Chapter 104: Different Styles

He Kui, hearing this, wasted no time leaving the office.

Outside, two fresh-faced recruits, a young man and woman, stood in the office.

While they were young, He Kui himself was only a year older than them, and Coordinators aged less noticeably, so everyone looked harmonious together.

Seeing He Kui, they tightened their lips and gave him a crisp salute.

Their eyes held admiration, anxiety, and mostly excitement.

Excitement about working under a ZAFT hero.

This group was currently the hottest department in the Hailan Design Bureau.

Rumor had it they were developing cutting-edge weaponry.

The prospects, financial gains, and connections were enough to get anyone excited.

"Work hard then; I've said what I needed to at the recruitment fair."

"We won't let you down, Director He!"

Seeing two less combat enthusiasts in his group made He Kui quite content.

Just as things settled, Lacus contacted him.

Back in November City, but this time not just at the port—He Kui found himself at a private asteroid mining company within the city.

"This company..."

"Guess~?"

Before He Kui could finish his question, Lacus cut him off with a playful smile.

Faced with Lacus' knowing expression, He Kui shrugged and let it go.

They soon reached the site where dozens of small MS units, developed without cockpit glass, were cutting away.

"We've started trial production. The results are promising, but it'll take some time to distribute."

"And to quickly distribute, our profits are low—only about fifty thousand per unit net."

Costing one million per unit, with additional expenses for sales, operations, marketing, after-sales, and taxes, the average was about 1.2 million per unit.

A net profit of only 5% was indeed low, especially for a high-tech industry.

The Clyne faction was losing money, investing in raw materials for small MS production. If the machines didn't sell, they'd incur storage costs.

Thus, they needed widespread distribution in PLANT.

Currently, beam mining lasers could only be used by fully PLANT-owned companies and were tightly regulated.

Selling these had challenges for both parties.

For He Kui, each unit sold meant a gain of fifteen thousand. If sales picked up, it could be quite lucrative.

"Is there any advertising?"

He asked, thinking Lacus as the face of the campaign would guarantee sales.

As long as distribution went smoothly, everything else would fall into place.

"There is, but we can't get involved~"

One was a director at Hailan Design Bureau, unlikely to appear in ads; the other was an ambitious Clyne faction singer, unwilling to risk public perception for such small profits.

Regular celebrities wouldn't suffice.

Corporate acquisitions weren't personal purchases.

Who would notice you from a business standpoint?

"Although our purchase cost is high, a cost-benefit analysis shows long-term ownership costs of the new product are lower than power suits. We could offer small MS rentals to enhance user experience, addressing the mining laser's approval challenges and opening a new market."

He Kui continued, sharing his accumulated ideas from the past few days.

"If necessary, we could coax one or two power suit manufacturers into upgrading to MS production lines, having them host power suit vs. small MS competitions."

Lacus listened to He Kui's ideas with a hint of surprise in her clear eyes.

"Director He, you're wasted not being a businessman."

**[Lacus Clyne Favorability: 9]**

**[Experience Bonus: 0]**

**[MS Operating Skill B-Level: (1867/10000)]**

"...I'm still far from that."

Bemused by the sudden increase in favorability, He Kui realized something.

To please Lacus, he needed to demonstrate exceptional abilities?

But he'd shown many skills before without effect.

Thinking it over, he realized what was different.

What he previously demonstrated didn't directly benefit Lacus.

His research was for the Defense Committee, his military achievements for the Zala faction.

Only this small MS was a joint project between them.

"I'll discuss this with the PR department."

Lacus' eyes sparkled with laughter.

"Alright."

Not being his company, He Kui stopped there.

"Care for a meal, Director He?"

"Sure."

Agreeing, they didn't head out publicly but instead secured a private room in the company cafeteria.

"What's wrong?"

Seated across a round table, Lacus asked, amused by He Kui's surprise.

"I didn't expect Miss Lacus to eat synthetic meat."

"There aren't any delicacies here; it's the same at your Hailan Design Bureau."

"But I've heard directors have special meals."

"Yes."

Feigning ignorance to Lacus' probing, He Kui lowered his head, hiding his unease while eating the tasteless synthetic meat resembling steak.

Though he guessed it, doing things beneficial for Lacus increased favorability.

But if he outright offered the light shield system to her, she'd probably suspect a trap or think he'd gone mad.

Even to boost favorability, he didn't want to join the Clyne faction.

He had his own plans.

Collaborating with Lacus in mutually beneficial ways was enough.

He could profit, and it'd be a win-win.

"Do you want to become a director, Director He?"

Seeing He Kui unfazed, Lacus continued casually.

"Doesn't everyone?"

"Answering a question with a question isn't a good habit, Director He."

"But if the light shield system succeeds, you'd be one step closer to that position."

"I heard they're preparing to modify Boaz, adding many backup power supplies."

Lacus cut her meat elegantly, as if it were a gourmet steak.

He Kui's expression turned serious at her words.

Adding power supplies suggested plans for a new Artemis' Umbrella.

He hadn't heard this before.

At this rate, he might soon oversee installations at Boaz.

His timeline tightened.

Installation wasn't trivial, and Suli's system needed completion. He also had to prepare his survival strategies.

"Do you know when the power modifications will be done, Miss Lacus?"

"I'm not sure, but definitely within a month. During this ceasefire, many soldiers are focused on construction, so efficiency is higher."

"Thank you."

"No problem~ Consider it a return for your earlier advice."

Lacus winked at He Kui.

Finishing, she elegantly placed the carefully cut meat into her mouth.

Her chewing was almost silent, gentle and rhythmic, with an inexplicable sense of delight on her face.

It seemed they weren't eating the same thing.

Watching Lacus seemingly enjoy herself, He Kui smirked slightly.

He wondered how Lacus managed to make synthetic meat seem like a gourmet meal.

Their dining styles were worlds apart—one like a princess, the other like a refugee.

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