Lü Yongchang's answer left both men silent.
"Ten years..."
A wistful look appeared in the old man's eyes. "That's enough!"
He chuckled and reached over to pat Hong Qiming beside him. "Qiming, you'll have to make the most of that time."
"I can only help you for another ten years."
Hong Qiming's eyes reddened slightly, and he nodded firmly.
At the sight, the old man's smile grew even warmer.
"Look at you two. What's there to be sad about?"
"I still have ten years, don't I?"
Lü Yongchang struggled to lift the corners of his mouth into a strained smile.
"Oh, I'm planning to take some time off," the old man said casually.
Hong Qiming paused, then nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, you should get some proper rest!"
The old man looked straight at Hong Qiming, his gaze calm. "What I mean is, I'm planning to leave Parliament."
"But..."
"Why?!"
Hong Qiming cried out in shock. "Didn't you just say you'd help me..."
The old man shook his head with a faint smile. "Qiming, if I'm still around, what use will you be?"
Hong Qiming fell silent.
Blunt as those words were, he had a point.
As long as the Elder Head Councillor occupied his seat in Parliament, everyone, Hong Qiming included, would instinctively seek his opinion.
The old man continued calmly, "If something really does go wrong, you can call me then."
Lü Yongchang said nothing.
This was not something he should interfere with.
"By the way, Yongchang, is there anywhere suitable for retirement?" The old man changed the subject and asked Lü Yongchang with a smile, "I intend to enjoy myself properly from now on."
Lü Yongchang sank into thought.
Retirement...
That really was a difficult question.
In his opinion, the observation deck aboard the Earth offered the best