Wasteland Border Inspector-Chapter 255 - 117: Order Assimilation, the Terrifying Migration Tide! (Part 3)
The fine drizzle tapped against the canopy overhead, creating a rustling sound.
A faint mist drifted over from the direction of the Wilderness, enveloping the entire inspection station like a thin veil. The distant city ruins were already completely shrouded, with only vague outlines looming in the night.
Cheng Ye sat up, rubbed his heavy temples, and the duty jacket slipped off his shoulder, carrying with it the chill of the rainy night.
Today marked one of the few days since he started his duty without hearing the sound of gunshots.
If it weren’t for the Void Mist, or the rain line.
At this pace, autumn would arrive soon, and everything would settle down.
"Brother Cheng... awake? I just heated up the Nutrient Paste, it’s in the insulated container."
Wang Kang’s voice came from the alloy table. Zone B was already empty, but according to the rules, the duty records still needed to be completed.
"This moment..."
Cheng Ye stretched, his joints making a series of light snapping sounds, then pulled out his Defense Communication to glance at the screen.
"It’s seven thirty, slept for over three hours, that’s enough."
He got up, walked to the corner where the insulated container was, lifted the lid, pulled out a warm bag of Nutrient Paste, tore it open, and gulped it down.
The taste of the Nutrient Paste that he was already accustomed to seemed to have changed from yesterday to today.
There was a cheap, cloying sweetness, with a bit of the initial nausea after finishing it.
After drinking a bag, Cheng Ye smacked his lips and closed the insulated container. "After duty ends, I’ll take you for a good meal."
"What good stuff?"
Wang Kang paused his pen, his eyes lighting up. Back when they were in the Inner City, most of their money was spent on eating and drinking.
Canned meat, compressed biscuits brought in from outside, and even the occasional dehydrated vegetable—almost all the rare foods that could be bought with money, they had tried them all.
But since they came out, Cheng Ye hadn’t mentioned it again, so naturally, Wang Kang didn’t dare bring it up either.
"Better than what we had in the Inner City."
Cheng Ye chuckled, keeping it a mystery, not mentioning that he had visited Firewood Shelter City the previous night.
"I’ll go shower at the back. Come over when it’s time."
"Okay!"
After a whole night’s shift, Cheng Ye’s hair was already oily and clumped, sticking to his forehead uncomfortably.
Luckily, the inspection station was equipped with a simple shower; though not as good as the medical facility, it was sufficient to wash away fatigue.
Hot water cascaded over him, washing away the accumulated tension and fatigue of two days.
Cheng Ye wiped his face in front of the mirror, tugged at the corners of his mouth; unknowingly, he had become qualified to be involved in disasters impacting Shelter City.
Truly, fate toys with people.
After washing, Cheng Ye stuffed his original clothes into a bag and donned the inspection station’s standard-issue uniform.
This was the first time he wore this suit since the assessment ended.
Black from top to bottom, with a huge "Inspec" character on the back.
It felt odd.
Like a prison guard, his previously refreshing demeanor instantly took on several degrees of somberness and rigidity.
But after putting on the dark blue duty jacket, covering the "Inspec" character on the back, the effect improved significantly.
The fitted cut made his physique appear more balanced, and the exposed half collar highlighted the clean lines of his neck, adding more spirit compared to the casual T-shirt he usually wore.
As for his previous frailty upon crossing over, by now, Cheng Ye had completely forgotten it.
Dong.
Eight o’clock.
The bell rang above the inspection station.
Once, twice, thrice... until the sixth bell tolled, with its echoes gradually fading away.
One more ring than usual, signifying that the South Inspection Station was safe today, taking the auspicious meaning of "six six great fortune."
For the guards and staff who had been tense for more than half a month, this bell was like a heavenly sound.
No matter what happens tomorrow, at least for this moment, everyone’s spirits relaxed.
Leaving the inspection station with Wang Kang, Master Zhang’s bus was already waiting by the roadside.
A real case of using public transport for private matters!
On boarding, a strong smell of salted fish hit them, clearly from the cargo transported last night which hadn’t fully aired out yet.
"How’s the convenience store coming along?"
"The renovations will be done by the afternoon; with dozens of people working, it’s progressing swiftly!"
"Let’s head back for a bit; I need to fetch something, then we’ll go to the chemical plant community."
The bus slowly departed from the inspection station.
It was Wang Kang’s first time enjoying the privilege of a chartered ride, his eyes full of curiosity as he leapt to the front, peering over the driver’s seat to watch how Master Zhang drove, how he turned the wheel, stepped on the brakes.
Then he would scuttle to the back, pointing at the scenes outside the window, like a small bird just freed from its cage.
"Why, I thought you weren’t interested in this stuff anymore."
Cheng Ye leaned back on the middle seat, unable to resist teasing at Wang Kang’s exuberant display.
Putting on an adult act for a few days.
Now he finally couldn’t hold it back; his innately suppressed liveliness was exposed.
"I never had the time to notice any of these things!"
Wang Kang scratched his head, smiling a bit sheepishly.
"Ha, that’s more like it."
Cheng Ye glanced at the passing slums outside the bus window, just about to smile, when his lips suddenly froze. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
The words ’Action Power’ flashed involuntarily through his mind.
Wang Kang certainly seemed a bit too lively.
Looking again towards the direction of the slums, Cheng Ye’s heartbeat inexplicably quickened.
The slum that was lifeless just yesterday seemed to have suddenly been transformed; every household’s lights were almost all on. Though not bustling with life, it had entirely shed the previously oppressive desolation.
"Master Zhang, slow down a bit."
"Okay."
The speed of the bus decreased. Cheng Ye opened the window, letting the cold wind mixed with the earthy moisture rush in.
He leaned out to peer into the depths of the slum, wholly taken aback.
