Chapter 70

The main issue is that I have to report to Rhodes Island tomorrow, and this is the only chance I have to touch ancient abilities. I can't very well say something like, "Can I touch your shield?" in broad daylight in front of Texas, can I?

"Shi Lei, thank you so much. I'll bring a good friend to visit you next year."

"You're too kind. We're all friends, there's no need for such formalities. I really want to thank you, please treat me to a meal next time you come."

"Okay, it's settled then."

Once it reaches the railing, the platform begins to descend, eventually merging with the ground and disappearing from sight.

Texas stood below, not asking what they had discussed. If it were something that could be casually shared, there would be no need for a secret meeting in mid-air.

"Don't you have a bit of a cold? It's cold at night, so go to bed early tonight."

"Okay, you should go to sleep early too. Goodnight."

After the two women entered the warehouse, Shi Lei locked the roller shutter door. He then went to the sink to wash up.

He picked up the toothbrush from the rinsing cup and was surprised to find a little toothpaste residue on it.

That's really strange.

The third day of the Lunar New Year.

She received a text message from Rhodes Island at noon, but she wanted to wait until after lunch to leave.

Exusiai went out of her way to buy barbecue and pizza, using her favorite foods to treat her partner.

After the banquet, Nian wanted to give Shi Lei the dark green prayer beads she often wore. However, Shi Lei felt that she hadn't been of any help and declined the gift.

After the year ended, the three of them were short of players for their mahjong game. So they called Croissant over to join them, making a table together.

The holiday was still so leisurely; every day was spent sunbathing, eating, drinking, and playing cards, living like a retired person.

Bland, boring, letting time slip away.

It wasn't until the seventh day of the first lunar month that the Emperor issued a call to assemble.

113 The Twelve-Year- Little Rabbit

Normally, Penguin Logistics will not resume operations until the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.

As a result, everyone was summoned a day in advance.

Exusiai received a different message than the others, and excitedly waved her phone at everyone:

"Look, the boss wants me to bring live ammunition! I hope this business trip will pay me well enough."

During the holiday, the artist had no engagements, Croissant didn't need to be a flight Miss, so she spent most of her time in the warehouse.

"How much we get paid isn't up to us. Anyway, it's the first order of the new year, so let's do our best. I'm going back to take a shower and change my clothes. See you at the company entrance later."

That's how Messenger's job is: when there are requests, they're busy; when there aren't, they're idle.

Texas also said she would go home to change her clothes and wanted to start the new year of work with a fresh look.

At 10 a. m., the four of them gathered at the company entrance.

They chatted and laughed as they took the elevator to the top-floor office area, only to find that the Emperor was not there.

Shi Lei made a phone call on-site and learned that the boss had temporarily left for some business. He instructed them to go to plot SSIS-646 in the Lungmen boarding area and report to the client.

Exusiai pressed the elevator button and turned around to say:

"Do you think we might run into Nian? The island she's staying on, Luo something-or-other, is right in the boarding area."

"Rhodes Island," Shi Lei corrected. "Whether we'll encounter it or not is hard to say; we'll only know when we get there."

The four left the company and drove to the boarding area.

Located on the north side of Lungmen, many foreign ships or Mobile Cities landed from here.

This was Shi Lei's first time in such a place, and he couldn't help but look around. The city's edge was covered with numerous uneven, blocky surfaces that perfectly complemented the moored ships. The paved road surface had a rather futuristic feel.

Croissant drove to the designated plot and saw a large ship anchored there in the distance. The ship had a prominent white chess piece logo on its hull, with the outline of a triangle drawn in small letters. Below the chess piece were the words "Rhodes Island" printed in Victoria.

Ha, it really is Rhodes Island.

Standing at the junction of the plots was a girl with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black uniform and black stockings with bunny ears.

"Laugh."

After Croissant parked the orange pickup truck on the side of the road, she took the initiative to run up to the group and ask:

"I am Amiya from Rhodes Island. Are you Messenger sent by Penguin Logistics?"

For this formal occasion, the conversation was left to Croissant, who was skilled in social interaction. Exusiai peered inside the ship, observing the rapidly moving crowd, but did not spot Nian.

"Doctor Kal'tsit is too busy, and everyone else has things to do, so she asked me to come and hand over the reins. If there's anything I haven't explained clearly, please let me know."

Rhodes Island is supposed to be a pharmaceutical company, so why is a minor being put in charge of the handover?

Croissant put aside her doubts and asked:

"Hmm, what exactly is the request?"

"While we were replenishing supplies in Lungmen, we were also treating infected people in the Lower City. However, we ran out of inhibitors the day before yesterday, which slowed down the progress of the rescue efforts."

Rhodes Island operator Miss. Blaze is escorting a new batch of inhibitor raw materials. You need to follow the route map backwards to find the convoy and escort them safely to the Lungmen landing zone. These inhibitor raw materials are crucial for treating infected individuals..."

Croissant stared at the drawing she was holding, beckoned with her finger to take it, and unfolded it to examine it.

Amiya looked up and asked timidly:

"I'm sorry, was I being too long-winded?"

"Well enough."

Croissant's gaze swept over the route map, the unfolded map obscuring Amiya, revealing only a pair of rabbit ears:

"What are Miss Huang's distinguishing features?"

"She's a black-haired Feline, and she's easy to recognize because she uses a specially made chainsaw."

This type of weapon is indeed rare.

"If we encounter Miss Huang, how will we prove our identity?"

Traveling in the wilderness is very dangerous, as there are wild animals, bandits, and brigands who may try to rob you.

Without proper documentation, getting close to someone without permission could result in being beaten, so it's essential to ask beforehand.

"I'm sorry, Doctor Kal'tsit didn't give any instructions. I'll contact her right away, please wait a moment..."

Croissant slightly raised her chin and interrupted:

"No need for that, just give me your employee ID."

"Huh?"

Seeing the naive behavior of this teenage girl, Exusiai n't help but laugh and tease her:

"If you can't bear to part with your employee badge, you can take off one shoe, provided that Miss Huang can recognize you."

Croissant Exusiai, then came to her rescue:

"Don't listen to her, just give me your work badge."

After receiving her work badge, she gestured for Shi Lei and Texas to get in the car. They were ready to depart immediately to meet up.

Exusiai popped her head out of the back window, waved to the bunny-eared girl standing there, and gave her an order:

"Hey, if you run into Nian on Rhodes Island, could you say hello to her for us?"

"Okay, please leave it to me."

The orange pickup truck drove away from the docking area, Amiya gradually became a small dot in the rearview mirror until she disappeared.

Wasteland, 1:35 pm

Croissant drove for about three hours according to the route map and encountered a convoy of transport vehicles in the hilly area.

The vehicle bears the white Rhodes Island logo, which should be the target we need to escort for this mission.

At the same time, the other party also noticed the group, including Shi Lei, and maintained a safe distance.

"Beep beep!"

Croissant honked the horn twice, stuck her head out of the window, and shouted:

"Which one of you is Miss Huang? Come out and speak!"

The transport convoy communicated short distances, and soon a dark-haired Feline carrying a chainsaw got out of his vehicle to inquire:

"I am Huang, who are you?"

"We are Messenger from Penguin Logistics, entrusted by Rhodes Island to escort you safely to Lungmen. Here is a name tag for Amiya."

Huang looked at the four people in the car with a complicated expression: the orange-haired Forte, the Sarkaz holding a musket, the Lupo who was resting with his eyes closed, and a man wearing a hat.

Amiya is currently in Lungmen, and they have employee ID cards as proof, so they should be trustworthy.

"Okay, please lead the way."

Since they were sent to protect the transport convoy, it was perfectly reasonable for them to be at the forefront. With Huang and the others following behind, they could respond promptly to any unexpected situations.

Like Texas, Shi Lei remained silent throughout. Everyone was there to complete a mission, not to make friends. As long as the goods were delivered safely, the mission was considered complete.

Croissant drove the pickup truck around and headed towards Lungmen. Exusiai sat in the back seat, yawning listlessly, hoping to shoot something today.

After driving for nearly an hour, a series of wooden stakes suddenly appeared ahead as an obstacle. The rest of the road consisted of uneven hills, making it impossible to detour.

Huang, noticing something amiss from behind, immediately alerted the others:

"Pay attention, enemy attack!!!"

A large group of masked men, dressed in brown, hid behind various hills. The leader, peering through his goggles, noticed the logo on the pickup truck, and his pupils dilated sharply.

"Stop! Don't shoot!!!"

114 If you can't beat them, join them.

To intercept passing caravans, the bandits' ambush positions were quite spread out. The leader knew that shouting had a limited reach and feared his men might act recklessly. Surprisingly, he lowered his weapons and stepped forward with his hands raised.

"Click".

Upon Exusiai quickly loaded her musket with live ammunition. With Zhongli here, they have the greatest guarantee of safety!

But the next second, she saw the bandit leader come into view and couldn't help but show a strange expression.

What's going on?

What kind of bandit surrenders before the fight even starts?

Huang, behind the pickup truck, was equally bewildered, unable to figure out what these bandits were up to. Were they trying to lure them over so they could be wiped out in one fell swoop?

"Brother! Don't shoot! It's me!"

Seeing Exusiai's dark gun barrel protruding, the bandit leader felt his legs go weak.

Croissant didn't recognize the other messenger and turned to ask the other Messenger. After receiving a negative answer, she pressed on:

"Stop! Don't come any closer! Who are you?"

The bandit leader stopped in his tracks upon hearing this, raising his hands to indicate he meant no harm. He didn't answer Croissant's question, but instead respectfully turned towards the pickup truck:

"Is Mister Zhongli in the car?"

Exusiai was amused and laughed heartily:

"Zhongli, is this person your fan?"

Shi Lei was speechless and had no recollection of the man who had shown kindness.

"I'm not a celebrity, so how could I have fans?"

He was about to answer the other person's question when Croissant beat him to it: