The supplies at Base D01359 weren't that scarce, were they?
The hulking man before him had a fleshy face and a ruddy complexion, a bottle of beer in his hand, while several cans of meat sat on the bar counter. There was no sign whatsoever of a shortage of supplies.
Or perhaps only some people were short on supplies!
Wang Chen mused inwardly, his expression remaining perfectly calm. "Hello. I'd like to ask you about something."
"Heh."
The burly man named Tie Hu sneered, sizing Wang Chen up with a mocking look. "Who do you think you are? You ask, and I have to answer?"
"I'll pay you," Wang Chen said.
As he spoke, he took a large handful of energy bars from his backpack. "Will this do?"
"Which base did you come from?"
Tie Hu licked his lips, greed gleaming in his eyes. "That's not enough!"
Energy bars were good stuff, but he wanted more.
"A00023."
Wang Chen simply unzipped his backpack, grabbed out more energy bars, and laid them on the bar beside him. "Is this enough?"
"An A-class base?"
Tie Hu whistled and grinned. "Who would've thought that such a big shot would come to our little backwater?"
The people in the bar burst into laughter, and some quietly moved behind Wang Chen.
Wang Chen seemed utterly unaware.
Tie Hu's smile vanished. Raising his chin, he said, "Kid, I don't care where you came from. Once you're here, you follow the rules. Hand over everything you've got, and also..."
"That outfit you're wearing is pretty nice. Take it off."
The laughter around them grew louder, mixed with crude, filthy remarks.
Wang Chen could not help but sigh.
He really did not want to make a move, but some people simply refused to see what was in front