158: Planning

"Huh?"

Lance didn't immediately understand what was being asked, but after all, there was only one research project Tu Nan had "entrusted" to her.

"You mean the research on the relationship between Children's Ranks and parental intimacy?"

She immediately reacted.

"Oh my god." Lance realized what Tu Nan had been silent about this whole time.

"It's too difficult to raise the Rank of both Children... Male Beasts are all very petty."

Petty.

Lance's stance was always so firm.

She always thought from a Female's perspective, was Tu Nan's staunch supporter, and would never judge her with society's mainstream values.

"Then you... no, I mean, let's think of a way together." Lance scratched her head, then her eyes suddenly lit up.

"I'll ask my mom to stir up some trouble and see if we can get Peacock to leave first?"

Tu Nan showed a melancholic expression and whispered.

"I've thought about these things. But it's different from when we were on the flight."

"That was actually a secret room, meaning it was a relatively enclosed environment where simple actions could achieve maximum impact." Tu Nan self-mocked, "Now, this world is too big for them."

In other words, the leverage she could apply, in front of these two powerful Male Beasts...

Was insignificant.

"Small actions are useless; they're too easy to resolve. And large actions, I might not be able to afford."

This was what Tu Nan had been worrying about earlier.

Lance was unconvinced, "My base is also very powerful."

Tu Nan reached over the Children and held Lance's hand.

"Mm, although you haven't fully told me, I can guess. But Lance..." Tu Nan squeezed her hand slightly, expressing her serious attitude.

"That's not just your base; it's home to many people. My current trouble is my own trouble."

"To me, this is a huge deal, but to those people, it isn't."

Lance wanted to speak again, but Tu Nan knew what she wanted to say and cut her off.

"Lance, Kong Jiamu holds a military position, S-Rank. You understand better than I do what situations warrant his presence. Not to mention whether your mother would agree to such a huge investment. What kind of disturbance in some corner of this world would require his presence? A riot or Star Worms? Would there truly be no sacrifices?"

"I can't ask this of you, and you shouldn't even think about it." Tu Nan was resolute.

Lance froze for a moment, then fell silent.

Yes, that's right; she just hadn't thought it through for a moment.

Just as she couldn't accept Yi Xingye doing something excessive, she also couldn't accept herself venting her anger on innocent people.

"Then what should we do... Should we move Hain away first?"

That being said, Lance had even less of an idea in this regard.

Hain was the "Nobility Affairs Officer" personally appointed by the Emperor, but she wasn't quite sure what exactly this position entailed.

Tu Nan knew a little more information than her: that fiancée, Young Miss Gu Lvhai.

Should she offer advice to the other party and have Hain tied back first?

It did have some feasibility. But she really, really didn't want to do that.

Hain hadn't done anything wrong.

When he offered his true feelings, even if he couldn't receive an equal response, he shouldn't be treated this way.

"I... I can't." Lance despairingly realized she was acting like an idiot.

"Otherwise, let's just forget it, really. Actually, Rank isn't that important."

Lance tried to persuade Tu Nan, and also herself. "Look, you and I, we're low-Rank... and we're doing pretty well now."

"Really?" Tu Nan retorted.

Lance fell silent. She was a researcher, of course she knew not to use individual cases as examples.

Moreover, were she and Tu Nan really doing well? They both had paths littered with blood and tears.

They were... outstanding survivors.

***

"I have an initial idea, but I still need a lot of information to corroborate it."

Tu Nan had thought a lot along the way.

Finally, a preliminary plan emerged—she wanted to replicate what she had done on the flight.

She wanted to try to make it impossible for both Hain and Peacock to accurately obtain information.

She would force them to only receive fragments.

She would choose the most difficult path, which was to simultaneously conquer these two favored Children of heaven.

This wasn't a pipe dream; it was the answer she arrived at after calculating all the cards in her hand.

This most difficult path might actually be the safest path.

As long as the missing information was supplemented... The night was long, and Tu Nan and Lance discussed bit by bit.

Their eyes, exactly alike, sparkled with excitement, determination... and ambition.

***

The next morning, the Children were delighted to find themselves sleeping beside their mother. They excitedly transformed into balls of fur on the spot and gave Tu Nan a baptism of love.

She was directly licked awake by wet tongues.

Lance groggily opened her eyes, extremely tired, but still remembered to encourage her.

"You can do it, Tu Nan."

Tu Nan was helpless.

Not just 'can do it,' she needed to give her all. There were still many lines to lay, and not a single detail could be overlooked.

"Don't lie in bed too long. Half of my success depends on you." Tu Nan, still worried, checked her bracelet and set an alarm. "I'll call you to get up in two hours; go get to work."

She had no qualms about pressuring Lance.

Lance grumbled twice, buried her face in the pillow, and tacitly agreed.

But as soon as Tu Nan finished tidying up and left with the Children, Lance immediately jumped out of bed!

Who's lying in bed? She saw that Tu Nan's string was already taut enough, so she, Lance, had to loosen it for her, right? As for the tasks that required her effort, she had to give her all!

Lance immediately switched to Mad Scientist work mode.

Tu Nan? She went to Hain... after calling Kong Jiamu to tell him she'd come over for dinner that night and to work hard during the day.

Hain had been cautiously following Tu Nan ever since he let her in. When she walked to a chair, he immediately pulled it out and helped her sit down.

"I didn't just get pregnant today; you don't need to be so careful."

Tu Nan tried to soothe him.

Hain nodded, seemingly accepting this explanation, but immediately turned to pour her a cup of warm water and placed it beside her.

"..." Tu Nan became even more certain that yesterday's decision was correct.

Given Hain's nervous demeanor, she genuinely suspected he would keep a close eye on her until she gave birth.

So she didn't hide it from Hain and told him directly.

"Hain, I'm going to see Kong Jiamu tonight."

"I think it's more appropriate for me to go?" Hain still believed it was his responsibility.

Tu Nan held the water cup, looking down. She could see her eyes reflected in the cup, so calm.

"This is what I think: there's no need to cause more trouble; the Children come first. But I also don't plan to tell him about my pregnancy."

"I will break up with him, but it might take a little time. After all... he just proposed. I'll give him the cold shoulder, let his enthusiasm wane, and then bring it up."

"No!" Hain rarely interrupted her so forcefully, but he immediately apologized.

"...Forgive me, Tu Nan. I know it makes no sense to say this, but you're carrying my Children, I... I really can't..."

Hain was in agony.

Yesterday was a turning point. After getting that definitive answer, all his previous thoughts of giving up suddenly vanished.

He hoped Tu Nan would let him dedicate himself; he would work even harder than Kong Jiamu to provide all the happiness Tu Nan could want.

"I won't stay overnight." Tu Nan promised, "He made some arrangements for Ao Ao before, I need to clarify them."

Hain frowned. Yes, when it came to the Children, Tu Nan wouldn't budge.

"You come over tonight too; I've scheduled it for dinner."

Hain relaxed a little. Although it was hard for him to face Kong Jiamu, Tu Nan saying this... "Just one thing, leave all of this to me. You can't say anything more, and you definitely can't interfere."

Tu Nan insisted on this point.

"Kong Jiamu shouldn't be too sad, right?"

Yes... Hain admitted.