Chapter 666: You're not talking about this surprise, right?
In the waiting party's eyes, Ling Qingyu's features captivated them more. It wasn't that Mo Yunxi, Yin Jingfei, Xiao Yue, and the other girls lacked beauty.
It was the cultural aesthetic that defined one's perception of beauty. Ling Qingyu managed to fit all categories and reach perfection.
A cold and authoritative temperament. A beautiful face and an SSS+ figure ratio. Stoic, searing eyes that seemed to pierce through any lies and deception.
Usually, someone like her would invite disaster, misfortune, or threats, stirring desires of conquest. But her identity protected her.
Previously, the level of deterrence wasn't enough, but with Miss System's intervention and Ling Qingyu's persistent self-improvement, those malicious thoughts became suppressed.
Of course, among the waiting parties, there were also Orientals who preferred Xiao Yue's classical elegance, akin to a lady raised in a prestigious family; Mo Yunxi's soothing aura and confidence; or Yin Jingfei's gentle nature.
Once Ling Qingyu stepped off the airstairs and her feet touched the ground, six people approached her—four men and two women.
Leading the group was an older man, likely in his fifties or sixties, who greeted her with a smile. "Welcome, Miss Ling. It is a pleasure and an honor to have you here."
"The pleasure is mine, Dean A." Ling Qingyu extended her hand and was satisfied that the man behaved like a gentleman, avoiding any awkwardness. "I hope my presence doesn't disrupt your work."
No subtle pressure for a handshake. Just a simple, warm, and friendly gesture.
Of course, even if the man had made a mistake, Ling Qingyu wouldn't have minded.
She had been much more forgiving lately. She no longer avoided handshakes with men as she once did—so long as they refrained from lecherous behavior or inappropriate intentions.
Besides, if anyone dared to take advantage of her, her sheer superhuman strength would teach them a lesson.
"Not at all, milady. You're too polite. It is our responsibility to ensure your comfort," Dean A said, shaking Ling Qingyu's hand. "I hope your journey wasn't too tiring. I've made all the necessary arrangements to accommodate you and your friends."
"Thank you very much." Ling Qingyu nodded before twisting her waist slightly, gesturing towards her confidantes. "This is Xiao Yue, my secretary. Dr. Mo Yunxi and Nurse Yin Jingfei—they are my friends."
Xiao Yue: "…"
This bastard knew exactly when to take advantage, just like Tang Ziyi, Xiao Yue thought, pursing her lips.
Mo Yunxi and Yin Jingfei: "…"
"Welcome, welcome, miladies." Dean A smiled, noting that these women's identities might not be simple, especially since Ling Qingyu introduced them as friends—except for Xiao Yue.
"Right, this is…" It was now Dean A's turn to introduce his team and establish rapport. Flattery and polite exchanges went both ways.
Even a female dean was among them, catching Ling Qingyu's attention. She assumed the woman was from the managerial sector.
Ling Qingyu inwardly noted the difference between the three deans and the three managerial figures.
Their distinctions became evident in conversation. The deans carried an inner pride—those who had risen through their own achievements had no need to ingratiate themselves with others.
In contrast, the rest maneuvered carefully, eager to please her and establish a presence in her memory for the future. They possessed high social skills and eloquence, demonstrating a keen understanding of leadership psychology.
Surely, the deans exuded the appropriate elegance of their status, but they paled in comparison to the flatterers' skillful approach.
"Flattery" might have been too strong a word—it was subtle enough that Ling Qingyu had difficulty pinpointing when exactly they were doing it. But she always recognized it when her mood was subtly lifted.
After all, both sides engaged in some degree of flattery, at the very least, to express politeness and foster goodwill.
After greeting the six highest leaders of the hospital or medical city, Ling Qingyu spoke with those behind them, not differentiating in treatment in the slightest.
The bare minimum someone in Ling Qingyu's position could do was to avoid displaying emotions or weaknesses, preventing others from detecting loopholes to profile her later.
"It seems like we have a lot of company, Miss Ling," said Dean A, implying the number of girls Ling Qingyu had brought—pilots, stewardesses, and her guards.
The pilots and stewardesses were out of the equation since her trip here would last no more than six hours. They would remain inside the airbus, along with a few guards serving as security to prevent any attempts on the aircraft.
Ling Qingyu's only vulnerability was the possibility of someone tampering with her aircraft during maintenance or while it was stationary.
Fortunately, Athena had developed a comprehensive monitoring system to assess the aircraft's structural integrity and overall condition. Moreover, no part of the aircraft's exterior or most of its interior—except for areas respecting privacy, such as toilets and sleeping quarters—was free from Athena's advanced surveillance cameras.
In fact, Ling Qingyu didn't mind if Athena breached privacy since only she, her daughter, and a few confidantes had access to the recordings.
To Dean A's remark, Ling Qingyu naturally responded, "Forgive me for bringing extra burdens. I'm afraid your management departments will be busy soon."
"Not at all, Madam. We've already prepared refreshments for our guests. The more, the merrier, isn't it? I even arranged extra buses just in case of emergencies."
Ling Qingyu glanced at the queued vans and minibuses and gave a subtle nod. Thorough enough, she replied, "Then, let's proceed. Please, Dean A."
"Follow me, Miss Ling."
"I'm afraid that won't work," Xiao Yue interjected, stunning Dean A. "You'll be riding in our vehicles."
Ling Qingyu blinked several times before registering what she had just heard, not missing a single word. "When did we bring our own vehicles?"
"You don't actually think we'd rent vehicles for our travel, do you?" Xiao Yue asked rhetorically.
"So, this is what you meant by a surprise?" Ling Qingyu recalled the petite troublemaker's words.
"You wouldn't believe it," Xiao Yue smiled and radioed her command.
Dean A observed their interaction and reflected. This was far from how a secretary typically communicated with her superior. The girl, assumed to be just an assistant, was undoubtedly a close friend of Miss Ling and no ordinary person. Perhaps he should engage in conversation with the doctor and nurse accompanying Ling Qingyu.
He had subtly probed Ling Qingyu's background but was effortlessly deflected, with the topic swiftly redirected elsewhere.
Soon, a convoy of a dozen SUVs pulled up a few meters away in a straight line. Ling Qingyu's eyes twitched as she stared at Xiao Yue in disbelief. "Please don't tell me you transported these inside my airbus."
"Our airbus," Xiao Yue corrected sarcastically.
Ling Qingyu understood that these SUVs were definitely modified. If it were just about carrying basic weight, there was no reason to waste efficiency and complicate logistics by transporting them via aircraft.
She also recalled seeing these vehicles departing from her residence about a week ago. They had caught her attention because they were labeled as Country A—Chevrolet.
Back then, Athena had explained that the vehicles were manufactured in-house at Tang Ziyi's request. Except for their outward appearance and interior design, nothing about them resembled a Chevrolet.
Self-produced and heavily modified. At the time, Ling Qingyu had no idea what Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue were preparing.
Now, it was clear. These SUVs were Chevrolet Suburbans, similar to those used for diplomatic security—heavily armored, equipped with powerful engines, and bulletproof as well as explosion-resistant to a certain extent.
Athena's version could only be superior, completely outclassing them.
Meanwhile, a few of her girls wore specialized camouflage and military gear, covered from head to toe. It was Spirit Fox's policing attire, except the label had been removed, and the camouflage was green.
Their presence sparked hushed murmurs among the welcoming personnel. The deans and department leaders exchanged glances, silently acknowledging that their guest was truly a ruthless character.
"..."
"..."
"I think your surprise is more than just a surprise," Ling Qingyu massaged her cheeks and spoke in a blaming tone.
Her new employees were now a little shaken. Who would have expected their boss to own soldiers?
Seeing a few female bodyguards in civilian clothing was understandable. But witnessing an entire unit, armed and ready for war, was on another level—especially in a place like STAR Hospital.
Of course, STAR Hospital had its own security teams. Beyond the potential reputational damage, it couldn't afford to risk even the slightest incident, as the facility catered to elite families and VVIPs.
The repercussions of any harm befalling them would be catastrophic, so those working here were accustomed to dealing with high-stakes situations.
Bringing a few bodyguards was one thing, but arriving with an entire force was a different matter altogether.
Ling Qingyu shook her head, ignoring the reactions around her.
Her guards' appearances were a blend of civilian and special operations personnel. She couldn't blame Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue for their decision.
Continent Elephant was notorious for its daily chaos and bloodshed—a utopia for mercenaries and those with dark interests, or interests gained through dirty means.
Given that reality, such a grand level of protection seemed justified, even if STAR Hospital's security was already formidable.
Not to mention, in the eyes of others, this display of wealth and power only reinforced Ling Qingyu's influence.