Aware that Shen Zhigui might step on the gas and drive forward, Chu Jiangyue purposely reminded him.
"I know, just trying to get a feel. It’s been a while since I’ve driven."
This car of Chu Jiangyue’s was mostly driven by the five people in Shen Zhigui’s team. Chu Jiangyue herself probably hasn’t driven it as much as they have.
Hearing Shen Zhigui’s words, Chu Jiangyue recalled that during several outings, the car was driven by Shen Zhigui’s team in rotation, and she, the owner, had very few chances to drive herself.
"Aren’t they off earning some extra cash? Why didn’t you go? Even though this place has just suffered from an attack by mutant crows, there are still quite a few people around."
"Many people volunteered to find someone and carpool. I don’t care for those few silver coins, so I’m not joining the bustle."
The balance in Shen Zhigui’s account was among the highest of all guests at the Jianglin Hotel.
Chu Jiangyue merely asked casually, indifferent to whatever Shen Zhigui’s answer might be.
"It’s about time; I should be able to drive now. Can you tell directions?"
Outside, the snow was a vast expanse of white, making it truly difficult to identify the route to T City by sight.
"I can get the general direction, but can’t guarantee precision."
Shen Zhigui had some skills, and orienting himself was one of them.
However, with the global magnetic fields in chaos and snow everywhere, Shen Zhigui couldn’t be a hundred percent sure of the direction.
"Then I’ll start the navigation for you."
Having said that, Chu Jiangyue deftly opened the navigation system; the enormous arrow reemerged, and Shen Zhigui drove along the direction of that arrow.
With navigation guiding him, Shen Zhigui could divert his attention and observe what Chu Jiangyue was up to in his peripheral vision.
Due to Lou Hongde and others joining, the entire convoy suddenly became much longer, standing out conspicuously in the snow-clad world.
"Isn’t there a jewelry store on the side of this road?"
Driving with his foot on the gas, Shen Zhigui glanced sideways upon hearing Chu Jiangyue’s question: "There does seem to be a jewelry store. Should we stop and take a look?"
The little girl in the backseat lit up at the mention of the jewelry store, clearly eager to visit.
"Let’s stop and take a look. I believe Lou Hongde and the others might also want to stop and check it out."
Obliging, Shen Zhigui parked the car. The little girl cheerfully got out, followed by Chu Jiangyue, and Shen Zhigui also stepped out, hastily catching up with Chu Jiangyue and the little girl.
"There’s quite a bit of jewelry in here."
From a window not obstructed by snow, Chu Jiangyue glimpsed the scene inside the shop.
"Sister, once I get the jewelry, I’ll trade with you right away!"
The little girl began scooping away the snow blocking the door with her hands, soon reddening her delicate hands from the cold.
"Let me do it."
Seeing the little girl manually digging through the snow, Chu Jiangyue couldn’t bear to watch after a couple of glances.
Pulling her away from the shop entrance, she wove a large shovel using her vines and cleared the snow from the jewelry store’s entrance to the side.
"All done. Go in, take whatever you can."
Chu Jiangyue had no interest in the jewelry herself; she stopped to give the girl a chance to collect some.
As they sped away, there was no telling if they’d encounter another jewelry store.
Eyes bright, the little girl exclaimed, "Thank you, brother and sister!"
She dashed into the jewelry store immediately, stuffing the prettiest jewelry she found into her backpack.
Only when her backpack bulged did she finally halt.
Emerging with a full backpack, more people rushed over, racing into the jewelry store to snatch the jewelry.
Along the way, several people eyed the little girl, but considering Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui stood by her, no one dared do anything to her.
"Let’s get back in the car once you’ve got your things."
Giving a vigorous nod, the little girl, with her small backpack, climbed into the backseat of Chu Jiangyue’s car.
"Mr. Shen, aren’t you going to take some?"
While Shen Zhigui wasn’t short on money, who would ever complain about having too much?
"No need. There’ll be other opportunities later."
The people brought by Lou Hongde went wild grabbing jewelry once they learned Chu Jiangyue took some; Shen Zhigui didn’t want to dive into that frenzy.
"In that case, let’s head back."
The jewelry store would be picked clean soon with so many people swarming in. They’ll drive forward once they’ve retreated.
Shen Zhigui nodded, rejoining Chu Jiangyue in the car.
"Sister, I picked a lot of beauties just now!"
As Chu Jiangyue got in, the little girl began sharing with her the jewelry she just collected.
Speaking, she displayed the jewelry to Chu Jiangyue.
"Alright, keep them hidden. We’ll figure out how to cash them in when we can."
Out here, Chu Jiangyue couldn’t exchange them for anything.
The convoy resumed its journey 20 minutes later.
Once confirming everyone was back in the cars, Shen Zhigui pressed the accelerator, moving forward.
"Host, tell Shen Zhigui to speed up!"
Suddenly, Little Fox’s voice jolted Chu Jiangyue out of her sleepiness.
『What’s going on?』
"Mr. Shen, please accelerate."
Despite not understanding why, Shen Zhigui trusted in obedience.
"Okay."
Originally traveling at a steady pace, Shen Zhigui floored the gas pedal.
「A horde of mutant elephants appeared out of nowhere behind us, each as big as a small mountain. If they catch up, our car might end up crushed into the snow!"
What Little Fox didn’t mention was the risk of causing an avalanche if luck ran out!
After all, the weight of a mutant elephant herd was significant enough to cause substantial effects.
Upon Little Fox’s revelation, worry creased Chu Jiangyue’s brow. Just when the situation couldn’t get worse—a swarm of mutant crows followed by mutant elephants.
It’s as if they’re out to get her alone!
『Is there no way to direct us out of this? Where are these elephants headed? Can’t we just change direction?』
Chu Jiangyue truly wished to avoid encountering the mutant elephant herd, at least not now.
「They’re heading towards you, Host, about eight hundred meters away. You’ll need to change direction quickly!"
Perched on Chu Jiangyue’s shoulder, Little Fox responded while scanning the mutant elephant situation.
"Mr. Shen, a herd of elephants is tailing us at a distance of less than eight hundred meters. We need to evade them!"
Chu Jiangyue hurried to communicate the looming threat, disregarding why Shen Zhigui shouldn’t know of the herd—the time was too critical to hold back.
Immediately upon hearing Chu Jiangyue, a tense expression hardened Shen Zhigui’s face.