However, Ziye viewed him as a deeply knowledgeable mentor, a rather willful child, and never once considered any romantic feeling; no matter how sorrowful his expression might be, she could offer no reciprocal emotion, only apologies.

In the context of their previously pure teacher-student relationship, Ziye would have been absolutely delighted to have him as a guest; yet, at this moment, for some inexplicable reason, she felt a distinct pressure.

Perhaps it was because the nature of their feelings had changed?

Ziye unfurled a light-screen, navigated to her inbox, and located the warm-up video from the orientation promotional filming at Ling Si University when she first enrolled as a freshman.

—More than a year had passed, and life seemed unchanged on the surface, but looking back, she realized how incredibly immature she had been then; Tang Wen, at that time, appeared merely as a handsome older brother whose presence felt like a spring breeze.

Ling Yin noticed her staring blankly at the promotional video and leaned over with a laugh, "Don't you think you two look perfectly matched? You are so similar—your demeanor, your movements, even the way you smile. I honestly felt like you were characters in an idol drama."

Ziye managed a wry smile. "It's not as exaggerated as you make it sound."

Ling Yin shook her head. "I mean it. I truly thought you and the Professor would become the pair everyone envied and hated! What a shame."

Ziye offered a faint smile and remained silent.

Just then, a staff member on the airship announced, "Everyone, please compose yourselves and show your best smiles; we are about to approach the audience."

Ziye almost jumped up—this was too fast! Straight to the award stage?

Before she could ask anything, the soft female voice from the public announcement system chimed in: "The next team to enter is the runner-up team of this year's Mecha Competition, Team Feifei!"

The members of Team Chuqiao tensed simultaneously.

Their most formidable rivals from the past were making their entrance.

The airship was equipped with a massive external screen, broadcasting the live feed.

On Team Feifei’s ship, Illya stood facing the wind in a delicately elegant, long gown, her curves so perfectly sculpted that they commanded admiration from a respectful distance only.

Peizhe, dressed in a tailored suit matching hers, stood slightly behind her, a gentle smile on his face.

Ling Yin froze instantly. "How is this possible?"

The others in the group asked, "What's impossible?"

Ling Yin glanced quickly at the staff member but said nothing.

Others might not know, but she and Bobo had been keeping tabs on Team Feifei, fully aware of the news regarding Peizhe's condition.

Could the person before them be a clone?

Ling Yin had always harbored a profound wariness of Illya.

This was because, on some level, she felt Illya belonged to the same category of person as herself, but Illya possessed the capacity to be far more ruthless and absolute than she was.

If the two were to engage in a one-on-one duel, Ling Yin was certain she could not win against her.

It wasn't just Ling Yin who was astonished.

Those within the Fiace family circles who knew about Peizhe’s situation were equally stunned to see Illya appearing publicly with him. However, their thoughts leaned less toward Illya’s ruthlessness and more toward viewing her as merely a child attempting to assert her independence.

They considered her actions utterly ridiculous.

Of course, some were thinking that Peizhe was akin to Illya’s favorite doll; whether they hid him or tore him to shreds, she was determined to procure an exact replica. If such obsessive fixation were channeled correctly, Illya could certainly become a legendary sovereign!

A palpable sense of pressure began to build.

After the runner-up team entered, it was soon time for the champions.

As the final team to enter, the staff quietly reviewed the necessary instructions with the members before their grand entrance.

A moment later, the cheerful, brisk voice of the male host resonated through the announcement system: "Let us welcome the entire crew of the champion team, Team Chuqiao!"

All members of Chuqiao exchanged surprised glances toward the speaker. A staff member whispered from behind them, "Smile, remember to smile."

The group quickly rearranged their faces into smiles.

As the smiles settled, the airship’s hull slowly retracted, revealing the transparent protective shield. Through the shield, they could see the specialized corridor lined wall-to-wall with spectators on both sides.

Once inside the special passage, the shield also descended. Seeing the crowd’s enthusiastic cheers and applause, everyone quickly raised their hands and waved warmly.

The airship moved slowly along the passage. There was no red carpet, but it was lined with flowers and applause. The host’s booming voice introduced them: "Team Chuqiao consists of six members, guided by Professor Kadir from Motion Point Military University."

As he spoke, Professor Kadir arrived from another airship and successfully joined the six members of Chuqiao.

The cheers from the audience erupted again, deafening!

Subsequently, led by Professor Kadir, the six ascended toward the main venue.

The host passionately praised each of them: "Professor Kadir specializes in interstellar mecha warfare, has won numerous awards, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 3012.

As the saying goes, great teachers produce great students; the six members of Team Chuqiao are all exceptional. The captain, Li Chunyu, a third-year design student at Ling Si University, is hailed as a youthful prodigy. There are two pilots, the ace twins from Motion Point Military University, X and Speint; the armor fabricator and modifier is Ziye, a second-year master mechanic student at Ling Si University, and notably, the sole apprentice of Mr. Tang Wen, the Chief Visiting Professor at Kaga!

Furthermore, Bobo is an outstanding sophomore from Ling Si University’s command department, mentored by his father, the supreme commander of the Interstellar Federation, and played a crucial role in this battle; and Ling Yin, as one of the only two females on the team, proved vital in information processing... It can be said that Team Chuqiao winning this mecha competition was absolutely no accident!"

"During the Ling Si University campus competition, due to a strategic failure, they were forced into the elimination rounds, competing against dozens of teams. They never gave up; instead, they grew stronger through adversity, achieving perfect coordination with the leanest personnel to ultimately secure the championship!"

"Their spirit deserves our admiration!"

Li Chunyu blushed from the praise and whispered quietly, "He’s exaggerating so much."

Speint waved to the audience while laughing, "Chun'er, didn't you participate in a design competition before? Aren't you used to scenes like this?"

Li Chunyu weakly retorted, "Back then, I only wanted to communicate with Teacher Tang Wen; I forgot about everything else."

The moment he finished speaking, he was met with uniform, disapproving looks from the others.

The staff quickly reminded them in hushed tones: "Maintain your smiles, maintain your smiles."

The group couldn't help but laugh.

The last celebration party hadn't been entirely pleasant, but having spent nearly two years together, a little joke quickly dispersed any residual tension, and they returned to their jovial demeanor.

Li Chunyu stole a glance at Ziye when he had a moment, seeing that she treated him no differently than usual. He decisively buried his feelings deep down, into the furthest corner of his heart, and raised his smile again.

Regardless of everything, he had shared a period of beautiful time with Ziye during this competition, and they had won the highest award for university students—he had no regrets!

The champion team was the last competition unit to enter, followed by the guests of honor.

The entrance of the guests was truly spectacular!