Chapter 255: A Strange Welcome

Lu Xin let out a soft sigh as he stepped out of the station platform looking up once more at the hazy sky of the Second Satellite City.

Although the Second Satellite City was far less clean and tidy than the Main City with its towering high-rises it was filled with crowded dilapidated small apartments crooked shop signs and cracked potholed roads. Most people here dressed in bulky worn-out clothes looking listless. When crossing the road they surged forward all at once sometimes even stopping right in the middle of the street to yell at cars competing for the right of way.

But having grown up in the Second Satellite City he still felt a sense of familiarity.

He had previously declined Chen Jing’s offer to notify the local Security Hall to pick him up. Lu Xin knew that while the Main City bore the brunt of the recent Sea Country attack incident the various satellite cities had also experienced sporadic Pollution Incidents.

Right now personnel from various Administration Halls and Security Halls were busy dealing with the aftermath of these events.

There was really no need for him to burden their manpower and resources.

He even felt that Chen Jing his direct superior was being a bit too kind to him. It wasn’t like he couldn’t take care of himself…

…

After spending two coins and making two transfers Lu Xin finally arrived downstairs at his apartment building on Moon Terrace.

He could have taken a taxi but then he thought wouldn’t it be better to save the money buy some groceries and improve the family’s meals?

Besides he wasn’t carrying much.

Thinking about improving their meals Lu Xin took a trip to the market. Compared to the Main City most aspects of order in the Second Satellite City remained unaffected. Groceries were still being sold though due to the city entrance being closed since last night the produce available today was noticeably less fresh. The auntie selling seafood was hawking dead shrimp yet she had the gall to claim they were freshly caught.

After buying a few simple groceries Lu Xin ambled back.

At this moment he felt a strange reluctance a feeling like he didn’t quite want to go home.

Was it perhaps because of that 003 file?

Conflicting emotions warred within Lu Xin: an eagerness to see it and a desire to delay seeing it for as long as possible.

But ultimately before night fell he walked into the dim gloomy hallway.

…

“Creak…”

Despite his complicated feelings a smile subconsciously appeared on Lu Xin’s face as he pushed open the door.

He always wanted his family to see him happy.

“Woosh!”

But just as he stepped inside before he could even utter the greeting he’d prepared something dark red shot towards his leg.

Startled Lu Xin nearly dropped the bag he was carrying.

Only then did he realize that the thing darting around his leg was actually a cute little dog.

The small dog stood about thirty to forty centimeters tall. It had no skin exposing the bright red muscles intertwined with fascia underneath each segment twisted together like steel bars making it look incredibly sturdy. Also because it lacked skin its two eyes bulged directly outwards riddled with blood vessels. Two rows of sharp fangs crisscrossed and transparent saliva dripped occasionally from the sides of its mouth.

Right now it was wagging its tail furiously at him looking both sinister and terrifying…

“Huh? Who’s this?”

Lu Xin was genuinely surprised looking at the little dog finding it somewhat familiar.

“Ah?”

His sister turned around on the sofa and smiled “Brother didn’t you bring this back from the Main City?”

Saying that she happily beckoned “Come here little doggy…”

The skinless dog immediately scampered over to his sister wagging its tail joyfully.

“Having a little dog is quite nice…”

Mom wearing her small red suit jacket put down the phone and smiled at Lu Xin “Having this little thing running around the living room really improves the family atmosphere doesn’t it? Even if you’re feeling down seeing it just makes you happy…”

The skinless dog quickly ran over to Mom wagging its tail vigorously.

“Hmph…”

Father’s gloomy voice echoed from the kitchen “We can barely feed ourselves and now we’re raising a dog. Might as well just stew it…”

The skinless dog almost wet itself cowering by the kitchen door its tail tucked tightly between its legs.

“So it’s this…”

Lu Xin touched the glasses on his face and couldn’t help but smile.

The key item Professor Bai designed for his Second Stage Enhancement was precisely these glasses.

The reason these glasses could achieve such an effect was because they parasitized a mental power called “Gaze”. So rather than the glasses helping him unlock the Second Stage it was this mental power that did. When deciding to accept this power he had wondered how his life might change.

He had also pondered how his family members would accept it even wondering if a new family member might appear.

Looking now…

…Well a small dog counts as family right?

…So this is quite reasonable too.

…

“I bought groceries. Also I brought back gifts for you all from the Main City.”

Lu Xin kicked away the skinless dog that was trying hard to rub against his leg placed the bag on the table and said with a smile.

“Oh?”

Even Mom was a little surprised “You remembered to bring gifts for the family?”

Sister was even happier directly pouncing over and hanging onto Lu Xin’s neck “I want mine I want mine.”

From the kitchen Father let out a heavy snort but said nothing more.

“This bag is for Mom. I noticed you often carry a small bag this one is better…”

Lu Xin took out a brand new bright red handbag handing it over and explained with a smile “Plus this holds more stuff.”

Mom had put down the phone and walked over smiling ready to see what kind of bag he bought her praises already forming on her lips when she saw the large red bag adorned with a plastic flower that Lu Xin pulled from his grocery bag.

Her expression stiffened slightly. She smoothly turned back around and walked away smiling “It’s nice just put it there…”

“Okay.”

Lu Xin placed the bag on the table then took out a folded raincoat and handed it towards the kitchen “This is for you. I saw that the apron you usually wear has several holes in it and you love cooking so much so this should be quite suitable…”

“Swish!”

As the raincoat reached the kitchen doorway a large hand suddenly shot out and grabbed it.

Father’s cold laughter echoed from inside “Hehehe.”

Father was always like this and Lu Xin was used to it. He reached into the bag again to get the gift prepared for his sister.

Sister’s eyes were already shining brightly perched expectantly on the edge of the table.

Then Lu Xin took out his carefully selected gift.

That yellow inflatable plastic chicken but with red claws and a red beak.

Sister was completely stunned. Even after Lu Xin placed the gift in her arms she still looked somewhat incredulous.

After a long moment she finally looked up at Lu Xin the surprise slowly fading from her face.

Lu Xin asked “You like it right?”

Sister remained expressionless squeezing the toy hard with both hands. It instantly let out a pitiful screech.

Seeing his sister looking so happy Lu Xin felt happy too.

He put the bag away and smiled at his family “Let’s eat early today I’m hungry.”

…

As the Red Moon rose outside the window warm soft lights illuminated the room where a sumptuous meal was already laid out on the table.

Lu Xin seemed to be in a very good mood. He helped Mom with the cooking poured alcohol for Father and picked up food for Sister.

He himself also finished a full bowl of rice.

During his time away on assignment he had been eating various boxed meals and work lunches in different places.

Those meals often contained meat like chicken legs red braised pork or steak… and they were admittedly delicious.

However the taste of home was always the most familiar.

…

“You seem quite anxious…”

Father looked at the cheerful Lu Xin and suddenly remarked with a cold smile.

Lu Xin pretended not to hear continuing to eat slowly.

“It’s alright we all understand…”

Mom smiled gently at Lu Xin “You’ll find out about these things sooner or later. It’s already very good that you could hold back until now.”

Sister clutched the screaming chicken only her slightly glowing eyes visible above the tabletop.

“Alright.”

Meeting his family’s gazes Lu Xin nodded lightly.

Then he took a long breath calming his emotions pulled the keys Mom had given him earlier from his pocket looked at each family member in turn then slowly stood up left the dining table walked to the television cabinet inserted the key into the lock turned it gently until a crisp “click” sounded then carefully pulled open the drawer and saw the document pouch.

After a slight pause he picked up the document pouch directly and returned to the dining table.

“I really do want to know…”

Under the watchful eyes of his family and the new family member he slowly tore open the edge of the document pouch.

Inside there were only a few thin sheets of paper photos and other items.

Lu Xin calmly pulled out the papers inside and began looking through them slowly.

On top was a printed mission report that looked somewhat old its pages slightly yellowed.

This page mainly introduced the mission:

Moon Eclipse Research Institute S-level Mission: Locate the escaped laboratory and related leads.

Mission Description: In October of the seventeenth year after the Red Moon the entire Moon Eclipse Research Institute was undergoing a transfer via a special dedicated train. During transit one train car containing important research data and experiment subjects vanished without a trace. All security personnel were completely unaware.

The vanished car was located in the middle section of the high-speed train convoy. The train did not stop during this period nor did anyone notice any significant anomalies.

Post-incident investigation revealed that the vanished car contained all personnel experiment subjects and data from the Third Laboratory.

Personnel present in the car at the time were: nineteen unknown experiment subjects Laboratory Director Wang Jingyun and two assistants.

Note: Anyone who can find the whereabouts of the escaped laboratory or provide relevant leads will receive the highest bounty offered by the Alliance.

Specific bounty amount depends on the value of the intelligence (parentheses: potentially reaching 100 million yuan or more)

(parentheses: Bounty can be exchanged for equivalent value in metal or intelligence)

Mission Time Limit: None

Target Audience: Everyone