Chapitre 259: Yuwu Expansion (1)
Months passed, and summer vacation arrived. With it came the realization that Yasushi and his friends would soon enter their third year in college. For Yasushi, Jingliu, and Xinyi, their journey at the university would stretch across six years, leaving them with several more ahead. In contrast, their other friends had only two years left before setting out on their separate paths.
For now, that wasn't the primary concern. Yasushi, Jingliu, Layena, Xinyi, Catherine, Yunxue, Yinhaie, and Nandini had returned to China, visiting Xinyi's birthplace in Yuwu.
As they stepped out of the car, the group took in the sight of construction dominating the landscape. Machinery roared, workers moved purposefully, and the transformation of the town was apparent everywhere.
"This is... more than my parents let on," Xinyi said, scanning the activity. "Looks like about half the town's been rebuilt. The rest? I'm guessing we'll be helping finish it — mostly with hard labor and admin work." Her eyes moved from one site to another, taking in the ongoing efforts surrounding them.
"Hard labor, as in carrying a bunch of stuff for construction?" Yasushi asked, his tone plain. Xinyi nodded in response.
"Much like what we did in Shirakawa-go. We'll be helping the town adjust to everything," she explained, her voice casual. "From what I saw earlier, and based on the updates sent by our staff, most people are adapting quickly. There are just a few exceptions." She paused, gesturing ahead. "Anyway, let's grab some lunch before we head out to help."
They walked up the Cheng family's long driveway, the path familiar from their previous visits. The wide doorway of the home opened to reveal the same interior they remembered. Xinyi led them through with confidence, navigating past hallways and furniture until they reached the dining room without any trouble.
Inside, they found a long table set with various dishes. It wasn't as much food as Xinyi had anticipated, but it looked more than sufficient for lunch. They took their seats quickly, not wasting any time before starting their meal.
"Just as good as the last time we came here," Yasushi muttered between bites, savoring the Chinese food on his plate.
The others gave quiet nods of agreement before a maid, one Yasushi had only glimpsed a handful of times, appeared beside Xinyi. She carried a tray loaded with more food and a small selection of desserts. With practiced motions, she set the dishes down on the table, her demeanor calm and professional.
Her pink hair, unusually vibrant, contrasted sharply with her traditional Chinese maid uniform, and her light pink eyes gave her an almost otherworldly presence. Yasushi didn't think much of it — people with hair in every color imaginable weren't rare in this world anymore.
Catching him staring, Xinyi's grin widened, a mischievous glint in her expression. "She's our head maid here. Her name's Nianqing. Be polite, okay?"
Yasushi gave a small nod in response, directing it to both Xinyi and the maid. Nianqing acknowledged him with a warm smile before turning and walking away. Still, Yasushi couldn't shake the subtle feeling that her eyes had lingered on him just a bit too long before she left. That detail, though minor, left him feeling slightly uneasy.
Did she despise him? For what reason? Was it because he had turned down Xinyi? Even if he had, Xinyi continued pursuing him. She'd even gone so far as to claim she'd settle for being his mistress, though he had dismissed that outright. Strangely, it didn't seem like Xinyi was bothered by his refusal.
Over the past two years, her attempts to win him over had become a lot less subtle. Still, he had consistently turned her down at every opportunity because Yasushi cared deeply for Jingliu. Perhaps that was the reason behind it? Yasushi wasn't sure, but he had already decided he would keep his guard up around them for the rest of the summer vacation.
They lingered at the table, finishing their meal over the next half-hour before stepping back outside.
"I'll take charge of the route," Xinyi announced, pulling her phone from her pocket. "I've got a list of sites and the percentages of how far along they are. We'll start with the completed ones for inspections and work our way down."
With that said, Xinyi took the lead, her steps purposeful as Catherine, Jingliu, and Yinhaie moved up to join her at the front. Yasushi walked slightly behind, his head turning often as he scanned the surroundings. It had been years since he last set foot here, and every corner seemed different from the town he remembered.
Yuwu, once a small agricultural town, had begun to evolve. The remnants of its humble beginnings still clung to the outskirts, but the heart of it was transforming. Construction sites dotted the area, and new buildings rose, promising growth that could elevate it into something far beyond its original scale. It wasn't yet a bustling center, but the signs of potential were everywhere — perhaps it would become a large town, maybe even a small city.
Even so, Yasushi reserved judgment, wanting to see more of what had been built and improved before reaching any conclusions. As he absorbed the sight of new developments and old landmarks alike, Nandini and Yunxue observed as well, though in contrasting ways. Yunxue's gaze wandered naturally, taking in the atmosphere. Nandini, however, examined everything with a careful eye, pausing occasionally to study specific details.
"This place could eventually turn into a hub for agricultural farming," Nandini remarked, her tone more matter-of-fact than speculative.
"What do you mean by that?" Yasushi asked, glancing at her.
The buildings and equipment visible along their path showcased a blend of advanced technology. Many appeared to incorporate quantum systems, artificial intelligence, or a combination of the two. It was clear these innovations were intended to revolutionize farming methods. Yuwu seemed to have been chosen as the starting point for such changes, and Nandini speculated aloud about the process behind it.
"I'd imagine the family got the locals to agree to this willingly," she said, pointing toward an arcade center that stood among the other establishments. "It doesn't look like anyone's upset about it, except maybe a few business owners."
Yasushi followed her gesture and noticed the arcade. "Oh, that place," he said, recalling the time he spent there with Xinyi and the others during his initial visit. "Yeah, I can probably guess why. It's not even shutting down, though — it's being upgraded. Don't know why he's mad. Typical, I guess."
He thought back to the owner, whose reputation for being stingy and perpetually annoyed had left an impression. It could be something as simple as higher electricity costs or some arbitrary reason that had gotten under the owner's skin. Yasushi decided it wasn't worth bringing up, but when they unexpectedly turned toward the arcade, he couldn't hide his surprise.
The group walked into the establishment, its transformation apparent. Where it once stood as a tired, single-story arcade with peeling paint and unreliable cooling, it now rose to three levels, a testament to its revitalization. The ground floor retained its arcade roots, alive with the droning of machines and the chatter of visitors. Above that, a second floor offered an all-ages bar, complete with a polished counter and stools that didn't wobble. The top floor had been converted into the owner's living space, the windows hinting at a modernized interior.
Inside, the heat of old summers had been replaced by the quiet coolness of air-conditioning, a welcome change from the days of struggling fans that barely worked. The atmosphere felt inviting, drawing in regulars and newcomers alike.
The owner, seated behind the counter, looked up as the group approached. A smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned back in his chair. "Well, if it isn't little Xinyi and her entourage," he said, his voice carrying a mix of recognition and mild annoyance. "Except you're not so little anymore. What's it been — two years into college?"
Xinyi crossed her arms, meeting his remark head-on. "And you still look like crap," she shot back, her words sparking quiet laughter from her friends.
The man didn't bother retaliating, letting out a sigh instead. "Alright, so what brings you all here?" he asked, waving off her jab with indifference.
"We're here just to check on a few things. During summer, we'll be overseeing all of this, so you'd better get used to having us around," Xinyi said while tapping her shoulder for emphasis.
The older man let out a long sigh before speaking. "So, you're the ones they told me about? Great… Fine, since I technically work for your family now, do whatever you need to. Just don't wreck the place, alright?" Without waiting for a reply, he shuffled back to his chair and began scrolling through his phone.
Xinyi gave a nonchalant shrug and motioned for the group to follow her into the building. Though the arcade machines were familiar, the place itself had undergone noticeable changes. The machines had been repaired and maintained, but beyond that, everything else had been overhauled.
The floors gleamed, the walls bore fresh designs, and the ceiling had been revamped to match a specific aesthetic. It was a throwback to the styles of the eighties and nineties — bright, inviting, and alive with color. The look was designed to attract children and teenagers alike, a refreshing change from the blandness of many modern establishments.
"I like it. It's different from before," Yunxue said, looking around with bright eyes that scanned every corner.
Xinyi gave a quick nod. "My dad said the deal works like this: they're covering most of the bills but taking thirty percent of whatever the place earns. In exchange, the owner gets to live here. The third floor is his home now, and it's way better than the place he was in before. That old spot looked more like a wreck."
"Wait," Yasushi interrupted, his tone sharp with disbelief, "you mean that weird, shitty shack we saw next door last time? I thought it was an outdoor toilet or something."
Xinyi broke into a laugh, shaking her head as she spoke. "Nope, that was his place. Yeah, it was bad. The guy wasn't exactly thriving, but this whole remodel changes everything. A fresh coat of paint, a new setup — it's a solid start. With more people moving into the area, his customer base should grow fast."
"Living like this is definitely a step up," Nandini chimed in, her focus on one of the arcade machines as she poked at its screen. "And I'm betting he's got some AI systems handling the upkeep now. Probably makes his life a lot easier."
They all looked at the machine she was poking, their attention drawn to its blinking lights and complex buttons. Nandini had already begun exploring its systems, her fingers dancing over the control panel. From what they could tell, the device had received significant updates. Although the basic mechanics remained familiar, particularly to customers who wouldn't notice the changes, the integration of AI had elevated its capabilities in subtle but impressive ways.
"It's not…emulators, is it?" Jingliu asked abruptly, catching everyone off guard. She glanced around as though bracing for reactions. "What? I've started playing games a little because of Yasushi," she admitted, the admission softening her expression just slightly.
"No, not emulators," Nandini replied without looking up, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "This setup's been overhauled by different experts, or so it seems. My guess is your parents hired the original developers or coders familiar with these systems, got them to optimize the performance, and then added AI to refine it even further. It's running buttery smooth now. Space Invaders at 60 to 120 FPS? That's interesting," she added with a small smile, seemingly impressed by the unnecessary, almost absurd optimization.
"A bit much, don't you think?" Xinyi asked, raising an eyebrow as she eyed the old arcade game. Her tone wasn't accusing, just genuinely curious about the excessive upgrade to such a classic setup.
"It's their choice to do these things. Most people won't even notice because they're not familiar enough with the tech yet. Plus, with the way the interface usually looks, the only difference anyone might see is that it runs smoother," Yasushi explained.
They talked a little more about the changes before moving on to try out other machines. They went through each game on the first floor, testing the adjustments and checking out the renovation. Everything seemed in order, and they found nothing concerning.
When they headed to the second floor, something new was immediately apparent. The space had been turned into an all-age bar with a few arcade machines scattered around. A massive flat-screen TV, currently turned off, dominated one wall, while seating options ranged from regular tables and chairs to beanbags spread across the room.
"It's closed right now, but I'd bet this place opens in the evenings," Yinhaie said as they all took a moment to look around.
After they had finished exploring the room's details, the group began moving about, splitting into smaller clusters. Xinyi stayed close to Jingliu and Yasushi as the three focused on inspecting the building with more purpose. Meanwhile, the others wandered, following their interests rather than any specific plan.
Yunxue and Layena made their way to the bar, rummaging through the shelves and storage spaces. Yunxue's hand paused over a row of bottles before picking up a few. "Plenty of Sprite, 7-Up, and Coke," she said, her tone neutral as she placed them back.
Layena continued her search and pulled out a variety of snacks — some crackers, chips, and other small treats. "They've got some food here, too," she mumbled, her attention still on the bar's contents.
A short distance away, Xinyi dropped into a beanbag chair with a low sigh. Her eyes wandered across the room as she leaned back. "Not bad at all," she remarked. "I mean, unless we start really digging, it seems fine."
"And we should. I doubt your — well, our — parents, since they're working together, would want these things done half-assed. This is about creating the first place in the world where quantum tech and AI are fully assimilated into daily life. It's going to change everything," Yasushi said as he started examining every inch of the space, running his hands over surfaces and inspecting corners for anything out of place.
Xinyi let out a breath, then stood and began checking alongside him. Jingliu followed suit, and soon, the rest of the group joined in after surveying the room from where they sat. It didn't take long for them to realize the space was nearly flawless. Apart from a few faint scratches on the walls and some paint that could have been better applied, everything else appeared well-crafted and ready for use.
Deciding they could relax since they were essentially the ones in charge of the place, they settled down but refrained from touching any of the food or drinks available.
"Where are we going after this?" Yunxue asked, glancing toward Xinyi.
Before Xinyi could answer, Nandini stepped in, her tone firm but not forceful. "If I may, I'd like to suggest this site," she said while unfolding a map of the town and pointing to a particular spot.
Xinyi leaned closer, her brow furrowing as she took in the location. "The small woods near the farm?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of skepticism.
"Yes," Nandini replied. "I believe it's crucial to establish a security boundary around Yuwu. Given what's taking place, it's only a matter of time before word spreads. Until now, there wasn't much need for such measures, but that's no longer the case. Setting up a magical barrier there could provide added protection."
Xinyi's expression shifted slightly as memories of Shirakawa-go surfaced in her mind. After a moment, she gave a slow nod. "It's a good idea. I don't think we'll be targeted, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious."
They both stood up, the decision clear. "Alright," Xinyi said. "Let's head there and get it done."
With that, they adjusted their plans and prepared to continue the inspection with their new priorities in mind.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Haruki_Murakami
Haruki_Murakami "El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta" - Spanish proverb
"He who grasps too much holds too little."
Meaning: Trying to do too much at once leads to failure in all things.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone