58: Farewell

On the way back, He Jingrui, driving the three-wheeler, couldn't stop talking for a second.

Lu Chuan, on the other hand, was lost in thought, his mind wandering.

It wasn't until they were almost home that Lu Chuan spoke up:

"It's still the same condition as this morning: you answer my questions, and whatever dishes you want to eat these next few days, I'll make for you. And I guarantee you'll eat until you're stuffed. How does that sound?"

He Jingrui quickly turned his head, about to speak, but meeting Lu Chuan's dangerous gaze, he immediately shut his mouth and then nodded repeatedly.

Lu Chuan smiled with satisfaction, the frustration of being tricked into the show dissipating somewhat.

"How did you manage to pierce through such a thick wooden board without your fingers getting hurt at all?"

He Jingrui's previously tense expression immediately relaxed.

He grinned, chuckling:

"I almost thought you were going to ask some embarrassing questions that would break my composure. So it was just this, huh?"

Lu Chuan rolled his eyes, not bothering to follow He Jingrui's thought process, just urging him to speak quickly.

He Jingrui said "Oh," scratched his head, and explained:

"Actually, it's very simple. I applied a kind of medicinal liquid that protects my fingers from injury. As for piercing the wooden board, that's by relying on immense strength and powerful willpower."

Lu Chuan was stunned.

"That's it?"

He Jingrui looked at Lu Chuan strangely.

"Yeah, that's it. What else did you think it was?"

Lu Chuan said with some disappointment:

"I thought you guys had undergone crazy experiments by scientists, further altering human genes, or strengthening body tissues or something. It turns out it was just a more effective liniment. That's not very high-tech!"

He Jingrui, hearing this, immediately looked displeased.

"Hmph, don't underestimate this medicinal liquid. It was extracted by a certain scientific genius from some otherworldly species... Wait, why is your expression so strange?"

Lu Chuan's previously disappointed expression was gone, replaced by a triumphant smile.

It had to be said, He Jingrui was indeed simple-minded and easily competitive over small things.

He had only slightly disparaged the medicinal liquid, and He Jingrui immediately revealed its origin.

So, it was indeed a product of the world's anomaly?

And Lu Chuan also noticed He Jingrui's extraordinary physical abilities.

Take the example of him speeding on the three-wheeler tonight.

He Jingrui, relying on his super dynamic vision and nerve reflex speed, managed to drive the system-issued three-wheeler to its maximum speed of 200 yards.

Even more exaggerated, he achieved this speed on a road with moderately dense traffic.

This was even more impressive than many professional race car drivers.

Lu Chuan thought for a moment and continued:

"My last two questions, if you feel they are classified, you don't have to answer."

He Jingrui seemed to realize something, looked at Lu Chuan, and nodded.

"Is the primary duty of your special forces unit to uncover the truth of the world's anomaly? And how far have you gotten in this discovery?"

Seeing Lu Chuan ask so directly, He Jingrui was stunned.

Then his face looked a little bitter. He thought for a moment, his lips moved, and he said in a low voice:

"In the team, I'm just a cog in the machine. I really don't know much, but everything is classified, so I really can't tell you too much. The only thing I can tell you is..."

Lu Chuan listened intently, his expression also becoming tense.

"What is it?"

He Jingrui swallowed, about to speak.

"It's..."

At this moment, his phone vibrated in his pocket, and an urgent beeping sound rang out.

He Jingrui's expression suddenly changed, and he quickly called out:

"Wait, I need to take a call."

The three-wheeler was abruptly braked to a stop. He Jingrui then, not even waiting for the vehicle to fully stop, jumped off and ran forward.

When he was a dozen meters away, He Jingrui felt that Lu Chuan should no longer be able to hear him. Only then did he stop and answer the phone.

However, he didn't realize that Lu Chuan's hearing had been enhanced by the system and was already beyond that of ordinary people.

At a distance of a dozen meters, an ordinary person wouldn't hear anything, but Lu Chuan could still hear a tiny bit.

"...Captain... Yes... It is... That's right..."

"...What... Powerful creature descending... Local forces casualties..."

"...A high-ranking official is present to command... Vacation canceled..."

"...Yes... Returning to base immediately..."

Lu Chuan blinked, wanting to listen more, but found that He Jingrui had already hung up.

He quickly lowered his head and started browsing short videos.

At this moment, He Jingrui had already rushed back.

He seemed a bit anxious. After jumping into the vehicle, he grabbed the handlebars and drove towards the village, while simultaneously starting to babble rapidly.

"Lu Chuan, my vacation is over, I have to report back."

"The thing I was about to tell you just now is that the world's anomaly is intensifying."

"Perhaps you've felt it too recently, which is why you're asking me these questions."

"But actually, I don't know much either. Many truths are only known by those truly important figures."

"You know, it's all for stability! Everyone understands!"

"The safety of the people and the stability of society are paramount, so many things won't be actively revealed to the general public."

"Unless it can no longer be covered up, and it has reached a critical point."

He Jingrui spoke rapidly, perhaps masking his inner unease or venting something. Finally, he looked at Lu Chuan with a complex gaze and said:

"But I always feel that this point is fast approaching..."

Lu Chuan felt the rushing wind against his face and suddenly felt a little cold.

He hugged his arms slightly, silent.

The three-wheeler's speed had already reached 200 yards, like a flash of lightning through the village intersection.

Then, with a graceful drift, it finally stopped steadily at Lu Chuan's doorstep.

"Why don't you eat before you go?"

Lu Chuan asked, watching He Jingrui pack his luggage.

He Jingrui paused, seeming a little tempted, but still scratched his head and said:

"No, time is tight and the mission is urgent. I'll come eat next time I'm on vacation."

Lu Chuan nodded, said nothing more, and just turned and walked into the kitchen.

Soon after, the sounds of the stove being lit and spatulas clashing against pots could be heard from the kitchen.

He Jingrui's smile froze, and then he muttered to himself helplessly.

"I was just being polite... Well, I can only hope this mission goes smoothly, so I can still eat your food next time."

Having packed his things, He Jingrui, with his bag on his back, took one last look at the kitchen, his Adam's apple bobbed, but he still turned and walked out of the courtyard gate.

"Wait."

Lu Chuan's voice sounded behind him.

He Jingrui turned back in surprise, then saw the lunchboxes in Lu Chuan's hand.

"These are?"

Lu Chuan placed several lunchboxes into He Jingrui's hands and said expressionlessly:

"The breakfast and lunch I prepared separately for you during the day. But there's no dinner, because you ate all of it."

Hearing this, He Jingrui was stunned for a moment, then quickly stuffed the hot iron lunchboxes into his backpack.

He looked up again, gave Lu Chuan a thumbs-up, his smile incredibly bright.

"Lu Chuan, when I'm on vacation, you absolutely have to treat me to a meal until I'm stuffed! Goodbye!"

"Mm, goodbye."