Liang Xingchen, the Disliked One

Five hours later, the 101st Task Force Fleet returned to Medium Starport No. 27 in Mars orbit.

After disembarking, they held a funeral for the fallen alongside Liang Xingchen, who had been waiting inside the starport.

"They were all good men!"

After the ceremony ended, Liang Xingchen patted Lin Fan on the shoulder and said.

"Yes, they were all good men."

"Now that we have seven years, have you considered how you plan to use them? After Elder Bai heard about the ceasefire, he spent half the day pestering me to make you focus on research for the next few years!"

"Give me a break. Making me bury myself in research all day is practically asking for my life."

Liang Xingchen looked at Lin Fan and said nothing, merely smiling.

After all, he had expected that answer long ago.

"Come on, let's head to the lab first. Elder Bai has already begun manufacturing the first Warp Drive Engine. Let's go take a look together!"

"Alright. I happen to have some new things too. I'll toss them to Elder Bai for research while we're at it!"

"Uh, what have you come up with this time, kid?"

"You'll find out soon enough, Commander!"

Liang Xingchen shook his head helplessly and headed toward the laboratory with Lin Fan.

"Lin Fan, you're finally here. Liang Xingchen told me earlier that there'll be several years of ceasefire ahead. You should focus on research with us during that time!"

"Elder Bai, no one can guarantee that the Oakes Empire won't tear up the agreement. I need to remain on standby at all times!"

"You!"

Bai Zixuan was furious. What a waste of talent.

Clearly the greatest scientist in the entire Federation, yet obsessed with war. It was simply—

"Elder Bai, don't get angry yet. Let me show you something good!"

As he spoke, Lin Fan handed over a storage card.

Bai Zixuan's eyelid twitched when he saw it. Why did this scene feel so familiar?

The first time Lin Fan had handed him a storage card, it had contained all the technical documentation for the Warp Drive Engine. The second time, it had contained a complete set of technical data on Industrial Robots that were decades ahead of the Federation.

What would this third time be?

Bai Zixuan did not immediately take the storage card. Instead, he went to wash his hands, dried them, then returned to Lin Fan and carefully accepted it.

The sight nearly made Liang Xingchen's eyes pop out. When had he ever seen Bai Zixuan act like this? It was simply—

Lin Fan curled his lip. Elder Bai, aren't you being a little too dramatic? Was that really necessary?

After taking the storage card, Bai Zixuan ignored the two of them entirely. He carefully inserted it into his optical computer and began reading!

"HAHAHAHA!"

A few minutes later, everyone was startled by Bai Zixuan's sudden burst of laughter.

"Elder Bai, are you alright?"

Liang Xingchen cautiously stepped forward and asked softly.

"Alright? No, something's happened—something huge! Do you know what Lin Fan gave me?"

"What was it?"

"Something that will let you crush the Oakes Empire in two or three years!"

"What?!"

This time, Liang Xingchen was the one who shouted.

He startled everyone again. His voice was simply too booming.

"What are you doing? Are you trying to deafen this old man?"

"No, no, I was just too shocked! But what exactly did Lin Fan give you?"

"Listen carefully. It's a complete set of technical documentation for Energy Shields!"

After saying that, Elder Bai looked at Liang Xingchen with a smug expression.

Liang Xingchen was somewhat speechless as he looked at Bai Zixuan's expression. What exactly was the old man so proud of? It was not as though he had developed it himself.

Though that was what he thought, Liang Xingchen did not dare say it aloud to Bai Zixuan. Otherwise, the old man would definitely never let him hear the end of it.

Energy Shields—how could Liang Xingchen not know what they were? This was technology that had always existed in humanity's imagination.

If they could truly develop it, the Federation's warships would possess an absolute advantage over those of the Oakes Empire. Forget driving them out of the Milky Way; reclaiming Proxima, Barnard's Star, and Epsilon Eridani, or even launching a counteroffensive into Oakes Empire territory, would all be within reach.

What exactly was going on with Lin Fan? He was becoming more and more mysterious.

Forget it. As he had always said, everyone had their own secrets. Since Lin Fan was one of them—and the Federation President's son—there was no need to pry too deeply.

"Elder Bai, how confident are you that this can be developed?"

"How confident? Are you stupid? I told you it's a complete set of technical documentation. As long as the data is correct, of course we can develop it with one hundred percent certainty!"

"Alright, my fault!"

"Of course it's your fault. Let me tell you, the first prototype of the Warp Drive Engine is expected to be completed next week. When the time comes, I plan to install it on a frigate first for testing."

"No problem! Let me know when the time comes—I'll come observe the test too!"

"Mm. Also, now that we have the Energy Shield project as well, we need more manpower!"

"Alright, I'll contact the President and have him send over the Federation's top talent!"

"Good, that's the right attitude. You may leave now!"

Although Liang Xingchen had grown used to Bai Zixuan's temperament, he was still utterly speechless.

What did she mean, "that's the right attitude, you may leave now"?

By chance, he spotted Lin Fan holding back a laugh nearby, which made his mood even worse.

Fine, I'll leave, alright? It had to be said that when faced with Bai Zixuan, Liang Xingchen really had no temper left.

"Alright, I'm leaving. Lin Fan, come with me. I have something to ask you!"

"Yes, Commander!"

Lin Fan quickly followed Liang Xingchen out of the laboratory. However, Liang Xingchen remained silent the entire way, leaving Lin Fan no choice but to follow quietly. It was not until they reached the port that Liang Xingchen finally spoke.

"Lin Fan, Liang Xue contacted me once while she was on the way back. She asked whether you had ever suffered from amnesia."

"Mm, I know. Liang Xue told me some things about when I was eight years old. She told me that I lost my memory ten years ago and have absolutely no recollection of anything before I was nine!"

"No wonder! I did hear about your amnesia from your father. Apparently, they still haven't found the cause!"

"Yes, Commander. May I ask... did Liang Xue and I know each other when I was little?"

"You two weren't merely acquainted. You even... Sigh, forget it. It isn't my place to tell you about this. If you want to know, ask Liang Xue yourself!"

"Uh, alright!"

"Oh, right. One last thing: because you defeated the Oakes Empire's fleets twice, the higher-ups are considering promoting your rank. If it gets approved, there should be an official notice within the next few days!"

"Yes, Commander!"

"Alright, I'll be going first. Have a proper talk with Liang Xue!"

"Alright!"

After Liang Xingchen left, Lin Fan returned to his office as well.

Once seated, Lin Fan thought of Liang Xue. Sigh, what a headache. If he did not get to the bottom of this, he would never feel at ease. He still had to get Liang Xue over and ask her properly.

With that in mind, Lin Fan pressed the communication button on his desk.

"Liang Xue, come to my office!"