Volume 3 Starts – Departure Time Moved Up (Chapter 1)
When Ye Sheng first saw the link title, her immediate reaction was whether it had been sent to her by mistake.
What kind of SS-level mission was this? It shouldn't be assigned to an ordinary person like her but to an esper... However, as the term “esper” crossed her mind, Ye Sheng hesitated briefly before deciding that, after all, there was no such thing as information fraud in this wasteland world, there was no harm in clicking to take a look.
Later, after Ye Sheng curiously clicked into the link and read the details, it finally dawned on her.
So, it hadn't been a mistake after all!
After quickly skimming through the content, Ye Sheng immediately reached out and pulled Gu Luoyu over, sharing the interface displayed on the Supernet with her. The earlier speculation about an ocean exploration mission had now been confirmed.
“They sure acted fast.”
Gu Luoyu wasn't the least bit surprised by this. The corners of her lips curled into a mocking smile, but she quickly suppressed it. Instead, she raised her hand and lightly pinched Ye Sheng's cheek, speaking meaningfully, “Seems like our peaceful days are about to end.”
“Sigh, happiness is always so fleeting~”
Unlike Gu Luoyu's composed understanding, Ye Sheng pouted in frustration, her mood noticeably souring. They had only just moved into the inner city a few days ago, and she hadn't even finished exploring it!
She had originally assumed that the ocean exploration mission would require going through numerous procedures...
Yet now, the decision had been made so quickly that it gave Ye Sheng an unreal, almost childlike feeling.
Wasn't this decision far too rash?
After all, exploring the ocean was an extremely dangerous operation, one wrong move, and the entire team could be wiped out!
With no more interest in strolling around, on their way home, Gu Luoyu analyzed the situation for Ye Sheng,m“It's probably because of me, Erensu's return, and my insistence on participating in the ocean exploration mission that made the base officials believe the chances of success have significantly increased. That's why the procedures were streamlined, and doors were opened wide for convenience.”
“If that's the case, won't you have to shoulder most of the burden during the mission?”
As she listened, Ye Sheng couldn't help but frowned. Although she had agreed to let Gu Luoyu participate in the mission, she didn't want her to become the base officials' workhorse!
Even if Gu Luoyu's abilities were truly formidable, this mission couldn't rely solely on her efforts!
What if something unexpected happened midway, leading to mission failure? The base officials would surely pin all the blame on Gu Luoyu. In that case, it would be better not to go at all!
“Dr. Na Nali did suggest that I lead this mission, but I refused. Don't worry, the base wouldn't dare to force me into anything now... However, Little Sheng, if you prefer life in the inner city, maybe you shouldn't come along this time.”
The moment these words left Gu Luoyu's mouth, Ye Sheng shook her head around to glare at her angrily, ready to give her a piece of her mind. But when she saw the worry and reluctance on Gu Luoyu's face, her crimson eyes flickering with hesitation, the little flame of anger in Ye Sheng's heart instantly died out.
Instead, it made her heart ache faintly.
Still, she needed to clarify things immediately, “Ah Yu, I will never leave you. It's not like I don't have experience camping in the wild, or do you think I'm someone who can't handle hardships?”
Although Ye Sheng truly disliked suffering, as long as she could stay by Gu Luoyu's side, she'd willingly swallow a handful of bitter herbs!
Even the famous “wild herb digger” from ancient times might not compare to her lovesick devotion.
But so what?
She loved Gu Luoyu and didn't want to be separated from her, that was completely normal... Especially in this danger-filled wasteland world, where accidents could happen at any moment. Living each day to the fullest is the best course of action.
“Of course not. I just don't want you to suffer alongside me. It'll be exhausting.”
Gu Luoyu lifted Ye Sheng's hand and gently kissed the back of it, light as a butterfly's touch before fluttering away. The fleeting contact sent a tingling sensation spreading rapidly across Ye Sheng's skin, making her shift her hand slightly in embarrassment as her ears flushed red.
Although their relationship was already deeply intimate, whenever Gu Luoyu performed these sweet little gestures, it still filled Ye Sheng's heart with warmth.
Yet, while Ye Sheng's heart raced like a startled deer, she didn't notice the faint upward curve of Gu Luoyu's lips, nor the glint of madness in her crimson eyes.
Contrary to the gentle, considerate image Ye Sheng held of her, Gu Luoyu's true nature was forcibly suppressed, painstakingly masked behind a façade of normalcy. But occasionally, it sees through in certain subtle details.
For instance, Gu Luoyu also couldn't bear to be separated from Ye Sheng, even if the path ahead was perilous.
Ye Sheng was like her private domain, no one else was allowed to covet her. Only by keeping her close at all times could Gu Luoyu feel at ease... But she would never voice this directly. Instead, she took a roundabout approach, just like now.
Effortlessly achieving her desires while making Ye Sheng adore her even more.
“Not at all! Although life in the base is relaxing and comfortable, exploring the wild is also really fun. Plus, with a powerhouse like you protecting me, there's nothing to worry about. It's more like a fun outing, I'd love it too!”
Ye Sheng racked her brain for words to dispel Gu Luoyu's concerns, and after much effort, she finally saw results. Gu Luoyu nodded, abandoning the idea of leaving her behind in the base.
However, when she thought about the time marked on the mission invitation, the ocean exploration mission was set to officially begin in two days.
They needed to start preparing their supplies!
...
Two days passed in a flash. After some consideration, Ye Sheng and Gu Luoyu decided to bring Ye Heiya and Little white along to prevent any mishaps from occurring during their prolonged absence from the base.
After all, just the fact that Ye Heiya was a Calamity Swan was enough to make others drool with envy.
Add Little white's healing abilities to the mix, and it will only invite more greed.
Bringing them along was the best solution. Fortunately, both Ye Sheng and Gu Luoyu had storage-space artifacts, so carrying luggage and pet supplies wasn't an issue.
At one point, worried that her storage space wasn't sufficient, Ye Sheng used the lottery system for a 10-draw.
Not daring to gamble with as many points as before, this time she only spent one million lottery points.
Yet, not a single storage-space item appeared. Instead, she drew a bunch of pet-enhancement items, which she helplessly fed to Ye Heiya and Little white, plumping them up further.
This caused Ye Heiya's size to increase yet again, making Ye Sheng suddenly worried... Ye Heiya was still a juvenile less than a year old. If it kept growing, wouldn't it eventually become as big as a small mountain?
Where would they even keep it then?!
With these concerns about future accommodation for Ye Heiya weighing on her mind, Ye Sheng sat in the passenger seat, holding the well-behaved Little white in her arms as Gu Luoyu drove them to the team's assembly point.
Meanwhile, Ye Heiya trotted behind the car, drawing curious gazes from onlookers.
Upon arriving at the assembly point, the massive Ye Heiya remained the center of attention. Just as the murmurs of curiosity spread, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.
“You're so late, I've been waiting forever. Mind if I hitch a ride?”