"This document is now in effect." Andrew handed the signed paper to her. "I’ll handle the official procedures for you."
Gu Ning nodded. "Thank you, Admiral Andrew."
With that said, she pulled another document from her bag.
Andrew couldn’t resist teasing her. "Don’t tell me, another list of household members?"
"No, this is my application form." The conversation with him was going smoothly, so Gu Ning felt more at ease.
Andrew took the form and scanned it quickly. "You’re looking for a freelance position with the Military Department?"
That was somewhat surprising.
Gu Ning said slowly, "I could work as a freelance journalist for the Military Department, handling your promotional work."
There wasn’t much information about the Military Department online, likely for confidentiality reasons. All she had managed to gather were bits and pieces from online comments, which wasn’t much more than what she already knew.
But she was confident her professional skills could land her a suitable job. At the very least, she knew the Military Department employed journalists.
"A journalist..." Andrew smiled at her. "As it happens, my unit is in desperate need of one."
Looking at his smile, Gu Ning felt like she was walking right into a trap he’d laid for her.
"What a coincidence," she said.
"Not really a coincidence," Andrew said. "Our last embedded journalist became obsessed with photographing Mutant Species and ended up as their food."
Gu Ning: "..."
Andrew continued, "As a freelance journalist, you won’t be required to do anything that dangerous. Just like you suggested, you’ll help the Military Department by taking some promotional photos. Of course, you’re free to provide other content as well. I’ll assign you to the Public Relations Division, and since you’ll be a freelancer, your identity will be kept confidential."
Gu Ning relaxed.
"What about the compensation...?"
"Compensation is paid monthly," Andrew said. "It’s the same as our other journalists: one Blue Gold Inhibitor, two high-level inhibitors, and thirty thousand Beast Coins per month."
The compensation was so high that Gu Ning had to ask, "Are there... fixed assignments?"
"There are," Andrew replied.
’Of course it wouldn’t be that easy,’ Gu Ning thought. ’The other journalists ended up as food for the Mutant Species... ’
Andrew looked at her and said, "Just provide the Public Relations Division with at least one photo submission per month. Videos are also acceptable. You have complete creative freedom over the content."
Gu Ning nodded vigorously, the joy in her eyes almost impossible to hide.
Andrew smiled. "How about you take a photo for me right now, little journalist?"
Gu Ning paused, then immediately opened her terminal’s camera function and stood up to take his picture.
Andrew was sitting sideways, one hand resting on the table as he looked toward her camera lens.
Gu Ning carefully took the photo and showed it to him.
"A very good shot." Andrew opened his terminal. "Add my contact ID and send the photo to me."
Gu Ning didn’t hesitate. She entered the contact ID Andrew recited and sent the photo to him.
"For future work," Gu Ning asked, "should I contact you as well?"
"Cyril will be responsible for your assignments," Andrew said. "But you can contact me as well."
’I’d better go through Cyril, then,’ Gu Ning thought. ’Someone with the rank of Admiral can’t have much free time.’
"How about one more? A photo of the two of us, little journalist," Andrew said suddenly. "To commemorate the end of our talk."
He tapped the camera sphere, which the little female still had recording. "Trust is mutual, right?"
Gu Ning thought for a moment. ’I don’t really have any secrets left to hide from Andrew, so what’s one photo?’
She walked to Andrew’s side, opened her terminal’s selfie function, and raised her wrist.
"Having trouble?" Andrew asked, watching the little female fidget with her terminal. "Do you need to get closer? Or should I do it?"
"It’s fine, you can stay seated. I’ve got it." Gu Ning lowered her wrist and picked up the camera sphere instead. ’This Beastman is so huge, he’s going to fill the entire frame.’
Gu Ning didn’t get too close to him, choosing instead to use the camera sphere to shoot from a greater distance.
Andrew raised an eyebrow slightly and leaned his body in her direction.
"Done." Gu Ning sent him the photo she had just taken. "I’m keeping the video recording."
Andrew smiled. "In that case, I’m keeping the photo."
He held out his hand. "I’m pleased with this trust between us, little journalist."
Gu Ning stared at his hand for a moment, then took it. "I’m pleased as well, Admiral Andrew."
.
Outside in the hallway, Mingxi and two others were staring intently at the conference room door. The moment it finally cracked open and the little female they’d been so anxiously waiting for stepped out, they rushed forward eagerly.
"Hello, fe—"
Mingxi had barely begun to speak when a hulking Beastman figure stepped in front of the little female, placing a hand on Mingxi’s shoulder and pushing him back.