Before the week was over, the beam submachine gun with interchangeable clips had been developed.
Or rather, this project was a continuation of the composite gun development, progressed alongside He Kui's Light Shield System.
Shi He, Hoss, and others had almost perfected it.
Unfortunately, this submachine gun required additional energy clips, reduced power by 20% compared to a regular beam gun, increased weight by 15%, and raised costs by 30%.
With all these factors combined, it was unnecessary to equip unless the mobile suit's energy consumption was extremely high.
It was merely a temporary weapon to supplement a new mobile suit's firepower.
"Fifty thousand for the Light Shield research, plus five thousand for the submachine gun..."
"What are you talking about?"
Su Lei curiously asked as she watched He Kui mumbling on her sofa.
"Calculating how much the recent research earned."
Seeing millions in funding pass by while his completed research only brought in a few thousand, He Kui began to understand the former beam group leader's frustration.
Of course, that person was still in May City's military prison, and who knew if they'd ever be released. He decided not to follow that predecessor's example.
"Falling into the money trap."
Su Lei said irritably, placing a cup of tea on the coffee table in front of He Kui, using the same European-style tea set as before. Whether intentionally or not, her hand brushed lightly over He Kui's.
"If you need money, I could lend you some."
"No need."
Though he never asked, from Su Lei's tea set and decor, it was clear she wasn't short on money.
Besides eating and radar work, He Kui couldn't see any hobbies Su Lei had, and even if she had money, there wasn't much to spend it on.
However, borrowing money was out of the question; three million wasn't something Su Lei could easily lend.
"Fine, Lacus's communication is here."
"Okay."
He Kui took Su Lei's tablet and opened it.
"Director He, long time no see."
Lacus's gentle, youthful face appeared on the screen.
"Miss Lacus, what brings me here today?"
As the Radar Group director, the lines at Su Lei's home, DIY-ed by herself, were much safer than at his place.
"The previously discussed distribution, the power suit manufacturer has retaliated recently with discounts. I heard they're using this opportunity to reverse-engineer our small MS, and some manufacturers have sent people to cause trouble in our stores."
Lacus continued to speak with a smile, as if discussing a trivial matter.
"Don't they know this company..."
"Of course not, or maybe someone wants them to know?"
Lacus winked mischievously.
It seemed Lacus wasn't planning to let others know.
"I'll step in."
After silently weighing the pros and cons for a while, He Kui finally spoke.
"Thank you, Director He. As long as they know this product was led by you, they'll naturally back off."
"I understand."
That was why he agreed. Lacus probably wouldn't reveal it even if it meant losing money.
But he couldn't afford not to; it was part of his plan.
Moreover, helping Lacus make some money might boost his favorability with her.
After ending the communication with Lacus, He Kui frowned deeply.
"Even if you're the main designer, we're not allowed to use personal identities for external advertising."
Su Lei said helplessly.
She had wanted to stop them upon hearing the conversation, but He Kui agreed too quickly.
"It doesn't have to be an advertisement. Just showing up could be effective."
Mentioning it in a media interview or visiting the store to say a few words could suffice.
As for whether the Zala faction was behind this move, He Kui suspected they were, but the faction within the Design Bureau and those handling other affairs weren't aligned.
Athrun couldn't be as hands-on as Lacus, so naturally, his control over the lower ranks was weaker.
As long as he didn't overdo it and had this contribution, the Design Bureau wouldn't trouble him.
"Think it over yourself."
Su Lei said, putting down her teacup and suddenly placing her slender legs on He Kui's lap.
Feeling the softness on his thighs, He Kui almost spilled the tea he held to his lips.
"Why so excited~"
Su Lei's lips curved upward, her eyes sparkling with a hint of teasing. Her usually soft and cute face blushed with excitement, adding an unexpected allure.
Her small feet, clad in pink cotton socks, gently pressed against He Kui's wrist, the toes playfully tracing his arm, creating a soft, warm sensation, like a silent invitation and temptation.
The result was that He Kui inadvertently spilled the tea, wetting himself and Su Lei's legs.
"What are you doing!"
Her carefully maintained fair skin turned red from the heat, and Su Lei, irritated, withdrew her foot.
"Not my fault."
He Kui said, speechless.
"How is it not? Getting so excited from a girl's foot touching you, you're a pervert! If you weren't a pervert, my foot wouldn't be wet! Dry it off for me!"
"Can you not make it sound so ambiguous?"
"And the tea is just warm, isn't it? Your skin is just too delicate."
"Hmph."
Though He Kui was deflecting blame, hearing his compliment about her well-maintained skin made Su Lei's lips curl into a smile as she handed him a box of tissues.
"Then wipe it off~"
"Alright."
The remaining half-week passed quickly in an orderly fashion.
Early in the morning, He Kui, his team members, the deputy director, and leaders from the Defense Committee gathered in a secret underground testing facility.
"Director He, let me introduce you to Isalia Joule, a Defense Committee member and representative of March City."
"Senator Joule, hello."
Opposite He Kui stood a woman in a deep blue councilor's uniform, with short silver hair, exuding a fierce demeanor.
Senator Joule, seeing He Kui's polite attitude, nodded slightly, her stern face softening a little.
"I've reviewed the small-scale armor shield prototype you constructed in the lab recently. Well done, I hope today's integration test with the mobile suit will also succeed, Director He."
The Light Shield's capabilities had been tested on a non-mobile suit prototype. Today, they would integrate it with the mobile suit.
"Thank you for your approval."
Following Isalia Joule's gaze, He Kui looked at the large simulation field in front of him.
Standing in the test field was a white ZAKU, with a large pincer replacing the original thruster and connected by a thick cable, appearing quite incongruous.
Opposite the ZAKU was a beam emitter, capable of firing anything from the weakest beam to a cannon shot.
"Let's begin as soon as possible."
After Isalia Joule spoke, Erin addressed him more warmly.
"I understand."
Calmly bowing to the leaders in front, He Kui turned back, exchanging a knowing glance with Shi He behind him.
"The test is officially starting. Unrelated personnel, please exit the test field immediately. Zero-gravity environment is being generated."
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