Throughout the rest of the day, Yu Lian discussed various detailed combat plans and specifics with everyone, confirming them multiple times. Only after gaining everyone's approval did he finally feel at ease. He forced himself to sleep for a few hours, and when he woke up, Fredrica Wirbert and Penny brought him sandwiches and coffee.
Uh, although it must be admitted that the two young ladies' sandwich-making skills had greatly improved, at least the fillings had changed from canned goods to their own fried eggs and bacon slices, Yu Lian was sick of eating this stuff these Past few days. Fortunately, besides these, the young girls also brought a plate of roasted meat. Although it was made in the vehicle's oven, it was better than nothing.
…Hmm, it felt a bit like a suicide squad getting a last meal before going out to clear landmines.
Yu Lian gratefully accepted the roasted meat, slicing it as he spoke, “I'll have Sergeant Youyou lead a squad to guard the valley entrance. Additionally, Old Man Wang and Mr. Kelvin's men will stay behind. For defense alone, there shouldn't be much of a problem.”
Fredrica Wirbert nodded. She watched Yu Lian devour the roasted meat, her pair of purple eyes narrowing into a smile. “Is it good?”
“Too much seasoning, the meat quality isn't great and it's too greasy, the oven temperature wasn't adjusted correctly, and the timing was off. Some parts are overcooked, some are still a bit raw. In short, it's like a 30-yuan per person roadside barbecue buffet; there's really no sense of sophistication,” Yu Lian said matter-of-factly.
“Oh, really?” Fredrica Wirbert's eyes had already curved into crescent moons from smiling, a very healing smile that made Penny beside her shiver, her smile stiff, her gaze at Yu Lian almost like hospice care.
“Big brother, your popularity at school must not have been very good, right? Especially with the girls.”
“No, quite the opposite. There weren't many girls in our school, but my relationship with them was quite good; it was the boys who didn't have a good opinion of me.”
Penny's gaze was now filled with obvious sympathy, as if she was looking at those incels who couldn't find girlfriends and could only call anime characters their wives. Of course, she was truly a good girl, so she wouldn't show any disgust, at least not outwardly.
To be comforted by such a young girl, who looked like she had just entered middle school, with a gaze full of maternal and tolerant sympathy, even Yu Lian, with his thick skin, felt the pressure and changed the subject: “I trust you two to handle things, but you still need to be careful, especially to watch the children, especially…”
“Hmm, why? Are you talking about George? He's a good boy,” Penny said, frowning with dissatisfaction.
If you knew he always said behind your back that you'd definitely be an old maid who couldn't get married, you wouldn't say that.
“Mr. Yu Lian, you wouldn't think that because the child is a military enthusiast, he admires you, and gets even more excited seeing Captain Winter and them, he'll secretly follow you to the battlefield and mess things up, ultimately causing you heavy casualties and danger while trying to save him. Then, with your last breath, you finally save his life, and he truly understands the reality of war, thus inheriting your legacy and embarking on the path of a hero. You wouldn't think such a plot would happen, would you?” Fredrica Wirbert squinted, her lips curled up, the sarcasm in her words almost solidifying into a slap on Yu Lian's face.
Of course, if an adult spoke like that, it would only seem sharp-tongued and mean, but when she spoke like that, others only felt, “What a perfectly venomous, cute loli!”
“Big brother, I think children over five should have basic common sense, and George is already seven. As a soldier of the Commonwealth, you should have your own taste; you should watch fewer brain-dead domestic dramas. I think the dramas from the Alliance are much better, both in production and script, and at least they don't have brain-dead plots. I recommend you watch 'Pirate King Planck's Family,' 'The Blue House,' and 'Snake Blood'…”
Why am I being recommended dramas by a loli? Also, why would a loli recommend those dark, profound, and twisted gang-warfare and political intrigue films, plus various bizarre, despair-inducing horror films drenched in ketchup? Compared to that, Ina, who always gushes over that tomb-robbing uncle in 'Treasure Raiders Alliance,' is much healthier than you!
Yu Lian's smile was stiff, feeling he couldn't show weakness in front of the young girls, so he said seriously, “No, George and his little friends are naturally sensible and well-behaved children, but what I'm actually talking about are Councilor Jiang and his constituents. Adults don't necessarily reason better than children, and they are more prone to agitation when gathered together. If someone then speaks for them, the destructive power is far greater than that of the illogical bratty children in brain-dead dramas.”
The two young girls exchanged glances and simultaneously let out a soft giggle, a very cute and warm laugh, which was more in line with their true age at that moment.
“Don't worry, Mr. Yu Lian, if I can control Councilor Jiang once, I can certainly control him a second time. Also, while I think what you said makes sense, it somehow feels a bit like sophistry here.”
“Big brother, when a lady speaks, you should learn to listen and praise. Even if you have different opinions, you should try to guide, and never argue. Not only will it not solve the problem, but it will also make girls dislike you. This is a big taboo, please pay close attention… Ugh, big brother, if you keep being like this, you won't find a girlfriend even in ten years.”
No, what I want to say is…
“Of course, no matter what, a promising young officer willing to talk to us two young ladies is already something most dull men can't do. This is a good start. Keep up the good work, Warrant Officer. As a friend, since you're going off to battle, please accept this.” Fredrica Wirbert said, while pulling out a pendant with a citrine crystal attached to a metal chain from her sleeve.
Seeing Yu Lian still looking bewildered, she sighed, disappointed, stood up, and tied the pendant around Yu Lian's neck.
“This is an amulet I got from a master in the Grand Cathedral. It's said to bring good luck. Take it, consider it a blessing from a friend.”
The citrine pendant wasn't anything too expensive, but it sounded auspicious, and it would look even better with black accessories. Yu Lian readily allowed the young girl to tie it on him.
Of course, what he didn't know was that not far away, Miss Belinda, with her plain looks and average figure, was hiding in a corner, witnessing the entire scene. She knew that the purple-haired young girl, though nearly ten years younger than herself, still outshone her in charm by a long shot. She could only silently bite her handkerchief and stuff the stone amulet she had just personally made back into her bag.
The nurse lady sadly wanted to leave, but then saw Ina Hilika already walking over. This military chief lady, who was known as the “Flower of the New Yumen Garrison” before Officer Bonaparte took office, stood before Yu Lian and the two young girls: “Sorry to interrupt, but Captain, we are about to depart.”
Yu Lian nodded, bade farewell to the young ladies, and walked with Ina towards the assembling troops.
Above them was the night sky, beneath their feet the earth, and around them, dim lights. They walked side by side, as if they were shouldering the entire sky together.
The nurse lady almost burst into tears, barely managing to hold back her urge to find a place to mourn her shattered heart, when she was suddenly grabbed by Doctor Banks, who appeared out of nowhere.
“What are you slacking off for, hiding here? Come with me to move medical supplies!”
By the time Yu Lian put on his new mech suit, all the soldiers of the 101st Company and the New Yumen Garrison had also assembled.
Yu Lian familiarized himself with the performance of the AS56 model, initially estimating that it could allow the pilot to exert about five times their physical capabilities, and was quite satisfied. He felt that he had finally gotten to pilot a Captain's mech, and could at least be considered to have evolved from a white-named grunt to a blue-named grunt squad leader. He was currently just a one-ring psionic novice, and these powerful pieces of equipment developed for “ordinary people” could still greatly enhance his combat power.
He then looked at Ina, who was already wearing a set of gray-white Lynx special skeleton armor. She was fiddling with a thick, long anti-material sniper rifle… This thing's caliber was actually 20mm, so it should be called a cannon.
“You've changed to new armor and a new gun again. Is that okay?” Yu Lian asked. It should be known that every excellent and mature sniper has their most familiar firearm. Only by knowing the trajectory, field of fire, range, power, and even any subtle mechanical structure of their partner in hand can they become the grim reaper, appearing and disappearing on the battlefield, killing with one shot. However, Ina initially used the ordinary C10, then later used the C14 individual rifle that was gathering dust in the quartermaster's warehouse, and now she was operating a single-person railgun. Changing three types of firearms in one day would definitely affect her feel and marksmanship.
“It's fine. If it were the old me, I would need some time to get used to it. However, my intuition tells me I can control its trajectory, so it shouldn't be a problem.” Ina, on the other hand, seemed full of confidence.
Well, this was the “Sentinels’” professional domain. It would be strange if the dignified “Scorching Eyed Witch” didn't have this much confidence and spirit.
On the other side, Councilor Jiang was still holding onto Captain Winter, tears streaming down his face: “Captain, the future of New Yumen, the safety of Tulon, and the fate of us all, are entrusted to you.”
Captain Winter must have been very embarrassed, but he still managed to force a smile, holding it until the photographer found the best angle and took the picture.
This photographer, of course, took a good picture. It perfectly captured the Captain's courage (this was secondary), and Councilor Jiang's stoic determination while suppressing his sorrow and reluctance (this was primary). It was truly unknown where such a talent was found.
Having finished with the Captain, Councilor Jiang then leaped in front of Yu Lian like a long-armed gibbon that had eaten its fill of bananas, grabbing his hand and shaking it repeatedly, his face filled with reluctance, sorrow, and encouragement. It was as if the minor unpleasantries that had occurred before had never happened.
“Warrant Officer, alas, a child like you should not be on such a brutal battlefield. However, seeing you, I see the courage and responsibility of our Commonwealth's young people, and the bright future of our nation! I will pray to the universe spirit, please be sure to return safely!”
The photographer also scurried over, snapping away with his camera.
It must be admitted that Councilor Jiang's professional quality and dedication, at least in his main job, the very promising profession of a politician, were truly beyond Yu Lian's reach.
This is the fourth update for today. I will definitely have a stomachache tomorrow, so no updates. As a small, struggling author, I originally just hoped to use this book to supplement my family's income and save up for my son's kindergarten tuition; this is the only thing I can do.
Thank you everyone! Also, I guess I should leave my last words, hoho~~~~