Chapter 21: The Affection Between Men and Women?

Qin Lihua shook her head. “It’s not hard, all for the sake of Jiuzhou.”

“What’s your main purpose in coming here?” Qin Lihua knew that her son would never waste his precious time on matters of the heart.

Indeed, Chu Xiao had not come for his mother, nor for Wang Lulu, but for the construction of the base and the fortress.

“I’m here to check on the progress of the fortress and the base.”

“Mom, how’s the base coming along?” Chu Xiao asked directly.

Qin Lihua didn’t reply verbally. Instead, she took out her phone, opened the photo album, and handed it to Chu Xiao.

“Here! I knew the moment you got off the plane, this would be your greatest concern, so before coming, I specifically asked someone to take pictures for you.”

Chu Xiao took the phone. What he saw was a dense array of warehouses, row upon row.

Beyond that, around the warehouses, an endless stream of vehicles was being ushered in.

The sight was spectacular, like ants moving house.

“Well?” To be honest, Qin Lihua felt a small sense of accomplishment seeing this result.

Chu Xiao hugged her tightly. “Mom! You’ve done so well! Thank you for your hard work!”

Qin Lihua patted him comfortingly. “It’s nothing. It’s what must be done. Jiuzhou is in trouble; as a child of Jiuzhou, how could I shrink away?”

“But you, lately you haven’t been eating or resting properly, have you? You’ve lost so much weight—you must take care of yourself.”

It was true. Chu Xiao had always been a slender youth; now he seemed to have not an ounce of flesh left.

Where his cheeks once had a bit of fullness, they had now sunk in.

Chu Xiao smiled without saying more.

He dared not indulge, for those fighting at the front lines were all more exhausted than he. If he were to eat and drink well, his conscience would not be at ease.

Only relentless toil brought him a sliver of comfort.

This was the only way he could feel safe.

This lifetime, he would not allow tragedy to repeat itself!

Family, friends, lovers, and all the people of Jiuzhou—this time, none of them would be powerless chickens waiting for slaughter. Even if Jiuzhou was weak, they were indomitable ants, hard bones, not so easily cut down.

After arriving at the base, Chu Xiao inspected every detail, unwilling to let any problem arise.

If something happened in Xishan Province, Jiuzhou’s last trump card would disappear.

There was really no major issue with the base, especially with Qin Lihua, an elite of the business world, overseeing things. What trouble could possibly occur?

As he wandered, a sudden thought struck Chu Xiao.

What if the Lord of the Underworld targeted this base directly? What then?

It was a problem that could not be ignored.

As Chu Xiao pondered deeply, a lively, sweet voice called out from behind.

“Chu Xiao?”

That voice was unforgettable.

Chu Xiao forced down the tide of memories and restrained his emotions.

“Hello! May I ask who you are?” Chu Xiao had no intention of entangling himself with Wang Lulu. If not for her saving him in his past life, she might have lived much longer.

Wang Lulu’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. “You don’t recognize me?”

“Should I?” Chu Xiao’s gaze was as unfamiliar as if she were a stranger.

For a moment, Wang Lulu suspected she’d mistaken him.

Just as she was about to leave, someone else called Chu Xiao’s name.

“Chu Xiao, you’re here! I was just looking for you.” Qin Lihua approached. “You’ve looked around—any issues?”

Wang Lulu turned to Qin Lihua and called out sweetly, “Hello, Aunt Qin!”

“Hello!” Qin Lihua responded happily, then turned to Chu Xiao, “Isn’t this the girl you asked me to take good care of on the phone last time? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Wang Lulu realized she hadn’t been mistaken.

Chu Xiao felt he’d like nothing more than to silence his mother at that moment.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Qin Lihua coughed lightly. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. Let me see if there are any problems elsewhere.”

Their eyes met, and the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them.

Once, Chu Xiao had read a book where, in the end, the world perished, leaving only two people to depend on each other.

He thought that ending was pitiful; if one died first, the other would spend life alone. Even if children remained, they too would eventually die alone.

He didn’t want that. He wanted all the people of Jiuzhou to survive—that was what the world meant.

This time, he would protect Wang Lulu, but he would not let romance bind him.

“Sorry! My memory isn’t very good. I have some things to do, so I’ll take my leave.” Chu Xiao knew his excuse was imperfect, but for now, escape was the only option.

But Wang Lulu’s words stopped him. “Don’t you see any shortcomings in this base?”

“What do you mean?” Chu Xiao scrutinized her, wondering if she was teasing him.

Wang Lulu understood his look but showed no reaction, continuing calmly.

“This base is too weak! All it does is bring in food, but security and other aspects are neglected!”

“If anyone really targeted it, it would be easily destroyed!” Her words struck right at Chu Xiao’s heart.

He felt the same way, and was searching for solutions.

“What do you suggest?” Chu Xiao asked.

Wang Lulu crossed her arms, looking smug. “Heh! I won’t tell you!”

With years of survival experience, Wang Lulu already had a good solution in mind, though it wasn’t fully developed.

“Fine, then!” Chu Xiao didn’t press her; he could figure it out himself.

His main concern was keeping his distance from her.

But unexpectedly, Wang Lulu grabbed him. “Why are you leaving? I’ll tell you, alright?”

Seeing her anxious look, the corners of Chu Xiao’s mouth involuntarily curved into a smile.

“Go on.” The smile quickly faded.

“Pay attention to fire prevention, pest control, and moisture! Each warehouse needs multiple fire extinguishers—one or two isn’t enough!”

“Also, if conditions allow, build additional warehouses from titanium alloy—that would solve most of these problems! And, assign more guards!”

Wang Lulu circled Chu Xiao as she spoke, then suddenly darted in front of him, startling him a little.

“Anything else?” Chu Xiao’s gaze remained stern, showing no sign of levity.

“No, that’s all.” Wang Lulu shook her head.