"No need to thank me. From now on, we are family. I have something I need you to do."
Su Ming said straightforwardly to Onite.
"Sir, just say the word. If itās something I can do, Iāll get right on it."
Onite said eagerly.
"Do you see that Level 5 transport ship, the Fish Ocean?"
"I see it."
"Its rear thruster was hit and is severely damaged. But I need to hurry to the Abyss of Descent. Find a way to coordinate the fastest repair on the Fish Ocean. It doesnāt have to be completely fixed, but at least it needs to make the journey to the Abyss of Descent without failing halfway."
Su Ming instructed Onite.
"Thatās easy. You donāt need to worry about it, leave it to me! Give me five days, and I guarantee Iāll have it sorted for you."
Onite responded confidently.
"Good!"
Su Ming was very satisfied upon hearing Oniteās reply.
He hadnāt misjudged him; under normal circumstances, repairing the thruster of such a large transport ship would take at least half a month, maybe even a month.
This guy can actually get it done in five days. Just for that skill, getting him on board was worth all the effort.
"Sir, Iāll go coordinate now."
Onite quickly said.
"Go!"
Su Ming nodded in response.
Onite immediately rushed towards the distant lift platform, constantly raising his wristband to send messages to the maintenance and logistics staff.
...
Seeing his task arranged, Su Ming turned and returned to the ship.
...
The next day, Sunshineās residential area.
Su Ming changed into casual clothes and walked out of the room, heading towards the exit channel.
Unexpectedly, he ran into Rhein, who saw Su Ming in casual attire and asked curiously.
"Boss, where are you headed?"
"Well, since the Fish Ocean will take five days to repair and Iām not doing anything, I figure I might as well visit a friend while weāre here."
"Oh."
"Keep an eye on the ship, donāt let anything unexpected happen."
"Boss, donāt worry!"
"Mm!"
Su Ming nodded slightly, then left.
...
Soon after, at the entrance of the Cosmic Army Headquartersā Special Warfare Department.
Su Ming swiped his Xi Guang Laboratory card and walked in unobstructed.
He quickly reached the special warfare hangar, where numerous special warfare personnel were methodically conducting Biological Mecha training.
Su Ming turned his head to look around, searching for Lin Chuyu and An Ruoxue.
After searching for a long time without seeing them, and noting that their Biological Mechas were also not activated,
Su Ming suddenly spotted Tiger and walked over to call out.
"Tiger!"
Tiger glanced at Su Ming upon hearing him, then pretended not to recognize him and walked towards the corner of the hangar.
Seeing Tiger ignoring him, Su Mingās smile faded, replaced by a contemplative expression, and he followed him.
Soon, Su Ming caught up with Tiger in the corner.
"Tiger, how long has it been, and youāre already ignoring me?"
Su Ming teased with a smile.
Tiger, upon hearing Su Ming, looked around warily, tightly tense, and said in a low voice,
"You need to leave, donāt stay here, get out of here quickly."
Su Ming frowned slightly at Tigerās words and asked,
"Whatās going on? And why havenāt I seen Lin Chuyu and An Ruoxue?"
"Ah, forget it, Iāll tell you. An Ruoxue defected."
Tiger glanced around again, then whispered to Su Ming.
"What? She defected? What on earth happened?"
Su Ming was shocked to hear Tigerās words.
"Hereās what happened: the curvature interference device of the wormhole time-space defense line was sabotaged, right?"
"Yes, and then?"
"The Federation was naturally furious and, to root out the traitor, they activated a very clever operative within the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country. That operative sent back a list of infiltrated personnel, among whom was An Ruoxueās father. And he wasnāt just any ordinary JD; his identity is very special! An Ruoxue, realizing she couldnāt keep it secret, defected. Now the Night Owl Department is searching everywhere for her! Anyone with close ties to An Ruoxue is under suspicion. Lin Chuyu has already been taken away by the Night Owl Department! Youāre also close to An Ruoxue, so you should leave here quickly. If someone reports you to the Night Owl Department, theyāll round you up too."
Tiger whispered urgently to Su Ming.
"Iām not a JD, thereās nothing to be afraid of."
Su Mingās heart surged like a stormy sea upon hearing Tigerās words.
"No, how do you not get it? Youāre in a prime position now, with a bright future ahead. If you get involved with a JD now, youāll be finished."
Tiger said, exasperated.
"I donāt care about that. Do you know where the Night Owl Department is?"
"How would I know where the Night Owl Department is? Those guys are always so secretive, hiding and elusive! And didnāt I tell you to stay away from them? Why are you still thinking of diving headlong into trouble?"
"Got it, Iām leaving."
Su Ming replied calmly.
"Hurry up and go! Donāt linger at the Cosmic Army Headquarters. Night Owl people are everywhere here."
Tiger urged Su Ming to leave.
"Sigh!"
Su Ming sighed, turned, and left.
...
----------------------
Not long after.
Su Ming walked out alone from the Cosmic Army Headquarters, strolling the bustling streets.
Looking at the passersby walking together, laughing and talking, and the ceaseless flow of vehicles, he felt a bit emotional.
He hadnāt expected that in less than half a year since he left, everything here would have changed so much.