Chapter 24

They smeared mud and grass over themselves, and in silence, the aggressive alien plants left them alone. With their mental power gently enveloping the more hostile ones within their circle, the mud-smeared team advanced slowly toward the rainforest.

The rainforest was the most complex terrain on the map, and only when faction battles dragged to the very end would it become a contested zone. But now, just after the opening, the rainforest was so quiet that only the sound of rain hitting the ground could be heard. To avoid disturbing the interstellar plants, they didn't even pitch tents—when it rained, they hid in a cave or under a tree.

With ample medical supplies and warming gear, the group trekked for three straight days before finally crossing the rainforest to reach their destination. Soil and vegetation analysis could have been largely completed in the rainforest, but unfortunately, the designated destination had been set elsewhere.

Mission complete! The team's joy was palpable. Without a word, they urged their captain to issue the escort mission immediately—they wanted to be the first squad to finish the task.

Military training was over, and Su Yi's team had scored high marks. Although Wu Ying's usual performance grade was low, finishing the training near the bottom of the rankings and getting confined to quarters didn't dampen her good mood.

Back on Pilan Star, she settled into school. Due to the adjustments from military training, this semester's curriculum differed from before. Basic coursework still had to continue, but those classes could be completed at home as well.

"The training adjustment has its benefits—it shortens the basic coursework period. Next semester, you'll go straight into practical study. This is both a challenge and a new learning opportunity for you, meaning you'll have more time to dedicate to hands-on work. In the past, your seniors not only had military training this semester but also had to attend classes, run experiments, and obtain various certifications after training ended. You're lucky in that regard."

Teacher Bart spoke at length from the podium, listing off a series of advantages, and finally released the semester's schedule.

A close look showed it was similar to the previous terms.

Wu Ying thought about her own academic progress and felt that the coming period should be relatively easy for her.

After the lecture ended, Wu Ying approached Bart, who served as the academic advisor for their cohort, to have a chat.

"Teacher, since you mentioned certifications earlier, I wanted to ask—if my future career is growing ornamental flowers, which certificates would I need? I couldn't find any relevant information online, so I thought I'd come ask you."

"Ornamental flowers? You mean—" Bart tried to recall what that term brought to mind.

Wu Ying helpfully showed him a photo taken in her greenhouse.

"This, what is this?" Bart stared at the colorful blooms, then looked at Wu Ying in shock.

Wu Ying explained that she had grown them herself and that she wanted to pursue flower cultivation and open a flower shop in the future.

The Federation had extremely strict requirements for opening a business, which was why teachers encouraged students to earn certifications early. But for Wu Ying's case, he truly didn't know which certifications would meet the requirements—there was no guide online for this.

Bart grew serious. Flowers were something humanity had forgotten in the river of history during its migrations. Today, a student was willing to personally explore this path, and he felt gratified.

"Don't worry. The school will support you. Send me those photos, and I'll organize a teacher meeting to discuss this. Additionally, I'd suggest you consider writing your graduation thesis on this topic."

Bart thought that perhaps Wu Ying could become a pioneer in flower cultivation. Even from that single photo, he could tell there were many species. Once her thesis was written, it would serve as the earliest reference material in this new field.

This was truly significant. He looked at Wu Ying and nodded firmly.

Most of the school's teachers were also authoritative figures on various certifications. With their support, Wu Ying felt more at ease. She'd given them an initial heads-up—there was no one in the entire Federation who could definitively say what qualifications a flower shop required—but she was sending the teachers out to investigate first. When the time came, there would be people to help advocate for her.

Wu Ying enthusiastically toured the campus with her roommates. Passing by the School of Information Technology, she suddenly remembered that she'd been meaning to meet Teacher Nova in person for a long time but still hadn't. It wasn't too late now—the school hadn't said they had to leave immediately.

She pulled out her Light Brain, ready to message Nova to arrange a meal. Before she'd even finished typing, a dinner invitation suddenly popped up. It was from Asher's mother, Lady Ming Yu.

Wu Ying's expression changed immediately, as if facing a formidable enemy. She shot off a rapid series of messages to Asher: "Help! This lady never liked me to begin with. Why does she suddenly want to have dinner with me? This can't be good!"

What's meant to come will come, and there's no dodging it. Just as Wu Ying was hesitating over how to phrase her response, the other party sent a restaurant address.

"Your college has no further arrangements. Please come to this restaurant for a meal today or tomorrow afternoon. Reply promptly upon seeing this."

Lady Ming Yu was even more domineering than Asher. Asher was the passive type, while Ming Yu was an openly aggressive, proactive powerhouse.

Wu Ying muttered under her breath but obediently replied that she was free this afternoon and could have dinner together. May as well get it over with—she'd just have to steel herself and face it.

It was a very stylish Western-style restaurant. The robots inside had special synthetic skin, spoke with a strange, affected accent, and carried raw wood trays on their arms, gliding through the gaps between tables like waltzing dancers.

Wu Ying pushed open the door, and wind chimes rang. A service robot immediately approached, and upon learning Wu Ying's table number, led her to the spot. "The other guest has already arrived. She ordered an iced Iced Americano. Would you like one as well?"

Already here? Wu Ying was baffled. According to the usual script, shouldn't she be the last to arrive, or even late? She'd shown up nearly ten minutes early, for crying out loud. With that thought, she quickened her pace.

By the window sat a graceful figure, lifting a coffee cup with utmost elegance. Hearing the sound, she turned back, looked at Wu Ying, and spoke slowly: "You arrived much later than I expected. Please, sit. I've already ordered for you—you can check if you'd like to change it."

Wu Ying gave an awkward smile and didn't bother checking what had been ordered for her, just nodded. She doubted she'd have any appetite anyway. Lady Ming Yu's presence was intimidating—even more formidable than in her videos.

She had an effortless, composed air that was even more infuriating than Asher's. Coughing, Wu Ying took a shallow sip of water.

Across the table, Ming Yu observed her the whole time. This woman from the Protected Zone—her movements, her demeanor, her behavior—all differed from what she'd expected. Perhaps she should be grateful that her son had slightly better taste than she'd imagined. Though, only slightly.

From the very beginning, her stance had been clear: Wu Ying wasn't suitable for Asher. What Asher needed was someone with aligned pace, shared ideals, and similar convictions. Did Wu Ying even know what Asher's work entailed? Did she know where he spent his days?

She was destined to be a caged songbird, and Asher couldn't be her meal ticket.

"I heard you finished your military training. I happened to have official business on Pilan Star, so I came to see you. How are your studies?"

"They're okay."

Wu Ying gripped her knife and fork, frantically trying to guess what she really wanted. The first thought that came to mind: she wanted to persuade Wu Ying to divorce. "Here's eight million, leave my son." Though she wondered how much eight million would be in interstellar currency.

She gave a brief, concise rundown of her academic situation. Ming Yu listened with faint indifference, and as soon as Wu Ying introduced the college's curriculum, she stopped listening entirely.

"Remember when I said I didn't approve of your marriage?"

Wu Ying looked up at her. Ming Yu's smooth face showed a trace of impatience. Asher resembled her closely, and her expressions were more outward. Seeing her glance back, Wu Ying cowardly lowered her head and nodded up and down.

Seeing her like this, Ming Yu felt once again that the two were mismatched. Wu Ying was even afraid of her—how could she get along with Asher, who was even more serious and taciturn than his mother? At home, the two probably didn't even exchange a word. This marriage was as good as dead in name.

"My view remains unchanged, even if you've learned Western dining etiquette and poise. You probably don't understand what you're truly lacking."

Ming Yu set down her knife and fork, picked up her napkin, and dabbed at the corner of her mouth.

Western dining etiquette? She hadn't studied that. Poise and bearing? Never learned it either.

She stared at Ming Yu in a daze, thought for a moment, then forced tears to well up in her eyes, softening her voice: "I truly don't know. But, Mother, I really do love Asher."

"Can you tell me?"

"Pretending to be coquettish! Do you think Asher will fall for that?"

Ming Yu was an extremely serious person in daily life, and when Wu Ying tried to act spoiled toward her, she instinctively snapped. Wu Ying froze, nearly dropping her fork.

Seeing Wu Ying scared, Ming Yu was a bit exasperated too. She wouldn't deny that the coquettish act was rather charming, but it certainly wasn't the right approach.

"Also, don't call me Mother. You say you like him, but who knows whether he feels the same. As someone with more experience, I'd advise you to seriously consider your relationship with Asher. He has so much to deal with every day; he doesn't have much time to play house with you."

Her tone wasn't harsh, but how many meaningful insinuations lay beneath it? Wu Ying thought she understood well enough.

Ming Yu continued: "I once thought about what kind of partner Asher would choose. I pondered for a long time and found I couldn't come up with anyone. I specifically searched online for netizens' discussions, and many people thought Titi Ni and he were well matched. I went to look into her—and felt that the two might still not be compatible enough."

Titi Ni—the military district spokesperson, high mental power level, and quite well known. Ming Yu's implication was that even someone like that wasn't qualified, so what confidence did Wu Ying have to stand by Asher's side?

Wu Ying's expression cooled. She wanted to laugh and fire back, but every muscle on her face had its own emotion, and she couldn't command them.

The woman across from her, however, seemed to notice nothing, taking a light sip of champagne. "What do you think?"

"Is Lady Ming Yu asking me, as his wife, how I view whether my husband is compatible with another woman?"

Wu Ying ripped away the vague veneer directly, and the words rang out harshly. She steadied herself, slowly cutting a piece of steak, and said, "I think the correct answer is right in front of you. Why go far when it's near?"

Ming Yu watched her coldly, feeling even more that Wu Ying was hypocritical—just moments ago she'd acted like an innocent blank slate, and now she'd flipped to a different persona.

"I don't think there's any point in continuing this conversation. I still have matters to attend to. Take your time."