Chapter 159
“Build an airport—what were you thinking?” Even after getting into the car, Cen Xiangcai couldn’t help but marvel at Xie Xubai’s ingenious idea.
What puzzled him most was that after a brief pause, Yan Shuo did not scoff or reject the idea, but instead fell into deep thought and listened attentively!
Xie Xubai was busy comforting the irritated little tentacle in a gentle voice: "Little Yi, don't cry, don't cry, don't feel wronged. Does it still hurt? Come on, let me rub it for you."
When Yan Shuo dealt with the vengeful spirits, the residual force swept outwards, turning the entire Red Cinema into ruins. Shattered stones and broken wood rained down like a storm of meteors. The little tentacle, bound to a chair and unable to move, was the first to be hit. It was knocked dizzy before it could even utter a sound, but luckily it was thick-skinned and escaped injury.
It was only after Xie Xubai suddenly heard the little tentacle's furious "roar" that he rushed over and rescued the little guy from the pile of rubble.
With a whirlwind-like circular motion, the small tentacles ripped away the rubble pressing down on it, sending it flying eight feet away. Then, in a fit of rage, it picked up a door-sized rock, tightened its grip, and chewed it to pieces, its entire body radiating a violent and resentful black aura.
But as soon as it saw Xie Xubai's panicked and worried face, it instantly wilted, its ferocity vanished, and it pounced on him, wrapping its arms around the human's wrist and crying loudly.
I feel so wronged.
Xie Xubai mouthed to everyone, asking them to wait a moment, while continuously rubbing the soft tips of his little tentacles and kissing them apologetically and tenderly several times.
Only after finally managing to calm the little guy down did I grip the steering wheel and start driving out of Hongyin Ancient Town.
Cen Xiangcai opened the car window and pointed to the rolling mountains: "The primary condition for choosing an airport site is that it must be flat and open, so that it is easy to set up a runway for takeoff. Look here, it is surrounded by mountains on all sides, and the runway has to be built with curves. There are many trees, and on rainy days, the fog is so thick that you can't see your hand in front of your face, which obstructs visibility. No matter how you look at it, it is not a place to build an airport!"
"Furthermore, you're talking about an airport! It's not like some vegetable garden or cowshed that can be built on a whim. It requires approval from the city government and cooperation from multiple departments. It requires building the external road system, control center communication station, repair shop, water and electricity supply equipment from scratch... Even private airports require a series of approvals and project approvals!"
Originally exhausted, Cen Xiangcai became more and more lucid and furious as he spoke.
Xie Xubai was just making a small suggestion, which was perfectly reasonable, so why did Yan Shuo agree to it?
He had a brilliant idea on a whim, but afterwards, it was he, the secretary, who was busy running around like crazy. Was he still half asleep or had his brain blown by a donkey?
If it weren't for someone's clone being wrapped around Xie Xubai's wrist and groaning, Cen Xiangcai might have uttered the word "idiot."
The rage-filled Ghost King of Part-Time Jobs is not to be trifled with; his resentment is almost tangible.
Xie Xubai, feeling quite self-conscious about being the instigator, coughed nervously. Cen Xiangcai, however, suddenly leaned closer, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"So why did you propose building an airport? Don't say you're an outsider and just mentioned it casually; that's not your style."
It wasn't that he was biased or biased; it was that so much experience and facts over such a long period of time had proven to everyone that anyone could make baseless accusations or pretend to know what they didn't, but Xie Xubai would never do that.
Back when he had no power at all, Xie Xubai said he would do everything in his power to save him, and now he has done just that.
Cen Xiangcai leaned his head against the car window, his gaze falling on the rearview mirror.
The small mirror clearly reflected Xie Xubai's gentle and refined features. His naturally downward-curving eyes resembled willow branches dangling in a pond, creating ripples with a gentle sway.
He recalled the more than ten years that Xie Xubai, his elder brother, had cared for him in the illusion, and the shock and disbelief of Xie Xubai suddenly appearing and pulling him out of the water when he was determined to die and fell into the river.
I thought about it absentmindedly.
— He was truly majestic, like a god descending to earth.
Xie Xubai had no idea what Cen Xiangcai was thinking, but he seemed to have calmed down for no reason and was in a much better mood.
Xie Xubai smiled and said bluntly, "Of course, it's an outsider's opinion, so it's not as comprehensive and practical as your outstanding, talented, and capable top secretary's considerations."
He sighed, "I just want the resentment trapped all over this mountain to have an outlet."
The pale moonlight streamed into the car, passing through Xie Xubai's eyes with a calm and peaceful light, reflecting the majestic green mountains all around.
The mountains stretch endlessly, layer upon layer, like an impenetrable walled cage.
"Surrounded by mountains on all sides, it was originally a very good feng shui layout. However, after several wars, hundreds of waterways leading outward were blocked, so the water was surrounded by mountains and could not flow, turning it into a 'trapped water layout' that hinders wealth and career development."
"For this reason, even though the vengeful spirits of Hongying Town have been exorcised, the resentment in the mountains has remained stagnant. It is not just the resentment of one village or town, but the pain and obsession of countless people who have been unable to escape the mountains for hundreds of years, and the hatred and regret of this land."
The slight curve at the corner of Cen Xiangcai's mouth slowly faded with each word Xie Xubai spoke, and then he pursed his lips tightly together again.
As if responding to Xie Xubai's words, a strong hurricane suddenly swept through the nearby mountains and forests.
It roared through the air with unstoppable force, smashing through the densely packed withered vines and old trees, but was finally forced back by the rugged rock peaks, rampaging through the narrow valley, its mournful cries echoing.
The sounds were deafening, as if they were mixed with the wails of countless vengeful spirits.
"If we could find a way to break this barrier, that would be wonderful." Xie Xubai met Cen Xiangcai's gaze in the rearview mirror, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "Building an airport would be like letting birds fly freely in the sky, wouldn't it?"
Cen Xiangcai felt as if he had been scalded, and his heart skipped a beat.
He knew that whenever Xie Xubai mentioned "think of a way" in a calm tone, he had often already come up with a dozen or even dozens of solutions in his mind.
Xie Xubai believes that one or more of the items are highly feasible, and he will definitely start working on them within three days.
Cen Xiangcai remained silent for a long time, unsure of what he was thinking. He crossed his arms, his trembling fingers gripping his elbows tightly.
My breathing quickened, my heart rate increased, and it felt like my blood was on fire.
Cen Xiangcai felt sweetness, his eyes welled up with tears, he felt excited and his heart was surging, and he was shaking his legs and restless.
He felt he shouldn't be in the car right now, but in the Shengtian Group, in a brightly lit conference room, urgently convening a shareholders' meeting, working through the night with elites from the entire company and other related fields, racking their brains, and using the fastest, most efficient, and most reliable methods to come up with a series of mature and feasible plans from the construction of the airport to its implementation.
Fortunately, he retained his rationality and managed to suppress the urge to jump out of the car.
"That's true, but change isn't that easy." Although she was refuting Xie Xubai's words, her voice was very soft and gentle.
Looking at the mountains, he frowned, feeling troubled: "First of all, the terrain..."
Xie Xubai: "Yes, a flat, open space and high visibility are necessary conditions. No matter how good the idea is, it cannot be separated from this reality. Under normal circumstances, there is really no way to achieve this."
He smiled as he looked at the little tentacles.
The little guy, soothed by the golden light, patted his hand repeatedly with his slender, pointed head, like a cat's long tail swaying involuntarily when it's lazily dozing off.
Xie Xubai: "Xiao Yi, look at that mountain on the left. If it blocks your way and you can't go around it, what should you do?"
The little tentacle rubbed against his wrist and made two soft swishing sounds, then said without hesitation, "Why not just smash it?"
Ping An wagged its tail enthusiastically in agreement: "Woof!"
It can grow bigger, and it can also help!
Xie Xubai chuckled: "That won't do. We can't destroy the environment. What will happen to the animals living on it if you smash the mountain?"
The little tentacle hummed, thinking it was no challenge: "If we can't smash it, moving it is the same. We can just choose a suitable place and move it there."
“That’s right.” Xie Xubai looked at the dumbfounded Cen Xiangcai and laughed, “Moving mountains and overturning seas is difficult for us, but it’s no problem for that person.”
Therefore, when he made his suggestion, Yan Shuo pondered and considered it, rather than laughing at his unrealistic and whimsical ideas.
Cen Xiangcai was truly stunned into silence. Subconsciously, he still felt it was impossible and stammered, "But, but this project is too grand. To complete it, the construction period would be measured in years. Even building a farmhouse, a tourist village, or even opening a commercial district would be more achievable."
"To go through so much trouble to build an airport that may or may not even be profitable, President Yan..."
Xie Xubai paused, glancing at everyone's reactions.
Pei Yuheng and Xie Kaile couldn't get a word in edgewise about what he and Cen Xiangcai were talking about, and listened quietly the whole time.
Upon hearing Cen Xiangcai mention Yan Shuo's style, Xie Kaile, who was nominally Yan Shuo's nephew, nodded in deep agreement.
Pei Yuheng and Yan Shuo's alter egos (the hospital's defense department) have worked together for many years and know very well how crazy and evil they are.
Having just met with the real person, my bad impression of him has only increased. Hearing Cen Xiangcai's words, I gave a cold laugh.
They all agreed that Yan Shuo was cold and ruthless, and definitely not a generous and kind person.
Their attitudes actually reflect the consistent views of Yan Shuo's subordinates, relatives, colleagues, and strangers towards him.
Xie Xubai lowered his brows, feeling a vague and inexplicable unease in his heart.
The man who had been pretending to be dead suddenly moved at this moment, avoiding everyone's gaze and senses, and gently rubbed Xie Xubai's earlobe.
His movements were light and casual, with a hint of amusement as he watched a good show—the evil god seemed quite pleased with his reputation.
Unlike some people, who call others good people.
Xie Xubai: "..."
He used his mental power to retract the restless tendrils of the gold-rimmed glasses, paused for a moment, smiled faintly, and said to Cen Xiangcai, "This is blatant prejudice on your part. If that person didn't have this idea, why did they listen to my advice just now?"
Cen Xiangcai thought to himself that Yan Shuo might have discovered some business opportunity. The next second, Xie Xubai asked, "Speaking of which, Haiyue, you've worked by Yan Shuo's side for so many years, have you figured out why he wants to start a company?"
The new way of addressing him felt a little unfamiliar and uncomfortable. But hearing his friend call him by his given name filled Cen Xiangcai with an indescribable joy.
He touched his nose: "What else could it be? That guy likes money."
"You like money, so you set up a charitable foundation and give away loads of cash?" Xie Xubai asked with a smile. "You like money, so you personally go out to capture evil spirits and train them into laborers who can earn money and compensate the victims?"
Cen Xiangcai was momentarily speechless.
He was speechless, unsure how to refute, when he saw a ray of golden light drift over from the driver's seat, enveloped in a very welcoming aura.
Cen Xiangcai's pupils narrowed as he considered a possibility. His heart pounded, and he caught the golden light without hesitation, opening his hand to take a look.
Sure enough, it was a fragment of his bone!
Cen Xiangcai belatedly realized why he was able to leave Shengtian Group and roam freely outside, his astonishment mixed with immense joy: "How did you get this? When—"
"This is not my achievement," Xie Xubai replied truthfully. "Xiao Yi was responsible for digging up the entire outer wall of the company and prying them out bit by bit. As for the part of gluing and restoring, that should be Yan Shuo's work. The complete bone fragments were also handed to me by Yan Shuo himself."
"...???"
Cen Xiangcai stared at the bone fragment in disbelief, his expression becoming increasingly distorted, his eyes glazed over, looking utterly bewildered in the wind.
He feels like he was force-fed a frantically wriggling cockroach a long time ago. Even today, he can still grit his teeth and remember being so scared that he screamed and gargled dozens of times, wishing he could bite off his tongue, and finally broke down in despair.
Now someone is telling him that the cockroach was actually a piece of enchanted honey, like Harry O'Terry's chocolate frog.
Xie Xubai glanced at Pei Yuheng, who remained silent in the passenger seat, and smiled, "I don't quite know what Yan Shuo is thinking. But as the saying goes, a gentleman judges by his actions, not his intentions. Looking back at what he did, it wasn't as bad as you all think, was it?"
His tone was gentle yet firm.
Pei Yuheng glanced at him and gave an awkward "hmm".
The man with the gold-rimmed glasses once again silently kneaded Xie Xubai's earlobe, seemingly casually, yet with obvious affection.
Cen Xiangcai put his hand to his forehead, his gaze blank.
He needs time to sort out his shattered worldview.
Xie Xubai could only laugh when he saw his reaction in the rearview mirror, and casually reminded him: "There's one more thing. Back then, you broke out of Hongrun Company against the rules and almost lost your soul. It was Xiao Yi who kept begging Yan Shuo to save you."
"It's one thing that you weren't grateful when you woke up, but why didn't you even bother to find out what happened before kicking it? Shouldn't you apologize to Xiao Yi and thank him properly?"
“…” Cen Xiangcai looked at the small tentacles.
Upon hearing this, the little tentacles instantly perked up and stood up.
It had already retaliated with that kick, but Xie Xubai was willing to stand up for it, and there was still a chance to make Cen Xiangcai suffer a setback and apologize, which made the child quite happy.
"I'm sorry, thank you." Cen Xiangcai's lips twitched.
The fox-like creature, emboldened by its master's power, waved its tiny tentacles even more smugly, its supple body swaying back and forth like seaweed, grinning triumphantly: "The great one is magnanimous, I won't stoop to your level, hmph."
Cen Xiangcai was both angry and amused. He leaned back and commented sharply, "I think you're just a petty person who's gotten your way."
No matter how outrageous the project proposal may seem under current circumstances, once Yan Shuo approves it, there is basically no possibility of changing it, and no room for others to argue.
However, thanks to Xie Xubai's suggestion that satisfied his boss, Cen Xiangcai didn't have to rush back to the company to work overtime tonight.
The gates of Shengtian Group are no longer an obstacle, and the freedom I once longed for is now firmly in my grasp.
Now, Cen Xiangcai faces two choices: one is to stay in a hotel for the night and make further plans, and the other is to immediately abandon his burdens, buy a plane ticket, and set sail for the world.
In the past, Cen Xiangcai would have chosen option two without hesitation, but now...
Cen Xiangcai looked out the window.
A crack was left in the car window, and a refreshing breeze blew in, carrying the unique scent of grass and trees from the mountains and forests.
The road, with few cars, looked very open, and the streetlights on both sides flashed by quickly, casting warm yellow halos into view.
The road ahead is unobstructed, stretching as far as the eye can see, vast and boundless. Passing through undulating mountains and towering peaks, it feels as if you could drive all the way to the ends of the earth.
"Thank you, Brother Xie—"
Suddenly, a shameless hooligan called out to someone in a coquettish voice. The way he spoke, with its lingering and tender tone, almost made Xie Xubai's hand tremble.
Cen Xiangcai approached with a grin, pleading, "Mother is gone, and Haiyue has nowhere to go. Kind brother, please take poor Haiyue in."
The other two people and the dog immediately stared at him as if he were a ghost. Xie Kaile touched the goosebumps on his arm: "You're disgusting. Can't you speak normally?"
Cen Xiangcai's eyes were full of mockery, and he was about to tease Xie Xubai a bit more when he suddenly heard Xie Xubai in front of him chuckle.
Xie Xubai, being the composed man he was, quickly adapted to Xie's pretentious manner. He glanced at the rearview mirror with a smile and deliberately asked, "Aren't we on our way home?"
whoosh—
The car window was opened a little too wide, and a long wind came from the horizon, howling into the car and blowing my hair wildly.
Before I knew it, dawn had broken. A pale white tinge appeared on the dark horizon, and the crimson glow of the rising sun spread across the mountain streams, gradually resembling a bright and intense flame burning into the sky, like a dream.
A ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell gently into Cen Xiangcai's trembling pupils.
Beside him, the spirits of cats and dogs huddled together peacefully, fast asleep. Ping An yawned widely, rested his head on his paws, and also closed his eyes comfortably.
In the passenger seat, Pei Yuheng, with a cold expression, silently raised his finger, and his radiant white spiritual energy spread out to replenish Xie Xubai's depleted spiritual energy.
Xie Kaile pulled out his most treasured candies and shared them with the two people in the front seat, glancing reluctantly at Cen Xiangcai beside him: "I remember you don't like sweets, right?"
"..." Amidst the howling wind, Cen Xiangcai's lips curled up silently.
He suddenly reached out and, without even seeing what he did, grabbed most of Xie Kaile's bag of candy.
Cen Xiangcai unwrapped a candy, tossed it into his mouth, and held a handful of colorful candies in his hand, grinning in a smug way: "How did you know that candy is my favorite food?"
"...!!" Xie Kaile was furious, almost turning into a dragon on the spot, and lunged to snatch it back, yelling, "You robber, give it back to me!"
As the two were arguing, Xie Xubai drove into a mountain tunnel. After a long period of darkness, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared ahead, growing brighter and brighter.
In a flash.
The car sped out of the tunnel like an arrow, onto the highway, through security, and into the bright afterglow of the rising sun, merging into the bustling main road.
The towering, enclosed mountains and dust were left behind the car, gradually receding into the distance, shrinking into a blurry dot, and finally dissolving into the hazy clouds, never to be seen again.
...
For Xie Xubai, the fact that his friend Cen Xiangcai was able to break free from the cycle of reincarnation meant that he had fulfilled his promise and put an end to a major matter on his mind.
But as he fell into a deep sleep that day, he suddenly had that strange dream again.
It's like a dazed soul unconsciously stepping into the long river of history, falling into a lost and dusty old shadow.
Xie Xubai's consciousness surfaced amidst the noisy buzzing, gradually becoming clearer.
He could still clearly perceive that he was dreaming, seeing the deep and tranquil starry sky above him, and smelling the cold, damp air mixed with a faint bitterness and saltiness.
His vision went black as he realized he was seriously injured. Unsteady on his feet, he swayed as he gripped the tree trunk tightly, his fingertips turning white from the force. Salty blood welled up in his throat, but he forced it back down.
"——"
Calls came again from afar, one after another, gentle and tender, like the ebb and flow of the tide.
The first time I had this dream, it ended with Xie Xubai trying to walk towards the source of the sound, but he encountered a landslide and earthquake halfway there, and then he suddenly woke up.
He had the same dream several more times after that, and the result was always the same: he would suddenly wake up, feeling lost and dazed, immersed in inexplicable discomfort, his heart aching with each beat, unable to remember or analyze anything.
He thought the outcome would be the same this time.
But the next breath.
"—!"
The ethereal call suddenly amplified in my ears, like a thunderclap.
At the same time, two strong, muscular arms appeared out of thin air, pulling him tightly into their embrace, their powerful knuckles taut and trembling slightly.
Xie Xubai's gaze suddenly froze, and he hurriedly looked up.
Author's Note:
The wait is finally over! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com