463: Are you worthy of her?

Donghai City experienced a heavy downpour, and after the rain, the streets were washed clean and looked brand new. The trees lining the streets, having been cleansed by the rain, appeared even more verdant and lush.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth, which was invigorating. After the ecological recovery, the air became clear and the sky turned a brilliant blue. Blue Star's ecological environment had undergone tremendous changes in just four short months.

As the two walked on the rain-soaked street, feeling the freshness and tranquility of Blue Star after the rain, Bai Yiming's heart was filled with satisfaction and joy. He looked at Xiao Xiao's smile beside him and felt that all his efforts during this time had been worthwhile.

"Xiao Xiao, I need to return to Space City. General Manager Meng granted me a long leave, but it was only for three months, and now four months have passed," Bai Yiming suddenly said.

"Mm, okay, you should go back then."

Xiao Xiao showed no intention of asking him to stay, which made Bai Yiming's expression dim.

He paused, looking at Xiao Xiao, wanting to say something, but ultimately held it back. He smiled, scratching his head, seemingly trying to hide his embarrassment.

"When are you leaving?" Xiao Xiao suddenly asked.

"Now..." Bai Yiming replied.

A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Xiao's mouth. She leaned closer and asked playfully, "What's wrong? Are you mad?"

Bai Yiming's eyes widened. He looked at Xiao Xiao with some surprise, not expecting her to ask so directly. He was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and laughed, "Mad, not really. Just a little reluctant to leave."

Xiao Xiao chuckled softly and asked, "Reluctant to leave me?"

"Mm!"

Xiao Xiao opened her arms and said, "Give me a hug!"

Bai Yiming looked at Xiao Xiao's open arms, and a warm current surged in his heart. He gently walked over and embraced Xiao Xiao tightly.

Their bodies pressed closely together, as if they wanted to merge into each other. They held each other quietly, not speaking, but expressing their feelings through the language of their bodies.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still. All sounds on the street disappeared, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats in their ears. They seemed to be in a world that belonged only to them, feeling each other's warmth.

"It's not like we're parting forever, why are you acting so dramatic?" Xiao Xiao whispered.

Bai Yiming slowly released Xiao Xiao, looked into her eyes, and said, "Xiao Xiao, do you think a relationship is better when one person relies on the other, or when both move towards each other?"

"Why are you suddenly asking this?" Xiao Xiao asked, somewhat puzzled.

Bai Yiming shook his head and said, "No reason, you just need to answer me."

"I think, when it comes to relationships, there's no such thing as one person relying on the other, or just both moving towards each other. A relationship is between two people; it should involve mutual understanding, mutual support, and mutual growth. Both sides striving to become better—that's a form of mutual progression," Xiao Xiao said earnestly.

"So, you don't want me to be a kept man, do you?" Bai Yiming became very serious, looking at Xiao Xiao and asking word by word.

Xiao Xiao's eyes widened, and she chuckled, saying, "You know, being a kept man also requires ability."

Bai Yiming nodded slightly, a gentle smile appearing on his face, and said, "I understand!"

"Understand what?"

"Nothing, I'm leaving!"

"Are you in such a hurry?"

"Mm!"

Bai Yiming turned and left, leaving Xiao Xiao standing alone on the rain-soaked street. Xiao Xiao watched Bai Yiming's retreating figure, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Bai Yiming hailed a maglev car and headed towards the airport. All flights from Donghai City's airport follow routes towards the Equatorial Space Elevator.

Most of the airport's flights are cargo flights, with large quantities of ground materials being transported from the ground to space. And there are also some minerals transported back to the ground from the Space Station.

Sitting in the maglev car, Bai Yiming looked at the familiar scenery outside the window, a sense of reluctance welling up in his heart. Over these four months, he and Xiao Xiao had worked together and witnessed the recovery of Blue Star's ecological environment.

Upon arriving at the airport, Bai Yiming completed his boarding procedures, preparing to take a flight back to Space City. While waiting for his flight, his mind was filled with thoughts, recalling every moment he had spent with Xiao Xiao.

Walking through the bustling airport hall and boarding the plane bound for the equator, Bai Yiming felt a mix of emotions.

Three hours later, Bai Yiming arrived at the Space Elevator's boarding gate, where a magnificent and majestic structure stood before him.

The Space Elevator, this grand project connecting Blue Star and space, was the culmination of human technological development. It soared into the clouds, piercing the sky, like a path to heaven.

Bai Yiming boarded a specially designed maglev boarding vehicle, slowly moving towards the base of the elevator. Through the window, he looked up at the magnificent structure. The Space Elevator's cables were made of an ultra-strong alloy material mixed with carbon nanotubes, maintaining stable strength even in extreme space environments.

The elevator car, on the other hand, was made of a composite material, both lightweight and sturdy, capable of withstanding various radiation and impacts from tiny meteoroids in space.

As the electromagnetic maglev vehicle slowly moved, Bai Yiming gradually entered the Space Elevator's car. The interior of the car was spacious and comfortable, with ergonomically designed seats to minimize passenger discomfort during ascent and descent.

The car was also equipped with an advanced life support system to ensure passenger safety in space.

As the elevator began to ascend slowly, Bai Yiming felt his body gradually become lighter. Through the car window, he looked down at Blue Star below.

The beautiful scenery of Blue Star was fully visible: green forests, blue oceans, brown land…

As the elevator continued to ascend, the scenery of Blue Star gradually shrank, replaced by the vast starry sky.

The Space Elevator operated smoothly and swiftly. In a short while, Bai Yiming arrived at the near-Earth Space Station. Then, he boarded a small spacecraft bound for the Lagrange point.

......

In Space City, Bai Yan sat in his office. He was already over seventy years old, and the white hair at his temples reflected the years of vicissitude he had experienced.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Bai Yan's voice was slightly weathered but still full of authority.

The door slowly opened, and Bai Yiming pushed it open and entered. Bai Yan glanced over with his peripheral vision but did not look up.

"Dad!" Bai Yiming called out, then stood quietly to the side, waiting for Bai Yan's response.

Bai Yan raised his head and looked at his son, but there was no smile on his face: "That old fellow Meng Xian gave you a vacation, and you just ran with it, didn't you?"

"Yes, Dad," Bai Yiming replied.

Bai Yan looked at his son and asked coldly, "Do you think you are worthy of her?"