyes filled with certainty and conviction. Xuan Yuanlie slowly withdrew his gaze and looked up at the moon. Silence spread between them.

Xiang Wan waited a while, knowing he was weighing the pros and cons in his mind, and couldn't help but add a little more leverage: "Have you been feeling unwell these days?"

Xuan Yuanlie raised his hand and patted his chest and waist; the marks from the previous battle seemed to have disappeared. He looked at Xiang Wan in surprise and said, "The medicine you gave me..."

"Those medicines can not only nourish the body, but also remove blood stasis and relieve fatigue, and are also very beneficial for mental recovery."

"You know how to prepare medicine?"

"I have some knowledge of medicine."

"Do you know that your medicines have a slow recovery effect and may not be suitable for people now?"

"If your medical skills are so superb, why do you still have so many hidden injuries?"

Xuan Yuanlie fell silent. It wasn't that he didn't want to heal, but as a leader, any slight disturbance could affect the Federation's situation. Sometimes, being at the top wasn't easy; one had to think carefully and make decisions with utmost caution before acting or speaking. Therefore, these days here felt like a dream to him, and would only exist in his dreams from now on.

He took Xiang Wan's words to heart. The outside world was far too complicated for a naive young girl like her to handle. Now that she possessed medical skills, keeping her by his side would allow her to both heal his health and repay a favor. But their social status...

"There are regulations in the military that prohibit anyone other than military dependents from entering the premises."

"If you agree, I have a way to make sure you have no worries."

Xuan Yuanlie was somewhat suspicious, but seeing Xiang Wan's confident expression, he nodded slightly.

Actually, taking her away wasn't about military regulations, but about Xuan Yuanlie's determination. If he wanted to, he could definitely find a way. But Xiang Wan didn't want him to feel like she would cause him trouble. Instead, she wanted him to gradually value her, until he couldn't live without her. And the first step was to gradually reveal her talents with reservations. The more mysterious she was, the more curiosity she would pique, wouldn't she? And curiosity is the primary prerequisite for developing feelings!

After returning home that evening, they each went to rest. Early the next morning, Xiang Wan began to prepare herself. She gathered the necessary medicinal herbs and had Xuan Yuanlie wait outside. She didn't hide it from him; she wanted him to witness how she transformed from a delicate and charming young woman into a clever and shrewd young man.

After an hour of fussing, when Xiang Wan finally emerged, Xuan Yuanlie's eyes widened in disbelief. This was no longer the Xiang Wan he knew; she was a naive, fearless young man: short, ear-length hair, wispy bangs reaching her eyebrows, bright, smiling eyes beneath arched eyebrows, a slightly wide nose, and a gentle curve to her lips. Even her coarse linen clothes and the way she walked had changed. If Xiang Wan hadn't come out of the room, Xuan Yuanlie would have thought this handsome young man had appeared out of thin air.

"Brother, can we go now?"

Xiang Wan added something to her throat, making her voice slightly deeper, so it was impossible to tell if she was male or female. But if you only saw her appearance, you would definitely not mistake her gender.

Xuan Yuanlie was stunned, and hesitated before asking, "Xiang Wan?"

"Brother, you don't recognize me? I'm so sad. I've been worrying about you all day long!"

Xiang Wan's acting was phenomenal; she made Xuan Yuanlie almost believe he really had a younger brother.

"That way, I won't cause you any trouble, right?"

When his voice returned to normal, Xuan Yuanlie breathed a sigh of relief and joked, "That's too much trouble. Wouldn't it be simpler to accompany a military family member?"

Although it was just a joke, it touched a nerve with the original owner of this body, Xiang Wan could feel it. Since he wouldn't let her have her way, he couldn't let the opportunity slip by and let Xuan Yuanlie get his way. Xiang Wan feigned panic, crossed her arms over her chest, took a step back, and said in horror, "Brother, I never thought you would have such thoughts, to treat your own brother like this, to actually... Waaah, how am I supposed to face people now? You're forcing me to leave, how could you? How could you!"

Xiang Wan turned around sadly and staggered into the house, as if he were truly a younger brother who had been hurt by his brother's filthy thoughts, and was in disbelief and despair.

Xuan Yuanlie's words were unintentional, but Xiang Wan drew him into the scenario she had set up. He felt a tightness in his chest and blamed himself for hurting his younger brother.

Xiang Wan turned and disappeared. Xuan Yuanlie suddenly realized what was happening, stood there stunned for a moment, then chuckled to himself: It had been a long time since he had met such an interesting person. Perhaps, taking her with him was really a good decision. At this moment, Xuan Yuanlie truly made up his mind. Even if some people objected, he would keep Xiang Wan by his side. With his protection, she could also be spared from the attacks of others.

Before leaving, Xiang Wan bid farewell to her familiar neighbors and went to the trading market to exchange her homemade pills for Xuan Yuanlie's clothes. This thing absolutely could not be left here; if it were discovered, it might bring unforeseen disaster.

Xuan Yuanlie's men arrived around midnight, their small spaceship docked in a clearing near the dense forest. Xuan Yuanlie led Xiang Wan onto the ship, his subordinates showing no unusual expression. Xiang Wan nodded to herself; this was the foundation of Xuan Yuanlie's power, and the kind of partner she, Xiang Wan, would need most in the future.