Chapter 23: Invitation

When Feng Jingyu learned that S-77 had moved into Yu Huaiyin’s home, she entered a state of utter delirium.

“Bestie, I really did it this time… Mom, my OTP is living together for real…” After uttering these cryptic words, her eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’m going to write fifty thousand words right now and have them do it for three days and three nights!”

Immersed in her own world, Feng Jingyu locked herself away at home, typing furiously, determined to bring that legendary “three days and three nights” to life in one go.

When she finally emerged from her creative trance, she discovered her terminal—set to Do Not Disturb—was overflowing with messages.

She opened her inbox. The AI had thoughtfully sorted similar messages into categories, extracted the important information, and presented it all to Feng Jingyu.

There were only two types of messages after the AI’s sorting. One was asking if Feng Jingyu was alright, as she hadn’t been in touch for several days. The other was inviting her to dinner at the Yu family’s house to celebrate the successful conclusion of the talent show.

Feng Jingyu checked the time—it was today. Just then, Cen Lan’s call came through.

“So you’ve finally returned to reality. Wait for me at home, I’ll come pick you up.”

“OKK.”

Thinking about seeing her “Yu7” couple interact right in front of her, Feng Jingyu’s face took on a dreamy expression.

·

As soon as Feng Jingyu and Cen Lan entered the house, they were warmly welcomed by Yu Xiuqing.

“You’ve arrived at just the right time—the food is just being served.”

“Looks like we’re in for a feast tonight.” Cen Lan smiled. “I haven’t stopped thinking about your cooking since I last tasted it.”

Yu Xiuqing’s smile grew even brighter at that. “Don’t worry, I made plenty of your favorites tonight—and yours too, little Jingyu.”

Feng Jingyu affectionately linked arms with Yu Xiuqing. “Looks like my freeloading mission will be an overachievement tonight.”

The three of them chatted and laughed as they entered the dining room, where An Huai, Yu Huaiyin, and S-77 were already seated.

Seeing Yu Huaiyin and S-77 sitting side by side, Feng Jingyu raised an eyebrow and asked kindly, “77, are you settling in well at Huaiyin’s house?”

S-77 glanced at Yu Huaiyin before replying, “There’s nothing to get used to. Yu Huaiyin takes good care of me.”

“Oh…” Feng Jingyu nodded meaningfully at their exchanged glances and sat down across from them.

“Yesterday, Huaiyin even taught 77 to play the piano,” Yu Xiuqing revealed with a grin.

Feng Jingyu smiled with innocent delight. “Wow~ That must have been such a heartwarming scene. 77, you’ll have to show us what Huaiyin taught you on the piano sometime.”

Yu Huaiyin sighed helplessly. “Let’s eat first.”

Sensing it was time to stop, Feng Jingyu let the matter drop. The conversation turned to amusing stories from the talent show, thoroughly satisfying Yu Xiuqing and An Huai’s curiosity.

·

As the meal was winding down, Yu Xiuqing remembered something.

“Oh, my memory! Little Jingyu, I’ve taken care of that matter you asked me about. Master Chen has agreed to help.”

Feng Jingyu shot to her feet in surprise, her voice trembling. “Really?! Master Chen actually agreed?!”

“Yes, he agreed readily. He said it’s for the good of the country and the people, and he’s bringing his students along to help as well.” Yu Xiuqing smiled. “The young ones were over the moon when they heard they’d be working at your company.”

“That’s wonderful! With Master Chen overseeing things, everything else will be much easier!” Feng Jingyu couldn’t hold back any longer and made a double-fisted victory gesture.

“Master Chen?” Yu Huaiyin was puzzled. “Why did you go to Master Chen?”

Feng Jingyu shot Yu Huaiyin a glance. “For the next phase of my plan, of course. I want the entire universe to witness the charm of the greatest superstar of all time.”

“The greatest superstar of all time?” Yu Huaiyin thought of many people but couldn’t make the connection, so he simply asked, “Who?”

Feng Jingyu blinked. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Cen Lan just smiled quietly at the side.

·

The Interstellar Girls’ interstellar tour had begun—Earth was their first stop. After the trials of the talent show, every department at Youjian Entertainment had grown and could now operate independently. Feng Jingyu no longer needed to handle every detail herself; as long as she set the overall direction, the rest could be left to the appropriate departments.

Now she could finally let go and begin large-scale recruitment, injecting new blood into her next project.

·

“I can’t take it anymore…” Feng Jingyu collapsed onto the sofa, on the verge of tears. “No one told me listening to demo tracks would be this exhausting…”

The smart butler approached.

“Madam, Secretary He is here to see you.”

“Secretary He?” Feng Jingyu’s mind went blank for a second. “Xiao He? Why is she here? Please, let her in.”

Soon, Xiao He entered the living room, her expression grave.

“Ms. Feng, the Deputy Minister requests your presence. It’s important.”

Feng Jingyu didn’t ask questions. “Understood. I’ll go change my clothes.”

·

Twenty minutes later, led by Xiao He, Feng Jingyu once again stood before the door of Conference Room 308.

Xiao He knocked three times, waited a moment, and the door opened automatically. She gestured for Feng Jingyu to enter alone.

Inside the conference room, aside from Cen Lan, everyone was a stranger to Feng Jingyu.

Cen Lan left her seat and led Feng Jingyu to sit beside her.

To Cen Lan’s left sat a middle-aged man of about fifty, who greeted Feng Jingyu warmly. “Ms. Feng, hello. I’m Li, Minister of External Communications.”

“Minister Li, nice to meet you.”

“Here’s the situation: we’ve invited you today because of an invitation from the Noble Star System.” Minister Li paused, seeing that Feng Jingyu hadn’t quite caught on, and continued, “The invitation comes from Wo Shida Chunlu of the Shida Chunlu family. He wishes to invite the Interstellar Girls to perform in the Noble Star System.”

Feng Jingyu looked even more confused. “Sorry, do I know this person…?”

Cen Lan pulled up a virtual screen and shared the highlighted information with Feng Jingyu.

Feng Jingyu still couldn’t recall the person, but she understood the key point. “So this is someone I pen… cough, someone I’ve ‘educated’ before, and now he wants the Interstellar Girls to perform in the Noble Star System?”

“That’s right,” Minister Li nodded.

“Looks like he’s not coming with good intentions…” Feng Jingyu glanced around the conference room, then looked back at Minister Li. “But you don’t want to miss this opportunity? What’s the story with the Noble Star System?”

Cen Lan answered quickly, “The Noble Star System is ranked ninth among all star systems.”

“I see…” Feng Jingyu mused. “So this spoiled noble heir wants to reclaim his pride through me?”

“Ms. Feng,” Minister Li said, “we’re all aware this is a trap, so we’ll respect your decision. It’s up to you whether to go or not.”

Feng Jingyu glanced at the people beside her. Cen Lan’s face was expressionless, but her eyes clearly showed concern.

Feng Jingyu squeezed Cen Lan’s hand, giving it a reassuring pat, and smiled faintly.

“This is just a business event, and it’s very beneficial for the Interstellar Girls’ future development.” Feng Jingyu nodded solemnly. “We at Youjian Entertainment would never pass up such an opportunity. Minister Li, rest assured—the Noble Star System, we’re definitely going.”

·

“No! I don’t agree! Jingyu, you can’t go to the Noble Star System!” Yu Huaiyin, for once, was adamant in his opposition.

Feng Jingyu hadn’t expected such a strong reaction and was stunned before replying, “But Huaiyin, I’ve already agreed to go.”

“So what if you agreed?! It’s not a military order—you can still back out!” Yu Huaiyin’s voice was much louder than usual. “You know that idiot has it in for you. What if something happens?!”

Cen Lan stood by silently, but Yu Huaiyin’s reaction was unexpected. She watched Yu Huaiyin carefully, a flicker of confusion and doubt in her eyes.

Feng Jingyu tried to soothe him. “Huaiyin, calm down. I wouldn’t put myself in danger.”

“No, no, you can’t go to the Noble Star System!” Yu Huaiyin couldn’t bear to imagine Feng Jingyu not coming back.

“Huaiyin…” Feng Jingyu didn’t know what to say. She had never seen Yu Huaiyin like this.

“I’ll go too.” S-77 walked over. “I’m from the Third Star System. With me there, they won’t dare trouble Feng Jingyu.”

Yu Huaiyin calmed down a little at S-77’s appearance.

“77, you want to go with Jingyu?” Yu Huaiyin asked uncertainly.

“Yu Huaiyin, Feng Jingyu going to the Noble Star System is already decided—it can’t be changed. So, I’ll protect her for you.” S-77 spoke seriously.

Yu Huaiyin lowered his head. After a moment, he hugged S-77.

“I want both of you to come back safely.”

S-77 patted Yu Huaiyin’s back. “Mm, we’ll come back safely.”

His calm tone left no room for doubt.

This was S-77’s firmest promise.