Chapter 1107: An Unwelcome Visit and Unexpected Skills

“Director, Mr. Yu from Chonglian is here.”

Yan Yue pushed open the door. As Xia Qing saw Yu Wenchuang walk in, a wave of discomfort hit her.

Yu Wenchuang wore a tailored protective suit today. From style to quality, it outclassed the one Zhou Zhaoping usually wore by a mile. Add in those platform protective boots, and suddenly his five-seven frame looked a solid six feet tall.

But it wasn’t Yu Wenchuang’s obsession with height—something she’d heard Xin Yu complain about before—that bothered Xia Qing today. It was that, through his smooth pale face, she glimpsed the memory of Yu Dongming, who’d come to Section One in the north half a year ago.

Back then, Yu Dongming had worn the same sort of perfectly wrinkle-free face.

That alone reminded Xia Qing of how the Yu family experimented with live embryos to trigger evolution. She wanted nothing more than to kick Yu Wenchuang right out the door.

But Section One still needed to buy farm equipment from Chonglian, which was under Yu family control. Xia Qing couldn’t exactly follow through on that kick.

Yu Wenchuang gave Yan Yue a polite nod, all good manners, then stepped into the office and leveled half a joke at Xia Qing. “Director Xia, honestly, it’s near impossible just to meet with you.”

Uh…

A few of the staff outside shared a shiver. They glanced at each other, uncomfortable.

Xia Qing wasn’t about to entertain empty chatter. With an expressionless face, she gestured for him to sit and got right to the point. “What did you want to see me about?”

Who gets straight to business before even drinking a glass of water or exchanging a few words?!

Yu Wenchuang put on a tolerant, slightly helpless smile. He asked warmly, “Were you busy just now, Director Xia? Out in the fields on inspection?”

He knows I have a boyfriend, yet Yu Wenchuang still acts like this. Looks like Yang Jin as a shield only works when he’s actually present.

With muddy boots, Xia Qing almost wanted a refund on life. “Planting potatoes.”

“No wonder Director Hui Three praised you at the conference. Your hands-on work ethic and attitude really are admirable.” Yu Wenchuang gazed at Xia Qing, smooth and sincere as if he truly respected her. “I heard you’re planning to build a lab in your territory for soil and crop research?”

Xia Qing lifted her eyelids and stared at Yu Wenchuang without a trace of expression.

There wasn’t any air conditioning in here—the faint cool from outside barely touched the oppressive heat and stench inside. Dressed in his suit, Yu Wenchuang was already sweating.

Still, he pretended like none of it mattered, his full attention on Xia Qing. “The automatic door Little Yu asked me to bring—is that the one you wanted? A lab isn’t like an ordinary building, after all. The standards for sealing, waterproofing, and dustproofing are much higher. If you’re open to it, I can have our people design and build you a few professional-grade labs with full equipment.”

One professional laboratory would cost a million, easy. Chonglian was really going all in just for a shot at their idol.

Xia Qing refused flatly. “No need. I’ve already bought a full set of building materials and equipment from Territory Seven.”

When Xia Qing mentioned Territory Seven unprompted, Yu Wenchuang leaned forward, his smile so slick it was almost dripping oil. “I heard your territory has more than an acre of terraced land rich in Evolution Element—perfect for breeding new seeds, isn’t it? Third Brother building your lab means he’s placing a lot of hope in you. He wants to see you develop even better crop seeds.”

Xia Qing didn’t deny it.

“You and Xin Yu are alike—preferring peace and quiet, so you keep your territory closed to outsiders. But with crop breeding on your plate, you’re also stuck tending regular farmland. Doesn’t it get dull? Doesn’t it feel like a waste of time?”

Yu Wenchuang winked at Xia Qing, giving her that ‘I get you’ look. “Why not install a water-fertilizer machine? It’d save you so much time. You could use those extra hours to work on marksmanship. I believe you have what it takes to become Huicheng’s top sniper.”

If it weren’t for Old Goat with his love for cycling water back and forth, Xia Qing might’ve been tempted. “Maybe you don’t know, but I’m an Advanced Strength-Based Evolutionary. Watering, irrigation, and fertilizing—I actually enjoy those. They’re good for both body and soul. So, what official business brought you here today?”

When Xia Qing casually mentioned being an Advanced Evolutionary, Yu Wenchuang’s face twisted for half a second before he recovered. “Director Xia, you really do have unique hobbies. This time I was hoping you’d take me to meet Third Brother. Even if you just get me into Territory Seven and I don’t meet him, I’d still be very grateful.”

And that gratitude, of course, didn’t just mean words.

Xia Qing shook her head. “I messed up a few days ago and got on the wrong side of Territory Seven’s leader. Now I can’t even get in. Anything else, Mr. Yu?”

Yu Wenchuang didn’t believe for a second that Xia Qing couldn’t get in, but as decisive as her refusal was, he didn’t push. He stood and handed her the fancy gift box he’d brought. “I brought some hazel mushrooms. I hope you’ll accept them.”

Xia Qing wasn’t interested. “Yang Jin tried to trade for some two days ago, but ended up ordering them from Bai San. They’ll arrive tomorrow.”

Yu Wenchuang’s grip tightened around the box, and his smile turned a little bitter. “You’ve got good taste, Miss Xia. Yang Jin really is a decent guy. But have you ever wondered—why would someone with Yang Jin’s calculating nature want to date you?”

Before Xia Qing could respond, Yu Wenchuang lowered his voice and went on. “A few days ago Yang Jin went to Fire Phoenix and looted while they were down. He’s already pissed off Fire Phoenix, who is infamous for holding grudges. Once Fire Phoenix catches her breath, do you think she’ll go after Qinglong for payback, or take it out on you—since you and Deputy Captain Dan Ying are already on bad terms?”

“Miss Xia, this is already the eleventh year of the Calamity.” He sounded genuinely distressed, and after leaving the mushrooms on the table, he walked out of the Ninth Center.

Half an hour later, Chonglian’s helicopter lifted off from Territory Eight, heading back to Chonglian Group.

That night, after hearing Xia Qing recount Yu Wenchuang’s little performance, Xin Yu reminded her, “Back when the Yu Dongming couple had their hearts set on Yan Long, Yu Wenchuang strongly objected. Looks like he has his eye on you this time. I’d bet he’ll be back to gross you out again.”

Yu Wenchuang really was gross. Xia Qing decided she’d had enough talk about him. “Did that free-range eagle of yours finally poop?”

Xin Yu replied, “Yep, did its business. Each dropping had seeds of Devastation Grass wrapped inside. Did the squirrels in your territory go too?”

“The big ones did. The little ones still have some hard lumps to pass. Tomorrow should do it.” As Xia Qing watched a new message pop up on her phone screen, she ended the chat and glanced out the back window.

Soon enough, Er appeared in her view, slinging a shoulder bag around his neck.

Xia Qing stepped outside to greet Er, and just then Crippled Wolf, done playing at the north gate, trotted up.

Xia Qing eyed the rope tied around Crippled Wolf’s neck, securing two wild ducks, and said with genuine awe, “Broken Back, you’re amazing—actually learned to tie rope knots!”

Crippled Wolf grinned, showing off his cute, gleaming white fangs.

As Xia Qing put together a video playlist of Crippled Wolf’s training sessions to report to her idol, she realized she’d never shown him any videos specifically about knot tying…

And another thing…

“Don’t tell me you took that rope from my storage? Did I even have such a short length in there?”

Crippled Wolf didn’t want to answer. He sniffed at the air, then turned and padded over to the sheep shed, nosing aside the mesh curtain to look inside.

Xia Qing quickly blocked him. “I just brought in a new Green Lantern plant-eater. It’s timid, though, so don’t go in and scare it. Come inside, watch TV instead!”

Crippled Wolf stared at the little Yellow Calf squeezed up against Old Goat for a few moments, then rinsed his paws under the eaves. Once inside, he parked himself next to Xia Qing’s protective suit and reached his two front paws up for her protective mask.

Carrying the ducks, Xia Qing was puzzled. “Broken Back, what do you need my protective mask for?”

Crippled Wolf took Xia Qing’s protective mask off the shelf and set it on the table. His big paw landed right on the mask’s camera.

Xia Qing could only stare.

“You want to watch the video from today’s helicopter mission?”

Crippled Wolf grinned again, showing his adorable, snow-white little fangs.