The entire Gallipalan was also a sea of joy. People, as if celebrating a holiday, wore their finest clothes and took to the streets. The plaza was packed with excited crowds. On the roadside and in the shops, countless Leray National Flags in red and blue were hung. Some people spontaneously organized parade performances, with the crowd singing and dancing in laughter, following the band as they marched forward.
They had more reasons to be happier than people in other parts of the Federation, for they were in their hometown, in Miloke, living amidst the war fires, their longing for peace stronger, and their sense of victory more direct.
Moreover, the Federation Government had already passed the budget for the reconstruction of Miloke Star. In the coming days, these two planets in the Newton Star System would become massive forward bases for the Federation to counterattack the Galileo Star System. More materials, funds, troops, large enterprises, merchants, speculators, returning residents, and workers would flock in, bringing greater prosperity to Miloke.
Although there were still two cities yet to be recovered, it was only a matter of time. Even without fighting, the remaining Imperial Soldiers had already been abandoned by their country. There were no more transport ships available for their retreat, not even for the Mythical Army, which had left a battalion behind.
This legendary Fierce Beast had been halved in Miloke. People were keen to discuss such mysterious topics. The whole city was abuzz with various insider stories, all without exception praising the Federation’s bravery and invincibility, with each commendation detailing which young soldier was highly skilled, and which young Commander, not only militarily and strategically adept but also charmingly handsome, a dream lover for the girls.
The spread of these topics made the joyous atmosphere even more exuberant, with everyone’s laughter never ending.
The ceremony to welcome Russell had to be grand. Thus, as the hero in rescuing Russell, Tian Xingjian received excellent treatment and stayed in the Simai Hotel for two full days.
After throwing Russell into his room, Tian Xingjian and Nadal, Rashid, and others went off to celebrate. The group drank until the heavens were dark and the world was dim.
This time, the service ladies at Simai Hotel saw this Federation Hero for the second time. They left other drunkards in the restaurant while surrounding the unconscious Fatty and escorting him back to his room, attending to him in every way imaginable—taking off his shoes, washing his face, holding him in their arms to feed him hangover medicine—meticulously and tenderly, better than taking care of their future husbands.
That night, the dead drunk Fatty inevitably had some spring dreams, shamelessly racing horses...
Later, the service ladies at Simai Hotel heard that it was again this Fat Lieutenant who brought back Russell. These young girls almost completely changed their aesthetic view. This Fatty was both cute and capable, giving a strong sense of security at first glance.
Although they couldn’t publicize his deeds, whenever they discussed among friends, these girls from Simai Hotel almost always stood firmly to defend Fatty’s dignity, as resolutely as a hen protecting her chicks.
The whole world’s fatties benefited greatly from this.
Their friends were puzzled, thinking these girls from Simai Hotel, who were carefully selected, young, beautiful, and highly paid, were at the forefront of trends. Was it now trendy to like fatties?
When Tian Xingjian woke up, only he and Russell were left as guests in the hotel. The military had booked the entire hotel, and the Special Soldiers had reported back to the troop after a night’s enjoyment.
Fearing an assassination attempt on Russell, the entire hotel was under tight security. The sobered-up Fatty suddenly remembered that tomorrow was the day the laboratory would return to the Central Star Domain, and tonight Milan seemed to have booked dinner at Simai Hotel.
He hurried downstairs to find the hotel manager and asked, "Manager, my friend booked a reservation here to have dinner tonight. Can they still come?"
The middle-aged manager, naturally, recognized this guy who almost cost him his job last time and smartly replied, "May I ask, who is your friend...?"
The manager checked the electronic reservation list earnestly and replied, "Yes, indeed, Miss Milan originally booked a candlelight dinner for two and a presidential suite. However, because you and another important guest are here, the hotel is under orders not to receive other guests. We have already called Miss Milan..."
Upon hearing "presidential suite", Fatty recalled Milan’s demeanor and was stirring with lust, only to then hear that due to Russell, his dream of losing his virginity was shattered. This infuriated him, making him seethe with anger!
Damn meddling Russell! Forced to save you without having a proper conversation with Ann Lei, and now ruining my chance at losing my virginity. This enmity I must avenge! From now on, we’re irreconcilable enemies!
Returning to his room, the last 22-year-old virgin of the space age couldn’t hold back his tears.
After some thought, Fatty still decided to call Milan. Simai Hotel was out, but there were many hotels in Gallipalan; finding another spot to celebrate shouldn’t be difficult.
It’s just a pity that I won’t lose my virginity at the best place.
The call connected quickly, and Milan’s excited voice came through, "You damn Fatty, where did you run off to? I’m telling you, I’m not leaving now. Miloke is safe, and Mr. Boswell says our academy is preparing to reopen. Where else would we go now...?"
"Damn! Why not leave? How can people change their minds so quickly? Damn old man! If you’re not leaving, how am I supposed to develop the emotions of life and death with Milan?" Fatty cursed inwardly.
"So...where should we celebrate?" Fatty probed lecherously. The source of thɪs content is N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
Milan’s voice sounded a bit coy over the phone, "Alright...you decide!"
Fatty, beaming with joy, eagerly said, "Simai Hotel would have been the best, but it’s under lockdown, and your dinner and room booking are canceled. But I know many good places, with nice food and rooms..."
Before he finished speaking, Milan, both shy and angry, said over the phone, "You damn Fatty, you...you celebrate by yourself! Who said anything about booking a room!"
"Bang!" The phone was hung up, and Fatty smacked himself, tearfully chastising himself, you fool, why did you have to mention rooms...
Hanging up the phone dejectedly, Fatty turned around to find the door slightly ajar, with Russell standing there awkwardly, unsure whether to enter or leave.
Seeing this Imperial Great General, Tian Xingjian’s anger surged again, "If you want to come in, come in. Do I have to invite you? Don’t you know it’s rude to eavesdrop on someone else’s phone call?"
Russell, having been mistreated by this Lieutenant all the way, felt like a tiger brought down by a dog. This Fatty was impervious to any treatment, acting as if they had a deep-seated enmity. The usually high-and-mighty Imperial Great General never expected to endure such treatment. With a bitter smile, he said, "Lieutenant, I didn’t intend to eavesdrop. It was a coincidence. I came to ask..." Stepping in and sitting on the sofa, he continued, "Which General saw through my plan...?"