Lu Cai, returning from Dragon King Pond showed no emotion and turned to the village chief.
"Ah, leaving today?"
The village chief adjusted his glasses. "So soon? Is there something urgent? The repellent won't be repaired for a while and it's dangerous out there."
Lu Cai glanced thoughtfully at the village chief wondering how he could so seriously describe the dangers outside.
Can't you see that the village is even more dangerous?
But Lu Cai didn't argue. He replied calmly, "I'm out here collecting samples. Once I get something important I have to hurry back."
He could have just left without saying goodbye but after all, Lu Cai wasn't completely heartless. He put it out there: if anything chasing him left the village and followed him he'd help with a spiritual salvation.
The village chief was stunned. "Yesterday they said you were from a large base. So... you're a researcher?"
Lu Cai nodded. Researching physical spiritual salvation.
The village chief sighed as if with regret but before he could say anything the door of the shabby little bungalow that served as his office was pushed open from the outside.
"Village chief, tonight's wedding banquet... Hey, the young man's here too!"
The moment Lu Cai saw Zhang Daquan walk in he tapped his heel hard on the ground, his pupils constricting slightly.
It was certain this person was abnormal but Lu Cai wouldn't hold him down and check his pulse.
Because if he did, pulling out the radish would bring out the dirt and it was hard to say whether he would be able to escape. Therefore, Lu Cai could only be more cautious trying to ensure that any incident was resolved swiftly and without mass extermination.
The village chief seemed oblivious and nodded cheerfully, "Yes, Little Lu, come and say goodbye to me."
Zhang Daquan's eyes widened, his Mediterranean hair and shiny cheeks and he looked energetic as he tried to stop him: "No!"
Lu Cai raised his eyes with a hint of coldness but Zhang Daquan didn't notice at all and continued,
"My daughter is having a wedding banquet tonight! I misunderstood you this morning. You must come tonight. I want to buy you a drink!"
Wedding banquet? Tonight?
Putting aside the current resource shortages, the village looked like it was barely scraping by and the fact that people couldn't leave the house at night, Lu Cai carefully asked, "How many daughters do you have?"
Zhang Daquan smiled, revealing a simple, yellow tooth.
"What's up? You've taken a liking to my daughter Xuexue and you're wondering if she has any younger sisters? Too bad the Zhangs only have one daughter. Otherwise, with your good looks, I might consider you!"
Turning his head to glance at the village chief who also smiled seemingly oblivious to anything amiss. Lu Cai turned back and pursed her lips.
Good boy.
"Then it's a deal. You can't leave. Hahahaha. I'm going to find some guys to keep an eye on you! Uncle's going to have a few drinks with you tonight! Village chief, remember to come too!"
Zhang Daquan said goodbye and happily left the house. Lu Cai stared at his back with a gloomy expression.
The village chief smiled cheerfully.
"Xiao Lu, why don't you stay one more night? One day won't make a big difference. Daquan is such a welcoming person and leaving wouldn't be a good idea. It's a big wedding after all, there's nothing we can do!"
Lu Cai looked away silent for a moment then nodded, slowly clenching the palms in his pockets.
In that case, fine.
After all, we're here.
The Foundation has a rule that they regularly patrol human gatherings within their jurisdiction with intervals no longer than 35 days.
Because 35 days is the longest infection period shown by data to date, if an infection is discovered within that period the Foundation's professional team will definitely take action.
According to the villagers the dispersal device has been broken for a month. At the latest the Foundation will be here in five days... no, four days.
Since there's no way to escape and he's bound to be dragged into this he might as well get to the bottom of the situation first to pave the way for his colleagues who will arrive later.
The night needs light; if the morning light doesn't arrive they will be the flames.
As Lu Cai left the village chief's office he unexpectedly ran into Xiao Yu who was visiting the village chief. The girl, wearing a washed-out denim skirt and thin cheeks, looked more normal than anyone else here, especially...
"Hmph!"
Xiao Yu glared at Lu Cai then stormed back into the house her braids swung to find the village chief.
Lu Cai remained unmoved. He calmly turned and walked out of the village thinking to himself especially... her emotions and logic were normal and she even glared at him.
But I've already saved it. Suddenly, Lu Cai's mind flashed back to a line from an old movie his senior brother loved to watch.