Chapter 5. Expensive Supply Station
As for whether to go to the Matching Center during her recovery period, Mo Xiao didn’t need to remind her. She didn’t have such a saintly heart; the feeling of having her spiritual power hollowed out was not pleasant, and she wasn’t foolish enough to go to work while recovering.
After seeing Mo Xiao off, Su Tang lay on the bed and let out a deep breath. Today’s events served as a wake-up call for her. In the face of absolute power, whether she was willing or not, her spiritual power could be used by others.
This further deepened her original idea: she had to increase the chips in her hand before the White Tower noticed her peculiarity.
…
Her spiritual power recovered faster than expected. Early the next morning, Su Tang was woken up by the sensation of the silver wolf gently licking the back of her hand.
Seeing that she was awake, the silver wolf ran to the door.
The sky outside the window was faintly bright. Only then did Su Tang discover that Mo Xiao was already standing at the door of her dormitory, holding two energy bars in his hand.
“Captain Mo.”
What was he doing here so early in the morning? He couldn’t have taken over the job of the delivery guy who brought her meals, right?
“Eat something. I’ll take you to the Supply Station in a while.”
Su Tang took the energy bar and took a bite. As the sweet and cloying nutrient solution melted on the tip of her tongue, she spoke.
“So Captain Mo still remembered.”
The woman looked very beautiful when she smiled, especially looking up at him from a lower position like this; it added a touch of innocence.
Mo Xiao looked away, a response that was neither heavy nor light spilling from his throat: “Mn.”
“If you have any special items, remember to pack them away yourself first. Someone will come to move you later.”
When Mo Xiao said this, his eyes didn’t look at her at all. Thinking about it, asking a big man like him to remind a woman of such things was indeed embarrassing for him.
Su Tang couldn’t help but lower her head and smile.
“I’m new here, I don’t have anything. What I have was given by Captain Mo; there’s nothing shameful.”
He didn’t mean it that way. He meant those kinds of private items should be packed away by herself first. Realizing the girl was joking with him, Mo Xiao glanced at her faintly, pursed his lips, and strode forward.
…
Following Mo Xiao out of the dormitory building, the silver wolf ran excitedly in front. It seemed to be in high spirits today.
When they passed the Matching Center, several Sentinels were surrounding Li Mo talking. They were probably people who had sought Li Mo for purification before.
Seeing Su Tang and Mo Xiao enter, the voices suddenly stopped.
Su Tang stopped in her tracks. It was this situation again; the same thing happened last time at the Testing Center.
Suddenly, a Sentinel popped up from somewhere beside her, walked up to her, and handed her a candy.
“Miss Su, we heard about what happened yesterday. This candy can replenish spiritual power, please accept it.”
Just as Su Tang wanted to say thank you, the candy was snatched away by Mo Xiao and stuffed into his own pocket.
“She doesn’t need this.”
His tone was hard, as if afraid she would be poisoned by some unknown object.
The Sentinel was stunned and awkwardly retracted his hand.
Su Tang looked at Mo Xiao helplessly.
“Thank you.”
She smiled politely at the Sentinel, then ignored the noisy commotion behind her and continued forward alongside Mo Xiao.
“He is from the Second Squad.”
Mo Xiao spoke faintly.
“Shen Ji’s people. So, you’re worried he poisoned me?”
This reason didn’t seem very convincing.
Su Tang stared at Mo Xiao with amusement.
“Shen Ji’s people have always been full of tricks. It’s not wrong to be more guarded.”
Fine, whatever you say. Who asked her to be under his protection right now?
The Supply Station was at the bottom layer of the White Tower. When the metal doors slid open, Su Tang was startled by the scene inside—rather than a supermarket, it was more like a bizarre and dazzling marketplace.
The shelves were lined with nutrient agents glowing with blue light and spiritual entity snacks in crystal jars. The light screen next to each item displayed a string of glaring numbers.
“These are… points?”
Su Tang pointed to a bottle of seemingly ordinary shower gel. The screen read “800 Points.”
She had specifically checked her wristband yesterday. Her account only had 500 points, and that was earned from soothing three Sentinels.
Mo Xiao gave a hum of affirmation, picked up that bottle of shower gel, and tossed it into the shopping basket.
“Pick yours first.”
“Wait!” Su Tang put the shower gel back in its original place. “Captain Mo, I still have self-awareness.”
She walked to the discount area in the corner. The packaging of the goods there was a bit worn. A bottle of no-name shower gel was marked “100 Points,” which was a price she could afford.
Just as she was about to take it, her wrist was grabbed.
“Use mine.”
Mo Xiao’s voice rang out above her head. He took out his own wristband. “I have enough points.”
“No need.” Su Tang broke free from his hand and picked up the no-name bottle. “This will do.”
She didn’t want to owe Mo Xiao too much.
Mo Xiao looked at her stubborn side profile and didn’t insist further, simply silently placing the 800-point bottle into the basket as well.
“Yo, isn’t this the great Captain Mo? Taking the little beauty to experience life?”
Zhan Ye leaned against the shelf in a sloping manner, an energy bar in his mouth. The sleeves of his army-green combat uniform were rolled up to his elbows, revealing solid forearms. If one looked closely, several un-faded scars could be seen.
He was playing with a metal lighter in his hand. Seeing the cheap shower gel in Su Tang’s basket, he raised his eyebrows and smiled.
“Little beauty is so thrifty? Can’t Captain Mo afford to support you?”
The Golden Eagle spiritual entity behind him swooped down, clutching a bottle of exquisitely packaged perfume in its claws, dropping it right into Su Tang’s arms.
The bottle shimmered with fragmented light, and the label read “5000 Points.”
“Take it, Big Brother is giving it to you.”
Zhan Ye took two steps closer.
“This brand’s rose scent suits you perfectly.”
Su Tang revealed a polite smile.
“Thank you, but no need.”
“Think it’s cheap?”
Zhan Ye chuckled low, his fingertips deliberately brushing across the back of her hand.
“Then go look upstairs? There are custom-made ones for Guides, scent beads condensed from Sentinel spiritual power. Very soothing, exactly what you need right now.”
Mo Xiao pulled Su Tang behind him, blocking the space between her and Zhan Ye, his tone cold as ice.
“Nothing to do?”
“Just saw that the little beauty was lacking things, didn’t I?”
Zhan Ye shrugged, his gaze circling Su Tang’s face as if evaluating some treasure.
“With that little bit of points in her account, it’d be tough to even buy a pack of tissues here, right?”
Su Tang’s face burned slightly. Although she knew Zhan Ye was telling the truth, why did it sound so grating to her ears?
The 500 points she earned yesterday would be nearly gone after buying shower gel and a toothbrush. Slightly better things on the shelves cost thousands of points.
“You know it all.”
Su Tang muttered softly.
A Sentinel’s five senses had long been different from ordinary people since evolution. Su Tang’s soft mutterings were no different to their ears than if she had spoken right next to them.
Zhan Ye couldn’t help but laugh.
“Little beauty is very unconvinced, huh? Right, it was Big Brother who misspoke. To apologize, Big Brother will take you upstairs to spend, how about it?”
As Zhan Ye spoke, he moved to grab her. Mo Xiao stepped sideways, blocking the way between the two.
“Anything else?”
Zhan Ye looked at Mo Xiao’s unhesitating action. A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, which he quickly concealed: “Nothing else. Since you’re here, I have to give Captain Mo some face.”
He turned and walked two steps, then looked back, winking at Su Tang, rogue-like and ambiguous.
“By the way, little beauty, if you want to change backers, find me anytime. The Third Squad’s door is always open for you.”
After speaking, he whistled, turned, and left with the Golden Eagle. The sound of military boots stepping on the floor gradually faded away.
Su Tang looked at his retreating figure, then at the bottle of 800-point shower gel in Mo Xiao’s basket, feeling a bit complicated.
She wasn’t someone who liked to take advantage of others, but in her current situation, she really needed to rely on Mo Xiao.
“I will pay you back for these,” Su Tang said in a low voice.
“No need.”
Mo Xiao pushed the shopping cart forward, his tone flat.
“You work for the First Squad; these are what you deserve.”
He paused, then added, “In the future, for soothing Sentinels, I’ll have Li Mo calculate your points according to the highest standard.”
Su Tang didn’t speak, just quickened her pace to keep up with him. Passing by the toy section, she saw a fluffy wolf-shaped plushie that looked very much like the silver wolf.
The silver wolf had protected her time and again; she had seen it all. She had originally wanted to buy it some toys, but alas, this was too expensive. Sorry, little silver wolf, I can only buy it for you after Big Sister earns money.
Mo Xiao noticed Su Tang’s movement. He stopped and took the little wolf plushie in his hand.
“Want it?”
“No.” Su Tang shook her head hurriedly.
“I just thought it looked quite like the silver wolf.”
Mo Xiao didn’t ask further, simply silently placing the plushie into the shopping basket.
At checkout, Su Tang silently glanced at the big screen.
Over 20,000.
Su Tang’s eyelids twitched watching it. Based on the points she got for purifying one Sentinel, how much work would she have to do?
On the way back, the two didn’t speak. Except for the silver wolf running happily in front, the atmosphere between the two could even be described as heavy.
“If you need anything in the future, just tell me directly.”
Mo Xiao’s voice suddenly sounded, breaking the silence.
“Don’t look at the price.”
Su Tang looked up at him. Sunlight fell on his sharp, well-defined profile, actually making it appear somewhat soft.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn’t know where to start.
In modern times, she was an orphan. After leaving the orphanage, she lived a very difficult life in the big city on that meager salary. No one had ever said such words to her.
She had to admit, it really touched her heart.
“Thank you.”
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Su Tang finally replied.
Mo Xiao gave a hum of acknowledgment and didn’t speak again, just slowing his pace to match hers.
Brought to her new residence by Mo Xiao, Su Tang looked around. The environment here was more than just a little bit better than where she lived before. It had full constant temperature coverage, a bathroom, restroom, living room, and bedroom—everything was there. Su Tang smiled with satisfaction.
Su Tang placed the 800-point shower gel in the bathroom. She touched her wristband; the balance was still 500, not a single point moved.
It seemed that wanting to buy what she wanted with her own points in the White Tower without relying on anyone else—there was still a long road ahead.
Outside the window came the sound of the Golden Eagle’s wings sweeping by. Su Tang walked to the window and saw Zhan Ye standing on the roof of the opposite building, waving at her, holding that bottle of 5000-point perfume in his hand.
Could it be that this apartment was very close to Zhan Ye’s place?
She drew the curtains, shutting that rogue figure out.
Just as the curtains were half-drawn, she was interrupted by a voice laced with banter.
“What, little beauty wants to lock me out just like that?”
Su Tang turned around and saw that Zhan Ye had appeared in the doorframe of her room at some point. A silver gift box was placed by his military boots.
He didn’t come in. His smiling eyes stared at her, and his knuckles knocked on the doorframe.
The Golden Eagle spiritual entity tilted its head to look at her from his shoulder, clutching a shiny candy in its claws.
“Moving in on the first day, and Captain Mo isn’t helping you unpack?”
Zhan Ye raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the empty living room.
“True, he should be at the training ground right now; a bunch of rookies are waiting for him to train them.”
“Want Big Brother to help you unpack?”
Su Tang took two steps toward the door, deliberately creating distance.
“Does Captain Zhan need something?”
“Can’t I come to see you if I have nothing to do?”
Zhan Ye bent down to pick up the gift box and extended it forward, his movements casual and natural.
“The bottle this morning was a sample. This is the proper gift box set; it comes with a calming array.”
He shook the box.
“Shen Ji, that guy, really didn’t know his own strength yesterday. Your spiritual power is unstable right now; this is perfect for you.”
Su Tang didn’t take it, lowering her eyes to look at the tips of her shoes.
“Thank you for your kindness, Captain Zhan, but I really don’t need it.”
“Is it that you don’t need it, or you don’t dare to accept it?”
Zhan Ye chuckled low and deliberately leaned closer, his voice lowered as if whispering secrets.
“Afraid Mo Xiao will find out? That guy just looks fierce, actually—”
“I’m not afraid of him.”
Su Tang looked up and interrupted him, her tone very faint.
“I’m just used to buying things myself.”
Zhan Ye raised an eyebrow, retracted his hand to play with the gift box, his fingertips sliding over the gold-stamped logo.
“Buy it yourself? With those 500 points in your wristband?”
As if remembering something, he suddenly laughed. “Oh right, for the three Sentinels you soothed yesterday, the points given were too few. That kid Li Mo is an old fogey; he calculated it according to the lowest standard.”
Su Tang was stunned.
“There are standard differences?”
“Of course.” Zhan Ye leaned against the doorframe even more casually, the scars on his forearm faintly visible in the light.
“For a Guide like you who can soothe three Sentinels in their manic phase simultaneously, it should be tripled at least.”
He looked at her slightly furrowed brows and suddenly leaned in.
“How about this? Come to my Third Squad. I’ll calculate it for you at the highest standard, plus commission.”
These words were blunt and explicit, like recruitment, yet also like flirtation.
Su Tang took a half-step back, bumping into the coffee table behind her with a soft thud.
“Tsk, really clumsy. No wonder Mo Xiao arranged for you to be right under his nose.”
Zhan Ye glanced in the direction of the house opposite, then turned back to Su Tang and placed the gift box on the coffee table.
“I’m leaving the stuff here. Accept it or not, it’s up to you.”
He paused, then added.
“Don’t worry, no matter how keen Mo Xiao’s nose is, he won’t be able to smell that I’ve been here.”
Su Tang didn’t speak, just looked at him.
Zhan Ye smiled, turned to walk out, stopped at the door, and looked back at her.
“By the way, the Third Squad has a squad confrontation match the day after tomorrow. There’s a point reward for winning. If you want to watch, I’ll save a front-row seat for you.”
After saying that, without waiting for Su Tang’s response, he whistled, and the Golden Eagle flapped its wings to follow.
The dormitory finally quieted down.
Su Tang looked at the silver gift box on the coffee table, her fingertips moving, but ultimately she didn’t touch it.
She gently closed the bedroom door, returned to the living room, picked up the gift box, walked to the window, opened it, and threw the gift box into the recycling bin downstairs.
The sound of the glass gift box hitting the metal bin was very light. She knew what Zhan Ye meant. The survival laws in the White Tower had always been straightforward: either attach yourself to the strong or become strong yourself.
The road was still long.
She took a deep breath and closed the window.
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