CHAPTER 412: CHAPTER 408: THE GREAT DEVIL KING IS BY NO MEANS UNGRATEFUL

"It’s the 3rd already. It shouldn’t be that congested." Brother Nan settled into the driver’s seat. She noticed a half-full bottle of mineral water in the nearby cup holder. It hadn’t been finished, and due to the high temperature in the car that afternoon, mist had formed inside the bottle. Feeling somewhat reluctant to waste it, she opened it and drank it all in one go.

"Maybe."

"If it’s still jammed, I’ll change my name to ’Destiny Rebel’ and become his sworn enemy!" Brother Nan put down the empty bottle and burped lightly. "I seriously suspect the traffic jam the day before yesterday was just so I could save the elder of the observatory’s life."

"Not that exaggerated."

"Let’s go."

Brother Nan started the car and honked the horn before she pulled away, maintaining a slower driving speed.

The morning dew was heavy, and the grass and trees alongside the road were all adorned with little crystals. Occasionally, as the car brushed past, many sparkled and scattered. The air was also filled with moisture, cool and refreshing, so Brother Nan rolled down the windows to enjoy the chill. Sometimes, out of mischievous impulse, she would reach out to pluck a leaf, but after pulling it, she would just throw it away.

The best kind of leisure was to enjoy a beautiful morning unhurriedly.

The main road was in sight ahead.

At a junction, an old man sat in front of a house eating from an enamel bowl. Brother Nan steered the car a bit closer, curious to see what the man was eating. Unexpectedly, the old man was also staring at them.

"Haha..." Brother Nan laughed at the old man.

"The night before last when we turned onto this side road, this old man was also sitting at the door eating his dinner, staring at us just like this," Zhou Li reminded. "This road barely has any traffic."

"Hey! Then this sneaky old man is really wicked! Knowing that this is a dead end and still deliberately wanting to see us make fools of ourselves!" Despite saying this, Brother Nan didn’t mind and instead was quite pleased with herself. "But he definitely didn’t expect us to come out after two days, hehe," she mused. "He must have thought we were visiting relatives here, some distant family."

"Possibly."

Once they were on the main road, the car moved more briskly.

Brother Nan glanced at the navigation map, then turned to ask Zhou Li, "I estimate we’ll reach Tengchong by noon. Should we stay in the city or stay in Heshun?"

"Whatever."

"Whatever."

Brother Nan and Zhou Li said simultaneously.

Immediately after, Brother Nan’s expression turned serious, and in a tone like from an anime, she said, "You can’t beat me! I have already predicted your next move! Surrender now!"

"...The city seems to be very close to Heshun," Zhou Li said. "I’ll check which has a better environment first."

"Isn’t Heshun the place where they shot ’Group Leader’?" Huai Xu suddenly asked from the backseat.

"Yes."

"Then let’s stay in Heshun!" Huai Xu looked at them eagerly. "We can go out at night! Should I turn into ’Little Drunk’? Or ’Annoying’? ’Dead-Dead’? ’Misty Dragon’? Or should I transform into that Yu Xiaoqing? My favorite is ’Not-Spicy’!"

"You’ll cause trouble," Zhou Li said.

"Turn into that one! That..." Brother Nan thought for a moment. "Misty Dragon’s wife, that’s good. I like mature, intellectual, tempting ones. Let me have some fun after you transform."

"I’ll look up some pictures first..."

"Enough from you two..."

"Then we’ll stay in the old town!"

"Yeah, that sounds great!"

"..."

Zhou Li found he couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

Just as he bowed his head, he met Lord Dumpling’s gleaming pair of eyes. They seemed as if they could speak, and were followed by her light, delicate voice—

"Zhou Li~~"

She had been staring up at Zhou Li for who knows how long.

Indeed, only Lord Dumpling was truly good.

Zhou Li was somewhat moved and quickly asked, "What’s the matter? Is Lord Dumpling feeling carsick again?"

"Not at all~~"

Lord Dumpling’s eyes glistened, and she continued, "Have we arrived at a place where we can eat Matsutake mushrooms?"

"..."

This place was indeed one of the Matsutake mushroom producing areas.

Zhou Li took a deep breath, his account balance making him unusually gentle and patient as he asked, "Lord Dumpling, how did you know there were Matsutake mushrooms to eat here?"

"Lord Dumpling has been here before!" Tuanzi squished her little nose as she looked at Zhou Li’s expression, then reminded him, "Lord Dumpling has traveled to many places and remembers them all—you shouldn’t treat Lord Dumpling like a little scatterbrain!"

"Lord Dumpling is so impressive."

"Lord Dumpling wants to eat Matsutake mushrooms!"

"Alrighty."

As the vehicle hit the highway, Tuanzi started to feel drowsy and eventually fell asleep on Zhou Li’s thigh.

Tengchong was just ahead.

However, there was a long line at the highway exit ahead. Zhou Li focused his gaze and saw the traffic police holding thermometers, checking health codes, measuring temperatures, and some even checking dual certificates.

Brother Nan observed discreetly, her expression unchanging.

When it was their turn, Brother Nan flashed a radiant smile at the young traffic cop, offering her wrist. "Why are they measuring temperatures again?"

"Checking..." The cop was momentarily stunned by Brother Nan, his demeanor softened considerably. "Just checking. Your health code?"

"Here!"

"Everyone needs to show it."

"Okay! Everyone, get out your health code." Brother Nan said cheerily, looking at the sun outside. "You guys really have it tough in this blazing sun. By the way, do you want some water? I have a cup of iced milk tea in the car."

"No, no need."

The young traffic cop was somewhat bashful, quickly waving his hand. "Go on then, have fun, and remember to wear your mask properly. Don’t go too close to the border areas, to prevent the entry of viruses from abroad."

Brother Nan nodded and smiled, waving at him.

They successfully got through.

The car window was rolled up.

Zhou Li said discreetly, "What if he really wanted to drink the milk tea?"

Brother Nan glanced at him lightly, head held high. "He wouldn’t. Don’t ask why. Everything is under control!"

"..."

Zhou Li took out his driver’s license to check it.

December 17th.

Still over two months left in his probationary period.

Brother Nan glanced at him sidelong again, as if knowing his thoughts, and said, "Just keep driving. If we really get caught, just speak nicely to the traffic cops. It’s not a big deal with a good attitude."

Zhou Li shook his head. "Once the probationary period is over, I want to take Huai Xu to Qingjiang. It’s stricter there than here, and relying solely on national roads isn’t feasible."

"You’ve really kept that in mind!" Huai Xu blinked. The Great Devil King is somewhat moved.

"Why isn’t it feasible?" Brother Nan questioned.

"Because I checked online. Some areas are incredibly vast and barren. To pass through, the maps mostly show just one highway and one road. If we don’t take the highway, the distance is many times longer. That’s still manageable, but sometimes, when the national roads aren’t passable, only the highway is available," Zhou Li explained. "There might be some small roads, but I couldn’t find them."

"You really do care." Brother Nan actually felt a bit sour.

"Well..." Huai Xu’s eyeballs twirled. "Let’s go together when the time comes."

"Deal."

"Um..." Huai Xu’s eyeballs spun again. "I just remembered, I’ve got an overnight gaming session tonight, so I won’t stay at the hotel here. I’ll head home and log on once it’s done."

"Who are you playing with?" Brother Nan’s eyes lit up. "The three of us can team up, right? I’ll use my laptop."

"...With a chubby guy who plays AD. Your ranks don’t match."

"?? Who are you looking down on?"

"It’s settled then." Huai Xu said unflinchingly. "The room is pretty expensive anyway. This saves you guys some money. If you really feel bad about it, you can transfer the room money to me, and I’ll use it to buy Soul Lotus."

"Keep dreaming!"

Brother Nan felt a surge of indignation. What AD-playing fatty? Have the guts to take her on in a solo match!