Chapter Fourteen: The Red Hackers Alliance Is Officially Founded!

Chu Xiao knew well that in the current situation, many had already forgotten about the overseas students.

“Yes!” Li Hai did not deny it. Although he had already issued the call, there were still many who were unwilling to return.

Of course, there were also some students who, even before the official notice, had already caught wind of the news and rushed back on their own.

“It’s my fault! There’s been so much going on these days, I nearly forgot about this!” Chu Xiao did not blame Li Hai.

This made Li Hai feel a bit embarrassed.

“I’ll issue a call for the overseas students to return!” Li Hai promised.

Chu Xiao gestured for him to wait. “Don’t rush. Listen to me first.”

“Among the overseas students, there are many talented individuals. We should register them in detail, find out what fields they excel in, so that when there’s a need for specific expertise, we can quickly mobilize them.”

“Also, as you probably know, we must thoroughly investigate for any foreign agents or spies among them! Not a single one can be overlooked!”

“And if they leave again, they can never be allowed back in! Should it come to that, they can be detained, but never released again!”

“One last thing: as for those foreigners who truly love Jiuzhou, transfer and guard them in groups.”

“From this day forward, China allows only entry, not exit. Anyone who tries to force their way out will be executed on the spot!” A ruthless light flashed in Chu Xiao’s eyes. He would never allow the ongoing affairs in Jiuzhou to be exposed to other nations, lest it spark unnecessary conflicts.

“At once! I’ll instruct my people to handle it now!” Li Hai turned to go, knowing that there was little time left.

“Wait!” Chu Xiao called after him, something else on his mind.

Li Hai turned, confused.

“I’ll go to the airport with you and see the situation for myself.”

“Very well!”

The Number One Leader watched on, worried about Chu Xiao’s health, but there seemed to be no time to hesitate.

Mingzhu Airport.

Three hours earlier, Li Hai had already instructed the embassies abroad to urgently notify all overseas students: if they did not return home within three days, the borders would be closed to them forever, and they would no longer be considered citizens of Jiuzhou.

As soon as this announcement went out, every overseas student realized that something must have happened in Jiuzhou! If they did not hurry back, they would no longer be one of its people.

To any citizen of Jiuzhou, this was a humiliation.

What of being an overseas student? They were still children of Jiuzhou! They would never abandon their homeland for a few petty foreign gains.

In that instant, as the final notice spread, countless students abroad hurried home.

Because if they waited any longer, how would they be any different from traitors?

It wasn’t only the students. Chinese expatriates, too, upon hearing the news, transferred their assets home and rushed to board flights back.

Yet, even so, there remained a handful who chose not to return—those who, to some degree, cared more for their immediate interests.

Chu Xiao stood at the entrance to the airport, watching as the students returned from abroad, nodding in satisfaction.

Each one walked with spirit and pride—these were the people they truly needed.

Suddenly, Chu Xiao caught sight of a familiar figure.

But as he chased after her, she had already disappeared without a trace.

That silhouette was so familiar—he was certain he hadn’t been mistaken.

It was—Wang Lulu.

Chu Xiao had never expected to encounter her again at such a moment! The surprise was almost overwhelming.

He had thought he’d never see her again, yet by some twist of fate, here she was.

Ah, my love from a previous life!

In the last life, Wang Lulu had been killed by the Plutocrat’s human weapon while trying to protect him!

In this life, he would never allow anyone to harm her again!

Chu Xiao wove through the crowd, searching for that familiar shape.

At last, he saw her.

Her short hair was still jet-black and shining, captivating to the soul.

Chu Xiao walked slowly toward that familiar back, memories of their first meeting flooding his mind.

“Excuse me, hello! You dropped something!” Chu Xiao picked up the wooden stick that had fallen from Wang Lulu’s hand, reaching out to return it.

But Wang Lulu threw her arms around him, sobbing with tears and snot streaming down her face. “I was so scared! I thought I’d been discovered by the Plutocrat’s human weapon!”

Chu Xiao gently soothed the woman in his arms, a stranger to him now. “It’s all right! I’ll protect you.”

Back then, Chu Xiao himself had lost his parents and was alone, fleeing the Plutocrat’s pursuit.

His words gave Wang Lulu true reassurance.

In the apocalypse, two lonely hearts drew close together.

“Hello! Are you all right?” Wang Lulu blinked her bright, watery eyes, puzzled by the man who had been standing behind her, lost in thought.

Chu Xiao was pulled out of his memories by her voice. Thankfully, there was still time!

“I’m fine! May I ask what your major is?” As soon as he spoke, he wanted to slap himself for such a clumsy attempt at conversation.

Wang Lulu looked embarrassed. “I study artificial intelligence! I also love wilderness survival. Why do you ask?”

She didn’t know why, but looking into the man’s eyes, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

“Would you be interested in joining the base construction in Xishan Province?” Chu Xiao asked hurriedly. He truly didn’t want Wang Lulu to fall into a trap again.

Even if she didn’t recognize him, he wanted to give her the strongest shield he could.

Wang Lulu unconsciously stepped back, wondering if she’d run into a madman.

Chu Xiao realized his abruptness and quickly introduced himself. “Forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Chu Xiao, and I’m one of the leaders of the National Production Movement.”

“Chu Xiao!” Wang Lulu gasped in astonishment. She’d heard of Chu Xiao during her wilderness expeditions abroad.

She’d always been curious about him, but never expected he would appear before her and invite her to join the Xishan base project!

She wasn’t sure what it all entailed, but it was bound to be fascinating.

“Do you have any identification?” Wang Lulu asked quietly. She was no fool; she wouldn’t just take someone’s word for it.

Chu Xiao nodded eagerly and handed her his ID.

Wang Lulu took the card, scrutinized it for a long while, and finally reached a conclusion.

The man before her was indeed Chu Xiao!

My goodness! She could barely contain her excitement and almost threw herself at him.

“All right! I’ll go!” Wang Lulu feigned seriousness, but inside she was thrilled beyond measure.

No doubt, she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight!

Chu Xiao wasted no time, hurriedly jotting down his mother Qin Lihua’s phone number on a slip of paper.

“Here, take this.” Chu Xiao handed her the number. “This is my mother’s contact. When you arrive in Xishan Province, just look for her.”

“We’re in real need of artificial intelligence experts—especially those with wilderness survival skills!”