Chapter 128: How’s Er Kui Doing Lately?

For a split second just now, An Nan really thought Gu Zhiyu had some kind of unbelievable superpower.

But she was overthinking it.

Still, what he said wasn’t wrong.

Isn’t this base all about letting whoever’s the most capable live in the inner circle villas?

And what counts as “capability”?

Nothing more than resources, combat power, and special skills.

Gu Zhiyu’s strength was beyond question. As a big shot in business, he lacked everything but resources.

Seeing that An Nan had finished asking her questions, Gu Zhiyu started to turn the tables.

“And you? Who are you here to kill this time?”

An Nan: …

Was this man a worm in her stomach or something? He even knew she was here to kill someone.

And why did he have to say “again”?

It’s not like she was some kind of psycho killer!

It’s just that every time they met, he happened to catch her in the act…

An Nan cleared her throat, not planning to tell him the truth. She just brushed it off casually:

“It’s not like I have to kill anyone… I just got bored at home and wanted a change of scenery.”

Gu Zhiyu lifted his phoenix eyes at her words, giving her a cool, sidelong glance.

This sly little fox.

She’d asked him so many questions and he’d answered every one.

But now that it was her turn, she started dodging and joking around.

He lowered his head, stopped looking at her, and gently stroked the fur on Fugui’s head.

No matter. Now that they were living in the same building, he’d have plenty of chances to figure out what she was up to.

Seeing Gu Zhiyu’s “I know you’re lying, but I can’t be bothered to call you out” look, An Nan coughed and changed the subject.

“Fugui! Stop clinging to him and get down!”

The dog looked perfectly content, lying in Gu Zhiyu’s arms. Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was its owner.

An Nan felt a little jealous.

This silly, disloyal dog!

Hearing his master’s scolding, Fugui reluctantly sat up in Gu Zhiyu’s arms, then got down and walked over to her, looking back longingly.

At least he was obedient.

An Nan felt a bit better, clipped on the leash, said goodbye to Gu Zhiyu, and headed upstairs with Fugui.

Back in her place, she locked the door, took off the dog’s leash, and was about to change into something more comfortable.

But suddenly, the dog started following her around, chattering non-stop.

“Woof woof, woof woof woof woof!”

Sister Nan, I smelled that handsome guy’s scent on the road—he was following us!

“Woof woof woof woof?”

Did you notice?

An Nan stared at the dog, speechless at its endless barking.

What was it even saying?

She quietly moved away. “Shoo, shoo! What’s with all the barking?”

Fugui stomped his paw.

Why couldn’t she understand a word he was saying!

So he tried a different approach, using body language to get his point across.

He barked twice toward the downstairs, then twice at An Nan, and then crept around sneakily.

An Nan got it: “You mean, you want to sneak downstairs to find Gu Zhiyu?”

She immediately flicked him on the forehead. “You lovestruck fool, behave yourself!”

She checked to make sure the door was locked.

Fugui: …

An Nan ignored him, changed clothes, washed up, and put a face mask on.

Then she took a rocking chair out of her storage space, settled in comfortably, and put on some soft music.

Ignored, Fugui let out a little whine and went back to his bed.

If his master didn’t get it, so be it. That handsome guy didn’t seem to mean any harm anyway.

He could sense the man’s aura was calm and peaceful.

Meanwhile, Hou Jianming and Zhu Dazhuang were gathered in a villa, listening to their subordinates’ reports.

Zhu Dazhuang sat with his arms crossed, listening intently.

Hou Jianming, sitting at the head, had his eyes half-closed, looking like he was about to fall asleep.

But if you looked closely, you’d see his hand was always at his waist, ready to draw his gun at any moment.

When the reports were done and the subordinates left, Zhu Dazhuang asked,

“Boss, the base population is up to two thousand now. Should we keep bringing people in?”

Hou Jianming opened his eyes. “Yes! Numbers, to a certain extent, represent the strength of the base.”

Zhu Dazhuang hesitated. “But the more people we have, the more resources we burn through…”

Hou Jianming: “No problem. We can keep squeezing the outer residents’ living space. As long as the inner circle’s quality of life is maintained, that’s all that matters.”

He curled his lip in disdain. “Those useless people outside are just for show anyway. They make us look stronger, serve as cannon fodder, and in the end…”

He paused, then continued, “At least they’re being put to use.”

Zhu Dazhuang thought for a moment and nodded. “You’re right, boss.”

Hou Jianming took a pair of walnuts from his pocket, rolling them in his hand as he asked,

“Besides that rich guy who moved in today, any other new talents in the inner circle?”

“There’s one more, also arrived today. A 22-year-old girl, in good shape, came alone, has a car, and brought a pet dog.”

Hou Jianming straightened up, clearly interested.

“Oh? What’s her name?”

“An Meili.”

“An Meili…” He repeated the name to himself, committing it to memory.

In times like these, a woman traveling alone who can survive unscathed is impressive enough, but she even has a dog! He wouldn’t chalk that up to luck—this girl must be something special.

He pursed his lips and asked, “How’s the dog?”

“According to the guys, it’s fat and muscular.”

Hou Jianming smiled in satisfaction. “Good. Find a chance to test her skills.”

Zhu Dazhuang nodded. “Got it, boss!”

Hou Jianming relaxed back in his chair and asked, “How’s your brother Er Kui doing lately?”

Zhu Dazhuang’s usually serious face softened into a smile.

“I just talked to him the day before yesterday. The kid’s taken over three or four neighborhoods, collecting protection rations, living pretty well these days.”

Hou Jianming rolled his walnuts and curled his lip.

“Three or four neighborhoods, big deal! You should tell him to come over here sooner. We control the whole Jing’an District now—doesn’t that beat whatever he’s got going on?

In less than three years, the whole city of Linbei will be ours! He could be our number three here, living the good life!”

Zhu Dazhuang agreed, “I think so too, but he just can’t let go of his brothers…”

Hou Jianming chuckled. “No matter! Once we expand to another villa district, we’ll move all the residents from his neighborhood over here.”

He didn’t actually care about those residents—he just wanted to absorb Er Kui’s hundred-plus loyal, able-bodied men.

Bringing them in would take the base’s strength to a whole new level.

Zhu Dazhuang understood and said, “When Er Kui comes to see me next month, I’ll have a good talk with him.”

After chatting a bit more, Zhu Dazhuang got up and left.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, An Nan suddenly heard the sound of a loudspeaker playing on a loop outside."