Chapter 174
"Lisa, you've just started school, and there are a lot of things you need to buy. Like study materials and such. Don't keep it to yourself, you have to tell us."
"Yes, I know, thank you, Brother Shi."
Amidst the clinking of glasses, the atmosphere was lively and convivial.
Today was another ordinary yet joyful day.
After dinner, the Sarkaz mercenaries voluntarily cleared away the dishes and took them back to the warehouse to wash.
Seeing the happy smiles on everyone's faces, Shi Lei felt very gratified.
Life is made up of 90% mundane and 10% exciting; it won't be exciting all the time. As Ultraman said, the simple things are the best.
After Lisa finished eating, she went back to her room to do her homework, and Surtr dutifully supervised and tutored her.
Exusiai contentedly stroked her belly with one hand, then suddenly remembered something and grinned:
"Zhongli, it's been several days since we played mahjong. If we don't have enough people, let's call V over to make a table."
Shi Lei had nothing else to do, so he agreed. He wasn't addicted to it and stopped playing at eleven o'clock.
After he finished tidying up and returned to the warehouse, Lisa had already gone inside to rest. He quickly splashed some cold water on his face, went into the bedroom, and sat on the bed playing on his phone.
Search for information about the Rhodes Island through websites or forums.
According to media reports, the Rhodes Island is a violent organization formed by infected individuals.
The plight of those infected in this land is undeniable. Aside from inclusive cities like Lungmen, they face discrimination in most places.
Whether you are poor or Pantalone, destitute or wealthy, once you contract Originium-related illness, you will be labeled as doomed by the world.
Even wealthy people only have more medical options, which can suppress the onset of Originium-related illness and allow them to live a few more days.
Columbia is a good example. Their attitude towards those infected appears relatively neutral. However, if you are unfortunately infected, you will have to pay exorbitant monthly health insurance fees until you are financially ruined.
Essentially, it is an act of plundering the property of the infected by an invisible hand.
Some infected individuals, pushed to their limits, may join the Rhodes Island, attempting to gain Doli for themselves through violent means.
The years that followed were the same as always. Plain and uneventful.
Until September 21st, Mudrock's birthday.
That day, she finally brought out the dish she had been practicing for months, which received unanimous praise from everyone.
Although it's not as authentic as Lee's, it has grasped the essence, and the taste is about 70-80% similar.
Shi Lei praised him generously and commended him without reservation.
Receiving praise from its owner warmed Mudrock's heart, making it feel that its efforts had not been in vain.
She worked on a construction site for demolition and moving work a while ago and saved up a lot of money, so she's not in a hurry to find a job.
Mud Rock can cook its owner's favorite dishes every day, and seeing the owner happy makes Mudrock happy too.
Shi Lei
He didn't know it was her birthday until after it was exposed. He didn't have time to prepare, so he promised to give Mudrock a gift. He told her to name her what she wanted, and he would try his best to fulfill her wish.
September 28, 4:30 pm
Shi Lei was reading in his office as usual when he suddenly received a call from Chen.
This time, she obtained accurate intelligence.
The Rhodes Island actually broke through the Ursus army's blockade and reached the northern ice plains. They joined forces with the Patriot army stationed nearby, forming a united front.
Shi Lei knew it was time to set off.
237 Eat well before you set off (4K)
Shi Lei was somewhat surprised to learn that the Rhodes Island had actually joined forces with the Patriot.
To confirm whether the intelligence had been delayed, he paused for a moment before asking further:
"Officer Chen, how long ago was this intelligence?"
There was a hissing sound of a shovel poking at sand coming from the other end of the microphone; it sounded like it was near a construction site in Slums.
"Just now, around three o'clock. I received the information and called you immediately."
"Officer Chen, is this intelligence reliable? Could you please tell me from what source you obtained it?"
As is well known, newspapers are printed and distributed in the early hours of the morning, so it is impossible for them to publish news from that day.
If Chen's source of information is still the official Ursus newspaper she saw that day, then this information is at least one to two days late.
"This intelligence is absolutely reliable; you don't need to doubt its authenticity. The information comes from the intelligence department of the Lungmen Guard Department, and I apologize for not being able to disclose more details."
As the westernmost outpost of the Yan, Lungmen is very close to the border of Ursus. It's not uncommon for the two countries to infiltrate each other and gather intelligence.
All the above concerns have been addressed, leaving only one crucial factor that Shi Lei needs to confirm:
"Officer Chen, do you know where the Rhodes Island and the Patriot meet up?"
"The exact geographical coordinates are unknown, but it is known that they are roughly in the vicinity of Lake Vega in the Northern Ursus. According to intercepted coded messages, the Patriot's forces have been stationed at Lake Vega for a month and have not moved since. The Rhodes Island broke through the Ursus Army Group's blockade and came to Lake Vega, so they must have made contact with them."
The convergence of these two forces is a situation that the Ursus leadership is extremely unwilling to see. They are currently conscripting troops from nearby cities, and it will take approximately seven days to assemble their forces.
If we set off for Lake Vega tonight, it will probably take us six or seven days. If we take turns driving, we can arrive in five or six days at the fastest. Theoretically, we can get there before the Ursus army sets out. Then all we need to do is find Talulah and bring her back."
According to Chen, it would take at least five to six days to reach Lake Vega. However, this refers to the speed of cars and land vehicles, not Shi Lei's speed.
If he were to fly with people at high altitudes, he wouldn't encounter any obstacles along the way. Without steep slopes and hills to hinder him, his speed should be even faster.
"Okay, let's set off tonight. Officer Chen, are you coming too?"
Since learning several years ago that Talulah was still alive, Chen had been constantly collecting information about her in preparation for their meeting.
Having found a good helper this time, how could I stay in Lungmen and stand aside?
"Of course, I've already used up all the annual leave I've saved up over the years, and even borrowed a few days in advance. When I find Talulah this time, I'm determined to get to the bottom of this in person!"
Wow, that's impressive.
It seems there's an unspeakable grudge and conflict between these two.
Shi Lei glanced at the time in the lower right corner of the computer screen and presented a detailed plan:
"Officer Chen, it's almost 5 p. m. Please bring a change of clothes and about a week's worth of rations and meet us at the warehouse on Taiheng Road. With a map, I estimate we can reach Lake Vega in two or three days."
What?
Chen was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. It would take seven days to travel by land vehicle, but the other party said it would only take two or three days, which was more than twice as fast.
Rotorcraft and other aircraft can only be used for reconnaissance; high-speed manned aircraft are expensive.
Do you have a flying vehicle?
[Tips: Sourced from TB-ST6]
"No, but you'll know how to get to Lake Vega when the time comes. Just come straight here."
"Okay, I'll come over when I'm done with my business here. See you at the warehouse on Taiheng Road later."
"No problem, see you there."
Shi Lei ended the call and put his phone on the table.
He made the call while sitting at his workstation, without trying to hide it from his colleagues.
Exusiai poked her head out with a grin and asked:
"Is this a request to go to Lake Vega? I've never been there before. Could you take me with you?"
Shi Lei looked up and laughed, teasingly saying:
"Exusiai, are you sure you want to go? This mission will take at least a week, and possibly longer. If the company gets another mission during this time, we'll need to leave a Messenger to handle it."
"Money can be earned anytime, but nothing beats going out and having fun! I don't need any payment, I just want you to take me with you. Please, please."
Texas remained aloof, listening for a long time without saying a word. Actually, no one needed to ask; everyone knew she was tacitly accepting a spot. Did she express any opinion?
The intention behind participation is completely irrelevant.
Thus, three of Penguin Logistics' four Messenger were confirmed to be heading to Lake Baikal.
Croissant went to Syracuse with the group last time entirely out of a willingness to go to great lengths for Texas. This time, it's a normal request, so going isn't mandatory.
Moreover, there's no task that Shi Lei can't handle. If he can't solve it, Croissant feels that going wouldn't change the outcome.
"Then you guys go ahead, I'll stay. It's only early autumn, and I still have a batch of summer clothes that I haven't cleared out. Besides, the company needs to keep a Messenger, doesn't it?"
The other three had no objection to this.
The Emperor isn't short of money; whether the business is open or not doesn't matter to him. But since Croissant wants to stay, everyone will respect her personal wishes.
Shi Lei knew that Croissant's side job was quite lucrative, almost matching his main job. Besides, Chen had only hired him this time, without requiring any other Messenger to go.
"Hmm, that makes sense. Then we'll leave things at the company to you Croissant. If we see anything good in Ursus, we'll bring a copy back for you."
"Haha, okay."
Croissant clasps hands in a fist and palm salute, making a gesture of wishing someone prosperity:
"Then I must thank you in advance."
September 28th, 5:00 PM
When the time comes, I clock out.
Shi Lei and his two companions left the company building and drove to a nearby supermarket to buy food.
Although Ursus has a cold climate, with temperatures in the far north often below freezing, there's absolutely no need to buy thick clothing to keep warm.
If Shi Lei were in the Genshin Realm when he first transmigrated, he might have suffered frostbite even with the Jade Shield on, given such an extremely harsh environment.
But now that he's at the Archon Realm, the group can use the Jade Shield without needing to wear bulky, thick clothing. If the wind and snow could easily break through his defenses, he'd be far too weak.
As for the food, Shi Lei didn't buy it for himself.
Whether it's the Rhodes Island or the Patriot team whose name sounds like a missile, food must have been extremely scarce in such harsh conditions. Bringing food there would have been a godsend.
Shi Lei saw many comments online and in the news claiming that the Rhodes Island was composed of thugs. However, he maintained a neutral stance and only trusted the judgments he saw.
If the victim is an honest person who has been persecuted, distribute more food to them. If the victim is a violent thug who is prone to violence, then ignore them.
The choice is in his own hands.
The three went to the supermarket and specifically chose processed foods that are easy to preserve in cold environments. They filled four shopping carts and crammed the trunk and back seats of their car to the brim before driving back to their warehouse on Taiheng Road.
After driving into the alley, Shi Lei, sitting in the passenger seat, immediately spotted Chen carrying several suitcases. To save space, she was wearing thick winter clothes.
"Hey, Officer Chen."
Once the car had come to a complete stop, Shi Lei got out. He waved and called out in the other person's direction:
"It's lunchtime here. Since you're already here, sit down and eat before you leave."
Chen nodded, not refusing. "Eat a little more now, so you'll be full before you set off."
"Good."
The residents of the three warehouses now eat together, and the food is enough for nearly twenty people. Even if a few guests come unexpectedly, there is definitely enough food.
If there's any left, put it in a few plates and put it in the refrigerator for V and the others to eat the next day at noon.
Shi Lei and the others usually eat lunch at the Safe House or go out to eat, and only go home for dinner in the evening.
"Hahaha, the Feathered Beast Soup is here."
"Make way, be careful, it's hot!"
After the Sarkaz served various dishes, everyone sat around a round rock table with a turntable.
Chen and Hoshiguma visited Shi Lei last time with gifts, but neither of them stayed for dinner. The Sarkaz took this opportunity tonight to toast and thank her.
The members of the Mudrock's Squad received care from Chen when they first arrived in Lungmen. Although she may not have thought much of it, everyone secretly remembered it.