Chapter 158
As soon as Guo Hui finished speaking, several cubs raised their hands simultaneously. While their faces were brimming with excitement, none of them interrupted or tried to speak over her.
Their behavior left Guo Hui pleasantly surprised.
She already knew that Caretaker Su had taught these children well, but every now and then, they still managed to give her a little surprise.
Looking at their faces, all practically screaming “Pick me, pick me,” Guo Hui hesitated, feeling reluctant to choose just one. Finally, she decided on the silver-haired boy closest to her.
The boy, whose beast bloodline came from the Silver Deer, had a delicate and refined appearance that immediately appealed to Guo Hui.
His name, too, seemed to suit him perfectly.
Softly, she said, “Lu Jiao, do you have a question?”
The chosen Little White Deer, curious as ever, asked, “What is a points reward?”
“Points can be used to exchange for supplies at the logistics office.”
Looking at these children, all under ten years old, Guo Hui paused before continuing, “Of course, what you can exchange for depends on what you want.”
“For example?”
“You could exchange points for food—canned meat, canned fruit, as well as snacks like candy, sunflower seeds, and biscuits.”
The children’s eyes grew brighter with each word. Just as Guo Hui was about to remind them that these items were quite expensive, she recalled their points balances.
And she fell silent.
Defeating even a single monster usually required an entire task force, and the corresponding points rewards were naturally substantial.
Yet yesterday, each of these children had taken down at least one monster on their own. And someone like Ran Lie, with his level ability as the Crimson Flame Tiger, had reduced nearly all the monsters to ashes with his fiery attacks.
The points for defeating those dozen or so monsters had mostly gone to these children’s accounts, leaving the operations members with very few.
As for Su Ci…
He had single handedly defeated over a hundred monsters. The balance in his points account was nothing short of terrifying.
At this point, Lang Ze couldn’t help but scoot closer to Lu Jiao, waving his hand furiously.
Guo Hui couldn’t help but smile but kept her composure as she nodded to him. “Lang Ze, do you have a question too?”
“Yes! Where is the logistics office? And besides sunflower seeds and biscuits, can we use points to exchange for potato chips?”
Although they already had roasted beans and taro chips as snacks, the supply was limited. If points could be used to get sunflower seeds and potato chips, it would be a total win!
The little wolf cub wagged his tail excitedly, and with his hopeful, sparkling eyes, it was impossible for anyone to say no to him.
Guo Hui nodded. “There should still be some potato chips in stock. However, the logistics office…”
Her gaze shifted to the thick blood mist outside the nursery. Naturally, it wasn’t possible to let the cubs wander freely around the base in such conditions.
But then again…
Inside the nursery, there wasn’t the slightest trace of the contamination. The air was clean and fresh, and it had a strangely calming effect.
The longer Guo Hui stayed here, the less she wanted to leave.
Unlike other areas of the base—where, although the blood mist had been driven out of buildings, a strong garlic-like odor lingered everywhere—the nursery was completely different.
That smell was unbearable for ordinary people, yet here, the air was fresh and pure.
Was this also a result of Caretaker Su’s abilities? Had his purification power grown so strong?
Guo Hui was deeply shocked, but she kept her expression calm as she said, “The outside is still filled with danger. It’s best for you all to stay inside the nursery and not wander out.”
“If you need anything, you can use the base’s AI system to browse and have a delivery robot bring it to you.”
Hearing this, Lang Ze cheered, “So all we have to do is ask Xiao Zhi? Got it!”
Xiao Zhi?
Guo Hui was momentarily taken aback. So the cubs were familiar with the base AI, had even used it before—and called it Xiao Zhi?
What a whimsical nickname.
Would the base AI respond to that?
Guo Hui was tempted to try it herself but, glancing at her colleagues and the operations members nearby, decided to hold off and test it later when she returned.
Meanwhile, the cubs eagerly summoned the AI’s holographic interface and began selecting items they wanted.
Guo Hui and her colleague stood by, watching them and waiting for Caretaker Su to wake up. As for Xun Xiaoyu’s task force, they had primarily come to escort Guo Hui and enjoy the lively atmosphere, but now that the excitement had died down, it was time for them to resume their patrol duties and protect the base.
Vice-Captain Ji Yuan, trailing at the back of the group, followed his teammates out. Just as he stepped forward, he felt someone tugging on the hem of his uniform.
Instinctively, his combat reflexes kicked in, and he spun around to strike—but the small figure behind him dodged gracefully, evading his attack without even letting him touch the edge of their clothing.
Ji Yuan stared in astonishment at the blond boy, whose swift and agile movements left him momentarily bewildered.
It was one thing for the cubs to possess special abilities—he could accept being outmatched in that regard. But to be bested in physical combat and technique by a cub? That was hard to swallow.
After dodging the strike, Lu Li stopped and stood at ease when he saw Ji Yuan had paused.
For the past few days, Lu Li had been practicing his body-strengthening technique a hundred times daily. His speed and skill had improved significantly. While he was still far from ready to face monsters in combat, he could now hold his own for a few moves against task force members.
Of course, his intention in grabbing Ji Yuan wasn’t to fight.
Ji Yuan quickly realized this as well.
As his team was responsible for this area, Ji Yuan had frequent encounters with the cubs. He had a distinct impression of this blond boy and recognized him immediately.
He was Number Six, but now… he was called Lu Li.
Thinking about the child’s once unpredictable temperament, Ji Yuan found the name surprisingly fitting. But now, it seemed as though his personality had changed.
“Do you need something?” Ji Yuan asked hesitantly.
Lu Li didn’t say a word. Instead, he reached into a small pouch on his waist, pulled out a bright red Star-chain Fruit, and handed it to Ji Yuan.
“Here.” The boy stretched out his hand, a faint smile on his lips, looking particularly friendly.
Ji Yuan was completely taken aback. He nodded quickly, accepting the fruit. Just as he was about to ask why, the boy turned and ran off.
What on earth was that about?
Ji Yuan looked down at the fruit in his hand. It was red and plump, exuding a sweet aroma—clearly of excellent quality.
Who could bear to eat something like this?
As he watched the boy rejoin the other cubs, Lu Li turned back and smiled at him. Ji Yuan couldn’t help but grin back and wave. Holding the fruit, he turned around, only to find his captain and teammates all staring at him intently.
Ji Yuan froze for a moment, then ignored them. Pocketing the Star-chain Fruit, he strutted past them with the proud air of a victorious peacock.
His teammates, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy, watched him go. Unable to resist, they chased after him into the blood mist, their bickering voices echoing in the distance.
Lu Li turned his attention back to the group, only to find Rong Heng watching him closely.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Why did you give that guy a fruit?” Rong Heng asked, frowning.
Although Rong Heng often clashed with Ran Lie, the two were alike in one way: their attitude toward the adults at the base.
Rong Heng didn’t like the base staff, especially after being taken to the research lab. Even though Su Su had rescued him, the experience had left a lasting shadow.
So he couldn’t understand why Lu Li would do such a thing.
Lu Li chuckled and replied, “Because I can’t eat them all.”
With the harvest of Star-chain Fruit increasing, the cubs had gone from receiving one per meal to two—which meant six per day.
The Star-chain Fruit were of excellent quality and large in size. Eating two in one sitting was enough to feel full, so they couldn’t finish them all.
If they kept saving them, the surplus would only grow since fresh fruit came in every day. As much as it sounded ungrateful to say, eating too many was starting to make them sick.
It was a bittersweet dilemma.
After thinking it over, Rong Heng realized Lu Li’s reasoning made sense. Although he disliked the adults, wasting the fruit would be a shame.
Perhaps he could use the fruit to trade with the adults for something else?
Seeing Rong Heng lost in thought, Lu Li turned his gaze away.
Of course, his reason for giving the fruit wasn’t entirely because he had too much.
He remembered Ji Yuan.
Back when he had transformed into a little monkey and was playing around the base, his first encounter with a monster had left him frozen in fear. It was Ji Yuan who had led the operations team and, together with his teammates, executed a brilliant battle to defeat it.
Although he was in his spiritual form at the time and couldn’t be injured, that event planted a seed in his heart.
He wanted to join the operations team someday and become a warrior.
The fruit he had just given wasn’t only a gesture of gratitude—it was also a way to start building connections early.
From his interactions with Xue Wei and the little wolf cub, Lu Li had realized that giving gifts was an excellent way to improve relationships.
His friendship with Lang Ze had grown significantly, all starting from the moment he offered him candy.
With a small smile, Lu Li joined his companions in summoning the base AI and browsing the items available for points exchange in the logistics section.
His role in the battle had been minimal, mainly helping to move the injured. He was still too weak to fight monsters effectively.
As a result, his points reward was modest, unlike his companions, who could spend freely. While he felt a twinge of envy, his mood remained positive. Simply browsing the catalog brought him joy.
Unexpectedly, a notification appeared on his screen:
[Nursery Cub – Ran Lie has transferred 1000 points to you. Balance: 1020 points.]
Lu Li blinked in surprise.
Before he could process it, a second notification popped up:
[Nursery Cub – Lu Jiao has transferred 66 points to you. Balance: 1086 points.]
Staring at the notifications, Lu Li felt warmth rise in his chest. He glanced toward Ran Lie and met his gaze.
Ran Lie stiffened slightly, gave a quick nod, and looked away as if he’d done something trivial.
Lu Li then looked at Lu Jiao.
The smaller boy, sensing his gaze, tilted his head up and gave a quiet, refined smile.
Sidling up to him, Lu Jiao whispered softly, “If it’s not enough, just let me know. I still have more.”
Lu Li nodded, feeling equally happy with both contributions, regardless of the amount.
Then Lu Jiao tugged at his sleeve, discussing the items he wanted and asking which one they should buy first.
The cubs gathered in small clusters, whispering and chattering, their faces bright with joy. It was likely the excitement of spending points for the very first time.
*
Dormitory 303.
Su Ci had finished his breakfast and glanced at the balance in his points account. With a wave of his hand, he placed an order for all the fertilizer he could find.
As for Guo Hui and her colleague, who were still waiting downstairs to meet with him, Su Ci hesitated for a moment before deciding to see them.
After all, he would be spending quite some time at the base, and it was better to clarify certain matters early on.
Just as he was about to leave the dormitory, however, he stopped in his tracks.
Su Ci glanced toward the living room and, in a flash, appeared beside the coffee table. There, the small wild grass he had planted in the soil-filled canister had finally completed its transformation. The red hues in its leaves had completely faded.
However, Su Ci frowned. The little wild grass looked frail and sickly, entirely devoid of the vitality it had shown before.
