When Ji Yushi asked this question, Song Qinglan, though unsure of the meaning, adjusted his tone to a more serious one: “Minister Wang? Who is that?”

Minister Wang of the Sky Vault Jiangcheng Branch. A 53-year-old woman with a gentle demeanor but known for being tough in action, she was the type to smash cups when angry. Ji Yushi vividly remembered her mannerisms, even the scent of her perfume.

So why did Song Qinglan say the minister of the Jiangcheng Branch was named Qi, and that there was only one minister?

A bad feeling began to creep into Ji Yushi’s heart. Thoughts tangled in his mind. Where had things gone wrong? Were they still being held captive, and had not truly returned? Had Sky Vault inserted an illusion into their minds, placing them in a new mission? Or was his memory malfunctioning, leading to some kind of memory overlap or confusion?

His face instantly tightened, becoming slightly paler, and his eyes flickered with a mix of tension and hesitation. It was the first time Song Qinglan had ever seen Ji Yushi like this.

Song Qinglan’s heart sank as he recalled Ji Yushi’s psychological evaluation. Even the most mentally resilient people could suffer psychological trauma after experiencing such bizarre worlds. Each member of Sky Vault Squad Seven had shown some degree of aftereffects, some conscious, some buried in their subconscious. But all were deemed manageable, which was why they were given a three-month leave to recuperate.

Ji Yushi was different, though. The expert’s evaluation of him had been: perfect. Song Qinglan had been present at the meeting, and the expert had expressed concern. Ji Yushi was like a student who had memorized all the answers, scoring high not because he truly understood, but because he knew what to say.

Given the rapport they had built, Song Qinglan took a step closer and gently placed a hand on Ji Yushi’s shoulder, his voice softening: “Consultant Ji, what are you thinking?”

Ji Yushi pressed his lips together, barely managing to speak. “I think… I need to clear my head first.”

With that, Ji Yushi pulled a pillbox out of his pocket.

Taking too much of the medication wasn’t good, but Ji Yushi’s complexion was indeed poor.

Song Qinglan immediately turned around, went back to the hospital room, and returned with a cup of water, testing the temperature with the back of his hand before offering it. “It’s warm.”

Ji Yushi took out one pill, placed it in his mouth, and accepted the water from Song Qinglan’s hand. He took a sip, tilted his head back, and, with a visible motion of his throat, swallowed the pill quickly.

He was slender and pale, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers—the same outfit he had worn when he first arrived in Jiangcheng. At that time, Song Qinglan had thought Ji Yushi resembled a pine tree standing by a snowy lake, but now, he sensed a faint and nearly imperceptible fragility in him.

Did Ji Yushi often rely on medication to stay alert?

Or only occasionally?

The medical center’s floor was not particularly crowded, and there were few people in the hallways.

After taking the pill, Ji Yushi closed his eyes and stood quietly for a few seconds. Of course, the medicine couldn’t work that fast, but it provided some psychological comfort.

When he reopened his eyes, they had regained some clarity. Seeing that Song Qinglan was still standing nearby with concern, he asked, “Captain Song, do you remember who assigned us to this mission? Who transferred me to Jiangcheng?”

Just then, someone called out, “Captain Song! Consultant Ji!”

The team members approached, joking and chatting as they came, all packed up and ready to leave.

Zhou Mingxuan asked, “What are you two doing here? Waiting for us?”

Tang Qi, with his arm around his brother’s neck, also laughed. “Captain, weren’t you leaving with Minister Qi? Did you come back just to wait for us?”

Song Qinglan naturally replied, “Wait for you? You wish. I’m here to wait for Consultant Ji.”

Everyone chimed in, “What preferential treatment!”

Once their mission was over, the serious atmosphere disappeared, and the group of young, tall men reverted to their casual selves. If they were seen outside, people would probably avoid them.

Their teasing was all in good humor, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits.

“Consultant Ji doesn’t have a car. I’m in charge of picking him up and dropping him off,” Song Qinglan explained matter-of-factly. “Besides, tonight’s dinner isn’t just Minister Qi’s treat; it’s also a farewell party for Consultant Ji.”

After dinner, Ji Yushi was heading back to Ning City, with an afternoon ticket.

Everyone suddenly remembered that Ji Yushi was about to leave Sky Vault Squad Seven.

The seven of them noisily crowded into the elevator.

Standing in the corner, Ji Yushi found Li Chun sidling up to him with a cheeky grin. “Consultant Ji, will you miss us when you go back?”

“Come on,” Duan Wen chimed in. “Look at Consultant Ji, all gloomy. It’s obvious he’s sad to leave.”

Ji Yushi: “…”

Everyone except Li Chun had their own cars. Li Chun usually hitched a ride with Duan Wen, and after getting off the elevator on the ground floor, they all went to the command center to retrieve their vehicles.

Song Qinglan had already been out a few times, so his car was parked in the underground garage.

After the others left, Ji Yushi followed Song Qinglan to the basement level.

The garage wasn’t cramped, but as they walked to a certain spot, one of the overhead lights flickered—a bulb had gone out.

Ji Yushi suddenly froze for a second or two.

In his mind, images flashed of the underground passage in Runjin Tower, the hanging lamps, the pale hands reaching out toward them, and the endless gunfire. The scenes appeared in his mind at the most inappropriate moment, beyond his control.

But after just a second or two, the images dissipated.

Song Qinglan interrupted his thoughts.

“Here.” Song Qinglan opened the car door. “Get in.”

It was a sleek, silver-gray sports car with smooth lines, the paint gleaming under the lights, sitting quietly in its parking spot.

Song Qinglan, now dressed casually, stood beside it with a relaxed smile, looking like a car model.

Ji Yushi got in, fastening his seatbelt. “Are you embezzling money, or are you a rich second-generation heir?”

Song Qinglan wasn’t the type to hide his wealth or status—his background and abilities were part of his confident, assertive personality. He started the car, the engine roaring to life as they pulled out. “Of course it’s embezzlement. You see how well we’re treated here. Consultant Ji, are you tempted? I could share half of the money I’ve ‘stolen’ with you.”

Underneath the facade of a team captain, Song Qinglan was just like any other young man, except with a bit more privilege.

He wore a simple watch, the kind Ji Yushi’s family happened to own, though it was far from simple in price. Those hands, which had deftly handled a shotgun on missions, were now casually gripping the steering wheel. For some reason, Ji Yushi recalled what it felt like when those hands had gripped his own.

They were warm and strong.

He replied to Song Qinglan’s joke, “No thanks, I’d rather not end up in prison.”

As expected, Song Qinglan wasn’t surprised by the answer. He dropped the teasing and added, “The captain’s salary is pretty good. I’ve also made some investments.”

The car left the medical center and Sky Vault behind.

As they passed through a checkpoint, Song Qinglan scanned his face, glancing sideways to see Ji Yushi squinting in the sunlight, looking somewhat drowsy.

The morning sun wasn’t too harsh, and Ji Yushi let it wash over him, his gaze following the car’s motion as they drove past the bustling streets of Jiangcheng.

He was quiet, likely feeling the effects of the medication, and his expression had improved considerably since their time outside the hospital room. With the others no longer around, Song Qinglan wanted to ask Ji Yushi what he had been thinking about earlier, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Ji Yushi’s phone ringing.

It was Ji Yushi’s phone.

He had only just gotten his phone back and hadn’t had a chance to check in with his family, who had probably been notified of his return.

Seeing the caller ID, Ji Yushi’s tense expression softened. “Hello?”

Who could it be?

Song Qinglan kept his eyes on the road.

As soon as Ji Minyue heard Ji Yushi’s voice, he let out a deep breath. “Finally, you’re back. I almost had to face Dad and take the blame with my life. He was ready to kill me.”

Ji Yushi’s tone lightened as well. “Dramatic.”

Ji Minyue continued, “Little Ji, don’t dismiss the drama. Dad was dead serious about you. In all these years, apart from that one time he hit me, he never brought up the fact that I helped you join Sky Vault. This past month, I’ve been scolded to death. If you didn’t come back, I really would’ve been soaked in blood. Even Mom’s sympathy couldn’t help, and it just made Dad angrier.”

Ji Yushi replied, “You should’ve gone easy on him from the start, instead of constantly competing for his attention.”

“Go easy? Competing for attention?”

Song Qinglan: “…”

Song Qinglan wasn’t one to eavesdrop on family matters, preferring to focus on driving.

Driving wasn’t so bad until they hit a major intersection with a 120-second red light.

Resting one hand on his temple, Song Qinglan tapped his fingers on the steering wheel in time with the countdown.

Ji Minyue had already gone on about a bunch of family matters, barely stopping himself from going further. “When’s your flight?”

“Two o’clock,” Ji Yushi replied.

Ji Minyue did the math. “Then you’ll be home by four. Rest up today and come home tomorrow? If you come back today, they’ll nag at you.”

“Okay,” Ji Yushi agreed.

“Great. I have to go to the school tonight for an event, and I’ll drop the cat off for you.”

Ji Yushi missed his cat.

Of course, he hadn’t taken the cat to the Ning City Branch to be fed by his colleagues; he’d left it with Ji Minyue before he left. After being gone for a month, Ji Yushi wondered if his cat missed him too. He guessed it probably did.

There was nothing more relaxing than petting a cat. Just thinking about it made Ji Yushi smile a little.

He asked his brother, “What time will you bring the cat over?”

The light turned green.

Song Qinglan resumed driving, making a left turn into the flow of traffic.

“Before seven,” Ji Minyue answered.

Ji Yushi asked, “Did you give it a bath?”

“Knowing you were coming back, your sister-in-law took it for a bath yesterday,” Ji Minyue said, clearly knowing his brother well. “Clean freak.”

Ji Yushi, satisfied, said, “Good, I’ll wait for you.”

After hanging up, Ji Yushi noticed the strange silence in the car.

Talking to his family after such an intense mission had taken a bit too long, and he felt slightly apologetic. “Sorry, Captain Song, for talking on the phone in the car.”

Song Qinglan’s handsome profile seemed a little stiff.

Ji Yushi was more open than he had expected. Was it just Ji Yushi, or were all of them like this?

“No problem.” Unable to hold back, Song Qinglan asked, “Consultant Ji, how many…?”

How many cats, perhaps?

Ji Yushi answered, “Three.”

Song Qinglan: “…”

He had known about Ji Yushi’s orientation for a while. Back at the vending machine, Ji Yushi had clearly mentioned going to gay bars. Someone’s personal life didn’t impact their abilities, and Song Qinglan appreciated Ji Yushi for his skills, without any desire to judge his private choices.

But why did this suddenly make him feel a bit irritable?

He didn’t want Ji Yushi to have this kind of romantic life. He didn’t want Ji Yushi… to be in a relationship so soon.

People should have more ambition.

When they arrived at their destination, Song Qinglan parked the car and returned to their previous topic. “Consultant Ji.”

However, when he turned to speak, Ji Yushi happened to be looking at him.

His moist almond-shaped eyes, with their slightly upturned corners, seemed focused on Song Qinglan. At the exact moment Song Qinglan turned, Ji Yushi’s gaze shifted elsewhere, so naturally that it seemed as if nothing had happened.

Song Qinglan’s heart skipped a beat.

That warm, strange feeling washed over him again.

It couldn’t be that Ji Yushi, on the verge of leaving, had suddenly changed his mind and decided to join Sky Vault Squad Seven but was too shy to say so, right?

Song Qinglan’s palms felt slightly damp with sweat.

Putting personal matters aside, he returned to the original question. “In the medical center, when you asked if I remembered who transferred you here, what did you mean by that?”