Chapter 421: Bound to the Birth System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 422: Wasteland Gathering Daily Life (50)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"No need to worry about so much; besides, we're only doing short-distance business for now." The mercenary team went out and returned the same day, so the probability of conflict wasn't high.

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow, scooped a large spoonful of rice and meat into her mouth, and chewed.

The fragrance of the rice mixed with the stewed meat; just one bite could bring a sense of satisfaction.

Mentioning that they might encounter extremely wild mutant beasts during recent hunts, Shen Yao told Cheng Qi to pay more attention to safety and try not to stray too far from the team.

Cheng Qi smiled and nodded, indicating he wouldn't be so foolish; the inside of the mercenary team wasn't all harmony, and there were always a few annoying people.

The family of three finished dinner, simply cleaned up their personal hygiene, turned off the lamp, and went to sleep.

…………

In the following days, Cheng Qi followed the mercenary team out early and back late to earn points, while Qiuleaf took Manman on the base's bus to the collection points outside to harvest wild vegetables. Only after Qian Eldest Sister-in-law and the others with minor injuries gradually recovered did Shen Yao have gathering partners, changing from a solo daily routine to a multi-person partnership.

However, Qian Eldest Sister-in-law might still have lingering fears; after recovering, she no longer dared to organize manpower as recklessly as before, instead only picking those she had a good relationship with. When others asked, she simply said there wasn't enough time.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao privately and secretly complained to Cheng Qi about Qian Eldest Sister-in-law's behavior style, saying it changed too fast and too extremely, clearly not yet having walked out of this accident.

"This time the mercenary team lost a lot of points and supplies in one go, even selling the house in the Outer District to the base," Cheng Qi closed the book he was halfway through, took Shen Yao's hand, and explained the mercenary team's current predicament. It couldn't be dispersed in a short while, but they had to reduce the distribution standards previously promised.

"Some people are dissatisfied," after all, not every family had relatives injured or killed in this accident; people like Shen Yao and Cheng Qi were not a few.

It was just that Shen Yao and Cheng Qi were usually low-key and reserved, not striving or grabbing, which made their family seem peaceful and calm.

But this peace was only a facade. Once Qian's shop could no longer suppress the troublemakers in the mercenary team, this mercenary team, which had been operating for several years and always in good condition, would fall apart like snowflakes.

This also indirectly showed the high accident rate of the Mutated World. Even if today went well, it didn't mean tomorrow would still be good; ups and downs were the norm.

Shen Yao was also in a difficult position, because the people gathered around her by Qian Eldest Sister-in-law more or less had some confidant intentions. Coincidentally, her family had only been at Base No. 25 for a short time and originally didn't want to be too conspicuous. As a result, through a twist of fate, they instead attracted more attention.

"Take it one step at a time. If it really doesn't work, once we move into the Inner District, we'll just find another mercenary team to join. It's not like only the Qian Family Mercenary Team can be joined."

Previously, choosing the Qian Family after comprehensive consideration was based on Qian's shop's character.

For now, they certainly wouldn't withdraw immediately, but once the situation became completely uncontrollable, even if they didn't want to leave, they might not be able to stay.

Shen Yao:...

What could Shen Yao say? There wasn't a single problem with what Cheng Qi said.

They were also ordinary people of the base, living seriously every day just to make life a bit better. There was no need to make things difficult for themselves.

After the husband and wife finished their idle chat, they continued to maintain their low-key persona when turning to go out.

Don't pick up topics that shouldn't be picked up, don't say things that shouldn't be said, don't do things that shouldn't be done.

Under the three no-principles, the good thing was that Shen Yao and Cheng Qi hadn't been dragged into these matters of the Qian Family Mercenary Team. The bad thing was also obvious: whether it was Qian's shop or other core figures in the mercenary team, they had all begun to tacitly marginalize Cheng Qi.

Cheng Qi:...

It couldn't be said that Cheng Qi hadn't anticipated this possibility. It was just that when the fact actually happened, facing Qian's shop's somewhat awkward and at-a-loss gazes, Cheng Qi chose to accept it.

That very day he proposed leaving the Qian Family Mercenary Team, taking along the car he had driven, clocking off early and returning to the doorstep of his home.

Shen Yao:...?

"You're quitting?" Important supplies like cars were generally kept in the mercenary team for anyone to take and use.

Today Cheng Qi had unusually driven it back. Shen Yao thought about it briefly and could understand.

Cheng Qi nodded, indicating he was already unemployed, but not in a hurry to find the next job. He could wait until they got the house in the Inner District before talking about it.

"Is this house still being sold to the Qian Family?" Shen Yao stood in the small courtyard and pointed behind her. They had not yet revealed any intention of moving.

Originally, they had planned to wait until the Qian Family Mercenary Team stabilized, then have Cheng Qi slowly bring it up, trying not to attract attention.

Nowadays, the well-laid plan had all become waste paper. The two of them had worked hard for a circle, and it could also be said they indirectly achieved the idea of not being noticed by people.

Cheng Qi rubbed his chin, "Sell it. It can also serve as a backup." As the saying goes, doing business with an open door: as long as you don't lose money, selling to anyone is selling.

Hearing this, Shen Yao shrugged her shoulders, indicating this matter wasn't urgent. Since Cheng Qi was back, there was an extra labor force available at home at any time. They might as well finish the work in the courtyard first. She was just wondering how to split these firewood logs.

Cheng Qi helplessly rubbed his eyebrow center, waved his hand to let Shen Yao go back to the room to rest. He then took off the coat he was wearing, revealing a pair of muscular arms full of explosive power.

Boom—Crack! ————

The firewood, already dried of moisture, was horizontally chopped into two halves, scattering around the courtyard.

Cheng Qi first dealt with all the firewood that needed processing, then picked them up and placed them by the wall near the doorway. To prevent the firewood from getting damp, he laid thick rainproof cloth both below and above.

After all this was done, Cheng Qi patted his palms, turned around, and went inside.

"Brother Cheng"

The leg stepping in stopped directly. Cheng Qi turned his head and saw someone standing outside the door.

Smiling, he went over to greet the other person. Cheng Qi didn't invite the person inside, giving off a casual air of "just say what you have to say."

The person at the door:...

Fu Yong's mouth corner twitched. He silently cursed Cheng Qi as a person who didn't know a good thing when he saw it. Clearly, a slight show of friendliness would have been enough to stay, but he insisted on being stubborn. It served him right for being kicked out by Brother Qian.

"Brother Cheng, I'm here on behalf of Brother Qian. Brother Qian didn't anticipate today's matter. You..." Fu Yong felt Cheng Qi should lower his head.

"Brother Fu, I'm not suited for the mercenary team. In the future, I'll just simply wander around the base's surroundings. However, if Brother Qian needs the car, it's still a friend's price. After all, Brother Qian kindly invited me at first, and I remember the favor in my heart."

But no matter how many more words, Cheng Qi refused to agree. He still liked freedom and was unwilling to be bound by thoughts.

Qian's shop obviously couldn't suppress those sworn brothers of his, including Fu Yong who had come to find him now. In his heart, he probably looked down on him extremely.

Fu Yong:...

Fu Yong really did look down on Cheng Qi. Coming over this trip was entirely giving face to the car.

Now seeing Cheng Qi's performance was also decent enough, he might as well just leave it at that.

Smiling and exchanging a few polite words, Fu Yong made an excuse that the mercenary team had urgent business, then turned and left.

Cheng Qi:...

Did they really take him for a fool? A mercenary team from Qian's shop—probably had to change its name and identity.

"Who was the person just talking to you?"

"A clown who doesn't understand his own abilities."

"..."

The clown came quickly and left quickly; perhaps Fu Yong didn't want Cheng Qi to return either. No one knew how he had explained things to Qian's shop, and from then on, no one connected with the Qian Family Mercenary Team came knocking again.

Cheng Qi and Shen Yao both became unemployed. The thing they did most on ordinary days was load up Manman, and the three of them drove outside the base to gather food.

In most cases, their visible harvest could barely fill their stomachs, so they basically went out every day. Since they had a car for transportation, no matter the distance, they always returned safely.

In fact, their space was already piled high with far more supplies than they could get outside.

While busy gathering, they also contacted some pearl buyers and gradually completed several deals, including two involving energy-containing pearls.

The house they had their eye on in the Inner District had already been agreed upon with the owner. They chose an early morning, both went to the Housing Administration Bureau to register, and then put their original house up for sale. Shen Yao's great worry about the base was finally resolved, and from then on they could better enjoy life.

"These are the keys to the new house. Let's go take a look first, and move while these few days allow."

Time really flies. They hadn't enjoyed the Mild Season for long before it was about to pass, and the extremely annoying Hot Rainy Season was coming with great force.

The population of the Outer District inside the base was large, and every Hot Rainy Season all sorts of problems would appear.

Shen Yao and the others hadn't encountered it when they came last year, but that didn't mean the house they lived in had no problems.

"Buy whatever you lack directly with pearls from the Exchange Center. There's still some left in the box, enough for our daily expenses."

Part of it had originally been meant to sell to the Qian Family, but since both sides' feelings had scattered so thoroughly, and Cheng Qi and Shen Yao were unwilling to cause trouble over outside matters, they simply sold it all to the Exchange Center.

Although the Exchange Center's prices couldn't compare to private ones, at least the Exchange Center was reliable.

As the facade of the base to the outside, the importance of the Exchange Center was self-evident.

Shen Yao and Cheng Qi had now successfully obtained the Inner District house, and certain potions at the Exchange Center were open to them for purchase permission. What were they waiting for? Of course they had to go buy buy buy.

The two first spent about three days moving the house from the Outer District to the Inner District, then drove to the Exchange Center once, exchanged the pearls for a large amount of points, and then made purchases.

Things like children-exclusive nutrient agents—buy; children-exclusive wristwatches—buy; potions that could stimulate children's growth and development—even more so, buy.

The points that had just come in were returned by Shen Yao in a steady stream. When the two came out holding the child, not only were more than half of the points in the wristwatch emptied, they even owed points to the Exchange Center.

Shen Yao, Cheng Qi:...

Leaving the environment that drove people crazy, the adrenaline bursting from within the body dropped sharply, and people gradually regained calm.

Covering her face with one hand, feeling extremely ashamed, Shen Yao had not yet recovered her senses when she got into the car.

"With our ability to make money, this bit of debt can be paid off quickly. I heard a cake shop opened at the corner ahead. Shall we buy some back to try?"

The Inner District was different from the Outer District. The Outer District was entirely residential with very few shops, while the Inner District had a commercial street like in Modern Society, with a dazzling array of shops that left people overwhelmed, and the prices were also very cost-effective and reasonable.

"Buy it. We've already spent so many points," not lacking this bit at all.

Shen Yao rested her chin, lowered her head to gaze at the chubby daughter in her arms, and a faint smile showed between her eyebrows and eyes.

No matter how you put it, having the Inner District house meant they could be considered thoroughly settled in the base. Their drifting hearts no longer needed to rush about, and all of this was something worth celebrating.

They bought the largest and roundest cake from the cake shop, spending the few points they had left again.

The family of three returned home, first ate a big meal deliciously, then threw themselves into the road of working to earn money and pay off debts.

And their timely move also spared them from a trouble.

Qian's shop and Fu Yong came to find Cheng Qi to borrow a car for a long trip, but didn't expect Cheng Qi's house had already been dealt with. The new owner didn't know them, and after a brief chat they were directly driven away.

The Mutated World offered extremely strong protection for private space. Without permission, forcibly entering someone else's home—even if beaten to death by the owner—required no responsibility whatsoever.

Neither Qian's shop nor Fu Yong knew Cheng Qi's current address, so they could only return empty-handed and chose to do business with the Rental Agency.

Unexpectedly, this time when they went out, the Qian Family Mercenary Team had disunited hearts and directly caused a tragedy.

By the time Shen Yao and Cheng Qi received the news, the Qian Family Mercenary Team had already vanished without a trace. A small-to-medium force of several dozen people had disappeared without a trace.

Shen Yao:... Huh?

"What on earth is going on? Did they run into a group of mutant beasts?"

Shen Yao asked Cheng Qi for news, mainly out of curiosity about the reason for the Qian Family Mercenary Team's destruction.

Cheng Qi spread his hands. "I only heard that when they returned from hunting, an unnecessary conflict occurred within the team, and it had nothing to do with the mutant beasts outside."

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao's expression was hard to describe. Was the Qian Family Mercenary Team really that abstract? They had gotten along quite well before. It shouldn't be like this.

"Before, the Qian Family Mercenary Team had sufficient funds, so everyone could get along harmoniously," Cheng Qi said meaningfully, pointing out that bringing about today's outcome was purely their own doing. Qian's shop's character was good, but he was too easygoing and lacked prestige.

When hearts were scattered and the team's Eldest Brother couldn't resolve it, the outcome was predictable.

Shen Yao sighed, "Qian Eldest Sister-in-law is a decent person. The Qian Family really fell this time."

They fell completely and thoroughly, with no possibility of turning things around at all.

Since this time it belonged to internal strife within the mercenary team, those who died received no compensation.

The great fortune in misfortune was that Qian's shop was still alive, just with injuries to his arms, legs, and feet. To avoid leaving hidden dangers, he had to go to the hospital for treatment.

As for Fu Yong, who had once come to find Cheng Qi and looked down on Cheng Qi? No one knew where his soul had drifted off to.

Cheng Qi found a time and went to the hospital once to visit the hospitalized Qian's shop.

After all, they had once worked together. He couldn't help much, but showing his face was no problem.

"Do Qian Brother and them still plan to run a mercenary team?" Shen Yao picked tonight's vegetables, so tender that a pinch would squeeze out water. Tossed into a cold dish, the taste was excellent.

"They plan to return to live in the Inner District. After so many years, they must have saved some family assets," Cheng Qi took out the bamboo basket he had woven in the studio, arranging them neatly according to body size. "Without having to worry about so many things, just living their own lives well might not be a bad thing for them."

Qian's shop's soft heart was destined to not do well running a mercenary team. It was just that before, his luck was not bad, the mercenary team developed smoothly without any hardships.

Now this one accident came, and along with it the Outer District family assets were all lost. It was estimated that Qian's shop didn't want to experience it again, and in his heart he should have been scared by being tricked.

Shen Yao deeply felt it. It's not poverty that's feared but inequality. Was this matter Qian's shop's fault? Everyone had responsibility.