214: Dog Retreats

Early the next morning, not long after Tian Ming arrived at his office, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Tian Ming said.

The door opened, and Gouzi poked his head in, followed by his wife, Xiao Qian. He seemed a bit flustered.

Tian Ming put down what he was doing and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Gouzi smiled and said, "Boss, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

Gouzi had come to Tian Ming to retire. He knew everyone in the Shelter before, but then the number of people grew too quickly. The people who came in later were not in the same circle as Gouzi, and Gouzi's boisterous personality had also annoyed many people.

As a steward, he was finding it increasingly difficult. Before, he could still scare those who didn't obey orders. Now, that trick was useless. The Shelter's rules were becoming clearer, and Gouzi's prestige was getting lower.

Ever since Meng Xian and Ji Ruping became Tian Ming's right-hand people, the personnel structure and hierarchy were adjusted, and many things no longer required Gouzi's attention.

Someone whose position is very high but has nothing to do must be very anxious, and Gouzi was such a person. He understood his boss too well; being in a position without fulfilling its duties. While things were peaceful now, if a problem arose, he probably wouldn't be able to bear his boss's wrath.

Voluntarily retiring to his boss was the best choice. Even if he stepped down, the people in the Shelter would still give him face. If he made a mistake and was removed, the outcome would not be good.

"Coincidentally, I also have something to tell you. Ji Ruping reported that you've been quite passive lately. What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with something?" Tian Ming asked.

Gouzi smiled awkwardly and said, "Boss, you know my wife, Xiao Qian, is pregnant now. I plan to leave the Shelter's management system and start a small business in the Shelter."

Tian Ming leaned back in his chair, looked at Gouzi, and slowly asked, "You don't want to be a steward anymore, do you?"

Gouzi nodded slightly and said, "Boss, I know my own capabilities. At the end of the day, I'm just a small-time thug. I could manage a few hundred people, but the Shelter is getting better and better, and it will be even better in the future. Instead of me occupying the position and doing nothing, it's better to give it to someone capable earlier."

Tian Ming remained silent. What Gouzi said was the truth. As the Shelter grew larger, the older batch of personnel, due to their own limitations, were gradually marginalized.

Gouzi was also considered a veteran of the Shelter. Since he voluntarily expressed his intention to retire, Tian Ming did not try to keep him. In fact, such a feigned retention would have been meaningless.

"Alright, I understand. What are your plans for the future?" Tian Ming asked.

Gouzi smiled and said, "No big plans. You Suowei pulled me into an investment, and all the money I earned went into it. Now that there are more people in the Shelter, there are also more small businesses. Once the Underground City is ready, I'll go grow some mushrooms and do a small food processing business."

Tian Ming nodded and said, "Alright, I agree to your request. Tell Ji Ruping to allocate some subsidies to you."

Gouzi smiled slightly, pulled Xiao Qian beside him, and slowly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Boss."

After Gouzi and Xiao Qian left, Tian Ming sat in his office, deep in thought. Now, he rarely interfered with internal Shelter matters. But with enough people, he was elevated to a high position. From a high position, it was difficult to discover those minor issues.

"Boss, Life Origins Company sent a message, demanding that we immediately release Lisa," Meng Xian's voice came through the earpiece.

"Tell the radio to reply, asking them to come to my Shelter to talk properly," Tian Ming said into the earpiece.

Directly releasing Lisa was absolutely impossible. Things had escalated to this point, and there was no room for maneuver. It was time to confront them head-on.

The Lawrence Family, behind Life Origins, had brought trouble upon Tian Ming this time, only to shoot themselves in the foot. They originally thought they could capture Tian Ming for research, but instead, they not only lost their top Energy Hunting Squad, but Lisa, a Superpower User, also became a hostage in Tian Ming's hands.

Another message came from the radio; the other party had agreed to negotiate, but the negotiation location was set at East District Seaport, and they demanded that Tian Ming bring Lisa along to the discussion.

Anyone with a clear mind could see that the other party was also afraid, afraid that their negotiation team would be detained by Tian Ming again, thereby putting the entire situation into a passive state.

Tian Ming smiled and agreed to the other party's request to negotiate at East District Seaport. However, he refused to bring Lisa to the negotiation. He could only feel at ease with Lisa inside the Shelter.

The other party quickly provided the specific location: the Management Building of East District Seaport, with the time set for 1 PM. After confirming the negotiation time and location via radio, Tian Ming immediately began preparations.

The office door opened, and Shen Yuan walked in, saying, "Boss, I'll go with you. This matter is probably not that simple. They must have set up a trap for you; it's not safe for you to go alone."

Tian Ming shook his head and said seriously, "I know the other party definitely won't give up. In the Apocalypse, there are no rules. You don't need to go. Stay home and guard the place. I'll be fine."

"But..." Shen Yuan wanted to say something else, but Tian Ming interrupted her.

"There are no 'buts.' It's safest if I go alone. Then, no matter what tricks the other party plays, I can advance or retreat freely. If you come along, it will make me hesitant."

Shen Yuan sighed slightly and said nothing. In truth, she really wanted to help Tian Ming share the burden, but Tian Ming was right; if he went alone, he could advance or retreat freely.

Checking the time, Tian Ming stood up and said, "I should go. This negotiation is a test for both sides. I don't expect any good results. But I definitely have to go, to dispel their wishful thinking."

Shen Yuan nodded. She understood Tian Ming's meaning. The reason the other party sent Lisa to capture him was that they believed Tian Ming could be defeated. In their perception, the intensity of superpowers has limits, and they would always tentatively try to probe Tian Ming's limits.

Tian Ming also understood that the other party would not easily comply, so he did not expect to achieve anything substantial from this negotiation. The main purpose was to give Life Origins a shock and make them completely abandon any thoughts of resistance.

Shen Yuan looked at Tian Ming and said softly, "Be careful on your own. If anything feels off, don't fight them to the death."

Tian Ming nodded slightly, saying nothing. He turned and left, and Shen Yuan watched his back, feeling a little worried.

Tian Ming flew alone to East District Seaport. He remained silent throughout the journey, thinking about the negotiation. Arriving above East District Seaport, he looked down at the ground. Seven or eight aircraft were parked around the vast port, and a thousand-ton ship was steaming at a berth in the harbor.