Chapter 73: Think About What Lord De Would Do

As soon as the words “I do!” left his mouth, Chen Zhao was stunned. He glanced around, noticing the astonished looks from the nearby diners, and instantly felt a chill run down his spine, as if he were sitting on pins and needles, his throat tight and uncomfortable. He leaned toward Shen He and whispered, “Keep your voice down.”

Only then did Shen He realize what had happened. He awkwardly cleared his throat and spoke loudly, “It’s just a small favor, isn’t it? As brothers, of course I’d be willing to help with something like this.”

Hearing this, the other diners withdrew their curious gazes. What was that about? How did a simple favor end up sounding like a confession? Some had hoped to catch a big piece of gossip while out for dinner, only to realize it was a misunderstanding.

Once the stares had faded, Shen He lowered his voice. “Tell me the details.”

Chen Zhao replied, “I can’t give you the specifics now. If you’re willing to help, you’ll understand everything when you come to sign the confidentiality agreement the day after tomorrow.”

Shen He nodded. That made sense. After all, matters like this were still being kept from the public. Whether they used insiders or hired outside experts, everyone had to sign a confidentiality agreement before any action was taken. It was a necessary restriction; otherwise, if word got out, there’d be real trouble.

But from what Chen Zhao had just hinted, it seemed those in charge weren’t in a hurry to rescue the first expedition team. Everyone knew the golden window for rescue was at most forty-eight hours. If signing the agreement and traveling to the site would already push them past that window, there was definitely something suspicious going on.

Chen Zhao sat there, eating skewers and drinking beer, chatting idly with Shen He. Now that Shen He had agreed to go, the spot for Xiangxiang City was essentially settled. Soon, Chen Zhao could submit Shen He’s name. After all, in the whole city, Shen He was the only one qualified for this mission. If he performed well, the glory would go to their precinct in the southern part of the city. Riding this wave, they’d be the first to benefit from any future reforms or rewards.

After a few rounds of drinks, Chen Zhao saw a car pull up not far away. He staggered to his feet and said, “My ride’s here. I should head back now. You should get some rest too—wait for my call the day after tomorrow.”

“Remember, never drink and drive. If you drive after drinking, your loved ones will be left in tears. Hire a driver, don’t drive yourself.”

As he spoke, a young man stepped out of the car and approached them. He greeted Shen He and then helped Chen Zhao into the car.

Shen He stood up as well. The waiter, who had been waiting nearby, came over and recited, “Twenty skewers of pork belly, sixty yuan; two grilled kidneys, twelve; a dozen beers, twenty-five; peanuts and edamame, twelve; two oysters, twelve; grilled bread, four; stir-fried clams, twenty-three; for a total of one hundred forty-eight yuan.” He placed a QR code on the table.

Glancing in the direction Chen Zhao had left, Shen He cursed under his breath. That jerk—he’d asked him here to talk business, then ran off without paying the bill. So inconsiderate. He’d better hope things go smoothly for him in the next couple of days, or Shen He would definitely curse him.

He took out his phone, paid the bill, and then ordered a designated driver through the app. Once that was done, he got into his car and sat in the passenger seat to wait.

About ten minutes later, the driver arrived, knocked on the window to confirm his passenger, then placed his folding two-wheeler in the trunk. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he said, “Employee 9527, happy to serve you.”

Shen He instructed, “Just follow the route on the app. First to the medical college, then detour back to the urban village.”

The driver nodded and started the car, heading out.

Originally, Shen He had planned to search for the fifteenth treasure chest the next day, but on second thought, if someone else found it first, he’d lose ten points. He might as well spend a bit more money and take a detour tonight.

The car pulled onto a street near the medical college. Shen He asked the driver to stop by the roadside, got out, and walked ahead. The driver, sitting in the passenger seat, watched Shen He head into a secluded corner and scratched his head. What was up with this guy? Hiring a driver just to take a detour for a bathroom break before heading home?

As far as the driver could see, that corner was deserted—if not for relieving himself, what else could Shen He be doing?

Shen He reached the treasure chest, crouched down, and opened it. Inside, a pair of silver hemostatic forceps lay quietly.

(Medical Student’s Hemostatic Forceps: These forceps can rapidly stop bleeding from blood vessels and various wounds. Once applied, hemostasis can be maintained for three hours after removal.)

(Friendly reminder: These forceps come from a medical student who attended online classes. Such students lack practical experience, so the forceps can only be used once per day; additional uses do not provide special hemostatic effects.)

(…)

Shen He picked up the forceps, clicking his tongue in amusement. This thing really keeps up with the times—even online classes are represented. He wondered whether those students, after three years of online courses, ever got retrained in hands-on skills. If not, any patient in their care would be in real trouble. At best, they’d miss the vein during an IV; at worst, they’d mistake the cecum for the appendix and cut them both out.

He stood up and walked back to the car.

The driver checked his watch; the timing matched his expectations. “Ready to head home now?” he asked.

Shen He nodded. “Let’s go back.”

The driver started the car, heading for the urban village.

Upon arrival, the driver thoughtfully escorted Shen He upstairs to his door. “Please remember to give me a good rating. Thank you very much.”

Shen He agreed and stepped into his apartment. After a quick wash, he went straight to bed.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, Shen He sat up in bed and instinctively called up his system panel. The first daily task was, as always, “Goddess of Luck’s Favor,” with only one difference: the time limit had dropped to two days.

But the second daily task immediately caught his eye, making him feel wide awake.

[Daily Task Two: What Would Bear Grylls Do?]
[Task requirements: Please collect eighteen different wild plants.]
[Task reward: Wilderness survival skills]
[...]
[Survival Guide: As a total rookie with no survival experience, I figured you might need this skill. So I’ve complained to the rookie system on your behalf and gotten you this useful ability.
Don’t thank me. Just stay alive. Not ending up as fertilizer for mutated beasts or cave monsters is the best thanks you can give me.]