Qianchengxue saw how happy Sun Li and the others were and smiled reassuringly at her sisters.

"No matter what, you are all my most important sisters, and that will never change."

When Sun Li and the other sisters heard Qianchengxue say this, each of their eyes became a little red, and they all choked out.

"Sister Xue."

"Okay, it's all right, everything is in the past, if the money is lost, it's lost. It would be best to get it back, but if we can't, we'll regroup."

Qianchengxue comforted Sun Li and the others.

"But we have no money at all now, and the company still owes the bank some loans."

Sun Li said, feeling a little down.

"It's okay, I'll take care of these things."

Qianchengxue said in as light a tone as possible, not wanting Sun Li and the others to worry about these things anymore.

"Ahem, Xue'er is right, if things really don't work out, isn't there still me? I'll do my best to help too."

Su Mo coughed and echoed with a smile.

"Okay!"

*Grumble~*

At this moment, a very discordant sound suddenly rang out.

Sun Li and the other sisters all looked very unnatural for a moment, and they subconsciously clutched their stomachs. They had been so busy looking for Sister Xue all over the world that they had missed lunch and dinner.

Now that they had found her, their nerves relaxed, and their stomachs immediately began to protest.

Seeing this, Su Mo said with a smile, "Are you hungry? How about I treat you to dinner? Let's have a good meal, and consider it a new beginning."

"Okay."

Sun Li and the others all agreed enthusiastically.

"Tell me, what do you want to eat? Don't be shy."

Su Mo replied very generously. He still had some change in his bank card, enough to treat everyone to a meal.

"When I came, I saw a special roadside stall by the river over there. It's a rare sight! Why don't we go eat at the roadside stall? It's been a long time since I had beer and barbecue. I miss it so much!"

Sun Li suggested excitedly.

Tang Yao and the other sisters also echoed, looking very much in agreement.

Su Mo smiled as he looked at them recommending the roadside stall so highly.

He wasn't stupid, he knew that these girls were trying to save him money. How could a roadside stall be as good as a star-rated hotel?

"Okay, let's go to the roadside stall then, let's go."

......

A moment later, Su Mo and the others walked along the path by the lake, chatting and laughing.

Not far ahead, there was a brightly lit area.

There was a wide lake viewing area, with a simple restaurant built inside and simple tables placed outside.

This was a rare sight in the city, and could only be seen occasionally in the suburbs.

Many diners were eating inside, and from time to time you could hear drinking games, dice rolling, and laughter, full of the atmosphere of ordinary life.

"It's there, you can smell it, you can smell the fragrance from a long distance."

Sun Li said excitedly.

"Let's go, I'm hungry too."

Su Mo smelled the aroma of grilled meat wafting in the air, and was also interested for a moment. The craftsmanship seemed to be pretty good.

They walked over happily.

At this time, a middle-aged woman wearing an apron, holding a menu in her hand, greeted them with a smile,

"Sit here, what would you like to eat?"

"Let's see what you have to eat."

Sun Li and the others were not polite and took the menu and started ordering.

Su Mo and Qianchengxue sat down first, letting Sun Li and the others take care of the arrangements, and they just waited to eat.

"What are you thinking about?"

Seeing Qianchengxue, after sitting down, seemed to be thinking about something, a little distracted, Su Mo considerately asked her.

"I'm thinking about the financial situation."

Qianchengxue didn't hide anything from Su Mo.

"You don't need to worry about this, I still have a batch of ore on hand. I'll sell it later, it should be enough for you."

Su Mo reached out and took Qianchengxue's soft hand, comforting her with a smile.

"No, the money you gave me is already enough. It's my fault for not managing things well, how can I let you sell your things? Besides, the recent ore market is not very good. If you leave it for a while, it will definitely appreciate in value."

Qianchengxue shook her head, disagreeing with Su Mo's idea.

"It's okay, how bad can the market get? At most, we'll just sell it for a little less."

Su Mo didn't care at all.

"It's much worse. Because the Blue Whale was intercepted, domestic companies in various countries have been severely hit, causing a chain reaction that has led to economic downturns in various countries and a sharp decline in purchasing power. There is basically no one buying. If we sell it to merchants in Star Ring City, we will definitely suffer even more losses. You don't need to worry about the financial situation. I plan to borrow some money from my father to use for the company's turnover and slowly develop again."

Qianchengxue told Su Mo about her plans.

Seeing Qianchengxue's firm attitude, Su Mo didn't insist.

At this time, Sun Li and the others had also ordered their dishes and gathered around.

"Oh, there's actually an outdoor projection device here. This roadside stall is quite thoughtful."

Zhao Han said with a bit of surprise as she found a remote control at this time.

"Turn it on, we can watch TV while we eat."

Su Mo suggested to Zhao Han.

"I'll try."

Zhao Han fiddled with it a few times, and the video projection quickly popped up.

The screen showed a spokesperson for the Federation, reporting real-time news with a serious expression.

"Recently, civilian ships from major alliance countries and the Federation have been constantly experiencing serious friction and conflict with civilian ships of the Empire in the outer space of Star Ring City. As of now, 438 civilian ships have been damaged in the conflicts, and 532 civilian ships are missing..."

"A orange danger alert is hereby issued for some star regions!"

......

Looking at the news, Su Mo said with some surprise.

"This private conflict is more serious than I thought. It seems that we have to be careful when setting sail in the future."

"You're just realizing that now? We knew it a long time ago. All the experts on the internet are advising people not to set sail. Going out is just asking for death. The friction is really intense now."

Sun Li looked like she was used to it.

"I get so angry when I talk about this. I don't understand why the Federation doesn't come forward to sanction them. This matter is clearly obvious. The people below are all asking for war, but it's useless at all. I really don't understand why the Speaker is so restrained."

Tang Yao couldn't understand at all.

"How can we sanction them? We originally didn't have any dealings or transactions with them. Unless we go to war directly, but how can we fight? Just end it all together?"

Su Mo said helplessly.

"Large-scale conflicts are unlikely. The alliance countries are all busy collecting new supplies for the front line. How can they collect supplies if they fight at this time?"

Qianchengxue shook her head.

"How is the Federation's supply collection going?"

Su Mo asked curiously when he heard this.

"Although the Federation is in a difficult situation now, collecting some supplies is still no problem. It's just that I heard that no one dares to transport them to the front line, which is the most troublesome thing."

Qianchengxue roughly told Su Mo about the current situation.

"If it were me, I wouldn't dare either."

Su Mo stretched his waist and replied casually. Who would dare to be the first to stick their head out at this critical moment?

Zhao Han picked up a case of beer, opened the bottles one by one, and placed them in front of each sister.

"Why talk about those things? Let's have a good drink today, and tomorrow we'll work hard together!"

"Okay!"

The sisters responded one after another.

Soon, steaming grilled meat and stir-fried dishes were served. Su Mo glanced at them.

Basically, all of them were meat dishes, with no vegetables. Sun Li and the others were really ordering the cheapest things.

"You guys are saving me money like this?"

Su Mo joked.

"No way, we just wanted to eat meat today."

"That's right, Su Mo, you don't have a problem with us eating some meat, do you?"

......

The sisters asked with smiles.

Just at this moment, not far away, a simple, low-key, and luxurious hovercar slowly drove over.

Normal people would subconsciously ignore this kind of hovercar,

But Sun Li and the others had sharp eyes, and they discussed in surprise.

"Look at that car, that's a domestic official car! Don't look at how simple and low-key it is, the price of one car is tens of thousands of star coins. Which big shot is driving this car here to eat at a roadside stall?"

"Is there a need to make such a fuss? Some rich people like this kind of thing."

Su Mo glanced at it out of the corner of his eye, and really couldn't see what was so good about this car.

"No, that license plate is from the Federal government."

Qianchengxue said with some surprise.

When Su Mo heard Qianchengxue say this, he became interested and turned his head to look.

At this time, the door of the hovercar opened.

A spirited old man wearing a low-key black robe and a small black top hat walked out of the car.

Seeing the old man walking down, Su Mo and Qianchengxue stood up abruptly, with looks of horror on their faces.

Sun Li and the others looked confused.

"Sister Xue, Su Mo, what's wrong?"

The old man walked straight to them with a kind smile.

"Speaker Long Ming."

Su Mo and Qianchengxue suppressed the shock in their hearts and greeted him respectfully.

When Sun Li and the others heard this, their hearts jumped. They also saw who was coming at this time, and stood up in a panic.

Speaker Long Ming raised his hand to signal everyone to sit down, and said kindly,

"Don't be restrained, sit down."

Sun Li and the others all looked at Qianchengxue and Su Mo, how dare they sit down?

Seeing that everyone didn't dare to sit down, Speaker Long Ming just smiled and didn't say anything more. He said to Qianchengxue, "I'm here to see Su Mo, I don't know if I can borrow him for a while."

"Yes, you can."

Qianchengxue replied quickly.

"Thank you, Su Mo, accompany this old bone of mine for a walk."

Long Ming was just like an old man from the neighborhood, very easy-going, without any airs.

"Okay!"

Su Mo then left with Long Ming.

After Long Ming and Su Mo walked away, Sun Li and the others screamed.

"Oh my god, I actually saw the Speaker!"

"Yeah! The real person!"

"Su Mo is so awesome, he can actually get the Speaker to come to him."

"That's right!"

......

At this time, Qianchengxue was the only one frowning, not saying a word.

Not long after, Su Mo and Long Ming walked along the lake towards the distant open area, gradually moving away from the noise.

Glimmers of starlight shone on the two of them, and a truly warm breeze blew past.

Su Mo stood quietly beside Long Ming, not speaking.

Long Ming chuckled and broke the silence, saying to Su Mo, "Have things been going a little rough for you recently?"

"Uh, it's okay, Speaker Long Ming, have you heard something?"

Su Mo said a little embarrassed.

"The matter has been making a lot of noise, how could I not have heard about it? Such a large sum of money being transferred away, how could I not know? Originally, I was thinking about whether I could help you with this matter, but those funds went into the Star Ring City bank, and there was nothing I could do. You also know the nature of the Star Ring City bank, but we have to connect to it."

Long Ming said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

"Cough cough."

Su Mo was also a little embarrassed, he didn't expect this matter to reach Long Ming.

"I told you a long time ago, detaching yourself from power, many things will go wrong, after all, it's better to deal with a big devil than a small one."

"Haha, it's nothing really, life is like that, how can everything go as you wish, there will always be setbacks. How can you achieve a perfect life without experiencing all kinds of difficulties?"

Su Mo replied very freely.

"That's what they say, but who likes setbacks for no reason? I'm just giving you a reminder."

Long Ming smiled at Su Mo.

"Please speak, Speaker."

Su Mo immediately listened respectfully.

"Inside the Federation's black and white agency headquarters, there is a super central device that records information about everything. You can go there and take a look, it may be helpful to you."

Long Ming casually reminded Su Mo.

"Ah~ Actually, I'm a bit afraid of trouble."

Su Mo really didn't want to get too involved with the military, afraid that he wouldn't be able to let go at that time.

"It's not troublesome, use the badge I gave you, it's like going to your own home."

"Is it that useful? Okay, I understand."

Seeing that Long Ming had said so, Su Mo could only accept this favor.

"Good to know."

Long Ming looked at Su Mo with a smile.

At this time, Su Mo also looked at Long Ming with a smile, and joked, "Speaker, you came all the way to the lake to find me in the middle of the night, did you also encounter something that didn't go your way?"

Hearing Su Mo's words, Long Ming laughed heartily.

"Haha, you kid are getting more and more clever, you can't hide anything from you."

Su Mo complained in his heart, even if he was stupid, he knew how busy Long Ming was, how could he have time to come and find him just because he lost money? At most, he would just make a phone call.

"Su Mo, I won't beat around the bush with you. Have you heard about the Blue Whale?"

Long Ming looked at the sparkling lake in the distance and suddenly asked.

"I not only heard about it, but I was on the ship at the time. We worked hard to escape."

Su Mo said with a wry smile.

"Do you think the Empire is going too far?"

Long Ming asked in a very calm tone.

Although Long Ming didn't get angry and his tone was very peaceful, this peaceful tone made Su Mo feel a lot of pressure. He could feel the deep anger hidden within.

"It's not just going too far, it's that they don't put us in their eyes at all."

Su Mo thought for a few seconds and said.

Long Ming said with some emotion, "You're right, these years of restraint have not been exchanged for their restraint, but have made them even more unscrupulous. Actually, I wanted everyone to develop well together, and no one would bully anyone, but they were unwilling. Also, you should have heard that I'm retiring at the end of the year. Originally, I thought I could hand over the Federal government to the next person safely. It would be worthy of my efforts over the years, and it would be a complete end, but I didn't expect that this kind of thing would happen at the end."

Su Mo didn't speak and fell into thought.

After a long time, Su Mo raised his head to look at Speaker Long Ming.

"Speaker Long Ming, is there anything I can do?"

"Regarding the Blue Whale, although we only condemned it on the surface and didn't make any substantial retaliation, it doesn't mean that the matter will be left at that. We decided to pay them back in their own coin, sending people disguised as interstellar pirates to attack the Empire's supply ships. We are tight on the front lines, and they shouldn't think of feeling good either. However, the Empire's strength is still very strong after all. The people we prepared don't feel stable enough, and we need a strong backup."

Long Ming calmly stated the matter.

The more Su Mo listened, the more silent he became. Although Long Ming didn't explicitly say what he wanted him to do, Su Mo understood as soon as he heard it. It was obvious that he wanted him to participate in the attack and act as a backup.

At this time, the voice of the Forged Creator · Devourer sounded in Su Mo's mind.

"I advise you to refuse. You know your own physical condition best."

Su Mo didn't answer the Forged Creator · Devourer's words, but his expression became more and more silent, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Actually, I knew I shouldn't have come to you, after all, I know your physical condition better than anyone else."

Long Ming said helplessly. After all, he advocated a path of peaceful development and didn't want too much resentment. But this time, if the other side got supplies, it would be a disaster. In desperation, he could only take action. But he wasn't at ease relying on their strength alone, so he came to ask Su Mo for help.

At this time, Su Mo slowly raised his head, looked at Long Ming with firm eyes, and replied sternly, "Speaker Long Ming, you don't need to say any more, thanks to your appreciation, even if I lose my life, I will participate. What's more, as a member of the Federation, I should do my best!"

Long Ming took a deep breath, and his turbid eyes revealed a hint of complexity. Of course, he knew that Su Mo was planning to risk everything.

"This time, I owe you a favor."

Su Mo shook his head and said to Long Ming, "Speaker, don't say that, I'm willing."

"Okay, I won't say anything more. I'll briefly tell you about the current situation. After attacking the Blue Whale, the Empire also knows in their hearts that they will be retaliated against. To prevent problems, their supply transport is not united, but each country transports its own. Your specific target will be given to you closer to the time. If possible, try to seize the other party's supplies, but I know the probability is too low, so if it can't be done, you can only destroy them."

Long Ming roughly told Su Mo about it.

"Understood."

Su Mo nodded solemnly in agreement.

"There is one more thing I need to make clear to you."

Long Ming replied without hesitation.

"Please speak."

Su Mo replied.

"That is, regarding the matter of you disguising yourselves as interstellar pirates to attack the Empire's supply ships, whether you are captured or besieged, the Federation will not recognize your identity and will not provide any rescue. Do you understand the severity of the situation?"

Long Ming solemnly instructed, explaining the seriousness of the matter.

"Understood, but I have a request."

Su Mo replied without fear.

"Whatever request you have, as long as I can do it, I will definitely not be stingy."

Long Ming promised very generously.

"For this operation, I won't be with other personnel, I'll act independently."

Su Mo didn't hide anything.

"Why?"

Long Ming was surprised instead.

"Since you came to me, it means you don't have much confidence in others. Isn't it the same if I follow them? I might as well do it myself, haha!"

Su Mo replied as lightly as possible.

"Okay, do whatever you want."

Long Ming didn't object. He still recognized Su Mo's abilities in his heart. Since he brought it up, he naturally had his reasons.

"There's one more thing, I hope Speaker Long Ming you can keep this a secret from Qianchengxue, I don't want her to worry."

"I understand, it's really hard for you. But I won't say anything more, I have a gift for you."

Long Ming reached out and patted Su Mo on the shoulder, saying with a smile.

"What gift?"

Su Mo was also confused.

"You'll know when you receive it later."

Long Ming sold it with interest.

Seeing that Long Ming had said so, Su Mo was too embarrassed to ask.

At this time, Long Ming raised his left hand and looked at the time on his wristband, saying to Su Mo, "It's getting late, I should go back too, everything is up to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the black hovercar drove over.

"Okay, Speaker Long Ming, take care."

Su Mo saw Long Ming off.

After the black hovercar left, Su Mo let out a long sigh of relief.

The Forged Creator · Devourer said to Su Mo in a low voice.

"Have you thought it through? Are you really going to participate in the war?"

"Some things, even if the price is high, cannot be retreated from. Speaker Long Ming takes care of me so much, not for anything else, even if it's to repay him, I have to go. Of course, there is another reason, I'm really poor, I have to do a big job."

Su Mo communicated with the Forged Creator · Devourer.

"Whatever."

The Forged Creator · Devourer didn't say anything more.

A moment later, Su Mo walked back to the roadside stall alone.

"Su Mo, you're back, what did the Speaker want to talk to you about?"

Qianchengxue quickly got up and asked with some worry.

Su Mo said to Qianchengxue with an excited expression, "Haha, didn't the Speaker hear that I lost money? He specially came to introduce me to a big business. I'm going to make a fortune!"

Sun Li and the others' eyes lit up.

"Is that so good?"

"What business?"

......

"I can't say, it involves secrets. But the Speaker personally introduced it, so it must be very reliable, you just wait for the good news."

Su Mo patted his chest and said.

"That's good."

Hearing Su Mo say this, Qianchengxue's hanging heart was slightly relieved,

Sun Li said excitedly, "Su Mo, you're so awesome, the Speaker personally introduced you to business."

"It's okay, just a little awesome!"

"You don't know that the Speaker suddenly appeared and almost scared us to death."

"It's good to know that you were scared to death, don't talk nonsense about the Speaker coming to find me."

Su Mo took the opportunity to remind them.

"Don't worry, we know what to do. But Su Mo, you're so good with the Speaker, can you help us get an autograph or something next time?"

The more Sun Li and the other girls spoke, the more excited they became.

"That won't work, is the Speaker's autograph something that can be given casually? You might as well ask for my autograph, I also had admirers back then."

Su Mo said with a smile.

"Bah! What do we want yours for? Yours isn't worth anything."

Sun Li and the others replied with a smile.

"You guys are going too far!"

......

Qianchengxue looked at Su Mo and Sun Li and the others chatting, but there was still no smile on her face.

Although Su Mo said it was a good thing, she always felt a little uneasy that Speaker Long Ming would personally make a trip.

At this time, Su Mo also noticed that Qianchengxue's mood was not high. .

He smiled and said to Qianchengxue, "Don't worry, the business introduced by Speaker Long Ming is definitely a sure thing. I just have to go on a business trip for a while, you have to take good care of yourself during this time."

"Su Mo, will it be dangerous?"

Qianchengxue raised her head and asked with some worry.

Su Mo said easily, "Don't worry, it's not dangerous, it's just more complicated and troublesome, I'll come back when I'm done. Besides, you don't trust my skills, who dares to cause me trouble?"

"Okay, you have to be safe."

Qianchengxue nodded.