Time passed. Over the next week, Jiang Lijin lived quite comfortably.
Even though this was a public military base, the security checks were still outrageously strict.
Yet Tinia refused to be deterred. Though he didn't come in person, the things he sent piled up into a mountain.
Fresh berries expedited by air from Valorant, soft haute couture silk quilts, and even two entire trunks of custom-made dresses. Tucked inside the packaging of each item was a handwritten card with flamboyant handwriting:
"This one is suitable for wearing at home; the fabric is skin-friendly."
"This is for attending banquets. I had the designer alter the neckline three times."
"This one... you will definitely look beautiful in it, Sister. Take a picture and show me!"
The officers at the base's security checkpoint had never seen such a spectacle. Box after box went through the quantum scanners until the entire security lane was blocked. They looked at each other in dismay and finally asked their superior for instructions.
After listening to the report, Baal fell silent for three seconds.
"Once you've verified there are no dangerous goods, let them all through." His voice was steady, but his brows never relaxed.
The major general of the logistics department was very perceptive, personally leading people to carry the boxes one by one into Jiang Lijin's spacious room.
Leaning against the soft sofa, Jiang Lijin ate the berries flown in by Tinia and casually flipped through those little cards, the corners of her lips curving up slightly.
She had completely accepted her position in this world. Since the Mastermind had assigned her these top-tier males, she might as well calmly enjoy it.
However, these past few days, Baal had been surprisingly well-behaved.
Perhaps he was terribly busy. Subsequent military deployments, defense line reconstruction, and casualty statistics—every task weighed heavily on his shoulders as the commander-in-chief. He went to sleep at three in the morning and appeared punctually at the command center at six in the morning.
Only when his rampage value soared and could no longer be suppressed would he knock on her door.
During the purification process, he put away his previous impatience, sitting upright on the sofa with his hands placed properly on his knees.
Jiang Lijin's purifying energy probed into his spiritual sea through his spiritual entity, a little black snake, soothing those churning rampage values.
The process wasn't complicated, but Baal's reactions always made it impossible to ignore.
His golden slit pupils would stare at her unblinkingly, the desire in the depths of his eyes so intense it was about to overflow!
Jiang Lijin had no doubt that if she were to nod right now, or not even nod, but just soften her gaze a fraction, this seemingly steady Federation Commander-in-Chief would pounce on her without hesitation.
But he held back.
The veins on his forehead throbbed, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down repeatedly, and his breathing was heavy, but he stubbornly refused to step any closer.
After the purification ended, he would always stay seated for a few extra seconds, as if waiting for the aftershocks in his spiritual sea to subside. Then, he would stand up, give her a slight nod, and turn to stride away.
This restraint instead made Jiang Lijin feel like she was watching a good show; she began to enjoy this composure of having everything under control.
In contrast, Chiron appeared much more pragmatic. He spent most of his time in the base's medical department, organizing data on the frontline wounded while concurrently researching the residual energy fluctuations left by Jiang Lijin's mass purification.
They didn't meet often, but every time they did, he would always gently inquire about her sleep quality and hand her a freshly formulated potion.
When the rest period ended, the three of them boarded a starship and set off to return to the capital star, leaving Gary behind to guard the front lines.
...
The Capital Star Spaceport.
Even before the cabin doors opened, deafening noise had already pierced through the thick alloy hull.
Jiang Lijin stood in front of the porthole and looked down.
The tarmac was divided into two distinct camps.
On the left was the delegation of the Imperial Royal Family. Although the one leading them wasn't a core royal member, he was a rather powerful cabinet secretary, followed by a group of nobles leaning on walking sticks. They put on airs, conversing in low voices, putting on a grand display.
On the right was the camp of the Federation Military Council. A group of retired old men had specially dug out their treasured military uniforms from the bottom of their trunks, their chests covered in dazzling medals. They stood tall and straight, their imposing manner not losing in the slightest to the Imperial Royal Family.
On the periphery were ordinary citizens and reporters from major star newspapers, forcibly kept at bay by military police robots.
Sometime ago, the news of Jiang Lijin being urgently taken away by a military starship in Valorant had already caused an uproar on the Star Network.
Seeing the current spectacle, anyone with a discerning eye would know that this 3S-grade female must have done something earth-shattering on the front lines.
Countless miniature cameras floated in the air amidst the crowd, flashes merging into a continuous sea of light. The tracks of the military police robots ground against the floor with ear-piercing screeches, and their warning lights flashed incessantly, but they still couldn't stop the public's enthusiasm to squeeze forward.
The cabin doors opened.
Jiang Lijin walked down the boarding stairs with unhurried steps.
Today, she wore a black slip mermaid dress, a haute couture piece sent by Tinia. The hem swayed gracefully as she walked, perfectly hugging her body's curves. Most importantly, the fabric was incredibly soft. Her long black hair was casually pinned up into a bun, adorned with a perfectly round deep-sea pearl hair accessory.
A few hours ago, when she first stepped into the ship's cabin wearing this outfit, Baal and Chiron had both abruptly stopped what they were doing and stared at her for a full half-minute.
Now, this stunning effect was magnified countless times.
The frequency of the camera flashes at the spaceport suddenly sped up, and irrepressible gasps of amazement erupted from the crowd. Of course, most of the gasps stemmed from admiration for a female who had just returned from the front lines.
"Ms. Jiang, welcome back from your triumphant return." The Secretary-General of the Imperial Royal Family was the first to step forward, his face wreathed in smiles. "His Majesty heard of your heroic bearing on the front lines and specially instructed us to hold a banquet at the palace to celebrate your return. The royal hovercar is ready, please come this way."
As soon as he finished speaking, an old general from the Federation Military Council squeezed over, his voice booming as he directly interrupted the Secretary-General: "Ms. Jiang is an honored guest of our Federation Military! The military has already prepared a celebration banquet of the highest standard. Commander-in-Chief Baal, why aren't you inviting Ms. Jiang into the car? Are you going to let our honored guest stand in the wind?"
The two factions, who usually maintained a peaceful facade, were now fighting over a person right in front of so many citizens and the press.
Jiang Lijin exchanged pleasantries politely, her attitude aloof and watertight. Baal stood behind her, his face dark as thunder.
He knew better than anyone what these old fogeys were scheming; they simply wanted to grasp this strategic resource capable of changing the interstellar landscape in their own hands.
In her mind, Xiao Yi's voice popped up.
[Host, the ultimate showdown is here! The royal family and the Federation are fighting over you in the streets. Now it depends on whose name you pick!]
Jiang Lijin ignored it. She frowned slightly, her gaze sweeping over the crowded masses.
At a glance, she spotted that bobbing head of blond hair.
Tinia, surrounded by several burly bodyguards, was struggling to stand on his tiptoes to look inside.
He had specially styled himself today. The well-tailored white suit made him look like a noble little prince, and a priceless sapphire brooch was pinned to his collar. Unfortunately, no matter how rich the Yunlan Group was, they did not belong to the core political and military circles, and he was firmly blocked outside by the military police robots.
The young master was pushed back repeatedly by the crowd. His expression was incredibly sour, yet he couldn't bear to look away, staring eagerly in the direction of the boarding stairs.
Jiang Lijin bypassed the endlessly arguing politicians in front of her and walked straight toward the outer edge of the crowd.
As she moved, the crowd blocking her way subconsciously parted to make a path.
The representatives of the Empire and the Federation froze. Following her gaze, they spotted the blonde, blue-eyed heir of the financial consortium.
The expressions of both groups changed simultaneously. They turned their heads in unison, glaring at their respective figureheads, Chiron and Baal, with a look of bitter disappointment.
Chiron maintained his gentle smile, his expression betraying nothing.
Baal's fists, hanging by his sides, cracked as he clenched them.
Seeing Jiang Lijin walking toward him, Tinia's eyes instantly lit up. He shoved aside the bodyguards blocking his way, dashed forward, and opened his long arms, pulling Jiang Lijin into a solid, full embrace.
He was very tall, but he deliberately bent down as if aggrieved, resting his chin in the crook of Jiang Lijin's neck and rubbing against it affectionately.
Sister, you are finally back. Tinia's voice was loud enough for everyone around them to hear. The frontline is so dangerous, did you get hurt? You look so pretty in this outfit!
Countless cameras focused on the embracing pair, the camera flashes blindingly bright.
Jiang Lijin felt a little ticklish from his rubbing. She reached out and patted his back. Alright, let go quickly, there are so many people watching.
Tinia obediently straightened up. As he released her, he didn't forget to look over Jiang Lijin's shoulder and give a provocative raise of his eyebrows at Baal and Chiron behind her.
His look clearly said: See? I am still her favorite.
Jiang Lijin turned around to face the Empire and Federation representatives who were still waiting for her decision.
Thank you all for your gracious invitations. She paused, her gaze sweeping over the politicians. However, I just returned from the frontline and I am truly quite exhausted. Today, I would like to have a meal with my family first.
Family?
The people present looked at each other in dismay. Wasn't this 3S-grade female an orphan from a fringe planet in the Silent Sun Galaxy? Where did she get a family?
The next second, Jiang Lijin turned her head.
Her gaze bypassed Tinia and landed on Chiron and Baal standing not far away.
Shall we go home?
Those simple words fell into everyone's ears amidst the noisy spaceport.
The curve of Chiron's lips widened a fraction, and a genuine smile rippled in his gray eyes.
The gloom in Baal's eyes was swept away, and an unprecedented smile even appeared on his face.
Even Tinia froze in place, a suspicious blush spreading across the tips of his ears. Sister said he was family!
With just one sentence, she had perfectly smoothed the ruffled feathers of all three men.
The representatives of the Empire's royal family and the Federation's council opened their mouths but couldn't utter a single word for a long time. She wanted to go home and reunite with her matched beast-husbands; this reason was entirely legitimate and reasonable.
Furthermore, the Imperial Codex stated clearly that a female's will was above all else. Who would dare to stop her? Who even could?
Jiang Lijin took the lead, stepping forward and walking out of the spaceport.
The three males, all of distinguished status and top-tier strength, obediently followed behind her.
