In the dark and cramped water hold, more than ten people sat huddled together, heads bowed.
The floor was slick with filth, teeming with mosquitoes and scurrying rats.
The water hold swayed with the ship's motion, its occupants remaining as still as statues.
Outside, stretched an endless, turbulent sea under a vast expanse of gray, low-hanging clouds.
This unmarked vessel was a lone wanderer in the cosmic ocean, silently battling the waves.
Within the water hold, Huang Yaohui lifted his head, glancing at the square ventilation opening made of iron bars in the ceiling. He murmured, "The storm is coming."
Beside him, Fu Yafang looked up, her sharp eyes peering from behind her long, dark hair.
This was their only way to reach the Black Star Empire.
Due to the armed blockade, they could only enter Black Star territory through illegal means.
This was also their first trial by fire, a test of life and death.
Everything depended on fate.
...
It was Saturday, and the city of Wuhe was bathed in a clear sky, a beautiful, azure blue.
All students of Class B had gathered early at the airfield, waiting for their hovercars.
Gu Ya arrived punctually, standing with Ye Ying and Liu Feng.
Xing Bin's face still bore faint signs of swelling. Upon seeing Gu Ya, his expression immediately darkened. He walked over and said, "Excuse me, our hovercar has limited seating, and there's no space for you here."
Gu Ya smiled faintly and replied, "I didn't say I wanted a ride in your car." With that, Gu Ya raised his hand and waved.
From the hangar at the airfield, a pleasant engine roar erupted. A pure black motorcycle sped out, its extremely unique and eye-catching design.
Many students in Class B immediately recognized it and exclaimed, "It's a mecha motorcycle!"
"I heard mecha motorcycles are selling like hotcakes, with ads everywhere."
"Who bought one? This thing isn't cheap! I heard it costs tens of thousands of white star coins! Even though it's expensive, many people are still buying it."
"Whose is it, anyway?"
As the students buzzed with speculation, the mecha motorcycle smoothly stopped beside Gu Ya. Its footrest automatically extended, like a docile steed responding to its master's call.
Strangely, there was no rider.
The Class B students' eyes widened, darting between the motorcycle and Gu Ya.
"It's his? Impossible!"
"Why is there no rider? Is it the latest unmanned model? Is the technology updating this fast?"
Gu Ya naturally swung himself onto the motorcycle, patted the rear seat, and smiled, "Ye Ying, I'll take you."
Under everyone's gaze, Ye Ying felt no embarrassment. Instead, her expression seemed to convey that it was only natural as she sat behind Gu Ya.
Xing Bin's face darkened further. Everyone in Class B knew Xing Bin was pursuing Ye Ying. This public snub was enough to make Xing Bin want to beat Gu Ya senseless right then and there.
Everyone waited to see Xing Bin's reaction, as if watching a farce about to unfold.
At that moment, a hovercar descended slowly from the sky, landing before the students.
Gu Ya turned to Ye Ying and said, "Hold on tight."
Ye Ying murmured an "Mhm" and lightly placed her hands around Gu Ya's waist.
Under Gu Ya's control, the mecha motorcycle emitted a crisp mechanical whir. The driver's seat rose, the two wheels merged to form legs, and simultaneously, arms extended from the chassis. The transformation was complete in mere seconds.
The sight left the students in awe.
Gu Ya grinned and shouted, "We're off!"
The six jet nozzles on the mecha motorcycle simultaneously spewed pale blue flames, lifting the two of them steadily into the air and soaring towards the sky.
The protective shield offered excellent soundproofing, allowing only the faint whisper of the wind and the subtle hum of the engine to be heard.
The motorcycle flew through the air, holographic advertisements and hovercars whizzing past on either side.
Ye Ying's slender, soft hands held Gu Ya's waist. Even through their clothes, he could feel the warmth of her fingers.
They didn't speak much along the way, but Gu Ya could sense Ye Ying's feelings. She was close to him, and he could even feel her heartbeat.
All of this made Gu Ya's heart flutter. How wonderful it would be if this moment could last forever.
Instead of following the designated route to the assembly point, Gu Ya took Ye Ying soaring over the city's bustling downtown, allowing them to admire the city's prosperity before abruptly changing direction and heading towards their destination.
After flying for another ten minutes or so, Gu Ya glanced at the ground and said to Ye Ying, "We're here!"
At that moment, the students of Class B were gathering on the ground, taking attendance.
Gu Ya and Ye Ying landed smoothly, drawing more gasps of admiration and envy from the assembled students.
Their destination was a famous scenic spot in Wuhe City: the mountainside of Mount Yuchi. At this season, the "peng" trees on the mountain bloomed with small, pale white and pink flowers, carpeting the entire landscape. At a glance, it felt like stepping into a romantic ocean of white and pink.
It was precisely because their blossoms were so endearing that people named them "peng trees," symbolizing the fluttering heart's first beat when young boys and girls meet.
Xing Bin was still vexed by Gu Ya's actions, but to organize his classmates properly, he suppressed his anger and shouted, "All students are present. We'll follow the mountain path upwards and gather at the summit. Everyone keep an eye on your classmates, don't fall behind or get too far ahead. Let's go!"
To truly feel nature's embrace when visiting this mountain, one had to hike it, and it was best done with a loved one. The beauty of the mountain would draw their hearts even closer.
Gu Ya and Ye Ying walked slower, admiring the scenery and exchanging playful banter.
Liu Feng couldn't stand it any longer. He slowed his pace and sidled up to Gu Ya, saying, "I'm so envious of you. Sigh, if only I could bring Fu Yafang here."
Gu Ya smiled and replied, "You definitely will in the future."
Liu Feng seemed a little jealous. "Brother, that's not fair! What's with the remote-controlled mecha motorcycle? I bought two of your motorcycles, and neither has that function!"
Gu Ya grinned mischievously, "A friend delivered the motorcycle and spare parts to me last night, and I spent several hours modifying it. Bring yours over sometime, and I'll modify them for you too."
Liu Feng nudged Gu Ya and grinned, "Now that's more like it!"
Ye Ying stood on a flat, large rock by the roadside and called out to Gu Ya, "Take a picture for me!"
"Sure!" Gu Ya readily agreed, raising his wrist-mounted camera towards Ye Ying.
At this moment, the sun was in the southwest, its light softened by the pink and white flowers on the trees, becoming gentle.
Ye Ying's cheeks were rosy. Dressed in a pale blue dress with small floral prints, she casually rested her hands behind her back, tilted her head slightly, striking a pose.
The mountain breeze gently lifted her long hair, and against the backdrop of the white and pink flowers covering the mountain, she looked even more tender and beautiful.
Gu Ya pressed the shutter, preserving this exquisite moment forever.
Liu Feng shook his head, gazing enviously at the photo, and said, "I have to admit, Ye Ying is truly beautiful."
"More beautiful than your Fu Yafang?" Gu Ya asked, admiring the photo.
Liu Feng smiled faintly and said, "They have different styles, don't you think? Yafang is graceful and captivating, while Ye Ying is delicate and charming."
"Smooth talker!" Gu Ya playfully jabbed Liu Feng in the stomach with his elbow, then walked over to show Ye Ying the picture.
"Is it good? Want another shot?" Gu Ya asked.
Ye Ying smiled sweetly and replied, "It's okay. Let's take more somewhere else."
Liu Feng watched the two of them, too envious to interject, and simply followed behind.
After the trio moved on, Xing Bin approached with a few boys.
Looking at Gu Ya and the other two, Xing Bin's face grew even longer.
"Team leader, when do we make our move? If we wait any longer, we'll reach the summit. All the classmates are here, and Liu Feng, Shao Yang, and Wang Yu are also present, which makes it difficult to act," a boy behind Xing Bin asked anxiously.
Xing Bin replied gruffly, "I know! There's a viewing platform ahead. Get Niu Jingjing and Chu Dan to lure Ye Ying away there. You guys make your move. Tell them to act naturally!"
"Okay! I'll go tell them," the boy nodded, turned, and walked back.
Gu Ya and the other two reached the viewing platform midway up the mountain. Not much further up to the summit, they could clearly see the small pavilion on the peak and the people inside it.
"The scenery here is nice!" Gu Ya said. "Let's take a picture here!"
Just as Gu Ya was about to take a picture of Ye Ying, two girls approached her. One of them smiled warmly and said, "Ye Ying, shall we take a photo together?" As she spoke, she linked her arm with Ye Ying's.
The other girl held Ye Ying's hand and praised, "Ye Ying, your skin is so fair and tender. I wish I had skin like yours."
At this moment, more and more tourists ascended, blocking Ye Ying's view.
When Ye Ying looked up again, Gu Ya was gone.