NOVPUB
Chapter 137: Chapter 137: The So-Called Strong Ones
Han Jiaojiao guessed correctly, Yunan Base had sent a team of Superpower Users led by Qin Xu’s only son, Qin Wenhao.
Qin Xu and Qin Sheng were brothers, making Qin Wenhao, Qin Nanyi’s cousin. However, the relationship between the two families was not as harmonious as it appeared to the outside world.
As the second son of the Qin Family, Qin Sheng’s career was smoother than that of the elder son, Qin Xu.
—Over the past few years, Qin Sheng had smoothly risen to the position of provincial governor with the help of Duan Shuhua. In times of peace, the Research Institute was an organization where it was easy to achieve results. With Duan Shuhua’s maneuvers within, Qin Sheng’s rise was smooth sailing, and as the governor’s only daughter, Qin Nanyi’s status had soared. Who would have expected the apocalypse to arrive, the Chief of Staff of the Nanhu Military Region to die unexpectedly, and Qin Xu to seize power and become the new Chief of Staff.
Afterward, the Qin brothers were approached by Huo Fengnian, the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Yuchuan Province, and together, they established Yunan Base, named after the shorthand for Yuchuan and Nanhu provinces. With Qin Xu’s control over the military, he gradually monopolized power, making the former governor Qin Sheng seem redundant. Fortunately, Duan Shuhua still held some prestige at the Research Institute, and his daughter Qin Nanyi had awakened her Psychic Ability, which just barely maintained their former glory.
Qin Sheng had a promising daughter, and Qin Xu had a promising son. Qin Xu’s only son, Qin Wenhao, became one of the first Superpower Users of Nanhu Province, displaying tremendous explosive power and very high talent; he is currently the only MAX Superpower User at Yunan Base.
When the people of Beicheng Base learned that a MAX Superpower User from Yunan was coming, there was much speculation—people couldn’t help but wonder who was superior, the MAX Superpower User from Yunan or from Beicheng? 𝙣𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝙤𝙢
This topic trended hotter and hotter. Whether intentionally or not, the base authorities openly posted the types of Abilities and estimated values of Qin Wenhao and Han Yi. The people went wild, and some even gathered together to create mock combat simulations of the two, which became very popular within the base.
—In such critical times, having a hot topic that attracted everyone’s attention pleased those in power. Because then, no one at the base complained or protested about the shortages of food, sanitary conditions, housing conditions, medical protection, and the brutal point system, and any humanitarian sentiments would vanish for a while.
In the office of Beicheng Base’s Research Institute, Duan Shuhua sat at her desk, flipping through the experimental reports from the recent days.
Her expression was very focused, with faint crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes. Though she was already fifty, her hair remained black, with only a few inconspicuous white strands interspersed.
A knock sounded from outside the door, and Qin Nanyi entered with a gloomy expression, speaking softly, "Mom."
Duan Shuhua took off her glasses, set the reports on the desk, leaned back, and slowly closed her eyes. Then she raised a hand and gently pressed her temples.
"Take a look at these experimental data," Duan Shuhua said slowly. "Ke Zhengye might be a bit temperamental, but he’s good at what he does."
Qin Nanyi picked up the stack of reports and glanced through them dismissively, "...I think his data are too idealized. Developing new energy weapons with Crystal Cores as energy sources is putting the cart before the horse, and it’s impossible given the current situation at the base. The investment in manpower and resources is too great. If Director Du were here, he certainly wouldn’t let him mess around like this."
"Du Heng has been focused entirely on that position in recent years, far less involved in research than Ke Zhengye. We need to look to the future—the current situation is a lack of combat power. If such weapons could be developed, everyone, regardless of gender or age, could become a combatant, and the energy could be replenished, which is much more convenient than limited ammunition," Duan Shuhua said slowly as she opened her eyes. "As for manpower and resources... if the two bases collaborate, it might not be impossible to resolve."
Qin Nanyi thought for a moment then asked, "Does dad think the same way?"
Speaking of her husband, Duan Shuhua couldn’t help but frown. She massaged her temples and replied, "I will find an opportunity to mention it to him."
She had been a governor once, and now she couldn’t even keep Qin Wenhao in check. Duan Shuhua felt that Qin Sheng had been living too comfortably these past few years. Perhaps it was really because he was getting old... After all, he was nearly sixty, and his body wasn’t what it used to be. Sigh...
"By the way," Duan Shuhua suddenly remembered something and asked, "Last time I asked you to go to Han Yi’s house to apologize, did you go?"
Qin Nanyi felt uncomfortable and turned her face away without saying a word.
Seeing her react like this, Duan Shuhua knew she definitely hadn’t gone, and her tone became a bit harsher as she asked, "Why didn’t you go?"
Qin Nanyi’s eyes reddened, and she complained indignantly, "Mom! The way he treated me! ... I won’t go!"
Duan Shuhua sighed and said, "It’s also my fault for deciding on my own to invite Cao Qi without asking... At the time, I just thought it was a rare opportunity to have her health checked while visiting to see how serious it was... Getting a diagnosis early would also make treatment easier later on."
"Mom, you meant well, but they don’t appreciate it!"
Qin Nanyi remembered how Han Yi had indignantly thrown her out in front of everyone, her heart filled with anger and grievance, "Why should we apologize... The person who should apologize is him!"
Qin Nanyi and Cao Qi being thrown out by Han Yi also left Duan Shuhua feeling disgraced. She hadn’t expected Han Yi to act that way, but having weathered many storms over the years, Duan Shuhua’s temperament had long since become calm and prudent. She comforted her by saying, "Anyone would lose control of their emotions if they saw their loved one suddenly become unwell, especially since Ayi is known to have a bad temper, as you are aware. All in all... this was our oversight. I overestimated Cao Qi. I didn’t expect that instead of diagnosing his sister’s illness, he ended up aggravating it..."
Hearing this, Qin Nanyi felt a complex mix of emotions swirling inside her.
—Could it really be because of Cao Qi that Ayi lashed out at her?... Maybe he wasn’t actually angry at her, maybe he was just angry with Cao Qi? It was normal for Ayi to get angry when his sister was agitated right after waking up... Should she... go and apologize?...
Seeing that Qin Nanyi fell silent, Duan Shuhua knew she had taken her words to heart, bringing her a semblance of peace. Qin Sheng probably wouldn’t be able to help them much anymore, so she always hoped her daughter could get closer to Han Yi. From what she knew about Han Yi, she understood that unlike Qin Wenhao, who lacked depth, Han Yi was seemingly cold but actually deeply loyal.
Thinking of Qin Wenhao... Duan Shuhua said with a headache, "Wenhao is arriving in a few days. Remember to arrange his accommodations and meals when he does."
The moment Qin Nanyi heard the name Qin Wenhao, she couldn’t help but frown, "Such tasks can be handled by the staff, why do I need to arrange it?"
"You know his temperament better than others. Arrange it to his liking to avoid any jokes... It’s better to do less than more, do you want Ji Huajun and the others to know that there is internal strife in the Qin family?"
Qin Nanyi knitted her brows. Despite her extreme reluctance, she eventually nodded helplessly.
