Ziye recalled everything aboard the Wangu carrier and knew she was merely a temporary visitor to the Angel Corps.

She shook her head. "I appreciate your kindness, but my family is here on Kolai." After leaving Silver Talisman Star, she had drifted through several places, unable to grasp a sense of genuine existence.

Only now, seeing Big Beard, did she feel a measure of solace.

In the vastness of interstellar space, finally, there was someone she knew, someone before whom she could relax without reservation, as if returning home.

This was a feeling she could never find with An Junlie.

Moreover, it had taken considerable effort last time to convince An Junlie to drop his suspicions about her identity; she certainly wasn't going to invite trouble this time! Aikesbent puffed out his cheeks in dissatisfaction.

They had assumed Ziye was alone, thinking no one so young would live in the Qila Galaxy otherwise.

Not believing she had family in the Kolai Galaxy, they persisted. "The Angel Domain is a lot of fun! It has vast territories for cruising around; there are numerous asteroid belts for mining and planting; and there are anomaly spaces perfect for exploration..." Ziye rolled her eyes at them. "If you come to my place for the New Year, I can take you to build robots, to sculpt dolls—that’s fun too.

Why don't you come stay with me for the New Year?" The twins exchanged a glance and sighed in unison. "Fine, we'll see you after the New Year.

We’ll bring you New Year’s gifts when school starts." Ziye felt touched. "Don't trouble yourselves." Aikesbent couldn't detect her refusal at all. "It’s no trouble; our Corps has a tradition of giving New Year’s gifts.

We receive dozens every year!" Ziye said sincerely, "That’s wonderful.

I hope you all have a good time." She cut the hypersignal and walked over to the coffee table, picking up an apple and biting into it. "Uncle Hu, the New Year is almost here.

What should we do?" She no longer called him Black Beard; every time she did, the staff members looked at her with bewildered expressions.

He was almost fifty, after all; calling him 'Uncle' wasn't too much of a stretch.

The clerk was quite surprised. "Huh? Aren't you the shop owner’s daughter?" While Black Beard had a more Western appearance, it wasn't impossible that Ziye took after her mother...

Ziye and Black Beard were momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing.

Ziye walked up to Black Beard, bowed deeply, and grinned mischievously. "Alright, Father Black Beard, your daughter pays her respects." Black Beard roared with laughter and casually pulled out a card. "Daughter, this is a reunion gift." Ziye took the card, flicked it lightly, and said with a playful look, "Thanks, Old Man Black Beard." The clerk was mystified but found it amusing and couldn't help but laugh.

Little Sprout shot out with a whoosh, zipped past Black Beard's chin, plucked one of his whiskers, causing him to gasp in pain.

He reached out to grab Little Sprout, but it happily flew back to Ziye’s head, settled down, and stuck its tongue out at him.

Ziye played with the card, laughing heartily at the hapless Black Beard.

Before she finished laughing, her hypersignal chimed again.

This time, the message was from Chun Niu.

His purpose was identical to Aikesbent's.

He began immediately, "Yaya, I'm returning to the Huaxia Corps tomorrow.

Would you like to visit our Corps?" Ziye was surprised. "Why?" Aikesbent was like that, and now even Chun Niu was inviting her.

It was rare; this was the first time so many people remembered her for the New Year, and it felt a little unreal.

Chun Niu looked embarrassed. "It's my fault; I asked you to come to Kaga early.

The trip back to Qila now is so far, and everyone in Kaga has gone home.

You must be very lonely staying there alone." Ziye was deeply touched.

Chun Niu was truly too kind, taking meticulous care of her inside and out, giving her an impulse to follow him to the Huaxia Corps instantly.

But the Huaxia Corps—could she just go there whenever she pleased? Furthermore, she had just reconnected with Big Beard and had plenty to do.

So, she declined. "It's alright; I'm here on Kolai, with my family.

Thank you." The word "family" successfully rejected Chun Niu once again.

Chun Niu was disappointed; he was very fond of Ziye, and he was sure the people in the Corps would like her too.

Of course, it would be even better if she could join the Huaxia Corps.

She possessed many of the Huaxia Corps’ inherent qualities.

However, since she had family with her, he could rest assured.

Joining the Huaxia Corps couldn't be rushed; it needed time.

Ziye was completely unaware of Chun Niu's inner thoughts, burying herself in robots, spending at least fourteen out of twenty-four hours in the fabrication warehouse daily.

Black Beard didn't go out, spending every day helping her source materials and contacting merchants.

On the afternoon of the 31st, the Red-Haired Queen finally returned to Black Beard’s residence piloting her shuttle.

She wore round, black-rimmed glasses, her hair casually pinned up with a few wisps framing her forehead.

She wore a white silk shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing a subtle cleavage, paired with a micro-mini skirt and 12cm stiletto heels.

Every movement exuded a commanding yujie aura.

The moment she stepped out of the vehicle, she instantly drew admiring glances from passersby.

She paid them no mind, removed her glasses, offered a seductive smile, and walked gracefully toward Black Beard.

Ziye watched from the window, momentarily stunned.

Red Hair was indeed Red Hair—too formidable.

She had expected her to return in pirate gear carrying a gun, but her disguise skills were top-notch.

She looked like a strict, spicy teacher now.

If she had a whip...

Little Sprout hopped over, chuckling. "Master, what are you thinking about?" Ziye immediately flushed with embarrassment and covered her face. "I am seriously contemplating what condition B360 is in after being whipped right now." As she spoke, Red Hair lunged at her, rubbing forcefully against her with her partially covered chest. "Little Stink, I missed you so much!" Seeing Red Hair's unsurprised expression, Ziye felt a pang of sadness.

She had thought everyone was fooled by her male disguise; turns out, everyone knew, they just didn't bother exposing her.

It seemed her 'male attire' had only managed to trick An Junlie.

What a profoundly melancholy realization.

However, Red Hair was quite curious about how she ended up on Kolai.

While teasing her, she asked, "Stinky Little Sister, how did you find Black Beard? I thought if we hadn't looked for you, you’d just be starving in some forgotten corner of a planet!" Ziye was speechless.

So, in Red Hair's eyes, she was an incompetent fool incapable of self-sufficiency.

She didn't understand what gave them this impression.

She glared at Red Hair, dissatisfied. "My name is not Stinky Little Sister!" Red Hair had never called her by her name before; it was always Little Stink or Stink.

Now, calling her Stinky Little Sister sounded so crisp.

Annoying pest! Red Hair laughed heartily, dragged her to the living room to sit, picked up a peanut, cracked it loudly between her teeth, and said, "Enough chatter.

Where have you been making a fortune recently? Want to join me? Pirate business has been booming lately.

You can earn hundreds of millions just by staking out a spot for a day." Ziye shot her a sidelong glance. "As if you were just picking up money on the street." Red Hair slammed the table. "Exactly! It's like picking up money.

Of course, there's a certain level of danger involved.

If the ship blows up, you not only don't get the money, but you lose a lot, too." Pirate faction ships weren't expensive, but the trade required connections.

Additionally, ammunition consumption was immense, and every time they finished a job, they needed a place to repair the ship, which was another expense.

However, compared to other businesses, these costs were extremely low.

Ziye worried, "That's too dangerous for you." Red Hair waved her hand dismissively. "Not dangerous at all.

It’s much safer than piloting an industrial vessel! If the ship explodes, just run fast in the escape pod; they can't crush you." Ziye shook her head.

She felt this was dancing on the edge of a blade; one small slip, and it was all over.

Red Hair was a formidable woman; before coming to Silver Talisman Star, she had done things even riskier, expanding her piracy into two star sectors.

Now, just operating outside a space station entrance was child's play for her.

Since Red Hair was confident in securing her own safety, Ziye stopped trying to persuade her.

Black Beard, listening nearby, interjected appropriately, "There is a degree of danger.

You’ve only just surfaced, and you have a disguise; many people don't know you yet.

But this isn't a long-term solution.

If you are discovered, not only will bounty hunters come, but the government will follow.

You should be careful." Red Hair shrugged. "I can't argue with you two." Ziye sighed helplessly.

Red Hair was definitely not someone who listened to advice, and she loved piracy.

For her, this was her true life.

Ill-gotten gains, taking risks, trampling on all interstellar laws—it was her ultimate passion.

Black Beard also felt a deep sense of resignation. "Don't go out for the next few days.

In a couple of days, get a clone made, just in case." Clones weren't unusual.

Many major corps and powerful figures kept clones to guard against attacks.

Legend had it that the richest man in the galaxy was terrified of death, keeping three clones each in the top ten space stations in every star sector, as well as in the dozens of villas he owned.

If he were ever rammed, blown up, or dumped in space one day, as long as all his consciousness from life was transferred to a clone, he could live on as before.

Human life is finite, hence the constant desire to achieve immortality through cloning.

Red Hair leaned back in the lounge chair and closed her eyes. "Fine.

I'll go get one." She suddenly sat up again, looking smug. "Business is great around the New Year deadline.

I made 2.8 billion in three days.

That’s nearly enough for my starting capital.

I’m not playing around for the next few days; I’m going to find some handsome guys to hang out with so you two don’t mourn me daily.

Oh, and Little Stink, fix my ship for me." Ziye and Black Beard sighed again.

Once Queen Red Hair left Silver Talisman Star, no one could stop her.

Red Hair picked up an apple, took a loud crunch, and continued, "Also, Little Stink, the little DDs in the B-series all need repairs lately.

I was just thinking about abandoning them when you showed up.

Handle it for me tonight." Ziye deflated. "Fine." Red Hair went on, "Actually, I still want you to be a pirate.

I’m short-staffed.

We only succeeded so smoothly these last few days because it’s the New Year period.

Normally, major corps transport supplies with much heavier escorts.

Here, having more ships is always more useful than having tougher ships."