Chapter 660, Grew Up Wrong
Seeing Wen Mansa, Wu Heng quickened his pace, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and sat beside her. "You've worked hard."
"Not at all!" Wen Mansa said sweetly, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Wu Heng glanced at the baby nursing in her arms. The infant stared back with wide eyes.
Big eyes, fair and tender skin.
"Still looks like you."
"Really?" Wen Mansa gently bounced the child. "Daddy's come to see you."
The baby continued feeding, milk dribbling from her mouth.
She showed no reaction to their conversation.
"Good girl!" Wu Heng smiled, gently touching the baby's cheek.
The baby paused her feeding, released her mouth, burped, and stared at him.
Then she suddenly let out a loud wail.
The sudden cry startled Wu Heng. Flustered, he looked at Wen Mansa. "She... I didn't do anything!"
"It's fine. She's full—probably sleepy now." Wen Mansa handed the child to the nearby maid. "Take her to the room to rest."
The maid took the baby, gently soothing her as she went upstairs.
Only the two of them remained.
Wu Heng continued, "Let's talk business first."
"What's wrong?" Wen Mansa looked at him curiously.
"Outside Rentam City, I ran into a hag gathering. I rescued four babies from them. Can you arrange for someone to find their families—see if they were lost or sold?"
Wu Heng opened [Mansion Spell] and commanded the skeletons inside, "You four, come out."
Four hag skeletons carrying sleeping infants walked out.
The babies all looked fine.
Wen Mansa stood up to check. Perhaps it was maternal instinct—her expression turned furious at the thought of babies being sold.
She said coldly, "Understood."
Wu Heng took out bottles and cans of formula. "Here's baby formula. If they get hungry, mix with water—not too hot."
Wen Mansa picked up a bottle, touched the nipple with her finger. "It really looks real."
"Looks like what?"
"You don't see the resemblance?" Wen Mansa smiled, then took the bottle and formula upstairs. "I'll settle the kids in, then come back."
She and the skeletons went upstairs and arranged the babies in a room.
She soon returned with the maid.
The investigation into the babies' identities was underway.
...
After dinner—
Wen Mansa fed the baby, then returned to the room.
She sat at her vanity and did a quick touch-up.
Lifting the covers, she slipped into bed and leaned against Wu Heng's chest. "They're all asleep. The family search has started. Shouldn't take long."
"Good. The city needs to crack down on child trafficking. Can't let this happen again," Wu Heng said.
"It was my oversight. I'll be more careful next time," Wen Mansa whispered.
"Not your fault," Wu Heng said with a smile.
Wen Mansa's robe slipped slightly. Wu Heng leaned in, helping with the excess milk.
She gently held his head. "Master, our baby still has no name. You should pick one."
Wu Heng leaned back, pulled out a folded paper with a few pre-picked names. "Choose one you like. Doesn't matter which, as long as she's happy and healthy."
Wen Mansa unfolded the list and scanned the names.
"Wu Mengsha is too cheesy. When she grows up, she'll know. Wu Qin sounds nice."
"Then let's go with that. It implies brightness and luck," Wu Heng murmured, explaining.
"If Master picked it, it must be good," Wen Mansa said softly.
Wu Heng asked, "Any news from Slater?"
Wen Mansa shook her head. "Ekow Kingdom locked the border tight. Even guild messages aren't getting through. No word from Steward Slater."
What was Ekow Kingdom doing?
So much time had passed—still no result.
Wu Heng had assigned an 18th-level skeleton to protect Slater. As long as she avoided danger, she'd be fine in a place like Blackstone Town.
There shouldn't be any problems.
He'd check in personally when leaving Rentam City.
"How's the newspaper selling?" Wu Heng asked.
"Very well. Sales are strong..."
...
In the next room—
A rosy-cheeked baby lay on a small bed. A skeleton stood guard nearby.
The three wraiths floated above, slowly revealing themselves.
"Is that Uncle's baby? So pink and soft."
"All babies look like that—skin's tender."
"Does she look like Wu Heng?"
"The eyebrows do."
Xiaoxiao floated closer. "A little—cuter than Uncle, though."
"Maybe he was cute as a kid. Grew up wrong," Glenda said.
"Heehee! Uncle grew up wrong."
Beni laughed. "Wonder what name they'll pick."
As they chatted, the sleeping baby opened her eyes.
She frowned at the three floating wraiths.
Waaah~!
She burst into tears.
The skeleton quickly picked her up. The maid awoke.
She took the baby and gently rocked her.
...
The next morning, at dawn.
After feeding the baby, Wen Mansa went downstairs to handle city affairs.
Wu Heng watched the sleeping child, then entered the study and opened a portal to the zombie world.
Stepping through, he opened the dormitory window and looked outside.
In the base, survivors were using steam sprayers to fill the sewers with smoke for pest control.
Wu Heng took out his walkie-talkie and called out, "Is Qi Hancai there?"
"Yes, I'm here," Qi Hancai's voice came through the walkie-talkie.
"Head to the meeting room."
"On it!"
After waiting in the meeting room for a while, Qi Hancai entered with a smile on her face.
Wu Heng asked, "No problems at the other bases?"
"No issues. The arms factory has started building the autocannon ammo production line. We should see results soon," Qi Hancai replied.
That was good news.
If autocannon ammo could be mass-produced, it would be a big upgrade.
No more worrying about limited supply.
"Make sure to praise Gao Rong and the others for me."
"Got it," Qi Hancai nodded.
Wu Heng continued, "Any updates from the Russian researchers?"
Qi Hancai thought for a moment. "They've reportedly started electric-powered vehicle trials."
Wu Heng didn't interrupt and kept listening.
"Also, the two Korean technicians— the male technician has begun shipboard training, and the female technician can now lay cables and connect lines. The only issue is the cross-sea connection between Binhai Port and us. It's difficult to link the lines," Qi Hancai explained.
"Tell her to work on a solution later," Wu Heng said.
"I'll speak with her," Qi Hancai replied.
Wu Heng added, "Have the convoy prepare. We're clearing zombies."
Qi Hancai picked up the walkie-talkie and relayed the orders.
Shortly after, the convoy was ready.
The two went downstairs and boarded a truck, leaving the base.
...
Rentam City, City Lord's Manor.
The maid led the way, followed by an elderly man in a wizard's robe, his hair graying at the temples.
"Madam, Mr. Robien is here."
The wizard unabashedly glanced at Wen Mansa's belly, then smiled and bowed. "Robien of the Ekow Kingdom greets City Lord Wen Mansa. You are just as beautiful and charming as the rumors say."