Chapter 1878 - 1004: Reaching for the Stars, Even if in Vain, Better Than Grasping Mud

Li Hang felt uneasy under his gaze and quickly said, "I’m not going. I won’t go, all right?"

The cigarette was half-smoked, and Li Yu said gloomily, "Do you know why I don’t want you to go?"

Li Hang thought for a moment and replied, "Because I have become a father, and also for my safety."

Li Yu neither affirmed nor denied his answer.

After a few seconds, he finally spoke, "It’s not just that."

"Have you ever thought about what would happen to the Big Camphor Tree Base if I died?" Li Yu asked lightly.

The seemingly casual question.

But it struck Li Hang like a bolt of lightning, leaving him speechless.

He had never considered it; he was always used to having his big brother Li Yu at the forefront, never pondering what would happen if his brother died!

He didn’t dare to think about it, nor had he ever thought about it that way.

In his heart, his big brother had always been the strongest presence.

"This, this, big brother, are you feeling unwell somewhere?" Li Hang wondered if Li Yu was sick.

Li Yu replied, "No, my health is fine; to be precise, exceptionally fine. Now answer my question earlier; suppose I died, what would happen to the Big Camphor Tree Base?"

Hearing Li Yu say that he was in good health, Li Hang felt relieved.

Then he started to think about why Li Yu would ask him this question, wondering what would really happen to the base if such a thing occurred...

Thinking and thinking, sweat broke out on his forehead; he was extremely nervous.

At the Big Camphor Tree Base, Li Yu was the soul of the base.

In the Inner and Outer City, most people had benefited from Li Yu: Song Min, Old Lv, Ding Jiu, Old Luo and Old Bi in the Outer City, Ju Tianrui, Xiao Jun, and even He Bing, especially He Chao, who was absolutely loyal to him.

No one in the entire base could replace Li Yu’s status.

If his big brother really died, what would become of the base?

Third Uncle, yes! If Third Uncle were around, he could maintain order.

But there might be some people who wouldn’t listen to Third Uncle....

Plus, Third Uncle mostly leads external battles, and Old Lv, who like Uncle came out from the police force, might lean towards Uncle?

Then, who would He Chao lean towards?

While he was pondering, Li Yu suddenly spoke:

"If I die, to ensure the base doesn’t collapse, there must be someone to act as a connection point, and unite everyone together.

Humans have endless desires for power. Although our base is currently very united, we must prepare for the worst-case scenario."

"If Third Uncle replaces me, given his personality, he probably wouldn’t want to. As for Second Uncle, he lacks combat experience, and some combat personnel might not respect him.

Among the younger generation, only you, Tiezi, and Gangzi are suitable."

"But if I really died, Uncle and Second Uncle wouldn’t want Tiezi or Gangzi to be the leaders.

Because they don’t have direct blood relations.

So, it’s up to you, it can only be you.

Only you could connect them together, and if I died, you’d inherit all my connections; He Chao and the others would definitely listen to you."

"Therefore, if I go out, you can’t. One of us must ensure sufficient safety!"

.....

Li Yu explained everything in detail, breaking it down bit by bit for Li Hang.

Li Hang had grown a lot in the past two years, his combat abilities were decent.

Moreover, he managed Extra Staff and Cooperative Personnel quite well.

Li Hang’s expression was grave, listening to Li Yu explain all this to him.

Waves surged in his heart.

It turned out, that was why his big brother considered this.

His big brother’s thinking was so far-reaching.

He even considered the worst scenarios and was explaining to him what should be done.

His worldview felt rebuilt as he adopted a clearer vision, seemingly observing everything from an outsider’s perspective.

Li Yu said a lot, he smoked two cigarettes.

After finishing, Li Yu leaned back in his chair, quietly watching Li Hang slowly digest it all.

He understood his younger brother, who had a pure heart but lacked foresight.

Not a true gem, nor utterly worthless, but somewhere in the middle.

After a long time, possibly a minute or ten minutes.

Something seemed different in Li Hang’s eyes.

The way he looked at Li Yu was somehow changed.

His feelings were complex, a mixture of emotions.

He said to Li Yu, "Big brother, I understand!"

Then, he lowered his head, slowly reflecting on what Li Yu had just said.

Li Yu glanced at him, hesitated, considering whether to tell him about the basement’s secret passage, but decided against it.

It’s not that he didn’t trust Li Hang, but the time wasn’t right.

Seeing Li Hang deep in thought, Li Yu stood up.

Gently patted Li Hang’s shoulder, then walked down from the rooftop, leaving Li Hang alone to contemplate.

Back in the room.

Li Yu cleaned his gun, then loaded all the bullets into the magazine.

The moonlight outside was bright, no need to turn on the lights inside; everything was visible, albeit a bit blurry, but at least you could distinguish a chair from a table.

Li Yu finished arranging his gun and touched a dagger tucked in his clothes.

This knife, he kept it on him even while sleeping.

Previously, it caused some funny incidents when being intimate with Yutong and the girls.

They asked why he had two knives.

Later, Li Yu would place the knife on the table when being intimate.

No matter what he was thinking, he maintained a state of emptiness, simply relying on instinct to move his body, wash up, and sit on the balcony chair.

Outside, the moonlight was pale and absurd.

"November, it’s been three whole years since Doomsday broke out!"

Li Yu murmured to himself.

Then he gazed at the bright moonlight, lost in thought.

During the day, the sun’s radiation was too intense, making it impossible to look directly at the sun.

With his head bowed for so long, occasionally being able to lift it and see the sky was also a good experience.

Many people have never lifted their heads, always working with their heads down, never seeing the shimmering stars.

Some have always kept their heads up, seeing the stars and the sea, but never lowered their heads to seriously look at where they are and how to proceed.

Since being reborn, he had kept his head down; gradually, as more people came, he raised his head and looked at the sky.

In this morally decaying world, wanting to create a place akin to Eden, how difficult.

Moreover, accidents could be his undoing any moment.

Yet he always felt the need to strive for something.

There had to be some goals and dreams.

Reaching for the stars,

Even if fruitlessly,

At least one hand won’t be covered in mud.

.....