"Someone who has helped me."
When Chu Jiangyue went out today to meet the elderly woman, Shen Zhigui and the others weren’t around, so they didn’t know she had contacted someone else today.
However, when Shen Zhigui heard Chu Jiangyue’s words, they took on a different meaning.
"Isn’t this your first time at the B City Safety Base?"
How come upon arrival, she’s already acquainted with someone and planning to bring them back to Jianglin Hotel.
This time, Shen Zhigui even forgot to address her as Boss Chu.
"It’s my first time here, but it doesn’t mean this is our first meeting." She wasn’t visiting the B City Safety Base for the first time.
But Chu Jiangyue was very tactful and chose not to say this.
After all, old customers like Shen Zhigui and the others knew that since the zombie virus outbreak, Chu Jiangyue had barely left Jianglin Hotel.
It’s also her first time at the B City Safety Base.
But when Chu Jiangyue mentioned that this wasn’t their first meeting, Shen Zhigui’s mood slightly sank.
"Is that so? A friend of Boss Chu?"
However, as far as Shen Zhigui knew, didn’t Chu Jiangyue have a falling out with a friend named Zhen?
How come at the base, another friend appeared out of thin air?
"Sort of. I’ll get up early tomorrow and go find her."
Chu Jiangyue hadn’t noticed Shen Zhigui’s displeasure and was still lost in the fantasy of bringing the elderly woman back to Jianglin Hotel.
"Let’s eat first; we’ll talk about tomorrow’s matters tomorrow."
Seeing Shen Zhigui’s gloomy face, Jiang He quickly diverted their attention.
Regardless, they had to eat.
Chu Jiangyue casually found a seat, not realizing that after she sat down, Shen Zhigui took a seat next to her.
"Cough, cough..."
Su Zhucheng’s eyes darted back and forth between Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui, strategically coughing twice when Chu Jiangyue noticed.
"Let’s eat."
Chu Jiangyue gave him a puzzled look, not understanding what he was embarrassed about, and focused on eating.
*
The next day, Chu Jiangyue woke up when the dawn was just breaking.
Only she and Shen Zhigui lived on the second floor; everyone else stayed on the first floor.
As Chu Jiangyue exited her room, the door to the room opposite happened to open as well.
"Morning!"
Seeing Shen Zhigui, Chu Jiangyue naturally greeted him.
"Morning."
Shen Zhigui nodded slightly and replied.
The others hadn’t woken up yet, but Chu Jiangyue didn’t plan to disturb them.
She intended to use this time to find the elderly woman.
In her past interactions with the elderly woman, she often visited to chat.
She knew the elderly woman’s daily routine.
Seniors are light sleepers; they go to bed early and wake up early.
After arriving at the base, with no evening activities, the elderly woman would finish her dinner and go to bed.
The next day, she would almost always wake up as soon as dawn broke.
So, going over now, Chu Jiangyue didn’t have to worry about disturbing the elderly woman.
"Heading out? I’ll accompany you."
Noticing Chu Jiangyue didn’t eat breakfast and was ready to leave, Shen Zhigui quickly followed.
Chu Jiangyue glanced at Shen Zhigui but didn’t stop him.
"I’m going to the outer area; are you sure you want to come along?"
The outer area’s environment is much poorer than the inner area.
Judging by Shen Zhigui’s usual behaviors, Chu Jiangyue thought he might have a mild cleanliness obsession.
But he rarely exhibited his emotions, so few could notice these details.
If Chu Jiangyue hadn’t learned to read people while living in the B City Safety Base in a past life, she wouldn’t have observed so keenly.
"Yes, the outer area isn’t as safe as the inner area; you might be at a disadvantage as a girl."
Although, given Chu Jiangyue’s strength, it’s probably others who should be worried, Shen Zhigui held this double standard.
Chu Jiangyue raised an eyebrow; she went there yesterday too, why didn’t he mention the disadvantage then?
But she knew Shen Zhigui meant well, and eventually, she didn’t refuse.
In the early morning, with the sun yet to rise, the temperature was slightly cooler, occasionally seeing people coming out of their rooms.
However, the calm demeanor of Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui still attracted a lot of attention.
Upon seeing both wearing temperature control suits like the patrol team, people knew they were likely well-off.
Temperature control suits, even at Jianglin Hotel, were a rare item sold for 20 silver coins, something ordinary people couldn’t afford for a tool with a lifespan of only 3 days.
At the base, except for a few with high power levels, most couldn’t afford temperature control suits.
When they couldn’t stand it, they cooled off at the safety corridor at the base’s entrance, relieving a lot of discomfort.
Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui became the focal points for many.
"Where’s the person you’re looking for in the outer area?"
Shen Zhigui accompanied Chu Jiangyue, passing through the trading zone, heading to the base’s outer area.
People here rose earlier than those in the inner zone, with many already out working.
Chu Jiangyue had no interest in others, directly leading Shen Zhigui to the small house where the elderly woman lived.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Chu Jiangyue gently knocked three times on the door.
"Coming."
Upon hearing the sound from inside, Shen Zhigui was momentarily stunned.
The person Chu Jiangyue wanted to bring back to Jianglin Hotel is an elderly woman?
When the elderly woman opened the door, Shen Zhigui finally came to his senses.
"Hello, ma’am, I’m Jiang Yue’s friend, Shen Zhigui."
Knowing the person Chu Jiangyue wanted to bring back to Jianglin Hotel was an elderly woman, Shen Zhigui’s mood quickly improved; even when speaking to her, he became much gentler.
"Hello, young lady, why are you here?"
The elderly woman greeted Shen Zhigui before turning to Chu Jiangyue.
"Ma’am, we’re heading to Jianglin Hotel today with Captain Song’s team, and I’d like to invite you to come with us."
Chu Jiangyue knew that Song Chengjun, when looking for people, would prioritize younger and stronger individuals, worried that with the elderly woman’s age, she might encounter problems on the road.
But Chu Jiangyue had confidence in herself; she wouldn’t let the elderly woman have issues on the way.
"Going to Jianglin Hotel?"
The elderly woman, having stayed at the base, certainly heard people talk about Jianglin Hotel.
She knew it was a magical place, but given her age, she thought it wiser not to travel unnecessarily.
So she never considered leaving the base for Jianglin Hotel.
However, she was surprised that Chu Jiangyue, whom she only briefly met yesterday, invited her to Jianglin Hotel.
Though grateful for the invitation, she also didn’t want to be a burden to others.
"I’m too advanced in age to compete for the youngsters’ spots; if I need anything, I’ll go to the base to exchange for it."
Many supplies were purchased at the base, meant for residents to exchange.
Having Jianglin Hotel indeed improved the living standards of base residents considerably.
"No, you won’t take someone else’s spot; we have our own team and are merely traveling alongside Captain Song’s team."
Chu Jiangyue quickly explained the situation about the spots; they had their vehicle and didn’t need to freeload from the base.