CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 401: WHISPERING

Ji You chuckled and quickly said, "Absolutely, anytime for Sister Lingzhi, even if I’m sleeping, eating, or even bathing, you can call me whenever."

Xie Lingzhi: "..."

Xie Lingzhi said with embarrassed annoyance, "Have some shame, with your bean sprout body and tabletop-flat chest, who would want to peep at your bath?"

Ji You raised her eyebrows, deliberately saying, "What’s wrong with being a bean sprout? I’m small but fully-equipped! And what about being flat? I’m flat-chested and proud; I’m saving fabric for the Alliance."

Xie Lingzhi: "..."

Xie Lingzhi didn’t know how this girl became so shameless and not bashful at all. She raised her hand to rub her temples, changing the subject, "Alright, stop talking about this nonsense. I heard about you hosting a ring battle today, and you performed well, at least you didn’t embarrass me."

Ji You laughed heartily, saying, "Of course! Sister Lingzhi, you gave me a mission, how could I not complete it? Even if I had to pawn everything or break both legs, I would somehow complete it."

Xie Lingzhi glanced at her and said unceremoniously, "Alright, wipe that smug look off your face. If you did well today, it’s because you’ve been studying hard. That’s nothing to be proud of. We put in so much effort and thought to enter the Lanyue Star Military Academy, not like those idiots in your self-funded class who just want to slack off. We’re here to gain true skills."

"Ji You, remember, never be arrogant. The achievements you have now are far from enough."

Xie Lingzhi’s words were truly well-intended.

Hearing this, Ji You stopped being cheeky and said earnestly, "Sister Lingzhi, don’t worry. I’ve spent so many credit points to come here, not to slack off. I’m very clear about my goals and direction."

Xie Lingzhi nodded, "That’s good."

Ji You blinked and asked with a cheeky smile, "Sister Lingzhi, didn’t you tell me not to bother you unless it’s important? You calling me now, does that mean you also admit I did well today?"

Xie Lingzhi huffed coldly and scolded, "No. I thought you were just challenging Xu Siyu, but I didn’t expect you to be so presumptuous as to challenge the entire school! You’re so full of yourself."

Ji You scratched her head, slightly proud, "Defeating Xu Siyu is nothing; she was never my goal. My goal is everyone!"

Hmph~

Such an attitude, seriously.

However, the corners of Xie Lingzhi’s lips curved up slightly, "Well, that’s quite ambitious. Keep it up."

There’s no need to hold back on boasting a little in front of family. Ji You patted her chest confidently, "Sister Lingzhi, don’t worry. When Ji You says something, it’s not hot air. I’ll definitely make you known as the sister of the world’s number one Material Master! Saying it out loud will make you proud; you can use my name, Ji You, wherever you go."

Xie Lingzhi: "..."

Xie Lingzhi smirked, "You really don’t just talk big because it’s all hot air."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You chuckled and said, "Sister Lingzhi, you’ve even learned to joke since we last met."

Xie Lingzhi put away her smile, slightly serious, "Enough with the witty banter. Xu Siyu didn’t show up this time, which means she’s feeling guilty and doesn’t dare to confront you directly. So—don’t take it lightly. Although you’ve hit back at those who doubted your strength with good results, Xu Siyu won’t let this go so easily.

On the contrary, the stronger you are, the more she’ll be wary of you, and the more she’ll try to bring you down. That kind of person is just an annoying fly; either you squash her with a slap, or you stay away from her. So, you need to be wary of her scheming behind your back."

With that, Xie Lingzhi glanced at Ji You’s expression, worried that she would not take this seriously with her frivolous attitude, furrowed her brows, and said loudly, "Did you hear me?"

Ji You hurriedly said, "I heard, I won’t let my guard down against her."

Xie Lingzhi raised her hand and rubbed her forehead again, saying, "Good that you know, you’re rather dumb, if I don’t repeat it a couple of times, I’m afraid you won’t remember."

Looking at Sister Lingzhi continuously rubbing her forehead, Ji You asked with concern, "Sister Lingzhi, have you been very tired lately? Have you not been resting at all?"

Xie Lingzhi took back her hand, nonchalantly saying, "I haven’t closed my eyes for several days, just as my mentor’s experiment reached a critical phase, everyone in our space research group hasn’t rested for several days."

Ji You asked, "Then—was the experiment a success?"

Xie Lingzhi’s major is in the field of Space Technology. Ji You didn’t quite understand it; Space Technology covers many aspects, including space storage, space jumps...

Etc.

Ji You only knew that Xie Lingzhi was involved in the aspect of space jumps, but the specifics were beyond her knowledge.

Upon hearing Ji You’s question, Xie Lingzhi’s brow immediately furrowed and she replied, "No. There was a mistake."

Ji You said softly, "Then all the previous efforts were in vain."

Xie Lingzhi waved her hand and said, "During the experimental stage, you can’t guarantee a one hundred percent success rate. Success is the result of constant, unending trial and error. Let’s not talk about this—"

Xie Lingzhi changed the subject and inquired, "I heard that Professor Jiang Yulan invited you to her lab and even agreed to let you start from the basics. Why didn’t you accept?"

Ji You: "..."

Really hit the sore spot.

Speaking of this, Ji You felt a bit sad and said softly, "It’s not that I didn’t want to accept, but my Combat Department mentor suddenly showed up and meddled, not letting me go."

Xie Lingzhi: "..."

Xie Lingzhi was somewhat speechless and a bit irritated as well, saying, "Does Teacher Mu Jianling have some problem with you, someone weak like you, able to participate in combat? Why must she insist on dragging you along? Is she sick?"

This—

To speak ill of Teacher Mu Jianling, Ji You really didn’t dare, not only to her face but also not behind her back.

She wasn’t timid.

It was out of respect.

Ji You looked around with a bit of worry and whispered a reminder, "Sister Lingzhi, is there anyone else around you? Don’t let Teacher Mu overhear you speaking ill of her, she’s really narrow-minded."

Xie Lingzhi frowned and said, "...So what if she hears? She is indeed problematic."

Actually, Xie Lingzhi didn’t approve of Ji You going to the Combat Department at all, not only because Ji You lacked strength, but also because the Combat Department is the most dangerous, with injuries and fatalities occurring every year.

Therefore, Xie Lingzhi has long been quite dissatisfied with Teacher Mu Jianling forcibly transferring Ji You to the Combat Department.

Ji You softly said, "...Sister Lingzhi, let’s just keep these thoughts to ourselves, don’t say them out loud. Also—I—I actually quite like Teacher Mu."

Xie Lingzhi: "..."

Xie Lingzhi didn’t continue on this topic, but suddenly asked, "Oh yeah, have you been in touch with Brother Ryan recently? Has he replied to your messages?"