Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Stubbornness
Lea looked at Xie Chuanqiong and smiled, "Qiong, to celebrate your narrow escape from death, let’s order some dishes. This time, I’m going to eat a lot and a lot."
Xie Chuanqiong looked at Lea, curved his lips into a smile, and said, "Alright, I’m treating. This mission, I earned a lot of points, so don’t worry about money. Order whatever you want to eat..." His character has always been very steady and reserved, like the neighbor’s big brother, making people feel as refreshed as a spring breeze.
While they were talking, Ji You and Xie Lingzhi had already started arguing over the menu:
Ji You said, "For hotpot, it’s gotta be spicy hotpot! A hotpot without the spiciness has no soul!"
Xie Lingzhi: "Clear soup hotpot! Only the clear soup hotpot is the world’s finest delicacy, and I refuse to listen to any objections!"
Ji You choked a bit.
Then the two were in a relentless dispute, unable to convince each other.
At that moment, Xie Chuanqiong raised his hand and gave each of them a smack on the head, saying, "We’ll have both in a Yin Yang hotpot. One side for each of you, no more arguing."
Ji You covered her head, pretending to be aggrieved, "Brother Qiong, I’m no longer your darling little sister..."
Xie Lingzhi rolled her eyes and said, "Have some shame, will you? I’m your real sister, and even I wouldn’t say such a thing."
After ordering the dishes, Ji You and Xie Lingzhi started arguing again about whether to use peanut sesame sauce for the dipping or soy sauce with cilantro, bickering incessantly...
As a result, each got another smack from Xie Chuanqiong.
This time, the two unusually stopped.
After a short while.
Ji You and Xie Lingzhi in unison said, "If your hand dares to hit me again, I’ll chop it off and throw it in the hotpot!"
Xie Chuanqiong: "..."
Lea burst into laughter, saying, "We can eat now, come on... Eat while you argue, don’t starve yourself. If you don’t eat enough, where will you get the energy to chop off hands?"
Xie Chuanqiong: "..."
He slightly lifted his head, glanced at Lea, his clear and handsome face showing a hint of helplessness and indulgence.
Ji You, surprised, took a few more glances at Sister Li Ya, and discovered that Sister Li Ya was also quite scheming.
The four people had a meal together, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. These four have grown up together from childhood, living as neighbors for a long time, both childhood friends and family... so they had no reservations with each other, eating, drinking, and chatting wildly...
Then, Xie Chuanqiong suddenly said, "You, I heard from Lingzhi that you achieved great results in this year’s freshman exercise?"
Upon hearing this, Ji You laughed heartily, "More than just great! I was simply brilliant and magnificent, intelligent beyond compare and quick-witted..."
Xie Lingzhi glanced at her, "So, you roasted a rabbit?"
Ji You: "..."
Both Xie Chuanqiong and Lea laughed when they heard it. Lea said, "We’ve all heard about this, it’s even been talked about at the Space Station. Everybody is really curious about this junior sister..."
Ji You’s eyes lit up, "Curious about what?"
Her extraordinary intelligence?
Her quick-wittedness?
Lea smiled slightly and said, "They’re curious how big of a gall this junior sister has to dare to roast a rabbit right in front of Principal Hong. Is she still alive? Is she missing any arms or legs? Has she been sliced and modified?"
Ji You: "..."
Ji You showed a smile and said proudly, "They’re going to be disappointed then. Not only do I have hands and feet, but I’m also lively and kicking, enjoying every bit of my food."
Xie Lingzhi: "A disaster that lasts a millennium."
Ji You: "!!!"
Why does this phrase feel a bit piercing? Theoretically speaking, she’s not just a thousand years old; she’s a several thousand-year-old demon.
Xie Chuanqiong suddenly said, "You, why did you switch to the Combat Department?"
Ji You explained to everyone her somewhat confused transition to the Combat Department.
Xie Chuanqiong fell silent for a moment, then said, "I don’t know what Principal Hong and Teacher Mu are planning, but I think the Combat Department doesn’t suit you. If possible, apply to transfer sooner rather than later..." The situation is now unclear, and one day, students from the Combat Department must go to war to protect the Alliance and humanity...
But You is just a kid with poor talent, how can she ensure her own survival?
If she switched to another department, like the Material Department, she would only need to stay in the rear, ensuring stability from behind.
Lea and Xie Lingzhi also agreed with this. Lea said, "That’s what I mean too. Transfer to the same department as me, or with Lingzhi. With us to lead and take care of you, you’ll quickly get familiar with things."
Ji You, seeing everyone’s concern, scratched her head, feeling a bit embarrassed, and said, "Brother Qiong, Sister Lea, Sister Lingzhi... I’m not planning to transfer. I... I quite like the feeling of charging into battle with machine guns and cannons."
Everyone was a bit speechless.
Xie Lingzhi said, "Are you sure it’s you carrying the machine guns and cannons, and not the other way around?"
Ji You choked on the words, then said, "Of course I’m the one carrying machine guns and cannons to kill the enemy! I’m one of the top talents in the Combat Department, and there’s never been a training exercise I couldn’t complete! I excel in every single one."
This wasn’t boasting.
It was the truth.
Ji You continued, "Teacher Mu said I’m very suitable, and I think she’s right! When I step into the Mechanical Cabin, looking at the mountains and lands beneath my feet, I’m filled with a sense of accomplishment. I feel that being born human, I’m meant to become a Mechanical Warrior, to roam the Star Sea at will."
Nobody spoke.
After a little while, Xie Chuanqiong’s eyes dimmed slightly and he said, "Do you know that on our last mission, two students died? They were even more spirited than you are now before they left."
Ji You was stunned. She had not heard about this.
Silence.
The atmosphere froze for a few seconds before Xie Chuanqiong continued, "In the next one or two years, as a student of the Combat Department, you will face great risks, even danger to your life at any moment. That’s why Lea, Lingzhi, and I, we all hope you won’t join the Combat Department."
The three of them stared solemnly at Ji You.
Ji You fell silent.
second.
seconds.
seconds.
Ji You looked at the three of them and said seriously, "Brother Qiong, Sister Lingzhi, Sister Lea... I understand your concerns for me. But I still won’t give up the Combat Department! If I give up on becoming a warrior out of fear of death, then death will eventually come for me!"
"I am not afraid of death."
"What I am afraid of is lacking the opportunity to prove myself."
Xie Chuanqiong looked at Ji You, silent, without uttering a word.
Lea sighed softly.
Xie Lingzhi’s face was stern, with an air of despondency, and said, "Once dead, there’s nothing left! Only by living is there a chance! Any chance!"
Ji You smirked, saying, "That’s true, so I won’t let myself die! A talent like me should make trouble for a thousand years! How could I die so easily?"
Xie Lingzhi gave her a sidelong glance. "You do have some self-awareness."
Ji You grinned, smiling at the group. Her expression wasn’t very serious, but her tone was stern as she said, "Whatever I want to do, I don’t want to compromise, don’t want to give up. That’s my stubbornness."
Giving up is too easy.
Staying the course is hard.
So cherish every step you take.