The phone had already rung for the third time.
Several new messages appeared on the screen.
Xu Yan: "Have you left yet? Make sure you catch the train."
Xu Yan: "It's very troublesome if you're late. Don't delay after getting off the train, and be sure to arrive at the rocket field on time!"
Jiang Ye leaned against the door, silenced his phone, and put it back in his pocket. He reached out and stroked Cen Yemeng's head. Her long hair was so smooth it could be used in a shampoo commercial.
Ten minutes ago, she had buried her face in Jiang Ye's chest, holding him tightly and refusing to let go.
"Alright, alright, I really have to go," Jiang Ye said softly. "Let go of me."
"Can't you not go? I really don't want you to leave." Cen Yemeng tilted her head up and gently touched his neck with her lips. A tingly, soft sensation gradually spread through Jiang Ye's entire body.
"You know I have to go back. I'll work hard when I get back and quickly boost the development index to ten thousand points, then we can build a star station," Jiang Ye said, also feeling sad. "Then we can see each other anytime."
"Let's elope, Jiang Ye." Cen Yemeng rubbed her cheek against his. "Let's go to a distant, safe planet where no one can find us, okay? Or let's open the window now and jump together."
"You're making me feel terrible. Stop talking nonsense, okay?" Jiang Ye said softly.
"You don't want to die with me?"
"I do, but it's too stupid and meaningless. We'll be able to live together soon, and we'll get married later." Jiang Ye hugged her tightly. "Don't overthink things and say scary things like that. I have to go, or I'll be late."
A moment of silence passed, neither of them moving.
"If you're late, you can stay, right?" Cen Yemeng hugged him even tighter. "Stay, don't you want to be with me? Don't go back, let's just stay home and do whatever we want."
"Being late is illegal detention, and the police will take me away for investigation. You don't want me to get into trouble, right?" Jiang Ye sighed, reached for the doorknob, and tried to walk out.
But Cen Yemeng still wouldn't let go, clinging to him like an octopus. As a result, he was dragged to the door.
"No, please don't do this," Jiang Ye pleaded. "I promise I'll come back as soon as possible, okay? I really have to go, there's no time."
Cen Yemeng suddenly started to cry, not sobbing loudly, but whimpering.
"Oh no, why are you crying again? Don't cry, don't cry," Jiang Ye said in a fluster.
The soft, warm feeling in his arms suddenly disappeared. Cen Yemeng pushed him hard, backing away, her eyes teary as she looked at him with a heartbroken expression. "Go, then. I won't bother you anymore."
Jiang Ye truly felt his heart break. He hadn't expected a week to pass so quickly. He had told himself not to be sad when he left, to come and go happily. But Cen Yemeng's reluctance made him want to cry too.
"Bye, don't cry anymore, okay?" Jiang Ye put one foot out the door. "I love you, I'll be back as soon as possible. Say goodbye to me."
"Mm," Cen Yemeng lowered her head like a little girl, trying hard to hold back her tears. "Bye."
Jiang Ye left with a heavy heart, immediately closed the door, and rushed to the elevator.
But he was still a step too late. Before entering the elevator, he heard Cen Yemeng crying loudly from inside the room.
Gritting his teeth, he entered the elevator, pressed the button for the first floor, and as the doors closed, all his strength drained away. He leaned against the elevator door, exhaling a long breath, feeling as if he might faint.
He didn't know why, but Cen Yemeng had something special about her that made him utterly infatuated.
He hadn't bought the electronic love charm for fear of angering his father-in-law. But Jiang Ye had a feeling that Cen Yemeng had already shot an arrow into his heart and injected him with some kind of love potion. That's why seeing her cry made Jiang Ye feel so miserable that he wanted to die.
A week later, on the colony.
Jiang Ye finally returned to his villa in the hot spring district.
It was minus thirty degrees Celsius, with heavy snowfall.
But the road in front of the villa was clean, clearly indicating that someone had been cleaning it for Jiang Ye during his absence. After all, it was the Commander's residence, and it would be unacceptable for the snow to pile up like a mountain.
It was already two o'clock in the morning when he arrived home. Jiang Ye put down his suitcase, took off his dirty clothes, changed into pajamas, and went straight to bed.
As soon as he got into bed, the sweeping robot came in. This thing was getting smarter and smarter, understanding Jiang Ye's mood, and directly projected the holographic image.
"Master, Master, your new messages are almost overflowing!"
Jiang Ye sat up tiredly and scrolled through the messages. He hadn't handled official business for a week, and quite a lot had accumulated.
Most of the unread messages were reports that didn't require his action:
The police had arrested two more thieves and dealt with them through fines and reprimands.
There was a malfunction in two worm farms; the air conditioning failed, and the worms were frozen into hibernation. However, after the air conditioning was repaired, they woke up and continued to produce excrement.
All cities reported on snow sweeping and snowfall conditions, and everything was normal.
The army was intensifying its training. The first air force squadron had been established, consisting of a total of 40 flapping-wing aircraft. They patrolled the gold mine area daily and had eliminated approaching wild beasts multiple times.
Seeing these messages, Jiang Ye was satisfied. His absence for a week had not disrupted the normal operation of the cities. It should be like this; if he had to handle everything personally, he would be too busy.
He glanced at his account balance and the rankings.
Balance: 14-7100-5000 yuan
[Jiang Ye Autonomous Region/Development Index 5139/Rank 8577]
His development index had increased by a few dozen points, and he had saved some money, which was very good.
There were a few more messages that required Jiang Ye's attention.
Isabelle: "The express delivery center is a bit overwhelmed. I need to hire two assistants and expand to the east, adding two liquid warehouses. I need you to sign an electronic consent form; you just need to click it."
Below the message was a link. Jiang Ye opened it, scrolled to the bottom where the signature was, and clicked as required.
Isabelle's reasonable requests must be met; she was the queen of logistics.
Xu Yan: "Did you arrive home safely?"
Jiang Ye typed a reply: "I'm back, I'm back. Thank you for your concern, President Xu. Your help was crucial for this trip to the junction star."
Xu Yan replied, and they exchanged pleasantries before bidding each other goodnight.
Shao Wan: "I conducted a spot check of the basic skills of auxiliary police officers in various cities. They are all very poor. Many of them even shoot at other people's targets during pistol practice, and some are illiterate and cannot understand the police manual. I want to organize a few weeks of study and training for the auxiliary police officers, and I need your approval."
Jiang Ye transferred forty million in funds to him and replied in text: "Approved, you have full authority."
Jiang Ye made no specific arrangements for this money. He also gave Shao Wan several million in "police force funds" every few days. If Shao Wan wanted to pocket some of it privately, or use it all as training expenses, that was up to him.
Shao Wan might leave at any time, but Jiang Ye didn't want him to. By showering him with money, he was showing trust and trying to keep him for a longer period.
Shi Zhi Zhizi: "The agricultural school has been exposed for a scandal. A young female director and several male students were caught having an affair in the office. I've suppressed the news. How should this be handled? Please instruct."
Jiang Ye: "This is outrageous! But it's not convenient for us to handle such matters. It's not illegal, but it's morally corrupt. Inform the principal privately and let them handle it internally. It would be best to transfer out those involved in the scandal."
He covered his face in dismay. What kind of ridiculous things were these?
Che Zhen: "I had a meeting with the captains. The sea is not far from here. We plan to expand further, occupy this entire landmass, and then find a way to cross the sea to the other side."
Jiang Ye: "Excellent. Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, all officers should gather in the main conference room. We'll have a meeting. Besides expanding our territory, I have new tasks for you."