288. Wendy, Come On, Let Me Take You to Play
"What are your intentions on this, both of you?" Rita inquired.
After pondering for a moment, Lin Chaoyu was the first to refuse.
"I'm sorry, I promised Teacher Fu Hua at the beginning of my enrollment that I would return to Shenzhou after graduation, so... I'm afraid I can't accept your invitation."
Lin Chaoyu explained.
"Alright, then I was presumptuous, not knowing Lin Chaoyu's situation beforehand... So, Yun Ling, are you also returning to Shenzhou after graduation?" Rita then turned to ask Yun Ling.
"I don't have such a request, but I'll probably be with Kiana and the others, so I won't be leaving St. Freya Academy for a while. However, I can cooperate with the Schicksal Headquarters." Yun Ling changed the subject, taking the initiative.
"Oh? Cooperate?" Rita was somewhat confused.
"Actually, I've always been interested in mechanics, but materials have always been a problem. I've heard that Anti-Entropy is an expert in mechanical manufacturing, so I've always wanted to get in touch with them, but I haven't had the chance..."
Yun Ling spoke to himself, completely ignoring the awkward situation between Anti-Entropy and Schicksal.
"So, I hope to get some orders from Schicksal headquarters. As for payment, rare metals will suffice," Yun Ling explained.
"Speaking of which, Yun Ling is quite outstanding in mechanical manufacturing. The small quantum component you recently created really shocked the Saint 7308 Research Institute."
Rita blinked, her eyes sparkling with a different kind of brilliance.
Schicksal has always been weaker than Anti-Entropy in mechanical manufacturing, but there's only one aspect where they've just surpassed Anti-Entropy: this small quantum component.
"You flatter me; it was just good luck," Yun Ling replied modestly.
"This can't be explained by luck alone... Alright, since Yun Ling doesn't have any plans to join Schicksal Headquarters for the time being, I will convey your request to His Holiness the Bishop. You should receive news soon."
After leaving Rita's dessert shop, Lin Chaoyu and Yun Ling returned to St. Freya Academy.
"Yun Ling, your reasons for not wanting to join Schicksal Headquarters aren't just this, are they?" Lin Chaoyu asked.
"Of course, Chaoyu, aren't you hiding something too?" Yun Ling countered.
The two smiled at each other and then gave each other a high five.
Yun Ling certainly couldn't go there at the moment. After all, with that old schemer Otto there, he might get tricked by him at any time.
Until he had absolute strength, he should try to avoid directly encountering Otto and focus on developing his strength by staying close to Fu Hua.
Not only that, but he also needed to use Schicksal's resources to strengthen himself and arm those around him.
The more bonds one has, the more weaknesses one possesses; Yun Ling understood this principle well.
Kiana and the others still needed time to grow; they couldn't afford to slack off.
When class started, Himeko quickly announced that Yun Ling would be the class representative.
No one in the class objected; after all, his excellence was undeniable.
"Yun Ling, what have you been researching lately? You always seem to disappear suddenly..." Kiana pouted, dissatisfied.
"Uh...cough, I'm researching a solution to a disease, so I need to interact with patients frequently," Yun Ling answered truthfully.
He was indeed researching Artificial Stigmata, and he was indeed frequently in contact with patients, so Yun Ling wasn't lying.
Sometimes at home, sometimes in secluded groves, sometimes in the office...cough!
"What kind of disease? Isn't there a cure already?" Kiana asked in confusion.
"Currently, there's only one solution, but the patient doesn't want that method, so we must find other ways," Yun Ling explained.
"Okay…" Kiana hung her head, looking listless.
"Sorry, I'll take you to the Oceania branch this weekend, and introduce you to Wendy." Yun Ling patted her head, comforting her.
"Wendy…"
After learning about Wendy's situation, a hint of sympathy flashed in Kiana's eyes.
She opened her mouth, wanting to comfort Yun Ling that it wasn't his fault, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Yes, I mentioned you guys to her when we were chatting, and she's really looking forward to meeting you," Yun Ling said with a smile.
"Okay, I'll definitely get along well with Wendy!" Kiana nodded earnestly.
Soon, the weekend arrived, and Yun Ling led the group to the Oceania branch. Himeko wasn't there this time, probably because she had overexerted herself these past few days, resulting in lower back strain, and needed to rest.
Sure enough, her body was getting old.
As soon as they disembarked, Wendy came out to greet them. She sat in her wheelchair, waiting with a smile.
"Wendy, I brought my friends along to play." Yun Ling greeted Wendy as soon as she got down.
"Hehe, Wendy, nice to meet you, I'm Kiana."
"I'm Raiden Mei, nice to meet you."
"Hello Wendy, I'm Bronya Zaychik…"
"I'm Yuna, hello."
The group greeted Wendy one by one.
"Hello everyone, it's great to meet you all!" Wendy waved enthusiastically to them.
Yun Ling stood naturally behind Wendy and pushed her wheelchair.
"Wendy, please show us around the Oceania branch today." Yun Ling said with a grin.
"Okay, don't worry, I know every corner of the Oceania branch very well!" Wendy clenched her fists, looking proud.
And so, Yun Ling pushed Wendy around the Oceania branch.
The conditions at the Oceania branch were actually somewhat worse than at St. Freya Academy, but it was Wendy's hometown, so she came here after graduating from St. Freya Academy.
Unlike St. Freya Academy, the Valkyries here were trained like soldiers, so it didn't have the same warm and harmonious atmosphere as St. Freya Academy; instead, it was filled with a strict and austere atmosphere.
Of course, it wasn't that there weren't any relaxation facilities here. At least Yun Ling could see an arcade or sports field, but it certainly wasn't as extensive as at St. Freya Academy.
"Yo, Yun Ling, you've come to see Captain Wendy again."
At this moment, Wendy's former teammates noticed Yun Ling's arrival.
"Yeah, I was free, so I brought a few friends to visit Wendy. You guys aren't going to be unhappy, are you?" Yun Ling replied with a smile.
"So that's why Captain Wendy was up so early waiting at the helipad. She was waiting for you!"
One of the teammates teased, and the others laughed along. For them, Wendy was incredibly lucky to have such a friend.
After all, they were constantly training and carrying out missions, often dragging their exhausted bodies around with no energy left to talk to Wendy.
Yun Ling perfectly filled that void, and Wendy seemed to like Yun Ling too; she'd get up to check if it was a message from him every time her phone vibrated.
So, of course, they didn't mind giving him a little push.
"I...I didn't!"
Wendy blushed and protested, hearing her teammates' teasing.
She glanced cautiously at Yun Ling beside her, only to see Kiana and Mei simultaneously pinching his soft flesh.
This guy always exudes that damn charm.
The intimate gesture made Wendy's breath catch in her throat, then she lowered her head, pretending not to see anything.
But the envy in her eyes was impossible to hide; she could only cover her face with her short hair to avoid being noticed.
"The weather's so nice today, how about a soccer match? St. Freya Academy versus the Oceania Branch, what do you say?" Yun Ling suggested.
"Oh? Is this a challenge? Wouldn't we be looked down upon if we didn't accept?"
The team members didn't seem intimidated; after all, the people in front of them were just students.
"Alright! We have six people, and you guys send six too, let's have a soccer match." Yun Ling was interrupted before she could finish speaking.
"Wait, where did you get six people?"
"Six, that's right." Yun Ling counted Wendy in front of them.
"Huh?! Why is Captain Wendy on your team?" The team members immediately protested.
"Wendy used to be a student at St. Freya. What's your problem with that?" Yun Ling said matter-of-factly.
"Eh? I have to participate, too?" Wendy was completely bewildered.
How is she supposed to play soccer? Headbutt?
"Don't worry, Wendy, they definitely won't dare kick you as a goalkeeper," Yun Ling said with a wicked grin.
"Hey, let me tell you, you better watch out! If you accidentally hurt Wendy while shooting, you'll be in big trouble!" Yun Ling shouted at his teammates.
"You're so despicable!" the teammates were indignant, wanting to rush up and tear Yun Ling apart.
Yun Ling simply hid behind Wendy, blocking all attacks.
At this moment, they gained a new understanding of Yun Ling, and also realized that 'dog' wasn't just a noun, but also an adjective!
...