Chapter 495: Idle Chatter (Asking for Tips)

Sure enough, under the overcast clouds, a strong wind quickly picked up outdoors. Immediately afterwards, a torrential rain fell from between those clouds, pounding heavily onto the ground.

Hearing the raindrops outside, Qin Ge unconsciously stroked Xinong, who was curled up asleep on his lap.

"This rain is really heavy; I don't know how long it will last. I really want to go out and have a look." Prince Heinrich, leaning against the nearby window, gazed outside and said somewhat boredly.

"Yeah, I thought it would be sunny when we came, but who knew it would pour down a rainstorm, and looking at this, the wind over the sea must be strong too—those commanders are really unlucky." Qin Ge nodded and said.

"How can you see a rainbow without going through wind and rain?" Washington said to Qin Ge, "As a commander, you must lead your shipgirls forward fearlessly, undaunted by wind and rain."

"Well, although we say we shouldn't fear wind and rain, there's no need to foolishly stay out in it all the time." Qin Ge chuckled and said, "However, in stormy weather the Siren Fleet appears less often, which is actually a good thing."

"Commander, instead of worrying about those commanders still out at sea, why not try this little snack? It was specially sent over by the Black Prince just now, and it tastes pretty good." Zala said with a smile.

Qin Ge smiled, ate one, and immediately nodded, "Hmm, not bad—about seventy percent of Belfast's level."

"Hehe, Belfast has become your unit of measurement." Zala smiled and said, "However, among the shipgirls, the one who makes pastries and cakes the best is definitely not Belfast."

Qin Ge curiously asked, "Who is that?"

Zala looked toward the nearby Saint Zhende and said, "Miss Zhende should know."

Qin Ge looked doubtfully at Zhende, who nodded and said, "The Holy See's Apologetic Knights, the Dunkirk Knights."

"Dunkirk," Qin Ge said, suddenly enlightened and nodding. In the world he came from, French desserts were famous worldwide, and now an excellent pastry chef has appeared in the France faction—quite normal, really.

"That's right, Miss Dunkirk's desserts are really good—you could say no one in the Nine Major Factions dislikes them. So, Commander, if you ever want to eat something really delicious, you should definitely summon Miss Dunkirk." Zala said with a smile.

Qin Ge couldn't help but twitch his mouth, "Isn't it a bit extravagant to summon a shipgirl just for dessert?"

"The Dunkirk Knight is a very powerful battleship; if the commander can summon her, she would be a tremendous asset." Upon hearing Qin Ge say that, Saint Zhende hurriedly said.

Seeing Saint Zhende looking somewhat anxious, Qin Ge smiled and said, "Don't worry, I was just saying that casually. Every shipgirl greatly boosts the fleet's strength, so I won't easily give up on anyone."

Saint Zhende blushed and said, "Sorry, Commander, I'm a bit anxious."

"It's fine." Qin Ge laughed, shook his head, and showed no displeasure.

Outside the window the rain continued to fall; inside Qin Ge's room, several shipgirls chatted with each other.

Not long after, Pennsylvania returned, came to Qin Ge's room, and they exchanged greetings.

"Commander Qin Ge, Hu Feng has already explained your intentions to me, and headquarters has also told me to assist you as much as possible. If you need anything, just find me anytime." Pennsylvania said to Qin Ge.

"Then thank you very much, Director Pennsylvania. I heard you went to inspect the detectors at sea earlier; I don't know how the sea area is now." Qin Ge asked.

"Overall the situation isn't too bad; the few commanders who went out on sortie have already returned, but those farther out at sea can't make it back. I've sent a message telling them to find an island at sea to take shelter." Pennsylvania said.

"But there's a silver lining: in such stormy weather the Siren Fleet sorts fewer sorties, so the nearshore waters can rest easy." Qin Ge said.

"Although that's the case, we still need to turn on all the sea detectors, just in case any slip through the net." Pennsylvania said.

"Indeed." Qin Ge nodded.

"After this, Commander Qin Ge, you're heading to the Jiuli Grand Fleet, right?" Pennsylvania asked.

Qin Ge nodded, "I'm going to the Jiuli Grand Fleet to find an old acquaintance."

"Hmm, do you need me to contact the Jiuli Grand Fleet's commander in advance? That way, at least the person you're looking for will be there when you go, so you won't run into them being on patrol or on a mission." Pennsylvania said.

Qin Ge's eyes lit up, "That's really thanks a lot, Director Pennsylvania."

"Hehe, no need—this is just part of my duty. Besides, Arizona said earlier, so I should put in a little extra effort." Pennsylvania smiled.

"But no matter what, I still need to thank Director Pennsylvania." Qin Ge said.

"Alright, then we don't need to stand on ceremony here. I'll have someone bring over the contact information for the Jiuli Grand Fleet's commander later, and you can get in touch directly. If anything comes up, just find me."

"I still need to go arrange duty shifts and emergency rescue operations." Pennsylvania said.

"Alright, see you later."

After the two said goodbye, Qin Ge also breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled, glanced at his own shipgirls, and then said, "That's it for today—everyone go rest. When this rain lets up, we'll all go together to the Jiuli Grand Fleet."

"Yes, Commander." Everyone nodded.

After everyone left, Qin Ge had just closed the door and walked into his room when he saw a figure lying on the sofa, sleeping soundly.

Who else could that figure be but Xinong?

Qin Ge then gave a wry smile, walked over to Xinong, gently poked her awake, and said, "Go back to sleep; everyone's gone to rest."

"Have I fallen asleep again? Earlier I felt like we were strolling together under the moonlight." Xinong said in a daze.

"Moonlight?" Qin Ge chuckled, pointing at the pouring rain outside the window and said, "There's no moonlight now—just a heavy downpour."

"Alright." Xinong lazily sat up, glanced at Qin Ge, then looked at his bed, and said, "Commander, I'm feeling utterly exhausted; otherwise, how about I sleep here tonight?"

"Sleep here with me?" Qin Ge startled, then said somewhat embarrassedly, "We're a man and a woman alone together—wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"It's fine. I once lamented endlessly over the many "fated inevitabilities" entangling me… but now, as long as I'm here, as long as the rain is with us, I feel that no fate is anything to fear."

"So do you still think our relationship is just that of an ordinary man and woman?" Xinong looked at Qin Ge and said.

"..."