Su Cha arrived at a good time — it was just the holidays, so he could freely invite his old friends out to hang out.
The entire “He’s Here” team finally reunited once again.
Although the taste wasn’t quite right, out of consideration for Su Cha, they still chose a tea restaurant as their meeting place. At least the small snacks were exquisitely made, so delicate they seemed like they might melt in one’s hand.
On the way there, Su Cha thought a lot about what to say — how to answer their questions about where he and Ji Tianjin had been recently, what they had gone through. Unexpectedly, because of the press conference, everyone’s focus shifted after they met.
Wu Shui said, “My brother and I reviewed things carefully these past few days and realized you two had signs of this for a long time.”
Su Cha’s mouth twitched slightly: “No need to be so rigorous.”
Wu Shui took out a thick stack of papers: “Here’s our summary and analysis — for you.”
Wu Zhi nodded: “Exactly, consider it evidence of your love.”
After that, he also took out a chip: “Instructor Li told me to give this to you — it’s some surveillance footage.”
Su Cha recalled that Li Huai had asked if he remembered the first time he entered the dormitory building, and roughly guessed what was on the chip.
He used his communicator to read the chip. As expected, it was surveillance video from the start of the semester. Watching it twice in a row, Su Cha was certain it was no misjudgment — from the moment Ji Tianjin entered the dorm building, his gaze would intentionally or unintentionally linger on Su Cha.
“Is this what human inconsistency looks like?” Liu Xiqin couldn’t help but comment.
At that time, Ji Tianjin and Rong Shao were almost standing on Su Cha’s left and right — one constantly staring at his future partner, the other struggling while carrying three people’s books.
Even the usually taciturn Di Yuansi gave a thumbs-up to Rong Shao.
Rong Shao made Su Cha slow down the video to half speed. The more he watched, the more he felt like a fool. He looked at Ji Tianjin and gritted his teeth: “Is that how you treat a friend?”
Ji Tianjin said calmly, “Blame you for having no taste.”
Such a cute person standing right there, yet he only cared about moving books — how can anyone blame him?
Rong Shao’s eyes suddenly widened — could people really say that?
Many people had the same question, but unfortunately, it didn’t change Ji Tianjin’s double standard nature.
Ji Tianjin used the restroom as an excuse and raised his eyebrows at Rong Shao. Rong Shao got the hint and followed him to the bathroom.
“What’s so important you have to say it out here?”
“I want to have you make something for me. It doesn’t need many functions, just long standby and recording capability.” Ji Tianjin roughly described the design: “Preferably made like a button or bow tie for convenience.”
When it comes to hands-on skills, no one was better than Rong Shao.
He nodded and readily agreed: “No problem, it can be ready by tomorrow. But what’s it for?”
Ji Tianjin didn’t say explicitly, only said, “To record some scenery.”
The travel plan was going to last at least a month. Rong Shao and the others wouldn’t join — they still had holiday assignments and would soon be heading to a desolate star to exterminate beasts.
After the gathering, Ji Tianjin returned to the main residence and asked Ji Chong to inquire whether some “acquaintances” were interested in joining. On one hand, it was under the pretext of letting Su Cha grow up with care, but in fact, it was also to find a bodyguard. Space travel could encounter all sorts of situations, so it was safer to bring more people.
“Keep it low-key during the trip,” Ji Chong reminded him.
Regarding the recent conflict with the Federation, the Galan Empire didn’t act openly but secretly stirred things up. Now that the war was about to end, the Empire used the capture of the youth tournament player as a pretext to demand compensation from the Federation.
Ji Chong also attended the compensation negotiation as the victim’s father, emphasizing in his speech that Ji Tianjin had suffered psychological trauma and needed time to recover.
At this critical moment, if Ji Tianjin was found out traveling, it would be hard to explain.
Ji Tianjin’s plan was: “If discovered, just say it’s a trip for spirit healing.”
That afternoon, Ji Chong made several calls asking around. The recipients’ expressions varied.
For example, Xie Rongjue — since Su Cha had his own number, no need to go through others — he almost immediately realized this trip was planned by Ji Tianjin, and Su Cha might not even be aware.
Ji Tianjin was always cautious and wouldn’t risk offending anyone by hiring a big shot for security. The places chosen for the trip were quite special — the first stop called Changsui Star.
It was said that people on this planet had extremely long lifespans, and there was a legend of transcendence to immortality. Half a century ago, it entered what was called the “end of law era.” Collecting air and soil samples from Changsui Star had high research value.
Besides this, Ji Tianjin personally wrote a letter for Ji Chong to present to Sanses, sent in Su Cha’s name. It was very polite, thanking him for his help and inviting him on the trip.
Given Sanses’s position, he wouldn’t travel with some juniors. The letter was to let him ask his top ministers if any wanted to go.
Young people’s thoughts couldn’t be hidden from Sanses, but since it wasn’t serious, he didn’t mind. After the next morning’s meeting, he quietly asked, “Anyone interested?”
There was silence below.
Honestly, many did want to go — but not to travel with Su Cha. The war just ended; they had just gotten compensation and were tasked with capturing the former Federation president. Also, the interstellar battlefield required someone to stay and monitor wormholes, a boring and long task.
Such work wasn’t for ordinary generals; it required great strength.
After almost a minute with no answer, Xie Rongjue spoke: “The Research Institute is scheduled to leave for Changsui Star next spring. How about the Emperor makes a list and leads the team?”
Sanses made a quick decision and directly picked two people.
Everyone was surprised — he chose two ministers from the Investigation Department.
The deputy chief was baffled. Xie Rongjue’s expression was unchanged, but inside he was scheming. The deputy chief had made many mistakes in recent years; if the trip failed to gather samples, the Emperor might take the chance to demote him.
The deputy chief realized something was wrong and immediately went to discuss with his supporters after the meeting.
Meanwhile, someone came to congratulate Xie Rongjue: “Double blessings!”
No need to stay behind and clean up the mess, maybe even take the chance to switch the second-in-command to another department.
“Let’s hope so.”
Xie Rongjue showed no emotion; whenever something involved Su Cha, it was usually never that simple.
This trip wasn’t just about people from the Galan Empire.
Cyril recently had a lot of things to handle, so he could only join the travel plan halfway after finishing his political affairs. Before then, he sent Land to protect Su Cha’s safety.
The person involved was still unaware.
Cultural exchanges lasted over half a month. Su Cha had been busy lately with various events requiring his presence, including visiting the Galan Empire’s industrial base and cooperating with journalists’ interviews.
At the same time, he was discussing cooperation with Ji Chong about replacing relaxants with calming perfumes or some crops. After deep awakening, Su Cha could stimulate a large number of seeds at once. Although the quantity was negligible compared to the empire’s population, they could be diluted and sold in low, medium, and high concentration grades.
Most people just had unstable spirit power and didn’t need high-concentration relaxants.
During the discussions, Ji Chong realized Su Cha was excellent in almost every aspect.
At this moment, the butler appeared at the door, informing of an important incoming call. Ji Chong was about to answer but suddenly asked, “What is Tianjin doing?”
“The young master is writing a travel plan book,” the butler emphasized, “It really is a book.”
Ji Chong slightly turned aside. In the hall, Su Cha’s index finger was flying over the keyboard, with various project plans on the desk, looking every bit the elite.
Thinking of his own son, Ji Chong rubbed his forehead.
…Tch, love-struck fool.
Ji Chong knew there were few things Su Cha took seriously, and relaxants happened to be one of them.
The return trip was scheduled for the 16th, with two days left. Su Cha used this time to visit his former principal at the affiliated school, then bought many souvenirs, packed, and prepared to return to Fog Star.
“Are you troubled by something?”
Su Cha was packing but kept his gaze on Ji Tianjin, who had been busier these two days than himself, yet no one could tell what he was busy with.
“No,” Ji Tianjin answered quickly.
Su Cha looked suspicious but zipped his suitcase. “Fine, I’ll temporarily believe your nonsense.”
“…”
According to normal procedure, on the day of return to Fog Star, the foreign minister would see them off, and journalists would take photos.
But that morning everything was calm.
Except for the warship, Su Cha didn’t even see a single reporter. As he looked around, Ji Tianjin suddenly grabbed his shoulder and pulled him forward, stopping him from looking back. The warship had only the pilot aboard, while the Fog Star soldiers accompanying them were arranged on other warships.
If it weren’t for Ji Tianjin by his side, Su Cha would have screamed for help long ago because something felt off.
For the next seven days, the warship sailed through space, never passing through the interstellar battlefield or encountering any beast disturbances. Even a poor navigator would realize the route was wrong.
Just as Su Cha was about to question it, Ji Tianjin suddenly reached out to straighten his clothes.
Looking down, Su Cha found a button on his chest.
It was obviously not an ordinary button—ornate and vintage in design, unique in style, and lightly pressing it fixed it firmly onto the clothes.
Ji Tianjin said, “After we get off the warship, you can activate it with your spirit power.”
Su Cha’s brow twitched, waiting for an explanation.
“Travel,” Ji Tianjin said succinctly.
Su Cha joked, “Just the two of us?”
Ji Tianjin shook his head, “Chief Xie is also coming. At most, there’s one day when we’ll meet up with Marshal Land. Teacher will come later.”
His slender fingers brushed the button’s surface. Su Cha raised an eyebrow, “If it’s for taking pictures, the communicator can do that. Why make this specifically?”
“More convenient,” Ji Tianjin said, “To record it, so I can show it to those kids.”
Su Cha was taken aback.
Ji Tianjin looked at him and said slowly, “I know.”
When they first arrived at Fog Star, he asked Cyril what Su Cha had been doing since arrival and learned that before going into the sleep pod, Su Cha had visited some kids in the hospital. Ji Tianjin had also gone once, accompanied by a special person.
At that time, a kid proudly announced that their prince had promised to see them again.
Later, Su Cha became busy with the interstellar competition and didn’t immediately find time to go.
To be honest, he was a bit avoiding it, worried that some of those kids might no longer be there when he returned.
Their eyes met, and Su Cha understood Ji Tianjin’s intention: “Actually, I…”
Ji Tianjin nodded, “I know you’ve already prepared yourself mentally.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bought so many souvenirs, which meant he planned to visit the hospital after this trip.
Su Cha wanted to say thank you but only ended up holding Ji Tianjin’s hand and looking out the window.
The kids on Fog Star were very curious about the outside world. He remembered how their eyes lit up when he talked about things he picked out. If they could fully record this trip, those kids would surely be even happier watching it.
Ji Tianjin softly said, “After we return, I’ll find someone to make it into a hologram so they can feel like they’re really there.”
In a way, they would also have ‘checked in’ at the same places as their beloved little prince.
Fingers interlocked, a smile flowed in Su Cha’s eyes.
One day later, the warship successfully met up with Land. During this time, Ji Tianjin went to the cockpit: “The first destination is about to arrive.”
Su Cha had been too focused on his emotions to think much about the travel destination.
Among billions of stars in the vast universe, there were countless sceneries to see. Only then did he casually ask, “Where is this?”
Ji Tianjin: “Changsui Star.”
“Pfft—”
Su Cha, who was drinking water, spat it out.
