90: What are we waiting for?

On the first page of the plan, the textile giant was clearly marked: Youxin Foreign Firm.

This company entered Shanghai in 1911 to establish the Third Cotton Mill, becoming the first Japan textile enterprise to set up a factory in China.

With the help of Japan influence, it expanded rapidly in China.

By 1937, it owned 15 textile mills and 2 dye plants in Shanghai, Qingniao, and other places, with 460,000 spindles and 4,800 looms.

It is currently the largest foreign-funded textile enterprise in China, controlling half of the Chinese textile market.

Lu Fan was surprised that Chen Liting and Sheng Aiyi had directly targeted the japanese textile giant.

Lu Fan flipped through the pages, not moving too quickly.

At first, his expression was calm, carrying his usual caution.

But as he went deeper, his fingers gradually stopped turning the pages, his gaze focusing on a key chart and deduction on a certain page.

He leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowing at first as he seemed to be rapidly thinking through the connections and risks involved.

The plan wasn't complex, but he read it with extraordinary seriousness.

It took a full half-hour before he finished reading the document from beginning to end.

Closing the plan, he closed his eyes and took a sudden deep breath, his powerful frame shaking.

The ingenious layout in the plan left him in awe.

In the time it took to smoke a cigarette, he opened his eyes; now, not a single doubt remained, only absolute confidence.

"Boss Lu~~ you're here?"

Afu lay on the hospital bed and greeted him softly.

"How are you feeling?" Lu Fan asked in a gentle tone as he closed the plan. "Are you used to your new eyes?"

Afu nodded vigorously, his voice filled with excitement and a faint, undetectable tremble: "I'm used to them!

Boss Lu, I can see... so clearly, even better than before. I can even see clearly at night!"

He paused, his tone becoming complex. "I've caused trouble for you. Scarface A Si and his lot are from the Green Gang."

Lu Fan took over the conversation calmly: "Don't worry, the matter has already been settled.

The Green Gang won't cause you any more trouble. This debt of vengeance has been paid."

Afu was silent for a few seconds before his small hands tightened on the white sheets and then let go. "Mr. Lu, do I count as a monster now?"

There was no bloodthirsty joy in his eyes, only a heavy sense of relief and confusion about the future.

"What are you talking about?" Lu Fan said with a firm tone. "Your new eyes have powerful abilities, and you are destined not to walk an ordinary path.

Remember, with great power comes great responsibility!"

After being fed this classic chicken soup for the soul, Afu's spirit immediately underwent a qualitative change.

Looking at Afu, whose face had become resolute, Lu Fan spoke steadily: "I've arranged a few paths for you. You can choose for yourself."

Afu pricked up his ears and listened intently.

"First," Lu Fan held up one finger, "continue your old trade, selling newspapers.

However, you must use those eyes to help me gather intelligence, especially regarding the japanese and the Green Gang.

As long as the information is useful, the reward will be much higher than before."

"Second," he held up a second finger, "if you want to pick up a weapon and kill enemies face-to-face.

I can send you to a place for training to learn marksmanship, combat, and reconnaissance, to become a true warrior.

In the future, you will go to the battlefield to fight the japanese invaders."

"Third," Lu Fan held up a third finger, looking directly at Afu, "stay by my side.

Learn more things, help me handle some matters, and be my assistant.

This path might not be as direct as the battlefield,

but it is just as important and perhaps even more dangerous because you will be in contact with more core matters."

The hospital room fell silent.

Data streams silently scrolled within Afu's bionic eyes as his mind thought rapidly.

After a long while, he answered with a maturity beyond his years, "I choose... all three!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and powerful.

Lu Fan raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised: "All three?"

"Yes!" Afu responded forcefully. "I want to keep selling newspapers and use these eyes to help you see things and hear news;

I also want to learn skills, learn to shoot, and learn to fight! I want to be able to wipe out evil and kill enemies to serve my country;

And most of all, I want to stay by your side, be your right-hand man, and help you get things done."

Afu spoke slowly, but every word carried the weight of a thousand catties.

Finally, his tone carried a resolute plea: "You saved my life and gave me my revenge.

You also gave me... these eyes that can see the future clearly!

I don't want to do just one thing. I want to do everything I can to help you, and to help ourselves."

Lu Fan was silent for a moment before finally nodding slowly: "Fine. Since you've chosen this path, be prepared to endure hardships.

After your injuries heal, follow me. Intelligence must be gathered, and skills must be learned. The road is long and very dangerous."

"I'm not afraid!" Afu forced out those three words with all his strength.

"Recover in peace. I'll be waiting for you~~"

When Lu Fan left the hospital room, it was already getting dark.

Thinking about the promise he still owed Chen Liting to provide 5,000 tons of cotton, he drove alone to the Liuhe Cotton Mill.

After sneaking in silently, he found that there were very few people inside the massive factory.

Even the roar of the machines could not be heard.

He walked around the warehouse area; there were still some finished products, but not a single bit of raw cotton was to be seen.

It seemed Chen Liting was telling the truth; the japanese controlled the cotton market, truly forcing him into a corner.

Lu Fan chose to crush the Supply Card in the largest warehouse.

In an instant, more than half the warehouse was filled with bags of snow-white long-staple cotton.

Seeing 20,000 bags of cotton stacked neatly was quite a spectacular sight.

At that moment, the system notification sounded in his mind.

[Side quest completed. Reward: 6,000 Points, one Random Gem Card.]

[Quest completion 180%, Evaluation: A. Reward: 10,000 Points, one Random Supply Card.]

Lu Fan collected the rewards and casually clicked to open them; he wasn't as expectant about opening blind boxes as he used to be.

With a flash of light, the item from the Gem Card made his eyes light up.

[Heart of Infrastructure: Increases basic construction speed by 20% within a ten-kilometer radius of the gem.]

Wasn't this exactly what he needed?

With this thing, the speed of infrastructure construction would increase instantly.

As long as there were enough workers and guaranteed supplies, it was no longer a dream for the industrial zone to take shape within half a year; the thought alone was exciting.

As the Supply Blind Box was opened, Lu Fan became completely thrilled.

He had once again obtained [5,000 tons of cotton].

Obtaining these [5,000 tons of cotton] meant something different to Lu Fan.

With only 5,000 tons, he would have had to use it very carefully.

After all, even a landlord doesn't have surplus cotton.

But having 10,000 tons of cotton in stock was a different story; it could immediately trigger a frenzy in the futures market.

The execution of the plan became even more effortless.

The right time, the right place, and the right people were all in alignment; then what are we waiting for?

Tomorrow, the cotton sniping plan would begin.

"Bang~~~"

A gunshot interrupted Lu Fan's train of thought.

Immediately, dense footsteps approached, the warehouse doors were thrown wide open, and dozens of flashlight beams locked onto him.

A burly bearded leader shouted angrily: "Where did this bold thief come from, daring to enter my Liuhe—"