Xiaoman Is the Best After All

Four days passed in a flash.

It has been seven days since the Afu Talks ended.

The follow-up actions of the five countries have been fully launched, secret financial allocations have been in place, supplies have been loaded onto ships, orders have been confirmed, and the first phase of renovation and reconstruction work in Zhuerban has begun.

Zhu'erban Port was the first to resume its logistics throughput function.

The first batch of soldiers, engineers and scientists from the five countries had already arrived and set up a makeshift base in the capital of Gambia. Various research equipment, special materials and supplies arrived one after another by land, sea and air. The area around Moyani had been blockaded by the five-nation coalition forces.

The five most powerful nations on this planet have joined forces to block everything related to Gambia.

News of the insect plague simply did not appear on the internet. Neither the Gambia people outside Moyani, nor the Comora People witnessed the plague, nor any other eyewitnesses, could share this supernatural phenomenon that overturned their decades-long worldview with the world. This was a deception plan jointly promoted by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and no country, company, or individual dared to confront it.

Because anyone with a modicum of sense knows why permanent members of the Security Council are permanent members.

Even the attempts by regional powers such as Germany, Japan, and India to spy on them were firmly blocked.

Because the older brothers have to take the first bite.

--After all, money was spent!

And quite a lot.

Leaving China aside for now, the US, UK, and France are finally experiencing the feeling of being held back by core technologies. It's estimated that the insect hive is at least a thousand meters underground, or even deeper. At that distance, even drilling a small well the size of a bowl would take a very long time, let alone digging a take-off and landing tunnel with a radius of at least ten meters to transport personnel or even large equipment...

Given current technology and industrial capabilities, it would be a massive and daunting project that would require at least a month just to develop a paper plan, including exploration, drawing, proposals, and feasibility studies.

But some people say, "Yes, it's possible."

In fact, on the fourth day of the talks, the King of Comora awkwardly presented a tender to the five heads of state, which was the shortest, crudest, and most greedy plan that the leaders had ever seen.

The tender, signed by the company "African-Weapons-Sceptre-Leagu," was written by its chairman, Kang De, and was so concise that the main text consisted of only a few lines, making it almost unbearable to read.

First line.

I can help you dig a vertical tunnel.

Second line.

It can be made in three days, and it's very sturdy.

Third line.

But you have to pay patent fees and technology fees. The tunnel you dug is mine, of course. If you want to build an elevator, you have to pay rent. If you want to send people and things through this road, you have to pay tolls.

Another note was added.

"I won't collect tariffs, so you won't say we China are petty."

The leaders of the Western world were naturally furious—damn it, how can you do business like this? Either buy out the construction costs in one go, or dig it out yourself and collect tolls slowly. This guy actually wanted both! He's shameless, utterly shameless.

Even the richest family doesn't have surplus grain. Although the funding for Operation Zhuerban is allocated through a special budget, money can't be poured into it indefinitely, especially since Kang De's patent and technology fees have been demanded at a staggering $50 billion. That's an outrageous price that's practically reaching the asteroid belt.

The two sides naturally engaged in a tug-of-war. Such demands were outrageous. The key issue was that if this happened once, there might be another time. Today it's 50 billion, tomorrow it's 50 billion. Even if the American Empire turned on its printing presses, it wouldn't be able to withstand it. Fortunately, that bastard wasn't thick-skinned enough and didn't shout out 50 billion for each company.

After much haggling, the price was finally reduced to eight billion US dollars.

To paraphrase Kang De: "This work contributes to the advancement of science and technology in human society and benefits all mankind. Is it too much for me to charge one dollar per person on behalf of the people of the world? As a responsible global power, is it too much for you to pay such a small amount of money on behalf of the people of the world?"

... fine.

It's an installment payment plan.

Furthermore, Kang De promised that no less than six billion US dollars would be paid in the form of military equipment, scientific research and industrial products and resources from various countries—he would only accept goods, not money.

It doesn't matter if the model is a bit old or has lower technological content.

The key is that it's cheap, durable, and of good quality.

--This feels much better.

These monopolized high-end industrial and technological products are making a killing. The world's five largest arms dealers are relieved. The $1.6 billion spread across each country is not worth much when converted into goods sold abroad. Moreover, the orders can boost the domestic economy, making it a worthwhile deal.

As for why Kang De bought weapons... he probably wanted to arm the Nikolai army in Comora, or recruit and form his own security force; such trivial matters were irrelevant.

After all, even without these weapons, he would still be a huge threat.

However, those with high technological content cannot be sold.

In short, based on this single deal, AWSL Company instantly entered the Fortune Global 500 in terms of profit.

After the agreement was reached, King Comora awkwardly handed over Kang De's letter of thanks.

"Dear bosses, please be generous and support me when there are opportunities to make money in the future!"

It even included an advertisement.

AWSL Company provides a range of high-quality services, including mining, excavation, ghost hunting, robbery, artificial rainmaking, express delivery, and intimidation/assault, all designed specifically for high-end clients.

"The company is financially strong, has in-depth exchanges and cooperation with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and boasts an outstanding employee who also serves as chairman of the board, possessing exceptional professional capabilities..."

"More business areas are being actively explored."

"Please look for the Africa Weapons Sceptre League, please look for AWSL."

Damn it.

Then they signed the contract very casually.

The contract was also very simple, without detailed terms and obligations and responsibilities of both parties, and without the meticulous wording and elaborate rules that lawyers would painstakingly craft. It was as brief as the tender documents.

"Kang De had three days to dig a tunnel to the insect hive."

"China, the US, Russia, the UK, and France are responsible for paying the money."

"A total of six billion US dollars worth of goods and two billion US dollars in cash."

"We'll decide on the specifics of what to buy later, after Kang De has thought it through."

The final interpretation of this contract rests with Kang De.

"Both parties can terminate the contract at any time."

"That's all."

However, another clause was then added.

"If other countries get involved and want a piece of the pie, you'll have to lie with me and exaggerate the amount of money. Once you've made money off them, I'll give you kickbacks."

Hold.

The leaders signed the most absurd and casual contract of their lives, with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. The contract was riddled with loopholes; even a law student could point out dozens of irregularities and oversights. There were a hundred ways to back out if they wanted to, but none of the five leaders had any such intention.

They were initially at a loss for words, then fell into deep thought.

Finally, he shook his head.

There is only one reason why this commercial contract, riddled with errors and extremely careless, exists.

That is, the drafter believed it to be the most rigorous and robust contract in the world.

How arrogant!

Extraordinary individuals.

After the contract was signed, the leaders pondered whether they could work on installment payments. After all, they couldn't always be controlled by that guy. Even if Kang De was crazy, he wouldn't cause a scene in various countries just because a batch of goods was a few days late. These kinds of things always require testing the limits slowly.

However, this thought had barely crossed their minds when the intelligence sent by Zhuerban made their faces darken again.

The underground passage has been completed.

Deep darkness.

It leads straight to an endless abyss.

It's just a little small...

The radius is approximately four meters.

--Holy crap! Wasn't it supposed to have a radius of at least ten meters?!

The protest reached the King of Comora, who quickly received a response.

"We'll excavate in phases," Chairman Kang replied. "You still need to complete the surface infrastructure upgrades and construction in Zhuerban, and the promised aid and payments need to be delivered as soon as possible."

The leaders then realized just how jarring the words, "The final interpretation rests with Kang De," truly were...

However, they quickly stopped arguing about such things.

The most elite special forces members from the five nations, carrying oxygen tanks and exploration equipment, rappelled through the deep underground passages to reach the vast and terrifying insect hive. Even the most politically reliable and loyal soldiers were shocked and terrified upon seeing the sight.

Humans are domesticated.

They are being raised and exploited in some incomprehensible, advanced way.

The locusts were quietly dormant.

The insect nest seemed to be pulsating, as if it were breathing.

It's like being alive.

It's like a scene from a science fiction novel.

Photos and reports were sent out, the exploration team returned, and eager scientists applied for entry.

This requires discussion and planning, developing a plan for exploration and establishing a temporary platform. Think tanks and professionals have begun their work, and there is still much to be done.

The leaders were already very busy, and having to keep track of this kind of progress, they didn't have time to argue with Kang De... Indeed, there were still many things to do.

They felt that the first thing to do was to establish a way to communicate directly with Kang De.

The intelligence elites quickly found a way.

I heard that Kang De has started a new company, and it seems he's taking it very seriously.

They also want to buy a large amount of weaponry, which is definitely to arm a force.

Judging from his browsing history on unrecognizable websites and his activities within China.

This man is a virgin with a strong sex drive.

He has a fondness for young, beautiful women with exceptionally well-developed figures.

So...

Intelligence agencies around the world, whose integrity has long been lacking, have all come up with a plan.

And what about Kang De?

"Son, can you make a big fireball?"

"... meeting."

"Son, do you know how to draw talismans to catch ghosts?"

"... meeting."

"My son, can you fly to the sky?"

"... able."

"Son, are you still single?"

"Get out of here!"

This brutal dialogue takes place between mother and son. In fact, blood is bound to flow within five sentences. This is basically the pattern of communication among Kang De's family members. Basically, it's Mama Kang bullying Kang De, Kang De bullying Papa Kang.

A food chain.

This family had been separated for some time, especially for Kang De. Even setting aside the two years in the other world, it had been quite a long time since they had seen each other... and they had even gone through a kidnapping incident.

After his parents returned home from the Djibouti base on a special plane, Kang De settled matters in Comora and was then sent home to reunite with his parents.

While Kang De and his Papa Kang were on their adventure in Comora, his Mama Kang was living in fear at the Djibouti base. The mother and son were reunited, and they should have been moved to tears and embraced each other. However, Kang De was overthinking things. After confirming that he was unharmed, his mother pulled him aside and asked him to perform a show.

Flame-breathing.

Frozen.

Boxing.

Floating in the air.

Backflip.

Retrieving items remotely.

To crush or grind matter.

And then there's... killing a chicken with one's eyes.

Damn, compared to this, my childhood talent shows are totally rubbish.

The talent show ended with the most prestigious chicken in Earth's history being stewed in a pot.

But the reason adults are so cruel and heartless is that after appreciating your talent show, they still have to criticize you.

Kang De was stabbed.

"Oh dear, my son," Mama Kang said, feigning to wipe away tears, "How did you acquire such abilities? Could it be that what the Japan say is true—that maintaining childlike innocence can make one a magician?"

Kang De sighed, "Can you please stop talking? There are people watching."

Xiaoman sat on one side of the sofa, hugging a cushion and giggling.

Mama Kang glanced at Xiaoman, whose face was half buried in the pillow and whose eyes were sparkling, and then looked at her son, whose gaze was somewhat evasive. As if she understood something, she swallowed the teasing words that were about to come out.

When a family gets together, of course they should sit down together for a good meal and have a good chat.

Uncle Wang and Xiaoman were also invited—besides the fact that the two families have been on good terms for generations, Uncle Wang had done a great deal of work for Papa Kang, so they should also be thanked.

At the dinner table, Papa Kang Mama Kang Uncle Wang sat on one side, while Kang De and Xiaoman sat on the other.

Uncle Wang's gaze towards Kang De was like a knife.

"Uncle..." Kang De couldn't take it anymore and begged for forgiveness, "I was wrong, I was wrong..."

The reason for this is simply that Kang De once again became a hands-off manager.

On Comora's side, the King, acting as a tool, was the one who dealt with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council on his behalf.

As a China person, whether it was the insect hive or his own value, there were various ideas, cooperation proposals, and exchanges within China, but Kang De pushed all of them onto Uncle Wang.

Poor Wang Yongzhi, he did nothing wrong, but when he woke up he found himself stuffed into a bellows.

I'm caught in the middle.

Although he could be considered Kang De's spokesperson to some extent, which meant numerous opportunities, status, and even privileges, some powerful figures couldn't do anything to Kang De, but it was relatively easy to control Wang Yongzhi. This meant that all the pressure was transferred to him.

You can certainly stand up to those who use their power to bully you, but how do you refuse a plea that's reasoned with and appeals to your emotions? Do you dare not answer the calls from your former superiors, former bosses, former squad leaders, former leaders? Do you dare not refuse to see them when they come to your door? If they're talking to you with tears streaming down their faces, do you still dare to sit still?

"You've really driven me crazy."

Uncle Wang glared at him fiercely.

Kang De opened a bottle of Remy Martin, filled Uncle Wang's glass, and then casually sipped it, as if to show his remorse. He said with a forced smile, "It's like this, your nephew here is a bit of a show-off, I tend to act crazy around leaders. I've even yelled at the France president to his face a few times, how could I dare to face that sir? I'm scared."

"But back home, we can't just leave things hanging. I'm China, and I have to help out and give back. However, I'm not some nobody who can be ordered around. So, I need you, Uncle, to mediate and smooth things over a bit..."

"Look, wasn't the cooperation with Zhuerban before quite good?"

It's more than just good.

After the initial discussions, he immediately contacted China and finalized the plan. The country directly transferred personnel from Djibouti, transporting them quickly and efficiently. Using his teleportation capabilities, Kang De transported all the engineering vehicles, combat vehicles, and logistical support vehicles prepared in China across half the globe to Zhuerban, giving China the upper hand and shocking the other four countries, forcing them to revise their plans and increase the scale and quality of their deployments.

After all, China has sent infantry fighting vehicles, so they should be equipped with even stronger heavy firepower, right?

Thinking of this, Kang De felt a little regretful.

He had urged the country to send an armored regiment there immediately, which would have certainly provoked the American Empire to howl in despair, and they would have dumped all sorts of American weapons there like dumplings. Unfortunately, the country remained cautious and prudent, feeling that a nation shouldn't be so arrogant, which was a great pity.

Oh, my gear!

Moyani's arms race needs to be intensified.

He mentally prepared his response, saying aloud, "It won't be long, don't worry, it won't be long. If anyone wrongs you, just tell me, and I'll kill them..."

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this today."

Uncle Wang waved his hand and said, "You little rascal, I've done you a favor. You'd better understand why I'm helping you today..."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at his daughter across from him.

Then Xiaoman kicked him under the table.

The spilled water mouthed "Mind your own business," with a fierce look in its eyes.

"Let's drink, let's drink." He sighed inwardly, but picked up his glass. "Let's not talk about state affairs today."

Xiaoman, aren't you in a hurry at all?

At the banquet, everyone enjoyed themselves, yet each person harbored their own thoughts. That night, as Kang De lay in bed, his phone rang. Xiaoman asked, "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

Kang De replied, "Yes, I should go back now."

All the custom-made parts ordered from China have been delivered, and the first phase of construction in Zhuerban is complete. The situation is temporarily stable, and it's time to return to the other world.

It wasn't just the dragons challenging them.

He still had to see someone.

The Grewind Swarm, the Sound of Destruction, he needs more answers.

Did you tell your aunt?

"Not yet."

Have you figured out how to start the conversation?

"No."

"What should we do then?"

I'll ask my dad to talk to him for me tomorrow.

"... What will your dad say?"

"I don't care. If he refuses to help me, I'll contact the United States president and have him send a foreign female spy to seduce my dad. Once I get the photos, I'll go and complain to my mom."

A thud came from the wall behind the bed.

We chatted until very late, about everything, until we fell asleep.

I woke up early in the morning.

Kang De got up and heard the clatter of pots and pans coming from the kitchen. Kang De pushed open the door and saw a familiar figure busy in the kitchen. Xiaoman poured the soy milk she had bought into cups one by one. When she saw him come out, she looked up and smiled.

Behind me, my mother came out carrying fried eggs and sausages.

"Finish your food and get out."

She hugged Xiaoman tightly, held her close, and looked at Kang De: "You heartless bastard, Xiaoman is the best."

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PS1: Five thousand words... Ah, isn't this kind of crossdressing ship character too terrifying?