Chapter 49: Lost in the Celestial Stars
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…
Yao Yuan and his companions strolled along the streets of Sky Vault Star.
Before long, they were drawn by an enticing aroma.
“It’s the snack street! I smell grilled meat!” Yao Ling, the youngest and most spirited among them, pointed excitedly toward the smoke-filled distance, her voice brimming with anticipation for delicious food.
“Professor Yao! Let’s try the barbecue!” Yang Kui, Zhang Yu, and Peng Wenyan couldn’t help but swallow their saliva, gazing at Yao Yuan with the same hopeful look.
During their centuries-long space journey, they had survived on perfectly balanced but flavorless nutrient solutions and synthetic food blocks. Even the meat they ate was artificial, created through biotechnology. Compared to real barbecue, these substitutes tasted like wax.
On Earth, genuine meat had long since become a luxury; even scientists rarely had the chance to taste it, let alone ordinary people.
“All right, today we’ll do a little fieldwork on Sky Vault Star’s food culture,” Li En said with a gentle smile.
Yao Ling nearly jumped for joy at his words.
With bright spirits, the group made their way toward the snack street.
Yang Kui stroked his stubbly chin, a mischievous glint in his eye, as if a wicked idea had just occurred to him.
“What do you think our colleagues would say if they found out we’re investigating the local cuisine?”
“They’d be green with envy, faces twisted in jealousy, their cell walls separating from sheer frustration,” Peng Wenyan joked, her eyes scanning the snack street ahead.
Imagining their coworkers’ envious expressions, Yao Ling burst into laughter.
The more she thought about it, the funnier it seemed. Then she suggested, “Why don’t we turn on the camera and do a livestream for them?”
“That’s a great idea! I’m all for it,” Yang Kui applauded enthusiastically.
“Oh, you lot! Always taking advantage and still playing innocent—they’ll go mad with envy,” Zhang Yu said with a helpless smile. But then, with an amused look, he added, “Still, I’m curious to see just how jealous they’ll get. It should be quite entertaining.”
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When they brought up the idea of a livestream, Yao Yuan found it amusing but couldn’t help feeling a bit of a headache.
“Please, don’t give me any more trouble. They’re already disgruntled about not being chosen for this mission. If we provoke them any further, how will we get along with them in the research team in the future?”
“It’s all right! Sooner or later, we’ll all be living on Sky Vault Star—they’ll get to try these delicacies in time. It’s just a matter of when,”
“You’re already over two hundred years old. Can’t you act a little more mature?”
“No matter how old I get, I’m still just your granddaughter in front of you, aren’t I?”
Yao Ling replied playfully, though she respected Yao Yuan deeply. After all, ever since her birth on the ship, Yao Yuan had been her science teacher.
Yang Kui grinned, defending Yao Ling’s suggestion.
“Professor Yao, we’re simply trying to help everyone out! Think about it—a few centuries of space travel and no entertainment at all. We’re all sick of the old movies. A livestream would be a real thrill!”
“That’s true, Brother Yang makes a good point,” Zhang Yu said with a straight face, his seriousness making Yao Yuan both exasperated and amused.
“You really know how to create trouble for me!” Yao Yuan shook his head with a smile, but eventually agreed.
“Don’t worry, I promise we won’t provoke them,” Yao Ling beamed, attaching a small camera to her chest and switching on the microphone.
…
Above the clouds of Sky Vault Star, the scientists who hadn’t been chosen for the ground mission were full of resentment and frustration.
Claire’s blue eyes flared with indignation beneath his golden hair. He exclaimed, “Damn it! My Chinese isn’t perfect, but I understand every word!”
“I haven’t spoken a word—I’ve been as silent as a mute! Isn’t that enough? Why can’t I go?”
Ivanov, a hulking man over two meters tall, stood like a wall among the crowd and nodded heavily in agreement.
“Exactly! My height is a gift—I’m proud of it! How could that be a reason to keep me from the mission?”
“Yes! They said I’m too beautiful, that I’d draw too much attention. Is it my fault I look this good? It’s the result of excellent genes!” Natasha, a stunningly attractive scientist, spoke up, her face full of indignation.
Suddenly, the communicator in the experimental ship broke the complaining voices with its urgent ringing.
At the sound of the communicator, all discontent vanished, replaced by concern for their teammates’ safety. The atmosphere in the ship grew instantly tense.
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“They’re calling! Quick, answer it!” Natasha, moments before full of defiance, now became all business.
She immediately readied the armored exosuit; with Albert on break, she was temporarily in command.
For these scientists, the centuries spent together had forged deep bonds of friendship and trust.
Though they often grumbled about mission assignments, when it mattered, they always set aside their personal feelings for the greater good.
As soon as the call connected, everyone’s faces showed their anxious concern.
“Professor Yao Yuan! What’s happened? The armored exosuit is ready for deployment!” Natasha’s voice was tight with worry, her eyes locked on the screen, waiting for Yao Yuan’s reply.
…
On the planet’s surface, Yao Yuan felt the care and concern coming from his colleagues aboard the research ship, a warmth rising in his chest that left him a little embarrassed.
While their colleagues were worried for their safety, they themselves were about to tease them with a lighthearted broadcast.
“Professor Yao, why aren’t you saying anything? Do you need armored support?” Natasha’s voice sounded again through the communicator, urgent and filled with concern for their safety.
“Don’t worry, there’s no danger. We contacted you because… because…” Yao Yuan faltered, unsure how to admit the true purpose of their broadcast.
Yao Ling, however, had no such qualms. She picked up the conversation cheerfully: “Don’t worry, Natasha, we’re all fine~”
“It’s just that you didn’t get to come on the mission, and we thought you’d be bored up there, so we wanted to livestream the situation on Sky Vault Star for you!”
Hearing this, Natasha and the others instantly relaxed.
With a hint of laughter, Natasha replied, “As long as you’re all safe, that’s all that matters. Thank you for thinking of us.”
“Oh, Ling, that’s so sweet of you! You have no idea how close we are to going stir-crazy up here!” Ivanov chimed in enthusiastically, and even Claire managed in halting Chinese, “Yao, thank you so much! We couldn’t join the mission, but watching your livestream is great…”
“Oh, by the way, what are you planning to show us in the broadcast?”