NOVPUBAfter complaining bitterly about Elena, Ling Qingyu finally had the time to glance at her surroundings.
Earlier, when she came from the airport, she'd been preoccupied with countermeasures against the entrenched old politics.
Alas, she had done everything she could—but in the end, she resorted to violence when she realized cooperation and diplomacy appeared weak and ineffective in protecting her precious medical facility.
From the President's expression, she could tell he didn't care much about her affairs. To him, the situation seemed manageable as long as he could maintain a delicate balance.
But that wasn't what Ling Qingyu came to achieve. What was the point of her visit if everything was left unchecked?
It was only after she expressed her dissatisfaction that the President finally paid attention. She wasn't content being seen as just a middlewoman for capitalist enterprises or a businesswoman chasing profit.
Even though she had deliberately showcased her absurdly powerful intelligence network, the level of apprehension she provoked still fell short of her expectations.
In the end, it took obliterating an entire hill to secure the result she truly desired.
Negotiating from a position of overwhelming power was exhilarating.
Now she truly understood the difference between dealing with private domestic officials and negotiating with a foreign government as an outsider.
Without the perks of being backed by a powerful motherland—or so she should call it—Ling Qingyu would've been subjected to all kinds of bullying, especially like those from a smaller, weaker nation.
She realized that many of the benefits she should have received would've had to be given away just to please the higher-ups and safeguard her business.
Sure, wealth played a major role in influencing outcomes—but as Ling Qingyu always believed: wealth without strength meant nothing.
People tended to chase massive short-term gains rather than wait for long-term, sustainable rewards.
To the average person, a huge number now always looked better than a greater number accumulated over time—even if the math said otherwise.
So, by blowing up a hill, she instantly made a statement—one that forced others to submit.
Even if they knew she wouldn't truly exterminate them, they couldn't help it.
It was like regular negotiations: yes, the outcome came through conversation, but the smaller side would always feel restrained in front of a bigger force that could slap them to death in an instant.
It was instinct—buried deep in human DNA. People yelled at the weak but spoke politely to the strong.
And now, Ling Qingyu was exactly that—the strong. The President of Country E regarded her as a nemesis he had to appease.
Maybe she wouldn't blow up the nation, but she could drag it into chaos or topple the government if she chose to support the opposition.
To his credit, the President was farsighted. Just the suggestion that she might support the reformists—perhaps even arm them—was enough to make him tread carefully.
Ling Qingyu was petty in the truest sense. She'd been led around, made to take extra steps, wasting time on fruitless talks.
And the small offenses had piled up—until they reached a breaking point when they tried to search her and Xiao Yue.
Now, she simply wished to topple the regime—peacefully, if possible.
According to Athena's analysis, the reformists actually held higher popularity, though they remained hidden to avoid suppression.
She didn't deny it—she was a narrow-minded woman. Anyone who offended her would face retaliation.
It was only a matter of when, not if.
If not for wiping Miss System's butt, Ling Qingyu wouldn't have bothered visiting a chaotic place far from home, let alone matching wits and auras with petty officials.
Threatening and hurting others was the last thing on her mind.
Dead Tiger Gang: ???
Bankrupted businesses and industries: ??
Province N victims: ???
Ahem. Ling Qingyu coughed inwardly, trying to cover her thoughts from Miss System by flooding her mind with unrelated imagery.
Hmm… Carlo in a sexy scarlet evening gown with a high slit didn't seem like a bad distraction.
That blond hair, those seductive glances that lured her into committing crimes—even if Carlo had no weapons at all.
Well, in any case, the visit to Country E hadn't turned out that bad.
It was never wrong to rake in extra profits when others rolled out the red carpet.
The abundant mineral resources alone would fuel her industrial expansion and bring her vision of a self-sufficient empire closer to reality.
Lower costs and total control over logistics meant she wouldn't need to rely on anyone. And since the mineral deals would involve the government, deeper cooperation wasn't impossible—especially with Gu Yi's quiet approval.
Perhaps Gu Yi would even pull a few strings on her behalf, if she hinted at the possibility of opening future investment opportunities in Country C—under her watchful, stabilizing hand.
Her empire would gain prestige, reputation, and step boldly onto the world stage.
She had nothing to lose here.
Through the tinted window—opaque from the outside—Ling Qingyu caught sight of soldiers dragging a few men into the back of a truck with rough force.
Women and elderly cried and begged. There was no sound, but she could guess what was happening.
It had taken place in one of the rural villages her convoy had passed.
Given Country E's ongoing war and deteriorating internal stability, forced conscription of able-bodied men had become routine.
Of course, Ling Qingyu had never seen any official government mandate announcing it publicly.
But behind the scenes, to maintain military manpower, unlawful methods were a given.
Her convoy definitely drew attention.
The imposing formation led by two Aegis 2.0s and escorted by black SUVs sent a loud and clear message.
This wasn't a group to mess with—certainly not like the helpless civilians the military was used to pushing around.
Everyone's mood had clearly darkened, and Ling Qingyu could understand why.
The girls in her unit had once served as special police officers. Even if they were no longer officially tied to the government, the enforcement duties they once carried out still held meaning.
The values they upheld and preached stood in contrast to silently watching civilians being dragged away.
Thankfully, none of them were foolish or naive enough to believe they could save everyone.
Ling Qingyu was quietly grateful for that—and gave credit to the devil instructor behind their training: Tang Ziyi.
Responsible for every part of their development—technique, tactics, strategy, culture, and physical fitness—Tang Ziyi had turned them into something far more grounded than idealistic girls with badges.
"Would you say men suffer the most in any era?" Ling Qingyu asked idly, elbowing Xiao Yue.
"Huh? Philosophical again?" Xiao Yue rolled her eyes but gave it a moment's thought. "I guess it seems that way. Are we back to talking about gender?"
"Well, just thinking," Ling Qingyu muttered, her gaze distant. "Watching those young men dragged off to be cannon fodder…"
"Rather than just 'men,' I'd say the weaker parties are always the ones oppressed," Xiao Yue shrugged. "But if you look at it from the perspective of the powerful, especially families of status, then women were often the ones who suffered the most."
"How so? Look at the conscriptions—aren't men being bullied more? Not to mention all the societal pressure they face."
"True, in the current era," Xiao Yue said with a soft smile. "But I believe time will bring change."
"What do you mean 'in the current era'?" Ling Qingyu turned to her, curious now.
"Do you really think men were the sole providers in ancient times?" Xiao Yue raised an eyebrow. "Let's forget the titles like 'head of the household' and other social labels for a moment. Think of a regular family—a husband, a wife, and their children. How did they actually survive?"
"Do you really think men were the sole providers in ancient times?" Xiao Yue raised an eyebrow. "Let's forget the titles like 'head of the household' and other social labels for a moment. Think of a regular family—a husband, a wife, and their children. How did they actually survive?"
Ling Qingyu tilted her head, waiting for her to continue.
"Before the industrial revolution, there was no such thing as a housewife or househusband," Xiao Yue said. "In a peaceful era, both men and women worked. Together. Farming, small business, weaving, trading—everything was about mutual effort. A family couldn't survive on a single income. That whole concept didn't even exist."
Ling Qingyu hummed in thought. "Then things changed…"
"Exactly. Later on, society shifted. Industrialization, centralized economies, male-dominated workspaces. Men went out to earn while women stayed behind, slowly caged by growing societal norms. From partners to dependents. And once that dynamic was reinforced long enough, it started looking like women were leeching off men—even if it wasn't their fault."
She looked out the window before turning back to Ling Qingyu. "But you were talking about war earlier, right? Conscripting men and how they suffered."
"Yeah," Ling Qingyu nodded. "Families torn apart. Men sent to die. That's why I said they suffer more."
"Do they really?" Xiao Yue's voice turned sharper. "Let's forget the frontlines. Do you think women don't suffer just because they weren't forced into uniforms?"
Ling Qingyu remained silent.
"Who believes women came out unscathed?" Xiao Yue continued. "Especially in lawless villages and rural provinces. You've seen the state of Country E—what makes you think soldiers won't raid villages for women too? If men are dragged off to be cannon fodder, women become… free prostitutes. That's the ugly truth. No salary, no supplies—officers need a way to control the troops. What do men want most in chaotic times? Money, beauty, power. The promise of those three is enough to keep soldiers loyal. So yes, villages get rampaged. Women—unrelated, innocent—are taken. Not by invaders, but by their own army."
"Even if such things don't happen blatantly in cities, they're not immune," Xiao Yue added bitterly. "They just hide it better. Reputations matter in towns, where eyes are watching. But in remote places? Law doesn't reach. Nobody cares."
Ling Qingyu frowned slightly, processing her words.
"So, don't ask if men suffer more," Xiao Yue finished. "Ask instead—who suffers differently. Because war never spares the weak, and women are always among the weakest in these systems. Let's not talk about the worst ancient times, if you know enough, modern era is no less barbaric, unfortunately Qingyu."
