Chapter 428 - 427: Extra 23: Two Miners 1 (Yan Huoshui)

Chapter 428: Chapter 427: Extra 23: Two Miners 1 (Yan Huoshui)

Red Flame Star—for Yan Huoshui, this was a planet of special significance. Perhaps it was the post Shi Lan made on Red Flame Star, the first time she left Black Star, that had made him gradually realize the unusual amount of attention he paid her.

So, after learning how much Shi Lan liked Red Crystals, he had specially sought out a mine owner he had once kidnapped and bought an entire mine vein on Red Flame Star from him.

In the interstellar era, many mineral deposits, aside from those on private planets, were state property. However, the state would compensate the person who first discovered a deposit with a portion of the minerals.

This particular mine owner had originally gotten rich by wandering around and prospecting for minerals, so he held assets in mine veins on many different planets.

Among them, the mineral resources on Red Flame Star were the best. He always made his highest profits from the Red Crystals in his Red Flame Star mine. The mine owner often felt smug, pleased with his own foresight.

Unfortunately, if you wandered through space long enough, you were bound to run into Star Thieves. As luck would have it, he had run right into the most rampant Star Thief Leader of them all, Yan Huoshui, and was forced to hand over all the precious Red Crystals in his collection at the time.

But the mine owner never expected that after so many years, even after Yan Huoshui had supposedly gone straight, he would come to rob him again.

Thankfully, this time the man actually paid for it.

Cowed by his intimidating presence, the mine owner had still tremblingly given up a mine vein.

He had figured it out. If he didn’t sell to Yan Huoshui now, and Yan Huoshui later decided on a whim to become a Star Thief again and rob him, then he would truly lose his entire investment. At least this way, he got some money; the man was conducting a proper transaction.

Thus, the mine owner didn’t stubbornly refuse to sell.

After this mine vein was gifted to Shi Lan, she had simply let it sit idle and paid it no mind.

This changed when she took the kids back to her old home on Yaoxing for the New Year. It was winter on Yaoxing at the time. Shi Lan’s house had been renovated and now had smart climate control, but it was still very cold outside. This was especially true for the orphanage on Yaoxing, where many children’s faces were pale from the cold, and it was so chilly in class they didn’t even want to write.

After all, it was the place that had raised the original owner of her body. Shi Lan planned to donate the Red Crystals from her Space Chain. These crystals could be made into small heaters, and since their quality was excellent, placing a few in each classroom would be enough to warm all the students.

However, Yan Huoshui stopped her.

It wasn’t that he was against Shi Lan doing a good deed. Rather, the Red Crystals he had given her were all hand-picked and of the highest quality. To use them merely for heating an orphanage was a bit of an overkill. After all, these minerals were non-renewable resources; every bit used was a bit gone forever.

So, he thought of that mine vein.

And so, that very night, he took Shi Lan to Red Flame Star to go mining. Shi Lan had originally wanted to call a couple of her other Beast Husbands to act as laborers, but Yan Huoshui didn’t want so many third wheels around. Swift and decisive, he whisked his wife away, giving her no chance to call for anyone else.

Seeing this, Shi Lan let him have his way. She figured that with a few Beast Husbands staying behind, there would be someone to look after the kids, which gave her peace of mind.

The two of them left that night on a Teleportation Spaceship, arriving at Red Flame Star just a few hours later.

Compared to Yaoxing, Red Flame Star was like summer versus winter. Because the planet had numerous Red Crystal mines, its temperature was consistently high.

Shi Lan immediately took off her thick overcoat, leaving on just a long-sleeved shirt.

With most planets experiencing winter, this was also the busiest and most popular time for tourists on Red Flame Star. People often came here to buy Red Crystals.

The pair headed toward the mining area. Along the way, they saw many stalls selling Red Crystals. Shi Lan glanced at them; most of the crystals for sale looked dull and dusty, nothing like the brilliantly clear ones Yan Huoshui had given her.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, a vendor asked enthusiastically, "Looking to buy some Red Crystals?"

Shi Lan asked out of curiosity, "How much are they?"

"Depends on the size and quality you want. The cheapest one I have here is 10,000 Star Coins."

Shi Lan looked at the cheapest one he was pointing to, stunned for a moment. Then she quickly shook her head and walked away with Yan Huoshui.

Once they were a good distance away, she couldn’t help but complain to Yan Huoshui, "Did you see that? That Red Crystal was actually ten thousand? In my memory, that quality should only be two or three thousand. Why is it so expensive?"

Yan Huoshui looked down and chuckled. "Mm, that’s normal. Red Crystals are in high demand during the winter. In some places, you can’t get through the winter without them. Compared to the smart climate control on Capital Star, a 10,000 Star Coin Red Crystal that can last a month is relatively cost-effective."

Capital Star has many wealthy people and a developed economy. Smart climate control is one of Capital Star’s unique benefits, offering comprehensive coverage and low-cost heating. Plus, with Capital Star’s pleasant climate, the temperature range for climate control isn’t actually that large.

But for other planets to achieve what Capital Star has, the cost would be much higher—tens of thousands of Star Coins a month wouldn’t even be enough.

"A Red Crystal can last that long?"

In her memory, even a decent-quality Blue Crystal could only last a week.

Yan Huoshui nodded. "Yes. The human body generates its own heat, but it doesn’t generate cold. Red Crystals act as a supplement to raise body temperature, so they aren’t consumed as quickly as Blue Crystals."

"Besides, a Red Crystal of the same quality contains more energy than a Blue Crystal. That’s why on many spaceships, the ratio of Red Crystals to Blue Crystals is two to one. They’re the main power source for endurance."

Shi Lan nodded, only half-understanding. Yan Huoshui reminded her, "If you just openly place Red Crystals in the orphanage during winter, it might attract thieves with ill intentions. I’d be worried they might accidentally hurt the children."

So, this was another reason Yan Huoshui didn’t want Shi Lan to take out those crystals. Ordinary Red Crystals were eye-catching enough, let alone ones of such high quality.

Shi Lan now understood what he meant. She thought for a moment and said, "In that case, why don’t we just renovate the orphanage? We could add some smart heating systems."

The orphanage on Yaoxing had previously received a large donation from Shi Lan. The school had already built a new dormitory, improving the children’s living conditions, but the heating system was not yet in place.

Shi Lan had originally planned to donate the Red Crystals simply because she had so many she couldn’t use. But now that Yan Huoshui had pointed this out, she was also worried her good intentions might backfire and bring other dangers to the children at the orphanage.

Seeing her serious expression, Yan Huoshui couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle. He bent down and gently pinched her cheek. "Mm, my wife, don’t overthink it. It’s wonderful that you have the heart to do this. We’ll follow your suggestion and donate some money for them to install a heating system. As for the Red Crystals... since we’re already here, why not experience the feeling of digging for treasure yourself?"

Hearing this, Shi Lan temporarily set aside her worries and nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, let’s go mining, let’s go mining!"

The smile on Yan Huoshui’s lips deepened. He held his wife’s hand tightly, leading her through the crowd toward the deeper mining area.

His eyes swept impassively over the Red Crystals being sold nearby, a glint of cunning flashing in their depths.

’Of course, directly gifting the Red Crystals wouldn’t work. He had thought of that long ago. He only brought it up now to trick his wife into coming out here for a little world for just the two of them~’