After scanning through these dozen or so resumes, March 7th couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
"You really can't judge a book by its cover. He looks like such a sunny and cheerful gentleman, yet he's actually so professional."
"This is only the publicly available information."
Welt pushed up his glasses, his tone suddenly becoming mysterious.
"According to the information I found on the relevant Dark Web, Qi Zhimu was once one of the most high-achieving anomalies in the galaxy mercenary world."
"He has a quirk: he's extremely picky about his jobs. Because of this, the enemies he made in his early years could line up all the way to the IPC headquarters."
"How does being picky about jobs lead to making enemies?" March 7th asked, puzzled.
"Because some employers have shady motives. Lord Zhimu has high professional ethics and never leaks secrets after a refusal, but those employers are paranoid. They feel that only the dead are safe, so to eliminate any risks, they hire top-tier assassins to kill Lord Zhimu."
"Ah... so what happened after that?"
"Afterward? Those sent to kill him vanished without a trace."
"They were all killed by him?"
"Who knows? Regardless, this man is not simple, though his public persona and conduct seem quite upright."
Welt first shook his head with a sigh, then gave a positive evaluation.
Himeko picked up her tea and smiled elegantly:
"Galaxy Rangers advocate meeting violence with violence and acting with decisiveness. Regardless of whether Lord Zhimu's identity is real or fake, as long as he bears no ill will toward the Astral Express, we needn't pry."
"Got it. More friends mean more paths. Maybe if we run into trouble in the future, we can even ask him for help," March 7th said with a laugh.
The two elders had no objection to this; the humble never assume they can control everything.
During the conversation, Pom-Pom brought up breakfast.
The lively March 7th stopped chatting, and the only sound left in the Parlor Car was the light clinking of silverware.
A moment later, Himeko used a napkin to wipe the corner of her mouth and looked around at everyone.
"The Relic that Herta commissioned the Astral Express Crew to find is now in our hands. According to the agreement, we should prioritize its delivery. We will Warp at 09:00 system time tomorrow. Does anyone have any objections?"
"Agreed," Welt was the first to state his position.
"I definitely have no problem with it. Dan Heng's 'block-face' probably won't either. As for Lord Zhimu, his ship crashed and he has nowhere to go, so he shouldn't object either."
Even as she said that, March 7th's tone shifted.
"When he wakes up, I'll go ask him."
...
March 7th hadn't expected that Qi Zhimu would actually sleep until 15:24 system time before finally appearing in the Parlor Car with a yawn.
"Lord Zhimu, did you sleep well?" Himeko smiled.
"Wonderfully. The last time I slept this soundly was before my home was..."
Mid-sentence, Qi Zhimu realized everyone was there and couldn't help but look embarrassed.
"...Did I delay the Astral Express's Warp time?"
Pom-Pom had mentioned that the Astral Express would be heading to the next stop the following day.
"Not at all. We're just about to have afternoon tea. If you don't mind, please join us."
March 7th waved enthusiastically.
"Since you've just woken up, some snacks and tea will be perfect to fill your stomach."
"Then I shall gratefully accept."
Qi Zhimu had grown accustomed to being free and easy after years of traveling. Seeing the goodwill of the Astral Express Crew, there was no need to be formal.
Experienced people never worry about awkward silences. After a few rounds of casual conversation, everyone's understanding of this temporary passenger deepened.
"I'll go prepare some drinks. We have juice, alcohol, and coffee. What would you like, Lord Zhimu?"
"Just a cup of plain black coffee will do, thank you. Oh, by the way, just call me by my name; there's no need for 'Mister'."
"Hehe, alright." A flash of interest crossed Himeko's face.
It seemed this new passenger really liked coffee; in that case, she would have to use her unique skill.
To the side, Dan Heng and Welt exchanged a look, their expressions becoming subtle.
March 7th hesitated to speak, then stopped, but finally decided not to say anything.
After all, once she spoke, more than one person would surely be embarrassed.
Furthermore...
Maybe Qi Zhimu was like Dan Heng and could enjoy it with a straight face; he did specifically ask for plain black coffee, after all.
While waiting, Qi Zhimu felt inspired, and his aura shifted.
"Since I'm being treated so well, though I am untalented, I do have a modest skill. If you don't mind, Lord Zhimu will now perform a humble piece."
As he spoke, a type of chinese lute appeared in his hand.
Although March 7th didn't recognize what it was, she could at least tell it was a musical instrument, and her eyes lit up.
"You can play?"
"I know a little. The formal name for this instrument in my arms is a type of chinese lute. I'll play 'Sway to My Beat in Cosmos'."
"Wow! Are you a fan of Miss Robin too?"
"Well... I do quite like her songs and voice, so I suppose so?"
Qi Zhimu's eyes swept over Dan Heng and Welt. Seeing their silent approval, he finally felt at ease to pluck the strings.
The classical sound of the strings carried a cheerful modern rhythm; this strange contrast was very catchy.
"Mend your pace sway to the beat, Hands up Embrace who you wanna be..."
As soon as the clear singing began, not only March 7th, but even Welt and Dan Heng were slightly surprised.
Were Galaxy Rangers really so multi-talented?
When the song, which lasted less than three minutes, ended, March 7th was still immersed in the afterglow.
"You call that a humble performance? You're too modest! I've heard so many covers, but none were as good as your live performance. It's almost like, like..."
March 7th thought for a moment and found the right way to put it.
"It's like Miss Robin taught you personally!"
"I could never compare to Robin."
"It's the truth! Do you know 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking'? That's my favorite song of hers!"
"I do."
"Yay!"
When Himeko returned to the Parlor Car with the drinks and saw the scene, she couldn't help but look surprised.
She didn't interrupt, waiting until Qi Zhimu's singing stopped before stepping forward.
"With a voice like yours, you'd probably have a better career debuting as an idol than being a mercenary."
"My old man originally intended for me to study music for that reason. Unfortunately, life is full of surprises," Qi Zhimu said nonchalantly.
"No offense intended. Everyone has their own difficulties and choices." Himeko placed a cup of coffee as black as ink in front of him.
"Hah, no offense taken. In that circle, it's really hard to survive without a backer. If I didn't have some skills, I almost lost my reputation back then."
"Lost your reputation? Could it be..." March 7th's mind immediately filled with a grand drama of the entertainment industry.
"...The darkness of that melting pot is something little March is better off not knowing."
Qi Zhimu picked up the coffee and took several gulps without any suspicion, and his body suddenly froze.
Before anyone could react, the top-tier galactic mercenary and battle-hardened Galaxy Ranger actually rolled his eyes and fell straight backward.
The sight of his eyes rolling back in his head scared March 7th into a scream.
"Ah! Lord Zhimu, are you okay?!"
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