"The day you get here with the daylilies, they'll be cold. You're really useless. Is this the level of people they're transferring over from the branch? And to think you used to be a deputy director."

Kuja mocked unceremoniously.

The surrounding colleagues also lowered their heads and snickered, with no intention of helping him out.

Of course, they knew that Kuja was deliberately making things difficult for Obick.

Who told that idiot to offend the logistics minister at the logistics branch? This was a promotion to headquarters in name only, but a demotion in reality.

He got stuck with the most useless position, almost like a handyman.

"Did you guys prepare the things you were supposed to? What's with all the commotion here?"

At this moment, a tall, middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and a solemn, unsmiling expression walked over and reprimanded them without hesitation.

"Minister Siligue, you're here. Most of the things you wanted are ready, except for a few items that Obick went to get, but he messed it up."

Kuja was relentlessly trying to destroy him.

Obick bit his lip. Although he felt extremely aggrieved, there was nothing he could do to refute or defend himself; that would only make things worse.

After all, Kuja's value and weight were greater than his own.

Just then, Su Mo, who was walking and chatting with Speaker Arles, suddenly stopped.

Arles saw Su Mo stop and asked with some confusion, "What's wrong?"

Su Mo quickly smiled sheepishly and said, "Oh, it's nothing. I just saw an old acquaintance."

"Oh? Who is it?"

Arles followed Su Mo's gaze with interest.

He immediately spotted Obick, who was being criticized.

"It's the guy holding the documents. His name is Obick, and he used to be the logistics director of the Black Whale's GT division. When I was in the GT division, I often carried out complex operations, and the mecha needed high-intensity logistical support, so that's how we met. His abilities are very good. He never dropped the ball when it came to logistics."

Su Mo said with a smile.

"I see."

Arles nodded with a smile.

"Actually, it's nothing. It's just that I haven't seen him in many years, and I didn't expect to run into him here. Let's go take care of our business."

Su Mo said very naturally.

"Okay."

Arles led Su Mo forward.

Soon, they walked past Obick and the others.

Others might not recognize Arles, but Logistics Minister Siligue did. He saw Arles walking over and chatting with a young man.

He quickly lowered his head and greeted, "Speaker Arles."

Kuja, Obick, and the others also quickly lowered their heads to show their respect.

Arles and Su Mo walked straight past them, chatting and laughing.

Obick secretly raised his head a little. He was shocked to see Su Mo next to Arles.

How did Su Mo end up here? And why was he so close to the new speaker?

......

Not long after, Su Mo and Arles arrived at the Minister of Finance's office.

Arles pushed the door open directly.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, an angry roar rang out.

"Who came in without permission!"

Su Mo was also startled. The decibel level was off the charts.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a mature and intellectual beauty with an exceptionally good figure and an extremely robust chest, wearing black glasses, on the verge of exploding.

In front of her was a mountain of piled-up budget approval reports.

Arles said with a smile, "Ketina, don't get so worked up."

Ketina, who was about to go berserk, instantly deflated like a punctured balloon when she heard Arles's voice, and immediately switched to a sweet tone.

"Speaker, why did you come in person? If there's anything you need, just tell the people below."

Su Mo's mouth twitched. This was the Minister of Finance trusted by the Federation?

She didn't seem that reliable. And she was a girl.

"Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Su Mo. He needs to handle some payments, so please help him immediately."

Arles said with a smile.

"Okay, no problem."

Ketina showed a radiant expression.

"Sorry for the trouble, please help me cash these out."

Su Mo handed over the documents and approval slip.

When Ketina saw the amount on the approval slip, the smile on her face vanished instantly, changing faster than flipping a book.

"No money, get out!"

Su Mo's face darkened. This woman was too ruthless.

Arles smiled and said to Su Mo, "Don't mind her, Ketina likes to joke around. You'll get used to it."

"Heh."

Su Mo's smile was very forced. It didn't look like she was joking at all. If he really came to her for an allocation, she might just kick him out.

At this moment, Ketina said to Arles angrily, "Speaker, the entire Ministry of Finance has 72,111 outstanding payments, totaling 62.4 billion Star Coins. The national treasury only has 31.224 billion Star Coins left. This one payment alone is 10.8 billion Star Coins. How am I supposed to pay the rest?"

Arles replied gently, "Stop all other payments. Su Mo's money must be paid immediately, and it must be paid in full. There's no room for negotiation."

Seeing Arles's strong stance, Ketina could only grit her teeth and glare at Su Mo.

Su Mo had an awkward smile on his face.

Finally, Ketina sighed and returned to her competent demeanor. "I understand. I'll transfer it to your bank account number. You should receive it in about ten minutes."

"Thank you very much."

Su Mo replied with a smile.

Arles turned to Su Mo and said, "The matter is settled. It's still early, shall we take a walk together?"

Ketina's eyes flashed with surprise when she heard Arles's words, and she couldn't help but take a few more glances at Su Mo. She rarely saw Arles invite anyone out, especially at this critical moment.

She was already swamped, and Arles must be even busier. What did he mean by "it's still early"?

"Okay."

Although Su Mo also wanted to refuse, he didn't want to reject him since he hadn't made things difficult for him regarding the money.

......

A moment later, Arles and Su Mo were strolling side by side in the garden behind the parliament building.

Su Mo was still a little restrained. At this moment, his phone vibrated. He took it out and glanced at it. A notification of 10.8 billion Star Coins being deposited made his eyelids twitch, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally secured the bag.

At this moment, Arles seemed to have gathered his thoughts. He smiled and said to Su Mo, "Su Mo, you and I are both young people. How do you view this era?"

Su Mo cleared his throat and replied, "This era is the worst of times and the best of times. Although it's very dangerous, at least we have the opportunity to fight for the future."

"Well said, that's what I think too, but the degree of difficulty is far beyond imagination. After we parted ways on the Blue Whale, I didn't return to base, but went to the front lines."

Arles said quietly.