It had been many years since Duofeng personally went out to attend a meeting. Usually, he would just open a prayer meeting, smoking a Snow Cake while speaking with a kiss—truly at ease.
But today, he had become one of those who had to show up in person, listening to others speak via video.
That official from Yuanzhou, Lord Qin, presided over the meeting and conveyed the higher-ups’ intentions.
For now, there was no major policy notice, only that the Equator Defense Line in southern Indonesia had been confirmed lost, and it was still unknown what had come through.
So, going forward, there were two actions: first, to rebuild the defense line as quickly as possible, sending interference and isolation equipment over and assembling them.
Sumatra, in southern Indonesia, had considerable depth; even if the frontmost island was gone, the Floating Forts behind it could serve as secondary defense lines. So, reconstruction wouldn’t be too difficult.
The main issue was the second matter. No one knew what had come in from there, or if they would reach the county. If they came by land, that would be easier to handle. But if they landed by sea, who knew where they would show up?
Thus, the meeting focused on assigning the Police Theatre and Maidu to guard the coastal defense line.
After the meeting ended, Long Dai and the others went outside the conference hall, lighting up cigarettes and chatting under the sky.
Among those present in person today, his status was one of the highest, and as soon as he stepped outside, a few people gathered around him.
“Minister Jian, I heard this time it’s an internal issue with the Conquest Department. Someone leaked information, which caused such a severe impact.”
“I heard something too, is that true?”
“Tsk, this Supreme Society organization is really too much. They have people everywhere these days.”
Long Dai neither confirmed nor denied these questions, just letting silence be his professional response.
At this moment, someone beside him said worriedly, “If this is really the work of an Internal Traitor, and they haven’t caught all the traitors yet, aren’t all our efforts just a waste?”
“Exactly, they know our arrangements. They could sabotage a ship halfway, and the equipment wouldn’t get through.”
“Why not let Yuanzhou focus on rooting out the Internal Traitor first, or arrange the reconstruction in secret?”
While everyone was still puzzled, another person spoke up, voice low and heavy, “Did you all notice? Not everyone came today as expected.”
At that, Long Dai was stunned for a moment. Thinking carefully, it was true—some people held positions that should have absolutely required their presence at a meeting like this, but they simply hadn’t been notified.
But the list of required attendees had been fixed by those above…
“Alright, stop speculating. There’s no need for you to worry about these things.” He immediately snuffed out his cigarette, “Follow instructions and wait for arrangements. Don’t say anything you shouldn’t.”
With that, he blended into the crowd and left.
Xu Chuyao wore a Bluetooth headset, keeping a voice call active while idly pulling off her White Silk Long Socks.
“Hmph, Shen Ning, you say we haven’t had a date for so long, but haven’t we been together outside these past few days? Even Xiao thought we went on a trip.”
What a great scent—jasmine, probably from the Blue Quality Stockings she snagged from the system’s prize pool, hailed as the arch-nemesis of fungi, the Spring School Fashion Item.
One level higher, and she could get the rare gold-threaded stockings with skill bonuses—imagine the value!
“We’re on official business in Pilos City. How can that count as a date?” On the other end, her girlfriend’s cool voice came through. “Besides, we’ve been staying at other people’s houses these past few days, and… there were other women around. How is that a date?”
Xu Chuyao nearly burst out laughing. “Even Bei Lian barely spoke two words to me those days.”
If she said it was because she racked up a few hundred Counter Villain Value in legal acts, maybe Li Yao would believe it, but she’d only given a bit over a hundred—how could that be a reason for Bei Lian to eat vinegar?
Might as well transform into a Magic Girl for once.
There was a pause on the other end, then Shen Ning’s tone shifted slightly: “Either way, it doesn’t count as a date. So, it’s been at least 20 days, 17 hours, and 43 minutes since our last date.”
“You’re just making numbers up, aren’t you?”
“No! I’m being precise.” That usually uncertain voice suddenly turned firm, “It really is that long. And now, it’s been 44 minutes!”
Xu Chuyao was so exasperated she could barely close her mouth, thinking: Do you really keep a little notebook to count the time?
“If you don’t believe me, next time you can keep track yourself. I won’t ever get it wrong!”
“Alright, alright, I believe you! I’m not doubting you, I get it. You’ve talked this long just to coax me out to play, haven’t you?”
“I didn’t say that,” her girlfriend replied with a trace of pride in her cool tone, “But I’m glad you’re so aware.”
Xu Chuyao twitched her mouth. “Don’t be too pleased yet. I understand your feelings and agree with you, but do you know what time it is?”
“It’s eleven fifteen. Why?”
“Nothing… except it’s night, not noon. Do you think we’re going out to play, then just have lunch together afterward?”
That was the point—otherwise, why would Li Yao be changing into socks? She was probably getting ready for bed.
“It’s late, but not that late,” Shen Ning replied, voice low. “At least it’s still today.”
Lunch was out, but they could still wait for nightfall together. It counted as a little life ritual.
Xu Chuyao put down her White Silk Long Socks, stood up from the bed. “I just don’t get it—why do you have to go out now? It’s not like we don’t have time during the day. We’ve been back at the Academy for days, but you never mentioned a date.”
Silence again from the other end, as if considering how to answer. A few minutes later, her girlfriend spoke up:
“I have jet lag, and I prefer the night.”
Xu Chuyao was speechless. It took her several minutes to come up with that answer?
“If you’re dealing with jet lag, you could watch some anime or shows, low energy consumption and perfect for the night. It’s not the best time to go out. Otherwise, you’ll be tired during the day.”
Another silence, then—
“I want to see the moon!”
“Fine, whatever.”
This time, Xu Chuyao had no words. She just said, “Wait for me downstairs,” and put on her Blue Quality Stockings again.
Just as she was about to go out, Xiao poked his head in, curiosity all over his face. “You’re going out?”
“Yeah, someone wants to see the moon and insists I go with her.”
Xu Chuyao finished putting on her socks and got out of bed, looking around for what else to bring. Snacks—Shen Ning would definitely have her own—so…
She reached out and grabbed the Magic Girl Transforming Wand from her bedside table.
Betty always said, “If Legal Ling likes to eat snacks, you have to keep up with her and let her know exactly how much you like snacks, too.”
Besides, since they’re going to watch the moon, it makes sense to “transform” under the moonlight.
“Xu Chuyao,” Xiao asked, “are you coming back to sleep tonight?”
“Of course I’m coming back. If I don’t, how will I pass the next test?” Xu Chuyao grabbed her things and joked, “Do you really think I’m off to become a Magic Girl?”
Xiao didn’t know whether her roommate was actually going to be a Magic Girl, but she felt her roommate might just lose tonight.
“You’re the best, truly,” she gave a big thumbs up. “Just these two little excuses, and you managed to think about them for ten minutes.”
Anything on the spot, and she could always make it seem like she had it all figured out.
Shen Ning ignored her roommate’s teasing, put down her phone, hummed a tune while getting ready, packing her favorite snacks in her bag. She knew lunch would be impossible, but at least she could snack a little at night.
As for what Xiao said, it didn’t matter how long it took to coax her out. What mattered was whether it worked or not—clearly, it did.
The shadow in the mirror was silent, and in the end, said nothing at all.
The girl finished tidying up and officially set out.