"Ahem, she's a Dwarf. Not underage, she's actually older than us.

However, Dwarves seem to be naturally more childish in their psychological age, plus their small and slender appearance makes them look like children," Zhao Chen explained.

Shen Bing carefully observed the 'little girl' in front of her. Her ears were slightly pointed, and her head was a bit large in proportion to her body.

It certainly matched the description of the Dwarves, an interstellar race, in the books.

"Co... Commander... Sir...!" Annie only then noticed Zhao Chen beside her and immediately saluted him.

She first imitated the Owl Dragon female crew members, placing her hand on her chest.

But it didn't feel quite right, so she bowed to Zhao Chen instead.

Her flustered appearance made Zhao Chen find her quite adorable.

"You can't see, let me help you." Zhao Chen placed his hands under Annie's arms and easily lifted the little Dwarf.

Annie's cheeks flushed slightly, and she kept saying, "No... no need... Annie... Annie... can order later... when there are fewer people..."

"You've seen it now, so hurry up and order," Zhao Chen chuckled.

Annie looked at the holographic projection of today's menu on the counter and quickly ordered a Braised Chicken Set Meal.

Only then did Zhao Chen put the little Dwarf down.

"Tha... thank you... Commander... Sir..." Annie kept bowing in thanks, her head bobbing like a rattle-drum.

Annie only left after Zhao Chen told her to find a seat and wait for her meal, otherwise, her head would probably have shaken off.

Annie found a corner seat, then skillfully adjusted the seat height to its lowest, sat down, and then raised the seat height to a suitable level for the dining table.

She began to swing her short legs, waiting for the happiest time of the day.

Shen Bing and Zhao Chen stared at the little one for a while before coming back to their senses. They exchanged glances, understanding each other without words.

"How did you find this Dwarf? I saw the one on her neck..." Shen Bing asked.

"I bought her on the commodity trading network in the Northern Third Star System before. It was that runaway woman who kidnapped and sold her from a planet.

I bought her," Zhao Chen said.

Shen Bing looked at Zhao Chen, then at the lavish daily menu: "Why do you set such high meal standards? Even if you procure these natural ingredients in bulk at low prices and process them yourself,

the consumables for the personnel on just this one Aircraft Carrier Starship exceed a thousand star coins a month!

This is already far beyond the meal standards of 99% of Starships!"

Zhao Chen shrugged and said nonchalantly, "I'm just giving my crew better living conditions so they can fight for me more diligently."

Shen Bing looked surprised. Did he really not care about this kind of expense?

His way of thinking was truly out of place in this era.

"Are you done ordering? Then let's go over there and wait for our meal," Zhao Chen invited Shen Bing to a dining table to wait.

"What are your plans after graduating from North Star Starship Military Academy? Joining the Imperial Army?" Zhao Chen chatted idly.

Generally, 80% of the talents cultivated by Starship Military Academies join the Imperial Army to gain experience, and after retirement, they join various local Lord Fleets.

They basically belong to a social class that doesn't have to worry about food or clothing, but whether they become rich and powerful depends on their own fate.

"I will never join the Imperial Army," Shen Bing said.

Zhao Chen was a little surprised but quickly thought of the reason: "Is it because of your parents?"

Shen Bing remained silent.

"Would you be willing to talk to me about your parents?" Zhao Chen tentatively asked.

Shen Bing remained silent.

Seeing this, Zhao Chen didn't press: "Since you're unwilling to join the Imperial Army, have you considered joining my fleet?"

"Are you inviting me?" Shen Bing looked at Zhao Chen with some surprise.

Zhao Chen spread his hands and smiled, saying, "As you can see, my fleet's strength and benefits.

As long as you're willing, you can start directly as a Executive Officer, Starship Adjutant, Adjutant, or other positions.

If your original Starship crew members are qualified, they can also join my fleet and enjoy the same benefits.

Of course, this is limited to female crew members; don't ask why."

Shen Bing chuckled and shook her head: "If you want to recruit them, you don't need to go through me. Just tell them directly, and nine out of ten will follow you."

Saying that, Shen Bing looked at the dining table where her female crew members were. The food had already been served.

Each of them seemed like they hadn't eaten in decades, completely disregarding their image as they wolfed down their food.

"I value your worth," Zhao Chen pointed at Shen Bing.

Shen Bing remained silent.

"I'll give you time to consider, but not too long," Zhao Chen said.

He valued Shen Bing's talent, but if she was unwilling, Zhao Chen wouldn't force her.

After all, he would only remain at the North Star Starship Military Academy until the end of this year.

The food was served. Shen Bing's was a plate of dumplings.

Shen Bing picked up a dumpling, looking at its translucent appearance, her expression somewhat complex.

She had heard her grandmother mention dumplings. Her grandmother had eaten them once as a child, just three dumplings.

But it was a taste her grandmother would never forget in her life.

She and her sister listened to their grandmother recount these stories by her sickbed, and her sister vowed to let their grandmother and older sister taste that flavor again.

If she joined Zhao Chen's Xiaolong Fleet, would her grandmother and sister be able to eat this delicious food?

Shen Bing's resolve wavered.

Shen Bing chewed the dumpling in her mouth. The taste surged on her taste buds. She had never eaten anything so delicious.

Half a bowl of dumplings was unknowingly consumed. She looked up at the opposite side.

Zhao Chen had left at some point and was looking at his other female crew members. Some were savoring the taste of the food, while others had red and swollen eyes, seemingly having cried.

Shen Bing was deep in thought.

Zhao Chen returned to the Bridge.

"Commander Sir, the battle report for this campaign has been compiled," Lilith stood beside Zhao Chen.

"Speak," Zhao Chen said.

"The t2 bee queen-class heavy carrier starship consumed 93% of its ammunition and supplies, and lost 68% of its Interstellar Drones. All t2 killer bee-class medium interstellar drones and t2 bumblebee-class heavy interstellar drones were destroyed, leaving only t2 young bee-class light interstellar drones.

Additionally, one of the five t2 black rhino-class interstellar heavy assault frigates suffered severe hull armor damage and needs to return to port for repairs.

The remaining four suffered damage within acceptable limits, and even without repairs, returning should not be an issue.

They can be repaired on our T2 Iron Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship, which will greatly reduce repair costs!

There were no personnel fatalities, though a few were injured, but they have already been treated and accommodated.

And we eliminated one T3 Mechanical Race Starship and twenty-seven T2 Mechanical Race Starships," Lilith reported.

Zhao Chen looked at the data, then at the Interstellar Transport Ship fleet he was escorting, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "This escort mission truly gave me a huge surprise. We need an explanation."

Lilith understood the Commander's meaning. There was a problem with this mission.