Plans for the future

Chapter 1 (of 3)

Zhong Yun hesitated for less than a second before dialing Liu Yunqi’s number.

“You’re back,” Liu Yunqi’s image appeared before his eyes. She looked just as radiant as ever, unchanged by time.

Those familiar words made Zhong Yun’s heart soar, feeling almost unreal. “No matter what, I’m back.”

“You don’t seem very surprised.” Zhong Yun wanted to lighten the mood, deliberately avoiding any mention of his recent experiences.

“I met your friend Zhang Xiao,” Liu Yunqi said with a glint in her eyes, recalling the words Zhong Yun had relayed through that man.

“He didn’t make a big deal about me being a survivor, did he?” The mention of Zhang Xiao reminded Zhong Yun of a very serious matter.

At first, he hadn’t expected the fact that there were survivors from the Tongguang Starship to cause such a stir. Just earlier, on the shuttle ride back, the news was all about Zhang Xiao, the survivor of the Tongguang Starship. Only then did he realize the gravity of the situation.

It made sense. In his previous life, his country’s first astronaut had not only become a hero but was also recorded in history. For the people of Davor, the Tongguang Star incident would be no less significant than the first manned spacecraft launch in his former country.

That’s why he was particularly worried. If Zhang Xiao foolishly revealed that he was also a survivor, things would get complicated. He had landed silently on Wol Star, and if this got exposed, it would be extremely difficult to explain. His eagerness to return home had left such a glaring loophole.

“He never mentioned there were other survivors,” Liu Yunqi reassured him, easing Zhong Yun’s tension. That made things much more manageable; he just needed to find a way to patch this hole.

“Do many people know I’m a survivor from Earth?” Zhong Yun’s eyes flickered as he asked.

Liu Yunqi quickly guessed his intention. “Besides me and Second Brother, no one else knows for now. But this secret won’t stay hidden for long.”

Indeed, it wouldn’t be easy to keep it under wraps. The incident involving the Tongguang Starship was already documented. Anyone with an interest could easily discover it, unless Zhong Yun never appeared in public again. Eventually, the truth would come out.

“There’s no need to hide it for long,” Zhong Yun smiled. In a few years, when his strength had grown, what would it matter if someone found out?

Not now. Given the current enthusiasm of the public, the media would dig up every detail of his family history. Perhaps some extraordinary journalist would uncover his secrets.

“Mm,” Liu Yunqi nodded slightly. She already knew what to do. With the influence of the Yang family and some connections, it wouldn’t be impossible to erase Zhong Yun’s name from the records of the Tongguang Starship.

“Do you have other calls to make?” Liu Yunqi said thoughtfully. “I’ll be waiting for your call.”

Zhong Yun’s heart blossomed. In the past, Liu Yunqi would never have expressed her feelings so openly. It seemed this trip out had its rewards.

When Zhong Yun dialed Tian Hai’s number, the look on the other end was like seeing a ghost—truly amusing. “You’re not dead?” Tian Hai had just heard news of Zhong Yun’s death a few days ago; now receiving his call felt like a dream, unreal.

“You’re the one who’s dead,” Zhong Yun laughed and scolded.

“Where are you now?” Tian Hai asked anxiously after regaining his composure.

“At home.”

“Wait for me, don’t go anywhere.” Then Tian Hai was seen rushing out the door in a fluster, the video call still connected.

Chapter 2 (of 3)

Zhong Yun chuckled. “This is my home; where could I go?” Still, Tian Hai’s deep concern moved him.

As he pondered who to call next, he heard noise downstairs. His room door was open, so he could hear the sound of the front door opening.

No way it’s that soon, he thought, assuming it was Tian Hai. Walking from his bed to the stairs, he saw two very familiar figures standing at the door.

“Dad—Mom—” a trembling voice, like one that only appeared in dreams, suddenly echoed through the house. Zhong Pingjiang and Yun Rong were both stunned, staring in disbelief.

“Xiao Yun?” Yun Rong covered her mouth tightly, tears blurring her eyes as she looked at the figure she had longed for day and night. Zhong Pingjiang hugged his wife’s shoulder tightly, a look of relief and joy on his face.

The family reunion moved the three of them to tears of happiness.

Then the arrival of Tian Hai and Chen Wen brought even more liveliness and joy to the house.

“You bastard,” Tian Hai growled as soon as they met, pouncing on Zhong Yun with Chen Wen right behind, grabbing his clothes and shaking him fiercely. “How dare you fake your death? You know how worried everyone was. Tell us—where were you these past months?”

Zhong Yun played dead. “Let go, or you’ll really kill me.”

“Damn, pretending to be dead,” Tian Hai grumbled, still feeling bitter about the “news” of Zhong Yun’s death just a few days ago. Seeing him now so full of life stirred his frustration.

“You made Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong so worried. Today we have to teach you a proper lesson, you heartless guy,” Tian Hai said through gritted teeth.

“Exactly,” Chen Wen chimed in, joining the teasing. Zhong Yun was truly unreliable.

“Help, someone’s trying to kill me!” Zhong Yun shouted.

“Here, have some iced bean soup to cool off,” Yun Rong came out carrying a tray.

The three stopped their roughhousing and sat on the sofa. “Thanks, Aunt Zhong. I love your iced bean soup the most,” Tian Hai said eagerly, gulping down his bowl.

“Don’t rush, drink slowly. There’s more in the kitchen,” she said, reaching for Tian Hai’s empty bowl.

“Get it yourself,” Zhong Yun kicked Tian Hai lightly and turned to his mother. “Mom, don’t be polite with him. Tian Hai’s no stranger.”

Tian Hai chuckled and stood up. “Aunt Zhong, you don’t need to treat us like outsiders. Wen and I are family.”

Yun Rong smiled and shook her head, returning to her room. Listening to the laughter and chatter in the living room, she felt an unprecedented lightness in her heart.

After the fun, Tian Hai asked the serious question, “So what really happened on the Tongguang Starship?”

That question was likely on everyone’s mind in Davor. The Tongguang Starship was a groundbreaking spacecraft. How could it have an accident on its second flight? Many speculated that some irresistible force was at play.

“You’d better ask the captain of the Tongguang Starship,” Zhong Yun shrugged. “All I remember is that suddenly, the ship lost control, and minutes later, there was a violent explosion. I didn’t hesitate to escape.”

Even now, recalling that moment still sent chills down his spine. “It was a near-death experience. If luck hadn’t been on our side, we might never have returned.”

“Tell us more,” Chen Wen asked eagerly. He was fascinated by Zhong Yun’s ordeal—struggling to survive in the vast universe after a shipwreck, and ultimately being rescued—it sounded like a legendary movie plot.

Chapter 3 (of 3)

But Chen Wen and the others had no idea Zhong Yun’s experience was even more extraordinary and harrowing than any film.

Fearing his parents and Liu Yunqi would worry, Zhong Yun kept silent about the details of his escape. But with them, he had no such reservations and recounted the ordeal, though he altered the ending: he said he finally escaped after encountering a certain space-faring civilization colonizing a primitive planet.

Tian Hai and the others listened in awe. “So on the ship, there was a deadly fight over the escape pods. Zhang Xiao claimed everyone was polite, taking turns calmly to board the pods. What nonsense.”

“He’s an idiot if he says that,” Chen Wen snorted. He knew all too well who the youths on the Tongguang Starship were—his own family had a member aboard. If Zhang Xiao told the truth, he’d have many enemies.

After reflecting, Chen Wen asked Zhong Yun, “What are your plans now?”

“I absolutely must prevent the media from knowing I’m a survivor of the Tongguang Starship. You must keep this secret,” Zhong Yun warned.

“Do you really think you can hide it?” Chen Wen smiled wryly. He knew how resourceful the media could be.

“So you’re going back to Pearl School to study?” Tian Hai asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Zhong Yun pretended to faint. “Pearl School would have records of me being on the Tongguang Starship. Going back would be like telling everyone I’m a survivor.”

Tian Hai’s face darkened. “You want to keep it secret? Unless you never show your face again.”

“No,” Zhong Yun had already decided. Like Tian Hai said, he couldn’t hide the truth forever unless he disappeared completely. He just had to endure the current storm. Once public excitement died down, even if exposed, it wouldn’t cause such a sensation.

“I’m curious,” Chen Wen suddenly said, eyes shining as he looked at Zhong Yun. “How did you get back to Wol Star? Didn’t you alert the military?”

Zhong Yun smiled wryly. “That part’s a bit strange.” Then he told his rehearsed story. “Do you know why I didn’t come back with Zhang Xiao? Because I met a benefactor on Liberty Star...”

According to Zhong Yun, this benefactor had a highly advanced ship, which took him directly into Davor’s territory and then safely to Wol Star.

“That’s quite unusual,” Tian Hai exclaimed.

“Didn’t alert the military?” Chen Wen shuddered. Though these were peaceful times, Davor spent a large portion of its budget on national defense.

Yet the massive defenses the country built every year were apparently bypassed without detection. If Zhong Yun’s mysterious benefactor was an enemy, sneaking a ship into Wol Star could have disastrous consequences.

Chen Wen shivered at the thought.

“What’s wrong?” Zhong Yun asked.

“Nothing,” Chen Wen smiled, quickly recovering. “Just thinking about where to celebrate tonight.”

P.S.: There’s another chapter tonight. The monthly votes haven’t moved for days; please show your support!