Looking at the chat window, Ning Kai stopped what he was doing.
He had just been boasting about his friendship with Fang Tianhe. In reality, they were acquaintances at best, just nodding to each other in passing.
Under these circumstances, the price to get Fang Tianhe to fire a mercenary for no reasonâeven a new oneâwould be anything but small.
After all, inexplicably firing a member would severely damage a corps leaderâs credibility.
Without a solid connection or a huge incentive, what Mercenary Corps Leader would be willing to do something like that?
âIs it really worth it for me to do this just to vent my frustration?â
Besides, given Lin Xinghaiâs nonchalant attitude just now, he had a feeling the guy wasnât as simple as heâd imagined.
But the more powerless he felt, the more annoyed he became.
Suddenly, Ning Kai remembered that the other party had mentioned going to the Cloud Restaurant in the Middle Level District.
A cold smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth at the thought.
The Cloud Restaurant was the most exclusive restaurant in the entire Star Shield Shelter. Not just anyone was qualified to eat there.
You needed either strength or status.
In terms of strength, you had to have broken through the second Genetic Lock. As for status, using a Second Level Mercenary Corps as an example, youâd need to be at least a squad leader or higher to get in.
And even those who met the minimum requirements could only bring one companion at most.
Even the leader of a Second Level Mercenary Corps couldnât bring more than three companions.
âThat kid canât even get in himself, yet heâs brazenly taking five beautiful women with him.â Thinking about this put him in an even better mood.
Ning Kai walked out of the Government Hall and followed Lin Xinghaiâs group from a distance. He was waiting for them to be harshly rejected so he could step in and "rescue" Liu Miaomiao and Wang Yao.
âThat way, not only will the two beauties be forced to face reality, but Iâll also get to stage my own face-slapping drama.â Just the thought of it was exciting!
...
Meanwhile, Lin Xinghai had already put the matter with Ning Kai completely out of his mind. He was casually chatting with Liu Miaomiao.
"So, what kind of flowers do you actually like?" Lin Xinghai suddenly steered the conversation from what she liked to eat to this topic.
Liu Miaomiao was caught completely off guard. A blush quickly spread across her fair cheeks, and she looked a little shy, but she still answered, "As long as theyâre from you, Iâll like them."
After saying that, Liu Miaomiao couldnât even bring herself to look at Lin Xinghai.
Lin Xinghai understood instantly. âIf a girl says something like that, itâs not the flowers she likesâitâs you!â
âIn that case, can I put moving in together on the agenda?â
"Hey! Whyâd you go quiet?" Wang Yao poked Lin Xinghai with her finger from the side.
"Ahem! Itâs nothing. I was just thinking about how to get some flowers," Lin Xinghai quickly said, trying to cover up the lecherous thoughts in his mind.
Hearing this, a trace of envy flashed in Wang Yaoâs eyes, but she quickly steered the topic back to food.
The group arrived at the elevator bank, talking and laughing.
After taking an elevator to the Middle Level District, they were stopped by robots. They were only allowed to enter after each paying 10 Points.
"Thatâs so expensive! Itâs practically robbery," Wang Yao said, her cheeks puffed out in annoyance.
A Low Level nutritional meal was only 1 Point. 10 Points was equivalent to three daysâ worth of food for an ordinary person.
Lin Xinghai just smiled and didnât respond.
To be honest, such a small amount of Points was completely beneath his notice now.
If he werenât worried about the girlsâ pride, he would have no problem supporting all five of them.
However, Wang Yaoâs complaints vanished completely after she got a clear look at the environment of the Middle Level District.
The clean streets, tidy houses, service robots everywhere, and the immaculately dressed crowdâit all made them feel like they had traveled back to the time before the apocalypse.
"Now this is what I call living like a human!" Wang Yao couldnât help but exclaim.
"We have to work hard so we can move into the Middle Level District as soon as possible," Liu Miaomiao chimed in, encouraging everyone.
"As long as your bodies can handle the Genetic Medicine Liquid, use as much as you need. If you donât have enough Points, you can borrow from me. Once you make it to the Middle Level District, you can pay me back slowly. Iâm not in a rush, and I wonât hound you for the debt," Lin Xinghai added.
This time, none of the girls refused. After seeing the environment of the Middle Level District, they really didnât want to go back to living in the dirty, messy, and chaotic Lower Level District.
Of course, not refusing didnât mean there were no other comments. Wang Yao couldnât help but tease, "What if we can never pay you back?"
"You could always consider repaying me with your body," Lin Xinghai replied flippantly.
But he didnât see the strange light that flickered in Wang Yaoâs eyes as he said it.
And so, the group continued toward the Cloud Restaurant, talking and laughing.
Lin Xinghai couldnât help but feel secretly glad that he had toured the Upper City District and the Middle Level District this morning. It would have been awkward if he didnât know the way.
Soon, the group arrived at the Cloud Restaurant. Standing at the entrance and looking through the semi-transparent glazed glass, they could see a misty scene inside, as if they were truly among the clouds.
In addition, the service inside was top-notch. There was a dedicated waiter attending to each table, and on a raised platform in the center of the restaurant, someone was playing the piano.
This level of style might not have been much before the apocalypse, but in these times, it was truly a rare sight.
"This..."
Liu Miaomiao and the others hadnât expected a scene like this at all. After just one glance, they felt reluctant to go in. They could easily imagine the exorbitant prices that must correspond to such service.
However, Lin Xinghai took the lead and walked toward the entrance, so they could only steel themselves and follow.
Outside the entrance was a reception desk. As soon as Lin Xinghai walked over, a female attendant in a qipao smiled and asked, "Excuse me, do you have a reservation?"
"No. Do you need a reservation to get in?" Lin Xinghai asked. If that were the case, heâd be out of luck.
"Normally, yes. However, people of a certain status can enjoy certain privileges, such as a corps leader or vice-leader," the attendant explained politely.
Lin Xinghai frowned slightly upon hearing this, then asked, "What about a Divine Sharpshooter? Do they have such privileges?"
"A Divine... Sharpshooter?" The attendant was a bit stunned. âIf he were really a Divine Sharpshooter, how could I not recognize him?â
But she reacted quickly and said respectfully, "Yes, of course. Could you please show me your Mercenary Badge?"
Lin Xinghai took out his Mercenary Badge. The attendant took it, scanned it on a device, and immediately, the words "Highest Privilege" appeared on the workstation screen, followed by Lin Xinghaiâs basic information.
When the attendant saw this, she couldnât help but suck in a sharp breath. The so-called "Highest Privilege" was something only a Third Level Mercenary Corps Leader was entitled to!
Even among Divine Sharpshooters, only the top three had such a privilege.
This level of access came with no limit on the number of companions you could bring to dine. You could also choose the best seats, have your dishes served with priority, and most importantly, enjoy the highest discount available.