After receiving the watch, Jiang Qin carefully searched for something through its protective case.

At last, she found a familiar mark on the watchband.

Seeing her try to open the box, Shi Lichuan quickly stopped her. "Qinqin, you can’t open that. The staff said the watch was coated with a lot of chemical agents so it could be preserved underground for so many years.

After archaeologists excavated it, they were afraid it would be damaged by exposure, so they treated it with more substances before sealing it in this case.

So you can’t open it. You might inhale some harmful substances."

’No wonder I felt the watch was both strange and familiar. So, it’s been treated.’

If not for the faint, blurry strokes of the character for ’Qin’ on the band, she probably wouldn’t have recognized it at all.

Jiang Qin wasn’t sure whose tomb it was from. ’It could be mine, An Xin’s, or someone else’s, like one of my fans.’

’After all, they were the only ones who would have cared about me that much.’

Yun Xie and the others saw the deep nostalgia in her eyes. It was clear she was lost in a memory.

It only took them a moment to guess she had likely seen the watch before, so they didn’t disturb her.

The auction continued.

Yuan Ling won two or three rare energy materials, Yun Xie bought a special Exotic Plant, and Shi Lichuan acquired two Energy Shields.

They bought another two or three items that they thought would be suitable for Jiang Qin.

All in all, they had really spent too much today!

Fortunately, each of them had substantial assets and no bad habits, so an occasional spending spree wouldn’t make a dent in their savings.

Mo Chen, who was in another room, also bought a necklace.

He’d never seen Jiang Qin wear something as vibrant as a ruby, but he had a feeling it would look absolutely stunning on her.

The thought of her wearing it made him smile.

’As a friend, she should accept a gift from me, right?’

Nan Xin had the same idea. He bought several pieces of jewelry without batting an eye, thinking, ’It should be fine for me to give my brother’s wife a few gifts, right?’

’I’m Yun Xie’s sworn brother, after all!’

’There’s no way she’ll refuse, right? I’ll just say it’s a belated wedding gift.’

’Yes, just for the bride.’

...

After the auction, the evening continued with a lively party.

Some of the males who had yet to find a partner were still active in the ballroom.

Today, however, everyone had taken off their masks.

It was only because the masks were off that Jiang Qin recognized Jiang Qingfeng. He was once again wearing a silver-white Combat Suit.

She belatedly realized that he seemed to be the man from the elevator yesterday.

Based on their past acquaintance, she brought a pregnancy-safe drink over to say hello.

"Young Marshal, long time no see."

Jiang Qingfeng’s world was black and white. The female before him had features, but he could never remember her face. He did, however, recognize her familiar scent.

It was a scent that had tormented him on countless nights, one he could never forget.

"Miss Jiang, long time no see."

The two of them clinked glasses and took a sip.

"What have you been busy with lately, Young Marshal? I heard you were transferred."

She didn’t mention their encounter in the elevator yesterday. After all, everyone had been wearing masks, so it was normal not to recognize one another.

’Jiang Qingfeng didn’t bring it up either. He probably didn’t recognize me.’

"Things have been pretty quiet lately. Miss Jiang, please don’t call me Young Marshal anymore. I’m the Commander of Shangyu City now."

’Commander and Young Marshal... those are clearly from different chains of command.’

But Jiang Qin didn’t ask or press the issue.

After all, their relationship wasn’t close enough to discuss such private matters.

After they concluded their business back then, they hadn’t contacted each other since, though they were still connected on their Light Computers.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries. When Jiang Qin saw another female approaching Jiang Qingfeng, she tactfully excused herself.

She quietly walked out onto the deck to enjoy the sea breeze.

She didn’t expect to see Mo Chen there as well, so she simply went and stood beside him.

Neither of them spoke.

Jiang Qin watched the dark seawater, feeling a little unnerved, while Mo Chen wondered how to give her his gift.

In the end, it was Jiang Qin who broke the silence, asking playfully, "Mo Chen, do you think there are any Alien Beasts in the sea below?"

"There shouldn’t be. Ye Lai Star’s Law Enforcement Team is very strong. Besides, it’s been confirmed safe by three parties: the cleanup crews hired by the merchants, our own Law Enforcement Team, and the Law Enforcement Team from the Female Protection Association."

"I figured as much."

This cruise ship was carrying more than half of the Interstellar’s high-level females. She didn’t dare to imagine the consequences of an attack.

’Still, it’s highly unlikely.’

It was probably just the churning sea late at night that was so unsettling.

Mo Chen seemed to sense her unease. He took a coat from his Space Button and draped it over her shoulders, saying softly, "The sea wind is strong at night. Why don’t I walk you back?"

"Okay." Jiang Qin didn’t refuse.

The two of them looked like a perfect match together.

Especially since the affection in Mo Chen’s eyes was impossible to hide.

People nearby saw this and mistook them for a young couple.

A male nearby said with envy, "I wish I could find a partner I could just enjoy the breeze with like that."

"Instead of a purely transactional relationship."

The male beside him laughed bitterly. "When things don’t start from a pure place, how can you dare hope for love?"

"That’s true. If a female were willing to just date me first, I’d accept it even if we never had cubs and my Riot Value skyrocketed."

"Oh, come on. For me, just finding a partner is enough of a goal for this trip."

"We’re different. Life is short, anyway. I want to taste the bitterness of love."

The man next to him laughed. "It certainly is bitter."

Once they had walked a little further, Jiang Qin could no longer hear their conversation.

’To be honest, I’d like to taste the bitterness of love, too. People are always curious about unknown emotions.’

’I’ve lived three lifetimes already and still have never known the pain of a broken heart.’

’Of course, I doubt I’ll get to experience it in this lifetime, either.’

’Besides the way males were brought up, I’m also too rational. I don’t subscribe to the theory that "a melon plucked by force may not be sweet, but at least it quenches your thirst."’

...

Seeing that they were almost at her room, Mo Chen knew that if he didn’t give her the gift now, it would be too late.

He took a gift box from his Space Button and handed it to Jiang Qin, his gaze flickering away nervously.

"Miss Jiang, I’d like to give you a gift."

Seeing his hand, which was holding the gift box, trembling with nervousness, Jiang Qin smiled. "Admiral, in what capacity are you giving me this gift?"

"As a friend, or as a suitor?"

Mo Chen wasn’t surprised that she had seen through him.

After all, the person being admired is always the one who can most clearly feel the depth of that admiration.

No matter how he tried to hide it, his gaze never lingered on anyone else for even a second.

Now that she had called him out, he had no reason to deny it.

"If I am a suitor, would you still be willing to accept this gift, Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Qin accepted the gift box. "Mm-hm. If it’s from the Admiral, then I will."