Chapter 2
That person was at the Tianqiong base and was being personally received by the chief.
Song Qinglan received the news and turned to head directly to the base. With his height and long legs, it only took a few steps for him to walk through the corridor and into the transmission cabin.
"Cap Song!"
"Ah, Cap Song!"
Everyone he met along the way saw that he looked the same as usual but they all shouted out their greetings one after another. Somehow, they felt that a volcano was about to erupt under that domineering and overwhelming presence.
Not long afterwards, gossip had spread all over the intranet saying that Captain Song was about to officially drive someone out.
A few minutes later, Song Qinglan reached underground.
[Welcome Song Qinglan. Welcome back to Tianqiong.]
The hatched opened on both sides as an electronic female voice sounded. Like those times before a mission started, it was just as gentle.
Twenty something years ago, the Imperial Science Team had made a breakthrough with regards to time travel and it has now developed into today's Time Management Alliance. Although there are branches in various countries, the one here was the main headquarter. At a depth of two kilometres underground, thousands of people toil away. Day and night, this dark underground headquarter is always brightly lit.
Song Qinglan got out of the transmission cabin and stopped before a white wall after walking for a few minutes. He pressed it lightly and an invisible door was pushed open.
"Thud!"
The people in the room were startled. They turned to look at him.
Please read this from kk translates
There was someone standing next to the middle-aged female chief.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window was a large semicircular luminous dome which formed the backdrop. It looked like a galaxy in the vast universe.
The man in front of the window wore an ordinary white shirt and black trouser which accentuated his slender waist. He was tall and refined, reminiscent of a pine tree beside a snowy lake.
The brilliant star lights made this person's complexion appear extremely fair. His tall nose, bright eyes; all his features were just right, especially those beautifully shaped lips. That touch of colour on the elegant and refined face instantly made it appear all the more vivid.
It was unforgettable.
The moment he saw him, Song Qinglan inexplicably remembered the words his squad said in the training room.
"We say he doesn't have the fighting capabilities; he won't come. We say he's an embroidered pillow; he won't come. We say the entire squad is homophobic; he comes. This person may possibly be coming here to either challenge us directly or prove his charm!"
"Didn't knock again!" Chief Wang reproached, "I think you are the only one in the entire Tianqiong who constantly ignores the rules!"
Song Qinglan returned from his thoughts and calmly walked in.
He didn't have any intention to reflect on this and just hooked up the corner of his lips, "I heard the new member is here. Chief Wang, why didn't you let us know so that we can welcome him?"
After saying this, Song Qinlan finally turned his eyes to look at that person, "Advisor Ji."
This form of address carried a hint of aggressiveness.
The person before him was from Ning City, a Recorder who has only completed B-level missions. He had been transferred to the Guardian squad with the title of Special Advisor.
Song Qinglan's disdain, discontent and scrutiny were very obvious.
Ji Yushi didn't cower or hide from Song Qinglan's gaze and just quietly looked back as if he didn't know who he was. The entire time, he didn't say a single word.
The atmosphere stagnated for a while.
The gentleman's response was calm and unwavering on the surface, but the undercurrent was turbulent.
How could Chief Wang not know about the disharmony between the two? Before even meeting, that one on her end had already offended the other party. In the end, she as the leader had to clean up after him.
"I brought Advisor Ji here to see the base. I didn't expect you to be so impatient." Chief Wang pretended that nothing had happened and gently introduced, "Advisor Ji, this is the captain of the seventh squad and also the youngest captain under the Tianqiong system with the most potential. At a young age, he has already completed twelve A-level missions, reaching a rating of one star. Let me officially introduce him, his name is Song Qinglan. I don't think you've met before?"
Ji Yushi was slightly surprised. He retracted his gaze and unconsciously repeated those two words, "Song....Qinglan?"
His voice was very soft, and it also sounded very nice. It was a voice Song Qinglan had expected.
The voices of civilian workers were probably all very similar to this.
Chief Wang smiled, " The sunny 'Qing' and the mountain wind 'Lan', doesn't it sound like a little gir—"
Song Qinglan interrupted, his expression poor, "Chief Wang."
It was as if Ji Yushi didn't notice the teasing in her tone. He quickly loosened his brows and said, "Actually, I have seen Captain Song before."
Chief Wang was interested, "Oh? When was it?"
Ji Yushi's nice voice continued, "Three years ago on October 14th. I attended a class organised by Tianqiong in the Jiang City branch and it was also a class taught by you. Captain Song was also in the class at that time, but we didn't know each other then."
Chief Wang was surprised this time, "That's strange, how could I not have an impression of someone like you?"
Not to mention Chief Wang, Song Qinglan himself also had no impression of this matter.
Are you kidding me? Who would have the time to remember the people they met three years ago?
Ji Yushi easily recalled the situation that day as if it had just happened yesterday, "The venue was very big, and my seat was at the back so it's normal for you not to remember. That day you wore a light blue suit and skirt, had it paired with a pair of Baroque pearl earrings and your hair was a little shorter than it is now. During class, you also accidentally shattered a mug and changed it into a different one. Do you remember?"
Chief Wang quickly nodded her head, "I remember!"
Ji Yushi then said, "Captain Song's seat was the ninth one from the left in the third row. He slept through two classes and left early in the afternoon."
Song Qinglan couldn't help but say, "Do you have a deep impression of me or are you trying to report me?"
Ji Yushi turned to look at Song Qinglan. His eyes reflected Song Qinglan's figure, "I just happened to remember everyone who was there that day."
Song Qinglan had almost forgot. This Advisor Ji was rumoured to have excellent memory.
Song Qinglan said implicitly, "Advisor Ji, I heard that people with good memories hold grudges."
Ji Yushi answered frankly, "It's alright. Depends on the situation."
Chief Wang settled the situation down, "It's good that you've met. Xiao Song is a little hot tempered and straightforward and he can be merciless when criticising his teammates. Making people cry in public isn't something he hasn't done before. I heard from Chief Lin that Advisor Ji's personality is very easy going and accommodating. Try not to accommodate Xiao Song too much while you're a part of the squad though lest you let yourself be wronged."
Ji Yushi wasn't the type to put on airs. He answered, "Don't worry. As long as it's for work, I will cooperate."
Song Qinglan chuckled lightly and didn't seem to care much about this, "That's good then."
After a short chat, Chief Wang started to talk about the more serious matters, "The task will be carried out next week. Starting from tomorrow, Advisor Ji should follow Xiao Song and get acquainted with the squad members and the working environment. There are a lot of equipment on the training ground as well as a special simulation combat system. I heard Advisor Ji has also been in the Imperial Army before?"
Song Qinglan raised his brows. He didn't appear convinced.
Sure enough, Ju Yushi immediately confirmed his thoughts, "I just dealt with paperwork and only stayed for two months."
That neither humble nor arrogant attitude gave Song Qinglan who had a background in the Special Forces an urge to laugh.
How could someone with such a thin and frail body fight at the frontlines?
Chief Wang nodded, "Although scouts do not require high combat abilities, it is better to train up a little. This year's new batch of recruitments will have classes every morning. Advisor Ji can attend it if you want."
*
"They're coming!"
"They're coming out!"
"Hurry, hurry! Have they started fighting?!"
"Has Chief Wang broken a cup yet?!"
There was a circle of heads in front of the monitor and there were also many people loitering around in the corridor.
The transmission hatch opened, and Chief Wang stepped out first with her high heels. She seemed to be heading back to her office.
Then came Song Qinglan who was followed by Ji Yushi.
The height difference between the two was more than half a head. One was valiant while the other was elegant.
Song Qinglan's lack of enthusiasm to welcome this new teammate could almost be felt through the monitor screen. With his tall height, he walked ahead quickly without turning back. As for Advisor Ji who as expected was very proper looking, he walked with large strides behind Song Qinglan and didn't appear to have much trouble keeping up.
The two wordlessly went to the training grounds. Everyone else's heads were filled with question marks.
T-that's it?
Song Qinglan just accepted it?
What happened to the agreed bloodshed and the claim to send him back to where he came from?
Seeing the two return together, the teammates in the training room were also surprised. What was going on?
Song Qinglan strode straight into the open space and clapped his hands to gather everyone over, "Here, let me introduce to you. This is the colleague Ning City lent to us to help us complete our next mission. He will be taking over as the teams scout and is referred to as the special advisor; Ji Yushi, Advisor Ji."
In front of this group of Guardians bursting with male hormones, the white shirt Ji Yushi seemed like a completely different entity.
It was like a small white rabbit accidentally straying into a pride of lions.
Please read this from kk translates
But Ji Yushi was completely calm and didn't appear uncomfortable at all. He opened his mouth and said, "Hello."
"This is Duan Wen, Zhou Mingxuan, Li Chun and the twins Tang Le and Tang Qi." Song Qinglan introduced in order, "Respectively they are responsible for control, machinery, logistics and the left and right flanks. There was a scout in the squad surnamed Yu, you are temporarily taking over his role."
The unfamiliar teammates were all wearing the same uniforms. Except for their faces, there were no other distinctive differences. What's more, there was also a pair of twins who looked exactly the same.
Song Qinglan however spoke very quickly. It wasn't known whether he did it deliberately to make it difficult for Ji Yushi or because he always spoke so perfunctorily.
Ji Yushi just nodded. It wasn't known whether he could remember it.
Song Qinglan didn't give him any time to breathe. He then arranged, "Old Duan, your role has some connection with the scout's role. Take him to understand what a scout's work involves first."
Duan Wen: "Huh? S-so fast?"
Usually, wouldn't you take them around to each of the departments and let them become familiar with the place first?
Song Qinglan: "Time waits for no one. Did you think that it was too fast for the next mission to be assigned?"
Duan Wen: "Yes sir!"
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Song Qinglan had no intention to give the newcomer Advisor Ji any face.
Ji Yushi didn't seem to have any complaints. He very cooperatively left together with Old Duan.
Or perhaps he never had any intentions to butt heads with Song Qinglan.
As soon as they walked away, Song Qinglan returned to his usual state. He raised his eyebrows slightly, "What are you looking at? All of your eyeballs are about to fall out. Look at you."
"Boss, he really is good looking!"
"I used to think that the word beautiful isn't suitable for describing men but now I think it is quite appropriate."
"We all eat the same things and we're all human beings but how did he grow up to be like that? Just now at such a close distance, I couldn't see a single pore on his face. His skin was amazing."
The small-eyed buzzcut man who was knocked in the head by Song Qinglan earlier, Zhou Mingxuan, sighed, "Fuck, I feel like an idiot now. Someone like him would definitely not even consider me."
"You find it regretful?" Song Qinglan lifted his feet and gave him a kick, "No longer worried about continuing your family lineage?"
Zhou Mingxuan let out a small laugh of embarrassment.
"Boss, we're really going to let him stay?"
"He clearly looks like he can't fight at all. He's useless apart from being good looking!"
"I thought you would resist. This isn't like you."
Song Qinglan directly explained his plans.
In summary: "The order was already made, and the person has already arrived. Even if we want to change, it's too late. Over the next few days, just go along with it. If you have anything to say, wait until it's over. Right now, there is only one goal: Complete the mission safely!"
Everyone shouted in unison: "Yes sir!"
The team members dispersed.
Song Qinglan unconsciously began to recall the class from three years ago but it was to no avail. After all, things like not paying attention or leaving early.....he had done that many times.
That person's memory...If he really had to say it, it could probably be considered an advantage?
Chapter 3
Over the next few days, Song Qinglan never saw Ji Yushi.
According to Duan Wen, these past few days Ji Yushi had been attending class with the new students in the morning and would train alone in the personal training rooms in the afternoon. His entire daily schedule would be completely filled. Chief Wang had visited him once and gave him a lot of praise.
In the eyes of the leaders, these civilian workers probably seem like they're working very hard no matter what they do.
Chief Wang had called Song Qinglan to give him a warning, "Xiao Ji is smart and diligent. When the time comes, you should work as a team. He also has a two-star rating and would reach one star after completing this mission. Don't think that I don't know about your intentions to treat him as a flower vase."
Song Qinglan pretended to not understand, "How could that be?"
The training grounds have personalised training rooms and also a team-based simulated combat system.
Two days before the mission, everyone as usual gathered for team training. After Song Qinglan gathered everyone, he noticed that Ji Yushi was missing, "Old Duan, did you notify him?"
"I thought Li Chun told him yesterday."
"Fuck, why would I tell him? I haven't seen him the past few days at all!"
"Alright. He probably went to class again."
"Tang Qi, you organise the training."
Song Qinglan decided to personally find him lest Chief Wang blames it on him again.
Leaving the training grounds, Song Qinglan went directly to the new recruitment base.
As the youngest captain, the first combat class for these new students after entering Tianqiong was taught by Song Qinglan. Song Qinglan's close combat skills managed to beat the students from prestigious schools and those with high self-esteem directly into submission so when his face appeared outside the window, those who were slacking off immediately tensed up.
The specially appointed instructor was still teaching at the front. After a brief glance, Song Qinglan very quickly found the person he was looking for.
Please read this from kk translates
Ji Yushi was sitting by the window.
"Space constitutes the universe we are in and time constitutes the universe we know."
The instructor on stage manipulated a holographic image and drew a colourful arc-shaped line. It was unknown where it started, and the end also faded into nothingness.
Some students sighed with praise.
Ji Yushi had his head down and didn't seem to have noticed this wonderful presentation.
"Time is like a flowing thread. It allows us to have a past and also a future."
"The past cannot be changed ——- A person cannot travel back to the past and kill their ancestor. That is the ancestor paradox. Russian scientist Novikov also suggested the principle of self-consistency. It meant that even if people can go back to the past, they cannot change the course of history. Simple put, our present is the final outcome after countless changes."
Light flickered in the air.
The instructor continued, "So what about the future? More than twenty years ago, our team invented Tianqiong. They discovered that there was more than one timeline."
The instructor waved their hand and the arc of light in the air changed.
That light suddenly split, bursting into countless fibres that diverged in all directions.
"The Tianqiong's powerful computing power can calculate countless futures stemming from our present time. With its existence, humanity for the first time became aware of the existence of parallel worlds. Over the past twenty years, various countries across the world have used Tianqiong and have used the Guardians from parallel worlds in the future to successfully prevent 1771 possible terrorist attacks, 542 riots, 6 wars as well as 3 large-scale natural disasters.
...
As this was explained, various materials played on the screen.
Song Qinglan walked up to the window: "...…."
Was this the so-called 'smart and diligent'?
The smart and diligent Ji Yushi was concentrating in class....playing a black and white handheld console that was popular a century ago.
Under his skilful operation, the Tetris blocks quickly changed positions and fell into position at a very fast speed. Four rows….five rows....and then six and seven rows. The score continued to skyrocket, and each block would land with precision every time, making it seem as if the game would never end.
It was undeniable that Ji Yushi is a master of Tetris. If you searched everywhere, you wouldn't find another person who could play better than him.
Because he had his head lowered, Ji Yushi's spine was slightly curved and his thin shoulder blades were faintly visible.
He looked very focused and his long lashes were lowered. His clean profile, long fingers and well-kept nails made it clear that he was someone who had never experienced any hardship.
Song Qinglan thought, perhaps this person never had any intentions to come here to suffer.
*
In the afternoon before the mission, everyone gathered for a meeting.
Like every meeting in the past, a map of their destination was displayed on a giant screen along with several markings on it.
The third command centre of the Tianqiong headquarters was in charge of organising the mission this time. The conference room was filled with thirty to forty people. Except for the seventh squad, the rest were all internal staff for the mission. The mission commander stood on stage explaining the mission and even Chief Wang was sitting in the audience.
"A month ago, Tianqiong reported that the population of Xijing people had demonstrated drastic changes in Star Era 1460. During this time period, there was a fluctuation of up to 3%."
The commander enlarged the map and pointed at a flashing red spot.
"According to the report, after excluding natural disasters, bombing and other possible causes, Tianqiong concluded that this mission is likely related to a biochemical terrorist attack. The mission level is A."
"Biochemical terrorist attack?"
"Haven't we dealt with it once before?!"
"Easy as a pie!"
"I would like to make a request." Song Qinglan sat in the corner of the room, the red spot on the map reflecting in his dark eyes, "After successfully completing this A-level mission, I would like to apply for a S-level mission."
As soon as he said this, the conference room fell into discussion.
As everyone knew, one S-level mission is worth five A-level missions.
Having completed twelve A-level missions successfully, the seventh squad which have only formed two years ago rushed to the top of the charts like a dark horse. However, because they have not completed a S-level mission, they couldn't squeeze into the top three and could only forever remain under them.
As such, the seventh squad have always been eager to complete a S-level mission.
Ji Yushi had heard about this.
Sitting with his teammates, he could clearly see Song Qinglan's appearance. Arrogance, conceitedness and desire for victory was clearly expressed in Song Qinglan's tone.
"Request accepted." The commander paused and said to Song Qinglan, "After this mission, the command centre will re-evaluate based on your performance. Please be prepared to accept a S-level mission at any time."
Please read this from kk translates
This was something Song Qinglan had heard many times.
He coldly sat there; his face expressionless.
It made people can't help but suspect that this unruly new star would explode sooner or later after being forced to wait time and time again.
At the end of the meeting, there was still a small strategic meeting to be held. Song Qinglan then had a separate talk with Chief Wang and the other leaders for another two hours.
When he came out, his teammates had all changed into civilian clothes and were waiting for him.
"Call the newcomer." Song Qinglan said offhandedly.
The whole squad was going to have hot pot the night before the mission. This was a custom of theirs to ensure that they 'eat well before setting off'.
"Called him. Advisor Ji said he won't go."
"He's still in the training room."
Song Qinglan thought of the scene of that person playing Tetris in class and found it a little amusing.
He instructed everyone to head off first.
There were hundreds of private training rooms in the training ground and the seventh squad have their own fixed rooms. With Song Qinglan's authority, it didn't take much effort for him to find the person he was looking for.
Ji Yushi had just finished his training.
He had just got off the simulator and he was still covered in sweat, even the neckline of his grey T-shirt was soaked. Two robotic arms came over, one handing him a towel and the other a bottle of water.
Ji Yushi received the water and was surprised to see Song Qinglan there, "Cap Song?"
Song Qinglan stood at the door for a while with his arms crossed as if waiting for a reasonable explanation.
"Why aren't you going to the dinner party?"
Ji Yushi took a sip of water. His beautiful features still carried small beads of sweat.
They were clearly all men but Song Qinglan suddenly felt a little strange. It was as if.....appearing in this teammates training room was something on par to overstepping his boundaries.
Ji Yushi replied, "Sorry, I had a prior appointment for a call tonight."
Song Qinglan, "You can't take the call later?"
Ji Yushi picked up the towel to wipe off his sweat, "Too clingy. Will get angry."
Those words had pointed something out, reminding Song Qinglan of a crucial point.
He raised his brow, "There's someone at home?"
The robotic arm had already cleverly collected the towel and retracted away.
Another drop of sweat however began to roll down from Ji Yushi's forehead. He subconsciously grabbed the hem of his shirt and use it to wipe off the sweat.
A firm waist and abdomen belonging to a young man was exposed. It was different from those of the Tianqiong's Guardians: That waist was thin and soft, and the skin was dazzling white. As he moved, a round belly button would reveal itself every now and then by the waist of his pants.
Song Qinglan looked away.
"Cap Song, do you mind?" Ji Yushi clearly understood why he was feeling conflicted, but his words and actions were very natural, "Does the training room I have been in need to be disinfected?"
Regarding the severity of Song Qinglan's homophobia, Ji Yushi had also heard about it.
It is said that he had been publicly pursued by someone of the same sex and because of this, even the offices where a gay have entered needed to be disinfected.
Song Qinglan didn't react to the provocation.
Song Qinglan's then spoke about his real purpose for coming to the training room. It however wasn't spoken as harshly as how he had originally intended, "I just wanted to tell you that there are many people who want to easily clear an A-level mission by mixing into our squad and they soon realise that they had overestimated themselves because A-level missions are much more dangerous than they had imagined. If Advisor Ji still cares about the people around you, it's not too late to back out now. I can arrange for your return to Ning City."
Ji Yushi however acted like he didn't hear the sarcasm in his words, "But for me, it's too late to back out now."
The atmosphere was tense.
Song Qinglan smiled, "Alright, then I only have one request."
Ji Yushi looked very calm and only met Song Qinglan's gaze.
Song Qinglan threw out a few words, "Obey the orders, lie down and win."
Authors notes:my cats name is chestnut and she's named after a cat in a novel I read hehe ^_^/=>[][