In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

"...Hey, let's go, let's go."

Xu Shi slowly got up, "Looking at the stars isn't enough to satisfy our hunger; we need proper eating, drinking, and having fun."

"Wait."

Xie Qingyan stopped him at that moment.

"Ok?"

Before Xu could react, the other person gently placed a kiss on his cheek.

"you……"

This really left Xiao Xu a bit bewildered. What was going on? Why did they suddenly pull this stunt?

"Don't misunderstand, it doesn't mean anything by it."

The dog-woman pointed a finger at her lips. "It's just... something I wanted to do."

After saying that, she left feeling refreshed.

He stood there for a while, savoring the moment, before shaking his head with a smile.

Hmph, just a wicked woman's tactic of playing hard to get.

……

The banquet prepared for Xu Shi and his party was quite lavish. Whether it was to welcome them back or to repay their life-saving grace, almost the entire Silver Pine Island participated—bonfires were lit, cattle and sheep were slaughtered, and there was singing and dancing, making it a lively affair.

Xu Shi, as the guest of honor, sat in the seat of honor and was soon surrounded by the enthusiasm of the islanders.

Only then did he truly understand why Pan Cheng had said "You are the great benefactor of Silver Pine Island" instead of "I, Pan Cheng, am the great benefactor of you."

It wasn't just because he saved more than just Pan Cheng; more importantly, this place felt more like a big family where people helped each other. Saving someone would make everyone grateful, but conversely, if you touched something bad, you would instantly become the target of everyone's hatred.

Just like now, everyone's enthusiasm is genuine, and it's not just because they're happy about throwing a party. They genuinely regard him as a benefactor or a friend, even though he doesn't recognize many of the people in the party.

Don't say that, I'm actually a bad person... I felt a little uncomfortable for a while, but then I thought about it and let it go. Oh well, let's just enjoy life while we can.

"This is a really nice place."

He wasn't the only one with this thought; Xia Wuyou, sitting next to him, was also stirred up and leaned in with a smile, "Husband, would you like to have a drink with me?"

"Come here, my little wife."

Xu Shi didn't hold back at all, taking advantage of the clinking of glasses to grope her all over, making Xia Xiaomao blush with embarrassment. "So many people are watching, why do you keep doing this?"

"By the way, how did you play just now?"

Xu Shi, however, was unaware of this and casually asked the question.

"It's quite interesting."

Xia Wuyou smiled and said, "I spent the afternoon playing with those two children of Island Master Pan. That older sister, Pan Feng, can also use a sword. I taught her a few moves, and the little girl almost became my disciple."

The people here mostly use cold weapons; firearms are relatively rare, with only able-bodied men owning one or two.

"Really? What do you think of her?"

"Not bad? It feels like you've received some guidance, but it's still mostly self-taught... not as good as me."

Xia Wuyou thought for a moment and said, "She's also an 'Ascended One,' her abilities are related to speed, probably at a C+B- level, which makes her quite suitable for using melee weapons."

"If she wants to be like you, then go home."

Xu Shi joked, "What about the younger sister?"

"My younger sister... I haven't paid much attention to her."

Xia Xiaomao shook her head. "She doesn't talk much, unlike her sister. She must also be capable, but I don't know what it is."

"Oh."

Xu Shi nodded slightly, indicating that he had gained some understanding of them.

"And what about their two mothers?"

"Why are you asking this?!"

Xia Wuyou looked surprised, wondering why the conversation had suddenly jumped to some strange frequency...

"Haha, just kidding."

Xu Shi waved his hand and took a sip of wine. "Although I have the bearing of a prime minister, I don't have his inclinations in this regard, especially since Pan Cheng is practically his friend. What's that saying? 'A friend's wife is not to be...'"

Yes, it is like that.

"Brother Xu, are you satisfied?"

As he was speaking, my friend—no, my good friend—came and enthusiastically drank a large glass of wine before finally asking what was wrong.

"I couldn't be more satisfied."

Xu Shi offered him a toast, saying, "I've never experienced a banquet like this before. Brother Pan has really broadened my horizons."

Exotic flair, swaying to the top!

"We haven't had a get-together in a long time, and to be honest, we're really benefiting from your presence."

Pan Cheng laughed heartily, "Also, all the supplies for you have been delivered... I see you have another ship? The other supplies should be ready by tomorrow?"

"Actually, it's not necessary..."

Xu Shi smiled sheepishly, "The other ship has enough supplies, so there's no need for you to worry, Brother Pan."

That's not the case.

Pan Cheng waved his hand dismissively, "Your subordinates also contributed back then... No matter what, I want to express my gratitude, and if you don't accept it, you're disrespecting me!"

"...Okay, thank you then."

Xu Shi smiled helplessly.

To be honest, he rarely felt guilty, mainly because those were highly mechanized combat soldiers who didn't really need to eat; they only needed to drink nutrient solutions or recharge...

Even the excuse of "needing supplies" was just a pretext to make it easier to enter Silverpine Island and the Hualan Empire. I didn't expect them to take it so seriously and actually treat it as a serious matter...

This is too much enthusiasm... Indeed, sincerity is always the best weapon.

"...Come on, let's drink!"

Xu Shi didn't know how to explain it to the man. If he tried to make excuses, the man might get upset, so he had no choice but to accept it for now.

"That's right, we won't leave until we're drunk!"

……

Actually, he didn't get too drunk. The alcohol here is low in alcohol content and doesn't give him a headache. Xu Shi, who didn't go back to rest until late at night, still got up very early the next day.

The mess from yesterday was still visible on the open ground outside, and the people cleaning up greeted him warmly.

"Hey, Brother Xu, up so early!"

Pan Cheng also woke up early in the morning. As the island lord, he never rested for too long.

"Brother Pan."

"Come to my house for something to eat. Yu Rong's hangover soup is absolutely amazing!"

"...Okay, I'll be right there."

Xu Shi nodded. He finally realized his weakness: he simply couldn't refuse such a sincere invitation...

Of course, people like Pan Cheng are probably rare.

"By the way, Brother Pan, there's something I really need to ask you for a favor."

The hangover soup was indeed very effective, but while drinking it, I suddenly remembered something important.

"you say?"

"I wonder if there are any vacant spaces on the island?"

Xu Shi said, "I want to build a signal base station here."

"A signal base station? What's that?"

Pan Cheng and his family were completely baffled.

"Ah...it's a kind of remote communication method where we live."

Xu Shi tried to explain in a way they could understand, “We tried a few things at sea before, but the results weren’t very good… I’ve been away from home for a month now, so I have to find a way to let my family know I’m safe.”

This was also part of his plan. In any case, a signal station on land would be more stable. Setting one up on Silverpine Island would make it much easier to contact Night City, both now and in the future, instead of only being able to send short-frequency telegrams as before.

"Should you let your family know you're safe? That's very important."

Pan Cheng thought for a moment and didn't refuse. "It just so happens that there's no one around on the back mountain. Brother Xu, you can do it there... Do you need me to send someone to help you?"

"No need for that, we have people who can do it themselves."

Xu Shi smiled. He had to admit that the other party's straightforwardness saved him a lot of trouble. As for where to build it, it didn't matter. He couldn't let this matter disrupt the original life on Silver Pine Island.

"That's fine, just let me know before you start construction."

Pan Cheng nodded. "By the way, I actually have something to ask you."

"Brother Pan, please feel free to speak up?"

"that is……"

Pan Cheng organized his thoughts and was about to speak when he was interrupted by a voice from outside the door.

"Boss Pan, Luo Yu is back!"

Damn it, while I was writing this I suddenly felt like adding some jabs to the relationship between Chairman Xu and Chairman Xie...

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 215 I won't cooperate, what can you do to me?

"Xiaoyu is back?"

Upon hearing this, Pan Cheng immediately stood up. "Didn't you say you'd be back in a few days? You're back so soon?"