Chapter 268: Eight Palanquins
“You rascal, that’s Miss Shu.”
Cao Yong tightened his tie and cursed under his breath.
Zhong You raised his chin, “She said she likes this code name, only this code name was earned by her own ability.”
“No matter what you usually call her, but here, you have to call her Miss Shu!”
“By the way, wasn’t she on a mission? Why would she come to this inexplicable salon?”
Zhong You asked puzzledly.
Cao Yong looked around and said in a low voice, “Anyway, you’ve been promoted to Tier 2, and after this you can lead a team independently, so it doesn’t hurt to tell you. The trigger this time is negotiations with a small force called the Armored Train. All the factions within the company heard about it and want to take a bite.”
“Oh, fat sheep?”
“Otherwise, why would they let us special operations enter the salon.”
A cold light flashed in Zhong You’s eyes, “The company, including me, there are five in this batch, all came?”
“Counting you, three came. I heard Miss Shu was here and specially swapped over for you. Alright, stop asking, hurry up and go in.”
Cao Yong urged.
Zhong You helplessly said, “Can’t I just stand here and wait until it starts before going over?”
“They are all children of company high-level executives, getting to know them will be good for you.”
“All second-generation ancestors, nothing worth saying.”
“Don’t worry, second-generation ancestors aren’t fools either. You are the evolver with the most potential in the future to sprint toward high-level, they can’t wait to curry favor with you…”
Cao Yong thought he was worried about this and pushed him inside with a mix of coaxing and scolding.
After closing the door, he let out a long breath.
Feeling his throat a bit tight, he subconsciously touched his pocket, pulled out a crumpled cigarette pack, looked at the three cigarettes inside almost worn out, took out a half one, put it to his mouth and lit it.
The smoke blurred Cao Yong’s face.
“Old Zhong, I’ve done right by you…”
……
Inside the room, a group of young people wearing luxurious formal dresses gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing cheerfully.
Everyone acted elegantly, spoke appropriately, and during conversations, subtly scanned the others in the small venue with their eyes.
When seeing a higher value target, Bo Qingqing could perfectly end the current topic, then naturally and reasonably walk to the next target.
Neither abrupt nor bothersome.
As the adoptive daughter of Director Number Two, such things had become instinct for her.
Originally, she was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Bo Family, but her family was a bit special, living together with three “mothers,” her father, and four brothers and sisters.
It was originally quite harmonious.
Later, the adoptive mother rose to power, and before the apocalypse, her father passed away from illness, and all the family resources were controlled by the adoptive mother.
She thought the rest of her life would be miserable, but for some reason, the adoptive mother didn’t drive them out, just restricted some expenses, still raising them as before.
Including her biological mom and another “auntie.”
However, their statuses had subtly changed.
From Bo Family eldest daughter to Tang Family adoptive daughter.
“Tang” was her adoptive mother’s surname, that is, Director Hei Yuan No. 2.
Putting herself in her shoes, she couldn’t be as magnanimous as her adoptive mother.
“Qingqing, I heard you’ve awakened, how is it, did it hurt?”
A girl wearing a deep black formal dress long skirt asked.
Young, with ample cleavage.
Bo Qingqing subtly scanned the other up and down with her eyes, cursed bitch in her heart, then said gently, “It didn’t hurt, but there was a bit of risk. I was thinking at the time, the probability is so small, it won’t happen to me, then gritted my teeth and tried it.”
“Qingqing, you’re so awesome. I heard there’s a chance to turn into a zombie, I still don’t have the courage to awaken even now…”
“…”
Enjoying the other’s flattery for a few sentences, Bo Qingqing steered the topic back on track.
“By the way, do you know what Shu Wei has been up to lately?”
A young man smiled and said, “I remember she went on a mission a long time ago.”
“What mission, so long?”
As a core figure in the circle, just mentioning her name immediately drew everyone’s attention.
Shu Wei is not only Director Number Three’s acknowledged “only daughter,” her mother is also a high-level executive in the company, and most crucially, her own ability is very strong. Without taking a single cent from home, she built a company worth over a billion from scratch.
Although a billion isn’t an astronomical figure for those present, many could just open their mouths and get more than that from home.
But with the same resources, they could only make money with money, while Shu Wei earned it herself, the difference is clear.
After the apocalypse arrived, Shu Wei didn’t hesitate at all and became one of the first batch of experimental evolvers.
This decisiveness was praised by many big shots, and they were all tired of hearing it.
“Then I don’t know, seems like two months already?”
“Hasn’t come back yet?”
“I heard she would appear at the salon today…”
Bo Qingqing puzzled, “I heard this negotiation was led by Shu Wei, when did she go on a mission again?”
“Could it be her mission objective is that force called the Armored Train?”
“HY2036115TQ3-0017”
A clear, cold, magnetic voice came.
Several people puzzledly turned back.
Bo Qingqing had long noticed this wheat-skinned handsome guy, realizing he was Zhong You, who had recently been promoted to a Tier 2 powerhouse. In her mind, she calculated what excuse to use to approach him, while controlling her turning speed to be half a beat slower than everyone else.
She slightly tilted her head and said, “What did you say?”
Zhong You stared at Bo Qingqing, frowning tightly, “The mission number you mentioned about the Armored Train, this mission has already failed.”
Bo Qingqing cheered inwardly, just worrying how to bring out this information.
Unexpectedly, this person solved her problem.
Bo Qingqing pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth, “No way…”
Zhong You’s complexion slightly chilled, “This mission… who went to execute it?”
Although he had a guess in his heart, he still wanted to confirm.
The black dress girl immediately recognized Zhong You, “You’re that Tier 2 ‘Cold Abyss Guard’ Zhong You?”
Zhong You’s mouth twitched. At Tier 2, he still couldn’t adapt to Deep Blue Data’s damn naming style.
Good modern person, what ancient style names?
When the company exchanged, they didn’t even bother to change it.
Every time someone seriously called it out, he almost couldn’t hold it together.
But the next stage would be fine. He’d seen some other evolution paths, his was much better than things like “Kui Ba,” “Cavalry Officer,” “Angel,” and such.
“You’re Zhong You, my father mentioned you, saying that if we develop the flood zone in the future, it will definitely be you leading the team!”
“Much handsomer than I imagined.”
“I have a small salon in a couple days, not sure if you’re interested?”
“…”
After everyone recognized Zhong You, various flattering words and olive branches were thrown out.
Although the name was a bit weird, that terrifying water control ability was the real deal.
This is the apocalypse, the meaning of befriending the strong goes without saying.
Although the company has rules, everyone could foresee that future power would definitely be tied to strength.
But not everyone could pursue the path of personal evolution.
Shu Wei and the black dress girl were after all the minority. Most second-generations rushed to be in the first batch of evolutions after the apocalypse, but unfortunately, early bird but missed the feast. The vast majority still hadn’t even reached Tier 1.
But seeing Zhong You a bit impatient, the crowd gradually quieted down.
“Is it Miss Shu who participated in this mission?”
Bo Qingqing hesitated and nodded.
“That’s not right, since Wei Jie has returned from the mission, how could it fail?”
The black dress girl asked puzzledly.
Several in the crowd who understood the special services department’s operations gradually changed complexion.
A special services department mission marked as failed was not just about being overdue; it must have been determined that a large number of personnel were missing or dead!
Various pieces of information converged in his mind, Zhong You’s eyes changed repeatedly.
“If I may be presumptuous, you and Shu Wei…?”
Bo Qingqing pretended to be curious and asked.
“Colleagues.”
Zhong You instantly restrained all emotions and said calmly and coldly.
Bo Qingqing keenly noticed Zhong You’s concern for Shu Wei, her heart aching like it was on fire.
Her own family background was similar to Shu Wei’s, yet the other had been steadily rising both before and after the apocalypse, while she had not only gone from eldest daughter to adoptive daughter, but her evolutionary degree couldn’t even catch up.
Finally hearing news of the other stumbling, before she could even spread the yellow rumor, she was blocked by Zhong You.
It stifled her chest painfully.
Suddenly, a butler-like waiter walked in, slightly nodded to everyone, then turned to the surrounding standing waiters and gave low instructions.
Everyone immediately understood that the banquet was about to start.
……
Outside Yan Bei Pass.
Wind and rain battered the train, rising and falling.
Warm yellow soft light wrapped in metal skin, accompanied by gentle singing, even the wind and rain seemed coated in a layer of soft glow.
“Emily”
“Emily”
“Sunset falls into my heart”
“I want to take you to find”
“Scattered stars”
“…”
Su Huan sat in the dining car, Yu Yue washing dishes behind the counter, pots and pans making faint clinking sounds.
His feet propped on the coffee table on a huge communication device.
This was Professor Ma’s second-generation “portable communication equipment” after his successful work.
Xiao Dong’s voice came from inside.
“This is Armored Train Guan Chong Station, is the Train Conductor there?”
Su Huan leaned on the Orange Cat, listening to music, eyes slightly narrowed.
Yu Yue glanced at him, wanting to speak but stopping.
Not hearing a response, Xiao Dong asked again honestly, “This is Armored Train Guan Chong Station, is the Train Conductor there?”
“Not here.”
Su Huan said indifferently.
These three days weren’t all spent traveling; they first went to Iron Mountain Shelter, dropped off Xiao Dong and Old Man Tie and the others, then left Old Man Tie a device that could communicate with on the train.
However, the principle of the multiplying stone wasn’t figured out yet, so only one-way communication from the train to the shelter.
“Uh… Guan Chong Station daily report.”
Xiao Dong hesitated, pretended not to hear, and continued his report.
“Iron Mountain Shelter currently has…”
“Supplies…”
Xiao Dong listed the current situation of Iron Mountain Shelter, then began describing the shelter’s next few plans.
It was basically bringing the train’s system down there.
Decomposing materials, forging new materials, finding ways to connect to Guanchao Island and such.
Someone probably wrote the script in advance; Xiao Dong read it fluently, logically clear.
After finishing the main matters, Xiao Dong casually talked about recent situations, which was much more messy.
Xiao Dong started a bit nervous, unsure if the Train Conductor was still there, but since he didn’t ask, he braced himself and kept talking.
“…Grandpa Tie Shan has been in a bad mood lately again, heard Young Master Qi caused trouble again, but he didn’t tell me what, Uncle Zhenbang has been teaching me how to use these evolved eyes lately, I even killed a big fish with my own hands.”
“The shelter, no, Guan Chong Station next is going to start building ships, small fishing boats won’t do, can’t withstand big winds and waves, need big ships…”
“My mom said neighbor Aunt Wu came to propose marriage, saying to get me a wife, but what era is this, still doing this old-fashioned stuff, I don’t like it much, feels weird, and plus I’ve seen Wu Xinlei, she’s heavier than me, I don’t like…”
Yu Yue, who had wiped the canned food vase who knows how many times, suddenly looked up and said softly, “They’ve arrived.”
Xiao Dong heard Yu Yue’s voice and immediately shut his mouth.
On the sofa, the Train Conductor opened his narrow eyes, the ink-black pupils even darker under the warm light.
“Let them wait, continue.”
Xiao Dong a bit surprised, “Train Conductor you’re here, I thought you left, things here are fine, important matters are all said, the rest is useless stuff, go ahead with your business.”
“Um… Train Conductor, wish you a triumphant return!”
“Heh.”
Su Huan chuckled lightly, sat up, shoulders slightly hunched, like a hawk ready to strike.
“If they don’t carry me over in a sedan chair with eight bearers today, I’ll give them a full gate red.”
……
By the time Su Huan reached the front of the train, it was already packed.
Basically all the high-levels who could sit at the table were there.
Seeing Su Huan come, the crowd parted, revealing the highest command platform.
“Train Conductor!”
“Mm.”
Su Huan didn’t go to the command platform, but came behind Liang Kuan’s seat, looking up at the panoramic screen in front.
Could see a group of personnel with metal iris brooches on their collars standing on Yan Bei Pass, several armored personnel carriers and two luxury cars parked on the ancient city wall.
“What do they mean?”
Su Huan asked.
He Jie crossed his arms, brows tight, “They say they want to pick you up.”
Su Huan raised an eyebrow, “So far away, do they want me to jump up?”
……
“Can’t an evolver jump up?”
On Yan Bei Pass.
Cao Yong opened the curved face mask of the exoskeleton, frowning, “Ask them why they still haven’t come up.”
The subordinate shouted loudly, “Their Train Conductor says to open the gate first, then send eight cars to pick him up, and they have to be Maybach level.”
“Fuck!”
Cao Yong was like an ignited gunpowder keg, crazily spewing trash talk.
“The area below is flooded, do I have to dive down to open the door for him, and fucking eight cars, why doesn’t he just bring people to storm our headquarters?”
Inside the vehicle.
Su Huan asked, “What are they saying?”
Yu Yue pursed her lips, “Cursing you.”
“No manners at all, He Jie, reason with him.”
“Yes!”
He Jie grinned ferociously, took a few officers, and turned to leave.
On the city wall.
Cao Yong looked at the blurry train below, suddenly stunned, “What are they doing?”
The subordinate uncertainly said, “Seems like… the gun barrels turned?”
“Buzz—”
Suddenly, rings of bright blue light reflected in the two men’s pupils.
