The postpartum confinement lasted over two months.
Cen Yemeng fully recovered, her in-depth examination results were excellent, and she had no lingering health issues.
Jiang Senlin caught a cold, but it didn't have a significant impact.
The war on Har Star was still ongoing, and staying any longer would be a burden to others.
Jiang Ye decisively made up his mind: it was time to go home!
He hadn't been home for so long; his longing for his homeland was overwhelming!
When he left Jiang Ye Star to pick up Cen Yemeng, he thought it would only take a few days. He never expected that more than half a year would pass, and he would almost lose his life.
Several aerospace companies on Har Star had already docked with the Jiang Ye Star space station, so the return journey's spaceship was direct.
After a few days of drifting through space, the spaceship finally landed on Jiang Ye Star.
Cen Yemeng held the baby and looked out the window.
The vast space station had been expanded threefold and was incredibly busy, with numerous giant rockets and spaceships taking off and landing!
Jiang Ye was also astonished. It was so lively!
He had only been away for half a year, yet it felt like Jiang Ye Star had experienced over a decade!
A crew member approached, "The spaceship inspection is complete. You may disembark! We wish you a pleasant journey!" Da Feng Novel Network
"It's not a journey; we're home," Jiang Ye said.
They disembarked.
A red carpet had been laid out.
A large group of military officers and business representatives were waiting to greet them!
Familiar old friends were also present!
Jiang Ye's eyes welled up with tears. Just as he was about to express his emotions, he felt a gust of cold wind!
It was winter on Jiang Ye Star!
Cen Yemeng hurriedly held the baby tighter, "So cold, so cold!"
A blonde beauty suddenly ran over and draped a thick sable coat over Cen Yemeng.
"Thank you!" Cen Yemeng was deeply moved.
"This is Isabel, my old friend. She's been handling my official duties for me during this time," Jiang Ye introduced. "This is Cen Yemeng..."
"I know, I know! Your wife, right!" Isabel smiled. "Welcome, welcome!"
"Baby, baby!" Tian Rao rushed over, holding a small quilt, and covered Jiang Senlin with it. "Wrap him up. This quilt is self-heating. If you wrap him tightly, he won't be cold!"
"Thank you!" Cen Yemeng was touched and quickly wrapped Jiang Senlin tightly with the small quilt.
"This is Tian Rao, also my old friend, an entrepreneur," Jiang Ye introduced.
"That's wonderful, Jiang Ye. Your wife is so beautiful," Tian Rao tilted her head, appraising Cen Yemeng.
Ju Lanlan, Feng Zhi Shuang, and Xu Yan also squeezed through, surrounding Cen Yemeng and chattering excitedly.
"Oh my, so beautiful! Welcome, Ms. Cen!" Feng Zhi Shuang exclaimed dramatically. "Mrs. Jiang must be the most beautiful woman on the planet! Jiang Ye, you're truly blessed!"
"Jiang Ye, you've really married up this time," Ju Lanlan commented.
"That's great, having a wife and child," Xu Yan said with a hint of sadness. "I just broke up with my boyfriend. Jiang Ye, could you introduce me to some of your subordinates?"
Cen Yemeng, being surrounded by so many people right after disembarking, felt quite embarrassed. Her face flushed as she greeted everyone.
"It's cold, it's cold. Let's not stand outside. Let's hurry home!" Isabel called out. "Mengmeng, you can ride with me. The air conditioning is already warmed up!"
Cen Yemeng blinked in surprise, then realized "Mengmeng" was referring to her.
She glanced back at Jiang Ye, her expression hesitant.
Jiang Ye was whispering something to Che Zhen, his expression grave.
There must be something very important.
Cen Yemeng decided not to disturb him, nodded, and left with the other ladies. After all, they were all Jiang Ye's old friends and seemed very friendly; it should be fine.
Jiang Ye only noticed when Cen Yemeng had walked away, and he was momentarily stunned.
What was going on?
How did she get whisked away like that?
However, they were all trustworthy old friends, and it was his territory, so he wasn't worried about her safety. He let her be.
Jiang Ye had just received extremely significant news from Che Zhen:
He was about to gain sovereignty over a second planet, Birong Star!
The space war situation had improved, and many planets previously occupied by the Meer had been recaptured.
Jiedian Star, He Star, and Birong Star had all become rear bases, preparing for post-disaster reconstruction.
Che Zhen had just received news yesterday that several strong teams competing for the territorial ownership of Birong Star had indicated they lacked the financial and human resources and intended to withdraw.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, once the military processed the paperwork, Jiang Ye Star would become the home planet of Birong Star, and Commander Jiang Ye would naturally possess a second planet!
"Is the news reliable?" Jiang Ye asked seriously.
"It's reliable! While you were away, we held the top position on the Birong Star team rankings very steadily. We are also very familiar with the teams ranked below us, and we share information," Che Zhen said, his expression excited. "The planets near Birong Star have already started confirming territorial ownership, and it should be our turn soon!"
"If we secure ownership of Birong Star, will we need to send troops and garrison forces there?" Jiang Ye asked.
"Yes, we will definitely need to garrison troops," Che Zhen replied. "The cost of remote control pods is too high, and they are easily affected by signal issues. To truly control Birong Star, we need to send troops."
"But we're short on personnel," Jiang Ye said, scratching his head in worry.
"While you were away, I expanded the army again," Che Zhen said. "I sent you a message about it."
"How many troops do we have in total now?"
"Two hundred thousand," Che Zhen replied.
"How many?!" Jiang Ye's eyes widened.
"Including veterans and new recruits, plus the reserve forces about to enlist, the total is 198,000," Che Zhen said. "And that doesn't even include the police force."
"Are you crazy? Why did you expand the army so much!" A shiver ran down Jiang Ye's spine.
"Because of the population explosion, we need more places to establish cities, and the current expansion rate isn't fast enough. Isabel and Feng Zhi Shuang instructed me to accelerate troop recruitment," Che Zhen explained. "Don't worry, Commander. All new recruits undergo loyalty education upon enlistment. Although the newly recruited soldiers haven't met you, they are absolutely loyal to you!"
"Population explosion?" Jiang Ye frowned. "What's the current population of Jiang Ye Star?"
"Approximately six million."
Jiang Ye's mind reeled.
Six million!
The population growth rate was too fast!
He hadn't carefully reviewed the messages received during this period, and the messages themselves were vague. Feng Zhi Shuang had repeatedly mentioned "alien immigrant surge" but hadn't specified the exact increase. Che Zhen had also sent multiple messages about "the next round of troop expansion being planned," but without specifying the scale.
Jiang Ye felt a sense of having lived through different eras.
Had his home struck it rich in the half-year he was away?
"I think I need to re-understand the overall situation," Jiang Ye said, taking a deep breath. "Summon everyone I need to see and compile all the materials I need to know. We'll have a meeting in the military port office in twenty minutes."
"Everything has been prepared in advance and is waiting for you," Che Zhen said respectfully.
At the end of the red carpet, a military spaceship opened its hatch. Officers on both sides saluted, welcoming Jiang Ye aboard.
Jiang Ye entered and took his seat. The hatch was closed from the outside, and the spaceship immediately ascended.
Mid-flight, he took out his phone and called Cen Yemeng.
The call connected, and a noisy clamor could be heard.
"Hello, darling? I'm home and playing mahjong with your friends!" Cen Yemeng's voice was cheerful. "If you have something to do, go ahead. I'll take care of the baby."
Jiang Ye was stunned.
What on earth?
They were already playing mahjong again?
Were these girls possessed? They were all socialites, and when they got together, they played mahjong! And they even brought Cen Yemeng to the table?
"Okay, you guys play. Call me if anything comes up," Jiang Ye said. "I have some military matters to attend to, so I might be home late."
"Mmm-hmm, don't worry. Mwah, kiss!" Cen Yemeng said. "Nan Feng!"