jdhmnovel Chapter 489 Fatty's Money-Spreading Extravaganza (Page 12)
Chapter 489 Fatty's Money-Spreading Extravaganza (Page 12)
In the 1980s, sunlight filtered through the sparse leaves of the plane trees on the streets of Huaihai City, casting dappled shadows.
The air was thick with the mixed smells of coal smoke, old-fashioned soap, and fried food.
The sounds of bicycle bells, vendors' shouts, and factory loudspeakers... all intertwine to create a slow-paced and vibrant scene full of life.
However, this tranquility and simplicity were completely shattered by a chaotic chase!
"Stop! Spy! Don't run!!!"
"Grab them! Take them to the police station!!!"
Lin Qiye, Cao Yuan, Baili Pangpang, An Qingyu, Jialan, Zhang Yun, Sun Wukong... a group of seven.
Like a stray dog, it frantically fled through the narrow alleyways crowded with old-fashioned bicycles and curious passersby!
Behind them was a vast and enthusiastic mob of "the people"—neighborhood committee aunties wielding brooms, and factory militiamen carrying sticks.
There were even a few police officers who were militiamen riding old-fashioned motorcycles with guns (old-fashioned rifles) sitting in the sidecars!
This scene... is utterly absurd!
"Holy crap! This is the first time in my life I've ever been chased like a spy!" Baili Pangpang cried out as he ran away, covering his head. "If this gets back to the capital, I'll be laughed to death! It's so embarrassing!"
Cao Yuan's face was dark, and a hint of murderous aura emanated from him.
The sight startled an older woman next to him who was about to hit him with a feather duster, causing her to stumble. But he quickly restrained himself – he couldn't really lay a hand on an "ordinary person," could he?
An Qingyu's glasses almost fell off as he ran, the robotic arm frantically calculating the optimal escape route, speaking at lightning speed: "Turn left! Turn right at the third alley! There's an abandoned state-run vegetable market there! Less crowded!"
Jialan clung tightly to Lin Qiye's clothes, her face flushed, panting as she ran. She didn't feel particularly scared; instead, she felt... a little curious?
Zhang Yun's movements were the most graceful, with the Candle Dragon True Flame subtly swirling within him.
He always managed to evade various "encirclements and blockades" by the slightest margin, but his brow was furrowed, clearly indicating that he was extremely uncomfortable with this inexplicable situation of being a "public enemy."
Sun Wukong was just playing around!
He jumped onto the roof and made faces at the pursuers below.
A moment later, he blew out a few more fake clones to lure away the pursuers, having a great time: "Hehe! This is interesting! It's even more interesting than being chased by heavenly soldiers and generals back then! These mortals are pretty cool!"
As the team leader, Lin Qiye had the biggest headache! He had to direct the retreat, restrain Sun Wukong from overdoing it, and use his domain to disrupt the pursuers' vision and judgment. He was exhausted!
After many twists and turns, through countless alleys, and over several low walls, we finally made our way through the area.
After nearly falling into a stinking ditch... they finally succeeded thanks to their superhuman physical abilities and An Qingyu's precise navigation.
They temporarily shook off that "vast ocean of people's war".
I ducked into a corner of a dilapidated vegetable market, filled with discarded vegetable baskets and rotten leaves, and smelling musty.
"Huh...huh...huh..."
The group leaned against the mottled walls.
A brick wall with the slogan "Develop the economy, ensure supply" written on it.
They were panting heavily, looking utterly disheveled.
Baili Pangpang's pink bear apron was covered in mud, Cao Yuan's black trench coat was torn, and even Lin Qiye's hair was a bit messy.
"Damn it... what kind of training is this..." Baili Pangpang complained breathlessly, "Starting as a wanted criminal... Brother Qiang is too good at this..."
at this time--
"Hehe... How does it feel? How was the hospitality of the 1980s?" A teasing voice slowly came from behind a pile of rotten vegetable leaves.
Li Kengqiang's figure emerged from the shadows like a ghost.
I don't know when he changed back into that floral shirt and beach shorts.
He pushed his sunglasses up to his forehead and was holding an ice pop in his hand!
He was licking it with great relish!
This was in stark contrast to the disheveled appearance of everyone else!
Everyone stared at him speechlessly.
Cao Yuan wiped the sweat from his face, suppressing the urge to draw his sword, and asked in a cold voice, "What exactly are we doing here?"
Li Kengqiang finished his popsicle in a few bites.
He tossed the stick aside, clapped his hands, and the nonchalant smile on his face faded slightly, but his tone remained teasing: "Young man, don't be in such a hurry! How can you achieve great things if you have no patience at all?"
He looked around the dilapidated market.
He glanced again at the still peaceful streets outside, a complex and elusive look of reminiscence and...heaviness flashing in his eyes.
“This place…” his voice lowered, “is Huaihai City in the 1980s. In an hour… a real, devastating disaster will break out here.”
"A human tragedy that...destroyed nearly half of the city and killed millions of people."
His words were calm, yet they struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer!
The atmosphere, which had just been somewhat agitated by the escape, froze instantly!
The complaint on Baili Pangpang's face disappeared.
Cao Yuan's pupils contracted slightly, and the data stream on An Qingyu's glasses instantly stopped.
Jialan instinctively gripped Lin Qiye's hand, Zhang Yun's eyes sharpened like knives, and even Sun Wukong put away his playful smile and scratched his chin.
Millions dead?! Nearly half of Huaihai City destroyed?!
This...is this the training content?! A reenactment of... a massive historical catastrophe?!
Li Kengqiang's gaze swept over the shocked and solemn faces of the crowd, and he slowly said, "And your training task today is..."
"First, find out the real reason why this disaster happened."
"Second, prevent it from happening."
“Third…” He held up one finger, his tone resolute and brooking no argument, “The final number of casualties… cannot exceed two.”
"Two people?!" Baili Pangpang exclaimed in shock. "Are you kidding me?! A disaster affecting millions of people! Confined to two or fewer?! How is that possible?!"
Li Kengqiang glanced at him: "What? You're already chickening out before it even starts? This is the training standard for the [Heroic Spirit] squad! If you can't do it... it just means you're still far from good enough!"
He paused, then a familiar, infuriatingly wicked smile returned to his lips:
"As for what method to use... do as you please!"
I don't care about the process, I only care about the result!
Do you want to investigate secretly, or do you want to turn this simulated city upside down...? Either way is fine!
"Let's see what you can do!"
After saying that, he didn't give anyone time to digest or ask questions. With a flicker, he disappeared without a trace, just like a ghost!
Only one last sentence lingered in the air:
"Newbies...enjoy this...immersive history lesson! One hour from now...disaster will begin! Countdown...start now!"
A deathly silence fell over the corner of the market.
Only the distant, indistinct clamor of the city and... the heavy pounding of everyone's hearts could be heard.
Zhang Yun, Cao Yuan, Baili Pangpang, An Qingyu, Jialan, Sun Wukong... all eyes were on Lin Qiye.
Lin Qiye took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock and immense pressure in his heart, his eyes quickly regaining their calm and sharpness. He glanced at his teammates, issuing instructions in a rapid but clear voice:
"The situation is urgent! Within one hour, we must ascertain the basic situation of this city, pinpoint the source of the disaster, and develop a plan to stop it!"
"Split up! An Qingyu, you're in charge of the infiltration... or other methods."
Access to the city's basic information network... if such a thing existed in this day and age!
The focus is on government agencies, factories, research institutions, and densely populated areas! Look for any unusual energy fluctuations or clues that might trigger a large-scale disaster!
"Cao Yuan, Zhang Yun, you are responsible for reconnaissance of the city's outskirts and major factory areas. Pay attention to large facilities, energy sources, and chemical warehouses! Be alert for any suspicious persons or activities!"
"Fatty, Garan, you're in charge of densely populated residential and commercial areas. Watch out for rumors, unusual gatherings, or any signs of events that could trigger panic or stampedes!"
“Great Sage…” Lin Qiye looked at Sun Wukong, “Please… move freely, use your Fiery Eyes and senses to survey the entire city, and search for any… non-human, or extremely abnormal energy areas! Once you find one, notify us immediately!”
"I'll be in charge of coordinating information and providing central support!" Lin Qiye concluded. "Ten minutes! In ten minutes, regardless of whether we've gained anything, everyone return here to assemble! Exchange intelligence! Move out!"
No hesitation!
"Understood!" the crowd responded in unison, instantly transforming into several afterimages and silently merging into the seemingly peaceful, yet impendingly destroyed... Huaihai City in the 1980s!
Anqingyu's robotic arm extended a miniature probe and quickly connected to an old-fashioned telephone line by the roadside...
Cao Yuan and Zhang Yun, like two ghostly figures, darted off to the east and west sides of the city respectively...
Baili Pangpang pulled out several stacks of foreign exchange certificates and grain coupons that were still in circulation at that time, and pulled Jialan toward the bustling department store...
Sun Wukong somersaulted to the clouds, his fiery eyes scanning the entire city like searchlights...
Lin Qiye closed his eyes, and the Eternal Night Domain expanded to its maximum extent in an extremely subtle way, like an invisible radar, sensing every minute change in the city...
Racing against time! Racing against disaster!
...
The Huaihai Department Store in the 1980s was a four-story, square building with a somewhat somber gray-yellow exterior.
However, the gilded characters "Huaihai City Department Store" at the entrance and the constant flow of people demonstrate its status and vitality as the city's commercial center.
Baili Pangpang pulled Jialan along, mingling with the bustling crowd as they entered the building.
As soon as you enter, a complex smell, a blend of cosmetics, fabric, sweat, and some kind of old-fashioned floor wax, hits you.
The place was bustling with noise, shoulder to shoulder, and incredibly lively.
"Wow..." Jialan opened her eyes wide, looking around curiously, her clear eyes reflecting the dazzling array of goods and the bustling crowd.
She grew up in ancient times.
After joining the Night's Watch, I experienced mostly battles and carnage. I had never seen such a lively scene full of life, belonging to ordinary people.
Baili Pangpang also looked on with curiosity.
Although he was the young master of the Baili Group, and had lived a life of luxury since childhood...
I've seen countless luxury shopping malls, but this old-fashioned department store, full of retro charm and bearing the strong marks of its era, is truly unique.
This was a first for him as well.
"Hey! This place...is interesting!" Baili Pangpang rubbed his hands together, his small eyes sparkling with excitement.
They seemed to have forgotten that they came with a mission.
"Garland girl! Look! There's a stall selling polyester shirts over there! And over there too! They're selling enamel basins and thermos flasks! Tsk tsk... the patterns, the styles... so retro! So retro!"
Garan looked in the direction he was pointing.
Behind each glass counter, sales clerks wore white coats.