A handsome, refined face came into Gu Ning’s view.
Gu Ning froze.
It was the Beastman who had ambushed her and Barto in that illicit shop. He had been there when she went to rescue Barto, too!
’How is he here?!’
Seeing him walk toward her, Gu Ning backed away, bumping into Cyril behind her.
"My apologies." Cyril placed a hand on Gu Ning’s shoulder. "I thought their meeting was already over."
’A meeting?’
Gu Ning was stunned. ’Wasn’t he with Kuinan’s crew?’
"Hi, hi..." Belial waved excitedly at Gu Ning.
’After getting tied up with these guys from the Military Department for so many days, I can finally see this little female.’
Standing beside Belial, Ming Ze stared at Gu Ning and tugged down the slightly wrinkled hem of his clothes.
Gu Ning watched them, her heart filled with suspicion. Besides the one who had approached her, she had a faint impression of the other two as well. ’I must have seen them at the illicit shop that night, too,’ she thought.
"All of you, out," Andrew said. He saw the young lions straightening their clothes and hair one after another, looking as if they were desperate to make a good impression on the little one. Fearing they would frighten Gu Ning, he spoke up.
Mingxi glanced back and gave Andrew a polite nod. His steps faltered as he passed Gu Ning, and he looked like he wanted to say something to her.
Gu Ning pressed closer to Cyril.
’Regardless of whether they’re Kuinan’s men or not, after what happened at the illicit shop, I have no goodwill toward them.’
Seeing the little female press closer to him, Cyril’s eyes narrowed slightly. He shielded her with his arm, creating a space between her and Mingxi.
Mingxi sensed the little female’s wariness and detachment, so he had no choice but to lead Belial and Ming Ze out.
"You may leave as well," Andrew said to Cyril.
"Yes, sir." Cyril nodded, turned, and left briskly, pulling the door closed behind him.
In an instant, only Gu Ning and Andrew remained in the vast conference room.
"They were sent by the Beast Alliance’s investigation department. They’re on a mission to investigate the smuggling of items meant for females," Andrew explained to Gu Ning. "Do you know them?"
As soon as she heard this, Gu Ning instantly understood why they had captured Barto. She immediately shook her head.
’So they weren’t with Kuinan’s crew. It looks like I misunderstood them. Still, what they’re investigating...’
"What brings you here at this hour?" Andrew asked as he rose and walked over to the refreshment station. He picked up a hot water kettle and began preparing tea for the little one. "Did you run into some kind of trouble?"
"No." Gu Ning kept what had happened at the entrance to herself. She had come to see Andrew about something more important. Besides, after that huge commotion, Cyril had already punished the brawling groups of wolf and dog beastmen in the Admiral’s name; there was no need for her to rehash it.
"You weren’t hurt when those pups were fighting?" Andrew turned to look at her, his deep, steady gaze gently easing her discomfort.
Gu Ning met his concerned, questioning gaze, then quickly looked away. Remembering why she had come, she forced herself to look back at him. She cleared her throat and said slowly, but clearly, "Admiral Andrew, I have something I need to discuss with you."
"Oh? Alright. Go ahead, I have plenty of time," Andrew said, closing the terminal that was blinking incessantly with notifications.
Hearing his easygoing tone, some of the tension in Gu Ning’s heart dissipated. She was about to walk toward him, but he was already approaching with a cup of tea.
"Have a seat," Andrew said, pulling out a chair. He placed a large hand on her back, gently guiding her to sit down. He set the hot tea in front of her, then retrieved a space heater from the corner and placed it by her feet before taking the seat beside her.
The heater was turned up high, and it quickly began to chase away the chill from her body.
She let out a soft breath and took the documents from her satchel, handing them to Andrew.
Andrew accepted them. "What’s this?"
Gu Ning replied, "An application."
"An application for a pass to Zone 19? You’ve already filled one out, there’s no need to submit another..."
Andrew’s voice trailed off as he saw the handwriting on the form. He began to read it carefully.
This wasn’t an application to leave Zone 19, but a handwritten document concerning the laws pertaining to females.
Seeing the neat, dense, but clearly unpracticed handwriting, Andrew flipped through the pages. His gaze landed on Gu Ning’s face. "You’ve been busy with this for the past few days?"
Gu Ning didn’t reply, instead pointing to several places she had specifically highlighted.
Andrew shifted the documents toward her, patiently waiting for her to show him what she wanted him to see.
"I am... an adult female," Gu Ning said, looking at Andrew.
He sat neither too close nor too far away, maintaining a proper distance. But his frame was so tall that she still had to tilt her head up to look at him. His crisp, black military uniform seemed to carry the authority of a man who could lead all Beastmen, making her breathing feel small and cautious.