After Crossing Over, I Just Want to Live Well – Chapter 25

Ch 25: Ceremony Interlude

“I heard that military training requires us to form our own teams. Duoduo, do you have anyone in mind?” Lezheng Kexi looked at Yu Duoduo.

“We have to form our own teams? Isn’t it automatically assigned by the school?” Yu Duoduo was a bit puzzled. She remembered her second brother saying the school would handle the team assignments—how had that changed now?

“It used to be automatic. That changed three years ago. Now we form our own teams, and the school only assigns those who can’t find a group.”

Seeing Yu Duoduo’s utterly confused expression, Lezheng Kexi decided to explain in more detail.

“Actually, it was always school-assigned before, and everyone got used to it. But a while back, they put two females in the same team, and that team nearly fell apart. After that, the school started pulling all the females out separately, then assigning one to each team. Some females objected, saying their fiancés ended up on different teams.

They claimed it ruined their relationship, so the two teams started clashing and even fought it out on the assessment star.

Normally, stuff like that wouldn’t be a big deal, but netizens from other empires got wind of it and made a fuss. That’s how it turned into this.”

Yu Duoduo hadn’t heard any of this before and was instantly intrigued, eagerly asking,

“What happened next?”

“Next? Well, it’s the way it is now.” Lezheng Kexi shot Yu Duoduo a slightly exasperated look.

Catching the meaning behind his glance, Yu Duoduo quickly clarified,

“I meant the specifics of what happened! Is there any inside scoop? I’ve never heard about this.”

“I don’t know the details either. I just heard it involved a few aristocratic families. They hushed it up—no spreading allowed.”

Seeing Lezheng Kexi’s serious expression, Yu Duoduo realized this wasn’t something to dig into further and shifted the topic.

“I don’t even know many people. I had no idea who to team up with. I thought the school would assign me, so I was just waiting. But now? I’m totally in the dark, clueless.”

“How about you join me? I’ll round up some of my buddies, and we’ll form a team.” Lezheng Kexi’s face visibly lit up with excitement.

While the two chatted, up on the stage, the school leaders were also addressing the assessment team arrangements.

“…This year’s assessment won’t take place on the assessment star. Instead, it’ll be on a barren star recently towed back by the empire… Teams will still be formed freely. To ensure fairness and impartiality, each team can only have one female, with exactly eight members—no more, no less. To provide experience for the empire’s citizens, the entire assessment will be broadcast live…”

Yu Duoduo turned to Lezheng Kexi and, with a very serious tone, instructed him, “Classmate Lezheng, I’m sticking with you. The team members are up to you now.”

“Got it, Duoduo. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely find some awesome teammates.”

Jimo Yao approached Yu Duoduo’s side and saw Lezheng Kexi grinning widely, chuckling like an idiot.

“What are you guys talking about? You look so happy.”

The two, deep in conversation, turned to see the marshal standing behind them, watching.

“Just chatting about tomorrow’s assessment team setup. I don’t know anyone, so I asked Classmate Lezheng to team up with me.”

Yu Duoduo glanced at Jimo Yao, then added, “So, Marshal, what brings you to me?”

Jimo Yao looked at Yu Duoduo, momentarily tongue-tied. “Duoduo, I—I—can we talk alone for a bit?”

Yu Duoduo just stared at Jimo Yao, silent and still.

Lezheng Kexi, however, got a bit antsy. “Marshal, since when are you so close with Duoduo?”

“That’s between me and her.” Jimo Yao didn’t want to deal with anyone else right now—he just wanted to clear things up with Yu Duoduo fast. Though she hadn’t said much, he could tell she was upset, and he really didn’t like seeing her mad.

Jimo Yao stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Duoduo, can you give me a few minutes to talk privately?”

Seeing Jimo Yao’s face so close and noticing the curious stares around them, Yu Duoduo finally agreed to his request.

The two left the backstage area together, finding a quiet spot to talk.

Unbeknownst to them, the backstage buzzed with excitement. Everyone had been thrilled about the marshal’s arrival, but then they saw him head straight for Yu Duoduo.

His friendly demeanor toward her stunned them—after all, their marshal was famously aloof with women. And then he left with a girl?

So, after today, the Star Network lit up with news: “The Marshal Has a Woman He Likes.” It shot to trending searches. The only silver lining? No one revealed the woman’s identity.

That’s a story for later. For now, Yu Duoduo and Jimo Yao reached a bench not far from backstage. With students still in the auditorium, it was quiet here, undisturbed.

Yu Duoduo sat down first. “Mr. Yao Mo, what do you want to talk to me about?”

Jimo Yao sat next to her, fidgeting awkwardly the moment he settled in. Hearing her question, he grew even more nervous.

“Duoduo, I can explain. The first time I saw you was on the Lezheng family’s starship. You were cleaning up the battlefield, and I thought you were really cute. Later, when Kexi said he was going to find you, I tagged along—didn’t expect to actually run into you. I wanted to ask for your Optical Brain ID, but I was worried you’d misunderstand, so I held back.

The third time was at the restaurant. I meant to tell you my real name, but I was afraid you’d freak out, so I gave a fake one. I just wanted to be friends with you like a normal person.”

Jimo Yao spilled it all in one breath, then glanced at Yu Duoduo. Seeing her expressionless face, he swallowed hard and cautiously added, “Duoduo, I swear I didn’t mean to trick you!”

Yu Duoduo caught every little nervous tic of his. She hadn’t really been mad—just a bit uneasy. But now, seeing him so flustered and considering his status, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“I believe you didn’t trick me. Is that all you came to say?”

Seeing her laugh, the tension in Jimo Yao’s chest eased. “Yes—uh, no!”

Yu Duoduo looked at him, puzzled, waiting for more.

“I came today about that, but also about the barren star assessment. I’m leading the safety escort team. If you need anything, you can come to me!”

“Is that allowed?”

“No, but I can keep a special eye on you.”

Yu Duoduo heard his explanation and, uh, didn’t quite know how to respond.

As the two sat in awkward silence, a voice broke in. “Duoduo, there you are! I’ve been looking for you forever!”

They turned toward the sound and saw Shi Yichen heading their way, beaming.

“Second Brother, is the ceremony over?”

“Not yet, but there’s nothing big left, so I came out to find you. Couldn’t spot you backstage—didn’t expect you’d be here.”

With that, he stepped forward, pulled Yu Duoduo behind him, and glared at Jimo Yao. “Marshal, what business do you have with Duoduo? If it’s nothing, we’ll head back now.”