Chapter 314: Canteen

Chapter 314: The Mess Hall

Ye Wang climbed out of the Nutrition Chamber, his body covered in thick nutrient gel.

He took a shower, dried himself with a towel, changed into a shirt and tactical pants, pulled his boots up to his calves, fastened the straps, and headed out the door.

Pang Su and Wen Muyuan were already waiting outside.

They were Ye Wang’s aides, with Wen Muyuan handling paperwork. He approached, holding a stack of documents: "The Military District Commander relayed a message, asking you to return to the capital. He praised your outstanding performance this time and specifically approved a two-month leave for you to recover."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted down to the commander’s figure, tightly wrapped in his uniform.

Having spent over half a year in the Nutrition Chamber, the muscles on his body had atrophied slightly. Even so, the commander still had the broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted physique of a male model.

Wen Muyuan tutted enviously.

Ye Wang chuckled. "Alright, I do need a break. The Empire’s interrogation was no joke—I’m exhausted, dizzy with blurred vision."

Pang Su studied him carefully. "You really endured the interrogation?"

Ye Wang: "Would I lie about that?"

Pei Gu, being a member of the Pei family, avoided physical torture. The usual methods involved strapping the prisoner to an interrogation chair, preventing any movement, and shining high-wattage spotlights on them, sleepless for days straight. The moment they closed their eyes, the interrogators would bang on the metal table to startle them awake. Typically, after 36 hours, exhaustion would set in, making it hard to think. By 48 hours, the person would break down, and by 60 hours, they’d become delirious. The commander had once endured nearly 50 hours.

Alternatively, they’d lock him in a claustrophobic two-meter-square cell with towering metal walls, completely soundproofed and utterly silent. Inside, time lost all meaning, and the sheer emptiness and boredom were enough to drive anyone mad.

Yet, after exhausting all their methods, the Empire found they couldn’t break Pei Gu’s silence. Eventually, they gave up and simply kept him imprisoned as a low-value detainee.

Interestingly, when Ye Wang later reviewed the events, he realized the interrogation tactics used on him and Jiang Qi had been identical.

The only difference was that Ye Wang had System 66 for company—it even played a few movies for him, claiming they were "handpicked by the first host," making the ordeal less unbearable.

But as for how Jiang Qi had endured it back then, Ye Wang had no idea.

Every time he recalled it, he couldn’t help but think, "No wonder he has claustrophobic PTSD."

Spending a week in a room like that would give anyone PTSD.

And Jiang Qi had endured far longer than a week.

Wen Muyuan shrugged. "You didn’t have to tough it out. You could’ve negotiated your release, then arranged your own exit and come back."

Working in intelligence, he was familiar with the Empire’s interrogation methods. The commander had already obtained the necessary intel—there was no need to suffer unnecessarily.

Ye Wang just smiled. "I needed to."

Only in that situation could he freely say everything he wanted.

Ye Wang had promised Jiang Qi, and he didn’t like breaking his word.

The group left the recovery center and boarded a designated transport. Pang Su powered up the engines, and the craft set off toward the capital.

Ye Wang asked casually, "How’s Jiang Qi doing?"

During his months of imprisonment in the Empire, Ye Wang had been totally isolated from the Federation. He had no idea where the mining ship had gone, whether it had docked safely, or how his captured Imperial Star was holding up—whether he’d been mistreated.

"Still under Federation observation. I arranged for him to work as a shooting instructor at the military academy. He’s doing exceptionally well," Wen Muyuan said with a shudder. "I’ve never seen anyone with such deadly accuracy. Whether it’s stationary or moving targets, he never misses—hitting bullseyes nearly every time."

Ye Wang laughed, his handsome features reflected in the rearview mirror, his eyes alight with pride. "Of course. Did you forget who brought him back?"

"......"

Wen Muyuan & Pang Su: "Tsk." They clicked their tongues in disapproval.

Ye Wang ignored his two adjutants and asked again, "Has he adapted to the job?"

"He’s adjusted just fine, actually," Wen Muyuan replied. "But, y’know... he's a bit too reserved. Ever since coming to the Federation, it's been a strict routine between the school and home, barely any socializing. He looks like he’s carved from ice."

Ye Wang: "Glacier?"

Jiang Qi had always been excessively obedient around him, soft as cotton candy around him, nothing but polite "Sir's." Though some of it might have been an act, Ye Wang had genuinely never seen this so-called "glacier" side of him.

"Also, on his first day teaching, some troublemakers at the academy tried to pick a fight with him. He wiped the floor with them—sweeping kicks, shoulder throws, the works—then pinned them to the ground and taught them a very hands-on lesson. They’ve been as meek as lambs ever since. Later, when filling out the teaching feedback forms, they wrote in the system, 'Instructor Jiang Qi is scary as hell.'"

Ye Wang rubbed his chin: "Terrifying?"

The commander simply couldn’t wrap his head around associating the words "glacier" or "terrifying" with Jiang Qi.

Curious, Ye Wang pulled up the map on his comms, grinning. "We’re not too far from Jingji Military Academy, are we?"

Wen Muyuan: "Roughly two hundred klicks. Easy trip. If we leave now, we’d probably arrive by five or six in the afternoon."

Pang Su, meanwhile, called up the academy’s public class schedule. "Jiang Qi happens to have a class tonight. Want to go see it?"

"Of course," Ye Wang leaned back in his seat. "Why not? Beats sitting around."

Ye Wang had watched Jiang Qi shoot many times in videos, but in the Empire, Jiang Qi had never had the chance to hold a gun. He was quite eager to observe him in person.

So, a little over half an hour later, their transport touched down smoothly on the training grounds of Jingji Military Academy.

Students were strolling around in small groups, gazing out at the horizon where the sky was on fire with sunset.

Ye Wang checked his watch—6:20 PM.

Class kicked off at 7 on the dot.

Ye Wang: "Food first. Cafeteria’s this way."

Jingji Military Academy was the Federation’s top military institution, having trained countless generals and officers. It was also the alma mater of Ye Wang, Wen Muyuan, and the others. Ye Wang had spent his college years here and was very familiar with its cafeteria.

The three of them breezed through the cafeteria line, ordered a few dishes, and sat by the window, shooting the breeze.

All three were dressed in military attire, with Ye Wang’s shoulder boards glittering with a general’s rank. The students kept their distance, and soon, an empty space formed around them.

The conversation soon turned to the commander’s time in the Empire.

They discussed the upper and lower districts, local customs, military structures, key officers, and then—right on cue—gossip.

Wen Muyuan lowered his voice: "So, you and Jiang Qi really got married?"

Ye Wang: "You calling me a liar?"

Wen Muyuan pressed his fingers together slightly: "Then... have you two... you know...?"

"......"

Ye Wang shot him a sidelong glance: "What are you implying? Do I seem like that kinda guy to you?"

He picked up a piece of vegetable with his chopsticks. "Let me tell you, back when he showed up, Jiang Qi acted terrified of me."

Pang Su eyed him skeptically, "Really?"

Ye Wang replied, "Absolutely. That Pei Gu is no saint."

He explained to his adjutants, "Pei Gu used to be in charge of interrogations, you know? He's a complete psycho who enjoys torturing people and revels in their suffering—clearly has some psychological issues. On top of that, he's totally useless. Relying solely on the Pei family's influence, he's been stuck in a paper-pushing major general title for ages, a mere sinecure with no real access to the Empire's core affairs. Troop movements? New tech? None of his business—no clearance whatsoever."

If it weren't for this, the Commander wouldn't have had to sift through piles of useless discarded documents just to piece together the Empire's military landscape.

Ye Wang concluded, "In short, the man is a total scumbag and utterly inept. Aside from the Pei family name, he's completely worthless."

Just as he was about to continue venting to his adjutants, he suddenly noticed a deafening silence around them. The once-noisy cafeteria seemed to have hit a pause button, and the chattering students had all fallen quiet, burying themselves in their meals.

Ye Wang looked up to find Wen Muyuan and Pang Su frozen, their chopsticks suspended mid-air as they stared unblinkingly behind him.

Ye Wang: "?"

He turned around.

—And locked eyes with Jiang Qi.

The newly appointed instructor at Jingji Military Academy had appeared in the cafeteria unnoticed. Dressed in a crisp white shirt cinched at the waist with a four-finger-wide tactical belt that accentuated his lean, sculpted torso—a stark contrast to the loose fabric—he paired it with fitted trousers and combat boots, exuding a cold-as-steel presence like an unsheathed blade.

His ice-cold stare was fixed on Ye Wang as he approached, carrying a simple meal tray.

Wen Muyuan's chopsticks clattered onto the table.

Pang Su muttered, "Holy shit..."

Ye Wang: "..."

This Jiang Qi was nothing like the polite "yes sir" act at home. The way he looked at Ye Wang was as if he were staring at a corpse. Each step of his military boots echoed through the silent cafeteria—tap, tap, tap—like a ticking time bomb.

Ye Wang had to admit: this Jiang Qi far better matched his mental image of the Imperial Star.

Cold. Sharp. And stupidly gorgeous.

Almost too beautiful.

Wen Muyuan hauled himself up, laughing nervously. "J-Jiang Qi? Heyyy, fancy meeting you here! Uh, let me introduce you—"

He tugged at Ye Wang. "This is Ye Wang, Commander Ye, Major General of the Third Military District—your new boss! Hahaha, you'll be colleagues soon. Commander, say hello!"

Jiang Qi's eyes dropped to the general's star on Ye Wang's shoulder.

Ye Wang looked up, held his stare without flinching with a slight eyebrow raise, holding out his hand. "Hello?"

Jiang Qi ignored the handshake, setting his tray on the adjacent table instead. He said tonelessly as he addressed Ye Wang: "Commander Ye. The pleasure's mine. So you're the Third Army's leader."

Ye Wang: "...That's me."

Jiang Qi: "Word is your Federation schools respect strength—encouraging fair fights among students, even calling out higher ranks. Correct?"

Pang Su whispered to Wen Muyuan, "Where's he going with this?"

Wen Muyuan whispered back, "He's gunning for the CO."

As a major general, Ye Wang had seniority over Jiang Qi—any throwing hands would land Jiang Qi in prison, jeopardize his recently settled siblings, and screw over Pei Gu's plans.

Ye Wang: "..."

The commander managed to stammer, "Y-Yes, that's right!"

Jiang Qi: "Mind showing me the Major General's moves?"

Ye Wang: "..."

Commanders were backline staff who didn't go to the front. Ye Wang was never the best fighter to begin with, and his body had spent over half a year in the Nutrition Chamber, leaving him noticeably thinner—this was the weakest he had ever been.

Even setting all that aside, Ye Wang simply couldn't take on Jiang Qi.

"..."

Wen Muyuan quickly interjected, "Ah, Jiang Qi, here's the thing, our commander just returned from a mission. He’s injured—badly injured, in poor health. He just crawled out of the Nutrition Chamber, still reeking of nutrient fluid. He can’t fight right now, absolutely can’t!"

Ye Wang looked up at him calmly. "I really am injured."

—Took a bullet clean through. That definitely counted as a serious injury.

Jiang Qi: "How long till you're back in shape?"

Ye Wang: "Uh, two months?"

Jiang Qi: "Two months from now, then."

Ye Wang: "Uh... okay?"

Wen Muyuan cut in again, "Ah, two months is fine, let’s make it two months then. Jiang Qi, want to eat with us?"

Jiang Qi: "No need. I’ll leave after eating."

He said nothing more, placing his tray on an empty table behind Ye Wang before eating alone.

It was the lunch rush, and the cafeteria was packed, yet this area remained strangely deserted. The students kept their eyes to themselves, none daring to approach.

So Ye Wang turned his head slightly, sizing up Jiang Qi.

Strangely enough, despite regaining his freedom in the Federation, securing a job with a decent paycheck, and being able to buy whatever he wanted from any supermarket, Jiang Qi had actually lost weight.

The cold white cafeteria lights fell upon him—on his slender neck, his sharp features, casting delicate glimmers over his lashes. Jiang Qi looked detached and solitary, like a lonely ice floe in winter.

Ye Wang glanced at his tray and frowned slightly.

Just a simple meal, mostly vegetarian, tasteless and bitter.

Ye Wang remembered—this wasn't like Jiang Qi's usual taste.

Author's Note:

Ye Wang: "What a pain. The moment I come back, he wants to fight me. Where’s that docile Jiang Qi from before?"

Also Ye Wang: "But this version of Jiang Qi looks damn fine like this!"