With the familiar scent from the depths of his memory wafting into his nostrils, Gu Ya let out a long, relieved sigh.
But as he saw the unfamiliar ceiling and felt himself lying on a comfortable yet firm hospital bed, his heart instantly pounded in alarm!
"Still haven't escaped the illusion!?"
Gu Ya contorted his face, struggling to break free from the restraints binding his limbs. By the time he stood fully from the bed, his entire body was covered in black heavy metal exoskeleton.
His mastery of Cyber Mechanic had modified the exoskeleton armor to feel like his own muscles. Even though his muscles had atrophied significantly after months of captivity, Gu Ya could still feel the powerful torque delivered by the mechanical transmission.
"Ye Ying!?" Gu Ya suddenly saw the woman standing by the bed, gazing up at him calmly. "No... impossible!"
Gu Ya shook his head gently, the movement becoming more pronounced, his hands clasped over his head as he desperately resisted the sight before him. "No! Impossible, this isn't real. I couldn't be here. I should still be at Black Star! It's impossible to see Ye Ying!!"
Just as Gu Ya was lost in confusion and bewilderment, five heavily armed mobile soldiers stormed in from outside the door!
Each soldier wore a three-meter-tall full-tech combat exoskeleton, their bodies exceptionally broad and imposing, like a row of small mountains blocking the path between Gu Ya and Ye Ying.
Combat was imminent. Gu Ya brought his palms together, and with a "buzz," his hand-blades emitted white beam-like light, tearing in like ferocious beasts!
However, even the best fighter cannot defeat ten opponents. The mobile soldiers, possessing exquisite grappling techniques, subdued Gu Ya within moments.
Just as Gu Ya prepared to summon his ultimate weapon to further disrupt the scene, Ye Ying spoke softly, her eyes filled with tears, "Gu Ya! It's me! You're back!"
"You people at Black Star won't stop me! I've already killed Hei Yang!! I've shattered the illusion! And now you're playing for real, sending an android disguised as Ye Ying to appear before me, right? Fine! Watch me kill all of you!! I'll turn your Black Star upside down!"
Gu Ya struggled and roared. His exoskeleton armor seemed to come alive, a piece of scale-like micro-armor rising and falling in succession. A large amount of colorless vapor, potent enough to scorch skin, erupted from within the tiny armor plates!
The temperature in the entire room instantly rose by nearly ten degrees!
"Gu Ya!" Ye Ying called out urgently and expectantly, reaching out her hand and enduring the skin-scorching heat as she slowly clasped Gu Ya's exoskeleton glove.
"Hiss—!" A puff of white smoke rose from their clasped hands, accompanied by the faint smell of burnt flesh. Gu Ya abruptly withdrew the high-temperature steam and opened his exoskeleton helmet.
His exposed eyes were filled with shock and panic, but also a hint of relief, joy, and disbelief of survival.
"Ye Ying, is it really you...?"
As the five mobile soldiers slowly released their grip, Gu Ya lunged forward. The exoskeleton on his body shed and vanished like dragon scales.
After nearly two years of longing, countless sleepless nights of yearning, and overcoming so many obstacles, the two finally embraced tightly.
All the members of Flying Eagle Team Three rushed into the infirmary, followed by seven or eight mechanized soldiers from the Otherworld Apparatus Department and a group of scientists.
The already small room quickly filled with people.
Under everyone's gaze, Gu Ya and Ye Ying pressed their foreheads together, closed their eyes, and felt each other's hearts.
Distance and longing had not separated them; instead, they had strengthened Gu Ya and Ye Ying's resolve to be together.
Liu Feng secretly wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye, smiled, and turned to pull Li Fang away, joking, "Stop watching~ Careful you won't be able to sleep tonight."
Li Fang knowingly followed him out, playfully asking, "Hey, tell me, who will be captain of our Team Three from now on? Is Gu Ya henpecked?"
Liu Feng smiled without answering, changing the subject. "I've finished practicing the elbow strike followed by the heavy hammer move you taught me three thousand times. Come take a look and see if my form is standard."
Tao Na and Qiao Weiwei walked out of the room. Tao Na asked in a low voice, "Do you still dare to have thoughts about Gu Ya?"
Qiao Weiwei arrogantly rolled her eyes and said, "My master said a good woman never lacks a husband. What's Gu Ya to me? I'll find a boyfriend even better than him in the future!"
"Oh, you're young but ambitious." Tao Na chuckled with delight. "But your master really hit you hard, doesn't your face still hurt?"
"Sister Na!" Qiao Weiwei stomped her feet in anger. "Good people don't bring up past grievances! The higher-ups have already submitted the disciplinary report, and merit offsets demerit. Besides, my mental state is fine. Don't keep bringing up how Master hit me to pressure me!"
"Alright, alright! You get so worked up. Are we going to visit Rui Zi's grave today? I know a flower shop where the ladies arrange flowers so beautifully." Tao Na asked cheerfully.
Qiao Weiwei blushed, hooked her arm through Tao Na's, and said coquettishly, "Sister Tao Na, you're so kind. You're like my own sister from now on."
"Just try not to cause trouble from now on!"
In the infirmary, the scientists conducted a quick examination of Gu Ya's physical and mental condition. They concluded that Gu Ya had not been assimilated by Hei Yang, but to be safe, Gu Ya would need to undergo a series of in-depth checks before his threat level could be cleared.
However, neither Gu Ya nor Ye Ying minded this. They had waited this long; a few more days wouldn't matter.
Half a month later, as Gu Ya slowly walked out of the secret experimental base and felt the genuine afternoon sunlight, he finally breathed a complete sigh of relief.
Ye Ying hurried over from behind, a small bag in her hand. She linked her arm with Gu Ya's and asked with a smile, "The procedures and reports have all been submitted. Don't worry. Shall we go home? Youyou has been asking to see you all day."
Gu Ya gave a faint, mischievous smile and said, "No rush. There's still something I need to do before we go home. I need to make up for what you owe me."
"What do I owe you?" Ye Ying asked, confused.
Gu Ya waved his hand lightly, and a mecha motorcycle appeared beside them. He took Ye Ying's hand, and the two mounted the motorcycle, flying towards the city.
When Gu Ya was rescued, the authorities, in order to expedite intervention and treatment, had chosen a secret experimental base located in Wuhe City along the coast.
Gu Ya, with Ye Ying, leisurely flew above the bustling district of Wuhe City, enjoying the familiar scenery.
The streets of Wuhe City were still bustling with people, life continuing as usual. Only the defensive emplacements installed in every skyscraper, which hadn't been removed, served as a reminder that the war had just ended.
"Tell me again, what exactly do I owe you?" Ye Ying asked softly.
"Not yet. You'll know soon enough," Gu Ya said with a faint smile.
"You're being so mysterious!"
They circled the city for a long time. Gu Ya checked the time; it was already half-past six in the evening.
As night fell, Wuhe City began to glow with its initial colorful lights. The brilliant holographic advertisements lit up the city's night sky. Young men and women wearing glittering outfits adorned with popular symbols strolled through the streets, adding more vibrancy to the bustling district.
Gu Ya stopped idling and accelerated, flying out of the city.
By the time they reached a cliff on the high mountains outside Wuhe City, the sky had completely darkened. The surroundings were deserted and quiet.
The romantic and dazzling starry sky above seemed within reach.
Below them, Wuhe City's lights twinkled, a panorama of splendor. Countless skyscrapers formed the upper levels of Wuhe City, resembling a giant, floating cake adorned with colorful neon lights.
"Do you remember?" Gu Ya asked softly. "What I shouted towards the entire Wuhe City when we first came here?"
Gu Ya turned, taking Ye Ying's hands, gazing into her beautiful eyes, and said softly, "Are you still lost now?"
Ye Ying gently wrapped her arms around Gu Ya's waist, burying her head in his broad chest, feeling his warmth. She said softly, "Silly... This life, I'm with you."
The moment Ye Ying spoke these words, hundreds of fiery meteors slowly ascended from all districts of Wuhe City.
"Boom! Boom! Boom..."
Countless fireworks bloomed in the city's sky, creating the most romantic backdrop for Gu Ya and Ye Ying's vows.
With the colorful light of the fireworks illuminating his profile, Gu Ya gently lifted Ye Ying's chin and said softly, "This life isn't enough. I want us to be together for all eternity."
In Ye Ying's hazy eyes, reflecting tears and starlight, she looked at Gu Ya and softly replied, "Forever..."
Gu Ya met Ye Ying's gaze seriously and said firmly, "Forever!"