Chapter 286: Stingy and Calculating
Chapter 286: Stingy and Calculating
As the sun climbs higher, the temperature rises again. The trees along the roadside sway slightly, despite the lack of wind, their branches trembling as if welcoming Anran’s arrival.
The air remains stuffy and oppressive. Cicadas hidden in the trees shriek at the top of their lungs, announcing the unbearable heat. Anran rolls down the car window, hoping to let in some fresh air.
The next second, Zhan Lian promptly rolls it back up.
She frowns, about to protest that it will be suffocating if they keep the windows closed. But before she can speak, Zhan Lian switches on the car’s air conditioning.
Changing course, Anran speaks with a hint of heartache. “Don’t turn on the AC, just open the window—it’s a waste of fuel.”
“Keep it on,” Zhan Lian says dismissively, stepping on the accelerator and maneuvering the steering wheel. Taking a moment to glance back at her, he adds, “The child has heat rash—it’s because of the heat.”
His words make it sound like preventing heat rash is the most important thing. But what if the car runs out of fuel when they are running for their lives?
Anran’s brows furrow. She is still shaken by what happened at the gas station. If her car had fuel back then, would it have fallen into the hands of the Green Dragon tattooed man's gang?
When facing a life-or-death crisis, survival is all that matters. Luxuries like comfort can’t take priority.
In this regard, Anran is far more stingy and calculating than Zhan Lian.
As she thinks about it, Zhan Lian turns the car into a gated entrance, driving up a slope and onto an inner road. Behind them, a heavy iron gate clanks shut. Anran glances back—was that an electric gate?
Then another thought strikes her—Zhan Lian is said to be a metal-type ability user. Are abilities categorized into different types like this? If that’s the case, then she must be a wood-type ability user… which means Zhan Lian is naturally her counter!
The trees on either side of the road are dense and lush, their green leaves swaying in the hot breeze. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the branches, scattering across the ground like finely cut pieces of gold foil.
The car comes to a stop in a large open area on high ground. On one side, a guardrail encircles the edge, offering a broad view of Tiesi Village’s District 4.
On the other side stands a two-story building, once a dormitory for some organization. Now, its current occupants are unknown. At a glance, Anran sees no signs of life—aside from herself and her companions, the place seems deserted.
“Just pick a house. I’ll bring the supplies over later.”
After Anran steps out of the car with Doll in her arms and Mint by her side, Zhan Lian parks the supply-filled vehicle in the lot. Then, without another word, he climbs into another parked car and drives off to gather supplies for her.
Anran is left standing in the vast parking lot, unsure of what to do next.
Hadn’t Zhan Lian said her brother Tao had already entered Tiesi Village?
She assumed Zhan Lian brought her here so she could reunite with Yun Tao.
But where is Yun Tao now?
Despite the desolation, there is at least one comforting thing about this place. One side of the dormitory, shaded from the sun, is covered in red creeper vines. The air is cooler here, thanks to the surrounding trees and steady breeze.
Zhan Lian has been thoughtful.
Because of the baby’s heat rash, he deliberately chose a cooler place for them to stay.