Get Up Already

"Right, exactly."

Ajie nodded and explained.

"She was most likely a Super Soldier left behind by some Super God civilization."

"We can confirm the specifics after examining her. As for what triggered her awakening, based on Lian Feng and the others' analysis..."

"It was most likely because we recently activated some of Earth's Super Genes with Lena's help."

"And she was indirectly activated in the process."

"But rest assured, we've verified her background and information. She's absolutely trustworthy."

"Good. Please continue your analysis."

Old Huang nodded in agreement and said no more.

He chose to keep listening.

"Right. I'll continue."

"Based on last night's fight, even a First Generation Super Soldier could damage the mech units from yesterday, and could even take one down alone."

"But we can't be sure that all the Super Soldiers activated so far are as strong as Ashe."

"Many of them were ordinary people before. They've never received any military training at all."

"The Taotie Mechs' arrival, whatever their purpose, shows they're already preparing to invade Earth."

"But Earth's current firepower can't stop them from entering."

"So I recommend that we begin training the Super Soldiers as soon as possible."

"In other words, the Black Great Wall Project that General Pan Zhen mentioned to Lena."

"At the same time, we should give Ashe, this Super Soldier, a different training regimen from the others."

"Tell us your thoughts, Ajie."

Dukao, seated beside Old Huang, asked in a low voice.

"This soldier showed such combat ability even as a First Generation Super Soldier. That means her Super Gene clearly has enormous potential."

"Earth's other Super Soldiers will need time to grow before they can reach the same level of combat ability."

"And during that time, we can't be sure whether the Taotie will take further action against Earth. So we need a Super Soldier who can grow strong as soon as possible."

"Agreed." Dukao approved of Ajie's reasoning.

He looked across at Lena.

"Discuss this with Lena."

"Super Seminary has other plans for now."

"Understood. Leave it to me." Ajie nodded to show he understood.

Having fulfilled his promise to Ashe, Ajie was about to wrap up.

But Dukao asked again, "Where's that Ashe now? Is she on the Ju Xia Hao?"

"No, she isn't. After last night's incident..."

"Since quite a few bystanders saw Ashe's face, we had Rose take her away first."

"We can contact Rose directly once we've dealt with this incident."

"Mm, good." Dukao felt Ajie had handled it well.

He turned to the Blonde Woman.

Understanding what Dukao meant, she stepped forward again.

She tapped the big screen.

After switching to another set of photos, she continued, "All right, I'll move on to the next topic: the Taotie."

"Lena knows more about this, so sorry for the trouble, Lena. Could you brief us on it?"

"Sure. The Taotie Civilization..."

While the meeting room discussed matters concerning Earth's safety,

our Ashe, elsewhere, was enjoying the warmth and comfort beside her.

Black hair fell from her graceful neck.

Half propped up, she looked at Ashe, who was still beside her with her eyes closed, sleeping soundly.

Qilin's lips curled into a smile.

Unlike in the original story, Qilin hadn't suffered a gaping hole in her chest during the Airport Road Incident.

She was in the same condition as she'd been in the hospital in the original story. (I suggest checking the original if you want to know what Qilin was like in the hospital. The author can't write it; it took several revisions to get past review.)

After checking the time on her phone,

Qilin lifted a small lock of hair and grinned mischievously.

Like a child playing a prank,

she lightly swept its tip across Ashe's nose.

At the same time, she bent her fair arm and leaned close to Ashe's ear, whispering over and over, "Wake up, you sleepyhead! Wake up! Sleepyhead..."

Watching Ashe stir as if she were about to wake, Qilin furrowed her brow.

Qilin smiled smugly and was about to redouble her efforts to get Ashe up in one go.

But then—

With her eyes still closed, Ashe reached out, grabbed Qilin by the shoulder, and gave a gentle tug.

"Ah!" Qilin hadn't expected Ashe to suddenly turn the tables on her.

She let out a little cry as the situation reversed.

Qilin, who had been on top, was now wrapped in the blanket and pinned beneath Ashe.

Just as Qilin had done moments ago, Ashe leaned close to Qilin's ear.

Ashe breathed a warm puff of air, drawing a soft gasp from Qilin.

"What are you doing?" Qilin's voice held a hint of annoyance and bashfulness.

Qilin squirmed, trying to wriggle free.

"If you're awake, hurry up and wash up! We have to report in today, remember?"

She put on an angry face and tried to use their plans for the day as an excuse to make Ashe let go.

But Ashe wasn't about to let her have her way.

She held Qilin down with her weight.

Ashe, leaning over her, was just about to say something

when they heard a "click" from the doorway.

"Are you two up yet? I just got breakfast. We..."

Rose came in carrying three breakfasts.

She glanced toward the bed without thinking.

Her eyes met Qilin's and Ashe's, and Rose stopped in her tracks.

Then she acted as if she hadn't seen a thing.

Rose silently put two breakfasts on the table.

Then she turned around.

"You two get up and have breakfast too. I'll wait outside."

Speaking in an even tone, Rose picked up her own breakfast and quickly walked out of the room.

But just as she closed the door, Rose seemed to hear Qilin shout furiously,

"This is all your fault!"

And Ashe protest,

"What did I do? Weren't you the one who started it? With your mouth—ugh, I mean, your hands?"

"Shut up!"

"It's your fault. I told you to stop messing around, but you wouldn't!"

"Oh, right, right. My mistake."

Ashe ate her breakfast and, with plenty of experience in arguments, switched into professional appeasement mode.

No matter what Qilin said, Ashe kept admitting she was wrong.

Qilin could see that Ashe wasn't taking her seriously.

But the thought of Rose seeing the two of them fooling around that morning made Qilin's cheeks flush with embarrassment.

After all, the two of them could do whatever they wanted in private, but when someone else saw them—

As a woman, Qilin just couldn't pretend nothing had happened as easily as Ashe could.

She simply lacked experience.

She'd need more practice.

Ashe decided to help Qilin practice more from now on, so she could overcome her embarrassment as soon as possible.

After breakfast, Ashe tossed her loose purple hair lightly, then deftly gathered it up with her right hand.