Elder Huang said a few brief pleasantries, and then the meal began.
One thing worth noting was this—
Leona sat together with Lin Fei, and Qiangwei was seated right beside Lin Fei as well.
Strictly speaking, Qiangwei's status didn't really qualify her to be dining here.
But earlier, during the broadcast, Lin Fei had greeted Qiangwei, so this time Elder Huang brought her along too.
Before long, the meal was nearly finished.
Elder Huang looked toward Leona.
"Little Leona, when exactly will the alien invasion arrive?"
"That way, we can make fuller and more comprehensive preparations."
Hearing this, the other Huaxia higher-ups realized the discussion had turned serious, and all of them focused their attention.
The atmosphere immediately grew quiet.
"Aliens? You mean the Taotie from the Underworld River," Leona said after thinking for a moment.
"To be honest… it's hard to say for sure."
"It could be a year from now, it could be a month, or it might even be today."
"What?!"
The moment she said that, Elder Huang and the others all stiffened.
Seeing their reaction, Leona laughed awkwardly.
"Ahaha, I'm just speaking generally. Don't be too nervous."
"Based on monitoring data, the Taotie warships are crossing the Milky Way's wormhole bridge. Calculating the time it'll take them to enter the Solar System and approach Blue Star, it should be roughly one year."
"But that still isn't 100% certain."
As she said this, Leona spread her hands.
"After all, we don't know the Taotie's exact plans."
Elder Huang nodded.
"What you say makes sense."
"Still, now that we've confirmed a rough timeframe, the Black Armor Unit's plans need to be launched immediately."
"We'll also have to trouble you and young friend Lin Fei quite a bit in the future."
"No problem."
"Then we'll be heading off first," Leona said, standing up.
She could hardly wait to go shopping—to buy all those beautiful clothes.
Truthfully, she didn't have much of a sense of belonging toward Blue Star.
At least for now.
The people here, the things here—she didn't feel particularly attached.
The reasons she'd come to help were simple:
First, it gave her an excuse to leave the dull and rigid Blazing Sun palace.
Second—and most importantly—she wanted to finally buy all the pretty dresses and outfits she'd been obsessing over ever since leaving Blue Star last time.
Of course, since she was already here, she would definitely help train the super soldiers and assist in repelling the Taotie invasion later.
"Leona, you don't have Blue Star currency, do you?" Lin Fei asked.
"Oh—right."
Only then did Leona realize it.
Elder Huang chuckled.
"That's easy to handle."
"Qiangwei, young people have more to talk about. You can spend more time exchanging ideas."
"Little Leona came a long way to help us. Although our funds are limited at the moment, today you should take her around and let her experience our country's cities and culture."
"All of Leona's expenses today—you can submit them for reimbursement later."
"Yes."
"Alright then, Elder Huang, no need to see us off. I'll just take Lin Fei's Illusion-Scale Flash Shuttle."
"Hehe, very well."
As they watched the group leave, Elder Huang's expression turned serious again.
"Old Du."
"Regarding the Black Armor Unit, I'll handle the approval process. As for execution, I'm afraid I'll have to leave it to you."
"You've been involved with this plan for many years."
Dukao saluted.
"Please rest assured, Chief. I'll have A-Jie begin assembling the super soldiers immediately."
"As for Black Armor training afterward, I'll coordinate with Leona."
On the deck of the Giant Gorge.
"Illusion-Scale Flash Shuttle!"
Lin Fei summoned the vehicle in front of them.
He glanced at Leona, then at Qiangwei, who was standing with her arms crossed.
"…Uh…"
"It seems the seating capacity might be a bit tight."
Leona looked and realized it was true.
After all, it was essentially a motorcycle—normally built for two people.
But now there were three.
For a moment, even Leona was stumped.
"What do we do?"
"Hm? Lin Fei, why are you looking at me like that?" Qiangwei noticed his gaze and raised an eyebrow.
She had a bad feeling.
"Wait… you're not thinking of making me go separately, are you?"
Realization struck her, and her eyes widened as she stared at Lin Fei.
"How could I be that rude?" Lin Fei said innocently. "You think too little of me."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
Qiangwei's gaze turned dangerous.
This guy eats her food, uses her stuff, stays in her place—and during the meal just now, he even picked dishes for Leona but didn't pick any for her.
If he dared to take Leona with him now and leave her behind—
Then… there really wouldn't be anything she could do.
And she'd be furious.
"Well," Lin Fei said with a grin, "Leona is a guest after all. She should get the better seat."
"I'll be driving. Leona can sit behind me."
"That leaves only the spot in front of me."
He chuckled slyly.
"Qiangwei, with your figure, sitting there won't be too crowded, so…"
Oh. So that's how it was.
Qiangwei suddenly felt much better.
Otherwise, she'd really have been so angry she couldn't sleep tonight.
Still, only a little better.
Even though she knew Leona was a guest and had come to help Blue Star survive an alien invasion, she couldn't help feeling slightly unbalanced.
After all—
Leona had only met Lin Fei a few hours ago.
And she'd known Lin Fei for… well, two days?
In any case, longer than Leona!
How could someone he'd just met end up closer to him than her?!
"Why don't I sit in front, and let Qiangwei sit behind?" Leona suggested.
"This goddess has a great figure too. Sitting there would be fine."
She put one hand on her hip, her tall, well-proportioned figure on full display.
Slim where she should be, curvy where she should be.
"That works too…"
"No need," Qiangwei said before Lin Fei could finish.
"I'll sit in front of Lin Fei."
"Hm?"
"Lin Fei already carried me once before. This time, I want to see what the view up front looks like."
She spoke calmly, arms crossed.
But in reality, she'd just realized—
If Leona sat in front, then while Lin Fei was driving, wouldn't it basically mean he'd be holding Leona the whole time?
That was absolutely unacceptable.
Leona looked at Qiangwei in mild surprise.
Then, as if she'd figured something out, she let out a teasing laugh.
"Qiangwei, don't tell me you want Lin Fei to hold you instead?"
"W-what—!"
Qiangwei froze mid-step.
"What nonsense are you talking about?! I—I didn't—"
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry. I was just joking."
Leona laughed loudly, clearly enjoying herself.
And so—
The three of them prepared to set off together.
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