The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 766: Chapter 766: Growth

During the waiting process, time feels like a sharp-bladed knife; the longer it drags, the more torturous it becomes.

After passing through a small storm and traveling for a while, no more Star Beast corpses or warriors’ remains were found floating in space.

Ji You pursed her lips, her dark eyes fixed tightly on the monitor, still not daring to relax.

Behind her, someone gently patted Ji You’s shoulder. Without turning her head, Ji You said, ”Jiaojiao, speak.”

Chu Jiaojiao laughed: ”Ji You, without turning around, how did you know it was me?”

Ji You, staring straight ahead, casually replied: ”You tend to lean forward when you walk, and you always lift your left leg first. Also, your arms are strong as an ox, but your palms are the size of a normal girl’s...”

”Eh?” Chu Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up, her smile showing teeth but not eyes: ”Ji You, you know me so well? Don’t tell me you like...” Before she could finish, Ji You doused her enthusiasm.

Ji You scoffed, ”Don’t flatter yourself, that’s just my basic observation of someone I need to severely beat up later.”

”In other words—” Ji You turned her head, glancing sidelong at Chu Jiaojiao: ”you’re asking for it.”

Chu Jiaojiao: ”...”

Chu Jiaojiao’s burning heart was suddenly doused with cold water.

Ji You refocused on the monitor, asking, ”What is it?”

Chu Jiaojiao, looking at Ji You’s small but erect figure, softened her tone:

”Ji You, let me take over watching. I think you should rest.”

Ji You waved her hand, casually saying: ”No need.”

Chu Jiaojiao, becoming anxious, her tone turned commanding: ”You must! You have to go!”

”I order you to go!” Chu Jiaojiao, rarely serious, stared at Ji You: ”I don’t want to see even a slight decrease in your beauty.”

Ji You: ”...”

Truly a die-hard fan of beauty, expressing concern in such an annoying way.

Ji You raised her hand to massage her temples, asking, ”Is your hand still trembling?”

Chu Jiaojiao: ”...”

Chu Jiaojiao shook her head, her tone firm: ”It’s not trembling anymore. I won’t let it happen again.”

I thought my experienced self in the military was tough enough, but—

When faced with real situations, I’m still not as composed as Ji You.

While dismantling Star Beast materials, Chu Jiaojiao deeply reflected on herself.

Ji You did not mock Chu Jiaojiao, nor did she wish to mock anyone else. If she had been the first to retrieve the remains of the frontline warriors, she too would have trembled and cried...

But one day, after many experiences, they will handle things maturely.

Growth is like this.

Ji You’s thoughts drifted, she turned back to face Chu Jiaojiao, suddenly saying, ”Jiaojiao, if one day, you personally retrieve my corpse, I hope your hands are steady.”

Chu Jiaojiao’s shoulders trembled, she lifted her head, staring hard at Ji You, with flames flickering in her pupils.

Ji You’s eyes were fixed on Chu Jiaojiao, yet they seemed to traverse time and space, looking toward a faraway place, saying, ”Likewise, if one day I have to personally retrieve your corpse, I will definitely do it steadily and bring you home.”

Chu Jiaojiao opened her mouth: ”Ji You...”

Ji You’s lips curved into a smile, her tone gentle yet forceful, saying: ”I think, we must grow to that point.”

Chu Jiaojiao, hearing this, fell silent for a while, then said: ”Ji... Ji You, I hope that day never comes, but if it really does, my performance won’t be inferior to yours...”

”That’s a matter for the future, we don’t need to compete now.” Ji You beamed, gave Chu Jiaojiao a smile, then solemnly said, ”Jiaojiao, the cockpit is yours again.”

Chu Jiaojiao nodded firmly: ”Okay.”

That’s when Zhang Ye also returned. Seeing Ji You, a shade of guilt flashed across his face, then he quickly lowered his head. Just now, everyone had been immersed in sorrow, neglecting their duties, which left Ji You, considered the ’weakest’, alone to manage the functioning of the entire spaceship.

Indeed... he really felt ashamed.

Zhang Ye’s head hung lower and lower.

Ji You hooked a lip into a smile, saying: ”Traitor brother, make sure you keep an eye on the monitor. Remember: not even one less Star Beast corpse! That’s all money! It’s all money!”

”...” Zhang Ye sneered and muttered, ”Obsessed with money.” Then, he immediately shouted, ”Don’t worry! I am a master at salvaging, I won’t slip up again.”

”Mhm.” Ji You laughed, then after her laughter, she returned to a serious demeanor and exited the cockpit.

Inside the spaceship’s hall.

One.

Two.

Three.

...

The processed Star Beast corpses piled up in the hall, with Yue Qiyuan, Shen Changqing, Lance, and Lou tirelessly disassembling them...

When Ji You entered, the four men looked up; the other three didn’t speak, Lou, staring with his deep blue eyes, fixedly looked at Ji You and asked, ”Ji You, have you... found anything new?”

Ji You shook her head.

Lou sighed in relief, stood up, and said, ”I’ve calmed down. I’m going to keep watch.”

Lance also said, ”I’m ready as well.”

Ji You nodded, ”Go ahead.”

The two left the hall.

Yue Qiyuan and Shen Changqing stopped their hands. Shen Changqing silenced for a moment then said, ”We didn’t dare to touch him, but I’d like to tidy up his appearance myself.”

He—

Was referring to the warrior who had sacrificed.

Ji You said, ”Okay.”

Shen Changqing stood up; he didn’t start immediately but went to the washroom to clean himself up.

Ji You turned to Yue Qiyuan and asked, ”Aren’t you going?”

Yue Qiyuan said sternly, ”I’m ready.”

Soon.

Shen Changqing came out, and together with Yue Qiyuan, personally tidied up the unidentified frontline warrior’s remains, his eyes, his eyebrows, his lips, the stains on his body...

Throughout the process, Shen Changqing took the lead. When he cleaned the warrior’s epaulettes and saw a row of numbers, his fingers paused and he said softly, ”Because the Light Computer is lost, his name and origin are unknown... only his service number, he was a veteran from the Sixth Legion Vanguard Camp.”

Ji You and Yue Qiyuan, upon hearing this, remained silent.

Time quietly slipped by.

...

After finishing the arrangements, Ji You, Shen Changqing, and Yue Qiyuan saluted him: ”Senior, we’re taking you home.”

...

A night passed, and after crossing the No.37 Jump Point, Ji You and her team finally arrived at their destination.

— Harbor Star.

Harbor Star is one of the Sixth Legion’s rear bases, where spaceships and starships travel daily between Harbor Star and the frontline, transporting a vast amount of materials.

Ji You and her team piloted the spaceship, had already reported to the Military Supply Department before they even entered the docking port, but entering Harbor Star’s airspace still required layers of approval and inspection...

Once everything was cleared, they were allowed to pass.

Regarding this, none of the 10 members of Ji You’s team raised any objections, all followed the regulations obediently.