Chapter 7: Nutrient Solution

(Page 1 of 3)

She recalled from the novels she had read that the interstellar era was supposed to be paperless. Why was this particular corner of the galaxy so unique?

Seeing her sign the document, Qin Yixuan’s smile became much more sincere. "It is only right that we do so."

After such a long ordeal, Xiao Ningxue felt quite drained, and a look of fatigue involuntarily crept onto her face.

"I apologize, but I am quite exhausted now. Let’s discuss the remaining matters tomorrow."

Xiao Ningxue checked the clock in the room; it read 22:23. It was already very late. Before she had crossed over, she had been lying in ambush for half the day, her nerves stretched to their breaking point. Since arriving, she had remained on high alert, terrified of slipping up. Regardless of how time was measured in these two worlds, she had endured a grueling, full day and simply could not hold on any longer.

Qin Yixuan and Hu Lingfei only then noticed the time. They said apologetically, "Our apologies, Mr. Xiao. We have disturbed you so late. Please rest. If you need anything, just call for Bai Haiping."

Bai Haiping was standing at attention with a stiff, professional posture, though in reality, his mind had wandered off some time ago.

*The scent on this Botanist is so intense!*

*Our two commanders truly deserve their rank to have chatted with the Botanist for so long without changing their expressions.*

Little did he know, Qin Yixuan had been blinded by the sheer quantity of edible plants, while Hu Lingfei was relying entirely on sheer willpower.

Once Qin Yixuan snapped out of his excitement, his nose caught the foul odor on Xiao Ningxue once more. He barely managed to keep his composure, though he could not help but add, "The facilities in this room are complete, so you should be able to get a good night’s sleep."

Xiao Ningxue’s smile stiffened slightly. She knew that, of course!

With the stench and dirt covering her, her desire to take a shower was more intense than anyone could imagine—but she didn’t dare!

*I understand, Commander Qin.* Xiao Ningxue mentally pummeled the "villainous Qin" a thousand times over.

She knew she needed to bathe, but would he take responsibility if her identity were exposed?

*Wait, could he actually?*

*No, what am I thinking! Cherish life, stay away from men!*

Satisfied that Xiao Ningxue understood his meaning, Qin Yixuan nodded.

As a feline-type, he had a bit of a clean streak. If the edible plants hadn't bedazzled him, he would have been unable to stand the sight of Xiao Ningxue like this long ago. It was a relief that she understood his hint.

Hu Lingfei noticed the embarrassment and rigidity on Xiao Ningxue’s darkened face and suppressed a smile. "Since Mr. Xiao is tired, we shall not disturb you further. Please rest well."

They hadn't paid attention to the time when they arrived. Although space travel still used the twenty-four-hour cycle of a planet, the lack of a rising and setting sun made it very easy for one's sense of time to become chaotic.

Pulling all-nighters was a common occurrence.

(Page 2 of 3)

Xiao Ningxue nodded helplessly. "Take care, you two."

With Qin Yixuan and Hu Lingfei gone, only Xiao Ningxue and Bai Haiping remained in the room.

Xiao Ningxue looked at Bai Haiping. "..."

Did this person have a reason to stay?

Bai Haiping realized belatedly that he, too, should leave. "Respected Mr. Xiao, I will be right outside the door. If you need anything, just call me."

Xiao Ningxue nodded. "Sorry for the trouble."

This title, "Mr.," was different from the past. Not everyone was addressed this way; it had become the exclusive honorific for wood-element ability users.

As soon as Bai Haiping stepped out, Xiao Ningxue’s shoulders slumped.

She hadn't been able to relax her mind since she had crossed over. Now that she was alone in the room, her taut nerves finally began to ease.

What kind of world was this?

Beastmen, the interstellar, females, and... familiar writing.

Xiao Ningxue organized the information she had gathered and forced herself to take a shower. Her obsessive-compulsive tendencies kicked in, and she nearly scrubbed a layer of skin off her body.

Afterward, she retrieved a pheromone-mimicking liquid from her space storage, sprayed it on herself twice, and struggled onto the bed. Her vision went black, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Xiao Ningxue slept for twelve hours straight.

If not for the fact that they were certain the person inside had stable vital signs, Bai Haiping and the bear-soldier would have broken down the door.

When Xiao Ningxue awoke, she felt a disorienting sense of confusion about what day it even was.

Fortunately, the bodies of ability users were robust, and she suffered no symptoms of grogginess.

After a simple wash, Xiao Ningxue lay back on the bed to enjoy some personal time. However, that peace did not last long.

"Gurgle~" Her stomach’s protest left her speechless.

After lazing on the bed for a while longer, she resignedly crawled out to find food.

Edible plants were so precious; she wondered what people on this warship ate and if she could manage to snag some.

They were partners now, surely those two wouldn't be so stingy as to not provide her with a meal, right?

It was past twelve o'clock when she stepped out.

(Page 3 of 3)

As soon as Bai Haiping saw her, he twitched his nose, confirming the strange odor on her had vanished. His eyes lit up, the gleam in his leopard eyes almost blinding Xiao Ningxue.

"You’ve finally come out!"

Xiao Ningxue blinked. "What’s wrong? Is there a world war?"

Bai Haiping realized this might just be her daily routine and immediately reined in his excitement, saying sheepishly, "I thought you had passed out. I was considering calling a medical pod if you didn't come out soon."

The words "medical pod" triggered her sensitive nerves. Xiao Ningxue shuddered; she was particularly wary of anything medical. "No need. I just woke up too early yesterday and didn't take a nap, so I slept a bit longer."

*Thank goodness they didn't break in; otherwise, my space ability would have surely been exposed.*

Her wood-element ability was already unique enough; she did not want to attract any more attention from these "aliens" in other areas.

"So that’s it!" Bai Haiping had a sudden realization. "You must be hungry after sleeping for so long. I’ve brought you some nutrient solution. Please, drink."

He produced a tube of green liquid and handed it to Xiao Ningxue.

Xiao Ningxue held it up to inspect it. She gave it a shake, and a few bubbles formed; she found it rather novel.

She pulled off the cap, sniffed it, detected no particular scent, and downed it in one gulp.

She smacked her lips, but couldn't taste anything. It felt as if she had eaten nothing at all; her mouth felt entirely empty.

However, her stomach signaled to her: it was no longer hungry.

Xiao Ningxue felt she still wanted to eat something else.

This internal contradiction left a strange expression on her face.

Perhaps because her expression was too bizarre, Bai Haiping could not help but explain, "This nutrient solution is a special military supply. It’s highly valuable; one bottle can last you three days!"

Xiao Ningxue was still processing that strange sensation and asked offhandedly, "Does this mean that for the next three days, I won't need to eat anything else and won't feel hungry?"

Bai Haiping and the bear-soldier looked proud. "Exactly! This nutrient solution is unique to our Federation military. The nutrient solutions over at the Empire only last for a day and a half!"

They looked as proud as if they had achieved a monumental technological breakthrough.