Awakening Zhongli Template, Retiring on Terra

The de facto ruler of Lungmen, Governor Wei Yenwu, went to the balcony to gaze into the distance after his meal, just like any other day.

What met his eyes was a jungle of steel, with towering buildings stretching as far as he could see. Under his governance, Lungmen, a mobile city-state, had become one of the most important economic centers in Yan Nation.

Wei Yenwu's gaze was condescending, as if admiring a paradise he had personally built. Every time he looked, he felt a great sense of accomplishment. This myriad of lights was all thanks to him for the prosperity and flourishing growth of today.

Suddenly, a dazzling radiance appeared abruptly in the sky in the northeast corner. It seemed something was falling from a great height, but after two or three seconds, it returned to normal.

As a top-tier expert like Wei Yenwu, his dynamic vision was exceptionally sharp. Even though it flashed by in an instant, he still managed to capture it.

It was a meteorite.

His curiosity piqued, he returned to the living room, picked up the coffee-colored coat from the coat rack, and prepared to go to the scene to take a look.

At the same time, Madam Wen Yue, Wei Yenwu's wife, walked into the living room with a plate of fruit. She had purplish-red hair and an appearance that seemed elegant and delicate.

Seeing her husband put on his coat, looking as if he were about to go out, Madam Wen Yue parted her lips:

"At this hour, where are you going?"

Wei Yenwu squatted down to put on his shoes, turning his back to avoid his wife's gaze:

"I just saw a meteorite fall in the distance and wanted to go take a look."

Wen Yue placed the fruit plate on the table, her left and right hands overlapping, and said in a calm tone:

"Did that meteorite fall on the ground, or did it fall into your heart? Or perhaps, a woman has taken the unconventional codename 'Meteorite'?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Yenwu's shoe-tying motion froze. He turned his head and explained to Wen Yue:

"You've misunderstood, there really was a meteorite."

"Misunderstood? No, what misunderstanding could there be between us? If a meteorite truly fell from the sky, as Mr. Wei's wife, I should accompany you to see it."

"..."

Wei Yenwu knew that going now would be a bit irregular; the Lungmen Guard Department should investigate first. As the ruler of Lungmen's core city, it was improper for him to go to the scene so casually.

He took off the shoes he had just put on and placed them back in the shoe cabinet by the entrance. He then took off his coat and hung it back on the coat rack. With a fawning smile, he walked to the table, abandoning the idea of going out:

"Never mind, never mind. I'll wait for the Guard Department's report tomorrow. Sit down, I'll peel some fruit for you."

Wen Yue maintained the posture of her left and right hands overlapping, looking very elegant. Seeing her husband reach for a piece of fruit, she slightly furrowed her brow:

"Wash your hands first."

Wei Yenwu grinned, completely lacking the imposing demeanor he had in front of his subordinates:

"Yes, yes, yes, I'm going now."

December 1st, 6:45 PM

Croissant called the police. After the Lungmen Guard Department accepted the report, they all got into the car and returned to the restaurant in District 20.

Chen was fine at her table, as there were already four people. Even without Shi Lei, they could still chat about recent work matters and wouldn't be too bored.

Lin Yuxia in the adjacent private room, however, was bored, playing on her phone. Hearing the police officers next door chatting livelily made her feel uneasy.

Fortunately, the group didn't take too long and returned within half an hour. Croissant went directly to the Lungmen Guard Department's table and penalized herself with three drinks to apologize for delaying their gathering.

Shi Lei followed suit, pouring drinks and apologizing to Lin Yuxia. She didn't seem to mind. After he finished drinking, she asked:

"Mr. Shi, what's your phone number?"

"Uh, I haven't bought one yet. Why don't you leave your contact information, and I'll contact you after I get one?"

At that moment, Lin Yuxia almost wanted to lend her phone to Shi Lei. But considering the design and color scheme were too feminine, she feared rejection and temporarily gave up the idea.

"Alright then."

Shi Lei found a waiter at the restaurant, asked for paper and pen, and had Lin Yuxia leave her contact number.

He hadn't known her identity before and thought she was just an ordinary citizen. He later learned that Lin Yuxia was the daughter of the Rat King, Lin Gerei. Penguin Logistics often delivered goods to the slums. Befriending her might be helpful for his work.

As the drinking in this room was winding down, Shi Lei carried his beer to the adjacent private room. With Croissant breaking the ice, the atmosphere here was much livelier.

Seeing the main guest, Nine, Hoshiguma, and others, they poured him drinks and stood up to toast him:

"Mr. Shi, we're truly grateful for what happened that day. We'd like to offer you a toast."

"No problem, it's all in the drink. Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Six glasses clinked, and everyone drank it down in one gulp.

Shi Lei couldn't just leave after drinking; that would be too impolite. He pulled out a chair and sat down, picking up a new pair of chopsticks to grab some food to stave off his hunger. After all, as a Messenger, he had to deal with the Lungmen Guard Department to some extent. Improving their relationship now would always be beneficial.

In the past, traveling between the upper and lower districts required passing through a checkpoint guarded by the Lungmen Guard Department. Upon learning it was a Penguin Logistics vehicle, they usually granted passage without inspection.

Chen poured a glass of wine and raised it to him:

"We hope your company causes less trouble in the future and doesn't make things difficult for us."

Only she could say something so inappropriate for the occasion. Although she didn't name names, she was likely referring to Exusiai, whose performance metrics were almost depleted last month.

"Yes, Officer Chen. If we run into thugs trying to steal our goods during transport, we might resort to extreme measures sometimes. Please bear with us. We actually helped you earn some performance points just now."

"Oh? What were you guys up to?"

They had wanted to ask earlier but held back. Now that Croissant brought it up, they naturally inquired.

"It's nothing much, really. I just received a shipment of goods from out of town. While it was being stored at the dock, a gang tried to rob us. I couldn't handle so many people alone, so I called for backup from my colleagues."

Upon hearing this, Officer Chen Hui-jie couldn't sit still. She stood up, gripping Chixiao, and sternly asked:

"How audacious! Where was this? I'll head over there immediately to handle it."

Shi Lei pressed his hand down, signaling her to sit:

"Don't worry, Officer Chen, it's all resolved. The troublemakers have already been taken away by the police. You should be able to interrogate them back at the Lungmen Guard Department. Waiter, bring two more cases of beer!"

It wasn't his treat today anyway, so if they didn't finish it, they could just pack it to go. A short while later, Shi Lei felt he had accompanied them long enough and got up, preparing to check on the room next door.

Texas was a woman of few words, and with only Exusiai, it was unlikely the atmosphere would be lively. He needed to go over and liven things up.

As it turned out, when he arrived next door, he realized he had overthought things. Lin Yuxia was getting along wonderfully with the other two, and they had even exchanged social media contacts.

Most of Penguin Logistics' business in Lungmen involved transporting goods from the Core City and Upper City down to the Lower City. For shipments between the former two, many customers opted for self-transportation to save money. Wealthy individuals, being too lazy to make the trip themselves, would then use same-city express delivery.

Speaking of which, Shi Lei had never been to the Core City before. But since he lived in Lungmen, there would be opportunities in the future.

This meal was truly a pleasant one. While the dishes weren't exactly delicacies, they tasted quite good. Hearing the cheers from the next room growing louder, he got up to check. He found that the two cases of bottled beer they had ordered earlier had already been emptied without him realizing it.

034 This Hoshiguma is Just Weak

Shi Lei arrived at the private room next door and found Officer Hoshiguma already slumped over the table. Her imposing figure, standing at 1.8 meters, made her look like a small hill.

Croissant reached out and nudged her. Seeing no reaction, a smile appeared on her flushed cheeks:

"Haha, look at this Oni police officer, she's already drunk after only eighteen bottles. She's really too weak."

Chen Hui-jie's expression turned slightly displeased upon hearing this. She popped open a bottle of beer and tilted her chin slightly, saying:

"Hearing you say that, you're quite brave, huh?"

Croissant's cheeks flushed, and she wasn't sure if her consciousness was entirely clear. However, she often attended parties organized by Exusiai, and her alcohol tolerance was far beyond that of ordinary Dolans.

Leveraging her slight intoxication, Croissant raised her right thumb, pointing the tip at herself:

"Just kidding, I'm super brave, okay? It's just beer, I'm a really good drinker."

Officer Hoshiguma, still slumped over the table, could barely keep her eyes open. She mumbled:

"I... I can still drink... hic..."

Croissant burst into laughter upon hearing this. She glanced up and saw Shi Lei entering, waving at him:

"See? This police officer is just weak."

Although she knew it was a joke, it still ignited Chen Hui-jie's competitive spirit. She lightly patted Croissant's thigh with her left hand and issued a challenge:

"Since you're such a good drinker, I'd like to test your limits. Let's see who can't hold on any longer. You both drank 18 bottles, so I'll match you. Then, we'll take turns, one bottle each. What do you say, dare you?"

"What's there to not dare about?"

Shi Lei sat down and looked at the pile of empty beer bottles on the floor. Out of consideration for his colleagues, he advised:

"If you can't handle it anymore, don't force yourselves. The most important thing is to have fun at tonight's gathering. Don't push yourselves."

Croissant pouted, feeling underestimated by him. The flush on her face deepened, and she patted her chest, saying:

"Don't worry, I'm fine and can keep drinking. Waiter, bring two more cases of beer!"

The restaurant staff, hearing the call, brought over two more cases of beer. Chen Hui-jie used her tail to pick up a bottle of beer, then with her bare hand, knocked off the cap and tilted her head back, chugging it down.

"Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp..."

Watching her down 18 bottles consecutively was like watching a talent show, earning applause from Shi Lei and Nine.

"Here, it's your turn."

Croissant accepted the challenge, tilted her head back, and chugged a bottle. The two went back and forth, neither willing to concede. The lively atmosphere even attracted Exusiai from the next room, who cheered them on, more excited than if she were drinking herself.

Eventually, after drinking the twelfth bottle, Croissant's eyes began to glaze over. Her head felt like it was filled with alcohol, accompanied by a nauseating urge to vomit:

"I'm not in the right state today. I lost. Let's fight another day. Officer Chen, you really can hold your liquor."

"Of course, I've been to parties since I was a kid and started drinking early. Thirty bottles here? That's nothing. Waiter, the bill!"

Nine voluntarily stood up and politely apologized to him:

"Mr. Shi, our budget is limited, and we couldn't treat you to a more upscale restaurant. Please forgive us."

Shi Lei felt it was no big deal. If they hadn't started arguing, this gathering might not have even happened today:

"Not at all, it's not a big issue. The thought counts. Thank you for your hospitality."

Chen Hui-jie stood up, suddenly feeling a wave of dizziness and almost losing her balance. She braced herself on the edge of the table with her right hand, waiting for the effects of the alcohol to subside.

The Lungmen Guard Department elites present lacked tact. Seeing her unsteady, they didn't just ignore it but specifically pointed out the situation:

"How come I feel like you're drunk?"

Chen raised an eyebrow and glared at the other person, replying, "It's an illusion."

The waiter entered the private room to calculate the bill. Shi Lei didn't linger and returned to the adjacent room.

Lin Yuxia's table had a lot of dishes, all the most expensive specialties the restaurant offered, but they hadn't eaten much. She planned to pack them up and take them back to the safe house to store in the refrigerator.

They could still manage to eat them for the next few days by reheating, otherwise, eating pizza and apple pie all day would get tiresome.

"Miss Lin, it's getting late. How about we call it a night? Thank you for your hospitality today."

"No problem, waiter, the bill please!"

After both private rooms settled their bills, Shi Lei stood in the center, with four people on each side, and they all left the restaurant in District 20.

"Mr. Shi, we'll be heading off then. On behalf of my colleagues from the Lungmen Guard Department who couldn't make it, I'd like to express our sincere gratitude once again."

With that, Nine and Chen said their goodbyes and left.

Hoshiguma and other Lungmen Guard Department elites followed behind them, maintaining a certain distance. They walked without swaying left or right, showing no signs of being drunk at all.

Texas and Exusiai, one on each side, supported a drunken Croissant towards the car parked by the roadside. Texas suddenly turned her head and extended an invitation, "Want to ride with us? I'll give you a lift."

It took Penguin Logistics over ten minutes to drive here, and it would probably take more than half an hour to walk back.

Shi Lei had eaten too much tonight, and he felt a walk after the meal would aid digestion, so he waved his hand and refused, "No need, you guys take Croissant back first. Drive slowly on the road and be careful. I'll walk back directly to sober up."

"Okay, sure."