Zhong Yun took great pains to arrange a romantic proposal, even though Yunqi didn’t place much value on such theatrics.

It was one thing that she didn’t care, but Zhong Yun, despite finding the effort bothersome, still needed to do things properly to show how much he valued the commitment.

The proposal followed Earth customs: night, candles, roses, and a diamond ring.

When Zhong Yun knelt on one knee and declared, “Marry me,” a glimmer of moisture flashed in Yunqi’s eyes before she nodded demurely.

At Zhong Yun’s prompting, she extended her left hand.

As the diamond ring slid onto her slender ring finger, a strange sensation welled up within her.

Zhong Yun had once explained the custom to her—that once the ring was worn, she would be eternally bound to this man.

During the period leading up to the wedding, Zhong Yun would remain at Base Two.

Zhong Pingjiang and the others immediately began the intensive preparations.

When the news reached the populace, it instantly caused a massive stir; the marriage of their leader was an occasion for universal celebration.

Watching the nation grow stronger day by day instilled a profound sense of belonging in everyone.

They felt involved, having witnessed the nation’s journey from establishment to prosperity.

This feeling was irreplaceable.

They wholeheartedly supported Zhong Yun as well, especially witnessing the navy grow from nothing to its current formidable strength of eight fleets and two hundred warships.

How could they not support a leader who guided them toward such power? Where there was joy, there was also sorrow.

For Weiwei, this was unequivocally bad news.

She did not live with Zhong Yun’s parents but had her own residence.

After work that day, she dragged her exhausted body home.

Lying on the bed, she didn't want to move an inch, staring at the empty ceiling, wishing only to sleep and never wake up.

She was tired, worn out from the soul to the physical body.

From the moment she learned Zhong Yun had a beloved partner, she knew this day would come.

She had met Yunqi; she was a perfect woman.

Weiwei had never considered fighting for him.

But when the event finally occurred, she realized she had overestimated her own capacity to endure.

Yesterday, when she heard the news of Zhong Yun’s impending marriage, it felt like a lightning bolt striking her head.

She plunged into utter darkness, unable to recall how she passed the entire day—the suffocating feeling of being in eternal night.

With a click, the door opened.

Zhong Yun looked at Weiwei lying on the bed and couldn't help but sigh.

She already knew.

He had intended to tell her himself, never expecting the news to spread so quickly.

Zhong Yun walked over and lay down beside her, embracing her body.

After a long silence, he finally spoke one sentence, “Give me some time.” Weiwei opened her eyes in shock, meeting Zhong Yun’s gaze, which seemed to pierce straight into her soul.

“I am a greedy man.

I won’t let any one of you go.

You might as well accept your fate.” It was unclear who the “you all” he referred to actually encompassed.

“Zhong Yun…” Weiwei felt something choke her throat, rendering her speechless.

Zhong Yun turned over, pressing down on her, and kissed her deeply… The wedding was grand and solemn.

Amidst the tolling bells of the Royal Grand Hall, Zhong Yun and Liu Yunqi received the blessings of everyone present, including all citizens watching via the media.

At the ceremony, Zhong Yun simultaneously announced the nation’s name to be the “Galaxy Empire,” with himself as the first Emperor and Liu Yunqi as the first Empress.

Zhong Pingjiang was named Father of the Nation, and Yun Rong, Mother of the Nation, holding a status equal to the Emperor.

This day became the National Day of the newly established “Galaxy Empire.” After the ceremony, Zhong Yun invited his close friends to his home for a private banquet.

In attendance were Tian Hai and the others, the six members of Chu Tiange, Yang Siqing, and the uncle-nephew pair Yang Yunrong.

Because his status as Emperor was now formalized, they behaved with a certain formality around Zhong Yun’s family, unlike their usual relaxed ease.

This was unavoidable.

The day after the wedding, Zhong Yun followed Earth customs and spent a sweet, romantic honeymoon with Yunqi.

After the honeymoon concluded, Zhong Yun returned to District One.

“How does it feel to be married?” On the Mercury, Yu Daoqing smiled, looking at Zhong Yun as she asked.

Since awakening, Yu Daoqing had preferred not to meet with others and had followed Zhong Yun to District One.

When Zhong Yun was away, she managed the affairs of the district.

Zhong Yun smiled but did not answer, though he held a very strange feeling inside.

He could never quite decipher what kind of emotion Yu Daoqing held for him.

Clearly, she would give her life for him without hesitation.

But if it were love, it didn’t quite seem right; she never showed jealousy towards him, and unlike Weiwei, she faced his marriage with composure, without even a flicker of sadness.

But regardless, as long as she was willing to stay by his side, that was enough.

“I plan to leave for a while,” Zhong Yun said, looking at the patches of white dots on the massive screen—these were the optical brain mechs placed in the empty space, as all warship bays were full.

“Where to?” Yu Daoqing was clearly startled; his talk of leaving did not mean a trip back to Base Two.

“Outside.

It’s been two years; I wonder how things have changed out there.” Zhong Yun had clearly made up his mind long ago, only stating it now.

“No, it’s too dangerous,” Yu Daoqing blurted out, immediately realizing she couldn't alter Zhong Yun’s decision, so she changed tack: “I’ll go with you.” Zhong Yun shook his head.

“You cannot come.

Don't worry, I can protect myself.” “I believe you,” Yu Daoqing insisted urgently, “but the universe is fraught with peril, and wars are raging everywhere.

Even if you are powerful, how can you guarantee your safety?” Zhong Yun smiled slightly; her intense concern indicated how much she cared for him.

“I’ll show you something.” With that, he led her outside.

Yu Daoqing followed, fully resolved in her mind to make him abandon the idea.

Two hours later, Yu Daoqing no longer opposed Zhong Yun’s decision to leave, only urging him to be extremely careful.

Yu Daoqing was manageable; persuading Yunqi would be a monumental task.

Yunqi was even more stubborn than he was, and with the experience of last time, getting her to agree to let him leave alone would likely be harder than scaling the heavens.

But Zhong Yun absolutely could not let Yunqi join him in the danger.

He had absolute confidence in his own safety, but Yunqi did not.

Before he could persuade Yunqi, he first had to convince his parents.

The thought gave him a headache; he almost wished he could simply leave without a word.

Of course, that was just a fleeting thought; leaving without saying goodbye would only make them worry even more.

First publication