Pretty Nice

Clearly, the contact and discussions with the extraordinary Kang De went too far.

I initially thought this was just a good start, but the surprise Kang De gave me was truly awe-inspiring.

Senior Colonel Tian did not return to the sea; instead, he gave a preliminary report directly by telephone.

The elders will likely have to put aside all their political affairs and prioritize discussing and finalizing this plan and project, which can be considered the most important since the Jianguo.

Because Kang De's suggestion may represent the future.

This means that after a century of numbness and decline, painful awakening, and striving to catch up, this ancient and vast land will once again dominate the direction of Civilization's progress.

--Of course, it may be too hasty to make such a judgment now. Before that, there needs to be clear demonstration and practice to prove that the plan to use technology and industry to engrave Spiritual Runes is feasible.

Half an hour after Kang De offered his suggestions, a fleet of military vehicles drove straight into Diaoyutai.

Fully armed People's People's Liberation Army soldiers entered Building No. 18.

They handled each enhanced sample as if it were the most dangerous biochemical substance, carefully placing them into sealed boxes and taking them away.

Another group of soldiers, carrying all sorts of instruments of various sizes that Kang De didn't understand, searched the meeting hall inch by inch, again and again. Their mission was to find something, but it was certainly the mission they least wanted to complete; they didn't want to find anything.

Everyone who had spoken with Kang De was taken to an adjacent room, where, according to Qin Mengjin, who returned, they signed an extremely strict confidentiality agreement.

"This is really..."

Qin Mengjin hadn't yet recovered from the shock and astonishment. She exclaimed, "That scared me!"

Kang De sat alone to one side, resting with his eyes closed. The scientists eagerly asked him all sorts of questions about enchantment. Fortunately, these questions were all very basic, and with the spiritual talent of Fire Thief and the extra lessons he had learned in another world, he could answer them all without any flaws. But who knows what he will be able to do in the future?

After all, from now on, the brightest minds in China will begin to study this.

Looks like I'll have to find the Parrot and ask her to create a set of answer key for me.

He glanced at Little Qin: "I've dragged you into this."

It was just a friendly joke, but unexpectedly, Qin Mengjin's face turned deathly pale. She looked utterly terrified, as if the world had collapsed, and almost burst into tears. "No, no, no! Please don't..."

Kang De was startled. The Divine Ring of Stellar Authority emitted a brilliant light, calming the other's bewildered mood. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Miss Qin had always maintained a humorous and peaceful demeanor when communicating with Kang De, was almost moved to tears. Her gaze towards Kang De was almost pleading.

"Please don't hold back because of these concerns. I don't care what happens to me. No, it's an honor. I'm not scared. I'm just..."

If Kang De had any reservations or reservations about certain matters because of her few words, then Qin Mengjin would have committed suicide out of shame without the state having to do anything.

"... Don't be like that. If you're like that, I won't dare to joke with you anymore." Kang De patted her hand. "It's very interesting being with you. It's rare to see such a beautiful, spirited, and intelligent young lady."

As expected of a seasoned and highly competent civil servant, Qin Mengjin only lost her composure for a moment before quickly regaining her composure. She looked at Kang De with a serene expression.

"I'm just..." she whispered, "A little excited, a little uneasy, a mix of emotions."

She looked at Kang De and indeed revealed a complex and enigmatic smile.

"Kang De, I might go down in history because of you..." She paused for a moment, "..."

"Then you'd better be prepared."

Compared to those present today, especially Senior Colonel Tian and Qin Mengjin, who felt a surge of sense of mission, honor, and awe, Kang De was indeed much calmer.

He was already used to this feeling—because even now, he was already destined to be recorded in the annals of another world, becoming a legend... even a myth.

Kang De then smiled and said to Qin Mengjin, "Because you might take up quite a lot of space in the history books."

Qin Mengjin was stunned for a moment, then a blush unconsciously crept onto her face.

If previously she had a kind of admiration for Kang De and a certain closeness stemming from reading materials and the nature of their work, today, that feeling has undergone a further change.

He calmly answered questions from Senior Colonel Tian, who represented the national government, and signed the Patriots' Covenant.

In this conversation that was destined to be recorded in history, Qin Mengjin, as an observer, witnessed firsthand how every word of Kang De became increasingly sacred in this awe-inspiring and personally experienced historical context. As the scribe, Qin Mengjin felt a growing sense of reverence and awe with each sentence she wrote down.

And now...

"Because you might take up quite a lot of space in the history books."

These words struck Qin Mengjin's heart like a hammer blow.

This capable and shrewd woman maintained her composure with difficulty, but her mind was in turmoil—why did he say that? What was he implying? Was he flirting with me?

Under the combined influence of various reasons, conditions, and circumstances, an inexplicable sense of unease is gradually brewing. Because the impact of today was so strong, Miss Qin was completely unaware of the real problem.

If Kang De was truly so skilled at flirting, why did the 138 female classmates Kang De interacted with from elementary school to university all consistently describe Kang De as "pretty good" in interviews conducted by relevant departments, both overtly and covertly?

Just as Miss Qin Mengjin's heart was pounding, Kang De turned his head and saw footsteps. Senior Colonel Tian walked over with a smile, "Oh, don't get up, my Comrade Kang De, don't tire yourself out."

He took two steps forward, pressed Kang De back into his chair, and affectionately put his arm around his shoulder. "I didn't expect that we had just reached an agreement, and you would give the country such a great gift. I'm also benefiting from this."

As he said this, he extended his hand to Kang De: "We should get closer from now on. Judging from the higher-ups' intentions, I'll probably be in charge of coordinating the work, leading the research, replication, and production of Spiritual Runes. I really need to thank you for giving me this opportunity."

Kang De smiled and shook hands with him, "It's settled?"

"Not yet, it's just a preliminary idea. We need to gather experts, set up departments, conduct research, and demonstrate the plan. At the same time, we also need to select a site for the factory and coordinate the work. There's a lot of work to do."

He laughed and said, "We can consider building the factory, research center, and superhuman testing base together. It's all your territory anyway, so we'll build you a huge base."

Kang De remained calm and smiled sincerely, "Build them separately, preferably heavily guarded in each location. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, don't you agree?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Senior Colonel Tian gave a thumbs up. "Well thought out! Extremely well thought out!"

If we were to name the happiest person here right now, it would undoubtedly be Senior Colonel Tian.

He now finds Kang De pleasing to the eye in every way, and likes him so much that he even wants to send his son to Thailand, finish his political career, and then marry him to Kang De.

Because of Kang De, he was destined to be recorded in history and was entrusted with important responsibilities. Even without considering his qualifications, achievements, and future prospects for this task, just the pursuit of personal honor and the realization of his feelings for serving the country were enough for him to be so grateful to Kang De that he wished he could replace his son with his own body.

Kang De pulled out a chair for Senior Colonel Tian, and they sat down to talk.

"Your AWSL China Branch —sigh, just look at that name, so impressive." Senior Colonel Tian was now praising everything he could find. "The government will set it up for you as quickly as possible. We know you don't like dealing with these mundane matters, so we'll provide you with everything from the general manager to the members of each department."

"Thank you, country. Thank you, country."

Kang De adopted the air of a country bumpkin who'd never seen the world. "Um, could the headquarters of this branch office be located in a more impressive place? I don't mean anything by it, but you see those domineering CEOs on TV, inspecting the company, so cool! To be honest, I just want to experience that feeling every now and then..."

What kind of ridiculous request is this? It's not even a request.

Compared to the absurd request that Kang De suddenly call China a while ago asking, "Do you have any N2 bombs?", this is a thousand times less troublesome.

Senior Colonel Tian readily agreed, "No problem, it's nothing."

Kang De's face lit up with delight, but then he seemed to remember something. "But there's a problem, sir."

What's the problem?

Kang De spread his hands and said, "Look, with such a big company like mine, if I wanted to indulge in the fantasy of being a domineering CEO, I'd need a lot of employees, right? But the company's main business has to be extremely confidential, something that can't be seen by anyone or in the light of day. So what are all these employees supposed to do at this publicly assembled company headquarters?"

--Oh crap, why do you care about this? Are you that invested in the role? Are you that vain?

Senior Colonel Tian was puzzled, but that wasn't a problem; Kang De would talk about whatever he wanted to talk about.

He tentatively asked, "So you mean...?"

Kang De smiled, "AWSL Company always needs some normal business—you said before that the country doesn't want me to expand my influence or control anything domestically..."

Senior Colonel Tian looked troubled. "You should understand our concerns."

"I completely understand, but if the employees of the China branch are all people appointed and recruited by the government, and all investments, trends, and even decisions are overseen by the government, I think there shouldn't be any problems."

Kang De laughed and said, "This is equivalent to AWSL China Branch being a state-owned asset registered under my name. I'm only responsible for collecting money, making demands, and obtaining conveniences. According to this structure, even if the China branch really controls some state-owned asset lifeline—what does that have to do with the state? Besides, all acquisitions and decision-making are controlled by the state, isn't that the logic?"

It seems so.

So what exactly is he trying to do? The realm of the extraordinary is truly difficult to comprehend.

Based on professional habits and instinctive wariness, Senior Colonel Tian asked again, "So what do you want to do?"

I want to invest in some industries.

"What industry?" Senior Colonel Tian seemed to understand something. He glanced at the youthful and beautiful Miss Qin Mengjin beside him and smiled knowingly. "A game company? An internet company? Or an entertainment company?"

Young people like playing games, following celebrities, and surfing the internet; I bet most of them want to invest in the entertainment industry... It's not surprising that they're so hot-blooded young people.

Kang De looked at the other person and said seriously, "Ocean shipping, shipbuilding, metal smelting, mining, automobile manufacturing, building materials processing, construction engineering, power plants... these things."

Ah?

Senior Colonel Tian was startled. "Why?"

"Industry is the foundation of a nation's strength; what else can it be?"

Kang De's equally surprised expression made Senior Colonel Tian feel a pang of guilt. "Even I know that industry is the foundation of a nation. A Chuan has been calling for the return of manufacturing, so of course it's very important. Besides, I need to manage Zhuerban. Why not have things circulate internally instead of buying them from the government? And the money I earn from the government is just paper if I don't use it; using it can boost the economy and increase demand..."

Upon hearing this, Senior Colonel Tian couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

He had to admit that the extraordinary individuals still had a higher level of thinking.

Look at them, compared to Kang De, those other superhumans outside are just grotesque freaks, what a bunch of trash.

"Theoretically, this is not a problem either. As long as it is a normal business activity, the state will support it." Kang De wanted to run Zhuerban himself, which was perfect. Taking goods produced domestically would mean a large amount of production activity and economic flow, which would be entirely beneficial to the country.

Senior Colonel Tian smiled and said, "You are now a good friend of the country, and we will fully respect your wishes."

Kang De shook hands with Senior Colonel Tian again. "It sounds like all I need is an investment management committee that knows how to spend money and has vision."

Senior Colonel Tian understood and said, "Don't worry, they are all the most discerning talents."

The implication is that the government won't buy him some junk machinery and third-rate factories.

Kang De nodded in satisfaction.

Sigh, it's still best to have your own country.

Kang De and Senior Colonel Tian talked for a while longer, mainly about confidentiality and cooperation in research. Kang De promised to stay in Capital for a few more days and answer the scientists' questions and concerns as much as possible.

The process went extremely smoothly, and both parties felt good about it.

After chatting for a while longer, Senior Colonel Tian was finally leaving.

As dusk settled, the comrades from various armies and scientists from various research institutes had to return for all-night meetings to come up with plans and solutions. There was still much to be done. After seeing Senior Colonel Tian off from the meeting hall, the two shook hands and said goodbye.

"I was planning to have a good drink with Comrade Kang De today, but the revolution isn't over yet, so I have to go back and work hard." Senior Colonel Tian grasped Kang De's hand. "Have a good stay and enjoy yourself in Capital. See you tomorrow."

As Kant watched Senior Colonel Tian leave, Kang De suddenly heard a shout from behind, "Comrade Kang De!"

Kang De turned around and saw his colonel friend from the Rocket Force Research Institute running towards him. "Hey, there's still one question I haven't asked. What you took out earlier was terrifying..."

Kang De looked at the eager, inquisitive expression on his face and smiled, "Alright, what's the question?"

"It's about the prediction and detection of nuclear missiles, ballistic missiles, and even high-speed stealth aircraft." The comrade looked at Kang De expectantly. "Do superhumans have any superpowers that can predict whether a missile is coming, what direction it will come from, and where it will come from—does such a thing exist?"

Kang De paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "How can you predict that? Fortune telling?"

"Is that not allowed?"

Although it was expected, the other party was still a little disappointed. As they walked and talked, the soldier joked, "I thought there were superhumans who could do that—like Superman in the movies, floating in outer space, able to hear all the sounds on Earth, and able to go wherever someone is in danger to help... I saw that movie back then, it was really good."

Hearing this, Kang De stopped and laughed, "That's comics and movies, it's made up, and it's exaggerated and unrealistic. If Superman could really hear all the sounds on Earth, he would probably only have three choices, and none of them would be to continue running around on the streets beating up thugs."

The soldier, who had only said it casually, suddenly perked up. "What do you mean?"

Kang De's smile faded, "If he could truly hear everything, he would either become disheartened and leave Earth, or he would destroy all of human Civilization, or..."

"Or what?"

Kang De looked into his comrade's eyes. "Either kill 90 percent of the world's rich people, 80 percent of the officials, and all those involved in the black and gray industries, and then become the sole god, monarch, and ruler of the earth."

The other person looked shocked, seemingly not expecting Kang De to say such a thing.

"Is it strange? I think that compared to the injuries and crimes of street robberies and car accidents, the loud discussions or whispers that take place in the offices of some heads of state, the private residences of officials, the luxurious villas of the super-rich and capitalists, and the palaces of warlords are the most disgusting, darkest, most twisted, and most filthy places in this world."

"Perhaps more people have their fate decided or influenced overnight by the words of powerful figures than have died in gunshots over ten years. The cries for help from slaves and domesticated people in their secret dwellings are a thousand times louder than the screams of victims robbed by petty thugs. If Superman could hear all the sounds in the world, he would realize what the true evil in this world is."

"--Unfortunately, DC's comic book artists don't seem to have the courage to face this issue. Even when drawing a Red Superman, they subtly flaunt their philosophy of freedom."

The People's Liberation Army soldier was stunned for a while. "Then... can you hear me?"

Kang De shrugged. "Do I look like a madman to you?"

Just then, Senior Colonel Tian, who had returned, strode over and said in a low voice, "Comrade Kang De, are you free tomorrow at noon? The elders invite you to visit the sea."

Kang De paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "That would be wonderful!"

--Three days later.

The Phase Gate opened at the Sound of the Tide Manor, and Kang De's figure appeared in another world.

Seeing that the bedroom was empty, he pushed open the door and entered a private meeting room separated from the bedroom by only one wall. There, Malegith was playing a game with her legs crossed. She looked up and saw Kang De.

"Oh dear," she said sarcastically, "Instructor Kang is back."

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PS1: Update... Sigh, I remember back in junior high, my deskmate told me that she had asked many girls in the class what they thought of me, and the answers were all pretty good. I was actually quite proud of myself back then...

PS2: By the way, why did she ask that...?