Ji Yushi continued, “Didn’t you already have ‘Han Han’ back then?”

“Damn,” Song Qinglan chuckled softly, “I guess there’s no getting past this hurdle.”

Ji Yushi turned his gaze back out the window, watching as the old buildings quickly receded along the highway, a noticeable smile curling at the corners of his lips.

He was joking.

Song Qinglan tapped the steering wheel with his fingers, considering Ji Yushi’s words seriously. “If we were really that destined to be together, attending the same kindergarten as kids, then you must remember me.”

Others might not necessarily remember things from their childhood, but Ji Yushi certainly would.

“Let me think.” Ji Yushi played along, “I do remember there was a chubby little boy in the class who would always stick to another boy, running around everywhere. If he didn’t get to play with him, he’d cause trouble. He was known as the little troublemaker.”

“That’s not right,” Song Qinglan said.

Ji Yushi turned his head, his eyes sparkling, “What’s not right?”

“I was indeed quite chubby as a kid, but I wasn’t ‘bent’ back then,” Song Qinglan laughed. “Although I can’t even remember what ‘Han Han’ looked like, I was definitely playing with her all the time back then. If you saw a chubby little boy always sticking to a little girl, that might have been me.”

Ji Yushi didn’t say anything.

A crack in the car window let in a breeze that ruffled Ji Yushi’s black hair.

Song Qinglan suddenly wondered what Ji Yushi looked like as a child.

He reached over and covered Ji Yushi’s hand with his own, adding, “If that little boy had been you, I would have played with you all day long.”

More than three hours later, the car entered the area where the skydiving club was located.

Far from the city, the road suddenly opened up after several kilometers of forest. A vast green lawn, seemingly endless, was surrounded by trees. The straight road made all the city’s irritations and noise vanish in an instant.

From a distance, Ji Yushi saw several airplanes on the tarmac and a huge glass building standing nearby—the base of the skydiving club.

They parked the car outside the base, and as soon as they got out, someone approached them.

It was a brisk, sharp-looking young man dressed in tight black clothing, who shared the same aura as Song Qinglan and Zhou Mingxuan.

This was the comrade Song Qinglan had mentioned.

“Captain Song!”

“Old Xue.”

As soon as they met, the two extended their fists for a light bump, then shook hands, also tapping each other on the shoulders, their camaraderie evident.

Song Qinglan had been a captain in the army, and many years of military life had forged deep friendships with his comrades.

Song Qinglan introduced, “This is my comrade, Xue Zhao. He’s retired now and opened this club. Old Zhou used to come here a lot.”

Xue Zhao modestly replied, “Actually, I opened it with some friends. But you’re always welcome.”

Song Qinglan then introduced Ji Yushi, who was standing beside him, “Ji Yushi, my boyfriend.”

Xue Zhao’s smile froze, “What?”

Song Qinglan expected this reaction and leisurely watched him, repeating, “You heard right—boyfriend.”

Ji Yushi was the first to extend his hand, “Hello.”

Xue Zhao shook hands mechanically with this handsome young man, greeting him in return.

The three of them entered the base together.

Xue Zhao was still somewhat shocked, not yet recovered from the surprise of Song Qinglan suddenly being ‘bent.’ They had seen cases of comrades developing feelings for each other during their service, but never in their unit. Song Qinglan had always maintained the persona of a straight man, unbothered and uninterested in such matters.

Inside the base, some tourists were preparing to skydive. It was afternoon, and some were already packing up and completing procedures to leave.

“You arrived just in time,” Xue Zhao said. “Starting tomorrow, the wind direction won’t be suitable, and we’ll have to take a break for a couple of days.”

“No need for prior training?” Ji Yushi asked, “Will there be a coach?”

“Coach?” Xue Zhao laughed, looking at Song Qinglan. “The person next to you is the best coach you could ask for! He’s a certified professional.”

Ji Yushi turned his head, seeing Song Qinglan’s dark eyes filled with a self-satisfied smile, as if he had everything under control.

No wonder he suggested skydiving—it turned out to be his strong suit.

“We can do a tandem jump,” Song Qinglan said. “I’ll take you on your first jump, and if you’re interested, you can try a solo jump afterward.”

“Okay,” Ji Yushi agreed.

With Xue Zhao leading the way, they first underwent a simple physical check-up to ensure their heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure were all normal, and then they were taken to gear up. Song Qinglan, familiar with the equipment, suited up first, then helped Ji Yushi secure his harness, checking it repeatedly.

When it came to things he wasn’t good at or had never done before, Ji Yushi was open to accepting help from others.

Song Qinglan teased him, “Consultant Ji, you’re so obedient today.”

Ji Yushi answered straightforwardly, “Because I’m afraid of dying too.”

Xue Zhao arranged for them to use a private plane.

On the plane were two other coaches Song Qinglan knew, who were training students. These students were on the fourth lesson of a three-day course. When they saw Song Qinglan board, looking every bit the part of a coach, they wondered why they hadn’t encountered such a handsome coach.

After takeoff, Song Qinglan began explaining the precautions to Ji Yushi, “Before we exit the cabin, we’ll be strapped together. After we jump, I’ll be right behind you, and I’ll let you know when to spread out.”

One of the students asked Ji Yushi, “Is this your first time skydiving?”

Ji Yushi nodded, “Yes.”

The student asked, “How high are you jumping?”

Song Qinglan answered for Ji Yushi, “4500 meters.”

The student advised Ji Yushi, “For the first time, it’s easier to start with around 3000 meters.”

At different altitudes, the two students and their coaches jumped out of the plane one after the other.

With each time the cabin door opened and the wind rushed in, Ji Yushi gradually felt the tension building.

In truth, he was a bit afraid of heights.

4000 meters.

Song Qinglan began locking himself to Ji Yushi using the connectors, hugging him from behind and asking, “Are you scared?”

Ji Yushi: “…”

Song Qinglan: “If you’re scared, you have to say so. How else can I protect you?”

Ji Yushi: “I’m scared.”

Song Qinglan laughed, then leaned down and gave him a firm kiss on the cheek, “What are you afraid of? With me here, I’ll make sure you don’t die.”

4500 meters.

Song Qinglan put a windproof mask on Ji Yushi.

The cabin door opened, and the roar of the wind and the whir of the propellers drowned out anything Song Qinglan was saying to Ji Yushi.

Below them was a vast expanse of land seen from a vertical perspective.

The altitude was even higher than Ji Yushi had imagined, making everything on the ground appear tiny and making him feel slightly breathless, his palms slick with cold sweat.

“Three! Two! One!”

The more you hesitate at a moment like this, the more afraid you’ll become. As Song Qinglan counted down from behind him, Ji Yushi felt the ground disappear from under his feet—he had jumped!!!

In that instant, his heart shot up into his throat, as if it had left his chest, making him acutely aware of a powerful sense of weightlessness.

The wind battered his body from all sides, his ears filled with nothing but the howling wind.

As he plummeted rapidly, the scene before his eyes wasn’t as fast as he had imagined.

In that moment, the horizon seemed within reach, the mountains, rivers, and forests unfurling like a beautiful painting, completely different from the view from the plane.

“Spread out!” Song Qinglan’s voice was close to his ear, giving him a sense of security. “Imagine you’re a piece of paper floating in the wind!”

Ji Yushi spread his arms wide.

He started to breathe.

He started to embrace the world coming at him.

With nothing to reference in the sky, Ji Yushi couldn’t judge their speed.

In reality, they were falling at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour, passing through clouds they could see but not touch, and spotting two colorful parachutes floating below them—those were the students who had jumped before them.

Before long, a strong force pulled Ji Yushi upward.

At around 1600 meters above the ground, Song Qinglan opened the parachute.

Everything slowed down, and the howling wind ceased abruptly.

The world went silent.

“Look over there,” Song Qinglan said. “Ahead to the left, lift your head a little.”

Ji Yushi lifted his head slightly.

He had been looking down, but now as he lifted his head, he was struck by the sight.

As it was nearing sunset, the distant sky was tinged with a reddish-orange hue by the setting sun, while the closer sky remained a deep blue.

They were floating in this stunning, surreal scene, as if witnessing the earth wrapped in clouds, witnessing the cycle of day and night.

This gentle drifting continued for a long time.

Ji Yushi’s heart was calmer than ever before.

They landed successfully on the soft grass. The moment their feet touched the ground, gravity returned.

Song Qinglan had expertly handled the tandem jump, allowing Ji Yushi to fully experience what it meant to be effortlessly carried through the sky. He hadn’t done anything during the entire process, simply being taken from the sky back to the ground by Song Qinglan.

“Want to try a solo jump?” Song Qinglan looked at the device on his hand and asked, “The wind direction will be off tomorrow, so if you want to try, today’s your only chance.”

Ji Yushi: “No need for a solo jump, this experience is enough.”

Song Qinglan: “Alright.”

The thrill of skydiving wasn’t as intense for Song Qinglan as bungee jumping.

Skydiving’s rush was strongest at the moment of the jump, but the rest was pure enjoyment. He chose to take Ji Yushi skydiving instead of bungee jumping because he didn’t want to burden Ji Yushi’s memory.

A staff member drove over to pick them up from the landing site.

After taking off their gear, they felt light as feathers, and on the way back to the base, the sun was already nearing the horizon.

Inside the car, the orange-tinted light outlined the sharp yet gentle profile of Song Qinglan’s face as he asked, “How was it?”

Ji Yushi turned to look at him, his eyes catching the light, turning amber, “Are you asking about the skydive or the whole day’s date?”

Song Qinglan had actually wanted to ask about the skydive, but if Ji Yushi understood it this way, that was fine too.

He wrapped one arm around Ji Yushi’s shoulders, pulling him closer so that Ji Yushi could lean on his shoulder while Song Qinglan rested his chin on Ji Yushi’s head.

The faint scent of shampoo from Ji Yushi’s hair made Song Qinglan feel at ease. He kissed the top of Ji Yushi’s head and asked, “So, what did you think of today’s date?”

Ji Yushi grasped his fingers and replied, “It was great.”

Song Qinglan’s voice was filled with amusement. “So, would you be willing to go on an even better date with me next time?”

Ji Yushi responded, “I’ll think about it.”

When they got out of the car, they were holding hands.

Doing so at night wasn’t too high-profile, but the group waiting for them at the base still got an eyeful of their affection.

Seeing those familiar faces, Song Qinglan was momentarily speechless: “…”

Ji Yushi also maintained a blank expression.

“Captain Song!”

“Consultant Ji!!”

The five people who were supposed to be on vacation in Jiangcheng had all gathered here. Song Qinglan asked, “Are you guys still babies who can’t be on your own? Don’t you know we need some alone time?”

Zhou Mingxuan, standing beside Xue Zhao, grinned and said, “We came for skydiving too. How were we supposed to know we’d run into you guys!”

Xue Zhao just chuckled awkwardly without saying anything.

Even Ji Yushi didn’t believe them.

“Fine, I admit my brother and I came to find Consultant Ji!” Tang Le said. “We haven’t seen you in a few days, and we miss you terribly. We have a thousand questions to torture our brains with!”

“Exactly,” Tang Qi agreed.

Duan Wen added, “I’m different. I came to see Captain Song. I wanted to see how the historic meeting between Captain Song and his ‘three boyfriends’ would go!”

Song Qinglan burst out laughing and kicked him lightly, “Get lost.”

Surrounded by this group, Ji Yushi looked directly at Li Chun, “How did you know we were here?”

Li Chun felt his scalp tingle as he was caught red-handed and had to laugh sheepishly, “Well, Captain Song sent us photos of your date to make us—um, I mean, to remind us how lonely we are. Last time we said we’d all go to the bar together, so I thought I’d gather everyone and head to Ningcheng to find you. Then, halfway there, Old Zhou said Captain Song was taking you skydiving with his comrades, so we came straight over.”

Mystery solved.

It turned out this group of third wheels had been invited by themselves.

Song Qinglan had no choice but to wave a hand generously, “Alright, tonight’s expenses at the club are on me!”

That night, with the addition of their teammates, the couple’s date turned into an impromptu party.

Xue Zhao arranged separate rooms for them at the club, and it wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that the group finally dispersed.

Ji Yushi had gotten drunk, and when they returned to their room, Song Qinglan realized just how drunk he was—Ji Yushi intended to go to bed without even taking a shower.

Although it’s not advisable to bathe after drinking, to ensure Ji Yushi slept comfortably, Song Qinglan undressed him and planned to give him a quick rinse. Ji Yushi didn’t resist at all and obediently cooperated.

He was completely naked.

Song Qinglan couldn’t resist kissing him.

Ji Yushi’s lips were sweet and soft, just like his behavior at that moment.

The summer bathroom gradually warmed up, and water splashed everywhere as the showerhead hit the ground.

Song Qinglan got wet too.

They leaned against each other, dripping wet. Ji Yushi’s eyelashes were adorned with droplets of water as he tilted his head, breathing lightly, allowing Song Qinglan’s kisses to trail down.

He grabbed Song Qinglan’s hard, prickly hair, unable to control his strength.

Neither of them fully understood what was happening.

Ji Yushi only knew that when Song Qinglan kissed him again, the taste was strange, and he didn’t like it much.

Then they moved to the bed.

Half-awake, half-asleep, he straddled Song Qinglan, continuing to kiss him aggressively. Then suddenly, everything spun out of control.

He found himself pinned down, clutching the bedsheet, with Song Qinglan holding his hand.

“It hurts a bit,” he complained, the skin between his legs burning from the friction.

Song Qinglan’s movements paused.

Through his blurred vision, Ji Yushi saw the veins bulging on the hand covering his own, so he added, “But it’s okay.”

In the end.

He was held tightly in Song Qinglan’s arms as he fell into a deep sleep, murmuring just before drifting off, “Song Qinglan…”

They spent the night at the club, and the next morning, they woke up earlier than anyone else, sneaking away in the car before the others noticed.

Who would want to spend their vacation with a group of teammates? That would be no different from being at work!

Ji Yushi moved a bit slowly as they were loading the car, prompting Song Qinglan to urge, “Hurry up.”

Unexpectedly, Ji Yushi replied, “My legs hurt.”

Both of them froze.

Two hot-blooded men in love, drunk and sharing a room, it wouldn’t be realistic if nothing happened.

Ji Yushi didn’t mind it at all, even thinking it was a bit thrilling.

But the skin on the inside of his thighs had other opinions.

“Damn,” Song Qinglan swore, frustrated, “I really…”

He had also drunk a bit too much last night and lost control.

Ji Yushi tossed him a bottle of milk, speaking naturally, “We can buy some ointment on the way, it should be fine. For now, let’s just get going.”

Seeing the look on Song Qinglan’s face, Ji Yushi added, “What’s the big deal? I’m not a woman, I’m not that fragile. Besides, you didn’t do anything to me.”

With that, he walked past Song Qinglan and got into the car first.

Just as he was halfway through closing the door, Song Qinglan blocked it, “Ji Yushi, you’re embarrassed.”

Ji Yushi retorted coldly, “I’m not.”

Song Qinglan smirked, “Then why are your ears red?”

Ji Yushi: “…”

Alright, he was indeed annoyed by the sounds he made last night!!!

Now Ji Yushi wasn’t planning to go home right away. Knowing this group, they might chase after them. He called Ji Minyue, asking him to take care of his cats for a few more days, to which Ji Minyue complained that he felt like nothing more than a tool.

They ended up going to a city neither of them had visited before.

On the fifth day of their vacation, Song Qinglan received a call from Minister Wang.

Ji Yushi was engrossed in exploring the city’s public library.

With the decline of physical books, many had become rare editions. Ji Yushi couldn’t borrow them from elsewhere, so he brought out the speed-reading skills of a quantum wave genius, scanning through the books in the library at an incredible pace.

“Xiao Song, how’s your vacation going?”

Minister Wang, as always, sounded kind.

“Pretty good,” Song Qinglan replied. “Are you calling to tell me my vacation is over?”

“Not officially yet, but soon,” Minister Wang said. “I’m calling to inform you that the task ratings and rewards have been mostly finalized. You can proceed with the ratings according to the plan given by the main system. Everyone’s personal ratings have advanced.”

Hearing this, Song Qinglan didn’t feel particularly happy. Instead, he frowned, sensing something wasn’t right.

“But…” As expected, Minister Wang paused, “Ji Yushi’s reward request may not be fulfilled for now.”

“Why?” Song Qinglan asked.

“His psychological assessment report was not up to standard.” Minister Wang’s tone became more serious, making his point clear, “According to the comprehensive task report, his score was too low.”

In the Bubble World, Ji Yushi had been able to deceive experts into giving him a perfect psychological evaluation score.

Song Qinglan let out a cold laugh, not directed at Minister Wang, but at the absurdity of the situation, “Because he told the truth this time? Do these experts even have brains? Do they want the truth or lies—”

“No,” Minister Wang interrupted him, “It’s not because of that.”

“Then what is it?” Song Qinglan asked.

Minister Wang sighed deeply before revealing, “Xiao Song, your mission report mentioned that you encountered two people in the Cube mission? One of them was a middle-aged man with glasses.”

Song Qinglan remembered that man.

He also remembered that the chubby middle-aged man called the one with glasses “Old Sheng.”

But what did this have to do with Ji Yushi?

Minister Wang explained, “That man was a scientist, Sheng Yun, who was involved in the development of part of the Sky Vault project over a decade ago.”

Song Qinglan was shocked, “He was Sheng Yun?!”

Xie Si’an had mentioned this person before. Song Qinglan never expected to have the chance to see him in person in the Cube.

“Yes,” Minister Wang confirmed. “Over ten years ago, he was found dead at home from an apparent suicide. Unfortunately, it was his eight-year-old son who first discovered the scene.”

Song Qinglan felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He suddenly understood everything. He understood why Xie Si’an said Ji Yushi was so similar to Sheng Yun, and he realized who that child Xie Si’an mentioned was.

“Ji Yushi’s original name was Sheng Han,” Minister Wang revealed the truth, “The person you saw in the Cube was his biological father, Sheng Yun.”

Song Qinglan gripped his phone tightly, nearly crushing it.

Scenes from Ji Yushi’s behavior in the Cube flashed through his mind—the calmness with which he sat holding a game console, and that farewell confession…

Minister Wang’s next words came to him mechanically.

“After evaluation, Ji Yushi became emotionally unstable after seeing Sheng Yun and chose to directly visit the day of the incident. His psychological state is extremely volatile, so his rating reward has been postponed. He will need to undergo another assessment.”