Chapter Seventy-Six: The Space Villa

Chapter Seventy-Six: The Space Villa

“It’s alright, young people are sentimental. Old Li understands,” Old Li waved his hand unconcernedly.

“Uncle Li, how is Yunyang now?” Rose glanced at Old Huang and Milong, both looking hard to approach, so she finally called out sweetly.

“He’s being treated at Heavenly Blade,” Old Li squinted at Rose for a long moment before replying.

Old Li had already come to regard Yunyang as a son, and was now sizing up Rose with the gaze one might reserve for a daughter-in-law. Rose, under his scrutiny, felt a little uncomfortable.

As a blush began to creep up her cheeks, she heard Old Li’s words and felt a surge of joy, ready to rise.

Just as she began to move, Old Li continued, “When you and that Yun boy visit me together, Old Li will give you both a red envelope,” Old Li said, savoring his tea.

Rose paused, rubbed her face, and said, “Uncle Li, I’ll go see Yunyang first. Once he’s recovered, we’ll come visit.”

Old Li wanted to say more, but Old Huang cut him off. “Rose, hurry along, and don’t forget to come home.”

Freed, Rose stood and saluted smartly. “Yes!”

Thinking of someone, Rose left the conference room and vanished through a micro-wormhole.

As Rose disappeared, Old Huang said calmly, “Let young people gather more often—it’s good to have a home. That way, they’ll always remember it.”

Milong listened and kept silent. With a central authority and his own old leader present, there was no place for him to speak; he quietly remained invisible.

“Hey, Old Li lost his son, but still wants half a grandson. Looks like when those two come by, I’ll have to hurry them along,” Old Li said in a flat tone, revealing the two matters closest to his heart.

Old Huang patted Old Li’s shoulder. “Let’s pick up where the meeting left off.”

“How feasible is the solar system defense line?” Milong, catching Old Huang’s question, responded sensibly, then went out to instruct the guards to call people back to the meeting.

Meanwhile, Rose had arrived at the floating island of Heavenly Blade Seven, finding clusters of angels and Earth researchers in white uniforms.

At that moment, Azui, on patrol, spotted the somewhat lost Rose and approached.

“Hello, are you Rose?” Azui asked, tilting her head uncertainly.

“You know me?” Rose pointed to herself.

“Sort of. The idol’s mentioned it many times—said his girlfriend is Rose,” Azui replied nonchalantly.

“Idol? Who? Yunyang?” Rose fired off a rapid trio of questions.

“Yes, Yunyang,” the angel confirmed, and Rose pressed on.

“How is Yunyang? Uncle Li said he’s being treated at Heavenly Blade. Can you take me to him?”

“Wait here, I’ll call Qingxue. She’s heading to see the idol soon,” Azui said, opening internal angel communications to summon her.

Sure enough, before long, a sisterly angel approached, dressed not in battle armor but in casual attire: T-shirt, jeans, and even sneakers.

Seeing Qingxue’s outfit, Azui rolled her eyes and said, “You two chat, I’m off.”

“Rose? You’re Rose?” Qingxue circled Rose before speaking.

“Yes, I’m Du Rose.” Being appraised by a girl whose looks rivaled hers, Rose straightened up, presenting her best side.

“Hello, I’m Qingxue of the angels,” Qingxue said, extending her hand to shake.

After the handshake, Rose was a bit dazed. “You’re an angel? With that look, I thought you were human.”

“I’m off duty today. Besides, isn’t this look good? Uncle Li said it suits me,” Qingxue waved away the concern.

Rose caught the key point—Uncle Li. This angel knew him; was he the same Uncle Li she’d just met? And Azui said Qingxue was going to see Yunyang—why? What was their relationship?

Filled with questions, Rose shifted the topic back to Yunyang. “When can we go see Yunyang?”

“Now, follow me.” Hearing Rose’s words, Qingxue’s wings of space-time appeared, and she pulled Rose toward the worm gate.

Pulled along, Rose quickly deployed her mechanical wings to indicate she could fly.

Seeing this, Qingxue didn’t let go; the two arrived hand-in-hand at the worm gate.

Looking at the gate, Rose asked, puzzled, “Where are we going?”

“To see Yunyang,” Qingxue tugged her forward.

“But this is a worm gate, shouldn’t we—?”

“The patient needs energy, he’s near a massive star, replenishing,” Qingxue answered.

Rose understood—she had begged Pan Zhen to save Yunyang the first time he nearly died.

Now, at the massive star, only Ge Xiaolun and Reina were present, monitoring Yunyang’s condition.

One managed energy allocation, the other equipment status, and neither could leave. Still, there were plenty of fruits, snacks, and drinks—created by Ge Xiaolun using anti-void energy.

This trick impressed Reina; she eyed Ge Xiaolun, wishing he’d conjure beautiful clothes for her—no need to spend money, customizable, and alterable if unsatisfactory.

After some harmonious negotiation, Ge Xiaolun happily agreed, though you’d have to overlook his slightly singed hair.

Just as they were debating fiercely over the design of a trench coat, two newcomers appeared in the living room.

Indeed, Ge Xiaolun had built a huge villa here, complete with kitchen and bath; the air conditioning was replaced by an oxygen generator, creating a comfort almost unreal.

Rose, just arrived, was bewildered, and looked at Qingxue beside her.

Her expression clearly asked: Is this really next to a star? Is this outer space? Don’t joke with me.

Qingxue was equally puzzled—it was her first time here. After exchanging glances, they both turned toward the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside was a turbulent energy source, named Number One—so named by Ge Xiaolun after he and Zhixin decided to emulate the Great Clock and build a low-end Little Clock.

They wanted to experience the feeling of relying on a supercomputing cloud, aiming to use ten stars as energy sources; lacking mass, they’d substitute with quantity, and brute-force the computing power.

At that moment, the two on the sofa noticed Rose and Qingxue’s arrival. Reina, in a flash, stashed the trench coat design into the dark dimension and nonchalantly took a bite of spicy sticks.

Ge Xiaolun, meanwhile, fixed his gaze on the figure in black armor, startled, then elated.

He rose, strode toward Rose, reaching out for a hug to express his joy, but upon arriving, seemed to remember something and retracted his hand, awkwardly scratching his head. All he wanted to say turned into, “You’re here.”

Rose spared Ge Xiaolun the embarrassment, punching him lightly. “I’m here. Take me to see Yunyang.”

The punch shifted Ge Xiaolun’s mindset—such gestures belonged only among brothers. The awkwardness vanished.

He spoke cheerfully. “This way. Yangzi will wake in about a day and a half—that’s Zhixin’s calculation.”

“Zhixin?” Rose asked, untroubled.

“Oh, you haven’t met her. She’s Xin’s wife,” Ge Xiaolun replied, now relaxed and unguarded.

As they spoke, the three approached Yunyang’s treatment pod. Through the glass, Rose saw Yunyang inside; the charred flesh had been cleaned, but the regenerating muscle tissue looked savage.

Rose gently stroked the glass, as if she could reach inside, her touch tender, afraid to hurt Yunyang as he recovered.

Qingxue, seeing Rose’s posture, tugged Ge Xiaolun, signaling they should leave Rose alone for a while.

Half an hour later, Ge Xiaolun saw Rose come out, eyes red—she must have cried, though she hid it well. Ge Xiaolun didn’t mention it, instead adopting a serious tone.

“Rose, when will you rejoin the team?”

Rose was taken aback, then gave a bitter smile. “Soon, soon.”

“Yangzi misses you. Every night, he dreams of you,” Ge Xiaolun, not wanting Rose to return to the demon side, lied shamelessly.

“Really? I miss him too,” Rose’s face blossomed into a happy smile, her voice gentle.

Reina, overhearing, twitched her mouth. What was this, flaunting their love? Everyone here was single!

Although Ge Xiaolun had Angel Yan, she wasn’t present, so he was just another single dog.

“I really, really want to see Yan,” Ge Xiaolun said, moved by Rose’s words.

Now Reina couldn’t sit still. She spoke grimly, “When a single dog dies, no couple showing off their love is innocent.”

Her tone was full of reproach.

With this group stirring things up, the once-serious matter of returning to the team was completely derailed.

Hearing Reina’s complaint, Qingxue chuckled behind her hand, but her happiness only made Reina more annoyed.

“What are you laughing at? You’re single too,” Reina said, glancing at Qingxue.

Qingxue, once cheerful, sobered and replied, “I’m still young, just over three hundred years old. No rush for idols or boyfriends.”

Reina pointed at Rose and Ge Xiaolun. “These two are barely twenty.”