In the year 1396 of the Star Era, during the first snowfall, the green-skinned train traversed mountains and valleys, resembling a colossal dragon weaving through the vast expanse of land.
Snowflakes fluttered outside the windows, gradually revealing the remote and desolate towns in the field of vision. A rather austere female voice sounded over the carriage's speakers: "Dear passengers, we have reached Huadong County. Passengers needing to disembark, please gather your belongings and alight from the train in an orderly fashion."
As the train slowed down, the young man engrossed in a black-and-white screen handheld game console in the corner finally raised his head. Throughout the journey from the previous stop to Huadong County, the young man's Tetris score had climbed from zero to over four hundred thousand points. His adept manipulation of the rapidly falling blocks seemed to ensure the perpetuity of this popular casual game in his hands.
Upon hearing the announcement of arrival, the young man briefly glanced out the window. When he looked down again, the game screen already displayed "GAME OVER."
"Ah!" A passenger sitting nearby, who had been watching his game, involuntarily sighed, "What a pity."
Although the game ended abruptly at this score, the young man showed no hint of regret. He simply turned off the game console and casually stowed it in his backpack.
The neighboring passenger couldn't help but inquire, "Young man, what's your highest score? With your skill, you might set a new record or something."
The young man, with an unremarkable appearance but distinct black-and-white eyes, appeared clean-cut: "Similar to just now."
The neighboring passenger lamented, "If you hadn't stopped just now, your score would have been even higher!"
The young man was not one for conversation. Upon hearing this, he stood up to prepare to disembark, simply stating, "No more time."
As the young man stepped off his seat and followed the departing crowd with his backpack, the passengers in the carriage, hailing from all corners of the country with various accents, engaged in lively chatter. Passing through the quietest seat along the route, several intellectuals in uniform, who had boarded the train from the previous station, were gathered around discussing blueprints on the table. One middle-aged man with a full face furrowed his brows, indicating his leadership position among them.
Sensing the young man's gaze, the leader raised his head warily, but the young man had already left the train.
The young man, clad in a black cotton jacket and carrying an ordinary-looking bag, cut a striking figure with his tall stature. Yet, as soon as he stepped onto the platform, he blended seamlessly into the bustling crowd, seemingly disappearing without a trace.
If anyone on the train were to recall the young man, they would find themselves unable to even remember his appearance.
---
In the year 1456 of the Star Era.
[1456.12.13 14:36:40]
The system projection displayed temporal coordinates, invigorating everyone present: "We're back! Prepare for contact!"
Three seconds later, the capsule containing Ji Yushi, clad in a black cotton jacket reminiscent of the 1990s, appeared on the teleportation platform.
The robotic arm, detecting the traveler, immediately handed over a nutrient solution. After temporal travel, the human body experiences significant dehydration and requires replenishment of various nutrients.
Ji Yushi pressed the safety latch, discarded his backpack, and then took a few sips of the nutrient solution. The ordinary face, devoid of any memorable features, began to dissolve, revealing his original appearance, looking somewhat pale.
[Congratulations, you have completed 89 accumulated B-level missions, current rating: two stars.]
Glancing at the prompt on the transparent panel, Ji Yushi walked out of the capsule indifferently.
He was not one for many words, beginning his narration with a chilly tone: "Prepare the mission log. Regarding the 1396 Rock Sparrow Incident, the target individual boarded the train to Huadong County on December 13 of that year, passing through Huadong County on train X168. There were four companions, all major figures in the Rock Sparrow Incident, differing significantly from historical records. It is recommended to make revisions."
His teammates diligently recorded the information.
Before Ji Yushi could catch his breath, with the task just completed, a team member approached him and said, "Teacher Ji, Minister Lin is waiting for you outside again."
Ji Yushi rubbed his temples. This matter was more of a headache than the aftereffects of temporal travel. "Again?"
The team member couldn't help but smile wryly. "You know, he's been waiting for half an hour since your return."
Ji Yushi changed his clothes in the changing room, and as expected, the Minister of the Ningcheng Branch pulled rank and waited for him outside.
"Xiao Ji!" Minister Lin approached him with a beaming smile, patting his shoulder. "Congratulations! Another mission completed, another step closer to the target!"
Ji Yushi politely replied, "Thank you, Minister Lin."
Getting down to business, Minister Lin asked, "Young man, have you reconsidered supporting Jiangcheng? Last time, I told you I wouldn't go."
Minister Lin's smile remained unchanged. "Oh, young man, why so stubborn? You know, rumors, they spread and change, no need to jeopardize your future over a rumor."
Ji Yushi calmly replied, "No one helps me feed the cats."
Modern people have been obsessed with cats for hundreds of years, and yet, Ji Yushi, a young bachelor, inexplicably kept three cats at home.
Listening in from the corner, the team members praised Ji Laoshi for his valid refusal, perfectly deflecting the request. No wonder everyone was indignant; it was the Jiangcheng Branch that was too overbearing!
Both under the Celestial Time Management System, the Jiangcheng and Ningcheng branches had different responsibilities. Jiangcheng was responsible for combating potential future crimes or disasters, known as "Guardians," resorting to extreme combat measures when necessary, all to nip evil in the bud. Ningcheng, on the other hand, was responsible for recording and restoring historical events, no matter how big or small, known as "Recorders."
It meant they only recorded history, never intervened, and didn't even need firearms. A week ago, an observer from Jiangcheng's team was seriously injured
 on a mission, coinciding with the team's need for a new mission, resulting in a crucial team member shortage.
Under the Celestial Work System, each team had its own responsibilities, making it nearly impossible to find a suitable observer on short notice. Yet, someone higher up remembered there was such a figure in the Ningcheng Branch and issued a transfer order to send him to Jiangcheng.
Ji Yushi was well-known within the Celestial system, with many rumors surrounding him.
It was said that his memory was extraordinary, a thirst for knowledge burning within him. In this day and age, his house was still cluttered with paper books, with barely any space to stand.
It was said that he was exceptionally good-looking, yet had the strength of a weakling, unable to even open a bottle cap.
It was said that he was timid, afraid to spend the night alone in the department and even managed to secure special treatment, never having to work a night shift in the entire Ningcheng Branch.
And so on.
So when the squad leader from the Jiangcheng Branch needed manpower, he wasn't pleased and publicly refused: "What's this? Can't headquarters spare someone who can fight? We're going to risk our lives, we don't need a quantum wave-reading little genius!"
This statement quickly reached Ji Yushi's ears, hundreds of miles away.
Ji Yushi immediately responded to the transfer order, stating: "I'm not going."
The leader was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
Minister Lin spoke resolutely, "Ah, it's just three cats! Bring them to the office, and the staff will feed them for you! Three meals of fish flakes a day, never the same!"
The people behind the door: "???"
Ji Yushi: "I'm not acclimated."
Minister Lin: "I'll arrange for a space car full of Ningcheng specialties for you! Whatever you want, you'll have!"
Ji Yushi: "I'm introverted."
Minister Lin: "You just focus on the missions; there's no need to waste your time understanding those illiterate fools over there!"
Ji Yushi moved his thin lips slightly: "I'm gay."
The people behind the door: "!!!"
Minister Lin was struck by lightning: "Xiao Ji, Xiao Ji, you..."
Ji Yushi calmly dropped the bomb, stating, "I'm concerned that going to a place with a high male-to-female ratio, I won't be able to control my emotions and might develop undesirable relationships, disrupting the harmony of the Jiangcheng Branch."
Before the leader could persuade him further, Ji Yushi nodded to the leader and turned away, leaving quite deferentially.
Concealing his talents and achievements.
Little did Minister Lin know, he would speak up again: "Xiao, Xiao Ji."
No matter what, he was still his leader, his father's old friend.
Ji Yushi had to stop in his tracks, reluctantly turning back: "Minister."
Minister Lin's expression changed, but he was a leader who had seen big scenes and quickly regained his composure, saying with a world-weary tone, "That's fine, even better. That Song, the team leader... is deeply homophobic. And, by the way, the entire team is homophobic."
Ji Yushi: "..."
---
Ji Yushi from Ningcheng has arrived in Jiangcheng.
This news quickly spread throughout the Jiangcheng Branch, causing quite a stir.
In the holographic training ground, the team members involved expressed nervousness.
"Is he really here?! His mental endurance must be amazing!"
"He really came! I just saw him from afar, very handsome, like a movie star."
Everyone looked at each other, realizing they had a real embroidered pillow now.
The youngest member of the team comforted his teammates, "Oh, it's okay. As long as a few of us can fight, it's fine. Worst case, we'll protect him, and when we return, we can still complete the mission."
"Hey, don't say that in front of Captain Song. Didn't you forget about Lao Yu?"
"Can this person be compared to Lao Yu?"
"At least Lao Yu had undergone special training."
The team's observer Lao Yu suffered serious injuries and was still in a coma in the hospital.
"But we don't need to be too pessimistic. Didn't you say he's at least really good-looking? We can look at him with ease normally, isn't that an advantage?"
"What advantage? Do you know why he suddenly came back?"
"To lie back and win A-level missions with us and improve his star rating?"
"Nonsense." Someone interjected impatiently, "He didn't come when we said he had no combat capability. He didn't come when we said he was a decorative pillow. He came when we said our entire team is homophobic. Now, is he coming to face us head-on, or is he coming to prove his charm?"
The crowd gasped.
They cursed in disbelief.
To these straightforward soldiers, the person coming seemed like a flood or a ferocious beast.
A man with small eyes sincerely worried, "It's over. These people usually don't choose much. If he likes me, what should I do? My family has been single for three generationsâ"
Before he could finish his words, he received a fierce slap on the back of his head.
Only to hear the familiar voice behind him: "Forgot to look in the mirror again this morning?"
The handsome young man who had just entered the training room had a beautiful face, with long eyebrows and a sharp, icy temperament.
He was extremely tall, his black combat suit outlining his perfect body, coupled with a pair of sleek long legs, naturally giving off an irresistible pressure.
The man with the short haircut held his head in pain, his face mournful: "Captain Song."
The crowd burst into laughter.
Song Qinglan scanned the group of slackers, his black eyes like a cold abyss but with an unapologetic ferocity.
He spoke lazily again, "Where is he?"