Chapter 474: A Day of Choices and Revelations

“I may not fully understand what Mr. Lone Soldier said, but I can tell you really love this place,” Lu Xin remarked.

Han Bing listened quietly to Lu Xin’s words, pausing in silence for a moment.

Then she laughed, “Then there’s no need to choose—let’s pick this place…”

Lu Xin felt a bit embarrassed and chuckled, “Will my way of choosing a home seem unprofessional?”

Han Bing laughed, “When buying a house, professionalism doesn’t come into play. Some purchase property as an investment to consider value and price, while others seek a certain lifestyle. Mr. Lone Soldier’s taste clearly falls into the latter category.”

“That’s why I support his choice.”

She continued with a smile, “Besides, I meticulously selected this one too—its overall condition is excellent.”

Lu Xin finally felt completely at ease and nodded with a smile.

Han Bing’s efficiency and precision in handling things formed an amusing contrast to her demure appearance.

After Lu Xin made his decision, he immediately called the realtor to schedule the contract signing, even negotiating free cleaning and repair services for the house, and convinced the realtor to throw in a couple of swings and seesaws at no cost.

Once everything was arranged, he parted ways with the realtor, hopped onto his pink electric scooter, and headed toward the downtown area with Han Bing.

“Is this really how rich people roll these days?”

The realtor, beaming as he watched the scooter disappear, murmured his amazement.

Glancing at his own SUV—a result of scrimping and saving—he felt the stark difference between him and the truly wealthy.

……

……

“I’m so glad you helped; otherwise I’d have no clue how to pick a house like this.”

On the way back to the city, Lu Xin sincerely expressed his gratitude to Han Bing.

He was genuinely thankful, realizing he’d never imagined buying a home could involve so many factors.

Sure, he could have just bought one on a whim without much thought.

But wouldn’t that leave him at a disadvantage in the long run?

“Oh, don’t mention it, Mr. Lone Soldier. It’s my duty to help you in both work and life…”

Han Bing, legs dangling from the back seat, added with a laugh, “Honestly, if I hadn’t said I’d come to Second Satellite City to help you choose a house, the boss might not have approved my fake leave so easily. I earned my keep too.”

“I see…”

Lu Xin felt rather sheepish.

I mean, spending an afternoon accompanying you to work and then choosing houses at night…

He asked anxiously, “So, when are you heading back?”

“Tomorrow.”

Han Bing replied with a smile, “I only took a day and a half off. I’m back at the office tomorrow afternoon.”

“Oh, I thought you’d be leaving tonight.”

Lu Xin suddenly realized, “Then where are you staying tonight?”

“Huh?”

Curious, Han Bing asked, “Isn’t your place a two-bedroom apartment?”

“Ah?”

Lu Xin nearly lost control of his handlebars.

Was Han Bing implying she’d spend the night at his place?

But how would that even work?

Would she squeeze in with her mom or cram into a ceiling loft with her sister?

“Just kidding…”

Han Bing laughed, “I’ve already booked a hotel on the High-Speed Train!”

Lu Xin let out a deep sigh of relief, replying with a feigned smile, “You really thought of everything…”

Almost immediately, he shifted the topic, “You’ve done me such a huge favor—how can I ever repay you?”

“My request is simple…”

Han Bing grew serious and began listing from the back seat, “Fresh sea cucumber, abalone and grouper with tiger skin, premium steak costing thousands, even red wine priced to the sky—all preserved from the pre-Civilization Era…”

“I’m not really a foodie.”

“……”

After his heart raced up and down, Lu Xin nervously asked, “Then what do you like?”

Han Bing replied earnestly, “My dream is just to enjoy an ice cream and watch an old movie. The rest doesn’t matter much.”

“That’s all?”

Lu Xin immediately agreed with a smile, “It’s on me.”

Cheered up, he twisted the handlebars and sped up, scooping Han Bing onto the scooter as they headed to Wanzhong Mall.

After leaving work at six, checking out houses, and rushing around, it was already eight in the evening.

Feeling a bit hungry, Lu Xin first parked his pink electric scooter at the mall entrance, then went inside with Han Bing. Though Han Bing claimed she didn’t care what she ate, he still carefully chose a very affordable restaurant.

He spent a full hundred yuan and ate his fill.

Of course, Han Bing’s small appetite meant she only had a few bites and didn’t want to waste any food…

After leaving the restaurant, they weren’t in a hurry to go back—Lu Xin wanted Han Bing to enjoy her day off.

Lu Xin treated her to three servings of ice cream, and indulged in a two-serving dessert himself. They even strolled around the mall. He’d expected Han Bing to pick out hair-growth shampoo, but she ended up buying mostly snacks.

Nonetheless, Lu Xin thoughtfully paid the bill.

Finally, carrying a big bag of snacks, Lu Xin and Han Bing headed to the cinema.

This cinema was the best in Second Satellite City, and unlike the pre-Civilization Era style,

today’s cinemas were divided into small rooms furnished with reclining sofas, offering a huge selection of old movies—romance, action, and more.

Besides this model, there were also large halls seating dozens of people.

These halls catered to those who truly wanted a cinematic experience.

While the small rooms let you choose your film, the halls only played whatever was scheduled.

After discussion, Lu Xin and Han Bing chose a hall that happened to be screening a movie called “Roman Holiday.”

Lu Xin thought it was a perfect match for Han Bing’s day off.

Lu Xin found the movie enjoyable, even dozing off at times, though Han Bing watched with rapt attention.

She sat silently fixated on the screen, casually grabbing popcorn from Lu Xin’s lap.

That’s when Lu Xin discovered a little secret.

Despite her small appetite at dinner, she munched a surprising amount of popcorn.

……

……

After the movie ended, it was well past eleven at night.

Lu Xin used his scooter to take Han Bing back to her hotel for some rest.

By then, the streets were nearly empty—only a few homeless individuals wandered about. Passing a desolate street, a group of vagrants gathered around a fire, whistling provocatively at Lu Xin and Han Bing.

Lu Xin tightened his grip on the handlebars and hurriedly pulled Han Bing away.

He knew these people were trouble—thieves, fighters, miscreants.

Han Bing watched Lu Xin’s focused driving, her expression thoughtful, as the group of street thugs receded into the distance.

“Mr. Lone Soldier, it’s really late. Please be careful on your way home…”

At the hotel entrance, Lu Xin didn’t get off his scooter. Instead, he rested one foot on the ground.

Han Bing, still in high spirits, reminded him, “It’s late and the streets aren’t very safe either.”

“I’ll be fine,”

Lu Xin replied with a smile, “I’ll just take a detour to avoid any conflicts.”

“Alright, alright.”

Han Bing agreed but didn’t immediately climb upstairs; after a pause and a thoughtful look, she raised her head and said:

“Mr. Lone Soldier, there’s actually something I want to ask you.”

She pondered slowly, as if choosing her words carefully, then finally smiled and said:

“Your abilities are so strong—you’ve solved so many of Qinggang’s problems.”

“In this world, you could easily have anything you desire, right?”

“Yet you persist in helping Qinggang and protecting all of us, earning everything you need yourself…”

“…”

Her voice softened as she paused, then whispered, “What is it that drives you?”

Lu Xin listened to Han Bing’s question and fell silent for a moment.

Strangely, he wasn’t surprised that Han Bing would ask such a question.

From the start, he had sensed that Han Bing was different from Gecko.

With Gecko, formalities weren’t necessary, and the same went for Vice President Xiao.

And of course, interacting with Doll was even more natural.

Standing on the open street, Lu Xin seriously contemplated the question.

Above the city, the Red Moon appeared almost within reach, its dark red glow outlining the city’s silhouette.

……

……

“Why ask such a question?”

For a fleeting instant, the smile on Lu Xin’s face vanished, only to reappear effortlessly.

“Isn’t it strange not to?”

“…”

Han Bing stared at Lu Xin’s face, as if searching for an answer.

“But if you must know…”

Lu Xin looked at Han Bing and smiled, “Maybe it’s because I love the life I have now…”

“Our Old Director used to tell us how happy, peaceful, and vibrant people in the pre-Civilization Era were—though we’re far from that, it’s still much better than the wasteland.”

“Perhaps their happiness and peace have little to do with me…”

“But I do enjoy seeing them this way…”

“…”

This response left Han Bing silent for a moment.

Then she lifted her head with a smile, “Thank you, Mr. Lone Soldier.”

“Huh?”

Lu Xin, a bit taken aback, said apologetically, “It’s really you who helped me so much…”

“Not at all.”

Han Bing met his eyes and laughed, “I’m not just doing it for myself—I do it for Qinggang. Thank you.”

As she spoke, she moved closer.

Lu Xin’s heart pounded audibly as he stared blankly at Han Bing’s approaching face.

“Swish.”

Han Bing gently placed the bag of snacks into his arms before pulling back.

“These snacks are for you…”

“Goodbye, Mr. Lone Soldier…”

She waved cheerily at Lu Xin and briskly walked into the hotel.

“This…”

Lu Xin looked after Han Bing entering the hotel, then at the snacks still on his scooter, and finally managed a small smile, thinking,

“I was the one who bought these…”