Upon arriving at their destination.
They immediately split into teams.
Shen Xiao and Lu Qingyue formed one team, while Lu Zihao and Su Qiao scouted the other side.
They planned their respective search routes to maximize efficiency.
Shen Xiao prioritized inquiring at several convenience stores where the "barber" man, had been caught on CCTV.
He gathered even the smallest details from the shop owners.
Lu Qingyue followed behind him obediently.
Grip...
Her right hand held a pen, occasionally jotting down information in a notebook strapped to her left arm.
Due to her lack of field experience, she felt she had to work extra hard to catch up.
She recorded every movement and word Shen Xiao made that she deemed useful, planning to summarize and study them later that night.
Fortunately, I have someone to guide me, she thought.
If she were alone, she would surely be as confused as a headless chicken.
They scoured other areas, but the information gathered remained minimal.
In winter, the sun sets faster, and by six in the evening, darkness had already swallowed the streets.
"Let's stop here for now. Let's find food and a place to rest, we'll continue tomorrow," Shen Xiao said while sending a location pin to Lu Zihao.
"Uhm... Shen Xiao, wait a moment. I need to go to the bathroom," Lu Qingyue excused herself hurriedly.
Qingyue rushed toward the public toilets.
Not because she desperately had to go, but because she remembered something critically important.
Lu Qingyue recalled their previous conversation.
Shen Xiao had indeed said he wouldn't mind covering the mission costs if necessary, but he'd said it lightly, as if it were a last resort.
He'd never openly stated he'd pay for everything, especially not in front of the team.
Qingyue didn't think it was a promise, but rather a kindness she shouldn't take advantage of.
So, she had promised Shen Xiao that she would bear the costs of food and lodging during this mission.
If she were alone, she wouldn't mind, a bowl of noodles for 7 yuan and a bit of warm broth would be enough.
But treating others was a different matter.
Her mother had repeatedly advised her.
Never be stingy regarding food for someone who has helped you.
Thinking of Shen Xiao's luxury car and the 100,000-coin potion he had given her so casually...
Was it appropriate to only serve him 7-yuan noodles?
Absolutely not! her mind screamed.
On TV, she saw rich people eating steak and drinking red wine, but she didn't have that kind of money.
Having rarely socialized and almost never eating out, she was completely blind to places that were decent yet affordable.
After thinking for a moment, she considered calling Su Qiao but immediately cancelled the idea.
Su Qiao was also her responsibility in terms of food costs, so asking her would only be a waste of time.
Finally, she decided to call her younger brother, Lu Han.
"Han-er, do you know of a good place to treat friends to a meal?" Qingyue asked directly as soon as the call connected.
"Treating them? How about a roadside satay stall?" Lu Han answered without hesitation.
"It's winter, Han-er. And this friend has helped me immensely. I want to repay the favor, it wouldn't feel right to take them somewhere too run-down."
"Is it your boyfriend? Sis, do you have a boyfriend without telling me? Let him pay! If he can't even afford to treat you, send me your location, I'll beat him up right now!"
"No, no... it's a girl," Qingyue lied quickly, mentioning Su Qiao in her head so she wouldn't feel too guilty.
She was afraid her brother would misunderstand and add more to her mental burden.
Hearing it was a girl, Lu Han calmed down slightly.
"Oh. How many people are eating?"
"Four people. Including me. Since she helped me so much, I promised to cover their food and lodging."
"If it's a standard place, a cheap hotel is about 70-80 yuan a night, totaling around 9,000 yuan a month. If you don't mind, the four of you could share one room to save money for food," Lu Han suggested.
"Isn't that a bit stingy? He looks very wealthy, I'm afraid he'll be offended."
"If you want something better, it might cost 20,000 yuan a month. Sis, do you even have that much money? If not, I still have a little savings."
"And... what about the best place?" Qingyue asked softly.
"Sis, what kind of help is worth paying that much for? Remember our family's situation, 20,000 yuan is massive for us. I hope you can be frugal and not let people take advantage of you."
Qingyue forced her voice to remain calm.
"I was just asking."
"Actually, I think 9,000 is enough. My friends at school are very kind, they all sincerely help me."
"You're lying. People have laughed at you since we were kids. Where would such kind friends come from?"
"That was then, Han-er. I'm an adult now, of course I have friends."
"They are all very good to me, truly."
Lu Han was silent for a long time before answering, "If it's too hard, come home and just go to a regular university."
"You've suffered enough for this family for years. Hand the family debt to me. After I enter the military academy, I'll be the one making money. Let the dirty and heavy work be my concern. I will take care of you and Mom."
Qingyue smiled painfully, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, but she held them back with all her might. "It's okay, I'm not tired. Focus on your studies, let family matters be my concern. My mission assessment is very easy, my tutor and roommate help every day. I've even finished many tasks early."
She didn't want to tell him her true condition so her brother wouldn't worry.
"By the way, how is school?"
"I'm still ranked first, of course. Oh, an official from a middle school came to see me, offering a full scholarship, but I haven't agreed yet. I want to discuss it with you first."
"Haha, my brother really is smart. Your sister is the stupid one, I even got the mission schedule wrong today and almost embarrassed myself. Alright, I have to go now, take care of yourself at home."
"Don't worry, I'll be almost 12 after the New Year. I can take care of myself."
After hanging up, Lu Qingyue took a long breath and wiped her face.
She realized she had spent too much time.
Oh no, Shen Xiao must have been waiting for ages!
She hurried out of the toilet area.
Trying to hide the remnants of sadness on her face with a forced, small smile.
...
Ten minutes later, Lu Qingyue returned with hurried steps.
Time was tight, so she only had time to open a few emergency online loans so she wouldn't be embarrassed if she lacked the money for dinner.
This gave her a capital of about 10,000 yuan.
But according to Lu Han's calculations, even 20,000 yuan a month was tight.
She would have to borrow more later.
I must pass this assessment.
If I fail and give up now, how will I pay the family debt?
Working in a factory for a few thousand yuan will never be enough, she thought bitterly.
This was her last chance, and she had to grip it tightly.
...
Qingyue got into the car and opened her phone.
She had found a noodle stall online with good reviews.
The price was affordable and parking was easy.
She wanted to give the best within her budget.
However, before she could speak, Su Qiao leaned forward from the back seat.
"Qingyue, look at this! I haven't eaten spicy lobster in forever. Let's try this place!"
"Lobster?" Qingyue glanced at the price.
200 yuan per person... that meant 800 yuan for a single meal.
For once, she might be able to force it, but this was a month-long mission!
If it was already like this on the first day, her savings would be gone in a week.
Seeing Qingyue hesitate, Su Qiao shook her shoulder.
"Come on, Qingyue! We've been tired all day, let's eat something good!"
Su Qiao actually wanted to "drain" Lu Zihao's wallet this month, unaware that the one actually paying was her struggling best friend.
Lu Zihao didn't care about the price, he just followed Shen Xiao's lead.
As for Shen Xiao?
His gaze was fixed only on Qingyue.
"Qingyue, what do you think? Shall we eat here?" Shen Xiao asked.
"Uhm... that... it's fine, I don't mind," Qingyue answered softly, though her heart felt as if it were being squeezed.
She began to wonder if she should be honest with Shen Xiao or just give up now before her debt piled up to 70-80 thousand yuan by the end of the month.
"What's wrong?"
Shen Xiao asked as he noticed the gloom on Qingyue's face.
"Nothing, really," Qingyue waved her hand quickly.
But her phone was still on, displaying the page of the cheap noodle stall she had been looking for.
Shen Xiao took the phone casually and glanced at it.
A cheap noodle stall?
Instantly, the puzzle pieces in Shen Xiao's brain clicked together.
He remembered Qingyue's family background from his past life, they were devastatingly poor.
Qingyue promised to bear the food and lodging costs, and now she was terrified looking at the price of lobster.
How can I let my future Empress suffer like this?
Shen Xiao thought.
But if he paid directly, the stubborn Qingyue would surely feel humiliated.
Shen Xiao had actually noticed Qingyue's unease from the start.
But he chose to remain silent.
He knew that if he directly offered money, Qingyue would either refuse or feel insulted.
So he waited for the right moment, not to flaunt his wealth, but to protect her dignity without making her feel indebted.
Shen Xiao suddenly cleared his throat, his expression turning incredibly serious and cold.
"I've changed my mind," Shen Xiao stated firmly.
"We are on a mission, not a vacation. My personal principle is efficiency and total focus. There will be no luxury while on duty."
"Eh? But I want lobster!" Su Qiao protested.
Shen Xiao glared at Su Qiao sharply.
"From now on, follow my team rules. Eating at 10-yuan fast-food stalls and staying in 20-yuan budget hotels is the standard. If you want to have fun and eat well, do it after this month's target is achieved. At that time, I will treat you all to whatever you want, I'll foot the bill."
"But during the mission? We live frugally to keep your minds sharp. Any objections?"
Su Qiao shrank under Shen Xiao's gaze.
"Al... alright."
Lu Zihao, who had often teamed up with Shen Xiao, felt confused.
The Boss usually loves eating well, why has he suddenly become a monk?
However, when he saw the glint of relief in Lu Qingyue's eyes, Zihao understood immediately.
Ah...
Boss is playing a drama for the sake of the beauty!
Ding!
[Gained favor with Lu Zihao, Fate Ticket +1]
Hearing the "hard life" rule from Shen Xiao, Lu Qingyue felt a heavy burden lift from her shoulders.
She gave a very sincere smile, the brightest smile Shen Xiao had ever seen.
"I agree, Shen Xiao. We should focus on the mission. Let's have a big feast at the end of the month!" Qingyue said cheerfully.
Ding!
[Gained Lu Qingyue's favorability, Fate Ticket +100]
Shen Xiao smiled thinly.
With just a little bit of acting, he could save Qingyue's pride while harvesting lottery tickets.
[Current Status: 932.36 Fate Tickets]
Just a little more... just a bit further until 1,000 tickets and the first legendary pull.
Shen Xiao thought excitedly.