Iliya’s hidden agenda was most clearly understood by the legion leaders trapped in the Kelaie Hotel. During that dark period, conspiracies sprouted endlessly.

Many people didn't realize it was Iliya’s doing at the time, but once they escaped, a moment of reflection made everything clear. Ah Piao was tasked with monitoring the Kelaie Hotel during that time.

Since he couldn't contact her directly while the redhead was inside, he immediately bundled up all valuable intelligence and sent it to her the moment she was out. A regime change in Fia held monumental significance for the Wolf’s Lair.

The Wolf’s Lair had always held a grudge against Fia. If they could seize a piece of territory while Fia’s shifting internal landscape caused instability—heh.

The Wolf’s Lair wasn't the only one thinking this way; most legions harbored similar ambitions. Of course, there was another crucial factor: the divergence in political views between Iliya and Queen Fia.

Queen Fia was an arch-enemy of the Interstellar Federation, yet any discerning eye could see that Iliya leaned toward the pro-Federation faction. This had been evident during the recent joint military operations between Fia and the Federation allies.

Ziye shuddered recalling Iliya’s ruthlessness. That person could resort to any means, to the point of self-destruction.

Would those involved in Iliya’s schemes fare any better? In short, what was coming was another round of bloodshed!

She couldn't help but feel relieved that she hadn't been sucked into the vortex. Facing the man stirring restlessly before her, she couldn't help but sigh, poking his chest.

"You're planning to leave, aren't you?" An Junlie nuzzled against her neck. "Can I not go?" Ziye pushed him away with annoyance.

"If you don't leave, what are you staying here for? I only have metal here; I can give you a piece to hug instead." An Junlie clung to her pitifully, refusing to move, his expression exactly like Dou Zai when his favorite metal chew toy was snatched away.

Ziye’s heart softened. "Go on now.

Come back to me after the Legion Assembly is done." An Junlie gazed at her deeply and couldn't resist licking her cheek. Ziye disgustedly grabbed his sleeve to wipe away the drool.

"You're a grown man, why are you imitating Dou Zai?" The more she complained, the more An Junlie refused to let go. He finally resorted to washing her face with his saliva, eventually lingering on her lips.

Continuing the Dou Zai spirit, he nipped and gnawed. Ziye momentarily experienced the disorienting feeling of raising two Dou Zai—the only difference was that one’s saliva was toxic, and the other’s was not.

Wait, there was another difference. Feeling a hard object pressing against her abdomen, Ziye’s face darkened as she identified the second difference: this one was pressing a gun against her, whereas the little sprout's son wouldn't do that.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She stuck out her foot and kicked toward An Junlie’s lower body.

Startled, An Junlie quickly restrained her leg, a trace of calculated blush appearing on his usually imposing face. "Be good, don't make a fuss.

Let me hug you a little longer." Ziye was utterly flustered by his antics, but she wasn't unfamiliar with An Junlie acting this way. She raised her eyebrows.

"Leave quickly, or I swear I'll call Lan Li." An Junlie reluctantly let her go, taking a few steps before turning back to embrace her, pleading, "Ziye, wait for me to come back." Ziye responded absently, "Mm." An Junlie pinched her cheek, realizing she was distracted, and bit her playfully in anger. "Remember, you must wait for me to return!" Ziye snapped, raising her foot for a direct strike to his chest.

Student An Junlie finally departed, looking back at every third step. Reaching the door, he suddenly remembered something.

"I’m leaving my personal honor guard with you. You can call on them if you need anything." Ziye waved her hand dismissively, like shooing a fly.

"Got it. Hurry up and go." An Junlie boarded the warship waiting for him and finally left.

Ziye lingered on the shuttle for a while before piloting it back to the space station. As soon as she docked, Tang Wan sent an urgent communication.

With An Junlie no longer an obstruction, the two parties finally managed to meet. Tang Wen was as elegant and composed as ever.

He needed no elaborate words; just standing there, he was a painting, and the background of that painting was always the sincere face of Blan. Ziye suddenly couldn't recall why she had asked Tang Wen to come to the Xilian Star System in the first place.

But that wasn't important; what mattered was that the construction of the Air Force Assembly Workshop could begin soon. Her thoughts drifting vaguely, Tang Wan ran over, grabbing Ziye’s arm and complaining, "Little Yezi, the people here are awful; they keep obstructing us." Ziye laughed.

"They are enthusiastic." Tang Wen glanced sideways. Ziye pretended not to notice.

"Little Wan'er, shall we start another big project?" Tang Wan’s attention immediately shifted; she clenched her fists excitedly. "Great!

Who are we fighting this time?" Ziye chuckled slyly. "This time, we're building a space station." Tang Wan's eyes widened.

"I don't know anything about that. That requires Third Brother.

Oh, right, Brother Tang Wen knows too." After saying this, she winked playfully at Tang Wen. Tang Wen spoke at the appropriate moment.

"Very well, I will call XianZhu over." Speaking of the XianZhu team, they were an elite group so sought after that one would pay any price for their services. Throughout the galaxy, the foremost space station construction team belonged to the Tang Clan, and the most formidable construction unit within the Tang Clan was called XianZhu.

Ziye’s eyes instantly lit up like lightbulbs. However, after careful consideration, she stubbornly rejected Tang Wen’s suggestion.

She wanted the Wolf’s Lair Air Force Assembly Workshop in the Xilian Star System to belong entirely to the Wolf’s Lair, managed solely by Wolf’s Lair engineers from start to finish. This wasn't about the quality of the engineers; the Kelaie Hotel incident had taught her that one must use one's own people, otherwise, who knew when the design schematics might be sold out.

Tang Wen’s expression dimmed. He didn't press for the reasons behind her decision.

For him, Ziye’s rejection was the only thing that mattered. He thought for a moment.

"I can fund it for you. Would that work?" Ziye still shook her head.

She was short on money, that was true. But she didn't want anyone outside the Wolf’s Lair to provide funding.

Sometimes, a debt of gratitude was harder to repay than usury, and furthermore, one time would lead to another, and again and again. Before she knew it, the Wolf’s Lair Air Force Assembly Workshop would bear the mark of the Tang Clan.

This was something she absolutely refused to watch happen. Tang Wan sat nearby, listening to their disagreement, and couldn't help but poke Ziye's head.

"You stubborn mule. This won't do, that won't do.

Are you planning to build the space station all by yourself?" Ziye retorted, "Don't I have you?" Tang Wan huffed, raising her chin high. "Even if this young lady can take the place of ten men, a space station isn't something ten people can complete." Ziye replied, "The Wolf’s Lair has plenty of people.

They are enough." Tang Wen glanced at Ziye and then said to Blan, "You all wait outside. I need to discuss something with Ziye." Ziye was about to say, "We have nothing to discuss," but the words caught in her throat.

She knew she and Tang Wen had to resolve their issues, or neither of them would ever be truly happy. Tang Wan looked between Tang Wen and Ziye, realizing they were ignoring her.

She huffed and stomped out heavily. -RO