While waiting for others to arrive, Zhou Tianming contacted Zhou Junguo.
He and Zhou Hanxiang had been waiting for news from him, and they both breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Zhou Tianming safe and sound.
"Grandfather, help me find a team of lawyers—the best ones."
Zhou Junguo frowned. "Were you discovered by GARMR&D? Did you cover your tracks thoroughly?"
"Um..." Zhou Tianming's eyes shifted, unsure how to explain. "It should be pretty thorough."
As he spoke, he pulled up a panoramic view of the satellite's interior.
Zhou Junguo stared blankly at the scene of complete wreckage, utterly bewildered. "I did send people to 'acquire' the data, right...?"
"Tianming, are you okay? Are you hurt?" Zhou Hanxiang anxiously looked Zhou Tianming over.
"I'm fine." The camera pulled back as Zhou Tianming turned in place to show his body.
Only then did Zhou Hanxiang relax.
Beside her, Zhou Junguo pressed his forehead, looking pained. "What on earth happened? Did a war break out?"
"Heh..." Zhou Tianming's mouth twitched.
He recounted the events to both of them in detail and also expressed his desire to take over Mendel.
They were stunned by Zhou Tianming's ambitious appetite.
Zhou Junguo said, "What you did is a bit too flashy. Actually, just destroying the data would have been enough."
"No, I think Tianming's consideration is correct." Zhou Hanxiang was very supportive. "Many of those cutting-edge medical devices can't be obtained just with money. Besides, GARMR&D has developed for so many years and must have many new technologies. Since we have the chance to get them, we shouldn't let it go."
Zhou Junguo looked at the audacious mother and son, covering his face in agony. "You two..."
After a long pause, he sighed. "Tianming, roughly compile the evidence of GARMR&D's violations over the years and send it to me. I'll contact the lawyers." He glared at Zhou Tianming. "From now on, behave yourself! Don't get carried away!"
"Okay, okay."
Zhou Tianming nodded obediently, then turned to Zhou Hanxiang. "Mom, come as soon as possible. I have someone here who needs your help with a check-up."
"Huh?"
"It's Dr. Hibiki's legacy."
Hearing this, Zhou Hanxiang's expression turned serious, and she nodded. "Understood. I'll come as soon as possible."
Just then, a voice sounded from Zhou Tianming's side. "Tianming, a shuttle is approaching. The login ID shows it's from GARMR&D."
Zhou Junguo, hearing this, urgently spoke up. "Tianming, find an excuse to stall them. Don't go meet them yourself—the more you say, the more mistakes you might make. Buy me some time and let the professionals handle it."
"Understood." Zhou Tianming turned to the side and said, "Tell them not to approach. Send them a satellite radiation distribution map."
"Okay."
After ending the call, Zhou Junguo began contacting his legal team, while Zhou Hanxiang returned to her room to pack and book a shuttle ticket.
Near the Mendel Satellite, a GARMR&D Corporation shuttle was blocked outside.
Facing the typically reasonable East Asian authorities, they arrogantly insisted on barging in without listening.
Then, a nearly all-red terrain map was slapped in their faces. At a glance,
the satellite couldn't be described as merely having radiation—it was more accurate to say a satellite had been built inside radiation.
Without another word, the shuttle immediately turned around and fled.
A day later, a fleet of Junk Dealer spaceships loaded with radiation-neutralizing agents arrived.
Before officially starting, Zhou Tianming gathered everyone in the Black Tortoise's hangar for a major meeting.
Junk Dealers of all ages, genders, and personalities gazed at Zhou Tianming with awe.
He stood on the overlapping palms of the Gundam Frame, which were crossed in front of him: "Brothers, from this moment on, this Mendel belongs to us Junk Dealers. I'll handle any follow-up issues, so don't worry."
"I need your help to quickly clean up the internal radiation and debris. I only have two requirements."
Raising a finger, he said, "First, no one is allowed to view any documents found; hand them all over. Second, any medical equipment discovered cannot be traded externally—I'll purchase all of it."
His gaze swept across the room: "Who agrees? Who objects?"
The seasoned veterans rolled their eyes and stayed silent.
Some usually cheeky middle-aged folks with ulterior motives glanced at the Gundam Frame behind him, curled their lips, and lowered their heads.
The younger ones, however, sparkled with admiration and worship. Among them, Lowe paid no attention to Zhou Tianming, desperately trying to touch the Gundam Frame's massive metal foot, only to be frantically restrained by his panicked friend.
Zhou Tianming smiled and nodded. "It seems I still command some respect."
He felt a bit disappointed inwardly—why wasn't anyone stepping up to challenge him?
"Let's get to work. Starting today, this will be our very own Junk Dealer medical facility."
Hearing they were setting up a hospital, the Junk Dealers' eyes lit up.
The sense of security from having your own hospital—those who have it, know it.
They all cheerfully set off to work.
"Guild Master!!!"
As soon as Zhou Tianming climbed down from the Gundam Frame, a booming shout pierced his ears.
Lowe dragged his nearly clinging companions over: "Can I go up and take a look? Just for a bit! Let me touch it, even!" Zhou Tianming thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Go ahead. I'll have White Rabbit grant you access. But you can't look for free—still want to go?"
"Yes!" Lowe shouted excitedly. His friend hurriedly tried to cover his mouth but was too late: "I'll do anything if you let me go up!"
"Lowe!!"
Yamabuki Shuri, her hair flaring out like small horns on either side and her petite frame flushed red, punched Lowe in the head. "Don't just agree to anything so recklessly!"
She then bowed deeply to Zhou Tianming. "Sorry, Guild Master, Lowe speaks without thinking. Don't take him seriously."
Lowe rubbed his brown leek-like head. "I really—"
The next second, Liam Jaffield, with his straight blue long hair, tightly covered Lowe's mouth and nose.
Zhou Tianming laughed.
The side-story protagonists were indeed all interesting, unlike the main story's perpetually grim and burdened characters.
Seeing Lowe's face turn red as he waved his hands desperately for help, Zhou Tianming said, "Let him go, he's about to die."
Liam finally noticed something wrong and hastily released his grip. Lowe bent over, gasping for breath. "Almost died..."
"Lowe, I need you to create a simulated piloting program for me. The data, control feedback - make it as realistic as possible."
"No problem." Lowe patted his chest. "Leave it to me."
He then looked at Zhou Tianming with expectant eyes.
"White Rabbit, grant Lowe third-level access to the Gundam Frame. Permit data review but deny operational control."
"Understood."
The moment the words were spoken, Lowe rushed toward the elevator in delight.
Nearby, Liam and Yamabuki Shuri watched with curious and envious expressions.
"Go with them, but keep quiet."
"Thank you, Chairman!" Yamabuki Shuri bowed before hurrying after Lowe.
Liam scratched his head sheepishly. "Thank you, Chairman."
He then jogged to catch up with the other two.
Suddenly, Zhou Tianming felt something - Trust had been activated.
Indeed, those who know each other thoroughly find it easier to trust one another.
He wondered what kind of monster Lowe would become when fed with Gundam Frame data.
Returning to the Black Tortoise's bridge, he found Liu Qing gazing at the ruins on the main screen with a nostalgic expression.
"Such a familiar scene..."
Approaching her and hearing her murmur, Zhou Tianming's face twitched as he awkwardly turned away.
Liu Qing looked at him meaningfully. "Tianming, I've known since long ago that you have some unrealistic ideas about Junk Dealers, but this really isn't how it's done..."
"Heh, accident. It was really an accident." He forced a dry laugh.
Sighing, Liu Qing said, "Higher-ups asked me to check if you're still the same as before?"
"Of course. I can't handle such a large operation alone anyway."
She rolled her eyes. "If you know you can't handle it, then behave properly."
Zhou Tianming shrugged helplessly. "You must have read the report. This wasn't my fault - I was acting in self-defense!"
"Take care of yourself." Liu Qing turned and walked off the bridge. At the last moment before the door closed, she smiled. "King of Mendel!"
His heart clenched as he covered his chest. "Please no, which bastard started calling me that!"
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