Chapter 45: A Simple Outing

Yan Ning arrived with three members of the security team. The four of them possessed abilities ranging from tier 4 to tier 5, and they would protect him within a perimeter of roughly 20 meters.

Yan Ning handed a device resembling an earpiece to Shuisheng: "Put this on."

"What is this?" Shuisheng asked.

"A directional wireless earpiece and intercom," Yan Ning replied. "Wearing it might feel like you are listening to music through headphones, but in reality, you cannot. It only allows you to hear our voices through the intercom, and lets us hear yours as well. It also has a built-in positioning device so we can keep track of your location at all times."

"Oh." Shuisheng put it on as instructed.

"You are free to move around now. Do not look around at us casually, so as not to arouse the suspicion of the enemy." Yan Ning moved about 20 meters away from him and spoke through the intercom earpiece, his voice coming through clearly.

Enemy? Mei Yulang? If someone capable of stealing your eldest miss's underwear decides to show up, can you guys even block him?

Courtyard No. 3 was a large compound resembling a residential community, enclosed by walls with an entrance and exit on every side. Each access point was manned by members of the Yan family's 3rd Security Team.

Shuisheng walked out through the southern gate. The guards at the southern gate had already been briefed by Yan Ning, so they did not question the unfamiliar youth.

"Captain, the situation on the street outside the south gate is normal," a guard's voice came through the earpiece.

"Good, keep monitoring," Yan Ning said.

After taking a couple of steps, Shuisheng walked toward a dumpling and wonton shop, and spoke softly into the intercom microphone: "I'm going to have some dumplings. Have you guys eaten lunch yet? Shall I treat you all?"

There was a silence on the earpiece for a moment.

Shortly after, Yan Ning spoke: "Everyone grab a bite at different shops. I'll eat at the same shop as him. Also, tailing you is official business, so we pay for our own meals. No need to treat us."

After finishing his meal, Shuisheng strolled along the street. This area did not belong to Fuling City's bustling commercial district, and its liveliness was average. He found a furniture store, ordered a bookshelf, and after paying, asked the store owner to deliver it to his residence in Courtyard No. 3, scheduling a delivery time. The study in Building 19 already had bookshelves concentrated there, but he needed to set one up in his bedroom as well.

Next, he came to a mobile phone store, selected a touchscreen phone that was neither too good nor too bad, and spent a little over two thousand Donghua dollars.

The three thousand-plus dollars remaining in his bank account had now been reduced to pocket change. Combined with the hundred or so in cash in his hand, this constituted the entirety of his financial assets. The reason he still dared to spend like this was because the corpse of the Ice Prison Bear inside his boundary stone ring gave him a sense of confidence.

That thing could easily be exchanged for at least tens of thousands.

"Captain, looks like this kid is pretty broke. Should we apply to the family for some funds for him? Or maybe we can all chip in and donate some money to him." While waiting for his card to be replaced and his phone number transferred, one of the security team members couldn't help but blurt out, forgetting that Shuisheng was also in this voice intercom group.

Shuisheng: ......

"Big brother, is it polite of you to say things like that right to my face?" he asked, sounding somewhat displeased.

The security guard chuckled and said no more.

Once the phone setup was complete, he fished out business cards and slips of paper from his pouch, and sequentially added the phone numbers of Zhou Yudong, Yan Ning, and Yan Ruoxun into his phone's contacts. Then he opened the WeChat app, registered an account, and sent a friend request to Yan Ruoxun.

The friend verification was approved in seconds. It seemed the delicate and cute little girl was also playing on her phone right then.

Xun'er: Shuisheng?

Shuisheng: Yes.

Xun'er: Did you buy a new phone?

Shuisheng: Yes.

Xun'er: That's great, it'll be more convenient to contact each other from now on.

Shuisheng: Yes.

Xun'er: ......

"Ding! Xun'er invites you to join the chat group 'Courtyard No. 3 Never Go Hungry'."

What kind of chat groups are these? This terrible group name alone completely clashes with my persona as Mr. Shuisheng. Thinking thus, Shuisheng clicked the option to accept the invitation.

"Ding! You have joined the chat group 'Courtyard No. 3 Never Go Hungry'."

Xun'er: Welcome new friend Shuisheng to the group. Everyone, give a round of applause to welcome him.

There was zero movement or feedback.

Xun'er: ......

Shuisheng: ......

Xun'er: Human life cannot do without friendship, but gaining true friendship is not easy. Friendship always needs to be sown with sincerity, irrigated with passion, nurtured with principles, and cared for with understanding. Folks, where is your passion?

Eating and Drinking to Lose Weight: Sister Xun'er, open your beautiful big eyes and take a good look at our group name. Eating, drinking, and having fun are welcomed by everyone, but my dear, that does not include passion. Aside from showing our hypocrisy and herd mentality, what else can a lack of nutritious welcoming text, patterns, or cheesy clapping emojis possibly display?

Trying to Remedy the Dead Wolf with a Fat Sheep: I strongly endorse this statement.

Never Go Hungry: Endorsed.

Seeking Fish and Freshness Without Fear of Distance: Endorsed.

Even if the Vegetable Patch is at the Edge of the Sky: Endorsed.

...... Followed by a dozen straight endorsements.

Xun'er: ......

Shuisheng: ......

COS King: Which leader's household is the new fellow from, and where does he live? His nickname is awfully tacky.

Shuisheng: Not a nickname, that's my real name.

COS King: That makes it even tackier.

Shuisheng: ......

Xun'er: Building 19. A newly arrived friend, brought back by Brother Yan Ning.

Everyone had a sudden realization.

COS King: So he's Captain Yan's person. Pardon my lack of respect.

Never Go Hungry: Building 19? Could it be the place where that embezzler used to live? Hasn't it been vacant for several years?

Shuisheng: I suppose so, I just moved in yesterday.

After a long while, there was no more activity in the group.

Shortly after, COS King sent a shocked sticker: The new fellow's background is extraordinary! Is it that person? No wonder the name sounded a bit familiar.

Xun'er likewise sent a shocked sticker: I think I'm starting to remember too, so it's you!

The group instantly erupted into a commotion. Then several people began pressing for details about what was going on.

COS King: This matter cannot be discussed publicly, you guys go back and ask the adults at home.

Everyone either replied with an "Oh," or fell silent.

Momento later, Never Go Hungry: I haven't had lunch yet. The steamed buns at Zhenxian Pavilion on Xiaotang Street are quite good, who wants to come with me to try them?

Several people responded immediately. Shuisheng had already eaten, so he remained silent. He raised his head and looked around. While walking and playing on his phone at the same time, he had unknowingly reached the corner of another main street.

Within a 20-meter radius around him, the four guards including Yan Ning were also playing on their phones, whether genuinely or pretending, in order to mask their slow pace.

Shuisheng added Yan Ning as a friend as well. The verification was also approved in a second. It seemed that while the other three might have been pretending to play on their phones, this guy was actually playing.

A bookstore appeared by the roadside—a very large bookstore with glass exterior walls, modern decor, bright lighting, and a spacious interior. Upon entering, one was greeted by countless new book promotions, which could not possibly be compared to Uncle Yong's little shop in Ting'ao Town.

Upon seeing the bookstore, the young man froze in his tracks. He casually stepped inside.

"There are all sorts of people in the bookstore, and bookshelves block the line of sight. Everyone stay alert and step up security!" Yan Ning's voice came through the earpiece.

"Why go to a place like this?!" a team member groaned. "With our appearance, carrying weapons on our backs, do we look like we're going to a bookstore to read? What will people think of us?"

"Who told you that ability users aren't allowed to read books?! I've read plenty of books!" Yan Ning said.

Team members: ......

Deputy Captain, you're probably not telling the truth. You must be saying that just for the kid to hear.

We all know each other inside and out, why bother?