Ren Zhong’s face lit up with joy, tears of gratitude streaming down, "This... I’m so grateful, Captain Lin! How could I ever repay you!"
Lin Wang: "No need to be polite, just follow me. One day, you’ll definitely be able to return to the city."
Ren Zhong’s hands still trembled with excitement, "Thank you so much, thank you so much!"
"No problem. Ren Zhong, you’re smart and talented. What I said yesterday about having faith in you wasn’t just pleasantry. Now, I’ve already considered you as my reserve team member. Once you reach the third level, you can join my team ahead of time."
"Yeah!"
At 6:50, Ren Zhong left with the tea that Pan Fenglian gave him, right on time.
Once he left, under the admiring gaze of Bei Lihui and others, Lin Wang resumed his routine operations and meticulous analysis.
Finally, Lin Wang concluded that Ren Zhong was not only usable but also highly effective.
Ren Zhong rode his bike back to his apartment and called Yujin out, handing him a packet of tea, "This pack of tea is good stuff sold at the supply and marketing co-op. Tear off the packaging, dump the tea into a plastic bag, and sell it at the flea market to traveling merchants. There will be discerning merchants who can offer at least 25 points."
Yujin accepted it honestly.
He no longer rejected Ren Zhong’s kindness; he couldn’t refuse even if he wanted.
"Including this morning’s earnings, how much savings do you have left?"
"There are 17 points, sir."
"Alright, once you sell the tea, go to the military weapon store to buy a first-level heavy sniper and also get a biochemical combat suit to start training. After you change your gear, don’t sit idle during the day, try hunting solo. I’ll lend you my motorcycle during the day. I believe you can do it."
"Uh, sir, the heavy sniper costs 80 points, and the combat suit is 40 points. I don’t have enough."
"No problem, just tell Manager Ju that you’re my friend, and you can get it on credit. I’ll cover the rest later. You can also pick the ammo you buy."
"Ah..."
"Don’t stand on ceremony with me. This is as much as I can help you; the rest of the journey you have to walk yourself. Go on."
"Alright, thank you, sir."
After bidding Yujin farewell, he went home to browse the internet casually, made a small trade, and unloaded two poor stocks that he was holding, successfully creating two green transaction records.
Amidst a sea of red, the two green dots were exceptionally pleasing to the eye.
He waited until 9:30 before heading out to meet Sun Miao again.
12,000 points were in hand.
Sun Miao went all out this time, even exceeding the financing target.
When they were parting, Sun Miao clasped Ren Zhong’s hand tightly, a stark departure from his usual gentle and easy-going demeanor, "Ren Zhong, this time I’m counting on you. All my capital is in this; if it fails, 20,000 wastelanders in Starfire Town won’t afford medical care."
Ren Zhong nodded sincerely, "Don’t worry, Brother Sun. Rest assured in my work. In this life, brothers, if it really comes to a loss, I’ll cover you even if I have to sell my blood."
"Okay!"
...
At 9:55, the Thunderbolt Car drove out of the high walls of Starfire Town.
He began high-intensity night hunting again.
Not for money, but to enhance combat strength.
Due to his brain reaction index being severely over the top, his shortcoming once again became physical fitness, making virtual reality training less cost-effective.
Training during the day was comfortable, and he could continue at night.
Besides, starting from the seventeenth night since the last resurrection, he had stopped the high-intensity night hunts.
It wasn’t because he couldn’t handle it; rather, the Ruined Beasts around Starfire Town couldn’t withstand his devastating hunts.
His intelligence database was exhausted.
Alone at night, he didn’t dare to venture into unknown places recklessly.
Although he had considerable strength now, encountering a third-level Ruined Beast without prior preparation, or a fourth-level Ruined Beast, would still spell his doom.
This time, things were different.
He had even been to the abandoned mines and had ample supplies.
Even though the interior of the mines was temporarily off-limits, he was well-acquainted with the first and second-level Ruined Beasts around the perimeter, ready to greet them one by one.
...
The seventeenth day, in the evening.
The team courtyard.
Everyone was satisfied with today’s haul; Ou Youning went to see an old acquaintance, Bai Feng went to supervise Ou Youning.
Wen Lei went to the training ground.
Zheng Tian went to the military weapon store.
In the courtyard, only Ren Zhong and Hanyu were left.
Last night, he clumsily dismantled a third-level Ruins Beast Crystal, and Ren Zhong resumed his humble quest for knowledge.
But tonight, his real intention was to inquire about Hanyu’s background.