Chapter 59

Just as Jiang Baimian was sighing with relief that the trouble was finally over and she could embark on her original journey, a slightly low and resonant male voice sounded:

"When Jiang Baimian said these words, she did not realize that things were far from over, and the waves of fate would push her towards a completely different path..."

Jiang Baimian turned her head in surprise and looked at Shang Jianyao:

"... Why did you suddenly say that?"

Shang Jianyao had a serious expression:

"I just thought of this line, maybe it's a感应 of the will of heaven."

As Jiang Baimian was doubtful, Long Yuehong hesitated and said:

"I seem to have heard this somewhere...

"Yes, in the previous radio program!"

It was just a change of names!

The radio station under the entertainment department of "Pangu Biology" not only did "News at the Hour" but also had columns like "Bedtime Music" and "Story Chats," which were one of the few mental enjoyments for the employees.

Shang Jianyao's serious expression instantly faded, and he revealed a sunny smile:

"Don't you think that line fits the scene just now, making it particularly moving?"

Jiang Baimian laughed helplessly:

"Even the lines are well-matched?

"Um... Not bad, it seems everyone is in a good mood."

As she glanced around, she noticed Bai Chen's expression was a bit lost.

The petite girl stood there, unsure how to join the conversation.

"Are you feeling a bit lonely? Do you feel like an outsider?" Jiang Baimian asked directly with a smile.

Bai Chen's expression changed a few times, and she instinctively pursed her lips:

"I am an outsider."

Because she was not yet a formal employee, and some news in the radio was not to be leaked, the area where she lived, which was for probationary employees, did not have the corresponding lines set up.

This made her a bit lost in related topics.

If it weren't for seeing the loudspeakers used to issue orders in some settlements before, and hearing the hourly news in the security department, she might not have understood what "radio" meant—just like many relic hunters knew that a collapsed building in the steel factory ruins belonged to a radio station but did not know what a radio station was.

"You can't say that. Many high-level employees in the company, even some management, are former wilderness wanderers. Once you become a formal employee, you can participate in the unified marriage allocation. Then, we will all be one family." Jiang Baimian comforted her as if she had been prepared, "Besides, do you think the bond between us is deeper, or the bond between me and the board members I haven't interacted with much?"

"What about us?" Shang Jianyao joked.

"You?" Jiang Baimian thought for two seconds, "We can't say we're step-siblings yet. What if, during the unified marriage allocation, one of you ends up with Bai Chen?"

Bai Chen had heard about the unified marriage allocation from senior wilderness wanderers who joined "Pangu Biology." She couldn't help but glance between Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong, and her expression didn't seem very happy.

"I understand, you feel a bit inferior," Shang Jianyao seemed to understand Bai Chen's meaning.

Given Bai Chen's experiences, knowledge, and upbringing, her facial muscles were slightly twisted at this moment, unsure whether to lash out or laugh in frustration.

"You should stop. Who would look at you? If you were mute, with both hands and feet disabled, people might like you more." Jiang Baimian mocked her without hesitation.

When facing Shang Jianyao, she wasn't so cautious. Through these days of interaction, she had initially confirmed that the other party had a strong inner core and wouldn't be truly affected by such words.

On the contrary, she couldn't say such things to Long Yuehong.

As a team leader, Jiang Baimian always understood that people were different, and different people had different ways of interacting.

This was one of the reasons she was widely popular in the security department.

Long Yuehong, who had felt a bit inferior due to Bai Chen's observation and subsequent expression, was also amused by Shang Jianyao, and the slight gloom in her heart instantly dissipated.

At this moment, Bai Chen turned her head and said to Long Yuehong:

"Sorry, I was just imagining a scenario where you were my husband. It felt a bit strange and I wasn't used to it. No other meaning."

"It's okay, it's okay," Long Yuehong quickly responded.

Jiang Baimian then asked with a smile:

"What if it didn't feel strange?"

"Then I'd find an opportunity to sleep with that person," Bai Chen said casually.

"Ah?" Long Yuehong was shocked.

Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian raised their eyebrows in unison.

Bai Chen suddenly felt like laughing for some reason:

"This is very common in the Ashlands.

"Once you fancy someone, you should try to sleep with them as soon as possible. If you wait until the next day, one of you might die due to various issues.

"Team Leader, I always thought you were experienced, but..."

"Ha ha," Jiang Baimian laughed dryly, "My focus isn't in that direction."

She then showed a thoughtful expression:

"This is something to be recorded.

"This is a cultural custom that naturally formed in the Ashlands after the destruction of the old world due to the harsh living environment."

After this "discussion," Bai Chen felt a strange sense of closeness with Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Shang Jianyao, truly feeling like comrades who had faced life and death together.

—When she was a wilderness wanderer, she had faced life and death with many people, but most of it was due to the environment and circumstances, and there was no real bond. Once they were out of danger, they might even shoot each other in the back. So, although she had faced many dangers with Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and others, she only admired Jiang Baimian's qualities, feared Shang Jianyao's abilities, and sympathized with Long Yuehong's forced growth, maintaining a significant psychological distance from them.

Just as Bai Chen was feeling this, Jiang Baimian suddenly looked at her with a smile:

"How about it? Do you feel like a true member of the team?"

Seeing Jiang Baimian's clear smile, Bai Chen couldn't help but close her eyes:

"Team Leader..."

She didn't expect Jiang Baimian to grasp her psychological state so accurately.

Jiang Baimian laughed and said:

"As a team leader, besides improving each of your abilities, I also need to pay attention to your psychological issues.

"Don't think I'm just teaching those two newbies, no, one scoundrel and one newbie. I've always been paying attention to your feelings and performance. In the future, we will face countless dangers together, and we need to protect each other's backs. Our bond will be deeper than that of sisters.

"I said before that every decision I make will try to ensure the survival of the team members. This applies not only to Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao but also to you."

Bai Chen remained silent, pursing her lips and looking at Jiang Baimian, not saying a word for a long time.

"Unfortunately, you're a woman, Team Leader. Otherwise, I would have slept with you tonight."

The one who said this was not Bai Chen but Shang Jianyao, who was deliberately pinching his voice.

Bai Chen turned her head in surprise and looked at this unpredictable guy.

"Helping you with the lines," Shang Jianyao nodded sincerely.

"I didn't think that!" Bai Chen retorted, her face clearly blushing.

"Just pretend you did," Shang Jianyao tried to persuade her.

"Shut up!" Jiang Baimian finally couldn't hold back and shouted, both angry and amused, "Can't you be serious for once?"

Shang Jianyao raised his eyebrows:

"I'm serious most of the time, just a small part is to liven up the atmosphere.

"And occasionally, I really can't control myself. I have a doctor's certificate!"

He said it with a straight face.

"I thank you!" Jiang Baimian responded with a hint of gritted teeth.

After the incident with the mechanical monk, Bai Chen and Long Yuehong now had a vague idea about why Shang Jianyao occasionally went off the rails, so they didn't pursue this topic, letting it pass.

"Thanking" him, Jiang Baimian complained again:

"Really, you've ruined Bai Chen's moment of emotion."

"..." Bai Chen looked at the team leader, unsure whether to cry or laugh, not wanting to continue this topic.

Don't talk about emotions like that!

How awkward!

Seeing the atmosphere return to normal, Jiang Baimian laughed inwardly and waved her hand:

"Let's go, set off!"

Since they had already reached the hilly area where Black Rat Town was located, they didn't return to the steel factory ruins but headed directly to a slightly southeast direction—the direction of their destination, Qifeng Town.

It was rainy in autumn, and as the jeep drove closer to noon, the clouds thickened, the sky darkened, and a drizzle began to fall in the wilderness.

The rain wasn't heavy, but it created a misty feeling, suddenly narrowing Bai Chen's field of vision.

Not long after, the jeep arrived at a wide and deep river.

It was called the "Green River," named for the green algae that always grew at the bottom, and it was the "mother river" for many creatures in the Black Swamp Wilderness.

At this moment, the bridge, which was already old and dilapidated, had broken in the middle, with most of it falling into the water.

"It looks like it was blown up..." Jiang Baimian carefully observed and made an initial judgment, "Let's go downstream and take another bridge."

As she spoke, a person walked out from behind one of the bridge piers.

In the fine, misty rain, this person wore a black windbreaker and black gloves, was about 1.8 meters tall, and had neatly combed back hair.

He carried a long, oddly shaped silver rifle on his back, held a black umbrella in one hand, and let the other hand hang naturally, walking step by step toward the slowly approaching jeep.

Although they hadn't seen his face clearly yet, Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and the others suddenly felt unable to look away.

Bai Chen, who was about to turn the steering wheel, also subconsciously stopped and stepped on the brake.

Not long after, the person came close, revealing a handsome face with black hair, golden eyes, sharp eyebrows, and a well-defined jawline.

He tapped on the driver's window and smiled:

"Finally got rid of that enthusiastic monster.

"You guys, can you give me a ride?"

PS: Two chapters today, please give me some recommendations!