Just as Xia Chang hesitated, sudden "crack! crack!" sounds came from the east side of the cabin. When the three investigated, they found A Miao up early, chopping firewood.
He wielded a gleaming long axe, striking the wood before him swiftly and precisely, the pieces falling to the ground in almost uniform sizes.
Xia Chang narrowed his eyes and whispered something to Song Ziyi.
Song Ziyi nodded, stamped out his cigarette, and approached with a playful smile. "Brother, ever killed any zombies? Want to join us for something big?"
A Miao stopped his axe and replied flatly: "Don't ask me, ask the boss."
"You want to borrow A Miao?"
After hearing the wandering team's request, Qian Zhenzhen fell silent.
They explained that important luggage was left on the opposite shore and needed quick retrieval. With just the three of them—and Song Ziyi injured—they might not manage against groups of wild beasts and zombies, so they hoped to hire A Miao's muscle to help recover their belongings.
"Boss Qian, let's be frank." Xia Chang leaned forward over the counter, a hint of intimidation in his manner. "Anyone who's survived this apocalypse isn't ordinary. I'm sure you and A Miao both have special skills. I won't mention yours, but A Miao, I've observed..."
Huh? Why won't you mention mine? Explain yourself!
"A Miao, I've observed that he has keen eyes, steady hands, agile movements, and athletic prowess. He must be skilled in combat, so we sincerely request to borrow him for a while. We'll provide reasonable compensation."
Indeed, combat was A Miao's specialty. As expected of the wandering team's leader, Xia Chang had quite the sharp eye.
Qian Zhenzhen didn't agree immediately, taking A Miao aside outside the door. "What do you think about what they're asking?"
A Miao said: "I'll do whatever you say."
"What do you mean whatever I say? Think for yourself."
Qian Zhenzhen glanced at the three people peeking through the doorway and lowered her voice: "You know it could be dangerous, right? Before you came, my first batch of guests told me that many wild beasts roam in packs on the opposite shore. If you encounter them, you must flee immediately..."
"These three young people are strong and healthy, yet they dare not rashly go search for their luggage. I'm really worried that after all these days, the danger level there must have escalated..."
Not just worried, but conflicted too.
This was indeed a good opportunity - she could request An Xi Base's vouchers from Xia Chang to complete that time-limited special quest.
But she couldn't ignore the hidden dangers. A Miao was her only employee, and a rare A+ grade one at that. If something were to... no, she couldn't continue that thought.
After saying all this, she wasn't sure if A Miao understood. He kept his head down, looking at the vegetable garden by his feet - the seedlings were growing vigorously, their leaves a lush green with droplets of water, looking absolutely adorable.
"We can make money, right?" A Miao said.
He looked up at Qian Zhenzhen, "I'll go earn money, and can pay off my debt too."
His gray-gold eyes gleamed slightly, without reluctance or hesitation, as if he'd just made the simplest decision, like choosing "what to eat tonight."
Qian Zhenzhen's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes welled up.
What a great employee, willing to risk danger to work and earn money - worth hiring indeed!
She gripped A Miao's hand firmly, patting it gently in approval, "A Miao, good comrade, you're the inn's best employee!" (though he's the only one)
Since that was settled, the next matter would be negotiating compensation.
Qian Zhenzhen composed herself and walked back to the wooden cabin with a calm expression.
"I've asked A Miao, and he's willing."
Upon hearing this answer, the wandering team immediately breathed a sigh of relief, but in the next moment, Qian Zhenzhen changed her tone and asked: "But I want to know, what kind of compensation would you offer that's worth my employee risking his life to help you?"
Xia Chang gave Lu Qin a look, and Lu Qin took out a cloth bag from her backpack, placing it on the counter.
Qian Zhenzhen opened it to look - it was full of vouchers. From Wild Dragon Base, Lian City, and Su Lun Base, all three types she had already collected before, totaling about 300 Koi vouchers without counting bonuses.
300 Koi vouchers could be accumulated by completing 17 weekly side quests.
"Is this all?" Qian Zhenzhen asked softly.
There were no An Xi Base iron vouchers - Xia Chang had held those back.
Xia Chang thought she was complaining about the amount, "It's just borrowing A Miao for a few hours, this should be enough, right? Madam Qian, some vouchers might be discounted at your place, but for us wanderers, they can all be traded at full value."
Qian Zhenzhen sighed, not angry at the sarcasm in his words, and looked straight into his eyes, asking sincerely: "Captain Xia, if it were you, would you let me borrow your teammate for dangerous work with these discounted vouchers? I understand the situation across the river - it could be a life-or-death matter... If this is all the sincerity your team can show, I can't bear to let my only employee risk his life."
"You!" Xia Chang hadn't expected her to refuse at the last moment - then why say A Miao was willing?
Seeing the tense atmosphere in the cabin, Lu Qin and Song Ziyi quickly pulled their captain away.
The three walked to the back door, and Song Ziyi asked in a low voice: "Old Xia, don't we still have An Xi Base vouchers? Bring them out!"
Xia Chang retorted: "You know how precious An Xi Base vouchers are - we paid quite a price to exchange for them back then. Once we use them, it'll be hard to get more next time!"
Lu Qin tried to persuade him: "Brother Xia, even An Xi Base vouchers are just material things. If we can get our weapons pack back, it's worth anything."
Xia Chang was furious to find his two teammates taking an outsider's side, and turned away in anger.
Lu Qin didn't want teammates arguing over this, so she suggested: "Why don't we scout the other shore first?"
The three discussed and decided to move out in full force.
Song Ziyi was sent inside to grab their bags. Since the deal hadn't been made, he scratched his head awkwardly, "Boss sister, we're heading out for a bit, we'll come back later."
A Miao looked up at Qian Zhenzhen, and she smiled nonchalantly, "Alright, be careful on your way."
She knew it wouldn't be easy to get An Xi Base vouchers, but that was fine - she could wait.
"A Miao, shall we plant some cherry radishes? They grow quickly, are crisp and delicious, and we can pickle them too."
"Okay."
...
The wandering team inflated their swim rings and swam back to the other shore.
Xia Chang had Lu Qin wait at the shore as backup, "If things go wrong, jump into the water with the luggage first."
He himself took Song Ziyi, traveling light, and they quietly snuck into the woods.