Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Having decided to seek out Ye Wen, the two headed back to the school.

Upon arriving at the school, they spotted Liao Baixing standing not far away, looking around. When she saw them, she waved, "Over here."

The two got off the aircraft and walked toward Liao Baixing. As they approached, they heard her say, "Good thing you came early. If you'd been two days later, Teacher Ye Wen would have retired and returned to the Edge Star."

Lin Youhan frowned, "Why so sudden?"

Liao Baixing explained, "Teacher Ye Wen's retirement papers were approved around New Year's. But since she's taught at Star Institute for 30 years, she's grown nostalgic in her old age and stayed on for an extra month this semester."

The three walked and talked, with Liao Baixing leading the way while Lin Youhan walked side by side with Si Muyun.

As she spoke, Liao Baixing paused and smiled, "Speaking of which, Teacher Ye's husband was the head teacher for our Mecha Class 1 back then."

Lin Youhan's heart sank, sensing this wasn't a happy story.

"But after your incident, he disappeared too." The smile on Liao Baixing's face faded, replaced by a touch of melancholy. "Two years later, military folks found his body on the Edge Star. By then, most of his flesh had mostly decomposed, leaving only a skeleton. But the clothes he wore still had his name written on them."

Liao Baixing still remembered the photo that was sent back—a set of white bones and tattered, weathered clothing, with only the stitching "Star Institute Yang Jun" remaining unchanged.

But no one expected... these clothes would accompany Yang Jun to his death.

Lin Youhan's eyes flickered, understanding why Ye Wen chose to retire to the Edge Star.

-

For some reason, hearing that only a skeleton remained made him inexplicably sad, and his heart felt heavy.

The Edge Star got its name because it was the farthest planet from the sun. Its great distance and large size resulted in a thinner atmosphere than other planets, with extreme temperature swings between day and night—blazing hot during the day and bitterly cold at night. Vegetation struggled to grow there, and it was unfit for human settlement.

Yet, the first person to land on the Edge Star discovered its climate was perfect for growing crops. There's no record in star history, but it's said to have been a Chinese person.

Those who've lived on Floating Star or Blue Star would never want to go to the Edge Star. It's cold and desolate, lacking both Central Star's bustle and Floating Star and Blue Star's liveliness. Like a lonely, forgotten child, it forever remains on the edge of the four major planets.

As they spoke, the three arrived at Ye Wen's office.

-

Liao Baixing knocked on the door and had the AI inform Ye Wen of their arrival.

Soon, the office door opened.

As soon as the door opened, they were greeted by the calming fragrance of tea. Liao Baixing had worked with Ye Wen for quite some time and knew she loved tea, especially Spring Mountain Snow from Blue Star. It was said to be where she and her husband first met.

Seeing her visitors, Ye Wen quickly stood up. As she steadied herself, she noticed Lin Youhan standing at the door looking uncomfortable, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.

For some reason, Lin Youhan felt nervous upon seeing Ye Wen for the first time, and he stammered: "...Teacher."

Ye Wen responded with a smile, wiped her tears, and invited them in.

They entered and sat on the empty sofa across from Ye Wen. Her office was warmly decorated, retaining the distinctive feel of the New Era 120 period. Perhaps due to her habitual frugality, the flower-patterned cushions on the sofa had faded from repeated washing.

As soon as Lin Youhan sat down, Ye Wen asked him, "Are you Youhan?"

"I am," Lin Youhan nodded. "Do you know me?"

Ye Wen seemed startled by this and glanced at Liao Baixing, who explained, "Teacher, he's lost his memory. He doesn't remember what happened ten years ago."

"Child..." Ye Wen, being sentimental, tears welled up again upon hearing that Lin Youhan had lost his memories from ten years ago. "You've suffered so much."

Lin Youhan comforted her, "Teacher, I've already been through all the hardship. What's a little more?"

"Besides, haven't I come back alive?" Lin Youhan gave her a smile.

When he first went through these experiences, Lin Youhan did feel bitter, even resented his life. He had a promising future ahead, but overnight he fell into a deep pit, losing everything including his memories.

But after ten long years, he realized these hardships were nothing more than dancing vigorously in a raging storm, singing his final song with the most raw voice.

The more the world tried to defeat him, the more it failed to break him.

Suffering had long since shaped his new self.

Looking at her, Lin Youhan was filled with emotion. He said softly, "Teacher, they can't kill me."

-

"Not in the past, not now, and not in the future."

Ye Wen stared blankly, as if seeing a new Lin Youhan.

The Lin Youhan from ten years ago was full of pride and ambition; the Lin Youhan ten years later was steady, serious, and determined.

But throughout these ten years, Lin Youhan's heart never yielded to fate. He was even braver and more determined than he had been ten years ago.

Ye Wen looked at him with pride. Then, she noticed Si Muyun sitting next to Lin Youhan, who hadn't spoken a word. He looked familiar, as if she'd seen him somewhere before, so she asked, "And this is?"

Si Muyun: "Hello, Teacher Ye Wen. I'm Si Muyun."

"You're that child who made Youhan sneak out every day to see you?"

The air instantly fell silent.

Lin Youhan: "..."

Si Muyun: "..."

Liao Baixing, who was watching the scene, unconsciously covered her mouth, smirking widely.

Before she could finish laughing, she looked up and met Ye Wen's kindly eyes. "Baixing, why are you laughing by yourself?"

Liao Baixing joined the silent group.

Ye Wen continued reminiscing about the past, completely ignoring the three speechless people.

"I heard from Old Yang that there was someone in his class who was obsessed with sleeping. One day, when he went to class as usual and didn't see Youhan, he asked the class, 'Isn't he sleeping today?' Everyone in the class broke into laughter and said together, 'He went next door to find someone to date.'" Ye Wen described it vividly, creating a clear image. "Old Yang was puzzled, wondering how good-looking this person must be to have won over this kid."

"When he finally came back, Old Yang asked him how the date went. He only said one thing."

Lin Youhan listened curiously, unable to imagine his pre-amnesia self doing such a thing.

Ye Wen: "He said, 'Teacher, the person I like is a man.'"

Lin Youhan: "..."

How could I be like that?

Hearing the uncontrollable laughter beside him, Lin Youhan secretly kicked under the table and threatened, "Laugh again and you're dead meat."

Si Muyun barely held back his laughter but returned the kick in retaliation for Lin Youhan's threat.

Lin Youhan: "?"

Are your hormones acting up?

-

Ye Wen didn’t notice their subtle movements and continued speaking nonstop, recounting everything from Lin Youhan’s enrollment to his participation in the tech conference. It seemed she remembered every detail with startling clarity.

At the end, she sighed, “It’s just a pity Old Yang doesn’t know you’re alive.”

Lin Youhan wiped away unshed tears. “Teacher, he will know.”

Everyone who cared about him would know.

Ye Wen patted his hand emotionally, then stood and walked behind her desk, retrieving a key.

“I heard you were looking for a mecha simulator. This thing… Old Yang asked me to keep it safe for ten years, saying it would be useful someday,” Ye Wen recalled. “Back then, I laughed at him—but it turns out he’d already foreseen this day.”

She handed the key to Lin Youhan and whispered, “Go open the door at the end of the hallway. Remember—not a soul must see you.”

Hearing this, Lin Youhan’s mood shifted subtly, as if he’d already guessed something.

He rose and bowed deeply to Ye Wen. “Thank you, Teacher.”

Si Muyun and Liao Baixing also bowed, their eyes filled with profound respect for Ye Wen.

Ye Wen smiled. “Go ahead.”

-

The three left the office and hurried toward the tightly sealed door at the hallway’s end.

The rusty key turned in the lock, releasing a faint, metallic scent of aged rust.

Once they stepped inside, the door closed behind them—and all three pairs of eyes locked onto the life-sized mecha simulator standing before them.

A wave of déjà vu washed over Lin Youhan as he approached it. Then, triggered by something, the simulator emitted a mechanical hum and powered on.

Liao Baixing glanced up at the surveillance camera mounted on the wall. “Facial recognition here.”

“You must’ve been here back then,” Si Muyun said.

Lin Youhan let out a bitter laugh—but said nothing.

Then the simulator’s screen lit up, flashing lines in rapid succession: cyan, black, white, red—then rapidly alternating between white and black-red—before finally displaying six mechas.

But that wasn’t the end. The screen shifted again, slowly reconstructing the compatibility simulation process of the Four Symbols Mecha and the S0 Mecha from years ago. With Snow and Migu at its core, three of the Four Symbols Mecha merged into a colossal Compatible Mecha.

Yet Lin Youhan noticed—the Vermilion Bird was missing.

Suddenly, the screen changed: a blazing red sword appeared. Lin Youhan recognized it instantly.

With that, all mechas were fully assembled.

The three stood transfixed before the simulated model on the screen, their pent-up excitement threatening to burst forth.

Lin Youhan took a deep breath and turned to the others. “I already have a name for the Vermilion Bird.”

“What are you calling it?” Liao Baixing asked.

“Bright Return.”

Liao Baixing and Si Muyun exchanged puzzled glances.

Lin Youhan was certain—nothing suited the Vermilion Bird’s sword design better than *Bright Return*.

He laughed, as if a great weight had lifted. “‘Zhao’ means light; ‘hui’ means returning to one’s original intent. After all these years of searching, I never lost sight of that intent. Its final form remains a sky-splitting sword. *Bright Return* is the only fitting name.”

“…Just like the Sword of Damocles.”

“Hung above—and used to strike.”

Ten years later, he had returned to where the dream began.

-

After observing the simulator a while longer, Lin Youhan realized it wasn’t limited to six-mecha combinations—two or three mechas could merge as well.

And the Vermilion Bird, designed as a sword, featured interfaces engineered specifically for dual or triple integration.

Except for the White Tiger, all Four Symbols Mecha and the S0 Mecha were nearby—making interface analysis far easier for Lin Youhan.

As he pondered this, his eagerness grew.

He powered down the simulator, relocked the door, and returned to Ye Wen’s office—only to find her gone. The tea she’d brewed still sat on the desk, now cold.

Even so, Lin Youhan offered thanks once more.

Had they not risked their lives to protect this mecha simulator back then, they’d still be utterly lost on mecha construction today—even running a new simulation would require gathering data from every individual mecha.

Lin Youhan and Si Muyun exchanged a glance, each recognizing the other’s resolve to head straight to the Tech Hall.

Lin Youhan laughed. “Next time we meet, it’ll be for the final evaluation.”

“Snow is ready,” Si Muyun added.

Liao Baixing smiled too. “Good—I’ll wait for you both to pass the assessment and go to the Tech Hall together!”

Back at the warehouse, the two dove straight into work.

-

Lin Youhan had resolved the Vermilion Bird’s interface issues—he only needed to write the final code. That step didn’t require Si Muyun, who instead joined A Xiuming to repair Migu.

They worked tirelessly, day and night—drafting blueprint after blueprint, even carving out stolen moments for psychic integration.

During the final psychic integration before the evaluation, Lin Youhan distinctly felt a slight loosening of the chip embedded in his mind. It wasn’t dramatic—but it was perceptible.

He told Si Muyun, whose eyes gleamed with quiet amusement. His calloused fingers brushed lightly over Lin Youhan’s freshly kissed, reddened lips.

Lin Youhan winced and glared at him, retaliating, “Si Muyun—if you keep kissing like this, you won’t last.”

Si Muyun: “…”

He never imagined karma would come knocking so soon.

The smile in his eyes deepened.

He pulled Lin Youhan close and gently rubbed his soft, reddened earlobe. Lin Youhan’s earlobes were incredibly tender—every time after a kiss, Si Muyun’s hand would unconsciously drift there, until it became second nature.

“It’s fine,” Si Muyun murmured, smiling. “We have all the time in the world.”

The day the Vermilion Bird was fully completed dawned bright and clear.

-

By then, Migu in the adjacent bay was nearly repaired—fitted with a new reactor core that drastically improved its response speed.

Lin Youhan applied the signature Four Symbols motif unique to the Vermilion Bird—and with the final stroke, collapsed to the floor, utterly spent.

He gently touched the fiery red, brand-new mech before him. "Ten years ago, you already chose your master. Now, calling you Bright Return, it's spot-on—each word fits perfectly."

"The final model of the Four Symbols Series Mech, the Vermilion Bird WE-type Mech Vehicle Bright Return, is now complete!"

The Vermilion Bird's eyes lit up. It retracted its robotic arms, transforming from a massive mech back into a mech vehicle, then shifting again into a robot half a person's height.

It landed softly opposite Lin Youhan and said, "Nice to meet you, my creator."

"Nice to meet you too, Bright Return."

Lin Youhan was thrilled. He brought it next door to introduce it to Migu and Snow, and even showed it off to A Xiuming.

This was A Xiuming's first up-close encounter with a Four Symbols Mech, and he was left speechless for a long time.

Coming to his senses, he gave Lin Youhan a thumbs-up, his eyes filled with clear awe and amazement.

Lin Youhan's ability to impress the people of Star City was undeniable. Over the past ten years, many had tried to build mechs as stunning as his, but all ended in failure.

Confidently, Lin Youhan patted Bright Return's head and said, "Rest assured. With this mech, it'll be hard not to make it to Central Star."

"Wrong," Si Muyun corrected him. "There's also Migu and Snow."

"Right, right," Lin Youhan nodded. "When it comes to shutting people down, I'm an expert."

As he spoke, he even gestured a few moves. "We'll wipe the floor with them."

Migu and Snow added from the side: "When Youhan goes to war, nothing remains."

A Xiuming: "…"

Indeed, like master, like mech.

-

After barely two days of rest, the time for Star Institute's final evaluation arrived.

Lin Youhan and Si Muyun skipped the opening ceremony and showed up just as the assessment was about to begin.

As soon as they arrived, they were drawn to three pissed-off looks. Lin Youhan walked over cheerfully and said casually, "Not bad. You three look nicely tanned."

Lu Zhao: "…"

Zhao Minglang: "…"

Jiang Xun: "…"

Are you even trying to be polite?

Lin Youhan continued, "I remember soy sauce is made this way—sun-brewed for taste and freshness."

Jiang Xun couldn't hold back: "Are you dying to taste human flesh?!"

Lin Youhan: "…"

Since when did this kid come back from military school with such a mouthy attitude?

Lu Zhao and Zhao Minglang quickly pulled Jiang Xun back. "Brother Lin, don't mind him. He's been eating nothing but cabbage for weeks and is practically half-dead."

"Oh, is that so?" Lin Youhan said casually. "I thought he went to military school just to start arguments."

Jiang Xun tried to lunge forward again. "What do you mean?!"

Lu Zhao and Zhao Minglang hurriedly held Jiang Xun back. "Brother Lin, Jiang Xun is just a bit excited. It's been a while since he last saw you."

At those words, both Lin Youhan and Jiang Xun fell silent.

A second later, Jiang Xun was about to explode, but Zhao Minglang covered his mouth.

Seizing the chance while Jiang Xun was silenced, Lu Zhao quickly asked, "Brother Lin, the institute introduced a new rule this year—teams are required. Do you think we could…?"

He pointed to himself, Zhao Minglang, and Jiang Xun.

Lin Youhan raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised at Jiang Xun's inclusion. "Sure, but is Jiang Xun willing?"

Zhao Minglang released his hand, and Jiang Xun said angrily, "Who said I'm not willing? If I don't keep an eye on you, who knows if you'll just ride my cousin's coattails to the Technology Hall?!"

Lin Youhan: "…"

Is there still hope for this kid?

"Fine, then watch closely how I make it to the Technology Hall," Lin Youhan said, annoyed but entertained.

He turned and walked with Si Muyun toward the entrance, adding casually, "Fall behind and you're left behind. Think carefully."

Jiang Xun, who was now last in line: "…You did that on purpose!"

Furious, Jiang Xun ran ahead of the two, only to be waved back by the teacher guarding the entrance. "No rushing. There are still five minutes."

Jiang Xun: "…"

Before he could speak, he heard familiar, uncontrolled laughter behind him. He didn't need to guess who it was.

Jiang Xun was so angry he nearly exploded. He turned around and roared, "Lin Youhan!"

Lin Youhan laughed so hard he leaned against Si Muyun, whispering, "Your cousin is a riot."

Si Muyun sighed helplessly, steadying him to prevent a fall.

Jiang Xun, seeing his cousin's indulgent, almost doting attitude toward Lin Youhan, grew even angrier—like a balloon about to burst. No one dared come near him.

Lu Zhao and Zhao Minglang, following behind, could only shrug. They'd seen Jiang Xun at his most explosive before, and knew there was no talking him down.

-

Everyone waited quietly outside for five minutes until the teacher at the entrance announced the start, allowing them to enter.

Once inside, everything was completely dark. They were directed by staff onto an elevator car. As it descended, they could hear the whooshing sound of rapid descent.

Lu Zhao asked, "What is this?"

Just as he finished speaking, the elevator dinged and came to a stop.

Soon, the doors opened.

Lin Youhan and Si Muyun stepped out first, with the other three following closely.

After taking only a few steps, Lin Youhan felt something off and immediately halted.

Si Muyun glanced down at him.

Lin Youhan shook his head.

He pointed his flashlight forward, but the path ahead was blanketed in darkness, impossible to see clearly.

Suddenly, the flashlight in his hand flickered off.

Lin Youhan grabbed Si Muyun's hand and urged in a hushed tone, "Tell them to hold each other's hands, quickly!"

Before the words left his mouth, he could hear the sound of dripping water.

Lin Youhan listened intently—the dripping sound struck him as unnatural, like the sound of water dripping from a protruding tongue.

At that moment, he heard a breathing sound overhead and shoved Si Muyun aside while throwing himself into a roll.

When he stood up again, he saw a massive tongue land right where they had been standing moments before. Looking up, he saw a pair of eyes bulging like copper bells.

Jiang Xun blurted out, "What is this thing?"

Lin Youhan took just one glance, and his heart sank.

"A mutant beast from the edge of the iceberg."