Chapter 268: I

The silent destruction in the South Pacific, like a stone cast into a deep pool, stirred indescribable ripples of fear within a tiny circle of informed elites, yet caused no ripple beyond that narrow sphere. The sudden silence of "Pandora" and its allied forces was vaguely explained by authorities as an "accident due to extreme sea conditions," and its vast commercial empire promptly collapsed, swiftly carved up and absorbed by various factions.

A once-powerful business titan had vanished without a trace.

Within the "New Era," life continued along its high-speed developmental track, even appearing more stable without the external interference of such a major player. Cultural Center Phase Two officially opened, and the inaugural holographic symphony at the Cinema sold out completely; the residential project in Star Harbor District began accepting pre-qualification applications from core personnel, sparking a new wave of anticipation and debate.

Yet beneath this flourishing surface, not everyone could remain entirely detached.

Guanlan Yuan, Xia Wan's home.

Deep into the night, Xia Madam remained wide awake. She sat alone in the living room, her personal terminal open before her, the screen displaying the interface of the "New Era" internal resource exchange system. Her fingers repeatedly stroked one option, her eyes filled with struggle and resolve.

That option was labeled "Targeted High-Yield Research Bond." Issued by the Science Council to raise funds for specific cutting-edge projects (currently marked as "Deep Space Exploration Deepening Research," though part of the funds were secretly used to analyze data and signals from Kunlun Mountain), it promised high returns but also carried high risk—should the project fail to achieve its expected results, the principal might be lost.

The subscription threshold was extremely high, requiring a staggering number of points.

That number was nearly the sum of all the project bonuses, contribution points Xia Tian had earned over the years, and most of Xia Madam's own saved reserves!

In essence, this was their entire family's "fortune" within the "New Era."

Xia Madam had become aware of this bond after overhearing a few neighbors who worked on the Management Committee casually mention the fundraising project, suggesting it related to research into "Extraterrestrial Signal" and "Extraterrestrial Matter." The term "Extraterrestrial Matter" instantly reminded her of her daughter Xia Wan, whose fate remained unknown. It reminded her of Xia Wan's secret mission.

She did not know if there was a direct link between the two, but this was now the only clue she could grasp that might relate to her daughter's situation. She felt a powerful, almost instinctive urge—she had to do something! Even if it was insignificant support, even if it was only psychological comfort!

She would stake all her "fortune" on this project, which might be tied to her daughter's mission!

This decision was undoubtedly insane to her. Xia Tian was the family's pillar; these points were the very foundation of their livelihood within the "New Era." If they lost, they would instantly plummet from the middle class—and might even affect Nannan's future education and life.

Reason told her it was too risky.

But as a mother, her anxiety over her daughter's safety and her helplessness overwhelmed everything else.

She remembered Xia Wan's final "Brother" before leaving, remembered Qin Feng's unusual attention to that old stool, remembered the ugly rumors circulating outside… She always felt her daughter had been drawn into a vast, dangerous vortex. And as a mother, she could only watch from afar, powerless to act.

This helplessness tormented her day and night.

Now, finally, there was an opportunity—even if the hope was slim, even if she might lose everything—she wanted to take the gamble!

She would gamble that the project would succeed, that her daughter would return safely, that their family might still have a future together!

She took a deep breath, as if expending all her strength, her fingers trembling yet resolute as she pressed the "Confirm Subscription" button.

【Ding—Subscription successful. Points deducted: XXXXXXXX.】

Watching the prompt appear on-screen and seeing her account balance instantly shrink to a pitiful number, Xia Madam felt as if all her strength had been drained; she slumped onto the sofa, sweat soaking her back.

She had done it.

She had staked everything.

For a faint hope, for that missing daughter.

She did not know if this decision was right or wrong.

She could only pray.

Pray that the project succeeded, pray… that Xia Wan was safe.

At that moment, the sound of the electronic lock opening came from the front door. Xia Tian returned, dragging his weary body.

He saw his wife sitting pale on the sofa and asked with concern: "What's wrong? Why so pale? Has Nannan gone to sleep?"

Xia Madam snapped back to reality, hastily closed the terminal screen, and forced a smile: "N-nothing… just tired. Nannan just fell asleep."

She dared not tell her husband what she had done. Xia Tian was steady and practical; if he knew she had gambled so recklessly, he would surely not understand—and might even provoke an argument.

Xia Tian had no suspicion. He walked over and gently embraced his wife, sighing: "Don't worry too much. That girl Xia Wan… she has sense. If Mr. Qin sent her, he must have his reasons. We must trust her—and trust Mr. Qin."

Xia Madam leaned into her husband's arms, feeling that familiar warmth, her nose tingling, tears nearly spilling.

Trust?

How could she not trust?

But trust could not ease a mother's bone-deep anguish.

She could only, in hidden solitude, stake everything on a humble, desperate prayer.

"Mm…" she murmured, burying her face in her husband's chest, hiding the tears in her eyes and the weight of her secret.

The night was deep.

Some had been reduced to ashes in external gambles.

Some had staked everything in silent hope within.

And this grand, sweeping era continued onward, as always, cold and immense, silently moving forward.