The Final Support

Shrek City's first street came back to life on a sunny day.

Most of the shops on both sides of the road were empty; some had just been set up, while others only had a cloth curtain hanging.

Early in the morning, some people were already sweeping the entrance, some were moving goods, and some were looking out from inside the shop.

The breakfast stall is the first to open; as soon as the stove is set up, white steam rises into the air.

The aroma wafted across half the street, attracting several former students who were on night duty at the city gate.

Without even asking the price, they dropped off the money, took two steamed buns, and left.

One of them took a bite and suddenly said, "This tastes like the cafeteria in the Outer Court."

The person next to him was taken aback, took a bite as well, and nodded without saying a word.

A few young people stood by the roadside, enjoying the morning breeze, and slowly finished their steamed buns without mentioning them.

As the sun rose higher, there were even more people.

There were carpenters from Heaven Dou City, stonemasons who had moved from further north, and merchants who came from the Federation to look at shop locations.

They walked on the stone path, which was not yet completely swept clean, looking left and right.

Some people are asking about the rent, while others are inquiring about where to complete the paperwork.

Tang Yinmeng emerged from the temporary government office carrying a stack of registration forms, followed by two returning former students.

As she walked, she said, "There are still vacant shops on West Street, both commercial and residential. Go early, or the outer areas will be the only ones left."

A portly merchant hurriedly chased after her. "Miss, is West Street next to the main road?"

Tang Yinmeng didn't turn her head. "Not too close, but quiet. Suitable for a pharmacy."

The fat merchant's eyes lit up when he heard it was a pharmacy.

He quickly pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. "Then I'll order it! I'll order it!"

Several people who were still observing nearby also gathered around when they saw this.

Tang Yinmeng was pushed back two steps by the crowd and sighed. Lan Muzi came over from the other side, saw this, and did not help, but just stood under the eaves and smiled.

He held a newly arrived roll of construction drawings in his hand, the wind making the corners of the paper rustle.

On the Sea God Lake, Ya Li was counting medicinal herbs with several female doctors.

The lake surface shimmered with light, and several water birds, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, landed on the shallows, unafraid of people.

Ya Li looked up and said, "The lake is alive again, so the birds will come back."

The young doctor next to him asked, "What about the fish? When do we release the fish fry?"

Ya Li smiled, "Let Jing Heng release them when he gets back; that kid has always liked these things."

The young doctor smiled too. The lake breeze was gentle, and the fragrance of medicine mixed with the water vapor slowly spread.

In the newly built teaching building, Ye Xinglan and several Soul Guidance Department students were inspecting the last batch of monitoring facilities.

She wasn't wearing her school uniform; the sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, revealing half of her forearm.

She was extremely focused on what she was doing when Xie Xie poked his head in from outside. "Xing Lan, where's Jing Heng? I haven't seen him all morning?"

Ye Xinglan didn't look up. "I don't know. They probably went to the Launch Shaft again."

Xie Xie said "Oh," and then asked, "Why didn't you keep an eye on him?"

Ye Xinglan paused, then said, "He's not my cat."

Xie Xie talker, said, "Yes, you're his kept sword."

Ye Xinglan finally raised her eyes.

Xie Xie has already disappeared.

Xu Xiaoyan laughed from outside the door, "You've provoked her again."

Xie Xie hid behind Yuanen Yehui and whispered, "I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Yuanen Yehui showed no mercy. "You've already been quite active by not getting slashed."

Yun Jingheng sat in the chair and held up the blueprints to the light.

Gu Yuena rested her chin on her hand and looked at him. "Is this the new Star Pavilion you painted?"

"Yes, it should take about a month to complete."

A mountain breeze swept around from the old well, gently lifting the corner of the paper.

The drawing is already covered with lines.

The main building, Star Pavilion rooms, passageways, interfaces, drainage systems, and several minor structural modifications he made on the spot are as dense as a spider web, yet they are so clear that they can be understood at a glance.

He squinted and looked at the drawings again before putting them down, saying, "The main structure will take a month, and the internal installations will take another half month. The main control room for the Half-Sweet Coffee is the most troublesome."

"Speaking of which, how much do you owe the Divine Craftsman?"

Yun Jingheng's face darkened. "Three hundred and eighty."

Gu Yuena smiled, "One hundred million?"

"Um."

She laughed out loud.

Three hundred and eighty billion.

Her voice trailed off like a gust of wind, carrying an undisguised sarcasm, "Pavilion Master, your Shrek City isn't even finished yet, and you're already drowning in debt."

"If word gets out, those people in Ming Capital will probably lose sleep again, not because they're afraid of you, but because they can't figure out which side you're on."

Yun Jingheng clicked his tongue and threw the blueprints on the table.

The old wooden table creaked softly under his weight. He leaned back in his chair, his tone casual and indifferent. "I'll acknowledge the debt, build the land, and support the people. Once the Star Pavilion is up, I'll dare to ask for rent just for the buildings. The money of Divine Craftsman is not to be ashamed of."

Gu Yuena rested her chin on her hand, her purple eyes full of laughter. "How about I settle this debt for you?"

Yun Jingheng glanced at her. "I dare not owe money for the Spirit Pagoda."

Gu Yuena said, "It's not like I'm asking you to pay me back."

Yun Jingheng paused.

She said slowly, "Talisca just settled old scores. Curry is richer than you think. You don't have to owe anyone else, so you owe me."

Yun Jingheng almost choked on his own saliva.

He picked up the cup beside him, only to find it was empty, then put it down and said, "Spare me. I owe you more trouble than I owe Zhen Hua."

Gu Yuena gave a soft hum, not annoyed at all.

A breeze blew in from the old well, carrying a coolness from deep underground.

He sat there, his head as big as a bucket.

Before Shrek even opened the city gates, he had already attracted his two creditors.

One wants money, the other doesn't.

Getting something for money is easy; getting something for free is the real challenge.

He sighed and picked up the blueprints again. "Never mind, let's build the Star Pavilion first."

We'll talk about the money later.

If Shrek City can truly secure a long-term lease and attract people, the 38 billion will be paid off sooner or later.

As for what is owed to Gu Yuena, that cannot be measured in money.

That's hurtful...

On the east side of Sea God Lake, there is a newly cleared old stone platform.

Several transplanted trees were planted here; their branches and leaves are not dense, but they are just enough to block the strongest afternoon sunlight.

Yun Ming sat on the stone platform, with an old wooden tray in front of him containing two cups of tea.

The tea was brewed by Ya Li that morning and had already gone cold, but he didn't care.

He was looking at the lake, and at the buildings that were rising on the opposite shore.

It was very noisy there, with the sounds of pile driving, sawing wood, and wheels constantly clattering from morning till night.

When Zhen Hua walked over from the city, his shoes were still covered in dust.

He carried a small pot of wine, walked to the stone platform, and without any ceremony, sat down cross-legged, placing the wine pot in the middle. "Drink your tea. I'll drink my wine."

Yun Ming glanced at him. "Even the Divine Craftsman talks about this?"

Zhen Hua laughed, "No, it's just that Ya Li's tea was too weak, and it doesn't match what I have to say."

Yun Ming didn't take it, but instead pushed a cup of tea towards him.

Zhen Hua didn't move.

He gazed at the lake for a long while before saying, "Your son owes me 38 billion."

Yun Ming hummed in agreement. "I know."

Zhen Hua said, "He spent the whole afternoon drawing plans by the Launch Shaft silo today, planning to build something called the ' Star Pavilion.' I told him to stop running over there and focus on the walls first. He said the walls are for Wulin, but he'll have to build the Star Pavilion himself."

Yun Ming's lips twitched slightly. "He's been like this since he was a child. Before the house is even mentioned, he'll tell you how to get there. Others are anxious, but he's even more anxious, only he's not anxious about the obvious things."

Zhen Hua took a sip of his drink and said, "Like you. And like Ya Li. He inherited half of your personalities."

Yun Ming shook his head and chuckled, "He's more daring than any of us."

Zhen Hua laughed, "You dare to owe me 38 billion? You really dare."

Yun Ming said, "I will pay it back."

Zhen Hua said, "I know, that's why I lent it to them."

The two fell silent again.

A breeze swept across the lake, creating a fine shimmering effect. In the distance, a dozen or so young men were moving planks.

One of them was carrying two long poles, and he walked unsteadily, almost bumping into his companion. The group laughed and cursed loudly, and the sound carried all the way to this side of the lake.

Yun Ming looked at them and suddenly said, "It's already good that Shrek can hear people arguing again."

Zhen Hua hummed in agreement.

He slowly swirled the glass of wine in his hand, and after a while, said, "Yun Ming, I used to think you would stay as the Pavilion Master forever. I didn't expect you to step down so decisively."

Yun Ming said, "It's not straightforward. It's just that he's stepped forward, and if I keep occupying the position, it won't be good for him to maintain his position."

Zhen Hua turned to look at him. "Aren't you afraid he'll fall?"

Yun Ming also turned his head, his gaze calm. "He fell before, but he got up on his own. If he falls again, we old guys will help him up again. But if something really happens that prevents him from standing up, then I will be his last resort."

Zhen Hua smiled.

He raised the wine jug and clinked it against a cup that hadn't been raised yet.

Yun Ming picked up his teacup and took a sip.