It was time again for the annual Silver Talisman gathering.

At six in the morning, the roses were fragrant, and the hounds were dozing by the door.

Redhead quietly got up and walked out the main entrance.

The hound lifted its head, glanced at her, recognized an acquaintance, and ignored her.

Redhead arrived at the dock, picked a standard destroyer without the Wolf’s Den marking, opened the hatch, and settled into the captain’s chair for a nap.

A while later, Old Dog arrived. He swiped his card across the reader mounted on the hatch; the door hissed open automatically. Old Dog poked his head inside and called out, “Hey, sleeper, come help with something.”

Redhead opened her eyes and spun around angrily. “Hey, dog-keeper, mind your tone.”

Old Dog didn't back down an inch. “Wanna fight?”

Redhead hissed, “Of course! I’ve wanted to punch you for ages.”

Old Dog shoved the box he was carrying through the doorway. “Fine. You put the jerky in first. Little Stink will referee in a bit.”

Redhead shot him a sidelong, disgruntled glance and hoisted the box, heading toward the lounge.

In the lounge, a massive oval table dominated two-thirds of the space, surrounded by matching chairs.

Redhead placed the box on the table just as Big Head arrived.

Big Head opened the star chart and began summoning the guests in order of proximity.

Soon, Cripple, Leg-Weak Bro, Pervert, Black Beard, and others boarded the warship. Most of them had brought local snacks and specialties, taking their seats around the table one after another, cracking seeds and chatting.

The warship reached the Xilian Galaxy, and Ziye boarded.

She surveyed the crowd, realizing most people were present, and asked, “Are we picking up An Junlie?”

Redhead replied, “Of course. Why wouldn’t we?”

Ziye nodded, walked over, and sat next to Black Beard, casually picking up a sunflower seed and cracking it.

Little Sprout dangled by her waist, chiming in, “Ziye, Ziye, can I transform?”

Ziye immediately objected. “No.”

Little Sprout pouted. “Why not?”

Ziye said, “You’ll terrify everyone if you come out looking like that.”

Little Sprout puffed out its cheeks. “But I want to try the taste of the seeds.”

Ziye put on a stern face. “You can try when we get back.”

Little Sprout slammed itself repeatedly against Ziye’s chest. “Waaah, Ziye is getting meaner to me. I’m a member of the Silver Talisman too, you know.”

Ziye recalled what Little Sprout looked like after transforming and shuddered slightly. She quickly pulled it away, resolving that from now on, she would treat it like a person and absolutely must not let it act rashly.

Little Sprout, unable to get the affection it craved, rolled around frantically on the table.

Redhead walked over, plucked the little sprout atop its head, and tutted. “This little thing is getting naughtier. Little Stink, doesn't it remind you of yourself back then?”

Ziye: “…”

Little Sprout triumphantly pulled a face at Ziye, trying to snuggle into Redhead’s chest, but upon seeing Redhead’s firm and proud bust, and then glancing at Ziye’s, it weakly retreated back into Ziye’s embrace.

Snuggling Redhead? Better not, might get squashed into a patty!

Redhead stroked Ziye’s head and laughed. “The success of the exhibition is all thanks to you. With orders flying in like snowflakes, you’ll be topping this year’s Tycoon List in no time.”

Black Beard sighed upon hearing this. “I might have trouble holding onto a top-three spot this year.”

Last year’s Silver Talisman Tycoon List: First place: Pervert; Second place: Ziye; Third place: Black Beard.

Redhead trailed in fourth.

Ziye spread her hands. “I spent all my money this year, and Pervert added several more rose gardens. He’s definitely keeping the top spot.”

Big Head sidled over and suggested, “How about a high-stakes gamble right here at this table? Maybe the rankings will change immediately.”

Everyone shot him a look of collective disdain. It wasn't just that Big Head had the skill to gamble; he also had the luck. Everyone present knew that! Nowadays, gambling wasn't just about simple currency; it was often about equity shares. Losing to Big Head by accident would be more than just a small tragedy.

As everyone talked and played, Redhead casually tossed Little Sprout aside. “Hey, An Junlie is here.”

Ziye turned her head, and Little Sprout immediately flew in front of her, blocking her view. “Silly girl, just let me transform.”

Ziye mercilessly rejected it again. “No buts.”

Little Sprout sadly tumbled onto her knee, flapping its wings. “Aliens are no good at all. Why do you still like him?”

Ziye blinked. “Do I like him a lot?”

Little Sprout was about to say something when An Junlie strode in, pushing a cart full of jelly desserts.

Everyone stood up. An Junlie handed out the jellies, finally sitting down next to Ziye. “Hi, little sister.”

Little Sprout became enraged.

It shrieked, flying up from Ziye’s hand and positioning itself between the two. It confronted An Junlie. “Ziye is mine. You can’t take her.”

An Junlie rubbed its head. “Be good, go play somewhere else. I just want to chat with Ziye.”

Little Sprout glared at him. “You go play somewhere else!”

Fearing what Little Sprout might blurt out, Ziye quickly retrieved it and smiled. “Do you have a chance at the top spot on this year’s Tycoon List?”

An Junlie shrugged. “With you and Pervert firmly holding the top two spots, competing for third place against so many others is too hard. I gave up on that early on.” He didn't dwell on the tycoon topic and casually asked, “Did you reconcile with the Tang Clan?”

Ziye stuck out her tongue. “Yeah. When I returned to space, they came out looking for me, saying they wanted to acknowledge me as their daughter again. I agreed.”

An Junlie frowned slightly.

He felt the Tang Clan had acted rather dishonorably in this matter. Why hadn't they acknowledged her when Ziye was struggling? Now that the exhibition was successful, the Wolf’s Den was standing tall, and Ziye was famous, they were suddenly eager to claim her.

This gave him the uncomfortable feeling that someone was stealing the daughter he had helped raise.

However, he wouldn't voice this thought.

Currently, his relationship with Ziye wasn't exactly great, but it wasn't terrible either. If he spoke his mind directly, he might struggle to remain even friendly acquaintances in the future.

He rationalized that finding one’s father was a happy event, after all. As long as the Tang Clan didn’t overstep, he wouldn’t pursue the matter. If they tried to use her, they shouldn't blame him for being ruthless later.

Ziye noticed the subtle shift in An Junlie’s expression and explained, “It’s good like this now. When I returned from the Unknown Starfield that day, they were all standing there waiting for me. My brother was nearly in tears when he hugged me; I could feel his worry. Only then did I feel that the blood running through my veins was the same as his.”

“But,” Ziye paused, then smiled, “I have always been a person of the Wolf’s Den, and that has never changed, nor will it ever change.”

An Junlie gazed at her and sighed silently.

With that said, she had effectively placed him and Tang Wen in the same position. The Wolf’s Den was her true home.

He looked around at the familiar, happy faces and felt a small pang of sadness, but it quickly dissipated. This was Ziye’s home, and everyone here cherished her. She would be very happy.

Once everyone was seated, Old Dog stood up, raised the jelly dessert in his hand, and announced loudly, “Thanks to the Silver Talisman for bringing us together again today. Cheers, everyone—!”

-End of Book-RS