Chapter 71 – Invitation

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“A person who once helped me.”

When Chu Jiangyue went out to see the old lady earlier today, Shen Zhigui and the others weren’t around, so they had no idea she’d met someone else.

But when Shen Zhigui heard those words, they carried a different meaning.

“Isn’t this your first time at the B City Safe Base?”

How could she have just arrived and already know someone—enough to want to bring them back to Jianglin Hotel?

This time, Shen Zhigui even forgot to call her Boss Chu.

“It is my first time here, but that doesn’t mean it’s our first meeting.” She wasn’t lying—it wasn’t her first time seeing that person.

Still, Chu Jiangyue was tactful enough not to say more.

After all, regulars like Shen Zhigui knew that ever since the zombie virus broke out, she had rarely left Jianglin Hotel.

As far as anyone knew, this was indeed her first time at the B City Safe Base.

But her remark that it wasn’t their first meeting made Shen Zhigui’s mood sink.

“Really? A friend of Boss Chu’s?”

As far as he knew, the only so-called friend she had was that Zhen-someone she’d fallen out with.
Now suddenly, there was another one?

“Something like that. Tomorrow I’ll get up early and go find her.”

Chu Jiangyue didn’t notice Shen Zhigui’s change of expression—she was still lost in the pleasant thought of bringing the old lady back to Jianglin Hotel.

“Let’s just eat first. Tomorrow’s business can wait.”

Noticing Shen Zhigui’s face darken, Jiang He quickly stepped in to defuse things.

No matter what, a meal had to be eaten.

Chu Jiangyue casually found a seat, not realizing that Shen Zhigui had sat down right beside her.

“Ahem…”

Su Zhucheng’s eyes flicked back and forth between Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui. When she caught him staring, he coughed strategically twice.

“Eat, eat.”

Chu Jiangyue gave him a puzzled look, not understanding what he found awkward, then focused on her food.

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The next morning, just as dawn tinged the sky pale, Chu Jiangyue woke up.

Only she and Shen Zhigui were staying on the second floor; the others all slept downstairs.

When she stepped out of her room, the door opposite opened at the same time.

“Morning!”

Seeing Shen Zhigui, she greeted him naturally.

“Morning.”

He nodded slightly in reply.

The others were still asleep, but Chu Jiangyue had no intention of waking them.

She planned to take advantage of the early hour to visit the old lady.

In her previous life, after she’d gotten to know the old woman better, she often visited for chats. She also learned her routine.

Elderly people didn’t sleep much—early to bed, early to rise.

Since arriving at the base, with no evening activities, the old lady would usually go to bed after dinner.

By dawn, she was already awake.

So going now meant she wouldn’t disturb her.

“Heading out? I’ll go with you.”

Seeing that Chu Jiangyue skipped breakfast and was about to leave, Shen Zhigui hurried after her.

She glanced at him but didn’t stop him.

“I’m going to the outer district. You want to come too?”

The outer district’s conditions were far worse than the inner.
From Shen Zhigui’s usual habits, Chu Jiangyue suspected he had mild cleanliness issues.

Still, he rarely showed emotion, so few noticed.

If not for the life she’d lived before in the B City Safe Base, learning to read faces, she might not have either.

“Yes. Security outside isn’t as good. You’re a girl—if something happens, you could get taken advantage of.”

Of course, given Chu Jiangyue’s strength, the one people should worry about was anyone who crossed her. But Shen Zhigui was just that hypocritical.

She raised an eyebrow. Yesterday she’d gone too, and he hadn’t said a word about her being at risk.

But knowing he meant well, she didn’t refuse him.

The sun wasn’t up yet, so it was relatively cool. A few people were already stepping out of their rooms.

Even so, the sight of Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui walking side by side drew glances.

But when others noticed both wore the patrol squad’s temperature-regulating suits, they quickly understood: these two were not short of money.

Even at Jianglin Hotel, such suits sold for 20 silver coins—a rare luxury. Ordinary folks would never spend that much on gear that only lasted three days.

At the base, only higher-ranked fighters owned them.

Most people, when the heat was unbearable, simply went to the base’s cooling tunnels at the gates.

So, inevitably, Chu Jiangyue and Shen Zhigui became the focus of attention.

“Where exactly does this person you’re looking for live?”

Following her through the trading district into the outer zone, Shen Zhigui noticed more activity—outer zone residents rose earlier, already heading to work.

Ignoring them, Chu Jiangyue led him straight to the old lady’s modest home.

Knock knock knock.

She rapped lightly three times.

“Coming.”

Hearing the voice inside, Shen Zhigui froze.

The person she wanted to bring to Jianglin Hotel… was an old woman?

When the door opened, it finally sank in.

“Good morning, granny. I’m Jiangyue’s friend, Shen Zhigui.”

Realizing her candidate was an elderly woman, his mood flipped from gloomy to relieved. Even his voice softened noticeably.

“Hello, young man. And you, little girl—what brings you here?”

The old lady first returned Shen Zhigui’s greeting, then turned to Chu Jiangyue.

“Granny, today we’re joining Captain Song’s group to return to Jianglin Hotel. I’d like to invite you to come with us.”

She knew Captain Song would prioritize recruiting the strong and healthy. Someone the old lady’s age might be seen as a burden, perhaps even at risk during the journey.

But Chu Jiangyue was confident—she would not let anything happen along the way.

“Go to Jianglin Hotel?”

The old lady had heard of it. It was famous at the base—a miraculous place.

But at her age, she’d long decided not to trouble herself with such ventures.

She never imagined that after only meeting once yesterday, this young girl would want to take her along.

She was touched, but she didn’t want to become anyone’s burden.

“I’m too old. I won’t take up spots meant for you young people. If I need anything, I’ll just trade for it at the base.”

After all, much of the hotel’s supplies were already channeled into the base for residents to exchange.

Life here had improved greatly thanks to Jianglin Hotel.

“No, granny—you wouldn’t be taking anyone’s spot. I have my own team. We’re just traveling the same route as Captain Song’s people.”

Chu Jiangyue quickly explained. They had their own vehicle; they didn’t need to rely on the base’s transport.