"Even though its unit of time is measured in cycles of hundreds of millions of years, too much can happen in six million years, bringing about immense changes. Although the Black Mist Zone has not experienced collisions substantial enough for a massive explosion, small-scale, limited collisions and explosions have never ceased."

"A single collision and explosion can cover a vast area. Our work ships might be swallowed at any time, sacrificing themselves at any time. If there are only ten thousand work ships and merely two hundred branch communication links established, there’s always a risk of being completely cut off. It must be fifty thousand ships, and one thousand links!"

Ren Zhong gazed at Hua Yuelan, suddenly recalling her refusal to bow to Deep Communication Group when they first met, even if it meant going to jail.

Being rebuked to his face, almost as if directly scolded, he wasn’t angry. Instead, he pondered and then reflected, "You’re right, I didn’t consider things thoroughly enough."

In fact, he was secretly alerting himself inside.

It’s indeed dangerous—he hadn’t shaken off the idea of resurrection, failing to consider enough redundancy in decision-making.

"Good that you realize." Seeing him proactively reflect, Hua Yuelan nodded, "Phew... If you were still as stubborn as before, unable to listen to anyone’s advice, I wouldn’t know what to do. Alas, I actually understand what you’re thinking, perhaps hoping to minimize unnecessary sacrifice, isn’t that right?"

Ren Zhong nodded, "Yes."

Suddenly, Hua Yuelan leaned closer to Ren Zhong, stood on her tiptoes, and stared at him with her big eyes, blinking.

Their noses were less than half a centimeter apart, so close they could see the pores on each other’s skin.

Ren Zhong realized suddenly that Hua Yuelan had aged.

When they first met, Hua Yuelan was already over thirty. Over these years, although she avoided many blades of time using cryo-preservation, because of her crucial position which couldn’t find a replacement, she had to awaken multiple times.

For instance, in the recent four years, Ren Zhong, as the project leader, spent most of his time in cryo-preservation, but Hua Yuelan remained activated continuously for four years.

Now, Hua Yuelan’s biological age was forty-two, nearing the irreversible aging threshold of Source Star humans.

Even with new Anti-aging Potions, she never relaxed in her exercise routine, maintaining herself well enough, but her appearance no longer resembled someone from Ren Zhong’s generation.

Time had etched lines on her face, disturbing the chronology.

This was inevitable after the widespread adoption of cryogenic technology.

No matter how close the friends are, as soon as they are separated by different roles and responsibilities, they inevitably face time discrepancies.

Even if tangled in marriage, unless one fully depends on the other, attaining harmony between freezing and activation remains unachievable.

The so-called growing old together and being buried with children turned out to be the rarest kind of happiness. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Ren Zhong noticed Hua Yuelan’s aging, but Hua Yuelan also noticed Ren Zhong’s youth.

She seemed somewhat emotional, took a step back, and sighed profoundly, "Alas."

Ren Zhong: "What’s wrong?"

Hua Yuelan sighed softly, "When we first met, we were still peers. In just a blink, you remain youthful and handsome, but I’ve grown old into this state. Actually, back then, I thought about whether there could be something between us, but out of modesty, I never managed to say it, feeling that for people like us, bodily fluid exchange seems too primitive. Who would’ve thought time truly spares no one? If I wanted to say it now, it’s too late."

Ren Zhong: "..."

He didn’t know how to respond.

"Forget it. I have no regrets. After all, I realized my dream through your hands."

"What dream?"

"Taking down Deep Communication Group. Though at the time, I felt this dream wasn’t realistic and never expected that after Deep Communication Group and these nine major companies withdrew from history, you would turn into the most ruthless dictator. You don’t need to explain; I know it’s not your intention. Earlier, I wasn’t sure, but now I’m slowly understanding more."

Ren Zhong: "Well, thank you for understanding."

"Oh, by the way, I’ve frozen some egg cells. When the time comes, use them as you see fit. If you can use them, give it a try. If not, don’t let them go to waste. I’m so smart; my genes shouldn’t be wasted."

Ren Zhong sensed she was hinting at leaving behind her affairs, furrowing his brow, "What do you mean?"

Hua Yuelan smiled casually, "It was my idea to increase the work ships to fifty thousand, requiring seventy-five thousand people to die. How could I be at ease staying behind?"

As Ren Zhong opened his mouth to say something, Hua Yuelan raised her finger to his lips, "No need to persuade me further. You’re the project leader; you should understand that technical backbone must stay in the thousand ships proceeding along the original route, making on-the-spot decisions, fixing bugs, and maintaining program stability. Besides you and me, only Chen Qiao is suitable. But Chen Qiao is still young, with higher potential; it’s not her turn to take on this responsibility yet. I’m already forty-two. Even if I don’t go, I can only live for another ten years at most—it makes no difference. Don’t try to persuade me anymore; before coming to find you, I’ve already visited the bio-medical lab to get injected with a set of hormones. This medication will keep my brain at its peak condition for the next four to six years. But once this period is over, I will suffer immediate brain death. I haven’t left myself any way out. Nor do I need one."