Regarding Xiang Wan's identity, Xuan Yuanlie explained to his subordinates that she was his adopted younger brother and would be by his side from now on. The way everyone looked at her was noticeably more enthusiastic than when she first entered the ship.

As everyone knows, their general has been a loner for many years. He doesn't even have a close female companion, let alone brothers. Everyone thought he would remain single forever. But after disappearing and returning, he found himself with a brother by his side. How could this not arouse everyone's curiosity?

Some busybodies, taking advantage of the opportunity to instruct Xiang Wan, tried to get closer to her, wanting to ask how she had won over Xuan Yuanlie. Xiang Wan scoffed; she absolutely couldn't tell the truth. So, she fabricated an epic tale of saving someone from dire straits. At the end, she added with a touch of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret), "Actually, your general isn't that unapproachable. You've just mythologized him too much, making him seem unattainable. Treat him with a normal attitude, and things will naturally fall into place."

These words stunned the group, and everyone who met her gave her a thumbs up. He was a god in their eyes; who could treat him with normalcy? Only she, Xiang Wan, was an oddball, fearless and treating Xuan Yuanlie like a normal person. They admired her more than anyone else!

From then on, everyone felt an instant connection with her, especially the young soldier Qian Xiaoqi, who wished he could stay by her side all the time, hoping she could teach him a thing or two. Xiang Wan was delighted with this outcome, taking the opportunity to master all the common knowledge she needed to know and quickly adapt to life on the ship. She would even occasionally visit the control room to observe. Xuan Yuanlie didn't stop her, only instructing her not to disturb the crew's work.

Of course, during these few days adrift in space, Xiang Wan couldn't leave Xuan Yuanlie behind. When she rested at night, she would take his pulse to understand the origin of his hidden injuries and draw some acupuncture diagrams. Once they arrived in Xuan Yuanlie's territory, she would have him have people make them.

Xuan Yuanlie had only heard of ancient medical techniques, but had never seen them before. Seeing Xiang Wan's skillful movements, he became even more curious about how she would help him recuperate.

Without the tools, mere words wouldn't be convincing, so Xiang Wan simply kept it a secret, saying she'd find out when the time came. She also casually asked Xuan Yuanlie how she should prepare herbs if she wanted them in the future.

"Don't worry, you can check online. I've already thought of your ID card. Many new recruits die during training. I'll find someone with no background or relatives, whose death list hasn't been reported yet, and you can take their place. You can use your real name."

"good!"

"Start as a service soldier, follow me, and don't cause trouble."

Xiang Wan raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like the kind of person who causes trouble?"

"It's hard to say. I do know a little about your temperament and personality."

"Heh, it seems Xuan Yuanlie isn't completely indifferent after all." Xiang Wan said with a hint of grievance, "As long as others don't provoke me, I will never go looking for trouble. But what if someone does provoke me?"

Xuan Yuanlie leaned closer and whispered, "Don't worry, as long as your identity isn't exposed, I'll take responsibility for you."

"Huh, when did you become so kind?" Xiang Wan stared at him for a while, then burst out laughing: "Brother, you said it yourself!"

Xuan Yuanlie smiled but remained silent. Xiang Wan's eyes darted around, and she asked worriedly, "Then, what if your future wife bullies me?"

Xuan Yuanlie's smile froze. Xiang Wan's topic had changed too quickly, and he hadn't reacted for a moment. Moreover, he had never thought about having a wife, and he didn't know what Xiang Wan meant by saying this.

Seeing his expression, Xiang Wan knew what he was thinking, and couldn't help but reinforce his impression: "I mean, if a woman who's interested in you comes to provoke you, should I stop her or not? If I stop her, what if she becomes your wife later? Wouldn't I be in trouble? If I don't stop her, what if you're unhappy? How can I continue being your orderly? So, it's better to say something in advance, right?"

Actually, Xiang Wan had wanted to ask this question as early as when Xuan Yuanlie told her to stay by his side. It wasn't that she was overthinking it, but rather that she dared not underestimate the extent of a woman's fervor towards Xuan Yuanlie. In her past life, the original owner of this body stayed safely in Xuan Yuanlie's house, while many women attacked her online, but she simply ignored it. She neither explained nor intervened, thus becoming a target for some people's venting, escalating the situation until, even when she revealed the truth, no one believed her. But if she received Xuan Yuanlie's personal promise, then even if Lou Yu'er reappeared by Xuan Yuanlie's side, she would have a reason to manipulate public opinion, directing public criticism at Lou Yu'er. Even if Xuan Yuanlie tried to use his status to forcibly clear Lou Yu'er's name, it wouldn't be so easy, unless Lou Yu'er's heart was strong enough to withstand any rumors and online attacks. She thought, there shouldn't be anyone in the world whose heart is completely impenetrable, unless their sore spots haven't been touched!

Xiang Wan stared intently at Xuan Yuanlie, waiting for his reply.

At this moment, Xuan Yuanlie's inner thoughts were like this: How could she think so far ahead? I haven't even thought about finding a partner myself, and she has. Could it be that she has feelings for me and wants to nip her future rival in the bud?

Thinking of this, Xuan Yuanlie's gaze towards Wan became somewhat subtle. He cleared his throat and said, "So, do you want to stop her, or don't you want to stop her?"

Damn, the ball's been kicked back to him again. Is he testing her attitude? Then his plan has probably backfired. Xiang Wan got up, walked around, cleared her throat, and said in a high-pitched voice, "General, my feelings for you are as clear as day, but this wretched orderly won't let me in. General, you must stand up for me!"

She got up and turned around again, then walked up to Xuan Yuanlie with her head bowed and said softly, "General, I came to see you on behalf of my father. This is a tonic I brought from home, which is very good for your health. I was thinking of seeing you, General, to give my family an explanation, but alas, I encountered an insensitive orderly!"

She lowered her head and thought for a moment, then looked up again, her face now displaying a charming and alluring expression: "Brother, I just wanted to see you, I wouldn't disturb your work. But, but you won't even let me in the door, what does that mean? Does brother look down on me? Then I might as well die!" With that, she was about to bang her head against the wall in utter despair.

Xuan Yuanlie reacted quickly, pulling Xiang Wan over. Ying met her mocking eyes and couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Where did you learn all this? I've never seen a woman like this before."

Xiang Wan snorted and said, "There are countless women in the world. Just because you haven't seen one doesn't mean they don't exist. If a woman like that really came to you, do you think I should stop her?"

Xuan Yuanlie chuckled, realizing that Xiang Wan had put on such a long performance just for this, and said, "You decide what to do."

"You said it!"

Xiang Wan's eyes lit up, and she stood up and walked outside. Xuan Yuanlie hurriedly asked, "Where are you going?"

"This is disgusting, I'm going to wash my eyes!"

Xuanyuan Lie smiled, lay down in the fixed cabin, and slept soundly for the first time since entering the ship.

In the bathroom, Xiang Wan looked at herself in the mirror and gradually became lost in thought: Changsun Xiang Wan, is this what you wanted?