Jealous Rivalry

"Are you sure you don't need me to help you find a new place? There are specially approved rooms available from the Authorities, right inside the bureau, very convenient."

As dusk approached, An Ying escorted Cheng Shanshi back, then checked on him one last time, still not entirely at ease.

"No need, that's a house the Mountain Master found for me, I'm quite satisfied with it."

Looking at Cheng Shanshi's thin clothes, An Ying asked, "Then... I'll get you some clothes? The thick cotton coats that the Authorities provides for free."

He's only wearing this much in this cold weather; he looks cold just looking at him.

"No need, I'm not cold, look!" Cheng Shanshi smiled and grabbed An Ying's hand, squeezing it tightly. "It's warm, isn't it?"

An Ying was startled by the sudden contact and paused in her steps. "... Yes, it's quite warm."

Cheng Shanshi then released her hand, completely unaware of An Ying's reaction, and said cheerfully, "The temperature in the mountains is much cooler than here, this little bit of cold is nothing."

An Ying nodded and said, "Okay, then let us know if you need anything."

"Okay, thank you! I'll be going now~" Cheng Shanshi walked a few steps away, then seemed to remember something, and waved goodbye to him with a bright smile, "Goodbye!"

"Goodbye."

An Ying remained where she was, waving to him with a slight smile on her lips. Stray white hairs fell beside her cheeks, fluttering in the wind before settling down.

Emerging from the Official Base, Cheng Shanshi walked slowly along the main road, her figure suddenly disappearing around the next corner.

"Mountain Master, I'm back!"

In the living room of the Boundless Land, upon hearing this unique address, Lin Nieran turned his attention from the large screen to the doorway and smiled, "It's quite late, you must be tired."

The Writer and Dessert Chef sitting on either side of him also turned their heads to look at the same time. When they saw that the newcomer was Xinka Cheng Shanshi, they turned back in tacit understanding and continued to watch the live broadcast on the big screen.

This is a large screen that the True Form specially bought from the System Shop. It can receive all the live broadcast screens. When they have nothing to do, they watch the live broadcasts with their Master.

"It wasn't hard at all; I finished it very easily."

Cheng Shanshi walked briskly to Lin Nieran's side, her eyes scanning the surrounding area.

Lin Nieran's two sides were occupied by the Writer and the Dessert Chef, and he seemed unable to squeeze into the space in the middle. Gan Tian and Ji Fengbai's eyes did not welcome his forced entry.

A white, round cat bed sat at my feet, where the Black Cat was curled up resting, its long tail swaying slowly at the tip.

Cheng Shanshi felt that he shouldn't be able to compete with the cat for the bed.

On the narrower double sofa next to Lin Nieran sat Doctor. Wu Liang, who was staring intently at Lin Nieran, and the weeping Gravekeeper.

Besides, behind the sofa, at the wooden table, Moonlit Night and Wang sat facing each other, enjoying tea.

It seems there's no place for him anymore.

"You two are so harmonious today! So intimate." Cheng Shanshi looked at the Doctor and the Gravekeeper Puppet who would never sit together normally, her expression full of surprise.

Gan Tian couldn't help but laugh out loud, earning her a sinister glare from Wu Liang.

Lin Nieran chuckled, saying, "They just started fighting again, burning all the Writer's books. Making them sit together as punishment will at least keep them quiet."

"By the way, which department in the Authorities did you join?"

"Logistics Department! Also, a team called the Calamity Crossing Squad' has joined."

Lin Nieran, System 007: "Huh?"

Wait, what does it mean to have joined the Calamity Crossing Team?

Lin Nieran sat up straight instantly, and 007 quickly checked the records.

[The original Calamity Crossing Squad also recruited new members after Sheng Qingqiao's death, but the effort was abandoned because they couldn't find suitable teammates.]

[Now... perhaps it's his lucky charm that's coming into play? He truly is Child of Fortune!]

Lin Nieran didn't expect it to be such a coincidence. He saw so many people queuing up this morning and was thinking that he could sell a lot of weapons. He didn't expect that Cheng Shanshi was also in that queue.

How did they recruit you?

He remembered the time Cheng Shanshi set off; there was already a long queue outside. Normally, he would be lucky to get a turn the next day.

"There was a long line of people recruiting at the Authorities entrance today. I saw a lot of people queuing, and I joined the line for a while before being hired," Cheng Shanshi said blankly. "Is there anything wrong with this line? I'm not going tomorrow!"

Lin Nieran originally only wanted Cheng Shanshi to infiltrate the Authorities, preferably to become Squad Leader, so that he could support his subsequent plans. He didn't expect that Cheng Shanshi would directly join the Calamity Crossing Squad.

Most members of the Calamity Crossing Squad do not have a clear official position, but their authority is at least on par with that of Deputy Minister.

This isn't just an undercover operation; this is clearly infiltrating the 'enemy camp'.

"Since we've gotten in, it must be fate." Lin Nieran quickly recovered and exclaimed, "As expected of someone who controls destiny, their luck is truly amazing."

Praised by Lin Nieran, Cheng Shanshi smiled happily, revealing two small tiger teeth. "Don't worry, Mountain Master, I will do my job as an undercover agent!"

Lin Nieran glanced at the Bamboo-Woven Backpack Basket behind him. "Are you sure you don't want me to get you a better one?"

"No need, Mountain Master, this is very sturdy." Cheng Shanshi patted the basket vigorously. "See, no problem!"

Lin Nieran nodded and said to Cheng Shanshi, who was smiling brightly, "Then you can find a room that suits your taste later. The Butler has already prepared your clothes."

Cheng Shanshi nodded obediently, agreeing to whatever Lin Nieran said, which made Lin Nieran quite helpless.

The description of Cheng Shanshi's card clearly stated "unpredictable," but now it seems like he's overly good-natured.

Seeing the two chatting happily, the others who had been watching all wore expressions of displeasure.

"Father, I was the one who recommended the Mr. Butler." Wang looked at him expectantly.

Lin Nieran understood, turned around and smiled at Wang, "Wang really helped me a lot."

Wang Xin, pleased with the praise, sipped his tea with a satisfied smile. Moonlit Night, standing beside him, also smiled and said, "Grandpa Butler is indeed very capable; he's taken care of all our needs, from food and clothing to lodging and shopping."

"But my younger brother is now managing the Master's accounts, and I, the older brother, haven't taken any credit, while some others have been quick to do so."

The smile on Wang's face vanished, and a hint of mist appeared in his gray eyes, but it quickly disappeared when Lin Nieran looked at him.

He raised an eyebrow in the Moonlit Night, a hint of provocation in his expression.

"Haha!" The smile shifted to Gan Tian's face. The Dessert Chef tapped the ground with the handle of her Small Parasol, her eyes filled with sarcasm. "Where did the money in the accounts come from? Some people seem completely incapable of sharing the burden with the Shopkeeper."

"Shopkeeper, Gan Tian has made so much money these past few days! I'm really good at making money!"

With more and more of us around, it's really hard for the leaders to support their families.

The Black Cat lazily raised its head. "Meow, meow meow! Master, the cat isn't eating much!"

"Meow!" Only one packet of Dried Fish per day!