Chapter 490: Departure!

When Liu Yutong woke up, it was already past noon.

Gu Yebai and the others, probably still buzzing from last night’s excitement, had risen early and were already eating in the club’s VIP restaurant.

The moment Liu Yutong appeared, everyone stood up in unison.

“Sister Yutong, you’re up!”

Zhou Muchen was the first to step forward, pulling out a chair with deference.

“Sit, sit! What are you in the mood for? Chinese, Western, or some dim sum? We’ve got Michelin-starred chefs on staff, on call around the clock.”

Liu Yutong thought for a moment. “Just some rice and a few simple stir-fried dishes.”

“No problem.”

Zhou Muchen immediately waved over a server and murmured a few instructions.

The server nodded and hurried toward the kitchen.

After settling in, Liu Yutong noticed everyone was still watching her. “Why is everyone staring? Is my makeup that bad today?”

They all hastily shook their heads.

“No, Sister Yutong, you look incredible!”

“That plan of yours last night completely blew us away. Even now it feels like a dream—thirty billion dollars! I never thought I’d be part of something this massive.”

“Sister Yutong, seeing your strategic layout last night, I finally understand what real vision is. Our previous ventures were child’s play compared to this.”

Liu Yutong took the warm water offered by the server and had a sip. “A good plan means nothing without execution. We can’t afford to let up. You need to coordinate seamlessly with Chen Mo—information flow must remain open at all times.”

“Understood!” they chorused.

“I’m leaving tonight. Yebai, you need to speed up the collection of those supplies.”

Gu Yebai froze. “Wait, Sister Yutong—you’re leaving now? At the most critical moment? You’re the one steering this ship.”

The others shared his bewilderment.

Could a corporate wilderness retreat really be more important than a multi-billion-dollar operation?

“Sister Yutong, this is a pivotal time. Every move affects the entire game. If you’re not here and the market suddenly shifts, what are we supposed to do?”

“Exactly. You’re the backbone of this whole thing, Sister Yutong. Chen Mo is top-tier, but he’s executing your vision. You’re the final decision-maker.”

“Sister Yutong, did we do something wrong? Tell us and we’ll fix it immediately. You can’t leave at this crucial moment!”

Liu Yutong shook her head. “You’ve all done excellently. This has nothing to do with you. I have to go.”

Gu Yebai and the others refused to accept it.

“Sister Yutong, I understand you have other commitments, but could you wait a few days? At least until we’ve established our initial positions and stabilized things? Or tell us where you’re going and what this is about—maybe we can send someone in your place?”

“Yeah, Sister Yutong, just tell us what’s going on. The brothers and sisters of our circle can help. Or postpone it by one week—just one week! Please?”

Liu Yutong sighed. “I’m sorry, but not a single day can be delayed. I have faith that you can hold down the fort.”

Gu Yebai grimaced. “But we don’t trust ourselves! What if we screw up…”

She cut him off. “Then don’t screw up. Execute the plan and maintain communication. That’s all.”

She pulled out another list and handed it to him. “This is an updated inventory. Besides what I previously assigned, acquire and ship these items as well.”

The list consisted mainly of food and water, medical supplies like tourniquets, splints, and antibiotics, plus large quantities of flashlights and radios.

While these could be sourced at her destination, disaster would inevitably create massive shortages. Better to gather them here first.

For now, Gu Yebai’s team would ship over as much as they could manage.

Gu Yebai scanned the list, his frown deepening.

Zhou Muchen, Shen Hao, and the others gathered around to look.

“Sister Yutong, with all these rations and antibiotics, what exactly are you planning? This doesn’t feel like a team retreat—it feels like you’re heading off to war or a disaster zone!”

“And all these flashlights and radios? That’s one hardcore corporate retreat.”

“Sister Yutong, you’re suddenly leaving and urgently gathering what looks like emergency relief supplies. Did you get information we don’t have? Is a natural disaster about to hit somewhere?”

“If so, just tell us. Our whole crew would mobilize to help. But keeping us in the dark like this leaves us completely in the dark. We’re flying blind here.”

“Exactly, Sister Yutong. We’re all in this together. We just pulled off a multi-billion-dollar deal—what can’t you share? If you’re heading off to do something major, would we really hold you back? Being so mysterious just makes us terrified we’ll mess up and ruin your plans.”

They all looked at Liu Yutong pleadingly, desperate to know what was really happening.

Deep down, each harbored a faint premonition that something monumental was coming.

Otherwise, why would Liu Yutong disregard a thirty-billion-dollar deal?

Liu Yutong looked at their questioning faces and sighed inwardly again.

It wasn’t a matter of trust. Rebirth was her greatest secret—something she simply could not reveal.

Besides, with current technology, predicting earthquakes was impossible. If it were, she wouldn’t need to hide anything.

Even if she told them, who would believe her?

“Stop speculating. Just gather what’s on the list. I have my own arrangements.”

Seeing they couldn’t get anything more, they reluctantly gave up.

“Then promise you’ll stay in touch, Sister Yutong. If anything happens on our end, you can rush back.”

“I will. I’ll prepare several backup phones.”

Realizing her mind was made up, Gu Yebai and the others stopped trying to dissuade her.

After the meal, they immediately mobilized all their resources to frantically purchase and consolidate supplies.

Within half a day, materials began converging from all directions.

By evening, a massive convoy had assembled on the outskirts of the city.

Besides the Wanlong Society’s vehicles, seven or eight heavy-duty trucks followed, loaded with emergency supplies.

Liu Yutong stood before the lead vehicle, gazing at the seemingly endless procession. She felt slightly reassured.

Though the road ahead was uncertain, this was the strongest force she could muster on such short notice.

When all was ready, Liu Yutong said just two words: “Let’s go.”

Then she ducked into the vehicle.