CHAPTER 1887: CHAPTER 1880: TAKING THE LEAD

"That’s not hard, just let them choose someone who is both a subspecies and not a soldier, with rich fighting experience. This way, Luo’er won’t have to worry about Lipei’s mess anymore."

Lin Wei shrugged, patted Luo’er’s shoulder, and continued, "As we all know, Luo Chuan saved my life back then, so taking care of his son is my duty. I also don’t want Luo’er to be bothered with these troublesome matters."

"But the problem is," Lin Wei continued, "those old folks probably won’t be able to find the right person anytime soon. The Otherworld people can’t be trusted, so it can only be the countrymen who come, which basically means intervening in Odelanqi’s war, making it unnecessary to sign a so-called non-intervention agreement. It’s exciting to think about the two major camps entering the fray themselves."

"What I mean is," the Major General said, using both hands to support the table and tapping it, "whether Luo’er is suitable or not isn’t for us to decide, it has to be decided by the top, so no one questions it."

"So, you mean..."

"Find a way to introduce Luo’er to the top leadership to make him the designated choice. That’s the best way," said the Major General.

"I’ll think of a way to do that," Lin Wei mused for a moment, then looked up and said, "Internally, we should first unify our opinion and let Luo’er fully preside over Lipei’s military and political affairs. As long as the high-level officials want to make a statement to the international community, Lipei must inevitably be autonomous in name, and Luo’er would be the best choice to host Lipei’s affairs."

Having said that, he turned to the visibly tense Luo’er, smiled slightly, and asked, "So, do you have the confidence?"

"I can try," Luo’er answered, clenching his fists.

"Very good, not arrogant nor servile, a leader needs to have such a character."

Lin Wei nodded in satisfaction.

"Actually," General Zhang suddenly spoke up, unhurriedly, "although we keep saying that subspecies are our own people, this is perhaps only how we see it..."

"What does Elder Zhang want to say?" Lin Wei asked.

"Only those who have fully participated in the Origin Project can understand the significance of subspecies to headquarters and the nation. In other words, those who have not participated in the Origin Project, their so-called ’own people,’ I think it refers to something else."

"Refers to?"

General Zhang looked at Luo’er, and everyone else also focused their gaze on Luo’er.

"Who is the own people?" General Zhang swept his gaze around, pointing at Luo’er, and said, "Only Luo Qishan’s grandson is the own people, you all understand what I mean, right?"

"So, as long as the senior officials plan to sign the agreement, as long as they intend to have the Office withdraw from Lipei’s governance, then Luo’er is the best candidate to lead Lipei. The reason is simple, because they have never treated other subspecies as their own people, the term ’own people’ usually specifically refers to Luo’er," General Zhang said.

"So, in other words..."

"In other words, signing or not signing is two different things. As long as the agreement is signed, the senior officials can only choose Luo’er, of course, not signing is another matter." General Zhang leaned back slightly, arms crossed, revealing this.

Lin Wei looked at Luo’er and saw him with his head down, silent. So he reached out and patted his arm, comforting him, "Don’t mind, what Elder Zhang refers to are others, to us, subspecies are our own people."

"I know..."

Luo’er nodded slightly.

"So, our agenda shouldn’t be about who to choose to host Lipei’s military and political affairs after signing the agreement. It should be about whether or not to sign it at all, to let the Earth people of Lipei completely withdraw. On this point, I think we should consult Luo’er’s opinion extensively, as long as he agrees, I think there’s no major issue..."

"As for those so-called rumors, I think they’re unnecessary. I’ve always said, as long as we’re doing what we think is right, there’s no need to care about others’ accusations; here these others include both those hostile foreign forces and some uninformed comrades," General Zhang said, tapping the table.

"So Luo’er," General Zhang turned to Luo’er, then continued, "whether you can host Lipei’s military and political affairs and whether you can help Lipei get through this crisis, I hope you can give me a precise answer..."

"Of course," before Luo’er could respond, General Zhang raised his palm and continued, "I’ll give you one day to consider. If you feel you can do it, I’ll take you to meet the top officials. Then, our representative will sign the agreement at the United Nations, handing Lipei completely into your hands."

"But I hope you can understand," he paused, took a deep breath, and earnestly said, "military matters are vital to the country, life and death are its way, their significance cannot be neglected. If it can be done, it should be done, if it can’t be done, don’t force it, because it concerns state affairs."

"I understand."

Luo’er nodded, his expression becoming increasingly serious.

"Alright, does anyone else have anything to add?" General Zhang asked.

"Since everything’s decided, there doesn’t seem to be much to say," Lin Wei looked around and said.

"In that case, let’s adjourn the meeting," General Zhang said, "Luo’er has just returned home, he hasn’t even seen his grandfather, and we pulled him here for a meeting, it’s a bit unreasonable."

Lin Wei nodded, looked at Luo’er, and softly said, "If you don’t understand anything about Odelanqi’s situation, you can consult Li Si. Rest well tomorrow and give us an answer the day after."

"I understand." Luo’er nodded vigorously.

Leaving the meeting room, Luo’er still felt a bit dazed, his mind not fully processing everything.

With Li Si’s guidance, the two took the omnidirectional elevator downstairs to the entrance of the academy.

As soon as they reached the entrance, he saw a few graceful figures standing at the bus stop. Before he could react, a streak of white shadow rushed towards him, accompanied by a heart-wrenching cry.

"Brother!!!!"

Luo’er was tackled by the newcomer, taking two steps back. The newcomer then tightened her arms, squeezing him so hard he found it difficult to breathe.

"Luoya, I can hardly breathe because you’re squeezing me." Luo’er patted her arm and said.

"Why didn’t you come home..."

Luoya’s voice was tinged with tears, sounding as though she was complaining.

"I have a lot of work to do, after all, I’m a Captain," Luo’er explained with a wry smile.

"You’ve been away for years, I was worried every single day, terrified of hearing bad news about you, I... I...sob sob sob..."

Luoya buried her head in his chest, complaining with grievance, finally breaking down and crying uncontrollably.

"But I’m back now, why are you crying like this."

Luo’er helplessly smiled, hugging her and gently patting her back to comfort her.

Having reunited with a sister after more than twenty years, Luo’er always felt a bond from the soul, as if blood was thicker than water. Holding her gently in his arms, not only she but even he could feel a long-missed peace within.

"From now on, don’t go on missions, okay?" Luoya lifted her head, her tearful eyes pleading with him.

Looking at her pitiful appearance, Luo’er sighed softly and shook his head, "The advance team has been disbanded, even if I wanted to go on missions, it wouldn’t be possible."

"Really," Luoya was suddenly overjoyed, her red-rimmed eyes sparkling with delight, "does that mean you can stay here all the time?"

"I might have to be stationed in Lipei," Luo’er thought for a moment and answered honestly.

"Oh..."

Luoya was slightly disappointed and lowered her head.

"Don’t worry," Tangmo and Baiyue came forward, patting her back to comfort her, "Lipei and Sheng Hua are just separated by a door, it’s no different from commuting."

"You two also came?" Luo’er said joyfully.

"What do you mean we ’also came’," Tangmo pouted and said, "if we hadn’t gone to your house, Luoya wouldn’t have even known you’re back."

"Sorry, things at headquarters kept me busy..."

After hesitating for a moment, Luo’er decided not to tell them about what happened during the meeting for now.

"It’s still early, let’s go to the hospital to see Grandpa." Tangmo urged.

"Grandpa’s in the hospital?"

As soon as Luo’er heard the news about Luo Qishan being hospitalized, he panicked and tightly grabbed Luoya’s arm, asking excitedly, "Why is Grandpa in the hospital?"

"Grandpa is very old, and you haven’t come home."

Luoya lifted her head with a resentful expression.

"Then, how is he now..."

"He’s doing fine now," Luoya paused, then lowered her head, saying softly, "if you can, spend more time with him, after all, he is not an Elf..."

Luo’er knew what these words implied, feeling suddenly overwhelmed, his eyes immediately turned red.