"Should I tell you the truth about this question? Or should I just pick the one you like?"
"Even if you say you like Xiaojiu, this is not the answer I like." Yan Zizai was very impolite.
Bai Wu thought this was much simpler:
“I consider her a friend.”
"But you know she likes you."
"It's impossible that I don't consider her my friend just because I know she likes me. What is our status? You and I went out of the tower twice, and you almost died each time. My boss's wife has liked the captain for so many years, but the captain didn't dare to say anything. Do you think he is irresponsible? He is forced by this world."
Yan Zizai remained silent, and Bai Wu continued:
"Not to mention that I am not interested in love between men and women, even if I am interested, I will not choose to do these things in such a world."
"Such a world?"
"Yes, I firmly believe that one day the world will become normal, just like the pre-tower era 700 years ago, when people live outside the tower and will not be in constant fear because of the distorted rules of the world. There will be plenty of food, and people will no longer have to dig for minerals every day. Of course, I also admire those who find joy in hardship, after all, humans need to reproduce. But I can't do that, my interest is always outside the tower. Not to mention the red and black areas, even the purple areas, I can't guarantee that I can survive 100%."
The first half of these words seemed to be filled with a person living in the end times' nihilistic fantasies about what will happen after the end of the world, but Yan Zizai listened to Bai Wu's matter-of-fact tone, a kind of pride that the end of the world will be ended by him, and he actually felt that Bai Wu was pleasing to the eye.
After all, he is also a man full of pride, but his other attribute does not allow him to acknowledge Bai Wu in person.
"Forget it, let's just leave it at that. As long as Xiao Jiu likes you, if the day comes in this world like you said, I will make the decision for her then."
"What are you talking about? Civilization has regressed? What era do you think this is?"
Yan Zizai ignored Bai Wu and continued:
"I have to go. I need to ask the old man what he really thinks. There might be bad news. I have one last question for you."
"What's the question?" Bai Wu always felt that today's questions were more difficult to answer.
"What if the Yan family forces Xiao Jiu to marry someone else, and she would rather die than agree?"
Political marriages between wealthy families? Bai Wu knew about these things in his previous life, but he had never been exposed to this level, so it was difficult for him to answer this question.
"This question is rather troublesome and a little risky to answer. If something like this really happens, ask me again and I will tell you my choice. If you don't care about the interests of the Yan family."
Yan Zizai must of course put the interests of the Yan family at the center, but after hearing these words, he also laughed.
"Remember what you said, I'm leaving."
Yan Zizai left after saying this.
Bai Wu thought about this conversation and felt that something big was about to happen.
After a long time, he sat in the seat where he usually sat when he came to see Yan Jiu, and found that this seat had never changed.
Then he remembered that although this little girl knew a lot of people, only Chengzi and himself came to visit her.
After returning to the tower several times, Bai Wu was used to coming here to take a look. Suddenly, he found that there was no such person in the mental hospital, and he felt quite uncomfortable.
It was like a link was missing from some unimportant but already familiar process.
…
…
The fifth floor of the tower, the next morning.
In the forbidden area of the Yan family manor, the scene was still the same as what Yan Zizai had seen every time he came here before. Outside the laboratory where Yan Chao was, various experimental subjects in jars were displayed.
Even with the Eye of Insight and the Eye of Balance, Yan Zizai couldn't figure out the reason, but he felt that maybe one day, the ancestor would really be able to find a way for the perfect evolution of mankind.
This is also the reason why Yan Zizai admires the ancestor of the Yan family. He believes that what the Yan family has done is truly great.
Even though it was just early morning, Yan Chao had already begun to observe various changes in data. When Yan Zizai arrived, Yan Chao was observing the experimental subject's serum with a microscope.
"What's up?"
"I have something to tell you." Yan Zizai nodded.
"Is it about the behind-the-scenes of the Xie family?"
"Partly."
After hearing this, Yan Chao stopped what he was doing and looked at Yan Zizai:
"Go ahead."
Yan Zizai talked about what happened in the black area. Even though he didn't mention Bai Wu and Wu Jiu, and focused on the confrontation between the two top evildoers, Yan Chao still asked:
"The Survey Corps sent out three people?"
"Yes."
"Among these three people, there are the deputy commander of the Survey Corps, the captain of the Seventh Team, and the vanguard members of the Seventh Team." Yan Chao said.
Yan Zizai was not surprised. After a day, this kind of information should have reached Yan Chao's ears. He nodded and said:
"These three are pretty good. The captain of the seventh team, Bai Wu, and the vanguard team member, Bai Xiaoyu, performed well, especially Bai Wu, who has accumulated quite a reputation in the Mechanical City. But I'm not sure about the deputy team leader, Gu Qingyu, because the area is too large, much more vast than other areas I've been to before. I didn't meet him during the entire exploration process."
As the guardian of the Yan family and the captain of the six supervisory team members, it is not easy for Yan Zizai to say "OK". After all, Yan Zizai glanced at the guardians of other families and just said "OK".
Yan Chao knew Yan Zizai's pride, he smiled:
"It seems that the lower three floors have indeed produced some outstanding talents in recent years."
Yan Zizai did not deny it. Although he would not praise Bai Wu to the sky, he at least needed to let the ancestor of the Yan family know about Bai Wu.
"I think it is necessary to win over Bai Wu. Although he is a member of the Survey Corps and is part of the Qin family's organization, he has outstanding abilities and will be more useful to us."
Yan Chao said:
"I'm afraid we're already too slow."
"what do you mean?"
"The Qin family is faster than us. Although they did not participate in the exploration of the black area, the Qin family knows best what it means to come back from the black area. And he was also the one who came back from the red area last time, right? This Bai Wu frequently appears in the Xie family, and he himself belongs to the Qin family. This mission was also initiated by the Xie family, right? I'm afraid you are already a step behind."
Yan Chao hadn't finished speaking, but Yan Zizai had already understood.
"I have a personal relationship with him, and I can convince him to join the Yan family."
"It would be nice if we could do it."
Yan Chao seemed to know Yan Zizai's ultimate goal and never showed much interest in talents like Bai Wu.
"Is there anything else?" Yan Chao looked at Yan Zizai and said.
Yan Zizai hesitated for a moment, then nodded:
"Last time you told me that it was time for the Yan family to pass on the legacy to the next generation. I would like to discuss this matter with you."
Because there is only one boy and one girl in each generation of the Yan family, passing on offspring is a big deal in the Yan family.
Yan Chao was not surprised. He had known for a long time that Yan Zizai had said so much today just for this matter.
"Why is it Yan Jiu and not Yan Zhisui?"
"Zhisui is busy with Yan family affairs now, so Yanjiu is more suitable. Why, do you think it's inappropriate?"
"Yes, I think it's inappropriate." Yan Zizai said directly.
Yan Chao knew Yan Zizai's personality very well and said:
"Why is it inappropriate?"
"Yan Jiu is unwilling."
"How do you know she doesn't want to? I heard that this child has been isolated since she was young. Because of some characteristics of my Yan family, she is not very popular. The lack of emotions also makes her unable to express her joy. Such a person cannot leave the tower. Staying in the Yan family is just a burden. Now let her subordinates marry into the family and serve her. Isn't this also a way to take care of her?"
Yan Chao didn't want to waste time, nor did he want to go around in circles with Yan Zizai:
"I have made up my mind about this matter. You don't need to say anything more. But why are you interested in the marriage of a junior?"
"She reminded me of my sister. Although I don't remember my sister, I remember what she looked like before she died, and some fragments of her. I don't want her to be like my sister and be so lonely when she dies."
Yan Chao sighed:
"Everyone has their own destiny. We are all busy taking care of ourselves, so how can we have time to care about others? How do you know that Yan Jiu won't be happy?"
Yan Zizai also said directly:
"If you insist on having someone marry into my family, I hope that person is Bai Wu."
"The captain of the seventh team?"
"Yes."
"I remember that the mental hospital on the third floor is under the charge of the Survey Corps' Seventh Division?"
"Yes." Yan Zizai did not deny.
Yan Chao's smile was quite meaningful:
"It seems like they know each other? In that case, it is very likely that he was the one who found Yan Jiu back then?"
Yan Zizai nodded.
"He is indeed capable, no wonder you want to win him over. It seems that he is not only a companion, but also has an outstanding mind. But I already have a suitable candidate."
Yan Zi was shocked:
"The right person? Who?"
Yan Chao said:
"The Qin family has a kid who is not liked by the Qin family."
"Qin Zong?"
"Do you know him?" Yan Chao's acting skills were superb, and he seemed quite surprised.
"This is the current head of the Survey Corps. I met him once. He is not as good as Bai Wu, and he is not suitable for Xiao Jiu."
"I know Qin Zong. He has no bad habits, is very good to his subordinates, has strong self-control, and is capable. The reputation of the Investigation Corps has improved because of him. It is also because he became the head of the Corps that the Investigation Corps has more and more experts in recent years. If such a person marries into our Yan family, we will get a good son-in-law. Secondly, it will make our relationship with the Qin family more subtle."
"But Yan Jiu doesn't like it." Yan Zizai said.
"How could she like it? Besides, how do you know she doesn't like it? I have made up my mind about this matter. I have already notified Yan Heyu and Yan Zhisui. I'm sure Yan Jiu also knows about it."
Yan Zizai was stunned.
Yan Chao looked at Yan Zizai's expression and said:
"The interests of the family must be put first. Every generation of the Yan family has lived this way. If you have a preference for him, then just bear with it, or do your best to let Qin Zong treat Yan Jiu better."
After a long silence, Yan Zizai finally asked:
"Have you made up your mind?"
"Yes, I have already decided on this matter. It just so happens that the Qin family doesn't like that kid because he is too upright in his work. Many of the real businesses of the Qin family were not handed over to that kid. But this also shows that this kid has a good character. Isn't he the person you admire?"
Yan Zizai did not respond, but just said:
"I hope you can change your decision. She is not ready yet. Even if you insist on letting her get married, please choose..."
"Enough! Ridiculous! You have no right to decide on this matter. Zizai, I can let you go without holding you responsible for killing Yan Ying. After all, I did not tell you about this matter in advance. But I hope you understand that as the guardian of the Yan family, everything you do must be in the interests of the Yan family first."
Yan Zizai wanted to continue to say something, but Yan Chao waved his hand:
"Okay, get out. Come back and talk to me when you figure it out."
Yan Chao ordered the guests to leave.
Yan Zizai knew that no matter what he said, it would be of no use, so he left in disappointment.
…
…
After leaving the forbidden area, Yan Zizai went to see Yan Jiu. When Yan Jiu saw his uncle coming, he finally felt like talking.
She probably guessed her fate, but when she saw her uncle, she still pulled him aside to ask in detail about what Bai Wu and others had experienced over the past week.
Did Bai Wu experience any danger, was he injured, and how did his uncle live? Yan Zizai also patiently recounted their experiences over the past seven days. There were some things he didn't know, so he told them his own speculations.
"Bai Wu is a very reliable person. His performance in this exploration of the mechanical city is crucial. Without him, we might not be able to do so smoothly."
Of course, Yan Zizai concealed the experience of himself and Bai Xiaoyu washing dishes.
Yan Jiu couldn't feel the joy, but she was considerate and knew how to express it.
Thinking that her uncle and Bai Wu had become more harmonious, she seemed very happy.
Yan Zizai looked at her and felt that this was different from his sister, but equally distressing. There were some things he couldn't say, and he didn't say them until he left.
Because the topic was always about Bai Wu, he wanted to ask, what would happen if there was no Bai Wu in his future life
He didn't ask, and Yan Jiu didn't answer, but from Yan Jiu's words, he already knew the answer.
After bidding farewell to Yan Jiu, Yan Zizai left the fifth floor and went directly to the Survey Corps branch on the second floor.
He was going to see Bai Wu.
Not long after, Yan Zizai met Bai Wu in the captain's office of the Seventh Squad of the Investigation Corps.
It is indeed just as Yan Chao said, Bai Wu, Bai Xiaoyu and Gu Qingyu have been targeted by people from the major ruling families, who want to win them over.
This afternoon, Bai Wu received a lot of calls. He was about to meet with the seven ruling forces.
Seeing Yan Zizai, Bai Wu said:
"Are you here to persuade me? Didn't we just meet yesterday? Or do you want to leave the tower? Wait, I haven't decided which area I want to go to recently."
Bai Wu doesn't like staying in the tower, but he is still thinking about which area to explore and how to arrange the manpower.
This time, the trip to the Machinery City was more or less a matter of luck, as was the last trip to Zaohu Village.
Bai Wu thought about it and realized that he seemed to encounter troublesome situations every time he went on an expedition. Should he try to lower the difficulty? Or relax in the blue area
Yan Zizai said:
"Remember the question I asked yesterday? I'm here to ask you for an answer."
Bai Wu frowned. Of course he remembered the conversation with Yan Zizai yesterday.
Yan Zizai also repeated it:
"What if the Yan family forces Xiao Jiu to marry someone else, and she would rather die than agree?"
"It seems that I can't avoid this question this time? Telling the truth will offend people."
"No, because it's about to happen."
Bai Wu nodded and said helplessly:
"Yan Jiu is my friend. She has done a lot for me. If she has any request, I will try to help her achieve it."
"Even if I have to become your Yan family's enemy, even if I have to tear your Yan family down from the position of ruler."