Fresh-Cut Chicken Hot Pot Months had passed since the return from the White Wolf Group. Sang Ye heard that one day, they had all moved away in total silence. The noble families who came for revenge were met with nothing but an empty town; the colorful building fragments felt like a silent mockery. On the hills behind the town, thousands of small, hollowed-out pits remained—the White Wolves had taken the remains of the children with them, storing them in mecha bays until they could be settled in their new home. To leave them behind would have been too heart-wrenching.
The escape had been strangely smooth. The G13 Legion, responsible for that sector, remained motionless, as if someone had quietly looked the other way.
Now, Jiang Zhaoyuan stood beside Sang Ye on a high mountain ridge overlooking the Loda Plains. The once-barren landscape of earthy-yellow grass and scrawny sheep was changing. Around the old mining craters, rings of greenery were expanding—a visible sign of hope.
The water near the Tide Sea had been purified. Sea water was introduced inland through the fjords, miraculously turning into fresh water to form inland lakes. Even the massive mountain range beneath their feet was undergoing terraforming.
"The new home is another abandoned resource planet. No radiation, but more remote," Jiang Zhaoyuan updated her. "It’s a bit cold and the soil is hard. I haven't found a better, free planet yet. I want a better place for the children to rest."
"I'm planning to buy Black Tower—once the mining is finished, otherwise I definitely couldn't afford it," Sang Ye added quickly.
"You're making that much money?" Jiang Zhaoyuan was stunned.
"Yeah," Sang Ye said proudly. "I'm quite good at making money now."
Her primary income came from two sources: Jiang Siwei’s mall dividends and the base’s processing plant. Jiang Siwei now produced a vast array of convenience foods—instant noodles, rice balls, fruit teas, and dried fruits. The processing plant manufactured kitchenware that utilized Interstellar tech: pots powered by Black Crystal energy and "idiot-proof" appliances for homes without traditional kitchens.
Jiang Siwei’s business acumen was extraordinary. She had captured the Capital Star market with relentless marketing and was now expanding into every planet along the Jiang family's shipping routes. She was so focused that she fell asleep during her military academy finals, earning a demerit and a call to her parents. She didn't dare tell her mother; she called Jiang Sili back to attend the parent-teacher meeting instead.
While seeing him off back to Black Tower, Jiang Siwei asked, "Brother, when are you returning to the army? One shipping route isn't enough for me to play with."
Jiang Sili laughed. For the first time, he gave a real answer: "Not long now. Four or five years at most. My children will be born in about a month. Once they grow up a bit, I’ll return."
…
With the massive dividends flowing in—the latest being a staggering 30 million credits—Sang Ye had finally paid off all the compensation to the families of the deceased Sentinels. Qiu Linghua, born into wealth, had waived her portion of the debt. Sang Ye now only owed 30 million in total. Her next big goal: buying the planet.
Lin Changli still hadn't given her a final price for the planet. Whenever she pressed him, he would find an excuse to run away. She didn't know what he was thinking, but she wasn't going to let him go.
Sang Ye turned to Jiang Zhaoyuan. "Once I buy the planet, do you all want to move here?"
Zhaoyuan was speechless. No human had ever invited Zerg hybrids to be formal residents.
"Black Tower is remote and safe. The tribes need mental grooming; you’ll have more work than you can handle. I need help terraforming, and the kids will have a place to play," Sang Ye listed the benefits.
Zhaoyuan’s antennae twitched—she was moved. Despite her habit of assuming the worst of human nature, she sensed zero malice from Sang Ye. "I'll consider it," she whispered.
…
Lately, the base had become quite lively. Asu Ment, now in her final stages of pregnancy, had transformed from a "salted fish" into a sharp-tongued, rigorous commander again, making everyone—including Melusine Caylen—flee to sub-bases to escape her scrutiny.
As she entered her due date, Sang Ye returned to the main base to cook for her. The weather, controlled by Eve’s whims, had shifted from a summer morning to a snowy winter evening.
"Can't we just set summer, autumn, winter, and spring?" Sang Ye grumbled as she wrapped herself in a fluffy coat, carrying Wu Jianing (who was staying at the base while her parents were on duty at the Snow Mountain) toward the West Building.
Tonight’s menu: Fresh-Cut Chicken Hot Pot.
Sang Ye used a rich chicken and bone broth base. The meat came from her newly hatched "Three-Colored Chickens"—small, active birds with tender, firm meat. She sliced the chicken into thin strips, ensuring each piece had a bit of golden skin.
She also prepared fresh seafood from the Tide Sea—oysters and small "seeded" squids. The squid roe was crystal clear; when blanched for a few seconds, it burst in the mouth with savory umami.
Melusine arrived, uninvited but welcome, smelling the food. She stood by as Lin Changli and Wu Jianing washed oysters. "Your Highness," Melusine teased Lin Changli, "who would have thought I'd see the day you'd be doing chores?" In the palace, he had been a nightmare for her accounting books; here, he was an obedient assistant to Sang Ye.
Sang Ye also fried thick Pork Patties, double-frying them to ensure a crispy exterior and juicy interior. She packed portions for Asu Ment, Jiang Sili, and the hospital.
They sat around the steaming pot, dipping the fresh chicken into seafood and satay sauces. The warmth of the food filled their stomachs and souls.
…
That night, Sang Ye dreamed of chasing chickens in her pocket dimension. In the dream, two "demon children" appeared, trampling her vegetables and jumping into the pond to catch fish. When they lunged at her, covered in stinky mud, Sang Ye woke up with a start.
Lin Changli was standing at the foot of the bed, drinking water. "What happened? You look terrified."
Sang Ye hurriedly told him about the dream. Lin Changli looked at her with a complicated expression.
"The Executive Officer successfully gave birth to twin daughters two hours ago," he said slowly.
Sang Ye: "..."
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