Chapter 66: Reunion with Lan Ying

The central star region had many space bases and star fleets, which slightly delayed Xi Ming and his group. However, they still managed to reach the capital star just over fifty hours after Shi Chan contacted Lan Ying. With the help of money, they secured a landing spot at a private starship port.

Lan Ying had already learned from Shi Chan that they would be returning to the capital star today and was extremely excited. However, Shi Chan instructed him not to go out and to wait at home instead. So, despite his excitement, Lan Ying suppressed his emotions and anxiously paced around his home.

Clenching his fingers nervously, his mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts.

Shi Chan had left the capital star with Xi Ming. Although there were no official reports of Xi Ming escaping, rumors suggested otherwise. In any case, there was no good news about him. If Xi Ming’s identity were exposed, he would face endless dangers.

However, since no bad news had surfaced over the past few years, they must have some way of disguising their identities. But this was the capital star! Lan Ying frowned with worry. Shi Chan and Xi Ming had gone through so much to leave this place, and now they were coming back.

Lan Ying clasped his hands together over his chest, closed his eyes, and whispered prayers, hoping that Shi Chan and the others would remain safe and not be discovered.

When he confirmed Shi Chan’s identity, he had tried to persuade him not to come to such a dangerous place. But Shi Chan, confident in his improved cultivation and ample spiritual power, assured him that he could easily disguise both himself and Xi Ming. As long as they were careful, there would be no major risks. So, he insisted on meeting Lan Ying.

Lan Ying’s persuasion failed, so all he could do was wait at home. The more he thought about it, the more touched he felt. Shi Chan truly was his best friend. After his family’s downfall, many of his friends had distanced themselves from him, but Shi Chan risked his own safety to visit him.

Lan Ying was not imagining things—Shi Chan had indeed returned to the capital star because he was worried about him. He had even considered taking Lan Ying away. However, both the Lan family and Chi family, to which Lan Ying’s husband belonged, were deeply rooted in the capital star. Even if Lan Ying agreed to leave, it would be difficult for the rest of his family to follow.

Moreover, Shi Chan knew how strong Lan Ying’s relationship with Chi Wenyu was. There was no way they would want to separate.

After hearing Shi Chan’s concerns, Xi Ming thought for a moment and said, “Even if they stay on the capital star, it doesn’t mean they can keep their family businesses. These elite families are becoming more and more ruthless.”

“I remember that even some of the planets near the capital star were affected last time. Very few family businesses survived the brutal commercial war. During the war, the capital star and its surrounding areas were almost entirely monopolized by a handful of powerful families.”

War brought the rise and fall of countless families. Power shifts became exceptionally common during this time. The changes in the capital star’s influential families were just a microcosm of the larger upheaval happening throughout the galaxy.

“Leaving the capital star might not be a bad thing. In fact, it could be their opportunity for a fresh start.” But for families that had spent generations establishing themselves in the capital star, giving it up was an almost impossible decision.

“We’ll see how things go,” Shi Chan said. He wanted Lan Ying to leave the capital star, but he was merely a friend. He couldn’t make decisions for Lan Ying’s family business.

The most he could do was ensure Lan Ying’s safety and provide him with resources if he ever chose to leave. And when it came to arranging benefits for Lan Ying within Xi Ming’s sphere of influence, Shi Chan was confident that Xi Ming wouldn’t refuse.

Once they got in touch with Lan Ying, the space journey didn’t seem so long anymore, and soon they arrived at their destination.

“Brother Ming, let me reinforce your disguise again.” Before stepping off the starship, Shi Chan used his spiritual power to strengthen Xi Ming’s disguise from head to toe, ensuring no one would recognize him.

The people accompanying them were all from Jugu, so they didn’t need disguises. Moreover, with Xu Lin managing them, Shi Chan and Xi Ming didn’t have to worry too much.

After leaving the starship port, they discreetly found a means of transportation and headed toward Lan Ying’s home.

The second-tier families were currently in chaos, and the area where Lan Ying lived had many people coming and going every day. No one paid attention to Shi Chan and his group as they passed through.

Lan Ying had been waiting anxiously at the door. When he saw a group of people outside, he counted them and checked their clothing. Everything matched what Shi Chan had told him, so he quickly unlocked the door to let them in—only to freeze in place, looking at them with a bewildered expression.

Because… he couldn’t recognize which one was Shi Chan!

“Ying Ying.”

Shi Chan and Xi Ming had completely changed their appearances, so it was no surprise that Lan Ying didn’t recognize them. However, their voices remained the same. As soon as Shi Chan spoke in his familiar warm and gentle tone, Lan Ying immediately turned his gaze toward him.

Still hesitant, he asked, “Chan Chan?”

“It’s me.” Shi Chan took a few steps forward and partially removed his disguise.

Lan Ying finally recognized the familiar features. His eyes grew hot, and he threw himself into Shi Chan’s arms, exclaiming tearfully, “Wuwuwu, Chan Chan! I missed you so much! I’m so glad you’re okay!”

“There, there.” Seeing Lan Ying again, Shi Chan’s eyes were filled with warmth. He patted Lan Ying’s back gently and teased, “Your eyes are already red. If you keep crying, you’ll look terrible for days.”

Lan Ying glared at Shi Chan angrily but still held onto his hand affectionately. He blinked at him and said, “Chan Chan, I’ve already made arrangements. You and your friends can stay at my place for now. There’s no one else at home, so no one will notice.”

As he spoke, Lan Ying led them upstairs. “Chan Chan, Brother Chi will be back later. He’s been really busy. We’ve arranged the rooms—there are eight bedrooms on the first floor and six on the second. You can let your friends pick any room. Chi and I stay on the third floor, and there’s a room for you there as well. The other rooms are full of stored items, so they can’t be turned into bedrooms for now.”

After finishing his explanation, Lan Ying sighed. “But this villa will probably be mortgaged soon. When that happens, we’ll have to move somewhere smaller.”

Shi Chan glanced at Xi Ming, who immediately took the hint and arranged for the others to leave and settle in. Then, Shi Chan asked Lan Ying quietly, “It’s been more than ten days. Still no improvement?”

“No.” Lan Ying shook his head, eyes red. He didn’t understand business matters well, but he knew that two elite families were targeting the companies connected to both the Chi and Lan families. It was the same situation for several second-tier families.

“In the past, second-tier families had connections with the elite families, but now the entire business world of the capital star is in chaos. This struggle started from the top, so old alliances don’t mean much anymore.”

Lan Ying sighed. “If we can’t hold our ground here, Brother Chi and I have talked about leaving the capital star and starting over elsewhere.” His eyes had been red for days.

“It’s good that you’re thinking this way.” Shi Chan reached out to comfort him. “The capital star isn’t everything. If things don’t work out here, maybe a new place will bring better opportunities.”

“Enough about me.” Lan Ying quickly suppressed his bitterness and looked at Shi Chan. “Chan Chan… where’s that person?”

Shi Chan had left everything behind to follow Xi Ming, yet Lan Ying hadn’t seen him just now. His mind immediately jumped to the worst conclusions. “Are you two still together?” He asked cautiously.

Shi Chan almost laughed out loud. Before Lan Ying could ask further, he quickly reassured him, “He’s here. He was standing right next to me. He just disguised his face.”

“Huh? But Xi Ming’s legs—” Lan Ying trailed off in confusion.

“We found someone who can cure cosmic radiation. His injuries are completely healed.”

Lan Ying gasped in shock. “That’s impossible! Cosmic radiation is incurable! Even the Empire has only made small advancements in treatment!”

“It’s true,” Shi Chan confirmed.

Once the shock passed, Lan Ying was overjoyed for Shi Chan. “That means he can always be with you! Chan Chan, congratulations!”

Shi Chan smiled, feeling the happiness in Lan Ying’s words. “Yeah.”

Lan Ying hugged him again, both relieved and emotional. “Chan Chan, this is wonderful.”