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Chapter 653: Chapter 653: Guide’s Advice
Lin Xiuyuan, however, didn’t remember this place. According to Huang Yunxiang, back then he was young; they had also visited over a decade ago. Probably Xiao Jin still remembered.
"The scenic base has been economically renovated,"
Lu Guanhai said, referring to the clearly patched stone walls.
"Once we get off, let’s not mention this. It’s our first time here,"
Su Xiangzhe reminded, to avoid Lin Tianhui and Huang Yunxiang getting excited about recognizing things.
"Got it, got it. Do you still need to remind me?"
Lin Tianhui retorted.
The employees at the base entrance registration and temperature checking stations watched indifferently as people disembarked from several vehicles.
The temperature check was very strict, they even inspected everyone’s fingernails, and to everyone’s surprise, entry into the city was free; there were no fees required.
"It’s the Base Leader’s directive. Crystal Cores are useless even when collected. If we took resources, people would fight us over them, so we might as well not take anything,"
explained an employee.
"This Base Leader really sees things clearly,"
Nie Qing said with a laugh, and as they walked around inside, the ancient-style architecture was neat, not dirty or messy, so he didn’t feel it was too dismal.
The family found the housing management office of the base and wanted to rent a residence with a yard, but the staff at the office told them to pick any unoccupied residence they liked, without needing Crystal Cores.
"Just find any place to live?"
Lin Xiuyuan asked incredulously. Wasn’t this too casual?
"As long as it’s not occupied by anyone,"
the employee emphasized again without lifting his head.
The family, having no choice, walked out and headed further into the base.
"Excuse me, is this your first time here?"
A skinny middle-aged man suddenly appeared beside them and asked.
"Hmm,"
Lu Hao continued walking forward with his family without responding.
"I can be your guide. You can ask me anything you don’t understand. Just give me something to eat in return. How’s that?"
No sooner had the man’s nearly pleading words ended than several other men and women ran out, stating they could also serve as guides for food, indicating that just a bit would suffice.
"I can too, even a piece of biscuit will do!"
"Choose me, I haven’t eaten anything in two days,"
"Please choose me,"
The appearance of Lu Hao and his group had already caught the attention of those self-proclaimed "guides" by the roadside. Although the group deliberately wore simple old clothes, their inherent demeanor still made it evident that they were capable Special Ability Users.
Capable Special Ability Users usually have some resources.
"Let’s go with you,"
Lu Hao pointed to the skinny middle-aged man who had appeared first; this man had already been pushed to the back by a crowd of others, and he wasn’t interested in picking someone else based on appearance. First come, first served—it was only fair.
"Tch~loser,"
a man looked resentfully at Lu Hao and muttered under his breath.
The next second, he was knocked aside onto the stone pavement by a hard fist.
Lin Xiuyuan sheathed the fist that had transformed into Ice Fist and looked down at the man on the ground, saying, "Watch your mouth, not everyone can be cursed at casually."
Dare to curse his brother-in-law? That punch of his was a lesson in how disaster comes from the mouth.
"Xiao Tian, let’s go."
Lu Hao didn’t continue to pay attention to the man on the ground. His gaze shifted around, and the Guides who were watching the excitement instantly fell silent and dared not make any more comments.
Their Guide was Qian Peng. He generally didn’t speak much. First, he planned to find a place for the family to live; upon learning they wanted a spacious house with a yard, he immediately thought of a place.
"Actually, Crystal Cores are still circulated in the base, it’s just that our base hasn’t planned to collect Crystal Cores since the blizzard, probably because they feel everyone has it tough."
As Qian Peng spoke, he led the family to a quaint courtyard.
"Is this... a temple?"
Lin Tianhui incredulously looked at a Buddha statue in the central hall and asked.
"This place used to be a scenic area, actually not having many residential houses. The shops facing the streets have all been occupied by people, and there are dormitory buildings that were built later. If you guys want spacious places with a yard, only these kinds of large and small temples are left."
Qian Peng explained, and besides, no one believes in the Buddha or anything like that anymore.
After hearing this, the family still went inside for a look around. Indeed, the place was spacious, and although it had only one floor, there were many rooms inside; however, the Buddha statue in the center was somewhat an eyesore.
"Oh well, let’s settle here, grandma will definitely like it,"
Lin Xiuyuan whispered to Lin Tianhui.
Not knowing the situation inside the H Province base, the family didn’t let Lin Yunguo and Li Xiuying enter the base with them, and the elderly couple hadn’t taken the face-changing pill either.
However, ultimately, the family decided to stay here for now. One reason was that the courtyard was surrounded by open ground on all sides and didn’t have other people living close by, making it seem quite private.
"Let’s just settle here,"
Lu Hao took out a thick pancake and handed it to Qian Peng.
"A pancake? Is this a pancake?!"
Startled, Qian Peng almost sat down on the ground, then looked around to make sure there was no one outside the gate before he stuffed the pancake inside his jacket.
The family understood that Qian Peng was probably worried someone might steal his item, so they didn’t say anything. Lu Hao then continued to ask him about other matters.
"What?! You actually want to sell supplies?"
Qian Peng looked at Lu Hao in surprise. He hadn’t misheard, had he?
"We just received some supplies, afraid that they might expire, we’re just not sure if there are people in the base willing to exchange them for Crystal Cores,"
Lu Hao inquired tentatively, as the base seemed quite deserted without much foot traffic.
"If that’s the case, I’d advise you not to sell just yet,"
Qian Peng lowered his head and sighed.
"Why?"
Su Xiangzhe asked in bewilderment. It was their first time meeting someone recommending not to sell supplies in the base.
"Humans have changed; people in the base regard food as valuable as life. If they knew you have enough supplies to sell, I’m afraid some might band together to rob you,"
Qian Peng felt that since Lu Hao had chosen him and given him a large pancake, it was only right to give these people a good warning.
Anyone could enter or leave this base, so many people are unafraid of anything. Those with supplies are especially likely to be targeted for aggressive robberies. Just today, Lin Xiuyuan’s punch gave others the impression they’re not to be messed with; otherwise, a bunch of ill-intentioned people would certainly be following them by now.
"So you mean to say, hitting that guy was actually the right move?"
Lin Xiuyuan laughed, entertained by the thought of someone trying to rob their supplies. Now things were getting interesting.
