Chapter 109: Draw

Ai Mi Li gave another hard tug, but Cheng Shuili still wouldn't let go; no matter how you put it, it's a draw for now, but if they keep fighting, who knows.

That's enough.

If Ai Mi Li had really just given her all the supplies, it would show she's either cowardly or hypocritical.

If she just surrendered outright, that would be spineless.

Cheng Shuili had noticed earlier that Ai Mi Li had a dagger tucked at her waist but never drew it, which shows she truly never intended to take Cheng Shuili's life.

This is fine! Her character passes muster!

Mercenaries! Isn't that what we just got?

From now on, we won't need to personally kill anyone!

Cheng Shuili and she had a good talk: 'Alright, alright, I'm letting go now—you can't keep fighting.'

Ai Mi Li frowned, feeling that stalemate like this wasn't going to work either; it was too hot outside, and in just a moment she felt like she was about to get heatstroke.

Cheng Shuili's physique is a bit better, and her heat tolerance is also good.

So Ai Mi Li was drenched in sweat, while Cheng Shuili only broke a light sweat.

You're really puzzling.

Ai Mi Li gave another tug, and Cheng Shuili, sure she wouldn't attack again, quietly let go.

Cheng Shuili felt pleased inside; she'd always lacked confidence, thinking that even if her stats were a bit higher than those martial artists, she might still lose to them.

Today she tried it and discovered that having great strength is really good.

Hehe.

I happen to need someone like you—want to follow me?

Cheng Shuili raised an eyebrow and patted Ai Mi Li on the shoulder.

That whole move and those words came off pretty thuggish.

Ai Mi Li had just been frowning, and hearing that she immediately snapped, 'Follow you?'

Cheng Shuili then realized that phrasing could be ambiguous: 'We don't do things that harm heaven and reason. In the team we share information, occasionally cover a meal or two; besides me there's a cook, a profiteer, a mascot—if you join, you'd be the enforcer.'

Cheng Shuili spread her hands, indicating she had no intention of pressing the matter.

Such things depend on fate; you can't force a melon to be sweet, and you wouldn't trust someone who isn't sincere.

In the end, Ai Mi Li has to make her own choice.

I get the cook, but what are the profiteer and mascot—some new professions?

Cheng Shuili: '……'

She had expected Ai Mi Li to ask about how many meals were covered, what information was available—more practical questions.

She never imagined Ai Mi Li would care only about this.

Ai Mi Li perhaps sensed Cheng Shuili's lack of answer, and after a moment silently extended her hand, saying, 'Then I'll follow you, Boss—is that what you're called? Ailin, reporting for duty.'

No need to be so formal.

Cheng Shuili took her outstretched hand; they shook briefly, etiquette satisfied—any longer and it'd be too hot.

Cheng Shuili didn't say more, immediately hopping back into her own shopping cart.

Ailin hesitated outside for a moment, torn about whether to follow Cheng Shuili, but seeing how decisively she'd closed the door, she ultimately returned to her own vehicle.

That's it? Feels like nothing changed.

It's not just a verbal agreement, is it?

Is there really food to eat?

She was thinking that when she received Cheng Shuili's group chat request.

Group chat!

She's never seen a group chat since she started the server!

Ailin felt a bit excited, wiped her hands with a piece of paper, then clicked the invitation.

【Xin Xue Chuji】: Newcomer?

Xin Xue Chuji?

Ailin had seen that name before; at the time, watching the bland-as-chrysanthemum crowd, someone said Xin Xue Chuji was notorious.

But Ailin thought this person must have made a lot of money, otherwise they wouldn't have such a reputation.

Turns out there was news from Wu Ya—no wonder…

So she's the profiteer, huh?

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Boss brought people in? Is it a brother or a sister?

Although this person only said one sentence, Ailin had already figured out that the mascot was definitely her.

【Wan Yi】: What about Wu Ya? Wasn't she supposed to go kill someone? Why is she inviting people into the group?

All that's left is the cook.

Ailin nodded silently; the team lineup is decent, and with her it's like adding wings to a tiger—coming days should be more comfortable.

Cheng Shuili propped her chin and waited a moment; seeing Ailin hadn't spoken, she had to ping her in the group.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: @Ai Mi Li, speak up.

【Xin Xue Chuji】:!!! Ai Mi Li? Isn't that the—? That killer and looter?!

【Wan Yi】: Boss already brought people in—how could they be bad?

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Wan Yi sis is right.

Ailin had prepared her words, but when Cheng Shuili pinged her she suddenly got nervous, forgot what she'd planned to say, and could only type 'It's me.'

【Xin Xue Chuji】:???

Ailin fell silent again.

In the group, a cold wind whooshed for a moment.

Cheng Shuili also felt it was a bit weird.

How can someone be a chatterbox in real life but socially anxious online?

Ailin stood up and glanced at Cheng Shuili sitting in the car beside her; that look meant only one thing: "Lao Da! Save me!"

Cheng Shuili: "……"

It wasn't like this when we just fought, was it?

Cheng Shuili resignedly acted as a repeater, repeating what Ai Mi Li had just said in the group.

【Xin Xue Chuji】: That's how it is.

【Wan Yi】: Indeed, they deserve to die.

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: If that's the case, Ai Mi Li's older sister must be really strong, right?

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Let's tie with me.

After sending that, Cheng Shuili felt a bit embarrassed; that sentence sounded a bit pretentious.

Ailin stared at the message for a while, silently expressing agreement.

【Ai Mi Li】: Wu Ya is very strong.

【Xin Xue Chuji】: They spoke again! Great!

【Wan Yi】: @Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji, a newcomer has arrived; let's treat them to a nice lunch at noon to welcome them?

That feels very ceremonial.

Cheng Shuili had no objection; Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai and Xinxue were even happier.

【Xin Xue Chuji】: @Ai Mi Li, older sister, you will surely love Wan Yi's older sister's cooking! (picture)(picture)(picture). This is the meal Wan Yi's older sister made before; just looking at it smells good, right? Actually eating it smells even better!

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Exactly! You will definitely like Wan Yi's older sister's cooking!

【Wan Yi】: No need to be polite.

This is the composure of a veteran chef.

Cheng Shuili turned her head to look at Ailin beside her, then noticed that this person's face and neck were both red, this……

Cheng Shuili: "???"

Forget it; this symptom is too rare, it's a difficult and miscellaneous disease, probably can't be cured anytime soon.

The highway merger finally ended.

Cheng Shuili dove into the driver's cabin, stepped on the accelerator and started moving forward!

We've wasted a lot of time today; we need to drive faster.

Xin Xue Chuji waited a while, still no reply from Ai Mi Li; realizing this person might be socially anxious, they stopped waiting for a reply.

It's really strange; this person seems quite normal when speaking in the regional channel, right?

Could it be that they only feel uneasy in the small group?

Xinxue thought, then opened the regional channel to check the latest news.

(End of chapter)