Going Abroad

In relationships between people, communication was very important. Only through communication could they truly understand each other.

For example, Qi Lin had finally seen a hint of a lecherous boy beneath Wang Ji's previously fixed image of solemn seriousness...

"Hey, Qi Lin, Qi Lin, I was just teasing you. I meant I liked your uniform... Ah, pfft~ I mean your police uniform."

With her almond eyes glistening, Qi Lin turned back and spat lightly, embarrassed and annoyed.

"Hey, look at you... Listen to my explanation~"

Blushing, she lowered her head and walked quickly. He held her hand and hurried after her.

"You have to treat me well~" she said softly.

"Of course..." he replied gently.

"Don't abandon me after having your fun. Even if you get tired of me someday... don't." Her almond eyes lowered slightly, carrying a trace of worry.

"How should I guarantee that to you?" he asked.

"No need for guarantees... After all, promises are meant to be broken." She gently shook her head.

"Hehe, you're challenging me..." He squeezed her hand and chuckled.

"Hehe~ Then that depends on you." She snorted. "Anyway, men who want to be emperors can't be trusted in this regard. Who knows when they'll get sick of someone and banish her to the cold palace."

"Oh? You know I can't be trusted, yet you still risk yourself?" He smiled without arguing.

"What choice did I have~" Qi Lin pursed her lips and grinned.

To refuse what Heaven bestowed was to invite punishment.

What others could only dream of, she could reach out and take.

She liked him too; he haunted her dreams.

"And maybe someday... I'll die too." She finally could not hold it in any longer, resting her little head against his shoulder, even though he had been holding himself back from wrapping an arm around her.

There was worry in her eyes.

Perhaps the happier things were now, the harder it would be for her to let go if disaster suddenly struck one day.

The stronger their superpowers became, the more dangerous the situations they might face... Did she not long for love as well? Ever since that brush with death.

Especially with him.

"You won't die. I'll protect you." Wang Ji finally could not resist putting an arm around her shoulders and drawing that fragrant warmth into his embrace.

"And neither will I... Big Brother is immortal."

The first part had been quite nice, and Qi Lin had already begun to feel a woman's tenderness and melancholy. But upon hearing the latter part, she could not help laughing, lightly punching his chest. "When can you stop being so childish... Especially at a time like this."

Her almond eyes were like water as she shot him a glance.

"I'm not being childish. It's sentiment," Wang Ji said with a smile. "Besides, don't think I'm always deliberately fooling around. When it's time to play along with me, you need to play along... Sometimes, I really can't help it."

"So you can't help being silly, huh~" Qi Lin softly snorted. "Chuunibyou boys sure have lots of fun. Fine, I'll always catch you from now on. As long as you like it."

Wang Ji smiled and said nothing more.

They were at Da Wan Cinema. The screening was sparsely attended, and the seats around them were empty.

"Is there really nothing else you want to say?"

"No..." Qi Lin quietly leaned against his shoulder. The flickering love and hatred of the film reflected in her eyes as she sighed softly. "Anyway, you like new clothes."

"Not particularly grateful for what he has received?"

Juxia Command Hall

After hearing Lian Feng's report, Du Kao smiled helplessly.

"He has gained quite a lot, but he has also lost a great deal?" He shook his head. "This child looks rather mild-mannered, but he really is difficult to tame. Not only is he suspicious, he's stubborn and proud."

Lian Feng smiled faintly, looking somewhat helpless as well.

She sat before a workstation. On the screen was a message Leina had sent over.

It concerned the conversation between Leina and Wang Ji.

Just yesterday, Leina had tried to persuade the boy, telling him that there were always greater heavens beyond the heavens and greater people beyond people, so he should not be too arrogant.

She had also subtly pointed out that he could gain a great deal from Super God Academy, and had already received some things, so he should not remain so suspicious... Only for Wang Ji to shut her down with a few words.

"His newly manifested earth-traveling ability is quite a pleasant surprise. And if we add his running speed and his preliminary ability to calculate wormholes, he's already a very powerful Super Soldier.

"Reconnaissance, infiltration, assault, assassination, decapitation—he could excel at all of them." After some thought, Lian Feng spoke.

"More importantly, this child truly learns quickly and enjoys research."

"Which is precisely why we must ensure his safety," Du Kao said steadily and decisively. "And he needs proper guidance and proper values. He can't always be thinking about leaving, leaving, leaving."

Lian Feng listened quietly without saying anything.

She would rarely go against General Du Kao's will.

It was just that, whenever she thought of that child, she felt he had already done very well.

In a sense, he had been persecuted...

"A good child cannot keep viewing the world from the bottom of a well..." Du Kao sighed and shook his head. "After some time, find another opportunity to ask about his attitude. If he agrees, bring him in for a genetic test."

An unknown Super Gene, placed within the Super Soldier Company—if there was a problem, it could lead to a serious one.

"Then what about his upgrade plan..." Lian Feng asked hesitantly.

The child was very capable. At least for now, he surpassed most of the Super Soldier Company, but his physical strength was not high. It should have been around the level of Steel Body.

For a highly mobile close-combat fighter, that level of strength was somewhat low.

"Put it aside for now."

Du Kao looked at the arrogant words on the screen and shook his head. "Resources are limited to begin with... Wait a while, then find a chance to temper them. Let him learn what it means that there are always greater people beyond people."

Lian Feng nodded lightly. A set of upgrade materials for a second-generation God River Body was not especially precious, but for Earth at present, it counted as rare.

They had originally planned to bring Wang Ji here today after Leina persuaded him.

First the genetic test, then an upgrade at some later time.

Lian Feng quietly looked at the image of a handsome young man on the screen. For some reason, she felt a little uncomfortable at that moment.

With a soft sigh, she swept the feeling aside and continued working.

After confirming their relationship, Wang Ji felt that his mentality had undergone some subtle, silent changes.

He could not clearly sense the rest, but he understood one thing very well: in this world, he now had someone to care about.

It was no longer like before, when he lived alone, died alone, left alone, and stayed alone, with no ties or attachments.

Nor had there been anyone who cared about him.

Perhaps he had always wanted something like this and had actively pursued it, but only after truly having it did he understand what it felt like...

There was someone upon whom he could place his longing, someone who brought him intoxication and warmth, someone who gave him hope for the future.

She spoiled him. Sometimes she carried the natural maternal tenderness of a woman. She treated him well and missed him, as though it were only natural.

He liked that feeling of it being only natural.

Of course, he would treat her well too.

Before he knew it, amid warmth and sweetness and grueling training, another week or so passed.

"No time? Why don't you have time?" Leina frowned at Wang Ji, one hand on her hip and displeasure on her face. "A few of us are going shopping for clothes. Would it kill you to carry our bags?"

It was another weekend. Leina had eagerly blocked the entrance to Wang Ji's dormitory, only for his single sentence to make her unhappy.

Qi Lin stood some distance away with her bag, saying nothing. The outing had been arranged on short notice, so she had not had time to notify Wang Ji in advance and did not know whether he was free.

"I have something to do abroad. I'll be back tomorrow. I can't go shopping."