Before the base was built, this was a rugged mountain range with a high elevation. It was located here simply because its proximity to the Source River Dam made for a convenient power supply.
The gold Rhys Chase had was actually all unprocessed ore.
"These were all dug from the mines. Most of it was used to build the Undercity, and this is what’s left. Gold is very versatile, so I was going to keep it in reserve. But since you want it, take it all."
Gold can serve as an international reserve. Beyond jewelry, it’s resistant to high temperatures and corrosion. Gold-plated glass can block UV rays and solar radiation while providing insulation. It’s also a vital material for manufacturing equipment, as it’s conductive of both electricity and heat, highly ductile, and can be used in electronic devices.
Throughout history, the value of gold has only ever increased.
This remaining gold amounted to at least five tons.
’Five tons. That should be enough to develop the fourth region.’
Ronan Kendrick stored all the gold in his space, and his attitude toward Rhys Chase softened a little.
"Time to go get the medicine."
Rhys Chase’s lips twitched. "A few years ago, when we were trading supplies with the Southward Base, they sent us some Nephrite Jade. Do you want it?"
"Since when are you so generous?"
’Jade can’t expand my space, it just takes up room. A bag of rice would be more useful.’
Rhys Chase suppressed his temper. He couldn’t beat Ronan Kendrick, after all, so he held it in.
"It’s just a bonus. It’s taking up space here anyway. Perhaps Mrs. Kendrick will like it."
Ronan Kendrick nodded. "Take me to see it."
’If it’s a bonus, there’s no reason to refuse.’
’Jade couldn’t expand his space, but it could make Evelyn happy. So why not?’
In another storage room, Ronan Kendrick saw many stones, all uncut. In the corner, a smaller stone had been cut in half, its translucent white jade emitting a soft, warm glow under the light.
"There’s quite a bit more in the storage room next door. Just take it all. These stones are useless to me."
Ronan Kendrick squinted at Rhys Chase. "What do you want?"
"Half a bowl of your blood. You know my bodily functions are deteriorating. I don’t want to die yet."
Ronan Kendrick stared at him for several seconds. "Fine."
Rhys Chase hadn’t expected Ronan Kendrick to agree so readily. "You’re actually willing?"
Half a bowl of blood was nothing to Ronan Kendrick. Every ten years, his body would completely rebuild itself. Although the process was agonizing, as long as he endured it, his body would be reborn, as if his very marrow had been cleansed and his sinews reforged.
"Then I’m not giving it to you."
Rhys Chase was shocked. "You can go back on something you promised?"
"Did I promise? I don’t remember."
"Ronan Kendrick, you... you’re not even human."
"I never was." ’Gene-edited humans are monsters, not really human.’
After collecting the jade, the two went to the old medicine warehouse. A lot of medicine had piled up here. Ronan Kendrick glanced over and saw hydrogen peroxide, headache powder, Analgin...
"The Undercity can’t hold too many supplies, so you should take the excess. We have a contract, and I trust you’re not the kind of petty person who would break their word and flee. I’ll say it again: power in this base is decentralized. Once a major crisis hits, riots are inevitable. Just two days ago, some people flew a plane out to search for a new settlement. Everyone’s guessing the Southern Hemisphere offers our only sliver of hope. The Undercity has oxygen generators, so living inside for several decades is no problem. But what about the outside world? If the sun still hasn’t returned in six months, humanity will face extinction."
Ronan Kendrick nodded. "I understand. So, where’s the plane I asked for?"
Rhys Chase...
"You’re not planning to run, are you?"
"Didn’t you just say it? We have a contract."
"The Undercity is a sphere embedded in the ground, modeled after Azure. If there’s an earthquake or the ground cracks, the Undercity will activate its self-defense system. It can roll, and it can also fly."
Ronan Kendrick gave Rhys Chase a strange look. "You’re telling me all this. Aren’t you afraid I’ll take the Undercity for myself?"
Rhys Chase chuckled. "Only I know how to operate the Undercity. It would be useless to you even if you took it. Actually, its principles are similar to a space station’s."
"It can fly into outer space?" Ronan Kendrick was a little curious now.
"You’ve got quite an imagination. This is just a defensive shelter, not a rocket."
Ronan Kendrick gave a lazy nod. "Oh."
After collecting the medicine and vegetables, Ronan Kendrick prepared to return to Kestrel Villa. Rhys Chase had Liam Sterling see him out, but Ronan Kendrick refused.
"Your assistant talks too much. I’d like some peace and quiet."
Liam Sterling... ’Do I talk too much? I’ve always been so cool and aloof.’
"Deal with the refugee camp as soon as possible. I went there before I came here, and it’s getting chaotic."
Having gotten his half-bowl of blood, Rhys Chase naturally had no objections. "I’ll give the order to handle it immediately. The conditions at Kestrel are poor. You can move into the Undercity. If you don’t want to live in the Undercity, you can move into one of the base’s villas."
Ronan Kendrick looked at Rhys Chase with an exasperated expression.
"What is it? Is something not to your satisfaction?"
"You’re really long-winded."
With that, Ronan Kendrick left without a backward glance.
Rhys Chase patted Liam Sterling’s shoulder. "Am I long-winded?"
Liam Sterling shook his head. "Mr. Chase, you cherish every word. You’re my role model."
Rhys Chase snorted. "Ronan Kendrick said you talk too much. What did you say to him?"
"I didn’t say much. I just mentioned Lynn Pierce’s unrequited love for you."
Rhys Chase rubbed his temples. "Get lost. Don’t make me slap you."
—
Evelyn Ford spent a few hours busy in her space, washing all the clothes and shoes. Just as she was about to lie down and rest, she sensed that a lot of new items had appeared.
Arriving at the storage area, she saw the piles of jade and gold ore. Evelyn Ford’s hands trembled and her legs went weak; she nearly fainted from shock.
’So much gold! I’ve never seen so much gold in my life. It’s so brilliant, it’s nearly blinding.’
’Leave it to Ronan Kendrick.’
’There’s also a lot of medicine and vegetables, but those belong to Rhys Chase. We’re just holding them for him. I still have some principles, at least.’
’I’ll leave the gold ore for now and deal with it with Ronan when he gets back.’
’There must be more than ten tons of jade, too. A shame it can’t expand the space like gold can.’
Seeing so many things, Evelyn Ford was in an excellent mood. She emerged from her space and went downstairs, humming a tune.
There were only two washing machines in the villa, and the others were lining up to do their laundry.
When she reached the second floor, Evelyn Ford heard the sound of shoe-scrubbing. She walked to the door of Quincy and Wyatt Vaughn’s room and saw Quincy squatting in the bathroom scrubbing shoes, while Wyatt Vaughn was on the balcony hanging clothes to dry.
"Where’s Zoe?"
"She’s asleep. You’re still up?"
Evelyn Ford shrugged. "Ronan Kendrick isn’t back yet. You two have saved up a lot of laundry. Why aren’t you using the washing machine?"
"The washing machine is too slow. Most of this is Zoe’s clothes. That kid is always wiping her runny nose on her sleeves."
Evelyn Ford pursed her lips into a smile. "What kid doesn’t do that? Get her a smock, and she won’t get her sleeves dirty anymore."
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