If anyone was embarrassed by Ziye’s tardiness, it was undoubtedly Bobo. The reason for his awkwardness wasn't Ziye’s lateness itself, but the fact that the Star Federation’s destruction of the Wolf’s Lair space station was the cause of it.

Truthfully, he desperately wished to avoid being Ziye’s enemy, but the Legion’s affairs were beyond his sole control; he hadn't even known the two sides were hostile until the news broke. After meeting, Bobo pulled Ziye aside, his face etched with shame: “I truly didn’t know the Federation would strike so ruthlessly.

I’m so sorry for not stopping it in time and causing you such trouble.” It was better not to mention it, but bringing it up only reminded Ziye that the person before her belonged to the Star Federation—the very faction whose actions, led by his father and the Secretary-General, had caused the greatest disaster since the Wolf’s Lair first opened! Ziye’s mood, which she had barely managed to restore, was involuntarily laced with anger again: “If apologies were useful, why would the Directorate exist?” Bobo’s face flushed and paled, leaving him utterly speechless.

Ziye instantly felt she had said the wrong thing; she knew that even if Bobo had known beforehand, stopping it would have been impossible. But the words were out; how could she take them back?

In the suffocating awkwardness, Ziye caught a glimpse of Lingyin standing nearby, watching them with a look of concern. Her heart clenched painfully, and she averted her gaze.

Both Lingyin and Bobo were her friends, and she didn’t want to hurt them, but her heart was heavy, especially seeing Bobo, which brought back the tragic memory of roaring flames and screaming lives. During the days she spent tirelessly working on the Dauntless, she dared not sleep, for the moment she closed her eyes, the nightmare of the great fire would seize her, waking her up to stare at the ceiling, sleepless through the night.

Ziye felt her heart turning dark. She had once been so pure and good.

In the naive dawn of her life, Ilya had sown the seeds of pain within her, breeding an unquenchable hatred. Just as she finally cleansed herself of that bitterness, Bai Lanxue’s massive fire burned away her happy life once more.

From the instant she saw the fire, she understood: Unless the enemy is eradicated, her suffering will never cease! However, she knew she could not transfer this agonizing burden onto the friends who genuinely sought to help her.

After turning her face away, she forcefully pulled out a smile and, turning back to Bobo, said: “I apologize, I got too emotional just now.” Bobo froze for a moment, then suddenly looked up at her. She pretended not to notice, turning her back again.

—She didn’t want to see her old friends looking at her now with cautious eyes, as if she were some fragile piece of crystal. The twins, Aikes and Bent, usually so boisterous, were silent as sealed gourds today, and the way they looked at her had changed too.

Li Chunyue was even more exaggerated, his eyes constantly tracking her movements, yet he remained silent; when she looked his way, he immediately forced a smile. If Bobo were looking at her with such an expression, she’d want to pick a fight!

Bobo, perhaps sensing her mood or for some other reason, said: “It’s fine. If you’re angry, I’ll accept a beating.” Ziye turned back, lifted her chin, and squinted at him: “I don’t want to beat you, I just want to flatten your three-dimensional features until you look like a poster.” This remark finally cracked everyone up.

They burst into laughter, rubbing their fists: “You don’t have to do it, I’ll do it!” With jokes and light roughhousing, the atmosphere finally eased. The twins grabbed Ziye’s arms, wheedling: “Can we go down to the planet to have some fun this time?” Ziye nodded: “Okay.” This time, everyone tacitly agreed not to mention the Wolf’s Lair Legion.

They sat down smiling and chatting in the shuttle Bobo had brought and descended to the planet. The twins had chosen this travel route, claiming it was a surprise for everyone.

As they waited for the surprise, the shuttle stopped, and Lingyin immediately felt nauseous. She spun around and went to hit Aikes: “What kind of planet did you pick?

The road is too rough!” Aikes dove behind Bobo and shouted: “This is a dedicated bicycle lane! You can traverse the entire planet in three months if you ride it.

Don’t you find that challenging?” Lingyin, who suffered most from lack of stamina, whimpered: “Oh, heavens! I knew we shouldn’t have let you pick the destination.

A bicycle? I’ve never even heard of such a thing!” Bent looked at her with contempt, turning to Ziye for support.

But Ziye was already rushing to the hatch, leaping out the moment the door opened, taking a deep breath of fresh air: “Wow, the air of freedom feels amazing.” Bent shrugged at Aikes and jumped down from the shuttle too, grabbing Ziye’s arms on either side: “Let’s go buy some bicycles.” Ziye had never seen a bicycle; it sounded highly automated, and before she could ask, Lingyin scanned the sky: “I don’t see any bicycles anywhere. Are you fooling us?” The twins collapsed in laughter: “Hahahaha…” nearly rolling on the ground.

Ziye had meant to ask, but seeing their reaction, she felt too embarrassed to speak. Bobo, displeased that his girlfriend was laughing red-faced, yet confused about the cause, asked: “Bicycles should be considered an emerging automated product, perhaps similar to an airship?

Since they aren’t in the sky, maybe it’s because they are small and require a telescope?” The twins were still laughing uncontrollably on the floor. Ziye felt something was amiss and was about to open her Omni-Pad to search for ‘bicycle’ when Teacher Little Sprout spoke up, sounding thoroughly disappointed: “Your history teacher must have died early.

This was one of the most popular modes of transport on the planet over a thousand years ago.” Ziye secretly wiped a bead of sweat. Little Sprout, to prevent her from looking foolish, quickly pulled up several classic bicycle models on the display screen.

Ziye glanced at them—the so-called ‘self-propulsion’ required human kinetic energy! But… it looked like a lot of fun!

After living in space for so long, everything was automated. An object that required manual leg power was rare.

Even if it was ancient, it was certainly interesting, wasn’t it? Her eyes sparkled: “Where can I buy a bicycle?

I want to try it out. This thing doesn't seem simple; two wheels for movement—if your balance isn't good, you’ll fall?” The twins sighed: “Finally, someone who appreciates it!

Little Yezi, follow us!” The twins were regulars on this planet and knew the layout well. They led the group in a procession to the planet’s first stop: a high-end mountain bike boutique.

The boutique spanned several thousand square meters. At a glance, every type of mountain bike imaginable was on display, complete with all necessary accessories.

Ziye thought bicycles looked rather simple, but when she saw the price tags, her hair nearly stood on end. What kind of galactic joke was this?

A tiny bicycle costing over one hundred thousand credits!!! What did one hundred thousand credits mean?

That was the price of a low-end mecha! Ziye rested her hand on the handlebar of an all-black bicycle, gasping: “Is this made of Renwei Alloy?

Otherwise, it wouldn't be this expensive, would it?” She tapped the frame, and an automated robot attendant approached: “Welcome. This mountain bike is this month’s newest model.

The first buyer today receives a 0.1% discount, costing only 99,999 credits.” Ziye stared blankly at the robot: “Can you discount it a little more?” The robot smiled: “This is the lowest possible price.” Ziye touched her hip pouch, feeling an agonizing sting. She was currently quite poor.

The Dauntless had consumed all her assets. While she was agonizing over the decision, the twins cheerfully declared: “We’ll take this one.” Ziye shot them a look, brewing anger growing stronger in her gaze: “Are you trying to steal my bike?” Aikes laughed heartily and patted her head: “Silly child, you can’t look at bikes that way.

You try it first. If it suits you, you ride it.

If not, we can adjust the seat height, and I’ll ride it.” Ziye rolled her eyes at them, wheeled the bike outside, wobbled onto the seat, and pedaled unsteadily forward. Learning to ride a bike requires balance, and Ziye’s sense of balance was decent; she stabilized quickly, riding quite smoothly.

But one thing frustrated her immensely. Why, after pedaling a huge circle with such large wheels, had the bike only moved a tiny distance?

She decisively turned back and announced to the twins: “This bike is too hard to ride; get me a different one.” Bent said: “Alright, I’ll get you one that’s a bit gentler.” Bobo and the others came over, finding the bicycles novel, and each tested the ones they preferred. In the end, the six of them spent over 300,000 credits buying six bicycles.

Ziye watched, her heart bleeding. Nowadays, even a foot-powered vehicle could cost a fortune.

Alas, poor soul. This was a planet exceptionally suited for outdoor activities, a trait seized upon by the sovereign Legion, which had transformed it into the Bicycle Kingdom.

Since humanity entered space, everything had become automated; people could live comfortably without lifting a finger. Because of this, physically engaging sports were even more popular.

This was a planet exceptionally suited for outdoor activities, a trait seized upon by the sovereign Legion, which had transformed it into the Bicycle Kingdom. Since humanity entered space, everything had become automated; people could live comfortably without lifting a finger.

Because of this, physically engaging sports were even more popular. This was a planet exceptionally suited for outdoor activities, a trait seized upon by the sovereign Legion, which had transformed it into the Bicycle Kingdom.

Since humanity entered space, everything had become automated; people could live comfortably without lifting a finger. Because of this, physically engaging sports were even more popular.

This was a planet exceptionally suited for outdoor activities, a trait seized upon by the sovereign Legion, which had transformed it into the Bicycle Kingdom. Since humanity entered space, everything had become automated; people could live comfortably without lifting a finger.

Because of this, physically engaging sports were even more popular. This was a planet exceptionally suited for outdoor activities, a trait seized upon by the sovereign Legion, which had transformed it into the Bicycle Kingdom.