Chapter 7: Collecting Protection Money

Ultimately, Liu Miaomiao managed to persuade the others to accept Lin Xinghai as their roommate.

The reason they reached this consensus was entirely because Wang Yao asked, “What if your old classmate can’t resist and his ‘wolf nature’ takes over?”

Then, with a blush, Liu Miaomiao said, “In that case, I’ll ‘serve the wolf with my body’ to keep you all safe.” After this, all disputes were settled.

Watching the five women return, Lin Xinghai couldn’t help but ask, “By the way, you haven’t even asked for my opinion. How can you be sure I’ll agree to be your roommate?”

“Oh? Could it be that you actually want to live with a bunch of rough guys?” Liu Miaomiao raised an eyebrow.

Lin Xinghai was momentarily speechless. Unless there was something unusual about his preferences, he really wouldn’t choose that.

“Ahem!” Lin Xinghai cleared his throat to cover his embarrassment, then quickly composed himself and said, “Liu Miaomiao, there’s something very important I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” Liu Miaomiao immediately grew tense.

“It’s like this. Ever since I woke up from the cryo-chamber, I seem to have amnesia—well, partial amnesia,” Lin Xinghai said bluntly.

This was the most reasonable excuse he could think of. Whether others believed it or not, at least he did.

Sure enough, Liu Miaomiao and the others showed surprised expressions. “Did the cryo system malfunction? That’s very rare!”

Hearing Liu Miaomiao say this, Lin Xinghai felt a surge of hope. He had guessed correctly—there really were such cases. He was about to elaborate when Liu Miaomiao continued, “But it’s no big deal. You just spend some points at the medical bay and get an injection of brain cell repair serum—that’ll fix it. Want me to accompany you?”

Lin Xinghai wanted to curse under his breath. Has technology really advanced that far?

“No need. I feel my memory is gradually coming back. No point in wasting precious points. I’m just telling you this so you know,” Lin Xinghai said.

“Really?” Liu Miaomiao was a bit skeptical.

“Absolutely!” Lin Xinghai said seriously.

After that, the group didn’t dwell on the issue. Liu Miaomiao introduced the other four women.

The most curvaceous was Wang Yao, whom Lin Xinghai already knew. The remaining three were Qin Zixue, Yang Yi, and Shen Yimei.

---

After their introductions, it was nearly time for the dormitory assignments.

Before that, each person had to verify their information again, pulled from the database of Shelter No. 83.

Once confirmed, the data would be stored on their ID cards.

These ID cards, besides serving as identification inside the shelter, also functioned as bank cards, each starting with 10 initial points.

One point could buy a basic meal, meaning the initial balance could cover about three days’ worth of food if they were frugal.

After that, they’d have to find their own way.

However, the Starshield Shelter was currently expanding and in great need of labor, so finding a job wouldn’t be difficult.

After receiving their ID cards, Lin Xinghai and the others were assigned to Room 301 in Building D.

Interestingly, when they applied for the same dorm, the registrar’s expression was quite notable.

But he didn’t make trouble; after confirming all the women volunteered, he immediately arranged it.

...

“Oh my god, this is way too bare!” Opening the door to Room 301, the women exclaimed after a quick look around.

The entire dorm had only three iron bunk beds, and the only appliance was a single energy-saving lamp—no fan in sight.

Furthermore, there was no bathroom or even a faucet inside. The entire floor had only two public restrooms and one water tap.

And the tap required swiping the ID card to release water—three points per bucket.

This explained why Lin Xinghai had seen so many people not bathing on the way here; water was prohibitively expensive.

Fortunately, the shelter’s higher-ups weren’t entirely cruel—they at least provided bedding and other essentials.

After tidying their beds simply, the women began to lament about what to do next.

“According to this sheet, we must find jobs within two days, but there are so few positions suitable for women,” Liu Miaomiao said, holding the paper distributed by Jiyuan.

---

“The jobs listed are either at the chemical factory or the garment factory. I don’t want those. On the way here, I saw many shops recruiting sales clerks. Why don’t we check those out?” Wang Yao suggested.

“Are you not concerned about the wages? I don’t want to end up without enough points to even bathe,” Qin Zixue said. Among them, he was probably the cleanest.

The women all voiced their opinions, while Lin Xinghai quietly observed, feeling grateful to have joined the Rift Sky Mercenary Group.

Suddenly, Shen Yimei, standing by the door, let out a soft gasp. “Is something happening outside? Why is it so noisy?”

She opened the door and stepped outside.

Lin Xinghai’s face showed curiosity as well.

His hearing was the best among the group, so besides the argument, he also caught sounds of fighting.

Soon Shen Yimei returned, her face showing a trace of panic.

“Yimei, what’s wrong?” Liu Miaomiao asked immediately.

“Someone is collecting protection fees. They’re a group calling themselves the Axe Gang, and they’re tough fighters. I saw a skinny young man knock down a burly guy weighing over 200 jin with a single punch,” Shen Yimei said, trembling.

“What! What about the security team? Are they just standing by?” Liu Miaomiao was shocked.

Lin Xinghai looked out the window and scanned the street below. “The security team has left, and with such a dense population in the lower city, even if they wanted to manage things, they’re powerless.”

He had heard Roger mention this before. These gangs were essentially groups of small-time thugs.

But they operated within limits, never causing fatalities or excessively oppressing ordinary people. Moreover, many gangs paid “tribute” to certain mercenary groups.

So after a few major crackdowns in the lower city proved ineffective, the authorities chose to turn a blind eye.

After all, if they spent great effort to dismantle one gang, new ones would quickly arise driven by profit. It was better to control the known gangs.

Lin Xinghai hadn’t expected to encounter such matters on his very first day at Starshield Shelter.