Chapter 59 Red Mansion.

Chapter 59: The Scarlet Tower.

Yu Xin waited alone in the central tower’s lobby.

Fang Yuting, being an intern, stayed with him for a while until a summons from a senior colleague prompted her hurried departure. She was visibly reluctant, bidding farewell repeatedly and casting several lingering glances back as she left.

It didn’t matter, though. Yu Xin would be staying at the military base, so there would be plenty of time for them to interact in the future. If she was lucky, she might even get to taste Yu Xin’s home-cooked meal—now that would be truly delightful…

By the way, she wondered where Yu Xin would be staying. Would it be near or far from her own quarters? She hoped it would be close. (She grinned inwardly.)

After Fang Yuting left, Bai Yin, who had instructed Yu Xin to wait, was still nowhere to be seen.

Yu Xin waited alone for a moment before a middle-aged man hurried over. The man wasn't particularly tall but was remarkably rotund, looking comically like a ball rolling from a distance. As he approached, he took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead and adjusted his glasses, which were slipping down his nose. Then he extended his hand to Yu Xin. "Hello, hello, you must be Mr. Yu Xin. I’m He Chu. My apologies for keeping you waiting. I received the order and had to make some preparations, which took a bit of time…"

"It’s fine," Yu Xin shook his hand but didn’t inquire about Bai Yin’s whereabouts.

He Chu was the same person Bai Yin had contacted earlier. Though Yu Xin didn’t ask, He Chu volunteered an explanation: "Um… Secretary Bai Yin had other important official duties to attend to personally, so he couldn’t continue escorting you. I’ll be taking you to your assigned accommodation."

As soon as he finished speaking, He Chu made a show of reaching for Yu Xin’s luggage. But given his apparent difficulty even bending over, Yu Xin gently moved his hand away. "Mr. He, don't trouble yourself, I’ll handle it."

"Alright then," He Chu withdrew his hand without insisting. "Mr. Yu Xin, please follow me."

He turned around but didn’t head further into the tower. Instead, he led Yu Xin through the lobby and toward another exit. Through this door, they arrived at a much shorter, dark-red building behind the central tower.

Despite his bulky appearance, He Chu moved deceptively quickly. He swiped a magnetic card at the entrance, and with a "beep," the metal door slid open automatically, revealing the interior.

Yu Xin observed his surroundings, which struck him as resembling the hotels he’d stayed in on Blue Star in his previous life. The hallway was lined with individual rooms on both sides. Since it was work hours, few people were coming or going.

He followed He Chu into the elevator. Though it looked ordinary on the outside, it seemed equipped with anti-gravity technology. The ride was so smooth that Yu Xin felt no discomfort from the changes in gravity.

This technology was commonplace in most parts of the Imperial Capital Star, but the elevator in Yu Xin’s rundown rental apartment was so outdated and poorly maintained that he’d never experienced anything so advanced. Yu Xin remained expressionless, careful not to seem like a country bumpkin.

They exited the elevator and stopped at one of the rooms. He Chu swiped his card to open the door. "Mr. Yu Xin, this is it."

Yu Xin stepped inside. The room wasn’t large, but it was well-appointed with everything he needed.

What pleased Yu Xin most was the spacious open-air balcony overlooking lush greenery. Standing on the balcony, breathing in the fresh air, he almost felt as if he’d returned to Blue Star—the Blue Star before the nuclear war, of course.

But the sight of hovercars speeding in the distance quickly snapped him out of his reverie. As he withdrew his gaze from the window, he suddenly sensed a subtle, fleeting gaze brushing across his face.

The gaze was subtle enough that most people wouldn’t notice, but Yu Xin was sensitive to such things. He casually scanned the room before abruptly focusing on He Chu’s face, catching the sheepish avoidance in his expression.

So it wasn’t his imagination—from the moment they entered, this middle-aged man had been discreetly observing his reactions.

Yu Xin cut straight to the point: "Mr. He, is there something on your mind?"

"Uh…"

He Chu pulled out his small handkerchief again, wiping nonexistent sweat from his forehead. Awkwardly, he replied, "No, nothing… Mr. Yu Xin, are you satisfied with this room?"

Since arriving here, Yu Xin had lived either in cramped rental apartments or outdoors. Compared to those, this place was like a five-star hotel.

"It’s very nice. I’m quite satisfied."

"That’s good, that’s good. Your biometrics have already been entered into the building’s security system. You can just scan your face to enter or exit. Each floor has a gym and a holographic game room for you to use in your free time. If you need housekeeping, you can schedule it directly through the system. Everyone living in this building is military base staff, so no one will disturb you."

After Yu Xin expressed his satisfaction, He Chu seemed to relax and proceeded to rattle off a long list of details.

Yu Xin was particularly interested in the holographic game room. Ji Yixing had promised him the most advanced game capsule if he came to the military base. He wondered if it was located in this game room.

The Iris Military Base was indeed extravagant. Yu Xin had checked online—a top-tier game capsule was prohibitively expensive. Yet here, they had dedicated an entire room for their staff.

"Mr. Yu Xin, do you have any other questions? If not, I’ll leave you to settle in. Goodbye, Mr. Yu Xin."

The middle-aged man looked as if he’d completed a weighty mission, his smile now more genuine.

Yu Xin found it amusing. He wasn’t some fearsome monster—why the cautious treatment? He didn’t bother pondering the political intricacies, exchanged a few pleasantries, and saw He Chu out.

Meanwhile, in the far-off Silver Galaxy, the highest senate had just concluded a meeting.

Kaine Light carefully wiped his gold-nibbed fountain pen with a soft cloth before gently capping it. He’d bought it from an antique dealer at a steep price, which had pained him for days. But vintage trends were all the rage in the empire now, and all his colleagues had one. As a minor, low-ranking third-tier senator with no status or influence, fitting in and pleasing his superiors were crucial.

"Finally over. My daughter’s kindergarten is waiting for me to attend the Parent Day social. I knew it would just be a formality, so why waste our weekend?" grumbled Claude, another third-tier senator sitting beside Kaine, nudging him with an elbow.

The meeting, which focused on the mining plan for a newly discovered resource planet, had lasted three hours. Ordinarily, senators of their rank wouldn’t be involved. When Kaine received the summons, he’d even wondered if it was a glitch in the system.

"Who knows? It’s not like they called us here to pad attendance. What’s this supposed to be—overwhelming the other side with numbers?"

"I can’t think of any other reason… But honestly, the negotiator on the other side isn’t someone who’s easily intimidated. He demanded seventy percent of the output without even batting an eye. The council president was so furious his mustache was twitching!"

A "mermaid’s tear" crystal deposit had been discovered in an unclaimed asteroid belt on the edge of the Silver Galaxy. These crystals, when polished, were stunningly beautiful and highly sought after by jewelers and noblewomen. Larger, high-quality pieces could fetch astronomical prices online.

And the asteroid belt was full of them!

Naturally, everyone wanted a piece of the pie, and the Silver Galaxy’s governor was no exception. But although the asteroid belt nominally fell under the Silver Galaxy’s jurisdiction, it had been reclaimed with the help of the Fourth Legion, which still controlled it. The governor was kicking himself—if he’d known such a treasure lay underground, he never would’ve passed the responsibility to someone else!

Now it was too late. The Fourth Legion wasn’t foolish enough to hand over such a valuable asset.

"What can we do? Not only is the asteroid belt under their control, but even the shortest and most convenient transport routes are firmly in the legion’s hands. If you ask me, the Fourth Legion is being generous by offering thirty percent. If it were me, I wouldn’t give a single percent. With absolute military power, the senate wouldn’t dare say a word…" Claude glanced around cautiously before muttering under his breath.

"But…" Kaine lowered his voice to match. "Everyone knows our governor is close to the third prince’s maternal family. There might be orders from the third prince behind this mining rights dispute. Would the legion really disregard the royal family’s prestige?"

"Hmph, have you forgotten who backs the Fourth Legion? They might scare others, but in the face of absolute military power, the royal family is just a decorative figurehead. I bet they only offered thirty percent out of respect for the third prince."

"He should’ve attended today, right? What a shame we didn’t get to see him…"

The person they were referring to was currently in the senate’s central conference hall, glancing impatiently at his chronometer.

The Silver Galaxy’s highest senate hall was designed as a simple, utilitarian circular structure. They were in the very center—the most solemn and elegant part, isolated from the rest. The dome was arched, with a dazzling crystal chandelier embedded in its exquisitely carved surface. Electronic screens on the walls displayed every corner of the outer senate, but those outside couldn’t easily see in.

He sat at the head of the table, his military uniform impeccable. The epaulets on his shoulders glinted under the chandelier's light. His eyes, hidden under the brim of his cap, appeared almost dark gold in the backlight, radiating clear impatience and indifference.

This was none other than Ji Yixing.

Bai Yizhou, seated beside him, noticed his superior’s waning patience and cleared his throat to deliver the closing statement: "If we still can’t reach a consensus, let’s end the negotiations here. Continuing would only waste time."

The governor of the Silver Galaxy and his ministers across the table exchanged uneasy looks, frustration written on their faces.

They wanted to negotiate, but the other side gave them no opportunity! Their idea of negotiation was to stick to one proposal from start to finish until the other side accepted.

Who started negotiations by revealing their bottom line and refusing to budge, practically saying, "Your opinion doesn’t matter"?

To make matters worse, Ji Yixing had arrived late to such an important meeting, making the entire senate wait—a clear sign of disrespect. Yet there was nothing they could do.

Under absolute military authority, all political maneuvering and power struggles were trivial.

The usually eloquent politicians were now quiet as church mice. The central conference hall had never been so quiet, making the sound of Ji Yixing absently tossing and catching a recording pen especially conspicuous.

The Speaker of the Silver Galaxy Senate, still unwilling to give up, made one last attempt: "General Ji, let's not speak in such absolute terms. There's still room for discussion. Since we’ve come straight to the negotiating table today, why make everything so formal? How about we move to the Governor’s residence, share a lunch, and continue our discussions afterward?"

The Governor also chimed in: "An excellent suggestion. I still have some fine wine specially sent by His Highness the Third Prince. General Ji, you simply must do us the honor of joining us for a taste…"

“That won’t be necessary,” Ji Yixing cut him off. With a wave of his hand, the rows of military guards behind him stood up, the sharp clang of metal armor and weapons scraping together ringing through the room. He himself rose to his feet, casually straightening the lapel of his military uniform, and said, “There are urgent matters to attend to at the base. I'm afraid I can't stay… As for the Third Prince’s fine wine, Governor, you should keep it and enjoy it yourself.”

Furious but not daring to show it, the Governor forced a smile as he saw off this intimidating bunch. Only when the cold metallic glint of their retreating figures had completely vanished did he slump weakly against the soft velvet chairback. “…Impossible to deal with! Dealing with these military thugs is nothing but a waste of breath.”

“What should we tell the Third Prince…?”

“We’ve already done our best,” the Governor said helplessly, waving a hand. “Let those high-and-mighty elites at the empire's peak fight it out among themselves. What right do we have to have a say…?”

Once Ji Yixing and his group had left the Silver Galaxy’s highest council chamber, Bai Yizhou asked, puzzled, “General Ji, since when are there urgent matters at the base that need handling?”

If there were truly something major happening at the base, it would have had to go through him. Could it be that General Ji was just making an excuse to brush off these old men from the Silver Galaxy? That seemed even more far-fetched—their General Ji couldn’t even be bothered to make excuses for the old monsters in the military, let alone these people they hardly saw once every few years.

Ji Yixing walked briskly toward the landing pad where their aircraft was parked, and at the question, he shot a lazy look at Bai Yizhou. “If I say there is, then there is. What of it?”

“Really? Why didn’t you inform me? I could have prepared in advance… Wait, what are you smiling about? What’s made you so happy?”

Though the change was minuscule, Bai Yizhou keenly detected the slight upturn at the corner of General Ji’s lips. Moreover, the subtle amusement in those rose-gold eyes might escape others, but it couldn’t fool him.

“You’re too nosy. If you’re so fond of digging to the bottom of things, why don’t you stay behind and keep arguing with these Silver Galaxy people?” Ji Yixing snorted coldly, quickening his pace to leave Bai Yizhou behind.

“What is it exactly? Don’t walk so fast—wait for me!”

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Author’s Note: Sorry, everyone, sorry.

I thought I could balance school and writing after the semester started, but it turns out I overestimated myself. The academic pressure, combined with writer’s block, made me shamelessly run away.

Now that the break is finally here, I’ll gradually return to the previous update frequency. I absolutely won’t let this first story be abandoned. Please give me a little more time.