The Past (3) Along the planetary belt of the Zerg border, a defensive strip had been established around the human galaxy. It used special alloys equipped with powerful light sources to create a seemingly fragile but highly effective primary defense—Zerg species were biologically terrified of intense light. While it couldn't stop Zerg above C-rank, it was more than enough to handle the "small fry."
Several years had passed since the Great War. Many Sentinels still remembered the horror: 160 S-rank toxic Zerg were wiped out, but humanity’s losses were equally heavy. Memorials still stood on multiple planets across the belt. The war only truly ended when the Alpha Legion, led by Lin Changli, slew the Emperor Hive Mother.
The one who had been fighting on the front lines throughout those years, helping humanity resist Zerg toxins, was another man.
On the training grounds, a massive Teng-Snake spewed toxic mist. Jiang Sili stood on the second floor of the training building, looking down at the shivering new recruits below.
"Facing toxic mist is the first lesson in fighting the Zerg," his adjutant said, walking up behind him. "You’re being merciful by not making them face real toxins directly. Other legions aren't nearly as patient."
Jiang Sili nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.
"General, a message from Capital Star. You're required to attend a debriefing meeting," the adjutant reported dutifully. "Also, the Madam just called. She’s furious because you haven't replied to her messages."
The "Madam" was Jiang Sili's mother. He sighed, scratching his head in defeat.
"Has she picked out another young lady for a blind date?" the adjutant teased.
Jiang Sili nodded helplessly. Even in the Interstellar era, being pressured into marriage was an eternal topic. "I'm stationed at the border; there's no need to drag someone else into this life. Besides, I'm not that old. What’s the rush?"
"The Madam said the last lady doesn't care if you're home or not, as long as you pay on time and grant her management rights to one shipping route," the adjutant laughed.
With Jiang Sili’s legendary military exploits and his rising rank, the Jiang family's status had soared. They had moved back to Capital Star and rebuilt their family brand. Their commercial empire now spanned the Gamma Galaxy and controlled seven major interstellar shipping routes. Few people were tactless enough to bring up his history as a pirate anymore; those past years were now politely reframed as a "normal period of teenage rebellion."
Jiang Sili kept his promise to the Empress and never contacted the White Wolves directly. However, with the family’s vast resources, his grandmother surreptitiously supported Jiang Zhaoyuan, helping her fund the group through the shipping routes and even placing several hybrid children who could pass for human in secure jobs.
As for Asu Ment, she had led the G13 Legion to shed the labels of "cursed" and "useless," only to be given a new nickname: the "Moneymaker Legion." Aside from her combat skills, Asu Ment’s ability to accumulate wealth rivaled that of the top financial magnates. Jiang Sili had heard rumors of the countless estates, lands, companies, and factories under her name.
He hadn't seen her in a long time. The woman in his memory was becoming blurred. On the internal military network, her profile picture was forever that same ID photo from when she first joined—young and full of life. Whenever he returned to the Capital for debriefings, they somehow never crossed paths. They weren't even friends on the terminal; the "Add Friend" button sat there on the directory, yet he could never bring himself to press it.
What would he even say? I'm alive, doing well, walking the path I once missed... With her personality, she’d probably find it a nuisance. She wasn't one for sentimental wallowing.
The person he contacted most was actually Melusine Caylen. As the Emperor's intermediary for funding the White Wolves, she had balanced the books perfectly.
"We leave for the Capital in three days," the adjutant noted. "If you want to go early, the border is stable."
Jiang Sili reached out to Melusine. After getting her reply, a smile finally touched his lips. "I’ll head out today. You handle things here before following."
…
Asu Ment hated the Capital—the hypocritical politicians and the arrogant nobles. But after years away, a debriefing was unavoidable. Plus, the Ministry of Finance wanted her to explain the "monopolistic behavior" of one of her enterprises.
She didn't expect to meet an old flame on her first day back.
As she walked out of the Ministry's interrogation room, fuming, she bumped right into Jiang Sili. He hadn't changed much, though his hair was longer, tied back in a small bun, and he wore a pair of plain glasses.
"Oh... it's you! Long time no see!" Asu Ment blurted out, her voice carrying an unintended spark of joy.
"Long time no see." Jiang Sili smiled sincerely. He had asked Melusine to check if Asu would be there. As he approached, he felt an irresistible urge to reach out and pull her into an embrace. But Asu Ment was tall—sturdier than him, even—making the gesture a bit awkward.
She didn't move; she was in a bit of a daze. As he tried to pull back, Asu Ment grabbed his sleeve, just as she had when he was being led away in handcuffs years ago.
"Want to go for a drink?"
"Now?"
"To my place," she whispered, her breath brushing his ear. "I bought a penthouse in the Capital."
…
When Jiang Sili woke up the next afternoon, sunlight was streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The room smelled of spilled alcohol—various brands and flavors scattered across the floor—and another subtle, intimate scent.
At the foot of the bed, the Gu-Eagle and the Teng-Snake were curled up together on a pile of tangled clothes, sleeping soundly. He reached down and retrieved his forgotten terminal. It was flooded with messages from his adjutant. Adjutant: "Boss, where did you go?! Why did I hear you disappeared with General Ment?! Don't tell me you two started a fight! Don't be impulsive, internal fighting is a serious violation!" Adjutant: "Are you ever coming back to G11? Or are you just going to marry into her family?" Jiang Sili threw the terminal aside and covered his face. A soft laugh rang out as Asu Ment leaned over him, her calloused fingertips tracing his abdomen. She didn't like hyper-muscular men; she preferred someone who looked "normal" and could understand others.
"Stop..." Jiang Sili’s voice was hoarse.
"Don't you like it?" Asu Ment teased, her blonde hair tickling his face. "It’s not like I was the one who initiated it yesterday."
Yesterday... they had talked about everything. Their past battles, their rise in the military, their secrets. Asu Ment had explained her obsession with buying houses—a reaction to the instability of her childhood. Between the swaying wine glasses, the tension of years had finally snapped. They had ignored the world until the terminal went silent.
In the bathtub, large enough to swim in, Asu Ment surfaced like a golden mermaid. "Shall we go together tomorrow? Or go separately?"
She was doing it on purpose. Jiang Sili smiled. "Let's go together."
Join the discussion
Log in to comment.