Chapter 26: Paving the Way

The three of them felt their heart sink after hearing this. “Yanming, what do you need these for? Did something happen?”

Shen Yanming fell silent, pursing his lips. After a moment of internal struggle, he said, “Things haven’t been peaceful in Europa these past two years. I always feel like something big is going to happen.”

“Not peaceful? The news didn’t say anything!” Li Zhaozhao frowned.

“Fatty, are you stupid?” Ji Kangyong said, unable to maintain his usual smile. “If something really happens, they wouldn’t announce it on the news.”

“Could it be the end of the world?” Zhang Heping’s words shocked the others.

“How is that possible?”

“Zhang Heping, are you crazy?”

“Zhang Heping definitely has delusions!”

“Yanming, what do you think?”

Li Zhaozhao and Ji Kangyong focused their gazes back on Shen Yanming. He sighed, “I’m not sure either, but I noticed some unsettling developments in Europa. It’s just a gut feeling.”

Li Zhaozhao and Ji Kangyong fell silent. Zhang Heping spoke up, “No matter what, we’ll help you with this. We know that if you really wanted these things, you wouldn’t need us at all. I’ll pretend I never heard this, and you two should too. If anyone dares to let it slip, I won’t acknowledge you as my brother.”

“I’m not ungrateful either. Yanming, thank you!” Ji Kangyong thanked him sincerely.

“Don’t worry, this conversation ends here. Spreading it won’t do any of us any good!” Li Zhaozhao nodded.

“Kangyong and Zhaozhao, when you prepare the items, prepare a set for me too. No, let’s each get four sets. Try to follow normal processes as much as possible, recording the accounts under other units to avoid suspicion.”

“Although we don’t know what will happen, let’s start finding a safe place to store some survival supplies,” Zhang Heping said after a moment of thought.

“Right, we’re not short on money anyway. It’s best if nothing happens, but at least we’ll be prepared if it does,” Li Zhaozhao agreed, his chubby cheeks jiggling.

“Mm, looks like I need to find a way to move out.” Ji Kangyong’s mood became heavy.

“Your family is a mess. Living on your own would be better, at least it’ll be peaceful for you.” Zhang Heping looked at Ji Kangyong with sympathy.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that for now. Everyone, be careful to keep it secret. Oh, I brought you gifts.” Shen Yanming quickly changed the topic, seeing they were about to discuss Ji family’s matters.

“What is it?” Li Zhaozhao perked up at the mention of gifts.

“Here!” Shen Yanming opened the box in the corner of the private room and took out the plastic bags inside. “A bag of fresh peaches for each of you. This big bro and your sister-in-law just bought them at the orchard yesterday!”

“Damn, Shen Yanming, you’re taking advantage of me. I’m clearly older than you!” Zhang Heping got riled up as soon as he heard this.

“Zhang Heping, you idiot, is your brain filled with water? You can’t even grasp the main point. Shen Yanming, hurry up and tell everyone who you got together with!” Ji Kangyong abandoned any pretense of his gentlemanly image.

“Qiao’an and I are together now!” Shen Yanming’s face lit up with a blissful smile.

“That little girl is still so young. Wasn’t Bi Qiao’an your sister?” Li Zhaozhao had seen Bi Qiao’an before—petite and skinny.

“My child bride, finally grown up!” Shen Yanming didn’t care about their comments. His own happiness was all that mattered.

“Congratulations, bro! Never thought you’d be a cradle robber!” Zhang Heping patted his shoulder and sighed with emotion.

“You guys should find someone soon too. A bunch of thirty-something-year-old bachelors without even a girlfriend.” Shen Yanming mocked them without holding back.

“I like girls with curves. Not everyone is like you, liking a beanpole!” Although Li Zhaozhao was fat, he was rich and had dated his share of beautiful girlfriends.

“Alright, alright, I’m not going to banter with you guys anymore. I’m going home to be with my wife.” With that, Shen Yanming stood up, waved his hand, and walked out of the private room.

Sitting in the car, he lost his relaxed demeanor. Motionless, he was consumed by self-doubt.

Was it really right to tell them?

In his previous life, he didn’t know how his friends had fared. Now, he had a chance. If he encountered them in trouble, could he turn a blind eye?

But now that he had hinted at them, could he guarantee his and Bi Qiao’an’s safety? 

He decided to forget it and let time give him the answer.

Shen Yanming exhaled deeply and drove home

When he arrived home, he found Bi Qiao’an practicing interview answers in front of the mirror. Without a word, he hugged her tightly from behind.

Sensing his subdued mood, she asked, “What’s wrong? You seem unhappy?”

He was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, “Qiao’an, what if I did something wrong?”

Her heart sank. “What did you do?” Was there another woman?

“I had lunch with Zhang Heping, Ji Kangyong, and Li Zhaozhao earlier,” he explained, “and I kind of hinted that they should… prepare some supplies.”

Bi Qiao’an fell silent. She didn’t expect Shen Yanming to leak information to others.

“Are they trustworthy?” Bi Qiao’an felt a chill run down her spine as she asked uneasily.

Shen Yanming felt like he had made a mistake. He didn’t expect Bi Qiao’an to be so scared. “I don’t know. They went to school with me since we were young. When I first started working, they helped me a lot.”

He pursed his lips. “Moreover, Zhang Heping is an excellent doctor, Ji Kangyong is an outstanding police officer, and Li Zhaozhao is no simpleton either.”

Bi Qiao’an understood—Shen Yanming was paving the way for them and finding potential allies!

She looked into Shen Yanming’s eyes and said firmly, “I believe in your choices. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together! I hope they live up to your trust. But even if they betray you, don’t be afraid. I’ll accompany you to wander the world or be imprisoned with you, it doesn’t matter. This life is already a gift from the heavens.”

He hugged her tightly. His Qiao’an was truly the best. No woman could compare to her!

“Oh, and there’s been a change in my space!” She patted his back, hoping her words would cheer him up.

“Really? Let’s check it out!” He closed the curtains and doors before letting her pull him into the planting space.

A remarkable sight greeted them. The saplings they’d planted only yesterday now stood much taller, branches heavy with thick clusters of flowers.

“My god, they’re growing too fast!” he said, stunned. “With so many flowers, should we thin them out?”

Bi Qiao’an shook her head. “I’m not sure, but if they’ve grown this way, there must be a reason. Let’s observe them a bit longer. We can take action if it seems they’re not getting enough nutrients.”

“Okay!” After glancing around, he asked, “Qiao’an, do you feel like the space has gotten… bigger?”