Chapter Twenty-Two: The Underground Base!

"Thank you! I will seriously consider your suggestions," Chu Xiao said, turning to leave.

This time, Wang Lulu had no reason to ask Chu Xiao to stay, so she went back to her own work.

Chu Xiao mulled over Wang Lulu's advice, realizing there were indeed parts worth adopting. The Western Mountain Province had already become a fortress, so what she said afterward was necessary. The earlier points should certainly be passed down as orders. Yet, thanks to Wang Lulu's reminder, Chu Xiao came up with a new idea.

Just in case, why not build an underground warehouse?

An underground warehouse would be safe from everything except earthquakes. Constructed with titanium alloy, if the warehouse in Western Mountain Province were ever targeted, its underground counterpart would serve as the final safeguard for their grain reserves.

Yes, that's it!

With this thought, Chu Xiao quickly called Number One.

Number One approved.

Chu Xiao summoned Governor Zhang Fengli of Western Mountain Province and her mother, Qin Lihua.

"Ms. Qin, Governor Zhang, hello! I've called you here because there's something urgent."

"To prepare for unforeseen circumstances, I plan to build an underground warehouse."

"It could also be called an underground base. This place will be constructed and reinforced with titanium alloy, making it completely waterproof and fireproof."

"Of course, you don't need to worry about earthquakes. According to my predictions, there will be no earthquakes in the next year."

Chu Xiao left the rest of that sentence unsaid. If an earthquake did occur, there would be no retreat, and they would have to give their all.

Qin Lihua and Zhang Fengli nodded in understanding.

Seeing this, Chu Xiao continued, "I'll sketch a rough map here. Later, I'll ask the expert in this field, Yang Yu, to refine it."

Five minutes later, a draft was laid out before them.

Though not precise, the sketch made clear that this was a grand project. The scale rivaled the fortress currently being built on the province's border.

"This..." Zhang Fengli's face showed hesitation. To be honest, he wasn't worried about anything else, but manpower—he felt that two months might not be enough.

Chu Xiao immediately saw what Zhang Fengli was concerned about. "Don't worry, I'll send people to support you! Rest assured. Remember, prioritize the warehouse and fortress, the underground warehouse comes second!"

Chu Xiao knew that one cannot have both fish and bear's paw. Even in these circumstances, compromises had to be made.

"Alright!" Qin Lihua and the governor agreed in unison.

Chu Xiao called Yang Yu and urged him to bring his research team as soon as possible.

"In Western Mountain Province, I'll pick you up at the airport, you..." Before Chu Xiao could finish, Yang Yu hung up.

Ten minutes later, Chu Xiao's phone buzzed.

It was a text from Yang Yu.

"I'm already on the helicopter. Be ready for pickup! I'll arrive in half an hour!"

To save time, Yang Yu had boarded his personal helicopter.

Suddenly, Chu Xiao felt the sting of his own poverty.

December 17th, 3:50 PM.

There were seventy-three days left before Pluto would awaken completely.

After picking up Yang Yu and the other scientists, Chu Xiao took them straight to his temporary residence, which also served as his office.

"Take a look at this—can you get it done today?" Chu Xiao turned the blackboard to face Yang Yu.

Yang Yu raised an eyebrow, showing little other expression. "First, tell me—what kind of place do you want?"

"I want a fireproof, waterproof underground warehouse. If anything else fails, I want this to become the last refuge for the people of China!" Chu Xiao declared without hesitation.

Yang Yu was visibly surprised, but the expression quickly faded. "Good idea! I'll give you the plan before dawn tomorrow!"

"This place needs some combat features, otherwise how will we fight back?" Yang Yu added his own opinion.

Chu Xiao nodded. "You're right! Let's do it your way!"

He stepped up to Yang Yu and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "I believe in you!"

Chu Xiao's gaze burned like fire, but was as resolute as steel.

Yang Yu nodded vigorously. "Alright! Rest assured!"

Yang Yu pulled out his tools from his pocket, and his assistants did the same.

The assistants separated the titanium alloy while Yang Yu, referencing Chu Xiao's drawing, sketched another one. After calculating factors like gravity and load-bearing, Yang Yu produced a fairly complete floor plan.

Next came the assembly, integration, and inspection phase.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Chu Xiao chose not to interrupt, instead turning to study weapon schematics.

Production of the laser guns was nearly complete.

But to truly defeat Pluto's machines, they needed heavy weapons, or rather, heavy firepower—one strike to kill.

The night passed. Chu Xiao had gone through a box of markers, but was still out of ideas.

Yang Yu and his team, meanwhile, had finished the model.

"How is it?" Yang Yu placed the model before Chu Xiao.

Under the sunlight, the model gleamed brilliantly.

In many ways, it resembled the fortress, but its combat features were different.

It was more like a labyrinth, with various openings overhead. If an intruder entered, they would easily fall into an ambush, for beneath each opening was not only the base, but also traps and hiding places for people.

Once someone entered, they would face attacks from all directions.

Setting aside considerations of weaponry, the chance of survival was virtually nil.

"Excellent! Excellent!" Chu Xiao praised enthusiastically. "Yang Yu, you truly are a unique genius!"

Yang Yu nodded, his expression saying, "Of course!"

Afterward, Yang Yu casually found a place to sleep.

His assistant explained some details to Chu Xiao and then went off to rest as well.

Chu Xiao, eyebrows raised in delight, carried the model to the next room.

He set the model down.

Suddenly, someone burst through the door!

Chu Xiao instinctively shielded the model, looking up to see Wang Lulu.

"What are you doing here?" Chu Xiao asked warily.

Wang Lulu pursed her lips. "This is my office! What's wrong? Am I not allowed in?"

Awkwardness hung in the air.

Chu Xiao gave an embarrassed smile and turned away, refusing to meet Wang Lulu's gaze.

"Your office has been requisitioned! Soon, Ms. Qin or Governor Zhang will arrange a new one for you."

"No way! Why should I?" Wang Lulu immediately strode up to Chu Xiao, her big, clear eyes staring straight at him.

For a moment, Chu Xiao couldn't think of a retort.

Suddenly, Wang Lulu stepped forward, confronting Chu Xiao right at the tip of his pen.

Their eyes met, and the inquiry between them ran deeper than mere feeling.

"Have I seen you somewhere before?" Wang Lulu asked quietly, her large eyes flickering.

Chu Xiao was about to reply when a voice sounded from the doorway.