In the ensuing days, Song Qinglan had not crossed paths with Ji Yushi.
According to Duan's account, Ji Yushi had been attending classes for new recruits in the mornings and conducting personal training sessions in the afternoons. His schedule was brimming with activities, and Minister Wang had paid him a visit once, offering generous praise.
In the eyes of the leadership, those engaged in administrative roles appeared to be diligent in their pursuits. Minister Wang's admonition to Song Qinglan over the phone carried a sobering tone:
"Young Ji is diligent and astute. When the time for assignments comes, you must prioritize teamwork. After all, he holds a two-star rating, and upon completing this task, he should ascend to a three-star rank. Don't assume that I am unaware of your intentions to treat him merely as an ornament."
Song Qinglan, feigning comprehension, replied, "How could such a thing be possible?" The training grounds boasted personalized targeted training rooms as well as team-oriented simulation combat systems. As per tradition, two days before the assignment, everyone would engage in team training sessions. Song Qinglan realized Ji Yushi's absence only after summoning everyone:
"Lao Duan, did you inform him?"
"I thought Li Chun had spoken to him yesterday."
"Absurd! I haven't even encountered him!"
"Well, he's probably attending lectures again."
"Tangqi, you organize the training."
Song Qinglan intended to personally locate Ji to avoid further censure from Minister Wang. Exiting the training grounds, he made his way directly to the new recruits' camp. As the youngest captain, Song Qinglan conducted the first combat class for these newcomers entering the Skyrealm. His expertise in close-quarters combat humbled even those from prestigious backgrounds, leaving them compliant. However, Song Qinglan's appearance at the window invariably caused some to become unsettled.
Amidst the lecture on space and time, Song Qinglan quickly spotted the individual he sought: Ji Yushi, seated by the window.
"Space constitutes the universe in which we dwell, while time delineates our known universe."
The lecturer manipulated holographic images, tracing a colorful arc of light that seemed to emerge from nowhere and fade into the void. Some students murmured in admiration. Ji Yushi, however, appeared oblivious to the captivating demonstration, his head bowed in apparent disinterest.
"Time is akin to a flowing thread, bestowing upon us both past and future."
"The past is immutable—a person cannot traverse back in time to eliminate their own grandfather, thus elucidating the grandfather paradox. Russian scientist Novikov also proposed the principle of self-consistency, suggesting that even if time travel were feasible, it would not alter the course of history. For, in essence, our present is the culmination of countless alterations."
The light shimmered and undulated in the air. The lecturer continued,
"What about the future? Over twenty years ago, our country's scientific team invented the Skyrealm. They discovered that time is not confined to a single thread."
With a flourish of the lecturer's hand, the arc of light in the air underwent a transformation. The light abruptly fragmented, bursting forth into countless fine threads, dispersing in myriad directions from the present moment.
"The Skyrealm's formidable computational power enables us to extrapolate countless futures from our present. Its emergence allowed humanity to grasp the existence of parallel worlds in the future. In the twenty years since its establishment, countries worldwide have utilized the Skyrealm and the actions of its guardians in future parallel worlds to successfully thwart 1,771 potential terrorist attacks, 542 riots, and 6 wars, as well as preempt 3 major natural disasters."
Throughout the lecture, numerous documentary films were screened alternately. As Song Qinglan approached the window, he pondered Minister Wang's description of Ji's diligence and astuteness. Little did he realize that the diligent and astute Ji Yushi was deeply engrossed in an antiquated handheld game console during class. Under his adept manipulation, the Tetris blocks fell, rotated, merged, and disappeared at astonishing speed, accumulating points with each maneuver.
It was undeniable—Ji Yushi was a Tetris virtuoso, perhaps unparalleled throughout the Skyrealm. With his head lowered, the slight protrusion of Ji Yushi's cervical vertebrae was visible, the slender contour of his shoulder blades clearly defined. His demeanor exuded concentration, his long eyelashes casting a serene aura, while his profile appeared serene. His fingers were slender, nails short and clean, reflecting an impression of someone who had never tasted hardship.
Song Qinglan speculated that perhaps Ji had never intended to endure hardship in the first place.
The day before the mission, everyone gathered for a mission briefing in the afternoon. As with previous mission meetings, the destination map was displayed on the large screen, with several markers attached. The Skyrealm Headquarters' third command center was in charge of coordinating this mission. The meeting room accommodated thirty to forty people, mostly support staff except for the members of the Seventh Team. Even Minister Wang sat among the audience as the mission commander briefed on the upcoming task.
"A month ago, Skyrealm projected a sudden and significant population decline in Xijing in the year 1460 of the Stellar Era, with a fluctuation of up to 3% during this period."
The commander zoomed in on the map, pointing to the blinking red areas.
"According to the projection, excluding natural disasters, explosions, and other energy factors, Skyrealm has classified this mission as a possible biochemical terrorist attack, with an A-level priority."
"A biochemical terrorist attack?"
"Haven't we dealt with one before?!"
"Just a minor incident!"
"I propose."
Seated in a corner, Song Qinglan's sharp ink-black eyes reflected the red dots on the map. "Upon successfully completing this A-level mission, I apply for an S-level mission."
With the author's postscript directing readers to visit Silixs.com, the whispers began to circulate in the meeting room. It was common knowledge that the rating from an S-level mission equated to the combined ratings of five A-level missions. Despite completing a dozen A-level missions successfully, the Seventh Team had only been established for two years and had yet to break into the top three due to their lack of S-level mission experience.
Hearing this, Ji Yushi couldn't help but recall the discussion. Sitting among his teammates, he could clearly see the demeanor of Song Qinglan. The arrogance, self-assurance, and desire for victory were all evident in Song Qinglan's tone.
"Request accepted," the commander paused, addressing Song Qinglan. "Following this mission, the command center will reassess based on your performance. Please be prepared to accept an S-level mission at any time."
Song Qinglan had heard this rhetoric many times before. Sitting coldly with little expression, it was hard to resist the suspicion that this rebellious rising star would eventually erupt.
After the assembly, there was another strategic meeting to attend, and Song Qinglan spent another two hours alone with Minister Wang and other direct superiors.
When he emerged, his teammates were all changed into casual clothes waiting for him.
"Call the newcomer," Song Qinglan said casually.
The night before the mission, the entire team went out for hotpot together, a customary ritual before setting out on a mission.
"I called him. Ji Consultant said he won't be coming."
"He's still in the training room."
Song Qinglan recalled the scene of Ji Yushi playing Tetris during a professional class, feeling a hint of amusement. He instructed everyone else to go ahead and save seats.
In the vast training ground with hundreds of private training rooms, the Seventh Team had their own designated number. With his authorization, Song Qinglan found the person he was looking for with little effort.
Ji Yushi had just finished training. Sweat drenched his body, and his gray T-shirt collar was soaked through. Two mechanical arms were positioned on either side of him, one handing him a towel and the other offering purified water.
Ji Yushi took the water, surprised by Song Qinglan's presence. "Captain Song?"
Standing at the doorway with his arms folded, Song Qinglan seemed to be waiting for a reasonable explanation.
"Why aren't you joining the dinner?" Ji Yushi took a sip of water, sweat dripping from his eyebrows and corners of his eyes, his handsome features glistening with moisture.
Though both were men, Song Qinglan suddenly felt a strange sensation, as if... his presence in the training room of his subordinates was somehow inappropriate and should be avoided.
Ji Yushi replied, wiping away the sweat with a towel, "Sorry, I have a scheduled video call tonight."
"Can't it be a bit later?" Song Qinglan inquired.
"Too clingy, he'd get upset," Ji Yushi explained.
This remark hinted at something, reminding Song Qinglan of a critical point and why he felt the need to avoid suspicion.
He raised an eyebrow. "Someone at home?"
The mechanical arms obediently took back the towel and left. But a droplet of sweat fell from Ji Yushi's forehead, and he instinctively grabbed the hem of his shirt, using it to wipe away the sweat.
Unlike all the other Skyrealm guardians, Ji Yushi had a slim and flexible waist that looked delicate and fragile, his skin unusually fair and tender, as if it couldn't bear to be touched. Amidst his movements, his sweaty flat abdomen revealed a round belly button, faintly visible beneath the waistband.
Song Qinglan averted his gaze.
"Do you mind, Captain Song?" Ji Yushi seemed to understand the conflict better than him, his demeanor natural. "Do the training rooms I've been in need to be disinfected?"
Ji Yushi had heard about the severity of Song Qinglan's homophobia. Rumor had it that he even disinfected offices that gay people had entered openly.
This kind of provocation didn't really faze Song Qinglan.
Song Qinglan stated his true purpose for coming to the training room, which wasn't as harsh as expected. "I just wanted to tell you that many people are trying to complete an A-level mission to upgrade their star ratings. They'll soon find out they've bitten off more than they can chew because A-level missions are much more dangerous than they imagine. If you, Ji Consultant, still care about the people around you, it's not too late to withdraw now. I'll arrange for you to return to Ningcheng."
Ji Yushi seemed oblivious to the sarcasm. "But for me, it's already too late to withdraw."
The atmosphere was tense.
Song Qinglan suddenly smiled. "Alright, then I have only one request for you."
Ji Yushi appeared calm, meeting his gaze.
Song Qinglan dropped a few words before leaving. "Obey orders and win lying down."