Mu Qingfeng pointed at the still open window, signaling the two of them to look for themselves.
In truth, he simply had no mood to sleep, and he figured these two should not get to sleep happily either. Brothers were supposed to share hardship, weren’t they?
“My goodness, there are so many people down there! Where did they come from?”
“Are you stupid?” Jun Buyan snapped.
Fatty was already used to Xiao Yan’s sharp tongue and did not care at all. He kept asking, “Could it be Pi San and his people?”
After Fatty got to know Shang Da and the others, he had practically interrogated them about everything. He naturally knew why they had fled the base.
So he also knew about He Lingyu’s feud with Pi San, and he had even heard about that domineering, legendary scene. Still, since the three of them had not witnessed it, it was hard to fully believe. He Lingyu looked like an ordinary person with no powers.
But since they knew she and Pi San were enemies, their first guess was that it was Gaofei Base coming.
Mu Qingfeng nodded. “I saw Pi San’s face flash through the crowd earlier.”
That confirmed it. Gaofei Base had come to seek revenge.
“Then what are we waiting for? Hurry and wake Xiao Yu and Auntie Yue up. Is this really the time to chat?!” Fatty jumped up, not understanding why his boss was so calm.
“Don’t tell me… Boss, are you waiting for them to defeat Xiao Yu so you can swoop in and take over the restaurant? Boss, betraying loyalty isn’t right… ah…”
His voice grew smaller and smaller. There was no helping it. Under the joint stare of Mu Qingfeng and Jun Buyan, he shut up completely.
Mu Qingfeng looked at him as if he were an idiot.
“I already called her. She said it’s fine. We’ll deal with it in the morning.”
“…Oh.”
Fatty choked, then said something that left Mu Qingfeng even more speechless. “So, boss, when there’s danger, you don’t call us first even though we’re closer, you go downstairs to Xiao Yu first?”
Mu Qingfeng fell silent. Then, as if silence was not the right response, he explained, “You’re ability users, what would I be afraid of? She’s an ordinary person, and she’s our boss. Of course I had to tell her first.”
Fatty was convinced. He nodded. “Right, right. Hehe, I misunderstood you, boss.”
Jun Buyan stayed by the window, watching Mu Qingfeng for a long moment.
Was it really like that, Brother Mu?
Jun Buyan had noticed Mu Qingfeng’s changes these days. Ever since hearing about Aunt Lan’s death, Mu Qingfeng’s mood had been off, but after coming to the restaurant, he had changed a lot.
Fatty was too slow to see it, but Brother Mu, did he believe his own explanation?
Still, Mu Qingfeng’s mood had improved, and Jun Buyan chose not to say anything. If it was a positive development, letting it be for a while was not necessarily bad… probably.
“Look! They’re about to climb the wall. Are we really not doing anything?” Fatty suddenly said.
As Jun Buyan studied Mu Qingfeng, Fatty noticed movement below.
Now none of them had room for other thoughts. Mu Qingfeng stood too, and the three of them crowded at the window.
Was it really fine? Mu Qingfeng wanted to ask the same thing, but remembering He Lingyu’s firm tone, he said, “Let’s watch first.”
Then the three of them saw it.
A lackey grabbed the top of the low wall, then sprang upward.
He did not make it.
“My goodness, did I see that wrong?”
“You didn’t. I saw it too.” Jun Buyan narrowed his eyes at the wall. “Looks like Sister He isn’t as ordinary as she seems.”
It was a pointed remark. Mu Qingfeng heard it, but he did not respond. Instead, he said, “Watch a little longer. If nothing happens, go to sleep. Tomorrow she’ll explain it.”
You’re that sure?
They watched for a while longer. The pattern repeated, climb, fail, switch to the next person, repeat.
“…”
The three exchanged a look.
“Let’s sleep.”
Outside by the wall:
“You useless trash! You can’t even climb a wall this low. Were your abilities awakened for nothing?” Pi San scolded, but since he did not dare shout, it sounded oddly lacking in confidence.
“Third Master, it’s not that we can’t. It feels like the moment we get up there, there’s a barrier, like a taller wall blocking the way. We just can’t pass.”
“Yeah, yeah!”
The others who had tried earlier chimed in.
Pi San snapped, “Shut up, trash!”
Then he bent down at the wall, placed both hands on the edge, and said, “Watch and learn what climbing a wall looks like!”
He pushed off, nimbly hopped onto the wall, and lifted his head. Something about the courtyard felt different.
But it was too dark, and the restaurant had its lights out. He could not see clearly, and he did not care about those details. He immediately tried to jump down.
Then…
“Ah!”
Damn it.
Pi San cursed under his breath, rubbing his tailbone. He really could not get in.
“Pfft.”
A stifled laugh came from behind. Someone immediately covered their mouth. Pi San could not tell who it was. He gave an angry snort, spat, “Stay here,” and strode away.
In the distance sat a man in a chair, a woman on his lap, with two guards at his side.
It was Gaofei Base’s leader, Yuan Gaofei.
“Sir, we… can’t get in. That wall feels like it’s been enchanted. None of our people can climb over it,” Pi San reported.
Yuan Gaofei gave a cold snort, about to speak, when the woman in his arms spoke first.
“Oh my, even someone as capable as Third Master can’t handle it~ Looks like we’ll have to rely on you, my lord. Gaofei Base simply can’t do without you~”
The woman wrapped her arms around Yuan Gaofei’s neck and twisted in his lap like a water snake.
“Hahaha!” Yuan Gaofei laughed, thoroughly pleased by her flattery. Forgetting all about scolding Pi San, he gave her curvy backside a squeeze. “Then I’ll go take a look myself!”
The woman rose smoothly from his lap. “Of course you can handle it, my lord~”
Yuan Gaofei strode toward the restaurant. Pi San glanced at the woman still standing behind, only to realize she was looking at him as well. Their eyes met. She curved her lips into a faint smile.
Pi San paused, not daring to stare any longer, and hurried after Yuan Gaofei.
Left alone, the woman let out a soft, ambiguous chuckle.
“Sir!”
The people gathered by the low wall lowered their heads the moment they saw Yuan Gaofei approach.
“Move.”
Yuan Gaofei shot a sideways glance at the person blocking his path. The man froze for a second before someone beside him quickly dragged him away.
“It’s just a wall. None of you can get over it?”
No one dared respond.
Yuan Gaofei gave a cold snort and placed his hand on the wall. “Watch carefully and learn what real climbing looks like.”
The line sounded eerily familiar. The surrounding men fell even quieter. Some even sneaked glances at Pi San, whose face had turned ashen.
Then, unsurprisingly…
“Hiss!”
Silence reigned supreme.
“Sir, are you alright?” Pi San asked, suppressing his laughter while keeping a straight face as he helped Yuan Gaofei up.
“I just lost my footing.” Yuan Gaofei brushed it off. “Forget it. I’m tired tonight. We won’t go in. We’ll wait until daylight tomorrow and reassess.”
Everyone tactfully said nothing. After all, he might not be able to climb the wall, but he could certainly beat them.
The night fell completely silent.
…
Early the next morning, He Lingyu stretched lazily as she got out of bed.
The moment she opened the door, three burly men were standing outside.
“Whoa… you weren’t waiting for me, were you?”
“What do you think?” Fatty said.
He Lingyu let out two awkward laughs. “I’ll head downstairs now.”
Early that morning, everyone except her was already awake. Mu Qingfeng had stopped Hua Yue when she tried to open the door, telling her to wait until He Lingyu woke up.
He had not expected her to sleep so peacefully. Did she really not care about those people at all?
After coming downstairs, He Lingyu personally opened the restaurant’s front door and looked outside.
Those people thought they were hiding well, but there were only a few trees left on the wasteland. The rest had already been chopped down by Shang Da and the others while doing missions. Their so called hiding spots looked utterly ridiculous.
Behind a tree:
“Sir, they opened the door!”
“Let’s go. I want to see what this restaurant is all about.”
With an arm around his beauty, Yuan Gaofei led the group toward the restaurant.
“They’re coming,” Mu Qingfeng said calmly beside He Lingyu.
“Oh, they really are. Let them in. Guests are guests, after all.” He Lingyu raised a brow and smiled lightly, her words leaving everyone puzzled.
She was usually shy and easily embarrassed, yet today she seemed completely different, almost bold.
Strangely, Mu Qingfeng did not find this side of her off putting. Instead, she seemed more vivid, more alive. How should he describe it? It was like she was gradually blending into their world, beginning to reveal her true personality.
Unexpectedly adorable.
When Yuan Gaofei’s group reached the restaurant, they found the doors wide open. It was obvious the people inside had noticed them, yet they made no move.
Remembering what had happened the night before, Yuan Gaofei felt a flicker of unease. Could this be some kind of empty city ruse? Or were they planning to trap him like a turtle in a jar?
Tch. I’m no turtle.
He shook his head. Even if he felt uneasy, as the leader of a base he could not retreat without a fight. What would happen to his authority then?
He glanced back at the large group behind him and felt more confident. With this many people, how could they possibly lose?
Besides, the restaurant looked luxurious and extraordinary. If he could claim it for himself… their base could survive for quite a long time.
As long as the ability users were fed, that was enough. Those useless civilians did not deserve any.
Lost in his thoughts, he did not even notice his grin stretching wider and wider.
“You, and you. Go inside first and check it out.”
Yuan Gaofei casually pointed at two men behind him. Officially, he was sending them to scout. In truth, they were just disposable probes.
Even Pi San had to admit defeat when it came to Yuan Gaofei’s ruthlessness. Pi San might imitate him, but he still lacked the skill.
The two men’s expressions darkened, yet they had no choice but to obey. In this lawless apocalypse, only the strong had the right to speak. Since they depended on Yuan Gaofei, they had to follow his orders.
The moment they stepped through the restaurant entrance…
A sudden burst of furious barking erupted beside them.