32: The adjutant's comfort, the ambiguous atmosphere in the dark room

The spaceship floated quietly in the void, with only the engine nozzles at the tail occasionally spewing out a stream or two of faint blue flames to maintain minimal attitude control.

Inside the Captains Quarters, the lighting was dimmed to the lowest warm yellow mode.

A huge holographic star map was projected in the center of the room, rotating slowly and emitting a cold, eerie glow.

Gu Pingsheng leaned back against the large leather chair, holding the empty goblet in his hand, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the cold texture on the wall of the glass.

"...Currently, the spaceship's energy reserves are at 68%, expected to sustain conventional navigation for another 15 days."

"Regarding living supplies, the output of the hydroponic farm has stabilized and is sufficient to supply the daily consumption of all personnel. However, the stock of high-energy nutrient solution is critical and is expected to run out in three days."

"Additionally, the cooling of the weapon system is complete, and it can be put into battle at any time. It's just that..."

Lin Qinghan stood in front of the desk, holding an electronic tablet, her voice cold and steady.

She was wearing that black Nano Light Armor.

This high-tech material was extremely form-fitting, like a second layer of skin, perfectly outlining her long, straight legs and slender, powerful waist.

The collar was slightly open, revealing a patch of snow-white skin at her collarbone, which gave off a delicate luster in the dim light.

Because she had just come out of the training room, there were still a few crystal-clear beads of sweat on her temples, and a few strands of hair were stuck wetly to her cheeks, making her look less sharp than usual and a bit more uncommonly charming.

Gu Pingsheng did not speak.

His gaze passed over the wine glass in his hand and landed unscrupulously on Lin Qinghan.

From her toned calves to her slender waist, and then to that cold and stunning face.

His gaze seemed to have substance, carrying an aggressive heat.

Lin Qinghan's voice paused.

She keenly sensed that gaze.

The fingers holding the tablet tightened slightly, her knuckles turning white.

But she didn't stop, still forcing herself to maintain a professional tone.

"...It's just that there is only one round of ammunition left for the space-based kinetic energy cannon. If we encounter a large-scale enemy attack again, our firepower might have a vacuum period."

"Report complete."

Lin Qinghan closed the tablet, lowered her eyes, and avoided Gu Pingsheng's gaze.

"Captain, are there any other instructions?"

The room fell into a brief silence.

Only the slight humming sound from the air circulation system could be heard.

Gu Pingsheng put down the wine glass.

The bottom of the glass touched the desktop, making a light "da" sound.

In this silent space, it sounded exceptionally clear.

"Qinghan."

He spoke.

His voice was a bit low, carrying a hint of imperceptible languor.

"How many days have you been with me?"

Lin Qinghan was stunned for a moment.

She didn't expect Gu Pingsheng to ask this suddenly.

This had absolutely nothing to do with the work report just now.

She raised her head, a flash of doubt in her eyes, but she still answered honestly: "Exactly ten days since the spaceship set sail."

"Ten days, huh..."

Gu Pingsheng chuckled.

He turned the chair to face Lin Qinghan directly.

His body leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers interlaced.

"You've done very well these past ten days."

"Killing zombies, exploring mines, fighting tyrants, wiping out pirates... This blade of yours is getting sharper and sharper."

Lin Qinghan pursed her lips.

"This is my duty."

"Duty?"

Gu Pingsheng raised an eyebrow.

"Is it just duty?"

He stood up, walked around the desk, and walked towards Lin Qinghan step by step.

His leather boots stepped on the carpet without making a sound.

But the oppressive feeling, which was forcing people, increased exponentially as the distance closed.

Lin Qinghan subconsciously wanted to retreat.

But reason told her she couldn't retreat.

She was an adjutant, a warrior.

Retreating in front of a superior was a sign of weakness.

So she stood stiffly in place, watching helplessly as Gu Pingsheng walked up to her and stopped.

The distance between them was less than half a meter.

She could even smell the faint scent of tobacco on Gu Pingsheng, mixed with the mellow aroma of red wine.

It was a dangerous scent that belonged to a man.

"Lift your head."

Gu Pingsheng ordered.

Lin Qinghan took a deep breath and slowly raised her head.

Those eyes, which were usually cold as frost, were flickering at this moment, not daring to look directly into Gu Pingsheng's eyes.

Gu Pingsheng looked at her.

Looking at her trembling eyelashes, looking at her tightly pursed lips, looking at the blood vessel on her neck that was slightly throbbing because of nervousness.

This flower on the high ridge was finally starting to melt.

"Are you tired?"

He asked suddenly.

His voice was much gentler.

Lin Qinghan was stunned.

Was she tired?

Of course she was tired.

In these ten days, she had hardly had a good night's sleep.

She had to fight during the day, patrol at night, and handle various trivial matters.

She was a human, not a machine.

But she was used to forbearance, used to being strong.

"Not tired."

She shook her head, her voice a little dry.

"Liar."

Gu Pingsheng reached out.

His fingertips lightly touched the corner of her eye.

There was a faint layer of blue there.

Lin Qinghan trembled all over, as if she had been struck by an electric current.

She wanted to dodge, but her body seemed to be frozen, unable to move.

"Your eyes tell me you are very tired."

Gu Pingsheng withdrew his hand, turned around, and walked back to sit beside the chair.

He patted the back of the chair.

"Come here."

"Help me massage my head."

Lin Qinghan was stunned.

Massage his head?

Such a private, even somewhat intimate thing...

"What? Not willing?"

Gu Pingsheng closed his eyes, leaned back on the chair, and said in a casual tone.

"Or are you saying that this also costs extra?"

Lin Qinghan bit her lip.

"No... it's not."

She put down the tablet in her hand.

Taking a deep breath, as if she had made some major decision, she stepped behind the chair.

Her hands were shaking a little.

She reached out, then retracted.

Finally, she gently placed them on Gu Pingsheng's temples.

The moment her fingertips touched the warm skin, she felt her heartbeat skip a beat.

So hot.

That was the heat of life.

"Use a little more force."

Gu Pingsheng said with his eyes closed.

"Didn't you eat?"

Lin Qinghan hurriedly collected her thoughts and increased the force on her hands.

Although she hadn't learned massage, as a martial artist, her control over human acupuncture points was still very precise.

Her thumbs pressed on his temples, slowly rotating and kneading.

Gu Pingsheng's brows gradually smoothed out.

His breathing also became steady and long.

The room was very quiet.

Only the slight breathing of the two people could be heard.

This atmosphere was quiet and beautiful.

Lin Qinghan looked at Gu Pingsheng's profile.

Sharp edges and corners, a high nose bridge.

When he closed his eyes, he was less cold and domineering than usual, and a little more rarely seen gentleness.

This man...

Was the master of this spaceship.

Was the god who held everyone's fate in his hands.

And also... the person who completely changed her fate.

If she hadn't met him, what would she be like now?

Maybe she would have died in that dilapidated escape pod a long time ago.

Maybe she would have turned into food in the mouths of zombies.

Or maybe... she would have sold her dignity for half a piece of moldy bread.

Thinking of this, a complex emotion surged in Lin Qinghan's heart.

Gratitude? Awe?

Or...

A little bit of indescribable affection?

Her movements involuntarily became more gentle.

Her fingertips brushed across Gu Pingsheng's hairline, carrying a trace of attachment she hadn't even realized herself.

Suddenly.

A large hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Lin Qinghan was startled, and before she could react, a huge force came.

The world spun.

"Ah—"

She exclaimed, losing her balance, and fell forward.

The next second.

She found herself sitting on Gu Pingsheng's lap.

Her waist was tightly clamped by a powerful arm.

Their faces were extremely close.

So close that their breathing could be heard.

Gu Pingsheng opened his eyes.

In those deep eyes, where was there any trace of sleepiness?

There was only full playfulness and...

A burning fire.

"Cap... Captain..."

Lin Qinghan's mind went blank.

Her face turned red instantly, all the way to her ear roots.

Her body was as stiff as a rock, her hands pressed against Gu Pingsheng's chest, wanting to push him away, but she couldn't muster any strength.

This posture... was too ambiguous.

Too dangerous.

"What were you thinking about just now?"

Gu Pingsheng looked at her panicked eyes, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Your heart is beating so fast."

"No... nothing..."

Lin Qinghan denied it stutteringly.

"I... I was just..."

"Just what?"

Gu Pingsheng leaned in closer.

The tips of their noses almost touched.

Hot air sprayed onto her face, carrying a faint scent of alcohol.

Lin Qinghan felt like she was about to suffocate.

She turned her head away, not daring to look at him.

"Let... let me go..."

Her voice was as thin as a mosquito, with a hint of trembling begging.

"I won't."

Gu Pingsheng started to act shamelessly.

He not only didn't let go, but hugged her even tighter.

His other hand gently pinched her chin, forcing her to turn her head back.

"You are my adjutant."

"I am your captain."

"I'll hug you if I want to."

"Do you have any objections?"

Domineering.

Unreasonable.

But that was Gu Pingsheng.

Lin Qinghan looked at that face close at hand.

Looking at those eyes that seemed to be able to suck people's souls away.

She suddenly felt that all her persistence and pride were vulnerable in front of this man.

She stopped struggling.

Her body slowly softened.

As if she had accepted her fate.

And as if... she was looking forward to something.

Her eyelashes trembled, and she slowly closed her eyes.

Looking like she was ready for him to take whatever he wanted.

Gu Pingsheng looked at her like this, his Adam's apple rolling up and down.

This woman...

Truly is a banshee.

Usually cold as a block of ice, but when she is moved, she is as charming as a ball of fire.

This extreme contrast is simply deadly.

He lowered his head.

His lips slowly approached those two red lips.

Getting closer and closer.

Getting closer and closer.

Lin Qinghan felt that scorching breath.

Her hands grabbed Gu Pingsheng's lapels tightly.

Her heartbeat was like thunder.

Just at the moment when their lips were about to touch.

"Captain..."

Lin Qinghan suddenly opened her eyes, her voice carrying a hint of panic and sobriety.

"The door... the door isn't locked..."

Gu Pingsheng's movements stopped.

Less than a centimeter away from her lips.

He looked at Lin Qinghan's watery eyes.

Inside, there was shyness, longing, but more of it was... nervousness.

The door wasn't locked.

It meant that someone could come in at any time.

For example, that elusive An An.

Or that boisterous Tang Xiaoxiao.

If they saw this scene...

Gu Pingsheng laughed.

He laughed with some helplessness, and some doting.

This girl really knows how to spoil the atmosphere.

However...

There is plenty of time.

This kind of thing cannot be rushed.

It needs to be eaten bit by bit to be more flavorful.

He didn't back away.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly.

His lips brushed against Lin Qinghan's cheek and landed by her ear.

"Hoo—"

He blew a breath lightly.

Lin Qinghan trembled all over, her sensitive earlobe instantly congested, red as if dripping with blood.

"Next time..."

Gu Pingsheng's low voice entered her ear, carrying a hint of hoarse magnetism.

"Remember to lock the door."

After saying that.

He released the hand clamped around her waist.

Lin Qinghan felt as if she had been granted amnesty.

She hurriedly jumped off Gu Pingsheng's lap.

She tidied up her messy clothes, not even daring to look at Gu Pingsheng.

"I... I'll head out first!"

After saying that, she turned and ran.

That back view, no matter how you looked at it, looked like she was fleeing in a panic.

"Bang."

The cabin door closed.

The room returned to silence.

Gu Pingsheng leaned back on the chair.

Looking at the closed door, a pleasant arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

He raised his hand and sniffed it at the tip of his nose.

The faint cold fragrance of Lin Qinghan still remained on his fingertips.

"Heh."

"Interesting."

This cat-and-mouse game is really addictive.

However, now is not the time to indulge in the land of gentleness.

Although the spaceship's energy crisis has been temporarily resolved, to establish a foothold in this cruel universe, more strength is needed.

Gu Pingsheng collected his thoughts.

He waved his hand to open the holographic map.

His finger slid across the star map and finally stopped on a planet shrouded in green fog.

【Target: Misty Swamp (Danger Level: 4-star)】

【Resources: High-energy crystals, rare herbs, mutant creature genes...】

This place, although dangerous, is also a treasure trove.

Especially that kind of high-energy crystal.

It is the key material for manufacturing the 【High-Energy Particle Shield Generator】.

With that shield, the spaceship's defensive power will be raised by a notch.

By then, even if it encounters an attack of the level of a space-based kinetic energy cannon again, it will be able to withstand it.

Gu Pingsheng picked up a blueprint on the table.

That was what Gu Nian had previously bought from the black market.

【Blueprint: High-Energy Particle Shield Generator (purple · rare)】

【Requirements: Refined Iron x500, Energy Block x20, Rare Crystal x50.】

The first two items were in the warehouse.

Only this rare crystal was missing.

"It seems..."

Gu Pingsheng looked at the green fog on the star map, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"I have to go roll around in the mud."