Chapter 26
Ayuan's hydroponic garden is the softest heart of the base. Between the layers of planters, tender green leaves stretch under artificial light, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of moist soil and plants.
Wen Ling often comes here to help, learning how to calibrate the nutrient solution ratio and how to prune overcrowded branches and leaves. The hands that once only held pens and ceremonial swords now carefully hold up a newly transplanted strawberry seedling, their movements as gentle as if they were touching butterfly wings.
"Your Highness, this needs to be loosened up a bit." Ah Yuan's voice came from the side. She had her long hair braided into a pigtail that hung down in front of her chest. The ends of her hair brushed against Wen Ling's rolled-up arms, causing a subtle tickle. "Plant roots need to breathe, too."
She leaned in close, demonstrating how to dig a suitable hole in the nutrient soil with her fingers. Wen Ling could smell the faint scent of plant juice on her, mixed with a rare warm fragrance similar to sunlight in the base.
"I understand." Wen Ling imitated her movements, his fingertips sinking into the moist, soft soil. His brow furrowed slightly as he concentrated, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under his eyes. A few strands of sweat-soaked black hair plastered to his forehead, adding a touch of lively childishness to his usually cold features.
Ah Yuan watched his increasingly skilled movements, his eyes narrowing. "You're a quick learner. Much better than our minister. The last time he came here, he nearly suffocated a precious moon orchid."
As she spoke, she naturally stretched out her hand and gently wiped away the mud that had accidentally gotten on Wen Ling's cheek with her fingertips.
Her touch was light, with a vegetal coolness.
Wen Ling was stunned for a moment, then looked up. Ah Yuan was smiling at him, her eyes, always full of life, now reflected in the soft light of the grow light, appearing particularly bright.
Just then, the light at the entrance of the hydroponic garden dimmed.
Miao Weizhen stood there. He seemed to have just finished a strenuous shift, and he still carried the chill air of a computer room. His dark green uniform jacket was casually draped over his arm, and two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing the distinct lines of his collarbone.
There was no expression on his face, but his dark brown eyes swept across Ayuan's hand, which had not yet been retracted, and fell on the place on Wen Ling's cheek that had been touched. His gaze was as calm as a frozen lake.
"The calming herbs Case ordered." His voice was deeper than usual, like the grinding of frosted metal.
Ah Yuan immediately stood up straighter, and the smile on his face faded a little: "Ah, it's ready. It's on the third row of shelves over there."
She pointed in the direction, her tone unconsciously becoming respectful at work.
Miao Weizhen didn't move. His gaze shifted to Wen Ling. Wen Ling was still half-crouched beside the planting trough, one hand holding a seedling, the other stained with soil. The warm yellow light from the grow light fell on him, outlining his smooth shoulders and vulnerable neck. A few beads of sweat slid down his fair skin and into his collar.
"It seems that Your Highness has found a place to use his talents here." Miao Weizhen said lightly, with no emotion in his tone.
Wen Ling stood up, his mouth strangely dry. Miao Weizhen's gaze entangled him like an invisible thread, preventing him from responding naturally as he had to A Yuan. "Just a little help."
Miao Weizhen finally stepped inside. He didn't look at the herbs, but instead stopped in front of the planting trough Wen Ling had just finished tending. He leaned over, his fingertips brushing against a basil leaf, his movements cold, as if examining a delicate instrument. The plant, once stretched out, shrank slightly.
"The growth data of these plants will be valuable for optimizing the base's life support system." He stood up and walked past Wen Ling. The corner of his uniform created a small airflow that brushed against Wen Ling's bare arm. "Don't forget the star map navigation you should learn. Lao Lin is looking for you."
He picked up the bag of herbs, turned around and left without looking at Ah Yuan again. His back was straight and upright as he left, like a famous sword forcibly sheathed, even his departure gesture carried a suppressed edge.
Ah Yuan exhaled lightly and patted his chest: "I was scared to death... Was the Minister unhappy just now?"
Wen Ling didn't answer. He looked down at his dirt-stained fingers. His forearm still clung to the cool, fragrant breeze brought by Miao Weizhen's passing. The sensation wasn't as clear as Ayuan's touch, but it penetrated deeper into his skin.
Over the next few days, Wen Ling noticed Miao Weizhen's presence at the hydroponic garden increased. Sometimes he'd come to pick up herbs requested by Dr. Case, sometimes just to check out the newly cultivated edible fungi. He never stayed long, rarely participating in the work, simply standing there, scanning the garden with an assessing gaze.
Once, Wen Ling was standing on tiptoe to adjust a high-mounted fill light. The light stand was a little stuck, and he leaned back slightly as he exerted force. A bony hand reached out from behind him and easily flipped the switch.
Wen Ling was practically enveloped in his shadow. Miao Weizhen was so close that Wen Ling could feel the warmth of his chest and the taut muscles beneath his uniform. A clean scent, like a mixture of cedar and cooled metal, enveloped him.
"The angle is off by 15 percent," Miao Weizhen's voice sounded from above his ear, low and steady, his breath brushing against Wen Ling's earlobe. "The efficiency will be compromised."
He then stepped back, as if his approach was merely business. But Wen Ling's ears uncontrollably blushed, and the sensation lingered for a long time.
Ayuan seemed to have noticed something. She no longer had physical contact with Wen Ling as casually as before, and there was a bit more caution in her smile.
That night, Wen Ling once again visited the observation deck. To his surprise, Miao Weizhen was there too. He stood with his back to the entrance, his shoulders appearing somewhat stiff under the starlight.
Wen Ling walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with him under the dome.
"The star map is ready," Wen Ling said softly, handing over a data tablet. "It's marked with three abandoned gravity channels that we might be able to use."
Miao Weizhen took the datapad and slid his fingertips across the cold screen. He didn't look at the star map, but instead turned his head and fixed his gaze on Wen Ling's face. Starlight streamed through his deep brown eyes, like the silence of the entire universe.
"Ayuan is a good girl." He said suddenly, without any emotion in his voice.
Wen Ling's heart skipped a beat and she raised her eyes to meet his gaze.
"But she's not right for you," Miao Weizhen continued, each word clear and calm. "Her world is too pure. And you," he leaned in slightly, so close that Wen Ling could count his drooping eyelashes, "you've already stepped halfway into the quagmire."
His breath carried a faint bitterness, like a tempered blade. Wen Ling did not retreat; he could feel his heartbeat pounding heavily in his chest.
"What about you?" Wen Ling heard herself ask, her voice steady than expected. "What is your world like?"
Miao Weizhen's lips curled ever so slightly, not quite a smile, but more like a silent mockery. He didn't answer, simply returning his gaze to the endless expanse of star debris. But this time, his shoulders seemed to relax a little.
In the darkness, their shadows briefly overlapped under the starlight.
Just when the silence was about to freeze into ice, the shrill sound of an alarm ripped through the tranquility of the base without warning.
The red light flickered rapidly, illuminating the observation deck with an eerie glow.
"Warning: Unauthorized spatial fluctuations detected. Warning: Perimeter defense array area C is offline..."
Miao Weizhen's eyes instantly sharpened like a hawk's. All previous gloom and personal emotions were swept away, leaving only absolute calmness and efficiency. Without even a glance at Wen Ling, he turned and hurried to the command center. His voice clearly issued orders through his portable communicator: "Everyone, level one combat readiness. Luo Yan, lead the 'Scavenger' team to the entrance of Area C. Lao Lin, ensure the stability of the core energy. Non-combat personnel, immediately proceed to the shelter."
Wen Ling's heart skipped a beat and she immediately followed his steps. "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure. It could be disturbances from interstellar debris, or it could be..." Miao Weizhen didn't finish his words, but both of them understood the unspoken meaning - the tentacles of the Federation.
They walked quickly through the passage. The lights inside the base were already on. The people were running without appearing panicked, showing their extremely high level of training.
However, just as they were about to enter the area where the command center was located, the isolation door of a connecting passage ahead suddenly made a malfunctioning buzzing sound, and the heavy alloy door suddenly fell down.
"Be careful!" Wen Ling reached out almost instinctively, grabbed Miao Weizhen's wrist, and pulled him back forcefully.
Miao Weizhen stumbled as he was pulled, his back colliding with Wen Ling's chest. The isolation door slammed shut in front of them, blocking their path.
In an instant, the two were trapped in a narrow passage less than five meters long. The emergency red light flickered, dimming the light. Wen Ling still held Miao Weizhen's wrist tightly. Through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could clearly feel the tense muscles and rapidly beating pulse beneath. Miao Weizhen's breathing was slightly irregular, and his warm breath brushed against the side of Wen Ling's neck.
Miao Weizhen turned his head suddenly. In the darkness, his eyes were surprisingly bright, like a frightened beast.
"Let go."
His voice was low and warning.
Wen Ling then realized that she was still holding him and immediately let go.
The lingering touch on the fingertips could not be shaken off - the wrist bones were hard and the skin was unusually cold.
"A malfunction? Or was it human error?" Wen Ling forced himself to calm down and looked around for a possible exit or communication panel.
Miao Weizhen didn't answer immediately. He quickly checked the control panel next to him. The screen was completely dark. "The power and signal have been cut off. It's more likely to be human error."
He leaned against the cold wall, panting slightly. The impact had clearly been quite severe. In the darkness, he closed his eyes, a fine layer of cold sweat oozing from his forehead, as if he was forcing himself back something.
Wen Ling remembered what Dr. Case had said - his neuralgia was likely to flare up under such tension and sudden impact.
"How are you?" Wen Ling took a step closer and asked in a low voice.
"It's okay." Miao Weizhen's voice came out from between his teeth, with suppressed pain.
The air in the corridor seemed to grow thinner. Swirling red light repeatedly swept across Miao Weizhen's pale face. His furrowed brows and thin, straight lips pursed into a line revealed a fragile stubbornness. Wen Ling watched him maintain absolute lucidity and control despite the pain. Something gripped her heart, and a mixture of worry, tension, and indescribable emotions welled up in her.
He stopped asking questions and instead reached out and gently pressed his hand against Miao Weizhen's clenched fist, its knuckles white. His movements were gentle and tentative.
Miao Weizhen's body remained tense, the lingering neuralgia causing his fingertips to tremble uncontrollably. Wen Ling's palm, resting on the back of his hand, was warm and stable, like a piece of warm jade dropped into an icy sea.
In the darkness, the sound of breathing is clearly audible.
Wen Ling could sense Miao Weizhen's suppressed pain, the fragility he forced himself to maintain was more impactful than any words. He slightly increased the strength in his hands, trying to provide some support.
At this moment, the entire base suddenly shook violently. It seemed that the battle to eliminate the invaders had caused a temporary overload in one of the energy cores.
The narrow passageway they were in shook, and the lighting panels above flickered. Wen Ling was caught off guard and stumbled forward, while Miao Weizhen, also affected by the neuralgia, was unsteady on his feet.
In the rapidly flashing red alarm light, Wen Ling subconsciously reached out to support the other person, and Miao Weizhen also instinctively tried to steady his body.
In the chaos, something suddenly brushed against Wen Ling's cheek - slightly cool, soft, with a hint of bitterness.
The two of them froze at the same time.
Wen Ling realized belatedly that at that moment, his lips had briefly and accidentally brushed against Miao Weizhen's earlobe.
The touch was fleeting, but it was like an electric current running through my spine.
Miao Weizhen leaned back against the wall suddenly, creating some distance.
The only sounds left in the passage were the two people's somewhat disordered breathing and the aftermath of the vibration that had not yet completely subsided.
“…Stand still.”
Miao Weizhen's voice was even hoarser than before, with a kind of deliberately suppressed coldness.
Wen Ling also felt his face getting hot. He stood firm as he was told, his fingers curled up unconsciously, and the fleeting cool touch on his lips lingered.
At that moment, the alarm outside stopped completely. Luo Yan's voice rang out: "Minister? Your Highness? The intruder has been eliminated, and the system is recovering. The fault isolation door will be reactivated soon."
The confinement will soon be lifted.
The isolation door slowly rose, and light from the outside passage poured into this small space.
Miao Weizhen took the lead, his steps steady as usual. When he brushed past Wen Ling, he didn't stop, leaving only a sentence:
"The C-area defense array requires manual restart. Follow."
His voice was calm as usual, as if the accident had never happened. But Wen Ling noticed that his right hand was unconsciously stroking the cuff of his left hand - a small movement he would make when his emotions were fluctuating.
Wen Ling hurried after him, and the two walked side by side toward the command center. The emergency lights on the corridor walls stretched and shortened their shadows, overlapping and interlacing them on the metal floor.
"The fact that the invaders were able to penetrate the outer defenses proves that the Federation's reconnaissance technology is more advanced than we anticipated," Miao Weizhen suddenly said, his voice low. "We need to initiate combat testing of the Iron Throne ahead of time."
Wen Ling's heart trembled. This meant that their carefully concealed military power was about to be exposed to the Federation.
"Are you sure you want to take this risk?"
Miao Weizhen glanced sideways at him. In the dim light, his eyes were particularly profound. "From the moment you chose to stay, we took a risk."
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