Chapter 43 He picked Ranran up with one hand and hugged her...

"Please allow me to welcome you all with the highest honors of a host!"

The welcoming ceremony was warm and thoughtful, and the manor was a picture of tranquility, somewhat detached from the post-apocalyptic world outside.

Just to be on the safe side, Sofia video-called Zack again and reported her location to her boss.

“Sophia, don’t worry. I’ve been to this manor before. Douglas is always like this, warm and hospitable. Don’t worry unnecessarily, lest you disappoint my old friend’s kindness.”

Hearing this, Sofia felt relieved, told everyone to pack their things, and then entered the elevator.

The elevator took two trips, carrying everyone to the first floor.

This is a manor in the style of a European castle, decorated with extreme luxury and splendor, both ancient and magnificent.

A middle-aged man who identified himself as the butler gave everyone a brief tour of the first floor before leading them to their respective bedrooms.

The manor occupies a vast area with four floors above ground. Each floor has more than a dozen rooms, most of which are bedrooms, with others including reception rooms, studies, and lounges.

The second floor was all bedrooms. The housekeeper originally planned to give everyone their own room, but Tong Lu was a little afraid of the unfamiliar environment, so she shared a room with Sophia.

The Kunwu team members requested two people per room, leaving only Kunwu Yecheng, who was left alone in a room, out of the seven.

Shan Ran lived alone in the room next to Kunwu Yecheng.

Hot water was available in the rooms, and the electrical system was working properly. The environment of this manor was so good that everyone felt a little dazed, as if they had returned to the pre-apocalyptic world.

After several days of travel, everyone took a nice hot shower in turn after arriving at their rooms.

Let alone Zack's overcrowded base, even Shanran's Good Luck base couldn't possibly have hot showers every day.

To save electricity, she usually washes with cold water, occasionally asking Wu Chuyu to help heat the water.

It's been so long since I've had hot water like this in a shower.

After everyone had a comfortable and thorough cleaning, there was a knock on the door. The butler and servants brought hot drinks, as well as delicate snacks and fruits.

At the same time, a message was brought.

There will be a banquet in the evening, and we cordially invite all our distinguished guests who have traveled from afar to attend.

They also presented them with exquisite clothing.

Women wear elegant and beautiful dresses, while men wear high-quality suits.

To ensure a good fit for everyone's body shape, tailors would take measurements on the spot and then alter the garments. The altered clothes would be returned shortly afterward.

Shanran was completely confused. She didn't know what Zack's old friends were up to, so she tried to make a phone call to ask, but the line was always busy.

So she went to Sophia's room. Tong Lu opened the door, and Shan Ran went in. Sure enough, she saw Sophia video chatting with Zack.

Sophia was wary, repeatedly confirming with her boss whether Douglas was reliable. Zack, on the other hand, laughed heartily, briefly recounting his friendship with Douglas and adding a sarcastic remark.

"That guy is always like this. He's been in District 5 for a long time and doesn't want people to laugh at him for coming from a junkyard. So he always wants the biggest entourage, and the best food and things he uses."

He was never restrained before, and now that he's the boss of the base, he's become even more extravagant. Oh, by the way, he really loves hosting all sorts of banquets and making lots of friends. I met him at one of those banquets.

Don't worry about having fun. Since it's already over, enjoy yourself for a couple of days before going on your mission. After all, your boss is a bit stingy and has a lot of people to support, so he can't treat you guys like this, hahahahahaha..."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before preparing to hang up.

Shan Ran then called out to the other person, "Zack, wait a minute."

Zack, on the other end of the camera, looked over, still wearing the same smile. "Captain Shanran, is there something you need?"

Shan Ran smiled and shook her head. "It's alright. I was going to tell you to tell your old friend not to go through so much trouble, but you're right. We don't usually get such good treatment. Since we're here, let's enjoy it."

"Hahahaha, Captain Shanran is right. Sophia, see that? That's the demeanor of a leader. Since I've arranged for you to go, I'm sure I'm confident. It's good to be cautious, but after making three video calls in a row, do you think your boss has nothing better to do? You guys take a break and have fun tonight!"

The call then ended.

After meeting with Ford, Sofia made three video calls in a row, which even her boss thought was overly cautious.

Only now did she dispel her doubts and feel completely at ease.

Sophia then used her special ability to test the food that the servant had just brought. She was a poison user and was very sensitive to these kinds of things.

The test results showed that it was non-toxic.

But after thinking about it, she still went and called Lin Mo over.

After Lin Mo entered the room, he saw Shan Ran inside.

He was thin and fair-skinned, and was quite popular in school, but now it's the apocalypse, and people like Kunwu Yecheng, who are tall, strong, and give people a sense of security, are obviously more popular.

He knew he didn't have any advantages, but when he saw Shan Ran, he still couldn't help but blush.

Sofia was puzzled. "I asked you to come over here to talk, why are you blushing? Did you take a hot bath and get too hot?"

Most of the food is with you; now you can share it with everyone.

As she spoke, she turned to Shanran and asked, "Captain Shanran, should I send you a copy too?"

Sofia's team didn't have time to store up superhumans; they were all kept in packs.

Shan Ran shook her head, chatted casually for a few minutes, and then went back to her room.

Not long after, someone knocked on the door.

After opening the door, Lin Mo was standing outside.

He carried a bag and handed it to Shan Ran somewhat shyly, saying, "Captain Shan Ran, this is food we brought ourselves. It's clean and hygienic. Please take it and eat it."

Shan Ran smiled politely, "Thank you, and thank you Captain, but it's really not necessary. I brought my own food."

Lin Mo scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed. He glanced at the girl, as if making up his mind, and mustered up his courage to ask, "Captain Shanran, do you have a partner now?"

Shan Ran was dumbfounded. "Huh?"

He smiled a little sheepishly, "Well, um... I've seen a lot of posts about you online before, and I've noticed you for a long time. I asked the leader to let me join this team, just so I could meet you..."

The door to the next room suddenly opened, and a man with a dark face walked out.

He stood at the door, pushing Lin Mo aside, and said expressionlessly, "Captain Shanran, I need to talk to you."

Shan Ran suppressed a laugh, "Okay, what should I say?"

Kunwu Yecheng glanced sideways at the stunned man beside him and said in a firm tone, "Let's go inside and talk."

With that, he took a long stride forward and stepped into the room, closing the door behind him and shutting out the other troublesome fellow.

Shan Ran pursed her lips, suppressing a laugh, and made a slightly unhappy expression on her face, "It's very impolite of you to say that before the other person has finished speaking."

Kunwu Yecheng lowered his head and looked at the girl in front of him, remaining silent.

"What, didn't you have something to say? How long are you going to stand at the door?"

As she spoke, she turned and walked towards the balcony of the room, then leaned against the railing.

The tall, silent man remained standing at the door, making no move.

Shan Ran crossed her arms, tilted her head, and asked softly, "Aren't you coming over?"

The man rubbed his fingers together, looked at the girl without saying a word, and walked over to her.

His words had left him somewhat flustered. Was the girl blaming him for being impolite because... he had interrupted another man's advances towards her?

She doesn't like this behavior?

He felt like he had done something wrong, so he stood at the door, too afraid to move.

But the next second, when the girl beckons, he will obediently step forward again.

The tall man stood in front of the railing, quietly looking at the lawn in the distance. The railing only reached his thighs, but he did not lean against it.

Shan Ran shifted her body slightly, leaning her upper body closer to him. She had just taken a shower, and the ends of her hair were still a little damp. As she drew closer, Kunwu Yecheng smelled a fragrance.

The scent of her body, mixed with the fragrance of her shower gel, gently entered his nostrils. The air seemed to become humid and stuffy because of her proximity, and the misty aroma made him feel somewhat intoxicated.

"You must be very strong."

"Huh?" The man didn't react, just blankly uttered a questioning sound.

Shan Ran smiled brightly and opened her arms wide. "You should be able to pick me up easily, right?"

The girl's movements seemed to bewitch Kunwu Yecheng, urging him forward. Before he could even process what was happening, she had already lifted Shanran up in her arms.

She was very light, very light for a man. Despite being so powerful in battle, she was petite in his arms, and he could lift her up with one hand.

That's what he did too.

Shan Ran exclaimed in surprise and hugged Kunwu Yecheng's neck tightly. This was very different from the position she had imagined. She never expected to be held by one hand and sitting on the other's arm.

The man supported Shan Ran with one hand and wrapped the other around her waist, standing firmly in place, holding her very securely.

The girl's waist was so slender that it gave him the illusion that it could be easily broken.

He knew it was impossible, of course. He had seen Shan Ran fight; she was a decisive and skilled superhuman.

But now, the girl is in his arms, nestled in his embrace, completely relaxed and without any defensiveness.

It seems to be about giving and taking whatever one wants...

Everything was so beautiful it seemed unreal.

The girl's face was right next to his, and he could feel her warm breath on his ear. If he turned his head slightly, his lips could touch her cheek.

However, the man dared not move.

All the blood in my body was flowing rapidly, converging in one place.

It hurts a little.

It's very bloated.

His voice was hoarse, unlike his usual self, "Ranran..."

"Shh." Shan Ran wrapped her arms around the man and whispered something in his ear.

Soft lips brushed against his ear, making the man feel a ticklish sensation that traveled up his tailbone, tingling and numbing his head, causing his body to tremble.

He bent down slightly, feeling a little impatient, but his hands remained firmly around the girl, ensuring she didn't feel the slightest bit unsteady.

From a distance, it looks like a couple deeply in love whispering intimately to each other.