Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system

"Hehe…" The man could only giggle awkwardly, trying to change the subject.

Although Ling Qingyu had managed to catch the man and prevent him from plummeting to his death, the momentum from their descent still remained, and they were dropping at a fast rate. Of course, Ling Qingyu knew that with her enhanced physique, they would land safely. Even if the man was an ordinary human, he'd likely end up with just a few scratches.

"Look at the city below. The lights are as bright as day—modern and developed," the man said, trying to distract himself from the recent scare.

Ling Qingyu's eyes followed the man's gaze. She nodded inwardly, noting how the landscape below resembled the top-tier developed cities she had seen before. The city was nestled among mountain ranges and hills, a stunning contrast of nature and man-made wonder. Streetlights filled the center, casting an almost daylight glow, while the intensity gradually dimmed and thinned out toward the outskirts.

The scene was picturesque, almost too perfect against the dark, clouded sky. Ling Qingyu glanced upward and saw no stars; the scent of rain wafted into her nostrils, mingling with the moisture in the air. The sky was about to open up with rain. This humidity and wetness were unmistakable. Ling Qingyu frowned slightly, knowing this could complicate their mission.

Athena's predictions had indicated this, but it was always a hassle when the weather didn't cooperate, especially when they were on the verge of beginning a critical operation.

Hmm, although Athena had already cited her prediction, she couldn't say she forgot, right? Tang Ziyi should know these troubles.

She sighed, thinking about Tang Ziyi. She should have been prepared for this possibility, but even if the weather turned out to be a hindrance, they couldn't afford to delay. The undercover operatives they were here to rescue couldn't wait.

Ling Qingyu returned her attention to the city below. "Indeed, it's beautiful," she agreed, her tone more somber now. "But that beauty is built on blood, tears, and corpses."

The man beside her fell silent, unable to argue. Kirin, as Ling Qingyu was codenamed, was right. How many had suffered to create the illusion of prosperity below them? The city's wealth was a façade, built on the oppression and exploitation of the poor.

"It's tragic," she continued, her voice soft but resolute. "A city like this, situated right along the border, should be a beacon of hope, not a pit of despair."

The man said nothing, just nodded in agreement. The industry that sustained the city's wealth was nothing more than human exploitation, cannibalizing the lives of those who had nothing to offer but their bodies.

Cannibalize. Yes, Ling Qingyu didn't think her description was wrong.

Ling Qingyu felt a chill as the wind brushed against her skin, sending goosebumps down her arms. It was as if the very souls who had suffered were crying out for justice.

They were now just 10 meters from the ground. Ling Qingyu could feel the speed picking up, faster than she liked for a controlled landing. She prepared herself mentally and physically, bracing for impact. "It's going to be a hard landing," she warned.

The man, positioned slightly below her, hit the ground first, crashing sideways upon impact. Although the fall was hard, it wasn't hard enough to cause any serious injury. He grunted in pain as he rolled to a stop, dirt and grass sticking to his clothes. Ling Qingyu's landing was similar, though she made no sound as she swiftly disentangled herself from the parachute ropes.

She moved quickly, folding the chutes and discreetly storing them inside her bracelet. She let out a small sigh of relief. This was her first time performing in front of outsiders, and she was glad she could conceal her abilities without raising too much suspicion.

"Kirin, sitrep," Tang Ziyi's voice crackled over the radio.

"Boss, safe landing. Approximately 200 meters or more from the designated DZ," Ling Qingyu responded, glancing at her high-tech watch to confirm her estimate. Even as she replied, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the use of the word "Boss." Sure, Tang Ziyi was technically in charge, but she was the de facto leader here. Hmph, that bastard always knew how to take advantage of others.
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"Oh, glad to hear you're doing well," Tang Ziyi replied with a teasing tone. "It's a pity I didn't get to witness the rare sight of two lovebirds landing together."

Ling Qingyu felt her patience snap. "If you have nothing more to say, then f**k you," she shot back, abruptly ending the communication. The man beside her, still recovering from the fall, gave her a strange look, as though he had just witnessed something uncharacteristic of her.

She coughed, feeling a bit embarrassed by her outburst. "What are you looking at?" she asked sharply.

"Nothing," the man quickly replied, looking away. He had never expected this cold, composed goddess to have such a sharp tongue. But then again, working in dangerous environments like this every day, no one was immune to the occasional curse word.

Ling Qingyu and the man quickly set about getting their gear in order. They removed their oxygen masks, adjusted their vests, and retrieved their rifles from their packs. Finally, they both equipped their Night Vision Devices, snapping down the quad night vision goggles into place.

Ling Qingyu took a moment to adjust the brightness and focus, ensuring she could see her surroundings as clearly as if it were daytime, though everything appeared in shades of green.

In contrast to the man, Ling Qingyu had an extra hood and a small visor to protect her eyes. These small details might seem insignificant, but they added an extra layer of protection that could make all the difference in a firefight. Despite being lightly dressed compared to the conventional Spirit Fox's plate armor, her entire body was well-guarded.

Ling Qingyu then reached for the large bag that had fallen alongside her. As the team's logistics officer, she needed to ensure everything was in order, all while maintaining the secrecy of her hidden capabilities. The man didn't carry much weight during the jump—just a small bag with essential devices. His Kevlar vest also had a zipper compartment for storing a few additional items.

"Ma'am, let me carry the bag for you. Please don't refuse my kindness. You saved my life," the man offered, patting his chest as if to emphasize his sincerity of repaying gratitude with his body.

Yes, you're way too sincere! The aura of pleasing her flooded in her direction. No thanks, I'm a bit overwhelmed...Ling Qingyu complained.

Ling Qingyu's eyelids twitched slightly. She wanted to laugh at the man's earnestness, but she kept her expression neutral. "No need, it's my duty to ensure everyone lands safely."

"Please, don't make me feel bad. How can a man let a woman carry a heavy weight?" The man paused, realizing how his words might be interpreted. "Uh, I'm not discriminating based on gender, okay? It's just my morals."

Ling Qingyu rolled her eyes at his explanation and turned her head away, scanning the environment. The man smiled at her response and moved closer to the heavy bag, intent on lifting it for her. However, as soon as he tried to lift the straps, his expression changed. His eyes widened in disbelief as he struggled to lift the bag even a few inches off the ground.

Ling Qingyu watched with amusement as the man's confidence faltered. He was clearly stuck, too embarrassed to admit defeat but unable to lift the bag. Clicking her tongue in mild annoyance, Ling Qingyu grabbed the straps and effortlessly slung the bag over her shoulder. "Let's go. The others are waiting for us."

The man's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. How was it possible that the weight he had struggled with was so easily handled by her? He couldn't help but blush in shame. Had he become too soft after all these years in the field?

If Ling Qingyu had known what was going through his mind, she would have been disgusted. Bruh… really? Although it was somewhat related, he was thinking way too crookedly.

The man stood still in disbelief until Ling Qingyu halted her steps. "Aren't you following?"

"Of course, excuse me." The man fixed his composure and stepped forward. He pretended to check the quads and magazine as if he took some time to prepare.

Ling Qingyu didn't speak but her lips curled up.