Chapter 21: Brothers in Arms

Qiao Mian had already instructed Zero to set aside a section behind the administrative center, off-limits to tourists, as a residence for his parents and himself.

Throughout the journey, his parents remained silent.

Qiao Mian understood this stemmed from their reluctance to part with their old home.

Yet, he also knew this was a step that had to be taken.

Now that he possessed the Fantasy Park, he was no longer an ordinary man.

Though he could not guarantee the welfare of everyone he knew, providing his parents with certain resources was only natural.

As more and more extraordinary items appeared in the park, his parents would inevitably transcend their mundane existence; sooner or later, they would have to bid farewell to all that was familiar.

…

While Qiao Mian and his family were moving out of their old house, an emergency meeting was being convened in the county committee’s conference room.

The generally undisputed Secretary Huang, who wielded the greatest authority in the county, sat in the back row near the wall. He kept his knees together, a notebook open on his lap, eyes fixed intently on the middle-aged man seated at the head of the table.

Beneath the projection screen at the front, two upright figures stood.

One was Wang Lang; the other was Zhang Fei, who had entered the Fantasy Park with him.

Zhang Fei did most of the talking, with Wang Lang adding details as needed.

The two recounted everything they had witnessed in the Fantasy Park, leaving out nothing.

“What does everyone think about this Fantasy Park?” the middle-aged man at the head of the table asked once the two had finished their report.

Secretary Huang, recognizing the man he had only ever seen on television, straightened his back even more.

“Undoubtedly, this is something that surpasses all current technological understanding,” began a bespectacled, grey-haired man.

Secretary Huang listened carefully, silently muttering “obvious,” feeling that this ‘Academician Zhang,’ the leading advisor from the ministry, was simply reiterating his own thoughts.

Just as he was thinking this, the man’s tone shifted: “However, regarding this Mr. Qiao, I have a few opinions.”

“Please, go ahead,” the middle-aged man at the head said.

“First, setting aside the so-called trans-dimensional entertainment company and the question of whether his claims about different levels of civilization are true, let’s talk about his background,” said Academician Zhang. “I believe there is a high probability he is from Earth.”

“Why?” someone asked.

“Firstly, his linguistic habits,” the man said, turning to a white-haired elder. “Professor Zhao is the expert in this field. Perhaps you could elaborate?”

The old man nodded. “Our country is vast, and every region has its own linguistic nuances. Even those who speak standard Mandarin from different areas retain subtle distinctions in pronunciation and usage…”

“So my judgment is that he is likely a local, or at least has extensive interaction with locals…”

After the elder finished, a psychologist spoke up: “Based on his behavior—such as purchasing that mountain five years ago under the pretense of a missing person, developing the place for years without exposure, and only passively revealing everything after someone stumbled in…”

“He demonstrates strong responsiveness but lacks drive. He’s a thinker, cautious and loyal, but prone to getting caught up in details… His social skills are somewhat unpolished, even a bit rash at times…”

“So, Professor Wu, what’s your overall impression of this man?” the middle-aged man interrupted.

“He’s not difficult to get along with, and he harbors goodwill toward us,” replied Professor Wu.

The middle-aged man nodded, looking to Academician Zhang.

Academician Zhang inclined his head slightly and continued, “The two professors have covered most of it. Let me summarize and add a bit more.”

“This Mr. Qiao is likely a local or has lived here for a long time. He’s not very old and has average life experience…”

“Our local colleagues can investigate recent college or high school graduates from the past five years—freelancers or those in relatively idle jobs in nearby towns. Quietly collect information on these people, focusing on those whose families have undergone significant changes, like moving or sudden wealth in the past five years…”

Secretary Huang, sitting in the corner, suddenly felt he was onto something.

“What about the surname?” The county magistrate sitting beside Secretary Huang seized the chance to impress the superior. “Should we focus on those with the surname Qiao?”

Academician Wang nodded. “It’s worth looking into.”

He was somewhat skeptical, thinking that since Mr. Qiao was reluctant to show his face, he would hardly use his real surname.

Secretary Huang slapped his thigh hard in sudden realization.

The sound startled the county magistrate beside him, and the others looked over as well.

“Do you have something to add?” the middle-aged man at the head asked.

“Sir, I just remembered something,” Secretary Huang said excitedly. “It might be related to Mr. Qiao’s identity.”

Everyone’s attention turned to him.

Though Secretary Huang was seasoned in handling crises, he felt uneasy under so many scrutinizing gazes.

He squeezed his fist lightly, feigning calm. “Earlier at lunch, I overheard a new driver in logistics chatting. He said he had a friend he hadn’t seen for years, who now drives a sports car worth tens of millions.”

“I asked a few questions, and he said that friend dropped out of college five years ago to run a farm at home. His parents are both farmers,” Secretary Huang paused, “and the guy’s surname seems to be Qiao!”

Everyone felt their breath catch.

Surname Qiao.

Dropped out five years ago to run a farm at home.

Parents are farmers, driving a twenty million yuan car.

“Bring that driver in,” the middle-aged man at the head of the table said gravely.

Soon, Min’er was brought in.

He had heard that some bigwigs were in town, but never imagined he would be summoned to meet them alone.

Seeing so many distinguished faces in the room—some of whom he’d only ever seen on television—he felt his breath catch.

He was just a poor academic washout who’d dropped out of college for gaming, and only managed to get a driver’s job at the county government through family connections. Never did he expect to be ushered into a room with such powerful people.

“This is something I can brag about for the rest of my life,” Min’er thought, cheeks flushed.

It took three calls before he finally snapped to attention.

“Tell us about your friend,” Secretary Huang prompted.

“My friend?” Min’er was still a bit dazed.

“Twenty million,” Huang whispered as a hint.

“Oh.” Min’er recollected himself and repeated what he’d told Secretary Huang earlier.

At the end, he added instinctively, “We’re really close. When he started his farm, he even wanted me to partner with him, but I didn’t want to take advantage.”

“Do you know his phone number?” the man at the head asked.

Min’er hesitated, scratching his head. “I’ll have to ask around.”

“Never mind,” the man waved it off. “Where is his home?”

“Uh… where was it again?” Min’er scratched his head.

“At least you must remember his name?” the middle-aged man asked, taking a deep breath.

“Noodles… No, Qiao Mian?”

Seeing the crowd’s increasingly stern expressions, Min’er was nearly in tears. “I’ll ask our other classmates.”

“Aren’t you two close?” Secretary Huang pressed.

Min’er was on the verge of crying. “That’s just how I feel…”

…