Chapter 12 - The General's Wife is an Illegal Resident in the Star System

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

The Handover of the Chip

 

 

With Qin Yu away, Lu Li was the sole master of the villa.

 

Qin Yu had never restricted Lu Li's movements, even allowing him free access to his study. It was there that Lu Li easily located a tiny chip—the very item he'd been tasked with obtaining.

 

While Lu Li wasn't skilled in technology, he'd already seen Qin Yu handle the chip's contents. After a quick check, he tucked it away and used the star network to inform Shen Yuanjie that he'd secured it.

 

Shen Yuanjie immediately relayed the message to General Zhang.

 

"Good, as expected from my godson. Yuanjie, get in touch with He Jianbai right away. Have him prepare carefully this time. An opportunity to achieve something this grand only comes once. Whether the Federation can match the might of other empires depends on this mission." General Zhang was pleased with Lu Li's efficiency and unsurprised by the news.

 

He understood Lu Li. This was more than a choice between personal affection and duty to the nation; it was also about loyalty to the man who had taken him in and raised him. He knew Lu Li would ultimately stand by his side.

 

He Jianbai soon received the message. When Lu Li had previously agreed to smuggle the file, they had already begun preparations.

 

General Zhang then issued his orders to He Jianbai.

 

This time, the meeting location wasn't the usual private manor but instead a high-end shopping center on Qin Lu Star. Despite the convenience of online shopping with same-day delivery, malls were still packed during holidays.

 

He Jianbai, who'd been on Qin Lu Star for half a year, knew that large crowds created an ideal cover for any covert operations. He'd specifically chosen this mall on a Sunday, ensuring a bustling atmosphere.

 

Long before the appointed time, He Jianbai arrived at the mall. He had studied the layout repeatedly, knowing each exit and path for a quick escape should the need arise.

 

Unlike him, Lu Li wasn't in a rush. Calm and composed, he felt a strange sense of peace, as if relief came with nearing the mission's end.

 

He had done his best. Regardless of the outcome, he had no regrets—this was his decision, and he would bear the consequences himself.

 

Lu Li had visited this mall once before, not for reconnaissance but for shopping, accompanied by Qin Yu. Of course, Qin Yu wasn't one to enjoy leisurely outings. If he needed anything, he had only to say the word, and it would be brought to him. Lu Li had begged him to come that time, and in hindsight, it was likely their first true outing alone together.

 

The mall spanned multiple floors, and they had arranged to meet on the fifth level. As Lu Li made his way there, the communicator on his wrist suddenly lit up.

 

It was Qin Yu.

 

Lu Li froze, surprised that Qin Yu would contact him at such a moment. Suppressing the pounding in his chest, he answered the call, Qin Yu's expressionless face appearing on the screen.

 

"Where are you?"

 

"I'm at the mall we visited last time," Lu Li replied casually. Surrounded by people, he hadn't thought to lie but failed to realize he'd slipped up.

 

"You've regained your memory?" Qin Yu immediately caught on.

 

Lu Li's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered that they'd visited this place before losing his memory. If he'd still had amnesia, he wouldn't recall it. Qin Yu's gaze held steady, and Lu Li could only nod reluctantly. "Yes."

 

"When did it return?"

 

"Yesterday… I was planning to surprise you, but you found out, didn't you?" Lu Li forced a few laughs.

 

"I see. The mall is crowded—stay safe. I'll be there soon." With that, Qin Yu ended the call, and the screen went dark.

 

Lu Li let out a relieved breath. When Qin Yu said "soon," he typically meant it, leaving him little time. Even if he succeeded in handing off the chip to He Jianbai, if they couldn't safely exit Qin Lu Star, it would be pointless. Qin Yu's presence meant there would be no room for bold moves.

 

As he was strategizing, his communicator rang again. Expecting it to be Qin Yu with more instructions, he was startled to see He Jianbai's name.

 

He had shared his contact number with He Jianbai months prior, strictly for emergencies. Except in urgent situations, they had agreed not to contact each other via communicator.

 

He Jianbai had sent a message instead of calling. Lu Li opened it and found a short text.

 

He Jianbai had decided to adjust the meeting plan.

 

Originally, they were to meet face-to-face on the fifth floor. Now, however, He Jianbai proposed they meet on the third floor instead. He instructed Lu Li to place the chip in the third stall of the restroom in Tower A, allowing them to stagger their paths and avoid being seen together if something went wrong.

 

Lu Li frowned, uncertain why He Jianbai had changed the plan, though he couldn't deny that it was safer this way.

 

He quickly located the restroom He Jianbai had specified, left the chip there, and walked away.

 

Less than twenty seconds later, He Jianbai, wearing a hat, appeared in the restroom. He swiftly retrieved the chip that Lu Li had left behind, catching a glimpse of Lu Li descending the stairs as he left. A faint, cold smile curled at his lips as he slipped away through a concealed passage, the entire exchange lasting less than two minutes.

 

Suddenly, shouts echoed from the mall entrance, followed by the synchronized footsteps of soldiers. A well-disciplined force surged into the mall, sealing off all exits and preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

 

By then, Lu Li had reached the second floor. He heard the commotion below and, glancing through a glass panel, saw the soldiers at the entrance. They were announcing that they were there to apprehend an enemy spy hiding in the mall, asking everyone to cooperate. At the command of their leader, the troops charged up to the second floor.

 

How could this be? Had the plan been exposed?

 

Lu Li's first instinct was to return to the third floor and check if He Jianbai was still there and help him escape if possible. But before he could move, a firm hand grabbed him and pulled him back. A familiar scent wafted to his nose, and his whole body stiffened instantly.

 

Qin Yu.

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