Chapter 96
However, if this low-end Vitality Potion were to flood the market in large quantities, it would still deal a devastating blow to the reputation of the genuine product.
There are plenty of raw materials stockpiled on site; we can take them back and use them directly. As for the counterfeit drugs that have already been produced, we can distribute them to our subordinates later; let's not waste them.
Lin Gerei was sensible and wouldn't give such inferior goods to Shi Lei and his group. If he were to give anything, it would be a genuine product; giving a pirated item would be extremely impolite.
"Let's go, it's time to get out."
After confirming there was no news of Lappland there, Texas bid farewell to the Rat King and led Shi Lei and the others back outside the clinic.
Suddenly, Lin Yuxia's phone rang. She didn't hide it from the crowd and answered it on the spot.
"Chairman, the leaders from the Bureau of Commerce have an urgent family matter and would like to start early so they can get back and deal with it as soon as possible. The banquet is scheduled to start at six o'clock. Is that alright with you? If they can't make it, I'll think of something else."
"No problem, Xiao Du. Open it early, I'll be there in a bit."
After she hung up, the nearest Exusiai asked:
"Hey, when did you become the president?"
Lin Yuxia smiled awkwardly and explained to everyone:
"Haha, this position sounds impressive, but it's actually just a Youth Entrepreneurship Association."
A more tactful approach would be for the Lin family to fund the entrepreneurship of children from ordinary families in the Upper City. Success would bring substantial profits, while failure would be acceptable.
The low-EQ explanation is that after Lin Gerei learned that Lin Yuxia and Shi Lei wouldn't get together, he funded an association for his daughter to gain experience and, incidentally, to find a future son-in-law.
Of course, she couldn't bring herself to say such a thing. She just gave a few simple excuses and didn't mention it again.
Everyone could tell that Lin Yuxia didn't want to talk about this, so they tacitly refrained from pressing her for more information.
"I'm sorry, Mister Zhongli. Something urgent has come up, so I have to go now."
"Well, business is more important, you go ahead and get busy."
Lin Yuxia turned back every three steps and waved, saying:
"Remember to call me if you need anything!"
After the other party left, Texas spoke:
"Let's go. There are still 5 clinics in District 24. After we've finished investigating them all, I'll treat everyone to dinner."
She felt somewhat guilty for taking her two colleagues around these past few days.
Shi Lei remained expressionless and offered no response. Whether he agreed or not, Texas would pay for the meal. There was no need to consult him on such matters.
Exusiai then raised her right hand, indicating the content:
"Yay! I want to eat barbecue!"
As they talked, the infected members who had come with Lin Gerei noticed Mudrock, who wasn't wearing armor. They quickly slipped over and whispered:
"Captain, Mr. Lin just gave each of us several bottles of Vitality Potion. Although they're not as effective as the original, it's free, so why not take them? We'll save a few for you; remember to come and collect them later."
Mudrock twitched the corner of his mouth, waved his hand, and declined:
"No need, thank you all for your kindness."
"Mudrock, let's go."
"They're here! They're here!"
Hearing Shi Lei call out, she responded immediately. She said goodbye to the infected people and hurriedly caught up with the group.
Just by standing next to Mudrock, one can always feel filled with boundless energy.
Master is her best Vitality Potion.
March 5th, 4:37 PM
Lappland stayed on the third floor, staring at the entrance to Penguin Logistics' building for the entire afternoon. The result was the same as the previous two days; Texas was nowhere to be found.
Several times she wondered if she had come to the wrong place. But the giant Penguin Logistics sign on the rooftop of the building seemed to look down on her with disdain.
When Lappland went downstairs to buy a meal yesterday, she asked the locals. There is only one Penguin Logistics in the entire Lungmen.
Could it be that Texas is currently on a business trip?
Well, that's fine too.
Given Lappland's current physical condition, there are many things he can't do. He can take advantage of this free time to properly recover from his injury.
"Ding-dong."
A doorbell rang, interrupting her thoughts.
Lappland didn't even need to look to know who was outside. Only the Intermediary Manager of Tail-less Cat Real Estate knew she lived there.
Click.
Lappland opened the door and, sure enough, saw the other person standing outside with a smirk. He was holding a large blue plastic bag, which he stretched out in front of him.
"Here you go, all the painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications you need, and your cell phone, are all in here."
She glanced down at the bag, then took it. She then took out five thousand Lungmen Dollars and handed it to the other person.
"Hey, isn't this too much?"
The Intermediary Manager pretended to be disgusted, but in reality, he had already taken the money and put it in his pocket.
Lappland blocked the doorway with her body, showing no intention of letting the other person in:
"Okay, consider it a tip."
"Oh, thank you so much, boss."
Seeing the Intermediary Manager standing at the door, looking hesitant to speak, she asked:
"What? Is there anything else?"
He actually wanted to be open and honest and reveal his identity as an assassin, but he felt Tai He.
If this Lupo has the ability to help the Cat Gang solve their biggest problem, he can benefit from it and get a promotion and a raise, no matter which Penguin Logistics employee he kills.
"Uh, no, that's all. If you need anything else, feel free to call me anytime."
"Um."
Lappland coldly closed the door and carefully inspected the plastic bag. The packaging of the various painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs was unopened; they were usable.
She placed the medicine on the table in the living room, then went to the window and slowly sat down in a chair.
Now, in addition to the fracture, Lappland is also constantly tormented by the bone-eroding pain of Originium-related illness.
A few days ago, during her battle with the hammer-wielding giant, she unleashed an excessive amount of Originium Arts, worsening her already ailing body.
Lappland estimated that she probably didn't have many years left to live. The Originium-related illness infection had become increasingly severe. This incurable disease was like a ruthless merchant, deducting interest called 'Life' from her money regardless of whether she used Originium Arts to amplify it.
Perhaps one day, she will die by the sword of Texas, or at the hands of her enemies. Or perhaps she will suddenly fall ill and die quietly in her rented room.
An uncertain future is not worth looking forward to.
Now, all that keeps me going is the last remaining conviction in my heart.
My obsession with Texas.
Many years ago, she and Texas were close comrades-in-arms. In the merciless, ravenous quagmire of Syracuse, they struggled as much as they could.
The two women shared many similarities, even their strength was roughly equal. They both hated Syracuse, the place that nurtured their families and also breeds hatred.
The Lone Wolf had a friend for the first time.
Her years fighting alongside Texas were like a flawless pane of glass. But the more beautiful something is, the easier it is to shatter.
During a major operation targeting the Texas Family, she was sent to intercept Chelinina.
That night, Lappland, who should have had a 50/50 chance, was utterly defeated.
She lost, utterly and completely.
They watched helplessly as Texas turned and left without looking back, freeing herself from the quagmire of Syracuse.
Lappland's only friend has left us.
The Lone Wolf, once again, became Lone Wolf.
At that time, Lappland was like a barren, mindless shell, feeling utterly lost.
She couldn't find meaning in her existence or make any choices. Whoever could guide her would become the most important person to her.
Texas
After leaving Columbia, Lappland had no one left to 'learn' from. Aside from emulating Texas's escape from the Saluzzo family and subsequent freedom, he couldn't come up with anything new.
It's like a broken record, now devoid of content to repeat. A broken record can't create new content on its own, so it only sinks into deeper confusion.
Perhaps, for Texas, having escaped the mire, that experience in Syracuse is a past she doesn't want to mention to anyone. But for Lappland, it is the only ray of light she has seen so far.
It was through encountering Texas that Lappland came to be what it is today.
If she hadn't met Texas, Lappland would just be Lappland. A Lupo without a firm ideology, fighting only for the sake of fighting.
That was a wild beast, not Lone Wolf.
To summarize poetically, Texas is like Lappland escaping the mire. And Lappland is the past that Texas has left behind.
Texas always manages to do things that Lappland doesn't expect. She didn't come to Lungmen to kill her, but rather to find an answer she could simply copy.
An answer that even she herself didn't know what it was.
151 First Date (3K)
Seven days have passed since Texas accepted the commission to investigate Lappland.
There hadn't been any big orders during this period, so it didn't matter whether the three Messenger stayed at the company or not. They wandered Lower City, treating it as exercise.
Texas, along with Shi Lei and Exusiai, searched almost every corner of the Slums, but still couldn't find any trace of Lappland.
As compensation for accompanying her on her travels for several days, she voluntarily covered the cost of their meals during those days.
Although Mudrock often came to help, she already had management duties. She usually took time out during her lunch break, sometimes even skipping meals.
Texas knew that Mudrock worked very hard every day, so she invited her to lunch. Over the next few days, the two gradually became acquainted.
Unfortunately, everyone's two weeks of hard work did not yield a reward commensurate with their efforts. The search for the Silver-haired Lupo's request has reached a complete impasse.
The only solution is for the Rat King to mobilize all the local gangs to search. However, doing so would escalate the situation further and violate the employer's requirement for a secret investigation.
Texas had wondered if Lappland had secretly slipped into the Upper City. After all, her target in Lungmen was him.
However, after Isu all street surveillance footage from March 3rd to 8th in the Upper City, they did not find the silver-haired Female Lupo. If Lappland was wearing a hat and disguised herself, it would be difficult for the computer to identify her quickly. Manual review would be too laborious, so they had to abandon the idea.
March 9th, 12:30 pm
Inside a restaurant in District 29 of Lungmen Lower City.
Texas took two pairs of chopsticks from the chopstick holder and handed them to Shi Lei and Exusiai:
"If we don't have any leads on Silver-haired Lupo today, we won't be coming tomorrow."
She finally understood that instead of searching for a needle in a haystack in the Slums, it was better to go back to the company and wait for someone to come to her.
"Great! How about we have a party tonight to celebrate not having to come to Lower City anymore?"
"Why is your mind filled with nothing but parties?"
Shi Lei chuckled and made a sarcastic remark, then pulled three coupons from his pocket and placed them on the table:
"How about I treat you to a play tonight?"
Exusiai immediately became interested, picked up one of the cards to examine it, and grinned:
"Thunderstorm? I know that one. It's been quite popular on online platforms lately, and the reviews are pretty good. Oh, and it's a VIP seat! Where did you get this ticket?"
Texas merely peered inside; she didn't reach for it. Shi Lei's bank card is now under her control; where would he get the money to buy a ticket? Was it a gift from someone?
Shi Lei stopped being mysterious and explained: