Chapter 190 Drawing Lots

The sales and rental department hall was divided into eight areas by fences, with only window number 8 in the very center displaying a sign that read "Sales Office".

The other seven windows are labeled "Rental Areas 1-7" above them.

The larger the number, the more exquisite the decoration behind the glass window.

The notice board stated that renting or selling would only require "transactions using crystal cores." Under the cover of the others' backpacks, Lu Nange managed to move a considerable number of level-one crystal cores inside.

Since Ji Xian upgraded, their inventory of low-level crystal cores has skyrocketed—after all, they have Zhizhi, the "tree man crystal sweeper".

After each zombie hunt, the little 'twig's' branches, while scraping crystal cores, practically scrape the ground thin...

Windows 1-3 were crowded with ragged survivors, including those who had come out of the quarantine zone at the same time as them.

The smell of sweat and muffled coughs filled the cheap rental area, while windows number 4 and above were almost empty.

Lu Nange and her group walked straight to the empty window number six.

A middle-aged man sat behind the glass, smiling kindly: "I only handle villa rentals here..."

Lu Nange: "Yes, we'll rent in the villa area."

The man deftly pulled out a photo album with the word "VIP" written on the cover.

Turning to the inside pages, there are photos of about ten villas, several of which have red tags indicating they are rented.

"This is the best deal," the man said, pointing to the only empty villa. "Two hundred level-one crystal cores, or two level-two crystal cores per month."

The group exchanged glances, and Gu Qi and Ji Xian immediately poured out the crystal cores from their backpacks.

After the man finished counting the two hundred level-one crystal cores and signing the lease agreement, he handed over the villa keys and the identification documents of Lu Nange and the others.

"Xiao Li!" the man called out towards the corner, "Take our distinguished guest to Building 1810!"

A thin boy darted out from the corner, his uniform hanging loosely on his body: "Um, everyone, this way please..."

Lu Nange and her group followed Xiao Li toward the newly rented villa.

As they passed through the market, Lu Xici handed two level-one crystal cores to Xiao Li: "Xiao Li, could you please tell us about the base?"

Xiao Li smiled and put the crystal core into his pocket: "What would you distinguished guests like to know? Don't let my young age fool you; I know our base inside and out!"

Lu Xici: "Tell me about all the places we passed by..."

Xiao Li: "Okay!"

As he led the way, he gestured: "Most things can be bought at our market. If any of you need to buy something, you can come to the market to barter or use crystal cores to make purchases."

If any of you plan to stay at the base and would like to rent a booth, you can contact us.

A roadside stall in a less desirable location earns five level-one crystal cores a month, while a better location earns slightly more. The same applies to shops along the street; a less desirable location earns thirty level-one crystal cores a month...

Gu Qi: "Xiao Li, our base is very well planned. When did construction begin?"

Xiao Li explained briskly, "This area used to be the northern development zone of Suzhou City. After the apocalypse, the military cleared out the zombies and designated this area as a place for us Suzhou City survivors to settle down."

Chi Yanzhou: "So the Su City base is currently under military control?"

Xiao Li lowered his voice: "There are three factions in our base now: the military, the major families in Suzhou, and the former leadership of Suzhou..."

Lu Xici: "There must be someone like a base commander, right?"

Xiao Li: "Yes, the base commander is from the military, his surname is Liu, we all call him Commander Liu!"

Passing through the bustling market, the buildings gradually unfold.

Xiao Li: "Over there are large dormitory-style rooms converted from shipping containers, twenty people to a room. The red brick buildings behind are single rooms, and further ahead are suites..."

The further in you go, the more beautiful the buildings and ground become: "This is the hotel, charged by the day. Further ahead is the villa area rented by our VIP guests..."

Xiao Li pointed to a high wall ahead and said, "Behind this wall in the villa area are the residences of the base commander and other important figures. Distinguished guests, please do not go that way. There are guards every three or five steps around there; getting close is strictly prohibited."

Chi Yanzhou: "Do you usually need to go out to collect supplies?"

Xiao Li nodded: "Of course. If there's no work, everyone needs to go out and collect supplies. The building next to our rental and sales department is the mission hall; you can go there to get missions, or you can work alone."

Chi Yanzhou: "Is it convenient for you to come and go?"

Xiao Li glanced enviously at the orange brooches in everyone's hands and said, "These brooches are our base's identification. The VIPs' brooches are orange, corresponding to our base's villa area. With this, they can enter and exit our base at any time."

He Zhuo: "So, do we have to stay in the quarantine area every time we go in and out?"

Xiao Li: "No need. When you entered the base, you went through a white door; that was a modified detection device. Any wounds will trigger an alarm. Only when the alarm sounds will you be taken to quarantine."

Lu Xici: "Xiao Li, we came from Haishi. After entering the city, we couldn't find the way out. We wandered around and eventually ended up at our base..."

Xiao Li: "The exit from Suzhou City is behind the area where the base chief and his team live, so no matter how they go around, our distinguished guests will eventually end up at our base..."

Just then, Xiao Li stopped in front of a brown-red villa: "Distinguished guests, we've arrived at villa number 1810! The villa is equipped with basic amenities, including water, electricity, and air conditioning. If you need anything, please press this doorbell, and our support staff will come to your door."

Lu Xici nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work, Xiao Li."

"Then please rest well, distinguished guests. I'll be leaving now!" After Lu Nange and the others nodded, Xiao Li backed away.

Only after his figure completely disappeared from the intersection did the group push open the courtyard gate.

There was even a lawn in the courtyard, which was trimmed very neatly.

Upon opening the front door, slippers were placed in the entryway.

There was no musty smell, no dust, and even a faint lemon scent in the air...

Wen Qing: "It's so clean."

Gu Wan: "It seems our crystal core flower was worth it..."

The group split up and searched the building.

Lu Nange used her mental energy to search every corner of the room, but found nothing unusual.

Everyone returned to the living room, the curtains were drawn tightly shut, Lu Beiye's golden shield covered the doors and windows, and vines spread all around...

Lu Nange lightly tapped her temple: "The area inside is very large, heavily guarded, and the exits from the city are indeed all cordoned off..."

Gu Qi: "Seal the exits but not the entrances...what does that mean?"

Chi Yanzhou: "Our group is too conspicuous. Let's split up and check the situation around..."

Lu Beiye grabbed Lu Nange's hand.

Lu Xici: "Then I'll team up with Nan Nan and A Ye..."

Gu Wan hugged Lu Nange's arm: "I also want to be in a group with Nan Nan..."

Wen Qing and Luo Xingyou stepped forward at the same time.

Wen Qing: "Me too..."

Luo Xingyou: "Add one..."

He Zhuo: "Little sister..."

Gu Qi: "...How about we draw lots?"