Chapter 529: The Fifteenth Day of Transmigrating into an Interstellar World

Chapter 529: Day 15 in the Interstellar World

That afternoon, Xing Ruize received a notice that the military had approved the reward for the outpost incident. He went to the military headquarters and scanned the contents on the data pad.

An Yi's reward was an official commendation, a hefty bonus, and...

Xing Ruize's gaze paused on that option.

A choice: with this achievement, he could apply to any military-affiliated research institute for advanced study, outside the normal quota system.

Xing Ruize tapped on that option, and a small line of text appeared on the screen: "This reward must be claimed in person by bringing the commendation to the relevant military department."

It had to be claimed in person, but the commendation was sitting at headquarters.

So that meant... Xing Ruize stared at that line for three seconds, then he looked up.

"So this needs to be delivered?" he asked the military clerk in front of him.

The clerk was a young man wearing thin-framed glasses. He nodded in response: "Yes, it requires a personal signature. Normally, an electronic copy is sent through the military system, but this one comes with a physical medal, so it has to be picked up in person or delivered by someone else."

Xing Ruize: "If someone else delivers it, who's allowed to do that?"

The clerk glanced at him: "Usually military staff, or... someone from your squad, as long as they have the right paperwork."

Xing Ruize paused for two seconds.

Then he said, "I'll take it."

The clerk blinked: "You?"

Xing Ruize nodded: "I've got business on the capital planet anyway."

The clerk looked at him like he wanted to say something... Usually, they just send an electronic copy and mail the medal, and someone over there presents it. Why would a captain make the trip himself?

But seeing Xing Ruize's blank expression, he swallowed his words: "Alright, hold on. I'll get the paperwork ready."

Xing Ruize stood there, waiting for the clerk to get the paperwork together.

His face was calm, but his hand... his hand curled slightly at his side.

Now he had an excuse to see An Yi!!

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George was in the break area having some water. He was leaning against the wall, cup in hand, half-heartedly chatting with Ma Zhiye—well, he was doing the talking, and Ma Zhiye was just listening and nodding every now and then.

When he saw Xing Ruize walk in, George asked casually, "Captain, where'd you go?"

Xing Ruize: "Military headquarters."

George's eyes brightened: "Oh, the reward came through?"

Xing Ruize: "It did."

George leaned closer: "What about An Yi's? Did his come in too?"

Xing Ruize hesitated for a second, then said, "It did."

George asked, "When are you gonna deliver it to him? The military sends an electronic copy, right?"

Xing Ruize paused for a second, then said, "I'm delivering it myself."

George blinked. "You're going?" he said, surprised, then it hit him: "You're headed to the capital planet?"

Xing Ruize nodded.

George was taken aback for a second, then he grinned.

"Captain!" he said, putting his cup down: "How about I go instead! I've been wanting to check out the capital planet anyway! And I wanna see An Yi! I've been meaning to go hang with him for ages!"

Ma Zhiye quietly got up and walked off.

Xing Ruize furrowed his brow: "No!"

He shot it down fast, before George could even react, then turned and left.

George watched him go and scratched his head. Was the captain walking a little faster than usual today?

But... why wouldn't he let him go? He and An Yi were way closer, weren't they!

Xing Ruize reached the capital planet on the tenth day.

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To get from the space station down to the capital planet's surface, you had to take a dedicated shuttle—a passenger ship, all silvery-white, with big windows so you could see the view clearly.

Xing Ruize sat by the window, watching the blue-green planet get bigger and clearer as they approached.

The capital planet.

This was the political hub of the interstellar system, and home to the First Interstellar Military Academy.

An Yi was here.

What was he doing at this very moment?

The shuttle eased through the atmosphere. The view outside went from pitch-black space to a blue sky, then to endless rolling clouds. Sunlight broke through the clouds, scattering big patches of light across the ocean.

Finally, a massive city came into view. The buildings gleamed with a metallic sheen in the sun. Some towers were so tall you had to crane your neck to see the top. Maglev trains wove between the skyscrapers like silver threads, carving out complicated paths through the city.

Xing Ruize stared out the window, tapping his fingers on his knee twice.

He'd messaged An Yi ahead of time, just one line: "I'm on the capital planet. Bringing you your reward."

An Yi replied fast: "Got it, Captain. Where are you? I'll come get you."

Xing Ruize stared at that "Got it, Captain" for two seconds. An Yi said he'd come pick him up. That was pretty close, wasn't it?

He'd said "I'll come find you," so he was the one going to An Yi. An Yi hadn't pushed to come out, which meant he didn't mind Xing Ruize making the first move.

Didn't mind him being the one to reach out... did that mean...

Xing Ruize paused, and the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.

Then he got up and headed for the shuttle's exit.

The main campus of the First Interstellar Military Academy wasn't hard to find—it was one of the capital planet's most famous landmarks.

Xing Ruize stood at the school gate for a moment, tilting his head back to take in the massive metal arch in front of him. The arch was so tall you had to crane your neck to see the top, and the academy's emblem was carved into it. Behind the arch was a neat spread of buildings—some silver-white classroom blocks, some dark gray labs, and some green, plant-filled areas.

Then he tapped his wristband and sent a message to An Yi: "I'm here."

An Yi replied quickly: "Captain, which gate are you at? I'll come pick you up."

Xing Ruize looked at the line of text, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. He replied, "East gate."

Then he stood there, waiting.

Sunlight poured down from overhead, casting a shadow at his feet. He looked into the campus, down the road leading deep into the school, lined with trees on both sides, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze.

Three minutes later, a familiar figure appeared at the end of the road.

An Yi was wearing the uniform of the First Interstellar Military Academy—a deep blue uniform with the school badge on the left chest. Sunlight fell on him, lighting up his face with striking clarity—his brows arched, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted, as if he were happy.

He walked with a relaxed gait, neither fast nor slow, with a hint of leisure. Occasionally, students passing by would glance at him, and he would give a slight nod in response.

Then he stopped in front of Xing Ruize: "Captain."

Xing Ruize looked at him. The sunlight gilded An Yi's eyelashes with a faint gold, casting delicate shadows beneath his eyes. His cheeks looked soft in the light, the curve of his lips just right—as if holding a hint of a smile, yet as if thinking of nothing at all.

Xing Ruize's heart skipped a beat.