Chapter 81
Three years ago.
"Wen Xin, I'm so sorry that I need your help during the New Year."
The store manager put his hands together during the video call and said apologetically: "Just treat it as temporary overtime today, and I will triple your salary."
Wen Xin put the things together and was about to say that everything was fine when he heard a soft exclamation in the background of the call.
"Mom, Dad said he could finish a whole bottle in one breath! Is that true? Come and see, Mom—"
The store manager turned around and shouted, "Hold your dad and don't let him drink too much!"
After this call, a kind and elderly voice was heard urging.
"It's Chinese New Year, why are you still busy working? You can't make enough money. Come over and eat quickly, the food is getting cold."
The store manager was so amused that he said, "Mom, the dish was just served, how could it get cold so quickly? I have something important to do here..."
Although she said this, the woman's eyes subconsciously looked to the side.
"Brother, don't be so stubborn. Damn, it's so strong! He really drank it!"
There was a lot of booing in the background, children clapping and shouting, relatives and friends yelling, and she laughed helplessly.
At this moment, the store manager noticed that the phone had been on, and quickly adjusted his expression, looking at Wen Xin apologetically: "Sorry, there were a lot of people at home, so it was a bit noisy."
Wen Xin shook his head.
Seeing that the store manager looked absent-minded, he said gently, "Go have dinner with your family. I'll be here for you."
Someone happened to call the store manager, and she answered, then turned around and asked, "Can you come alone?"
"No problem, everything is ready. I'll wait at the door for someone to pick it up. Then I'll ask him to make a list, take a photo and send it to you."
The store manager nodded and said, "Thank you for troubling me, Wen Xin. I'm really sorry."
Wen Xin: "It's okay."
He packed all the goods in cardboard and tied them with plastic ropes to prevent the items from shaking inside the boxes.
After checking several times to see if anything was missing, Wen Xin locked the door and waited at the door with his things.
It is getting late, and the stars are sparse in the night sky.
The branches of the trees on the street were hung with red lanterns, and the crowd had dispersed and gone home hours ago.
It is rare for a bustling commercial street to be so quiet and desolate.
Occasionally you would see a few people hurrying around, all with smiles on their faces.
The person who came to request the goods temporarily was slow to arrive. Wen Xin felt a bit cold after being blown by the night wind. He stretched out his hands and exhaled into his palms, and white mist stained his fingertips.
He raised his head, looked past the commercial street in front of him, and looked at the residential buildings of varying heights in the distance.
Under the night sky, every house is brightly lit, and the warm orange light shines through the windows, like clusters of exciting fireworks.
Wen Xin was fascinated by the scene.
Ten minutes later, the driver finally arrived and kept apologizing to the young man.
Wen Xin shook his head: "It's okay."
The two men handed over the goods, wrote the list, took photos and sent them to the store manager.
The man was probably a little embarrassed for making the young man wait for so long, so he enthusiastically took out a red envelope and said, "Thank you for coming here so late at night. I'm sorry I delayed your dinner with your family. Take this red envelope."
Wen Xin was slightly startled and subconsciously wanted to refuse.
"It's okay, it's okay, you can take it. These are the little red envelopes given out by the kids. I picked up a few when they were distributed. There's no money in them, just consider it as a gift for good luck."
The small red envelope was finally stuffed into Wen Xin's hand.
Wen Xin was not good at refusing people. He stroked the Fuwa print on the red envelope and whispered thank you.
The man said, "I should be the one to thank you. I will leave now. You should go home early and don't let your parents wait anxiously."
Wen Xin nodded: "Okay, by the way..."
"What?"
The words "Happy New Year" went around in his mouth, but he finally swallowed them back.
After saying goodbye to each other, Wen Xin walked home alone.
He was holding the small red envelope in his hand and walking very slowly. Even the leafless branches on the roadside could make him stop and stare for a long time.
The closer I get to home, the slower I move.
Finally, Wen Xin couldn't help sneezing because he had been standing in the cold wind for too long. Then he realized that he couldn't compete with the weather and slowly opened the door.
There was a noisy sound of talking coming from the TV, which was playing a gala program.
The two hosts came on stage to introduce the next programme, and they started with a rhyming aria, smiling as they shouted “Welcome to the New Year”.
The two dishes were placed on the table, but because they had been left for a long time, they had lost their heat.
Wen Xin closed the door, returned to the dining table and pulled out the chair.
A slight creaking sound became the only extra sound in the whole room.
Combined with the hustle and bustle of the surrounding buildings, it is inevitably a bit abrupt.
Wen Xin did not heat up the cold food, nor did he pick up his chopsticks to eat. He held his cheeks with his hands and had a cell phone in front of him.
The screen that had not yet been turned off displayed a message from three hours ago.
Wen Xin: Happy New Year.
But Wen Jinfeng did not reply.
Wen Xin thought that the other party might be busy, so he listened to the TV and looked at the lights of thousands of homes outside, feeling bored and falling into empty thoughts.
Bang!
Suddenly there was a cannon shot from outside the balcony.
The little girl from the building opposite rushed out of the house and shouted excitedly, "Mom and Dad, look, there are fireworks over there!"
Wen Xin heard the noise, stood up, walked to the balcony, and looked up at the night sky.
Several fireworks shot straight into the sky and suddenly bloomed in the dark night, and bursts of colorful lights fell on the world.
Wen Xin's pupils trembled constantly as they reflected this boundless beauty.
His heart seemed to be filled with many emotions, excitement, sourness and discomfort, which gathered at the root of his tongue and spread out a bitter taste.
The parents of the family on the opposite building also came out, and the little girl turned around and asked, "Mom, does it work to make a wish on fireworks?"
"I don't know. Normally people make wishes on shooting stars. Why do you want to make wishes on fireworks?"
“Because it’s a new year!”
"Then you can set a goal for yourself or make a wish. Maybe it will come true."
"Really? Then I'll wish to grow taller quickly next year!"
Make a wish...
Wen Xin clenched his fingers and looked down at the screen of the mobile phone in his hand.
Wen Jinfeng still hadn't replied, but his university classmates and colleagues continued to send congratulations and red envelopes in the group.
He moved his fingers and lightly clicked plus one after each blessing chain.
Then, Wen Xin licked his lips.
After the little girl and her family went into the house, he slowly put his hands together.
He hopes to resolve the conflict with Wen Jinfeng next year and be able to talk to him calmly without a quarrel.
He hopes that he can learn how to get along with others. He doesn’t need many friends, just one is enough, and he will cherish him.
He hopes that everyone he knows can live in peace and happiness, and that the stray cats and dogs in the community gardens can find their homes soon.
Wen Xin paused and said to himself: "Don't be so greedy. The book says that if you are too greedy, your wish will not come true."
"Well...but today is Chinese New Year and my birthday, so I should be able to make one last wish."
After convincing himself like this, the young man's eyes suddenly curved and he smiled like a child who had eaten honey.
Fearing that his wish would not come true if he was a little late, he quickly closed his eyes again.
[I hope that the next time I celebrate Chinese New Year, it will also be my birthday... I won’t be alone. 】
Three years later.
"Wen Xin! Is this what you prepared for us? Wow!"
The little fox's surprised cry rang out, as if the whole house could hear it clearly.
Wen Xin nodded, a little nervous: "Do you like it?"
"I like it, I like it very much!"
The little fox picked up the doll and rubbed its fluffy and soft fur, and his brows immediately brightened.
It couldn't wait to reveal the truth: "We have also prepared a gift for you, umm..."
Wen Xin was surprised: "Gift?"
Canary failed to stop it, and helplessly let go of the hand covering the little fox: "You big mouth."
The little fox took a deep breath and said belatedly, "Oh, we agreed to keep it a secret, otherwise there would be no surprise."
The scale viper was almost annoyed: "How did you stay in the Idealism Church for so long?"
Just because of this silly Jin'er, no one under his command actually wants to usurp the throne?
Wen Xin came over impatiently and asked: "You prepared a gift for me, what is it?"
The dumplings shifted their gazes one after another, wanting to make a final struggle.
Wen Xin just stared at them intently, his clear eyes shining.
Normally, if the young man showed a pleading look, the Tuanzi would definitely surrender, let alone staring at him eagerly like now.
The scale viper was the first to give in and confessed: "Okay, okay, I'll just tell you straight out. The human named Tang Qi told us that today is your birthday."
Wen Xin was stunned.
So many things happened during this period that he even forgot that his birthday was in these few days.
"So you guys..."
"We've organized a birthday party and there are gifts for you."
Scaled Viper rummaged through the box and took out a bag of balloons that hadn't been blown up yet: "Here, there are also streamers and surprise fireworks. It's not easy to find these things nowadays. Fortunately, Jiu has many channels."
The little panda helped to move things, wasting a lot of effort, and nodded in agreement, saying, "It took several days just to pick the gifts."
Canary rubbed his forehead with a headache: "Stop, what else are you talking about?"
The scale viper didn't think it was his fault and passed the blame to the little fox: "Next time I have a secret I must keep from you. Wen Xin didn't even find out, but you revealed it all first."
The little fox immediately retorted: "But I didn't say it was a birthday present, that's what you said!"
Canary commented expressionlessly: "You two are exactly the same, okay?"
The little panda watched them quarreling and suddenly remembered something.
“剛才我遇到了人類唐啓，他說再過一會兒就把蛋糕送過來，讓我們提前把溫辛支開……”
瞬間，三只團子瞳孔地震，齊刷刷地将視線甩了過來，咬牙切齒：“那你為什麽不偷偷地告訴我們？”
沒看見溫辛一個大活人就杵在面前嗎？
小熊貓愣住：“不是已經暴露了嗎？”
三團子：“……”
它們吵吵鬧鬧，誰也不服誰，忍無可忍之下，就想找當事人評評理。
“溫辛你說……溫辛？”
站立不動的青年突然伸手，将幾只團子一下子都抱在了懷裏，臂膀用力，攬抱得很緊。
鱗樹蝰聽到了輕微的哽咽聲，愣了一下，立時變得慌亂起來。
金絲雀卻眼疾手快地拉住了它，做了個口型。
——沒有傷心。
鱗樹蝰着急地給他使眼色：沒有傷心為什麽要哭？
溫辛聲音微啞：“謝謝你們。”
他說着，松開大家，眼睛彎成了燦爛的月牙形：“太高興了，有點控制不住。”
那一笑，不知道是放下了什麽沉重的心結，明明是笑着的，卻一直有晶瑩的淚水往下落。
溫辛連忙伸手一擦，哪知眼淚越抹越多。
見團子們都被驚住了，他擺了擺手：“咳咳，不好意思，給我一點時間，讓我緩緩。”
團子們手忙腳亂，連忙聚在他身邊。
小狐貍幾下跳在桌子上，拿來紙巾遞給溫辛：“哪有人高興的時候還哭呀？”
鱗樹蝰上了溫辛的肩膀，尾巴尖在青年的腦袋上輕輕揉動：“我聽說人類過生日的時候不能哭，不太吉利，所以我們哭兩下就好了。”
金絲雀難得笨拙：“要不要喝點水？”
小熊貓慢慢地幫他擦眼淚：“不哭了。”
“來，溫辛，笑一笑。”鱗樹蝰用腦袋蹭蹭他額頭，柔聲哄他，“笑一笑。”
在團子們的哄勸中，溫辛心中熱意更盛，露出一個帶淚的笑。
他正要說話，卻聽見窗外傳來一陣貓叫聲。
“這個天氣還有貓在外面活動？”
鬼鬼祟祟來到窗外的，當然不是貓，是事先和小熊貓約定好暗號的唐啓。
小熊貓接連聽了幾個僞.貓叫聲，終于反應過來，尴尬地跑過去，給唐啓開了窗戶。
唐啓拍掉身上的雪，忍不住埋怨：“你之前幹什麽去了？”
“我和蛋糕差點被凍成冰塊，現在基本找不到鮮奶油，材料就那麽一點，要是沒了蛋糕，咱們只能拿幾個饅頭随便對付，這像什麽話……卧槽！人怎麽還在這兒，你們沒把他支開？”
話出口才意識到不妥，唐啓連忙捂嘴。
接着，他就瞧見了溫辛通紅的眼眶。
唐啓變了臉色，顧不上放在旁邊的蛋糕，連忙翻身進屋，快步走過去。
“發生了什麽事，你怎麽哭了？”
溫辛對上唐啓緊張的視線，露出來的笑容如陽光般明豔：“我只是太高興了。”
“真的，真的，很高興。”
到了晚上，幾只團子圍在一起吃飯。
驚喜派對辦不成功，但蛋糕有驚無險地送上了餐桌。
金絲雀将燈給關上，屋子裏陷入黑暗，只留下幾根插在蛋糕上的蠟燭，散發着暖黃的燭光。
溫辛在團子們和好友的包圍下坐在主位。
除了他們之外，面前還有三張空出來的椅子。
椅子對應的碗筷前，各放着一撮紫色毛發，藍色絨毛，還有一枚漆黑的鱗片。
分別代表着另外三只還沒有找回來的團子。
唐啓笑着提醒道：“不知不覺又長一歲啊，小兄弟。”
鱗樹蝰哼笑：“看你今天高興成那樣，這樣的日子以後還會有，下一次可不許再哭了。”
金絲雀認真道：“生日快樂溫辛。”
小熊貓接口：“生日快樂！”
小狐貍興致勃勃：“你該許願了，溫辛。”
是該許願了。
溫辛閉上眼睛，雙手合十。
他回想起了還是一個人的曾經。
筷子磕碰在盤子上，會發出清冷的聲響，空蕩蕩的屋子裏，只有電視裏是熱鬧的。
溫辛經不住懷疑，現在這樣美好的日子，是不是一場酣甜的美夢。
他忍不住做了一個孩子氣的動作，悄悄地掀開一邊眼簾，去仔細打量團子們和唐啓的面容。
鱗樹蝰發現了青年的小動作，伸出肉墊，拍拍他的額頭：“快許願，不然不靈了。”
溫辛忍不住笑。
他突然發現，曾經許下的奢望，如今都已實現。
老天到底待他不薄。
只是還有沒能找回來的黑團它們，不知道是否安好。
溫辛的視線掃過三個空着的位置，掩去心中的遺憾和擔憂，又生出了蓬勃熱切的念想。
他閉上了眼。
願上天保佑團子們和好友唐啓健健康康，願大家早日齊聚一堂。
願災難有一日會結束，而那一天不會太長。
嘭！
窗外傳來了一聲炮響。
他們擡頭看去，看到了幽深的夜幕下，綻放出一朵漂亮的煙花。
.
災難不會因為節日而停止，人們只在過年這一天難得放松一下。
第二天，大多數人又一次投入了忙碌的工作中，為今天該怎麽活下去而愁眉苦臉。
但哪怕只是一天時間，也給時時刻刻将自己繃成一根弦的人們，帶來了片刻的喘息。
溫辛這天照常訓練，卻看到有一個眼熟的人等在訓練場地的入口，神采奕奕，精氣神和年前明顯不同。
正是那天拾荒隊裏碰到的傭人。
他疑惑了一下，用毛巾擦幹身上的汗水，走過去問：“有什麽事嗎？”
傭人手裏拎着一個袋子，裏面放着藥品，殷勤地說：“這是給您的。”
溫辛驚訝：“給我的？”
末世幾個月，比較安全的地方基本上已經被人搜刮了個幹淨。
特別是食品店、藥店，一旦出現消息，必将成為人們首先搜索的對象。
市面上已經很難尋見常用藥。
再加上現在是冬天，一些治療感冒的特效藥，一粒就可以在黑市裏賣出高價。
但傭人卻給了他一袋？
對方解釋說：“是拾荒隊的那幾名隊長讓我給您的，在您解決掉那頭怪物之後，我們順利進入城鎮，找到了一家還沒有被搜刮過的藥店。”
“這藥就是從那店裏翻出來的。”
溫辛沒有接，搖頭說：“那是分內事，而且我已經收到了任務的報酬。”
傭人卻執意将藥遞交到青年的手中，目光殷切地說：“大人，您就收下吧，您可能以為自己做了一件微不足道的小事，但對那些人來說，沒有您，這個冬天很有可能會熬不過去。”
“您不知道，那個任務已經挂在懸賞處很長一段時間了，因為地點接近變異體出沒的自由狩獵區，沒人敢接。”
拾荒隊的人也是等了很久，才等來了一個溫辛。
如果溫辛沒來，或者依舊沒有符合标準的人能夠接下任務，就是不為了報仇，只為了生計，他們也會選擇铤而走險。
傭人有工作，不用像他們一樣冒險，他慶幸的是朋友能夠活下來。
溫辛現在有不少積蓄，其中就包括金絲雀給的那幾大箱子賠罪禮。
但那些東西他帶不走，畢竟大多數道路被報廢的車輛給堵死，必要的時候連車子都要抛下，簡裝上陣，徒步前進。
像這種零散的藥品，他正好可以收下，放在口袋裏，以備不時之需。
溫辛笑說：“那就謝謝了，這對我很有用。”
将謝禮交付了之後，傭人沒有直接離開。
他的動作比剛才還要局促，似乎有什麽不好意思說出口的請求。
“大人，還有一件事。”
傭人深吸一口氣，誠誠懇懇地看向青年：“我知道像您這樣的大人物，身邊一定不會缺少強大厲害的追随者，和他們比起來，不管是身份還是實力，我們都有點不夠看。”
他臉頰漲紅，一字一頓：“但請恕我們鬥膽，不自量力，想要申請成為那些追随者之中的一員！”
溫辛萬萬沒想到對方會說出這樣的請求。
他的第一反應是傭人誤會了，雖然外面wen xin的名聲傳得沸沸揚揚，但他哪裏有什麽追随者。
只有一些貪圖他天價賞金的人，将他當成是噴香四溢的唐僧肉，恨不能将他拆解成好幾塊，每一個勢力送過去一塊。
溫辛啼笑皆非：“你說笑了，沒有人追随我。”
當初還在基地裏的時候，他倒是當上了一個新人班的班長，後又兼任行動小組的隊長。
如今他長時間缺席，那些學員和隊員，應該也已經被調到了其他隊伍中去。
不是溫辛後知後覺。
他自認為離混上A市的管理層還有一段距離。
除了這一種情況，溫辛也想不到，還有什麽情況，會有人願意追随自己。
傭人卻不相信。
以青年的身手和名氣，怎麽可能沒有人崇拜對方，遞交投名狀？
他懷疑是他們的身份低微，夠不上成為溫辛追随者的門檻，經不住神色黯然。
可是傭人不想放棄，順着溫辛的話頭，再接再厲地說道：“沒有也沒關系，我們可以成為您的第一批追随者！”
“和那些大型拾荒組織比起來，我們可能沒有什麽精良的裝備，也沒有上百個隊員，但大家并不差勁。”
傭人字字都帶着真誠與懇切。
“像幾名隊長，他們可以獨自解決掉喪屍，擁有豐富的野外生存經驗。我們曾經突圍過十幾只喪屍的包圍圈，也曾斬殺過C級變異體，請您相信我們，我們可以變得更強。”
溫辛盯着傭人眼睛裏的光亮，一時間沒有吭聲。
并非他不知道該說什麽話來應付對方，而是聽到這些發自肺腑的剖白，他的心裏陡然冒出了一個想法。
一個從未有過的想法。
溫辛在心裏反複咀嚼着追随者這三個字，像是撥開雲霧見天明。
以往那些名氣，帶給溫辛的都是困擾。
他甚至因為第一基地發布了尋找他的懸賞，而考慮過在孤島裏躲過上幾年，避開風頭。
但是，為什麽他當時的第一反應是躲起來？
是因為産生了和溫勁風一樣的顧慮，以為自己必定會受到傷害嗎？
不，是他沒有想到利用這一點。
名氣從來都不是一柄直來直去的長矛，而是一把雙刃劍，用不好可能會将自己刺得鮮血淋漓。
用好了，卻能化作一把排除萬險的利器。
縱觀災變後的今天，幾個人能有像他這樣的“殊榮”，幾乎被整個世界所知？
追随者。
追随的人多了，即可制定規則，即可維護秩序，即可捍衛領土，守護幸福。
溫辛閉了閉眼，心跳已經砰砰作響，猶如轟然雷動。
他似乎看到了一條可行的方向，但上面遍布着荊棘。
他幾次調整呼吸，讓自己不能太着急。
溫辛看向傭人，聲調緩慢，語氣也有了幾不可聞的改變：“你們确定想要跟着我？”
傭人聽出他的言外之意，瞬間驚喜地瞪大了眼睛，激動到聲音都控制不住地高了幾個分貝：“難道您同意了？”
溫辛回顧自己第一次被分到隊員時的場景。
但這與那時的感覺全然不同。
他心緒千回百轉，幾個呼吸的時間，已經将所有的情緒收斂無痕，平靜地說道：“我同意了。”
“但你們應該聽說過我的傳聞，跟在我身邊，不會有什麽安生的日子，所以只是解決幾只喪屍，或是幾頭C級變異體，這種程度不夠。”
傭人張了張嘴就要宣誓。
溫辛擡手，打斷了他的話：“我知道你們的決心，也相信你們的決心，所以在這以後，我會給你們提供壯大勢力和加強自己的資金和支持。”
傭人心跳加快，他知道青年說出來的這一句話，意味着怎樣的機遇，受寵若驚地說：“您就這麽相信我們了？不用先考察一段時間？”
溫辛卻看着他，笑說道：“你們已經通過了最初的考察。”
當初讓小狐貍和小熊貓留守在車裏，就是以防拾荒隊的人會産生貪念，對裝備資源下手。
結果在溫辛的意料之中，那名隊長沒有對車子出手。
結果也在溫辛的意料之外，因為十幾個人之中，居然只有一個人抵抗不住誘惑。
溫辛繼續說道：“再過一段時間，我就會離開薔薇城，但我不會帶着你們一起走。我離開的日子，你們就磨煉自己的能力，在我回來之前，希望你們可以給我展現出成果。”
傭人壯志昂揚：“我們必定不會讓您失望的！”
鱗樹蝰也聽到了溫辛和那名人類的對話，不覺得有什麽問題。
變異體等級觀念極強，慕強就像是刻在它們身體裏的基因，強大的變異體永遠不會缺乏追随者。
青年或許不夠強大，但脆弱的也只是身體，不是溫辛這個人。
只要是溫辛，擁有多少追随者都正常。
鱗樹蝰只把這件事當成是小插曲。
小熊貓沒細想，聽了一耳朵就抛在腦後。
唐啓還在訓練，位置離得遠，隐隐約約聽到幾句不連貫的談話聲。
他見溫辛回來時，手裏拎着個藥袋子，單純以為是拾荒隊的人來送謝禮，也沒當回事。
唯獨小狐貍，似有若無地感受到了青年心中掀起的滔天巨浪，忍不住歪了歪腦袋。
日子一天天流逝。
人們終于熬過了難捱的嚴冬，迎來了生機盎然的初春。
手下向金絲雀恭敬地彙報說：“等到雪化了，屍體會開始腐爛，容易滋生出瘟疫和病毒，需要派遣人手進行處理……”
“近段時間，不少雇傭團和拾荒隊的人在野外發現了好幾頭不正常的變異體，不止肢體畸變，擁有超高的活性，有些植物甚至可以寄生人類和變異體，通過這種辦法進行傳播。”
“還好之前溫先生提醒過我們一次，大家有所警戒，暫未出現傷亡。”
“現在我們可以确定，它們不是在本土發生畸形異變，或許要探查一段時間，才能判斷它們是從什麽方向流竄過來，初步懷疑又是……”
正在此時，溫辛來了。
他隐約聽到了前面幾句話，只是還沒有聽清楚，就遭到了金絲雀的打斷：“門外是什麽人？”
金絲雀的聲音和和氣氣，并不顯得冷厲，因為他早已發現來者是溫辛。
他很清楚，知道第一基地犯下的惡行後，溫辛必定不會放任不管。
只是金絲雀有自己的顧慮。
第一基地有制服變異體的強效手段，也幫助了許多勢力抵禦住變異體的瘋狂報複，在人類中的呼聲很高，大多數人類都将第一基地當成是救世主。
據金絲雀前不久拿到的第一手情報可知，已經有三個純人類構建的組織，響應第一基地的旗號，更改名稱為：第x幸存者基地。
明顯不是爆發沖突的好時機。
“是我，城主，下人說我來不用通報，所以我就直接過來了。”
溫辛進門時，發現金絲雀的神色沉郁，下意識問道：“出什麽事了嗎？”
金絲雀再一次忍不住在心裏贊嘆對方的敏銳，搖了搖頭說道：“一些城防建設上的小事情，有點棘手，但不礙事。”
他揮了揮手，手下會意告退。
金絲雀站起身來，給溫辛倒了一杯茶水，遞給對方說：“怎麽突然過來了？”
他沒意識到，自己幫溫辛倒茶的動作，做得有多麽順手。
叫還沒有離開的手下看見了，心中震驚不已。
他知道城主很看重溫先生，卻沒想到已經到了會幫人主動倒茶的地步。
那可是高高在上的薔薇城主，從來都是擡下巴看人，但凡有人對他不敬，通通都在後山坡的亂葬崗裏紮了根，墳頭草都不知道多高了。
哪怕是周邊勢力組織的首領，在城主的面前也不敢出一下大氣。
手下恍恍惚惚地走了。
溫辛沒有跟金絲雀客氣，開門見山地說：“我需要一些訓練裝備，但是一時找不到很好的門路，想要拜托你幫幫忙，酬金就按市場價多三成，可以嗎？”
金絲雀微頓，淺呷一口茶水，偏過頭瞧他：“找我幫忙還提錢，你是不是依舊把我當外人？”
溫辛莞爾：“怎麽會，我心裏自然是把城主當家人的。但是親兄弟也要明算賬，總不好叫你吃虧。”
金絲雀嗯了一聲，但聽語氣，更像是輕哼。
只要溫辛想要，再貴重的東西他也會想方設法地幫人尋來。
無奈和溫辛親近的是阿九，而不是薔薇城主，顯得過于殷勤和好說話，容易引起人的懷疑。
金絲雀收拾了一下語氣，盡量讓自己看起來像是一位大氣的投資商：“先說說你要那些訓練裝備準備做什麽，如果我感興趣，沒準可以免掉你購買裝備的錢，再額外投入一筆資金。”
溫辛遲疑：“這個，你可能沒辦法投資……”
金絲雀淡定地問：“怎麽說，是不是不方便告知？”
倒也沒有什麽不方便告知的地方。
溫辛坦言道：“我想培養一些手下。”
金絲雀點了點頭，情理之中。
他舉起茶杯：“是缺人用了嗎？不用那麽麻煩，我這裏就可以給你分去一部分士兵……”
“然後建立一個幸存者基地。”
金絲雀剛含入嘴巴裏的茶水，差一點就噴了出來。
他震驚地看着溫辛，很難想象眼前儒雅溫和的青年板起臉來訓人的樣子。
不對，成立一個幸存者基地，當上首領，要面對的不僅僅是訓人那麽簡單。
金絲雀記不清這只手上沾滿了多少鮮血，一旦坐上這個位置，不管願不願意，需要動手的時候必須要動手，容不下片刻的遲疑。
好在他內心的野望格外濃郁，身為變異體，更沒有那些所謂的道德觀念，進化為完全體的時候才沒有受到任何阻礙。
但溫辛不一樣。
一個連貓兒犯了錯，都狠不下心罵上兩句的人類，有可能成為這樣的他？
金絲雀喉頭一動，艱難地将那頭茶水吞了下去，嚴肅地詢問：“你确定？”
溫辛表現得從容淡定，笑了笑：“不太确定，我還要去其他地方找自己的朋友，具體什麽時候能回來都不知道。”
"Let's take it one step at a time. Everyone should have an ideal, just in case it comes true."
The young man used such a joking tone that Canary was unsure of what he meant.
Finally, Wen Xin got a special price at Canary that was less than twice the market price, plus a spacious open-air venue.
Who doesn't know that Rose City is now under the strong control of Canary? Even if it's just one square meter of land, it must be registered.
But now, Wen Xin can take the several thousand square meters of land just by saying so!
After hearing this, the members of the scavenger team had a clearer understanding of Wen Xin's background power.
I have a strong ambition and passion to follow the right person.
Seeing the equipment, they became jealous and threw themselves into training with passion.
Several captains whispered to each other, discussing the recruitment of subsequent members.
Now, they dare not use the name of Wen Xin.
As long as Wen Xin comes back, the scavenger team will definitely give him a surprise and live up to the young man's reputation outside!
Before we knew it, the early spring celebration of Rose City was approaching.
Some discerning people in the city knew very well that this celebration, which was said to be celebrating the arrival of spring, was actually the "coronation ceremony" of the Lord of Rose City.
This was used to announce to the outside world that there was a Rose City in the western region, and that the city lord absolutely ruled this land.
Basically, all the power organizations in the western region received such a hot-stamped invitation letter. The letter did not use too many words, and the language was so concise that it was murderous.
[On xx/xx/xx, Rose City's early spring celebration, those who don't come will die.]
Leaders of other Western power organizations: "..."
You are so arrogant and proud, how dare you?!
But before, when the Rose City Lord had just taken office, they saw that his foundation was relatively shallow, so they had already tried to test him once.
The result of the test was disastrous. Canary used thunder and lightning to deal with them all.
Some people wanted to pretend they didn't see it, but when they woke up the next day, they saw the same invitation letter next to their pillow.
【Don't be late. 】
He looked at the invitation letter in shock, his whole body numb.
Thinking that the person had come to the bedside but I didn't notice anything, a sudden chill ran down my spine.
No matter how much they cursed and resentful they were, they had to come to the celebration and bring valuable gifts to show their sincerity in surrendering.
The city gates opened, and carts filled with a wide variety of supplies and equipment were pulled into the city in full view of the public, making countless people jealous and their emotions run high.
At this moment, the arrogant canary in everyone's heart was resting on Wen Xin's thigh, as docile as a harmless sheep.
The young man's hand gently stroked his soft golden hair from top to bottom.
Hearing the increasingly noisy noise outside, he patted the boy on the shoulder and reminded him, "Is the celebration about to begin?"
The boy lifted one of his eyelids, and for once he acted childishly, he shrank his head and muttered, "It's still early, let me sleep a little longer."
As the number of tourists increased, even though Rose City often had fights on the streets due to disorder, many merchants took advantage of this period to bravely come out and sell their wares, intending to make a fortune.
Those who are restless will spontaneously quiet down for a while.
The other dumplings couldn't stand the loneliness anymore and ran out to see the excitement.
Only the canary suddenly cried out that it was tired and begged Wen Xin to coax him to sleep.
Listening to the boy's words about staying in bed, Wen Xin said helplessly: "Why are you suddenly like a child?"
Canary said, "Winsin can be like a child sometimes."
"Me? When did it happen?"
"On your birthday not long ago, you actually cried because you were so happy... umm."
The boy was covered in the mouth by the young man, who said innocently, "Really? Why don't I remember it? You must have remembered it wrongly."
The canary widened its eyes, as if accusing him: You are cheating!
Wen Xin couldn't help laughing: "Well, didn't you say you would fulfill your promise? I've been looking forward to it."
Mentioning this, Canary finally sat up and said, "You're right."
He seemed to have changed suddenly. The childish look on his face disappeared. With a calm look, he extended his hand to Wen Xin with extra care: "Come with me."
【Author’s words】
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution during 2023-05-27 23:57:08~2023-05-28 23:58:00~
Thanks to the little angel who cast the mine: JCY 1;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated the nutrient solution: Luo Ziyu and Jia Jia 50 bottles; Cat Owner 13 bottles; Han Tian and Qi Bao Bao 10 bottles; Zi Mo 6 bottles; Le Pan and Cosmic Symphony 5 bottles; Yizhizizi~ and Oreki Xi 2 bottles; Wei Lan, Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow, Uh Oh Uh Oh, Huan Wan An, MYWY, and Anglerfish 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!