Confession

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Yuan Jin Xing was stunned—could this really not be a hallucination? Why did she feel so happy...?

She couldn't help but confess, "Captain Zhu, I'm so scared. I like you! I like you... I really like you..."

Everyone around overheard her words, struck by shock and confusion...

"Ca-Captain," a staff member in the control room approached cautiously, noticing her fervor.

"The comms for Squad Four are still on; let's take her away first."

This girl was truly reckless, they thought, shaking their heads.

Yuan Jin Xing was immediately detained and taken away.

Zhu turned around with a slightly embarrassed smile.

Such a lovely child.

In the middle of the night, Yuan Jin Xing woke up cold, noticing a blanket had fallen to the floor. It was late February, yet the temperature control system hadn’t been turned on.

Sober but unable to sleep, she decided to take a walk outside. Slowly, fragments of the memories after the blackout surfaced in her mind.

This... was really bad.

Feeling guilty, she glanced around nervously and decided to get some fresh air on the rooftop.

A strong woman takes responsibility; there’s nothing to fear! She reassured herself, a slight smile tugging at her lips. After all, she might leave someday soon—before then, at least she could confess her feelings.

There was someone sitting on a chair on the rooftop. Yuan Jin Xing didn’t want to disturb him and prepared to walk away, but the figure looked increasingly familiar.

Captain Zhu?!

She couldn’t resist approaching and was surprised to find it was indeed him. Several empty bottles lay on the ground; Zhu’s hair fell over his eyes, and his exposed skin was flushed red. His head rested against the chair back, gazing up at the sky.

With his eyes hidden, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

Was he drunk?

Yuan Jin Xing sat down on another chair, unable to help but check on him. But Zhu moved first.

He straightened his upper body and, unexpectedly, buried his head in the crook of her neck.

Fragile and helpless, he whispered, "Mom."

His voice was muffled; his cheek brushed against her neck, hair tangled along her chin.

Yuan Jin Xing froze on the spot.

Shy and worried, she dared not move.

What should she do? Should she push him away?

Facing such intimacy, she felt uneasy and cautious.

Zhu suddenly pulled back and looked up at her. His hair, a mess from rubbing against her neck, revealed his eyes.

His gaze was clear, but for a fleeting moment, panic flickered in them before disappointment lowered his eyelids.

"So it’s not. Sorry," he said, then leaned back against the chair to stare at the sky.

Yuan Jin Xing felt light and leaned against the chair back.

Captain Zhu made no sound, but somehow, she thought his face looked even redder.

Her heart swelled with mixed emotions; stiff and tense, she sat up straight and stared blankly into the distance.

So close.

Her heart raced.

"Yuan Jin Xing, marry me." The voice drifted softly on the wind like a sigh. She pricked up her ears but couldn’t catch it clearly. She felt she had missed something important, but Captain Zhu had already left, leaving only a figure rubbing his forehead.

Her heart felt empty.

Zhu’s silhouette quickly vanished from the rooftop.

Satisfied, she carefully moved to the spot where Zhu had sat, then nervously and excitedly planted a quick kiss on the place where his cheek had rested.

Cautious but yearning.

She immediately returned to her seat, pretending nothing had happened, but her nose tingled with emotion.

She didn’t want to leave...

When Zhu returned to grab an empty bottle and saw this, his cheeks flushed deeper. He gave up on the bottle and left instead.

Smiling, he couldn’t help but murmur inwardly—so... adorable.

Today was his 22nd birthday.

The next day at the training ground, Yuan Jin Xing sensed the faint but unmistakable gazes from everyone, making her feel utterly uncomfortable.

Maybe it was better to leave. There was no dignity left here.

"Yuan Jin Xing, what did you say yesterday?" Yue Chuan stood beneath a tree, watching her leisurely, his gaze sharp as a laser.

"What? What?" Yuan Jin Xing pretended not to hear and dashed away.

"Yuan Jin Xing, stop right there!" Yue Chuan chased after her.

"You have no right to say that. You have no right! You failure... dead last...!!!" Yuan Jin Xing covered her ears as she ran, her darkest moment.

As always, endless training continued, including the Phiring integration phase.

Even Yue Chuan struggled, while Yuan Jin Xing remained stuck in place.

Everyone else was progressing...

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Yuan Jin Xing forced herself to persevere but only drifted further and further away from the others...

Don’t abandon me.

"Yuan Jin Xing, step out," Deputy Captain Yu suddenly arrived at the training base.

"You are authorized to enter the armory."

This news shocked everyone.

"Corruption!!!" someone shouted.

Yue Chuan also wore a cold expression—only those who had advanced could enter the armory. Yuan Jin Xing was cheating.

"Deputy Yu, are you sure this is right?" Yue Chuan sneered coldly.

"Yuan Jin Xing, are you really going to rely on such despicable means?!" someone challenged.

"Quiet," the instructor restored order. Only 25 people remained in the elite training.

"Let’s go," Yuan Jin Xing followed Deputy Yu.

"Yuan Jin Xing, you don’t deserve to be my rival!" Yue Chuan said coldly.

Yuan Jin Xing forced a weak smile.

"Yue Chuan, I’m not you—I don’t have such talent. So I have to seize every opportunity in front of me." Yuan Jin Xing knew this was arranged by her aunt; without her, she would have been kicked out long ago. But she was unwilling to leave just like that.

Phiring integration or not, she would stay!

To protect everyone...

It seemed her bond with the training camp broke that day.

"Scum." That’s what they called her.

But Yuan Jin Xing didn’t care. As long as she could stay and fight ancient beasts, she was content...

Her weapon was a single-edged sword forged from the blood of Yang’s Long-Feathered Raptor.

From that day on, she became a full-fledged team member, training alongside the combatants.

Yuan Jin Xing was gloomy.

Why did it have to be like this? Fate always abandoned her, leaving her to face countless troubles!

The feeling was the same as when she was separated from her parents as a child, when her mother passed away, and now when she had to rely on her aunt to stay. She always felt powerless, always forced to confront harsh realities. What was she supposed to do?

Why?

Zhu came to find her again.

After Yuan Jin Xing finished training, Zhu’s duties were nearly done, so he hurried back.

He quickly changed clothes and intercepted her on the road.

Others would be having late-night snacks at this hour.

"When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it will first distress his mind and exhaust his muscles, starve his body and expose him to hardship. Only after these trials can his talents be revealed." His sudden appearance surprised Yuan Jin Xing.

"Perhaps it’s unclear now, but who knows what the future holds? The future is in your hands." Zhu was dressed casually, his aura much softer than before, no longer distant.

"But I’m still useless. People like me are just stuck like this. If I could just catch a glimpse of you from afar, I’d be satisfied," Yuan Jin Xing said sadly, lowering her head.

"Aren’t you supposed to become my deputy captain? Why are your demands getting so low?"

"You should put yourself first. I can’t represent your goals, but I can accompany you in reaching them, even if not all the time," Zhu’s words were gentle and firm.

"The captain’s right. I’ll keep your words close to heart and look at them whenever I need encouragement. Thank you, Captain," Yuan Jin Xing sighed deeply.

"You don’t have to keep everything inside. Girls tend to face problems alone, not wanting others to worry. But often, you need help and care the most." Zhu pulled out a lollipop from his bag.

He had consulted a psychologist who said citrus scents help improve mood.

"This citrus-flavored candy is pretty good for calming emotions. I don’t want to see my team members sulking," Zhu handed it to her.

"You haven’t been eating well lately; your aunt is worried," he smiled warmly.

Someone appeared from the cafeteria. Zhu patted her shoulder and turned to leave.

"Captain Zhu," Yuan Jin Xing looked at the lollipop, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"Thank you..."

"Your aunt has helped me a lot. If thanks are due, thank her," Zhu waved as he left.

Indeed, she still relied on her aunt. When would she ever become independent?

Remembering Zhu’s words, she felt much better. Feeling a bit hungry, she recalled how her mood had kept her from eating. The stomach is an emotional organ; with less mental turmoil, she tore open the candy wrapper. The sweet citrus fragrance filled her mouth.

So wonderful.

Captain Zhu too...

After becoming a full member, training was less frequent. Thinking back to arriving just after the New Year felt like a lifetime ago. The elite training was still ongoing; she watched from afar on the upper floors, as if the past was replaying, yet she no longer belonged.

It no longer mattered—her original ideals drifted farther away, even becoming a target of scorn.

Nan Mao appeared.

"Yuan Jin Xing, thank you. My name is Nan Mao, nice to meet you," he introduced himself, then before she could speak, continued.

"Actually, I liked you from the first time I saw you. If you’re willing, I’d like to give you my first time."

Yuan Jin Xing couldn’t help but glance at him with confusion.

A shortage of Y chromosomes caused a sharp drop in male birth rates. To secure humanity’s future, men had to fulfill reproductive social duties. Except for special groups, all had to maintain good health and donate sperm.

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Chaste men were naturally more popular.

Yuan Jin Xing smiled faintly.

"I’ve never lacked men. Although you have personality, my family offers me a better platform. I don’t need to risk marrying an unknown person." She had seen this many times—if she didn’t speak decisively, they would persist relentlessly.

"In that case, if I become an elite commander, would you marry me?" Nan Mao was undeterred, responding quickly, earning her respect.

"That’s a harsh condition. I don’t want you to get stuck over me. I can’t control what you want to do, and I’m not a prize on your path. Sorry, I can’t agree, but I’ll prepare a promotion gift for you. We’re good friends, right?" Yuan Jin Xing defused the situation lightly.

"Is it because of Captain Zhu?" Nan Mao felt disappointed.

Yuan Jin Xing was somewhat displeased.

"Go back. That’s none of your concern."

"Okay." Nan Mao forced a smile.

"See you later."

"See you later." Yuan Jin Xing couldn’t bear to be too cold to a boy—that would be unladylike.

Nan Mao’s small hope was rekindled.

"Group combat, six per team. This is your final training. Passing means official status; failure leads to screening. Those selected form temporary squads for early relic exploration. Those not selected will be assigned to logistics."

"This is your final evaluation. Make the most of it," the instructor said solemnly. The faces of the trainees varied, because...

"Let’s welcome Yuan Jin Xing. Which team will fight alongside her?"

Though officially a member, her group combat results would serve as initial data and could not be skipped.

Among the present teams were familiar faces.

But no one seemed to choose her.

"Then join..." The team leader clearly wanted her to join Yue Chuan’s team with the best chances.

"Instructor! Let Yuan Jin Xing join our team," Nan Mao offered help.

That settled it.

"The mission is at West Chuan Ridge. Assemble freely tomorrow morning. The training ground opens at ten."

Dismissed.

Nan Mao got along well with his teammates; several girls liked him, but because of this, he was blamed.

It was as if Yuan Jin Xing was dragging him down.

But he didn’t care. Though others came from good families, none matched Yuan Jin Xing. With the Yuan family’s support, what regrets could he have? This harsh world made him seem an outcast.

He was the clearest-headed one, knowing how to resist and claim rights!

Why didn’t anyone understand? What’s the difference between this life and being caged? No freedom to be different, no control over one’s life... no way to protect those you love.

His mind involuntarily recalled the murderer’s face—the first time they met.

"What’s your problem, pretending to be so close to the child? Is she even yours?! People like you are just playing a role, trying to gain favor through your child and bind the mother’s heart," his eldest aunt pushed his father away and held me. My mother rushed over, glancing at both.

"A man grows up with no home, only Nan Zheng is willing to pay a large sum monthly to support you, and you don’t even appreciate it." Men over thirty were assigned to various families to father children for women.

Coming and going regularly, but paying a large placement fee could keep them there.

"Women thousands of years ago knew children should follow the father’s name to be closer to him; why now are they even forbidden to speak?" Mother shielded father.

"A thousand years ago, sanitary pads were carcinogenic! Such feudal rubbish!"

"Who doesn’t know how dirty men are, going to..." Third aunt started, but father rushed out and covered her mouth, looking back at mother with tears falling.

Aunts rushed in to scold; mother struggled to pull them away.

"Get out! This is my home! Security!" Mother shouted, driving them off.

Third aunt was not convinced.

"No daughter, how can you succeed? You’re still young; my nephew is reaching bloom. Such a family fortune can’t be kept without a daughter! You should think about the future." Implying sending nephew over—young and with options.

"Get lost!"

"You’ll be back, and we’ll deal with you."

They left.

Father held me, seemingly deeply shaken.

Mother hurried to comfort him.

"Don’t be afraid, Yuan Zhao. I’ll pay the placement fee forever. We’re not going back; stay with me."

"Don’t be afraid, Mao Mao. Mom has money. Mom will protect you both."

Only then did I come to my senses, tears uncontrollable.

That night, father attempted to secretly take his own life in the kitchen to preserve his future purity; mother found and saved him...

Mother didn’t know his birth family was so cruel, heartbroken.

He always remembered the day he collapsed into mother’s arms, saying,

"I want a home."