Auditing the Books The Loda Plains base welcomed Sang Ye with open arms. Some of the personnel there had participated in the Snow Mountain operation and experienced her culinary therapy firsthand; seeing her again was an unexpected joy. They followed her around like a pack of eager puppies, eyes blinking in anticipation of being fed. Sang Ye, used to these looks, promised to cook for them the next day.
Lin Changli took her terminal to the technicians for repair, leaving the little Phoenix behind to keep her company. By the time he returned, Sang Ye had fallen into a deep sleep. She wasn't physically injured, but she was mentally exhausted. The Phoenix lay by her head, its two claws stretched out like a sprawled fish.
Lin Changli slid the repaired terminal back onto her wrist. Once she woke up and re-authenticated with Eve, all functions would be restored. In her hazy state, Sang Ye felt someone close—very close. The familiar scent prevented her from feeling alarmed, but things soon felt "wrong" because this person was becoming increasingly bold.
Sang Ye tried to push him away from her lips, but he was resolute. She mumbled into her pillow, "Next time... I'm so tired today."
Lin Changli finally paused, but he didn't let go. Leaning in with the fresh scent of a recent shower, he whispered, "When exactly is 'next time'?"
…
Black Tower Main Base Hospital.
In the most heavily guarded top-floor ward, various instruments had entered a state of frenzy, shrieking in a cacophony of alarms. The hurried footsteps of doctors and nurses echoed through the hall, only to stop eerily in front of a single room.
The wealth of the Black Tower base was evident in its hospital; a private ward was built like a luxury presidential suite, complete with double doors and gold-leaf engravings. Now, the door was cracked open slightly. Standing there was a young woman who looked like a porcelain doll. Her hair was a brilliant, flowing gold that reached her knees. Behind her stood a golden-scaled, one-horned beast—lacking any predatory edge, it looked endearingly clumsy.
The woman raised a pale hand, her veins clearly visible beneath the skin. "Too noisy," she said, pointing at the instruments. "Turn these things off."
"Little Duchess," Jiang Sili said, stepping through the crowd of doctors. "You’ve finally awakened."
"Long time no see," said Melusine Caylen, the Little Duchess, with a pleasant, mild-tempered smile. "The last time I saw you was when I was balancing the accounts for the Capital Star Museum."
Jiang Sili maintained a polite smile but didn't take the bait. Seeing his lack of reaction, Melusine looked bored. "Where’s my terminal? Give me one to play with; I need to contact my mother."
…
Far away on the Capital Star, Duchess Vera Caylen received the news of her daughter's awakening. She immediately excused herself from an ongoing internal affairs meeting to apply for a flight path to Black Tower.
Lin Shuangxu looked at the application submitted by the current Executive Officer of Black Tower. Asu Ment had submitted her mental stability assessments, along with prenatal check-up records and a due date, applying to resign from her post in one year to return to the G13 Legion.
Lin Shuangxu had no reason to refuse. Asu Ment was a decorated war hero, and the G13 Legion consisted of her old subordinates; its Marshal position remained vacant specifically for her. Looking at the ecstatic Vera, Lin Shuangxu handed over a tablet.
"Vera, congratulations. Melusine's mental state isn't ready for her to leave Black Tower yet. When you visit, give her a task. Since she's there, have her audit the historical finances of Black Tower to close out the current Executive Officer’s term. Consider it a standard procedure."
…
"Get off me!" Sang Ye couldn't stand the clingy man behind her anymore. "I promised to make lunch for everyone today."
Lin Changli reluctantly pulled back, and Sang Ye jumped up. "What are you making?" he asked lazily.
"Pork and Cabbage Stew with Vermicelli," Sang Ye answered. "The longer it stews, the better it tastes. I’ll also make Meat Patty with Steamed Eggs and a Mixed Chowder Soup." She patted the little Phoenix on the head. "Can you make him go back next time? It's weird having him watch."
"I can still see even if I go back—" The Phoenix's beak was instantly pinched shut by Lin Changli.
…
At the sub-base kitchen, Sang Ye fulfilled her promise. Pork and cabbage stew was simple but satisfying. Sautéing the pork until the fat rendered, adding soy sauce until the meat turned an amber glaze, then tossing in the cabbage and soaked vermicelli. The key was adding hot water to keep the pork tender.
The Meat Patty with Steamed Eggs was prepared in individual portions. Seasoned minced pork topped with whole eggs and steamed until silky. For the Mixed Chowder, she used pork rind, sausages, meatballs, and greens. Sautéing the pork rind first turned the broth a beautiful, savory golden yellow.
As a treat, Sang Ye roasted more chestnuts. She didn't drench them in honey like Lin Changli did; she just gave them a light glaze. The two of them sat on the small balcony behind the kitchen, looking out over the vast plains. The little Phoenix used its sharp beak to crack the chestnuts for Sang Ye.
"The Executive Officer submitted her resignation," Lin Changli chatted. "The Empress approved her to leave in a year. Is she leaving the child here?"
"That's what she told me," Sang Ye responded. "Madam Sophia will stay to look after the child. I don't think they'll keep the kid on Black Tower forever."
Lin Changli spoke about his own past—about how he, too, had been a "trouble" to his mother when he was young.
"I was actually very close to giving in to my darker desires," he confessed, looking at the horizon. "I almost destroyed my mother's dynasty and the victory we fought years for. I'm ashamed to even tell you."
Sang Ye reached out and patted him gently. The little Parasol Tree in her mind swayed, releasing a cool, calming energy. "Judge a person by their actions, not their thoughts. Everyone has a dark side. You controlled yourself even at your most unstable; you caused no harm. You are your mother's strongest warrior."
They looked at each other in peaceful harmony.
…
Back at the hospital, Melusine stared at Jiang Sili with a wicked smile while he remained calm. She showed him her tablet—a dense grid of financial figures representing the planet's mining records, yields, and revenue. Hidden within those numbers was a red line.
That line pointed toward a certain interstellar pirate group that should have vanished long ago.
"I caught you again," Melusine said with a cruel, childlike triumph. "The White Wolf Group."
The door pushed open, and Asu Ment stepped in, standing beside Jiang Sili and facing Melusine.
Melusine wasn't afraid. She tilted her head like a proud little beast.
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