Starting from the destruction of the Land of Light

They left the gates of the Earth Defense Force.

Once he had truly stepped outside the headquarters area, Zhang Chen couldn't help but take off his hat and fan himself.

"Ugh, it's so hot."

Luo Xi shook her body, and the next second, her uniform turned back into the previous beige trench coat, and even her hairstyle changed to a single ponytail, giving her a special Chanel-style trendy feel.

Seeing Zhang Chen wiping his sweat, she smiled slightly. "You owe me this time, okay? If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been able to get into the commander-in-chief's office, let alone obtain such confidential information."

"That's true. After all, that's the office of the Earth Defense Force's Supreme Commander. It wouldn't be surprising if it were a den of dragons and tigers. I'll treat you to a big meal another day."

"Ha, I've done you such a big favor, and you're just going to try and get rid of me with a meal?"

Zhang Chen laughed. "So what do you want?"

"Hmm..." Luo Xi tapped her chin with her index finger, as if seriously considering something. After a pause, she flicked her ponytail. "I haven't decided yet. We'll think about it later!"

"Alright, then please think it over and tell me. I'll go through fire and water for you."

"Pshaw, I don't believe it."

With her arms crossed, Luo Xi stuck out her tongue, then asked curiously.

"So what do we do next?"

Zhang Chen thought for a moment. "You go back to the spaceship first and investigate the information we just got. I'm going to meet someone."

"Are you going to see Bodhidharma?"

"No, that's not it." Zhang Chen turned his head. "It's still early. Why would you choose to do something like this during the day? Haven't you seen on TV that they always do it sneakily in the middle of the night?"

"Who are you going to see?"

"Guess."

...

Jiangcheng Normal University.

The midday sun in the university town, carrying the warmth unique to early summer, lazily spilled onto the bustling streets.

Not long after the school bell rang, a flood of people poured out of the school gate like a tidal wave, heading directly to the dazzling array of shops and food stalls across the street, filling the air with the aroma of food.

Chung Linwan was sandwiched in the crowd, arm in arm with her two roommates, chatting and laughing.

Of course, it was mainly her roommate talking while she listened.

One roommate was excitedly planning their lunch of spicy hot pot, while another complained about how boring the morning classes were. Zhong Linwan smiled and agreed, casually glancing at the throng of people in front of her.

However, amidst this noisy and bustling background, her gaze suddenly froze.

Not far ahead, under a lush sycamore tree beside the sidewalk, a man stood quietly.

He was dressed in ordinary sportswear, with an upright posture, making him stand out among the students around him.

The man's gaze swept through the crowd and landed precisely on Zhong Linwan, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

The smile seemed full of goodwill, but Zhong Linwan felt an indescribable chill creep up her spine without warning, causing her smile to freeze instantly and her steps to stop.

"Wanwan, what's wrong?" Her roommate noticed her unusual behavior and followed her gaze, also spotting the man under the tree.

"Wow!" A roommate exclaimed softly, nudging Zhong Linwan with her elbow and immediately cracking a mischievous grin. "Who's that? Do you know him?"

"She doesn't look like a student at all; she's got quite the air about her." Another roommate joined in the teasing, her eyes sparkling. "Come on, Wanwan, tell us honestly, have you secretly gotten a boyfriend? He's so handsome, why are you keeping him hidden?"

Chung Linwan's lips were pressed into a straight line, and her throat felt a little dry.

She looked at the man, Zhang Chen, the name he had told her. He maintained his smiling demeanor, his eyes calm and unwavering.

That gaze made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable, as if she had been seen through.

"No, he's not my boyfriend." Zhong Linwan's voice was a little tight. She forced herself to look away from her two roommates, whose faces were full of gossip, and tried to force a fairly natural smile. "He's just... a regular friend. He might need to talk to me about something. You guys go eat first, don't wait for me."

"Just friends?"

The two roommates clearly didn't believe it.

"He's so handsome, can you introduce him?"

"Exactly!"

"Oh dear, something really came up. I'll tell you later." Zhong Linwan said anxiously, gently nudging them. "Hurry up, or there will be a long line for the spicy hot pot again."

Seeing her resolute attitude, her two roommates, though full of curiosity, still jokingly reminded her, "Remember to tell the truth," before turning back every few steps to join the flow of people heading to the mall.

The noise seemed to have faded away somewhat.

Zhong Linwan stood there and sighed deeply.

She looked in Zhang Chen's direction again, then took a step and walked straight towards the sycamore tree.

Finally, Zhong Linwan stopped in front of Zhang Chen, only two steps away.

She raised her head, looking directly into those deep, unsettling eyes, and tried to keep her voice steady.

"Zhang Chen." She called his name, her tone a complex mix of wariness, distance, and something else entirely. "What do you want?"

"Don't be so nervous, I already said I didn't mean any harm."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Linwan remained silent, only staring at him in a way that seemed to say, "See if I believe you or not."

Zhang Chen didn't mind. He already knew that the other party was a compatible person, had a mysterious background, and could control monsters. Zhong Linwan's attitude towards him was already quite polite.

"Are you going to tell me or not? If you don't, I'm leaving."

"Hey, hold on." Zhang Chen glanced around at the lively surroundings, then turned his gaze to Zhong Linwan. "Are you sure you want to say this here?"

Zhong Linwan's eyes flickered. She paused, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled.

A few minutes later, in a private room at a Western restaurant.

After ordering his food by scanning the QR code, Zhang Chen put down his phone and stretched.

Across from him, Zhong Linwan was already getting impatient. "What exactly do you want to tell me? Now you can say it."

"Young people are just too impatient." Zhang Chen sighed softly, then flicked his finger, sending his phone off the table and onto Zhong Linwan's face.

"Take a look at this first."

Zhong Linwan frowned slightly; she didn't believe the other party would come looking for her out of the blue.

At first, she thought the other party was going to blackmail her because of her status as a compatible person, but when she saw the photos on her phone, all the messy thoughts in her mind vanished instantly.

Almost instantly, she grabbed her phone, staring intently at the photo on it, her breathing becoming rapid.

Seeing her expression, Zhang Chen smiled slightly, picked up his cup, and took a sip of lemonade.

"It seems I was right."

"I had my suspicions the moment I saw the couple in the photo; you look quite a bit like your parents..."

"Where did you get this photo?!" Zhong Linwan suddenly looked up, her eyes sharp.

Anyone would tremble under that kind of gaze, but Zhang Chen nonchalantly put down his cup. "There's no need to ask that question. You never told me that your parents were actually members of the Earth Defense Force."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Linwan looked at the photo again and indeed recognized the Earth Defense Force logo from the pattern on her parents' arms.

"...I...this is the first time I've heard this either."

"They never told me about their work; all I knew was that they were archaeologists studying some very special sites..."

"I see, that makes things interesting." Zhang Chen nodded slightly.

Zhong Linwan frowned and asked, "Are you with the Earth Defense Force? No, wait, what is your purpose?"

"I only came here to see your reaction. Now I have my answer. I hope you can keep this photo a secret, including my visit to you. Don't mention it to anyone."

"What do you mean?" Zhong Linwan frowned even more deeply.

"Since I have this photo, it means I can get more information about your parents. The Earth Defense Force has been searching for so long without success, so maybe I can help you."

"You want to help me...why?" Zhong Linwan stared directly at Zhang Chen, seemingly trying to read something from his expression. "What do you want me to do?"

"Don't worry, I won't make you do anything you don't want to do."

"I just want you to do me a small favor."

Zhang Chen smiled brightly and raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

"The food is almost served, let's eat."

...