I've Ridden You Before

On Lou Yu's side, he had to go through the gate inspection to return to the base. The staff in charge of the inspection looked at the car full of meat in his carriage. Although they already knew this would happen, they still couldn't help but shed tears of envy.

The base's food production this season is much higher than last season, which is great news and something to celebrate. At least they no longer have to worry about starving.

But Lou Yu's treatment is truly unique; who wouldn't be envious?

Chapter 50 It's not like I haven't ridden you before.

But as much as they might be envious, Lou Yu a superhuman, and even those who dislike him wouldn't be foolish enough to rob him.

Lou Yu drove directly to the army's logistics department. He had told Lou Quan beforehand that, apart from keeping a few pounds for his squad to eat, he would sell the rest to Lou Quan.

Their team hadn't finished the beef from last time, so even though the prey was different this time, they'd leave a little to try.

Lou Yu knew the person in charge of the handover in logistics, and he knew that Lou Yu wouldn't cheat him or Lou Quan out of the difference in price. So he could entrust the meat to Lou Yu for counting and handling.

Afterwards, Lou Yu went to the research institute.

As the sole research subject, Lou Yu had free access to the building. He arrived at the laboratory without any hindrance and encountered Dr. Elder Li and his team, who had just finished a meeting.

Since everyone here was one of their own, Lou Yu didn't mince words and asked directly, "Doctors, would you like the reagent materials for the high-level mutated White Fox?"

The PhDs and researchers exclaimed, "!!!"

Ten minutes later, Lou Quan arrived at the scene after receiving the message, where Lou Yu was being questioned by researchers.

"Which one is higher level? A mutated fox?"

"Weren't you going to find the Snow Bird? How come you know the fox?"

"Oh my god, could it be that the fox has taken a liking to you too?"

"Where are the materials? Give them to me now, I'll start the experiment tonight!"

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Lou Quan coughed a few times, pressing his fist to his lips.

In the end, nobody cared.

Lou Quan: "..."

Lou Quan: "You don't want the research funding anymore?"

"Oh, Commander Lou, you're here! We were so engrossed in our conversation that we didn't even notice. You, Xiao Li, quickly go get a chair."

One of the PhDs, who was particularly adept at interpersonal relationships, quickly instructed his researchers to bring him a chair and some water.

Lou Quan sat down naturally, took the water glass, and took a sip. However, he couldn't keep up the act for even half a minute before his eyes fell on Lou Yu.

"Tell me about the reagent materials used against high-level mutated monsters."

Lou Yu invited the doctoral researchers to sit down and talk, and then dragged out a chair for himself, facing Lou Quan directly.

He said, "I'll fetch the blood and fur of a high-level mutated White Fox that's still alive tomorrow. I'll definitely provide the full amount."

Lou Quan's eyes narrowed. "A high-level mutated White Fox, could it be that one from the mountain?"

That White Fox was notorious even back when there were many powerful mutated monsters. It deeply hated humans and had devoured countless human souls.

It disappeared with the tide of mutated monsters, and its appearances in front of people have decreased year by year. In the last ten years or so, it hasn't even been seen.

Many people thought it was dead, but unexpectedly, it's still alive.

Tao Qiu didn't tell Lou Yu whether it was that white fox or not, but there was probably only one White Fox on the mountain that could be called a high-level mutated White Fox.

Lou Yu nodded.

Several researchers gasped in astonishment. That fox must be over a hundred years old, still alive—longer than a human!

People like Elder Li and others had more worry on their faces.

High-level mutated monsters have lived for too long. If they were to return one day, humanity would once again face mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

For years, humanity has been researching the reasons for the retreat of the mutated monster tide, thinking that if they could use this knowledge to their advantage, they would no longer have to fear the mutated monsters.

But several groups of researchers had come and gone, and there were still no results. Every hypothesis was eventually overturned, and the enthusiasm for research gradually waned, especially after the Awakening Reagent appeared. It was then simply put into a corner to gather dust.

Seeing Lou Quan's questioning look, Lou Yu spoke first, "I know what you want to ask, but I won't tell you. I can only guarantee that I will bring the materials back safely. Of course, you can tell me the truth if you want, but after I do, I won't go to retrieve the materials."

Materials or the truth: choose one.

Given Lou Yu's importance to the base, he has the right to demand that Lou Quan make this choice.

Lou Quan did not answer immediately, and the atmosphere became somewhat heavy, as if even the air itself had become thick.

Several PhDs and researchers silently lowered their heads, stopped breathing, and tried to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible.

Lou Quan and Lou Yu locked eyes, their calm gazes concealing turbulent undercurrents.

"Okay." Lou Quan finally relented. "Get the equipment from the professor and bring the materials back tomorrow."

Lou Yu said, "This counts as a hired task, so we have to pay for it."

Lou Quan didn't think there was anything wrong with Lou Yu's request, "Sure, once we confirm the materials are correct, we'll pay you according to the corresponding price."

The rarity of materials from high-level mutated monsters is self-evident, and their price is naturally high.

Lou Yu thought that once the money arrived, he would deposit it in a separate account for Tao Qiu, so that Tao Qiu might be able to use it someday.

As for the money to bring things to Tao Qiu, the money he earns from selling game is enough to cover it.

The next day, at the same time and place, Lou Yu met up with Tao Qiu.

Although they had only been apart for half a day, their longing for each other was not diminished in the slightest. Tao Qiu pulled Lou Yu into the car and hugged and kissed him for more than ten minutes before she calmed down a little.

Tao Qiu leaned against Lou Yu's lap and opened the box to check the equipment inside.

Syringe, scissors, and a resealable bag—that's all.

Tao Qiu said, "Taking only blood and hair, those three things are indeed enough."

Lou Yu hugged Tao Qiu tightly, burying his face in the crook of his shoulder, his breath filled with Tao Qiu's fragrance.

Tao Qiu naturally possessed a unique body fragrance, which, combined with the faint scent of the soap Lou Yu had given her, made Lou Yu feel as if Tao Qiu possessed something of his own, filling him with immense satisfaction.

Seeing that he was just sniffing around without saying a word, Tao Qiu laughed and said, "Why are you acting like a little puppy?"

Lou Yu laughed too, "Am I not... Little Yu? How did I turn into a dog?"

Tao Qiu snorted, "You're almost—no, you're already glued to me and sucking like crazy. What kind of fish sucks a bird?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Tao Qiu realized that something seemed off about what she had just said.

"Sucking birds" is a normal term, but when used in the context of his relationship with Lou Yu, it's a bit... like...

Seeing Lou Yu's ambiguous smile, Tao Qiu immediately clarified, "If I really wanted to do that with you, I would definitely say so directly. So, what I meant by 'sucking birds' isn't that kind of 'sucking birds'."

Lou Yu smiled and said, "I understand."

"You don't know anything!" Tao Qiu turned around and frantically squeezed Lou Yu's face. "You're... are you laughing at me?!"

Lou Yu raised his hands in surrender. "I'm innocent! I just thought you were cute, not that I was making fun of you."

"Hmph, I'll barely believe you."

Lou Yu joked, "Thank you, Lord Snow Bird."

They were about to head up the mountain, and Tao Qiu stopped fooling around. After checking the situation inside the car, she frowned and asked, "You didn't bring a weapon?"

Lou Yu's body? Tao Qiu had already searched everywhere, but there was nothing there.

Lou Yu said, "I didn't bring it. The relationship between humans and mutated monsters is already tense. We went there with no ill intentions, but what if the Fox Clan sees the weapons and misunderstands? Wouldn't that waste the opportunity you gave me to act as a go-between?"

Tao Qiu thought Lou Yu would say that since he has superpowers, his superpowers are just as good as weapons when it comes to fighting.

But what Lou Yu said to everyone was, "I'm just a weak human, Lord Snow Bird, I'm entirely in your care."

Lou Yu feigned a vulnerable look and leaned on Tao Qiu's shoulder, gazing at him pitifully.

Tao Qiu, mimicking the behavior of those tyrannical rulers, patted Lou Yu, who was leaning against him, and reassured him, "My beauty, don't be afraid, I will protect you. Come, give me a kiss."

The two lingered for a few more minutes before getting out of the car.

Tao Qiu transformed into his largest size, letting Lou Yu, who was carrying tools, sit on his lap, and then carried him up the mountain.

Lou Yu felt something was amiss. "Isn't this... treating you like a mount?"

Tao Qiu said, "Why bother with this? I'm not the only one who's ridden you. I'll ride you many more times in the future. Are you going to hold a grudge against me every time?"

This time, Tao Qiu really meant it.

Lou Yu, fearing he might say something shocking again, quickly jumped up.

"Hold on tight to my feathers. Once we get to the mountain, I won't be able to communicate with you in human language anymore. We'll have to improvise then."

"Okay, don't worry, I'll be careful myself." He said he wanted Tao Qiu to protect him, but Lou Yu couldn't just do nothing to protect himself.

After Tao Qiu left yesterday, the old clan chief fell ill again. It took the combined efforts of the Red Fox and the White Fox to subdue him. Later, the old clan chief fainted, and the two of them stayed by his side from day to night.

In the middle of the night, the old clan chief woke up, apologized to the two children, and advised them to go back and rest.

Tao Qiu is bringing humans today, and Red Fox has notified all the Fox Clan in advance, instructing them not to approach or attack the human.

The Red Fox stood on a high point in the grass, watching the Snow Bird carry the human into the air and then land on the ground.

Tao Qiu lowered her head, and Lou Yu jumped down, patted Tao Qiu, and said, "Thank you."

"Chirp." Tao Qiu nuzzled back.

The Red Fox took a few steps forward, and Lou Yu noticed him.

The Red Fox lowered its eyes to look at the tiny human before it, its expression one of arrogance.

Lou Yu didn't care about his attitude, as long as the materials could be obtained safely.

Just then, a gust of wind blew from behind Lou Yu and Tao Qiu, carrying their scent towards the Red Fox and the foxes behind him.

"Mmm-mmm," a little fox couldn't help but murmur.