Chapter 278: Wasteland Observations
by xennovel*Beep…*
Early the next morning, before the thin mist had dispersed, a loud whistle echoed throughout the convoy’s camp.
*Rustle, rustle…*
Everyone in the camp instantly woke up.
They scrambled to pack their tents, distribute breakfast, and check their vehicles’ fuel levels and water tanks.
Those who had been standing guard around the perimeter also returned one by one, guns slung over their shoulders, looking lethargic. Traces of grass and dew clung to them. After a night on watch, everyone’s eyes were red, swollen, and drowsy.
Lu Xin got up with the majority, grabbed his toiletries, and squatted by the roadside to brush his teeth and wash his face.
By the time he spat out a mouthful of water, the entire convoy was already packed and ready to go.
…These old drivers didn’t seem to have much of a habit of brushing their teeth or washing their faces. Compared to them, he lived a much more refined life.
After brushing his teeth, Lu Xin boarded Old Zhou’s truck and comfortably accepted a large flatbread wrapped around a salted egg.
This was the ultra-VIP treatment Old Zhou and Little Zhou gave him.
Covering gas, food, and drink, plus half the money they earned from scavenging.
However, ‘covering gas’ meant carefully packing Lu Xin’s motorcycle into the truck.
No driving meant no gas consumption. That was ‘covering gas’.
Food and drink were even simpler; Lu Xin ate whatever they ate.
As for the scavenging money… Lu Xin wasn’t very professional, so he couldn’t really tell how much they could earn.
…
“Headcount!”
The Boss, holding a bamboo pole and wearing skinny jeans and riding boots, looked like she had at least washed her face. Despite a night’s sleep, her eyes were still slightly red and swollen. Perhaps it was because she had cried hard last night.
But her expression now was serious and calm. After a buzz-cut man beside her counted everyone and confirmed no one was missing, she ordered loudly, “This time, Old Sun and I will take the lead again. The Zhao brothers’ truck will bring up the rear. Everyone else, follow in numerical order. We’re less than three days from Central City. Everyone stay sharp, we can relax when we get there.”
Her voice suddenly rose sharply, “Did you hear me?!”
All the old drivers in the convoy simultaneously perked up and yelled, “Heard you!”
“Good.”
The Boss tapped her palm with the bamboo pole, “Move out!”
The entire convoy immediately bustled with activity, filled with the sounds of car doors closing and engines starting.
*Vroom, vroom, vroom…*
First, three motorcycles, each with two flags—one red, one green—mounted on the back seat, sped ahead.
Then, the Boss’s tall sturdy truck slowly pulled out of the service area, with the other vehicles following in sequence.
Those motorcycles were used for scouting.
In the Wasteland, road conditions changed unexpectedly. Mudslides, heavy rain, overgrown weeds, wind, and sun constantly altered the terrain.
A road that was passable before might not be now, and a previously safe route could have become perilous in a short time.
Therefore, for such a large convoy, scouting was crucial work.
If an impassable road was discovered, they had to return quickly to notify the others; otherwise, if the entire convoy got stuck, turning around would be difficult.
…
“This Boss Gao is quite impressive…”
Lu Xin, who had been secretly observing the Boss, couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
Although he had no experience driving in the Wasteland, he knew how much effort it took to command such a large convoy.
It wasn’t just about dealing with the rampant Knight Orders in the Wasteland but also considering various natural disasters and their effects, liaising with shippers and receivers. Plus, simply managing a group of unruly old drivers wasn’t easy.
For a woman who looked quite young, the Boss had done an impressive job whipping the convoy into shape.
“Isn’t that the truth?”
Little Zhou sighed beside him, “Boss Gao is actually a really good person. She doesn’t skim too much off everyone’s earnings, she’s meticulous, and when trouble hits, she’s tougher than any man. Half a year ago, we ran into a Knight Order. They wouldn’t even take protection money, insisted on half our cargo. Boss Gao just walked up smiling, opened fire right into their group, and took down three of them in one go.”
“After that incident, everyone completely respected her.”
Old Zhou also sighed, “I’ve been driving heavy trucks for over ten years, and I have to admit, she’s the best boss I’ve ever seen.”
He paused, then added, “…If it weren’t for that problem she has at night.”
…
Listening to this, Lu Xin grew more curious.
People like her usually had the strongest willpower and mentality.
And in the realm of mental alterations, they generally wouldn’t undergo sudden changes.
Either they were like Chen Jing, discovering their changes early on, even analyzing and categorizing them slowly, becoming proficient Ability Users by the time Professor Bai found them. Or they simply wouldn’t mutate at all.
To some extent, even if they were exposed to pollution, their resistance would be stronger than others’.
How could this Boss suddenly have undergone such a drastic change?
After all, although he hadn’t detected any abnormality on her yesterday, Lu Xin had to admit.
The person he saw last night and the rational, steady woman this morning really seemed like two different people.
“Extremely obvious change in mental state…”
After pondering for a moment, he silently took out his small notebook and jotted it down.
Name: Gao Ting
Characteristics: Tall with long legs, slim waist, flat chest, likes tight clothing, enjoys nighttime activities.
Symptoms: Hates her own body, suspected hostility between head and body.
Observer: Lu Xin
Secondary Observer: Sister
…
*Vroom, vroom, vroom…*
One by one, the large trucks rolled onto the wide road.
Lu Xin sat in the passenger seat, while Little Zhou lounged on the long bench seat behind.
These Wasteland runners usually had two drivers per vehicle for easy rotation.
If not for the dangers of the Wasteland, they could even drive around the clock, one resting while the other drove.
“Less than a thousand kilometers to Central City.”
Lu Xin calculated mentally, “A motorcycle would be slightly faster than a truck, but finding gas and water, even getting a meal, is troublesome. This convoy has a dedicated refueling truck, scouts ahead finding the best route, saving a lot of time indirectly. So the overall time required for both is about the same…”
“This private commission won’t affect my schedule too much…”
“I can still visit relatives in Central City on time…”
“As for the Boss’s problem, I’ll observe her carefully on the way. It would be best if I can find out what’s wrong with her. If I really can’t find anything, I still saved on gas, food, and water on this trip, so I still come out ahead…”
…
Thinking this, a happy expression couldn’t help but appear on Lu Xin’s face.
At noon, the vehicles didn’t stop. Old Zhou and Little Zhou just swapped places, then took out coarse flatbread mixed with cornmeal, along with pickled carrot relish. The three of them shared it and ate in the truck. This convoy was accustomed to covering more distance during the day, so they didn’t rest at noon. When evening came, however, they wouldn’t push their luck, finding a place to camp early.
It was also because of this habit that some people would go scavenging in nearby villages while they were setting up camp.
Of course, this was when the convoy was relatively disciplined and strict.
Similar convoys that moonlighted as Knight Orders along the way, robbing people and goods, were not unheard of.
Setting off at seven in the morning, they drove without stopping until three or four in the afternoon. The vehicles ahead had already found a new campsite, and motorcycles shuttled back and forth, guiding the old drivers into the camp in sequence.
The people in the convoy bustled about methodically, relaying messages, checking the ground, arranging patrols, setting up hidden sentries, and so on.
Uncle Zhou and his nephew were also busy, driving while looking at the map, figuring out where they could scavenge.
Actually, Lu Xin really wanted to join in the appealing work of scavenging, but he restrained himself.
Everyone has their responsibilities. His responsibility right now was…
Observe the Boss!
…
As the long-legged Boss directed the large trucks to park one by one in the designated areas, Lu Xin observed quietly from the shadows.
When the Boss started assigning patrol and sentry duties, Lu Xin observed quietly.
When two drivers started fighting over the few shared small trucks, and the Boss rushed over, kicking them both down, Lu Xin observed quietly.
When the Boss caught a wild rabbit, roasted it until it was golden brown and dripping with oil, and began tearing into the meat and drinking alcohol heartily, Lu Xin continued to observe quietly, swallowing hard.
When the Boss went behind the trees to relieve herself, Lu Xin…
…This time Lu Xin didn’t observe, really he didn’t!
…
“Uncle, is Brother Lu acting normal right now?”
While Lu Xin was engrossed in his observation work, Old Zhou and Little Zhou started preparing dinner beside the truck, stealing glances at him.
Seeing Lu Xin’s focused and serious demeanor, they didn’t even dare to speak loudly.
“Probably normal…”
Old Zhou felt unsure too, “Maybe this is just how professionals look…”
Little Zhou mumbled, “But why do I feel like he’s kind of lusting after the Boss’s body?”
“Really?”
“Yeah, look at him staring at the Boss. He even gulped just now…”
“Shh! Whether he’s lusting after her or treating her illness, it’s beneficial for us either way!”
…
Compared to breakfast and lunch, dinner was noticeably more substantial.
These old drivers carried a lot of food in their trucks.
There was self-prepared salted meat, salted eggs, flatbread, as well as plenty of dried cabbage leaves, pickled carrots, vermicelli, and so on—all things that kept well and didn’t spoil easily. In the evening, they’d light a fire, throw everything haphazardly into a pot, and cook it into a stew. If the flatbread was dry, they’d steam it over the pot for a bit until it became soft again.
Although the ingredients weren’t great, the steam rising carried a very fragrant smell.
“Head-swapping Woman, Observation Record…”
Seeing that dinner was almost ready, Lu Xin sat down on a small stool and recorded the day’s observations.
“Daytime: Everything normal. Decisive and efficient, commands effectively…”
“Cusses people out fiercely too…”
“Suspect she hasn’t given up her greed towards me. She glared at me fiercely when she saw me today…”
“Tonight: Need to protect myself. Secondary observer will continue observation…”