Those who face the wall, but are in the Nascent Soul stage.

Chapter 20 is all part of the plan (please continue reading)

"Your smile is terrifying."

Zhuang Yan whispered from behind Luo Ji.

The one-year-old baby was so frightened by Luo Qing's smile that he burst into tears.

Luo Qing awkwardly suppressed her smile.

Centered around a mid-19th-century wooden villa, Eden Estate blends seamlessly with its surroundings thanks to the meticulous maintenance of PDC.

After entering the room, Luo Qing withdrew his divine sense perception and stopped paying attention to Zhi Zi's location. Instead, he looked at her with a hint of curiosity.

An old-fashioned fireplace in the living room, neatly stacked fruitwood, the scent of meadows wafting in from outside the window…

elegant.

Kant, who also served as the steward of 'Eden Garden', stood there in a shirt and blue gown. Facing this special guest, the meticulous old official explained, "This place is far more poetic than Rockefeller's estate."

Luo Qing said expressionlessly, "In comparison, my Wallfacer compound is like a large toilet."

Seeing that Kant was somewhat puzzled, Luo Qing explained, "My residence was formerly an abandoned textile factory compound."

Luo Ji gave him a thumbs up: "Old Qing, we should learn from you. You really know how to save money. This 'Eden' I rent is worth 20 million US dollars. I'm really living a life of extravagance!"

"How much?" Luo Qing suddenly asked.

"Twenty million US dollars," Luo Ji said blankly.

"That's alright, the place you live in isn't even as expensive as the place I live in."

Luo Qing waved his hand and said, "My compound covers 130 acres, nearly 90,000 square meters. The average price of a square meter of housing in the vicinity is 20,000 yuan. All things considered, your place is not even as expensive as the dormitory of my guard company."

Luo Ji pondered for a moment: "I have to admit that the housing prices in Beijing City are outrageous."

A strange competitive spirit between men was aroused, and their discussion about accommodations only came to a reluctant end after a ranking was produced.

The number one ranked individual is the late Taylor, the former U.S. Secretary of Defense, whose residence was the Pentagon until his death, making him the undisputed No. 1.
Secondly, there's Rediaz's luxurious palace. As the head of state, even without the Wallfacer status, his wealth is unmatched by ordinary people.

Next was Luo Qing's large courtyard; the property prices in the Northern Territory speak for themselves.

Secondly, there are Hines and his wife Keiko Yamasugi, who live in Sansui-ju, Tokyo.

Finally, there's Luo Ji's Nordic Eden.

"So I'm the one who saves the most money," Luo Ji muttered to himself.

"Compared to Taylor's mosquito swarms, Diaz's super nuclear bomb, and Hines's brain-computer interface, you are indeed the second most cost-effective."

"What do you mean? You're the number one saver?" Luo Ji didn't believe it.

"Excuse me, but the total box office of the movies I made is 280 billion US dollars. I am the only Wallfacer who makes money and profits. In addition, I also receive royalties." Luo Qing said arrogantly.

Luo Ji paused for a moment: "So what does your filmmaking have to do with the Wallfacers?"

Luo Qing retorted, "So your using public funds to pick up girls is related to the Wallfacer?"

Zhuang Yanteng, who was brewing tea for the two of them, blushed instantly.

"This is part of the plan," Luo Ji argued forcefully.

“Then I’m also part of the plan,” Luo Qing retorted without hesitation.

Kant, carrying a tray, walked over with a smile: "Please be patient, gentlemen. As far as I know, the world's nations are not opposed to you two—after all, you haven't interfered in national policies like the other Wallfacers. Compared to the other three, you haven't spent much money either."
Of course, you truly fulfilled the duties of the Wallfacers—you had absolutely no idea what kind of mess you were making.

"Shut up, what do you know? This is part of the plan!" Luo Ji and Luo Qing said in unison.

Kanté pursed his lips, then turned gracefully, carrying the tray as he walked away.

Time flew by and it was already afternoon. After fully experiencing the interior design that combined classicism with modern comfort, Luo Qing unexpectedly discovered something interesting in a certain corridor.

A portrait of a woman hangs on the wall, her lips curving into a mysterious smile in the candlelight.

"Mona Lisa"

Luo Qing pulled Luo Ji over and asked, "Is it genuine or fake?"

Luo Ji replied without hesitation, "All the paintings here are genuine."

Luo Qing was shocked: "There are dozens of paintings hanging here. Did you bring the Louvre here?"

Luo Ji remained silent.

Luo Qing finally asked, "What about the Mona Lisa in the Louvre?"

Luo Ji replied, "It's fake, but the public is unaware." "I take back my assessment; you're the one who's indulging in extravagance," Luo Qing sighed.

Luo Ji waved his hand and explained, "Don't talk nonsense. Anyway, it won't be long before it has to be returned to the Louvre. They only belong to me temporarily. Although I wanted to use my Wallfacer authority to buy back the Mona Lisa, the Louvre curator was determined to fight me to the death, so I gave up."

Luo Qing shook his head: "What's meant to be yours will be yours, and what's not meant to be yours can't be taken by force."

Looking at the Mona Lisa on the wall, Luo Ji murmured, "How could it possibly belong to me forever? I'm already quite satisfied with being able to possess it for a few years..."

After viewing the various paintings and books in the Garden of Eden collection, Luo Ji invited, "It's still early, how about we go for a ride?"

"And what about the horses?"

Only then did Luo Qing learn about the complete set of facilities at the manor.

The facilities are incredibly luxurious: a stable for ten horses, a private golf course, a heated swimming pool, and even a classic sailboat moored in the middle of the lake.

Luo Qingyue found his Wallfacer's Courtyard increasingly unpleasant. He suddenly thought of the cramped cave dwelling from his previous life and realized that the Wallfacer's Courtyard was actually not so bad.

The two rode horses together along the lakeside path deep into the snow-capped mountains. Their hooves shattered the thick fog, startling migratory birds that were roosting in the forest.

Returning home at night, Luo Ji carefully selected a bottle of 1945 Bordeaux red wine salvaged from a shipwreck in the wine cellar. He sat in a rocking chair, gazing at the flames in the fireplace, and the two leisurely drank together.

Luo Qing imitated Luo Ji, swirling his red wine. The smoke from his cigar shifted unpredictably. Outside the window, the Milky Way hung low like velvet within reach, and the stars were reflected on the lake's surface, as if the universe were in a mirror.

Luo Qing sighed deeply: "Is this your daily routine?"

Luo Ji replied, "I usually spend my time with Yan Yan, not with a man."

Luo Qing grabbed a cushion and threw it at them.

Luo Qing squinted at the ceiling and said, "I also enjoyed it with you once. If this kind of life really helps you break through your own limitations, then I will admit in my heart that it was all part of the plan."

Luo Ji said, "I'm also looking for that answer."

"I will find it, because I'm here."

Luo Qing glanced at Luo Ji, then got up and stepped onto the soft carpet to go upstairs to her room.

"Starting tomorrow, I plan to have you trace back all your memories to find the answer that may threaten the Trisolarans and help you break through the barrier."

"Returning to memories? That sounds like something only magic can do."

"I can do it, don't worry."

After saying that, Luo Qing returned to his room.

Just as he sat down on the bed and before he could even enter a meditative state, a line of writing suddenly appeared before his eyes.

This is dangerous, stop what you're doing.

Tomoko?

Luo Qing's expression was subtle; Zhi Zi had finally lost his temper and jumped out again.

"Danger? Could it be more dangerous than a Trisolaran fleet invasion?"

Zhizi replied:
Luo Ji's breach of the barrier will simultaneously threaten the survival of both Earth and the Trisolaran civilization.

Luo Qing raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean by that?"

[Literally, Luo Ji's breaching of the barrier could potentially destroy two civilizations simultaneously.]

Luo Qing pondered for a moment after hearing this, then slowly asked, "Are you serious?"

We are not lying, please stop your attempts to undermine our principles.

The speed of Zhi Zi's reply exceeded Luo Qing's expectations. Based on Luo Qing's understanding of the Trisolarans, such a quick and emotional reply was usually the truth.

Faced with the Trisolarans' answer, Luo Qing tentatively said...

"How about I stop the Trisolaran fleet and give up my attempt to break through Luo Ji's defenses?"

Tomoko stopped replying.

It seems that the Trisolaran civilization is still determined to invade Earth. In that case, don't blame Luo Qing for being impolite.

"Then there's nothing to discuss. I not only want to break through Luo Ji's barrier, but I also want to speed things up. As for the possibility that this might destroy both the Trisolaran civilization and Earth's civilization at the same time?"

Luo Qing paused for a moment, then calmly asked in return.

"It's not my business?"

(End of this chapter)