Two items lay before them. The top one was an exquisite little pink card.
【Partition Transfer Card: Allows switching of current assigned partition. Takes effect at midnight upon activation.】
Qi Xu scanned it and realized the card had already been used. Luckily, they’d come today—otherwise, they’d never find the Chief Beauty Officer tomorrow.
Typical behavior of someone with a guilty conscience.
As for the item beneath the card… it was an employee ID, listing the occupation as driver!
Qi Xu’s first instinct was to bind it immediately, but… no luck.
【Please select a compatible vehicle. Garbage trucks cannot carry passengers.】
Fair enough—hauling passengers in a garbage truck was a bit absurd. Even if they couldn’t use it themselves, Qi Xu wasn’t about to sell it. If someone in their crew could put it to use later, keeping it for their own growth would maximize the benefits.
After stashing it in their backpack, Qi Xu checked the rest of the vehicle but found nothing else of value. They promptly pulled out the 【Scrap Collector】 work permit and scanned the long-coveted bus.
【Scrap Collector, hello. Detected item for sale: 1 Level 3 vehicle (bus). Wear and tear: 15%. Eight bullet marks on the right side, no damaged parts, six scratches/dents. Appraised value: 689 Survival Coins. Confirm sale?】
“Let’s both be honest here.”
【You’re right. 789 Survival Coins—my utmost sincerity.】
“Then it’s a deal.”
Qi Xu had a strong feeling the entity they were dealing with had emotions—maybe even its own thoughts. It clearly needed Survival Coins too, haggling just to avoid a raw deal but never pushing too hard.
Leave room for later—that’s how you keep doors open.
The coins spent at the Monster Shop were quickly recouped, doubled even, and a major headache was resolved. Qi Xu was in a decent mood.
They pulled out a location card next and entered “Brother Quan is a Bit Cool.”
【Player does not exist. Please re-enter.】
Qi Xu froze. What? Their first thought was a typo, but a double-check confirmed the nickname was correct.
A quick glance at the chat hall showed the player’s avatar had turned black.
The last trade record was at 7:11 AM—39 vehicle upgrade card fragments exchanged for a handgun.
What the hell? Did the Chief Beauty Officer not know his girlfriend was gone?
Qi Xu suddenly recalled the earlier game announcement mentioning eight bullet marks on the bus… Please don’t let it be what I’m thinking.
So much for “loving his girlfriend like his life.” More like “taking her life.” Qi Xu didn’t buy the Chief Beauty Officer’s act of entrusting all his supplies to her either.
Turns out, some people really hide their true nature at all times. When things are fine, it’s all smiles—but the moment trouble hits, anything becomes disposable.
Selfish to the bone.
Qi Xu summarized the situation in the group chat, leaving everyone speechless.
Old White Dragon in the Waves: “Not to be Captain Hindsight, but I always thought his ‘devotion’ might be an act. Dudes know dudes best.
He’s no fool, yet he kept saying stuff in chat that seemed designed to make us resent his girlfriend. Super sus.”
Retired Magical Boy: “Ugh, kids these days… I’ll never believe in love again! First insurance fraud by killing wives, now murder-for-escape? Holy thunderbolts, I’m terrified…”
Watch Me Cut You Down: “Wait, both of them bit it?! Damn, I still had 10 daily roast tasks left—where am I supposed to find people to trash now? Thought I could farm them for days…”
Chinese Master Chef privately messaged Qi Xu.
“Boss, sending over today’s extorted goods.”
【Chinese Master Chef has sent you: Vehicle Upgrade Card Fragments ×52, Weapon Enhancement Cards ×3, Low-Grade 3D Stat Boost Pill ×1, Human Skin Mask ×1, Instant Noodles ×13, 800ml Drinking Water ×6, Antidote Pills ×6.】
Invincible Black Whirlwind: “Damn, that’s a haul.”
Qi Xu hesitated but accepted, then sent Chinese Master Chef the green shield obtained from Wintergreen Tree.
“This is for you. Defensive gear’s rare, but it’s low-level right now. Upgrade it when you can.”
Chinese Master Chef: “Ohhh, I love this! Thanks, boss! Made some Northeastern-style cold noodles today—so good. Here, try some.”
Qi Xu’s first thought: Watch Me Cut You Down would devour this. They split a portion and sent it over.
Watch Me Cut You Down was tempted but felt too guilty mooching food constantly.
After a frenzy of looting and slaying a monster cow, they finally accepted the noodles and sent Qi Xu the entire carcass in return.
“Tell me what meat you like—I’ve got monsters galore here.”
Invincible Black Whirlwind: “Sick flex, Cut You Sis.”
Before meeting in person, this would’ve made Watch Me Cut You Down cringe hard. But now, knowing it came from an adorable, soft-spoken girl? Surprisingly pleasant…
Qi Xu forwarded the monster cow to Chinese Master Chef.
The afternoon passed uneventfully as they traveled. The next day, Qi Xu finally pulled out the 【Any Station Selection Card】 and wrote “gym” on it.
Less than 50 meters later, they hit a traffic light.
Flooring the gas, they sped through and parked roadside. At the gym’s entrance, they swapped out their soaked rain gear—a personal habit and basic courtesy.
Manners cost nothing, and no creature likes troublesome guests.
Sure enough, upon entering, a system announcement played:
【Gym Owner Bunny Muscle Monster’s favorability +5. Current favorability: 5.】
The Bunny Muscle Monster stood upright, its short white fur barely covering its abs—a sight both impressive and unsettling.
It waddled over, feet splayed outward. “Welcome! Care to experience the joy of fitness? Single session: 20 Survival Coins. Membership: 10 coins per session, minimum 100 coins.
Totally worth it—just look at these rock-hard abs! Pure magnetism!”
Striking exaggerated poses, it flashed a smug, “cool guy” grin, making the scene even weirder.
Qi Xu gulped and laid it on thick. “Wow. You’ve got the best muscle definition I’ve ever seen. Sign me up for a 200-coin membership—if you recommend it, it’s gotta be legit.”
It hurt to spend that much—gyms were the priciest stations around—but money’s meant to be used.
As long as it helps boost my strength, spending some Survival Coins is worth it.
The Bunny Muscle Monster was utterly stunned—someone actually signed up for a membership and even topped up 200 Survival Coins right away! It had assumed it wouldn’t make a single sale for at least half a year.
Now that it thought about it, choosing to work at this gym was absolutely the right decision!
.........
