Chapter 1614 - 1612: No Secrets! (Time to Start Storing Fat for Winter)
Chapter 1614 - 1612: No Secrets! (Time to Start Storing Fat for Winter)
"The Chinese Federation’s immigrant ship was engaged by an alien fleet, and they exchanged fire?"
Fang Zheng was quite surprised when he received this news.
"What was the result?"
"We successfully repelled their attack."
Anya quietly replied.
"Alright... What caused it? Why did it escalate to a fight? Is there any investigation result yet?"
"Yes."
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Anya nodded.
"According to the investigation, some tampering was done inside the alien warship. Upon activation, it immediately sends out signals and will fire upon detecting certain enemies."
"So it wasn’t an accident, huh."
Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng quickly made a judgment. If it were an accident, it clearly wouldn’t be worthwhile to do this. That suggests the other party probably intended to cause trouble from the start. Of course, maybe at that time, they were unaware of human existence but might have anticipated other civilizations coming?
Regardless, since the war has already begun, talking about this now is pointless.
However, the universe is infinite, and all sorts of occurrences can be considered normal, as long as there are no significant casualties, Fang Zheng won’t bother with it.
"How did the battle end?"
"The enemy retreated, and we had no casualties. The immigrant fleet is fine, and the VF squad performed excellently, especially Asuka and Rei Ayanami, who were outstanding during the battle."
At this point, Anya specifically mentioned it, to which Fang Zheng naturally felt pleased. But after thinking it over, he decided to focus on the key issue.
"What level is their civilization?"
"Level Three, and they lack shield technology."
"Oh... Level Three, huh."
Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng felt relieved. A mere Level Three civilization without shields, that’s practically a playground for his Azure Battleship to go Wushuang. A couple of destroyers could form a squad to clear them out, but a battleship could single-handedly achieve greatness, so Fang Zheng confidently relaxed.
"Captain Yurika hopes that the Heavenly Dao Palace can increase support efforts."
"Let them handle it themselves."
This time, Fang Zheng shook his head. The Mech World’s current technological level is similar to theirs, a match made in heaven; finding such a good opponent is rare. The technological civilization level difference between them isn’t significant. From Fang Zheng’s perspective, fighting this alien civilization can maximize the technological advancement of that world.
Fang Zheng wouldn’t share the Heavenly Dao Palace’s technology with the Mech World, at most just provide escorting. If the opponent were a significantly powerful civilization, that would be different. Since this one isn’t particularly strong, Fang Zheng naturally wouldn’t dispatch the Heavenly Dao Palace — let them solve it themselves.
To be honest, Fang Zheng has little regard for the political bureaucrats of that world. He mostly gives commands through His Majesty now and doesn’t even bother looking at those Earth Federation guys. After all, it’s a bunch of useless people, seeing them more often might make Fang Zheng send aliens crashing into the Earth Federation.
Those idiots are both stupid and vile and rotten, Fang Zheng is already too tired to bother playing with them now. If possible, he would really like to split that world’s Earth into two and toss the Earth Federation part directly into the Sun.
As for other powers, like ZAFT and others, Fang Zheng doesn’t like them either. Those guys aren’t very smart, but they’re bold, always thinking they could steal the Heavenly Dao Palace’s technology. Fang Zheng couldn’t care less. A bunch of people whose ambition and intelligence are inversely proportional doesn’t mean anything to him.
"You can assist, but the Heavenly Dao Palace won’t send other warships to fight."
"Yes, I understand."
Upon hearing this, Anya respectfully bowed and then closed the communication.
Fang Zheng shook his head and also withdrew his thoughts. The Mech World’s issues are minor; while a new alien civilization appearing is somewhat surprising to Fang Zheng, since it’s not a major matter, he won’t bother focusing on it.
After finishing the contact, Fang Zheng walked down the stairs and pushed open the office door.
Immediately, a wave of sultry air hit him.
The girls lay on the sofa one by one, resembling dry salted fish.
"It’s so hot!"
"Why is it this hot...?"
"When will the air conditioner be fixed...?"
Japan’s early summer is generally no big deal; the problem is it’s hot and humid. Fang Zheng isn’t fond of such weather. What’s worse, the office air conditioner is broken.
Japan’s service industry is also horrendous. Fang Zheng called for repairs two days ago, but was told he’d have to wait a few more days... But for now, the morale of the home-grown artists is dropping steeply, and understandably so. Crammed into this inherently small office space, without air conditioning, sultry and hot,
"I bought ice cream."
Fang Zheng pushed open the door, raising the plastic bag in his hand, and upon hearing his voice, the girls who were almost turning into dead fish promptly sprang up and rushed toward Fang Zheng.
"Producer! Give it to me!"
"I’m dying...!"
After sharing the ice cream he brought, the girls somewhat regained their vitality. Yet even so, it wasn’t enough. Especially Meixi, Fang Zheng postponed all her work for the past two days, and she had no mood to work either. But this couldn’t go on...
"Producer!"
Just as Fang Zheng was contemplating whether to simply use a personal terminal to fix the broken air conditioner, Haruka suddenly jumped in front of him, smiling as she looked at him.
"Let’s go to the beach!"
"Beach?"
"Yeah, blue sky, white clouds, the ocean!"
At this point, not only Haruka became excited, but the other girls also nodded eagerly.
"Hmm..."
Fang Zheng freed his mind from the universe-spanning war of two civilizations and shifted back to the current situation — Heard this hot weather is likely to continue for about a week, and the air conditioner repair would take another three days. Given this, going to the beach for a rest seems like a good choice.
Besides... swimsuit benefits, how could a man miss this?
"No problem."
Fang Zheng immediately nodded and then looked at Akizuki Ritsuko, who also agreed with Fang Zheng’s idea.
"Everyone’s been busy with work lately, it’s time for a break."
"Then it’s decided."
The office now has some financial reserve, as the girls have been working non-stop, earning money seems inevitable, although not big money, small earnings are fine. For a group outing, naturally, there’s no problem. Fang Zheng didn’t hesitate anymore and quickly settled the plan.
"Prepare, tomorrow morning we’ll depart!"
"Oh---!!"
Hearing this, the girls cheered immediately.
Early the next morning, the girls took the train to the seaside—honestly, the mountains would have been a good choice too. After all, in the forest, by the creek, being in nature and doing some primitive human activities with Sora was quite tempting for Fang Zheng. But once you get to the beach, it’s hard to do those things. After all, the beach is only so big, and there are many people; doing things secretly would be quite difficult.
But considering that going to the mountains would make it difficult to watch the girls in swimsuits openly, Fang Zheng finally decided on the beach.
After all, since we’re here, how can we miss the swimsuit show? Although we couldn’t experience primitive joy in the forest, solutions are for people to come up with, right?
Sitting on the train, watching the scenery speeding past outside, and looking at Sora gazing out the window, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but feel like he had returned to the past. When he first came to this world, it was similar... compared to now... there doesn’t seem to be much difference.
"What’s the matter, brother?"
Noticing Fang Zheng’s gaze, Sora turned her head, curiously looking at him.
"I was reminded of old times."
Faced with Sora’s inquiry, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but lament. Then he took out a box of chocolate sticks and handed it to Sora.
"Want one?"
"Of course."
Looking at the chocolate stick in Fang Zheng’s hand, Sora seemed to remember something too. She reached out, took Fang Zheng’s chocolate stick, and put it in her mouth. Then the two exchanged a smile.
Seeing this scene, Haruka curiously nudged Xuebu beside her.
"What do you think is the relationship between the producer and Miss Sora?"
"Aren’t they relatives?"
Xuebu wasn’t particularly bothered by this. After all, when joining the agency, Fang Zheng introduced Sora as his sister... of course, since the two have different last names, everyone mostly assumes they are distant relatives.
"Do you think they’re dating?"
"Huh? Really?"
Women are generally interested in topics of romance, and Xuebu was no exception.
"It seems like it... Hmm, I always feel that the producer and Miss Sora don’t seem like ordinary siblings..."
"Now that you mention it, I think I’ve seen them go home together several times, and Miss Sora always links arms with the producer..."
Upon hearing this, Xuebu also remembered.
"Ordinary siblings wouldn’t do that, right?"
"Hmm... I can’t really say."
Haruka is an only child and can’t really tell if this is normal or not. She hasn’t been in a relationship either, but based on her female intuition, Haruka felt that Sora’s gaze toward Fang Zheng was different from how she looked at others, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint how. But... the feeling was akin to having a romantic vibe.
"Meixi might know a bit more."
Thinking of this, Haruka’s curiosity couldn’t be contained. She turned her head to ask Meixi. But then Haruka helplessly realized that Meixi was fast asleep on the chair—she had been sleeping since they boarded and would likely sleep until they alighted.
At this moment, Haruka saw Fang Zheng get up and leave the carriage, and then Sora got up and left too... Where are they going?
Haruka was a bit curious and wanted to follow them to see, but just then, a scream rang in her ears.
"The sea!"
Hearing this shout, Haruka quickly turned her head and saw the blue sea appear outside the train window. The girls enthusiastically opened the windows, and soon, the refreshing sea breeze blew into the carriage, making it feel like the recent heat and fatigue all disappeared.
Half an hour later, when the girls, now in their swimsuits, arrived on the beach, they were completely uninhibited.
"Meixi is the first!"
Having slept the entire journey, Meixi was the first to rush over, and the others were not far behind, eager to join. They laughed and played in the sea, beginning to enjoy themselves.
"Wait for me..."
Watching the others eagerly jump into the sea, Haruka was anxious but soon curiously turned her head to look beside her.
"Miss Sora, aren’t you going for a swim?"
Unlike the others, Sora hadn’t changed into a swimsuit. She was still wearing her trademark white dress, a straw hat, and sandals, standing on the beach with a unique flair. But unlike before, Sora’s cheeks were slightly red, looking a little lazy and flushed, full of a peculiar allure and charm.
She seemed like a completely different person from the one on the train earlier, which piqued Haruka’s curiosity.
Hearing Haruka’s curious question, Sora uneasily shifted her eyes.
"Uh... I can’t swim."
"Eh? But isn’t swimming together more fun?"
"I’m fine just being here."
Saying this, Sora gently touched her abdomen and bit her lip.
"Feeling a bit uncomfortable."
"Ah..."
Haruka, being a girl, quickly understood Sora’s gesture and said nothing more, nodding before running off towards the others with her ball.
"Phew..."
Seeing Haruka leave, Sora finally let out a sigh of relief. At this time, Fang Zheng appeared beside Sora, wearing a swimsuit and holding a video camera.
"Why not go have some fun?"
"It’s all your fault."
Hearing Fang Zheng’s question, Sora gave him a dissatisfied glare.
"Now, like this, how could I go?"
Speaking, Sora unabashedly rubbed her thighs, slightly pouting.
"I clearly said don’t do that..."
"But you started it..."
"Huh?"
"Okay... sorry, sorry, it’s all my fault."
Hearing Sora’s complaint, Fang Zheng laughed and then reached out to rub Sora’s head. He then picked up the video camera, filming the girls in swimsuits playing freely on the beach. For him, holding a camera didn’t even require a cover; being the producer of 765 Productions, why would filming the daily lives of the agency’s artists be a problem?
Thinking that these people would all become big stars in the future was quite exciting.
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