Chapter 82#
Job Transfer#
That day’s competition made Ning Feng thoroughly famous at the base.
Actually, he’d been famous before—just infamous then, and slightly better now. At least some people had to weigh whether their skulls were harder than Qu Jingshan’s fists before making trouble for him.
Speaking of Qu Jingshan, Ning Feng found him a headache.
Ever since he’d been recognized, that guy kept dragging him into sparring matches every day, or else hauling him to the bar—and insisting on bringing Yin Beichen along.
Ning Feng refused without hesitation.
Not that Yin Beichen had done anything wrong. On the contrary, after that night’s heart-to-heart, their relationship had returned to normal. He hadn’t made any more bizarre moves, and their conversations were limited to military matters.
It seemed Yin Beichen had come to his senses.
Actually, this was for the best for both of them.
Now, aside from daily deliveries of a box of red roses, life had settled back into calm. Ning Feng focused on the Zergs and his points.
He hadn’t been on any missions lately, so his points were accumulating very slowly. To keep exchanging for parts, he needed more duty opportunities. So he approached Qu Jingshan again about the patrol team, only to hit a stone wall.
Either the squad was full, or there was no suitable mech, or no one wanted to team up with him. In every case, he was told to keep waiting.
Ning Feng was furious!
He’d been on patrol missions before—it was just a small satellite. How many people did he need for a team? He could just grab someone and go. He strongly suspected Qu Jingshan was making trouble. But the base regulations were right there—and he’d helped draft them himself—so he couldn’t even find a reason to complain.
Ning Feng snorted coldly.
Mech, huh?
Fine, he’d find one.
Couldn’t he even apply for an ordinary mech?
With that thought, Ning Feng stormed off to find Beardy.
He expected plenty of mechs to choose from, but got an unexpected answer.
“None?” Ning Feng scowled in displeasure. “Chief Beardy, don’t screw with me. Did you sell all the mechs in the heavy arsenal warehouse as scrap?”
“Hey, there really aren’t any. They’re all being overhauled!” Beardy looked away guiltily.
In fact, there were plenty left in the warehouse—quite a few.
But yesterday Qu Jingshan had repeatedly warned him: no matter who came asking for a mech, the answer was no. He didn’t know why Squad Leader Qu was doing this, but he knew how hard Qu’s fists were, and he didn’t want to get tangled up with that guy.
“All four hundred-plus are under overhaul?” Ning Feng asked suspiciously.
Beardy stared at him in surprise.
How did he know there were over four hundred?
Weapon and equipment inventory was top-secret military intelligence. No one knew except Yin Beichen and the relevant personnel. Well, one other person knew—but that person…
He studied Ning Feng, a strange thought crossing his mind.
Ning Feng: ?
Seeing the other’s blank look, Beardy averted his gaze and said firmly, “That’s right, all under overhaul.”
Ning Feng squinted.
Feeling uneasy under that scrutinizing gaze, Beardy had a flash of inspiration. “Oh, right, the new mechs will be upgraded in a few days. How about you come test them?”
Ning Feng seemed tempted, but as if remembering something, he frowned again. “No.”
Beardy shrugged. “Then I’m out of ideas.”
Ning Feng thought for a long time, still unwilling to give up.
“Really not a single one? Not even a trainer mech?”
“No.”
“Honestly, did someone tell you to do this?”
“…There just aren’t any!”
**
Meanwhile, Yin Beichen was in the intelligence room with Qu Jingshan, finalizing patrol missions.
The focus of this patrol was to find hidden eye-worms. Traces had been found on the satellite closest to the base. Except for one area where mechs couldn’t be deployed due to environmental conditions, all other areas had been staffed.
After confirming the mission, Qu Jingshan glanced at Yin Beichen, cleared his throat, and said casually, “Commander, that Blademaster submitted a team application to me.”
“Mm.” Yin Beichen looked down at his documents, not lifting his head.
Qu Jingshan studied him for a long time without reading anything, then probed, “What do you think?”
“Follow regulations.”
“That’s the rule… but what’s your opinion?”
“You’re in charge.”
“I—I know I’m in charge.” But I lost that sparring match!
Qu Jingshan rubbed his bald head, unable to argue.
He regretted making that bet with Ning Feng. Now he realized that guy had a thousand tricks up his sleeve, and he’d been duped. He’d figured Ning Feng was Yin Beichen’s adjutant—even if he agreed, the Commander might not approve, so the transfer wouldn’t go through. But from the Commander’s attitude now… was he… tacitly agreeing?
“Aren’t you going to do anything? That’s the Blademaster!”
Yin Beichen paused in his writing, lowered his eyelids, and said in a low voice, “I know.”
Qu Jingshan stared, waiting for more, but nothing came. He grew anxious. “You know… and then? That’s it?”
Yin Beichen pressed his lips together and went back to work. “Since he wants to go, let him.”
Qu Jingshan choked, his breath caught in his throat, triggering a series of coughs.
Before, he hadn’t known the shabby robot was Ning Feng. Now that he did, he had to find a way to bring them together. If Yin Beichen approved the transfer, with the patrol team’s duty frequency, they’d never have a chance. He could only stall for a while, but if he did it too often, Ning Feng would get suspicious.
“Commander, if he really joins the patrol team, you two won’t see each other for ten days or more!”
“Mission first.”
“The patrol team doesn’t need him that badly. Where else could he go?”
“You’re the commander.”
“…”
Qu Jingshan paced back and forth in frustration.
He couldn’t understand it. The Commander was usually so assertive at work—had even transferred Ning Feng before to keep him close. Why was he suddenly being so considerate now?
…Had they had a falling out that day?
Just then, a knock came from outside, followed by a lazy male voice.
“Commander, is Squad Leader Qu with you?”
It was Ning Feng.
Cursing under his breath, Qu Jingshan looked at Yin Beichen, who still showed no expression and simply said, “Come in.” He immediately got annoyed.
What the hell?!
Was this how he pursued his wife?
If he weren’t the Commander, I’d punch him already.
“Hey, Squad Leader Qu~” Ning Feng sidled over with a grin. “Perfect timing. When are you going to approve my application?”
“I told you, you need to apply for a mech first.” Qu Jingshan’s voice was gruff.
“Isn’t there one area that doesn’t need a mech?” Ning Feng fiddled with the star map.
Qu Jingshan clicked his tongue. Sometimes he really hated the guy’s analytical skills. “Even for that, you need a teammate. All other squads are full. You’re the only one left alone. Wait for now.”
“Until when?”
“Until someone shows up.”
Ning Feng snorted. “That might be never.” He sighed melodramatically. “Tell me, Squad Leader Qu, can’t you take a loss?”
“I can’t take a loss?!”
“If you can’t handle it, just say so~ I won’t laugh at you.”
Qu Jingshan’s eyes bulged with anger.
Even knowing it was provocation, seeing that grinning handsome face made his teeth itch. He glanced at Yin Beichen, who still showed no reaction, and his anger flared.
His wife wasn’t his to worry about—why the hell should he care?
“Fine! I’ll sign!”
He immediately pulled up the application, scribbled his name, pressed his thumb, and angrily transmitted it back.
Seeing the big “Approved,” Ning Feng smiled and forwarded the file to Yin Beichen. “Commander?”
Yin Beichen looked straight at him, his slender index finger lightly pressing against the pen. “Do you insist on going?”
“Squad Leader Qu already agreed.” Ning Feng blinked. Qu Jingshan grunted.
Yin Beichen said nothing, silently leaning back, a faint, unreadable smile at the corner of his mouth. “Fine.”
He signed swiftly and sent it back.
Ning Feng happily opened the file, but before he could read it, Yin Beichen added, “Squad Leader Qu, arrange a spot for me.”
Ning Feng: ?
Seeing the signature, Qu Jingshan was about to curse, but then he blinked in realization. “Commander, you mean… you’re coming too?”
“Aren’t the other squads full?” Yin Beichen said.
Qu Jingshan caught on at once and burst into laughter. “Yes, yes, yes—then I’ll—”
“Wait.” Ning Feng frowned suspiciously, studying Yin Beichen. “Commander, what are you going to do?”
“Haven’t you insisted on going?” Yin Beichen leaned back and asked calmly.
“Still, does that require you?”
“It concerns the Zerg Mother. I need to investigate in person.”
“Couldn’t you just wait for the results here? Anyway—”
“Mission first.” Yin Beichen’s voice was cold and unreadable. “Squad Leader Qu is the commander; he’s in charge of coordination.”
Ning Feng was momentarily speechless. His brow, already slightly furrowed, tightened further. He scrutinized Yin Beichen’s face but found nothing.
“Hey, hey, is this your first day on the job? Mission first, mission first!” Qu Jingshan patted the robot’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I keep work and personal separate!”
Glancing at the excited bald man and then at Yin Beichen’s indifferent expression, Ning Feng squinted. After a moment, he chuckled lightly. “Since it’s a mission, I’ll follow Squad Leader Qu’s arrangements.” He gave a lazy salute. “As you command, Commander.”
With that, he sauntered out of the room.
**
Qu Jingshan wiped the back of his neck.
The start wasn’t great, but at least he’d kept the guy around.
He was curious about how they’d fallen out, but thinking about Ning Feng’s infuriating mouth and Yin Beichen’s lack of emotional intelligence, the result didn’t seem surprising.
Watching the robot’s retreating figure, Yin Beichen’s face held no excess expression—still cold and distant. After a moment, he looked back down and continued reading documents.
“Squad Leader Qu.”
“Huh?”
“Go find Beardy and prepare cold-weather gear.”
“Cold-weather gear? Shouldn’t that be logistics?”
“For robots.”
Qu Jingshan understood immediately.
The target planet had extreme temperature swings, dropping to below zero at night. Humans had specialized cold-weather gear, but machinery was sensitive to temperature changes. If the temperature difference was too high, battery performance would drop, and wear would increase—they needed specific protective devices.
The Commander might seem indifferent on the surface, but he cared after all.
Qu Jingshan rubbed his nose. “On it.”
“Mm.”
After Qu Jingshan left, the intelligence room fell silent, leaving only Yin Beichen.
The vast room was quiet, filled only by the rustle of a pen on paper.
Gradually, the rapid writing slowed. Yin Beichen stared at the pen, his fingertips tracing the character “ front ” (Feng) engraved at its base. Suddenly, a trace of a smile flickered at the corner of his mouth, but he quickly suppressed it.
He collected his thoughts and immersed himself once more in contemplation and writing.