Chapter 711 - 341: The Mysterious Insect Imperial (Part 1)
"Gu Ningzhi!" Li You’s back was always straight, making his figure appear even taller due to his slenderness. Now looking down at Gu Ningzhi, his dark eyes held an indescribable complexity, "Just this once, don’t make it a habit."
Gu Ningzhi naturally grinned and flattered, "Little Squid truly understands the big picture and is broad-minded."
Li You sneered, "Understand the big picture? Broad-minded? You’re overthinking. I never said I won’t hold it against you. Today’s work will be handled by you, and you’ll have to take on half the workload in the future. Don’t think about slacking off!"
In the end, Gu Ningzhi was forced to take on the work that should have belonged to Lieutenant General Li You. Gu Ningzhi worked for several hours, managing to complete seven-tenths of the thousands of files, and that was just half a day’s work, with the rest being delivered later.
"Where’s Little Squid?" Gu Ningzhi took a moment to snack and noticed the sky outside was dark, yet Li You was nowhere to be found. Upon rising to search, he discovered the latter had collapsed on the sofa, sleeping deeply, even as he approached without waking.
"These days have truly been exhausting... being a Lieutenant General is no easy task..." Gu Ningzhi retrieved a nearby coat to cover Li You, pondering, then rising to contact his father, "Old man, I’m planning to come home..."
Gu Qidong coldly snorted and asked, "Why the sudden urge to return? Not planning to continue your wandering?"
"Something happened to Little Three, and there should be someone from the Gu Family’s ’Ning’ generation to stand up and be counted. Given the current situation, even if you and mom try hard to have a fourth brother, it won’t be in time." Gu Ningzhi still had a cheeky attitude, but his eyes were serious.
Despite Gu Qidong having publicly stated the severing of father-son ties, Gu Ningzhi wasn’t removed from the family genealogy; he was still the Second Young Master Gu. His return at this moment was undoubtedly good news for the slightly demoralized Gu Family.
Gu Ningzhi was merely running away from home to wander everywhere, unlike Gu Ningyi who became a Star Thief Leader, or Gu Ningxuan with a dark history. If he wanted to return home, he could do so without obstruction. He hadn’t done so before simply because he didn’t want to.
"It’s good you’re coming back... given the current state, what else can I say?" Gu Qidong looked reluctant, appearing quite unwilling, yet his expression betrayed his true feelings, "Report to your grandfather, and send my regards."
After ending the call, Gu Ningzhi felt a headache and rubbed his forehead, unsure what madness overtook him before, resulting in the sudden decision to tell the old man he wanted to come home! Emotional whims indeed aren’t ideal; he originally just wanted to mention not to let the old fox from the Qin Family bully Little Squid so much... how did the conversation turn out that way?
However, the words were out, like spilled water; he couldn’t take them back, so he could only choose to return to the Gu Family.
After Li You awoke and heard Gu Ningzhi’s decision, he remained silent for a long time. Gu Ningzhi couldn’t stand his forlorn expression and irritably said, "Weren’t you hoping for me to return before? Why act so fickle now? Once I go home, I’ll eventually enter the Military Department, and maybe in two or three years, rise to Lieutenant General... this pace is enviable."
Li You remained silent, merely staring at his face. Just as Gu Ningzhi was growing uneasy under the gaze, he said, "That’s good too, I had thought so before. Now that you’ve decided to go back, it suits my intention."
Even as smart as Gu Ningzhi, his mind was struggling at this point, wishing someone would explain Li You’s peculiar behavior.
As time passed, when the Gu Family’s team was dispatched to the desolate planet to begin establishing a secret base, the first genuine encounter between the Insect Race and Human Alliance commenced in earnest, with a disastrous outcome—that after a month of resistance, the third planet fell.
The Insect Race continued expanding and proliferating, and the Alliance’s vanguard and sweeping forces were completely annihilated.
This incident spread fear of the Insect Race throughout the entire Human Alliance.
After the first two planetary falls, the Insect Race had the surprise advantage, and many comforted themselves by thinking that they only caught the Alliance off guard—that the planets fell unprepared. But now... there’s no deluding oneself.
Qian Chen joined the Xilena Military Department alongside Gu Ningzhi under the name Su Qianchen, with Qianhe entrusted to Gu Molin for care and upbringing.
Time flew by, and after four more years, when the Huaixi Brothers were barely allowed onto the battlefield’s front line at the age approaching eleven, Su Jiameng and others finally fought their way deep into the Dark West Corner Star Domain, nearing the location of the mysterious Insect Imperial...
Su Jiameng’s appearance had changed significantly compared to over four years earlier, not just that her stature had grown; her brows and eyes were sharper, her facial contours no longer soft, and her visage had completely transformed into that of the former "Mr. Su"!
𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
Her damaged Telekinesis had fully recovered, yet remained stagnantly at the peak of Level NIne without any advancement...
"Her emotions have become increasingly volatile lately..." Liang Xiaonuo stood outside the command center, seeing Su Jiameng’s shadow filled with gloom, inwardly sighing, "Of course, after five years without completing even one task, her restlessness is expected..."
Five years felt like an era-defining change for Liang Xiaonuo and associates.
Looking back at themselves from years ago, they could hardly imagine that their former selves and current selves were the same person. Over five years, some can remain unchanged, while others transform from inside out.
"I’m worried she’ll act rashly." Cui Hu, now a mature man, carefully examined, revealed his arm entirely made of mechanics, his face etched with two indelible scars. (To be continued. If you like this piece, welcome to Qidian [qidian.com] to cast recommendation votes, monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)