Arrival at the Central Base

Lou Qing was ultimately representing the Lou Family. Since the other three families could make demands, the Lou Family couldn't help for nothing.

Previously, Lou Yu and Lou Quan had concealed their private development from the Lou Family and even profited from the Lou Family. Lou Qing could smooth things over for them and prevent them from being punished. However, in return, they would have to pay some "protection money," which should at least be no less than what they paid to the other three families.

Upon hearing Lou Qing's request, Lou Yu and Lou Quan remained silent, both looking at Tao Qiu.

Ultimately, Tao Qiu has to fulfill all the demands made by the three families and Lou Qing.

Tao Qiu didn't mince words and said frankly, "As long as we can successfully rescue Yuanyuan, I will do my best to provide the Lou Family with special crops. As long as it doesn't threaten my life, I will try my best to cooperate with any experiments you want me to participate in."

Lou Yu held Tao Qiu's hand, his eyes filled with heartache and helplessness.

He concealed Tao Qiu's ability to transform into human form from him because he feared Tao Qiu would become a human experiment. Unexpectedly, things turned out differently, and this is how it all came to be.

Lou Qing was satisfied with the conditions Tao Qiu offered. Seeing their worried expressions, he kindly added, "The experiment will definitely take place, but I will personally hand the project over to your mother. You may not trust me, but you'll trust her, right?"

Chapter 117 Arrival at the Central Base

Lou Yu had mentioned the conflicts between his parents to Tao Qiu. Bai Yan was undoubtedly a perfect mother to Lou Yu, and her character was fundamentally kind. If she were to lead the project team, the couple could indeed feel more at ease.

Actually, there is a way to refuse the requests of some of them, which is the same as what Tao Qiu mentioned before: use special crops as a condition to ask those high-level mutated monsters for help.

However, firstly, this method is quite difficult, and it's not certain that all high-level mutated monsters would want the crop. Secondly, even if they could persuade all the high-level mutated monsters, it would still take time, Tao Qiu and the others were worried about leaving their child in the hands of that mutated monster for so long.

Since the goal is to reach a human settlement, cooperating with humans is the most appropriate path.

Lou Qing never expected Tao Qiu to go back on her word after the child was rescued. Although they had only spent less than a day together, he could tell that Tao Qiu was a person of her word and wouldn't betray him after using him.

The second negotiation meeting began at 6 p. m.

This time, there was no small talk; all three companies immediately stated their revised requirements.

Perhaps sensing Tao Qiu's arrogance, the three families were afraid of angering him and getting nothing in return. This time, they were not only much more humble, but also made much simpler demands.

"We will purchase specialty crops and first-generation seeds from Mr. Tao on a quarterly basis. Mr. Tao cannot refuse our purchase requests, and there must be a minimum quantity provided each time, but no upper limit. The specific quantity will be discussed later. Is this request unreasonable?"

Tao Qiu reviewed the three hastily drafted agreements; the minimum guaranteed amount they requested was within Tao Qiu's acceptable range.

This time, the three families were quite shrewd.

"Okay." Tao Qiu nodded in agreement first, then said, "However, I can only sign the agreement with you after the child is rescued. If it is ultimately found that any of your three families are colluding with that mutated monster, the agreement will be canceled, and you will also have to accept my retaliation. You have no objections, right?"

The three of them seemed hesitant, each looking at the other.

Tao Qiu continued, "I'm not a real human. If I want to back out, these laws in your agreement can't control me at all. So whether you sign it or not, or when you sign it, doesn't really matter. Are you disagreeing because you're afraid I'll go back on my word, or are the three of you really in cahoots with that mutated monster, just playing me for a fool?"

When he uttered the last few words, his expression suddenly turned extremely sinister, startling the three representatives. Fearing that Tao Qiu might misunderstand, they quickly agreed to sign later.

After all, they were still on someone else's territory. Although they had brought several superhumans with them, there were also quite a few superhumans at the Yong'an Base. If Tao Qiu were to call in a few more mutated monsters to help them, they would all perish here.

The family's interests may be at stake, but your life is your own.

Tao Qiu was very satisfied with the three representatives' sensible attitude.

The meeting ended quickly, Tao Qiu wanted to leave tonight for the Central Base.

However, Lou Qing and the representatives of the three families disagreed. They needed to pack some things, specifically to take some crops and experimental data back with them, and they would have to wait until at least tomorrow morning to set off.

Tao Qiu was a little annoyed and wanted to fly to the Central Base on his own, but seeing that his Second Cub Eldest Cub looked tired after working with them all day, he held back.

After arranging for the Second Cub Eldest Cub rest early, Tao Qiu and Lou Yu began packing their luggage, which included their own and the children's clothes.

In order to have more energy to deal with the mutated monster, Tao Qiu forced himself to sleep, but he dreamed all night. When he woke up in the morning, his face was gloomy, and the representatives of the three families walked around him timidly.

Everyone who came from the Central Base this time tasted the truly special crops. It's hard to go from luxury to frugality, and they certainly won't be able to live without these good things anymore.

Lou Qing, being Lou Family, once again played a crucial role in stabilizing the situation. Lou Quan, being the most astute, gave him a considerable amount for free, along with a share for his subordinates who accompanied him. He also prepared some for a few of the old guard in his own family, to prevent them from causing trouble after they arrived at the Central Base.

As for the other three, food and drinks are free the day before, but if you want a large quantity of special crops, you'll have to pay for them. At most, you can look at them and get a discount because of the other three.

What?! You want to rob me by force? Then I'll call Tao Qiu and Lou Qing over!

As for the laboratory's information on Awakening Reagent and superhumans, the three families only saw some superficial details yesterday. The real core information was kept very well hidden by Lou Quan; these were his bargaining chips in his game against his own family.

If you want to see the other three, go buy from those stingy vampires at our store.

In the morning, after breakfast, Tao Qiu and Lou Yu took the children and boarded the Lou Family's helicopter with Lou Qing.

Lou Quan also wanted to go along, not only because he was the commander-in-chief of the Yong'an Base and needed to go back to go through the process of "confessing his guilt and accepting punishment," but also because he was worried that Tao Qiu and the others would not have a smooth trip and thought that he could help them.

His trusted confidants remained at the Yong'an Base, and he spent the entire night making arrangements to ensure that nothing major would go wrong during his absence.

The Central Base team arrived and left in a hurry, taking with them three of the most important figures from the Yong'an Base, causing great concern among the general public.

Even though the authorities issued a statement saying that the three went to the Central Base on important business and would return later, the public was still worried.

After learning that someone had betrayed them and attracted the attention of the Central Base, the people cursed them and their ancestors for eight generations. If they weren't still in jail, they would have been executed by the angry mob long ago.

As for the promise made by the three families to take several informants to the Central Base, that promise had long since vanished with the departure of Root.

Several helicopters were harassed by flying mutated monsters a few times when they came to Yong'an Base. Although they were all safe in the end, it still caused a lot of trouble.

But when they returned, for some unknown reason, they didn't encounter a single mutated monster; they were as safe as before the catastrophe.

Everyone vaguely guessed that the mutated monsters dared not approach because Tao Qiu was there, and their fear of Tao Qiu increased even more.

The families at the Central Base had already received word that they were to return, so when the helicopters arrived, they were not subject to any inspection or checks and flew straight in before returning to their respective homes.

Three helicopters slowly landed on the helipad, where many people were waiting in the distance.

Lou Qing had seen who was waiting below while he was in the air, so when he went down, he held the hands of his Second Cub Eldest Cub, Tao Qiu and the Lou Family brothers, who walked behind him. They exchanged glances and guessed his purpose.

The two boys stayed with Lou Qing the whole time on the helicopter, and as they spent time together, they genuinely grew closer.

Although they were all there to pick someone up, Bai Yan and the old men from the Lou Family stood far apart, clearly disliking and disdaining each other.

Upon seeing Lou Qing and the others come down, several old men immediately went to greet them. Unfortunately, Lou Qing wasn't keen on acknowledging them, and after giving a casual nod, he quickly walked towards Bai Yan.

Tao Qiu and Lou Yu didn't even glance at them; they simply brushed past each other as if they were air.

Lou Quan and Lou Qing's subordinates, thinking that the old guys still held a certain position in the Lou Family and were afraid that if they were embarrassed, they would cause trouble again, Lou Quan flattered them a few times while admitting his mistake, and the subordinates talked about the gains from their trip to the Yong'an Base, using benefits to extinguish their anger.

Sure enough, the old men who were initially furious softened considerably after hearing their words.

Lou Quan and several subordinates remarked. "People are hard to please, and shit is hard to swallow."

Bai Yan originally didn't want to pay attention to Lou Qing, but he had two children with him, and she couldn't just ignore it.

"Xiao Mo, Xiao Xue, call her Grandma." Lou Qing rarely showed a kind, elder-like smile.

The two children were very sensible; they immediately ran to Bai Yan, hugged her legs, and smiled sweeter than honey.

Hello, Grandma!

Bai Yan squatted down, patted their heads, and smiled gently, "Xiao Mo and Xiao Xue are good too."

Lou Yu took Tao Qiu's hand and walked up to Bai Yan.

Bai Yan stood up, looked at her son who had matured considerably compared to a few years ago, her nose tingled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Mom, it's been so long." Lou Yu was also a little choked up, opened his arms, and hugged Bai Yan.

Bai Yan shed tears, patted his shoulder and back, and sighed, "It's good that you're back safe and sound."

After the hug, Lou Yu introduced Tao Qiu and the two children to Bai Yan.

Bai Yan and Tao Qiu had feelings for each other, and their first impression of each other was very good. They shook hands, and Tao Qiu called Lou Yu" Mom," to which Bai Yan responded with a smile.

"Oh right, what about the other child? I saw your photos before, the youngest one was named Yuanyuan, right? Why, I haven't seen her?"