TCPUAAV Chapter 83

 

 

The concept of antimatter originates from matter itself.

 

Matter is composed of fundamental particles, whereas antimatter consists of antiparticles—two opposing existences.

 

When matter and antimatter come into contact, they undergo an annihilation reaction, releasing high-energy photons or gamma rays.

 

In the world where Ruan Shiqing originally lived, the existence of antimatter had long been confirmed. Early researchers first detected trace amounts of antimatter in cosmic rays. As research progressed over generations, antimatter was gradually introduced into practical applications.

 

Scientists even developed mature technology to achieve mirror conversion through particle colliders, transforming regular matter into antimatter.

 

A few years before Ruan Shiqing suddenly transmigrated to this world, some scholars had even proposed a hypothesis—that this universe might inherently contain two fundamentally different worlds. One was the world they currently inhabited, composed of matter, or more specifically, positive matter. The other was a world made entirely of antimatter.

 

It was possible that the Big Bang itself had been triggered by the encounter and annihilation of these two opposing worlds.

 

After the explosion, matter and antimatter scattered separately, each evolving over billions of years into new worlds—awaiting their next fateful encounter.

 

Now, Ruan Shiqing had discovered trace amounts of antimatter within the bodies of the insectoid creatures. This wasn’t an isolated case but a widespread phenomenon. This led him to consider the unverified hypothesis: perhaps, while traveling to planet B3024, these Zergs had passed through a region filled with antimatter. Due to their unique biological traits, a small amount of antimatter had remained within them.

 

He had come to find Rong Heng precisely because he wanted him to help track the Zergs’ route and locate this antimatter-rich region.

 

The method of using a particle collider for mirror conversion to create antimatter was the result of generations of researchers’ efforts in his original world. Given the current technological level of the Galactic Empire, attempting to produce antimatter independently was nothing short of a fantasy.

 

Because of this, he had never seriously considered the possibility of working with antimatter after arriving in this world.

 

But now, things were different. If such a place truly existed, filled with antimatter, then he could collect and store it to support his own experiments and research.

 

Whether it was an antimatter reactor or an antimatter engine, their power was on an entirely different level compared to ordinary nuclear fusion energy.

 

If the experiment succeeded, it could potentially trigger a revolution across the entire Galactic Empire.

 

Excitement surged through Ruan Shiqing as he looked at Rong Heng, his eyes burning with anticipation. “I’d like you to take me along the route the Zergs used to reach B3024 and see if we can detect the presence of antimatter.”

 

Back when they destroyed the wormhole, it had been Mr. Rong and Dares who carried out the mission. He was the one most familiar with the route.

 

However, seeing Rong Heng’s formal attire, Ruan Shiqing hesitated, worried that he might have other important plans but felt obliged to help. So, he added, “If you have an important engagement, it’s okay. I can ask Dares instead.”

 

“It’s fine, I’ll take you.”

 

The crown prince, who had been struggling to understand the dense scientific jargon for a while, finally grasped a sentence he could comprehend and quickly spoke up.

 

He did have an engagement today—but the person he wanted to meet was Ruan Shiqing.

 

With no experience in pursuing someone, he could only recall the dating advice Merrell had once shared with some single fleet captains. He decided to take things step by step and start by inviting Ruan Shiqing to a meal.

 

Although planet B3024 was remote and underdeveloped, the inner city still had two decent restaurants. His original plan had been to use a return gift as an excuse to invite Ruan Shiqing and the cubs to dinner.

 

But this… this could also count as a date, right?

 

And it would be just the two of them.

 

The crown prince wasn’t entirely sure.

 

Seeing Rong Heng agree, Ruan Shiqing’s lips curved into a smile. He quickly gathered up his documents, his expression brimming with excitement. “Then how about we set out this afternoon? I’ll check in with 09 first and ask him to take care of the cubs.”

 

He could hardly wait another second.

 

“No problem.” Rong Heng pressed his lips together before adding, “I’ll go prepare and meet you soon.”

 

After finalizing their plans, the two split up.

 

Ruan Shiqing needed to brief 09 about his absence and retrieve the necessary detection equipment. Meanwhile, Rong Heng returned to his room… to change his outfit.

 

Today’s formal attire was actually a ceremonial uniform, typically worn only for military banquets—hardly suitable for combat or daily activities. Rong Heng quickly changed into a simple black combat suit and ran his fingers through his hair, loosening the styled strands set with pomade. This way, he felt much more comfortable.

 

When Ruan Shiqing met him again, he was once more the familiar Mr. Rong.

 

Ruan Shiqing chuckled. As he followed Rong Heng aboard Glory and fastened his seatbelt, he couldn’t help but turn to the side and say, “Has anyone ever told you that you have an unapproachable aura? The way you dressed earlier felt so unfamiliar, and…” He searched for the right words. “…It gave off a sense of distance. I almost didn’t dare call out to you.”

 

It reminded him of their very first meeting in the depths of the scrapyard.

 

Now that they were familiar with each other, he rarely felt that sense of intimidation from Rong Heng. But just a moment ago, it was as if he had caught a glimpse of that cold, detached soldier from before.

 

?????

 

Rong Heng was confused. He pressed his lips together, his tone slightly subdued. “You didn’t like it?”

 

He had put quite a bit of thought into that outfit.

 

“It’s not that I didn’t like it,” Ruan Shiqing said with a laugh. “It’s just that you felt so distant, like some noble standing high above the masses, hard to approach.”

 

“You’d prefer it if I were more approachable?” Rong Heng tried to understand.

 

“It’s not about preference, you already are very approachable,” Ruan Shiqing smiled. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t have become friends.”

 

After knowing Rong Heng for so long, he had already vaguely guessed that his military rank and status weren’t low. After all, someone who could command frontline elites and borrow planet-level weaponry from Balham was certainly no ordinary officer.

 

Considering the occasional references Rong Heng made to a complicated family background, as well as his strict training of Snowball, Ruan Shiqing suspected that he came from a highly prestigious lineage.

 

Perhaps what he had just witnessed was Rong Heng’s true self—noble, aloof, and unapproachable.

 

But since Rong Heng clearly didn’t wish to talk about it, Ruan Shiqing chose not to press further.

 

He simply smiled and let the topic slide.

 

The crown prince, however, was still brooding over the fact that his outfit hadn’t received the reaction he’d hoped for. It seemed that once they returned, he would need to look up some current fashion trends.

 

He had to be both stylish and approachable.

 

*

 

Glory departed from B3024, heading into the vast expanse of space.

 

To ensure they didn’t miss anything, Rong Heng followed the exact path the Zergs had traveled.

 

Meanwhile, Ruan Shiqing was completely absorbed in adjusting the makeshift detection device.

 

The device’s sensor was already placed outside the shuttle, and he was closely monitoring the incoming data.

 

But after two straight days and nights of searching, passing by over a dozen destroyed wormholes, the readings remained unchanged.

 

Ruan Shiqing’s initial excitement had gradually faded into disappointment.

 

After ruling out yet another wormhole, he finally shut off the holographic display of the detector with a sigh. “I was being too optimistic. We’ve checked almost everywhere. If we still can’t find anything, we should head back.”

 

A space filled with antimatter had only ever been a hypothesis. That the theory didn’t hold up was entirely reasonable.

 

He understood that logically, yet he couldn’t hide his disappointment.

 

Listless, he slumped in his seat, looking for all the world like a drooping little sapling deprived of water.

 

Rong Heng glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and thought to himself.

 

“There are still three more wormholes ahead, according to the star map. Maybe we’ll find something there. And if we feel we didn’t search thoroughly enough, we can always scan the route again on our way back.”

 

“You’ve been piloting non-stop for two days and nights already.”

 

Although they could switch to autopilot to rest occasionally, the route was too complex and unpredictable. Most of the time, Rong Heng had to manually pilot the ship, while Ruan Shiqing remained focused on monitoring the data, unable to share the burden.

 

Ruan Shiqing hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “Let’s check the last three wormholes, then head back.”

 

Rong Heng responded with a simple “Mm” and proceeded to scan the remaining three wormholes with him.

 

As expected, they found nothing.

 

Ruan Shiqing had already prepared himself for this outcome, so he wasn’t too disappointed. He forced a lighthearted smile. “I’ll take over now. You should get some proper rest.”

 

“No need.” Rong Heng refused his offer, looking at him seriously. “Let’s search again.”

 

Ruan Shiqing was about to protest when Rong Heng continued, “If we don’t double-check, even after returning, this will still weigh on your mind, won’t it? Rather than leaving with uncertainty, we might as well go over everything thoroughly one more time. If we still don’t find anything, then at least you’ll have peace of mind.”

 

“But you…” Ruan Shiqing hesitated.

 

“It’s only been two days. This isn’t exhausting for me.” Rong Heng gave him a reassuring smile, his dark-gold eyes narrowing slightly. He truly did look alert and well-rested.

 

In the end, Ruan Shiqing couldn’t resist the temptation and nodded.

 

Retracing their original route, they resumed their search. Ruan Shiqing recalibrated the detection device and continued analyzing the data.

 

Another day and night passed.

 

As their shuttle passed by a partially collapsed wormhole, the previously stable signal on the detector suddenly spiked.

 

Ruan Shiqing’s eyes widened, and his voice rose in excitement. “We found it!”

 

He stared intently at the detector, repeating himself in disbelief, “We found it!”

 

“You’re sure?” Rong Heng asked, his expression filled with surprise.

 

“Yes! The detector picked up a high concentration of high-energy photons and gamma rays near the wormhole—it’s very likely the remnants of an annihilation reaction.”

 

Unable to contain his excitement, Ruan Shiqing suddenly lunged forward and hugged Rong Heng tightly. His voice was overflowing with emotion. “Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve given up.”

 

All his gratitude and exhilaration were condensed into that forceful embrace.

 

Rong Heng stiffened at first, caught off guard. After a brief hesitation, he slowly wrapped his arms around Ruan Shiqing in return.

 

His ears burned red as he stammered, “N-no need to thank me.”

 

 

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akjkjdskjsdkjskdjkj isn’t this like the first they “touch” each other (aside from when Rong Rong is in his cub form)??????? Ruan Ruan is so cute but so oblivious ;_;

 

Thanks for reading!

For every three ko-fis, I will upload a bonus chapter~