Bu Yan and Bu Yu did not immediately leave the virtual mecha pilot training base. Instead, as was their custom, they submitted their assignments to the system and headed to different combat zones to pilot their mechas in simulated battles.

They emerged two hours later. Bu Yan wiped the sweat from his brow and opened his communication channel, only to be shocked again by the messages waiting for him. The C-rank mission he had just accepted had been instantly upgraded to S-rank. S-rank missions required a strategic operations meeting before execution, scheduled for 9:00 PM, and as the assigned operative, he was required to attend.

Bu Yan was stunned.

He couldn't see what made this ordinary mission worthy of an S-rank upgrade, nor could he fathom why such a decision was made.

However, since the notice had been sent, he prepared himself and arrived promptly for the meeting.

Upon entering the conference room, he was surprised again.

The mercenary group's Vice Commander was already there, along with several executive directors and key S-rank mission personnel—a room full of burly men chatting over snacks. The only junior soldier present was him.

The Vice Commander saw him and waved him over warmly. "Come, come, have a bite. We’re out of peanuts, but we still have sunflower seeds."

Bu Yan sat down timidly, picked up a sunflower seed, and carefully began to shell it. In his nervousness, the kernel dropped onto the table.

An S-rank key operative next to him patted his shoulder. "Don't be nervous, haha. There are plenty more after you finish these."

Saying that, he produced several more bags of sunflower seeds from nowhere.

Bu Yan's eye twitched. Could he really complain? What kind of grown men snacked on sunflower seeds!

The time ticked to 8:58 PM. A service automaton swept in and cleared the remnants of the snack session with lightning speed. The meeting began precisely at nine.

The Vice Commander straightened his expression and announced the start of the proceedings.

The mission lead spoke: "This mission is the kidnapping of *, Aimanit, the son of the current Supreme Commander of the Interstellar Federation, Karu Aimanit. He is currently aboard the flagship of the Interstellar Federation Secretary-General, Bai Lanxue. The operational window is three days."

The Vice Commander nodded. "The client has made no explicit demands regarding the destination for transferring the target. In order to fulfill another contract held by the mercenary group, this mission will involve diverting the target to the Fihua Star System in Fia, where we will maintain a defensive posture for two months. Therefore, the mission has been upgraded to S-rank."

Bu Yan felt a flicker of confusion. But everyone else in the room wore expressions of sudden understanding. He didn't dare press for details and quietly listened to their strategic plan.

This time, the Teutonic Mercenary Group spared no expense. They deployed B-rank operatives for the kidnapping, A-rank operatives for escort, and S-rank key personnel to secure a defensive line in the Phipp Star System, a crucial transit point en route to the Fihua System.

Once the mission outline was finalized, the group assembled all participating personnel for another detailed briefing. The next morning, all members were equipped, positioned, and ready to move.

That very evening, thousands of miles away in Fia, Tang Wen deposited a two-hundred-billion credit down payment into the Teutonic Mercenary Group's account.

Zi Ye and Ling Yin found themselves with nothing pressing to do. After some murmuring in their hotel room, they decided staying in Kole served little purpose for the time being. They returned to the Xilian Star System together.

Zi Ye absolutely would not admit that she was trying to lure Ling Yin over.

Ling Yin had been listless lately, and the idea of visiting the Xilian System for a change of pace seemed acceptable, so she didn't refuse.

Back at the Xilian Space Station, Zi Ye introduced Ling Yin to Tang Wan, Harley, and the ten goofballs, then left Ling Yin to her own devices while she dove back into her intensely busy work.

Tang Wan blinked at Ling Yin. Ling Yin was slightly older, petite, wore her hair in twin tails, and had two sweet dimples that showed when she smiled, making her look incredibly youthful. Furthermore, she possessed exceptional social skills, instantly bonding with the ten youngsters and calling them her brothers.

Tang Wan had to admit, she was jealous.

Up until now, she believed she was the only girl Zi Ye truly valued. Yet, Zi Ye had brought home an even cuter girl right under her nose. Did this mean she was no longer needed?

Tang Wan sulked, drawing circles on the light screen.

Harley looked up from his seat and casually asked, "Tang Wan, have you finished the strategic plan for those offensive weapons?"

Tang Wan shot him a glare. "I don't want to."

Harley was silent for two seconds. "Why?"

Tang Wan pouted, her voice trembling with grievance. "Little Ye doesn't want me anymore, she abandoned me! Sniffle, she used me and tossed me aside, how mean!"

Harley’s forehead beaded with sweat. "Did she?"

Xiao Hei rushed in, dripping sweat, and laughed heartily. "How could that be? You’re adorable."

Tang Wan rested her chin on the light screen, her eyes welling up. "Ling Yin is cuter than me."

Xiao Hei and Harley exchanged a look, shaking their heads, unable to comprehend her logic.

Tang Wan was too miserable to work on anything, but she was too proud to directly ask Zi Ye, which only increased her distress.

After work that evening, Zi Ye summoned her entire crew. They descended upon the largest hotel in the best-preserved space station in the Wolf’s Den for a massive welcome feast for Ling Yin.

Tang Wan finally couldn't hold back. While Ling Yin was in the restroom, she leaned close to Zi Ye and whispered, "The new girl is so popular; nobody pays attention to me anymore. Little Ye, don't you like me anymore either?"

Zi Ye let out a soft laugh. "Why would you think that?"

Tang Wan puffed out her cheeks. "You're all busy talking to her; no one talks to me."

Zi Ye sighed. She almost forgot that Tang Wan had been pampered her entire life and couldn't handle being ignored. Sometimes, when she was consumed by work, she forgot to tend to their emotional needs. Tang Wan was essentially reminding her of this oversight.

She brightened, poked Tang Wan’s tender cheek, and smiled. "Have you noticed that people weren't this enthusiastic about Ling Yin when she first arrived? Ling Yin is good with people; she's bold yet careful, and socially adept. People like her for that. See, even I've been somewhat neglected since she arrived?"

Tang Wan turned her face away, still unconvinced. "It's not the same."

Zi Ye continued, "It is the same. Relationships require interaction; any one-sided engagement doesn't last long. She excels at interaction, which is why she makes more friends quickly. If you were willing to interact with her, you two could become great friends too."

Tang Wan turned her face away, falling silent.

Zi Ye patted her shoulder. "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. She is using her strength to turn all these guys into her friends, which strengthens our cohesion. She can also bring outside connections into our Xilian Star System, bringing more benefits. And you? You have a very sharp instinct for broad strategic policy. If you utilize that advantage, you can do better than her, can’t you?"

Tang Wan clenched her fist, her eyes shining brilliantly. "I will definitely be stronger than her!"