When We Meet Again, She's Pregnant - Chapter 8

“Grandmother Yuan, there’s no need to worry. We can handle the crystal mines. If you feel the profit-sharing or funding is insufficient, we can discuss it further. As for the safety and technical personnel for Monster Island, I’ll personally assist, and I’ll also talk to my sister about it.” Liu Ying smiled sweetly.

Since Grandmother Yuan had personally come forward, what else could she do? Even if the family business were to suffer losses, she would have to compensate with the main family’s resources. Whether it was her, her sister, or even their mother, the outcome would be the same.

She just hadn’t expected the subsidiaries under the City Lord’s estate to be in such dire straits. Had the resources from Monster Island’s industrial chain not been enough to cover the losses? For Grandmother Yuan to step in was a serious matter. It seemed they might even need to borrow money, and not a small sum at that.

She wasn’t sure about the family’s current financial situation or whether they could provide assistance. Though she sometimes helped her mother manage some of the family’s business affairs, her understanding of such matters was still limited.

“Grandmother Yuan, if there’s anything you need help with, just let me know,” Liu Ying said with a smile.

“Ah!” The City Lord sighed and released her hand. Liu Ying shifted to sit across from her, and the two faced each other, ready to discuss serious matters.

The room was brightly lit, and the scenery outside the window was beautiful. A waterwheel turned slowly in the distance. The sofa was soft, but the nutritious meal on the table remained untouched.

The atmosphere was peculiar.

City Lord Yuan composed herself, her expression serious as she fixed her gaze on Liu Ying. “Ying, do you know why my family’s businesses have been encountering frequent troubles lately?”

“I’m not sure,” Liu Ying answered truthfully, though she had some vague suspicions.

For a family that had lasted a thousand years, it was only natural that some aspects might not adapt well to modern changes. Many ancient families might have been legends during the “Sword and Magic” era, but in modern times, they had undoubtedly declined.

Those that could transform into small companies and sustain themselves were fortunate. The real problem lay with those unable to keep up with modern society’s pace forced to sell off antiques or relics until their descendants couldn’t even hold down ordinary jobs, leading to complete extinction. The only constant might be the aristocratic refinement passed down through generations, but even that would eventually fade.

City Lord Yuan sighed. “A while ago, Old Vien from the Vien family came to discuss a business deal with us. They wanted to station their family’s younger generation in Monster Island’s Forbidden Zone No. 3 and establish their family business there.”

Liu Ying’s delicate brows arched slightly.

“The City Lord rejected his proposal,” City Lord Yuan said, her expression complicated. “The Third Forbidden Zone is where the Moon Goddess sealed the entrance of the Demon God and where our City Lord’s estate trains our younger generation. How could we possibly transfer it to outsiders? Over the centuries, the management rights of Monster Island have already been divided three ways. We can’t split it further.”

Liu Ying leaned back in the plush chair, crossing her long legs. Dressed in a blue gown, she looked gentle and composed. This matter seemed more complicated than she had imagined. It wasn’t just about the family business. Should she press further?

She asked, “Wasn’t this part of the contract my sister negotiated?”

City Lord Yuan gave a bitter smile and touched her scepter. “The contract terms were just a cover. Originally, we wanted your mother to come, but she’s on a business trip to the Tian’ou Continent. Your mother wanted your sister to represent her, so this was the only way.”

Liu Ying’s heart pounded. “The Vien family wants to bypass the United Nations and the four major factions to develop the Third Forbidden Zone? That’s quite clever. If you agreed, neither the U.N. nor the Alliance would have any grounds to object.”

This world is a modern one, but it holds a mysterious place—the Monster Island.

Monster Island is the only remnant of the ancient Monster Forest that wasn’t submerged during the great war between gods and demons a thousand years ago. Spanning over 3.4 million square kilometers, it teems with countless magical beasts.

The core of these beasts serves as the world’s energy source.

Thus, Monster Island has become a place of both exploitation and preservation. It must retain the dangers of its primordial state. Otherwise, overexploitation would leave humanity without energy.

The methods employed by the Vien Family are a blatant violation of international law, something no faction is permitted to do.

“It’s not that simple,” City Lord Yuan shook her head with a bitter smile. “The Vien Family represents the interests of many powerful nations and factions within the magical community. Though they wouldn’t dare say it openly in front of the world, who are we to speak recklessly?”

“Our City Lord’s Manor has guarded the Third Restricted Zone for generations, it’s the foundation of our family. We cannot surrender it. Even though we refused, the Vien Family didn’t dare act rashly. But they withdrew all cooperation with us, even dismantling the Monster Island’s security barrier system. Our family’s industries have suffered heavy losses.” The City Lord’s voice was heavy with weariness.

Liu Ying finally understood. The City Lord’s Manor would never allow any faction to interfere with the Third Restricted Zone. The Vien Family wouldn’t dare provoke them openly. After all, this was the same super-family that had withstood attacks from four nations for thirty years three centuries ago. Their prestige, heritage, and hidden cards were formidable.

The Vien Family could only resort to petty schemes to weaken the City Lord’s Manor, but even that was devastating for an ancient family.

“Grandmother, what do you need me to do?” Liu Ying’s expression turned serious. The Vien Family led the Nine Great Magical Houses and dominated the Mage Guild, while her own Liu Family ranked second among them.

“Beyond the terms of the previous contract, we mainly need your help in designing or even reinforcing Monster Island’s security barrier system. If a major incident occurs there, our City Lord’s Manor will bear the blame. And if the Vien Family and their allied nations use that as an excuse to move against us, then…”

“The security barrier system for Monster Island?” Liu Ying raised an eyebrow slightly.

“That child Zhou Yi has been exhausting himself maintaining the barrier. His hairs even started turning white. If no one helps, this old woman will have to take up her magic staff and fight. Though who knows how much strength I have left at my age.”

Liu Ying studied the determined old woman. Even at nearly eighty, she lived for the duty she had sworn to uphold. Liu Ying knew the City Lord’s Manor was bound to protect the Third Restricted Zone, but she didn’t truly understand such a mission. The burden of an ancient family’s legacy.

Her Liu Family was new, founded by her mother alone just over twenty years ago.

“Don’t worry, Grandmother. Leave Monster Island’s security system to me. I’ll ensure the task is completed.” Liu Ying nodded solemnly.

Seeing her resolve, City Lord Yuan finally relaxed. The Zhou Family’s core members understood the severity of this crisis. Without help, they’d be lucky to escape with their lives. That was why she had no choice but to call upon the Liu Family.

Her relationship with them was rock-solid. As long as she asked, the Liu Family would never refuse. And with their assistance, things would become much easier.

The current Liu Family was incredibly formidable. Not only were its two matriarchs influential across nations, but their daughters were also unmatched especially her second daughter, Liu Ying, whose reputation was renowned far and wide.

City Lord Yuan gazed at the beautiful girl smiling before her. Though only nineteen, this young woman was already so outstanding and confident, truly a once-in-a-millennium prodigy. Entrusting her with constructing the new magical barrier system was undoubtedly a better choice than her elder sister.

Sure enough, after some contemplation, Liu Ying spoke up: “Grandma, I’ll temporarily use my magi-tech device as the barrier’s core. We’ll also need the complete current barrier schematic and 81 super beast cores as replacements. These we can manage, but today we still need to survey the surrounding terrain and environment. At best, the new barrier system can be set up in three to five days; at worst, eight or nine.”

“Excellent, excellent! The magi-tech devices of your Tian Xingzi lineage are equivalent to half your strength. Supporting it for eight to ten days won’t be a problem.” City Lord Yuan laugh cheerfully, her wrinkled face warm and affectionate. Looking at Liu Ying, she couldn’t help but sigh: “If only the children in my family had even a tenth of your ability, we wouldn’t have to struggle so much.”

“Grandma, don’t say that. I might just be an exception. Even if I hadn’t come, my sister could have handled it.” Liu Ying praised her sister, though inwardly she was relieved to have taken her place.

Had her sister come, she would’ve had to consult their mothers but they were away on a cross-continental assignment and couldn’t assist. In the end, her sister would’ve had to grit her teeth and tackle the task alone with her subordinates.

Yet, standing against the Vien family without their mothers’ backing would’ve been perilous. No matter how brilliant her sister was, danger would’ve been hard to avoid. Thankfully, Liu Ying had given up her own training to come instead. Who knew what might’ve happened otherwise?

“I’m not exaggerating. Remember the trouble I mentioned encountering on the way? Those children of mine are infuriating. And while your sister is exceptional, everyone knows the younger sister outshines the elder.” City Lord Yuan sighed, her admiration for Liu Ying growing by the minute.

The girl was now beyond her comprehension. Two years ago, she could still gauge Liu Ying’s level, but not anymore. On the surface, she seemed like an ordinary, gentle girl next door—quiet and unassuming.

She wondered if Liu Ying would take a liking to any of her own grandchildren if they were introduced.

Uncomfortable with the praise, Liu Ying changed the subject with a smile: “What kind of trouble? Even a behemoth like the Vien family didn’t faze you, Grandma. Surely nothing else counts as trouble.”

City Lord Yuan’s expression darkened. “It’s a major headache. This morning, I ran into Feng Yue. Do you know what that boy did? He flirted with a pretty girl he saw, angering her so much she drenched him with water magic, leaving him like a drowned rat.”

“Then he had the gall to accuse her of violating mage regulations, trying to exploit the lack of surveillance to pressure her into being his girlfriend. The poor girl was so furious she nearly killed him. He even bragged about leveraging her magical talent to elevate his own status; I nearly had a stroke from rage!”

Liu Ying blinked in surprise. That was awkward. For a family to produce such trash, especially one stirring trouble during a crisis, was a surefire way to spike anyone’s blood pressure.

How tragic!

But the girl had it worse unluckily crossing paths with such a bully. Surely she wouldn’t dare retaliate after learning he was from the City Lord’s family. What rotten luck.

Seems the City Lord’s family education leaves much to be desired clearly struggling to adapt to modern standards.

For an ordinary person, such family matters wouldn’t dare be casually commented on, but Liu Ying was fearless. She frowned and said, “Grandmother, a child who doesn’t know how to share the burden when the family faces trouble is useless. Judging by the situation, who knows how many girls he’s harmed before.”

“I looked into it. It was his first offense. When I asked why, he said the girl was just too beautiful, and he couldn’t resist having wicked thoughts.”

“All excuses. If you hadn’t happened to come across it, who knows how that ordinary girl would have escaped the tiger’s jaws.” Liu Ying shook her head helplessly. It seemed the family parasites had only grown more numerous over the centuries. If problems weren’t rooted out, it would be the end.

Great families feared parasites most of all.

“Even if it was his first time, he can’t be forgiven. I’ve frozen all his bank cards and banned him from entering Monster Beast Island. Whether he survives out there will be up to him.” The City Lord’s eyes held a mix of anger and authority.

Banned from Monster Beast Island? Liu Ying was genuinely shocked. For someone from the City Lord’s residence to be barred from the island was tantamount to being expelled from the family. Losing a life of luxury and the prestige of the City Lord’s residence was a fatal blow—harsh, but decisive.

Life could change in an instant.

Liu Ying sighed.

One moment, bathed in splendor and excess; the next, stripped of everything and struggling forward. Would she, too, face such a fate?

No. She wouldn’t.

“But that girl really was quite beautiful and clever. Even without me there, I believe she could have handled it herself. They’re both children from noble schools, yet the difference between them is so vast.” The old woman shook her head, her eyes tinged with sorrow.