CHAPTER 587: CHAPTER 587: PERFECT WIFE

The people around him gasped.

"No way."

"Let me see!"

They crowded closer as he turned more pages.

Another man picked up his own copy, paid quickly, and began reading. His face froze. "He’s right. It’s not just onions. Look here. Coconuts! It explains how to make coconut water drinks, coconut oil, coconut flour... and even how to make coconut charcoal!"

More and more people rushed to the rack, grabbing books.

Someone flipped to the middle of the encyclopedia and suddenly shouted. "Machines! It has blueprints for machines! Step by step instructions on how to build them!"

The marketplace went silent for a moment. Then the silence broke into a buzz of voices.

"A production manual?"

"Wait... does this mean... the base is planning to start a manufacturing hub?"

The idea spread quickly, from one person to another. Their eyes widened as realization hit.

"Boss Su is behind this. She must be planning a huge move."

"Yes. With this, we can make more than just survive. We can grow."

"Imagine... self-sufficiency. Factories. Products. Trade."

One by one, people clutched the encyclopedia tightly as if it were gold. Some ran back to their families to show them. Others sat down right there in the market, flipping through every page eagerly.

Everywhere Su Jiyai walked in the base, she could see people reading the book with shining eyes, whispering ideas and possibilities.

For the first time, Hope Base was filled not with fear or worry, but with anticipation.

And deep inside, Su Jiyai allowed herself to relax. ’Good. The foundation is set. With herbs, vegetables, and now production knowledge, we can build something stronger than ever before.’

On the other side of the base, far away from the noise of the market, Ou Lin was sitting nervously beside Lianhua. His face had a nervous smile, while Lianhua looked at him with grievance in her eyes. She folded her arms and leaned back, staring at him in silence until he shifted uncomfortably.

Finally, Lianhua spoke, her tone sharp. "Tell me, Ou Lin. What kind of relationship do you have with Boss Su?"

Hearing those words, Ou Lin’s face changed at once. He waved his hand frantically. "No, no, you misunderstand. I don’t have any relationship with Boss Su at all! You must not think like that."

But Lianhua only gave a poor chuckle, her lips curling into a bitter smile. "Do not try to lie to me. I saw it with my own eyes. And what I saw, you cannot make me unsee."

Ou Lin’s heart sank to the bottom. Cold sweat appeared on his back.

’If I do not take action now, she will definitely slip through my hands,’ he thought. Lianhua was too important. She was Boss Su’s sister. If he could marry her, his future would be safe and glorious.

Taking a deep breath, Ou Lin grabbed Lianhua’s hand. His voice trembled but he forced himself to sound bold. "Lianhua, I want to marry you."

Lianhua’s eyes widened, then she quickly pulled her hand back. "Marry me? You must be joking. How can I marry a man who has an ambiguous relationship with my sis?"

She was about to continue, but halfway through her words she suddenly corrected herself, her cheeks turning red. "No, not sis... with my boss."

Ou Lin’s ears perked up at once. His heart leapt.

’So it is true. She is Boss Su’s sister. If Su Jiyai has really acknowledged her foster family, then Lianhua must be her true sister. This is perfect.’

Trying to hide his delight, he quickly leaned closer. "Lianhua, please believe me. I have no ambiguous relationship with Boss Su. Maybe... maybe something she said has caused you to misunderstand me. But I swear, there is nothing like that between us."

Lianhua snorted coldly. "Do not try to put this on her. Boss has never told me a single thing about you. And I have never asked around either, because I wanted the truth to come directly from your mouth."

Her eyes narrowed, staring at him like sharp knives.

Ou Lin’s heart beat fast, but then he calmed down. ’Good. If she still doesn’t know everything, I still have a chance.’

He immediately bowed his head and admitted,

"You are right. Earlier, I did have a bit of ambiguity in my heart toward Boss Su. At that time, I mistook my feelings. I thought my admiration was love. Because of that, I made a scene and acted foolishly when I first found her. But now..."

He paused and looked straight into Lianhua’s eyes, pretending to be sincere. "Now I understand my heart. The only person I truly like, the only person I have ever fallen in love with... it is you, Lianhua."

Her eyes widened again, suspicious but also shaken. "Are you telling me the truth?"

Ou Lin placed his hand over his chest, swearing. "I am telling you the truth. Every word comes from my heart."

For a moment, Lianhua stayed quiet, then her expression softened. She let out a small sigh.

"If that is the case, then I will not hold it against you. You have been very good to me. I cannot deny that. I am touched by your sincerity."

Her lips curved into a small smile. "As thanks, I will make you some homemade food."

With that, she stood up and walked toward the kitchen.

Ou Lin felt like the heavy stone in his chest was finally lifted. He let out a long sigh of relief.

’So she believed me. Truly, she is simple and kind. She is nothing like Su Jiyai or my ex-wife.’

He could already taste the food in his mouth.

Lianhua’s homemade cooking was wonderful. He had suffered for years with his ex-wife who barely cooked, and even when she did, it was careless.

Lianhua was different. Gentle, thoughtful, and skillful. Truly the perfect woman.

He leaned back in his chair, smiling to himself. ’If I can marry her, my life will be perfect.’

After a short while, Lianhua returned, but this time her expression was a little awkward. She stood in front of him, her hands twisting together. Her cheeks were slightly pink.

"Ou Lin..." she said softly, "there is something I must ask. I... I am a little short on money right now. Could you lend me some?"

Ou Lin immediately straightened up. His heart burned with pride. "Of course! If you need anything, just tell me. I am more than willing."

As he spoke, he remembered the day he had accidentally seen her balance card. She had nearly twenty million points on it.

That was enough to live in luxury for twenty years without lifting a finger. Clearly, she was not short of money.

’She must be testing me,’ he thought. ’She wants to see if I am willing to provide for her.’

Feeling even more heroic, he quickly pulled out a pouch of points and some crystals. He handed them over with both hands. "Here, take these."

Lianhua’s eyes widened, and her face softened. She looked at him with a touched expression, her voice almost trembling. "Ou Lin... I... I will definitely repay you."

Ou Lin quickly waved his hand, pretending to be shy. "No, no, you don’t need to repay me. After all, aren’t we going to become husband and wife? What is mine will be yours."

Hearing those words, Lianhua’s face turned red, and she lowered her head. She acted as though she was truly touched by his generosity.

Ou Lin’s chest swelled with satisfaction. He felt like the biggest hero in the world. Watching her look at him with such dependence filled him with pride.

’This is how a real woman should be. Gentle, grateful, never acting tough. Unlike Su Jiyai who is cold, unlike my ex-wife who was lazy. Lianhua is perfect.’

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Lianhua, you are the only woman who understands me. The only one I can rely on. I promise you, I will never let you down."

Lianhua bit her lip, pretending to be shy. "Ou Lin... I believe you."

The words made his heart soar. He reached out and held her hand again.

This time, she did not pull away. Instead, she allowed him to hold it, her face turned slightly to the side, as though embarrassed.

For Ou Lin, it was like a dream. Every moment he spent with her, he became more certain that she was the one.

He imagined their life together, Lianhua cooking for him, smiling at him, being his perfect wife.

Compared to that vision, everything else in the world seemed dull.

He tightened his grip on her hand, his voice soft but full of determination. "Soon, Lianhua, everyone will know that we belong together."

Lianhua only lowered her eyes, hiding the strange gleam that passed through them.

For Ou Lin, she was the picture of innocence. For Lianhua, however, her thoughts ran much deeper. But he did not notice. He was too busy enjoying the sweet taste of victory in his heart.