As evening approached.

Su Mo managed to escape the celebration site in a disheveled state, too many NCOs came up to greet and toast him.

He felt like his face was about to freeze from smiling too much.

He exhaled a long breath and headed towards Port 17.

"I really can’t take it, they were too enthusiastic."

The creator, Swallower, said indifferently, "Isn’t that normal? When you climb high, everyone wants to butter you up."

"That’s true, but hey! Things used to be better."

Su Mo showed a hint of a bitter smile.

The creator, Swallower, did not respond to Su Mo and seemed to be lost in thought.

Not long after, Su Mo returned to the Star Destroyer, Immortal Blade, and as he headed to his room, he bumped into Qian Chengxue.

"Su Mo, you’re back?"

Qian Chengxue’s face lit up with a bright smile.

"Yeah, it’s finally over. Where are you headed?"

Su Mo suddenly noticed that Qian Chengxue had changed into loose, casual clothes, a white lace shirt, and a blue fitted jacket.

"Isn’t today the celebration? I heard it’s lively outside, so I thought I’d take a stroll, want to join?"

Qian Chengxue extended an invitation to Su Mo.

"Sure, it’s been a long time since we hung out, let’s go."

Su Mo agreed immediately, it had been a while since they had some couple time.

"Just like that?"

Qian Chengxue said with a light laugh.

"Uh, is there a problem?"

Su Mo was momentarily unable to comprehend.

"If you go out like this, won’t you be recognized and have everyone stare at you like a monkey?"

"This....."

"Come with me, I’ll get you changed and put on some makeup."

Qian Chengxue directly reached out and pulled Su Mo along.

....

Not long after, in the room.

Su Mo had changed into trendy clothes, a brown jacket, black sunglasses, and a baseball cap, with Qian Chengxue also sticking on two little mustaches for him.

"How do you look?"

Qian Chengxue looked at Su Mo in the mirror, unable to hold back her laughter.

Su Mo said, somewhat helplessly, "Like this, let alone others recognizing me, even I can’t recognize myself."

"Isn’t that good? Let’s go."

Qian Chengxue replied, very satisfied.

"Okay!"

Su Mo could only reply with a wry smile.

After a short while, Su Mo and Qian Chengxue arrived at exit number 1, and unexpectedly ran into Lan Xi.

Lan Xi was wearing a teal loungewear set, a scarf around her neck, and carrying a bag.

"Lan Xi?"

Lan Xi almost didn’t recognize Su Mo, and said in surprise.

"Su Mo, why are you dressed like this?"

"Ahem, isn’t this to avoid being recognized?"

"I see."

"Where are you headed?"

"Shopping."

Lan Xi said happily.

Upon hearing this, Su Mo was a bit conflicted; Lan Xi was also going shopping? What a coincidence? Should he invite her?

He suddenly found himself in a dilemma, inviting or not both seemed wrong.

"Um...."

Su Mo didn’t know how to start.

But unexpectedly, Qian Chengxue directly linked arms with Lan Xi and called out to Su Mo.

"Let’s go."

"Huh? What are you guys?"

"I had originally planned to go shopping with Sister Xue, just didn’t expect you to join."

Lan Xi replied to Su Mo with a smile.

Hearing this, Su Mo couldn’t help but smile wryly, realizing he was just a tag-along.

"I see, let’s go..."

...

Under the night sky, Su Mo and the two others appeared on a bustling street.

Looking ahead, all the shops were brightly lit and open for business, with big sales posters plastered everywhere.

Numerous retro-style decorative lights lit up the entire street, and stalls with snacks were set up by the roadside, with wisps of smoke rising, adding a lively atmosphere to the street.

On the street, groups of couples strolled through shops with laughter, and many children chased each other around playfully.

In the distance, tall buildings displayed rotating images of people like Crock, Herbert, Nan Qi, and Su Mo in military uniforms.

Many citizens stopped to admire those images of heroes.

Su Mo, feeling quite cheerful at this moment, said to Qian Chengxue and Lan Xi: "Stroll around as you like, if you see something you like, just buy it. I’ll foot the bill today, indulge yourselves."

"There’s really nothing in particular I want to buy, just experiencing the atmosphere is nice."

Though everything was novel to Lan Xi, she didn’t have much desire to buy anything.

Qian Chengxue teased Lan Xi.

"No need to save Su Mo’s money, if you see something interesting, just buy it. There are a few nice shops up ahead, let me show you."

Saying this, Qian Chengxue pulled Lan Xi towards the shops.

"Alright."

Lan Xi couldn’t refuse.

Su Mo, standing behind, saw how well Qian Chengxue and Lan Xi were getting along, and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself.

"Thank goodness."

At that moment, Qian Chengxue turned and called out to Su Mo with a smile.

"Come on over."

Su Mo then followed along.

Half an hour later, with Su Mo in tow, Qian Chengxue and Lan Xi visited several shops, with Su Mo carrying quite a few bags.

Qian Chengxue then checked the time on her bracelet and said to Su Mo.

"There’s a restaurant called Late Wind ahead; I’ve heard it has a good reputation. Let’s rest there and grab a bite."

"Sure."

Su Mo replied immediately.

As the three of them headed towards the Late Wind Restaurant, Su Mo suddenly spotted a familiar figure; Lin Zinuo was standing at the street corner, looking around.

Su Mo was a bit confused; what kind of day was today?

"Zinuo?"

At this point, Qian Chengxue called out.

Lin Zinuo turned her head, and seeing Su Mo standing beside Qian Chengxue, she was slightly startled, but quickly regained her composure and came over.

"What a coincidence."

Su Mo said, somewhat awkwardly.

"Yeah, quite the coincidence."

Lin Zinuo was also a bit reserved, completely different from her carefree self when alone with Su Mo.

Qian Chengxue then said, "Let’s not stand outside, we can chat while eating."

"Sure."

Lin Zinuo answered softly.

Then Su Mo and the others entered the Late Wind Restaurant, choosing a quiet corner to sit.

Qian Chengxue ordered some dishes, then engaged in a lively conversation with Lin Zinuo and Lan Xi.

"Zinuo, look at the clothes I just bought, they’re pretty nice. I think they’d suit you too."

"Really? Can I take a look?"

...

Sitting beside them, Su Mo watched the three chat so happily, yet for some reason, he felt a bit uneasy.

He felt more tense than during battle, worried that the conversation might suddenly turn into an argument or a fight.

Even though the three women had smiles on their faces, to Su Mo, it all felt so unreal.

Was this the legendary "tiger’s den"?

Then, Qian Chengxue suddenly shifted the topic and sincerely asked Lin Zinuo.

"Zinuo, are you doing alright in the Federation?"

"Pretty good, I’m going to be transferred to the Federation’s first laboratory soon, to work with Lord Zhang Wei."

Lin Zinuo replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Qian Chengxue said earnestly.

"Zinuo, why don’t you come over to Su Mo’s place instead? We’re really in need of people here."