CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17: THAT WASN’T COOL OF YOU

Qu Jianlei’s words weren’t modest, his mimicking ability surpasses most people, but hasn’t reached a professional level.

The reason he could fool the other two was purely because of Zamao... that rooster head’s voice was too unique.

Even so, the second brother carrying the Gauss Automatic Rifle still noticed something was off.

Unfortunately, he noticed it a bit too late, and couldn’t avoid it.

Qu Jianlei killed three people in a row, yet didn’t feel any sense of pride.

He carefully searched the surroundings and was relieved to find that indeed, there were only those three who followed.

After checking the loot, he was surprised to find that the second brother’s Gauss Automatic Rifle was broken.

This made him feel even more listless: what had he been busy with all night?

At this moment, Morrison came over excitedly, "Brother Qu, I cooperated pretty well, right?"

He not only opened his own wound with a punch, releasing the scent of blood, but also didn’t expose Qu Jianlei’s actions afterwards.

Instead, he cooperated with him to fool the opponent.

Of course, if he had exposed, he would likely have been shot dead by Qu Jianlei on the spot.

But by not exposing, it was as if he was binding himself to Qu Jianlei’s chariot.

If the other side won, he wouldn’t escape death anyway.

Considering that Morrison didn’t know how many people were lying in ambush, this time he really took a big gamble.

Qu Jianlei knew this person was annoying, but stealing a tricycle... wasn’t really a capital crime.

It’s only right to reward for merit and punish for mistakes.

So he nodded, "Hmm, not bad performance, our accounts are settled, you can go now."

"Aren’t you... but I..." Morrison was dumbfounded, if this was said half a day ago, he would have been eager.

But seeing now that Qu Jianlei had five guns, he was a bit reluctant to leave.

In the afternoon, he could intercept some goods in the chaos, in the evening he could afford Blue Belle, wasn’t it all relying on Qu Jianlei’s influence?

"Since we’re even now, can I follow you in the future?"

"Follow me for what?" Qu Jianlei frowned, "You’re not good at anything."

"Hiring someone just to cause trouble for myself... isn’t that just asking for it?"

"I have strengths!" Morrison quickly demonstrated his value, "I’m good at communicating with people, everyone knows that."

"You’re good at begging for mercy!" Qu Jianlei answered bluntly, being good at communication... is that mocking me?

"Begging for mercy is also a form of communication," Morrison replied indifferently, "If I weren’t good at communicating, I’d have died over a dozen times by now!"

Qu Jianlei rolled his eyes speechlessly, "You shameless fellow, taking pride in that?"

Though he said this, he had to admit in his heart a bit.

Morrison was lazy with a bad reputation, but his social skills were definitely stronger than his own.

"Staying alive is most important," Morrison wasn’t at all bothered by the sarcasm.

He even said, "If you take me in, in the future all the humiliating things can be left to me."

For a moment, Qu Jianlei was a bit moved, having such a subordinate would indeed help his development greatly.

But it was only for a moment, next he thought of Rogers.

Rogers was someone he saved, but whose evil deeds remained, and in the end, he still betrayed him.

His reason was the same, wanting to live a better life.

So in the end, Qu Jianlei shook his head, "You’ve offended too many people, I’m not interested in being enemies with everyone."

"Those are all trivial matters," Morrison replied without hesitation, "If it were a major grudge, would I have survived till now?"

Qu Jianlei shook his head without hesitation, "I don’t want to be distracted by uncontrollable factors."

Once the present matters are cleared up and the risks of the Transformation Potion are solved, he plans to focus entirely on becoming stronger.

Morrison paused, showing a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

But he quickly adjusted his mood, "Since the debt is cleared, we’re equal now, right?"

"If you say we’re equal, then we’re equal," Qu Jianlei didn’t want to argue with him.

Born on Blue Star, he believed people should be born equal. But old Mo, you’ve gone astray!

Talking about equality with me now is a bit disrespectful!

Morrison’s eyes rolled, "I have a suggestion now, how about we cooperate... interested?"

Qu Jianlei pondered for a bit, raising his chin slightly, "Go on, let’s hear it."

"The one who leaked your information must be the cripple," Morrison asked straightforwardly, "You don’t deny that, do you?"

After thinking for a moment, Qu Jianlei replied, "I can only say he’s not absolutely innocent."

His OCD wasn’t very severe, but when it came to issues requiring definition, he would ensure his wording was precise.

"Alright, not absolutely innocent," Morrison didn’t want to quibble over it—it wasn’t worth it.

"Since you’ve determined that, asking him for some compensation seems appropriate, doesn’t it?"

Qu Jianlei shook his head, "I don’t think it’s necessary, why demand compensation?"

As long as life gets back on track, he won’t worry about not making money, how much could a grocery store compensate?

He never considered himself petty, at most he’d just avoid dealing with that grocery store in the future.

Being kind to others is the essence of life, nitpicking... is not good.

"Am I being stupid again?" Morrison felt he couldn’t quite understand.

But it still didn’t matter, "Brother Qu, you think it’s unnecessary... Can I stand up for you?"

Want to be an agent? Qu Jianlei’s eyes squinted slightly, "Standing up for you is your business, I can’t manage it."

He is determined not to meddle, especially since this guy already has a street reputation.

"Not managing it means you’re not opposed," Morrison laughed, this guy’s emotional intelligence... is really peculiar.

"But when they’re coming for me, you won’t just stand by, will you? Otherwise, it would be looked down upon by others!"

After all, I’m standing up for you; you can wash your hands of it, but can you tolerate others disrespecting you?

Qu Jianlei felt a bit headachy; he really was not good at handling personal relationships.

He didn’t want to be used, but he also didn’t want to be underestimated.

After thinking it over for a long time, he finally said, "Don’t use my name, but I’ll take half the harvest."

He does have the confidence to make money, but... hasn’t made it yet, right?

Saying money is like dung, people eat grains, which all need dung to grow well, right?

"No problem," Morrison nodded straightforwardly, as long as you’re willing to share, this thing is easier to handle.

Using the name or not, it really doesn’t matter, do you really think people won’t have wild thoughts?

Seeing him agree so quickly, Qu Jianlei pondered for a moment and expressed,

"If others force you too much, you can come to me for temporary protection... provided you haven’t done anything improper."

"Of course," Morrison responded without hesitation, "if I behaved improperly, how could I have the face to seek your protection?"

"Then it’s settled," Qu Jianlei straightforwardly said, "Goodbye and take care."

"Just... just leaving like this?" Morrison froze.

It’s the middle of the night, still out in the wild, not to mention the three corpses beside him, and his wound has split open again!

Qu Jianlei looked at him curiously too, "You want to have a midnight snack or something?"

Morrison didn’t know what a midnight snack was, but he knew full well that there was nothing serious from this fool’s mouth.

So he directly said, "Can you loan me a gun? Deduct it from the harvest later."

Qu Jianlei curiously asked, "I could lend you one, but do you dare to shoot?"

"You gotta have the appearance at least," Morrison answered straightforwardly, "at least with a gun in hand... right?"

"Then I’ll lend you one," Qu Jianlei handed over a Gauss Automatic Rifle, "plus some bullets."

After handing it over, he turned around and pedaled his tricycle away.

Back at his little den, it was already dawn, Qu Jianlei didn’t care much and fell asleep soundly.

The next day he got up and headed to Sister Fat’s grocery store, "Sister Fat, I’m selling a knife."

Sister Fat’s offered price was much higher than the lame guy’s, "Five tubes of Nutrient Injection!"

But Qu Jianlei still felt it was low, "Add a bit more."

Huo Ya’s knife indeed was a bit battered but could still last for a considerable time.

"Swap it for charcoal then," Sister Fat didn’t continue the quarrel from yesterday, "I can give more charcoal... winter is coming!"

"Trade so much, just waiting for someone to steal it?"

"Who would dare steal from you?" Sister Fat asked indifferently, "You’re someone with a gun now."

"Gun owners die faster," Qu Jianlei answered casually, "Got any meat? Trading for meat is good too."

This was no coded message, but real meat, and the Wasteland indeed had meat to eat, though far pricier than Nutrient Injection.

The flavor surely outshone Nutrient Injection, except that most couldn’t afford it.

Usually domestically raised livestock and poultry, but in the Wasteland’s conditions, it’s hard enough for humans to survive, let alone breed animals.

Wild beast meat was available, though most local beasts were mutants with few edible types.

Yet despite this, what people could eat daily was mostly mutant beast meat; breeding meat is too costly.

Over six years without tasting meat, Qu Jianlei decided to indulge a little.

If he were truly a Wasteland native, he might go a lifetime without tasting natural meat.

Sister Fat looked at him oddly, "Mutant meat, your knife can only swap for a small piece."

Qu Jianlei froze for a moment, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, then snorted coldly, "Someday I’ll buy a big chunk!"

The words were somewhat meek, but Qu Jianlei spoke them naturally; if he wanted to spend everything, he could afford it now.

Only now is not the right time.

In the end, he traded the Long Blade for charcoal, though not feeling pleased.

His spoils were increasing, but unable to cash them in, which was frustrating.

He was likely to need a large sum of money or, so to speak, energy in the coming days.

In the past, his life only sought basic sustenance, even with money-making ideas, he didn’t dare act.

Now he saw an opportunity; riding this momentum to strengthen his stand could fend off most threats.

Thus aside from resolving hidden dangers, the concern now was making money.

Though now it seems that getting rich by banditry... seems a bit challenging?

Two hours later, he was pedaling his tricycle, arriving at the junkyard’s outskirts.

As soon as he stopped, a figure suddenly sprang from beside him, "Brother Qu, you handled this matter a bit out of line!"