Chapter 118: Welcoming Little Hua Amidst Heavy Doubts

Early the next morning, a private jet, converted from an Airbus, touched down smoothly at the large airport on the western side of the island.

A line of luxury vehicles stood waiting. In the center of the motorcade was a black stretch limousine bearing a unique hood ornament: the Chinese character for "Ma." Clearly, this vehicle was not a product of any factory in the prime plane; it had been researched and manufactured by Ma Jun in another dimension, its performance far surpassing any car on Earth. As Ma Jun liked to joke, he was the master of this island, and he set all the rules. Naturally, there were no traffic police to obstruct his motorcade.

Flanking the limousine were ten black SUVs. A group of super-powered biochemical robots quickly exited the vehicles, all dressed in sharp black suits and wearing dark glasses, exuding an aura of immense authority. Once they disembarked, some took up positions while others moved toward the terminal. The island’s airport was Ma Jun’s private facility, capable of accommodating five large aircraft at once. Because there was no need to transport large numbers of passengers, only a single terminal building and a small lounge had been constructed.

Shortly after the plane came to a halt, the passenger stairs were rolled into place, and Xiaohua appeared. The super-powered biochemical robots gathered around her, escorting her from the airport to the waiting motorcade. Only then did Ma Jun step out of the limousine, the door opened for him by one of his subordinates.

To welcome Xiaohua, Ma Jun had specifically dressed in somewhat formal casual trousers and a short-sleeved shirt, paired with soft black leather shoes. He studied her as she approached. It had been a long time, and she seemed to have grown a bit taller. She was wearing a red dress, her hair was now styled in a short bob, and her exquisite face was lit by a brilliant smile.

"Wow, it hasn't been that long, but you've really put on quite a show here. You look like the world’s richest man or some kind of president," Xiaohua said with a grin as she reached him.

"It’s just to welcome you!" Ma Jun replied, also beaming. "Come here, give me a hug. I’ve missed you to death!"

Xiaohua tried to dodge him, laughing, but failed. "Let go of me, quickly!"

Ma Jun laughed heartily, took a deep breath, and stepped back half a pace. "Alright, you’ve even learned to use makeup and perfume. It seems you’re not a little girl anymore! Come on, let’s get in the car and talk on the way back!"

Once they were seated, the motorcade began to move. Along the way, Xiaohua looked around with curiosity, first examining the interior decor of the car, then gazing out at the scenery. "I must say, in such a short time, you’ve managed to build such a beautiful and luxuriously equipped island. This must have cost a fortune. You certainly know how to enjoy life!"

"It was all handled by our own people. All the construction on the island was done by our own staff. It required a lot of manpower, but the construction period was very short," Ma Jun said, opening the window and lighting a cigar. He then pressed a button, and a cabinet inside the car opened, emitting a plume of cold air. He gestured toward the various drinks stored within. "Pick something to drink. It’s quite hot here, so cool yourself down!"

Xiaohua didn't stand on ceremony; she chose a juice and took a refreshing sip. "It seems this car is also something you developed yourself! I never imagined that since I left, you’ve had such an explosive development."

"That’s because we laid a solid foundation. Isn't all of this thanks to you?" Ma Jun said with a chuckle. "So, how about this—now that you’re back, don’t leave again. Stay here and live with me from now on!"

"Not a chance. If I stay with you for too long, who knows when you might devour me until not even my bones are left!" Xiaohua shook her head with feigned arrogance. "Don't I know you by now?"

"Is that so?" Ma Jun laughed loudly.

The motorcade proceeded along the road, completely unimpeded, and twenty minutes later, they finally entered the estate. Xiaohua leaned out to get a better look at the massive property, exclaiming in admiration, "This is... truly opulent. You’re living such a refined and comfortable life... Wow, and you have so many animals!"

After getting out of the car, Ma Jun led Xiaohua forward, passing through gardens and ponds until they reached the exterior of the castle. Xiaohua tilted her head back to look up at it. "Good heavens, a castle? Do you fancy yourself a king or a prince?"

"That depends on what you’d like to be, Xiaohua. If you want to be a princess, then naturally I am the prince. If you prefer to be a queen, then of course I am the king!" Ma Jun said with a smile. "Come on, let’s go inside. You must be tired after such a long flight. Take a quick tour, pick a room to rest in, and there’s a feast waiting for you at noon!"

"Hmph, I don't want to be any queen or princess!" Xiaohua tapped Ma Jun lightly on the shoulder and followed him into the castle.

The castle contained over a hundred rooms of varying sizes, each with a distinct interior design—some modern, some in a classic Western European style, and others in a traditional ancient Chinese style. After a brief tour, Xiaohua chose a room on an upper floor with a high-tech aesthetic and a window overlooking the coastline.

Once Xiaohua was settled, Ma Jun’s smile faded. He changed into shorts, a tank top, and slippers, then went to lie down on a chair in the garden outside the castle, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Xiaohua has been out on her own for so long, yet my surveillance showed no strange behavior. Now, she has suddenly returned. I wonder... what she is planning..."

"Although the system has been separated, its most vital parts likely rely on a core in an unknown space that I don't understand at all. The chip in the Qiankun Ring—the so-called 'host'—is merely a mechanical device."

"Could it be that I’m overthinking this?"

"Is the system just a simple system, and I just got incredibly lucky, like gold falling from the sky?"

"But there is no such thing as a free lunch. My parents and ancestors for eighteen generations were all ordinary people. If this were just a simple rebirth, I wouldn't have so many concerns."

"It’s strange that after being reborn, a system suddenly appeared to assist me and propel me to the pinnacle of life."

"I used to think the system was just like any other computer, only with superior technology. But the fact that I can still purchase the Qiankun Ring and biochemical servants even after the system was separated is incomprehensible. There must be something in the void that I don't know about."

"Or perhaps... is that part controlled by Xiaohua?"

"Or maybe..."

"Regardless, at least Xiaohua has become human now. And as a human, one has both emotion and reason. Even the most formidable person will have moments of sentimentality. If I test her slowly, there will eventually be a moment when she reveals a clue!"

Ma Jun exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his eyes narrowed, while his right hand stroked a tiger that had wandered over. The animals in the estate were already accustomed to Ma Jun. Moreover, animals possess keen senses, especially the more ferocious ones; they could perceive the suppressed violence and energy hidden within Ma Jun’s body. Because of this, all the animals in the estate were perfectly docile in his presence.