Shen Que did not think identifying ores was difficult.
It was much easier than distinguishing between over five hundred kinds of Zerg that looked almost identical, differing only in their tail hooks.
After seeing enough of them, it came naturally.
Besides, he could only distinguish their grades. Within each grade, ores had even finer classifications.
For example, below A grade were A+ and A-, and below B grade were B+ and B-.
The higher the grade, the harder it was to tell them apart.
At that point, instruments became essential.
"Where is this batch of larkstone going?" Shen Que asked Gabi casually.
"Messiah's Advanced Mecha Research Center. They said they needed A+ larkstone for the decorative coating on three new S-grade mecha."
"They're in a hurry. The deposit's already been paid, and the shipment leaves tomorrow."
Gabi invited Shen Que into the lounge, reaching out to open the door for him.
Shen Que stepped inside. "The coating for S-grade mecha requires A+ ore?"
"A grade used to be enough, but these three mecha are the work of the master mecha designer Blue Crane. The master specifically requested A+."
Blue Crane.
A name everyone knew.
The designer had entered the ranks of the masters after creating the 3S-grade mecha Cold Glow.
The Empress had personally bestowed the title, then granted Cold Glow to him, newly promoted to supreme commander of the First Fleet.
A voice came from inside the lounge. "Refined taste comes at a price, doesn't it?"
Shen Que stopped, his gaze settling on the person sitting upright on the sofa, drinking tea.
A teacup clinked crisply.
Ai Fan raised her eyes to Shen Que and asked mildly, "When used for decorative mecha coatings, what's the difference between A+ and A-grade ore, Director?"
Shen Que answered without hesitation:
"Once ground, A+ ore has a finer texture. Combined with sand gold, it not only enhances defensive properties but also produces a special radiation-resistant protective layer. Its natural flaking rate over three years is only 0.1%."
"A-grade ore only provides the basic benefits of improved appearance and hardness. Its flaking rate over three years is close to 1%."
Having delivered his answer smoothly, he bent his knees in a formal greeting. "Mother, what brings you here?"
"I happened to be passing by, so I came to take a look."
Ai Fan's lips curved upward, making no attempt to hide her approval of Shen Que.
"Come sit down, Shen Que."
Shen Que sat opposite Ai Fan.
Rubbing his hands together, Gabi hovered around them like a fly, announcing that he would go compile the reports Shen Que wanted right away.
Before leaving, he made sure to refill their tea.
Even the order was carefully considered: Ai Fan first, then Shen Que.
"Are you settling in?" Ai Fan asked. "If the General Affairs Office's workload feels too heavy, you can tell me."
"It isn't," Shen Que replied.
Compared with the affairs he had handled in the First Fleet, it really was not much.
"I've finished reviewing the records for the past three years."
"Was there anything you didn't understand?"
Shen Que had been about to say no, but catching sight of Gabi's back as he closed the door, he asked, "How long has Minister Gabi held his post?"
Ai Fan gave a meaningful smile. "Twelve years. He's a hereditary noble from White Sand Star. His father also works in the General Affairs Office."
Shen Que understood. He asked another question. "What about Jin Yi and Xingyao?"
"Seven and a half years." Ai Fan sipped her tea. "Jin Yi graduated from Messiah Comprehensive Academy, with a double major in interstellar geography and sand gold research. I personally recruited him into the Ore Department to oversee sand gold."
"As for Xingyao..."
Ai Fan smiled.
"He's a special case. He's a junior alumnus of yours."
Shen Que paused. "He graduated from the Royal Military Academy?"
Ai Fan nodded.
A Royal Military Academy graduate who had joined neither the Seven Fleets, the Starry Sky Tower, nor a mecha research center, and had come here instead?
The Omega's sweet face, meticulous clothing, and... dazzling array of ornaments surfaced in Shen Que's mind.
He had a suspicion.
"What was his major?"
Ai Fan confirmed his guess. "Mecha engineering."
"This batch of ore has been classified incorrectly!"
Xingyao tossed his long golden braid behind him and planted his hands on the desk, his expression serious.
"But..."
The appraiser looked troubled.
"Deputy Minister, these are the instrument readings."
"If I say they're wrong, they're wrong!"
Xingyao glared at the appraiser, but his naturally alluring eyes carried no intimidating force whatsoever.
"Are instrument readings always accurate? I spot-checked half this batch. Every piece was just short of A+."
But you checked them with your eyes...
The appraiser clearly trusted the instruments more.
"Use another set of instruments and test them again. A+ and A-grade ore produce very different results in decorative mecha coatings. We can't afford even the slightest error!" Xingyao ordered.
Instead of acting immediately, the appraiser frowned.
"Deputy Minister, as you know, our department tests every batch of ore at least three times before reaching a conclusion."
"White Sand Star's testing technology is more advanced than Capital Star's. Even when we ship to Messiah, our reports are treated as authoritative."
"You can't casually overturn the instruments' findings based on your own feelings."
"Besides, this shipment leaves tomorrow. If it gets delayed because of this, can you take responsibility?"
The appraiser spoke gravely, his tone carrying more authority than Xingyao's, despite the latter being the deputy minister.
"It passed all three tests...? That's impossible."
Xingyao's confidence faltered at once. His slender brows drew together as he murmured, "Something must have gone wrong..."
Other appraisers who had heard the commotion began discussing it quietly.
"Could you perhaps have misjudged it? Human eyesight does have its limits, after all..."
Another appraiser offered the tactful reminder.
Everyone was familiar with Xingyao's way of doing things: erratic thinking and far too much faith in his own judgment.
He was like a tangled ball of yarn.
And stubborn to boot.
The lead appraiser sighed.
If only Xingyao were as sweet and agreeable on the inside as he looked.
With his looks, simply sitting there looking pretty would give everyone plenty of motivation to work overtime.
The pretty deputy minister frowned, pressing his rosy lips into a tight line. After agonizing for a long while, he slapped the desk.
"No! Test it again! It still looks wrong to me!"
The appraiser let out a long sigh.
Why did he have to have a mouth?
Now he wasn't motivation. He was a burden!
Just as the two sides reached an impasse,
Gabi's voice rang out. "Xingyao!"
The rotund man nimbly picked his way through the ore scattered across the floor.
First, he looked around. Once he had confirmed that Jin Yi was nowhere nearby, he boldly approached Xingyao and ordered him about.
"The director wants last week's work reports, mainly the ones concerning ore. Go compile them. Don't keep him waiting in the lounge!"
Xingyao blinked. "Now?"
"Now!"
"How do I have time right now?!"
Xingyao grew anxious.
"Minister, this batch of ore needs to be retested. I don't have time, and, and..."
He swallowed.
Compiling reports was not his strong suit.
That icy Commander... looked difficult to deal with...
"...I, I don't think I can..."
"You'll do it whether you can or not!"
Thick, musky pheromones spilled from Gabi, carrying a threat.
Gabi's musk lacked any floral or woody notes, leaning more toward leather and animal scents. In short, it defied description.
Some Alpha and Omega appraisers covered their noses in disgust, casting envious glances at the Betas.
Xingyao trembled and took a step back.
"But... I..."
Satisfied by the fear his pheromones had brought to Xingyao's face, Gabi barked, "But what? Stop standing there! Go!"
Xingyao's limbs went weak. The Alpha's pheromones suppressed him completely.
"All right..."
He had no choice but to nod.
After watching Gabi swagger away, Xingyao took a couple of breaths to steady himself.
The appraisers beside him had already begun evaluating the next batch, making it clear that once he left, there would be no retesting of the disputed ore.
Holding the questionable ore, Xingyao was torn.
Suddenly, he caught sight of the other deputy minister among the crowd.
"Jin Yi!"
The stern Alpha stopped at the sound of his name.
Xingyao pushed through the crowd and ran up to him, tilting his pretty face upward.
"Please, do me a favor!"
Jin Yi thought, ...Aren't I already doing you a favor?
A scent that did not belong to Xingyao lingered around him.
Musk.
It stinks.
Without betraying anything, Jin Yi dispersed the smell.
The Alpha's face remained impassive. He raised an eyebrow, signaling for Xingyao to continue.
Xingyao's gaze flickered.
"Well... there's a report for the new director. I, I'm currently..."
He abruptly fell silent as the image of Jin Yi watching Shen Que's retreating back flashed through his mind.
A hint of jealousy welled up inside him.
"...You're currently?"
Xingyao's lips moved. As though making up his mind, he gritted his teeth. "There might be a problem with a batch of ore! Sorry for the trouble, but could you oversee the retesting? I need to compile a report for the director right now, so I don't have time..."
His voice grew quieter as he spoke.
The Alpha seemed to give a brief laugh before answering tonelessly, "Sure."
"Wonderful." Xingyao tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You're such a good person... I, I'll send you the details right now!"
He lowered his head to look up the ore's identification code, and several strands of golden hair fell forward.
"Found it!"
Before he could lift his head, a hand unexpectedly swept those loose strands aside and reached behind his ear.
Xingyao froze, staring as Jin Yi tugged at the hairpin behind his ear.
The Alpha remained expressionless. "It was crooked."
"Ah!" Xingyao's face flushed bright red. He hurriedly reached up to fix his hair. "S-sorry. How improper of me."
Taking in the Omega's flushed cheeks, Jin Yi said coolly, "Weren't you going to compile a report?"
"Right, right..."
Xingyao turned away, carefully straightening each of his hairpins while letting out a mournful whimper.
"Ugh... the report..."
After watching Xingyao leave, Jin Yi glanced over the ore information he had just received, approached the appraiser, and tapped the desk with his bent index finger.
"Deputy Minister!"
The chief appraiser sat up straight, in stark contrast to his earlier casual attitude toward Xingyao.
"I hear a batch of ore failed to meet standards." Jin Yi made it a statement.
"Which batch?" the appraiser asked seriously.
Jin Yi opened the identification code.
"Oh, this batch..." The appraiser's expression relaxed. "Deputy Minister Xingyao told you about it, didn't he?"
"It's already been tested three times, and it passed every time. I don't know why he insists it isn't acceptable. Look, here's the report."
Jin Yi opened the report and read it.
The appraiser was still rambling beside him.
"Rest assured, I've checked it over many times. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it. Honestly, Deputy Minister Xingyao... at a time like this, could they please stop making trouble..."
"Run the tests again."
"...What?!" The appraiser froze.
Jin Yi glanced at him and repeated clearly, "I said run the tests again. Use a different set of equipment. You have half an hour. I want a new report."
The appraiser opened his mouth in surprise.
Jin Yi said, "Do you not understand?"
The appraiser nodded repeatedly. "I understand, I understand. I'll arrange it right away!"
He respectfully saw his difficult superior out.
The appraiser wailed inwardly.
Wasn't Deputy Minister Jin Yi always objective and reasonable?
Why had he become a hindrance today too?!
Before you continue