Ultimately, it’s considered an employee benefit—after all, this could be classified as a business-funded trip. Initially, He Fang intended for NPC to go and collect information, but the thought of traveling stirred a sense of eagerness within him.
No player would refuse exploration; an unknown territory tempts every gamer. If one doesn’t roam through maps in an open-world game, then what’s the point of strategic defense?
Naturally, He Fang wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore Angel City this time.
Furthermore, Angel City is a super-large mobile city. He Fang also wanted to witness it firsthand. Compared to Hope City and Scorching Sun City, which are classified as medium to large cities, the difference in scale was already significant. But what does it mean to be “super-large”? He Fang decided he had to find out.
Should he find that the opposing side is overwhelmingly powerful during the exploration, negotiations would be the wise choice. After all, even in the case of a city battle, it’s essential to choose battles that are equal in capability. Charging headfirst into a high-tech city would be futile—akin to eggs colliding with stones—and would lead to the annihilation of the city.
He Fang had no intention of facing ruin after a single city battle. Careful reconnaissance is essential.
In reality, many games—especially those produced by certain smaller countries—frequently feature the “crossdressing” element. The developers behind “Ruins Without Restart” seemingly had investment from such countries, so He Fang wasn’t surprised to learn that Yuan Zhiran would crossdress.
But when He Fang actually saw Yuan Zhiran’s crossdressing, he was utterly stunned.
He knew Yuan Zhiran was beautiful, and he knew that Yuan Zhiran’s features were inherently androgynous. But when confronted with the visual impact of Yuan Zhiran’s crossdressing, He Fang realized that “beautiful” hardly sufficed to describe it.
It was truly stunning.
Yuan Zhiran hadn’t even worn a wig; instead, he dyed his beautiful black hair into a striking golden hue. His short hair casually framed his face, accentuating the sharp, masculine lines unique to male features. Adding a pair of exquisite earrings, he managed to fully display the natural charm of his looks in the most refined way.
His complexion, naturally pale and incapable of tanning, appeared almost translucent under the sunlight, leaving He Fang utterly mesmerized.
Yuan Zhiran’s demeanor was relaxed, yet he flawlessly mimicked the gestures and posture expected of a woman. It looked completely natural, with no sense of incongruity. However, under He Fang’s intensely focused gaze, Yuan Zhiran began to feel uncomfortable. His earlobes turned red, and he couldn’t even walk properly anymore.
Suddenly, Chong Ying’s large head popped into He Fang’s field of vision, blocking his view of Yuan Zhiran. A look of grievance filled Chong Ying’s eyes. “City Lord, why are you staring at Yuan Zhiran so intently? When it comes to being handsome, my brother is the pinnacle, okay?”
“Ah… I just didn’t expect that crossdressing could look so seamless,” He Fang replied earnestly. As a socially awkward introvert, he could never meet a crossdresser in real life, but after all, this game was incredibly immersive and felt almost like reality.
“My brother can do it too! My brother is good-looking; he can crossdress, too!” Chong Ying protested persistently.
“Chong Xiao is indeed good-looking, but his overall build is more rugged. He might not suit crossdressing,” He Fang responded matter-of-factly.
“He can! He really can! My brother not only crossdresses but can also pull off boyish and lolita styles!” Chong Ying enthusiastically declared, tirelessly trying to boost Chong Xiao’s presence in front of He Fang.
He Fang felt a bit helpless—what kind of childish talk was this, like a three-year-old?
Yuan Zhiran, rarely embarrassed, gradually showed a hint of normal human awkwardness. His gaze flickered, seemingly pleased to be looked at like this, yet also a bit shy about it.
“The image design was done by the people in the city, based on Angel City’s aesthetic,” Yuan Zhiran said, deliberately twirling his golden hair. “I heard that the people of Angel City see themselves as angels, so they have a strong preference for those with golden hair. I thought this might help me gain some favor and gather more information.”
“Sorry for making you crossdress,” He Fang said. It would’ve been ideal if Lu Hu were willing to travel. But Lu Hu seemed uninterested in anything beyond making money—even during discussions with He Fang, her lack of enthusiasm was palpable.
“Actually, there’s no need for crossdressing, right? You just wanted to crossdress!” At this moment, Chong Ying reached out to tug at Yuan Zhiran’s light, flowing clothes. “You’re trying to seduce the City Lord!”
Yuan Zhiran, with a serious expression, pulled his hem back and replied slowly, “As long as it’s for the success of the mission, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“This is just to cover up your unknown X-fetish!” Chong Ying exclaimed, hands on hips, shouting at Yuan Zhiran. “Mercenaries are supposed to wear armor, not earrings and flowing clothes!”
“Based on the situation, it’s understood that the upper echelons of most cities enter Angel City under the guise of tourism and directly communicate with Angel City to make reservations in advance,” Yuan Zhiran said coldly to Chong Ying. “There must be safer and more convenient channels between cities, avoiding any parasitic situations.”
He Fang blinked. Qi Jingwei and Sai Gu had been friends for decades, often working together seamlessly like a well-rehearsed duet. In contrast, Yuan Zhiran and Chong Ying, despite being superior and subordinate, seemed to clash at every turn.
At this moment, Zhu Yan quietly observed the commotion between the two before finally speaking up: “The information has been accurately simulated, but…”
Zhu Yan still hesitated.
“But what?” He Fang felt a pang of unease—was there something unresolved?
“Because I used Hope City’s simulated signal to send it over and sealed Hope City’s unique signal under the pretext of confidentiality, I’m very confident I did it flawlessly. However…” Zhu Yan’s expression wasn’t as calm as usual. “I can’t shake a bad feeling.”
Chong Ying intentionally gave Zhu Yan a cold look. “I think you and Yuan Zhiran are in cahoots.”
Zhu Yan indifferently looked away.
Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, He Fang couldn’t help but reflect on the current situation.
When tackling side quests in the game, it was often necessary to adjust equipment. For instance, it was essential to enhance agility-based gear against a boss with extremely long-range attack capabilities. Meanwhile, in missions with a large number of participants, high-level defense or healing gear became indispensable.
The last time He Fang entered Scorching Sun City, he opted for a mercenary team, including Qi Jingwei and Sai Gu, because he considered Scorching Sun City’s unwavering and straightforward approach. They didn’t hesitate—moving directly toward Hope City without second-guessing. This clearly demonstrated Scorching Sun City’s decisive goals and relentless persistence.
This time, the trip to Angel City was meticulously planned ahead of time. He Fang believed that this team would perform better upon entering Angel City. Chong Ying and Yuan Zhiran could handle combat strength, Ye Sheng would serve as the guide, and Zhu Yan would be tasked with gathering potentially abundant information within Angel City. This team configuration…
It seems like he’s the extra?
He Fang was dumbfounded.
—
Although the Black Flag squad claimed that it took them more than ten days to travel from Angel City to Hope City, the actual time might have only been three or four days—a surprisingly short distance that left He Fang astonished.
Due to the moving nature of mobile cities, Angel City might already be farther away. Yet, when He Fang caught sight of Angel City’s gatekeepers after two days of travel, he suddenly felt that this time, he’d made the right decision.
“So close,” Zhu Yan murmured as he sat beside He Fang, lowering his voice. “Based on the distance calculations, Angel City is closer to Hope City than before.”
“Could it be that they made some decisions after obtaining accurate information?” Yuan Zhiran’s expression grew slightly grim, wondering whether a failure to inspect the situation might result in Angel City launching a surprise attack.
“Don’t worry, they won’t,” He Fang replied confidently, relying on the system map. Yet now, he had confirmed that Angel City would likely be his next quest location.
However…
Unknowingly encroaching upon his nearby territory, He Fang felt somewhat displeased.
His fingers instinctively brushed against the small sculpted pendant hanging from his chest. It was a trinket sold in Hope City, created out of reverence and love for the landmark after its adoption as a symbol of faith. The residents handcrafted many souvenirs featuring the landmark’s design.
He Fang had unexpectedly discovered that anything sculpted in the shape of the landmark could be used to input commands. After purchasing one, he wore it around his neck as a final line of defense.
“I see the gatekeepers of Angel City,” Chong Ying suddenly said, his eyes widening as he stared ahead. Despite the fact that none of the others could see anything yet, Chong Ying seemed to notice every detail. “Whoa, the armor on those gatekeepers—there are wings on the back! Do they seriously think they’re angels?”
Even squinting hard, He Fang couldn’t see what Chong Ying had spotted. Ye Sheng, who had been driving, glanced at Chong Ying with an odd expression.
The vehicle remained stationary in the distance, and finally, He Fang saw the gatekeepers Chong Ying had mentioned. At first, he thought Chong Ying was referring to wing-shaped designs on their armor. However, to his astonishment, the decoration was actually made of feathered wings. Though small and unobtrusive, they looked undeniably strange.
“So unique?” He Fang couldn’t suppress his shock, finding it almost unbelievable.
“It must be part of the city’s character,” Zhu Yan commented calmly. “After all, it’s a tourist city. These are likely uniforms or symbols.”
As usual, they stayed at a distance. Unlike the gatekeepers of Scorching Sun City, the ones from Angel City didn’t use living beings to scan for intruders—instead, they simply pointed their guns at them.
Even though He Fang had anticipated this situation, he still flinched momentarily when the gun barrels were suddenly aimed at them.
The gatekeepers’ weapons fired, but instead of projectiles, a small green spherical object adorned with a beautifully blooming flower flew toward them.
Ye Sheng caught the tiny green ball as it was launched toward them. He idly played with it briefly before passing it to the next person. Each member of the team took turns touching it until it finally reached He Fang’s hands.
Surprisingly, the item had some weight. He Fang noticed that the flower bud contained a small piece of soil, seemingly intended for plant growth. This was Angel City’s remarkably gentle way of probing.
Unlike Scorching Sun City, which used human lives in its tests, Angel City’s gatekeepers adopted a far more compassionate approach.
Holding the flower bud, He Fang looked at Ye Sheng and asked, “If plants are sufficient, why does Scorching Sun City insist on using human lives?”
“…” Ye Sheng averted his gaze, apparently unwilling to answer.
“That’s probably impossible,” Zhu Yan interjected, voluntarily addressing He Fang’s query. “To Scorching Sun City, the elderly, sick, and frail are considered useless, while plants and food within the city are actually far more valuable.”
He Fang’s heart sank, and he let out a sigh.
“Although this item appears simple, it’s obviously quite unique. The vitality of this flower is incredibly strong—even comparable to the life force of a human,” Zhu Yan said, having already inspected the flower when it was in his possession. “The soil in the center carries the distinct scent of nutrient agents, which, for established cities, represents a considerable investment. As expected of Angel City, it doesn’t overlook even a single potential customer.”
He Fang recalled how he once turned the extinct Hope City into a tourist attraction, earning quite a bit of extra cash. Tourism is indeed profitable, and Angel City’s attention to detail clearly justified its success.
Could his city become a tourist city as well? He Fang thought about the distinctive elements Hope City was beginning to develop and suddenly felt it might be worth exploring.
“Dear customers, we’re delighted to welcome you to Angel City. Do you have a reservation?” As they were chatting, a gatekeeper in winged armor approached them with a smile. Only then did He Fang notice that the gatekeeper’s helmet was transparent, likely designed to ensure their beaming smile would be immediately visible.
“Yes,” Zhu Yan stepped forward and presented their reservation documentation, which was electronic. In this era, only individuals of high status carried electronic devices, as these items were far beyond the affordability of ordinary people. Upon seeing their electronic credentials, the gatekeeper’s exaggerated smile grew even wider, their mouth nearly stretching to their ears.
“Thank you for visiting our beautiful, bustling eco-city, Angel City. Countless unique and precious ‘sparks’ await your exploration within Angel City. Now I’ll distribute your browsing maps—specialized routes matching your identities are already open and awaiting your arrival. Please follow the map and enter through the correct entrance. Otherwise, you might miss out on the accommodations tailored specifically for you!”
Zhu Yan nodded, while the exceedingly enthusiastic gatekeeper turned to Yuan Zhiran. “Beautiful lady, thank you for visiting. Perhaps you’d like to try our delicious chocolate? It’s a specialty of Angel City, and we hope you enjoy it.”
The gatekeeper respectfully presented Yuan Zhiran with a small box of exquisite chocolates. Yuan Zhiran nodded demurely, responding with a surprisingly gentle female tone, not overly delicate but unexpectedly soft: “Thank you.”
“Wishing all of you a wonderful time in Angel City!” The gatekeeper kept waving enthusiastically at them even after they left, truly looking overjoyed.
“They seem so warm and welcoming,” He Fang remarked, though his expression turned slightly odd. “When we passed by their vehicle just now, I think I saw two or three elderly people sitting behind the opaque windows.”
“Hmm, probably regular people from their reconnaissance team who have already lost their usefulness,” Zhu Yan replied, clearly having noticed the same.
“The physical condition of those individuals is very poor—far worse than the reconnaissance teams from Scorching Sun City. They’re likely elderly people who can no longer contribute and are being discarded by the mobile city,” Chong Ying, with his sharp eyesight, offered his assessment.
He Fang was momentarily rendered speechless.
“In the past, every city tried its best to avoid consuming innocent lives,” Ye Sheng, typically silent, unusually spoke up. “But human lives have proven to be the most effective detection method.”
“So we entered so easily?” He Fang asked.
“Not everyone is allowed entry into Angel City,” Ye Sheng responded.
His words gave He Fang a vague understanding—perhaps Angel City had other detection methods hidden from view or beyond their knowledge.
At this moment, Yuan Zhiran opened the box of chocolates, examined them briefly, and handed them to Zhu Yan. Zhu Yan sniffed them gently and concluded, “No harmful substances.”
From beginning to end, He Fang looked as though he were watching an ancient scene of poison testing with silver needles: “…”
“Want to try it?” Zhu Yan handed the chocolate to He Fang.
“Hmm…” He Fang, slightly curious, inspected the chocolate. It was shaped like a rose and exuded a delicate floral fragrance, faintly carrying the scent of roses. As he placed it in his mouth, the fresh, slightly bitter taste of flowers immediately spread across his palate, intensely stimulating his taste buds. His eyes lit up with surprise. The food in Angel City was unexpectedly exquisite—should he consider creating a signature snack for Hope City as well?
Zhu Yan, sitting nearby, quietly kept his gaze fixed outside the car window.
When He Fang finally saw Angel City, he was stunned. Due to the city’s need to fend off Nightmare Beast Seeds, its exterior was naturally sealed. Yet, the pristine white outer walls of Angel City were adorned with carvings. From a distance, the intricate murals decorating the city’s exterior depicted countless angels. It looked like humanity’s ultimate, noble fantasy of an angelic world.
“It’s truly stunning,” He Fang couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
His own city wasn’t an art city by any means, and He Fang didn’t possess an artistic inclination. When he first began playing the game, he simply created a one-to-one replica of his small city. Only after completing the replica did he start filling in the surroundings with parts of other cities. Real-life cities rarely featured art on such a grand scale.
But now, before him was pure art.
He Fang’s heart was brimming with anticipation for the interior of the city, while Zhu Yan, noticing He Fang’s reaction, opened the browsing map provided earlier by the gatekeeper.
He Fang immediately lowered his head, surprised to discover that the browsing map was designed with all the routes converging into the shape of a three-dimensional flower.
“This is amazing,” He Fang couldn’t help but exclaim. Then, he suddenly noticed a small red dot on the map, causing him to frown slightly. Was this red dot similar to his system map?
He opened his system map, but his brows furrowed again. Normally, once a map is acquired, it will automatically integrate into the system map. However, despite having obtained the sightseeing map, it still hadn’t been accurately reflected in his system map.
“It’s a tracker,” Zhu Yan said coldly.
At that moment, Chong Ying leaned over onto He Fang’s lap, nuzzling him affectionately while keeping his eyes fixed on the three-dimensional map. His vision clearly didn’t require him to be so close, making it obvious he was doing it on purpose.
“This map… if scaled up, there’s a rather large space in this city that doesn’t seem to qualify as a normal area,” Chong Ying remarked.
“Indeed. These black zones are likely areas we’re not allowed to enter. The so-called sightseeing route is essentially designed to keep us within the mapped corridors,” Zhu Yan explained, his tone revealing a hint of displeasure. “From the moment we entered this section of Angel City, we’ve been under constant surveillance.”
He Fang’s heart skipped a beat. “Then, what about our conversations…”
“There’s no recording function. I’ve already checked,” Zhu Yan replied, closing the map. “But this device must be carried at all times, or it will raise suspicion.”
He Fang blinked and lowered his head. “Will other people entering Angel City notice this issue?”
“Not sure,” Zhu Yan replied, tilting his head slightly and looking at He Fang. “Shall I hack into their system after we leave Angel City to check their data?”
Recalling Zhu Yan’s exceptional hacking skills, He Fang hesitated before saying, “Let’s wait until we go inside first and see.”
He Fang’s initial admiration and joy for Angel City were suddenly dampened by Zhu Yan’s remarks. A tourist city that monitored its visitors from the very start—could true freedom even exist here?
Moreover, this was a highly renowned destination for romantic dates. Did the other visitors here know their date details might be exposed to the city?
He Fang’s gaze fell on the towering reliefs on Angel City’s outer walls. By chance, he noticed a large angel at the top of the mural. Her arms were spread wide, and she had massive wings and a compassionate expression. She gazed down at all beings as if she were an all-knowing, omnipotent deity.
Unconsciously, He Fang touched the landmark pendant on his chest. Could it be that the people of this city worshipped a famous deity?
If it came to a conflict between his city and theirs, could they even stand a chance?
“Welcome to Angel City.” As their vehicle entered the city’s interior, the atmosphere contrasted starkly with the fiery tension of Scorching Sun City. Everyone here wore radiant smiles.
The residents were all dressed in simple, immaculately clean white attire. The bright whites complemented the greenery of the plants, creating a serene and refreshing atmosphere. Even the space felt open and uncrowded. Was this the power of a super-large city?
Yuan Zhiran’s proud demeanor, paired with his golden short hair and fair skin, drew astonished gazes from the people of Angel City. He Fang noticed how men and women alike couldn’t take their eyes off Yuan Zhiran.
With the assistance of an Angel City resident who politely opened the car door for him, Yuan Zhiran stepped out. His commanding presence instantly captivated the surrounding crowd.
He Fang also got out of the car, but Yuan Zhiran, ignoring all the gazes directed at him, walked straight over to He Fang and gracefully took his arm. Suddenly, envious looks poured in from every direction, making He Fang gulp nervously. How could he put it? Yuan Zhiran’s natural confidence was so overwhelming that it felt oppressive.
The people of Angel City were undeniably enthusiastic. Shops lined the streets, filled with goods on display. In an era where even the residents of one’s own city often went hungry, the sheer variety of items for sale spoke volumes about Angel City’s wealth.
On this trip, He Fang was the centerpiece, with Yuan Zhiran playing the role of his “female companion”. The rest of the group served as “bodyguards”. With Ye Sheng’s gatekeeper-like presence, their team composition was likely quite convincing.
“Welcome, esteemed guests. I’ll be your guide today. We’re delighted to have you visit Angel City, and we sincerely thank you for your support and care for our city.” A woman in white appeared before them. Her features were attractive, with light golden hair braided and draped over one shoulder. Her clear, bright eyes radiated innocence and kindness. Though she couldn’t compare to Yuan Zhiran in every aspect, her pure, sweet appearance had a unique charm of its own.
“Hello,” He Fang responded proactively.
“Sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Xiao Mei. Since you’ve booked the premium tour package, we’ll guide you to experience all of Angel City’s finest attractions over the next three days. I hope to provide you with a welcoming and enjoyable experience during this time.”
He Fang blinked, wondering if this wild NPC’s name was randomly generated—it felt far too generic and commonplace.
When Xiao Mei turned her back, He Fang’s gaze fell on her smooth, exposed back. Her outfit was designed to be modestly covered in the front but completely open in the back—a strikingly sensual design. This unexpected sensuality, paired with her innocent demeanor, added an intriguing layer of charm.
“Do you wear this in winter too?” He Fang suddenly asked.
Xiao Mei paused briefly, then turned back to them with a smile. “Yes, since Angel City ensures the best experience for its guests at all times, the temperature within the city is always kept at a constant level.”
“Isn’t that meant to help protect the survival of plants and animals?” He Fang asked.
“Every rare plant and animal has its own simulated climate chamber, separate from the climate of the spaces we inhabit,” Xiao Mei explained earnestly.
He Fang nodded in surprise. At that moment, Yuan Zhiran, still holding He Fang’s arm, smiled and asked, “With such a massive power supply, Angel City manages this so effortlessly—it’s truly impressive.”
“To protect the ‘sparks’ of this world, everything we do is only natural,” Xiao Mei replied casually. Though she didn’t emphasize the hardships of preservation, her words subtly hinted at the challenges they faced.
Zhu Yan followed closely behind He Fang, keeping a watchful eye on Xiao Mei.
At the back of the group, Ye Sheng followed with a heavy expression. His hand unconsciously brushed against his collar, tugging it slightly, and just as expected, the faint electric sensation vanished.
Before arriving in Angel City, He Fang had spoken to him privately.
“I know you might not be entirely sincere about staying in Hope City, and I have a feeling that Hope City won’t be able to remain hidden for much longer.” At that time, the boy stood before him, needing to look up to meet his gaze. He was so thin that it seemed Ye Sheng could knock him down with just one arm. “So, I’m giving you a choice—decide whether you want to stay in Hope City or return to Scorching Sun City. During this time, I’ll deactivate the threat of your collar entirely. You can even run away whenever you wish. But I haven’t told Zhu Yan about this, so don’t let it slip.”
Ye Sheng thought this might be a clever scheme by the city lord—a ploy to encourage them to voluntarily guard the borders, rather than leaving them as ticking time bombs set loose outside. With a hint of sarcasm, he asked, “Only me?”
Ye Sheng, as the leader of the gatekeepers, understood that if he returned to Scorching Sun City, the city, realizing it had been deceived, would undoubtedly come back to trouble Hope City. At that point, everyone captured would have to be returned, leaving no one behind.
This city lord was clearly a gambler, and even Ye Sheng had to admit that a skilled gambler had a unique kind of charm.
However, the lord remained composed, saying, “Of course, it’s not just you. Everyone else, too. After passing through Angel City, Hope City’s rise will likely no longer be a secret. I won’t let Hope City leave a bad impression on the outside world at this time. In the future, Hope City will be a place where anyone can come to prosper, freely entering and leaving without rejection, even welcoming many to join us. Everyone will be free to leave or stay as they wish, without coercion. This includes you and the other gatekeepers, as well as the mercenaries currently imprisoned. I’ll release all of them. I’m just giving you the first chance, that’s all.”
“Why give me special treatment?” Ye Sheng asked.
“Because I want to see if I can convince some of these excellent gatekeepers to stay,” He Fang replied.
Ye Sheng glanced at the boy’s back as he chatted with their tour guide, Xiao Mei. This city lord didn’t conceal his small ambitions, yet even with everything laid bare, Ye Sheng couldn’t shake the feeling that his every move was being orchestrated. It left him with a deep sense of powerlessness.
The helplessness he had once felt in Scorching Sun City now resurfaced in Hope City. Yet this time, it didn’t numb him or ignite his anger; instead, it made him truly think—think like a rational person capable of reasoning.
He started to believe that this seemingly harmless city lord might actually be the one with the deepest scheming.
The trip to Angel City was the young lord’s final test for him.
Ye Sheng shifted his gaze to Xiao Mei, who kept smiling and presenting her best self to the city lord. Her intentions were painfully clear.
Her revealing attire, her pure demeanor contrasting starkly with Yuan Zhiran’s proud elegance, and her enthusiastic guide persona—all of it made her purpose obvious.
But it was all in vain.
This quiet, unassuming city lord was the embodiment of concealed brilliance.
Meanwhile, He Fang was looking around in genuine amazement, his face lighting up as he admired the uniquely displayed and beautifully arranged plants. There wasn’t the slightest hint of pretense—just pure delight.
“This plant’s fruit is highly toxic. When parasitized by Nightmare Beast seeds, it releases an abundance of toxins that can kill anyone nearby—its lethality even surpasses that of the Nightmare Beast seeds themselves. However, because the plant is extremely rare and the parasitism of the seeds is too frequent, only a few of these plants remain in the world. While its toxicity can be used to produce medicine for certain diseases, alternative treatments exist. Combined with its poor reproductive ability, the plant is now on the verge of extinction.”
He Fang listened as Xiao Mei carefully explained the peculiar plant with its large, dangerous fruit. He nodded in mild astonishment.
“If you’re interested, you could sponsor the continued propagation of this plant. Its toxicity is fatal to humans, being both colorless and odorless. Perhaps you might find a use for it,” Xiao Mei suggested.
He Fang stared at Xiao Mei in shock. Had he heard correctly? She was asking him to fund the cultivation of a poisonous plant.
Seeing his reaction, Xiao Mei quickly shifted topics with a smile, introducing another plant while skipping over several others: “This plant has quite extraordinary effects. Many people are already funding its growth. Its unique characteristic is that it can give any animal that consumes it an intense desire to attack. However, this attack is special—it greatly enhances their mating instincts and capabilities. Naturally, it has the same effect when used on humans, and it’s absolutely free of side effects.”
He Fang: “…” He couldn’t shake the feeling that Xiao Mei might be indirectly teasing him.
With a slightly mischievous look, Xiao Mei glanced at the strikingly attractive Yuan Zhiran and remarked, “Dear guest, with such a beautiful companion, perhaps you might want to do everything you can to satisfy her.”
Yuan Zhiran: “…”
He Fang: “…”
Chong Ying: “You—mmpf—” Chong Ying’s protest was cut short as Zhu Yan covered his mouth with a firm hand. Though the gesture wasn’t forceful, Chong Ying didn’t struggle; instead, he glared furiously at Xiao Mei. His naturally sharp gaze instantly made Xiao Mei feel a chill run down her spine, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. Fear spread through her, and she stiffly resumed introducing the next plant.
He Fang noticed that Xiao Mei meticulously explained each plant’s characteristics and practical uses. From her tone, it was clear that she intended each plant to attract potential investors. A successful investment would, in turn, grant the investor significant benefits provided by Angel City.
Though He Fang had never had a formal job, his extensive browsing online had exposed him to countless pieces of information. He instantly recognized this as a clever marketing tactic, likely aimed at securing commission-based investments for Xiao Mei.
In He Fang’s mind, Angel City had abruptly shifted from being an eco-friendly city to a business-driven one.
“This particular flower was once a favorite among people before the apocalypse. It even featured prominently in floral competitions and was one of the most famous and stunning blooms. Its flower language symbolizes faith, making it ideal for offerings to deities or for honoring ancestors at graves,” Xiao Mei explained as she introduced one specific flower. He Fang’s eyes lit up.
Xiao Mei immediately caught this slight reaction and seized the opportunity to extol the flower’s virtues. While He Fang ignored most of the benefits she described, he found himself deeply drawn to the concept of “faith”. Perhaps he could introduce this flower to Hope City, cultivating it as a symbol. It might provide residents with more ways to express their beliefs—and possibly even boost the landmark’s faith value.
“Can I have the seeds of this flower?” He Fang asked directly.
Xiao Mei responded with a polite but firm smile, refusing him outright: “I’m sorry, dear guest. Each plant is incredibly rare and critically endangered due to the post-apocalyptic climate being unsuitable for many species. We cherish every plant here, so unfortunately, we cannot provide precious seeds to visitors. My apologies.”
He Fang was slightly taken aback—it sounded like they were genuinely dedicated to protecting these plants and animals.
Still feeling uneasy about Xiao Mei’s overly warm demeanor, He Fang took the chance to ask Zhu Yan discreetly when Xiao Mei wasn’t paying attention: “Why do I feel like this guide is extra enthusiastic toward us? That premium service, the top-tier tour package you booked—exactly how much did it cost?”
He Fang couldn’t shake the suspicion that Xiao Mei might see him as an easy target, given her fervent sales pitch.
“Well…” Zhu Yan hesitated, then cast a complicated glance at He Fang. After He Fang’s persistent questioning, Zhu Yan reluctantly showed him the amount paid for the tour.
When He Fang saw the figure, his eyes rolled back, everything went white, and he nearly fainted on the spot.
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