Chapter Ninety-Six: The First Dream’s Azure

“Boss, welcome back!” Lan Tianxin hurried over and opened the car door for Zhu Lan.

“It seems you’ve heard the news as well?”

“Yes, the people from the National Security Bureau just left,” Lan Tianxin replied without hiding anything, nodding her head.

“Let’s go inside.”

Back in the office, Zhu Lan sat down as Snot poured a cup of tea and placed it before her.

“Is everything running smoothly with the company?”

“All is well. Even after your attack, nothing happened at the company. It seems the target was you specifically, Boss.”

Zhu Lan nodded. “I know. As long as nothing happened here, that’s what matters.”

“Boss, rest assured. The company is protected by three layers of security, inside and out. Unless the military attacks us, there’s no way anything could go wrong. Plus, we have facial recognition systems everywhere; no one can sneak inside.”

Zhu Lan nodded again. As Fantasy Technology’s general manager, Lan Tianxin knew a great deal, but not everything.

Fantasy Technology was constantly evolving: nanorobots were stationed at key locations for surveillance. Beyond that, Red Queen had upgraded the existing security system, bringing its capabilities to the level of a military research center.

It wasn’t just surveillance—internal security measures like facial recognition were in place at every intersection, monitoring everyone who passed. All employees’ data was stored on magnetic cards, much like those used in high-tech firms.

For now, confidentiality wasn’t at its highest, but once the other five buildings were completed, Fantasy Technology would become a closed compound. At that point, both entrances would be equipped with card-reading devices, scanning every entrant’s credentials.

Currently, only the office building and Building Six had card readers.

Beyond these, nanorobots were scattered around the building exteriors, ready to launch an attack if necessary—a final line of defense.

Key positions were guarded by multi-factor authentication: fingerprints, iris scans, voice recognition, and more.

“You don’t need to concern yourself with this. Has the budget for the staff housing been finalized?”

“Yes, the proposal has been sent to Shengtang Real Estate for evaluation.”

“How much?”

“There will be four buildings, each with sixty units, totaling two hundred and forty homes. Construction is estimated to take one year and five months, with a budget between 84 and 97 million.”

Zhu Lan nodded, knowing the budget was inflated. Each building cost more than twenty million because these four were meant for management, each unit a luxurious four-bedroom, two-living-room suite with a balcony.

“Move the location back a bit. I have other plans for that land.”

“Move it? But boss, that land isn’t ours anymore.”

“Then buy it. Negotiate with the city government. Purchase the land and add ten more regular staff housing buildings as benefits for the employees.”

“Turn it into a staff housing district? Boss, that would be incredibly expensive—no less than two or three billion.”

“That’s fine. We still have twenty billion, don’t we? Allocate five billion specifically for this, and find someone trustworthy to supervise the project.”

Hearing this, Lan Tianxin could only nod in resignation. “Understood.”

“Did Director Jin from Construction Bank ask whether we needed loans recently?”

Lan Tianxin looked puzzled but nodded. “Yes, but the company’s finances are strong. We don’t need any loans.”

“Reach out to them. Tell them Fantasy Technology wants a loan, and ask what the maximum amount is.”

“A loan? Boss, that might harm our development, and those northern companies are still after us. Taking a loan would give them an opening.”

Zhu Lan nodded. “Of course I know, but I want to stir up trouble. That’s all you need to know—just get the loan approved.”

“Oh. What amount should I apply for?”

After a moment’s thought, Zhu Lan said, “Let’s start with fifty billion.”

“Fi...fifty billion?” Lan Tianxin rolled her eyes, speechless. Fifty billion! Surely nobody would approve that.

“That’s too much, isn’t it?” Lan Tianxin couldn’t help but worry.

“Afraid of being rejected?”

Lan Tianxin nodded, not hiding her thoughts. “Boss, there’s no way this will succeed. Even if it did, only the head office could approve a loan this large, and we don’t know anyone there.”

Her concern was reasonable, but she still didn’t grasp Zhu Lan’s intentions.

“Don’t worry about that. Just let Director Jin know we’re seeking a fifty billion loan.”

“Boss, you mean...?”

“Don’t worry. Even if the head office refuses, someone will make sure it goes through.”

Suddenly, Lan Tianxin understood.

“But boss, that puts us on the defensive.”

“You don’t know—after what happened in S City, I think someone above has it in for me. I want to see who’s really after my life.”

With Zhu Lan’s words, Lan Tianxin had nothing left to say.

“If the money does come through, do we need a new account?”

Understanding Zhu Lan’s intent, Lan Tianxin knew the fifty billion was just bait to draw someone out. For safety, the funds should remain untouched.

“No, use it freely. Set up a new project. Have Shengtang Real Estate survey the three mountains to the north and plan a villa complex there as a reward for the company’s executives.”

“A villa complex?” Lan Tianxin was once again startled by Zhu Lan’s idea.

If Zhu Lan hadn’t mentioned it, she’d have forgotten about the three mountains Fantasy Technology owned to the north.

“Yes. Reserve the four buildings for middle management. The villa complex will be a reward for top executives and researchers. I don’t want to hear complaints about the company’s benefits.”

Lan Tianxin hesitated, then shook her head. “Boss, I didn’t expect you to know about that.”

She was partially aware—lately, some in the company had complained that, despite high salaries, the benefits weren’t enticing.

Zhu Lan nodded. “I’ve known for a while. The benefits plan has been in place since the beginning. We just haven’t built it yet.”

Indeed, back when Lan Tianxin joined, there was a benefits plan, but it seemed too ambitious to believe. Now, things were different.

“Boss, you mean the one you set up at the very start? But that was so grand, even now it seems...”

When Fantasy Technology was founded, Zhu Lan painted a beautiful picture for all: a welfare community combining housing, recreation, entertainment, and education—a fully functional neighborhood with supermarkets, entertainment centers, parks, leisure facilities, schools, and more.

No one had believed Zhu Lan back then—they thought she was just dangling a carrot to get their best work. But now, recalling that blueprint, Lan Tianxin was stunned.

“One hundred billion will be enough for the villa district. Another hundred billion should be used to fulfill my original blueprint. It’s time to honor my commitment to you all,” Zhu Lan said with emotion. She had never expected Fantasy Technology to reach this stage, and back then, the blueprint was pure fantasy.

“Boss, on behalf of everyone, thank you.” Tears seemed to glisten at the corners of Lan Tianxin’s eyes as she gave a slight bow.

Her gratitude was genuine. She had been with Fantasy Technology from the very beginning, witnessing its rise. Many in the company had contributed little, but Zhu Lan always looked out for them. For this, Lan Tianxin was sincerely grateful.

“That’s enough. You’re a veteran here. Once the company’s assets are reorganized and Fantasy Group is established, you’ll receive your share of the rewards.”

Lan Tianxin was delighted; she knew that meant equity.

Fantasy Technology was now valued at nearly three hundred billion. Even one percent meant over three billion, an instant billionaire’s fortune.

“Go now. Finalize the loan as soon as possible, so I can make good on the blueprint I promised you.”

Lan Tianxin nodded, “I’ll get right on it, Boss,” and left as Zhu Lan waved her out.

She returned to her office and immediately called a meeting with the senior management.

Zhu Lan’s office occupied the seventh floor—the top of Building One. The sixth floor was divided into several meeting rooms, with offices below. Lan Tianxin and the department managers had their offices on the fifth floor.

Summoned by Lan Tianxin, everyone quickly gathered in a small meeting room on the fifth floor.

“Please have a seat, everyone. I just came from the boss and have good news to share.”

“What is it, Manager Lan?” smiled Song Zhenguo, the HR manager.

The others smiled too—when Lan Tianxin said good news, it was always something big.

“You!” Lan Tianxin shook her head at Song Zhenguo. She was approachable, which made her an effective leader; those who couldn’t accept her style had already left.

“The boss just discussed benefits for the company and approved a special fund.”

“The amount is twenty-seven billion.”

She watched their faces carefully.

“First, we’ll build a villa complex on the three northern mountains as rewards for those who make outstanding contributions to the company.”

A collective gasp of amazement filled the room. Villas! Since the central government had halted villa construction, they’d become exclusive to the wealthy. Now, it seemed, outstanding employees would each have one.

Lan Tianxin nodded at their reaction. “Second, the company’s original dream blueprint will finally be realized.”

“No way!” Lan Tianyuan stared at his cousin in disbelief.

“Dream blueprint? What’s that?” Only the earliest employees had heard of it; the rest were in the dark.

“That blueprint was a vision the boss designed at the company’s founding: to build a small city with schools, supermarkets, parks, entertainment and leisure centers, and housing. At the time, none of us believed it possible. Now, the boss has decided to bring it to life. When Fantasy City is complete, every employee will have the right to a home there.”

(To be continued.)