Jiang Xunyu didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he kept his head down, fingers nervously picking at his nails.

Ji Yuzhou knew he had heard the question and didn’t rush him for a reply. Leaning back against the sofa, his gaze remained fixed on him.

After a long pause, Jiang Xunyu finally spoke, his voice rasping as though it had been squeezed out of his throat. “…Why?”

Why save him? Why take him back to the military base? He had no formal education, only knew a few words he’d learned secretly, and looked different from others. He was utterly useless. Jiang Xunyu couldn’t believe Ji Yuzhou would want someone like him.

Jiang Xunyu’s thoughts were as transparent as a blank sheet of paper. His unease, confusion, and fear were all evident in the slight tremble of his body and the hoarseness of his voice.

Ji Yuzhou chuckled and offered the explanation he had prepared in advance: “Your father was named Jiang Qin, right? I was a friend of his.”

It wasn’t a lie. In fact, Jiang Qin had once saved Ji Yuzhou’s life. However, Ji Yuzhou couldn’t explain the full story to Jiang Xunyu right now.

Jiang Qin had the same blue eyes as Jiang Xunyu. Heterochromatic eyes were exceedingly rare, and before today, Jiang Qin was the only blue-eyed person Ji Yuzhou had ever found across the entire galaxy. That was why Ji Yuzhou had been so certain Jiang Xunyu was Jiang Qin’s son when the orphanage director mentioned his eye color.

After that incident, the Ji family had investigated Jiang Qin’s entire background. Before they could find him, they received news of his untimely death. Ji Yuzhou hadn’t expected Jiang Qin to have left behind a child in this world.

Hearing his father’s name from Ji Yuzhou, Jiang Xunyu froze for a moment. His father had been gone for so long that, upon suddenly hearing the name, it felt unfamiliar to him. 

He lightly bit his lip and responded with a low “Mm.”

“Don’t be afraid,” Ji Yuzhou said, his voice low and soothing, like a gentle stream calming the restless emotions surging in Jiang Xunyu’s heart. “Your father was kind to me. I won’t harm you.”

Jiang Xunyu’s expression softened slightly. Ji Yuzhou loosened his blue tie and continued coaxing him gently, step by step: “I won’t force you to make a decision. But if you’re willing to come with me, I can ensure you receive the best education, learning formal courses. If the conditions are right, I can even recommend you to the corps. Your father aspired to be a 5-star General once—do you have similar ambitions?”

Ji Yuzhou’s words were enticing enough to stir Jiang Xunyu’s heart.

Had anyone else said such things, Jiang Xunyu wouldn’t have believed them. He was used to hiding in the dark, dwelling in the mud, and nursing his wounds alone. But Ji Yuzhou’s tone was too gentle, and the warmth of the room too comforting. Everything felt so dreamlike, more surreal than any of the bizarre dreams he had ever had. It was as if he were stepping onto a mass of cotton, perpetually at risk of falling into an abyss.

Jiang Xunyu found himself swayed, his whole body curling inward. Slowly, ever so slowly, the resistance radiating from him began to dissolve.

Finally, his balance tipped as he asked softly, “Is it just because… my father helped you?”

“Not entirely,” Ji Yuzhou replied, his lips curving into an honest smile. “It’s also because you’re very likable.”

……

Even after sitting in the black car for quite some time, Jiang Xunyu was still in a daze. His body remained stiff, his back straight and keeping at least twenty centimeters of space between himself and the seatback. With his head slightly lowered, he stared blankly at his toes.

Ji Yuzhou sat at ease beside him, watching everything unfold. “Nervous?”

“No…” Jiang Xunyu shook his head. Without the hat that could completely conceal his face and eyes, he felt unusually exposed and unaccustomed.

Jiang Xunyu was dressed in clothes Ji Yuzhou had found for him at short notice. Though they were a bit large, with sleeves and pants legs needing to be rolled up, they were far more comfortable than the dirty clothes he’d worn for who knows how long—except for the absence of his hat.

After getting into the car, Ji Yuzhou had casually instructed Jiang Xunyu to remove the hat.

His voice was soft, not commanding, yet carried an undeniable authority: “There’s no one else here. You can take off the hat.”

Jiang Xunyu understood Ji Yuzhou’s implication. Since he had decided to go to the corps, he couldn’t hide his face forever. Understanding was one thing, but doing it was another. Jiang Xunyu wrestled with immense inner conflict and torment. The hat was his natural shield, his protective shell. But… Ji Yuzhou’s encouraging gaze rested on him, and Jiang Xunyu didn’t want to disappoint him.

Slowly, trembling slightly, Jiang Xunyu had raised his hands and removed the hat himself.

Though the car windows were sealed and no wind stirred inside, his perpetually hidden head still felt a sudden chill. Then, a pair of warm, soft hands gently patted it.

“Good boy.”

It’s often said that it’s easier to transition from hardship to comfort than the other way around. But for someone who had grown up in the depths of absolute darkness, even a sliver of light could feel overwhelmingly blinding. Just as Jiang Xunyu began to relax a bit, his body stiffened again. Awkwardly, he didn’t know how to respond.

Ji Yuzhou chuckled softly, withdrawing his hand discreetly without saying another word.

The rest of the ride passed in silence.

Soon, the car stopped steadily in front of a floating building. In this era of rapid technological advancement, such hovering structures were common, designed to save space and enhance security. However, having lived in the backward old district all his life, Jiang Xunyu had never seen anything like it.

Jiang Xunyu tried hard to keep himself from reacting too noticeably, but his wide, round eyes, couldn’t help but give him away. He stared at the floating house before him, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

His curious reaction amused Ji Yuzhou, who slowed his brisk pace to give him time to take it all in. “Never seen a building like this?”

Hearing Ji Yuzhou’s voice snapped Jiang Xunyu out of his daze. He suddenly realized that there was already some distance between himself and Ji Yuzhou. Quickly, he jogged over, lowering his head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Mr. Ji…”

“There’s no need to apologize,” Ji Yuzhou said, turning to face Jiang Xunyu and waiting for him to catch up. “This is my private residence. You’ll stay here for now. The corps has dormitories as well. Once you’re familiar with the corps environment, you can choose whether to stay here or move over there.”

As he spoke, Ji Yuzhou extended his right hand slightly, touching an invisible circular protective shield. A blue light illuminated, and Ji Yuzhou gestured for Jiang Xunyu to try. “You can touch it too. The system will automatically record your information.”

With some hesitation, Jiang Xunyu reached out. Soon, his hand made contact with the shield.

It wasn’t as he’d imagined—it was soft, slightly elastic, and smooth, like the surface of a freshly peeled egg.

The moment he touched it, the shield glowed red. Ji Yuzhou reached out simultaneously, and the red light quickly vanished, replaced by a gentle green glow.

Seventeen or eighteen years old is the age of peak curiosity. Experiencing such a thing for the first time, Jiang Xunyu couldn’t help but touch it a few more times. Then he noticed Ji Yuzhou watching him with an amused expression. Embarrassed, he quickly pulled his hand back and stood straight.

“It’s fine. You’ll have plenty of chances in the future.” Ji Yuzhou smiled and led Jiang Xunyu through the protective shield. A gust of wind lifted them from the ground, gently delivering them to the first-floor platform of the house.

After the earlier remarkable experience, Jiang Xunyu was no longer as shocked upon seeing this new development, though he still felt slightly unaccustomed. He stumbled a little as he stepped onto the platform.  

Ji Yuzhou stopped politely, waiting for him to steady himself before continuing forward. When they passed over a soft carpet, the door opened automatically.  

Unlike the building’s traditional exterior, the interior was sleek, modern, and minimalist. Bold contrasts of black and white dominated the space, embodying Ji Yuzhou’s refined taste. This stark decor gave Jiang Xunyu a clear understanding: he was now standing in Ji Yuzhou’s private domain.  

Ji Yuzhou paused and turned to Jiang Xunyu. “This was originally a guest room, though no one has ever stayed here. It’s cleaned regularly. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone prepare new personal items for you. For now, you can stay here. Is that alright?”  

The room, located on the quietest, most secluded part of the second floor, was perfect for Jiang Xunyu to occupy.  

Naturally, Jiang Xunyu wasn’t in a position to be picky. He quickly murmured his thanks. Ji Yuzhou nodded. “Take your time to familiarize yourself with the space. I have some other matters to attend to. If you need anything, there’s an smart assistant in the room; just let it know.”

After escorting Jiang Xunyu, Ji Yuzhou still had a mountain of administrative tasks waiting. It was late, and he needed to get to work.

“Thank you for the trouble…” Jiang Xunyu murmured, bowing his head as he was about to enter the room. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and called out, “Mr. Ji, please wait a moment!”  

“Hm?” Ji Yuzhou turned back. “What is it?”  

“I… I was wondering…” Jiang Xunyu’s voice trailed off, his tone growing softer. He pinched his fingertips nervously before finally continuing, “Could I… go back for a bit tomorrow?”  

Ji Yuzhou frowned slightly. “Did you leave something behind?”  

Given the mistreatment Jiang Xunyu had endured there, he should have been eager to leave that place behind. Why would he want to return?  

“It’s just… a small matter. If it’s not possible, it’s okay…” Jiang Xunyu mumbled, unable to meet Ji Yuzhou’s gaze. He wasn’t skilled at lying and didn’t want to lie to Mr. Ji.  

Time passed in silence as Ji Yuzhou studied Jiang Xunyu, his gaze lingering on the nervous young man’s hair at the crown of his head. Jiang Xunyu’s tense demeanor was evident.  

In the end, Ji Yuzhou nodded. “Alright.”  

For someone of Jiang Xunyu’s age, it wasn’t unusual to have personal matters or secrets they didn’t wish to share. As long as it wasn’t anything extreme, Ji Yuzhou didn’t mind.  

He smiled faintly and added, “I also have some errands there tomorrow. Let’s leave together at 8 a.m., alright?”  

Relieved, Jiang Xunyu quickly nodded.