The curriculum for the Mecha Major was extensive. Beyond the foundational courses, there were classes in navigation, electronics, engineering, shooting, science, and more, each with its own textbook and dedicated instructor.

However, the administration at Lingsi Academy took a relaxed approach toward the mentorship system.

There were no mandates on what a mentor must teach, no required textbooks, and no specified teaching locations. As long as the student completed the required projects and learned what the mentor intended, the arrangement was considered satisfactory.

Tang Wen had a background in design.

Zi Ye had assumed Tang Wen would instruct her in design, but to her utter surprise, the very first lesson was piloting a shuttlecraft!

It was completely unexpected.

Zi Ye followed Blan to the shuttlecraft training grounds, wondering aloud, "Am I going to be piloting a shuttlecraft from now on?"

Blan nodded. "It will be much more convenient for you to fly here for lessons."

Zi Ye considered this and agreed.

A standard shuttlecraft cost around two hundred thousand credits, which wasn't exorbitant; she could simply purchase one.

Then she heard Blan continue, "Everyone at the Research Institute is assigned a shuttlecraft. Once your identity is registered, I’ll apply for one for you."

Zi Ye’s expression instantly shifted from confusion to delight.

The Federal Star Research Institute truly was exceptional; even students were equipped with high-end personal vehicles—how magnificent!

The two boarded the shuttlecraft. Blan took the Captain’s seat and gestured for Zi Ye to settle into the co-pilot’s chair. He gave a brief rundown of the shuttlecraft’s structure and basic principles, followed by the specific operational procedures. Finally, he concluded, "Piloting a shuttlecraft is even easier than driving a car on land. Once you’re familiar with the few basic operations I just covered, you'll be fine. If you prefer not to take manual control, the automatic navigation system works perfectly well after startup."

Zi Ye nodded in agreement.

Piloting a shuttlecraft was indeed much, much easier than maneuvering a mecha.

After Blan demonstrated once, Zi Ye switched places with him and took the controls herself.

Zi Ye possessed an innate aptitude for these mechanisms; she grasped the controls instantly. They started learning at two in the afternoon, and by four, she was already zipping past other vessels in the interstellar orbit, feeling wonderfully elated.

Blan praised her. "Teaching someone intelligent truly makes a difference. Let’s head back to the space station. I’ll start the process for your pilot’s license. If you’re not in a rush, you can stay the night on the station and fly back to school tomorrow."

Zi Ye was so happy she nearly threw her arms around Blan for a hug. "That’s wonderful!" She could pick up Little Sprout tomorrow while piloting her own shuttlecraft!

Killing two birds with one stone.

The Research Institute had villa-style apartments. Blan asked if she wanted to stay on the station for the night, but after a moment’s thought, she declined. Space Station 48 was only a three-minute shuttlecraft ride from Space Station 21, where her villa was located.

"I can just come over tomorrow to fly the shuttlecraft," she said.

Blan waved it off. "No need for the hassle. You can use any shuttlecraft here freely. Of course, we already have one set aside for you. I’ll go handle the pilot’s license paperwork now; just follow the robot to claim it."

Zi Ye gaped as she watched his retreating figure. Did she just feel like she’d hit the jackpot?

That evening, Zi Ye leisurely cruised through space in her shuttlecraft. She engaged the autopilot, leaned back in her seat, and gazed at the profound scenery outside.

Somewhere, a space station was clearly celebrating. The barium fireworks were even denser than the meteor showers over Siyatul—one brilliant burst following another, their seven-colored hues setting the entire cosmos ablaze with splendor.

Zi Ye habitually called out, "Xiao Dou, should we go buy some barium fireworks too?"

Silence followed for a long moment.

It was only then that she realized Little Sprout hadn't returned yet.

Without it, every day felt like an eternity.

Zi Ye stared at the space station bathed in light, a sudden, inexplicable loneliness creeping into her heart. The vastness of space at night felt especially desolate, and tendrils of coldness quietly seeped into her marrow while she was lost in thought.

She hadn't felt lonely before because she always had Little Sprout.

No matter how miserable or heartbroken she was, it would be there, chirping away, pushing her to do this or study that, leaving her no time for self-pity. Now, the silence around her felt terrifyingly absolute.

The barium fireworks exploding from the distant station were mesmerizing, but that brilliance wasn't hers to share.

She only had herself.

Zi Ye suddenly felt afraid of the quiet and turned on some music.

She leaned back for two minutes, then opened her ChaoXun interface, intending to send an email to Little Sprout.

Just then, the ChaoXun device chimed abruptly.

Focusing, she saw it was Sha Xinnie. Zi Ye found her avatar particularly warm-looking today and immediately answered the call.

"Darling, are you free tonight to go shopping?"

Zi Ye nearly choked. "Didn't we just go last week?"

Sha Xinnie pouted, her red lips curving into a seductive smile. "Don't you think shopping is the most relaxing thing after a week of classes?"

Zi Ye decidedly did not think so.

She sighed resignedly. "I’m a bit busy right now; shopping might be out of the question."

Sha Xinnie was displeased. "Is there anything in this world more important than shopping, makeup, and dressing up?"

Zi Ye: "..."

Sha Xinnie continued to needle her. "Is there anything more shameful than staying cooped up looking disheveled?"

Zi Ye straightened up. "I’m outside Space Station KeLai 72 watching the fireworks! Want to come over?"

Sha Xinnie fell silent for a beat, sounding surprised. "I didn't realize you were so quick. I heard Space Station 72 is the newest and largest integrated entertainment, shopping, and leisure hub in KeLai, and it’s opening today. Wait right there; I’m heading over immediately!"

Zi Ye slumped back into her seat, letting out a long sigh. What kind of people were these?

Still, a small part of her was happy because now she had company!

After an evening of shopping, Zi Ye returned to her villa, cleaned up, and went to bed.

The next morning, she woke up, followed her usual routine of running, practicing martial arts, eating breakfast, and preparing to leave. She tucked the insect chrysalis into her backpack. After a moment’s thought, she brought the upgraded F430 model onto the shuttlecraft, along with a D211 butler unit that she thought An Junlie might find useful. Since she had resolved to go to the Angel Domain, two robots as gifts should suffice.

Just before leaving, she caught her reflection in the mirror and was instantly reminded of Sha Xinnie's dictum: "Better dead than unkempt!"

Perhaps she should dress up before seeing An Junlie?

Zi Ye hesitated briefly, dropped her backpack, and took out two new outfits she’d bought while shopping with Sha Xinnie the night before. They had gone into the dry cleaner and would be ready now.

She looked at the clothes, then back at her reflection, finally muttering a complaint, "Wouldn't it look strange to be dressed up like this in front of An Junlie?" She had always been rather unkempt around him; if she made a special effort, would he mock her?

In the end, she stuck to her original attire, boarded the shuttlecraft, and departed.

Piloting a shuttlecraft was absolutely thrilling!

There was no need to crowd onto an interstellar bus with a horde of people, no tiresome transfers, and most importantly, no need to dock at spaceports—just pure, smooth translation leaps all the way.

An interstellar bus journey to the Angel Domain took six hours; the shuttlecraft cut that down to less than three. Zi Ye confirmed Little Sprout’s location in advance and sent it an email midway through the trip: "Don't leave the original space station. I’m coming for you."

Little Sprout was startled to see Zi Ye was already en route. What should it do?

An Junlie was there too!

It had just returned to the space station after dealing with the furry beast incident and hadn’t even had a moment to catch its breath.

It knew Zi Ye absolutely did not want to see An Junlie.

If they met, Zi Ye would surely blame it for going near An Junlie!