When Shang Ruoyan assisted Jing Yichen back to his room to rest, he suddenly reached for Shang Ruoyan's hand.
"What's wrong?"
"Thank you."
"Okay."
"I can't thank you enough for saving, healing, and keeping me."
"It's okay. You just need to promise me one thing..."
"What is it?"
"You must live well, General."
Jing Yichen was so shocked that he forgot all the words he wanted to say. He never thought the girl before him would only wish him to live well. Shang Ruoyan's eyes were clear, so Jing Yichen could only think of the best. He did not even have any reason to question Shang Ruoyan's motives.
When Shang Ruoyan left the room, tears fell from Jing Yichen's eyes. He had never felt this vulnerable before. In a family full of strong warriors, Jing Yichen had never expressed his feelings or his position. He had not once felt comfort or vulnerability inside his family's home. Or at least they were not allowed to show emotions.
From childhood to adulthood, Jing Yichen, like everyone in his family, was trained like a machine. They could not waver even in the face of danger or death. They were trained to sacrifice their lives to save the galaxy and the people in it. But when he was on the brink of death, betrayed by people he trusted the most, he couldn't help but question the laws that shaped him.
Is it okay to die in this place without my loved ones to see me for the last time?
He knew he might go berserk if he went all out in the last battle. His men knew his condition well, and they comforted him. But he never thought they had defected to the enemy and sold him for the sake of their pride. The vial, specially prepared for him by his uncle, was lost during the battle, and he couldn't prevent a mental riot from occurring.
The dense horde of Zergs was rushing to him. He thought there was a higher being in control of the enemy, but he never thought it was the work of his allies. They told him that all mechas need to be equipped with anti-corrosive potion, to avoid being melted when sprayed with Zerg blood, but who knew it was to lure them all to him.
The potion was so powerful that he drowned a few times in the tide. He was searching for backup, but he never thought all of them would retreat to a safer distance and watch him being devoured. When he didn't die from the tide, they even went as far as to ambush him, and even ordered the fleet to retire from the battlefield.
He knew his deputy might have given the command, and they left him outside to die. The betrayal was too painful for him, but he would always remember what happened. Right now, he just chose to feel all the pain at once. When nothing was left, he would collect the data of the fight and the betrayal of his comrades in arms.
Jing Yichen did not contact his family. He was afraid that someone would target them. He was afraid that others would blame the failed mission on his family in his stead. And this would give the enemies of the kingdom an opening to attack. He would never risk everyone's life.
Shang Ruoyan was sitting in her room, combing her hair.
[Master, the general is in pain and his mood is low.]
"Don't worry. Sometimes, people need time to process their emotions. They need to feel all the pain before they stabilize themselves and plan their next action. The general won't commit suicide, if that's what worries you."
[But Master, the world is vast, people are different, and we don't know what goes into their minds.]
"I have asked my disciple once. Why did the villain become a villain? I also explored his character with my disciple's help. The general has a strong will to survive. He will want revenge in the book because someone touched his bottom line. Nothing major has happened to his family, and he is recovering right now. We just need to assist him."
[Master, we must take care of the general. He is a big factor in this counterattack game. He can control the lives of many, and he has power in his hands. He is also an upright man.]
"To make it short, we can't let him die."
[Yes, Master.]
"How many days do I have before I meet the Qin family?"
[Fifteen days, Master.]
"I need to hurry."
Shang Ruoyan did not sleep. Yuabao transformed into a gaming cabin and let her venture into the world inside Skynet. She had prepared the portions of food to sell. She encoded the data into the system, and Skynet scanned the food sample. When the results came out, the food was already placed on the stall of her store.
"Spicy Red Crab with Coconut Milk."
But Shang Ruoyan did not expect that the results of the scan would be published in a journal system research data, which could be viewed by the citizens in the galaxy. A food blogger was squatting in front of the list, checking for new foods to try. She was also doing a live stream.
"Oh my gosh!"
She clicked on the latest data uploaded on the list.
"What kind of food has zero toxic value?"
Her scream captured the attention of many. The viewers were also curious, so they checked the data with her. When Stephanie saw the overall data, she hurried to Shang Ruoyan's store.
"I must be the first person to try!"
When she reached the restaurant, she was amazed by the structure of the store. Food was lined on the shelves with the same serving sizes. But there was no one at the counter.
"Hello?"
Shang Ruoyan heard the movement and appeared from the kitchen.
"Hi. How may I help you?"
Stephanie was mesmerized by the beauty of the person in front of her.
"Miss?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I want to order three portions of the food in your store."
"Okay."
Shang Ruoyan served the food.
The broadcast was still running, but the netizens were very curious about the taste of the food with zero toxic value.
Stephanie was nervous when she took the first bite. But when the flavors exploded, she was shocked, and she ate in a hurry. She turned back and shouted.
"Can I order five more copies?"
Shang Ruoyan smiled and said, "Sure."