Ziye sent the hotel blueprints to Ziye, feeling utterly drained, unwilling to look at the bothersome data on the optical computer any longer. She tossed the device aside and went out to find An Junlie.

Since An Junlie’s arrival, Ziye had completely handed over command authority to him.

Of course, this was strictly limited to commanding the armies of the Angelic Domain.

The forces on the rear battlefield originally comprised Ziye's robot fleet, the support fleet arriving from the Wolf’s Den main front, the fleet Tang Jing brought, and the pirates led by Jiu Shou.

With the rear battlefield forces significantly strengthened, coupled with the deployment of the Bubble Swarms, the Wolf’s Den shifted from a disadvantage to an advantage, and then to absolute superiority, pushing the Allied Forces back. The Allies, lacking timely resupply and facing defeat, caused Fia to attempt a retreat, leading to infighting within their ranks.

Under these internal and external pressures, the Wolf’s Den was virtually guaranteed victory without any strain. Seeing that her robot fleet was heavily damaged, Ziye ordered them withdrawn to Corps Headquarters for repairs.

Furthermore, she compiled a report on the pirate fleet’s casualties, arranged compensation for their lost warships, and requested bereavement pay through the Wolf’s Den Financial Director to be given to Jiu Shou, allowing them to return to the Tamma system to recuperate, while also having the Wolf's Den fleet redeployed to the main front.

The only remaining combatants on the rear battlefield were Tang Jing’s fleet and the Angelic Domain’s fleet. As Tang Jing and An Junlie were at odds, Tang Jing volunteered to guard the Bubble Swarms, specifically tasked with intercepting movement.

Consequently, the rear battlefield was effectively commanded solely by the Angelic fleet, making An Junlie the natural choice for overall commander.

With the fighting not currently intense, the heavy atmosphere aboard the command vessel instantly lifted.

An Junlie sat on the command room sofa with a posture that seemed at least three parts more relaxed than usual.

As soon as Ziye saw him, without a word, she lunged forward.

An Junlie looked up, casually sweeping the optical screen aside, and opened his arms to embrace her.

The surrounding adjutants and aides, upon witnessing the scene, demonstrated remarkable tacit understanding and quietly filed out of the command room, leaving the space entirely to the two of them.

Ziye, feeling agitated, grabbed the fabric of his uniform near his chest and pressed herself against him forcefully.

An Junlie sensed her distress and affectionately rubbed the top of her head. "What’s wrong?"

Ziye mumbled into his chest, "I'm unhappy."

An Junlie’s expression became serious. "Who upset you?"

Ziye continued to nestle against him, "Tang Wen."

An Junlie: "...Ah, what did he say to you?"

Ziye sat up in his arms. "I asked him for the design blueprints for the Kolai Hotel, and he demanded that I become a member of the Tang Clan in return. I agreed."

An Junlie jumped up instantly. "You agreed?"

Ziye nodded. "Actually, I can’t blame Tang Wen; ultimately, it was my choice, he didn’t force me. But," she irritably punched his shoulder, "I’m still so frustrated! I absolutely don't want to join the Tang Clan!"

An Junlie let her hit him, waves of internal turmoil surging through him. Damn Tang Wen for playing such a ruthless card! How dare he consign Ziye to the Tang Clan! Ziye was clearly meant to belong to the Angelic Domain!

He felt it necessary to have a serious conversation with Tang Wen.

Ziye hit him for a good while without seeing any reaction, so she pinched his cheek in frustration. "Are you even listening to me?"

An Junlie snapped back to attention. "Little sister, let’s get married. Once we’re married, even if you are part of the Tang Clan, you’ll be a married-out daughter."

Ziye stared at him with an expression of utter disbelief. "What are you talking about? Whether I’m in the Tang Clan or not has absolutely zero bearing on whether we get married! Hmph, even you are someone who takes advantage of a crisis! I hate you!" With that, she wrenched herself free from his embrace and ran out of the command room.

An Junlie was left with a grievance he couldn't voice.

He felt this method was the most surefire, permanent solution, which was why he had proposed it so directly.

Unexpectedly, Ziye simply didn't want to marry him...

Without another thought, he chased after her. Just as he reached the doorway, two people were walking in. The command room door wasn't large, just enough for two people to enter side-by-side, and these two entered abreast, effectively blocking the doorway.

An Junlie couldn't stop in time, and the three collided.

"Aiya, Commander Master, your bones are too hard!" the two complained in unison as they scrambled up from the floor. An Junlie recognized them as the twins.

He frantically looked in the direction Ziye had gone; she was nowhere in sight.

He sighed helplessly, looking at the pair. "You two really are—" He wanted to scold them for being reckless, but after a moment's thought, he realized it takes two to tango, and he was hardly in a position to fault them, so he fell silent.

Aix bent down on one side, Sprent on the other, glancing at him, then following his gaze to the empty corridor. "Is Commander Master waiting for someone?"

An Junlie turned back into the command room irritably. "Just taking a walk."

Sprent chuckled slyly. "Commander Master, the words 'I am very angry' are written all over your face, did you know that?"

An Junlie pretended not to notice, retrieved the optical screen, and resumed his post-war planning.

However, this time, no matter how intently he focused, his mind refused to return to the previous line of thought. Seeing a word brought Ziye to mind; seeing a diagram brought forth her image. Upon looking again, the entire display was filled with Ziye.

An Junlie vigorously shook his head, then looked again—

Still unable to concentrate.

An Junlie stood up in frustration. The twins on either side immediately stood up as well, appearing ready for immediate orders.

An Junlie glanced at them, then sat back down.

The twins exchanged a suspicious look, then spoke simultaneously.

"Teacher Commander, have you been rejected in love?"

"Teacher Commander, have you been abandoned?"

An Junlie remained silent for three seconds, considering that perhaps because the twins were closer in age to Ziye, they might better understand her mindset. He finally said, "I just asked Ziye if she would marry me, and then she ignored me."

The twins: "(°ο°) ? Skipping courtship and jumping straight to marriage proposals?"

An Junlie: "What are those expressions?"

Aix shook his head helplessly. "Commander, while you are my teacher, you truly lack experience in this area."

Before An Junlie could retort, Sprent added, "What man proposes marriage the way you just did? It’s no wonder Ziye ran off. She hasn't even reached adulthood; her concept of marriage might still be nebulous."

An Junlie thought carefully and conceded that he had indeed been overly hasty. "So what should I do now?"

Sprent grinned and held out his hand. "It was fun flying Ziye's Dauntless Cruiser a few days ago. Too bad she sent it back for maintenance. Can Commander lend us one to fly?"

An Junlie laughed and cursed them. "You wish. Do you think Dauntless Cruisers grow on trees, requiring no money for materials or time to build?"

Aix interjected. "This concerns an important matter concerning your person, Commander. Ziye's value is worth more than one Dauntless Cruiser, right? Once you are with her, you can have any warship you desire!"