Liu Hui was ecstatic because the colossal copper deposit discovered by Xiao Hei was immense in scale.

Under Xiao Hei’s precise scanning, the massive copper vein was found to stretch eighty kilometers in length and forty kilometers in width, plunging downward so deeply into the earth’s crust that even Xiao Hei’s three-kilometer sensory range could not ascertain its total depth.

This monumental copper field would be the largest subsea mining site Star Group had ever uncovered. The previous massive iron ore deposit was only fifty kilometers long and ten kilometers wide. Calculated purely by surface area, this colossal copper deposit spanned an area six times greater than that of the giant iron mine.

What made Liu Hui even happier was that this enormous copper deposit was not singular; it was interlaced with substantial reserves of tungsten, tin, aluminum, and other associated minerals. This meant that the sheer variety and volume of ores within this single giant deposit could satisfy the construction needs of "Star City" for a considerable duration. The raw material crisis for "Star City" had been perfectly resolved.

Liu Hui swiftly commanded Xiao Hei to log the coordinates of this super-deposit before resuming their voyage back toward "Star City."

A wave of emotion washed over Liu Hui. His sole purpose for venturing out was to have Xiao Hei conduct mineral exploration on the South Pacific seabed. Unexpectedly, instead of finding ore, he had been hijacked by the American military and transported to the Antarctic continent. Just when he managed to escape the ice and began directing Xiao Hei back, expecting the South Pacific exploration to be postponed, Xiao Hei stumbled upon this staggering mineral reserve. Truly, the effort put in yielded nothing, while the unintended action blossomed into unexpected success.

Discovering such a massive deposit filled Liu Hui with immense joy. If he hadn't been so deeply concerned about the safety of "Star City," this would have been the happiest day he’d experienced in a long time.

Xiao Hei continued its steady progress, passing various island nations of Oceania along the way. After they swam past the Mariana Islands, they were less than two hundred kilometers from "Star City." By this time, it was already local evening.

Liu Hui was anxious to return and urged Xiao Hei to increase speed. However, after advancing barely fifty kilometers, Xiao Hei detected a large submarine lurking beneath the ocean surface.

Liu Hui started, immediately ordering Xiao Hei to approach the vessel silently. Using Xiao Hei’s acute sensory capabilities, Liu Hui quickly identified it as an American Los Angeles-class fast attack nuclear submarine.

Liu Hui was deeply startled. He couldn't fathom why an American nuclear submarine was stationed here, as this area was already within the established defense perimeter of "Star City." Had something truly gone wrong aboard "Star City"?

Concern began to weigh heavily on Liu Hui. He kept Xiao Hei moving forward, meticulously observing their surroundings. He spotted several unidentified reconnaissance aircraft in the sky, followed by numerous large warships on the surface, and even more submarines submerged beneath them.

Liu Hui focused his sensing abilities and determined that these aircraft, warships, and submarines belonged to five different nations: the United States, Japan, Russia, Huaxia, and the Philippines. His worry for "Star City" intensified; what calamity could have occurred there to warrant the naval fleets of five countries encircling it?

Finally reaching "Star City," Liu Hui remained seated on Xiao Hei’s back, stealthily approaching from underwater until they were near the dock where his seaplane had launched. Just as Liu Hui prepared to surface, a sudden intuition struck him; he ordered Xiao Hei to swim a kilometer to the right before breaching the surface.

When he finally broke the water, Liu Hui realized the sky was completely dark, and the beach was deserted. As he waded onto the shore and found his footing, he heard a sharp gasp. He turned to see a slender figure standing beneath a large tree, staring at him in stunned silence.

Liu Hui started, then recognized the thin silhouette as Anqi. The moment Anqi saw him, she seemed unable to trust her own eyes. She vigorously rubbed them, and when she confirmed that Liu Hui was truly standing before her, she suddenly rushed toward him.

Liu Hui offered a wry, internal smile and made no move to evade her. Anqi launched herself into his arms, then erupted into loud sobs. As she cried, she simultaneously struck him repeatedly on his chest.

"Damn you, Liu Hui, stinking Liu Hui, where did you run off to without a word? Why are you only coming back now? Do you have any idea how much I missed you? I almost thought I’d never see you again. Waaah…"

A sudden surge of tenderness bloomed in Liu Hui’s heart. What could be more moving than the safety of a girl who missed him so dearly? He allowed Anqi to strike him, then gently drew her into an embrace, murmuring softly, "Anqi, I've returned safely, haven't I?"

Anqi cried out, "You rotten fellow, leaving without a sound! Do you know how worried I was?"

Liu Hui smiled. "I know, I know everything. My Anqi cares about me the most."

Anqi lifted her tear-streaked face. "Do you truly understand what my heart feels for you?"

Liu Hui smiled. "Of course, I do." He then cupped Anqi’s face and gently kissed her lips.

As Liu Hui kissed her, Anqi responded in kind. This was the first kiss shared between them since they first met that was born purely from the heart, rather than driven by circumstance. In that kiss, both felt the genuine affection in the other.

Suddenly, a clearing of a throat sounded nearby. Liu Hui flinched and separated from Anqi. Standing there was a woman—A'Xia, the woman from the Eye of the Star who was tasked with protecting Anqi.

A'Xia also seemed relieved. She said, "Boss, I've already notified Boss Desheng that you're back. He said he's coming to fetch you immediately."

Liu Hui nodded, then asked, "Anqi, why are you here?"

Anqi, still savoring the tenderness of the recent kiss, replied happily, "You were gone for eight days, and nobody knew where you went. Other countries’ naval vessels appeared off the coast of 'Star City,' and I was terribly worried about your safety. After learning you flew off from the dock out there using the seaplane, I waited there for your return. But later, that dock was occupied by Lin Yuan's troops, and I couldn't get in, so I waited near the pier. I had a premonition that I would definitely wait here and see you again. I still feel like I’m dreaming that I actually waited long enough!"

Liu Hui lightly pinched Anqi's cheek, smiling. "Anqi, you need to take better care of yourself. Look, after only eight days apart, our Anqi has become so much thinner."

Anqi beamed. "Now that you’re back, I can naturally eat more."

A'Xia interjected, "Boss, Miss Anqi was frantic during the days you were missing. She waited here for you every day, not even going home at night, and ate very little. If you hadn't returned when you did, Miss Anqi would have fallen ill."

"Anqi…" Liu Hui said, genuinely touched.

Just then, a sharp sound of air compression echoed from ahead. Two hovering craft sped in from the distance and suspended themselves before Liu Hui. The hatches opened, and Desheng jumped out. The moment he saw Liu Hui, he exclaimed with emotion, "Boss, you’re finally back…"

Liu Hui laughed. "Desheng, I'm back. Judging by your expression, there's still plenty of work waiting for me!"

Desheng said eagerly, "Boss, it’s good that you’re back. Miss Xian'er and everyone else are waiting for you in the operations center. Please come with me right away!"

Liu Hui turned to Anqi. "Anqi, you and A'Xia go back first. I'll come find you after I finish dealing with things."

Anqi gave him a sweet smile and agreed. Having stayed in this spot for so many days, her body was nearing collapse. Now that she saw Liu Hui safe, the heavy stone in her heart was lifted, only then realizing her body could barely hold on.

Liu Hui boarded Desheng’s craft, speeding toward the operations center of "Star City." The other craft carried Anqi and A'Xia home.

The craft flew at tremendous speed, soon arriving at the command center.

Liu Hui remained silent during the journey, and Desheng kept quiet as well. They pushed open the door to the operations command center one after the other, immediately seeing most of the key figures of Star Group gathered in the room.

Hu Xian'er looked utterly haggard. The moment she saw Liu Hui appear, tears welled up in her eyes. She gazed at him, a smile touching her lips.

Liu Hui walked over and took her hand. Hu Xian'er finally lost control, leaning her head on his shoulder and weeping uncontrollably. The senior executives of Star Group standing nearby looked relieved, yet their expressions were etched with concern. Normally, upon seeing such a reunion, they would have discreetly withdrawn to give the reconnected couple space. But given the extreme crisis currently facing Star Group, they could not leave.

Hu Xian'er’s emotional surge lasted only a moment before she regained her composure. She said, "Water Buffalo, you’re back. Leave everything here to you to handle!"

Liu Hui squeezed her hand and laughed. "Hard work, my wife. Now it’s up to me!"

Liu Hui turned around and noticed that it wasn't just the top leadership of Star Group aboard "Star City" present; Zhou Tengyun, who should have been at the African base, was also in the room.

Liu Hui bowed to everyone. "Everyone, I sincerely apologize. I encountered some minor trouble during my absence, which caused my late return. Please forgive me."

Jiang Lu spoke up. "Boss, our greatest concern was always your safety. Now that you have returned unharmed, it is the greatest joyous occasion for Star Group."

Liu Hui looked around. "Where is my secretary, Li Lian?"

Desheng stepped forward and whispered softly, "Boss, your secretary Li Lian has committed suicide. She left a suicide note for you before she died."

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～ Thanks to reader: Ambassador for the 588 coin reward and 3 chapters of 6000-word updates! Thanks to readers: Yu Qing and Blue Wind Season for your support! Thank you all. With your support, this book will become even more spectacular! RO