I really don't have money for the ship girls.

Xianghe's slender hand hovered in mid-air. After hearing Yingtian's words, she pursed her pink lips and lowered her eyelids: "Does the Commander think I am a woman who does not know how to respect herself? But to us, you are not a stranger of the opposite sex. You are the Commander to whom we once entrusted everything. Even if it was wishful thinking, even if you think it is false, the memories and feelings are still there."

The beauty lowered her head, her delicate white hair brushing against Yingtian's arm, and the sorrow in her voice was as gentle as silk, capable of captivating anyone's heart.

St. Louis, on the other hand, had her hand pushed away by Ying Hui, but she moved even closer. The rounded touch clearly entered the man's nerves, making his body stiffen: "Because the commander still doesn't believe us, we can only do this. Using a woman's charm to interfere with the commander's judgment, it really still doesn't work?"

It was actually feasible, but Ying Tian was stubborn: "You two don't need to play the good cop and the bad cop, it's useless."

Shoukaku raised her head and pouted slightly: "What should I do? The Commander is so stubborn!"

St. Louis blinked and said, "Commander is really going too far. You left everyone behind, but now you're taking all the blame. If all else fails... well, you can let the Commander touch my breasts. We all know the Commander's taste, and I'm not confident I can escape the Commander's clutches."

Upon hearing this, Ying Tian felt the round, taut sensation on his arm become even clearer. He realized he had fallen into a trap again, but he still said, "I don't want to touch you. The one you're talking about isn't me." Ying Tian had said many things against his will, but this sentence was particularly painful.

"He won't even let me touch him. I knew the commander didn't like me. Even if he tried to touch me, he wouldn't let me go into battle."

Shoukaku chimed in, "As expected, the Commander still prefers Illustrious and Yatsen, or powerful ship girls like Cheshire, Shinano, and New Jersey. We're just useless decorative vases."

St. Louis, resting his chin on his hand, said, "Helena has had a tough time. I can only wait for her to return at the port, but I also envy Helena. She is useful, and I should be useful too. But I can't convey this sentiment to the Commander."

Shoukaku: "It's okay now, although the Commander still doesn't like us."

St. Louis: "It's alright. This is already a pleasant surprise to have met the Commander. At least I have the opportunity to convey my feelings."

Shoukaku: "Yeah, I never thought I'd become a shameless woman like Akagi-senpai. But it's okay, I'll play the flute in front of the Commander every day until you understand my feelings."

St. Louis: "There's nothing wrong with being shameless. As long as I can see the Commander every day, that's fine. I'm Lucky Lou, and one day my luck will come."

Shoukaku: "I've always had bad luck, but whether the Commander acknowledges it or not, protecting the Commander is my right."

St. Louis: "If one day isn't enough, try two. If two days aren't enough, try three."

Shoukaku: "This is not only for the naval base, but also to protect the commander."

St. Louis: "I'm sure to bring good luck to the Commander."

Shoukaku: "Commander, please take care of me from now on."

The two women simultaneously placed their slender hands on Ying Tian's thighs, their faces turned to the side, each wearing a gentle or enthusiastic smile.

Ying Tian had experienced many terrible things, both mental and physical, and had long since developed a strong heart. However, he had never encountered anything like this before, and his head was buzzing. He could only helplessly say, "You've all said everything, what else can I say?"

Shoukaku chuckled softly and said, "Of course I accept."

"Accept your threats?"

“Of course it’s not a threat, it’s a request, a request for the commander to accept us.” St. Louis clasped his hands together and bowed slightly as he said, “Hehe, actually the commander didn’t refuse at first, did he?”

Ying Tian didn't want to give in either, but if he didn't, these two would come to the school every day to cause trouble and disrupt his normal life, just like they said earlier. Besides, he had already said that he believed 70% of what they said, and he also had a favor to repay to the Prince of Wales, so it wasn't really a matter of giving in.

"I neither refused nor accepted it. It's not easy for anyone to accept such a strange thing suddenly happening to them."

Shoukaku said, "It's not so sudden, is it? The Prince of Wales visited almost a month ago."

“Yes, she’s been gone for almost a month now.” Ying Tian knew what he was thinking. The Prince of Wales hadn’t forced him to accept it, but he had already subtly influenced him. He said, “Let me make it clear first, I can’t even support myself, let alone someone from the garrison.”

St. Louis understood the meaning behind Ying Tian's words and said with a happy smile, "What do you think I came here for? Of course, it's to lay the economic foundation for the development of the naval base in this world. We don't need the commander to support us; I'll support you."

Ying Tian felt that something was off about what he was saying, but there was no need to dwell on it too much. He continued, "Finally, and most importantly, even if you say that I have some kind of spacetime affinity or disturbance, I was just playing a game before. So I have no responsibility to you, and you have no obligation to me. Maybe we can become friends in the future, but right now I'm helping you only because I owe the Prince of Wales a favor. One thing at a time."

Shoukaku covered her mouth and chuckled, "Commander's a bit tsundere." Shoukaku's ability to come here wasn't solely due to her gentleness and caring nature; she knew that once someone opened a crack, they would quickly succumb, just like Akagi-senpai, whose fate was sealed after those five minutes.

"What are you laughing at? Be serious, this is a matter of principle."

“Yes, yes, that’s the principle,” St. Louis said. “It feels great to start by being friends with the commander.”

Ying Tian said, "Then don't call me Commander anymore. It's a very strange title here."

"What's it called?"

"Just call me by my name, Ying Tian."

“Yingtian, hehe, this title feels much more intimate now,” St. Louis said, leaning closer. “But when we’re not around, we can still call you Commander, right?”

"Fine, call out whenever you want when no one's around."

Chapter Twenty-Five: The budget is zero.

Ying Tian struggled to his feet and stood opposite the two beauties, looking them up and down. This time, he wasn't just looking at their figures and appearances; there were other aspects that interested him more.

St. Louis boldly stretched out his hands and said, "What I said earlier still stands. If you want to touch me, you can."

"That's not what I meant." Ying Tian looked at Shoukaku and St. Louis. Their figures were curvaceous, slender where they should be slim, and full and rounded where they should be voluptuous. They looked like ordinary, beautiful women, with only beauty and no sense of power. "By the way, are you really ship girls?"

Shoukaku said, "Hasn't the Commander already believed it?"

"I believe you 70%, so you have ship equipment?"

"Have."

"Can I open it?"

"Sure, it's as simple as extending your hand. Do you want to see?"

"I'd like to see... but never mind, there are other people watching." Ying Tian said, still somewhat unwilling to give up. "So you can deploy your ship's equipment here, fire your cannons, and launch your carrier-based aircraft?"

St. Louis made a pistol gesture, squinted her left eye and fired a shot into the sky. Her playful action was alluring because of her mature charm. She said, "I am just a light cruiser. The power of the ship's guns is average. If I fire one shot... well, let me see. It will only blast a crater the size of that lake."

Ying Tian looked at the familiar lake. Was it really that small? This lake on campus was almost two acres in size.

“My carrier-based aircraft are about the same.” Shoukaku put his hands in his sleeves and placed them on his thighs, which were covered by over-the-knee socks, and said with a light laugh, “The commander doesn’t give me good equipment, which greatly limits my strength, even though I can drop dozens of bombs per wave and launch dozens of carrier-based aircraft at a time.”

Ying Tian imagined the scene and couldn't help but say, "I feel like I've done something wrong."

"What does the commander mean?"

"Our society is very peaceful and stable. Not to mention guns, even knives are controlled. By the way, you guys wouldn't just suddenly decide to have sex, would you?"

“It’s hard to say.” St. Louis crossed his arms and smirked. “It’s up to the commander to keep us in check. We won’t fire the naval guns unless you give the order.”

"You're shirking your responsibility." Ying Tian suddenly felt a duty to maintain social stability, so he asked, "By the way, why didn't the Prince of Wales come this time?"

St. Louis retorted, "Commander, you really want to see Wales that much?"

Ying Tian paused for a moment, then admitted, "I'm quite familiar with her, and I owe her a favor. I don't know if I'll ever see her again."

“We will be able to see them, but it will have to wait until later,” St. Louis explained. “We need a material from the Sirens to get here. The naval base has launched many sorties to gather enough for both of us. It will be much easier for us to get here when the naval base is stronger or when Strasser and the others improve their technology. Right now, we can only use our resources where they are most needed.”

Ying Tian nodded and said, "I understand. So the Prince of Wales is here to scout the location, and you're here to make money and lay the groundwork?"

"That's right, at least we need to have a place to stay and a stable income to make a living."

Shoukaku stood up gently, blinked his left eye, and said, "This is St. Louis's mission, and it's also her specialty. I'm different; I'm here mainly to take care of the commander's daily needs."

"Huh?" Ying Tian didn't react.

“Commander is the link between the two worlds, so your health is of utmost importance,” Shoukaku said. “Wales said that your eating habits are very bad, you consume too many carbohydrates, and you are obviously malnourished.”

Ying Tian pictured the Prince of Wales's pretty face in his mind, feeling a warmth in his heart, but he said aloud, "Nonsense, I've only known her for a few days, how could she know that I have bad eating habits?"

"You're eating such cheap dumplings."

"Even though it's cheap, it's still a balanced mix of meat and vegetables. Besides, I go to the barbecue buffet near my school every two months to get my fat and protein, so I'm not malnourished."

Shoukaku cupped his face and said, "The Commander is still being stubborn."

"I'm not being stubborn, but if you need any help, just let me know. I don't have many other skills, but I'm familiar with this society, so we can be friends." Ying Tian didn't want to dwell on this matter any longer and asked, "What are your plans for the future? Renting a place or staying in a hotel?"

St. Louis said, "We'll listen to you."

Ying Tian thought for a moment, resting his chin on his hand, and said, "If you don't have proper identification, staying in a hotel will be troublesome. It would be better to rent a place in my name. There are quite a few places to rent nearby. What is your budget?"

"There is no budget."

"No limit? That's incredibly extravagant." Ying Tianxia instinctively remembered that St. Louis was a true millionaire.

“It’s not that there’s no limit, it’s that there’s no budget.” St. Louis made a zero gesture with two fingers. “We don’t have a single penny right now.”

Ying Tian asked incredulously, "Didn't you prepare for a month?"

St. Louis shrugged: "I prepared for a month. I brought cash, precious metals, various jewelry, and black market hard currency like pistols and bullets, but unfortunately, I lost them all during the time travel."

Silence, a silence of mutual bewilderment.

The spring breeze rustled through the camphor trees by the roadside, and Ying Tian couldn't help but recall his feelings when he settled the room bill with Uncle Cheng. It hurt so much. This time, it was Ying Tian's turn to sit in the chair, and Xiang He stood in front of him to comfort him.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter where we stay. If it really doesn't work out, we can squeeze in with you, Commander. How wide is your bed... a meter? That's about enough for three people to sleep in. Just turn to your side."

St. Louis also said, "The difficulties are only temporary. It's just starting from scratch. Commander, you live with other students in your student dormitory, right? It's not inconvenient, but it's fine. Actually, this place is quite good. Don't underestimate us. Shoukaku and I are warriors. We always eat and sleep outdoors when we sortie."

"Please excuse my humble attitude; I'm just a person with a rather limited perspective..."

Ying Tian took a breath, finding the two beauties' words both amusing and poignant. He stood up and said, "Actually, it's better that they lost them. Guns and such are just too dangerous, not in line with the principles of a harmonious society, and besides..."

Too embarrassed to say it aloud, Ying Tian glanced at St. Louis and Shoukaku's chests and thought to himself, "With your figures, you'd take up more space if you slept on your side."

"Wait a minute, I have a plan."

As Ying Tian spoke, he took out his phone and dialed a number for someone he didn't really want to contact.

"Hello, is this Senior Sister Rui Die? Yes, this is Ying Tian."

“It’s not that I’m backing out of the student union… It’s like this, didn’t you say before that you bought a house in the neighborhood near the school and wanted to rent it out since you don’t live there? I have two friends coming over, do you think you could rent one of their rooms to me at a discount?”

"Are you coming now? Okay, my friend and I are at the West Gate. Thank you for your help."

Ying Tian hung up the phone and said to St. Louis and Xiang He, "The landlord will be here in a bit. Let's verify each other's identities first."

St. Louis blinked and said, "No problem, I can be the commander's concubine."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, you can be my first wife." Xianghe looked at Yingtian and couldn't help but laugh. "Pfft~ Don't make that face~ Just kidding~"

Ying Tian didn't laugh. He said with a straight face, "Jokes are not the problem. The problem is to make people believe it. Even if you say that you are my wives and concubines, people won't believe it. Our country has a complete criminal law, which includes the crime of bigamy."

"Then how do you say it?"

"There's no other way," Ying Tian said earnestly, "I can only ask you two to be my aunts."

Now it was St. Louis and Shoukaku's turn to freeze on their faces with smiles.

Ying Tian smiled, glanced at the shadow cast by Xiang He's long legs on the ground, and said, "Just kidding."

How could anyone believe that such a young and beautiful woman is an old aunt?

Chapter Twenty-Six: A Second Blossom

After receiving Ying Tian's call, Rui Die quickly put on her coat, declined her roommate's invitation to go shopping, grabbed her keys, and rushed out of the dormitory.

Since the incident with Fu Ya, Rui Die could sense that Ying Tian was intentionally keeping his distance from her. She had also applied to withdraw from the student council. She felt that her mediation had made Ying Tian think that she was biased towards Fu Ya. Moreover, she had failed to prove Ying Tian's innocence, which made her feel even more guilty. She had tried to have a deep talk with Ying Tian several times, but he had politely refused each time. This time, Ying Tian took the initiative to call her, and Rui Die certainly wouldn't let this opportunity pass.

Heaven help me, Ying Tian just genuinely felt that it was better to do part-time jobs in the student union than to do those jobs that were supposedly beneficial for getting into graduate school. It wasn't that he had any issues with his senior.

Rui Die, who had already reached the bottom of the stairs, suddenly remembered something and ran back to her dormitory. She looked in the mirror, drew her eyebrows, and touched up her lipstick and foundation, not wanting Ying Tian to see her looking tired.

Rui Die didn't know why she acted this way. Maybe she was provoked by Ms. Shi before. She originally thought she was naturally beautiful, but who knew that comparisons would only make her more miserable. Even the kindest girl has a competitive spirit.

Then Rui Die arrived at the west gate of the school and saw the two beautiful and exotic women beside Ying Tian, ​​one mature and the other gentle. Even though they had nothing to do with her, she couldn't help but bite her lip, feeling as if she had lost something.

"Are these two your friends?"

Ying Tian cleared his throat and said, "As you know, Senior Sister Rui Die, I am an orphan, so I often get inquiries from kind-hearted people in society. These two are my friends."

"I feel like I've heard this saying before..."

Rui Die glanced at St. Louis with some suspicion. St. Louis's mature figure was tall and slender, enough to make one feel inferior. She then looked at Xiang He, whose ethereal and gentle demeanor, coupled with her flowing dress that couldn't conceal her graceful figure, made her stand out. Even among celebrities, let alone ordinary people, one couldn't find a woman as beautiful as her. Moreover, her blue and white hair was incredibly rare; in the flickering light of the streetlights, it didn't appear dyed.

She lowered her head and asked tentatively, "Are you cosplaying?"

"No."

St. Louis smiled and shook hands with Rui Die, saying, "I am American, but I should also be considered Chinese, St. Louis."

Ruidie shook hands with St. Louis, and then with Shoukaku.

"Like her, I am Japanese. My name is Xianghezi. You can just call me Xianghe in Chinese."

"You all speak Chinese so well... Ahem, welcome to China, and thank you for your concern for our country's public welfare undertakings."

After Rui Die finished speaking, she pulled Ying Tian aside and whispered, "Another foreigner, just like Ms. Shi?"

Ying Tian said, "Yes, you can tell by looking at the hair color."

"Why are you bothering me again?"

“There’s nothing I can do. The birth rate is declining, and there aren’t many babies left. Orphans like me are even scarcer.” Ying Tian spread his hands and said innocently, “I grew up working in society. People are showing internationalism by coming from afar to care about the life of an orphan. I can’t just refuse them.”

Rui Die pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and said, "Renting you a room is not impossible, but you cannot withdraw from the student council."

"it is good."