Chapter 342: Chapter 342

Jing Shu’s figure wasn’t bad; it was just that the bulletproof vest was inherently bulky. Adding an oversized padded jacket on top made her look much more rotund. Her feet sported a herdsman’s style, her legs a rural style. If not for Jing Shu’s pretty face, Yang Yang probably couldn’t have stood looking at this mismatched fashion.

"I’m not changing. Let’s go; I’m warm," Jing Shu said. Afraid of both the cold and death, she hadn’t even put on her modified bulletproof denim hat yet. Besides, making herself look less attractive could also help ensure her safety in the United States. If Jing Shu dressed normally, her beauty might attract all sorts of trouble, and she would probably spend her days dealing with people who had ill intentions toward her. After all, in such an open place, nothing was certain.

Yang Yang shot her a strange look and seemed to want to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

Jing Shu also hesitated. If Yang Yang dresses so lightly, he’ll freeze to death in the United States. If he tries to borrow my padded jacket then, I definitely won’t lend it to him, she thought.

Fortunately, Yang Yang drove a military pickup truck that could accommodate Jing Shu’s baggage. It took them another half hour to reach the twenty-year-old airport. Wu City’s new airport was currently being used as a shelter and had no runway available for flights. Much like Xuanwu Lake Park, the new airport, having been submerged for a year, was now full of trash and mud, making it unsuitable for flying.

The old airport was tiny, with only a 400-meter runway and a row of low-rise buildings. Abandoned for many years, it was overgrown with assorted weeds that could survive the apocalypse and teeming with nests of insects; the road leading to it was also full of potholes. When Jing Shu and the others arrived, a road roller was still going back and forth, compacting the surface to ensure the plane wouldn’t have any issues during takeoff.

Jing Shu couldn’t shake the feeling. Holy shit, is this reliable? she thought. This airport is so rudimentary; can I really entrust my life to a plane?

The aircraft parked on the runway wasn’t a pre-apocalypse passenger plane but a very small private jet. This is... Qian Duoduo’s private jet! So wealthy, so luxurious! Jing Shu realized.

"Let’s hurry," someone urged.

Jing Shu’s luggage was indeed excessive. Only the baggage containing her weapons and equipment, along with her oversized personal suitcase, could be stuffed into the hold. Another large suitcase simply wouldn’t fit, so she had to carry it on board by hand.

Once on board, Jing Shu realized for the first time how poverty had once again limited her imagination. The interior of a plane can actually look like a luxurious room, not just be filled with rows of cramped seats!

Yang Yang whispered to Jing Shu, "This is Qian Duoduo’s luxurious private jet. It has a capacity for thirteen people. Excluding the two pilots and one flight attendant, there are our two companions traveling with us to the United States, plus three administrative personnel going to the Imperial Capital on business. So, including us, our companions, the administrators, and the crew, there are ten people on this flight to the Imperial Capital."

As Jing Shu stepped onto the plane, the first thing that caught her eye was a catering bar. A tall, non-Huaxia woman stood there, smiling, nodding, and greeting Jing Shu and Yang Yang. The bar displayed some precious apocalypse-era foods. This spot was analogous to where flight attendants on regular planes would stand to welcome passengers; it served the same greeting purpose on this private jet.

Walking further in, they reached an area comparable to the first-class section of a regular plane. To the right side of the private jet was an adjustable single massage bed. To the left was a dining area with four genuine leather chairs and a dining table, all generously spaced and comfortable—certainly not the cramped quarters of a regular flight, and even more luxurious than first class.

A person was already lying on the single bed, while another person and a dog occupied two of the chairs. These two must be my companions for the journey to the United States, Jing Shu surmised.

Further ahead was another cabin door. Beyond it, Jing Shu saw a three-person sofa and a small dining area with a table for two and two sofa chairs. Three people were already seated there. They must be the ones heading to the Imperial Capital,

Comfortable warm lighting and soothing background music, combined with the tall attendant’s greeting, almost made Jing Shu feel as if she were back before the apocalypse. This illusion of tranquility shattered when the attendant handed two packages to Jing Shu and Yang Yang.

"Take these two parachutes. Be ready to jump if there’s an emergency," the attendant said in fluent Chinese.

Jing Shu’s smile instantly froze. EMMP... that’s terrifying, she thought.

After handing her extremely heavy suitcase to the attendant for storage, Jing Shu led the docile yet curious fat chicken and followed Yang Yang to a four-person table. They were clearly split into two groups: the four of them heading to the United States, and the trio bound for the Imperial Capital. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍

"Well, well, you’re late," a man, skinny as a monkey and sitting in one of the chairs, said provocatively. "So this is the amazing woman you mentioned, the one who caught Zero? She’s pretty good-looking, but that outfit..." He exuded an arrogant and showy vibe.

He was stroking the dog beside him while sipping a beverage provided by the plane. Jing Shu frowned but didn’t speak. Instead, she noticed his knuckles were very broad; he had a pair of rough, large hands that seemed mismatched with his slight frame.

Yang Yang smiled nonchalantly. "This is Monkey, one of the top Scouts in All China. He has an extra skill in bone shrinking, allowing him to open any door. His main duties in this mission include reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, drawing enemy fire, and executing stealth attacks. Role: Scout/assassin, rated B+."

"And don’t let that quiet and obedient-looking little dog beside him fool you. It’s actually a Tosa fighting dog, as ferocious and cruel as a Devil—a breed banned in most countries. It has killed many escaping fugitives. The dog is rated C, but combined with Monkey, their overall rating is A-."

Yang Yang then pointed to the person lying on the single bed. "This is Hao Yunlai, champion of ’Survival Path.’ He has extensive wilderness survival experience and an exceptional ability to mimic various sounds. If necessary, he can also disguise himself. His sixth sense gives him an unusual perception of danger. With him around, we’re bound to turn misfortune into good fortune. His role is Assistant/Logistics, and because of these special abilities, he’s rated A. It’s said that even if no one else from a mission makes it back, Hao Yunlai always will."

Hao Yunlai ruffled his fluffy hair and, with a sleepy expression, gave Jing Shu a nod. He seemed the epitome of a ’laid-back youth.’

This was the first time Jing Shu had witnessed the nation’s "talented people" firsthand. So such quirky abilities truly exist, she thought. However, after witnessing Su Malie’s incredible luck, she looked at this ’Hao Yunlai’ and mused, Bringing Su Malie along might have a similar effect. But... Su Malie is so wealthy now; she probably has no need for missions . She truly is a favored child of destiny.

Monkey listened to Yang Yang with a grin, nodding in approval. He then raised an eyebrow, pointed at Jing Shu across from him, and asked, "So, what about her? You haven’t introduced her yet. And what’s the deal with that combat support pet of hers? It only has two legs?"

The fully armed fat chicken was indeed a puzzling sight, and its steel helmet only added to its imposing, if bizarre, presence.