CHAPTER 257: CHAPTER 257: AGRICULTURAL SPECIALIST

Ji You had no snacks, empty-handed, and after being disdained by senior Yang Bin, she turned her face, looked towards senior Lu Zhen with eyes filled with hope, and asked, "Senior Lu Zhen, I believe you’re definitely not that kind of person, right?"

Lu Zhen smiled, "What kind of person do you mean?"

Ji You pouted, hinting, "You’re definitely a warm-hearted person, right? You absolutely wouldn’t refuse to guide a junior who is eager to learn just over a little bit of food, would you?" She almost explicitly said that the eager junior was herself.

But still, Lu Zhen responded with a smile, saying, "I fully support this keen junior."

Hearing this, Ji You was overjoyed and quickly said, "Senior Lu Zhuang, I knew you weren’t that kind of person! So—" You’ll teach me without any reward, right? Before she could finish this thought, suddenly—

Lu Zhen interrupted her, smiling, "Sorry, I am the kind of person you mentioned. So, I can only support you in spirit and refuse you in action."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You couldn’t believe it, "Senior Lu Zhen, you’re joking with me, aren’t you? You... You really do have a great sense of humor."

Lu Zhen shook his head, tone gentle, smile friendly, voice clear, saying, "Senior Lu Zhen isn’t joking."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You felt tired.

Tired and unloved.

Seeing Ji You like this, Lu Zhen couldn’t help but smile on her clear and handsome face, thinking to herself: No wonder Yang Bin loves teasing this junior, she’s really very cute. The expressions on her face are so rich, especially that look of utter dejection...

And so—

Among the 100 students participating in the special training team, all except Ji You found veterans to be their mentors. Ji You was the only one being excluded.

Really.

She had tried hard. She used her most persuasive words, and apart from Yang Bin and Lu Zhen, she found several other veterans who seemed easy to talk to. But these veterans, with greedy eyes for snacks, were so mercenary. There was no nostalgia, no face, no reason, only one demand: snacks.

Without snacks, there was no discussion.

Ji You was speechless.

But what could she do? She couldn’t just conjure snacks out of thin air.

The veterans stationed at Taoyuan Space Station held a welcome party for the new recruits. Halfway through, they suddenly received a mission, and half of the veterans, including senior Yang Bin and senior Lu Zhen, were called to the front line.

At that time, the atmosphere was lively. The new recruits and veterans were drinking and talking non-stop. Everyone was happily engaging. These soldiers, who didn’t seem very serious and were slightly ragtag, willing to drop any scruples for a bite to eat, instantly switched to a decisive, resolute face when they received their mission. There was no hesitation or transition; within two minutes, they were ready to depart.

The students witnessing this, some still holding their drinks and speaking halfway, mouths not even closed, saw the well-trained veterans swiftly forming ranks, ready to proceed to the front line.

The remaining veterans all fell silent, watching their comrades silently.

The atmosphere became somewhat solemn, and the students also quieted down.

When Yang Bin, Lu Zhen, and the warriors were about to depart, all the veterans suddenly stood up and saluted them. The students also stood up and saluted.

As the lead, Yang Bin and Lu Zhen approached Ji You. Yang Bin suddenly stopped. His dark but handsome face suddenly broke into a smile, and when Ji You least expected it, he suddenly lifted his hand and fiercely ruffled Ji You’s hair.

Ji You: "???"

Ji You was completely confused by the ruffling.

Huh?

In such a serious atmosphere, to dare do something so wretched?

Ji You was about to explode with anger on the spot when she heard Yang Bin above her head: "Shorty, study hard!"

Ji You: "..."

Ji You loudly said, "Don’t worry! I will definitely study hard! Strive for progress every day! When the time comes, I’ll beat you so badly your mom won’t recognize you!"

Yang Bin smiled with a hooked lip, "Good!"

Leaving behind this one word, Yang Bin, Lu Zhen, and other veteran warriors suddenly raised their hands and waved to everyone.

Then —

Under everyone’s gaze, the warriors marched out with firm steps, strode out, and boarded the starship minutes later. They shot out of the artificial atmosphere and into the boundless starry sky, vanishing without a trace.

The lively atmosphere grew solemn as Yang Bin, Lu Zhen, and other old warriors were suddenly dispatched to the front lines, leaving the remaining veterans with heavy expressions. The meat they’d just picked up with their chopsticks, the wine glasses they’d raised, now seemed impossible to swallow.

No one said a word.

No one moved their chopsticks.

No one ate any meat.

...

After a while, a veteran suddenly stood up, sweeping away his solemn demeanor, and said with a broad smile, "Come on... let’s all toast together, to celebrate for Captain Yang and Captain Lu in advance, and wish them a triumphant return!"

At these words, the atmosphere immediately came alive.

Everyone stood up at the same time, raising their glasses, and Ji You also stood up, holding her juice glass. Even Mu Jianling, who had been leisurely watching TV dramas, stood up with everyone to toast.

The crowd shouted:

"Triumphant return!"

"Triumphant return!"

"Triumphant return!"

On this day, Taoyuan Space Station’s cafeteria saw all its food, drinks, refreshments, fruits, and confections devoured by the students and veterans. Everyone had their fill and went to their respective places, with the veterans returning to their stern and serious demeanor, resuming their posts, ready for battle.

And the students?

Many of them received their own tasks, which were set by Teacher Mu Jianling according to the needs of the space station.

Some were responsible for transportation, some for standing guard, some for...

In short, the tasks were varied, and none involved training for strength.

But although the students didn’t quite understand what was going on, they all gladly accepted their tasks.

Ji You had a task as well, which was somewhat unique. It was unclear whether Teacher Mu Jianling had given special consideration or preferential treatment to her, but she was assigned along with Chu Jiaojiao, Yue Qiguang, Yue Qiyuan, and Shen Changqing — all still recovering from injuries, having lost an arm or a leg — to take care of the melons, fruits, vegetables, and the chickens, ducks, geese, sows, and rabbits in the cultivation base...

Everyone looked at each other, puzzled:

Ji You: "So, am I officially a breeder now?"

Chu Jiaojiao said, "No! To be precise, we are now agricultural commissioners!"

Yue Qiyuan said, "A very accurate description."

Shen Changqing didn’t say a word.

Yue Qiguang, already dissatisfied, shouted loudly, "Who has time for this? Dad’s goal is the stars and the sea, not coming here to feed chickens, ducks, and old sows!"