Chapter 114: Unwanted Attention

The late-night meal prepared by the Security Hall was incredibly lavish. There was juicy steak seared to perfection, a whole roasted chicken golden and tender, large slices of sausage, and even two bowls of delicate wontons along with several flavorful pickled side dishes.

And per Gecko’s special request they were each given several bottles of beer.

Because beer has a shorter shelf life after the cataclysm it had actually become rarer than white wine.

Most drunkards in the satellite cities could only get by on the low-quality white wine brought back by reclamation teams or produced in small workshops. Fortunately Qinggang City originally had complete production lines for both beer and white wine which had now resumed operations in the Main City. Good quality white wine could already be produced and beer was beginning to supply the market in large quantities even being traded to some factions outside the city.

Of course even so being able to drink fresh beer in a satellite city was still considered a luxury.

“I need to go home tonight.”

After finishing the meal Lu Xin said to Gecko.

When Mom left she told him they needed to have a family meeting. Lu Xin had already agreed and he felt this meeting was very important.

Besides he actually had some things he wanted to say himself.

Hearing Lu Xin’s proposal Gecko’s expression shifted slightly. He seemed reluctant to let Lu Xin leave.

Lu Xin guessed this might be because Gecko had received orders to keep him at the Security Hall as much as possible.

But meeting Lu Xin’s calm gaze Gecko didn’t try to stop him. Instead his tone changed and he smiled, “If you want to go back then go back.”

“After accomplishing such a great feat surely they can’t tie us down here right?”

“How about I go back with you?”

He said this with a hearty laugh adding, “I wanted to visit your place last time anyway.”

“Well…”

Lu Xin looked helplessly at Gecko and said seriously, “What’s wrong with staying alive?”

“Huh?”

Gecko was momentarily stunned.

Seeing his stiff expression Lu Xin quickly smiled apologetically, “I’m just kidding…”

“Haha…”

Gecko laughed hollowly twice then said seriously to Lu Xin, “Don’t make jokes like that in the future. They’re pretty scary.”

“You know I’m a very serious person. I never joke around.”

…

“Okay.”

Lu Xin nodded then said, “But I won’t invite you home this time. You cover my shift here for a while. If something really comes up you can call me. It shouldn’t take me too long to come back and relieve you.”

“In that case…”

Gecko could only nod. “Alright you go ahead.”

…

…

Lu Xin gathered his things briefly and walked out of the Security Hall.

He initially planned to take the subway but figured it must have stopped running this late. Seeing the Jeep that had brought him and Gecko still parked by the entrance he walked straight over opened the door and got in.

Once his sister was seated beside him he spoke to the driver in the front seat, “Take me to Moon Terrace.”

The driver was a quiet-looking man around forty. He was the one who had transported Gecko and Lu Xin after the last mission. It seemed his duty was specifically to serve Ability Users during critical times.

The driver didn’t say much just nodded and started the engine.

After the Jeep started moving Lu Xin noticed several police officers rushing out of the Security Hall. One of them was the staff member in the thick protective suit. They all looked anxiously towards the Jeep but ultimately didn’t call out to stop it.

But as the Jeep turned into the next intersection the headlights of several cars quickly appeared behind them.

It was late night approaching dawn and the streets were nearly empty after the major chaos that had just occurred in the city.

So those few cars were exceptionally conspicuous.

Whether they tried to conceal themselves or not it was obvious they were following him.

Even from the depths of the dark surrounding buildings it always felt like several pairs of eyes were watching him.

…

…

Lu Xin sat quietly in the back seat his head slightly lowered.

His sister leaned beside him her face pressed against the glass window eyes wide as she stared intently at certain spots in the darkness.

If someone was currently watching him through a telescope or some other instrument Lu Xin thought they definitely didn’t know that as they watched him a strange girl beside him was watching them right back.

He sighed softly.

He could understand some people’s curiosity and caution towards him right now but he didn’t like being stared at.

Besides he was planning to go home for a family meeting. Lu Xin didn’t know to what extent these people would tail or monitor him. If they crossed a line would it anger his father who was already likely in a bad mood?

So after thinking for a moment he directly took out the satellite phone and made a call.

Chen Jing answered quickly her voice as efficient as ever, “What is it?”

“Things here in the satellite city are mostly dealt with…”

Lu Xin paused then slowly said, “I plan to go home now.”

Chen Jing replied, “Then just go back. No need to report such things to me.”

Lu Xin fell silent for a moment then said, “But a lot of people are following me. I don’t really like that.”

…

Chen Jing was clearly silent for a moment then said, “I understand. Let me make arrangements.”

…

…

After hanging up Lu Xin waited quietly in the back seat.

In the rearview mirror the driver glanced at Lu Xin seemingly surprised he would resolve the tailing issue this way.

It was unclear what arrangements Chen Jing made but the few cars following the Jeep quickly turned around.

That somewhat irritating feeling of being watched by hidden eyes also disappeared.

This convinced Lu Xin that the people assigned to follow him had indeed been recalled.

The satellite phone rang again. After answering Chen Jing spoke calmly, “The people following you weren’t arranged by Headquarters but I’ve had them all withdraw. You don’t need to worry about these things for now. You can even… Hold your hand steady…”

“Haven’t you seen a woman’s intestines before?”

…

Lu Xin was about to agree but was cut off by Chen Jing’s sudden outburst. He subconsciously asked, “What are you doing?”

“I’m in surgery.”

Chen Jing said, “I got injured during the attack. Just now found the time to deal with it.”

…

Lu Xin paused for a moment. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Chen Jing’s tone sounded somewhat nonchalant. “Just a cut in the abdomen damaged some internal organs. It’ll be fine after stitching it up. I’ve already used my ability to hypnotize myself so I won’t feel pain… Your matter is more important. I heard about you resolving the mental monster incident. You did very well but because you handled it so well you’ve scared some people.”

“But it’s not just you. When Doll Drunkard and Gecko were recruited even when they first dealt with me they had similar reactions. We in the Special Pollution Cleanup Department have our own rules and regulations. Don’t bother with these annoying trivial matters.”

…

“Okay. Focus on your surgery.”

Lu Xin replied into the phone and hung up.

Only then did he remember he was also injured. Looking down he saw the wound had already formed a scab and seemed almost healed.

He silently thought again Chen Jing is my leader and she’s having surgery…

…Should I buy some fruit to send over?

…

…

After driving for half an hour the Jeep stopped below an old building.

Lu Xin got out walked to the driver’s side and said to the driver, “You don’t need to wait for me. I’ll get back on my own later.”

The driver nodded expressionlessly and said softly, “Understood.”

Lu Xin nodded at him turned and walked up towards the pitch-black old building.

The moment he entered the doorway a room on the left side of the fourth floor suddenly lit up with a warm glow.

…

…

The driver silently drove the car back towards the Security Hall. Only after driving quite a distance did his hand gripping the steering wheel suddenly begin to tremble visibly. His expressionless face slackened slightly and cold sweat faintly trickled down his forehead. With a slightly trembling hand he picked up a headset and put it on. Someone had already been calling him on the channel.

“Order from above stop surveillance on Mr. Lone Soldier…”

“B3 did you hear? Order from above stop surveillance on Mr. Lone Soldier!”

…

“Heard!”

The driver spoke his voice hoarse. “He was just in my car. Why are they doing this?”

“Chen Jing from the Special Action Team vouched for him.”

“But… wasn’t it said his current threat level has reached A-level?”

…

The voice on the channel fell silent for a moment then said, “This is also for your safety. We just received a report. During his cleanup mission for the Level 2+ mental monster in the Second Satellite City several people ordered to investigate him have already paid the price.”

“Among them were a senior investigator an A-level elite agent and even… an Ability User.”

“Cause of death unknown…”

…

The driver subconsciously looked back towards the area where the old building was located.

After a long long moment goosebumps suddenly erupted all over his skin. He slammed on the accelerator speeding away from the area.