“What did you just say?”
Shi Yi put down her basket, repeating Lu Mingming’s words aloud.
“You said you went to rescue a cub, ran out of the room, and were seen by everyone, the enforcement team and the slum dwellers?”
By the end, Shi Yi’s voice rose higher and higher, her expression a second masterpiece of global art, “The Scream.”
Lu Mingming apologized profusely, “I’m sorry for causing you trouble. If you agree, I can find a place to move out later.”
“That’s not necessary.”
Shi Yi snorted, her surprise completely vanishing from her face.
“I’ve guessed for a long time that I’d have to face the messes you stir up sooner or later. For a little sprout like you, new to Sin City, such behavior is quite normal.”
Shi Yi smiled, “What can they do to me? Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to protect you.”
“Thank you.”
Lu Mingming was a little touched upon hearing this.
“We’re of the same race, why say such things?”
Shi Yi cast a playfully chiding glance at Lu Mingming.
“Is your body mostly recovered?”
After putting down her basket, she immediately brewed a warm herbal soup, continuously stirring the messy gray water in the bowl with a spoon.
Only Lu Mingming could truly appreciate the potent effect of the special medicine Shi Yi prepared.
“Thanks to your help, I feel more than halfway healed, with no lingering side effects.”
Lu Mingming obediently took the soup bowl and unhesitatingly fed herself spoonful after spoonful until the entire bowl was empty.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
After drinking, Lu Mingming involuntarily covered her mouth and coughed lightly.
Even after three days of medicine, she still wasn't used to it, occasionally getting her throat scratched by the herbal ash mixed in.
“I’ve finished my medicine for today. Can I go gather information tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
Shi Yi took the bowl from Lu Mingming and placed it on the bedside table, introducing her as she had on the first day.
“I’ll take you out for a walk later to get a general idea of Sin City’s surroundings. Tomorrow, I’ll go gather herbs as usual, so you need to remember the way.”
The expected surprise still made Lu Mingming repeatedly agree.
“However…”
Shi Yi rubbed her chin, staring at Lu Mingming’s face in thought.
Lu Mingming felt a sense of unease, her hand instinctively touching her cheek, wondering what was wrong.
“Your face is too conspicuous. I need to add a little decoration.”
…
Tonight, the slum had a slight touch of human life, unlike its usual spectral and lifeless wandering.
To welcome the reception for all merchant caravans tomorrow, the slaves worked hard during the day, barely clinging to life as they helped with the arrangements at night.
Many held torches, their faces illuminated by the flames, as they tidied up prey caught or herbs gathered recently.
They hoped to exchange for some items that could improve their quality of life tomorrow, thus a spark of vitality appeared on their faces, full of the resilience of upward struggle.
On the street, a mother and daughter mingled with the crowd, walking around with torches.
Both held bags of herbs, possibly searching for a spot to set up a stall tomorrow.
The daughter’s face was darker than the night, and except for the bright whites of her eyes, none of her facial features were visible.
Her mother, directly in front of her, had drooping bags under her eyes that nearly reached her mouth, her face etched with weariness.
Neighbors bumped into each other on the street. Despite being acquaintances, they all tacitly chose to pretend not to see each other, brushing past.
“Shi Yi, why aren’t you going tomorrow?”
As they walked along the road, Lu Mingming, unable to contain her curiosity, lowered her head and asked softly, to break the monotony of the quiet journey.
“What’s so good about that place?”
Shi Yi’s tone was completely uninterested.
Hearing this, Lu Mingming tentatively suggested.
“Don’t you want to buy something? Or meet more people?”
“It’s boring.”
Lu Mingming fell silent, considering whether to respond.
After a few seconds, Shi Yi noticed Lu Mingming’s silence and added:
“It’s new to you for a year or two, but if you attend for decades, perhaps longer, all your life until you die, you’ll realize how tedious it is.
Even if you exchange, what can you do with it? Can you escape?”
“Perhaps meet more influential people?”
Lu Mingming carefully chose her words, which drew an unconcealed laugh from Shi Yi.
“Little girl, you haven’t seen the cruel side of Sin City. If you can leave this place early, then leave quickly.”
Mentioning this, they fell silent, quietly slipping away from the chaotic crowd and quickening their pace up the desolate, dark slope.
“Directly across from us is the intelligence office you’re so eager to know about.”
Shi Yi suddenly spoke.
“Are… are you sure?”
Lu Mingming looked around and spoke awkwardly.
The shops along the road were all tightly shut, appearing utterly lifeless, as if on the verge of bankruptcy.
The shop directly opposite them was locked at this moment. The accumulated dust suggested no one had opened it for years. A tattered cloth hung on the door, depicting a simple five-pointed star.
If Lu Mingming had passed by normally, she wouldn’t have even noticed there was a shop here.
“That’s right, it’s here.”
Shi Yi’s tone was certain.
“Within five days, you can get any information you want here. Tomorrow, tell the owner you want three Bloody Marys with a sprig of wormwood.”
She sniffed halfway through, clutching her neck and cursing fiercely, “One day I’ll slaughter all the beast-men.”
After catching her breath, Shi Yi continued:
“The cost of gathering information is uncertain. I advise you to participate in the caravan event with the slum dwellers. This box of herbs in your hand is for you.”
“That’s not really appropriate…”
Before Lu Mingming could finish, Shi Yi turned and walked in another direction, clearly not wanting to hear Lu Mingming’s refusal.
“It’s for you, take it and keep it well. Don’t play the push-and-pull game again, it’s simply annoying.”
Lu Mingming had no choice but to give a wry smile, closing her mouth and quickening her pace to catch up.
Led by Shi Yi, they gradually left the slum area and walked onto a more glamorous road.
The streetlights on both sides shone as brightly as daylight, and green plants covered the path. She could even see many rare and ancient potted plants that she had seen at the auction house.
The paving stones were laid seamlessly with new materials, ensuring that stepping on them felt as soft as treading on cotton.
Lu Mingming, accustomed to the steep terrain of the slums, felt quite unaccustomed to walking on such a high-class road and couldn’t help but stop to carefully feel the sensation under her feet.
Shi Yi had walked several meters ahead. Seeing Lu Mingming not keeping up, she raised her voice to remind her, “Stop playing around, look ahead.”
Lu Mingming instinctively looked up. Ahead, a magnificent building soared into the sky.
Giant artificial moon lamps emitted a soft glow, and crystal pipelines provided immense energy to every part of the city walls, creating the image of a sleepless city at night.
The fusion of technology and wealth made this luxury and beauty vividly apparent.
Even without entering the sleepless city, Lu Mingming, standing in the distance, seemed to hear the cheers and joy emanating from within.
“Tonight is simultaneously a celebration for these rich people. Tomorrow, they can meet more wealthy merchants and tycoons to solidify their status.
Most shopping malls, auction houses, and various powers are located within the sleepless city. The slums are not qualified to enjoy those pleasant privileges.”
Speaking of the sleepless city, Shi Yi’s voice was devoid of any emotion. She raised a finger and pointed to the sky, “They are about to begin.”
Lu Mingming tilted her head up, following Shi Yi’s pointed direction into the distance – fireworks bloomed with a “bang” in mid-air.
The sky was filled with brilliant fireworks, occupying the entire night sky and adding more beautiful embellishments to the starry sky.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Lu Mingming blurted out unconsciously.
As soon as she spoke, she secretly glanced at Shi Yi, fearing that her words might displease her.
“Yes.”
Unexpectedly, Shi Yi, for once, agreed with Lu Mingming.
She turned her head to look at Lu Mingming, her eyes softening, as if she were looking at someone else through Lu Mingming.
This emotion was fleeting. Shi Yi’s face tensed again as she walked away directly, “Let’s go, we’re going back. Good days are for the beast-men. You need to prepare to attend the merchant activities tomorrow.”