Jelperta spent the day aboard the Dijiang again, sorting through letters and preparing deliveries.
She sat at her desk with a document in hand—one she had already cross-checked three times—yet her gaze kept drifting past the page to the azure planet outside the window.
"…This looks important," Angelina's voice came from nearby. "Important enough that you checked it three times?"
Jelperta snapped back to herself and realized Angelina had leaned in at some point, tilting her head to read over her shoulder.
"You've stared at it three times," Angelina added, amused. "Haven't even turned a page."
Jelperta's cheeks warmed. Angelina dropped into the chair beside her, propped one elbow on the table, and rested her chin in her palm, watching her like a cat.
"What are you thinking about?"
Jelperta hesitated. But when she remembered the person in front of her was the "self" who somehow understood her even better than she did, she answered honestly.
"…The ore-vein source zone."
Jelperta's feelings were shy and guarded.
Angelina's were not.
"Are you thinking about Mr. Bai Ling," Angelina asked brightly, "or Miss Eldera?"
Jelperta's face turned even redder.
Satisfied that her little provocation had landed, Angelina didn't push further. She leaned back comfortably and looked out the window too.
"Speaking of which… Eldera's work should be finished by now, right?"
"Yes." Jelperta nodded. "It ended yesterday."
"Then she won't go back to the ore-vein zone today?"
Jelperta thought.
"Probably not… She has to hand the materials over in the Hub District."
Angelina stared at her for a moment, then asked casually, "Jelperta—do you want to go to Valley Four?"
Jelperta blinked.
"Now?"
"Yeah." Angelina's eyes glittered as another idea formed. "Most of the deliveries are basically organized. The rest can wait until tomorrow. Let's go see Mr. Bai Ling."
Jelperta opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Angelina smiled, stood up, and gave her no time to refuse.
"Then it's decided. Go get ready."
"W-wait—"
"Nope." Angelina was already at the door. She turned back and winked. "Hurry up and meet me at the Hub District, okay?"
And with that, she vanished into the corridor, leaving Jelperta sitting there, stunned for several seconds.
She lowered her head and looked at the document in her hand.
Not a single word went into her mind.
She stood up in a rush—almost like she was fleeing—and bolted out of the archives, chasing after Angelina.
A short while later, at the Hub Center plaza…
Angelina took a deep breath and looked around, pleased.
"This place feels so open. On the Dijiang, every inch of space is precious."
It made sense—an orbital base had to be built for space. Expanding it wasn't simply difficult; it was practically a nightmare.
Jelperta trailed behind her, a little unsure of herself. Her eyes kept tugging toward the direction of the ore-vein source zone.
Angelina noticed and sighed, helpless.
"Let's walk around first, okay? Maybe Mr. Bai Ling is wandering too. Lately he's been… pretty free."
Jelperta nodded.
The two of them walked through the plaza together. Beautiful girls drew eyes wherever they went.
Angelina didn't care. She only scanned for the person she wanted to find.
It was lunchtime. The shops in Workers' Home were all open—crowded, loud, and overflowing with the smell of food. Voices mingled with steam and spice, drifting through the air.
Angelina went up on her toes, searching, when her eyes suddenly lit up.
"There!"
She grabbed Jelperta's hand and threaded them through the rows of eateries, straight to a small table at the corner of a street shop.
Bai Ling sat there. A simple lunch was set in front of him. Chopsticks were in his hand—
But he wasn't eating.
He looked like he was spacing out.
"Mr. Bai Ling!"
The familiar voice snapped him back. He turned and saw them standing there.
"Hm? You're not delivering today?"
"Day off!" Angelina declared, pulling Jelperta down into the seat across from him. "We came to see you. What—are we not welcome?"
Bai Ling didn't answer. He simply reached for the menu beside him and handed it over.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet!" Angelina's eyes shone. "I want the stewed meat!"
Jelperta lowered her voice. "I… anything is fine."
Bai Ling nodded, called over the server, and ordered several dishes with easy familiarity.
When the server left, he felt a steady gaze pinned on him.
He looked up.
Angelina was propping her chin in her hand again, staring at him so openly it was impossible to ignore—less "subtle" and more "needle under the skin."
"What are you looking at?"
"You." Angelina smiled sweetly. "What were you thinking about just now?"
"Nothing."
"Liar." Angelina blinked. "That expression just now? Exactly the same as when Jelperta daydreams."
Jelperta instantly ducked her head, trying to shrink herself into the table.
Unfortunately, that only made Bai Ling glance at her—quietly, carefully—before looking away without comment.
Angelina glanced between them, the curve of her smile growing wider.
Food arrived quickly.
Angelina ate with enthusiasm, praising every bite. Jelperta ate in small, careful mouthfuls, occasionally lifting her eyes toward Bai Ling—then lowering them again as if burned.
The contrast between them couldn't have been clearer.
Halfway through, Angelina asked, "Mr. Bai Ling—where's Eldera?"
"At the Hub Center," Bai Ling answered. "She said she's sorting files for handover."
"Oooh." Angelina dragged the sound out deliberately. "Then are you busy this afternoon?"
Bai Ling thought for show. Even though a faint sense of danger had already crept up his spine, he still wanted to hear what these two foxes were plotting.
"No."
"Perfect!" Angelina's eyes brightened. "Then come deliver a letter with us!"
"Deliver again?" Bai Ling raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say today was a day off?"
"A day off can still include delivering!" Angelina insisted without shame. "This one's to the ore-vein source zone. An old granny has a letter coming in, so we'll deliver it—then look around a bit. Nice scenery trip."
What scenery is there in the ore-vein source zone?
Bai Ling stared at her for a moment.
Then, despite everything, he didn't refuse. He nodded.
Jelperta lifted her head slightly and stole a glance at him.
Bai Ling didn't look at her—he only kept eating, though the corner of his mouth carried a faint hint of a smile.
After lunch, the three of them set off together.
The weather was bright and clear. In the far distance, the outline of the Superdomain Test Facility stood sharp against the sunlight.
Angelina walked in front, light on her feet, eyes darting everywhere. Jelperta kept pace beside her, occasionally turning to glance back at Bai Ling. Bai Ling followed at an unhurried pace, gaze loosely sweeping the surroundings.
After a while, Angelina stopped abruptly.
"We're here!"
Ahead was a small settlement—close to the nearest main camp. Several simple prefab rooms formed a loose half-circle. In the center, clothing and dried rations hung out to air. A few children ran around the open space, their laughter clear as bells.
Angelina checked the building layout, then walked to the door of an older prefab room and knocked.
The door opened. A white-haired grandmother peered out.
"Hello, are you Granny Yixi?" Angelina smiled and offered the letter. "Your mail—from Wuling."
The old woman accepted it, glanced down—
And her eyes immediately reddened.
"It's my son… He said he'd write this month…"
Angelina stayed quiet, wearing only a gentle smile. When the old woman finally looked up again, gratitude trembled in her voice.
"Thank you, miss… thank you…"
"You're welcome." Angelina's voice softened. "The letter's delivered. That means my job is done. Please take care of yourself."
The grandmother nodded and wiped the corner of her eye, then stopped Angelina just as she was about to leave.
"Miss, wait a moment."
She turned and shuffled inside.
After a moment, she returned carrying a small metal tin. Inside were neat little packets of pale, clean candies.
"I made some sweets. The children already had some. If you don't mind… take a few packets with you…"
Under the old woman's earnest gaze—like she was offering treasure—Angelina casually chose two packets.
"This is enough."
"Be careful out there… miss."
Only after Angelina left did the grandmother close the door.
They regrouped outside the settlement.
Angelina flashed a victory sign.
"Done!"
Jelperta watched her, then asked softly, "Do you always deliver letters like this?"
"Like what?"
"Like…" Jelperta searched for words. "Stopping. Talking to the recipient. Listening to how they feel."
Angelina tilted her head. "What else would I do? Drop the letter and leave?"
Jelperta didn't answer. She lowered her head instead.
Angelina studied her for a moment, then spoke gently.
"Jelperta… the most important part of delivering a letter isn't just getting it to the right hands."
Jelperta looked up.
"Then what is it?"
"It's letting them know someone cares." Angelina's voice was quiet, sincere. "A letter might only be a piece of paper. A few lines of ink. But to the person receiving it… it's a thread of longing from far away."
She paused.
"When you deliver letters—do you think about it that way too?"
Jelperta nodded slightly, then added in a small voice, "I can only listen. I rarely manage to say what I want to say."
Angelina smiled—warm, unhurried.
Bai Ling stood nearby, watching. Sunlight fell on both girls with impartial brightness, yet their shadows blended together until they were almost one.
"Let's go back," Bai Ling said.
The two of them turned toward him. But he'd already started walking in the direction they'd come from.
Angelina smiled and naturally reached for Jelperta's hand, tugging her along as they caught up to Bai Ling.
On the way back, Angelina and Jelperta walked behind while Bai Ling walked ahead.
After a while, Angelina quickened her steps and drew level with him.
"Mr. Bai Ling."
"Hm?"
"…Are you happy today?"
Bai Ling didn't turn his head, careful not to let her see his expression.
"Why ask?"
"Just curious." Angelina blinked. "You've been really quiet today. Not talking much. I want to know if you're truly happy."
"With two particularly pretty little foxes at my side," Bai Ling said evenly, "how could I not be?"
Angelina watched the side of his face, as if verifying the truth of it—
Until she caught the faint smile at his lips.
Only then did she realize her question had been silly.
She slowed down again, returning to Jelperta's side. The two of them walked shoulder to shoulder, whispering about something, soft laughter drifting through the air.
Before night fully fell, the three returned to Workers' Home, planning to eat something before heading back.
As they were choosing a shop, Bai Ling spotted a familiar figure sitting exactly where he'd eaten earlier that day.
White sheep horns. A gentle face. A cup of hot milk in hand.
Eldera.
She saw the three of them and froze for a moment—then smiled softly.
"Senior… Angelina… Jelperta."
Angelina hurried over and dropped into the seat beside her.
"Eldera! Why are you here?"
"Dinner," Eldera replied quietly. She sounded exhausted, as if all her strength had been wrung out. "This afternoon was… busy. I only just finished."
Bai Ling sat across from her.
"You worked hard. Handover work is always draining."
Eldera nodded. "Mm. It's all organized now."
Jelperta sat beside Angelina, looking at the two across from her.
Bai Ling and Eldera sat close. Their voices were low, their tone easy, the atmosphere… good.
Jelperta remembered something Angelina had said earlier, and then looked at what was right in front of her.
When you like someone… is it wanting them to live well?
From how things looked now—he was living well.
Maybe that was enough.
She didn't say a word until the meal was finished.
After eating, the four of them walked out of Workers' Home together.
The sky was dark now. The moon hung overhead, spilling silver light.
Angelina stretched dramatically, voice lazy and satisfied. "So full—! Time to go back and sleep!"
Jelperta stood beside her, but her eyes kept drifting toward Bai Ling.
He and Eldera stood close, side by side. No words. But the atmosphere was still good.
Jelperta wanted to say goodbye—
But she also felt like a goodbye might cut through that warmth and ruin it.
Angelina solved it for her.
"Mr. Bai Ling, Miss Eldera—we'll head back to the Dijiang first, okay?"
"Mm. Good night, you two."
"Good night."
They walked a few steps toward the teleport point.
Then Jelperta suddenly turned back.
"Mr. Bai Ling…"
Bai Ling—who had already turned away—looked back as if he'd expected it.
"…Good night."
Bai Ling didn't say anything. He only nodded, then watched the two girls disappear into the night.
Back aboard the Dijiang, once they returned to the dormitory corridor, the usually quiet Jelperta spoke.
"Do you think… what will they do tomorrow, Angelina?"
Angelina thought for a moment, as if answering casually.
"No idea. But whatever it is… they'll probably be happy."
Jelperta nodded—yet a faint sense of regret lingered in her chest.
....
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