Chapter 261 Debt

bill?

Qi Ling was aware that the bill existed.

Previously, both Yun Zhao and Xiao Zhang from the research institute had told him that he would need to take responsibility for his own daily life after he was released.

But Qi Ling had no concept of points.

Upon hearing that Commander Xie could earn tens of thousands of yuan for a single mission, they were immediately struck by the news.

He thought that a pound of mutated animal meat only cost a few dozen points, which was quite cheap.

So, on the way back to base for Team Zero.

Xie Tu told him on the phone that they could move out the day the Zero Team returned.

Qi Ling agreed without hesitation.

He finally had a home of his own in the wasteland era.

Xie Tu placed the bill on the metal table and said calmly, "The house construction cost, for my sake, the logistics department gave you a discount. It's a total of six thousand points, including the furniture."

"Knowing you're penniless, I'll advance these points for you."

Qi Ling: "..."

Xiao Zhang said that Commander Xie's house was built for him free of charge by the base.

The base also provides Commander Yun's home free of charge.

I heard it's an entire building.

He was, at least, a unique, intelligent mutant.

As a special talent, do I have to pay for housing?

Why does he charge a fee...?

"In addition, there's the recent food expense."

Xie Tu spread out the bills and laid them all out on the table. "The price of meat at the base goes up in winter, so it's not cost-effective to buy meat at the shopping mall."

"So I specifically hired three search teams to hunt down mutated animals."

Xie Tu pointed to the list, "The wholesale price of meat is 30 points per pound. Adding the 20 pounds of meat you brought today, you owe me a total of 10,800 points so far."

"And the cost of setting up the barrier earlier, I'll give you a discount and call it 1,000, making it a total of 11,800 points."

Upon hearing this, Qi Ling scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed: "Did the officers pay for all of this? I thought it was money from the operations department..."

Yun Zhao looked at him with sympathy.

Seeing that he still didn't understand what an astronomical figure this was.

Yun Zhao kindly explained to him: "Ordinary residents of the base only earn three or four hundred points a month, while senior sentries earn a little more, about 1,500 points a month."

Qi Ling: "..."

Yun Zhao: "For missions in the contaminated area, the reward for a four-star mission is only 10,000 points. For a team of six like ours, if we complete a mission, we need to split the 10,000 points equally among the six of us."

Qi Ling: "..."

Yun Zhao added: "The pollution zone you are in, number 28, is a four-star standard."

The rewards include material rewards and points for defeating the gatekeeper.

Yun Zhao didn't say anything.

After all, these rewards aren't always available.

Even Team Zero can't guarantee they'll kill the gatekeeper every time, let alone him.

We can't just make empty promises to him now.

Qi Ling stood there dumbfounded, her mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time.

He came from a contaminated area, so he naturally knew how dangerous it was inside.

So many people were trapped and died in the contaminated zone on the 28th, and the reward is only 10,000?

And it also needs to be divided equally.

One person has less than two thousand points.

He had only been out for half a month, yet he already owed Commander Xie over 10,000 points...

Qi Ling felt dizzy and it took her a while to find her voice. She stammered, "Thank you, Commander. Don't worry... I won't renege on my debt. I will definitely pay you back."

Team Zero rescued him, helped him find his family, and vouched for him...

Now Commander Xie has given him so many points to live on.

Qi Ling, having received higher education, would not do anything that would allow her to take something for nothing.

He felt immense pressure.

Xie Tu slightly curled the corners of his mouth and said unhurriedly, "No rush. Now that you've joined the combat department, you'll have ways to make money in the future. You can pay it off slowly."

Qi Ling, however, looked despairing.

The problem is that he needs to eat meat every day, so he'll only accumulate more debt, and there's no way he can ever pay it off!

"Um... when can I go on a mission?" Qi Ling asked, forcing himself to speak.

Xie Tu glanced at him and said, "Every contaminated area is extremely dangerous. You haven't been trained and are not qualified to go on missions."

Upon hearing this, Qi Ling asked anxiously, "Then what kind of training is needed?"

He can't just sit around and live off his savings forever.

What if his debts snowball and bankrupt his superior?

Seeing that he had taken the bait, Xie Tu replied calmly, "I will arrange the training course."

Qi Ling hesitated for a moment, as if she had thought of something, and then asked, "Xiao Zhang said that Commander Xie can earn tens of thousands of points at a time. Can I do that in the future?"

Is it possible to pay it off in one go...?

Xie Tu looked at him with a half-smile, "You want to compare yourself to me?"

Qi Ling shook his head violently, "I wouldn't dare." He couldn't compare...

Seeing him fall step by step into the "trap" set by Xie Tu, Yun Zhao silently lowered his head and remained silent.

The little bluebird and the fire phoenix, finding the conversation boring, flew around the metal house and curiously flew up to the second floor for a visit.

Xie Tu glanced at the time, stood up, and said, "We have other things to do. Keep the bill yourself. I'll let you know when the training course is arranged."

＊

The two men emerged from the metal house with two phoenixes in their arms.

It was only seven o'clock, and it was already completely dark outside.

The wind is very strong on the mountain.

Yun Zhao couldn't help but pull his scarf up to block the cold wind.

She still hasn't gotten her seasonings.

"Be careful, the ground is slippery."

Xie Tu reached out and grabbed her hand, only letting go when they reached the warehouse door.

As he opened the door, he casually remarked, "I bought a lot of groceries. Shall we go back after dinner?"

Yun Zhao paused upon hearing this and looked up at him.

A light was on in the training field next door.

The dim light shone on Xie Tu, making his tall figure appear long and imposing, exuding a unique sense of composure.

The man was opening the door with his back to him and didn't turn around to look at him.

I wanted her to stay for dinner...

Sima Zhao's intentions.

"I bought pork ribs and potatoes. The genetically modified sweet potatoes at the farmers' market are also ripe. Have you ever tried roasted sweet potatoes? They taste pretty good." Xie Tu opened the door and turned to look at her.

A barely perceptible smile flickered in those deep eyes.

Yun Zhao couldn't resist the temptation and nodded slightly. "Did you buy sweet potatoes too? Where did you buy them?"

She didn't see any for sale at the farmers' market today.

Xie Tu: "The first batch has just matured and hasn't been sold yet. I saw it when I went to buy seeds and took some with me."

"Try it later and see if it's good. If it is, take some home."

Yun Zhao replied softly, "Okay."

She'll visit the agricultural institute another day to see what good food they have.

The little bluebird seemed to particularly enjoy watching Xie Tu cook, and even seemed quite pleased upon hearing this.

The fire phoenix was even more excited, chirping away, seemingly talking to the little bluebird.

With Xie Tu's help, Yun Zhao quickly found the seasonings he needed.

Salt, cooking wine, sugar, five-spice powder, thirteen-spice powder, chili powder, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce...

Xie Tu found several large bags, sorted the seasonings, packed them into the car for her, and helped her pack them.

It's getting late.

The two walked along the path into the valley.

There was snow on the ground, and the road was slippery in the dark.

Xie Tu led her slowly away.

As soon as she arrived at the courtyard, the communicator on Yun Zhao's wrist vibrated. She looked down and saw that it was a message from Jiang Mu.

[We've found the person who sold the diary.]