America: The neighbor's wife is so incredibly hospitable!

The blizzard finally stopped on the morning of the third day.

It didn't last a whole week as expected!

The long-awaited sunlight shone on the snow-capped ridges of the Rocky Mountains, refracting a dazzling golden light.

The whole world seemed to have been cleansed, clean and pure, yet eerily quiet.

The group of scientists who had been in the basement finally emerged.

Dr. Evans held a thick stack of reports in his hand, his beard was unkempt, and his eyes were dark-rimmed.

But my mind is in a state of extreme excitement, like I've just inhaled a ton of caffeine.

"Chen! Mr. White's video conference is ready!"

The doctor handed the satellite phone to Chen An, who was clearing snow from the porch.

Chen An put down the shovel and answered the phone.

On the other side of the screen, Robert White had clearly just finished an important negotiation.

He was sitting in the study with its mahogany bookshelves, his tie loosened, holding a glass of celebratory champagne.

"Chen, good news."

Robert's voice was a little hoarse, but it revealed an undisguised smugness.

"The people at the Pentagon have taken the bait."

"It's not just biting the hook, it's practically trying to swallow the whole rod."

"Strategic reserves?" Chen An asked.

"Yes. The security of the new energy battery supply chain is now a top priority for the Ministry of National Defense."

"They looked at the core sample data that Evans sent over, and the quality of that emerald green spodumene drove them absolutely crazy."

Robert swirled his glass. "They've agreed to provide full security support."

"In other words, the area within five miles of your farm will be designated as a 'defense-related sensitive area'."

"Any corporate spy who wants to cause trouble, or a fool like that Smith from before."

"You'll no longer be dealing with you and your dog, but with agents from the Department of Homeland Security."

"sounds good."

Chen An smiled. "But I have one condition."

"I don't want my name to appear in any public documents."

"I just want to be a silent partner who takes a share of the profits and raises cattle on the farm."

"clever."

Robert nodded approvingly. "I think so too. After all, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it."

"So we registered a new shell company called 'Titan Resources'."

"You are a major shareholder operating under a hidden name."

"Even if Forbes investigates, they won't find your record."

"make a deal."

hang up the phone.

Chen An looked at the snow-capped mountains in the distance and took a deep breath of the cold air.

From this day forward, he is no longer just an heir who got lucky.

Rather, it is one of the most secretive mining giants on this continent.

The feeling of controlling everything from the shadows fascinated him more than standing in the spotlight.

………………

noon.

To celebrate the end of the blizzard and the enormous fortune to come, Sarah prepared a lavish lunch.

Venison is still the main ingredient, and this time it's made into a steaming hot venison stew.

It contains plenty of potatoes, carrots, and red wine, and has a wonderful aroma.

On the table.

The scientists wolfed down their food, as if they hadn't eaten for three days.

Jessica, however, seemed somewhat distracted.

She was wearing a white, fitted sweater today, with a rather low neckline.

And on that snow-white skin, hung an irregular, pale green crystal strung together with a black leather cord.

That was the raw stone Chen An gave her last night.

She worked through the night using her old handicraft tools to drill a hole and turn it into a necklace.

The crystal rested against her collarbone, rising and falling slightly with her breath, radiating a captivating glow.

Upon seeing the crystals, Sarah paused in her hand as she cut the bread.

As a woman, especially one who deeply loves Chen An, she has a natural radar for shiny things.

Jessica.

Sarah asked, seemingly casually, "Um... the stone around your neck is quite unique."

"Where did you buy it? I've never seen it before."

Jessica was startled and instinctively covered the stone.

"Ah? This..." She looked at Chen An in a bit of a panic.

"It's...it's what I saw in the basement yesterday."

"That was scrap material that the professors didn't want. I thought it looked pretty, so I picked it up and wore it."

"scrap?"

Sarah raised an eyebrow.

The stone was crystal clear and obviously not an ordinary item.

Dr. Evans, who was drinking soup, nearly choked to death upon hearing this.

"Scrap materials?! That's..."

"That's quartz that comes with granite."

Chen An kicked the doctor hard under the table, then continued the conversation without changing his expression.

"Evans said the stone is hard enough to be used as a decorative item."

"I saw that Jessica liked it, so I let her take it to play with."

He turned to Sarah, his eyes frank. "What? You want some too? Then I'll have them smash a few more later."

Sarah looked at Chen An, then at her daughter who was blushing with nervousness.

She is a smart woman.

Of course she knew that it wasn't some kind of waste.

That was a "gift" from Chen An to Jessica.

A bitter feeling called "jealousy" welled up in my heart, but it was quickly suppressed by another emotion.

Since she chose to depend on this powerful man.

Having chosen to live in this "three-person family," some things are better left unsaid than exposed.

At least, the meat was cooked in the pot.

"No need," Sarah said with a gentle and polite smile.

"It suits Jessica perfectly."

"Young girls look energetic wearing this kind of green."

"I'll pass on that, but I still prefer the hand cream you gave me last time."

In short, it's about using minimal force to achieve maximum effect.

Hand cream represents thoughtful care, while the stone... is just a toy.

Jessica breathed a sigh of relief, but hearing the subtext of "young girl" and "toy," she felt a little resentful.

She couldn't help but puff out her chest, letting the stone sway between her breasts.

"Thank you for the compliment."

"I also think it suits me very well."

The undercurrents beneath the table made the meal all the more enjoyable.

………………

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

After the scientists had eaten and drunk their fill, they went back to the basement to work out the data.

The sky was getting dark.

The last rays of the setting sun shone on the huge red cedar bathtub in the back porch.

After Chen An spent the whole morning heating it, the water inside was already steaming hot, like an enticing hot spring trap.

"The water temperature should be about right."

Chen An stood on the porch, wearing only a bath towel, and tested the water.

He turned around and looked towards the living room.

Behind the floor-to-ceiling window, two women were sitting on the sofa watching TV.

Chen An knocked on the glass.

"Jessica," he mouthed.

Jessica looked up abruptly, meeting Chen An's suggestive eyes.

She remembered that promise!

"If you don't lock the door, then be my assistant."

She glanced at Sarah beside her.

"Mom... um, I'd like to take a bath."

"My leg hurts a bit, I want to put a hot compress on it," Jessica said, offering a lame excuse.

Sarah stopped knitting a scarf.

She looked at the man who was faintly visible in the steam outside the window, and then at her daughter whose face was as red as an apple.

As someone who's been through it all, how could she not know what "hot compress" means?

This is the final boundary.

It was also the final decision.

"Go."

Sarah lowered her head and continued knitting the scarf, her voice so calm that no emotion could be discerned.

"Remember to bring those bath salts with essential oils."

"An likes that taste."

This is more than just agreeing.

Is this... fueling the fire?

Jessica was stunned, a huge sense of guilt welling up inside her.

But that longing and Chen An's gaze from outside the window drew her in like a powerful magnet.

"...Thank you, Mom."

She grabbed a bath towel from the table and ran towards the back door as if fleeing.