I Look Forward to the Day You Leave

"Brother Li Ming, is it fun over there?"

Little Radish, Susanna, looked at Li Ming with longing in the evening. Susanna, already on holiday, had no winter homework yet and naturally cared a lot about an older brother like Li Ming.

Li Ming consciously took out the diary they had agreed upon with Susanna. "Here, I haven't forgotten my promise to Susanna!"

He shook the diary in his hand, and Li Ming, like he was telling a story, chatted with Susanna about what he had seen and heard since his transmigration. He couldn't bring himself to talk to adults like this, but when chatting with a child like Susanna, he would let down his guard.

As they chatted, evening arrived.

However, Su Qizhe was not present during dinner. Li Ming and Susanna ate their meal accompanied by Steward Zhao.

"Brother Li Ming, weren't you scared when you encountered that kind of thing in Changming City?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Li Ming paused for a moment before smiling and saying, "Brother Li Ming is very capable, and little Susanna will eventually have something to protect in the future."

Even though he said that, Li Ming felt even more lost inside. After transmigrating here, did he truly want to protect this place?

The Last Lesson, A Story Because of You...

As various scenes flashed through Li Ming's mind, he reaffirmed his inner resolve. Perhaps he had transmigrated precisely to change these things.

However, the young Susanna silently remembered his words.

But a child's energy comes and goes quickly. Having spent the afternoon chatting with Li Ming, she was already exhausted. "Brother Li Ming, I'm sleepy. See you tomorrow!"

With that, Susanna ran off to her room with a duang duang duang.

Li Ming also returned to his own room. However, unable to sleep, he habitually climbed onto the roof of the house, leaning against the eaves, gazing at the horizon. The night breeze ruffled Li Ming's dark red bangs, and the moon was reflected in his eyes, faintly visible.

Schicksal Headquarters, Divine Capital

Su Qizhe sat in the conference room. Those present were influential figures from various industries, with the exception of the heads of Destiny and Anti-Entropy, everyone else was present.

After exchanging glances, they all nodded to each other without speaking further. No one uttered a sound as they looked at the person sitting at the head of the table. After the last person arrived, the conference room doors closed layer by layer. The group inspected the entire conference room and then used metal detectors to check everyone before leaving.

There were no objections from anyone. Once everyone had tidied their belongings, the person at the head of the table finally spoke. "Half a year ago, we established contact with the president of ME Company. Using the pretext of jointly resolving Chiyou and H&K, and with the condition of safely returning the liaison officers dispatched by Anti-Entropy to the Americas, we received a large amount of advanced technology and blueprints."

Most of those present were aware of this news, but they were not privy to the inner details. Therefore, after hearing his explanation, many secretly realized the truth. Su Qizhe, being the first person to contact Raiden Ryoma, naturally knew the whole story, but he pretended to have just learned of it and nodded.

"Those liaison officers now include not only Anti-Entropy's but also our own honeybees, so this is naturally a good thing. However, we received news from Destiny that they will soon be conducting a sweep of Anti-Entropy's liaison officers. Therefore, time is of the essence. The original plan was to transfer everyone by June of next year, but now it needs to be moved up to February. All liaison officers will be evacuated from Haidong, Modu."

The voice suddenly stopped. The person at the head of the table looked at everyone present, remaining silent. The others naturally understood what he meant, but for the moment, no one spoke. Their eyes flickered, each with their own thoughts.

Finally, the head of the Modu branch was the first to speak. "The Modu branch will definitely spare no effort to assist in this matter!"

"You should first figure out how to get past those Valkyries under your command who listen to orders but don't obey directives." As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately retorted. The latter official didn't say anything further. They knew their own situation. Those Destiny Valkyries were indeed in such a state. Moreover, if not for the easing of relations between Schicksal and Destiny in recent years, and the infiltration of many people into Destiny, the situation would likely be even more severe.

Consequently, many who were implicated began to argue. Su Qizhe watched silently, contemplating. Although Li Ming had not sent back any news, after being recommended by Raiden Ryoma to Caltech, he didn't believe Li Ming would have no connection to Anti-Entropy.

And from the events and turmoil occurring in the Americas over the past three months, Su Qizhe could somewhat guess the conflict between Anti-Entropy and Destiny there.

He even knew some things more clearly than those present.

He exchanged a glance with the person at the head of the table and remained silent, watching the others argue.

Although this matter was tricky, it wasn't insurmountable for those present. However, the main problem to solve was how to extricate Schicksal from this situation. Not everyone was without a solution. In the end, several individuals took on the main responsibilities, with others assisting. The details of the matter would be finalized by those individuals themselves.

And these were not the only matters to be discussed at the meeting.

"We need to quickly master the technology acquired from Destiny and the data obtained from Anti-Entropy, especially accelerating the breakthroughs in technologies related to armor and mecha units..."

"We cannot be careless in training the martial arts force. We do not possess Destiny's technology for training Valkyries, so until we can independently build mechs, we must cultivate a martial arts force belonging to Schicksal..."

"Some of the data obtained from the Chiyou Organization can be prioritized. Depending on the handling of the Chiyou Organization's affairs, the Changming, Tianqiong, and Yangcheng branches will be responsible. We cannot let go of those mechs that imitate Anti-Entropy but can be mass-produced. In the face of the so-called Honkai, we cannot put all our eggs in one basket..."

With numerous plans being arranged, the meeting continued into the late night. Everyone gradually left, each carrying a heavy responsibility, their expressions tinged with seriousness to varying degrees.

Su Qizhe, who had not been assigned any tasks, walked out last. After everyone had left, he returned to the conference room. The person at the head of the table was still seated there. After Su Qizhe entered, they were silent for a while before he spoke.

"Qizhe, your contribution in establishing contact with ME Company this time is immense. Logically, you shouldn't be troubled with such matters again. However, it concerns Schicksal, and Destiny's attitude is unclear. Moreover, that Bishop is not entirely aligned with Schicksal. That esteemed individual has bought us time, and we cannot afford to slacken. Therefore, we need you to take a risk and make another sacrifice."

He looked into Su Qizhe's eyes. Su Qizhe, however, was looking at the decorative flowers on the conference table, as if observing something novel. He replied indifferently, "Whatever it is, just say it."

The person at the head of the table looked at him. "I need you to join Destiny."

Su Qizhe's head shot up, his eyes fixed on him. The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly froze.

Finally, Su Qizhe took a deep breath and said, "You know, that's impossible in Schicksal. Destiny hasn't relaxed its guard against us. Although many people have been placed within it, for me to enter..."

Su Qizhe's words were left unfinished, but their meaning was clear. The person at the head of the table, however, said, "I know. That's why we have a concrete plan. But only you can implement it."

At this point, Su Qizhe fell silent. He had also thought of the crucial point. The person at the head of the table knew how much pressure this would put on Su Qizhe, so he didn't urge him to make a decision quickly. He just sighed heavily and said, "Destiny uses many organizations like H&K to disrupt the order of neutral countries and then uses this as a reason to station troops. If something unexpected happens to Destiny, the consequences would be unimaginable. For the sake of the people, for our families, we have nowhere left to retreat."

After speaking, he stood up to leave. However, as he reached the door, he turned back and said, "By the way, the New Year is approaching. Spend a good New Year with your child."

Footsteps gradually faded away, and the conference room fell into a deathly silence.

Li Ming looked at the identical version of himself before him. He was no longer as flustered as he had been three months ago. The two of them could now sit down and talk properly. However, it would be more convincing if they could put down the Inch Punch: Chaotic Thunder they were holding.

"What exactly do you want to do?" Li Ming frowned, his expression unfriendly. If 'he' showed the slightest flaw, Li Ming would unleash a storm of attacks.

"'I' just wanted to see your mental state," 'Li Ming' said with a smile, even casually dissipating the Chaotic Thunder in his hand.

'His' words made Li Ming frown. He didn't quite understand the meaning, feeling as if he were watching a play. However, what 'Li Ming' said next made his pupils contract. "It must be difficult to constantly feel the erosion of this energy within him, right? It's almost time. Since you've returned here, it means it's close. I look forward to the day you leave, hahaha..."

'Li Ming''s figure vanished before him with his laughter. Finally, firelight and wind engulfed Li Ming's entire form.

"Ah!" Li Ming suddenly woke up, sitting on his bed with a look of sheer terror.

After taking several deep breaths, Li Ming adjusted his breathing and left his room after washing up.

At the dining table, he was distracted even while eating breakfast, his mind filled with the words of that 'Li Ming.'

After waking up, Susanna glanced at Li Ming before holding a cup of hot milk in front of him. "Brother Li Ming, you had a nightmare. Here, Uncle Zhao said drinking warm milk helps you not be afraid of nightmares."

Interrupted by Susanna, Li Ming finally collected his thoughts and instinctively took the hot milk from her hand. "Thank you, Susanna."

Li Ming didn't refuse Susanna's kindness. After finishing the hot milk, Susanna leaned closer and asked, "Brother Li Ming, what kind of nightmare did you have? Susanna used to have nightmares too, but I'm not scared anymore now that I'm older."

"Susanna is amazing," he said, pulling at the corner of his mouth with a smile. However, he adjusted his expression, as his complexion was so poor that even Susanna could easily tell.

Li Ming then noticed that Su Qizhe hadn't returned. Su Qizhe didn't come home until evening. As soon as Su Qizhe returned, Li Ming greeted him, hugged Susanna, and then went back to his own room.

His expression was even worse than Li Ming's had been that morning.

"Did something happen?"

Li Ming looked at Su Qizhe's closed door, a feeling growing that something significant might have occurred.