"The familiar air was so sweet. Cough, cough."
Even Lu Mouren, having just returned to Mercury 42, started coughing after one deep breath.
The salty sea breeze, the scorched smell in the air, and the stench of heavy industrial pollution—he truly hadn't adapted to it yet.
"This is a bit awful."
Before he could inspect his surroundings, someone laughed awkwardly.
"Hehe, young people do know how to joke. I nearly believed you, hehe."
The middle-aged man forced out a laugh, making the atmosphere even more awkward. Lu PingAn could only chuckle dryly as well. After all, this man was the official in charge of his hometown.
"The air here is indeed a little terrible, Mayor Qian. You should rest more. It takes time to adapt to another world."
Qian ShuEn, deputy mayor of Ancient City, was also one of the people in charge of this investment project.
Wanjing had sent over a director from its investment and development department, while Ancient City, Lu PingAn's hometown, had shown considerable respect by directly assigning a deputy mayor in charge of light industry.
After all, Ancient City had invested heavily this time. If they lost it all in one go, no one could bear it. At the very least, the person in charge had to be highly ranked, possessing both the authority to direct industrial planning and genuine expertise.
"...Not bad, this environment."
Wang Xi'er was even more straightforward, immediately taking out instruments to collect local climate data.
The investors from the Phosphorus People, Ancient City, and Wanjing—the Eastern Kingdom—had all arrived, so Lu Mouren had to receive them carefully. On the ship, Lu PingAn could pretend they hadn't run into each other, but now, as the host—and the recipient of their investments—even out of basic courtesy and respect, he had to accompany