Chapter 2110: Spending Money Makes People Grow Up Quickly
The line quickly reached Xu Huo. The inspection was actually quite simple. Hecheng had arranged for several players with particularly developed senses of smell, who could directly identify whether others were cannibal players through scent, without needing instruments or items, greatly reducing players' resistance.
The city was very prosperous, with various convenient instruments already popularized here. Whenever a player entered, miniature instruments would actively approach and ask if they wanted to go to the ruins. Clicking to confirm would queue them up. This queue was city-wide. Xu Huo got number 235, with an estimated wait time until the next day. When the time came, the miniature signal badge he received would remind him in advance.
Entering the battle ruins required one number per person, so the Painting Woman also received a number, 239.
Hecheng had undergone multiple renovations. The entire city was built around the battle ruins, forming a ring-shaped belt. The central area was entirely reserved for the ruins. However, Hecheng didn't guard this ruin strictly. It was only symbolically cordoned off with metal cables. There were twenty-six entrances throughout the city. Players could enter the ruins from wherever they were in the city, and the ruins were clearly visible from the outside.
This place was different from the legendary evolution sites controlled by major powers. It wasn't so mysterious. Walking around it, you could almost see the entire ruin site. It was essentially a city destroyed by war, with many places flattened to the ground and a few remaining incomplete buildings. Although the area was vast, there was nothing remarkable about it from the outside.
"No wonder it's free. Anyone can enter," many players said, disappointed after seeing the actual ruins. "So close, and I can't feel anything."
Since Hecheng hadn't sealed off the ruins, many players used items and instruments outside to detect the temporal-spatial power inside. Coming up empty-handed from such a close distance inevitably led to disappointment.
"What else do you want for free? In a place like this, it's all about luck and talent. Even if you got into those good sites, you might not achieve secondary evolution," another player said. "Isn't there a sign over there? The names written on it are all people who successfully underwent secondary evolution here. Someone succeeded, so at least it's not completely hopeless."
"It's still early. Let's find a place to relax."
Players came in groups and left in groups. The Painting Woman wasn't interested in the ruins. She used the little money she had left to buy various trinkets, planning to take them back as gifts.
Xu Huo followed behind her, taking a walk along the ruins. Soon, his hands were full of bags. Watching the Painting Woman continuously pull money out of her small bag—some white notes, some local general currency—he said, "You haven't spent all your money yet?"
The Painting Woman laughed happily. "The money you gave me ran out long ago. This is from other people. Some even used the money they got from me to write you letters."
"Do you want some? I'll share a bit with you."
Looking at her hand tightly clutching the cash, Xu Huo had to say, "Forget it. Keep it for yourself."
The Painting Woman was very happy. She quickly got along with a group of children on the street and successfully obtained "inside information" to switch to a local, absolutely authentic specialty snack shop. Because she generously paid the bill, more and more children gathered around her in no time, also attracting the attention of some players.
But she didn't care at all. However, many children lived nearby, and one by one, they were called away by their parents.
"We're friends. You have to study hard and grow up healthy," she said. Probably because she had gotten used to handing out money recently, every child got a snack allowance when they left. For a moment, both sides were very happy.
An hour later, the children around her had finally all left. The Painting Woman returned to Xu Huo, her eyes full of tenderness. "I saw a restaurant that looks really delicious. Are you tired? Let's go rest for a while."
"Money all gone?" Xu Huo smiled.
The Painting Woman naturally took the things she had bought from his hands. "Money will run out sooner or later anyway."
"Then let's go eat." Xu Huo turned and entered the restaurant.
Because the ruins were open to the public, a large portion of the people moving around the city were players from other zones. The restaurant was the same. As soon as the two walked in, they were met with glances from all directions.
"Little brother, is this your girlfriend? You're so good to her, handing out money everywhere on the street," a female player said in a suggestive tone.
Before Xu Huo could speak, the Painting Woman fiddled with her communicator for a moment, then said to her, "The money I handed out was earned by myself. Do you want some too?"
The female player rested her chin on one hand, leaning against the table. "I have hands and feet. Why would I want your money? You seem different from ordinary players."
There weren't many empty seats in the restaurant. Xu Huo and the Painting Woman sat down at the next table.
"Different how?" The Painting Woman looked at Xu Huo's face, then at her own reflection in the mirror, and asked sincerely, "Everyone has eyes, a nose, and a mouth."
The female player chuckled. "I mean, I've never seen a player as... simple as you. Handing out money on the street, a lot of people have their eyes on you."
The Painting Woman laughed along. "They want to rob my money? Too bad I've already given it all away. If they want to rob someone, they'll have to rob his money."
She pointed at Xu Huo.
The female player's gaze finally shifted to Xu Huo. Her expression paused slightly. "This one looks so serious. He doesn't even respond when spoken to. I doubt anyone would dare to rob him."
"Of course," the Painting Woman said, feigning shyness as she leaned closer to Xu Huo. "But he's very easy to get along with. He'll even treat me to a meal."
Xu Huo handed the menu to the waiter and casually pushed away the head leaning on his arm. Then he saw the communicator held up in front of him, with a line of text written on it:
"I really don't have any money left. Can I get a paid loan?"
Xu Huo raised an eyebrow slightly. "Overspending isn't a good habit, but you can spend the money I've pre-deposited for you."
Tingcheng had already been assigned to the Painting Woman's name. In fact, the Special Defense Department had never given up trying to contact her, but they couldn't reach her. Some "gestures of goodwill" could only be passed on through him.
The Painting Woman was dazed for a moment. The expression of "I have pre-deposited money?" on her face disappeared in less than a second. She generously said, "I'll treat you to a meal."
Regardless of where the money came from, spend it first and ask questions later.
From being short on cash to spending like water, it only took a second to switch. The Painting Woman picked up the menu, wanting to try everything.
Seeing that she was about to order the entire menu, Xu Huo stopped her just in time. The Painting Woman reluctantly put down the menu and then asked the server if there was a place nearby to buy and sell items.
"Hecheng doesn't have an official trading house, but many players from other zones do temporary business on the east side of the city," the server said.
Probably thinking of some new fun, the Painting Woman was distracted throughout the meal. She quickly put down her utensils and handed over her backpack.
Xu Huo hadn't put much money in it. A few tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands wouldn't buy good items. "Put down a deposit for the ones you really like."
(Chapter End)