36: Chapter 36 The Hive Community and the Wrath of the Nobles

Fu Haoran stared at the renovation blueprints for the Mid-Hive for three seconds before flatly rejecting them.

"This renovation progress is too slow."

Yuri rolled his eyes. "You still think this is too slow? Do you think we're just playing with building blocks?"

"If they have to wait ten years to get a house, why would the people of the Underhive risk their lives for me?" Fu Haoran tapped the blueprints. "The core of the second phase of the plan is to let them see hope right now."

The plan provided by the Adeptus Mechanicus would take 10 years for the entire renovation project!

In 10 years, the opportunity would be long gone!

Fu Haoran was someone who hated trouble, and even more, hated waiting.

"Don't worry about it. Tell the people from the Adeptus Mechanicus to knock down all the non-load-bearing walls; I'll handle the rest."

Naturally, Fu Haoran wouldn't mention that he was going back to the 2K World to find a solution.

"Fine, fine. You're the Governor, you call the shots."

"Sigh, how many kickbacks am I going to miss out on?" Yuri muttered, seemingly completely unconcerned about Fu Haoran hearing him.

A white light flashed.

Returning to the 2K World once more, Fu Haoran contacted a domestic manufacturer of modular space capsule homes.

It took a long time for the call to be answered. "Hello, who is this?"

The voice on the other end was listless, devoid of any customer service enthusiasm.

Before Fu Haoran could speak, the customer service representative added, "If you're a debt collector, call my boss's private number. If you're here for the final payment, get in line and wait. Court summons are useless right now."

Fu Haoran: ...

Clearly, this large-scale domestic modular space capsule home manufacturer was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Fu Haoran didn't want the hassle, so he asked with a 'try-it-and-see' attitude, "How much stock do you have on hand? I don't have time to wait."

"We have as much as you want, but you must pay half the deposit upfront. Shipping is extra. Take it or leave it."

The customer service representative's attitude remained terrible, but Fu Haoran decided to inspect the goods first. "That's fine. I will send someone to inspect the goods. If there are no issues, I need at least 2,000 modular space capsules."

Huang Xiu, who acted as both the boss and customer service, found Fu Haoran's request completely absurd upon hearing it:

"2,000 units? Are you sick? Even a homestay at a scenic spot only needs 20!"

"Get lost, scammer! Don't even think about scamming me!"

Huang Xiu hung up the phone directly.

"Who was that?!" her husband asked from the side.

"It's nothing, just a scammer."

Huang Xiu didn't take it seriously at all.

An hour later, a Toyota Alphard business van drove in.

Huang Xiu said nervously, "Husband, could it be the debt collectors? You should hide."

Her husband glanced at the car and said dismissively, "What do you know? That's a Toyota Alphard, worth over a million. Do you think our creditors can afford a car like that?"

"That's true. Come on, let's go take a look."

Huang Xiu and her husband went out to greet them, only to find that the group was dressed in suits and leather shoes. A team got out of another car behind them and immediately started working, setting up various equipment.

"Hello everyone, who are you..."

The man in the suit leading the group took out a business card and introduced himself: "I am Li Yao from International XXX. I've been commissioned by an overseas employer to come here for research."

"Research?" Huang Xiu hadn't heard of this term from the capital circle and felt a bit confused.

Li Yao didn't explain. After confirming the live stream signal was set up, he said to Huang Xiu and her husband:

"Alright, you two, please take us to see your showroom. My boss is in America and will be online shortly. His time is very precious, so please don't delay."

Hearing that it was a buyer from America, Huang Xiu and her husband's eyes lit up.

"Okay, okay, follow me."

Huang Xiu led the group to the warehouse behind the factory, where dozens of modular space capsules were stored.

For a few years, recreational vehicles (RVs) were very popular in scenic spots.

Later, everyone realized that instead of RVs, it was better to use modular space capsules.

This way, they could save a lot of money, and the area could be larger. Not only was there a large window, but there were also bunk beds, a sofa, a color TV, a refrigerator, an open kitchen, and a bathroom—everything one could need.

Heating and water supply were all included; though small, it had all the essential features.

However, this trend came and went quickly.

Starting last year, the market became saturated, and the inventory in Huang Xiu's factory couldn't be sold at all.

"Everyone, that's the basic situation. Our interior and materials are the best in the country, and the cost-performance ratio is the highest."

"Although 500,000 per unit is a bit expensive, you definitely get what you pay for. The floor-to-ceiling windows are bulletproof, the doors are anti-theft, and the wall soundproofing is excellent..."

Huang Xiu introduced them enthusiastically, but Li Yao didn't nod until his team finished measuring. Then, he spoke to the phone camera:

"Mr. Chen, all indicators meet the standards, reaching the ISO9000 standard."

A voice that Huang Xiu found somewhat familiar came from the phone: "That's fine, I'll take them all. In addition, I need a batch of custom special modular units to serve as shops and functional rooms. Have them build them according to the requirements I sent."

"You are fully responsible for the specific details."

"The delivery speed must be fast."

The call ended, and Li Yao said in a business-like manner, "Here is the contract and the requirements. We need the delivery of 2,000 modular units within two months. Is there any problem?"

Upon hearing "2,000 units," Huang Xiu's hand trembled.

"Wait... that phone call earlier... was that your boss?!"

Her voice changed. "I thought... I thought it was a scammer... I'm so sorry, big boss! I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. Please don't take it to heart!"

Li Yao was expressionless. "Are you signing the contract or not? My boss doesn't have time to wait."

Huang Xiu nodded desperately. "Sign! Sign! I'll sign it right now!"

"This order for 2,000 units is literally saving our factory's life!"

"I'll go call the workers back right now. Even if we have to work through the night, we will definitely deliver on time!"

Huang Xiu took the list, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

They wanted everything top-of-the-line, didn't haggle over the price, and the deposit had already arrived. This was a good thing she wouldn't even dare to dream of.

"My factory gets less than a hundred orders a year. With this order of yours, I... all the workers in my factory can come back to work."

That day, the factory resumed operations. Huang Xiu called in everyone she could.

Her son, who was in elementary school?

Ask for leave, help tighten screws!

Her mother-in-law, who was visiting her family?

Bring her back overnight to be responsible for cooking!

Old Li from the factory next door, who had been unemployed for half a year?

Stop looking for a job, come straight to work!

The machines in the factory roared. Huang Xiu's husband held up a megaphone and shouted, "Everyone, perk up! If we deliver this batch well, we'll give out double the year-end bonus for Chinese New Year!"

Two months later, the first batch of modular space capsules was brought back to the Warhammer World by Fu Haoran.

...

When Ronan received the notification, he was cramped in a capsule room in the Underhive.

An 8-square-meter space was squeezed with 4 people. The bunk beds were packed full, making it difficult to even turn around—much like the cage homes in Hong Kong during the 2K era, only shabbier, dirtier, and darker.

This was a very common setup in the Underhive.

"Company Commander Ronan, you can move now."

Ronan was stunned for several seconds before he realized what was happening. He grabbed his wife and two four or five-year-old children, called his parents, and hurriedly set off.

"Where are we going?" his wife asked, confused.

Ronan didn't look back, his voice choking up. "To the Mid-Hive!"

He brought his family of six to the front of the Honeycomb Building, his pace slowing down unconsciously.

Inside the blast-proof alloy gates was the building's security room.

"Ronan, your new house is on the 66th floor, room 1910."

As the elevator went up, his wife gripped his sleeve tightly. The two children pressed against the elevator wall, not daring to speak, and the two elderly people were even more reserved.

This was the Mid-Hive, a place they wouldn't even dare to dream of coming to.

Now they were being told they had a new home here?!

The elevator doors opened. Ronan took out his residence permit and swiped it against the access control.

"Beep."

The door opened, and Ronan couldn't believe his eyes.

A 38-square-meter room, arranged in an orderly fashion.

The ceiling height was beyond imagination, far better than the pigeon-cage houses they had in the Underhive.

The master bedroom had a double bed, with a wardrobe and desk underneath!

The second bedroom was a Z-shaped children's room; although it was the same room, they were independent of each other.

Finally, there was a room for the elderly, with a folding bed hanging on the wall.

During the day, it folded up to create activity space; at night, it was let down, and once the bedding was spread, one could sleep.

There were storage cabinets everywhere at the top, a folding dining table tucked into the corner, and even an independent bathroom with dry and wet separation.

His wife stood at the door, not daring to go in.

The two children timidly touched the walls; they were smooth, not the concrete that was always damp and moldy like in the Underhive.

"Son, is this really your new home?" Ronan's father asked, unable to believe it.

"Yes." His voice was hoarse. "We will never go back to the Underhive again."

Hearing this, the two children couldn't hold back anymore; they rushed to the window and pressed against the glass to look outside.

The 38-square-meter window wasn't big, but they could see the streets outside and the lights.

"Dad, there are lights outside!"

Ronan walked over, put his arm around his wife's shoulder, and looked out the window.

His wife leaned on his shoulder and said softly, "Dear, I'm not dreaming, am I?"

Ronan shook his head.

To be able to let his family live in a safe house in this lifetime—following the Governor was worth it.

Meanwhile, Fu Haoran received a notification from the system.

【Completed Lord Series Quest — Living and Working in Peace (Phase I)】

【Allow a portion of the Underhive residents to obtain superior living conditions, making them follow you wholeheartedly】

【Reward: General Points +666, Free Attribute Points +1, Hive City Public Order +6, Soldier Loyalty +50】

【Unlocked Honeycomb Community management permissions; can view community occupancy data, dispatch security posts, and other information】

【PS: Let the bottom-level people see hope, and they will risk their lives for you. But don't be too happy! Where some see hope, others see a threat.】

【Triggered New Quest: The Counterattack of Old Forces】

...

Meanwhile, the lights in the Upper Nest aristocratic council remained on throughout the night.

Someone took the lead in attacking: "Victor, that traitor! He actually sold our warehouse distribution maps and private troop deployments to that grassroots Governor, and then instructed the Underhive scum to loot us!"

"Now he's even using Mid-Hive residence permits to buy people's hearts!"

Another noble slammed the table: "What's even more infuriating is that he actually came up with a tax system to launder his black money!"

A noble with a gloomy face clenched his fists: "That Fu Haoran is even using houses to win over the Underhive scum! If this continues, we will sooner or later be roasted on a fire by him!"

"What are you panicking about!" Finally, Planetary Defense Force Navy Commodore Valerius spoke.

"Blow up his military factory and cut off his source of weapons. Without guns or cannons, what can he use to challenge us!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"Right, a grassroots Governor dares to ride on our heads and act wildly? It's time to teach him a lesson."