Chapter 1278: Engineering Projects Outside the Holy Star of Xiuluo

Guilliman did not respond.

He knew Perturabo's temperament; the more you pressed him, the more stubborn he became.

The best approach was simply not to ask.

Sure enough, after a few seconds of Silence, Perturabo spoke again.

"Besides, the design of that water pump was flawed to begin with. The angle of the outlet was off by three degrees; long-term operation would cause the impeller to wear eccentrically. I don't know which engineer made such a low-level mistake. If I didn't fix it, the whole fountain would have to be torn down and redone in two months."

He paused, then added.

"Of course, I didn't come here specifically to fix it. I was just passing by and took a look."

The corners of Guilliman's mouth lifted slightly.

"Passing by? You walked all the way from the city center to the East District just to 'pass by' this fountain?"

Perturabo's eyelid twitched, and he retorted.

"I happened to be in the East District to check the construction progress of the new building. This fountain is on the way; it was just a matter of convenience."

"Mm, a matter of convenience."

Guilliman nodded, not pressing further.

Perturabo glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but held back.

He put his gloves back on, crouched down, and pretended to inspect the water pump.

Guilliman leaned against the edge of the fountain, looking at the new building under construction in the distance.

The main structure of the building was finished, and workers were installing the decorative panels on the exterior walls.

Those decorative panels were a new type of composite material specifically designed by Perturabo.

Lightweight, sturdy, heat-insulating, fireproof, and low-cost.

"That building," Guilliman began, "did you design that too?"

Perturabo did not even look up.

"Not me. It was drawn by the designers at the Municipal Engineering Department."

"But you developed the materials."

"The materials are for the military. Civilian use is just a side effect."

Guilliman smiled.

"Mm, a side effect."

Perturabo raised his head and glared at Guilliman.

"What are you smiling at?"

Guilliman shook his head.

"Nothing. Just thinking that the things you do 'incidentally' are more than what most people do on purpose."

Perturabo opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately just snorted and continued tinkering with the now-repaired water pump.

Guilliman did not speak again.

He just sat there, watching Perturabo's back.

Clearly wanting to do something, yet saying he didn't want to.

Clearly caring, yet putting on an indifferent face.

Clearly putting in his heart and soul, yet insisting it was just "incidental."

When they were young, Perturabo secretly made a small wooden horse for Yingxin; when discovered, he insisted it was "a scrap piece made for practice, a waste to throw away."

Yingxin sat on it, and the wooden horse was steady and secure, better than anything made by a craftsman.

Luojia asked him, "How long did it take you to make?"

Perturabo said, "One afternoon."

Later, their grandmother told Luojia that Perturabo had spent seven full days on it, reworked it three times, and even secretly went to consult a carpenter.

Guilliman changed the subject.

"Perturabo, which parts of the infrastructure here in the East District did you participate in?"

Perturabo finally stood up and stuffed his gloves into his pocket.

"Roads, water supply, power supply, drainage, heating, communications, waste disposal... I've basically gone over all of them."

Guilliman raised an eyebrow.

"Basically gone over all of them?"

Perturabo glanced at him.

"What? Is there a problem?"

Guilliman shook his head.

"No problem. Just wondering how you managed to do it all by yourself."

"It wasn't just me. The Municipal Engineering Department has over three thousand people. I just... occasionally look at the blueprints and offer some suggestions."

"Offer some suggestions."

Guilliman repeated the four words.

Perturabo glared at him.

"Did you come here specifically to undermine me today?"

Guilliman smiled and shook his head.

"No. I came to ask for advice."

Perturabo's brow relaxed slightly.

"What question?"

Guilliman stood up, walked to the fountain, and looked at the city skyline in the distance.

"The infrastructure of Xiuluo Holy Star is mostly finished. Next, shouldn't it be time to expand outward?"

"You mean other planets?"

Guilliman nodded.

"Over at the Fengqi Star Alliance, many habitable planets are receiving Human immigrants. The infrastructure on those planets does not meet Human needs. When the immigrants arrive, they basically have to start from scratch."

He turned to look at Perturabo.

"The construction of infrastructure on these planets requires someone to coordinate and plan."

Perturabo's expression became complicated, and he finally said.

"That is not my business. Those planets have their own governors and Municipal Engineering Departments. There is no need for me to intervene."

Guilliman looked at him.

"Those governors lack your experience, and those Municipal Engineering Departments lack your technical skill. They need your guidance."

Seeing that Perturabo did not speak, Guilliman continued.

"Father said that Xiuluo Holy Star is only the beginning. We must promote everything here to the entire Star Alliance. Let every Human world become like Xiuluo Holy Star."

The corners of Perturabo's mouth twitched slightly.

"I certainly remember what Father said. But this is not something that can be done overnight. Every planet has a different environment, different resources, and different needs. It cannot be simply copied."

Guilliman nodded.

"That is why someone is needed to study, to plan, and to adapt to local conditions. This person must be you."

Perturabo's expression changed again.

"Why must it be me? Others can do it too. Fulgrim understands design, Luojia understands organization, and you, Guilliman, understand planning yourself."

Guilliman shook his head.

"No, none of us do it as well as you; this is your strength."

He paused.

"Only you can combine practicality, efficiency, aesthetics, and human-centric design together. Only you would make a special trip to fix a water pump just because it was off by three degrees."

Perturabo's mouth twitched.

"I said I was just passing by!"

Why was his angle of understanding so tricky?

Suppressing the inner grumbling, Guilliman smiled.

"Fine, passing by."

Perturabo glared at Guilliman, but Guilliman did not back down and looked at him calmly.

Finally, Perturabo looked away and said in a low voice.

"I will consider it."

Guilliman nodded.

"Good. I will wait for your news."

Perturabo added again.

"But I cannot guarantee anything. I don't understand the situation on those planets, and even if I go, I might not be able to help. Besides, I still have many things here that aren't finished. The new buildings in the East District aren't done, the heating system in the West District needs renovation, and the drainage pipes in the South District have aged into a complete mess..."

Guilliman listened to him count them one by one, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening.

"So, you are actually already paying attention to the affairs of those planets?"

Perturabo was stunned for a moment.

"What?"

Guilliman said.

"Everything you just mentioned—the new buildings in the East District, the heating in the West District, the drainage in the South District—these are all matters of Xiuluo Holy Star. You haven't even agreed to go to other planets yet, and you are already looking for excuses."

Perturabo's expression froze.

"I am not looking for excuses. I am just stating facts. These things are indeed unfinished, and one cannot give up halfway."

Guilliman nodded.

"Of course. These things cannot be given up halfway. But what about after they are finished?"

"We'll talk about it after they're finished."

Guilliman did not press further.

He knew that when Perturabo said "we'll talk about it after they're finished," it actually meant "yes." It was just that he refused to admit it directly.