"Hmph."
Faced with He Kui's evasive arguments, Sulei let out a soft huff and didn't delay any further.
"But there are people from Winslet Corporation looking for you outside."
"Winslet."
After the welcome banquet, Winslet Corporation was still settling in, and it was unexpected that they would come looking so soon.
"I'll go over for a bit. Shihe, you all go check the radar room first."
"Go ahead, we'll contact you if anything comes up."
"Honestly, it seems like Winslet is eager to move the company here."
As Sulei complained, He Kui smiled, gathered his thoughts, and headed into the reception room.
Lass and her father stood up when they saw He Kui enter.
"Director He, it's a pleasure to have you invite us to visit here."
Mr. Winslet spoke humbly, but after all, he was the head of a large company, so He Kui also bowed slightly in response.
"It is my honor that Mr. Winslet and Miss Lass could come."
Although the situation was quite complex at the moment, He Kui did not show it on his face; instead, he maintained a calm demeanor.
"He Kui~!"
Though it had been a long time since they last met, the girl was still lively.
He believed that if her father weren't present, she would have already rushed over.
Seeing this, He Kui took out two Owls he had made and handed them to the girl.
"They can protect your safety."
Looking at Mr. Winslet, who seemed about to refuse, He Kui smiled.
"Alright, thank you, Director He."
In fact, even if He Kui hadn't given them, he had planned to buy them from Lacus.
Since obtaining He Kui's design, the factory under Clyne had started stable production of these Owls.
Moreover, since they knew each other, they could get them at a bargain price. The main thing was that he wasn't short on money, so why owe a favor?
However, seeing his daughter so happy, Winslet still accepted them.
"Thank you, He Kui~!"
"I heard that your company's main component production, Tank Baku, has already started mass production, and the performance in the desert has been quite good."
As He Kui guided the two through some of the base's infrastructure, he spoke.
Although there were no large-scale battlefields in the desert anymore, there were still quite a few small counterattacks from the Blue Bos.
"Thanks to the help of friends."
"Is that so?"
Seeing that Winslet had no intention of elaborating, He Kui nodded in satisfaction.
"Next, we'll need to trouble Mr. Winslet with the processing of parts for the Design Bureau."
"We're also acting according to the contract."
"Then, is life at PLANT still enjoyable?"
"Miss Lass is getting used to it at the May City Industrial College, right?"
"The classmates there are all very nice, but..."
"For Miss Lass, perhaps the knowledge taught there is a bit too shallow?"
He Kui was very aware of Lass's abilities, and she was still a purple cloud.
From this perspective, transferring to the industrial school wouldn't allow Lass to learn much.
"That's right!"
"So can I come to learn from He Kui here?"
"Lass."
Hearing this, Winslet softly sighed in resignation.
"Because I heard there are people learning here!"
"Yes, of course, you can come here, but..."
He Kui's gaze turned to Winslet.
He was eager for the girl to stay here permanently.
"Dad~"
Lass clung to her father's hand and acted cute.
"It's too far."
Winslet sighed, but his tone was exceptionally firm.
It wasn't just a matter of distance; he was also worried that the company would be swallowed by PLANT.
Although it was basically confirmed that the ones who invaded their home back then were from the Atlantic Federation.
However, the enemy of my enemy is not always my friend.
Especially when there are huge interests at stake.
At the very least, he needed to wait until Lass had her own thoughts before he could feel at ease letting her leave.
"Alright then."
He Kui didn't press further at this moment and instead offered a comforting smile to the disappointed Lass.
On the other side, after temporarily sending the two off, He Kui went to check on the Asuka siblings.
Looking at the stagnant micro-operation results before him, He Kui was not surprised, just a bit helpless.
"Shin, you have talent in driving, but you're too impulsive."
As he spoke, He Kui felt he was stating the obvious; Shin probably wouldn't change his ways, would he? It could be said that without that impulsiveness, he wouldn't have that style.
However, Shin's performance was indeed not very good; although he had talent in driving, it now seemed he was even weaker than Luna.
It seemed he was the type to perform well under pressure?
"Yeah, but I'm already strong! The teacher said I have the strength of a Red Uniform!"
Shin emphasized.
"That's the strength of a Red Uniform student, and your father doesn't want you to learn this."
As he spoke about teaching his child design, it had turned into training him to be an elite driver; he could already imagine the shocked expression on Shin's father's face.
Shin, hearing this, lowered his gaze in embarrassment.
As an immigrant from Orb, Shin didn't really want to go to the battlefield now. As he said, he just wanted to protect his family, not go to war.
If one were to summarize why the Shin in his memories went to the battlefield, it could generally be said to be for his family.
"And Mayu."
Mayu's situation was even more concerning than Shin's, as she barely passed her driving tests.
In that case, what did that purple cloud represent?
"I'm sorry."
Mayu shyly lowered her head.
"That's really no problem."
After all, he was just feeding one more mouth.
"Does Mayu have anything she likes?"
"I want to chat with someone~?"
Mayu thought for a moment, her innocent eyes sparkling.
As if there were stars hidden within.
"Is that so?"
Currently, he had tried all of his courses, including math and geography, with Mayu. If what Mayu said was true, could it be in the direction of diplomacy?
But he didn't have any talent in that area at the moment.
With no immediate solution, He Kui could only encourageingly pat Mayu's head.
"Just do your best."
"Mm!"
After watching He Kui leave, Mayu turned to Shin with a proud look.
"I told you, Brother He is a good person."
"Brother He wouldn't scold Mayu!"
"Hmph, he's no use at all."
Shin made a face and continued to boast.
"Looks like from now on, I'll have to protect you for life."
"Who said that! I'm definitely going to be strong in the future!"
"I don't believe it~"
While the two children continued their banter, He Kui had already returned to the radar room.
"How's the situation?"
"We've already obtained the Forbidden; that mercenary helped us apply for a departure patrol permit, and we can leave at any time."
"That's good."
Saying this, He Kui took over the control of Aegis from Shihe.
"If this place is really going to be attacked, should we inform the Defense Committee or Lacus?"
Sulei frowned and asked.
"Not for now; we have no evidence, and it would be too big of a deal. Besides, the staff should have already requested assistance, but PLANT has been too busy lately."
(End of Chapter)