Chapter 337: A Day at the Security Headquarters

Heaven Realm Security Headquarters.

In the Minister’s office, Ning Shuangshuang reviewed reports on activities from several major countries and leading conglomerates.

These states and conglomerates have long been prime targets for the Security Department; over the past year, countless intelligence operatives have been dispatched to monitor them.

A significant portion of the department’s resources is devoted to this very task.

Across from her sat Imanka, the Director of External Affairs for the Security Department.

Ever since she and her brother had been rescued by Dream Technology, she had even harbored a faint hope of reuniting with Du Qiu.

But after meeting Ning Shuangshuang, that thought vanished completely.

Unexpectedly, dedicating herself fully to work had earned her results—Ning Shuangshuang promoted her to head the External Affairs Division.

This division was established specifically to monitor these nations and conglomerates, with most of its personnel being field intelligence agents.

“Imanka, how is the Ark Project progressing with the remaining conglomerate team in the United States?”

Ning Shuangshuang set down her documents and looked up to inquire.

Imanka replied, “According to our agents, the Ark Project is now accelerating. The Ark in low Earth orbit is more than halfway complete.”

On one hand, increased backing from the conglomerates has led major software and hardware firms to reassign their top talent.

On the other, they’ve placed huge orders for our company’s commercial products, such as chips, industrial robots, and virtual simulation software.

Since the collapse of the United States, these former enterprises have relocated to England, Europe, Babylon, and other regions where our products aren’t banned.

In fact, this shift has accelerated aerospace developments in all major powers. Do we really need to impose restrictions?

After a moment’s thought, Ning Shuangshuang responded, “Since our company’s products are meant for sale, there’s no point in banning them. The previous embargo on the United States was merely a show of strength.”

Other countries have an open market with Dream Technology, so naturally, we won’t cut off our revenue streams.

Our company’s research system has long been primed; the products available on the market lag two generations behind what we use ourselves.

You needn’t worry about these major powers surpassing us. The company actually hopes that by boosting their aerospace capabilities, they’ll be better prepared to fend off disasters.

“Understood.” Hearing Ning Shuangshuang’s explanation, and recalling a recent conversation over dinner about a new computing technology on the rise, Imanka felt confident in the company’s technological supremacy.

“Just keep an eye on the progress of these countries and conglomerates. As long as nothing wildly abnormal happens, that’s all we require.”

“Yes.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the office door.

Before Ning Shuangshuang could say ‘come in’, the door flew open. A bouquet of fresh flowers appeared first, followed by Du Qiu, standing there with a cheerful grin.

However, when his eyes landed on Imanka inside, his smile instantly froze.

Inside, he mentally berated the office assistant, Leng Yanran, for daring to set him up by saying Ning Shuangshuang was alone in the office.

Yet he managed to say, “You’ve got something? Well then…”

Imanka had already stood up, interjecting, “I’ve finished my report. I’m leaving now.”

With that, she practically dashed out of the office.

Ning Shuangshuang’s eyes sparkled with joy, though she set her face into a deliberate stern expression, saying, “You’re the big boss—how can you be so unserious during work hours?”

Du Qiu placed the bouquet before her and remarked, “Minister Ning, don’t you see it’s past closing time?”

He added, “Leng Yanran really needs a lesson; she deliberately claimed you were alone in the office just to make me look foolish.”

Ning Shuangshuang accepted the flowers with a smile, saying, “I agree. She does seem to be even more mischievous than before.”

Holding the bouquet, Ning Shuangshuang walked over to a low cabinet against the wall, tossed the withered dried flowers from a vase into the trash, and arranged the fresh bouquet into it.

At that moment, a pair of hands wrapped around her waist from behind.

“Looks like I’ll have to bring you a fresh bouquet every day,” said Du Qiu.

“You’re so busy—when would you ever have time for that? And besides, if you sent them every day, there’d be no surprise,” Ning Shuangshuang replied as she leaned into his embrace.

“So you actually like a little surprise now?”

“Have things on Mars been settled? Why are you back so suddenly?”

Running his hand through her hair and inhaling her scent, Du Qiu murmured, “Mars is under control, but there might be developments beyond the Solar System.”

“I noticed that the Defense Department has switched to high alert. Do you really think aliens might invade the Solar System?”

“It’s too early to say for sure. I dispatched ten Winged Dragons to pursue a meteor that resembled a probe, while the Defense Department mobilized eight Transport Ships to intercept—using the opportunity as a training exercise.”

“Hey, stop fidgeting—it tickles.”

“I miss you so much…”

……

“Mhm, mhm, mhm—I didn’t see a thing!”

Suddenly, a voice was heard at the door. Leng Yanran, covering her eyes with both hands, shouted loudly.

Startled, Ning Shuangshuang quickly extricated herself from Du Qiu’s embrace. Du Qiu glowered at Leng Yanran and snapped, “With your perceptual system, you can see even with your eyes covered!”

Leng Yanran lowered her hands and, feigning innocence, said, “Everyone in the building has left. I just came to remind Shuangshuang that it’s time to clock out. I never expected you all to…”

She added in a teasing tone, “I’ve seen some reports—offices really are great places for a little romance…”

“Yanran, stop rambling!” Ning Shuangshuang chided, her face flushed.

She knew that if Leng Yanran kept talking, a normal embrace between the two could turn into something wildly inappropriate.

Du Qiu also remarked, “I think your underlying program might need a little recalibration…”

Startled, Leng Yanran shivered and quickly replied, “I’m off the clock now. You all do your thing. Bye bye!”

With that, she turned and dashed out.

“Let’s go—come home with me,” Ning Shuangshuang said after tidying up, addressing Du Qiu.

“Yeah, I’ve been missing my mother-in-law’s cooking for ages,” Du Qiu replied.

The two chatted all the way back to Ning Shuangshuang’s home, which was just a few minutes’ walk from Du Qiu’s place.

This was the villa area for Dream Technology’s executives.

Ning Shuangshuang had already notified her mother earlier that Du Qiu would be coming home with her. As soon as they entered, Zheng Hailan was there to greet them.

“Shuangshuang, if you’d told me earlier, I would’ve made your favorite braised fish extra!”

“Auntie, thank you so much! I love everything you cook,” she replied.

Zheng Hailan, who serves as the chief of the General Hospital in Heaven Realm,

oversees a network of 32 hospitals in the Haven, supplemented by community-run automated medical stations, providing comprehensive healthcare for the people.

Thanks to the well-established healthcare system in the Heaven Realm, her workload isn’t as overwhelming as it once was, leaving her plenty of time to cook for her daughter.

In the past, whenever Du Qiu wasn’t busy, he would swing by to grab a bite.

Ning Shuangshuang shot Du Qiu a withering look and commented, “I never knew you’d become such a pro at flattering my mom.”

Zheng Hailan laughed heartily, “Don’t be ridiculous. Little Qiu just really enjoys my cooking—makes me happy!”

After the three sat down at the dining table, the domestic service robot promptly laid out the dishes prepared by Zheng Hailan.

Over the meal, conversation naturally turned to the Defense Department’s high alert status.

Zheng Hailan remarked, “Our General Hospital has been ordered to allocate a team of medical personnel for this combat readiness mobilization. I heard that aliens are considered the simulated enemy this time—is that true?”

Indeed, many in the Heaven Realm were curious—could an alien invasion really occur?

Du Qiu paused with his chopsticks and said, “Yes, it’s true. But it’s still unclear whether those are actual aliens or just suspicious signs. Better to be prepared than caught off guard.”

“That’s true. Right now, Earth might face major disasters. If aliens invade again, it would be really…”

“Don’t worry, Mom. Little Qiu is already prepared. Even if aliens attack, we’ll overcome them.”