"Yes, it's as simple as that, but those people just don't understand."
"Then how was it resolved in the end?" Xu An was filled with curiosity about the matter.
Zhou Haimei's tone was full of disdain, "The authorities completely ignored those people." She paused, "But the women below were quite sensible and a group of them rushed out and kicked all the men to the ground."
"The girl who helped us when we were gathered around the fire said that they were sensible and wouldn't insist on going to the lighthouse, but they hoped to be given some medicine, food, and tools to repair their houses."
"Perhaps the lighthouse didn't want to make things too difficult, so they agreed."
"I heard Qin Chuan say before that these women were all kidnapped. I didn't believe him. After I woke up, I secretly went down there. There were quite a few talented people among them."
"There were people who understood electricity, people who were good at construction and repair, and even a girl who, I heard, was a medical student before she was kidnapped. Although she had forgotten most of it, after asking the lighthouse for some medical books, she actually got the hang of it. Many women in the village went to her for treatment."
Listening, Xu An couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart.
Although their initial intention was not to save these people, the outcome was undoubtedly what everyone had hoped for.
A deviation in fate had changed their lives. On the other end of the phone, Zhou Haimei's complaining sighs could be heard continuously.
"If these girls hadn't been abducted and brought here by despicable human traffickers, they would all surely have beautiful lives and bright futures with unhindered prospects... instead of being like this now..."
After listening, Xu An also whispered into the phone, "If it weren't for this apocalypse, we might not have met these people, and their lives would have withered away here."
Even so, who among them hadn't had their lives withered away in this apocalyptic catastrophe?
They had all been drastically changed by this disaster.
As they chatted, Zhou Haimei started to engage Xu An in casual conversation again.
"By the way, An An, do you have enough trading coins? I heard that the lighthouse is drastically increasing prices for water, electricity, and heating. If you're running out of money, remember to ask me!"
After only a few days apart, Xu An looked at the person on the video, feeling as if a lifetime had passed.
Zhou Haimei seemed to have returned to her former fiery, charismatic self.
She was wearing a pure white, deep V silk robe, and her hair had been dyed red again at some point.
It was as if the three months they spent together on land were just a dream.
Seeing Xu An silent, just sitting on the bed blankly, Zhou Haimei kept waving at Xu An on the video.
"An An, An An, what's wrong? What are you spacing out about?"
Her calls pulled Xu An out of her thoughts.
Xu An pursed her lips and smiled faintly, "You're still as beautiful as ever."
Knowing what Xu An was referring to, Zhou Haimei's face flushed, "What's wrong? Was I not beautiful when I was down there!"
Even Zhou Haimei didn't notice the hint of intimacy and playfulness in her tone.
"No, you were very beautiful too. It's just that I feel you're more suited to this elegant rich lady persona."
Xu An praised her sincerely.
It seemed as if some people were destined to stand in the spotlight, and some were destined to be the aloof, wealthy young ladies.
"By the way, you know what? The resource extraction this time has been handed over to Qin Chuan by the higher-ups."
Xu An nodded, appearing unconcerned, "What's wrong with that? It's a normal thing."
Seeing Xu An's demeanor, Zhou Haimei knew that her little head was completely oblivious.
"Hey! Don't you know what a lucrative position this is?"
"Qin Chuan is already the captain of the enforcement team, which already draws a lot of resentment. Now he's fully in charge of energy extraction. There are so many ways to maneuver within this, especially during the extreme cold period. So many people can't afford the lighthouse's water and electricity. But if they can leak some energy from Qin Chuan, it would be at a tenth of the official lighthouse price. Whether they use it themselves or resell it at a high price, it would be a considerable income."
Xu An had never been involved in such matters and didn't understand the nuances.
In the past, at most, she knew about scheming a bit when watching 'Zhen Huan Zhuan'.
She hadn't expected that even extracting energy could have so many implications.
Zhou Haimei on the other end continued speaking, and at the end, she couldn't forget to add.
"I think Qin Chuan is really put on the spot now."
Xu An remained unfazed.
"Qin Chuan, despite his cold exterior, has his own set of principles. He doesn't even spare his own grandfather, let alone the criticisms of outsiders."
"Besides, the authorities entrusted the enforcement team and such a significant matter as resource extraction to Qin Chuan precisely because they recognized his capabilities. Trying to get him to bend the rules would be harder than ascending to heaven."
Xu An said with conviction, only to be proven wrong the next moment.
She was about to ask Zhou Haimei if she still had any connections who could help her inquire about "Rats" and "Dark Alley."
Just as she was about to speak, the video call was interrupted by another phone call.
Coincidentally, a voice from outside the frame also called out to Zhou Haimei, telling her it was time to eat.
Xu An: "Then you go eat first. I just received a call myself."
"Alright, let's chat again tonight. My family is watching me closely lately, so I probably can't go out for now. Once my injuries have healed, I'll come to see you."
Xu An nodded. After a few more affectionate words, they hung up the phone.
Before Xu An could even see who was calling, she fumbled and answered.
On the other end of the line came a rough yet familiar male voice.
"Are you alright?"
It felt like coarse sandpaper rubbing against Xu An's ears, ticklish and slightly stinging.
It was Qin Chuan.
"Mhm."
Xu An only replied with a low murmur.
She always felt an inexplicable sense of entanglement between them.
Every time she resolved to have no contact, they would always meet again at the wrong moment.
"I have a resource exchange card here. Do you need it?"
Xu An: "..."
Just moments ago, she had been confidently asserting Qin Chuan's integrity and his refusal to grant favors.
And then, in the next second.
Qin Chuan appeared with an exchange card.
Xu An was momentarily speechless.