Whats's it like to have a fleet that can only recuirt female soldiers?

The two of them stood so close that they couldn't avoid facing each other.

Jiang Shasha caught sight of Zhao Chen walking straight in her direction. Disgust flickered across her face. She hadn't expected him to be this stubborn. She'd made things clear last night—emphasized that their lives belonged to different worlds. But Zhao Chen had clung to their shared childhood, begging her to reconsider.

How absurd!

It wasn't until she escaped that poor galaxy that she realized what true brilliance meant. There was no way she would return to a place like that—to become a baroness no less, raising children who couldn't even inherit a title.

That kind of life? Over her dead body.

The boy beside her, Zhang Haoran, was a better prospect. His family background was impeccable. His father, a viscount, was rumored to be up for an earldom in a few years. That meant Zhang Haoran would inherit a higher rank—a future far more appealing than anything Zhao Chen could offer.

"I'll reject him later with some excuse," Jiang Shasha muttered under her breath. "I've already given him face. If he doesn't know what's good for him, don't blame me for humiliating him in public."

Zhang Haoran smirked. He knew Zhao Chen's situation well. The so-called "childhood sweetheart" was nothing more than a poor baron from a desolate galaxy. Stealing what Zhao Chen treasured most brought him immense satisfaction.

But then, something unexpected happened.

Zhao Chen didn't stop, didn't glance at Jiang Shasha or Zhang Haoran, and walked past them as if they didn't exist.

Both Jiang Shasha and Zhang Haoran froze, dumbfounded. Even Li Wei, Zhao Chen's friend, was at a loss.

He had assumed Zhao Chen would be upset, maybe confront Jiang Shasha about her betrayal. Instead, Zhao Chen calmly made his way to a table by the giant floor-to-ceiling window.

"This spot is perfect," Zhao Chen said, gesturing toward the starport in the distance where dozens of starships were docked. "You can see all the starships from here."

Li Wei blinked in disbelief. "Brother… you really came here to admire the view?"

Zhao Chen nodded. His attention was fixed on the massive vessels. Starships stirred something primal in him—a fascination that had only grown stronger lately.

He scanned the ships, mentally categorizing them based on his growing knowledge. Most were T2 models, with a few outdated T1-class ships scattered among them.

T1 starships were relics, used primarily by civilians or system patrols. Real battles required T2 ships at minimum. The starport housed a range of interstellar destroyers and frigates—mainstays of the T2 class. Zhao Chen even spotted an old T1 battleship, an antique by modern standards.

But what truly captured his interest were the T2 Hyena-class medium destroyers. They were a favorite within the Star Empire, known for their balance of size and firepower. One ship's steel-gray hull bore the Galactic Alliance coat of arms, alongside the seven-star emblem of the Star Empire and the owner's insignia.

"This one looks like your ship," Zhao Chen remarked.

Li Wei grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, it's the same model. My dad splurged on it for me."

Zhao Chen chuckled and tapped the holographic menu on the table. "What are you eating? My treat."

"Really?" Li Wei asked, half-joking.

Zhao Chen smirked and scrolled to the last menu section.

"Hey, hey, don't do that!" Li Wei protested. "You know my pocket money's limited. My dad spent it all on that starship!"

Zhao Chen relented, ordering the cheapest set meal. Li Wei followed suit, visibly relieved.

Soon, their meals arrived, delivered by a robot waiter.

"You've got the Nutrition A set, and you've got Nutrition C," the robot announced. "Enjoy your meal."

Zhao Chen took a bite. The food was as unremarkable as expected—plastic-like and bland.

"Prices must've gone up again," Li Wei grumbled. "Eating this stuff every day is ruining my taste buds. I'd kill for real food—something actually grown."

"Ask your dad for more money," Zhao Chen suggested dryly.

Li Wei sighed. "He's stingy. Aside from the starship, he doesn't spend much. Even he can only afford the most basic natural meals: three dishes, one soup, and meat once a week. The daily feasts? That's for the upper nobility."

Zhao Chen nodded silently, staring at his plate.

Natural food was a luxury in this era. Overpopulation and land exploitation had driven up costs, leaving most people reliant on artificial meals. Nobles like Zhao Chen could only indulge occasionally, while the wealthiest dined on delicacies daily.

"Baron Zhao Chen," an unfriendly voice interrupted.

Zhao Chen didn't look up, continuing to eat.

It was Zhang Haoran. He leaned on the table with a smug grin. "Shasha is my girlfriend now. That engagement of yours? You should cancel it yourself. Don't you think it's laughable? A down-and-out baron thinking he deserves her?"

Zhang Haoran's words were laced with contempt, but Zhao Chen didn't react. He continued eating, ignoring him completely.

The lack of response unsettled both Zhang Haoran and Jiang Shasha, who had been expecting anger or humiliation. Instead, Zhao Chen's indifference spoke volumes, cutting deeper than any words could.