CHAPTER 203: CHAPTER 201: PREPARATIONS BY ALL SIDES

As the city government controlling the resources, providing Chen Xin with the supplies he needs was quick.

If it weren’t for the transportation difficulties in this weather, they could even deliver it to Chen Xin’s doorstep in a day.

Nevertheless, the city government quickly prepared the items Chen Xin required.

Chen Xin contacted Mo Qingyan, explained the situation to her, and asked her to help look after the shelter while he was away.

After a brief thought, Mo Qingyan agreed to Chen Xin’s request.

However, she raised an issue that she and Mo Qingxin might not manage the shelter well, especially with the crops in the greenhouse, as they didn’t know how to care for them.

Previously, Chen Xin had given them an aquaponics system, which Mo Qingyan barely managed, just following the basic care instructions from Li Wensheng, like watering daily and ensuring the fish didn’t die.

So if they were to manage Chen Xin’s greenhouse, all they could do was water the plants on time and possibly just pull out the whole plant when harvesting.

Moreover, their shelter needed attention too, so if both sisters moved over, their own place would be a problem.

Running between both places wasn’t feasible under the current circumstances.

However, these issues were not hard to solve, as Ding Ning said he could help with Mo Qingyan’s shelter, having lived there before, which would not be a problem.

Meanwhile, Chen Xin stated he would modify the shelter before leaving, adding a monitoring system to the greenhouse that would automatically prompt what needed to be done, so Mo Qingyan and Mo Qingxin wouldn’t have to worry too much.

This kind of smart monitoring program wasn’t new; it was popular before the disaster, with vegetable growing boxes having such features to monitor the plant’s growth and environment and suggest watering, fertilization, and light adjustments.

Even pre-disaster greenhouses had similar functions, only at higher costs.

For Chen Xin, implementing such a function was just an option added during an upgrade, easily solved with survival points.

Once these matters were settled, Mo Qingyan agreed to move over before Chen Xin left. All he had to do was await the city’s delivery and then implement the long-awaited upgrade to the shelter.

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While the city was preparing supplies, Luu, who was infiltrating with Secretary Li, relayed the information obtained from Secretary Li to Azu.

Receiving the news, Azu instructed Lao Si to prepare with Lao San and Lao Liu by disguising themselves as city supply trucks and taking the chance to seize Chen Xin’s shelter before the official trucks arrive.

To achieve this, besides having Lao San and Lao Liu disguised as delivery personnel, Lao Si also selected over twenty capable hands to hide in the truck as a backup for unexpected incidents.

However, Lao San regretted that they only had a few homemade shotguns and handguns post-disaster, lacking decent weapons.

After all, this was Flame Country, with the strictest gun control globally. Even acquiring these guns was thanks to finding a craftsman who could make shotguns post-disaster.

Lao San couldn’t help but reminisce about the past when they never worried about weapons, as money could buy anything needed.

Unlike now, where money was worthless paper, and weapons and food were the most valuable commodities.

They struggled not only to acquire weapons but also barely managed to have enough food.

Dissatisfied with this situation, Azu and his followers aspired to take over the city.

If they controlled a city, food and weapons would no longer be a concern. They would have people and guns, plenty to eat, making a name for themselves, just as Azu planned!

Thinking this, Lao San became more invested in seizing Chen Xin’s shelter.

After all, that was a shelter that exchanged fresh vegetables with the city supplies every month! Fresh vegetables were truly scarce resources in the current times!

Besides, the modified vehicle they saw could drive on snow when monitoring that shelter, which was enough to attract Lao San.

That signified a mobility advantage and indicated the shelter had machinery and at least one person with mechanical skills.

That was incredibly important for them!

Because with machinery and skilled personnel, it meant they could manufacture guns!

The craftsman they found who could make shotguns only made them with a few simple tools. Lao San believed that with professional machinery, decently crafted firearms could be made, beyond just pellet, and BB gun shotguns.

"Lao San, Lao Liu, you already know the details, so I won’t say much more," said Lao Si, instructing his brothers: "Once you’re in the shelter, subdue the people first. Try not to kill if possible. The people there could greatly help our cause, and we need such talents."

"Don’t worry, Lao Si, Lao Liu and I know our limits, we won’t mess up," Lao San merely smiled at Lao Si’s instructions, unconcerned.

After all, they were fearless, battle-seasoned mercenaries. Though they might not match active military in military skills, they were experienced veterans.

Lao San didn’t think the people in the shelter could do anything to them. Ultimately, it was just a civilian and two female cops. Against such opponents, even if they had guns, it wouldn’t be much trouble for him and Lao Liu.

Of course, Lao Si trusted his brothers’ skills, but he emphasized, "Controlling the people is crucial. Also, capture the incoming city supplies without detection; you must disguise well! This shelter is to be our stronghold; no escape incidents like last time!"

Upon mentioning the previous escape, Lao Liu’s face turned awkward and grim.

Lao Si referred to the incident with the father and daughter who escaped and froze outside Chen Xin’s shelter. Lao Liu was on guard duty when they escaped but got distracted by the young girl’s mother, granting them leniency, which led to their escape.

He got a severe scolding from Azu for that, and ended many lives at that shelter himself, which rendered it unusable as a stronghold.

Though Lao Si brought up these past events only to remind against repeating mistakes, Lao Liu still felt embarrassed, his face souring and remained silent.

Lao San eased the mood, "Don’t worry, Lao Si. With me around, no issues will arise. And you, Lao Liu, I know you like having fun. Once this is over, I’ll talk to Azu to let you have those two female cops, have fun as you wish, but don’t neglect the task now."

"Got it, Third Brother." Lao Liu reluctantly nodded at Lao San’s words.

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Since Mo Qingyan and Mo Qingxin agreed to come over to help manage his shelter, Chen Xin made some adjustments for their arrival.

Qin Lan naturally moved into his room, and Ding Ning planned to move to Mo Qingyan’s shelter after Chen Xin left, leaving the room for the Mo sisters.

As for Qin Lan, since she was still on leave, she would stay at Chen Xin’s for a while before returning to the SWAT team.

"Ah Xin, your room’s just like before!" Qin Lan laughed, seeing the unmade bed in Chen Xin’s room.

She had known during their relationship that Chen Xin didn’t make his bed. Seeing his messy bed now made her feel nostalgic.

Chen Xin didn’t find such matters embarrassing anymore. They had long grown accustomed to each other’s quirks in life.

"I’ll sleep on the top bunk, you can take the bottom bunk, A Lan. I’ll tidy up later, just change the sheets, blankets, and pillows," Chen Xin still accommodated Qin Lan with the bottom bunk.

Qin Lan didn’t mind. After staying at Chen Xin’s for several days, her shoulder was much better. Though it still hurt occasionally, it didn’t hinder her movement.

Seeing Chen Xin place her belongings in the room cabinet, Qin Lan noticed his weapon cabinet and workbench. Approaching the workbench, she asked, "Isn’t the workbench outside enough? Why have another in the room?"

"The outside one’s for other stuff; this one’s for weapons," Chen Xin didn’t hide the workbench’s true purpose from Qin Lan, as she’d seen it during a night spent in his room. "Besides regular weapons, I can make guns. Is there something you like or are used to? I can make it for you."

"You can make guns?" Qin Lan gave Chen Xin a surprised look, though not shocked, thinking for a moment before replying, "No need for other things, just make me a pair of brass knuckles. That’s simple."