Chapter 172: Meeting

When Prince Ou Gen lifted his head with satisfaction, looking at the somewhat excited yet helpless Qin Ge, he smiled and said, "Commander, how does this feel this time?"

"Is what you're doing worth it?" Qin Ge said to Prince Ou Gen, "If I someday leave this place and you can't follow me to another world, what will we do then?"

"I thought you were afraid of something, Commander, which is why you never dared accept our feelings, but it turns out you're still afraid of this," Prince Ou Gen said, placing a single hand over Qin Ge's heart and speaking softly.

"Commander, instead of worrying about these uncertain future matters, it's better to face each day properly. We're in the midst of war, and whether there will be a tomorrow is hard to say, so overly distant things aren't what we should be considering now, what do you say?"

Qin Ge took a deep breath, "So, what do you think I should do?"

"No need for cowardice, no need for worry, we support each other, rely on each other, and spend our time together each day," Prince Ou Gen smiled.

"Heh, I never imagined what it would be like for someone like me to fall in love; it seems from now on I can try this direction, so please guide me in the future, Ou Gen." Qin Ge couldn't help but smile, saying to Prince Ou Gen.

"Of course, please guide me as well in the future, Commander." Prince Ou Gen said with a smile.

Seeing Prince Ou Gen's charming smile, Qin Ge couldn't help but relax. Perhaps earlier he had been too obsessed with returning home, thus overlooking the feelings of those around him.

This is a new world, and I've already lived here for almost a year. So instead of living awkwardly as everyone feels, it's better to let go of all thoughts, treat myself as a person of this world, and continue living.

"Ou Gen, I've noticed you've been smiling a lot lately; didn't you used to hardly smile before?" Qin Ge said to Prince Ou Gen.

"How dense, Commander." Prince Ou Gen said, "I'm no longer the person who felt empty about everything at the start; we've gone through so much on this journey, don't you forget who made me change?"

"Or perhaps you don't like seeing me smile, and prefer my former solemn expression?"

Qin Ge quickly waved his hands, "That's absolutely impossible—how could I not like your smile? You smiled before too, but that smile wasn't very natural, whereas now your smile looks natural and beautiful."

"Heh, indeed worthy of the Commander, just after accepting my feelings you've started to become flirtatious," Prince Ou Gen teased.

Qin Ge wondered, "Does speaking one's true feelings count as flirting?"

Prince Ou Gen looked at Qin Ge's doubtful expression and chuckled, "It seems the Commander is naturally good at flirting with women; from now on I'll have to keep an eye on you, otherwise who knows how many women will be around you in the future?"

"Ah?" Qin Ge looked at Prince Ou Gen in surprise.

"Heh, just joking." After saying that, Prince Ou Gen pushed himself up from Qin Ge's shoulder, picked up the cup he had placed aside, and said, "I'll go pour you a cup of tea, then keep working hard, my Commander."

"Thank you." Qin Ge nodded, watching Prince Ou Gen walk out of the room, and couldn't help but tilt his head and smile; perhaps this approach is best for everyone.

As time passed, everyone in the fleet felt that their Commander had changed. The usual restraint when chatting disappeared, replaced by more openness and concern for oneself.

Everyone was curious about this change, but none dared to directly ask Qin Ge what was going on. However, the most astute among them, Guanghui, went straight to Prince Ou Gen.

"Oh, Guanghui, you're not a regular visitor," Prince Ou Gen said after opening the door, seeing Guanghui outside with some difference.

"This is my first time visiting Prince Ou Gen's quarters; I don't know if I'm disturbing you now," Guanghui said to Prince Ou Gen.

"No disturbance, come in and speak." Prince Ou Gen let Guanghui in, then closed the door.

After Guanghui entered the room and saw the relatively simple decor, he sat on a nearby sofa and said to Prince Ou Gen, "I think you can guess why I came to see you."

Prince Ou Gen chuckled, "I think besides the Commander, nothing would bring you here in person."

"Then could you tell me why the Commander has felt such a big change these days?" Guanghui asked.

"Anyway, this is a good thing, right? Whether for you or for me." Prince Ou Gen didn't answer directly, but instead asked Guanghui.

"This is indeed a good thing, so I'd like to ask for your advice." However, Guanghui naturally wasn't one to back down; she lowered her posture and used the term "please advise" when facing Prince Ou Gen.

"Tsk, truly a lady of the Royal." Prince Ou Gen teased, "Never mind, it's actually not a big deal; I think you all know the Commander's personality—he's someone who responds to hardness, not softness—so if you're a bit firmer with him, you can compel him to achieve your goal."

"Huh?" Guanghui looked at Prince Ou Gen, speechless, "So, what did you do to the Commander?"

"Not much, really—just exchanged some thoughts with him about love." Prince Ou Gen said.

Guanghui's eyes shifted, "So you did it?"

"No." Prince Ou Gen said directly, "Just a kiss, after all—if we overdid it, it might backfire, and I believe you know that limit."

Guanghui exhaled in relief, "I see, then thank you very much, Prince Ou Gen."

"Then, may I consider that you owe me a favor?" Prince Ou Gen smiled.

"If you need it." Guanghui gave a small smile, then headed toward the door; as she left Prince Ou Gen's quarters, she turned her head and smiled at him, saying, "By the way, thank you."

Prince Ou Gen watched Guanghui's departing figure and couldn't help but smile faintly, "No wonder she's a well-informed Royal fleet girl—she leaves no opening."

"But this is fine; with her involvement, I believe the Commander's defenses will soon collapse entirely."

Meanwhile, Qin Ge, diligently writing in his own room, was completely unaware of this meeting, continuing to earnestly compile his textbook. At this moment the weather gradually warmed, and the first academic year was also drawing to a close…