After all checks were completed, an hour had passed. The ship was set to autopilot mode, and everyone entered their hibernation pods under Xuan Yuanlie's command. Xiang Wan lay down not far from Xuan Yuanlie; once the hatch closed, it automatically shut out everything outside, not even sound. A small display screen above their heads showed a countdown, and a miniature communication device was located beside it.
"Xiang Wan, don't be nervous. There will be a strong vibration when you enter the space jump point. You can close your eyes and sleep."
It was Xuan Yuanlie's voice. Xiang Wan fiddled with the hatch for a while, and when the communication light turned green, she knew she could talk, so she replied, "Ah Lie, what will happen if something happens to the ship?"
Xuan Yuanlie was silent for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Nothing will happen. If anything does, I'll be buried with you."
It was just a joke, but Xiang Wan's body trembled. She knew this was a promise the original owner had always wanted but could never have, now easily uttered by Xuan Yuanlie. Xiang Wan knew it was just a joke, but the original owner's emotional reaction was so intense; she had taken it seriously. She couldn't help but sigh. How strong must the original owner's feelings for Xuan Yuanlie have been to be so shaken by such an unintentional remark? Indeed, those who love deeply are destined to lose.
"You, a dignified Federal General, would be forced to die alongside a commoner like me? Wouldn't I be condemned for eternity? I refuse to be labeled a femme fatale. Besides, General, please don't be angry; it seems I've done something truly terrible..."
Xiang Wan's tone grew weaker and weaker, revealing a guilty conscience, which puzzled Xuan Yuanlie. He frowned and wondered if she had damaged the hatch.
"Don't move! This is no joke. Danger could strike at any moment, and we're about to enter the space jump point. You..."
"General, I think I accidentally played our conversation aloud!"
The words that came out quickly silenced Xuan Yuanlie's worries, leaving him speechless for a long time.
Upon realizing something was wrong, Xiang Wan asked timidly, "General, are you alright?"
With a "pfft," someone couldn't help but burst out laughing, followed by heavy breathing and muffled laughter. Xuan Yuanlie's face turned as black as ink.
Actually, Xiang Wan can't be blamed. After all, she had only recently learned this knowledge, and it's impossible to combine theory and practice so quickly. Besides, she only realized her mistake when she was staring at the hatch during the call. Fortunately, she didn't say anything significant, and her identity wasn't exposed. However, Xuan Yuanlie's image in everyone's eyes will probably suffer a significant blow.
Xiang Wan could easily guess that Xuan Yuanlie was in a bad mood, and she needed to think of a way to salvage the situation.
"I have no way to repay the general's concern for me. Rest assured, I will do my best to fulfill my duties as a service soldier, devoting myself to the cause until my dying breath!"
Another suppressed laugh rang out, and Xuan Yuanlie's face darkened even more. He wasn't sure if Xiang Wan was doing it on purpose. Before Xiang Wan could speak again, Xuan Yuanlie preemptively ordered, "Shut up! You're all too idle. Once we're out of the space jump point, all of you take turns teaching her. If you haven't taught her by the time we reach headquarters, you'll all be serving a year on Mars!"
Xuan Yuanlie turned off his microphone, and Xiang Wan could only hear wails in her ears. Unable to bear it any longer, she also turned off her communication device. She thought, "Xuan Yuanlie is just angry out of embarrassment. Is it really that serious? All I did was express my loyalty; did I touch a nerve?"
She tried to get through to Xuan Yuanlie again, but he refused. Undeterred, Xiang Wan called repeatedly until he grew impatient and his first words upon answering were: "You're so stupid, you can't even make a phone call properly."
"Uh, I did it by accident. I will definitely never make the same mistake again."
"Um."
"That's it? Is that all?" Xiang Wan quickly said, "General, please forgive me. I promise I will never tell anyone about this."
"Too late!"
"What do you mean it's late? It's not late, it's not late, and they definitely won't tell anyone, I promise!"
Xuan Yuanlie was so angry his liver ached. Was he talking about this? So careless! Once they got to the Federation, wouldn't all those cunning people devour her? But then he thought, as long as Xiang Wan was by his side, he could definitely protect her. Calming himself, Xuan Yuanlie said, "You must remember what I said. The outside world isn't like Mercury; you have to be wary of everyone. With me here, I can protect you for a while, but not forever. Learn more skills; it'll be good for your self-defense."
She hadn't heard her father's words of advice in so long. Xiang Wan felt a pang of sadness. She wondered how her parents from the original world were doing, whether they missed her, whether they were searching for her everywhere…
"Host, calm down!"
The system suddenly spoke, interrupting Xiang Wan's thoughts. Only then did she realize that Xuan Yuanlie was still waiting for her reply.
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
"Um."
After the communication ended, Xiang Wan fell into deep thought: Xuan Yuanlie was different from the person in the original owner's memories. He cared about her future and worried that she wouldn't be able to handle complicated matters. If he continued like this, would she eventually be able to make him fall in love with her, and then abandon him, as the original owner had hoped...?
Xiang Wan dared not think any further. She closed her eyes, cleared her mind of all distractions, and began to drift off to sleep.
The ship began to shake, the vibrations growing stronger. Xiang Wan was jolted awake. Opening her eyes, she saw nothing but darkness. After about ten minutes, the shaking subsided, and the display screen on the hatch showed a view of outer space, with planets twinkling near and far. A female voice, characteristic of the ship's systems, came through the communication device: "Arrived at the designated location, deviating from coordinates by 2 light-years. Need to adjust course. Please prepare!"
As the countdown began, Xiang Wan felt her body being thrown to the left by a distinct rotating force, and then it began to accelerate.
"Unidentified flying object detected ahead. Prepare to detour!"
After changing direction again, the ship suddenly sounded an alarm: "Beep beep beep beep, unidentified object is blocking the channel ahead, unidentified object is following behind, please give instructions, please give instructions!"
"Everyone, exit the cabin immediately and be ready for combat at any time!"
Xuan Yuanlie's voice was extremely serious. Xiang Wan didn't dare to delay, opened the hatch, and quickly followed. The other team members quickly put on their space protective suits and rushed to the control room. Qian Xiaoqi produced a set of clothes from somewhere and handed them to Xiang Wan, telling her to change and stay by his side.
The suit fits perfectly, is made of sturdy yet lightweight material, and has a button at the neck that, when pressed, reveals a transparent cover that completely covers the head. It is much lighter than modern spacesuits.
After putting on the clothes and studying them for a while, Xiang Wan's attention was drawn to the large screen in the control room. On the screen, a refined middle-aged man sat in a chair, drinking something. After taking a sip, he slowly wiped his hands with a handkerchief and said casually, "The famous general? It's a pleasure to meet you!"
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