Chapter 102: An Unexpected Visitor to Dongyun City
"Commander..."
The delicate voice of the silver-haired girl in front of Lin Lan was soft enough to melt the heart of any man.
Tears welled up in her rainbow-colored eyes as she gazed at Lin Lan, her voice almost pleading.
"Please, punish Elbe for being a bad girl... Please..."
Seeing Elbe like this, Lin Lan knew it was time to stop teasing her.
He couldn't push her any further. It was time to fulfill the wish of this cute girl with a special affection for punishment.
The small office was already filled with the aromatic scent of coffee.
The warm afternoon sunlight slanted through the window, spilling onto the desk, while the steam from the two cups of coffee rose and danced in the golden light.
There was no large, soft bed in the office, only a leather sofa next to the wall.
But somehow, the scene was just as breathtaking, with a warmth and tranquility that could make one feel as if they were floating on air.
…
Afterward, Lin Lan sat back in his chair, wiping the sweat from his brow.
He glanced at the girl lying on the sofa, sound asleep. He couldn't help but smile at how satisfying it was to make this mischievous girl reflect on her mistakes.
He then noticed the coffee on the desk, now cooled. It seemed wasteful to leave it, so he decided to finish it off.
Still feeling refreshed from earlier, Lin Lan absentmindedly picked up the closest cup of coffee and downed it in one gulp.
The next moment, a fiery, spicy sensation surged through his mouth, causing his entire body to shudder.
"Nima, why is this coffee spicy?!"
"Elbe!!"
His mournful shout echoed through the room, while the silver-haired girl lying on the sofa smiled faintly in her sleep, as if she were still lost in the sweet memories from before.
…
After washing the cups in the pantry, Lin Lan stepped outside into the small courtyard. The late autumn sun bathed him in a comfortable warmth, without the oppressive heat of summer.
The gentle sound of waves crashing on the nearby beach added to the peaceful atmosphere.
Lin Lan stretched his arms, intending to take a stroll around the port. Just then, a familiar figure entered through the gate.
She had long, silver curls, cold red eyes, and a weary expression.
Her signature black stockings and white coat made it clear—Count Zeppelin had arrived, carrying a report book in her hand.
"Oh, what a coincidence. Good afternoon, Zeppelin," Lin Lan said cheerfully, waving.
"Good afternoon. I'm surprised to see you're not asleep," she replied with her usual cool tone.
Lin Lan was momentarily taken aback. "What? Since when am I known for being a sleepyhead?"
"I don't know," she said coldly, "but you've slept for days on end before."
Oof.
Her words struck a chord, and Lin Lan's smile froze. He couldn't really argue with her.
"Well, let's see your report then," he said with a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his head. It was a good moment to change the subject.
…
"Rubbish! Absolute rubbish! What use are those task forces of yours?!"
At the same time, in the tallest building in the center of Shinonome City, a man's furious voice echoed through a luxurious office.
Zhu Mobo, the general agent for Battleaxe Military Industries in Dongyun City, stood rigidly before the phone on his desk, his head bowed in silence.
"They lost two entire mech task forces! And my elite special operations team, who I've spent years training, wiped out in some insignificant place like Lihu County?!" the voice on the phone thundered.
"They were supposed to win easily! Do you even have the right to be in this position?"
The scolding from the man on the phone, known only as "Boss Ye," pierced Zhu Mobo's composure. Sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Boss Ye, you know that place is cursed," Zhu Mobo finally spoke in his defense.
"Zhang Wei, the previous agent for Tianou, was already ruthless, but this new commander at the naval port is even more formidable. He overthrew Zhang Wei, so he's clearly not someone to be trifled with."
His explanation brought silence on the other end of the line.
Zhu Mobo hoped this would calm Boss Ye's rage. He wiped his brow, relieved—until the voice on the phone returned, low and menacing.
"So you're saying it's my fault? Do you want to end up like Sun Dewang, exiled to Lihu County?"
Zhu Mobo's hand trembled, and he dropped the handkerchief he was holding.
"No, no! Boss Ye, please forgive me!" he stammered.
Sun Dewang had always been a thorn in the side of Battleaxe Military Industries, mostly due to his connections with the Admiralty.
Now that he had been exiled, Zhu Mobo feared he might suffer the same fate.
"If it weren't for your work at the Mecha Research Institute, you'd be packing your bags right now," Boss Ye said coldly.
"Forget about Lihu County for the time being. It's too small to pose a real threat."
Finally, Zhu Mobo could breathe a sigh of relief. The Mecha Research Institute had saved him once again.
"Take a lesson from the agent in Yalang City. Learn how to handle things properly," Boss Ye continued.
"But don't think you can rely on the research institute forever."
With that, the call ended.
Zhu Mobo slumped into his plush chair, exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to avoid facing the unpredictable Boss Ye ever again.
Just then, a sharp knock came from his office door.
"Didn't I just say, no interruptions unless it's urgent?! Get lost!" he shouted, still rattled from the call.
The response was a loud crash as the door was kicked open.
Zhu Mobo stared in disbelief as a slender young woman with long white hair in a ponytail and golden eyes walked in.
She wore a white office dress and had a serene smile on her face.
Despite her beauty, there was a menacing aura about her that made Zhu Mobo's blood run cold.
"Hello," the golden-eyed girl said, her voice sweet yet chilling as she perched on his desk.
"I'm here to discuss some business with you," she said, her smile widening. "Though I'm afraid you don't have the option to refuse."
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