LWDC Chapter 111

Chapter 111 – Double

Chapter 111 – Double

Chapter 111 – Double date?

Four days later, the Hummer finally arrived at the Tianyue Base.

During this journey, Ning Fei only actually took action once. That time was mainly because the mutated creatures had reached the vicinity of the highway, and the convoy doing the cleanup blocked the road. Two transport squads were also blocking the Hummer in front, so there was no way to go. Ning Fei got out of the car to inquire and heard that the mutated creatures were fast and difficult to deal with, and it might not be finished even by nightfall. If it got too dangerous at night, they might have to retreat and rest for the night and try again tomorrow during the day. Given such low cleaning efficiency, Ning Fei decided to lend a hand.

Duan Yunhong didn’t stop him, and even said he could go too. Ning Fei leaned against the car door to prevent him from getting in, and while checking his gun, he casually said, “Come on, just sit there, I’ll be right back.”

Duan Yunhong said calmly, “Do you think I’m just a mobile storage cabinet?”

“No, I know your marksmanship is definitely top-notch, but someone has to watch the car, right?” Ning Fei’s tone was nonchalant, as if he didn’t take Duan Yunhong’s words to heart, and even joked, “Sir, you wouldn’t want people to know you’re exceptionally gifted at swallowing, would you?”

Duan Yunhong: “…What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Playing old jokes, I’m the king of old jokes.” Ning Fei smiled, put the checked gun back in its holster, and patted the car window. “Alright, I’m leaving.”

After saying that, he turned around, stepped on the wind, leaped onto the roof of a car in front, and with a few simple hops, disappeared from Duan Yunhong’s sight.

The result of this help was that the road was cleared before sunset. When Ning Fei came back, he didn’t even bother to describe the battle in detail, just saying, “There were chickens and dogs, a few slashes and they were no longer flying or jumping, fixed targets are easy to hit, aren’t they?” as if that was all there was to it. Strangely enough, even though he was so concise, it was unexpectedly vivid. Duan Yunhong could almost immediately imagine him chasing chickens and dogs, and couldn’t help but curl the corners of his lips.

Ning Fei: “What are you laughing at? It’s a bit disgusting.”

Duan Yunhong didn’t answer, letting the topic pass in silence. This only on-the-road assistance ended just like that.

The rest of the way back to Tianyue was smooth.

Now it was Ning Fei’s turn to drive, queueing, checking, waiting for blood test results, passing through the base gate. When he was finally able to drive the car into the base, Ning Fei immediately called Yu Zhou: “Hi, I’m back, guess what surprise I brought you?”

Yu Zhou: “Your lover.”

Ning Fei: “…”

He was on speakerphone, so Duan Yunhong naturally heard it. He glanced at the phone and then at Ning Fei.

“Don’t you remember my position? When a cadre from another base comes, the machine automatically reports it to me, okay? Without my direct approval, you two would have to sleep at the gate for the night!” Yu Zhou sneered, “I guessed something like this would happen when you said you weren’t going with the convoy. Also, Hui Chuan called directly to ask for you, what is he doing? What private escape drama are you two acting out?”

“Escape my ass, he insisted on coming. And it’s not mainly because of me, I was just innocently caught in the crossfire by those gossipers,” Ning Fei replied. “When Hui Chuan asks you, can’t you say ‘I didn’t ask, so I didn’t know, I’m surprised you asked’?”

Yu Zhou complained, “I can’t be bothered to act with Hui Chuan and his people, all that official jargon, too much ‘dad’ energy.”

“Tch, no fun. You’re so calm, I was going to rush to your building and see your surprised expression in person.” Ning Fei clicked his tongue. “Since that’s the case, fine, I’ve finished reporting, hanging up.”

“Wait!” Yu Zhou interrupted. “You’re back, aren’t you coming to report to me in person? Are you two in such a hurry that you’re going straight home to the bedroom?”

“Damn, I’m on speakerphone, be more reserved!” Ning Fei couldn’t help but curse. “And what report? I didn’t know you had this rule.”

Yu Zhou: “You’re on speakerphone when you’re calling me?!”

Ning Fei: “I’m driving!”

Yu Zhou was silent for two seconds, then changed his tone to a very calm one: “Since that’s the case, then I’ll say hello to Director Duan, welcome to the Tianyue Base.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Director Yu.” Duan Yunhong said lightly. “It doesn’t sound like you’re very welcoming.”

At that moment, Yu Zhou understood why Ning Fei’s evaluation of him was “annoying to talk to.”

“Just kidding, you have to say some polite words.” Yu Zhou wasn’t polite with him either, sarcastically saying, “Since that’s the case, Director Duan, would you do me the honor of having dinner with Ning Fei tonight? Commander Yue and I will host, consider it a welcome dinner for you.”

Duan Yunhong said, “I can.”

Ning Fei: “You’re ignoring my opinion?”

“What opinion do you have? Since you’re back, just come and pick up some things, don’t make me put in the effort again.” Yu Zhou replied. “That’s it, I’ll send you the address later, see you at 6:30.”

After saying that, he hung up first.

“…” Ning Fei was speechless for a long while, then quickly decided to start another topic, turning his head to look at Duan Yunhong. “Director Duan, where are you planning to stay?”

Duan Yunhong didn’t answer, but instead asked, “What do you think?”

Ning Fei: “I guess the guest house.”

Duan Yunhong was silent, then mocked, “You ate and lived at my place in Huichuan, and you ate and lived at my place on the road, and now you want to just deny the debt?”

“It’s not that I’m afraid Director Duan wouldn’t be used to my humble abode?” Ning Fei didn’t reject him, obviously expecting this decision. “Then I’ll say it first, no more complaining about my apartment being small, take it or leave it!”

*

Ning Fei’s apartment in Tianyue was surprisingly good, at least much better than his place in Huichuan.

Two bedrooms and one living room, a separate kitchen and bathroom, totaling seventy or eighty square meters. Although the decoration was simple, the furniture and basic appliances were all there. Duan Yunhong walked around and found that the appliances weren’t generic brands, and some of the furniture was even solid wood. The sofa, bed, and other things weren’t small either. So the man asked, “Is this the standard condition provided by Tianyue to third-level ability users?”

“How could that be?” Ning Fei tested the water and electricity to make sure there were no problems, and took out some cleaning tools. “This was originally arranged for Yu Zhou. But he went to live with Yue Fengping, and he only occasionally stayed here before. When I came, he gave it to me directly.”

“Yu Zhou’s?” Duan Yunhong looked around again. “Isn’t he at the department level? The department heads in the Tianyue Base should have more than this, right?”

“How would I know? It’s not like I’m in charge of this. Besides, Yu Zhou is definitely living with Yue Fengping, wouldn’t the base commander’s living conditions be even better?” As he spoke, he stuffed the broom into Duan Yunhong’s hand. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been back, it’s all dusty, clean it up first.”

Duan Yunhong raised his eyebrows: “Me?”

“Yeah, did you want to roll around in the dust? Or did you want to sit and wait for me to clean everything myself? Don’t dream.” Ning Fei commanded righteously, “All the rooms have to be swept, I’ll wipe the tables and chairs first.”

Duan Yunhong said, “Can’t your wind ability blow away the dust?”

“It has to be strong enough to blow away all the dust, but it can’t blow away the things on top, do you think that’s easy? If I put in that much effort, I might as well just wipe it off in three or two strokes.” Ning Fei replied, “Don’t get too caught up in the details, just clean it up simply, and then go out for dinner. We’ll make the bed when we get back tonight, oh, and I have to buy you a spring mattress.”

“Spring mattress?” Duan Yunhong said, “You think you can get rid of me with that?”

Ning Fei said, “I can only afford a spring mattress, if you don’t like it, you can sleep on the floor.”

Duan Yunhong said, “You never slept on any other bed in my house.”

“My bed isn’t as big as yours, and you always complained that my bed was small, didn’t you? And said I would kick you.” Ning Fei wouldn’t bargain with him. “Anyway, ask me, I only have a spring mattress. Either you buy something else yourself, or find another solution, don’t tell me, I’m not your dorm manager.”

As he spoke, Ning Fei had already taken the rag and walked towards the bathroom: “Alright, Director Duan, stop talking and start working.”

Duan Yunhong’s words were choked back by his crisp turn and the rushing water in the bathroom.

“Tch.” Duan Yunhong looked at the broom in his hand, already a little unsure how long it had been since he personally cleaned a room. But if he stood here and didn’t move, when Ning Fei came out and saw it, he would probably just use a gust of wind to throw him out the window. So, the always esteemed Director Duan had no choice but to start sweeping the floor himself.

–Hmm… it doesn’t feel too bad.

*

Just past 6:30, the Hummer arrived at the entrance of the small restaurant sent by Yu Zhou on time.

Ning Fei and Duan Yunhong entered a small private room under the guidance of the boss, where Yu Zhou and Yue Fengping were already sitting. Seeing the two of them, Yu Zhou didn’t have the idea of “sitting still and giving a power demonstration,” and took the initiative to stand up: “Director Duan? Welcome, this is our Tianyue Base’s Commander Yue Fengping.”

There were a total of four people in the private room, three of whom were not “locals,” and doing this fake routine was actually quite funny. But this also showed that Yu Zhou was indeed giving his partner face, so even if he was just acting for Yue Fengping alone, he acted with sincerity.

Duan Yunhong glanced at him, also giving him face and playing along, and went over to shake hands with Yue Fengping: “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Commander Yue, I’m Duan Yunhong, the director of the research institute at the Huichuan Base.”

Yue Fengping of course also shook hands and welcomed him: “Welcome, Director Duan. I was shocked when Yu Zhou told me you were coming, I didn’t expect you to come alone.”

“Ning Fei is here, they came all the way together, how can you count it as one person?” Yu Zhou didn’t understand Duan Yunhong’s style, and intentionally controlled the rhythm of the conversation, interjecting to arrange, “Don’t stand, sit down. We ordered some dishes first, see if there’s anything else you want to add.”

The four of them sat down in an arc: Yue Fengping, Yu Zhou, Ning Fei, Duan Yunhong. Ning Fei took the menu and glanced around, then handed it to Duan Yunhong: “I don’t want to add anything else, you can look.”

Duan Yunhong took the menu and found that Ning Fei’s usual dishes had indeed been ordered.

Yu Zhou must have ordered them.

He glanced at Ning Fei imperceptibly, and Ning Fei was leaning his head together with Yu Zhou, whispering, looking very familiar and intimate. Turning his gaze again, he found that Yue Fengping also seemed to be watching their conversation. Perhaps sensing Duan Yunhong’s gaze, Yue Fengping’s eyes turned to meet Duan Yunhong’s gaze: “Director Duan, have you chosen the dishes you want to add?”

“Yes, I’m done.” Duan Yunhong casually checked off two dishes and handed the menu back. Yu Zhou naturally took it, got up and went to the door to call the boss and hand over the menu. When he came back, he also took the initiative to pour tea for Duan Yunhong and Ning Fei. Duan Yunhong at least said “thank you,” but Ning Fei accepted his service with peace of mind, and even instructed, “Don’t fill it so full.”

Yu Zhou put the kettle in front of him: “Pour it yourself.”

Ning Fei chuckled and really poured it himself.

Duan Yunhong couldn’t figure out whether he was giving Yue Fengping face, or just habitually taking care of Ning Fei and including himself by the way. Ning Fei’s relationship with another “colleague,” Chong Lin, wasn’t this good. The lack of formality between him and Yu Zhou precisely indicated that their relationship was extraordinary.

“Director Duan.”

Yue Fengping’s re-opening attracted everyone’s attention: “Is it convenient to ask, what is the reason for your private trip to Tianyue?”

Duan Yunhong smiled: “It’s not entirely for private purposes, there’s also official business.”

“Official business?” Yue Fengping pressed, “Are you here to handle business in Tianyue? Is it related to the research institute?”

“Sort of.” Duan Yunhong took a sip of tea, and slowly said, “The Huichuan Base has newly developed an external wound spray. Theoretically, it’s doing a small-scale clinical trial within the Huichuan area, I don’t know if Commander Yue has heard of it?”

Yue Fengping: “…Huh?”

Yu Zhou and Ning Fei: …Oh.