Fu Qiuyan's special car took the Jiang Ye couple to their accommodation.
Daughter Star's capital, Hotel Star Guest.
The hotel, with a history of one hundred and twenty years, was the designated lodging for ambassadors, dignitaries, and heads of state visiting Daughter Star.
Adjacent to the embassy district and military headquarters, all buildings were imposing and brightly lit, exuding an aura of grandeur. Facing such colossal structures, one inevitably felt insignificant. Jiang Ye inexplicably recalled the ancient Forbidden City.
"I haven't arranged anyone to accompany you. After all, it's your residence, and it's better to have more freedom. Once inside, feel free to explore. The staff recognize you and will guide you to your rooms," Fu Qiuyan said. "If you wish to stroll outside, the nearby military district has guards ready to protect you. Actually, the capital is very safe. The crime rate has been quite low for the past decade; the detectives spend their days playing cards, with no cases to keep them busy."
"We won't be going out today; we're quite tired," Cen Yemeng nodded.
"I have some important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave. I'll pick you up early tomorrow morning," Fu Qiuyan smiled and shook hands with the Jiang Ye couple.
"We understand, managing such a large planet must be very busy. We'll see you tomorrow morning then," Jiang Ye smiled.
Watching Fu Qiuyan's spacecraft depart, the couple turned towards the hotel.
At the hotel entrance stood a long gray wall, covered with a dense mosaic of photographs.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng also had their photos taken by hotel staff, signed them, and within two minutes, they were framed and affixed to the wall.
Jiang Ye casually scanned the surrounding photos, spotting the planetary commander of Planet Brian and his wife, the rotating chairman of Planet Heral, the chief director of the σplu63 white dwarf star development project... all prominent figures, showcasing the hotel's illustrious history.
The hotel wasn't as luxurious as imagined, though undoubtedly of high quality. It simply appeared as a spacious, standard five-star hotel. After all, it was built over a century ago, a time when Daughter Star might not have been as affluent as it was now.
The celebratory banquet was scheduled for tomorrow evening. Today, Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng were merely here to check in and rest, a temporary stop.
Unexpectedly, the Star Guest Hotel was quite populated. The top-floor restaurant was bustling, with nearly every table occupied.
Women of all sorts, mostly in formal attire and with light makeup, were seen eating and making phone calls:
"Why haven't the second quarter's economic de-watering data been released? I have to face the emperor tomorrow. What is the audit department doing? Ask Nana if she still wants to keep her job?"
"Kellogg Louise's state is still short by 16 votes. We must secure them before next month's general election..."
"Hui Teng Meina Dai! I need people who get things done, not officials. If you can't get this done by next Monday, write your resignation and get out!"
"Secretary Liu, please quickly draft a speech for me for the tourism bureau's expanded meeting. I need it tomorrow morning..."
A cacophony of chaotic phone calls swirled through the restaurant, filling the air.
It was reminiscent of a stock exchange, with an incessant stream of calls.
Jiang Ye, with keen eyes, noticed the work badges on their chests, identifying them as high-ranking officials from various regions. Below the badges was the inscription "Daughter Star's 264th All-Star Political Assembly."
No wonder most of them carried an indefinable air; they were all important officials. They had come to the capital for a conference and were all staying here collectively.
Given Daughter Star's scale, at least one-third of the diners here managed populations larger than Planet Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng were led by a waiter to a reserved table by the window.
As soon as they sat down, hundreds of gazes from the vicinity converged upon them.
All phone conversations immediately ceased. Many people, still holding their phones, abruptly stopped mid-sentence.
The noisy restaurant fell silent within seconds, so quiet one could hear the air conditioning. The atmosphere was quite eerie.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng were both a little bewildered, looking around. Why had everyone suddenly stopped?
The waiter quickly approached, drew the circular curtains, and placed a "Dining in progress, please do not disturb" sign outside.
The scrutinizing gazes from the entire restaurant were blocked by the curtains, and the noisy phone conversations gradually resumed.
"What's going on?" Cen Yemeng blinked. "Why were they all looking here? Because you're a man?"
"This hotel often hosts visitors from other planets, so there are many men. It's not like they're staring at me as if I were an alien. Besides, they didn't react like this when I entered the restaurant; it was only after we sat down that they suddenly reacted," Jiang Ye said, pointing to the windowsill beside them. "Perhaps it's because of this."
Cen Yemeng turned her head. A small golden plaque hung on the windowsill: "Reserved VIP Seat for Planet Governor Jiang Ye, Cen Yemeng, and Planet Jiang Ye Commander Jiang Ye."
Cen Yemeng looked enlightened.
Another waiter parted the curtains and entered, bowing first. "What would the two of you like to eat?"
"Do you have a menu?" Jiang Ye asked.
"No, we can prepare anything you wish to eat," the waiter replied with considerable confidence. "Do you have any dietary restrictions?"
"No unusual ingredients. For regular ingredients, please prepare some of your specialties and surprise us," Jiang Ye said. "Serve some hot soup first; we're all thirsty."
The food was served with astonishing speed. Less than twenty seconds after the waiter left, hot soups arrived: Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup, Sea Cucumber and Sea Fish Soup, and Wild Vegetable Soup. Ten seconds later, the main courses began to appear. Dishes flying in the sky, running on the ground, swimming in the water, with one leg, two legs, three legs, four legs, dishes both familiar and unfamiliar were brought out in a rush, over thirty plates, filling the entire table.
"Please enjoy. If you require additional dishes or other services, simply lift the curtain," the waiter bowed again and left.
"That was fast?" Cen Yemeng was surprised, not having fully processed it.
"I suspect they gave us the dishes meant for other tables," Jiang Ye picked up his chopsticks.
After taking a couple of bites, Jiang Ye noticed there were no napkins on the table, so he reached out to lift the curtain.
A female official at the next table, who had been staring at the curtain, suddenly sprang up like a coiled spring and rushed over.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng were startled. What was she doing?
"What service do the two of you require?" the female official asked with a friendly smile.
The waiter finally arrived, looking somewhat flustered.
"We need napkins," Jiang Ye said.
"Napkins have been abolished in Daughter Star's restaurants for many years. We have specialized cleaning solutions for hands and faces," the female official turned to the waiter and said, "What are you standing there for? Hurry and bring two brand-new bottles!"
The waiter turned and left.
The female official took out two business cards from her pocket and handed them to Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng respectively.
"I am the chief secretary of Daughter Star's Import and Export Trade Bureau. If you have time, please contact me using these cards. I believe we will have many opportunities for cooperation."
Jiang Ye understood and nodded, accepting the cards.
A rustling of chairs from several nearby tables followed. Within two seconds, over a dozen female officials rushed forward, instantly presenting their business cards to Jiang Ye, much like reporters thrusting microphones at a newly crowned Best Actor.