Marrying the Disabled Sentinel: Restoring His SSS Glory

Chapter 11: Getting Along

“Ugh, I’m exhausted!”

Freshly awake, Chen Lillian pounded her head. “Ugh, after a night of dreams, my head is throbbing and I’m a bit dizzy.”

Yuan Vincent glanced at her head—and then at her legs—with puzzlement. Shouldn’t it be her legs that feel numb and painful?

In the very next second, Chen Lillian cried out in alarm, “Oh my god, my legs have gone numb!”

Yuan Vincent immediately grew anxious, “Try standing up and see.”

Seeing his worried expression, and recalling that just before sleeping she had rested his head on her leg, Chen Lillian suddenly understood what had happened. Her heart eased, and she reassured him, “It’s nothing—just numbness. I’ll stand up and walk around a bit.”

Using the wall for support, Chen Lillian slowly rose and moved through the crowded gym. Almost by chance, she caught a glimpse of Yuan Vincent’s troubled face. Somehow, this young man wasn’t as cold and unyielding as his exterior suggested.

Perhaps out of remorse, Yuan Vincent’s attitude toward her softened a little. He even began to explain about the Chaotic System—teaching her how to distinguish nebulae and read the starry sea.

Chen Lillian absorbed every word like a sponge, eagerly committing them to memory. Leaning by the window, she enthusiastically analyzed the nebulae outside—although she ended up getting half her descriptions wrong. Each time, Yuan Vincent would cut in sharply with a flat “Wrong.”

Unperturbed, Chen Lillian would smile and ask, “Where did I go wrong?”

Yuan Vincent methodically corrected her, all the while inwardly wondering why—having both become disabled on the same day—she showed not even a trace of despondency, not even a hint of sorrow.

Unaware of his inner thoughts, Chen Lillian peppered him with questions whenever he was awake, determined to learn everything she could.

Finally, Yuan Vincent demanded, “How did you get into the First Military Academy?”

Chen Lillian, a bit embarrassed, stammered, “It can’t be that I cheated—everyone knows how strict the exam conditions are.” (After all, as technology advances, cheating only becomes harder.)

He frowned, “Then why can’t you grasp even basic common sense? You lost an arm—not your brain.”

A nearby older lady couldn’t help but interject, “Young man, how can you be so harsh to your girlfriend? For someone like you—missing both legs—she still sticks by you and takes care of you. You should be grateful.”

Yuan Vincent’s face stiffened, his lips pressed into a thin line as he said nothing.

Chen Lillian smiled at the older lady and replied, “He’s got a sharp tongue but a soft heart—he just wishes I were tougher.”

Understanding, the older lady patted Chen Lillian’s hand and said, “Don’t be down. Everyone’s different. Even if you’re a bit slow, with time you’ll learn.”

Chen Lillian managed a small nod, “Yes, you’re right.”

Then the older lady added sympathetically, “It’s not easy—one missing an arm and the other missing legs. Truly tough.”

Chen Lillian sighed, “It really is… so hard.”

Yuan Vincent glanced at her; he hadn’t expected to hear the word “hard.”

“Even if life is tough, if you work together you can overcome it. But right now—” the older lady’s tone turned worried, “I still don’t know what these Star Pirates intend to do. They demand no ransom, say nothing. Meanwhile, our families are waiting for me back home. What about you two—do your families know you’re out?”

Chen Lillian’s expression grew anxious. “There’s also another elder aboard the starship—I wonder how he’s doing.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine,” the older lady reassured as she patted Chen Lillian’s hand. “Those Star Pirates didn’t take our lives—they even gave us a bottle of nutrient solution each day. They clearly want us to survive.”

Chen Lillian looked over at Yuan Vincent, pondering that perhaps he was right—maybe the Star Pirates really planned to force them into mining Blue Key Stone.

But if that were so…

Chen Lillian’s eyes shifted to Yuan Vincent. She still had her two legs and one working arm, but what could Yuan Vincent do?

Perhaps her straightforward gaze provoked him; his face darkened, and with gritted teeth he muttered, “I can pick up the stones.”

Chen Lillian nodded, “Then we’ll work as a team, helping each other out.”

Yuan Vincent said nothing.

Suddenly, Chen Lillian pointed at his dry, cracked lips, “Your lips are parched.”

Yuan Vincent tensed and, attempting to appear nonchalant, said, “I’m fine.”

“Drink some water,” Chen Lillian insisted, placing a cup at his lips. “Drink up; I’ll carry you to the restroom later. If you don’t hydrate, your body won’t take it.”

Yuan Vincent stared into her eyes and, noticing only concern and no mockery there, slowly accepted the water and drank three big gulps.

“Feeling better?” Chen Lillian asked.

“Thank you,” he murmured softly.

“Not at all,” she replied as she squatted down before him, “Come on—get up. Then wrap your arms around my neck. I can’t hold you forever on my own, so please don’t mind.”

Yuan Vincent, looking at her slender figure, silently climbed onto her back. With his arms looping around her neck and his hands clasping together over her chest, he mumbled, “I won’t mind.”

Despite having no legs and weighing less than a hundred pounds, Yuan Vincent’s weight wasn’t too much for Chen Lillian to bear. Soon they arrived at the restroom.

Chen Lillian carried Yuan Vincent straight into the restroom, activated the automatic cleaning cycle of the toilet, and once it was confirmed clean, she placed him on the rim.

“I’ll wait outside—let me know when you’re done,” she said.

Yuan Vincent’s cheeks flushed with both embarrassment and shyness. He managed a quiet “Okay,” so soft that, unless Chen Lillian had exceptionally keen hearing, she might not have caught it.

After closing the door, Chen Lillian thought sadly: from the top marshal of the Alliance’s finest military academy to a man unable to take care of himself—Yuan Vincent must be in deep anguish.

The starship sailed on for three more days. Suddenly, the vessel began to jolt, and while Chen Lillian was stretching, she lost her balance and fell sideways with a thud—landing on Yuan Vincent, who had been reaching out to catch her. Their heads collided with a dull crash.

Chen Lillian winced and rubbed her head before looking up at Yuan Vincent, whose face was dark and stern.

“Starship has entered the Chaotic Interstellar region,” Yuan Vincent stated quietly.

Chen Lillian narrowed her eyes. Thanks to Yuan Vincent’s explanations, she now had a rough idea about the Chaotic System. Its name came from its sheer disarray—beyond what the naked eye could discern, even the Alliance’s best imaging technology could only capture a hazy gray.

Countless mysterious and chaotic planets lurked there, a haven for criminals and Star Pirates.

“Once we’re in the Chaotic region, can we ever get out?” Chen Lillian asked anxiously.

Yuan Vincent gave her a distant look, “What do you think?”

Chen Lillian’s heart pounded. “Will the Alliance send rescuers?”

After a long pause, Yuan Vincent said, “The Alliance sends people every year, but very few ever make it out.”

“So we’re essentially on a one-way trip?” Chen Lillian blurted.

Yuan Vincent nodded solemnly, “That’s one way to put it.”

“Then how about we join the Chaotic region?” Chen Lillian suggested impulsively.

Yuan Vincent glanced at her empty right arm, then at his own bare legs, “They probably won’t take in someone like us—a pair of cripples.”

Chen Lillian fell silent.

Throughout the bumpy ride, Chen Lillian watched meteors streak past the window, her heart pounding in fear that even a minor collision might result in total annihilation. She spent the entire day and night on edge. When the starship finally landed smoothly, she exhaled a long, relieved breath.

Seeing her relief, Yuan Vincent assumed she was merely frightened—and tried to offer a comforting word. But when he saw his own empty pant legs, bitterness seized him, and he found himself at a loss for words.