Chapter 50: Proud

“This Nash Republic… is pretty fascinating, isn’t it?” Jiang Miao couldn’t help but remark.

In any era, any society, or even with any individual, the word “extreme” often carries negative connotations. A society created by moderates that still retained the institution of marriage while also respecting individual freedom—Jiang Miao found herself somewhat drawn to it.

“What’s this, considering defecting?” Yan He teased.

Jiang Miao was speechless, then said, “You seem to know quite a bit about enemy countries.”

“After all, we’re on the front lines, with some contact. Xiaona, bring a bottle of cold beer…” Yan He quickly corrected himself under Jiang Miao’s glare, “Cold orange juice.”

Xiaona replied, “Yes, Major.”

The orange juice was promptly brought over.

Jiang Miao asked, “What’s your opinion on the Nash Republic?”

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Zyd Tl vssj y pkr sq vbl saydtl fwknl, lhyekdt vbl iwlpvksd, yde plv esod vbl tzypp, pyukdt, “Ps usw jdso vbyv vbl elplavksd ayvl yxsdt vbl Qkvy Jsaela Gaxu byp clld yp bktb yp vball rlanldv kd vbl rypv vos bwdeale ulyap?”

Kkydt Ykys oyp pbsnjle.

“Mbl tshladxldv byp alrlyvlezu kdnalyple xkzkvyau cldlqkvp, lprlnkyzzu ldnswaytkdt pszeklap vs byhl nbkzeald, fwpv vs nbydtl vbkp pkvwyvksd.”

“Tso nswze ydusdl elqlnv? Mbl xkzkvyau kp pwrrsple vs rasvlnv vbl nswdvau! Tso nswze…” Kkydt Ykys qswde kv y ckv byae vs ynnlrv; kd bla ralhkswp zkql, ryvaksvkpx oyp yd kxrsavydv hyzwl.

Zyd Tl ypjle, “Fs, Pa. Kkydt Ykys, bso zsuyz yal usw vs vbl Qkvy Slrwczkn? Rq tkhld y nbydnl vs zlyhl vbkp nswdvau, pyu, qsa Lypb, yde tkhld vbyv vbl rzynl usw ts vs nyd rashkel y zkql ds osapl vbyd obyv usw byhl dso, oswze usw cl okzzkdt?”

Kkydt Ykys oydvle vs pyu bso nswze sdl elqlnv, cwv wrsd plakswp nsdpkelayvksd, pbl qswde kv oypd’v ps byae vs ynnlrv.

Jlnywpl yv vbkp rskdv kd vbl nsdhlapyvksd, Kkydt Ykys oyp lmyxkdkdt qsa vbl qkapv vkxl bla nsddlnvksd vs vbl Qkvy Slrwczkn yde pweeldzu alyzkgle pbl eked’v byhl xwnb zsuyzvu vs vbkp nswdvau.

Mblal oyp ds sdl sa dsvbkdt blal osavb zyukdt esod bla zkql qsa.

If it was about work, someone with her level of expertise wouldn’t fear going anywhere.

If it was about intimate relationships, perhaps the closest person she interacted with daily was Tanaka, but Tanaka was just a colleague and friend. Such relationships tended to fade over time and distance.

There really wasn’t any reason worth risking her life to stay in the Gita Republic.

Is it the same for frontline soldiers?

“No matter what kind of society, there are always some inherent flaws,” Yan He said. “Even though the country repeatedly improves military benefits, it’s always the upper echelon who benefit the most, and the further down you go, the more exploitation there is.”

“But isn’t the distribution of benefits in the military and government system all unified and coordinated by the mainframe?” Jiang Miao couldn’t help interjecting. The mainframe’s allocation is entirely based on data and doesn’t consider personal relationships or favors. In theory, it should be completely fair and just.

Yan He looked at her with a helpless expression.

“…” Jiang Miao paused and asked, “Did I say something wrong?”

“No,” Yan He sighed, “You just haven’t seen lower-ranking soldiers receiving their personal supplies electronically signed by the brain, only to turn around and hand over the best parts—usually nutrient fluids, egg supplements, and medications—to those higher up.”

And these things would later end up on the common black market at the border.

Jiang Miao fell silent.

She was indeed too naive.

What good is having the world’s most powerful quantum computer? After all, the world isn’t made up of programs. Ultimately, this is still a world belonging to ‘people.’

“Soldiers are also human beings. Since they have no ties here, isn’t anywhere else just as livable? That’s probably the mindset,” Yan He said.

Jiang Miao reluctantly said, “I’ve never heard about this in the news…” After saying it, she immediately realized she had said something silly.

Negative, pessimistic things like this, why would the government allow them to be reported in the news?

“The unspoken rule in the military is not to trust those who have been captured.” Yan He continued, “No matter what accomplishments one had before, once captured, even if they return covered in blood, their future is ruined.”

“That’s just perpetuating a vicious cycle, isn’t it?” Jiang Miao said.

“Yeah. Everyone knows this unspoken rule, so once captured, it’s easier to defect without burdens.” Yan He said, “Look at our side, we know little about them, but they… know us very well.”

This sounded unsettling.

But after some internal struggle, Jiang Miao shrugged it off, “Whatever, these are things only the big shots in the government should worry about. I’ll just focus on living my own life well.”

She reached out and gently stroked Yan He’s belly as if petting a cat, “Now, I’m only worried about your belly.”

Yan He, tickled by her touch, caught her hand and lightly bit it before giving it a gentle kiss.

There was laughter in their eyes.

Setting aside those grim aspects far beyond the border, which she couldn’t even touch or see, focusing solely on Jiang Miao’s present life, it could indeed be described as carefree and content.

After the New Year, a major project came through. Projects directly signed by the military department always came with generous funding. Once the contracts were signed, substantial research and development funds would quickly follow.

As a result, Jiang Miao hosted a small party at her home—she wasn’t particularly fond of parties, but people here loved them, and any occasion was an excuse for celebration.

Those who attended were key members of her team, along with a few colleagues she had discreetly selected over the past two months—once the project was secured, it was time to start planning and forming teams. Helena had made it clear to her that the people she had chosen needed to meet her approval.

Jiang Miao didn’t assume she could just recruit people into her team without communicating with them. But since everyone knew Jiang Miao’s team was Alison’s star team, not only did those she personally approached agree, but even more people approached her, wanting to join her team.

Business was thriving! She’s proud of her career development.

Those attending the party had all seen the man rumored to have Jiang Miao, Ph.D., so exhausted from his activities that he needed to use body repair fluid the next day.

He looked incredibly sexy in his white shirt, just as the rumors described.

Despite rumors of his pregnancy, which wasn’t yet visible as his figure remained unchanged, he obediently stuck to fruit juice, occasionally casting a glance at the alcohol in others’ glasses but never touching any himself.

Oh, that occasional glance he couldn’t resist, swiftly followed by his return to sipping his juice earnestly—it was enough to make one’s heart melt with tenderness and longing!

Even more intoxicating was the way he looked at Dr. Jiang.

His gaze was filled with affectionate tenderness and amusement. Whenever he spoke to Dr. Jiang, he would lean in slightly, getting closer to her ear.

Occasionally, he would extend his fingers to help tuck away the stray hair near her temple, his touch gentle as if he were handling something precious and delicate.

Dr. Jiang was indeed also proud of her romantic endeavors!

“If I had a man like that treating me like this,” Tanaka felt his face flush, his neck warm, as he adjusted his collar and exhaled, “even if he mentioned something like ‘forever together,’ I’d agree!”

Jiang Miao nearly choked on her drink, “Forever?”

People here rarely mentioned phrases like “forever” or “for a lifetime.” As far as Jiang Miao knew, such expressions weren’t romantic endearments but rather taboo in relationships.
Because tied to “forever” and “eternity” is responsibility.

It means you have to give up the vast forest for the sake of a single tree, resist temptations, and let go of the allure from outside.

Usually, if one person in a relationship blurts out such words, the other party often isn’t touched but… takes to their heels.

“The last time I said that word was how many years ago?” Tanaka took a sip of his drink, feeling nostalgic.

Jiang Miao raised her finger, “That was the year you were twenty-two, still hadn’t obtained your Ph.D.”

Jiang Miao remembered well, especially since Tanaka, when drunk, had told her this story in a state of disarray. By that time, he was fifty-one. Of course, once sober, he vehemently denied it.

This time, however, he didn’t deny it. There was just a hint of melancholy in his eyes.

“So many years ago,” he sighed softly.

“So that person,” Jiang Miao couldn’t help but ask, “Did you hear anything about him after that?”

Tanaka’s gaze shifted away, and he licked his lips.

“…” Jiang Miao urged, “Hmm?”

“It was probably… early last year,” Tanaka finally said, “When I attended an academic conference on Libra Star in the Andromeda system, I saw his name.”

Jiang Miao’s spirits lifted, “Oh! And then?”

Tanaka swirled his drink and said, “I inquired about him. One of his research projects encountered some difficulties and he was looking for strong data support. I… Do you remember last year when I asked you for authorization for that dataset?”

Jiang Miao suddenly realized, “So it was him!”

Jiang Miao later saw the paper that used their data, and even praised it at the time. Now, she finally knew the name of Tanaka’s first love.

“So, did you… rekindle the old flame?” Jiang Miao teased.

After all, last year Tanaka had a brief rekindling with an ex he hadn’t seen in over a decade.

“No,” Tanaka raised his glass and drank, “I just looked at him from a distance, didn’t let him know.”

He asked Jiang Miao, “Jiang, have you ever met someone like that? Even though you’ve been through so many people, this person always feels different to you?”

Jiang Miao instinctively glanced past the small groups of guests and looked at Yan He, who was talking to someone else.

“Oh!” Tanaka smirked, “You two have a secret affair. Weren’t you supposed to not date your co-parent?”

A burst of laughter filled the room.

Jiang Miao, her face burning with fever, replied, “Things are unpredictable.”

Tanaka clicked his tongue and said, “I’ve always said, don’t miss out.”

He went to get the bottle of wine and came back to pour some for Jiang Miao.

Jiang Miao asked him, “Hey, have you ever counted how many exes you’ve had?”

Tanaka paused, “Counting for what? If we include one-night stands, it should be in the four digits? It’s impossible to keep track. Unless you started keeping records from the beginning.”

But who would think about keeping records from the very beginning?

At the very beginning, when they met that person, when they fell in love, who ever thought about the eventual separation?

It was just one after another, one relationship after another, slowly becoming just like everyone else.

Occasionally encountering a young and naive person who blurts out words like “forever,” this time, it’s their turn to run away.

“Is ‘forever’ really that scary?” Jiang Miao couldn’t help but say.

“Probably because it goes against the instinct of humans, who are inherently greedy and fickle creatures,” Tanaka shrugged, “After all, no one wants to give up an entire forest for the sake of one tree.”

【Only want exclusive possession, completely exclusive.】

【I’ll constrain myself as a premise…】

【Are you willing?】

Jiang Miao’s eyes shifted, and she saw Yan He at the other end of the room.

Yan He was also looking at her, noticing Tanaka pouring her more wine.

He didn’t say anything, but his smiling eyes spoke volumes.

【It’s okay, drink up, I’m here for you.】

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