Chapter 105: A Military Inspection Delegation?

“Hello? Mom? Is something wrong?”

“Lan, your father and I have come to the city. Where are you?”

“You and Dad are in the city?” Zhu Lan had been wondering why Mom called, but now hearing that they were actually here, he practically jumped up.

“Mom, where are you? Should I come pick you up?”

“Hmm, let me see…” There was a pause on the other end. “The place here seems to be called Xinghe Road?”

“Mom, wait for me. I’ll be there right away!”

After a dozen minutes of urging from Zhu Lan, Snort pushed the car to its limits and arrived at Xinghe Road.

Turning the corner, Zhu Lan immediately spotted his father by the roadside. It was unmistakable—the only truck in their village. That old truck had been around for many years, purchased collectively by the villagers to transport goods for sale. Zhu Lan still remembered how his father had taken part of his tuition money from his second year to help his uncle buy it.

“Dad, Mom!”

Zhu Yuezheng, Zhu Lan’s father, was now in his fifties. His pale hair gave him an aged look. Wangyue Village was a poor place, as many knew. His father had only married Zhu Lan’s mother at the age of twenty-nine. The bride price was a mere dozen salted fish, all caught at great risk by his father during fishing expeditions. The conditions at Wangyue Bay were brutal—every trip out to sea risked hitting rocks, and the waters were hundreds of meters deep. Falling in meant almost certain death.

“Lan, you’re here?”

“Dad, let’s go!”

“Wait, I still need to buy some things.”

“That’s fine. Dad, whatever you need, just tell me. I’ll get it for you!” Zhu Lan said, pulling his father into the car.

“Lan, this car…” Although his parents hadn’t prepared much, they said nothing.

“Xiao Li, take this car to the company!” Zhu Lan turned to one of his bodyguards.

“Yes, boss!”

“Look at this!” Zhu Lan’s mother shook her head helplessly. “You…”

Zhu Lan took his parents to a nearby hotel.

“Lan, isn’t this place too expensive?”

“Mom, it’s nothing. Your son’s got money!” Zhu Lan said resolutely, dragging his mother and father inside.

“Welcome to Xu’s Restaurant. Are you here to dine or relax?”

“Book me a private room!” Zhu Lan cut her off immediately.

“Very well, sir, please follow me.”

Zhu Lan knew better than to mess around—who would dare disrespect someone with bodyguards?

Soon, led by the waiter, Zhu Lan and his parents reached a private room on the second floor.

“Lan, isn’t this place too upscale?”

“Mom, just relax.”

“Don’t ask so many questions, wife!” Zhu Yuezheng said.

There was no need for Zhu Lan to order the dishes; Snort naturally took care of it.

“Dad, why did you both come to the city?”

“Lan, it’s like this. The government of Baoping Town heard about the road construction in Wangyue and even about you. They insisted on meeting you, promising many policy benefits. They kept pestering your uncle, who had no choice but to send me out to accompany you to meet the officials from Baoping Town.”

Zhu Lan gave a helpless smile.

What kind of nonsense was this!

“Lan, what do you think?” His father looked at him cautiously.

“Dad, you don’t need to be afraid of them. If they have any ideas, I’ll have them removed at once!”

“Lan…”

Just then, the dishes arrived and Zhu Lan said no more.

Having avoided that matter, the three of them ate smoothly.

The car stopped in front of Fantasy Technology. The two elders got out, looking nervously at the gate over five meters tall.

“Dad, Mom, this is your son’s company—Fantasy Technology!”

“Lan, how big is this place?”

From where they stood, dozens of buildings were scattered across the Fantasy District. Though many were still under construction, from the outside, it was grand and imposing.

“Mom, let’s go!”

Snort had already switched to a smaller vehicle.

Zhu Lan took his parents on a tour of his company.

“This is the office building—over four hundred people work here!”

“This is the security building; the company employs three hundred eighty-seven guards!”

“This is the bio-research building, focusing on biological pharmaceuticals!”

“This is the warehouse area, storing all the products made by the company!”

The two elders were completely stunned by the scale of Fantasy Technology.

Not only were there many people and buildings, but the roads were wider than those they had seen in the city. Rows of trees lined either side, with flower beds placed at intervals. This was a company?

“Dad, Mom, this is where I live!” The car finally stopped in front of Zhu Lan’s small villa.

He helped his parents down and spoke.

“Lan, you live here? Alone?”

Zhu Lan nodded.

The villa had undergone several renovations and was quite large—on the surface, it could accommodate twenty or thirty people. That was why Zhu Lan’s mother asked.

“Mom, it’s different. Most of this place is for research. Only one room is for me. The rest are labs!”

Zhu Lan’s mother shook her head helplessly, unable to understand his mindset.

Inside the villa, Kong Yan had cleared a space to serve as the living room.

“Lan, your company is so big. Doesn’t that attract envy?” Su Hong worriedly asked her son.

Zhu Lan was momentarily stunned, then gave a wry smile.

“Mom, you’re overthinking!”

“What I’m researching greatly benefits the military. My company is a joint military research unit, so there won’t be any trouble!”

Of course, Zhu Lan did not tell his parents that Fantasy Technology was always in danger. Despite its glory, countless eyes were watching the company. Any sign of weakness would invite attacks.

“By the way, Lan, I don’t even know what your job is,” Zhu Yuezheng asked.

Actually, the Baoping Town matter was just an excuse.

Their real worry was Zhu Lan himself. Their son’s success should be a blessing, but too much money brought trouble. They feared Zhu Lan might have taken a wrong path. Why else would he always have bodyguards?

The Baoping Town issue was merely a pretext. Their true concern was whether their son had gone astray.

Zhu Lan understood perfectly.

“Dad, Mom, you’re thinking too much!”

“I’m researching human enhancement—like the super soldiers in movies!”

“Like the American ones?” Although Wangyue Village was backward, many foreign films had made their way in, especially among Zhu Lan’s generation. Hearing this, Zhu Yuezheng knew exactly what he meant.

Though they didn’t know much, the mention of “super soldiers” was enough to enlighten them. They were aware of American individualism to some extent.

“Lan…”

Seeing the worry on his mother’s face, Zhu Lan said, “Mom, I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry—it’s not dangerous. It’s just physical enhancement. Nothing as terrifying as in the movies.”

Su Hong nodded but remained concerned.

“Lan, isn’t this risky?”

“Dad, yes, there is some risk. Though my company is large, it’s still supported by the government. I’m basically working for the state now. You know my age. Before, many professors disliked me and often caused trouble—I was frustrated, I didn’t offend anyone!”

“Enough, enough…” Zhu Yuezheng had no words.

Knock, knock, knock—

Zhu Lan frowned and glanced at Kong Yan.

Kong Yan walked over to open the door.

“Lan, who is this?” Su Hong whispered, glancing at Kong Yan.

Zhu Lan looked helplessly at his mother—she really had an imagination. If she knew Kong Yan was a robot, who knew what she’d think?

“Mom, that’s just my secretary. I have many tasks assigned by the state. No time for romance!”

“Lan, you’re not young anymore. Shouldn’t you have a wife? If not, I can help you find one. Wang Erya from the next village seems nice!”

Su Hong changed the subject and spoke of matchmaking.

Zhu Lan rolled his eyes.

Just then, Kong Yan returned, followed by Xiao He.

Xiao He was dressed in military uniform, looking dashing.

“Who’s this?” Xiao He looked at the two elders seated on the sofa, puzzled.

“These are my parents!”

“Dad, Mom, this is Major Xiao, the military supervisor assigned to me!”

“Major Xiao?”

The two elders paled slightly. Military personnel!

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry. Xiao He is easy to talk to, right, Xiao He?” Zhu Lan said, addressing him.

“Uncle, Aunt, nice to meet you. I’m Xiao He. Sorry to disturb you—I’ll come back later!”

“Major Xiao, no, no, you’re here on business, right? We have nothing else. Work is important!” Zhu Yuezheng quickly stopped Xiao He from leaving, not wanting to delay his son’s work.

Hearing this, Xiao He paused. “Sorry for the disturbance.”

Zhu Lan frowned. It seemed Xiao He really had something important.

“Lan, since you have work, we won’t bother you any longer!”

“Dad, Mom, sorry about this!”

“It’s alright. A man must prioritize his career. Your mother and I will take our leave!”

“Kong Yan, see my parents out!”

Kong Yan nodded. “Uncle, Aunt, this way please!”

After his parents left, Zhu Lan sat down and looked at Xiao He helplessly. “Speak. What’s the matter?”

Xiao He felt guilty for disturbing Zhu Lan’s parents, but duty came first.

“Zhu Lan, I’m sorry about what happened before.”

“It’s fine,” Zhu Lan waved him off. “Just tell me what you want.”

“Zhu Lan, a military inspection team will be coming soon. I’m here to notify you.”

“Military inspection team?” Zhu Lan straightened up, furrowing his brow as he looked at Xiao He, trying to read something from her expression.

(To be continued.)