Chapter 31: Spare the Paper

Lu Li, eyes red with frustration, no longer felt guilty or timid. She wrote indignantly, "Yes! Are you buying it at seventeen percent contamination?"

Hearing this, the man’s eyes grew even more intense. He licked his lips, gesturing excitedly. Lu Li stepped back, fearful of being struck by the layers of heavy metal zippers on his clothing.

The man quickly steadied himself. "Little girl, don't go! Let me see the goods. We can discuss the price."

Hearing the request to see the goods, Lu Li’s fire died down. She lowered her head, fumbling with her bag in a slow, awkward manner. Seeing her hesitation, the man didn't need further explanation; he waved his hand and tossed her a few bags of nutrient supplements.

"Go on back. It’s pitiful enough that a little girl like you is dragging a dead weight around. You’ve got guts to spend five contribution points just to come here, but take these supplements and stop trying to swindle people. Others might not be as kind-hearted as I am! Go, go! And remember to close the door on your way out."

Lu Li, who had finally managed to fish out the test report Lin Buyan had given her, froze. Is this thing really that unwanted? Her dreams of striking it rich, oh, boo-hoo...

The large and the small stood there blankly, clutching a few bags of nutrients. As the test report slipped from her fingers, Lu Li’s heart withered, and she walked away in a bleak, dejected daze.

Rubbing his messy, curly hair in irritation, the shopkeeper sighed. Life was hard for everyone in this world; giving her a few nutrients was just compensation for making her talk earlier.

Watching the receding figure outside, the man stretched his limbs, which popped and cracked. Since he was already up, he might as well move around. He circled the counter, threw a few bags of high-end snacks onto the beanbag chair, and bent down to pick up the broken game console, tossing it into the trash.

Tetris—he was sick of that game. He could beat it without even looking, relying purely on muscle memory.

Just as he was debating between playing Snake or Minesweeper, his eyes swept over a piece of paper: a test report. Oh, the one the little girl dropped.

As he hesitated between throwing it in the trash or returning it, the text inadvertently caught his eye.

*Porcupine: Contamination level seventeen percent, weight forty-five pounds...*

"Damn! You've got to be kidding me!"

Though he said it aloud, the shopkeeper’s breathing quickened. He checked the report over and over, his alarm growing with every glance. His heart, dormant for years, began to pound so violently it felt as if it might leap from his chest.

The wind chime rang again. Amidst the tinkling, the shopkeeper’s urgent shout broke out: "Little girl, wait! Don't go!"

A child who had rarely seen him this excited rushed home. "Dad, look! The sloppy hermit next door is chasing after a bride!"

"What are you talking about? Who gave him a nickname like that?"

"You... wooo!"

The adult quickly covered the child’s mouth, peering left and right. Seeing the shopkeeper indeed sprinting out like a whirlwind, just as the child described, he breathed a sigh of relief and brought a heavy palm down. "What nonsense! How can you just go around giving people nicknames!"

The child's wailing echoed...

At the entrance of Ninth Street, Quan Mo rose from the surveillance monitor, pocketing the five contribution points. He looked at Lu Li, who was approaching to report in with a pout, the short, new tufts of hair on her head drooping along with her mood.

"What's wrong? Didn't things go as planned?" he asked, trying to be careful, fearful of making the little girl cry.

Hearing his voice, Lu Li looked up. Her eyes were red and swollen, and even her black contact lenses seemed tinged with red.

Quan Mo was at a loss; he had made her cry after all. His teammate, feeling a pang of sympathy, jabbed Quan Mo in the ribs with his elbow. "Little sister, tell us what you were trying to do inside. We’ll help you find a way."

Lu Li sniffled, her nose congested, swallowing hard against the saliva constantly pooling in her mouth. She managed a strained smile for the two concerned humans. Both of them felt another blow to their hearts.

"Little sister, who were you looking for inside? See that Cao’s Forge at the entrance? That’s my dad’s place. I grew up here, and I know more or less everyone inside."

Lu Li remained silent. Was knowing people useful? Would anyone else buy a porcupine?

She hugged the book, trying to find the page from earlier.

Just then, the shopkeeper rushed over. As he saw Lu Li opening the book, he lunged forward with wide strides, his voice cracking, "Hold your hand!"

He felt for the first time that wearing so many layers of clothing was a burden, and how desperately out of shape he was! But this voice, trembling across several octaves, drew everyone's attention.

Quan Mo glanced toward the book, and the shopkeeper slapped it shut with lightning speed before anyone could see the text.

"Tea—"

Before Quan Mo could finish his sentence, the shopkeeper interrupted him. Under the curious gazes of the neighbors, he turned to Lu Li, his expression gentle and even slightly sycophantic. "Little girl, shall we talk some more?"

Lu Li raised an eyebrow. The shopkeeper stuffed all the snacks he had just selected into their arms and solemnly pulled the neatly folded test report from his chest pocket.

"I feel like there is still plenty of room for negotiation."

The curls covering the shopkeeper's eyes were pushed aside, and his slightly upturned eyes reflected Lu Li with complete sincerity.

*Hmm-hum.*

Lu Li nodded, clutching the snacks.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the shopkeeper waved his hand. "Everyone go back to what you were doing. This is a friend's child; she's here to discuss something with me!"

Someone let out a skeptical "Tch," but no one left. The spirit of gossip burned brightly.

The shopkeeper ushered Lu Li back into the shop. Once they were out of sight, a robust old man at Cao’s Forge gestured to the soldier. "Xiao Cao, come here!"

The teammate stood at attention. "Dad, I’m on duty!"

The old man snorted, walked away from the shop front, and landed a heavy slap on his son's back. "You’re never this diligent usually, but here you are putting on airs with your old man!"

The teammate winced and grimaced, arching his back and reaching around to inspect the spot. "Dad, you're a high-level strength evolver! Your son doesn't have skin evolution; I can't take a slap like that!"

"Fine, fine. Tell me, what’s going on over there?"

Those who hadn't given up on the gossip pricked up their ears, silently giving the old man a thumbs-up while frantically winking—*you know the drill.*

The old man, having received the hint, gave a wicked smile and made an "OK" sign.

The teammate replied blankly, "I have no idea!"

The old man beckoned, and the two heads leaned in together.

"Tell me quietly; I won't tell anyone else."

"I really don't know."

"What was written on the book that kid slammed shut?"

"I didn't get a chance to see."

"Then who is that little girl? You must know that much."

"Oh, that? She’s a mute with zero contribution points who escaped from the Guicheng Safe Zone."

"Hiss, a mute!" the old man exclaimed in surprise.

Nearby neighbors, who were pretending to work while eavesdropping, paused, drawing in sharp breaths.

The sound reached his ears, and the old man realized he’d shouted. He quickly covered his mouth and whispered, "And then?"

Cao Yu shrugged. "That's it!"

"You little rascal!"