My Notoriety Spreads Throughout the World

Chapter 575 500: The Season Before the Maple Leaves Fall

"Yes, the simulated war zone."

"Blindly launching a full-scale assault is clearly not a wise decision. We're already on the edge of a cliff, and any mistake in judgment could be fatal.

"I understand what this means to the Chichu Family, to the families of millions of soldiers, and to everyone in Chichu Heaven. I understand how a single decision from me could affect countless lives."

Xu Xiaoyou could feel the heavy pressure and responsibility that the young man bore on his shoulders. He was not very old, probably not even thirty, when he rose to power through a coup, but had to face external skepticism and greedy eyes as he took the seat of the Patriarch and appeared at major public occasions.

Chichu Qiu said, "Therefore, before launching a full-scale attack, I want to project the Four Great Tower Cities onto the Oasis and have our soldiers stationed there to engage in several simulated battles. This would allow us to explore more strategies and possibilities, ensuring that when the real war comes, we're prepared for more variables and unexpected situations."

"Of course, I also intend to do this," Xu Xiaoyou replied.

Chichu Qiu's face showed hesitation, then an evident joy that quickly vanished, replaced by calm.

Others could hardly catch this change, but Xu Xiaoyou saw it clearly.

"May I ask the reason for this intention?" Chichu Qiu asked tentatively after a moment's contemplation.

"The scenery in Chichu Heaven is beautiful," Xu Xiaoyou replied.

"This..."

Thinking for a moment, Xu Xiaoyou added, "Your sister is quite adorable."

She couldn't just say these were stages of a favorability plot, could she?

"Is that so?" Chichu Qiu's expression froze on his face. "Xiaochun is indeed quite interesting."

He had long heard that Cleaners of the Light Prism Tier often had peculiar temperaments. Originally, for today's negotiation, he had prepared many maneuvers, but didn't expect the other party to agree directly.

This significantly improved Chichu Qiu's impression of the blonde girl.

Before arriving, the people around him had told him that the Dark Gold Rose is someone who never rises early without profit and is extremely scheming.

There's an old saying, "Seeing is believing." It seems those rumors are false and need further scrutiny.

At this moment, Chichu Chun returned with tea, respectfully placing two cups in front of Xu Xiaoyou and Chichu Qiu, blinking before stepping back to stand aside.

"You two continue chatting, don't mind me."

"Dark Gold Rose, don't you have any requirements to propose?"

Silence turned the atmosphere somewhat strange, and eventually, Chichu Qiu couldn't resist breaking the stalemate:

"Dark Gold Rose, don't you have any requirements to propose? I can fulfill them to the best of my ability."

In reality, Xu Xiaoyou was already free from desire, wealthy beyond measure. Once assets reach a certain level, money grows even while lying still. She could draw cards anytime and show me the money, multiplying the draws a hundredfold, transforming into a cash warrior.

If you're not in the Fifth Tier, don't bother.

What, no Divine Gift? She thought you're Exhausted then, go talk to her with your Fireball Bombardment.

As for power, if Xu Xiaoyou wanted, she could become the principal of the Star of Art anytime; it was her back garden.

Sorry, with money and influence, she could really do whatever she wanted.

Yet Xu Xiaoyou still said:

"Let's discuss interests after the league concludes. If the Patriarch Chichu is willing to use resources to promote the Light Chasing Garden's league road, that would be great."

Chichu Qiu's face relaxed slightly, letting out a breath as he nodded in agreement.

Xu Xiaoyou wasn't really interested in money anymore; even if a mountain of money were piled before her, it wouldn't be as appealing as the Federation Shield in Chichu Chun's small treasury account.

This suggestion was simply to alleviate the other's concerns. Sometimes, binding through interest is more reliable than friendship.

"In that case, thank you, Dark Gold Rose."

With that, Chichu Qiu stood up.

At this moment, he turned his gaze to Chichu Chun.

"To be honest, I have a second task for this visit."

"Xiaochun, it's time for you to return home."

"The league will continue as normal, but during the break, you'll need to accompany me to the Nightmare Tower City's military district."

Chichu Chun instinctively looked at Xu Xiaoyou, feeling suddenly empty inside, and immediately questioned: "Why?"

"You clearly promised you'd respect my choice and wait until I finished school before letting me take on these responsibilities..."

While speaking, Chichu Chun's voice slowly shrank until it was almost inaudible.

Of course, she knew the current situation of Chichu Heaven and understood she had grown up, and couldn't be willful as before. She knew how heavy the burden on the young man's shoulders was, but when the day really came, she felt inexplicably empty and uneasy.

After this farewell, it might be many years before seeing each other in reality again.

"I'm sorry, Xiaochun. If possible, I would also like to wait until you're a bit more mature, wishing for you to be just like a normal peer, having a more complete life puzzle," Chichu Qiu said with a stern demeanor.

"But remember, the puzzle of life is inherently incomplete, just like people longing for light at night, or people in snow longing for warmth and spring. Ordinary people can't see the grandeur of the world, and we can't live in peace. Before the maple leaves fall each year, families of soldiers hope their children can return home."

"They also long for reunion, living a peaceful and stable life, not letting one's own willfulness make others' already incomplete lives more regrettable."

"Why can't I just be an ordinary girl?" Chichu Chun whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "Everyone says I'm the young master of Chichu Heaven, but since birth, I've had to carry such a heavy burden, without any freedom of my own."

"Precisely because you're the young master of the Chichu Family, you must assume more responsibility and mission. I've never endorsed the principle of survival of the fittest," Chichu Qiu said. "Those in high positions enjoy privileges, and when crisis comes, they must stand up and bear the mission to protect others."

"The blood of the strong should flow for the weak."

"Of course, if you're not ready, I can wait another half month..."

"No need." Chichu Chun fiercely wiped away tears, "You're making it sound like I'm so insensible."

Her eyes reddened as she looked at Xu Xiaoyou, sneering with a forced, awkward smile: "I told you not to say those unlucky words. Look, you jinxed it, right?"

"I'm heading back. From now on, no one will play tricks in front of you, no one will pester you with silly nonsense. No one will wrap Sichuan pepper in meat for you, no one will hand you mustard-covered cookies, and no one will force you to eat bitter melon-flavored ice cream..."

"And don't keep such a stern face every day. Smile when you should, even a silly grin is fine."

Xu Xiaoyou shook her head without saying anything.

"Really, you couldn't wait for me to leave, right? I'm going to grab a gun and shoot bugs. Actually, I've wanted to do this for a long time, playing games is nothing."

Chichu Chun breathed deeply as if mustering strength to give it all to the world. She waved her limbs, frightening young people with flowers to step aside. Xu Xiaoyou watched her run into the golden autumn scenery, into a shimmering light. The girl's laughter carried by the brisk autumn breeze.

"Watch out, You!"

"I will bring more people home before the maple leaves fall!"