Chapter 7 - Leveling Up!

The front of the car was instantly destroyed, and one could see smoke and tiny sparks on engine hood.

She slammed on the pedal, driving fast to the site of the accident with the truck's tires emitting smoke and dust from overbearing friction.

"My 500 EXP is in trouble." Her nose picked up the scent of burning metal and diesel. Lu Nanzhi increased the speed to maximum to arrive at the shortest time.

Once she was within range, there was a small explosion, and fire began to spread out. The smell had become heavier.

She stormed out of the truck. The smoke was already quite thick. Lu Nanzhi took out clothes from her inventory; thoroughly wet it with water before tying it around her mouth and nose.

When the driver's seat wouldn't open, she tried to smash the windows of the car with a large rock. Thankfully, it was not bulletproof or shockproof.

Crack—

Some fragments of the glass that flew left scratches on her cheeks and hands, and due to the flames, the temperature of the metal surface was high. Lu Nanzhi's hands became red and had burn marks, but all she could think of was the 500 EXP.

If she manages to complete this task, she can skip several levels in a row.

The ghastly sight of the unconscious bloodied man wounded wearing a tuxedo slumped over the steering wheel registered her sight. The amount of blood soaking his raven hair and coat made her heart leap onto her throat.

However, before she could place her hands on him, a small black leather shoe flew towards her face.

"Bad guy, don't touch my uncle! "

Lu Nanzhi was stunned and evaded it out of reflex.

Now her attention was not on the man; she was able to see a little kid, about a five- to six-year-old, in the passenger seat.

The baby fat on his white face resembled him to a white dumpling. It was scrunched up, and he was glaring at her with fear and accusation as if she was about to commit heinous deeds.

But it changed the moment the kid saw it was a woman with long hair and not the bad guys who had been chasing them earlier.

"Sister, please help my uncle. He is badly hurt!"

Because of the tinted glass, it was hard to see the situation inside, and the system only hinted to 'save injured person' making Lu Nanzhi think there was only one mission target, but there were actually two.

"Kid, come to me and quickly get out! "Lu Nanzhi squeezed inside and unfastened the seatbelt around the kid.

"I can't! One of my feet is stuck, Sister!" The kid tried to tug his right foot off, but it wouldn't come out no matter how he tried.

Lu Nanzhi saw the kid was not lying. She gritted her teeth and had no choice but to save the 500 EXP first. "Hold on, wait for me." She untied the makeshift mask and gave it to the kid. "Cover your nose and mouth with this."

If only she had stock on water before this. This mission would have been solved easily. But in life there's no 'ifs'; one could only do their best in every situation.

The little kid was definitely afraid, trembling in fear. His face was close to tears, but he didn't complain, only received the mask. It pricked Lu Nanzhi's heart with conscience.

"This man is heavier than he looks." She carried the man to a safe distance as fast she could before returning, breathless, only to find the little kid leaning back in his chair, almost out of air.

"Sister, am I going to die? "

"Don't say such ominous things." I just came from the dead. I won't be dying here.

What seems to be an eternity, Lu Nanzhi finally managed to pull out the kid's food underneath.

She quickly placed her arms around him, but a small explosion occurred, turning their situation for the worse.

Both saw the front of the car burst into flames. The remaining glass on the windshield shattered.

"Sister!" The little dumpling weakly called out.

Lu Nanzhi covered the child's face with her body.

Bang-

Three seconds later, a silhouette emerged from the heavy smoke and fire.

It was Lu Nanzhi carrying an unconscious kid. She was able to come out before the car was completely engulfed in flames. 

Her heart was still beating fast at the close call. She took a big whiff of air before looking at the kid in her arms. The little dumpling had passed out, probably from smoke inhalation but other than the minor burn wounds and scratches; the kid was fine.

As for the little dumpling's uncle, thankfully, she can still feel his breath, but it's getting fainter.

The short glimpse made her see the visage of the man. Even though it was bloodstained, Lu Nanzhi could see the shadow of a striking appearance—tall nose bridge with perfect slope, long and lush eyelashes paired with dark soft-arch brows, lips of perfect contour—but it was the faint beauty mole under his right eye that drew most of her attention. 

A groan stopped her from staring. Her eyes searched for the source of the bleeding, and it was then she noticed the bullet wounds on his shoulder, and it was bleeding profusely.

At this rate, the 500 EXP would be gone.

Lu Nanzhi did first aid to stop the bleeding. She initially though he was just tall and slim but this man was actually hiding a well-toned body underneath.

He carried the man and the kid to the back of her truck, but her plans came to a halt when she heard the loud roars of the engine.

Two military off-road vehicles were parked next to her truck. The car doors opened, and men in military uniform jumped out and ran towards her.

"Master!"

"Young Master!"

They called out simultaneously as the system issued the rewards.

[Congratulations for completing the mission.]

[You've received 500 EXP.]

[Congratulations for reaching level 5!]

[A new function had been unlocked.]

It seems she didn't need them to bring them personally to the hospital.

But for the mission targets to be associated with soldiers, especially high-ranking ones, it was unexpected on her part.

She tore her eyes from the decorated medals on their uniforms.

Just who are the people she saved?

Lu Nanzhi didn't want to know because she didn't want to get entangled further. Her goal was clear from the start.

Unfortunately for her, she was bound to the man the moment she decided to accomplish the mission, but this story is for the future.