Xiao Cheng’s face flushed scarlet, wishing she could find a crack in the floor to disappear into right then and there.

However, Ziye didn't laugh; her expression was serious and earnest. "You people have full bellies, so you don't understand the hunger of others. Clear out, don't spoil my meal."

Knowing Ziye was genuinely upset, the others forced themselves to stifle their laughter.

Ziye said nothing more, simply diving into her food.

Great chunks of meat, big bowls of soup—she cleared the table in a flurry, leaving everyone astonished. Trash Star truly lived up to its reputation as the galaxy's number one refugee camp, starving Ziye into the condition of a refugee. They chuckled, "Eat more, every bit of meat you eat will put weight back on you."

Seeing Ziye eat so naturally, completely unashamed by their amusement, emboldened Xiao Cheng. She mimicked Ziye’s manner, devouring her food voraciously.

Once finally full and satisfied, Ziye patted her distended stomach. "Where is the bathroom? It’s been ages since I had a proper bath; I smell awful." Noticing Tang Wen staring at her as if she were an alien, she stepped towards him and lifted her arm. "Smell if you don't believe me."

An Junlie swiftly caught her wrist. "Stop fooling around. I’ll take you for a bath."

Ziye lowered her head, giggling secretly.

—Aha! An Junlie is definitely jealous!

In the month spent on Trash Star, she had managed to bathe fewer than ten times in total, and the water supply was meager, meaning each time was just a hurried rinse. Yet, she was considered one of the people who bathed most frequently on the planet. The native inhabitants generally bathed once a month, some not even until two or three months had passed.

At a glance, they all looked like figures sculpted from mud.

An Junlie shook his head helplessly and dragged her toward the most luxurious cabin on the escort vessel. The room wasn't vast, but it was the complete set of equipment that mattered; the bathroom even contained a bathtub.

An Junlie asked her to wait outside while he personally scrubbed the tub clean and filled it with water. When he emerged, he found Ziye listlessly tracing circles with her finger, the amber light casting a soft, tranquil glow across her face.

A warmth instantly bloomed in his chest. Despite all the hardships endured, she was still alive, sitting right in front of him, within arm's reach.

He quietly walked up behind her and gently rubbed her head. "Tired?"

Ziye looked up and let out a yawn. "Mmm, a little."

An Junlie said softly, "Then rest well after you’re done bathing."

Ziye leaned back against his chest, closing her eyes. "I don't want to bathe anymore. I want to sleep."

An Junlie chuckled. "No, you still have to wash. Do you want to do it yourself, or should I help you?"

Ziye rubbed her head against his chest but said nothing.

An Junlie bent down, placing one hand on her back and the other under her knees, lifting her into his arms horizontally. "Then I’ll help you wash."

Ziye startled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "No way!"

An Junlie smiled. "You could try."

Ziye was firm. "No!"

An Junlie feigned disappointment and sighed. "Fine, if you don't want me to."

Entering the bathroom, he set Ziye down on a stool beside the tub and patted her cheek. "Be good, don't fall asleep during this bath." Then he stepped out.

Ziye didn't soak first; she began with a shower, scrubbing and scrubbing until all the grime from the planet was rinsed away. Only then did she slip into the bathtub to soak.

This past month, she had grown accustomed to life on Trash Star.

Now, returning to her old lifestyle, she couldn't help but feel that the living standard on Trash Star was utterly abysmal. Living like this—eating what she wanted, soaking comfortably—this was how human beings were meant to live!

Her spirits were high. After her soak, she saw the clothes An Junlie had laid out on the rack. As she pulled them on, she sighed contentedly. An Junlie was a truly good man—capable in public and at home, attentive to her needs, the kind you’d never find even with a lantern.

Thinking this, she rushed out of the bathroom. Seeing An Junlie seated on the sofa, staring at the light screen, she sprinted over, pushed the screen aside, and threw herself into his embrace, rolling playfully with delight. "Alien, it’s so wonderful you’re here!"

An Junlie smiled faintly. "Did you miss me?"

Ziye clung to his neck in a fawning manner. "Terribly—" She paused, then added, "—your rose jelly."

An Junlie wasn't offended. He lifted her up and headed toward the bed. "I missed you too."

Ziye grimaced. "I’m not ready for bed yet."

An Junlie laughed. "That's fine, we can connect intimately right here on the sofa."

Ziye countered, "...Isn't the bed the same thing?"

An Junlie shook his head. "It’s different."

For some reason, Ziye suddenly felt a faint sense of ill-intent from An Junlie. She grabbed hold of a nearby object for dear life, refusing to move further. "No, I don’t want to go to the bed yet."

An Junlie chuckled heartily. "I won't do anything to you. We'll just discuss life goals."

Ziye squinted at him. "Really?"

An Junlie nodded frankly. "Absolutely."

Ziye relented. "Alright, I’ll talk with you."

An Junlie flashed a mischievous grin, placed Ziye onto the bed, and then pressed his body down over hers.

The moment Ziye saw his body lean forward, she realized something was wrong. She decisively rolled to the side, narrowly escaping being pinned beneath him. He landed beside her, reached out, and pulled her close, encircling her in an embrace so tight her waist felt close to being crushed.

She had lost quite a bit of weight lately; there was no softness on her waist, just bone, sharp and defined.

An Junlie didn't seem to mind. He buried his face in the hollow of her neck, his voice muffled yet fervent. "Little sister, little sister, I missed you so much. Your sudden disappearance terrified me."

Those words melted Ziye's heart.

She wrapped her arms around him in return, whispering softly, "I’m sorry. I won't do it again."

An Junlie quickly covered her mouth. "You don't need to apologize to me. I'm the one who failed you. I was with you on Bicycle Planet, yet I couldn't rescue you in time. I'm sorry."

Ziye hastily covered his mouth again. "Stop saying that. It's all in the past."

An Junlie kissed her cheek. "We won't be separated again from now on, okay?"

Ziye considered it. "I'll try my best."

The moment the words left her lips, An Junlie doubled the grip around her waist, squeezing hard enough that her bones nearly cracked. She quickly cried out, "Wait, wait! I promise, okay?"

An Junlie gently kissed her lips. "Good girl."

Ziye, annoyed, bumped her head against his chest. He reached out, cradled her head, rubbed her forehead, and couldn't help but laugh.

Having not touched her for nearly a month, An Junlie was unwilling to let go now that he held her.

Although her body was thinner, they were pressed together intimately, and he could clearly feel her heartbeat, her breath, her vigorous life force.

This person was his girlfriend.

She was his future wife.

The thought sent an uncontrollable surge through An Junlie. "Let me kiss you, just a little one, okay?"