After returning to the office and having lunch, Rupprecht bid farewell to Lin Lan and went back to his dormitory.
The little schemer, Akashi, also went to the newly built workshop in the port area after lunch to continue researching the operational principles of the Orlan robots with the Germans.
By noon, only Lin Lan and Elbe remained in the office.
Lin Lan sat in his chair, seeing Elbe actually sitting on the sofa and waving at him with a mischievous grin, couldn't help but chuckle:
"What's this about? You slept so long this morning, and now you're taking a nap in the afternoon like a sleepyhead?"
Elbe's mischievous grin immediately froze.
"Huh?"
Seeing Elbe's disappointed expression, Lin Lan couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Alright, alright, make me a cup of coffee, will you?"
After laughing, Lin Lan instructed the mischievous kid to make a cup of coffee and then sat behind his desk, thinking about his next plans.
Watching Elbe leave the office with a sulky look, Lin Lan took out an empty notebook and pen from the drawer and began planning.
Firstly, his current port area, having raided the oil reserves in Lihu County, now had about forty thousand barrels of oil.
Since the port's resources mostly operated using Ironblood's Siren technology, most of this oil would be used for the shipgirls' combat needs.
His original plan to plunder the Navy's oil had recently proven insufficient to quickly acquire enough for long voyages.
Therefore, Lin Lan heavily wrote "Battleaxe Military Industry" in his notebook.
I haven't even started yet, and you're already targeting me? Sorry about that.
But before that, Lin Lan wrote the name Sun Dewang on the side.
What value could this soon-to-arrive former agent of the Tian'ou Group bring him with Akashi's help?
Lin Lan didn't like war; if he could earn a large amount of oil through "special" means, that would be ideal.
This unlucky guy was about to arrive here, and it was almost certain he would first reach the upstream city of Yalang in his port area's river.
That place belonged to the Battleaxe Military Industry's territory, and the Battleaxe Military Industry probably wouldn't let this Tian'ou Group's unlucky guy reach Lihu County smoothly.
Lin Lan took a deep breath; indeed, he would have to visit Yalang City himself.
Then he wrote down two goals in his notebook.
First, ensure Sun Dewang's safe arrival in Yalang City and eventually Lihu County.
Second, raid the Battleaxe Military Industry's oil reserves in Yalang City.
That's right, Lin Lan had already tasted the benefits of raiding the oil reserves in Lihu County.
Since the Battleaxe Military Industry openly intended to get rid of him, then sorry about that.
Though he disliked causing trouble, he was never the type to be easily manipulated.
The greatest advantage of the shipgirls wasn't large-scale battles but rather conducting swift decapitation operations.
Lin Lan opened his phone and examined the Orland continent map he had downloaded earlier.
Of the Six Cities Alliance of the East China Sea in the Western Continent, three cities were openly controlled by the Battleaxe Military Industry: Dongyun City, Yalang City, and Linze City. '
Aside from Linze City, the other two were the closest to his port area.
Lin Lan decided to start with Yalang City. After all, a city's oil depot would offer far more resources than a small county.
At that moment, Elbe returned, carrying a black tray with two steaming cups of coffee.
"Hmph, Commander, try Elbe's coffee," she said with a mischievous grin, placing a cup on Lin Lan's desk.
"Thank you for your thoughtful service," Lin Lan smiled, though he noticed a hint of hesitation in Elbe's eyes.
Something was off about this coffee.
Amused, he put the cup back on the table without drinking it.
"Why aren't you drinking, Commander?" Elbe asked, slightly puzzled.
"It's still a bit too hot. I'll let it cool for a while," Lin Lan replied, standing up. He eyed Elbe playfully as she stood in front of the desk.
"Commander, is there something on my face?" Elbe whispered, her confidence wavering under his gaze.
"Elbe, my dear Elbe," Lin Lan said softly, reaching out to gently caress her flawless, pale face. "I remember when we made our vow, you promised not to be mischievous again."
"Ah, that… that..." Elbe stammered, her face flushing under his touch.
Lin Lan could feel the heat rising from her cheeks. The once-confident girl now stood rigid, unable to find the words to respond.
"Yes, my lovely Elbe has surely decided not to misbehave again. I'm certain of it."
With that, Lin Lan withdrew his hand and slowly walked around the desk. He gently wrapped his arms around her slim waist.
"Commander... Mmm..." Elbe's voice was barely audible, and just as she was about to say something, Lin Lan took the opportunity to kiss her.
Caught off guard, Elbe froze for a moment, then shyly wrapped her arms around Lin Lan's back, unwilling to let go.
As they kissed, Lin Lan's hand tenderly stroked her silky silver hair. Her iridescent pupils gradually clouded with a soft mist as her body relaxed into his embrace.
After what felt like an eternity, Lin Lan finally pulled away from the kiss.
"Commander..." Elbe whispered, her face flushed like a ripe apple, her earlier mischief replaced by the innocent shyness of a girl who had been swept off her feet.
Admiring her at this moment, Lin Lan chuckled.
"If you know you've been bad, then you should invite me to punish you, little Elbe."
At his words, the bashful girl let out a soft murmur, "Commander, please punish me..."
"It's too quiet. I can't hear you."
Elbe's body trembled slightly at Lin Lan's words.
She tightened her grip on his shirt and spoke a little louder, "Commander, please punish Elbe..."
"I still can't hear you," Lin Lan teased with a wicked smile.
Her rainbow-colored eyes filled with a mix of frustration and sadness as she looked up at him, tears forming at the edges of her eyes.
She raised her voice again, "Please, Commander, punish me..."
But Lin Lan only replied, "No, Elbe, I can't hear you at all."
"Why... Why are you pretending not to hear me...?" Elbe whimpered, on the verge of tears.
Lin Lan gently wiped away the tear from the corner of her eye with the back of his finger, a smile playing on his lips.
"We'll just have to start over, little Elbe."
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