```
They had already investigated Qu Tong's identity and couldn't find any issue, which of course included information about her mother and her daily life on Star 1757.
"I know, I know, as the Empress, I should pay attention to my manners," said the Emperor, unable to help himself as he looked at her with eyes full of indulgence.
"Hmph! You're so cool and impressive, Yuting inherited your temperament, he's 30 and still has no wife."
The Empress mocked mercilessly.
The Emperor: "..."
Looks like he couldn't get past this joke…
Yet, moments later, the meal was completely dealt with, and the Empress elegantly took out a handkerchief to dab the corners of her mouth, happily sending several messages back to Qu Tong.
Abel Star
The soldiers who had just finished their drills were returning to base in pairs and groups, ready to rest.
Si Yuting wore a camouflage shirt that looked refreshing, and he was wiping his hair with a white towel as he walked into the base's lobby. The other warriors greeted him, but the man just nodded coldly in response.
In the center of the lobby, a green vine plant was conspicuously planted.
"Boss, there's a package for you."
Xiong Lie, with his solid muscles, came in with a box, with a square box placed on top of it.
Siyuting frowned in confusion, "Where did it come from?"
He didn't remember expecting any deliveries.
Without looking, Xiong Lie who carried the items simply said honestly, "It was transmitted from a low-grade star, the address is hidden. It arrived over two hours ago, and I brought it to you when I saw it."
Just then, Cheng Feng came out of his room, casually took the box from Xiong Lie's cardboard box and said with a casual tone, "From a low-grade star? What good stuff did you buy?"
"I haven't bought anything," Si Yuting said coldly, showing no intention of taking it.
Cheng Feng raised an eyebrow, "Let's open it and see."
"Whatever you want," Si Yuting said dismissively, as he walked towards the vine.
Cheng Feng, who was used to Si Yuting, knew that his "whatever you want" meant consent.
He peeled off the sealing tape and twisted open the switch on top.
Xiong Lie also put down the box and leaned in curiously.
"This box looks a lot like the lunch box my mom used to bring me food in," said Xiong Lie.
"A lunch box? Could it be a care package from the Empress Dowager for the boss?" speculated Cheng Feng.
With a "click," the box opened.
"It really is food, and it smells quite good, too."
"Eh, there's a note?"
Cheng Feng glanced back at Si Yuting, who was carefully observing the vine, and seeing that Si Yuting didn't even turn around, he surely must have heard the noise from this end. Cheng Feng picked up the rolled-up note from the plate and unfolded it.
"Let's see, what can't be said over communications these days that needs to be written on a note?"
"Hello... honey! Honey? Ahhhh!!" Cheng Feng had barely started reading when he suddenly screamed, causing the few scattered people around him to quickly gather.
"What is it? Let me see!"
Xiong Lie also got excited, reaching out to snatch the note and read it.
But the note was snatched away by another hand.
Si Yuting stood behind them with a chilling expression and a slight frown, hinting at his sharpness.
Cheng Feng, Xiong Lie, and the few warriors who had crowded around looked at Si Yuting eagerly, unable to suppress the gossip in their eyes.
Si Yuting unfolded the note and read the brief, not very long two sentences, "Hello, honey. I'm Qu Tong, you can call me Tong Tong. Training must be tiring, don't forget to take care of yourself. I made some delicious food for you, do you like it?"
After finishing the note, Si Yuting's expression unconsciously stiffened.
"Boss, heh heh, which girl sent you this love letter?" Xiong Lie asked with a snicker.
```
"Hubby, Big Brother, when did you get married?" Cheng Feng zeroed in on the crucial point, his face filled with disbelief.
The others had a sudden realization, letting out a long "Oh~" before they all turned their gazes toward Si Yuting.
Si Yuting swept them with a glance, and they instantly withdrew their eyes.
"Big Brother is both wise and mighty, it's normal for him to get married. Come on, let's see what good stuff Sister-in-law brought for Big Brother, let me admire it," Wu Yue said, kissing up and changing the subject.
"Yeah, let's open it and see. I'm curious too, I smelled it a while ago."
Cheng Feng looked at Si Yuting's expression. Although he looked somewhat displeased, he didn't object, so Cheng Feng confidently got to work.
"This must be chicken stewed with mushrooms, but why does this mutant chicken smell so good?"
"This dish isn't bad either, it makes my mouth water just from the smell. Is this stir-fried eggs?"
"Sister-in-law's cooking skills are really something."
"Fruit! This stuff is rare!"
"These look better than any I've eaten before."
The gossiping group was all talking at once, and when Si Yuting heard them use the term "Sister-in-law," his brow furrowed slightly, but he still said nothing.
Looking at the dozen or so small tomatoes in the box, Cheng Feng's eyes twinkled as he gave Si Yuting a radiant smile, "Big Brother, it's been so long since I've had Energy Fruit."
Inside his mind: [Actually, I ate some just a few days ago, just not any that looked this tempting.]
Si Yuting, seeing their eager eyes, said coldly, "Is the Energy Liquid from the logistics department that bad?"
Xiong Lie and the others nodded in unison, while Cheng Feng shook his head in confusion.
Si Yuting said nothing and turned to leave.
The group felt a surge of joy in their hearts; after working together for so many years, they understood each other's temperaments quite well.
Moreover, Big Brother had a high physical grade and his own special Energy Liquid; they seldom saw him eat anything.
"Big Brother, catch."
Si Yuting turned instinctively, reached out, and caught the object that Cheng Feng had tossed to him.
"We'll divide the rest between us, thanks for your generosity, Big Brother," Cheng Feng said, winking at Si Yuting with a smile.
When Si Yuting returned to his room and looked at the shiny red apple in his hand, he, who usually had little appetite, felt that it must taste good.
He took a bite.
The taste was indeed good.
The energy inside was also slightly more than what the agricultural institute provided each month.
He glanced at the note in his palm and casually put it on the table. Remembering the events of the past few days, his stern face showed a flicker of irritation.
After finishing the apple, he took out a smart brain and a pack of paper documents from the drawer.
The computer screen's holographic projection displayed a 3D model of a warship, with data jumping continuously. The man sometimes typed on the keyboard, sometimes sifted through the documents, deep in thought and strategic planning.
It wasn't until the smart brain made a beeping reminder sound that the man typed a few more times before turning off the projection and locking both the smart brain and the documents in the drawer, then stood up.
He stopped by the bed, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over a rolled-up note on the desk. After a brief pause, he went back to the bookcase behind the desk, took out a glass jar, and threw the note into it.
After securing the lid, he carelessly placed it on the bedside cabinet.
*
For several days, Qu Tong weaved through the dense forest, searching for the medicinal ingredients she needed.
She occasionally encountered low-grade Star Beasts, but none were a match for her.
Not yet fully recovered in her Special Ability, Qu Tong always left a safety margin of thirty percent and found a place to rest.
When she was hungry, she would gather ingredients on the spot and make something simple to eat.
These days, as she was heading into the forest, it wasn't convenient to go to the logistical stations, so she hadn't sent food to the Empress and the others either.
Anyway, it was the thought that counted, and since they were so wealthy, they wouldn't miss a bite to eat.