Chapter 45: Chapter 45: That One Centimeter Shorter Became a Profound Pain in His Heart

Jiang Yunnuan: "..."

’No way. With a whole table of food right in front of him, this guy still remembers what I said about an extra chicken leg?’

’Good thing I actually prepared one. Otherwise, I’d have to go back on my word again, and my already precarious credibility would take another nosedive. This guy would never believe anything I say again.’

"Hold on, I’ll go get it. I was so busy I forgot!"

After a brief explanation, she got up and went into the kitchen. When she came out again, she was holding a platter with a whole roast chicken on it.

She placed the roast chicken in front of Ming Ye and said, "Here you go. This is all for you."

The other three immediately looked over. They saw that the roast chicken looked different from the other dishes on the table and were dying for a taste, but in the end, they all held back. No one said a word about Ming Ye’s special treatment.

’He earned it!’

This feast was already an unexpected delight; they couldn’t push their luck and ask for more.

Sour, salty, fragrant, and spicy; the textures tender yet crisp. It was endlessly delicious, a flavor that brought pure bliss.

The men dug in, silently savoring the taste on their tongues. They could feel a steady stream of Energy pouring into their inner cores, and they couldn’t help but think about what a miserable life they had lived before this.

In no time, the entire table of food was wiped clean. Still, the men felt it wasn’t quite enough, the wonderful flavors lingering on their palates.

Although they didn’t advance in rank on the spot like last time, their bodies felt thoroughly tempered, and their strength had grown again. It was even more effective than half a month of arduous training.

Before Jiang Yunnuan could say a word, Jun Yao, Fu Yuan, and Si Xie astutely started clearing the table.

Mopping the floor, washing the dishes, wiping the table—the three of them divided the labor clearly, coordinating seamlessly.

Jiang Yunnuan leaned against the doorway, watching them work so diligently. She couldn’t be more satisfied.

’What excellent beasts of burden. I was originally planning to buy a robot to lighten the load of housework, but it looks like that won’t be necessary now.’

’A robot needs to be charged and regularly maintained, and it costs money. How could it possibly be as useful as these three?’

Within minutes, the kitchen was spotless.

"Today... thank you!"

After they finished cleaning, Si Xie hesitated for a moment before walking up to her. He averted his gaze, and his voice was awkward as he thanked her.

Jiang Yunnuan was surprised by this change in attitude.

She suddenly remembered the matter of his affinity. After being rushed by Ming Ye, she had been so busy preparing the meal that she had completely forgotten about it until now.

She hurriedly checked his affinity and saw it was still at 25.

’Huh? The affinity didn’t drop?’

’For real?’

Jiang Yunnuan found it hard to believe, but she quickly suppressed her feelings and looked at the man before her again.

He seemed very nervous. His beautiful fox ears stood erect and motionless, and the tail behind him was stiff and rigid. There was an inexplicable, dorky sort of cuteness to it that Jiang Yunnuan found endearing.

It was the first time she had seen him like this. A smile touched her lips as she spoke nonchalantly.

"Why are you thanking me?"

"I’m just... thanking you!"

He snapped back gruffly before hastily turning to leave. His fluffy, soft fox tail remained raised high and very stiff behind him.

Jiang Yunnuan: "..."

’A thank you is a thank you, but what on earth was he so nervous about?’

*

「That evening.」

Jun Yao and Ming Ye sat together, their Light Brains connected to the Interstellar Alliance’s mission space station, preparing to select a suitable mission.

All the empires in the galaxy, whether governmental or private entities, posted their missions on this website. In addition to the main mission page, there was also a communication platform.

On this platform, mission-takers could recruit teammates, communicate, cooperate, and even make friends.

Si Xie watched them from the side, his expression shifting from conflicted to regretful—a picture of utter complexity.

Seeing his expression, Fu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "What’s wrong? Regretting it?"

"So what if I am?" he bit out irritably.

Fu Yuan’s lips curled into a smile. "I have to say, I preferred you when you were wild and untamable."

Si Xie: "..."

"What good does mocking me do you?"

He narrowed his eyes, glaring angrily at Fu Yuan, who replied in an excellent mood.

"No good at all. I just enjoy seeing you look so regretful."

Si Xie: "..."

’This guy is so infuriating, so detestable. Forget it. I can’t be bothered with him.’

"Why don’t you go apologize to her? Foxes are canids, after all. A dog is a dog, right?"

Si Xie ignored him, but that didn’t mean the matter was over. Fu Yuan continued his proposal, his words dripping with sarcasm. Si Xie’s teeth itched with the urge to punch him.

He couldn’t help but recall his earlier declaration—’Whoever regrets is a dog’—and his face flushed with shame.

Just then, all of their Light Brains chimed at once. It was a message from the group chat: ’King Jiang and Her Harem’.

King Jiang: "Your martial arts are terrible, especially yours, Si Xie. You need to practice properly. I have a secret manual here. Starting today, you all must train hard with each other every day, no slacking;"

"I’ll be training with you every day. Whoever performs the worst not only gets no dinner but will also have to face a storm of criticism from me. The best performer gets an extra chicken leg!"

Following these two messages was a system notification from the Light Brain.

’Group owner King Jiang has sent the peerless secret manual > to all group members. Please check for it.’

The four of them: "..."

When the four didn’t respond, Jiang Yunnuan sent another message.

King Jiang: "Reply when you’ve received it!"

Cold Concubine - Ming Ye: "."

Proud Consort - Fu Yuan: "1"

Rebel Concubine - Si Xie: @King Jiang "Can you change our names?"

Mad Consort - Jun Yao: "..."

King Jiang: @Rebel Concubine Si Xie "Request denied. Come back with your demands when you can actually beat Bai Luo."

Si Xie: "..."

’Is losing to Bai Luo going to be the shame of my entire life?’

Rebel Concubine Si Xie: "It’s not my fault I can’t beat him! I used to wipe the floor with him. But ever since I was assigned to you, you took all my Star Coins, stopped me from going to school, and forced me to drop out of my combat classes before they were even finished. The Energy Liquids you give me are the lowest grade, my constitution has gotten much worse, even my skin is worse, and it’s even affected my height."

The other three were 190 cm tall, but he was only 189 cm. That one-centimeter difference was a source of deep pain for him.

"Bai Luo goes to the best combat academy in the Alliance and has already had a year more of schooling than me. He drinks the highest-grade Energy Liquids, so his constitution is stronger than mine by more than just a little bit..."

As his complaints continued to pour in, Jiang Yunnuan finally remembered that this guy was only nineteen years old—still school-aged.

Citizens of the Empire were required from a young age to study subjects like mecha piloting, combat, Light Brain information systems, Alliance history, interstellar encyclopedias, hostile races, genetics, Beast Souls, and Talent Skills.

Combat classes included, but were not limited to, martial arts. The three years from age eighteen to twenty were dedicated to advanced martial arts and were absolutely crucial.