Chapter 198: Shares, and the Magnanimity to Think Big

Qiu Feng’s expression as he faced Bian Changxi was calm—so calm it was almost elegant and gentle—but Bian Changxi felt a chill run through her.

She was very perceptive. She could tell that, each time, this man liked her less and less. From his earlier, more direct displays of displeasure, to his subtle sarcasm and veiled warnings, and now to this completely unreadable calm, she only felt a deeper sense of unease.

It wasn’t exactly fear, but more the wariness that comes from knowing “a dog that bites doesn’t bark.” This man was Gu Xu’s right-hand man, his sworn brother through life and death. If he simply had an issue with her, that was fine. But if he ever decided to act on any ill intentions—set her up or something—that would be a huge problem. If he vented his dissatisfaction openly, it would be easier to deal with, but when he hid it so deeply, it was impossible not to stay on guard.

After thinking it over, Bian Changxi decided she’d better try to get on his good side, or at least figure out exactly what his problem with her was. That way, she could be more careful in the future. This kind of inexplicable tension was really unpleasant.

Qiu Feng was momentarily surprised. “Then I’ll trouble you, Miss Bian. We’ll need tables—preferably desks, to keep things formal. All the notebooks and pens for record-keeping, Zhou Yiyan.”

Zhou Yiyan, hearing her name called, hurried off and came back with a stack of notebooks and a container of pens.

The others brought out the large water tanks they’d prepared, then mineral water jugs, white plastic barrels of fifty and twenty liters, smaller sealed containers, and scooping tools.

Following Qiu Feng’s instructions, Bian Changxi set up a desk every so many meters, with two water element users on either side, along with water tanks and buckets. The workers scooping and filling the water wore disinfected clothing, plastic gloves, and masks, standing ready. There were ten such setups. Inside the shop, the water distribution process was even more refined. Then Zhou Yiyan stepped forward and loudly read out the opening speech she’d prepared—of course, it had been revised to include the promotional offers.

When people realized this was a real, large-scale water plant selling cheap water, they got excited. At Zhou Yiyan’s signal, the water element users began pouring water into the tanks, and the workers started filling the drinking water jugs with funnels. Each water element user needed three workers to help. Since there weren’t enough staff, members of the hunting team were roped in as extra hands.

Seeing how well it was organized, and with the crowd being hyped up, people surged forward to buy water. After Zhou Yiyan emphasized that the first fifty customers would get eight liters free, and the first hundred would get special deals, people rushed to the front, pushing and shoving. The scene was as lively as expected—so much so that it was hard to keep track of who was in the first fifty or hundred.

Adjusting the specific procedures was Zhou Yiyan’s headache. Behind each desk stood someone to record the water amounts and handle payments, but even so, everyone was swamped. The whole street was in an uproar, packed so tightly you could barely move.

Gu Xu watched from one of the few quiet corners, instructing people to maintain order. He sent people to the ends of the street to keep an eye out, warning incoming cars and pedestrians that there would be a traffic jam for a while and suggesting they take a detour if possible.

But Bian Changxi suspected this was just another way to spread the word.

She started calculating in her mind again. Today, even the highest price for water was only one white core for eight liters—half the usual rate, not to mention the first fifty were free, and the rest got 40–65% discounts. She seriously doubted they’d make any money today. And don’t be fooled by the hunting team members working for “free”—after a tough hunt, they were dragged in to help with this, which was exhausting. Gu Xu would definitely compensate them, whether with money or a good meal, and that all cost resources.

She felt a pang of heartache for the money.

Gu Xu noticed her looking troubled and asked why. Bian Changxi shared her thoughts. Gu Xu smiled, “Since when did you become such a money-grubber?”

Thinking about it, ever since the water plant idea came up, she’d been constantly calculating. Ugh, she really was getting tainted by the stench of money. But she kind of enjoyed it.

“Don’t you think it’s fun to keep track of your own income? Of course, the water plant isn’t mine, but it’s still interesting to do the math.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll earn it all back,” Gu Xu said. “These people all have families—wives, children, elders. Even if we lose a bit now, giving them some benefits is like earning a little extra goodwill on the side.”

Bian Changxi was taken aback. Looking again at the water element users and workers, she realized that, despite their intimidating, battle-hardened appearances, when they were quiet and at ease, they looked like normal people—nothing scary about them. They worked hard and seriously, and some even seemed genuinely happy.

A thought struck her. “All these people you’ve organized—they all have families?”

Gu Xu gave her an approving look. “That’s right. But most only have two or three family members.”

Bian Changxi thought for a moment and sighed. “I used to think your armed team would be a bunch of tough, ruthless types—people who’d been on the run, professional killers. But looking at them now, they’re just ordinary folks with families.”

Her tone sounded disappointed, but in truth, she was deeply impressed.

The truth is, a group of badass loners—guys with nothing to lose—can be fierce and loyal, like the secret organizations in novels and TV shows, where dying is just part of the job. But the problem with desperados is, without attachments, they have no weaknesses. You can’t buy them off, can’t guarantee their loyalty, and you never know when they’ll turn on you. Especially in real life, not like in fiction, subordinates don’t just follow their boss out of some divine sense of duty. Human relationships still matter.

But people with families have attachments and concerns. Their blood ties and conscience keep them grounded. As long as Gu Xu can ensure their families are fed and safe, these people will be loyal to the end. That’s how you build cohesion. And since their families are small—just two or three people—it’s easier to stay mobile. If they need to relocate north, for example, it’s manageable. If everyone had a huge extended family, with old and young, men and women, every time someone went on a mission, they’d be distracted by worries at home. That would be overkill.

So, she really admired Gu Xu. He’d thought of everything. And he had to have immense confidence—his five-thousand-strong hunting team meant he was responsible for ten to twenty thousand people. Arranging for all of them was a massive undertaking.

Just looking at the hunting team showed certain aspects of Gu Xu’s character. This was the kind of vision and capacity needed to achieve great things. In comparison, Bian Changxi reflected that she was only cut out for small-time schemes. No wonder she’d been cannon fodder in her past life.

So, she decided, she’d better cling tightly to this “big thigh” and not overthink things.

Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly felt a heavy, uncomfortable sensation on her forehead. Looking up, she saw a young man with a delicate, almost feminine face staring at her coldly from across the way. His gaze was almost predatory, as if she were the culprit behind eight generations of his family’s bankruptcy.

She frowned, disliking the feeling. The man looked vaguely familiar—she must have seen him in her previous life, but the impression wasn’t strong. She couldn’t possibly remember the names of everyone she’d ever met.

The man, noticing he’d been spotted, didn’t shy away. He strode over, laughing, “Brother Gu, what a great idea you had—pulling together so many people for promotion, running such a professional sale. You’ve completely squeezed out my little business. You really owe me for this!”

His smile matched his delicate features, giving off a sly, sinister vibe—definitely not a good person. Especially the way he called Gu Xu “Brother Gu”—it made Bian Changxi shudder.

Gu Xu, however, remained perfectly calm, nodding slightly in greeting. “Young Master Zhuge, you’re running a water plant here too?”

“Heh, I wouldn’t call it a plant—just a little shop to earn some pocket money. Nothing serious. But with you here, I’ve been squeezed right to the sidelines.”

Bian Changxi instantly understood—this was Young Master Zhuge, probably from the Zhuge Yunma family, the princeling of the Jiangcheng military district.

She glanced at him a few times. His words sounded polite, but he was really accusing Gu Xu of being unscrupulous—opening up shop later, but immediately pushing out his “senior.”

What a shameless guy—he was clearly the one copying them. The traffic jam at the base entrance was probably his doing, too, and now he was playing the victim. Ridiculous. And with that face and attitude, he was definitely trouble.

He turned and caught Bian Changxi’s gaze, then exclaimed in surprise, “So you’re the famous Bian Changxi? I’ve heard all about you—how you saved Uncle Ge’s life with just a single leaf, like some mythical elixir. And I heard the water plant was your idea, too. With your healing skills and business sense, no wonder you turned down our research institute and refused to join us.”

Bian Changxi stared at him coldly.

Gu Xu subtly stepped in front of her, shielding her from Zhuge Qian, and said, “I told Commander Zhuge before—researching zombies is so dangerous, yet he wouldn’t even reveal who proposed the idea. It’s hard to trust someone like that. I’m a selfish coward, not as noble as Commander Zhuge. I could never send one of my own into the tiger’s den.”

“You—”

He was just short of outright saying that Zhuge Yunma’s offer was a trap.

Zhuge Qian was furious. Gu Xu used to at least keep up appearances, but ever since he’d tricked his father out of a military rank and gotten cozy with that old fox He Ge Jianhua, he’d stopped caring what anyone thought. Now, even his water business had been ruined by Gu Xu. It was infuriating.

His eyes flickered as he looked at Bian Changxi again. “Miss Bian, you’re the one who spearheaded this water plant, right? This is a gold mine! What kind of reward did Major Gu give you?”

Bian Changxi found him extremely annoying. What was the point of all this verbal sparring?

Expressionless, she replied, “I just made a small suggestion. I’m grateful it was adopted at all—I hardly led the project.”

Zhuge Qian put on a regretful face, as if he felt sorry for her. He was about to say something when Gu Xu interjected, “How could there be no reward?” He smiled at Bian Changxi. “I forgot to tell you—the water plant is set up as a joint-stock company, and you own ten percent. I don’t know much about the specifics, but I’ll have Zhou Yiyan draw up a contract for you later.”

“Huh?”

“You all worked hard to get the water plant running. Everyone should have a share. Commander Ge helped a lot, too—I plan to give him some shares as well. Otherwise, when the money starts rolling in, it’ll be hard to handle.”