Wasteland Border Inspector-Chapter 248 - 115: Material Harvest, Li Changfeng’s Friendship Fee

Chapter 248: Chapter 115: Material Harvest, Li Changfeng’s Friendship Fee

"Oh, I didn’t see you using electric cars. Is it because of the energy shortage?"

"Not exactly. It’s because the factory needs energy, so we prioritize it there. Besides, New Province has plenty of oil fields, and the amount we extract is enough for cars, so there’s no need for electric vehicles."

Just as he spoke, the first dish was served.

Tomato scrambled eggs.

Green scallions were sprinkled on the red and white chunks, and the aroma of sweet and sour wafted through the air.

Cheng Ye wasn’t hungry, yet his Adam’s apple couldn’t help but move, making Li Changfeng laugh:

"Go ahead, help yourself. When I visit Happiness City, just make sure I get fed."

"That’s easy, there’s plenty of nutrient paste for sure."

Cheng Ye picked up his chopsticks, delivering a piece of scrambled egg into his mouth.

The tender taste of the egg mixed with the slight acidity of the tomato exploded on his tongue, making him squint with comfort.

It had been so long, long enough for him to almost forget the pure satisfaction of his taste buds.

But tonight, whether it was the beef hotpot or the dishes in front of him, they brought back a sense of primal joy.

"How is it?"

Cheng Ye didn’t speak, only picked up another bite, swallowing rice mixed with the juice.

Delicious!

"Eat slowly, there are three more dishes." Li Changfeng laughed as he poured him a glass of fruit juice, the amber liquid with ice cubes bobbing inside, "This is concentrated berry juice, it’s delicious."

Cheng Ye took a big sip from the glass, the icy sweetness smoothly sliding down his throat, sending a shiver through him.

Sitting with a new friend in the warm light, eating a hot meal, chatting about trivial matters.

Cheng Ye suddenly felt that the most precious thing about this Firewood journey, something he wouldn’t forget for the next decade, might not be the Flying Wing and the four-piece set he acquired.

But rather, this moment.

The present instant.

Whether it was freedom or stability, in the end, they all landed in these ordinary moments of everyday life.

After the meal.

The four dishes were nearly all devoured by Cheng Ye, who even mixed the last bit of sauce with rice and finished it.

Li Changfeng didn’t eat much, just sat beside him smiling, occasionally refilling the juice, an understanding gleam in his eyes.

Letting out a long burp, Cheng Ye leaned against the chair, rubbing his belly, too content to move.

After a while, he pondered:

"I want to buy a few bags of flour, a few bags of rice, and some plant seeds, but I only have Happiness Coins on me, I wonder..."

"Ten bags of flour, ten bags of rice, all a hundred kilograms each, plus two loads of various seeds, is that enough?"

Li Changfeng smiled, "I’ll give them to you, consider it a friendship fee, you can pay me back double in the future."

"Friendship fee?"

Cheng Ye was taken aback for a moment, then picked up the glass on the table, the juice still half remaining, "I’ll remember that, so you’ll have to visit Happiness City in the future. Right now... hmm, maybe it can’t meet your expectations, but in the future, it might."

Li Changfeng’s eyes brightened, immediately raising his own glass of juice: "Deal!"

"Deal!"

...

"Inspector Cheng, you’re back."

Bai Wei was still standing at the Fog Cave entrance, smiling when he saw Cheng Ye descend from the Flying Wing Assault Unit.

"How does it feel?"

"Not bad."

Cheng Ye grinned, "Li Inspector and I bought some rice and flour, not sure..."

"Just bring it over, it’s your right."

Bai Wei waved nonchalantly, "You have duty tomorrow, so you can go back and rest. I’ll keep an eye out that you get everything, ensuring not a single thing is missing."

He paused, adding: "Also, if you owe Li Inspector, Happiness City can help you pay it off."

"No need."

Cheng Ye shook his head, "What I got tonight is already enough, enough for me to digest for many days."

Bai Wei didn’t press further, instead giving a thumbs up. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

His complex expression was filled with approval, certainty, and a hint of understanding.

Cheng Ye turned and headed for the passage, looking back as he approached the rest area entrance, waving towards the Fog Cave’s direction.

He knew Li Changfeng couldn’t see him, but he still wanted to say goodbye.

Although this time he didn’t add a number on Defense Communication, gaining a new friend at Firewood from thousands of miles away made the trip truly worthwhile!

"Employer, you’re back."

Long was still guarding the door, quickly approaching with two young men when he saw Cheng Ye.

Master Zhang was also leaning against the wall, dozing.

"Um, how come you guys haven’t gone back to sleep?"

"We couldn’t sleep with you still inside." Long scratched his head, gesturing to the rear compartment of the bus, "Plus, they won’t let cars out now, so we have to guard the salted fish on the bus, in case anyone steals it."

"Thoughtful of you."

Cheng Ye smiled, "I’ll need your help later, I bought some rice and flour that need to be taken out."

"Don’t worry, you can count on us!"

Long patted his chest in assurance, the two young men nodding in agreement.

Once they were arranged to wait at the door, Cheng Ye returned to the bus and resumed charging the pendant.

[Current charging efficiency: Ordinary (lv.3 energy)]

[Time left to full charge: 4h]

The numbers on the panel flickered, charging from 0% to 100% would take a total of four hours, even at a 100kw efficiency!

Cheng Ye rubbed his temples; it seemed he wouldn’t be returning to his place to sleep tonight.

It was already 3 AM, and he had to start his shift at 7, just enough time to fully charge the pendant.

And considering the time to reach the South Inspection Station, he’d need an excuse to buy some time.

Otherwise, running into Liu Kun without a charge would be problematic.

How did that saying go?

Technology, I want.

Extraordinary, I want too!

It’s just a few days of hardship, once he gains strength, there’ll be plenty of time to rest.

Opening the bus door, he was met by the fishy smell of salted fish, contrasting oddly with the lingering fragrance of the meal in his mouth.

Cheng Ye walked to the middle of the bus, grabbing an empty sack to lie down.

Even though he had no sleepiness, his mind full of swirling thoughts.

Yet, for some reason, a strange sense of peace washed over him, leaving his mind free of distractions.

He closed his eyes slightly, and before he knew it, his consciousness, like dandelion seeds blown by the wind, gently drifted into deep sleep.

Maybe it was anticipation.

Or perhaps having clearer goals.

Besides growing stronger, Cheng Ye found himself with additional ambitions.

The lights of Firewood Shelter City had planted a seed in his heart, realizing that rebuilding a modern city on this wasteland might indeed be possible.

The old-time fireworks he once cherished, the stability of the modern age, could be replicated on this land.

And with a collector at his side, perhaps he could outdo Firewood Shelter City!

...

Ding.

It seemed he had just laid down when the alarm went off.

Cheng Ye sat up, grabbing the Defense Communication beside him to check the time, it was 6:50 AM.

The bus interior was bright, and a thin layer of frost adorned the glass windows. Rubbing it with his fingertips revealed the clear morning light outside.

The dense fog enveloping the Public Works Bureau had completely dissipated, restoring visibility to a kilometer range.

Cheng Ye descended from the bus, seeing Long, Master Zhang, and a couple of young men all sleeping, leaning against the piled rice bags outside.

Twenty bags of rice and flour stacked like a small mountain, each weighing a hundred kilograms, amounting to two tons in total.

Beside them stood ten barrels of cooking oil, each weighing 20 kilograms, marked with "Exclusive Firewood Supply."

Additionally, there were two large sacks of various seasonings.

There were even five large cardboard boxes, and when Cheng Ye opened one, he found them full of sealed cans.

Beef, vegetables, fruits, all neatly arranged.

Looking at this pile, Cheng Ye couldn’t help but glance towards the rest area, acknowledging Li Changfeng’s thoughtful preparation, sending it all in one go.

It wasn’t just rice and flour; it seemed like winter supplies for living out of the city were prepared for him.

He stood there in a daze for a while, a heavy sense of security welling up within him.

Salted fish, rice, grain, oil, seasonings...

Once the inspection station completely shut down for winter, without needing inspectors to be on duty.

Even if it reached a point where they had to find shelter, food would not be a worry.

...