Chapter 72
The station chief Shi Lei, as a way of thanking his comrade for not being infected. He then led the group of new police officers to conduct a routine check on the convoy behind them.
The main task is to confirm whether there are any suspicious persons or items, and after checking and confirming that there are no suspicious persons or items, use Walkie-Talkie to notify the gate to be raised and allowed to pass.
As the convoy followed the orange pickup truck into the Lungmen area, Huang still found it hard to believe.
Isn't the Lungmen Guard Department the local law enforcement agency? Why are they so respectful to Zhongli? How could someone with such prestige be content to work Messenger for a logistics company?
Before she could come up with an answer, the convoy arrived at the location where the This Ship was docked after traveling for some time.
Amiya had been waiting there eagerly, and greeted them warmly upon their return. She first thanked everyone at Penguin Logistics, then headed towards Huang's location.
Seeing Amiya surrounded by a large group of Operator, like a star being fawned over, Exusiai stopped one of them and asked:
"Is that little girl named Amiya your captain's child?"
"No, she is our leader."
After saying that, the guard Operator ignored her and went to the back of the convoy to move materials.
Shi Lei listened carefully, but was slightly puzzled.
Why does she seem like an old empress dowager ruling from behind the curtain, a little emperor pushed to the front as a puppet?
116 has arrived on the island.
"Brother Ace, please move these raw materials for making inhibitors to the lab."
"No problem, leave it to me."
After Amiya handed over the task of moving the materials to the designated Operator, she returned to the orange pickup truck, seemingly wanting to consider everyone's feelings.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. The fee for this service will be transferred to your company's account as soon as possible. I have other matters to attend to, so please excuse me for a moment."
Also, you haven't eaten yet, have you? If you don't mind, I can let Huang take you to the ship's mess hall for a tour."
After saying that, she waved to Huang. She called him over, gave him a few instructions, and then took her leave.
Although Amiya was a little nervous at first, she now has a tiny bit of a leader's aura.
Among those moving raw materials were several infected Operator. They were in good spirits, suggesting they had received excellent treatment on Rhodes Island.
The burly man Amiya called ACE carried six crates of raw materials single-handedly, using his shield as a support. He was particularly eye-catching compared to the others who only carried one or two crates.
These raw materials need to be sent to the laboratory and undergo a series of complex processes, including processing, filtration, purification, and formulation, before they can be used to produce a drug to inhibit Originium-related illness.
Croissant glanced at Huang and asked:
"Zhongli, what do you say? Should we eat at the ship's mess hall, or go back and get something to eat?"
Before he Exusiai chimed in:
"Let's go up and take a look. If we run into someone we know, we can say hello."
Shi Lei didn't care and abstained from voting.
"I'm fine with anything. Anyway, today's task is already completed, so we can eat anywhere else."
Texas remained silent, nodding in agreement. This indicated that she agreed with him and was fine with going anywhere.
Croissant thought to herself that if she said she would go back to eat, the vote would be even, so she compromised and agreed to Exusiai's suggestion.
After making up their minds, the four Messenger followed Miss Huang onto Rhodes Island's This Ship. Only by being inside could one truly appreciate just how enormous this ship was.
Shi Lei stood on the deck, the ship stretching as far as the eye could see. It felt like the ship was the size of one or two aircraft carriers, capable of holding at least several hundred people.
Shi Lei and his team set off around 10 a. m. and returned around 4 p. m., a round trip that took six hours.
When I get hungry, I eat some Pocky chocolate bars that I brought from Texas; I don't have much left in my stomach.
The group descended through Passage Entrance A and arrived at the first level of the This Ship. Many Operator greeted Blaze along the way, indicating she was quite popular within Rhodes Island.
Upon reaching the second floor, Shi Lei saw a small white robot car, about 1.5 meters tall. Its round shape resembled half an eggshell, and it had six wheels. A red cross was printed on the car, suggesting it was for medical use.
"Mister Zhongli, this way please."
Led by Huang, the four arrived at the cafeteria. She voluntarily went to the window area to swipe her employee ID card, then brought over five stainless steel trays and distributed them one by one.
It's 4:30 now, not lunchtime yet. There are only a few Operator in the canteen, and not many dishes are available.
Shi Lei noticed that the self-selected food here was very light and healthy, with a considerable amount of boiled vegetables. Of course, there was meat, but it didn't have that oily, fried feel.
Unlike Exusiai, who eats high-calorie foods every day, like pizza and barbecue, and drinks beer frequently (practically a gout-prone diet), she doesn't.
She clearly didn't exercise much, yet her weight didn't increase. The places where she should have gained weight just wouldn't gain any at all.
Texas, on the other hand, seems to have gained some weight recently and looks more feminine.
Thinking of this, Shi Lei glanced back at her legs and noticed that they seemed a bit more fleshy than before.
Texas, carrying a stainless steel tray, was already in line behind him. She immediately noticed Shi Lei's gaze, quickly took two steps back, and glared back at him.
Why is he looking at me?
Could it be that they noticed I've gained weight recently?
No, I really need to exercise more during the holidays. What will happen if I rely too much on Shi Lei's protection?
Shi Lei immediately realized that his behavior was inappropriate, his lips twitched slightly, and he quickly looked away.
Texas, seeing that he didn't turn back, pretended nothing had happened and didn't mention it again.
The five people got their food and sat down at a Long Table.
As lunchtime approached, more and more Operator arrived at the canteen. They glanced at Shi Lei and the others from afar, whispering amongst themselves. The sudden arrival of strangers on board meant they were either partners or future colleagues.
Rhodes Island has a predominantly female Operator population, with some hoping for more female operators and others hoping for more male operators.
They noticed that all four men had a penguin icon on their clothes. They immediately realized that they were business partners.
"That handsome young man has quite the presence. It's a real shame he didn't go to the island."
"I think the guy next to him, Lupo, is quite nice. He looks cold and gives off an unapproachable vibe."
Exusiai likes heavy oil and salt, but after a couple of bites, she felt it was tasteless and regretted her decision.
She took two bites, put down her plate, and started playing with her spoon, planning to make up for it at the party that night.
"Miss Huang, do you know where Nian is?"
"Oh? You know her? Please wait a moment, let me send a message to ask."
Huang used internal communication software to quickly obtain Nian's location:
She's in the forging workshop, waiting for you to finish eating.
Let's go over there.
"A forging workshop?"
Exusiai tilted her head, feeling somewhat puzzled:
"But aren't you a pharmaceutical company?"
"Yes, but the equipment maintenance for the Operator and the materials for repairing the This Ship all need to be forged in the workshop."
Exusiai had no other questions. After Shi Lei and the others finished eating, they followed Huang to the outside of the workshop.
Through the thick glass, one could see Nian instructing other craftsmen. The indoor temperature seemed quite high, but she showed no sign of discomfort.
This serious work attitude is completely different from his street-smart demeanor back in Lungmen.
"Didn't she say she was a director? How come she's here instructing the craftsmen?"
Upon hearing the question, several unpleasant images flashed through Huang's mind. Like Melantha, Nian loved tinkering with movies, and he never tired of making them, no matter how bad they were.
"Directing is a side job for me. I just like to shoot something whenever I have an inspiration. Aren't you looking for her? Just go in through that door over there."
Seeing the busy figure inside, Shi Lei thought it best not to disturb him.
"You guys go in, I won't go in. It's enough that I'm here and see that she's living a fulfilling life."
Texas isn't familiar with Croissant, so Texas won't go in on her own initiative. Ultimately, it's Exusiai wants to find her.
After listening to Shi Lei's words, Exusiai thought they made sense. She glanced at Nian through the glass and echoed:
"Alright, then I won't go in. Miss Huang, could you please show us out?"
As everyone left, Nian did not look back.
When she finally finished her work and looked back, there was nothing outside the glass, just like always.
117 The Troubles of Texas (Part 1)
The eighth day of the first lunar month, weather: sunny.
Texas didn't get up until 8:20 in the morning and went to the sink to wash up.
After the long holiday, everyone returned to their normal work lives. It Tai He her to continue living at Shi Lei's place, so she moved back.
Without the lively atmosphere of Chinese New Year, the house always feels cold and quiet, as if something is missing.
After washing up, Texas stepped onto the electronic scale in the living room to weigh herself. She discovered that she was actually two pounds heavier than before the Lunar New Year.
Ugh, I've gained weight again!
She stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking left and right, but couldn't find anywhere she had gained weight. Her abs were still there, just not as defined as they had been years ago.
No, no, I need to lose weight.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, I spent long hours sitting and playing mahjong, ate high-calorie foods during the day, and drank beer at night. Coupled with this unhealthy lifestyle, it's no wonder I gained weight.
Texas did a set of jabs with her bare hands and felt that her agility hadn't decreased. She'll try to exercise more in her spare time these next few days, and she should be able to get back to normal quickly.
She changed into the Penguin Logistics employee uniform and walked to the company to clock in. The black stockings that used to fit her so snugly now felt a bit tight against her skin.
Did your legs get fatter?
At 8:55 a. m., Texas had breakfast downstairs and then went to the top floor of the company to clock in.
It's best not to be late on the first day of the new year.
Actually, I received the commission yesterday, but that was considered overtime. Today is my first official day at work.
Good morning, hehe~
"Morning."
Texas sat at her desk, listening to her three Messenger colleagues yawning. It seemed like everyone was like this after the long holiday; it took some time to adjust.
The air conditioner seemed to have a sleep-inducing effect, its warm air making everyone drowsy. Exusiai was the first to succumb, dozing off in her seat and quickly falling asleep.
Shi Lei yawned several times in a row, and his symptoms were relieved after he went to the bathroom and washed his face with cold water.
After he returned, he sat at his workstation reading a book he had bought in Texas before the new year. The soft rustling sound of turning pages in the paper book was comforting.
Around 10 a. m., Isu sent a message to the internal employee group, saying that Cat Gang been very well-behaved recently, with no expansion or unusual activities.
With no customers at the start of the year, business was slow, and there was no need to even go to the warehouse downstairs. Texas quietly scrolled through the news on her phone, and at noon she woke up her colleagues to go out for lunch.
When ordering food, she glanced down at her stomach and reduced her intake of rice and meat.
At 2 PM, Texas was getting ready to go to the gym when the Emperor's sudden arrival interrupted her plans.
"Wake up, everyone! We've got work to do!"
He placed a brand-new document, still smelling of fresh ink, on Shi Lei's desk and continued to instruct:
"This time, when we're on a mission with the Lungmen Guard Department, everyone be alert. Wake up, everyone, let's move out."
After reviewing the documents, Shi Lei stood up and handed them to Texas across from him. Texas took them and glanced at them briefly.
Today's target is the remnants who escaped during the crackdown on illegal organizations in districts 18-21 last month.
At the time, a gang was distributing Originium bomb everywhere before being surrounded, and when they saw that the situation was hopeless, they went into hiding.
Based on the route, their base was discovered to be located within a residential area. In such densely populated areas, evacuating citizens could easily alert them. It is currently unknown how many Originium bomb they still possess. For the safety of the citizens, the Lungmen Guard Department specifically designated Zhongli to participate.
"Sure, Zhongli. Our first order of the year is with you, so we can at least get a piece of the action."
"Don't say that, everyone has their own role. I'll provide the shield, the rest is up to you."