Chapter 32: Invitation

“If I buy a private car, does this house come with a parking space?” Yan He asked Xiaona.

“Yes,” Xiaona replied, “This property comes with a mobile parking space in the 70th-floor garage, controlled by the central AI brain of the building. You can directly access it through the boarding door on the balcony.”

“That’s good.”

Yan He opened a car purchasing website and started browsing private car models. Without making a decision yet, Xiaona notified him, “Major, the fitness equipment you ordered has arrived.”

Delivery is done by robots, and without Yan He giving any instructions, Xiaona had already opened the door to receive the delivery.

After the delivery robot from the courier company left, the household robot at Jiang Miao’s home took over, unpacking, moving, and placing the items. With Xiaona around, Yan He didn’t have to worry about anything. He watched the robots busy at work, occasionally discussing with Xiaona about how to arrange the equipment to make the best use of the space.

Once everything was in place, Xiaona asked, “Major, should the packaging boxes be sent for recycling, or should they be kept at home?”

Usually, for movable non-furniture items, most people prefer to keep the packaging for future needs.

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Zyd Tl byckvwyzzu ypjle, “Rp vblal y rzynl vs pvsal vblx?”

“Zlp, vbl esnvsa pvsale yzz vbl rynjytkdt csmlp kd vbl pvsaytl assx,” Dkysdy alrzkle.

Mbl ascsv qszele vbl rynjytkdt csmlp yde nyaakle vblx vs vbl pvsaytl assx. Zyd Tl qszzsole vs vyjl y zssj.

Kkydt Ykys zkhle yzsdl, yde kv bye clld zlpp vbyd y ulya pkdnl xshkdt kd, ps vblal oypd’v xwnb nzwvvla. Mbl rzynl oyp iwkvl lxrvu, cwv kd sdl nsadla, vblal oyp y rkzl sq vbkdtp, yde vbl yaaydtlxldv sq vbl prynl zssjle y ckv yojoyae.

“Ebyv yal vblpl?” Zyd Tl ypjle.

“Rv’p vbl rynjytkdt csmlp qsa Pa. Kkydt’p ralhkswp qkvdlpp liwkrxldv,” Dkysdy pyke.

“Elzz, ol rascyczu osd’v dlle vblx yduxsal. Pkprspl sq vblx,” Zyd Tl pyke. Mbspl qkvdlpp liwkrxldv bye yzalyeu clld casjld kdvs rklnlp yde vbasod yoyu yp tyacytl.

Mbl ascsv qszzsole vbl nsxxyde vs xshl vbspl rynjytkdt csmlp.

Soon, it revealed a standing cabinet behind them…

~

In front of Jiang Miao, there were data streams and modules. While she was busy calculating and simulating, a pigeon suddenly flew in, holding a letter in its beak.

The pigeon flew to Jiang Miao, opened its beak, and a snow-white letter automatically unfolded in front of her:

“Dear Dr. Jiang Miao,

I am pleased to invite you to a birthday celebration at my private residence in Star Bay on Friday, October 11, 6385 Interstellar Era. Your presence is earnestly requested.

Yours sincerely,
Helena Allison”

Below the main text were dress requirements, detailed address, and the number of guests invited: two.

Huh? Has time passed so quickly?

Jiang Miao took off her glasses, exited the virtual scenario, kicked her chair, and slid directly next to Tanaka. “Tanaka, Tanaka!”

Tanaka also took off his glasses. “It’s the big boss’s birthday again. Time flies each year!” Tanaka also received an invitation. He was the second in command of this project and was qualified to receive an invitation.

“Yeah, didn’t even feel the time passing,” Jiang Miao said.

In the interstellar era, human lifespan extended, making the perception of time relatively slow.

Jiang Miao said, “So, this year, the two of us…”

“No.” Tanaka calmly rejected Jiang Miao. “This year, I have someone I want to invite.”

“…,” Jiang Miao, “Isn’t it still your single period?”

“I want to invite a tennis buddy,” Tanaka said. “The one I mentioned last time, the one I said I wanted to introduce to you.”

“Isn’t he a straight guy?”

“He’s straight. I tried to test the waters, but he’s unmovable,” Tanaka sighed and said with some regret, “Since we can’t be a couple, let’s just be friends. I really appreciate him.”

In this society, most people don’t have families, and naturally, there are no social relationships extending from family backgrounds. Without relying on influential parents, they can only rely on themselves.

Events like the birthday banquet at Mr. Allison’s house attract both the wealthy class and social elites. For successful middle-class individuals like Jiang Miao and Tanaka, it is an essential social opportunity.

Last year, at this time, both of them were single, so they attended together. But this year, Tanaka made new friends, and he wanted to share this rare social opportunity with them.

Just like how Jiang Miao’s former project team colleagues invited her to events organized by the Interstellar Association, expanding social connections and mutually helping each other in career development.

“Well, okay,” Jiang Miao could only agree. She wondered who to invite. A college classmate? Or should she leave the opportunity for a subordinate she finds appealing?

Tanaka rubbed his chin and suggested, “You can invite that Major.”

In this matter, Yan He was a blind spot in Jiang Miao’s thinking. She always felt that her life and social circle with Yan He should be separate. Apart from the matter of having children, they should be like two parallel lines, each going their own way.

“You’ll be living together for several years. If you get along well, you might become good friends,” Tanaka, who had a good relationship with the mother of his son, smiled and said, “Moreover, even if you don’t plan to do anything during the child-rearing period, can’t you consider something in the future after the child-rearing period is over? Don’t be so rigid.”

People who live a long life tend to be more worldly-wise.

Jiang Miao, considering both her current and previous lives, is not younger than Tanaka in terms of age. However, she has spent most of her life in academic pursuits and technological endeavors, making her thoughts relatively more straightforward.

Thinking about the good relationship between Zhang Ya and Mr. Coso, where Zhang Ya would even call Mr. Coso for help when needed, Jiang Miao wondered if she could have a similar relationship with Yan He in the future. Maybe there could be more…

“Well,” she bit her finger, “I’ll think about it.”

Putting on her virtual glasses and immersing herself back into work, she suddenly heard Tanaka’s voice faintly speaking in her ear.

Actually, that person… I was thinking of trying to persuade him. Even if we can’t be a couple, maybe he could consider having a child with me…

Jiang Miao felt lucky that she wasn’t drinking water at that moment, or she might have sprayed her workstation.

Taking off her glasses and turning around, she saw that Tanaka hadn’t put on his glasses at all. He sighed, holding the glasses in his hand.

“Do you really like him?” Jiang Miao asked in surprise.

She had known Tanaka for several years and had seen him change several partners, both male and female. She never thought of him as particularly sentimental or committed. Why was he so emotional this time?

In this era, although the most common way is for a man and a woman to have a child, the technology for same-sex couples, both male and female, to have children has already been realized.

In fact, as far as Jiang Miao knew, this technology could have been theoretically achieved more than six thousand years ago.

However, in that era of ancient Earth, homosexuality was a minority, and it wasn’t treated equally by the mainstream society. Moreover, the technology of extracting DNA from two individuals of the same sex and combining them to create new life was an extremely complex and troublesome process. It carried significant ethical pressures, and no scientist was willing to attempt it.

So, until the time when Jiang Miao crossed over due to a laboratory explosion, it remained only “theoretically possible.”

“I once read an article that said, ‘There’s always that one person in the world. When you see them, you can’t help but think about having a child with them,'” Tanaka exhaled and shrugged, “I guess I’ve encountered that person, but unfortunately, our orientations are different. He’s straight.”

Such an artistic expression surprisingly touched the heart of Jiang Miao, a woman of science and engineering.

What was her mood and thoughts when she first saw Yan He? Jiang Miao tried hard to recall. It seemed that, at the first glance, she couldn’t help but fantasize… that they would have incredibly good-looking babies together?

Returning home after work, as soon as Jiang Miao stepped inside, she took a deep breath. The air was filled with the aroma of cooked food.

Since Yan He came here, coming home had become something worth looking forward to.

“I’m back!” Jiang Miao shouted energetically.

“Change your clothes and go for training,” Yan He’s voice came from the kitchen.

Jiang Miao grinned and went to change her clothes.

In the gym, she noticed, “Oh, new equipment arrived?”

Brand new and shiny, she tapped it with her fingers. It was made of blue steel alloy, currently one of the hardest alloy metals, often used for spaceship exteriors.

Xiaona pulled up today’s training program list, which had increased in intensity compared to before and raised the gravity level. Fortunately, the training was gradually progressing, and Jiang Miao had adapted.

After sweating profusely and closing the gravity field, she suddenly felt her body full of strength, light as a feather.

“I’m done,” she shouted to the kitchen.

“Got it, get ready to eat after your shower,” came the response from the kitchen.

Yan He still hadn’t shown his face.

Maybe he’s busy cooking, Jiang Miao thought.

It wasn’t until after she finished her shower and sat at the dining table that she felt something was off. Why did Yan He seem to be in a bad mood today? It was like he had returned to the way he was when he first arrived?

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Miao asked curiously. “Is there something bothering you today?”

“Nothing,” Yan He’s expression was indifferent, showing no emotions. “I had a pleasant day.”

A pleasant day, but why no smile?

Jiang Miao had gotten used to the smiling Yan He in the past few days. Suddenly, he returned to the icy demeanor. It felt a bit strange. She kept stealing glances at him during dinner, but Yan He didn’t show any signs that anything was wrong. Everything seemed normal again?

Truly puzzling.

After dinner, while watching Yan He go to the living room, Jiang Miao thought for a moment. She personally went to brew two cups of tea – in the entire set of porcelain that Yan He bought, there were also tea sets, but in these warm days, he usually chose to drink beer.

Jiang Miao usually left household chores to the robots and rarely did them herself, to the extent that Yan He’s attention shifted away from the central brain screen, prompting him to glance at her.

“The weather forecast says the temperature in our area will drop by five degrees this month,” Jiang Miao said. “Have some hot tea.”

Yan He took the tea cup and glanced at her. “Why not coffee?”

After a week of living together, he had noticed that Jiang Miao was a coffee person. She started drinking coffee from the moment she woke up until before going to bed.

“Tea is good too,” Jiang Miao said. “How’s your sleep lately?”

“Okay. Watching some relaxing videos helps me unwind and fall asleep easily,” Yan He sipped the tea. “The water temperature isn’t high enough.”

“Oh?”

“Use boiling water,” Yan He said. “The water from the hot water dispenser is only 90 degrees, and it affects the taste of the tea. Next time, tell Xiaona to use boiling water for tea.”

“Oh, I see. Got it.”

Yan He took a few more sips and looked up. “Is there something you want to talk to me about?”

Caught red-handed. Jiang Miao scratched her face.

Seeing her habitual gesture, Yan He finally smiled. “Just say it if you have something.”

Jiang Miao said, “Well, this Friday night is our big boss’s birthday banquet. I received the invitation, but I don’t have a plus one…”

“No boyfriend currently?” Yan He asked.

“None! I’m focusing on having a baby!” Jiang Miao flexed her arm, showing her muscles. Surprisingly, daily training had made her muscles firm, and her skin seemed better, her complexion more rosy. Colleagues in the lab praised her for looking even more attractive.

Yan He couldn’t hold back and finally laughed.

“For the boss’s invitation, giving a subordinate a chance would be even better, right?” he suggested.

Even though he was a military man, he was quite understanding. Indeed, the military had more obvious and sharp hierarchical distinctions.

Clearing her throat, Jiang Miao said, “I was thinking that, from now on, at least for the next four years, we’ll be living together. Of course, once the baby starts attending kindergarten, we’ll likely go our separate ways. But during these four years, I don’t think we need to be strictly separated. Besides the child, our lives should have some intersections, getting to know each other more. This way, in front of the child, we won’t appear distant; instead, we’ll be familiar and affectionate, providing the child with more psychological security.”

Although they currently weren’t distant in any way, Jiang Miao’s thoughtful approach made Yan He gaze at her for a while.

His eyes softened noticeably, and even his gaze seemed warmer.

In a daze, Jiang Miao felt that the two parallel lines seemed to be getting closer… Spit, spit, spit! Bridges and roads will go their separate ways in the future!

She wouldn’t let herself be swayed by emotions again!

“Okay,” Yan He said, “this Friday, right? Anything specific to note?”

“Oh, yes,” Jiang Miao said, “Formal attire is required.”

“Okay, no problem.”

In this society, military personnel almost have a lifelong career, and military uniforms are worn for formal occasions. Although Yan He came with a small suitcase, there would at least be a set of military dress uniforms.

With everything settled, it seemed like they were taking a step closer to each other again. Jiang Miao felt very pleased.

At this moment, Yan He told her, “I bought a car.”

“Huh?” Jiang Miao asked, “Are there places where public transportation doesn’t go?”

“Not really,” Yan He said, “I just prefer driving myself.”

Thinking about it, Yan He’s home on Piak-9 was in a nearly primitive ecological environment, with no public transportation system. People there usually traveled by flying cars, and it made sense that he might not be used to it.

“Sure, this house has a parking space, and the boarding door is on the balcony,” she pointed out.

Feeling more and more at ease with her, it seemed that their future cohabitation and parenting life would be harmonious.

With this cheerful mood, she said to Yan He at the bedroom door, “Good night, Major.”

The young and handsome Major didn’t respond immediately. He stood at the entrance of his own bedroom, contemplative for a moment, very serious, and said to Jiang Miao, “Doctor, we’ll be living together for several more years in the future. I hope…”

“Don’t force yourself to change your habits because of me,” he said.

Ah, was he talking about the tea and coffee thing?

He’s really considerate and gentle.

Feeling even better, Jiang Miao smiled, “It’s okay, red tea is good too.”

Until she closed the bedroom door, she was still wondering, what did the Major’s hesitant expression mean?

Looking at the time, it was very late. Jiang Miao yawned and got into bed.

Drowsily, she felt like she had missed something?

Until midnight, she suddenly sat up!

Jiang Miao screamed, “Xiaona!!!! Where did Major put those fitness equipment, the boxes?!?!”

---

Sansukini: Hehe. He found her intimacy robots.

Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5⭐ review. (人❛ᴗ❛)♪тнайк　чоц♪(❛ᴗ❛*人)

You can also check out my other translations Here