Chapter 613: Old Building Renovation and Financial Reckonings

Mom’s firm reminder that the renovation would finally begin.

After receiving Han Bing’s promise, Lu Xin soon witnessed the efficiency of the Special Cleaning Department.

The next day, a team of construction workers arrived downstairs at Lu Xin’s home.

Gazing up at the old building—whether it was his imagination or an instinctive feeling—Lu Xin couldn’t shake off an eerie vibe even in daylight. He quietly pulled down his protective mask and tightened the cuffs of his protective suit.

Only then did he receive a call asking him to come down.

‘Mr. Lone Soldier Old Building Renovation Plan’ Construction Standard Rule One: No unauthorized entry.

Lu Xin wasn’t at home; he was dutifully working at the company.

Upon hearing that the construction team had arrived downstairs, he immediately apologized and expressed gratitude before asking Manager Liu for leave.

Manager Liu agreed without hesitation while silently doing some mental calculations.

Back in the day, Supervisor Lu rarely took a day off despite years of service; later, he only took leave every two or three months. Now, spending merely a day or two at the office while wasting the rest of his time either goofing off with Vice President Xiao or taking leave…

Ah, life sure still holds little surprises!

……

“Excuse me, excuse me—I didn’t know you’d come today, so I went to work…”

Driving his small SUV, Lu Xin rushed back to the old building and hurriedly shook hands and apologized to a few men waiting on the curb.

Three engineers, dressed much like foremen, exchanged odd glances.

It was said that this was the most dangerous member within the Special Cleaning Department; on missions, if possible, he left no survivors.

If even complete annihilation wasn’t achievable, then trying to piece together the remains was out of the question.

So what if, in his spare time, his hobby was… showing up for work?

Still, these professionals remained unperturbed. After firmly shaking Lu Xin’s hand, one of them said, “Mr. Lone Soldier, we’ve been sent by the Special Cleaning Department to assist you. Rest assured, you’re in professional hands. We’ve thoroughly reviewed that blueprint and developed a complete design plan. Please, take a look.”

Saying that, he solemnly handed a file folder to Lu Xin.

Lu Xin, taken aback by the hefty document spanning dozens of pages, casually flipped through it. “This many?”

“Yes,” came the reply.

The three engineers nodded. “This is the comprehensive plan for the building’s structure and load-bearing design. Other aspects are still in preparation and won’t cause any delays.”

“?”

Lu Xin wanted to ask if renovating an old building really warranted this level of detail…

But when it came to such experts, he felt a natural reverence that kept him from questioning their methods.

All he could do was nod. “Looks fine to me.”

The engineers exchanged glances, their hearts quietly fluttering. “Amazing—he only glanced at it and already grasped our design concept. This blueprint, crafted by every designer and veteran from our Special Weapons R&D Department and even refined by Professor Bai, is just ‘fine’ in his eyes?”

Getting a bit more serious, one asked, “Then, Mr. Lone Soldier, do you have any objections to our renovation plan?”

Lu Xin pondered for a moment and replied, “Is it exactly as stated on my checklist?”

An older engineer immediately nodded. “Exactly the same. Please rest assured, Mr. Lone Soldier.”

Lu Xin said, “Then I have no objections…”

The engineers exchanged another relieved look before earnestly asking, “Before we begin, please clearly let us know of any restrictions or precautions so we can avoid any mishaps.”

“That’s truly professional…”

Lu Xin silently praised them in his mind, then, a bit sheepishly, added, “That sounds too formal. You’re here for a renovation—not a negotiation. Simply put, as long as you execute the checklist’s requirements and don’t dismantle this building, I’m content.”

The engineers exhaled in relief, their faces registering hints of joy.

When they first accepted the job, the challenge had felt like facing an enemy. Now, things were progressing far more smoothly than expected.

After some discussion, and with Lu Xin accompanying them, they entered the old building to inspect its structure.

As soon as they stepped inside, Lu Xin couldn’t shake a nagging worry that something odd might go wrong.

But as he looked around, every room was unusually quiet.

Occasionally, a startled rat would scurry out from a corner, but nothing else seemed amiss.

The three engineers brought out various precision instruments to test key areas of the building, and everything appeared normal.

Even their exchanged glances hinted that their earlier fears had been blown out of proportion.

“This building is really old. Judging by its architecture and structure, it must have been around since before the Red Moon incident. Despite severe aging, it still stands—almost defying expectations. They say that inhabited structures have a sort of resilience, which might explain its longevity…”

“If it were outside the city, an old building like this might have collapsed long ago…”

……

While taking measurements, one engineer casually asked, “Is this the building passed down in your family, Mr. Lone Soldier?”

“Not really,” Lu Xin replied.

He laughed. “I used to live in an orphanage.”

An older engineer, visibly surprised, said, “Then what about this building…?”

“Honestly, I’d like to know too,” Lu Xin admitted.

With a smile, he explained, “It’s just that Mom isn’t around, so I can’t ask her.”

“Mr. Lone Soldier’s Mom…”

The engineers fell silent, wisely choosing not to press further. Instead, they continued in a casual tone, “If you’d like, we could have someone from the Administration Hall pull up the records…”

“After all, with a renovation this expensive, it’s only proper to know who the homeowner is…”

……

“Of course,” came the reply.

Lu Xin was pleasantly surprised. Before the renovation, he’d never known who the homeowner was—it did seem like an issue.

……

Their first meeting had been surprisingly pleasant.

After finishing the measurements, the engineers bid Lu Xin farewell and went off to adjust the renovation plans.

They had already scheduled for a construction crew to arrive the next day, with preliminary materials slated for delivery. To facilitate the work, the entire Moon Terrace area would be cordoned off and tents erected to cover the old building.

Is this what a professional renovation team looks like?

Lu Xin was both baffled and impressed. In these times, without battle experience, one simply couldn’t manage a renovation on this scale…

It seemed that renovating was a career path he should scratch off his life plan.

The formal renovation work began the next day.

At first, Lu Xin planned to welcome the workers like a true owner, even lending a hand.

But on day two, as he enthusiastically helped unload materials—casually tossing a bundle of black wire onto the ground—the entire transport crew fell silent.

When he curiously unwrapped the bundle to inspect the material, everyone went quiet.

And when he cheerfully bought a few bottles of water and a pack of cigarettes to share…

…the construction crew could tolerate no more.

“Is this really Mr. Lone Soldier?”

“You carelessly toss newly developed, gold-valued coated conductive film fiber on the ground. Under the sun, its sensitive light causes half the roll to be ruined. And yet, as an Ability User, you buy water for fifty cents a bottle and two-dollar packs of cigarettes…”

“This could make the crew feel that you’re dissatisfied with them, potentially delaying the project!”

“……”

Thus, the three engineers personally approached Lu Xin and subtly advised, “Just watch from afar; do not interfere…”

After observing him closely for two or three days, they returned for another solemn talk:

“Perhaps you should just go back to work…”

“……”

Although they tried to sound tactful and polite, Lu Xin detected an undercurrent of disdain.

“If you don’t want to watch, then skip it. It’s just a renovation—nothing extraordinary.”

Lu Xin decided to forgo the renovation matters and instead focus on a more pressing issue—the funds for the renovation.

That was crucial.

Earlier, Lu Xin had secured 10 million in the bank, planning never to withdraw it until absolutely necessary. But with an upcoming trip to Heichao City and a recent job that earned him 10 million—after dividing shares for Gecko, Red Serpent, and Han Bing—he ended up pocketing a neat 6 million. Quite a lucrative deal…

Add to that what remained and an extra 2 million promised by Xia Chong, and he easily rounded it up to 10 million.

Click, click—he finally reached a stage where gathering 10 million seemed effortless.

Sadly, he was still short by quite a bit…

After handling some mysterious cases with Vice President Xiao, and with Little Meng yet to deliver his share, he had managed to earn an additional 1.6 million.

Doll had lent him 3 million, delivered one dark night with two large bags in tow…

…Fortunately, he had discreetly confirmed with her that no one knew the money was a loan—otherwise, it would have been mortifying.

…But still, it wasn’t enough!

Even selling the several SUVs he had brought from outside wouldn’t cover it.

He could safely say he was short by half the amount…

Although Han Bing said not to worry, Lu Xin felt it wise to gather the funds in advance.

Moreover, even though Han Bing hinted that if he truly needed money he could borrow some, to be honest, Lu Xin preferred to earn it himself. Someone who was scrupulous about collecting debts wasn’t a good debtor.

So, what kind of job would allow him to earn another 5 million in one go?

……

Meanwhile, as the construction crew eschewed Lu Xin’s company, a few special individuals were boldly devising an information-gathering plan for key areas within the old building. When work started, they broke into cold sweats, as if dancing in a minefield, yet encouraged each other, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Mr. Lone Soldier never explicitly refused our investigation.”

“Also, though it’s a bit risky…”

“But judging by Professor Bai’s stance, if we uncover the building’s secrets, the bonus alone should be several million…”

“After this job, we could retire immediately…”