Clearly, the Fruit Trade Alliance from that world still had no information regarding the Apocalyptic Environment. Since that was the case, Xu Mo didn't hold back and provided a detailed account of his past experiences entering and exiting the Apocalyptic Environment. However, he selectively glossed over matters related to the military and Professor Mo, as those were his trump cards he preferred to keep hidden.
"You're saying that within Shang Shan City, there's actually a place completely disconnected from the outside world where one can acquire a large number of shards?" After hearing Xu Mo's explanation, Chang Ziteng was the first to get excited, seemingly choosing to ignore the dangers Xu Mo had just mentioned.
"Theoretically speaking, yes," Xu Mo had already predicted that this greedy and reckless woman would be the first to react, and sure enough, she didn't disappoint.
Unlike Chang Ziteng, Du Zhizhang wasn't blinded by the enormous potential profits. He thought for a moment before expressing his concern, "Brother Xu Mo, I don't doubt your words, but if everything you said is true, then even though this realm offers an abundance of shards, the dangers inside might be beyond what the three of us can handle."
"Fortune favors the bold! Are those scumbags who rob and kill for shards not dangerous? With such a golden opportunity right in front of us, and you're hesitating? Are you even a man?" Chang Ziteng slammed the table, yelling with a commanding presence. "If you don't dare to go, then Xu Mo and I will go together. You can just wait outside!"
"Heh, sorry, Sister Chang, but I actually share Brother Du's concerns. I've personally experienced the dangers of the Apocalyptic Environment, and calling it 'hell on earth' wouldn't be an exaggeration. That feeling of walking on the edge of death is something I really don't want to go through again." Xu Mo picked up his tea, smiling apologetically. Then, after glancing at the time on his phone, he stood up and said, "It's getting late. I should head home; otherwise, my mom will call me again."
"Haha, that's understandable. When you're out and about, it's important to think of your family. Otherwise, by the time you reach our age, it won't be so easy to fulfill your filial duties," Du Zhizhang stood up, extended his hand, and shook Xu Mo's with a smile before walking him to the café's entrance.
"Tsk, two cowards… Where have all the real men gone these days?" Chang Ziteng grumbled as she paid the bill.
"They probably all went to audition for Super Girl," Xu Mo joked, knowing that Chang Ziteng was the type to say whatever was on her mind. He didn't take it to heart. After exchanging phone numbers with Du Zhizhang for future contact, he hailed a taxi and headed home.
By this time, it was already 8:30 PM—thirty minutes before his agreed-upon curfew with his parents. The taxi had just reached the pedestrian street. If nothing unexpected happened, he should be home in another fifteen minutes.
Xu Mo sighed in relief. Finally, he could go home on time today. Lately, he had either been coming home late or not at all. If he messed up again, his credibility with his parents would probably be completely shot.
His phone rang. Without even looking, he pressed the answer button and put it to his ear.
"Hey, Xu Mo, it's HeShang. I just got home."
"Glad you're still alive. What's up?" Xu Mo lazily leaned back against the seat, staring absentmindedly at the scenery flashing past the window.
"I was thinking… Did you have some sort of cosmic awakening today? And don't try to tell me you're the 48th-generation heir of Buddha's Palm. Others might not know, but I sure as hell do. If you really had that kind of ability, then six months ago, when we went out and got chased three streets by a stray dog, things would've played out a little differently…"
Xu Mo had expected this. He might be able to fool others, but there was no way he could fool HeShang, who knew him inside and out.
If he hadn't met Du Zhizhang and Chang Ziteng today, Xu Mo had originally planned to come clean to HeShang another day. He even intended to get him a reinforcement-type shard to help boost his fitness, given that HeShang was a chronic homebody with zero exercise. But now that he had learned about the Ability Users' World and its lurking dangers, he no longer wanted to drag his only best friend into this endless peril.
"What if I told you I got an energy infusion from a grandmaster?" Xu Mo casually threw out a random excuse.
"Pfft! That's about as likely as you getting forcefully seduced by some otherworldly beauty…" Fortunately, aside from anything related to being a shut-in, HeShang wasn't particularly interested in digging into other topics. He dropped the subject and changed the conversation. "By the way, after you dealt with those bald thugs, why didn't you come back to the private room? We only found out you had left when that Northern Dao Gang lackey came to deliver a fruit basket as an apology."
"Because when I got back, the door was locked. I couldn't be bothered to knock," Xu Mo answered indifferently. He didn't really hold a grudge, but their actions had left him feeling a bit cold.
"Ugh! If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have brought it up. But now that you did, I'm pissed! Xu Bilin was strongly against locking the door, but that pretty-boy Ouyang Ning insisted on a vote, and those assholes almost unanimously voted to lock it. Only three people stood up for you…"
"Three?" Xu Mo was surprised by the number. He could guess that one was Xu Bilin and another was HeShang, but who was the third?
"Heh, surprised? And I bet you'll never guess who it was…" HeShang deliberately paused for suspense, but when Xu Mo ignored him, he gave up and revealed the answer sulkily. "It was Lin Yijing! I knew she was different. Totally worth you risking your neck for her."
Lin Yijing…? Xu Mo was slightly moved. They had never interacted before, and though his actions had indirectly helped her, choosing to go against the crowd for his sake took a kind of courage that not everyone possessed.
HeShang's tone suddenly turned serious. "Bro, I don't mean to be nosy, but since Xu Bilin didn't choose you, maybe it's time to move on. There are plenty of good women out there… Lin Yijing, for example, is a great girl. You should give it a shot."
"You make it sound so easy. You want me to go after our school's top beauty? You don't think I'd get my ass kicked by every guy in school and end up strung up on the flagpole?" Xu Mo had no intention of becoming a public enemy, nor did he think someone like Lin Yijing would ever take an interest in him. They were worlds apart.
"I was just making a point… But honestly, with your stupid luck lately, a miracle isn't out of the question, right?"
HeShang ended the call with an evil chuckle, leaving Xu Mo puzzled.
Minutes later, the taxi pulled up in front of his apartment complex. Xu Mo paid the fare and got out. Just as he took a few steps, his phone chimed with a new message.
Thinking it was from HeShang, he instinctively glanced at it—only to see an unfamiliar number.
He pressed "Read" and froze.
"Xu Mo: Sorry for getting your number from Xu Bilin without asking. I really appreciate what you did today. If you have time, I'd love to treat you to a meal. —Lin Yijing."
No way… Lin Yijing?
Xu Mo's heart inexplicably began to race as HeShang's words echoed in his mind.
Before he could decide how to respond, another message came in from the same number.
"Haha, admit it—were you just overthinking things? —HeShang."
"Idiot," Xu Mo typed back and continued walking.
Just then, another text arrived. Xu Mo assumed it was HeShang again and was about to ignore it, but on a whim, he checked.
"Is this Xu Mo? I'm Lin Yijing."
Xu Mo's face darkened. That bastard HeShang was really milking this joke. Annoyed, he called the number and immediately yelled, "Are you done yet, you bastard?! I don't even like Lin Yijing! If you have time to switch SIM cards, why don't you go watch some Japanese romantic action films instead?!"
"…" Silence.
After a long pause, a timid female voice finally spoke.
"Um… Did I say something wrong…?"