Superstars of Tomorrow

Nanfeng felt that he was increasingly unable to keep up with Zuo Yu and Yan Biao’s line of reasoning. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that they had different reasoning because of their different occupations. There was still a rather considerable difference between bodyguards and managers.

Having come to that conclusion, Nanfeng didn’t probe further. He returned to his own room after he was done chatting with Yan Biao and Zuo Yu.

The island was very quiet at night. There was only the sound of rustling leaves. Even the crickets were mostly quiet.

After a quick shower, Nanfeng sat in front of a table. He opened an electronic file and started to draft job plans. This file was meant for Fang Zhao, so Nanfeng paid particular attention to his use of words.

When he was handling matters on Fang Zhao’s behalf, many people had contacted Nanfeng. Some wanted to be Fang Zhao’s assistant or manager. These people expected that one assistant surely wasn’t enough given Fang Zhao’s status. Since they couldn’t contact Fang Zhao, they had to go through Nanfeng.

These people either specialized in music or minored in music during university. Some applicants had dazzling resumes.

Nanfeng compiled a list of names to run background checks on. He planned to give Fang Zhao this information with his letter of resignation.

Truth be told, Nanfeng really didn’t wish to leave.

Nanfeng might have been a little big-headed, but he didn’t lose his rationality. He understood that the hallowed glow he had and whatever special treatment he received outside was entirely because of Fang Zhao. Naturally, Nanfeng knew he would no longer be treated like this once he left Fang Zhao. There could even be individuals who wanted to get confidential information about Fang Zhao from him.

As someone who had struggled in its lowest rungs, Nanfeng knew how complicated the music industry was. Bosses like Fang Zhao were few and far between. The work environment here was relatively straightforward without much plotting and deceit. The job paid well and provided opportunities to experience all sorts of high-grade occasions.

Nobody else in the same line of work could compare. Zuo Yu and Yan Biao were receiving such high pay without putting in much work. In the past, Nanfeng would have surely been delighted to do the same.

But, if he could not feel guilty receiving such high pay now, what would it be like in future? Could he be that shameless?

Fang Zhao was currently producing the music for an entire season of “Above The Blue Dome of Heaven” alone. This was already something that most of the industry would struggle with. Nanfeng believed that he lacked the ability to accompany his Boss’s struggles. Giving up his own position was necessary. However, he couldn’t leave immediately either. When the new replacement came, he would have to guide the replacement before leaving. Newcomers nowadays were impetuous and impatient. And, who knew if they could walk a dog properly…

Nanfeng got more and more emotional as he wrote, and his eyes turned red.

He sniffled and continued writing.

——

Fang Zhao had just finished going through an amended score sheet and was about to write an email to the production team.

The first season of “Above the Blue Dome of Heaven” would begin airing tonight. The production team was very efficient, and the second season was already in the final stages of post production. The music studio also contacted Fang Zhao rather frequently for rearrangement requests.

During this period, Fang Zhao stayed on the island and didn’t have any other pressing issues. Thus, his replies were quick.

Today wasn’t any different. After scanning an amended music score, he started to type another email.

Suddenly, Fang Zhao’s typing hands froze.

His ears twitched and noticed some extremely high and low frequencies that ordinary people couldn’t hear. His expression turned grave, and he quickly put the score away. At the same time, he used his communications device to contact Little Bear. “Hide well.”

Little Bear was in the middle of going to find Fang Zhao to watch a drama together. He stopped in his tracks and locked the storehouse shut.

Grasping the black ball in his hand, Little Bear looked at the aquarium that had just been moved over today.

Inside, the originally idle sea slug had suddenly become agitated and was knocking on the aquarium walls.

Meanwhile Curly Hair’s ears pricked up from where he was lying on the living room sofa. He darted into his own room and quickly hid his gaming console into the explosion proof barrel.

Curly Hair scanned the room and picked out a few more items to store inside. Once all his precious items were properly hidden, Curly Hair eyed the explosion proof barrel reluctantly for a few more moments before sprinting to the front yard. Fang Zhao had said that if there were any attacks, Curly Hair was to guard the front yard. Under such dangerous circumstances, he would be permitted to bite first.

At the same time, Yan Biao and Zuo Yu who were switching patrols received Fang Zhao’s notification. “Prepare for combat!”

Beep Beep Beep——

The island’s warning system started sounding.

Nanfeng was startled by the alarm. He hurriedly saved the file he had been working on and got up.

Concentrated booms sounded in the distance. Some were from the air, while others were from the water.

The floorboards beneath him shook. The appearance of an abrupt crisis snapped Nanfeng out of his sentimental state at once.

Nanfeng had once undergone military service on Planet Baiji. He knew all too well that whatever was happening wasn’t small. Something big was happening!

Just as he was about to ask in their own chat group, Nanfeng received a voice message from Yan Biao. “Go to the underground room door and wait for me!”

Nanfeng didn’t ask any other questions and changed into proper attire. When he arrived at the underground room, he saw Yan Biao striding over with a tense expression.

“What’s going on?” Nanfeng asked. He had already started making his own guesses. He wondered if Fang Zhao was cooperating with the military. He thought about the hot topics online about “Fang Zhao’s mysterious background”. He considered the artifacts that were donated a while ago…

Yan Biao opened the door and led Nanfeng inside while replying to the question, “The Inter-planetary Fund and Tomorrow’s Empire have started a war.”

Nanfeng: ???

Why would the world’s top fund and the worst terrorist organization fight here?

Although he couldn’t understand this logic, Nanfeng didn’t have time to think about anything else.

“Where are we going now?” Nanfeng asked.

“The armory,” Yan Biao said as he opened yet another door ahead.

Nanfeng was stunned when he saw what was beyond the door.

This is an armory?

This was totally different from the garage-sized armory that Nanfeng had envisaged. This could already be called a small base!

The quantity and quality of equipment wasn’t something that any ordinary person could possess. Some of the newer models couldn’t be purchased even if one had all the money!

Besides the arms and ammunition, there was even an armored assault mecha!

“When… when did this place become like this?” Nanfeng swallowed hard. “Doesn’t this violate regulations?”

“We have permits.” Yan Biao walked over to a shelf with a prepared case. “Battles far away aren’t our business. Our job is just to guard this building well. Pick whichever weapons you need. There are exoskeleton suits there as well. Go pick one out if you need. These are all new models, and the expenses can be claimed. Don’t be afraid to use them.”

“Understood!”

Nanfeng viewed this armory eagerly. He felt his combat spirit reawaken.

How long had it been? He hadn’t touched those things ever since he left the military.

“Can I use that?” Nanfeng pointed at an eight meter tall propulsion armored mecha in the corner.

Yan Biao. “No, you might be mistakenly killed if you use that.”

Nanfeng nodded. “Understood.”

The sound of activity outside meant that the fighting between the two sides had gotten intense. Perhaps Yan Biao was concerned about him being mistakenly killed because the enemy’s mechas were similar.

“What’s the battle strategy?” Nanfeng asked.

“Boss will guard the backyard. Zuo Yu will hold the left. I will hold the right. You…”

“I will defend the front yard!”

“…No! Don’t bother about the front yard. You be flexible and just watch yourself.”

Yan Biao mulled for a moment then advised, “If the situation in the house turns bad, run towards the front yard.”

As Yan Biao carried the weapons case and prepared to leave, he shot Nanfeng a complex look. “Turn on your internal comms and maintain communications. Don’t be shocked regardless of what you see.”

“Understood!”

Nanfeng had also done covert missions before. Therefore, he didn’t find anything strange with what Yan Biao said.

Nanfeng hadn’t seen actual combat for far too long and lacked regular training. Although he still practiced his shooting from time to time at a range, his body and fitness couldn’t compare to before. Furthermore, he wasn’t as strong as Yan Biao to begin with, so he needed an upgrade for himself.

After equipping the exoskeleton suit, Nanfeng selected his arms. He surely wouldn’t be up to Yan Biao and Zuo Yu’s standards after not having experienced real battles in a long time. He would need to defend himself if the fighting drew close.

Memories of those years before he left the military came to Nanfeng. Back then, he had also been his squad’s top marksman!

Even though many people here know something I don’t, none of that is important!

Before resigning, I, Nanfeng, will give my all one last time! Even if it means sacrificing myself!

For my glory as a top marksman!