Page 380
Page 380
"Are you sure we can make it in time?" Helian couldn't help but express her concern. "If we also need to develop a network of locals, won't it take too long? Can we coordinate with the progress in New York?"
“I share this concern, Commander. At least I find it hard to believe that the locals possess the intelligence we need, even if it is limited. In this regard, they will only gather and retain information that is advantageous to themselves, which contradicts our needs.”
AK12 already had a bad impression of these natives, especially after Anderson's behavior towards Chris last night, which made her even more disgusted with these short-sighted people.
This aligns with the girls' general opinion; the locals' professional skills and attitude were truly disappointing.
“What they need to do is not to provide intelligence, but to provide a place where we can find intelligence,” Lofan shook his head and said, “The key is that we can use this as an excuse to make the locals more active, thereby covering our tracks and making the military focus on the locals instead of us. As for the progress... an overly fast and efficient operation may arouse the military’s suspicion. As for New York, I believe Morido will handle the task I gave her very well.”
Morido deserves much credit for the company's success, and with her ruthless methods and the assistance of the Nietos, she is sure to succeed in everything she does.
"But Yingque hasn't called once in all this time. Have you thought about how to explain this?"
Herian's words made Luo Fan's face darken.
This is indeed a problem. Since he boarded the train, he hasn't made a single phone call home, completely disappearing without a trace. Only his agent occasionally sends her fabricated news, but as for the rest of the story... she has no idea how she's doing...
"...Just consider it a business trip. After all, every family has its own problems," he said, not having time to think about the matter at the moment. He simply issued another order: "Next, everyone will be divided into two teams, one led by me and the other by Helian. As planned, we will provide some assistance to the locals and try to gain their trust. The team leader will await my instructions. If things go too slowly, I will find a way to get the situation back under control."
Now is not the time to be distracted; there will be plenty of work to do later...
He did love Yingque, but the current situation was not a matter of life and death, and he would not overturn the existing arrangements because of it. After all, given his current status, rationality was a very important virtue that he had to uphold.
After all, what he and the girls are facing now is a war taking place in the shadows of the nation...
However, there are some things that even girls can't avoid relying solely on their abilities...
......
At the same time, Yingque also woke up early to prepare for her day's work at the bar. Day after day, she did it with great enthusiasm. Everyone was busy, and she couldn't fall behind. Since Luo Fan left, she had managed the bar very well. It could be said that thanks to Yingque, Chris didn't have to run away with the bucket.
Both of them had jobs outside their original professions; the retired military officer became a bartender, and the biochemistry graduate became a waiter. However, they were financially secure and their jobs were quite easy, so they had nothing to complain about. Besides, it was their partner's family business...
However, he has been away on a business trip for a long time and there has been no news since, while White Eagle is still in such a state of chaos.
"Ugh......"
Today should have been an ordinary day, but while Yingque was stacking the bottles, a phone call came in, and the IP address was still registered to Donghuang...
"Hello, yes, this is you. What's up?"
The voice on the other end of the phone was still very familiar to her, even though many years had passed.
"Uncle Zhang? Mom? What happened to Mom?"
"..."
"Really... I... I understand, I'll go back right away..."
The day finally came. She had expected this bad news, which was not far from her, but even though she had basically recovered from her illness, she still felt so heavy that she could hardly breathe.
After placing the last bottle of whiskey into the cardboard box, Yingque sat down against the cabinet behind her, adjusting her breathing. Within minutes, countless words danced through her mind, yet none could form a complete sentence. Having experienced this before, she knew it was a state of mind called utter confusion. She didn't know what she wanted to say, or whether she should remind herself to stay calm. She didn't even know how she felt at that moment.
Perhaps I should have wiped away tears because of my sadness, but when I stood up again and looked at that face in the reflection of the window, I felt nothing but sorrow. However, the sadness that came from the bottom of my heart did not lie. Although we were not related by blood, the affection between us had never deceived her.
During those three minutes of unfocused thinking, Yingque thought of many things: sadness, confusion, and resentment, but mostly, a feeling of inexplicable bewilderment...
Relieved...
Finally, she took off her apron and gloves, picked up her phone, and called Luo Fan.
"Sorry, the number you dialed is not in service area..."
......
She put away her phone and walked straight out of the kitchen, where she ran into her agent who was preparing breakfast.
Good morning, Miss Yingque.
"Good morning, agent. Um... I might have to go back to my home country for a while..."
Yingque's explanation surprised the agent somewhat, but he remained expressionless and dutifully asked, "Why? Is something wrong at home?"
“Yes,” Yingque smiled unconsciously, but it was very unnatural. “I need to go back and take care of this. I should be back soon.”
"Okay, I will inform the owner. Please be careful on the road."
"If possible, could you please not tell him?"
......
""
"I see......"
"Thank you."
The sun was shining in New York today, a rare occurrence, but the agent was seeing this strong girl for the first time; her face was so deathly pale...
Yingque quickly returned to her room, leaving the serious-looking maid standing there.
"Dandre, send me Miss Yingque's phone call log just now..."
573 Travel (Slow updates due to preparation for the college entrance exam)
......
Ying changed into a black coat and long skirt, a gift from Luo Fan, who said he wanted to try a new style. Black was the main color, and he thought it would look great with her elegant demeanor when she grew her hair long. Now it seemed to work very well, though the meaning was slightly off, and he didn't have time to notice...
After packing her luggage, Yingque stood in the living room for a while, carrying her suitcase, her expression indifferent.
She didn't blame Luo Fan, nor did she intend to leave without saying goodbye out of disappointment. On the contrary, she understood Luo Fan's pressure and how difficult it was for one person to take care of the lives of dozens of people. She understood, she always understood, and she never had any other thoughts besides happiness and gratitude.
Therefore, she didn't want these things to bother him. She could handle this on her own, and it wouldn't be too late to tell him later when the opportunity arose.
He always gave her the best, and even when he was busy with work, he never forgot her. When he was bedridden, she always saw his hard work.
She would not let him down, so she would try her best to reduce his stress.
So, Yingque, be strong. They are all fighting against life, and so are you!
The girl patted her cheeks, picked up her suitcase, and started to leave, only to bump into the maid again. This time, the maid had also changed into a black dress and was pulling a suitcase, much like the girl.
"Agent? Are you going out too?"
Yingque asked in confusion.
"Yes, I'll go with you."
These words surprised Ying Que.
……
"Ah...no need, I can handle it myself."
"No, things are chaotic in White Eagle. I must ensure your safety, and I believe there are some things you can't handle on your own..."
......
"Yeah......"
Could it be that he actually knew all along?
Yingque opened her mouth, but swallowed the words of refusal, and her hesitant expression was ultimately reduced to a smile.
"Then, let's go."
......
"Hmm? Are you going on a long trip?"
Chris, who had been lying at the bar early on, immediately noticed two black figures in the bar, not to mention that one of them was extremely important to her job!
“Yes, I need to be away for a while,” Yingque said, having adjusted her mindset and maintaining a smile. “The bar’s operations will be handed over to you from now on.”
Sure enough, this was the last thing Chris wanted to hear. How could she, a soldier, possibly manage all that alone...?
However... she had seen many similar expressions on the battlefield, so she could roughly guess what it was.
"Ah, okay, have a safe trip. If possible, bring us some local specialties from Donghuang."
She lowered her head in feigned disappointment. Despite having been on the battlefield, her voice remained clear and gentle, a stark contrast to her past experiences, yet it possessed the same strength.
"Of course, goodbye."
"Goodbye, take care on your journey... You're already gone..."
Thinking of the dreary bartender life that awaited her, Chris collapsed again, but unfortunately, she could no longer refuse as she had before.
The sound of high heels clicking behind her came from behind. Carmen, having changed into her uniform, handed her two prepared mojitos.
"Why are you looking so gloomy? Tell your sister what's wrong?"
"Miss Yingque has gone on a long trip, and I'll have to do a lot of work by myself..."
The next time she looked up, the remaining two members of the band, including Morse, were already sitting at the bar, but now, Chris was no longer intimidated by the sight.
They're all old friends, even though she's just a little kid compared to these monsters.
"Ugh......"
At least there's alcohol, which is a decent alternative to plain water in the morning.
"By the way, little panda," Camus teased, turning back as he tidied the liquor cabinet, "missing Rhea?"
"A little bit, and don't call me that, it sounds a bit mean."
I remember this name was given to me by Rhea's mother, and Carmen remembered it and has been calling me that ever since...
However, speaking of Rhea...
“She’s a strong child,” Nekitia nodded, her eyes unfocused, like an old woman. “I believe she can get through this on her own. After all, she’s a girl who has exceeded Gagsherav’s expectations.”
His eyes were still filled with blind darkness, but the girl's strong heartbeat still echoed in the conductor's ears.
"If the conductor believes it, then I believe it too!"
Se-na gave a very cute wink, and perhaps this time the smile was genuine.
We haven't known each other for very long, but without a doubt, she's a wonderful girl who deserves our blessings.
In peacetime, you would surely have a completely different ending from Rhea's, right?
Looking at the pocket watch in her hand and the old group photo, Chris couldn't help but smile to herself, remembering her friend who had passed away many years ago.
It seems I've infiltrated a family that's always up to no good...
......
After leaving the bar, their first thought was how to get to the airport. A taxi seemed a bit expensive, and there didn't appear to be any bus stops nearby...
Yingque is generally frugal and thrifty, so he is always careful with his money. His agent doesn't interfere and lets Yingque decide how to take the next step.
I glanced at my watch; there wasn't much time left before departure, so it seemed like I should call faster.
"Hey, get in, we'll take you there."
An SUV slowly drove up from the left, and when the window rolled down, Natiya, wearing sunglasses, came into view.
"Miss Natiya?"
Yingque was somewhat surprised. Her impression of these young girls who liked to wear androgynous clothing was still that they were friends of Dr. Gray and Secretary Morido. This chance encounter was indeed unexpected.
“We’re going to the airport too,” Natiya gestured with her chin toward the two of them and said with a smile, “Let’s go, we can go together.”
"Ah, thank you, thank you for your help."
Yingque quickly put away his luggage and got into the car, while the agent gave a wink to the dark eyes behind the sunglasses.
"Be careful not to give yourself away."
"More than enough."
All the martyrs were present, and they were driving with the agent and Yingque towards the airport.
However, everyone already knew where Yingque had gone. Dandelai provided a recording of the phone call, so the agent decided to take a team of martyrs to take care of Yingque's safety. Since the company didn't have any major plans recently, they decided to treat it as a holiday for the martyrs in the Eastern Empire.
The martyrs, who usually chatted and laughed in the car, were silent now; they knew that what the girl needed was quiet.
It was also a good opportunity to get to know the commander through her, since the person sitting in the back of the car was the true godfather's wife.
They already knew what kind of resourceful and shrewd person their commander was, as evidenced by the operation's history and the mountain of reports. But the girl didn't seem to possess such abilities; she was usually very optimistic and cheerful, a kind girl, but now she was as quiet as a flower draped in black veil...
P.S.: This update frequency might continue until the end of the college entrance exam. Sorry everyone, please be understanding.
As seen in this update, the focus for the foreseeable future may be more on character development.
574 Siffney
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