C20 – Supervisor, This Card Machine Is Damaged!!

After a number of hours of preparation, the group lastly set off in procession. The ox cart was primarily loaded with straw and black pores and skin watermelons. Whereas scrumptious, the watermelons had been liable to cracking, however the straw served as a cushion to stop harm throughout the bumpy journey. Lin Luqin was perched fortunately atop the cart, whereas the remainder of the group, burdened with varied items of kit, trudged alongside on foot. For everybody besides Zhao Yuegu, the trail via Zeffari was a formidable problem.

“We’d not even make it to the principle highway at this charge,” Zhao Yuegu remarked, casting a considerably resigned look on the program group. Lin Luqin, nevertheless, appeared unfazed.

“Don’t fear, we solely have to cowl twenty miles; there’s an off-road car ready for us there.”

“Properly, that’s a aid,” he mused. It made sense—navigating the mountainous terrain for miles on finish can be inconceivable for this system group, particularly after yesterday’s rain had turned the trail right into a muddy quagmire. Zhao Yuegu, regardless of donning recent garments, was splattered with mud from head to toe, fueling his want to see a correct highway constructed.

“I’ll have to present some severe thought to the highway development once I go to the county,” he stated, stroking his chin. If he remained secluded within the mountains, he may by no means see the highway accomplished.

“We will begin with the areas which might be prepared for development, even when some spots aren’t appropriate but. We might even set up relaxation areas alongside the best way,” he contemplated whereas mapping out potential routes for the hardened highway and reconfirming landslide-prone places.

Lin Luqin watched Zhao Yuegu survey the distant surroundings, her irritation rising when she realized he wasn’t being attentive to her.

“Hey!” she known as out. “Is there one thing extra attention-grabbing to have a look at than me?”

“Hmm?” Zhao Yuegu turned, solely then noticing the additional care Lin Luqin had put into her make-up that day, much more so than for his or her normal shoots. Clearly, she had gone to nice lengths to make a long-lasting impression earlier than parting methods.

As an alternative of responding to her query, Zhao Yuegu requested, “Are you planning to quiet down in Zeffari, or will you be leaving straight away?”

Lin Luqin’s expression pale to a somber tone.

“The mission is pressing; I’ve to move out instantly.”

“Then there’s no time to organize a greater reward for you.”

Zhao Yuegu reached into his pocket and pulled out a wood watermelon carving he had ready.

“I whittled this watermelon once I had some free time; hold it as a memento.”

“Thanks. This bead is superbly made. I’ll hold it with me at all times.”

“…” Zhao Yuegu interjected, “It’s a watermelon.”

“Oh, I see…”

Lin Luqin felt a contact embarrassed.

Zhao Yuegu dismissed it with a wave of his hand. He was new to wooden carving, so it was comprehensible that it wasn’t good.

Little did he know, this straightforward trinket he’d crafted would grow to be Lin Luqin’s most treasured possession for all times!

The journey was a collection of begins and stops, traversing hills and valleys.

After three hours, they lastly reached the spot the place this system group’s automobiles had been parked.

Ten off-road automobiles and a pickup truck for hauling gear had been ready.

The group members sighed in aid as they loaded their gear onto the vans.

Some started to load up the black pores and skin watermelons, desperate to share the style with their households again residence.

“Have we taken a detour?”

“It’s a bit longer, however this route is smoother,” he replied.

The cameraman within the entrance seat managed a strained smile. “Good factor I skipped breakfast.”

Zhao Yuegu scratched his head.

“I’m not likely feeling it.”

“Zhao, together with your sturdy structure, it’s no surprise you don’t get carsick,” the cameraman stated with a touch of envy.

In spite of everything, a person who might single-handedly take down a wild boar wouldn’t be fazed by just a few bumps.

Fact be advised…

With a magnificence in his embrace, who would thoughts the roughness of the journey?

Maybe the extra tumultuous the journey, the extra pleasure it introduced.

Alas…

Such pleasant moments had been fleeting.

5 hours zipped by straight away.

After three transient stops, the car lastly reached the sleek pavement.

Because the automobile glided effortlessly over the stable highway, Zhao Yuegu’s willpower solidified—he would do no matter it took to restore this highway.

In the meantime, Lin Luqin, worn out from the ordeal, had succumbed to sleep in opposition to Zhao Yuegu’s supportive body.

After driving for an additional half hour, the automobile arrived in Zeffari County. Zhao Yuegu hopped out at a random spot, whereas Lin Luqin, nonetheless groggy from sleep, didn’t formally say goodbye. Watching this system group’s automobiles draw back, Zhao felt a twinge of remorse.

He wandered into a big shopping center, intent on shopping for a brand new pair of sneakers and a few cell telephones. However as he approached the doorway, a safety guard stopped him. “Buddy, perhaps placed on a recent pair of sneakers earlier than coming in, huh? It’s robust preserving the place clear.”

Zhao’s apparel clearly wasn’t as much as par. Glancing down, he noticed his pants had been caked with mud. “Oh, I’ll simply take them off,” he stated, slipping off his sneakers and stuffing them right into a makeshift fabric bag, then rolling up his muddy pant legs. His look was removed from that of a typical shopper—in truth, he seemed extra able to wade right into a paddy area than a mall.

“Don’t fear about it, brother. Right here, use these slippers for now,” provided a kindly safety guard in his fifties, handing over a pair.

“Thanks,” Zhao stated, accepting the slippers and heading straight for a shoe retailer. The gross sales clerk gave him a once-over after which ignored him. Zhao wasn’t shocked; he hardly seemed like somebody who might afford their merchandise. He rapidly picked out two pairs of sneakers, discovered his measurement, and went to the cashier.

“Two pairs, I’d like to take a look at.”

“That’ll be $520.”

“I’ll pay with a card,” Zhao stated, presenting his financial institution card.

“We’ve got some discounted sneakers as properly, in the event you’re ,” the clerk instructed.

“No, thanks. Simply these two,” Zhao replied.

The clerk shook her head dismissively, however her perspective shifted dramatically when she noticed the stability displayed on the cardboard reader—her mouth agape as if she might swallow an egg entire. One, ten, hundred, thousand… Ten thousand, hundred thousand, million… Billion! She counted six instances over, disbelief etched on her face.

Lastly, she known as out, “Supervisor, this card reader’s busted. I would like a alternative!”