Chapter 530: The Sixteenth Day of Transmigrating into an Interstellar World

Chapter 530: Day Sixteen in the Interstellar World

Xing Ruize said, "An Yi."

An Yi smiled, curving his lips. "Captain, why'd you come all the way out here yourself? The military could've just sent the digital file."

Xing Ruize lowered his eyes. "There's a physical medal that needs to be signed for in person."

An Yi nodded. "Oh, got it."

He paused, then said, "Well, come on in, Captain. I'll take you to see the instructor."

Then he turned and headed toward the school gate. Xing Ruize followed, and the two of them walked side by side through campus.

An Yi led Xing Ruize to the instructor's office.

Cong Tianyue's office was a bit larger than the one on the space station, with a great view out the window. She'd already spotted them walking side by side from a distance.

She'd set up An Yi's award ceremony pretty formally—the school put together a small event for him.

The room wasn't big, but a decent number of people showed up. Cong Tianyue sat in the front row, with a few school leaders on either side. An Yi stood on the stage, accepting the commendation and medal from Xing Ruize, then turned and gave a little bow to the crowd.

Someone clapped. Xing Ruize stood next to him, watching.

After the ceremony, after making small talk with the school leaders, An Yi and Xing Ruize left the meeting room together.

As they walked out, An Yi tilted his head to look at him. "Captain, you eaten yet?"

Xing Ruize said, "No."

Actually, the school had kind of hinted at putting together a small get-together, inviting him to grab a bite, but... Xing Ruize still wanted to eat with An Yi.

After all... he had a crush on An Yi.

How was he supposed to ask An Yi to eat with him? What should he even say?

Just then, he heard An Yi chuckle.

"Then let me treat you to a meal, Captain," An Yi said. "Our school cafeteria's not bad."

Xing Ruize glanced at him. An Yi wanted to treat him. An Yi had asked him first. Were they on the same wavelength?

He didn't hesitate, nodding right away. "Okay."

An Yi led him down a tree-lined path and into the cafeteria.

An Yi grabbed a seat by the window and gestured to the chair across from him. "Have a seat, Captain."

Xing Ruize sat and looked around.

The cafeteria was pretty packed. Some students walked by with trays, their eyes drifting over—first to An Yi, then to him.

He noticed. There were always people sneaking glances at An Yi.

That made sense, of course. After all, An Yi was so good-looking, so talented, with such a great personality and vibe... perfect in every way.

People wanting to look at him... or even like him, that was only natural. After all, wasn't he one of them?

But it still stung a little.

An Yi set his wristband on the table, pulled up the menu, and handed it over, totally unfazed by the attention. "Captain, see what you want to eat."

Xing Ruize took the wristband. He wasn't looking at the menu. He was looking at An Yi.

An Yi was tilting his head to look out the window, the sunlight lighting up his profile.

So beautiful. Way, way more beautiful than the most stunning deep space he'd ever seen.

Xing Ruize glanced at him, then forced his gaze back to the menu, trying to calm his racing heart.

He randomly picked a few things off the menu. An Yi took the wristband back, glanced at his order, then looked up. "Captain, that's all you're eating?"

"That's enough," Xing Ruize said.

An Yi smiled. "Are you too embarrassed to let me pay, Captain?"

The tips of Xing Ruize's ears turned a little red. "No."

An Yi didn't push it. He placed his order, put the wristband away, and leaned back, looking at Xing Ruize. "Captain, did you come to the capital planet this time just to bring me my reward?"

Xing Ruize nodded.

"Anything else?"

Xing Ruize paused for a second. "No."

An Yi smiled. "So it was just for me?"

Xing Ruize looked up, locking eyes with him. An Yi's eyes gleamed in the light, like stars had fallen into them. When he looked at people, his gaze was gentle, but there was something unreadable in it—like he was watching something cute and funny.

Xing Ruize said, "Just a side trip."

An Yi chuckled. "Oh, just a side trip."

The way he said those two words was a little teasing.

Xing Ruize's ears got a little redder. Finally, he said, "...Not just a side trip."

An Yi burst out laughing.

The food came quickly, and the two ate in comfortable silence.

An Yi looked elegant while eating—not too fast, not too slow. When he picked up food, his wrist lifted slightly, his fingers long and slender. His hands had defined knuckles and clean fingertips, and they moved nimbly with the chopsticks.

Xing Ruize was mesmerized by An Yi's hands. He couldn't help sneaking a couple of long looks.

An Yi's gaze immediately swept over. Xing Ruize jumped and looked away.

"Captain, what were you staring at me for?" An Yi asked.

Xing Ruize hesitated. "I wasn't."

An Yi just smiled and didn't say anything.

Comments:

"......"

"I can't take this anymore. Xing Ruize, can you grow a spine?!"

"I'm speechless! If you're gonna be gay, commit to it! You don't say a word! Like a damn mute! Then why even bother being gay? I'll show you how it's done!"

"??? Up there, I can hear your scheming all the way from Antarctica!"

"I think... An Yi definitely knows the MC likes him!"

"I think so too! He always seems to be teasing the MC!!! Is the MC a total idiot?"

"That's what they mean by 'the observer sees more than the player'!"

"Xing Ruize, go for it! Play some *games* with An Yi..."

"What's the point of your ears turning red over and over?"

"Seriously, MC! You good-for-nothing! I've already accepted you being gay, but you can't even do that right? Just go sword-fight already!"

"Isn't this happening a bit too fast?!"

"Are you guys even straight? Why are you so cool with this already?"

"...You little dumbass, can't you see the real straight guys who couldn't handle it already bailed ages ago?"

"What?!"

"Are An Yi and the MC really a couple? Can't really tell!"

"A couple? More like two smiling tigers, a pair of bull sharks!"

"All troops, hear my command—fall on your swords and die!"

"Death isn't scary; death is a cool summer night, a restful sleep free of worries!"

"Even if all five hundred brothers die, it'd be worth it!"

"Defying all kin, invincible against everything!"

"Even if seven hundred thousand troops stuck their necks out for Cao's army to chop, it'd take days and nights!"

"Even eighty thousand steamed buns would take Liu Bei half a month to chew through!"

"Wine is an old hero—the more you drink, the braver you become!"

"...If I hear another 'New Three Kingdoms' reference, I'll stab my own ears and go deaf!"

"Deaf? Well, 'dragon' is a sign of royalty!"

"Hahahahahaha, I seriously can't with you people, are you all crazy?"

"I'm begging you guys! Get it together, alright? Alright!"

"Begging? You'll have to get in line for that!"

"...Forget it, so does An Yi know Xing Ruize likes him or not?"

"Probably knows? Probably doesn't? I can't tell either! I don't understand! Sob sob sob~"

"???"

"What on earth is happening to this world?"

"I can't anymore, I really can't. This fic is toxic! The readers have all gone insane!"

"..."