Chapter 109: Private Talk

After the soldiers found a suitable place to rest for the night, the convoy stopped and parked on the roadside.

Turning to look at Liu Yun and the others, Yuan Li said, "We are going to rest here for the night. If you guys want to relieve yourselves, you can go down and find somewhere nearby. But be careful when you go out alone. There might be zombies or mutants around."

Ye Xuan nodded, then replied, "Got it."

After Yuan Li and the soldiers climbed down from the military truck, Ye Xuan looked at the others. "We should go down and get something to eat."

Liu Yun nodded, then stood up and followed him out of the military truck. Before leaving, Gu Zhenwei carried the unconscious Ru Jianxiao on his back, then followed his friends.

Seeing them climb down from the military truck from a distance, Lian Tianci motioned to his vice-captain and said, "Keep an eye on that spatial-element young lady. Make sure that she’s safe."

The vice-captain lowered his voice and responded, "Understood."

While the vice-captain ordered a team of soldiers to set up a tent near Liu Yun’s resting place, Yuan Li saw Lian Tianci and approached him.

Saluting Lian Tianci, he greeted, "Captain Lian."

Lian Tianci looked away from Liu Yun, then turned to Yuan Li. "Mhm."

Noticing Yuan Li’s secretive yet eager expression, he frowned slightly and asked, "What’s wrong? Do you have something to report to me?"

"Yes," Yuan Li replied, then took a step closer to Lian Tianci and whispered, "Captain, I have something important to report to you. Can we talk privately?"

Lian Tianci looked thoughtfully at Yuan Li for a few seconds, then said, "Follow me."

After saying that, Lian Tianci walked toward his tent, followed closely by Yuan Li.

Lifting the tent’s flap, Lian Tianci stepped inside, then calmly said, "Find a seat for yourself."

Seeing Lian Tianci sit on a chair placed to the side, Yuan Li also chose a seat across from him.

After the two of them took their seats, Lian Tianci asked, "Can you tell me now?"

Yuan Li nodded, then opened his backpack and took out a small plastic bottle filled with light golden-colored liquid.

He placed the plastic bottle on the small folding table between them, then said, "Captain, this is the lemon tea that I told you about before. Do you want to try it?"

Lian Tianci picked up the small plastic bottle, then took a closer look at the liquid inside. He shook the bottle slightly, then opened the cap. After a brief moment of hesitation, he took a sniff.

As soon as he smelled the fragrance of the lemon tea, his headache, caused by overusing his ability and lack of sleep, eased slightly.

Sitting across from him, Yuan Li carefully observed Lian Tianci’s expression. When he saw surprise and disbelief flash across Lian Tianci’s eyes, the corner of his lips curved up slightly.

Leaning closer, he eagerly said, "Captain, try taking a sip."

Lian Tianci glanced at his eager face and hesitated for a second before raising the small plastic bottle to his lips. He then took a small sip of the lemon tea.

The moment the lemon tea slid into his mouth, the refreshing scent of lemon, the deep fragrance of tea, and the faint sweetness filled his mouth.

Lian Tianci was stunned by the taste, and his throat moved.

Glup.

As he swallowed the lemon tea, he could clearly feel his headache easing and his mind becoming clearer.

Yuan Li grinned when he saw Lian Tianci’s shocked expression. "How is it, Captain? Do you feel refreshed and more clear-headed?"

Lian Tianci placed the plastic bottle on the table, then looked at Yuan Li.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "Where did you get this lemon tea?"

Yuan Li lowered his voice and whispered, "I bought a cup of lemon tea from that spatial-element young lady in exchange for three crystals that were found inside the zombies’ brains."

The moment Lian Tianci heard this, his expression changed slightly.

"Does she really accept the crystals?" Lian Tianci asked with a hint of doubt in his voice.

Yuan Li nodded. "Yes. She also said that we could exchange more crystals for lemon tea in the future. However, the quantity is limited."

Listening to Yuan Li’s words, Lian Tianci looked silently at the remaining lemon tea in the plastic bottle.

A few moments passed before he looked at Yuan Li and asked, "Do you know why she accepted the crystals?"

Yuan Li shook his head and replied uncertainly, "Maybe because those crystals look beautiful?"

Receiving this answer, Lian Tianci slowly tapped the small table with his index finger as he thought.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Listening to the slow tapping sounds, Yuan Li straightened his back and looked at Lian Tianci tensely.

Every soldier working under Lian Tianci knew that whenever he made this gesture, it meant that someone was about to get into trouble.

After a brief moment that felt like forever, Lian Tianci finally opened his mouth and said, "I understand. You can leave now."

Hearing this, Yuan Li blinked twice, then asked, "Captain, what is your plan regarding that young lady?"

Lian Tianci looked at him and replied, "You don’t need to worry about that. Go out and call Captain Gu for me."

Knowing that his captain already had a plan, Yuan Li stood up, saluted Lian Tianci, and responded, "Yes, Captain."

After Yuan Li left the tent to call Gu Lingjian, Lian Tianci looked at the lemon tea and thought, ’Maybe this is our opportunity to survive in this world.’

A few minutes later, someone lifted the tent’s flap.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Lian Tianci raised his eyes and saw Gu Lingjian walk in. Gesturing for him to take a seat, Lian Tianci said, "Captain Gu, please have a seat."

Gu Lingjian sat across from him, glanced at the small plastic bottle on the table, and said, "Captain Lian, I heard that you are looking for me."