Chapter 376 - 373: The Grand Finale

Chapter 376: Chapter 373: The Grand Finale

"This is against protocol. This concerns a vital national asset. Isn’t this treating it a bit like child’s play!"

Li Xiu glanced at the elder who had spoken, smiling without saying a word. He understood the man’s point, but ’in this world, there are some things a person must do, and some things they must not.’

He’d only started the company so he’d never be short on cash and could properly dote on Zhou Lian. Who would have guessed that his team would be so capable, building it up into one of the world’s top corporations? Now, the money was truly just a number to him. As for that elder’s words... ’they were best heard and then forgotten.’

"What’s against protocol? Besides, we’re facing difficulties right now. Li Jincheng is acting out of principle and generously offering his support, so how is that child’s play? A vital national asset is worthless if the project itself can’t even continue!" Old Sir Sun retorted without even looking up.

’These people overcomplicate things. Would Li Jincheng, with that devilishly sharp mind of his, really let himself get entangled with a vital state project like this? Didn’t they hear him add that they could just pay him back once the country was out of its predicament?’

Elder Ping ignored the chatter and asked Li Xiu quietly, "This is no small sum. Can your company handle withdrawing these funds without issue?"

"Elder Ping, you know I’m not the type to put on a brave front. Just pay me back in a couple of years once things have stabilized. Consider the success of this project and the deterrent effect it will have on the world... Elder Ping, you know which choice to make," Li Xiu said casually, glancing at the others around the table.

Elder Ping exchanged a look with several of the other elders. They all nodded. He then turned to Secretary Sun and said, "You’ll leave with Jin Chen shortly. This project is to be launched immediately. Write an IOU to Jin Chen. The funds are to be repaid within five years!"

The sun rose, its brilliant rays heralding the start of a beautiful new day. Li Xiu followed the elders on a detailed tour of the "New Year’s tribute." If these epoch-making creations were unveiled, it would signify that the slumbering dragon of the East had truly awakened and taken flight. From this day forward, no one would dare to bully them!

Declining the invitations from the senior officials, Li Xiu quickly departed with Secretary Sun and the project manager after the tour. ’Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. It’s the perfect day to launch the project. A good omen!’

By the time he returned home, it was already dusk. Zhou Lian, who had been waiting anxiously, watched as the afterglow of the setting sun bathed Li Xiu in a vibrant light. His brow was smooth, and he seemed so full of joy it was practically overflowing.

"Jin Chen!"

"Bao’er, I’m home!" Li Xiu looked up, giving Zhou Lian a brilliant smile as he strode forward and pulled her into his arms.

Feeling the irrepressible excitement radiating from him, Zhou Lian suppressed her countless questions. Gently freeing herself from his embrace, she took his hand and led him into the study, ready to find out what had happened.

Casually closing the study door, Li Xiu hugged Zhou Lian tightly and kissed her with passion. After a moment, he carried her to the sofa and sat down. He looked at Zhou Lian, who was nestled in his arms, her expression puzzled yet gentle, and he chuckled softly.

"Bao’er, they succeeded! The most important project isn’t done yet, but the others are all complete!"

Hearing his words, Zhou Lian slowly pieced everything together. ’Is it what I think it is? Did they really succeed?’

Seeing Li Xiu nod, Zhou Lian slowly exhaled and asked in a hushed voice, "They really succeeded? So, that means..."

"Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking," Li Xiu said softly, nodding. "They were presented as a tribute for the New Year. I’ve already seen them, and they’ll be unveiled soon!"

Pressing a hand to her chest, Zhou Lian smiled and said excitedly, "That’s wonderful! The technology for those things is light-years ahead of anything else in the world. Their unveiling will cause a global sensation. They’ll become a powerful national asset, and the entire country’s standing in the world will..."

"Exactly, Bao’er. This era is much more suitable than the future we knew. After all, those battle-hardened old generals are still with us. The whole world knows how tough they are. With them around, the petty, opportunistic nations won’t dare to cause trouble. We should be able to avoid some of the infuriating events of the future," Li Xiu said softly.

At the mention of this, Zhou Lian closed her eyes and said sardonically, "Jin Chen, in this world, countries and peoples may differ, but human nature is depressingly similar. Just thinking about what happened in our future makes me sick with frustration. But it hasn’t happened yet. The unveiling of these things now should deter a good number of people. We’ll just have to wait and see a few years from now. Then, if anyone dares to reach out, we’ll chop off their paws!"

"We will. We absolutely will," Li Xiu said, looking at her earnestly. "Since ancient times, we, the Descendants of Yan and Huang, the people of China, have never bowed to evil. The spirits of our ancestors are watching over us. The terrible things that happened in the future won’t happen in this timeline. Don’t worry, Bao’er. All our efforts are finally paying off. We’ve already changed things!"

’All those sickening events from the future... every hot-blooded youth of their generation had felt indignant, wishing they could personally beat those shameless bastards to death. But given the circumstances, they could only bottle up their frustration. Fortunately, the nation ultimately lived up to everyone’s hopes. Its destiny soared, and its people could once again hold their heads high, fearless before the world.’

Nestled in Li Xiu’s arms, Zhou Lian suppressed her excitement and asked softly, "Jin Chen, what about... what about that other project? It didn’t succeed?"

"It’s short on funding. The country isn’t wealthy right now, so I’m providing half of the initial capital as a loan. Elder Ping approved it, they wrote me an IOU, and it will be paid back within five years. Bao’er, it was all very sudden, so I made the decision without discussing it with you."

Seeing his apologetic gaze, Zhou Lian let out an almost imperceptible sigh. She gently caressed his handsome face and said softly, "Jin Chen, I know you have a great sense of duty in your heart, and I know how deeply you love and cherish me. You have no reason to feel sorry. I’m happy and proud of the way you handled this. You may see yourself as a carefree spirit, but I know about the passionate patriotism you carry inside. One can only have a home if one first has a country. I understand."

"It’s like you always said—you wanted to give me a life of peace and quiet. You promised, and now you’ve done it. Once these things are unveiled, they will be coveted, the nation’s strength will grow, and it will command respect from all sides. I’ll be living in a country that is thriving, a country that all others will look up to in the future. Your promise to me—a life of peace and quiet—is still fulfilled."

’Yes. This country, this people, would have a clear path forward into the future. It would advance courageously, command the respect of all nations, and rise majestically in the East! It would become a place the entire world looked to, a place its people would be immensely proud of.’