With a bang, on the dusty training ground, two battered, old mechs that had just been locked in a back-and-forth struggle crashed to the ground in a heap. The mech on top vigilantly pinned its opponent, giving it no chance to turn the tables and snatch victory from defeat.

A wildly arrogant, cheerful laugh came from inside: “Hahaha, I won again!”

Seeing this, the three equally dilapidated training mechs waiting on the sidelines began to clamor impatiently:

“Hurry up and get out of there when you’re done!”

“Have you no shame? Outside the mech, she could beat you senseless with one hand tied behind her back. What’s there to be arrogant about?!”

“My turn, my turn!”

Speaking of which, a group of people lining up with sparring tickets to bully a newcomer seemed a bit wrong.

However, the opportunity to pin down and rough up Ji Changqing was just too rare and tempting. So, they stubbornly endured the judgmental stares of others, who looked at them like they were beasts, and teamed up every day to take on the mecha rookie.

The mecha rookie accepted all challengers, only stopping after she had fought a round with each of them.

Opening the cockpit, Ji Changqing climbed out, drenched in sweat. Her face was a little pale from the exhaustion of her physical and mental energy.

After finishing her recuperation and returning to her unit, she first underwent nearly half a year of recovery training. Then, Major General Xie’er sent her to learn how to operate a mech in the field, including but not limited to piloting and combat.

Upon learning of Ji Changqing’s triumphant return, Gu Changge, Eve, Du Zhong, and Tao Jun—who had graduated from the military academy and were now serving under Major General Xie’er—all enthusiastically came to be her sparring partners.

These four classmates, who had joined the Sixth Fleet two years before Ji Changqing, had already completed their rookie training. They had successfully evolved from green military cadets into cynical, ruthless, slick, and cunning old veterans.

Having enjoyed their daily dose of fun pinning down Ji Changqing, the four of them trotted over, laughing and joking. Unlike Ji Changqing, who was nearly exhausted, they had taken turns fighting her four-on-one like seasoned pros and had barely broken a sweat.

For them, a battle of this level offered little benefit beyond honing their skills. But since Ji Changqing needed sparring partners, they all swarmed over to apply, under the banner of enjoying the pleasure of giving her a good thrashing.

Gu Changge sounded quite regretful. “Ji Changqing, you’re improving way too fast. By the time we get back from our mission, we probably won’t be able to beat you so easily anymore!”

Eve wasn’t as ambitious as him; did he really think they could keep bullying Ji Changqing forever? He must still be dreaming! She counted on her fingers. “It’s fine, it’s fine. We’ve had the upper hand for over two months. What’s there to be dissatisfied about?”

“Of course, going on missions and earning military merits is more important than beating up Ji Changqing!” Du Zhong said with a simple smile, pointing to the insignia on his uniform. “Look, I earned a bunch with you guys during the entrance exam, and then I caught the last big shake-up. Made first lieutenant in just two years of service. That’s enough to brag about for years!”

Tao Jun felt like Du Zhong was stabbing him in the heart. Back then, he’d missed out on fighting the space pirates and only managed to participate in rescuing his fellow candidates. Although he’d earned a few military merits, it was a far cry from what these guys had.

He glanced dejectedly at his own insignia. Gu Changge, Du Zhong, and Eve were all first lieutenants; only he was a second lieutenant.

It was heartbreaking just thinking about it.

He could only console himself silently: among those from their graduating class who had entered the Sixth Fleet, only the few of them had become commissioned officers. The others were still struggling as non-commissioned officers!

Yes, he was still outstanding!

“You’re right!” Gu Changge said, looking at Ji Changqing’s captain insignia with envy, practically drooling. “While you’re stuck here unable to go on missions, Changqing, we’ll rack up more merits. We’ll definitely catch up to you soon and won’t let you stay ahead of us forever!”

The expressions on Eve and the other two changed drastically, and they lunged forward to cover his mouth.

Damn it, this guy’s jinxing ability was getting more and more proficient. Setting up a flag like that, wasn’t he just asking for a slap in the face!

It didn’t matter if his face got slapped, but if he cursed them, that was unforgivable!

“Shut up, shut up, shut up! Just shut the hell up!” Gu Changge struggled fiercely, and the four of them descended into a chaotic brawl.

Ji Changqing wiped her face, her expression wooden.

They say time is a butcher’s knife, but why was it that after six years, the jokers among them were still jokers, and the chuunibyou was still a chuunibyou?

It must be that Major General Xie’er had made their lives too comfortable. The Sixth Fleet had proper values and a good atmosphere from top to bottom, so these guys had yet to suffer a real beating from society!

After training, they each went to shower, changed out of their training gear and into their regular uniforms, and then, like kindergarteners, insisted on going to the dining hall for dinner as a group.

They were still restless on the way, shamelessly demanding to video call someone else’s girlfriend and relentlessly egging on Ji Changqing: “Quick, call your girlfriend! We miss her!”

Ji Changqing turned a deaf ear. Every second with Yu Zhiyao was precious; how could she possibly let these people squander it?

Ever since they parted on Iris Star, with one heading to a military base and the other returning to the Academy of Sciences, they had exchanged their schedules at the first opportunity. However, both of their workplaces held many secrets that couldn’t be disclosed. Coupled with their busy and irregular schedules, it often meant that whoever had a free moment would just send the other a message.

The rare times they were free to video chat for a while were always after a full day’s work was done.

On the military side, because Ji Changqing had mostly been doing recovery training, her work hours were relatively fixed. She just had to wait for Yu Zhiyao to get out of the lab, and they could usually video chat for a bit—which was as good as seeing each other in person, more or less.

The mecha training was still manageable for now, but once she passed, she would have to go out on missions from time to time, just like Gu Changge and the others. It would be even harder to contact each other then.

The group chatted and laughed through dinner, originally planning to log onto the StarNet for a round of a mecha warfare game. The mechs used for physical training were all decommissioned models, but the holographic mecha game was different. In the virtual game space, they could use all the latest models.

Playing this game more often would allow them to familiarize themselves with the performance of the newest combat mechs. Plus, they could try out all sorts of slick maneuvers inside without getting hurt, which helped cultivate a stronger operational awareness.

But tonight, that plan fell through.

Not long after they finished eating, Adjutant Mia summoned Ji Changqing. Major General Xie’er wanted to see her.

As Ji Changqing pushed the door open and walked in, Major General Xie’er couldn’t help but want to smile.

When Ji Changqing had returned to the unit, she was like a completely different person. She was exceptionally high-spirited, radiating an aura of “I own the whole world.” Her happiness was practically overflowing.

The old Ji Changqing was rational and calm, with a deep sense of detachment from others. She would subconsciously keep her distance, not wanting to get close to anyone, nor wanting anyone to get close to her.

Classmates like Gu Changge, Eve, and Du Zhong could perhaps be called friends, but at most, it was the kind of “gentleman’s friendship, as mild as water”—comrades-in-arms she trusted to have her back.

They only discussed official business, never personal matters.

She possessed a stronger sense of justice than most people, perhaps because she had no attachments and no weaknesses, which often gave her a fearless air.

Now, she seemed to have both a weakness and armor. It was as if she had her own soft-focus filter, no longer the cold figure who rejected all who approached. She was as relaxed as a light, soft, sweet cotton candy, and one look was enough to tell that she was being gently and deeply loved, basking in the glow of a new romance.

Even Major General Xie’er, who had hidden her own part in this, was dazzled by the pink bubbles of happiness radiating from her.

Ji Changqing herself was very low-key and had no habit or hobby of announcing to the world that she was no longer single, had successfully snagged a girlfriend, and was now madly showing off their affection. It was just that once, after a mecha combat training session, she had just stepped out of the cockpit when she received a video call from Yu Zhiyao.

As someone who cherished every second she could spend with her girlfriend, she answered the call instantly, her spirits soaring, and started chatting about the usual sweet nothings couples talk about as she walked.

And so, Gu Changge and the others, who had been trailing behind her, found out that this rascal Ji Changqing had actually gotten into a relationship behind their backs!

What was even more outrageous was that her girlfriend was from the Academy of Sciences, possessing both beauty and brains—a student so outstanding that the great Academician Sith was crying and begging to take her on.

Genuinely envious!

And so, the group, completely lacking the self-awareness that interrupting a couple’s romance might get them struck by lightning, swarmed forward. After politely greeting the future big shot, they began to frantically hint that they wanted to steal her away!

Their uniform line was: “Beautiful big sister, I’m so-and-so, and I’m actually pretty great too! Young, obedient, and can do anything!”

Their unrestrained enthusiasm made Yu Zhiyao chuckle, and then, under Ji Changqing’s accusing gaze, she sternly rejected them.

In the end, Ji Changqing, with a deadpan expression, beat each of them up before grabbing them and tossing them out.

The passionate young people, even with their fates gripped by the scruff of the neck by Ji Changqing, still relentlessly promoted themselves, hoping to win the beautiful big sister’s favor.

And just like that, Ji Changqing’s relationship became an open secret, and everyone expressed their envy, jealousy, and hate toward her.

She was probably the person in the entire Sixth Fleet who was forced to receive the most confessions on her girlfriend’s behalf.

Major General Xie’er gossiped with relish in her mind, which didn’t stop her from speaking to Ji Changqing with a straight face about official business. “The next selection for the Peace and Development Special Investigation Department’s exclusive special forces unit is in two months. If you want to go, you’ll need to step up your mecha combat training.”

The Special Investigation Department’s special forces unit held selections throughout the various military branches every year. The candidates sent from each branch would undergo six months of intensive training. Those who passed would officially join, while those who were eliminated would be sent back the way they came.

For Ji Changqing, who wanted to accumulate military merits and contribution points, the Special Investigation Department’s special forces unit, which constantly operated in dangerous situations, was the most suitable choice.

Major General Xie’er had high hopes for her and naturally wanted her path to be smoother. “If you stay in the Sixth Fleet, under normal circumstances, the highest you can go is probably a field-grade officer.”

After all, Ji Changqing was a special recruit who had joined at an older age. A quick calculation showed she was almost sixty. If she didn’t go all out to accumulate merits quickly, there was little chance she would cross the threshold from a field-grade officer to a general.

But that wasn’t the main reason she had specifically called Ji Changqing over. She paused. “The military merit points from your previous achievements have all been calculated. With your existing points, plus the half-rank promotion for company-grade officers after passing the assessment, you’ll be able to get promoted to a field-grade officer.”

The reason she herself had been promoted to major general in her early seventies was that she had spent nearly seventeen years in the Special Investigation Department’s special forces, rising from a non-commissioned officer to lieutenant colonel. After joining the Sixth Fleet, it took her another thirty-two years to be promoted from lieutenant colonel to a general officer.

If Ji Changqing were given sixty years, could she make it from a company-grade officer to a general?

It would be very difficult.

That night, before bed, Ji Changqing told Yu Zhiyao about the special forces selection during their video call. She also took the opportunity to complain that Major General Xie’er, a woman in her eighties, had the nerve to call her, someone not yet sixty, “older”!

Yu Zhiyao couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing Ji Changqing’s eyebrows practically standing on end, she offered a half-hearted compliment, “Yes, yes, our Changqing will be forever young.”

Ji Changqing didn’t think that was much of a compliment.

Back on Blue Star, when men would narcissistically boast that “men are boys until the day they die,” the women would respond with fairly uniform disdain: “Oh yes, yes, forever giant babies who never grow up.” It was clearly a mockery of those “forever boys” for their lack of responsibility and commitment.

But before she could protest, Yu Zhiyao had already diverted her attention.

“If you’re interested and you’re capable, why not go for it?” When it came to each other’s future development, Yu Zhiyao had always been encouraging. She wouldn’t try every means possible to stop Ji Changqing from taking risks just because she was worried about her safety.

Seeing how Ji Changqing’s eyes had lit up as she spoke just now, she knew that Ji Changqing was actually eager to try, just concerned about her feelings.

Speaking of danger, wasn’t scientific research dangerous? Weren’t all sorts of experiments risky?

Why were there so many rules, regulations, and safety precautions for entering a lab? It was because with many experiments, the slightest mistake could not only lead to one’s own obliteration but could also drag many others down to hell in an instant.

Having received her beloved’s approval, Ji Changqing felt a little giddy. She restrained a smile that tugged at the corners of her lips and offered, as if presenting a treasure, “It’s closer to you, too!”

Yu Zhiyao laughed softly. This silly girl, had she forgotten again? They were both engaged in classified work, which destined them to spend more time apart than together. Even if their workplaces were closer, it didn’t mean they could see each other more often.

But she didn’t burst her bubble, listening as Ji Changqing planned their future life, interspersed with all sorts of fancy confessions of love and longing.

She reached out her hand, as if she could touch the other person.

Thinking about how Ji Changqing would soon be participating in the selection, followed by six months of closed training—meaning at least six months of no contact—a strong sense of reluctance welled up in her heart.

Then, she heard Ji Changqing say cheerfully, “After the selection, those who pass the assessment get a one-month family leave. We can spend the New Year together then.”

“Okay,” Yu Zhiyao agreed without hesitation, already calculating in her mind how to arrange her schedule to free up a month around the New Year.

Even though it was only the season of warm spring and blooming flowers right now.

The two were sweet and affectionate for a while longer before reluctantly ending the call.

Just before falling asleep, Yu Zhiyao drowsily thought, if it weren’t for the global evolution, they would both be nearly sixty by now. Would that count as a twilight romance, a sunset love?

The thought successfully made her laugh.

She decided that when they met again at the New Year, she would have to discuss this issue in depth with Ji Changqing.

May you leave for half a lifetime and return still a youth.