Chapter 730: A Visitor at the Gate

The second “maybe” Yang Jin mentioned quickly became reality.

The day after the helicopter took away the Devastation Element Antidote, a member of the Inspection Team guarding the East Gate contacted Xia Qing over the walkie-talkie. “Section Three Lord, Section Three Lord, are you there?”

All the lords with their walkie-talkies on perked up to listen. Xia Qing, busy cleaning out the Chicken House, pressed the button. “Section Three—Xia Qing reporting in. Go ahead.”

“There’s a Level 3 Scent Evolution user named Feng Wen outside the East Gate. She claims she’s a close friend of yours and wants to visit in Section One of the North. Should we let her in?”

Unlike other territories outside Hui Three’s Safe Zone, a sturdy iron mesh wall—with surveillance cameras—circles Section One of the North. The only ways in and out are the East Gate, South Gate and West Gate. Each is guarded by the Inspection Team, and any outsider entering the territory must show credentials and give a valid reason before entering.

If someone says they’re visiting a lord, the Inspection Team checks with that lord first and only lets them in if permission is granted.

This setup seriously boosted security for Section One of the North.

Just two days ago, Inspection Team Captain Tan Junjie’s mother brought her grandson here, but because the lord of Territory Fifteen, Tan Qi, hadn’t given permission, they were turned away at the gate.

Mrs. Tan called her son, who was on assignment at Mountain 51, and confirmed he didn’t have permission to let outsiders in. So she had to take her crying grandson back to the Safe Zone by transport truck.

When Mrs. Tan arrived that day, all the lords secretly watched, having a little gossip session. No one expected another juicy incident so soon, so everyone was pretty excited.

Xia Qing pressed the button again. “Let her through. Have her head to the South Gate of Section Three.”

“Copy that. Per Section Three Lord’s approval, Level 3 Scent Evolution user Feng Wen is cleared to enter Section One of the North.”

The Inspection Team member set down the walkie-talkie and unlocked the iron gate.

Feng Wen stepped into the territory, a big smile on her face as she politely asked, “Excuse me, how do I get to Section Three’s South Gate?”

The Inspection Team member pointed to the right. “Head north along this road. When you hit the T-junction, turn left, then keep going for nine kilometers. You’ll see the sign for Section Three.”

Nine kilometers? On foot?!

Feng Wen glanced at the patrol truck parked nearby, putting on a gentle voice. “I’m not feeling well. Could you give me a lift?”

The Inspection Team member turned her down flat. “No. This is a patrol vehicle, not a shuttle.”

Feng Wen stared pitifully at the two armed Inspection Team members by the gate. When they didn’t budge, she could only drag her reluctant feet forward, following the bumpy dirt road.

Tang Huai had been crouched behind the Wild Grass Wall, staring east for ages and still saw no sign of anyone. He pulled out his phone and started typing:

Tang Huai: @Yue Haiying from Territory Fifteen—where is she? Hasn’t made it in yet?

Yu Shou from Territory Fifteen: She’s in, on the Eastern Quarantine Strip. At this rate, it’ll take her an hour to reach Section Three. @Xia Qing, Sister Qing, open the gate in an hour.

Tang Huai: That slow? Is Feng Wen hurt?

Yu Shou: Nope. She’s carrying a pretty big backpack—looks like it’s about thirty jin.

Zhu Li: Thirty jin isn’t that heavy. Maybe she’s taking her time, hoping to have lunch at Sister Qing’s before leaving…?

Tang Huai: Nailed it!

Shi Du: Feng Wen talked a lot of smack about Sister Qing in the Safe Zone. She’s definitely not a close friend.

Zhu Li: Then don’t waste the food on her!

Zhao Ze: When she arrives, Brother Huai, please give us a heads up in the group.

Yu Shou still overestimated Feng Wen’s walking speed.

Half an hour later, Feng Wen arrived outside Section Three’s South Gate, a little out of breath. When she saw the main gate was actually locked, she felt even more annoyed.

“Bang, bang, bang! Xia Qing! Xia Qing—”

Tang Huai: @Xia Qing, Feng Wen’s here.

Zhu Li: Careful, Sister Qing. When Feng Wen passed by Section Six’s southern route just now, she kept glancing toward Territory Fourteen. I think she’s got ties there.

Xia Qing: Noted. Thanks.

Putting away her phone, Xia Qing set down her shovel and walked through the Wild Grass Wall. She saw Feng Wen dressed in a fitted lavender floral-printed protective suit.

This style of suit was last autumn’s hot trend. Even though it was only a Grade 1 wild model, it still sold for 3,400 credits.

Xia Qing’s keen eyes caught a few places on Feng Wen’s suit where matching colored fabric had just been sewn on to patch it. The fabric was still fresh.

Her protective mask also had newly-mended spots.

This was probably the new gear Feng Wen bought last year—likely the same outfit she wore while escaping with Tang Rui. That would explain the worn shoulders and elbows.

When Feng Wen saw Xia Qing still wearing her old, battered protective suit, she straightened up and gave a cheery wave, just as she was about to knock again. “Xia Qing, over here!”

Xia Qing glanced at the two crouched behind Territory Two’s Wild Grass Wall, then walked over without a word, staring quietly at Feng Wen through the iron mesh fence.

The smile on Feng Wen’s face started to falter. She dropped her hand and tried to break the ice. “The poison on your face is gone? You look so much better now, and you’ve put on some weight. Congratulations.”

In a disaster year, calling someone “fat” isn’t an insult. It just means they’re well-fed—something everyone struggling to get enough food can only envy.

Xia Qing stayed calm. “Why are you here?”

There it was again—this damned, familiar feeling!

After living with Xia Qing for more than four years, the thing Feng Wen couldn’t stand most—besides how dirty and smelly she always seemed—was Xia Qing’s lifeless look and her cold, indifferent attitude.

Feng Wen pressed her lips together, choking down her emotions and quietly pleaded, “It’s not convenient to talk here. Can you open the gate first?”

Xia Qing waited a few seconds, then unlocked the iron gate.

You’ve got to be kidding me!

Tang Huai lowered his head and started typing: Xia Qing let Feng Wen in!

Zhao Ze: No way?!!!

Zhu Li: Don’t worry, she’ll be out again soon. Sister Qing definitely won’t give her a meal.

Feng Wen, legs aching from the long walk, followed Xia Qing through the Wild Grass Wall. When she caught sight of the neat greenhouses and level roads inside the territory, her eyes flickered with mixed emotions. “You did all this yourself?”

Xia Qing didn’t answer but opened the door to the little house by the Wild Grass Wall.

Once finished last winter, this little house had only been used a few days while hauling yellow clay in from Mountain 51. After that, Xia Qing turned it into a tool shed on the territory’s south side.

Even though it was just a shed, Xia Qing kept it clean. There were no bugs, no leaks and not a speck of dust on the furniture. It was perfectly fine for a chat.

Xia Qing liked her little shed, but Feng Wen thought it was awfully shabby. The musty smell was so strong she didn’t even dare take off her protective mask.

Once she sat down, Feng Wen tried again to get close. “Nice place. Did you build this yourself? You were the head of the construction team back in the Safe Zone, so it’s no wonder you could put up a shed like this.”

Xia Qing asked again, “I’m busy. If you have something to say, just be direct.”

Under the table, Feng Wen clenched her fist and looked up at the now-prettier Xia Qing, hoping to be taken in. “Can I stay in your territory? I’ll help out. Don’t even need payment—just food and a place to sleep.”

Xia Qing didn’t hesitate. “I don’t hire people in my territory.”

Feng Wen’s fist tightened even more; her breath came out harsh and shaky. Her voice trembled. “When you had to move to the Evolved Lodgings, I took you in. Now someone’s trying to kill me and I’ve got nowhere else to run. You’re all I’ve got.”

“Neither of us has family anymore. We shared a room for four years—you’re my best friend.”

“Aren’t you scared, living alone in such a big territory? If I stay, we can be companions again, like before.”