D-level males reached the pinnacle of life by living off women.

After going out with Brown once, Lu Yuan stayed home for the next two weeks.

With Rhine not around, Lu Yuan felt listless no matter what he did, like a cat that had lost its catnip and couldn't muster any interest in anything.

During those two weeks, Lu Yuan wandered around the house like a lost soul during the day, sometimes sitting on the sofa looking at group photos, sometimes squatting in the yard checking on the growth of the sunflowers.

He felt better in the evening, and his energy improved as the time for Rhine to call him approached. However, once the call with Rhine ended, Lu Yuan would deflate like a punctured balloon, lying limply and staring at the sky.

His sleep quality also deteriorated; he couldn't sleep at night, and the next day he would continue to feel listless and lethargic, creating a vicious cycle.

Rhine was very worried about Lu Yuan's condition, but he couldn't leave the front line at the moment, so he could only arrange for Brown to take Lu Yuan out for a walk so that he wouldn't stay at home all day.

Following instructions, Brown came to Lu Yuan's place every day to ask if Lu Yuan wanted to go out for a walk together, and also to observe Lu Yuan's condition as Rhine had requested.

However, Lu Yuan always refused. He wanted to see Rhine; why would he go out with Brown?

Brown would leave immediately upon receiving a reply; he had no choice. It wasn't that his subordinates weren't trying hard enough, but rather that they simply couldn't do it.

The male insect is unwilling to go out; what else can he do? He can't very well tie Lu Yuan up and take him out.

If he really dares to do that, he's willing to bet that his boss, whose temper has been so unpredictable lately, could come down from the front lines and kill him right away.

Lu Yuan stayed at home for another week, which made Rhein anxious. He wished he could fly from the front line to Lu Yuan's side immediately, but he had very important matters to deal with at the front line and could not leave.

Finally, the fifteenth of the month arrived, and Lu Yuan received a notification on his communicator that his salary had been deposited. Only then did he remember that he seemed to have work to do; he had been ordered to come to Golan Star to open a branch.

Lu Yuan went to the bathroom, looked at his utterly dejected self in the mirror, splashed two handfuls of cold water on his face, and told himself that he couldn't go on like this anymore and that he had to pull himself together.

The next day, Lu Yuan got ready and went out. He flew his aircraft to the city center alone, intending to find an office space for the branch.

Although this journey, which should normally take only fifteen minutes, took a full hour due to the distance, at least we made it there successfully.

There are office buildings in downtown Azuna, though they are a bit short and old, but the rent is cheap.

Lu Yuan rented a 50-square-meter office for 2,000 star coins per month and then started working on the branch's affairs.

With things to do, Lu Yuan's spirits visibly improved day by day. Although he still inevitably felt lonely and missed people at night, he was no longer as dejected as before.

Seeing that Lu Yuan had adjusted himself, Rhein was relieved and could now focus on dealing with matters on the front lines.

Meanwhile, the subordinates around Rhine, who had recently been feeling suffocated by the Rhine's oppressive atmosphere, could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

......

The office of the corps commander at the 10th Army Group's garrison.

Rhine was looking at the photo of him and Lu Yuan on the table, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Rhine quickly switched to his work expression.

"Please come in," Rhine said.

Then Fred pushed open the door and came in, holding a piece of paper with many names written on it.

Fred handed the paper to Rhein.

"Commander, this is what we've discovered: spies planted by various factions on the capital planet within the Tenth Army."

The royal family could not possibly entrust the management of such an important place as the 10th Army entirely to the corps commander.

The Insect King planted many spies within the Tenth Army to monitor the army's movements and prevent any rebellion.

Besides the Insect King, other forces on the capital planet also planted spies in the Tenth Army for various reasons.

After confirming his ability to take over as commander of the 10th Army Corps, Rhein immediately arranged for Fred to secretly find these spies.

Rhein glanced at the list and smiled with satisfaction.

"Well done," Rhine praised.

"Commander, it seems we have quite a few spies. Should I try to turn some of them to the side?" Fred said.

Rhine waved his hand.

"No need. Betrayal is something that happens once, and it will happen again. My army doesn't need such traitors."

"So what do you think we should do with these eyeliners?" Fred asked.

"Aren't you writing the war plan? When you're writing it, give these bugs a good position so they can give their lives for the Empire one last time," Rhine said calmly.

Fred hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Commander, if all these insects are lost in one battle, wouldn't it be too obvious? Why don't we send them in several batches?"

"No need. The Araqi Zerg's offensive rhythm is hard to control. No one can say for sure when they will attack next. I don't want to wait. I want this army to be completely under my control as soon as possible."

"But wouldn't that arouse suspicion and dissatisfaction on the capital planet?" Fred asked.

"So what if they have doubts? So what if they're dissatisfied? As long as there's no evidence, what can they do? In war, there are always those who survive."

"Moreover, judging from the data, the scale of this Arachnoid Zerg attack is extraordinary. Under these circumstances, as long as I can withstand the Arachnoid Zerg attack, the capital planet will not dare to change its commanders for at least five years."

"As long as the capital planet doesn't dare to replace me, they can only suppress their suspicions and dissatisfaction. Of course, you should be careful when making plans and not leave any obvious evidence," Rhine said.

"But Commander, you'll have to go back to the capital planet sooner or later, won't you? What if they settle scores with you later?" Fred asked.

"I have my own plans for that."

"Yes, I understand. Also, Commander, you said that the scale of this Arachnid attack is extraordinary. What about your mental sea...?"

"I have my own way of dealing with the spiritual sea, so you don't need to worry about that. Go down and work on the battle plan first."

"Yes, ma'am."

After Fred left, Rhine gently stroked Lu Yuan's face in the group photo and whispered.

"My lord, please wait for me a little longer. Once I have complete control of the army, I will return to see you."