39: Chapter 39 A Nighttime Talk Between Siblings! My Princess?

Vatican City?

Lin Zhou sat up from the bed, sleepiness completely gone.

This name was too special.

It was the smallest sovereign state in the world, a city-state with religion at its core.

"Why would they take the initiative to contact us?" Lin Zhou asked.

"The specific reasons are unclear," Qin Yue analyzed on the other end. "The information conveyed by the other party through the mission to China is very vague, only stating that the Holy See is very interested in the concept of 'creating new life with technology in the desert,' believing it shares common ground with the doctrine of 'God loves the world,' and hopes to have a 'friendly dialogue' with us."

Lin Zhou's fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the bed.

Religion.

This was another field he had never stepped into.

Egypt had previously wanted to establish islam as the state religion, which he had temporarily shelved. Now, the center of Catholicism had proactively come knocking.

This was definitely not a coincidence.

"Stall them first," Lin Zhou made a decision. "Tell them that we attach great importance to our friendship with Vatican City, but the Head of State is on vacation, and all diplomatic affairs will resume in a week. Put on a good show and keep them hanging."

"Understood."

"For the other five countries in Africa, have the team prepare the contingency plans and negotiate according to the plan. Remember our bottom line: negotiate only on recognition, not technology. Money can be given, but we cannot be taken for fools."

"Okay, Boss."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zhou had no sleepiness at all.

He realized that as the reputation of the Cyber Freedom Republic grew, those knocking on his door would no longer just be profit-seeking politicians and businessmen, but also various organizations and forces with different agendas.

The world was revealing its complex and real side to him.

The next day was the weekend, and his younger sister, Lin Wan, returned home from boarding school.

The sixteen-year-old girl, wearing a high ponytail and oversized school uniform, was radiating youth.

As soon as she entered the door, she threw her schoolbag onto the sofa and then darted in front of Lin Zhou like a little monkey, looking him up and down.

"Brother, did you really build a country in Africa?" Her big eyes were full of curiosity and disbelief.

"Mm." Lin Zhou was peeling an apple.

"Then... are you a king now?"

"Something like that."

"Then what about me? Am I a princess now?" Lin Wan's eyes were bright, full of anticipation.

This question gave him a bigger headache than the Vatican City's request for diplomatic relations.

Lin Zhou handed her the peeled apple and signaled for her to sit down.

"Wanwan, let's talk." His expression became serious.

Lin Wan saw that he had serious business to discuss, so she put away her playful expression, sat obediently opposite him, and took a bite of the apple.

"Brother, go ahead."

"Regarding the nationality issue, Mom and Dad told you, right?"

Lin Wan nodded. "They did. They don't want to change it, afraid they won't be able to come back later."

"And you? What do you think?" Lin Zhou looked into her eyes.

This was a very important decision.

If Lin Wan chose to keep her Chinese nationality, her future life trajectory would be completely separated from the Cyber Freedom Republic.

If she chose to change her nationality, her life would be deeply bound to the fate of this newborn country.

She would no longer be an ordinary high school student, but the first princess of the Cyber Freedom Republic.

This title was both an honor and a shackle.

Lin Wan chewed on the apple, silent for a long time.

She didn't have the same attachment to her homeland as her parents, but she also understood what giving up her Chinese nationality meant.

"Brother, if I change my nationality and become a citizen of your country, can I still go to school here? Can I still take the entrance exams for Tsinghua and Peking University?" She asked the question she cared about most.

"Yes," Lin Zhou answered affirmatively. "I have already obtained permanent residency in China. After you come of age, you can also apply. From then on, you will have the status of an 'overseas Chinese,' and going to school, living, and working in the country will not be affected. In fact, there are even preferential policies for university entrance exams."

"Really?" Lin Wan's eyes lit up again.

"Of course it's true."

"Then... what are the benefits of being a princess?" She asked sneakily again.

"Benefits?" Lin Zhou thought for a moment. "You will have the status of a royal family member and enjoy state support. In the future, when our country is rich, you can have your own castle, your own guard, the fastest internet in the world, and the most advanced game consoles."

"What about the downsides? Don't just tell me the good stuff." Lin Wan was very smart.

"The downside is that every word and action of yours will represent the image of the royal family and the face of the country. You can no longer do whatever you want like you do now. You will be watched by countless people, and your life will lose a lot of freedom."

"Of course, those are just prospects; they can only be realized after your brother truly develops the country."

Lin Zhou's tone was calm; he was stating a fact.

Lin Wan stopped talking, lowering her head and chewing the apple bite by bite.

The room was very quiet, only the crisp chewing sound could be heard.

Lin Zhou didn't rush her either, quietly waiting for her decision.

After a long while, Lin Wan threw the apple core into the trash can, looked up, and stared at Lin Zhou.

Her gaze was no longer the playfulness and curiosity from just now, but a seriousness he had never seen before.

"Brother."

"Yes?"

"If I become a princess, can I help you share some of the burden?"

Lin Zhou was stunned.

He hadn't expected that the first thing his sister considered wasn't what she could get, but what she could do for him.

A place in his heart suddenly softened.

"Yes," he nodded. "In the future, there will be many occasions in the country that require the presence of royal family members, and many things that require you to do."

"Then, if I keep my Chinese nationality, I can't help you, right?"

"Correct."

Lin Wan took a deep breath, as if she had made a major decision.

"Then I'll change it!"

Her voice was not loud, but exceptionally clear.

"Brother, you are too tired out there alone. Although I don't know what I can do to help you, I don't want to let you carry everything by yourself."

"I also want... to become your family, not an outsider protected behind you."

Looking at his sister's youthful face, which was nonetheless filled with determination, Lin Zhou's eyes felt a little hot.

He reached out and ruffled her hair, just like when they were young.

"Okay."

"From today on, you are the 'Freedom Storm' Princess of the Cyber Freedom Republic."

"Ah? Why is it called 'Freedom Storm'? That name is too chuunibyou!" The girl's melancholy was instantly broken.

"Because you are like a storm that has just blown away all my troubles." Lin Zhou smiled.

He opened the government OA system and solemnly entered the second name in the [Royal Family Members] column under [Citizen Management].

[Name: Lin Wan]

[Identity: Citizen of the Cyber Freedom Republic]

[Title: Freedom Storm Princess (Princess of Liberty Storm)]

The moment he clicked confirm, the system prompt in his mind sounded again.

[Ding!]

[Core royal family member detected!]

[New achievement unlocked: First Royal Family]

[Description: The lonely throne has welcomed its first family member; from now on, your struggle is no longer a one-person journey.]

[Achievement Reward: Special Technology — "Gene Optimization and Rapid Growth Technology (Plant Version)"]

[Technical Description: Can significantly shorten the growth cycle of precious plants (such as medicinal herbs, timber) and optimize their active ingredient content. Note: This technology is currently only effective for plants.]

Lin Zhou looked at this brand-new reward, his breathing paused for a moment.

This was another black technology capable of overturning the world!