When Lu Ao came in, Hou Mingzhi nodded. "Sit. Tea or plain water?"
"Plain water is fine."
Lu Ao stood up to help, but Hou Mingzhi waved him off. He took a cup from the sterilizing cabinet, personally lifted the thermos beside him, and poured Lu Ao a glass of water. "Did you come to the city last night or this morning?"
"This morning."
"From the village?"
Lu Ao nodded. "Yes."
Hou Mingzhi nodded. "That must not have been easy."
Lu Ao had not expected him to be so cordial, and he relaxed a little. "It was all right. Not too tiring."
"It was still tiring. Have some water first." Hou Mingzhi got straight to the point. "I saw the application you submitted."
After thanking him, Lu Ao listened intently.
Hou Mingzhi continued, "I don't approve it."
Lu Ao was surprised and was just about to say something when Hou Mingzhi raised a hand and pressed it down, signaling him to remain calm.
"You don't work within our system, yet you've made quite a name for yourself. I've heard about the things you've done—salvaging that box containing classified material for us, cracking down on poachers, voluntarily helping recover and turn over antiques, and so on." Hou Mingzhi said, "For a young man to be so indifferent to fame and profit is truly admirable."
Lu Ao hurriedly said modestly, "You flatter me."
"No need to be overly modest. Let's return to the matter of the Marine Ranch. I know you're a good young man. My refusal isn't meant to target you."
Lu Ao was not angry. "Why did you make this decision? May I know the reason?"
Hou Mingzhi spread his hands. "The conditions for building Marine Ranches are still far too immature, and the area you applied for is too