Chapter 60 – All Grown Up 翅膀硬了

Lin Yuan handed over the Astral Dew to the experimental department of the Federal Supreme Government and attended the subsequent mission debriefing meeting with his family. At the meeting, Lin Wanqing and Ye Qingxuan were responsible for recounting everything that had just happened, but they skillfully concealed Su Ling's true identity in the crucial parts.

"…In short, this mission has exposed the great threat of the Zerg, and at the same time, we have paid a heavy price. Regarding the activation of the Astral Dew, the key strategy proposed by Advisor Su Ling played a role. However, regarding possible concealment, I think the Federation must strengthen internal checks," Ye Qingxuan said calmly, but her tone showed disappointment in the federal high-ups for not acting decisively.

Lin Wanqing was more straightforward. "Although the exposure of the Zerg has revealed the threat, the sacrifices it caused are also extremely heavy. Including the sacrifice of Lieutenant Li Xingchen and the soldiers who died during the mission on the Zerg Star… Someone must be held accountable for these losses."

There was a moment of silence in the meeting room, and only Lin Yuan seemed a bit absent-minded. He appeared to be in a daze, but in fact, he was chatting with the Jiuchong Ring.

"Mission's done. Can I rest now?" Lin Yuan thought to himself.

The voice of the Jiuchong Ring was a bit lazy. "Rest? Host, after you completed the mission, we still have 7 days to stay in this plane. You should cherish this time. After all, when we get to the next plane, you might not even have a chance to catch your breath."

"…Seven days." Lin Yuan scratched his head. Looking at his family members with serious expressions, he felt a mix of emotions. "It's really neither long nor short."

Till the meeting ended, Lin Yuan said nothing. He knew his mission was over and the next 7 days were a brief goodbye time with his family.

When his father, Lin Tiance, came to pick them up and take them home, Lin Yuan looked at the backs of his parents and sister walking side by side, and his heart suddenly ached. He knew this might be the last time he would see such a scene for a long time.

In the following 7 days, Lin Yuan seemed to live a peaceful life on the surface, but in his heart, he was secretly planning how to prepare for his departure.

Every day, he had to cooperate with the federal scientists to study the purification function of the Astral Dew. This mysterious liquid not only had powerful energy but could also neutralize some of the corrosive substances left by the Zerg. This research could alter the Federation's position in future Zerg wars, but Lin Yuan didn't care. He was more worried if the Jiuchong Ring could copy the purification ability.

"Host, the replication is already complete. You don't have to cooperate with those scientists anymore," the voice of the Jiuchong Ring sounded during an experiment one day.

Lin Yuan replied helplessly, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? You made me waste so much of my private time."

"Well, I wanted you to experience the fun of scientific research. Besides, it's not a bad thing to drag it out. At least you can spend more time with your family."

Hearing "spend time with family", Lin Yuan's heart flinched a bit. He didn't argue with the Jiuchong Ring as it was right.

In the following days, he began to spend more time with his family.

Lin Tiance was still busy with the affairs of the energy company, but Lin Yuan often felt that there was an extra touch of tenderness and gratification in his father's eyes when looking at him.

Ye Qingxuan resumed her role as a mother at home. She even cooked a few meals. Unlike her usual seriousness, she seemed particularly kind.

Lin Wanqing was still playful. Occasionally, she'd tease Lin Yuan about "nearly getting eaten by Zerg on the Zerg Star mission", yet her tone was full of worry.

In these short 7 days, Lin Yuan felt a warmth he had never experienced before. But he also knew that this warmth would soon be broken.

On the last night before his departure, Lin Yuan sat in his room, wondering if he should say goodbye to his family directly. However, the Jiuchong Ring advised, "Host, it's better to leave a letter. If you say goodbye directly, they might not let you go."

"You know my family too well," Lin Yuan sighed. Then he picked up a pen and wrote a few lines on a paper:

Dad, Mom, Wanqing:

Don't worry. I'm not in any trouble, and it's not that I don't want to stay at home. It's just that I think I'm all grown up now and want to take charge of other planets… Just kidding.

I have some things of my own to do, and I might be away for a long time. But don't worry, I'll take good care of myself.

Live well and don't worry about me.

— Lin Yuan

After writing, he left the letter on the desk and quietly tidied up some things in his room. Looking at the place where he had lived, he felt a complex mix of emotions.

"Jiuchong Ring, let's go," he said in a low voice.

The light shadow of the Jiuchong Ring flashed slightly in front of his eyes. "The teleportation will start in one minute, Host. Please get ready."

A minute later, Lin Yuan vanished from the room, leaving just the short letter.

…

The next morning, Lin Wanqing walked into Lin Yuan's room, wanting to call him to have breakfast together, but found that the room was empty.

"Brother? Where did he go?" Lin Wanqing frowned. Then she saw the letter on the desk. She quickly scanned the contents of the letter and stood there stunned.

"Mom, Dad! Brother, Lin Yuan is gone!" Lin Wanqing shouted.

Ye Qingxuan and Lin Tiance rushed over and saw the letter. After Ye Qingxuan finished reading it, her expression was complicated. She looked into the distance, as if thinking about something.

Lin Tiance was quiet for a moment, then patted Ye Qingxuan's shoulder gently. "Don't worry. He'll be fine."

"But…" Lin Wanqing bit her lip, with a hint of unease in her eyes.

"Your brother's all grown up and independent. We can't hold him back," Ye Qingxuan said, a helpless smile on her lips. "All we can do is live well and wait for him to return."

========================

林远将星灵露交给了联邦最高政府的实验部门,并随着家人一同出席了后续的任务汇报会议.在会议上,林晚晴和叶青璇负责陈述刚刚发生的一切,但在关键部分巧妙隐瞒了苏灵的真实身份.

"...总之,这次任务暴露了虫族的巨大威胁,同时也让我们承受了惨重的代价.关于星灵露的激活,苏灵顾问提出的关键策略起到了作用,但是否有隐瞒行为,我认为联邦有必要加大内部审查." 叶青璇冷静地说道,语气却藏不住对联邦高层迟迟未采取果断行动的失望.

林晚晴则更加直接:"虫族的暴露虽然揭示了威胁,但它导致的牺牲同样惨重.包括黎星辰中尉的牺牲,以及虫星任务中牺牲的士兵们... 这些损失,必须有人为此负责."

会场一阵沉默,只有林远显得有些心不在焉.他看似在发呆,实际上是在和九重戒聊天.

"任务完成了,现在是不是可以休息了?" 林远在心里问道.

九重戒的声音带着一丝懒洋洋:"休息?宿主,你完成任务后,我们还有7天的时间会待在这个位面,你应该好好珍惜,毕竟等到下个位面,你可能连喘口气的机会都没有."

"...7天啊." 林远挠了挠头,看着家人们一脸严肃的样子,心里一阵复杂,"还真是说长不长,说短不短."

直到会议结束,林远也没发表什么意见.他知道自己的任务已经完成,接下来的7天只是对自己和家人的短暂告别期.

当父亲林天策来接他们回家的时候,林远看着父母和妹妹并肩而行的背影,心里忽然有些发酸.他知道,这可能是很长时间内最后一次看到这样的画面了.

接下来的7天里,林远表面上过着平静的生活,但心里却暗暗盘算着如何为离开做好准备.

每天,他都要配合联邦科学家研究星灵露的净化功能.这种神秘的液体不仅有着强大的能量,还能中和一些虫族残留的腐蚀性物质.这项研究可能会改变联邦在未来与虫族战争中的局势,但林远并不关心这些.他更关心的是九重戒能否复制到净化功能.

"宿主,复制已经完成了,你不用再配合那些科学家了." 九重戒的声音在某一天的实验中响起.

林远无奈地回答:"你怎么不早说?害我浪费了这么多私人时间."

"好吧,想让你体验一下科学研究的乐趣.再说了,拖着也不是坏事,至少你还能多陪陪家人."

听到 "陪家人" 这三个字,林远的心里微微一震.他没有反驳九重戒,因为它说得没错.

在接下来的日子里,他开始花更多的时间和家人待在一起.

林天策依旧忙于能源公司的事务,但林远时常能感觉到父亲看自己的目光中多了一份温和和欣慰.

叶青璇则在家里恢复了母亲的角色,甚至还做了几顿饭,一改以往的严肃,显得格外亲切.

林晚晴依然调皮,偶尔会嘲笑林远 "在虫星任务中差点被虫族吃掉",但语气中却有着浓浓的关心.

在这短短的7天里,林远感受到了从未有过的温馨.但他也知道,这种温馨很快就会被打破.

在离开的最后一天晚上,林远坐在自己的房间里,思索着要不要和家人直接告别.九重戒却劝道:"宿主,还是留一封信吧.直接告别的话,他们可能不会让你离开."

"你也太了解我家人了吧." 林远叹了口气,拿起笔,在一张纸上写下了几行字:

爸,妈,晚晴:

别担心,我没有出什么事,也不是不想待在家里.只是,我觉得我的翅膀硬了,想去统领其他星球...开个玩笑啦.

我有些自己的事情要去做,可能要离开一段很长的时间.不过,你们放心,我会照顾好自己.

好好生活,不用为我担心.

——林远

写完后,他将信留在了书桌上,又悄悄将自己房间的一些东西整理了一番.看着这个自己生活过的地方,他心中五味杂陈.

"九重戒,走吧." 他低声说道.

九重戒的光影在他眼前微微一闪:"传送将在一分钟后开始,宿主,请准备."

一分钟后,林远的身影彻底消失在房间里,留下的,只有那封简短的信.

...

第二天早上,林晚晴走进林远的房间,想叫他一起吃早饭,却发现房间里空无一人.

"哥?去哪了?" 林晚晴皱了皱眉,随即看到了书桌上的信.她快速扫了一眼信上的内容,整个人愣在原地.

"妈,爸!哥他...林远他不见了!" 林晚晴大喊.

叶青璇和林天策匆匆赶来,看到了那封信.叶青璇读完后,神色复杂,目光望向远方,似乎在思索着什么.

林天策沉默了片刻,随后轻轻拍了拍叶青璇的肩膀:"放心吧,他不会有事的."

"可是..." 林晚晴咬着嘴唇,眼里透着一丝不安.

"你哥翅膀硬了,我们拦不住." 叶青璇嘴角勾起一抹无奈的笑意,轻声说道,"我们能做的,就是好好生活,等他回来."