I was supposed to spend the evening with Zhao Fen, but during the day, it was either Professor Chen seeking me out or Zhao Fang; the notion of finally sharing an intimate moment with Xiao Yudi had vanished entirely, until a month later when we decided to temporarily leave the base.

That evening, everyone gathered aboard the Hope for a meeting, mainly to summarize the preceding work and outline future developments. Based on our current needs, I proposed establishing a world-class conglomerate.

“What we need to resolve most urgently now is the satellite issue. Only by possessing our own satellites can our communication system be effectively secured. However, launching dozens of satellites into outer space without anyone knowing is impossible, so we must secure a legitimate identity that allows us to effectively operate and manage our satellites.”

“Indeed,” Xiao Yudi nodded, “We have successfully manufactured thirty-six medium- and high-orbit satellites, integrating communication, navigation, and reconnaissance. Thirty of these will provide precise global coverage, with six kept in reserve. Such a massive launch plan, without a plausible pretext, risks triggering a world war.”

Zhao Fang chimed in, “Brother-in-law, our high-energy batteries have also entered mass production. I propose we sell the lower-efficiency models externally. This would not only boost our income but also allow us to slowly gain control over the global energy market. The medium- and high-efficiency models, however, we will keep secret for our own use.”

I nodded in agreement, though wading into the energy market made me wonder if it would incur the displeasure of Chaoyang Energy. If so, would Fang Yanmeng come looking for a fight?

“We can form an energy company to manage this, but the current consumption within the base is substantial. Undertaking large-scale production of high-energy batteries might strain us severely.” I voiced another concern lingering in my mind. The base relies primarily on electricity; despite employing various generation methods, manufacturing high-energy batteries, even the low-efficiency ones, consumes vast amounts of power, a point that demands everyone's serious attention.

“That’s not a worry,” Xiao Yudi assured me. “We have sufficient numbers of our engineering ants and production robots. We can gather energy from all over the world, especially the oceans and those active underwater volcanoes.”

“Yes, that’s an excellent idea,” I responded. “It would be a shame to let that thermal energy from the Earth’s interior go to waste. We can market this as environmentally friendly utilization.”

Professor Chen looked troubled. “If these issues are resolved, what about the robots? We currently have one thousand robots fitted with skin grafts. Taking them into the outside world without reasonable cover for their identities might raise external suspicions.”

I smiled at Professor Chen. “I’ve already anticipated this problem. We will establish a security firm. As long as our business volume and finances are substantial enough, there are no limits on how many security personnel we can hire. Furthermore, we will expand the scope of the security firm’s operations to include the security work for both the communications and energy companies.”

Zhao Fen asked, “Could the strength of the security firm be developed into the backbone of the future Tri-Service Army?”

“Precisely!” Professor Chen’s face lit up. “Transfer all the super-soldiers to the security firm. Once the Chairman publicly releases our designation, we can immediately mobilize a force capable of challenging anyone on land, sea, or air!”

I considered this for a moment. “This means we will establish three companies. I suggest we keep them separate and operating independently for now. First, it will divert the attention of various world powers; second, if any external blow comes, not all our assets will be compromised.”

Zhao Fang happily exclaimed, “Wonderful! Then let’s quickly start naming these companies.”

I went first. “Doesn’t our Great Dragon Nation have a Global Communications entity? Let’s call our communications company Huan Yu Tong—Our goal in the future is the entire universe.”

“Agreed!” Everyone passed it without objection. Zhao Fen offered, “For the energy company, since our current energy sources are mostly drawn from underground, let’s name it after the Earth itself.”

Haha, a suitably simple name, fitting Zhao Fen’s usual demeanor. I smiled and nodded my assent.

The last name, Professor Chen quickly claimed, “I propose the security firm be named Red Dragon. Our nation has a particular fondness for the color red, and the dragon is a symbol of our ethnicity. As descendants of the dragon, we have an obligation to guard the tranquility of this land.”

“Excellent!” I rose from my seat, striking the table. “It’s settled—three companies. Haven’t we already constructed one large transport aircraft? We can ship a few tons of gold out first to secure some start-up capital. But the actual establishment process for these three companies…?”

The three women smiled and pointed at me. “Of course, it’s up to you. We are women; we can’t afford to be in the spotlight.”

After we all shared a laugh, Professor Chen reported, “The five Type 096 nuclear attack submarines requested by the Chairman have all been completed. Should we transport them all at once?”

“No,” I mused. “Let’s keep some of our strength hidden for now. We’ll deliver just one. Even that, I think, will be enough to surprise the Chairman.”

Professor Chen, now one of us, wouldn’t naturally side against us. “I agree with that approach. There are too many variables in the future; exposing all our capabilities at once might not be a good thing. After all, the nation isn’t dictated by the Chairman alone; there are likely petty individuals holding high positions who could work against us.”

I smiled, remaining silent. The influence of the Tan family was known throughout the entire Great Dragon Nation’s high command; even someone devoted to research like Professor Chen had some inkling.

Next, everyone discussed many minute details. For instance, Huan Yu Tong would not only manage satellite communications but also expand into mobile phone services; manufacturing a few advanced mobile phones would be child’s play for a production line capable of building satellites. The energy company, besides selling high-energy batteries, would develop projects in oil extraction, smelting, natural gas, and combustible ice. As for the security firm, we decided to develop it into a massive military force, blending human, mechanical, and beast units, ensuring we had artillery and tanks on land, fighter jets and missiles in the air, and cruisers and aircraft carriers at sea, with attack submarines below.

The meeting finally broke up past midnight. Although Zhao Fen and I were like an ‘old married couple,’ her walking behind me back to the resting quarters in front of everyone made her blush furiously—and that shyness was exactly what I loved about her.

Once inside the room, Zhao Fen thoughtfully went to spread the bedding. I held her from behind, and we collapsed onto the bed. Kissing her moist, red lips, I asked, “What’s the date on the lunar calendar today? We haven’t been at the base for a short time; is Chinese New Year approaching?”

“It is,” Zhao Fen nestled into my embrace tenderly. “Today is the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month—it’s Little New Year. If we were in Peach Blossom Village, every household would be making dumplings.”

My heart gave a jolt. Little New Year already? How long had it been since I went home? How was the Iron Ox Tofu Company doing? Had Yi Xiaorou’s illness cleared up? Did she still remember me? And there was one huge matter I seemed to have forgotten—I promised Zhang Xiaoya I would pick her up at the airport. It’s been over two months now—Good heavens, I’m finished!

The base had implemented strict electronic signal shielding to mask the leakage of production and experimental signals. Signals couldn’t get out, and external signals couldn’t get in. In the hustle of this great leap forward, everyone had almost completely forgotten the outside world.

“What’s wrong, husband?” Seeing my troubled expression, Zhao Fen asked with concern. When we were alone, she was much more willing to call me husband.

I held Zhao Fen tightly, my voice slightly choked. “Wife, we really need to go home. I don’t know how Mom and Dad are doing now. I wonder about Commander Zhu, Tiger, the Village Chief, and Brother Er Sha.”

Zhao Fen patted my back, comforting me. “Good husband, don’t cry. We’ll leave tomorrow. I know you miss Mengmeng and the others. And what’s the status of Sister Xiaorou’s relationship with Tan Tian? With the small stealth spacecraft we have now, travel between the base and the capital will be much more convenient.”

“Wife, you must come home with me tomorrow. I want my parents to meet their future daughter-in-law.”

“Husband, maybe not yet. I’m a little scared, and besides, if you reveal our relationship publicly, what about Mengmeng? And what about Fangfang?”

I still didn’t know what to do about Zhang Xiaoya, and now two more complications had arisen. What on earth should I do?

With the lovely doll-like beauty in my arms, I should probably attend to the urgent matters first.