The two people stood at different angles, and naturally, their friendships were different as well.
Upon hearing this, Wen Lei paused his rowing motion, scratched his head awkwardly, "I knew I couldn’t hide it from you, Brother Ren. So... should I just say it?"
"Brother Ren, I can’t seem to improve my brain-machine synchronization rate, and the increase is too slow. Due to the synchronization rate dragging me down, the carrying power increase is just like that as well. My brain reaction index is even less worthy than carrying your shoes, it’s been so long and it’s still below 40."
"Compared to others, I’m progressing too slowly. It won’t be long before the captain has a chance to advance to Second Level Gunsmith. Bai Feng, Ou Youning, and Hanyu are also almost there. But I... don’t even know how long it’ll take, sigh..."
After listening to his worries, Ren Zhong quickly analyzed in his mind. Although Wen Lei seemed simple and kind, with a seemingly honest and dull appearance, he wasn’t truly naive.
He usually just had no choice but to pretend to be ignorant.
This was also his philosophy of survival.
Ever since changing to the new car, the issue of the Thunderbolt Car’s cabin being cramped became apparent.
Zheng Tian’s attitude towards Wen Lei underwent a subtle change.
But the cramped space wasn’t the core reason.
Unlike Ren Zhong’s extraordinary talent, Wen Lei’s potential could only be considered average.
When he joined the team six months ago, he was already a First Level Mechanical Warrior.
Now, after half a year, his progress could only be described as mediocre.
Now with the upgraded vehicle, Zheng Tian’s team’s hunting ability has significantly increased.
Others are not far from reaching the Second Level Professionals either.
Even if not considering hitching a ride on Ren Zhong, the "Pu Cha officer," Zheng Tian’s team was already on the rise.
Thus, according to the law of survival of the fittest, eliminating Wen Lei was also a natural course of action.
Some might say Zheng Tian was ruthless, but from another perspective, if everyone else advanced to the Second Level, the team would inevitably have to explore more dangerous areas and challenge stronger Ruined Beasts. Having Wen Lei as a First Level Heavy Equipment Warrior at the front line in the team would only cause his quick demise.
"So you hope I ask Zheng Tian to keep you?"
Ren Zhong asked directly.
Wen Lei hesitated briefly, "Not necessarily. If it comes to that, it’s indeed better for me to leave. The main thing is about something else."
As he spoke, he took out a chain from his chest and handed it to Ren Zhong.
Ren Zhong took it, looked closely, and found it was an intricately crafted old pocket watch at the end of the chain.
Saying this, Ren Zhong opened the watch cover, and what came into view was a dial with scales embedded with wires.
Then, on the inside of the cover, he saw a photo of a little girl.
The little girl seemed about eleven or twelve years old, with bronze-colored skin, plain looks, and a pure smile.
"This is my childhood friend. The only person in Starfire Town in over ten years to rise from the wilderness class to become a citizen."
Ren Zhong raised an eyebrow, "Oh? She’s very talented?"
Wen Lei: "I’m not sure about her talent. She achieved the class leap because she was adopted by citizens."
"Ten years ago, she was taken away when she was eleven. I made this watch from parts I found in a junk pile when we were kids; I made two. I kept one, with her photo inside. She kept one, with my photo inside."
What a sweet childhood, Ren Zhong looked at Wen Lei’s face, honest yet with a unique brilliance, red against black, and felt an inexplicable hint of envy.
Perhaps this girl was the main reason Wen Lei could form a bright personality in this dark era.
Ren Zhong asked, "So what do you want to do?"
"I don’t know how she’s doing now. I hope she’s living well in a big city, and I hope her adoptive parents treat her well. No matter what, I want to know how she is. Of course, I also know she might already be dead..." Wen Lei gave a bitter smile, "That wouldn’t be surprising. Even I don’t know how long I can live myself."
"In any case, when you go back, if conditions permit, I’d like to ask you to look into a girl named Ai Jiasan for me. If she’s still alive, and if I’m still alive, just let me know how she is, but don’t tell her about me. If by then I’m already dead, just tell her I’m doing well, but I went somewhere far away, not in Starfire Town anymore. Can you do that?"
Ren Zhong was silent for a long time, "Why don’t you look for her yourself?"
Wen Lei took a deep breath, "I have no confidence in becoming a citizen myself. If you’re not a citizen, you have no right to enter any cities."
Ren Zhong fell into deep thought.
Wen Lei’s hope was based on the premise that he was genuinely a Pu Cha officer.
But clearly, this man’s expectations were, in some sense, unfulfilled.
However, Ren Zhong believed that as long as his growth continued to accelerate, it might still be possible to help him.
"Wen Lei, do you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you! Ahem, actually, apart from trusting you, Brother Ren, I have no other choice. I can’t possibly come into contact with other citizens."
Ren Zhong: "Then lend me 20 Contribution Points."
It’s not that he was unwilling, he just didn’t react immediately. Given the financial capability of a Pu Cha officer, why would he ask someone like him for money?
At exactly nine o’clock, the two walked out of the Military Weapon Store shoulder to shoulder.
Currently, Ren Zhong was wearing a fully-covered Balanced First Level Basic Exoskeleton, with a wide and thick sword measuring 1.5 meters long and 0.09 meters wide on his back.
Now he had only 4.12 Contribution Points left in his pocket.
Just moments ago, Ju Qingmeng had deducted 160 Contribution Points from his account, and 20 points from Wen Lei’s account.
Ren Zhong had purchased his first set of combat gear a day earlier than planned, priced at 150, along with a matching battery priced at 10.
He even got an additional Alloy Battle Blade (First Level) valued at 20 Contribution Points, which was an unexpected gain.
Initially, he thought his Training Armor and the remaining new battery could only be resold at half price, valued at 11.
Unexpectedly, the manager Ju Qingmeng, who "had a favor to ask," made Wen Lei, the poor soul from the wilderness, learn a new piece of cold knowledge.
It turns out that products purchased in the store, as long as they are undamaged and the purchase time is less than seven days, can be returned at full price at the manager’s discretion.
Ren Zhong managed to retrieve 22 points, with his total funds reaching 164.12, plus the 20 points borrowed from Wen Lei, just enough, with a slight surplus.
As the two were leaving, Ju Qingmeng enthusiastically saw them off, "No wonder Mr. Ren, even on a business trip, could casually pick up a new profession. You’ve been wearing the Training Armor for only a few days, and you’ve improved so quickly! Even my school prodigy classmates at the county vocational college can’t keep up with you."
An incorrigible flatterer.
[PS: Asking for recommendation votes, favorites, and monthly tickets! Don’t forget to vote, everyone! Brothers who haven’t invested yet are also welcome to invest a bit, it’s a safe bet for sure.]