Chapter 23 Chen Chen’s Arrival

Chapter 23 Chen Chen's Arrival

Chen Chen and Tang Tang, along with two trusted subordinates—one a speed superpowered individual and the other a strength superpowered individual—had secretly arrived at the Third Capital Base half a month earlier.

While resting several hundred meters from the Capital Base, they witnessed Thunder Dragon’s display.

At first, Chen Chen was startled, thinking that people from the Capital Base had discovered their arrival and staged this to scare them. If he weren’t concerned about maintaining his dignity as a base commander, he would have turned around and left on the spot.

Only after watching did he realize it was all a misunderstanding—it was simply a romantic gesture.

For some reason, seeing the initials "JA" gave Chen Chen a strange feeling.

The two superpowered individuals Chen Chen had brought were both terrified and impressed. “The Capital Base really lives up to its rep. Their powered folks are amazing!”

Tang Tang said wistfully, “So romantic!”

She also wanted to be confessed to like that. What woman doesn’t love a romantic gesture or want one?

Chen Chen’s expression was complicated. The stronger the Capital Base was, the worse it was for their mission.

He could only hope that Ji An hadn’t gotten in good with any powerful supers in the Capital Base.

Thinking about it, the likelihood was high. After all, it had only been a month and a half—even if Ji An had extraordinary abilities, he wouldn’t have had time to show them off yet.

Unaware that Chen Chen was coming for him, Ji An continued living his life as usual.

With fresh jade materials in hand, he was ready to go back to the lab and make another batch of storage devices.

With prior success behind him, creating new ones was much easier now.

The ten new jade materials were turned around in just days.

As soon as Ji An opened the lab door, he froze.

Outside his lab, a huge crowd was packed in layers—people from both the command center and the research institute.

“Researcher Ji, did you make new storage devices? Can I buy one?” someone shouted from the crowd.

“Me too! Me too! I want one too!” The place erupted with shouts.

“Researcher Ji, dibs go to whoever got here first! I’ve been waiting three days without food or sleep!”

“Same here! I was the first one here—I showed up the moment Researcher Ji did!”

Two superpowered individuals almost started throwing punches over who had waited longer outside Ji An’s lab.

In the end, Ji An kept two storage devices for himself and divided the remaining eight into two groups of four, handing them to Gu Jinsheng and Zhou Fanxiu.

“These can be prioritized for sale to superpowered based on their contributions to the base. It’ll help make them feel more invested in the base.”

The superpowered were going nuts over these devices. Ji An couldn’t help but wonder if those who bought them early might get jumped by jealous rivals on their way home at night.

“Thank you.” As the base’s highest-ranking commander, Gu Jinsheng knew exactly how big a morale boost this was.

“Let’s treat these as official base acquisitions. We can award them as medals based on contributions,” Gu Jinsheng said. “We haven’t had anything worth rewarding them with in years. It’s rare to find something they actually love.”

Ji An smiled. Gu Jinsheng truly was one hell of a good leader.

“In that case, whenever the base needs them, I can supply two storage devices per month. No need to pay full price—just 20% of market price for my work is fine.”

Gu Jinsheng’s dark, inscrutable eyes locked onto Ji An—appearing emotionless yet seething beneath.

Ji An turned his face away, not daring to look too closely.

Gu Jinsheng immediately transferred credit points to Ji An—eight spatial storage devices totaling less than 2.4 million, just the cost of one.

This time, Ji An wasn’t acting on impulse or seduced by looks. He had skin in the game.

Though he believed himself a rare talent in both mind and power, even the mightiest tiger falls to a wolf pack.

*When capital dares any crime for 300% profit,* Ji An had no intention of dying—he needed to side with the stronger party.

“Commander Gu, I have another collaboration in mind—with you, Kong Zhongcheng, Wan Xueying, and Zhou Qin.”

Gu Jinsheng seemed to guess what he meant and shook his head. “*I* will protect you.”

Those words—Chen Chen had said them countless times to Ji An, and Ji An had sworn the same to Chen Chen. In the end, Chen Chen failed to keep his promise, and Ji An had already broken his own.

“Even if it’s not you, I’d still find someone else. The market is global, vast—I can’t handle it all alone. Even with an octopus-like superpower, I wouldn’t manage.”

Ji An spoke sincerely: “Rather than working with strangers, I’d prefer collaborating with you. I trust *your* integrity—or do you doubt yourself?”

Gu Jinsheng stared deeply at Ji An before abruptly saying, “Call me Jinsheng. Or A-Jin.”

He didn’t like the formal address. But hadn’t they just been discussing business? How did it suddenly shift to this?

Ji An avoided eye contact, refusing to meet Gu Jinsheng’s strikingly handsome gaze. “I think Kong Zhongcheng and the others would agree too.”

Of course they would—they were ecstatic, as if manna from heaven had dropped straight onto their heads.

The profit split was simple, with almost no dispute. Ji An held veto power. For profits, he contributed expertise without capital, taking 60%. The other four each got 10%.

Thus, Ji An’s position became unique—he now called the shots for the base’s top brass.

Let’s be real: no matter the profit margins, who’d dare provoke him?

After that, Ji An stepped back completely. His only request: shops should hire as many normies as possible, aside from superpowered guards for security.

Such a small ask? Of course the four agreed. Putting normies to work was key to the base’s stability anyway.

Notably, by merit, Kong Zhongcheng, Wan Xueying, Zhou Qin—and even Gu Jinsheng himself—ranked at the top.

Gu came first but declined. The other four already had theirs, yet still received more—who’d say no to extra loot?

Kong Zhongcheng and the rest happily took their rewards.

The other superpowered folks below watched, green-eyed, their eyes nearly popping with envy. Some got zip; others hit the jackpot.

Then the four commanders’ spatial storage devices were snatched up—barely held onto before redistributed.

Among researchers, Zhou Fanxiu led the way. He, Bai Na, and Na Boyu ranked highest. Zhou made no show of impartiality, claiming his prize without pretense.

As for Han Yaokun, he was included too.

Though new to the base with no recent achievements, his prior work—brought here—spoke for itself.

So he got one as well.

Han Yaokun didn’t refuse out of pride. After receiving it, he didn’t activate its contract, simply examined it, then handed it over.

"The spatial storage device is a new scientific field we've never encountered before. We must study and explore it thoroughly. Perhaps by unraveling its scientific mysteries, we can develop even more advanced technologies." Han Yaokun's heart was filled with indescribable complexity, and his face flushed red as he spoke—still swollen from being struck.

He had once declared such research impossible, only for a junior far less experienced than him to achieve it. The sour taste of it—who could know?

"We will," Zhao Zhen said excitedly, though his tone carried more envy than enthusiasm. "Researcher Han, we just never thought in this direction before. Now that we dare to think about it and have experimental results to reference, I believe it won’t take a month and a half—maybe just a few days—for us to grasp its secrets."

Some established researchers were unconvinced, including Han Yaokun himself. They believed the only reason they hadn’t developed the spatial storage device first was due to limited thinking. Now that their minds were open, they were certain they could crack it.

If a student with no prior research achievements could create it, how could seasoned researchers who had dedicated half their lives to science fail? It was just that Ji An got lucky first.

Meanwhile, Chen Chen, Tang Tang, and the other two members had finally arrived at the Capital City Base after a long journey. As representatives of the Third Base, their visit was, in a way, a form of diplomacy.

Though the Third Base was as insignificant as an ant compared to the Capital City Base—easily crushed if the latter wished—they had come unannounced, so there was no prearranged reception. The guards registered them temporarily while reporting their arrival.

"Commander Chen Chen of the Third Base?" Kong Zhongcheng exclaimed in surprise. "That ex-husband of Ji An’s?"

Gu Jinsheng’s gaze turned sharp enough to skin flesh.

Kong Zhongcheng shivered under the glare and muttered defensively, "I’m not wrong. If not an ex-husband, then an ex-boyfriend?"

Gu Jinsheng’s eyes grew even sharper—if looks could kill, Kong Zhongcheng would have been riddled with holes.

Wan Xueying stood and patted Kong Zhongcheng’s shoulder sympathetically. "I finally believe that saying—superpowered folks gain powers, not brains. My suggestion? Maybe try a brain transplant—even a zombie’s got more going on upstairs!"

Kong Zhongcheng sputtered, "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, just honest advice," Wan Xueying shrugged. "I wonder why he’s here. Does he not know our identities yet?"

If he did, he wouldn’t dare show his face. Clearly, he was unaware.

Wan Xueying mused, "Another clueless idiot. Honestly, you’re *totally* the best choice to greet him, but he’s seen you before. If he recognizes you, that’d be bad."

Kong Zhongcheng fumed—so she’s saying his intelligence was on par with that scumbag’s?

Gu Jinsheng scoffed and pointed at Zhou Qin. "You go."

"Consider it done," Zhou Qin replied confidently. Ji An had handed him a golden ticket; now was the time to repay the favor. He winked. "I’ll make sure he feels *real* welcome."

Somehow, those warm words sent a chill down Kong Zhongcheng’s spine.

After a moment’s thought, Gu Jinsheng sent Ji An a message to inform him.

The base wasn’t supporting all these scientists for nothing. Electricity and signals had been restored, though what was once a household necessity had now become too expensive for most.

Ji An wasn’t short on cash—he controlled spatial technology, after all.

Even so, his phone wasn’t one he bought himself—it was a gift from Gu Jinsheng. The landline in his shop was the same.

When Ji An received the message, his eyes frosted over. He’d left them alone while he focused on his research—but now they came knocking on their own. Truly, they walked right into hell when they could’ve stayed away.