Chapter 35 — The Invitation
The academy hallway had finally quieted down.
Students were still whispering about the simulation, but most had already left.
Lin Yan and Chin walked side by side under the long corridor lights.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Lin Yan suddenly said casually:
"According to what you said earlier… your family trains soldiers."
Chin adjusted his glasses.
"Yes."
"That means your family is military."
"Yes."
"And very rich."
Chin gave a small smile.
"…Yes."
Lin Yan stopped walking.
He turned and looked at Chin seriously.
"Then your family must be able to afford private warships."
Chin froze slightly.
He nodded slowly.
"We have ships."
His smile this time was stiff. Almost uncomfortable.
Lin Yan scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Well… actually… I also have a ship."
Chin blinked.
"You what?"
"My grandfather gave it to me before he passed away."
Lin Yan's voice slowed down.
"It's docked at Blue Star orbital port… but I don't have the clearance to retrieve it."
That part wasn't entirely a lie.
Star whispered inside his head:
"Technically it's locked behind twelve layers of encrypted ghost signatures and illegal AI masking but yes, 'docked' is accurate."
Lin Yan ignored her.
"I just want to get it back. Fly it properly. Register it."
He paused.
"I was wondering… if your family ship is heading back to orbit soon… maybe you could tell me when?"
Chin stopped walking.
His expression changed.
Not suspicious.
Not mocking.
Just cautious.
"That information," Chin said quietly, "is classified military scheduling."
He looked directly at Lin Yan.
"I don't have authorization to disclose departure windows."
The air felt slightly heavier.
Lin Yan nodded quickly.
"Oh. Right. Of course. Sorry."
He raised his hands casually.
"I didn't mean anything. Just asking."
Chin watched him for a few seconds.
Then—
"…But."
Lin Yan looked up.
"I can arrange something else."
Chin adjusted his glasses again, thinking carefully.
"My uncle commands one of our family fleet carriers. If I ask, I can request permission for you to visit. You can explain your situation directly."
Lin Yan blinked.
"Visit… a fleet carrier?"
Chin nodded.
"If your ship is legitimately registered and was inherited, they can check its file. If everything is clean, they may allow you to retrieve it during an authorized orbit window."
He paused.
"I'm very sure my uncle will agree to at least meet you."
Lin Yan stared at him.
For the first time since they met…
He saw something different in Chin.
Not the bullied bookworm.
Not the rich quiet kid.
But someone raised inside power.
Connected.
Careful.
Chin hesitated slightly.
"…You're not normal, Lin."
The words weren't accusation.
They were observation.
"You fly like someone who's seen real war."
Lin Yan laughed lightly.
"Maybe I just have good imagination."
Chin didn't laugh.
"But you don't look greedy."
He said it softly.
"Most people approach me because of my family. Money. Connections. Favors."
He looked down briefly.
"You're the first person who asked me something… awkwardly."
Lin Yan coughed.
"That's because I am awkward."
Star's voice chirped:
"Confirmed."
Lin Yan almost twitched.
Chin finally smiled properly.
"Alright. I'll talk to my uncle."
"But if anything about your ship is strange… military investigation will be involved."
He wasn't threatening.
He was warning.
Lin Yan nodded slowly.
"That's fair."
Inside his mind—
Star's voice lowered.
"Military investigation probability: 67% if they scan full signature."
Lin Yan mentally replied:
Then don't let them scan full signature.
Star giggled softly.
"Now you're thinking properly."
Above them—
Beyond Blue Star's atmosphere—
Far past the civilian satellites—
A faint signal pulse moved silently across the void.
Unnoticed.
Unregistered.
But not harmless.
And somewhere…
Something ancient recalculated.