“Wait.” Lin Xiaohe called out to Fang Tunan. “How is Dong Yuxuan?”
That useless little young master of the Dong family?
Fang Tunan replied, “He’s been grounded.”
Lin Xiaohe let out an “Oh.” No wonder she’d sent him so many messages without getting a reply. “Did he pass his family assessment?”
Fang Tunan was speechless. He was a mercenary, not a member of the Dong family.
Fortunately, he often took on jobs for the Dong family and knew a bit about their affairs. “The results come out in seven days. Can I go now?”
“You may leave.”
The leader and his underlings slunk away, following Fang Tunan.
Mori looked at Lin Xiaohe with pure admiration in his eyes. “Tiesheng, no wonder you never liked latching onto powerful people back in the day. Turns out you were planning to raise one yourself.”
Lin Tiesheng took the sealed bag Mori handed him. “I didn’t raise her alone; my wife did. What’s in this bag anyway?”
Mori leaned in mysteriously. “I don’t know either. It was given to me by someone from the Armed Group. I’ve analyzed it several times, and it’s full of all sorts of unknown substances.”
The technological level of the Third Star Ring was several leagues ahead of the Fifth Star Ring’s.
If they weren’t analyzing the extraction liquid’s components in the Third Star Ring, but instead chose to have it done secretly in the Fifth Star Ring by a private individual, something was definitely fishy!
Mori pushed the wheelchair, hurrying them along. “Let’s go quickly, before the Armed Group realizes and demands the extraction liquid back.”
The group, feeling like thieves, made their way back to the Outlets Hotel.
In the hotel lobby, everyone stood up as they saw Lin Xiaohe enter.
Lin Xiaohe paused mid-step. What was going on?
Quite a few guests checking in also turned to look their way.
The hotel manager beamed, showing eight teeth, and gestured grandly.
Suddenly, the massive screen covering an entire wall lit up, showing the Fifth Star Ring College Entrance Examination channel.
An officer in a green military uniform faced the camera, speaking with great fervor. “She is a flower blooming from the slums. At only eighteen years old, she has already rendered meritorious service multiple times.”
“Facing the hail of bullets from the rebel army, she showed no fear. Relying on astonishing wisdom and courage, single-handedly, she rescued her comrades from the rebel base!”
“Under the threat of the mutated Stareaters, she once again demonstrated extraordinary skill, rescuing soldiers and examinees.”
His voice rose, his fist clenched. “With the absolute determination of one man holding a pass against ten thousand, she withstood the artillery fire of an entire army group, holding the Casaro Gorge alone for a full hour! She secured precious time for our forces to retake the position.”
Tears glistened in the officer’s eyes, his voice choked with emotion. “She is Military Academy Student Lin Xiaohe, our Lieutenant Lin!”
“The Federation will never mistreat anyone who fights bitterly for it! Lin Xiaohe has proven with her actions that she is a treasure of the Fifth Star Ring military! She deserves all the honor and praise.”
The officer took a deep breath and stated solemnly, “Approved by the Fifth Star Ring Military District, Lin Xiaohe is hereby awarded the rank of Captain. The sea of stars is boundless. We hope you never forget your original aspiration and wish you a brilliant future! In the near future, the Fifth Star Ring will be proud of you, and the stars will shine for you!”
Thunderous applause erupted in the lobby.
Witnessing this, many guests understood that this slender girl before them was the Lin Xiaohe who had rendered such great service!
“You are truly amazing!” The guests applauded enthusiastically.
Lin Xiaohe’s face flushed red, a wave of warmth spreading from her cheeks to the top of her head.
She stood still, holding her head high, soaking in everyone’s praise and applause.
She liked this feeling.
She didn’t want to be an unsung hero. She had fought and she had given; she deserved to enjoy the recognition and commendation!
This was hers by right, and she had a clear conscience!
Behind her, the Lin family’s eyes were glistening with tears. Without them even realizing it, their little darling had already grown her wings and was soaring in the blue sky!
On the screen, intense battlefield footage continued to play. The pink Beetle mecha stood firm, an immovable object preventing the rebel army from advancing an inch.
Comments flew across the screen at lightning speed, everyone stirred and excited by the scene, worshipping the expert.
In the lobby, the applause gradually subsided.
“All members of the Fifth Star Ring Special Forces, C Company, fall in!”
Swish, swish.
The special forces soldiers donned their most formal uniforms, medals pinned to their chests.
They stood in formation, like unsheathed swords, eyes fixed forward.
The captain stood at the very front, his voice resonating from deep within. “Captain Lin, you showed us what it means to never abandon, never give up. You taught us that even in desperate situations, we must strive tirelessly. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. Salute!”
Swish, swish!
“Thank you, Captain Lin, for everything you’ve done for us!” The special forces soldiers’ roar nearly lifted the roof.
Lin Xiaohe returned the salute.
Just then, Wesley called out loudly, “All examinees, attention, fall in!”
The handsome but still slightly naive-looking boys did their best to puff out their chests.
Wesley said, “Thank you, Captain Lin, for saving my sorry life.”
Everyone was momentarily stunned, then covered their mouths, letting out amused laughter.
The other examinees protested, “Hey! Wesley, is that the brilliant line you came up with? So lame!”
“Xiaohe, don’t listen to him. He doesn’t speak for us. My admiration for you is like an endless torrential river, ceaseless and unending.”
“Xiaohe, you’re my boss from now on. If you tell me to go east, I’ll never go west.”
Instantly, Lin Xiaohe was surrounded by the examinees. Wesley couldn’t even squeeze his way in.
He hopped around anxiously. “The main point! You guys need to get to the main point! Xiaohe, we prepared a gift for you.”
“Oh, right, the gift! Xiaohe, you’re going to love it.”
The examinees finally let Lin Xiaohe go and gathered by another wall.
The ten-meter-high wall was covered with a bright red cloth, like a curtain.
Lin Xiaohe couldn’t help but feel curious. What exactly had they gotten her?
The examinees lined up, reached out, and grabbed hold of the red cloth.
Wesley stood in the very middle, grinning like a happy fool. “Three, two, one!”
Wow!
The red cloth fell like a waterfall, and the scene was met with involuntary gasps of amazement.
On the wall hung a canvas. Painted on it was a pink Beetle mecha, and inside the cockpit, Lin Xiaohe’s expression was one of intense seriousness.
The two simulated plant cannons on the mecha were pouring out firepower.
A pale-yellow protective shield shimmered like flowing water.
The background showed the Casaro Gorge military airport, reduced to ruins after the bombardment.
The imposing presence of the pink mecha was palpable, leaping right off the canvas.
Wesley presented it proudly. “Xiaohe, I heard that the Chief Student of the Central Military Academy gets assigned a private villa. When you do, you can hang this painting in your villa and show all the other students where you came from!”
Full of style, absolutely perfect!
Lin Xiaohe was touched, deeply touched.
What touched her even more were the two ten-meter-high mountains of gifts flanking the painting!
Oh my god, forgive her.
She simply could not tear her gaze away from those mountains of gifts.
The gifts were stacked a full ten meters high!
And more importantly, there were two such mountains of gifts!
Lin Xiaohe clutched her chest. She felt she might just faint from happiness.
