Su Xue smiled sweetly, "I have a way to make your relationship decidedly impure; no one will ever manage to separate the three of us sisters."

I looked at Su Xue, "You really aren't coming with us? We have to head home to get to work."

Su Xue waved her hand dismissively, "Go on, go on, we'll be along shortly."

Li Qi was currently living on the fourth floor. Although her father forbade her from associating with me, Chairman Li, the elder, held no objections, so the matter had simply stalled. My future father-in-law’s stance was vague—neither agreeing nor pressuring Li Qi to separate from me further.

Li Qi fumbled with the door lock and said, "Tomorrow, the number fifteen plaque will hang outside my door. It feels oddly like a brothel from the old society, haha, like I’ll have to advertise my services."

I teased her back, "A madam needs to open her doors for guests, but you three are exclusively my treasures. Even if a sign goes up, only I will be coming to conduct business."

Li Qi giggled, spun around, and clung to me, "Master, if my serving pleases you, remember to patronize me often in the future, won't you?"

With a sharp kick, I slammed the door shut, then ripped open Li Qi's blouse. A breast burst free from its confines with a soft thud, trembling enticingly. Li Qi closed her eyes, a smile playing on her lips, "Oh, my Master, if you are this rough every time, I won't have enough clothes left for you to tear. If you want to play, you should take the rest off first."

I gripped her breast hard, pulling it severely out of shape. "When did you become such a good manager of resources? You weren't like this before."

Li Qi let out a long, satisfying breath. "That feels so good. A little harder, please. I'm your wife now, after all; I can't be wasteful. Lots of sisters are watching me. Skip the gentleness this time, push harder, yes, squeeze! Husband, please—it's been so long. Surely you haven't forgotten what I like, have you?"

How could I forget what this beautiful deviant adored? The last time we played, she was barely recognizable afterward, requiring treatment from Hua Qingqing. Now that Hua Qingqing was also among my women, tending to such needs was infinitely more convenient.

"Do you have any fun gadgets in your room?"

Li Qi purred suggestively, "I do, just waiting for you, Master. Do you prefer a whip, the tiger bench, or freshly brewed chili water? If you want to try the human candle, I'll surrender to that too."

In truth, I had been playing cautiously, but Li Qi’s relentless teasing and encouragement soon wore me down. Before long, I had exhausted her; those D-cup globes had swollen almost a full size larger, and her backside was painfully crimson.

Li Qi retreated to the corner of the bed, biting her lip. "Come to me now, husband. I need you. Starting today, I am officially a woman of the Zhao family. You must treat me 'well' from now on, okay?"

Having such a siren around, I was bound to be corrupted sooner or later. Perhaps if I introduced her to the intense side of pleasure early on, it might correct her masochistic tendencies. Adopting the mindset of a doctor seeking a cure, I climbed onto Li Qi. Since she clearly craved pain, I figured there was no need for delicacy this first time; a proper tempest would suffice.

...

When the other women returned, I was already watching television in the living room. Hua Qingqing was most concerned about Li Qi. "Where is Qiqi? Did you two have a spat? Why aren't you in her room?"

I pointed upstairs toward the bedroom. "She's asleep. She told everyone not to wake her until morning."

Hua Qingqing, well aware of Li Qi's tastes, said with slight apprehension, "I’ll sneak up and check." She moved toward the circular staircase in the center of the living room and ascended to the fourth floor. Moments later, she returned, smiling, and sat beside me.

"Husband, perhaps you were a bit too rough? Qiqi's 'three points' are completely ravaged. It’s terrifying."

I wrapped my arm around Hua Qingqing while watching the screen. "I call that giving the client what she wants. Besides, Qiqi provoked me. I believe this experience will satisfy her for a good while."

Yi Xiaorou came down from the second floor. "Husband, Auntie wants to see you downstairs. She has something to discuss."

Even with my urgency, I couldn't defy my mother's command. I reluctantly headed downstairs, but before leaving, Su Xue winked suggestively at me—she was next on the agenda. Tonight’s mission looked arduous.

What I hadn't anticipated was my mother detaining me for a near-all-night session of 'ideological guidance.' The core of her talk was that my collection of women was growing too large, and I was reaching an age where I should seriously consider marriage and starting a family, rather than continuing this spree of 'play.'

When I went to find Su Xue, I learned that shortly after their return, Xu Chen had called; she had caught a cold. Su Xue and Ouyang Qing, worried sick, had returned to Longteng University to stay with her. What to do now? I certainly couldn't assign the 16th slot to someone else; Su Xue would be upset. Forget it for now; after all, over a dozen other girls were waiting for my comfort. I’d attend to other matters first.

I rushed back to Liangshan the next morning. The county seat was in an uproar. Someone had learned the previous night that high-ranking government officials were being placed under investigation, and this morning it was confirmed they had been arrested. Firecrackers and drums erupted everywhere; it was a scene perhaps rivaled only by the Lunar New Year celebrations.

That afternoon, the appointment letter signed directly by the Central Committee arrived. Thus, the youngest County Magistrate in Liangshan's history was born. Shimen City dispatched a new Secretary to Liangshan, though this comrade now understood that Magistrate Zhao was not to be trifled with; his role was purely supportive.

As for the former Magistrate Zhao, given his voluntary confession and active cooperation, supplemented by treating me to a month’s worth of meals, his punishment was waived. However, he could no longer hold the position of Magistrate. He was transferred out of Liangshan to a minor post elsewhere. As he left, the old man profusely thanked me and Zhou Qiang, because those awaiting judgment—Secretary Ma and Xie Sen—were likely facing the death penalty.

A week later, the 'Qingshan Lushui' (Green Mountain Clear Water) brand beverages from the Liangshan Beverage Factory were loaded onto trucks, heading out of Liangshan toward Shimen and the provincial capital. Although the trademark name was rather lengthy, it captured Liangshan’s essence, so I offered no further objection.

Simultaneously, the hot spring sanatorium and rural tourism projects commenced large-scale construction. Liangshan wasn't exactly close to the surrounding major cities, but Fang Yanmeng had brought up a proposal: the Heavy Industry Group under Earth Energy would soon begin independently manufacturing simplified versions of the Feilong (Flying Dragon) line of vehicles. These products wouldn't be sold externally, reserved only for Earth Energy's internal transport companies. Once deployed in the surrounding cities, reaching Liangshan would take mere minutes. Liangshan, a small city with no pollution and an environment improving daily, coupled with cheap fares, would certainly draw the tourists.

I considered that certain high-tech products should perhaps be released to the outside world. With the Dragon Women now here, our technology had leaped forward significantly. Although their technology from six millennia ago didn't appear highly advanced, after six thousand years, combined with the data recovered from the Mercury Civilization aboard the lunar spaceship—which was far more extensive than the fragments remaining in Xiao Hui’s memory banks—the Dragon Women's dedicated research had pushed their advancements far beyond ours. Otherwise, I wouldn't be seeing this flawless, colossal lunar spaceship today; the one I cobbled together six thousand years ago was merely shoddy construction, barely capable of achieving flight.

The ban Red Dragon had imposed on other nations exploring the moon was rescinded at the Dragon Women's suggestion. At the time, I was concerned for the Dragon Women, but now the situation had passed. Even if those foreigners returned to the moon, with their current technology, they wouldn't achieve anything substantial for another hundred years, so there was no need to pay them any mind.

The incident involving the US secretly launching a space shuttle also gradually cooled down, destined to be forgotten soon enough. The existing Mutants and the few remaining Saintesses were kept under surveillance; if they remained quiet, they would be left alone, but if they made a move, they would be eliminated instantly! Their leader was dead; they wouldn't dare attempt much.

However, this entire affair turned out to be a boon for the Hua Group Pharmaceuticals—or rather, for me. Prince Wells’s mutated illness was cured, and soon, wealthy officials and magnates flocked to the area. Hua Qingqing began accepting money so fast her hands were sore. Vast amounts of private wealth were converging in her hands. Even if I agreed to treat people for free, Hua Qingqing wouldn't allow it; her shrewdness was apparent back when she bought my snake pearl.

Liangshan’s situation improved daily. As workers received their monthly wages punctually, they began spending, leading to the enrichment of many small, independent business owners. Soon, the workers Ouyang Qian had left in Liangshan were recalled, and the beverage factory was completely handed over to Sun Caiwu. Under his careful management, the factory settled into proper operation.

Various related industries followed, but heavy industry was explicitly excluded from Liangshan’s development plan. The future of Liangshan was to be rooted in green and natural resources, and this was already taking shape. More villagers moved down from the mountains; with improved economic conditions, they no longer needed to rely on the land for sustenance. The increased population density was manageable for the county seat. Slopes and terraces were converted back to forests, planted with trees and grass, creating an environment far more suitable for human settlement. Liangshan had taken a major step toward green development; the water scarcity issue was confined only to the mountains, a problem naturally solved by relocating the villagers.

Liang Kuan and Xie Lei proved truly cunning, hiding deeper after realizing the massive upheaval in Liangshan County, secretly gathering strength for revenge. Unfortunately for them, Zhu Da and Cai Bao'er held ranks too high, and soon these groups were unearthed. The once-invincible titans of Liangshan vanished as quietly as smoke.

Scar and his crew were now the sole focus in that realm, but they knew exactly whose power lay behind everything. After training under Zhu Da, they were reluctantly integrated into the Brotherhood Alliance, forming a branch chapter in Shimen. Their future direction would be guided by Zhu Da; I no longer needed to be involved.

With Liangshan's growth and the influence of the backing power, my position rotated like a spinning top—from County Magistrate to Shimen City, then to the Provincial Government, and finally settling in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Director of the Department of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Overseas Chinese Affairs. I had finally returned to the capital, ending the agony of separation from my loved ones, just as the year drew to a close.

Yun Yao returned to the capital and moved in with her mother on the second floor, becoming neighbors with my parents and Zhang Xiaoya's father. She should have occupied Room 14 on the fourth floor, but she dared not mention it to her mother, especially since her mother was already distressed by the knowledge of my dozen-plus girlfriends.

Fortunately, she moved her belongings into Fang Yanmeng’s old bed. While Zhao Hui was away, I could often sneak into their dormitory for a visit. Zhou Ni was destined to be my wife anyway, so I didn't mind if she caught me there.