“Yes, a simulation war zone.”
“Blindly launching a general offensive is clearly not a wise decision. We are standing at the edge of a cliff; any error in decision-making would be fatal.”
“I understand what this means for the Chi family, for the families of millions of soldiers, and for everyone in Red Heaven. I understand that a single decision of mine concerns countless lives.”
Xu Xiaoyou could sense the heavy pressure and responsibility the young man carried on his shoulders. He wasn't very old—likely not even thirty when he took power through a coup—yet he had to face the world's doubts and scrutiny to hold the seat of the family head and represent them in public.
Chi Qiu said, “So I thought that before launching the general offensive, we could first project the four Tower Cities into Oasis.”
“This would allow our soldiers to enter Oasis. By conducting several simulation battles, we can explore more strategies and possibilities, ensuring that when the war truly arrives, we can handle more variables and emergencies.”
“Of course, I was already intending to do so,” Xu Xiaoyou said.
A flash of hesitation crossed Chi Qiu's face, followed by visible joy, but that sudden display of emotion quickly vanished, replaced by a steady composure.
Others would have barely noticed the change, but Xu Xiaoyou saw it clearly.
“If I may ask,” Chi Qiu spoke tentatively after a moment of silence. “What is your reason for this, Excellency?”
“The scenery in Red Heaven is good,” Xu Xiaoyou replied.
Thinking for a moment, Xu Xiaoyou added, “Your sister is quite cute.”
She couldn't exactly say it was a stage in two favorability plots, could she?
“I-is that so?” Chi Qiu's expression froze. “Tsubaki is... indeed quite interesting.”
He had long heard that fixers of the luminous prism grade were mostly eccentric. He had come today prepared with many negotiation tactics, only to find the other party agreeing so easily.
This significantly improved Chi Qiu's impression of the blonde girl.
Before coming, some around him had told him that Dark Gold Rose was a profit-driven person with deep schemes.
As the old saying goes, seeing is believing. It seemed those rumors were false and required more scrutiny.
At that moment, Akabane Tsubaki returned with tea. She respectfully placed two cups before Xu Xiaoyou and Chi Qiu, winked, and stepped back to stand by the side.
“Keep chatting, don't mind me.”
“Excellency Dark Gold Rose, do you have any requests?”
The atmosphere became slightly awkward in the silence. Finally, Chi Qiu couldn't help but break the impasse:
“Excellency Dark Gold Rose, do you not have any requests to make? I can satisfy them to the best of my ability.”
Xu Xiaoyou had long been free of desires in reality. Her wealth was beyond count; when assets reached a certain amount, the money would keep growing even if she did nothing. If she wanted, she could dump money into card draws at any time, practically using 'show me the money' to become a pay-to-win warrior with a hundred-fold pull.
If someone didn't have grade 5 strength, she wouldn't even bother with them.
What? No divine endowment? She'd just treat them like one of the depleted and let her 【Fireball Bombardment】 do the talking.
As for power, if Xu Xiaoyou wanted, she could become the principal of the Star of Art at any time—it was practically her backyard.
With money and influence, one truly could do whatever they pleased.
Yet Xu Xiaoyou said:
“We can discuss interests after the league ends. It would be best if the Chi family head is willing to use resources to build momentum for Light-Chaser Garden's league journey.”
Chi Qiu's expression softened, and he let out a light sigh of relief as he agreed.
Xu Xiaoyou was truly uninterested in money in reality. Even a mountain of cash wouldn't be as attractive as the federal shields in Tsubaki's account's little vault.
She only said this to ease his concerns; sometimes, being bound by interests was more reliable than friendship.
“In that case, I'll leave it in your hands, Excellency Dark Gold Rose.”
With that, Chi Qiu stood up.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Akabane Tsubaki.
“To be honest, I have a second reason for coming here today.”
“Tsubaki, it's time to go home.”
“The league will proceed as normal, but during the off-season, you need to come with me to the military district in Devil Tower City.”
Akabane Tsubaki instinctively looked at Xu Xiaoyou, feeling a sudden void in her heart. She immediately questioned, “Why?”
“You promised me you would respect my choice. You said you'd wait until I finished school before making me take this on...”
As she spoke, Tsubaki's voice grew smaller until it was barely audible.
She certainly knew the current situation in Red Heaven and understood she had grown up. She could no longer be as willful as before. She knew how heavy the burden on her brother's shoulders was, yet when this day finally arrived, she felt an inexplicable sense of emptiness and unease.
After this parting, who knew how many years it would be before they could meet again in reality?
“I'm sorry, Tsubaki. If I could, I would also want to wait until your personality matured more, to let you be like other people your age and make your life's puzzle complete,” Chi Qiu said with a solemn expression.
“But you must understand that the puzzle of life is inherently incomplete. Just as people in the dark long for light, and people in the ice and snow long for warmth and spring, ordinary people cannot see the grandeur of the world, while we cannot live in peace. Every year before the maple leaves fall, the families of soldiers hope their sons and daughters can return home.”
“They also look forward to reuniting with their loved ones and living peaceful, stable lives. We cannot let others' already incomplete lives become even more regretful for the sake of our own selfishness.”
“Why can't I just be an ordinary girl?” Akabane Tsubaki said softly, her voice trembling slightly. “Everyone says I'm the little family head of the Chi family, but I've had to carry such a heavy burden since birth. I don't have even a bit of freedom.”
“Precisely because you are the little family head of the Chi family, you must bear more responsibility and mission. I have never accepted the logic of the law of the jungle,” Chi Qiu said. “Since we occupy high positions and enjoy privileges, we must stand up and take on the mission of protecting others when crisis strikes.”
“The blood of the strong should flow for the weak.”
“Of course, if you aren't ready yet, I can give you another half a month...”
“I don't need it.” Akabane Tsubaki fiercely wiped away her tears. “You make it sound like I'm so immature.”
Her eyes were red as she looked at Xu Xiaoyou, letting out a choked sound as she forced a somewhat awkward smile. “I told you not to say those ominous things. See? You were right.”
“I'm going back. From now on, there will be no one to act silly in front of you, no one to pester you with nonsensical talk, no one to wrap peppercorns in meat to feed you, no one to hand you cookies full of wasabi, and no one to force you to eat bitter melon ice cream...”
“And don't keep such a stiff face all day. Smile when it's time to smile. Even a silly grin is fine.”
Xu Xiaoyou shook her head and remained silent.
“Really, you've probably wanted to get rid of me for a long time anyway. You've been waiting for me to leave, haven't you? I'm off to shoot some bugs. Actually, I've wanted to do that for a while. Fighting in a game is so boring compared to the real thing.”
Akabane Tsubaki feigned a carefree attitude, taking a deep breath as if gathering a surge of determination to pour all her strength into the world. She waved her limbs wildly, startling the young men and women holding flowers into stepping aside. Xu Xiaoyou watched as she ran into the golden autumn scenery, disappearing into a shimmer of light. The girl's loud laughter carried over on the cool autumn wind.
“Just you watch, Yuzu!”
“Before the maple leaves fall, I'll make sure more people can go home!”
Rate on N.U.
