Chapter 47

Mingmei, still somewhat dazed from the shock of her brother's appearance that morning, received an invitation to lunch from him as soon as class ended.

However, when Mingmei and Mu Chen arrived at the door of the faculty restaurant's private room, they saw Hu Yue and a pale-faced Li Yuan just arriving as well. The four exchanged glances, then sighed heavily.

It seemed a terrifying scene was about to unfold.

"Come in, all of you."

The four stood at the door, speechless, when the door opened and Cheshire appeared, wearing a slightly "fake" smile. Mingmei vaguely sensed that Cheshire's mood wasn't good.

Upon entering, they saw her second brother and Hu Mingli, the one who had disrupted her brother's class, sitting inside, facing each other. Both turned to look at the four at the door.

In that moment, the four of them felt their scalps tingle.

Mingmei: 0.0

Hu Yue: 0.0

Mu Chen: =、=

Li Yuan: Q_Q

"Yo, everyone's here?"

Hu Mingli turned his head, the confrontational aura he had with Mei Qiu still lingering. Hu Yue immediately shielded Li Yuan behind her, causing Hu Mingli to click his tongue.

"Little sister, is this what you found?"

Having said that, Hu Mingli gave Mu Chen, standing next to Mingmei, a look of disdain, then suddenly snorted.

Mingmei thought he was looking down on Li Yuan because of the comparison to Mu Chen, but then he said, "Never mind, a little white rabbit is fine too, compared to a hungry wolf."

Mingmei: ??

Mu Chen: ???

Li Yuan: …

"Ha! What good is a little white rabbit? Only you guys like them, easy to bully, right? Like a bandit, found yourself a wife to keep in the stronghold?"

Hu Yue: Who's the bandit?

Li Yuan: Stronghold…wife…

"Bandit? You have the nerve to call others bandits when you're one yourself? Don't think I don't know what you used to do."

"Pfft, pot calling the kettle black. Don't think I don't know you disguised yourself as a Sigma pirate to rob xx's merchant ship, then staged a rescue, and then extorted protection money. Double-dealing, you're amazing!"

"You're not much better, you used to…"

Listening to the two old men trading barbs and revealing each other's secrets, Mingmei and Hu Yue exchanged horrified glances, realizing they were witnessing a social death.

Is it okay to talk about these things out loud?

And Li Yuan was about to roll his eyes and faint.

Wouldn't he be silenced for hearing all this?!

Why did he have the feeling he'd fallen into a den of wolves?

"Don't just stand there, sit down."

Ignoring the conversation between the two men, Cheshire invited the four young people to sit down, even though they seemed reluctant.

"That's right, sit down, everyone. Today is a family dinner... oh, and a friends' gathering."

When he said "friends," Mei Qiu and Hu Mingli exchanged insincere smiles, giving Cheshire some face.

"Brothers, you don't have to entertain us if you're busy." Hu Yue bluntly stated the truth. She was truly speechless at the two of them.

She might not care about the murderous aura between the two, but Li Yuan did.

He was about to be scared to death, okay?

These two were doing it on purpose, weren't they?

Hu Mingli chuckled at Hu Yue's protective behavior, retracted his aura, and silently took a sip of tea, saying nothing, but his actions indicated a compromise.

One side had compromised; now it was up to the other.

So, Mingmei, from her angle, saw her second sister-in-law's hand reaching for her second brother's waist, giving it a twist.

Mei Qiu: Ouch!

"Alright, let's start eating. Everyone sitting here is family, so forget what's said here once you leave this room, got it?"

As Mei Qiu said this, her gaze swept over Hu Yue and Li Yuan. Li Yuan didn't say anything, but his chicken-pecking nod amused Mei Qiu.

"Hmm, your boyfriend isn't bad."

As she said this, Mei Qiu glanced at Mu Chen, who was pouring water for Mingmei, his attention focused entirely on his little sister, and suddenly felt annoyed.

Someone else's domineering flower had dragged back a little white rabbit, while her own lovely little cabbage was being guarded by a ferocious beast. How outrageous!

As if sensing what Mei Qiu was thinking, Hu Mingli suddenly let out a cheerful, provocative chuckle, immediately drawing Mei Qiu's attention back to him.

Soon, another battle of wits began.

Mingmei had a stomachache from lunch today!

…

"Second sister-in-law, did my brother really come to help?"

In private, after finishing her homework late at night, Mingmei once again video-called Cheshire. Only after confirming that Mei Qiu wasn't there did she ask this question.

"He came to help."

After saying that, Cheshire guiltily paused for a second, then nodded, "Your brother is still reliable when it comes to serious matters."

Mingmei was silent.

"Do my brother and Colonel Hu Mingli have any grudges?"

"There shouldn't be any major feuds, but Hu Mingli is your brother's junior."

"Oh? I thought they were the same year."

"They should have been, but you know your brother used to be a Sigma pirate, right?"

Mingmei: "…?"

She knew that, but shouldn't that be kept secret? What did that have to do with Hu Mingli?

"So?"

"So, your brother pulled off a big heist before entering the academy, and it happened to be within the Sixth Legion's territory.

Although Hu Mingli hadn't yet entered the military academy or officially joined the military, his family had some influence within the Sixth Legion's territory…

He was young and foolish and led people to ambush your brother, but your brother beat them back. He didn't lose his life, but he ended up in the medical bay for three months and missed the school year. He recognized your brother at first sight the following year.

However, because of the AI, he couldn't find any evidence against your brother. Afterward, he and your brother became friends in a way. Your brother even taught him how to be a Sigma pirate who wouldn't be wanted by the authorities."

Mingmei: "…"

What a complicated relationship!

"But it feels like their relationship isn't very good now…"

"Ah, it's because Hu Mingli's younger brother and cousin both sacrificed themselves at Sigma Fortress. At the time, Mei Qiu never told him the truth, and some people in the Empire were saying that it was caused by your brother's poor command, so the two of them broke off contact before the truth came out.

Even though your brother revealed all the truth some time ago, you understand, after being estranged for so long, even if they want to restore their relationship, it's a bit troublesome… But, that's just how those two are, don't mind them."

Cheshire sighed wearily, glanced at the time on her optical computer. Four hours had passed since Mei Qiu and Hu Mingli agreed to fight, and she didn't know if the two of them had cleared things up.

When Mingmei hung up the video call, she felt both sentimental and envious.

Compared to her own experiences, a life that could be recorded on a thin piece of paper, Mingmei envied those who had lived magnificent lives.

Although the laid-back her didn't really want to be so magnificent, Mingmei realized that, looking back, she really didn't have anything that she could remember very well.

All the most impressive memories seemed to have started since she came to this world…