"You want me to be a planetary leader?" Ju Lanlan stammered.
"Yes, that brings us to the second matter," Jiang Ye said. "After you take up a post at the planetary exchange, keep an eye on planets being sold on the market."
"Especially pay attention to two conditions," Jiang Ye continued. "Planets suitable for large-scale mechanical production, and planets not suitable for large populations."
"Something like Meteorite Star?" Ju Lanlan asked.
"Exactly."
"And then?"
"Then, I'll provide the funds to buy the planets that meet the criteria, and you'll manage them," Jiang Ye said. "You have a shady past, so I can't let you manage planets with too many people. But you can set up automated mechanized production on that planet, primarily to make money."
"I understand," Ju Lanlan nodded. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. When you get such a planet, we'll discuss the specifics," Jiang Ye said. "For now, let's study with all our might and be prepared. You might get your planet soon, or it might take ten, twenty, or even decades."
The meal was finished.
Ju Lanlan left in a hurry.
Jiang Ye returned to his work, diligently processing various documents.
"I'm such a heartless work machine," Jiang Ye muttered to himself.
...
A week later.
At eight in the evening, Jiang Ye had just finished dinner and was poring over economic reports at his desk.
His phone suddenly rang.
"Wife"
Jiang Ye tapped to answer, "Hello?"
"Husband, you're so heartless. We haven't seen or contacted each other for days, and when I call you, you just say 'hello'?" Cen Yemeng's tone was playfully reproachful.
Jiang Ye chuckled, "Haven't we been in contact? We chat via messages every day during meals."
"We only chat a few sentences. The chat records for this week combined are only three or four pages," Cen Yemeng said. "I miss you. I just took a short leave and flew back to see you. You should take a leave too and stay home with me."
"A short leave? How many days?" Jiang Ye asked.
"A week," Cen Yemeng said. "I've cleared all my work. As long as nothing too major happens, I'm completely free this week."
"A week isn't a short leave, it's a luxurious long weekend," Jiang Ye sighed. "But I have too much work, I can't clear it all. I can go home to be with you, but I'll still need a few hours each day to catch up."
"You can't even manage a week?" Cen Yemeng's voice was plaintive, like a little girl's. "Please, just give yourself a week off. You can't possibly not have a single week of complete freedom in an entire year, can you?"
"I'll try my best, I'll try my best," Jiang Ye said helplessly. "When will you arrive at Jiang Ye Star? Shall I pick you up at the spaceport?"
"About three hours from now. I'll message you an hour beforehand."
"Okay."
Three hours later, Jiang Ye's private car arrived at the spaceport on time, just in time to witness the spaceship from Exile Star slowly descending.
The spaceport didn't deploy any special welcoming protocols, as Cen Yemeng wasn't considered a foreign dignitary, merely returning home. The scene was even a bit desolate, with only a few guards present.
The Exile Star spaceship lowered its ramp, and a slender figure appeared at the cabin door, legs clad in black silk, wearing a white fishtail skirt, her figure exceptionally graceful, her long hair fluttering in the wind.
Jiang Ye got out of the car and leaned against the door, waiting.
Cen Yemeng descended the ramp, walked over quickly, hit Jiang Ye with her handbag, and then pulled him into the car.
Before Jiang Ye could even sit properly, his wife hugged him tightly, burying her head in his chest, her long hair carrying a floral scent.
"All you do is stand by the car door and wait for me? Didn't you know to run over and give me a hug?" Cen Yemeng's tone held a hint of annoyance.
"There are still quite a few guards here, it's a public place," Jiang Ye reached out and stroked her head.
"We're an old married couple, everyone knows that. What's wrong with a hug? Are you an old fossil?" Cen Yemeng reached out and tugged his ear. "From now on, when we reunite, you have to hug me enthusiastically and hold my hand, understand?"
Jiang Ye hugged her tightly, "I understand. It's been a while, you seem to have gained a little weight."
Cen Yemeng gasped sharply.
"Don't be angry, don't be angry. You haven't gained weight, you haven't gained weight, you're practically skin and bones," Jiang Ye quickly corrected himself.
"I'm not angry," Cen Yemeng raised her head, blinking at her husband. "I think you've gained a little weight too. Have I changed much?"
"You're as beautiful as ever," Jiang Ye rubbed his cheek against hers. "Have I gained a lot?"
"It's quite noticeable, husband, you've put on a good bit of weight. Holding you like this, I can feel it clearly, you feel more substantial."
Jiang Ye then felt a smooth hand slip inside his shirt, and she seriously felt his abdomen.
"Your abs are still there," Cen Yemeng smiled. "The number of them hasn't decreased."
Cen Yemeng remained silent for the rest of the journey. She seemed a bit tired, kicked off her shoes, placed her feet on the seat, curled up into a small ball in her husband's arms, and drifted off to sleep with her eyes closed.
Jiang Ye didn't say much either, holding his wife and quietly gazing at the night scenery outside the window.
They had been married for a long time. Jiang Ye felt that the initial nervousness and apprehension were gone, but their feelings had deepened. Some people in this era used drugs and high-tech surgery to ensure marital affection, but Jiang Ye felt it wasn't necessary yet.
The private car landed on the lawn of the General's Mansion.
Jiang Ye bent down, reached out, picked up his wife's shoes, and helped her put them on. Cen Yemeng sat quietly, watching, lifting her toes slightly to cooperate.
"Let's go, home to sleep. You look very tired," Jiang Ye took her delicate hand.
The couple got out of the car and went home.
Having been away for a long time, most of the appliances in the house were in standby mode. Detecting the owners' return, they all activated, filling the air with the sounds of electronic devices.
Jiang Ye headed straight for the study to continue working.
Cen Yemeng stood at the study door, blinked at her husband, like a docile kitten, said nothing, and turned to leave.
Soon, the sounds of splashing water could be heard from the bathroom.
Half an hour later, the water stopped, and the whirring of a hairdryer began.
Jiang Ye felt a sense of quiet in the house. Because the hairdryer's sound echoed slightly in the large house, it made the silence feel cozy. If he were working alone, there would be no sound at all, and this silence would be eerie, making him imagine devils waiting in the dark rooms, even pouncing into the study from the hallway. But with the hairdryer's hum, this silence became warm.
Soon, the hairdryer's sound also stopped.
The study door opened gently.
Cen Yemeng walked in wearing white socks, a silk white camisole, and silk shorts. Her long legs and slender waist were like white porcelain or jade. Her freshly dried hair cascaded smoothly and dryly, and her complexion had a slight flush from the hot bath.
She walked over to the busy Jiang Ye and gently grabbed his hair, "Rest now, husband. Don't work anymore."
"You go to sleep first. I still have a few files to finish," Jiang Ye stared at the screen.