"Come on, ahhh~"
"Please, sis, don’t do this."
"Don’t worry~ Injured little Fanfan’s hungry. As a friend of many years, of course I’d give you the most caring attention~ Don’t be shy, open up~"
"...”
The pure-hearted virgin blushed slightly and opened his mouth, swallowing the spoonful of rice held to his lips.
"Pffft—HAHAHAHA!"
Lixin doubled over laughing, slapping her stomach.
"You actually blushed?! Are you serious? HAHAHA!"
"Before you said that—"
Qin Fan pointed at her. "Get off me first. This… looks really suspicious."
"Huh?"
Turns out Lixin was straddling Qin Fan’s lap while feeding him—playful on the surface, but unintentionally serving up major fanservice.
"And you’re crushing my stomach. If I puke on your face later, don’t blame me."
"..."
Lixin sighed, ready to get up—but before she moved, the door swung open.
"..."
"..."
They locked eyes for a long moment… then shared a knowing smile.
"Heh. You two continue. My apologies for the interruption…"
"Hey! Cleyna, come back! It’s not what you think!"
...
"I seriously can’t with you two. It’s just feeding someone—did it have to get this awkward?" Cleyna’s arms were bandaged, so Lixin had no choice but to keep feeding Qin Fan. This time, though, she dropped the "bold" act. Back to her signature deadpan expression, she continued—methods slightly rougher than before.
"Last spoon! Gobble it all in one go!"
She shoved the heaping spoonful into Qin Fan’s mouth, ignored his pained grimace, tossed the lunchbox aside, and walked off. "Someone’s waiting for me. Later."
Stepping into the hall, Lixin headed downstairs to find that commander. Wait—where was he again?
Forgot.
Whatever. She’d ask if needed. No shame.
The base looked clean and elegant at first glance. Deceptively so. The main hall below was simple—open space, a few partitions—but the upper levels? Circular staircases tangled with rows of tiny doors, elevator shafts popping up randomly. A dizzying maze. Non-staff would get lost instantly. Smart security.
Lixin headed back to where she’d first spotted the old man.
"Let’s see… here?"
Crowded as ever. Frontline hustle. Rest only came when the fighting stopped.
"Ooh, found him."
Sweating from squeezing through, she tapped his shoulder anxiously.
"Hm?"
He turned—same deadpan glare. For a second, Lixin felt she owed him money. *Yep. That "you-owe-me-millions" aura.*
…Though her own deadpan face wasn’t much better.
"Is this how you address a superior officer?"
Ugh. So nitpicky. Can’t just state the business? Rank = attitude? Please. The World Government couldn’t handle her—she’d fear *this* guy?
"Haha, sorry, sir! My bad. Won’t happen again."
*Sigh.* Not backing down—just survival. Crash here too loud? Bye-bye room. Bye-bye free meals.
"Hmph."
He turned away.
…Wait. Was he done? Called her out just to stall? Messing with her?
"You’re Lixin, correct?"
"Yes." *Phew.* Almost zoned out.
"I’ve contacted your academy. But with constant clashes here and Preyas’s jamming devices disrupting radar…"
*No wonder the pilot dropped us here.*
"…they can’t send a transport immediately. Per the Principal’s orders: Western Siberia’s front is calmer. You may stay until extraction is arranged."
"Really? Awesome!"
Lixin’s heart leaped. Free room and board? *Yes please.*
"Don’t celebrate yet."
Unmoved, he almost smirked.
"You think… our frontline command center is a hotel?"
His eyes sharpened.
"And your status as a battlefield intern from *Capability Combat Academy*… freeloaders aren’t welcome."
Ugh! So close to joy! This guy’s insufferable!
"So what do you want?"
Lixin went all-in. She knew the drill.
"Not bad. Spirit."
Rare praise.
"Your teammates aren’t fit for duty. Only you can fight."
He studied her. "Your file: C-grade ability, *Void Essence*. Powerful—but unstable. High risk of friendly fire."
*Void Essence?* Fitting. But C-grade? Seriously?
"Yet… your trio—two support-types—took down Lapthesis’s underwater base."
*Wait. The Principal submitted THAT record?!*
"So I consulted your Principal. He believes you can handle this mission."
"What mission?"
"A rescue mission."
