77: I like both of you.

In the restaurant, only Lin Mo and Gu Zhixia remained.

The last rays of the setting sun streamed through the porthole, casting long shadows of them on the floor.

In the distant sky, scattered stars had already begun to twinkle.

The alcohol and long-suppressed emotions finally completely broke through her taut nerves.

The body in his arms completely softened.

Her even, long breaths, carrying the slight tipsiness of red wine, softly, repeatedly, sprayed against Lin Mo's neck, warm and comforting.

She had fallen asleep.

Like a small beast that had finally finished all its fierce battles, shed all its fangs and claws, and curled up in its lair, deeply asleep.

Lin Mo looked down at her.

He looked at her peaceful sleeping profile, her long eyelashes casting a shallow shadow beneath her eyelids, those phoenix eyes, always sharp as knives, were now gently closed, stripped of all their sharpness and guard.

His heart melted completely.

This woman, who always armed herself with a sharp tongue and indifference, this Weapon Master who could pilot a three-meter-tall mech to fight dragons, deep down, was just an ordinary girl who longed to be protected, who longed for a home.

Lin Mo didn't move.

He just held her quietly, his arms neither too tight nor too loose, just enough to let her lean comfortably without waking her.

He raised his hand and, with his fingertip, gently and carefully, wiped away the trace of moisture that had not yet dried at the corner of her eye.

It was cold.

This world was too unfair to the sisters.

But from now on, it wouldn't be.

Outside the window, the galaxy was brilliant.

This cold warship, named Natural Selection, found its warmest interpretation at this moment.

"Brother Mo!"

A light footsteps, accompanied by the energetic shouts of a young girl, came from the direction of the corridor.

"I've washed all the dinner dishes! I just saw so, so many stars outside, let's go to the deck to see them! They must be especially beautiful!"

Gu Nianqiu, like a happy little butterfly, skipped into the restaurant.

Then, she froze.

She saw it.

She saw her sister, quietly sleeping in Lin Mo's arms.

And Lin Mo was looking down at her sister with a gaze she had never seen before, so gentle it could drip with tenderness.

The air in the restaurant was silent for a second or two.

Gu Nianqiu blinked her pure, large eyes, and there was no expression of surprise or astonishment on her small face.

She just lightened her steps, tiptoed, and quietly walked over.

She first peeked at her sister, who was sleeping soundly, then looked up at Lin Mo, giving him a mischievous and somewhat smug smile, and playfully made a "shush" gesture.

"Sister... is she asleep?"

She whispered in a breathy voice, sweet and soft like cotton candy.

"Yes."

Lin Mo nodded, his voice instinctively lowered significantly.

"She drank too much, she's exhausted."

"Hehe."

Gu Nianqiu covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.

"Then carry Sister back to her room; she'll catch a cold sleeping here."

She said it as a matter of course, her big eyes sparkling with the knowing mischief of "I understand."

Lin Mo looked at Gu Zhixia sleeping peacefully in his arms, then at Gu Nianqiu's expectant face beside him, and said nothing more.

He adjusted his posture, one hand under Gu Zhixia's knees, the other steadily supporting her back.

His arm muscles flexed slightly.

He lifted her entirely.

A standard, reassuring princess carry.

Gu Zhixia was very light, lighter than he had imagined.

Years of combat and travel had left her without an ounce of superfluous flesh; holding her, he could clearly feel the firm and elastic muscle lines beneath her combat suit.

She seemed to sense her body suspended in the air, stirring uneasily in Lin Mo's arms, her brow furrowing slightly, a dreamlike murmur escaping her lips.

Lin Mo stopped, leaned down, and gently soothed her ear.

"It's okay, it's me."

Miraculously, these three words were more effective than any sleeping pill.

Gu Zhixia's tightly furrowed brow slowly relaxed. She unconsciously snuggled towards the source of warmth, found a more comfortable position, and fell deeply asleep again.

Gu Nianqiu followed behind Lin Mo, watching the scene before her, a blissful smile almost overflowing on her small face.

With her hands behind her back, she walked with light steps, like a little maid escorting the king and queen back to their chambers.

The corridor leading to the living area was quiet, with only their soft footsteps.

Lin Mo carried Gu Zhixia, walking steadily.

Gu Nianqiu's room was pink-themed, filled with various cute little dolls.

Gu Zhixia's room, however, was like herself: simple, efficient, and meticulous.

There were no superfluous decorations in the room, only a bed, a wardrobe, and a desk.

Everything was neatly arranged, and the quilt was folded into a standard 'tofu block,' exuding a military-like rigor.

Lin Mo walked to the bedside, bent down, and carefully placed her on the soft bed.

He then leaned over, took off her dust-covered tactical boots, and pulled the neatly folded quilt over her, gently covering her.

After doing all this, he straightened up, looking at the peaceful sleeping face on the bed, his heart filled with tranquility.

"Let's go."

He turned around and softly said to Gu Nianqiu at the door.

The two quietly exited the room, and Lin Mo gently closed the door behind them.

"Brother Mo, let's go see the stars!"

As soon as they left her sister's room, Gu Nianqiu immediately reverted to her lively nature. She tugged at Lin Mo's sleeve, her face beaming with eager excitement.

"Okay."

Lin Mo was also in an exceptionally good mood.

The top deck of the Natural Selection was the best vantage point on the entire ship.

As the two stepped onto the deck, the boundless starry sea, without warning, violently crashed into their view.

The entire warship was cruising at a constant speed of 20 km/h in the stratosphere.

Below, a thick, cotton-like sea of clouds surged under the moonlight.

Above, a deep, black velvet-like night sky, billions of stars, like diamonds spilled by God, glittered brilliantly, and a magnificent Milky Way spanned the heavens.

The night wind, carrying the unique coolness of high altitude, blew in gusts, fluttering Lin Mo's clothes and lifting the hem of Gu Nianqiu's cute Lolita dress.

It was exceptionally pleasant.

"Wow—! It's so beautiful!"

Gu Nianqiu spread her arms, closed her eyes, and felt the breeze on her face, an expression of ecstasy on her face.

She turned around, leaned against the railing, and looked up at the brilliant starry river, her eyes reflecting the scattered stars.

"It's really nice."

She exclaimed sincerely.

"We get to see such beautiful scenery every day, eat so much delicious food, and live in such a luxurious place."

"On this world, there must be so, so many people who struggle even with the most basic necessities."

There was an innate compassion in the girl's voice.

"Yes."

Lin Mo also walked to the railing, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, his gaze sweeping across the boundless starry sea.

"This ship has indeed given us too much."

It was not just a ship.

It was a mobile fortress, an ark in the apocalypse, the foundation of their survival, and more importantly... a home.

The deck was quiet for a while, with only the sound of the wind blowing past their ears.

Gu Nianqiu suddenly turned her head, her pure, large eyes fixed on Lin Mo's profile, unblinking.

"Brother Mo."

"Hmm?"

"Do you like my sister?"

She asked so directly, so frankly, without any impurities, just a sister's purest curiosity towards her brother.

Lin Mo heard this, turned his head, and met her clear eyes.

He did not evade, nor did he prevaricate.

He thought seriously for a moment, and then gave his answer.

"I like both of you."

This answer made Gu Nianqiu burst out laughing.

"I knew you'd say that!"

She laughed like a little fox who had stolen candy, her eyes curving into two adorable crescents.

"But..."

She reined in her smile, and the expression on her small face became much more serious.

"I also know that even though Sister never says it, she shoulders everything herself, acting very strong and as if she doesn't care."

"But actually, she likes you."

"Tonight, she must have told you a lot of things from the past, right?"

Lin Mo nodded.

Gu Nianqiu sighed, a sigh beyond her years emanating from her small body.

"Sister, she's always been putting on a brave front."

"She always feels that since she's the older sister, she should protect me, she should do everything well, and not let anyone see her weakness."

"It's always been like this since childhood. She swallows all the grievances and pain by herself."

As the girl spoke, her eyes reddened slightly.

She looked up, her watery, incredibly serious eyes fixed on Lin Mo.

"So, Brother Mo."

"You have to be good to my sister, okay?"

"She actually needs someone to cherish her more than anyone else."

Lin Mo's heart was deeply touched by the girl's words.

He reached out, pulled this sensible and endearing little girl into his arms, and hugged her tightly.

Gu Nianqiu's small head rested perfectly against his chest.

She could clearly hear that strong heart beating powerfully for her, and for her sister.

Lin Mo held her in his arms, his chin gently resting on her soft hair.

His voice was deep and solemn, like an unshakeable vow.

"I will be good to you too."