Chapter 321: Liumei W. Branstein

Alpis, Branstein Mansion, Tea Room.

Today, the Branstein Mansion welcomed a frequent guest, Leona Garstein.

This cold-beauty pilot, famous within the Loyal Guard, had changed into an elegant gown and was currently tasting the black tea brewed by her cousin, Elzam.

"How is the taste?"

Elzam V. Branstein, the tall, blond, handsome man of the Branstein family, was as suave as ever.

"Lord Elzam's tea has never disappointed," Leona said, taking a small sip and praising it.

The second son, Radis, who was nearby, snorted with dissatisfaction upon hearing this. He then set down his teacup and asked Leona, "I heard that in the recent mock battle, you lost to a team member other than Julia?"

Compared to his long-haired, suave older brother, this younger brother with his capable short hair was also an incredibly handsome man, but his temperament was far too cold and stern; his thirty-six-degree mouth always spoke sub-zero words.

Provoked by her second cousin, Leona couldn't quite keep her composure. "Radis, where did you hear that?"

"Don't be nervous, I was just asking out of curiosity," Radis remained icy, making it impossible to tell if he was being intentionally sarcastic or simply curious. "After all, there are only a handful of experts in the Integrated Army who can beat you. I don't know where such a person suddenly popped out from."

Wang Liumei, who had been quietly drinking tea and acting as a wallflower since earlier, became interested upon hearing this.

A hotshot who suddenly popped out...

"I'm also a bit curious, would it be convenient to ask for the name?" Wang Liumei put on a sweet, innocent smile and asked.

Although puzzled as to why this adopted daughter, who held an awkward position in the Branstein family, had suddenly changed her tune and become interested in such matters today, Leona still answered readily: "The name is Shihe Hafunisi. She has always been a member of the Loyal Guard. Her strength is usually at a mid-to-high level, but she performed exceptionally well this time."

It seemed this blond cold beauty had quite a bit of pride; even in defeat, she only admitted that Shihe had performed very well this time.

Having obtained the answer she wanted, Wang Liumei said no more.

After all, her own position in this house was indeed a bit awkward. As an intelligence expert, she had managed to grasp the situation of the Bransteins in just three days.

As the family that controlled the Federal Space Force, the Bransteins could be considered the uncrowned kings of the colonial satellites.

The position of Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Satellite Integrated Army had always been hereditarily inherited by the head of the Branstein family. Thus, the Branstein family could be called a noble among nobles, standing tall in space for two hundred years without falling.

The current head, Maier, had immense prestige in the military and had even formed a private armed force known as the Loyal Guard. The Satellite Integrated Army in space basically only listened to the orders of this Commander-in-Chief, turning a deaf ear to the meddling of the Federal government.

The eldest son, Elzam, was a famous top expert in the military and a former member of the Special Tactics Instructor Team. He was gentle and polite to others, possessed great strength, and was seen by the Satellite Integrated Army as the heir to the Commander-in-Chief.

It was a pity that such a talented man, whose life had been smooth sailing, had a tragic story that made people sigh.

No, it should be the misfortune of the entire Branstein family...

Originally, Elzam had a beautiful and virtuous wife who was deeply loved by the entire Branstein family.

However, in the "Alpis Poison Gas Incident" of New Western Calendar year 184, Elzam, forced by the threats of terrorists and in order to preserve the lives of tens of thousands of people on the colonial satellite, personally killed his wife, Cattleya, who had been taken hostage.

This became the pain of his life, and he was once devastated.

It was under such circumstances that Wang Liumei was adopted into the Branstein family, becoming the adopted daughter of Commander-in-Chief Maier, Liumei W. Branstein.

The reason for adopting her was, to put it mildly, quite unspeakable.

A father wanted to cheer up his poor son, so he found a beautiful girl with the same hair color and similar temperament to the daughter-in-law, attempting to lift his son's spirits.

That's right, Wang Liumei didn't come to the Branstein family prepared to be Elzam's woman.

But later, this eldest brother stood up from his grief on his own, and carrying his longing for his late wife, he refused his father's arrangement...

Forced by circumstances, Wang Liumei became the adopted daughter of the father, Maier, and his own foster sister, under Elzam's arrangement.

As for the second son, Radis, his appearance and strength were also very outstanding, but he seemed somewhat overshadowed in comparison to his eldest brother, Elzam.

The left hand he usually kept covered with a black glove was actually a prosthetic, said to be the price paid in an explosion during a weapons experiment.

According to gossip from the servants, this younger brother was extremely attached to his sister-in-law and had a deep rift with Elzam because his sister-in-law was shot and killed by Elzam.

Moreover, he didn't look kindly upon Wang Liumei, the original substitute.

As for Leona, she was the daughter of a branch of the Branstein family. She often visited the Branstein Mansion and could be considered the junior closest to the main Branstein family among the branches.

And according to Wang Liumei's observations, this girl greatly admired her eldest cousin, Elzam.

Fortunately, being a girl herself, she felt some sympathy for the plight of this adopted daughter of the Branstein family and did not show hostility toward Wang Liumei; her basic attitude was quite friendly.

The above is pretty much the situation of the Branstein family.

In short, Wang Liumei's position as the original "son's successor" turned "adopted daughter" was indeed a bit awkward...

Fortunately, Li Boyong was not here; otherwise, he would definitely have teased Wang Liumei about which script she had taken the "Liumei Wang Lucia Branstein" role from...

After Wang Liumei restored her "wallflower" constitution, the tea party continued.

"This incident shows that acquired effort is very important." Elzam took this opportunity to verbally educate his younger brother and cousin.

However, his younger brother Radis, as always, didn't buy it and directly ignored his eldest brother's words, continuing to drink tea.

Meanwhile, his cousin Leona said with some distress, "But why hasn't my cooking improved no matter how hard I try..."

The cold, beautiful woman had a somewhat cute and naive air about her at this moment.

Regarding this question, Elzam pretended not to hear; this cousin's cooking skills hadn't improved at all, even when taught hand-in-hand by himself, who was hailed as a "God of Cooking."

One could only say that for some things, it still depends on talent...

After the tea party ended, Wang Liumei took the initiative to offer to see Leona off.

"What's wrong today?" Facing the proactive Wang Liumei, Leona was a bit strange. "Did Radis bully you again, or did you hear the servants saying something strange?"

"No, no." Wang Liumei shook her head, putting on an appearance of having been wronged but forcing a smile. "I just haven't seen you in a long time and wanted to chat more."

Leona nodded, wanting to offer a few words of comfort, but didn't know what was appropriate to say...

At this moment, Wang Liumei took the opportunity to say: "Actually, I've always been curious about the Loyal Guard, a unit composed entirely of female pilots. I've always wanted to go and see it."

"Compared to me, who can only stay at home and be a vase, your lives really make me yearn for them." Wang Liumei blinked her eyes, staring at Leona.

Leona, who was kind by nature, couldn't withstand Wang Liumei's "playing the victim" offensive and nodded in agreement. "The Loyal Guard is a unit loyal to the Branstein family. It's not out of line for you, as the adopted daughter of the Branstein family, to go and take a look."