Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 248 Unexpected Gain: The Inner City Construction Team!

The so-called alloy prosthetic limb, officially called "Free Intelligent Body," is also a rare imported product.

It comes from the "Machine Soul" shelter city, which is nearly 15,000 kilometers away from Happiness City. Not to mention the price of the finished product, the transportation cost alone is as high as 400 contribution points per piece.

Of course, its functionality justifies the price; it can basically replace 90% of human functions and can also be equipped with various rare modules, such as weapons and jet propulsion devices.

There are even rumors that many people in the City of Machine Souls have voluntarily amputated in order to install these alloy prosthetics to enhance their strength.

Of course, that's what the rumors say. He doesn't believe anyone would be stupid enough to voluntarily switch to a mechanical body. Just look at Rokuk's appearance; you can tell how painful it is to lose a physical body.

"Take good rest, and call me when you are discharged from the hospital."

After Cheng Ye finished cleaning, he reached out and patted Rokuk on the shoulder.

According to the requirements for the implantation of alloy prostheses, Rokuk will have to stay at Regenerative Medicine for another half a month until his vital signs are completely stable before the implantation surgery can be performed.

After exchanging contact numbers, he glanced at the unfinished fruit on the table and simply picked up a plastic bag and packed it all up.

I'm going to see Wang Kang later, and I'll definitely have to visit his house. That way, I don't even need to prepare a gift.

However, when he was about to leave the Resurrection Medical Space, four guards in law enforcement uniforms came up to him from the large Jinbei van that was responsible for picking him up.

The captain at the head of the team spoke respectfully: "Inspector Cheng, according to the inner city's enforcement rules, inspectors below the fifth term are not authorized to move freely within the inner city and must report their destination so we can escort them. However, the elders have granted you and Inspector Wang special permission to move within the inner city. Each time you enter the city, you only need to cover your face to move freely without restriction."

These words sounded respectable, but Cheng Ye wasn't fooled.

On the surface, they are treated the same as senior prosecutors, but the core issue lies in the authority to "enter the inner city."

"Did the elders grant me special permission to enter the inner city?"

As soon as he finished speaking, an invisible pressure spread out, and the captain's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He bent his waist even lower: "Yes, yes! The elders have specially approved your entry permission into the city twice every six months. Because each entry and exit consumes Red Tiger's life force, the regular quota is like this. If you have any additional needs, you can apply to the checkpoint for approval."

"How do you cover your face?" Cheng Ye nodded slightly.

Twice every six months, or four times a year, this limit is reasonable.

The security of the inner city is not a privilege for him now, but "having authority" is itself proof of a change in power. Whether to use it or not is one thing, having it at all is another.

Seeing that Cheng Ye's attitude had softened, the captain breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and took out a device that looked like a lavalier microphone from the car: "You can wear this."

Cheng Ye followed the instructions and clipped the item to his collar. A flash of blue light appeared, but he didn't feel anything special. However, when he looked at the mirror the captain handed him, he discovered that the proportions of his facial features had been slightly adjusted.

They weren't exactly unrecognizable, but at least you couldn't tell what they originally looked like at first glance.

"This is good stuff," he thought to himself.

"You can wear the face mask cloak each time you enter the city; there is no limit to the time you can stay in the inner city," the captain added.

"Face Cloak"

Cheng Ye got into the car and instructed, "Take me to Happiness Garden."

After leaving Fusheng Medical, the Dajinbei once again entered the spiral channel.

Details that were previously unclear are now clear: the car window suddenly turned black, not because of a special coating, but because a strange black substance was being emitted from the tunnel.

The reason why the Jinbei van was able to rise smoothly was entirely due to the black material forming a soft cushion underneath, which steadily supported the vehicle, making the entire journey as smooth as if it were flat ground, without the slightest bump.

"What is this black substance?" Cheng Ye asked curiously.

“This is the Black Tiger,” the captain replied, then scratched his head. “We don’t know exactly what it is either. Like the Red Tiger, it’s something that guards the Happy Space.”

“Black Tiger.” Cheng Ye said thoughtfully.

Could it be, like that red ivy, a supernatural creature cultivated by humans?

Could the "wrong path" of Happiness City be that it has been researching this kind of existence all along?
He only snapped out of his thoughts when the large golden cup was lifted out of the underground space and the motor was restarted to move forward again.

Finally, we're back in the world of human activity!

No matter how safe underground is, or how well resurrection medicine can simulate light and wind, that artificial environment is ultimately too far removed from reality.

Cheng Ye opened the car window and greedily breathed in the air. The smell hadn't changed, but it now carried the sense of freedom he craved.

This kind of constrained security was never what he wanted.

Compared to the medical facility in the buffer zone, the 11 days at Resuscitation Medical Center made him miss the "doghouse" in the buffer zone even more.

As the car drove out of the administrative district, Cheng Ye looked around like a newcomer, everything seemed new and exciting.

The trees along the main road stretch out their leaves, and dappled light shines through the gaps in the leaves onto the sidewalk.

It was rush hour, and men and women in various work clothes were walking briskly with canvas bags on their backs and relaxed smiles on their faces.

The corner grocery store had its door open, its wooden shelves piled high with everyday items. The proprietress sat behind the counter, checking accounts with a calculator, occasionally glancing up to chat with acquaintances, exuding a warm and lively atmosphere.

Especially when the Dajinbei was waiting at the traffic light at the intersection, Cheng Ye suddenly had the illusion of traveling back to the old era.

This place is so wonderful!

Compared to life in the wasteland, this place is simply paradise!
It is far more reassuring than the satellite cities of the City of Fire and Protection.

The green light came on, and the car continued forward, soon entering the residential area on the west side of the inner city and stopping in front of a large community with twelve Western-style buildings.

The iron gate at the main entrance was open, and the "Happy Garden" sign made of artistic lettering was still flashing.

This is one of the earliest communities in the inner city, and it is also where Wang Kang grew up.

After Cheng Ye got out of the car, his gaze subconsciously swept over the room on the sixth floor where his predecessor had lived. The room was still lit, which meant that it had probably been assigned to someone else after he became a prosecutor.

He then looked to the side of the community, where he remembered there should have been a "Happiness Flower Shop," but now it had been changed to a "Fleece Handmade Clothing Shop."

The girl who fell in love with the previous incarnation and worked at the flower shop has also disappeared without a trace.

"Now even the last trace of memory is gone."

Cheng Ye sighed softly.

Even though it was the place where his predecessor had lived for more than ten years, he felt no sense of familiarity upon arriving here, as if he had never set foot here before.

That wisp of memory was like an unreal dream, vaguely familiar yet utterly strange to him.

Cheng Ye carried the bag of fruit and followed the route he remembered to unit 1 of building 4.

The inner city was very safe, and there were no basic security facilities downstairs. He walked all the way to the third floor, stopped in front of room 301, and gently knocked on the door.

A knock sounded on the door, followed by a series of hurried footsteps from inside.

Cheng Ye couldn't help but smile, but when the door opened, the unfamiliar face that appeared inside made him pause in surprise.

He was a middle-aged man around forty years old, wearing black-rimmed glasses, a clean white shirt, and work pants. He looked capable but also a bit reserved.

"you are?"

"Who are you?" they both asked in unison.

Cheng Ye peered over to confirm the house number and asked, "Where's Wang Kang?"

"you are."

The man was taken aback at first, then saw Cheng Ye adjust his collar and his facial features return to normal. He immediately realized, "You're Prosecutor Cheng?"

"You know me?" Cheng Ye frowned slightly.

The man swallowed hard and nodded quickly: "I am Lin Xu, an architect from the Inner City Public Works Department. Please come in. Inspector Wang just went out and should be back soon."

As they were talking, a woman in her forties came out of the house.

When she saw Cheng Ye, she was first taken aback, then asked incredulously, "Xiao Ye?"

“It’s me, Aunt Su.”

Cheng Ye smiled and pulled the door open a little. Now his size almost filled the entire door frame, like a steady giant beast, exuding a sense of oppression.

Even though he tried to keep a low profile, Wang Kang's mother, Su Xiu, was still taken aback: "How did you get so strong?"

"I practiced while on duty outside. After all, the wilderness is dangerous, so you need to be physically fit," Cheng Ye said kindly.

Lin Xu was the first to react, and quickly took the bag of fruit from his hand: "Prosecutor Cheng, please sit down. I was just about to cook. You've come at the right time. Try my cooking today."

"Cook?"

The unfamiliar term surprised Cheng Ye slightly, but after he followed them into the house, he found a lot of vegetables, two bags of flour, and two bags of rice piled on the floor.

“These are all things Xiaokang brought back. He said he wants to make these fresh foods more widespread in the future, starting with the inner city, so that we don’t always have to drink nutritional syrup.”

Su Xiu smiled and her eyes narrowed, full of happiness, "I thought that once you two went out, you would only be able to come back once every few years, like his father. I didn't expect to see you again after only a few months."

"It's good luck that I've gained the appreciation of my superiors, so I'll be able to come and visit you more often in the future."

Cheng Ye looked around. Wang Kang's house hadn't changed much; it was still a two-bedroom, two-living-room apartment. But the old broken chandelier and sofa had been replaced, and the floor had been relaid, giving it a vibrant and prosperous feel.

"Hey, Ono, you guys should prioritize your work. You can't keep thinking about coming back."

Su Xiu pretended to be serious and admonished, "Xiao Kang's father is a fourth-term prosecutor. He might not be able to come and see us even once in four or five years. You haven't finished your probationary period yet, so you mustn't take advantage of the leader's appreciation and become arrogant."

The more she said that, the more Cheng Ye felt that the prosecutors who followed Cheng Long were truly ruthless.

They practically abandoned their wives and children, completely neglecting them, only striving for their own goals outside.

"But you've grown quite a bit taller, so the sweater Auntie knitted for you before probably won't fit you anymore."

Su Xiu suddenly remembered something, turned around and went into the bedroom, took out a large bag, and poured out four sweaters of different colors.

These were clearly knitted to his previous physique, with finely textured yarn.

"This yarn was shipped back from Saskatchewan, and it's of very good quality. I was planning to finish knitting it before winter so that your Uncle Lin could have someone bring it to you, since the clothes in the buffer zone are expensive and of poor quality."

She pulled Cheng Ye to his feet and held up a smaller size sweater on him, saying, "Wear this red one for the New Year, it will make you look radiant. Wear the brown one to meet your boss, it will be more formal. Don't worry, Auntie will take your measurements later, and we'll go to the shop tomorrow to have it altered and re-knitted. It'll be ready before winter, so you'll have a replacement."

Su Xiu chattered on and on, comparing colors and adjusting the neckline, showing no sign of distancing herself from Cheng Ye despite his new status and changed physique. Cheng Ye cooperated with her gestures, looking at himself in the mirror. The last trace of violence left in his eyes from the intense training gradually dissipated, replaced by an exceptionally gentle expression.

After gesturing, Su Xiu took out a measuring tape and measured his current height, shoulder width, and waist circumference.

"Wow, you're already 1.91 meters tall! That's almost as tall as your dad."

"Aunt Su, is that velvet handmade clothing shop by the door yours? Did you take over the flower shop from before?" Cheng Ye suddenly asked.

"Hey, you saw it?" Su Xiu nodded quickly. "It's been less than a month since we took over the business. The florist was really unlucky before. During the Starfish Disaster, an infected person rushed in, and the shop had to close down."

"And what about Lü Xin?" Cheng Ye asked again.

“She’s fine,” Su Xiu paused, then forced a smile. “After the flower shop closed down, I wanted to hire her to help out, but she applied for a job at the radio station instead. I heard she’s doing well now and will be promoted soon.”

"Oh." Cheng Ye nodded, understanding in his heart.

He had no lingering feelings for his predecessor, but he never expected it to end like this.

As they were talking, footsteps came from the hallway, followed by the sound of a key opening a door.

Wang Kang strode in and, upon seeing Cheng Ye in the living room, immediately beamed with joy: "Hey, Brother Cheng, you've finally finished your mission!"

He spoke too hastily and almost blurted out "discharge," but Cheng Ye gave him a subtle glare before he quickly corrected himself.

"Xiao Ye, you two chat, I'll go check on the kitchen." Su Xiu tactfully made way for her and turned to go into the kitchen.

Wang Kang pulled Cheng Ye into another bedroom, and as soon as he closed the door, he asked anxiously, "Brother Cheng, are you alright? Have you been suffering these past few days?"

"I'm doing great, even better than you."

Cheng Ye leaned against the headboard, picked up a comic book from the side and flipped through it. "Why didn't you wait for me to be discharged from the hospital together?"

"Don't even mention it. Lying in the hospital room every day is like being in prison. It's so boring."

Wang Kang pulled up a stool and sat down, looking disgusted. "So many people are taking care of me, I can eat whatever I want, and there's entertainment too, but I just can't stand it."

"Isn't a peaceful life good enough?" Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no! I'm going crazy with worry!" Wang Kang said, pouting. "My mind is filled with thoughts of Dabo Town. I don't know how the residents are doing. I've been asking around for days but haven't gotten any definite news."

"Don't worry, they've all been taken to the medical center for treatment. They're just mentally disturbed by the magical artifact; they'll be fine after a while. They're different from us," Cheng Ye said softly.

Looking at Wang Kang's eagerness to "take the risk," he suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

Time has passed, and unexpectedly, even Wang Kang, the "trainee prosecutor," finds peaceful days boring.

This made him think of a saying: Life's journey is an adventure.

A peaceful life, like a copy-paste of the day before, is no longer suitable for these inspectors.

Cheng Ye picked up the water glass from the bedside table, took a sip, and suddenly remembered something:
"That...Lin Xu?"

“It’s my dad!” Wang Kang answered without hesitation, seemingly pleased with Cheng Ye’s shocked expression, and said with a hint of smugness, “He’s my mom’s new boyfriend, isn’t he a good guy? He’s been taking good care of my mom.”

"Cough cough. Your dad?" Cheng Ye almost spat out his water.

"Yes! My mom is only forty-five. She still has decades to go. She can't live alone all by herself."

Wang Kang explained in a serious tone, "Uncle Lin is an architect with the Inner City Public Works Department. He has a stable job and is also very considerate. Putting aside everything else, he is at least better at taking care of people than my biological father, Wang Cheng, who has been missing for four or five years."

When Wang Cheng was mentioned, his tone inevitably carried a hint of resentment.

Cheng Ye remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly, offering no further comment on the matter.

Wang Cheng is dead, and Su Xiu doesn't need to dwell on the past for the rest of her life. Finding someone she can take care of is only natural.

He changed the subject: "Aunt Su said that Lü Xin went to the broadcasting department, is that true?"

"Uh..." Wang Kang was stunned for a moment, his expression suddenly turned serious, and his voice lowered, "Brother Cheng, she didn't make it, she's gone."

"Is it during the Starfish Disaster?"

"Yes, too many fusion beings rushed in that night. More than a hundred people died in the inner city. She and the florist didn't escape either; they suffered an undeserved disaster."

Cheng Ye paused, then finally sighed, uttering only four words: "It's fate, it's destiny."

Death is like a lamp going out.

Matters of life and death are not uncommon in the wasteland, and he did not mention going to pay respects.

Perhaps from the day their predecessors stepped out of the gates of Happiness City, the two had already tacitly agreed that they would never see each other again in this life, so dwelling on the past now would be superfluous.

Let bygones be bygones.

Seeing that Cheng Ye's expression was somewhat somber, Wang Kang quickly changed the subject: "Shall we leave the city and return to Dabo Town tomorrow?"

"I'll leave this afternoon. I have to go to the research institute this morning; I have some things to take care of."

Cheng Ye nodded, and the two naturally changed the subject, talking about their future plans for Dabo Town.

Upon hearing that he would be partnering with Rocco to guard the area, Wang Kang showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever. Instead, he nodded excitedly: "That's great! With a third-term prosecutor overseeing things, I'll feel much less pressure!"

"Don't you want to come with me for a run in the wilderness?"

“I’m not going!” Wang Kang shook his head, his tone very honest. “I’m too weak right now. Going would only be a hindrance, and even if I saw the world, it wouldn’t be of any use. Director Miao said that I should wait until I develop my martial body and master the tiger’s strength before we talk about it. Only with these two things can I travel alone in the wilderness.”

Cheng Ye was somewhat surprised, not expecting Wang Kang to have such a clear understanding; he was more mature than he had anticipated.

“Okay, this trip won’t take too long. Including the travel time, it will only take about two months.”

At this moment, Su Xiu's voice came from the living room:
"Xiaokang, Xiaoye, dinner is ready, come wash your hands and eat!"

"Okay!" The two got up and went to the bathroom to wash their hands with soap. Lin Xu had already brought the food to the table.

Two plates of home-style dishes, cold potato salad and chives with chili peppers, and a steaming pot of braised noodles—the aroma alone smells like home.

"I used to be from Guangdong Province, but I only settled in Xingfu City a few years ago. I know a few home-style cooking methods, so please don't mind them." Lin Xu smiled and handed over the chili oil and vinegar bottle.

Cheng Ye picked up a mouthful of braised noodles; the taste was just right, and he didn't add any extra seasoning.

I have to say, after eating several days of exquisite meals from Fuxing Medical, this home-cooked food felt especially comforting.

If Happiness City could provide this kind of food to its residents in the future, even if it takes a little more time to cook, the sense of happiness would be much greater than drinking nutritional supplements.

Cheng Ye restrained himself and ate two bowls of braised noodles before putting down his chopsticks.

Su Xiu went to clear the dishes, while Lin Xu came over with a stack of documents and sat down on the sofa: "Prosecutor Cheng, Xiao Kang told me about your plan to repair the Dabo Town Hydropower Station. I've reviewed the relevant documents and data these past few days and prepared a complete repair plan. Please take a look."

"Ok?"

Cheng Ye was somewhat surprised and took the documents to look through them.

Wow, that's really professional.

This 22-page document is practically a complete construction manual, with everything from the materials list to the work sequence clearly written down.

As long as the materials and workers are in place, the project can be completed in a maximum of ten days.

Before he could even speak, Lin Xu handed him another stack of documents, over a hundred pages long: "You mentioned planning for Dabo Town, and Xiao Kang also brought it up. I had my team create a sand table simulation and basic building plans; please take a look at this as well."

Cheng Ye didn't rush to look it up, and casually asked, "Uncle Lin, this shouldn't have been made by you alone, right?"

"It was my team that helped. There were twelve people in total, all colleagues from the Public Works Department. They worked overtime for several days after get off work to finish it." Lin Xu pushed up his glasses, his confidence shining through.

Cheng Ye nodded slightly, his tone becoming increasingly calm: "Once you go out, you won't be able to return to the inner city whenever you want."

“Prosecutor Cheng, I understand that very well,” Lin Xu replied immediately. “Xiao Kang’s mother doesn’t understand these things, but I know about the situation outside. I was thinking that if Dabo Town can be built, I’ll go there with her and be able to help out.”

Cheng Ye immediately looked at Wang Kang, who added with a smile, "Once Dabo Town is completed, I plan to have my mother move there as well, so it will be easier to take care of her then. Uncle Lin also offered to go with her after hearing about it."

"Thank goodness he didn't say 'my dad,'" Cheng Ye thought to himself. He didn't respond immediately but instead carefully looked through the architectural plans, pondering to himself.

Lin Xu wanted to go out with them? Was it just because he heard Wang Kang talk about the development plan for Dabo Town and thought it had potential?

Or perhaps he understood the value of the authority that allowed the two trainee prosecutors to return to the inner city at will?

As for the magical artifacts, Cheng Ye didn't think that such a thing could be known by an architect in the inner city.

He read the materials very carefully, and when he encountered some problems, he would deliberately ask questions.

Lin Xu's expression gradually changed from the initial refined demeanor to caution, and finally he became completely absorbed, even unbuttoning his shirt collar and finding a drawing board and pen to draw and explain at the same time.

His team proposed an architectural design similar to that of Happiness City.

Taking advantage of the geographical location of Dabo Town, important facilities are concentrated in the water diversion area, and then isolated from the surrounding area by walls to create a safe core area similar to an inner city.

In this way, those living inside would be "protected" by the residents outside.

"This idea is good, but one thing needs to be adjusted."

Cheng Ye put down the blueprints and said firmly, "What I want is not a vertically contracted safety zone, but to expand the scale and build up the entire Dabo Town!"

“Scale.” Lin Xu bit his lip and immediately started doing the math. “If we were to expand the construction, the building materials, equipment, and manpower needed would have to be increased at least several times, and the costs would increase significantly.”

“Budget is not a problem, I have plenty of money.”

Cheng Ye rarely smiled. He took the pen from Cheng Ye's hand and drew a large circle on the planning map.

Centered on the existing Dabo Town, the area within a radius of four kilometers is enclosed, with a total area of ​​50 square kilometers.

Not only is the small hydropower station perfectly included, but more importantly, this four-kilometer range also includes the area along the Yellow River!

"Build it within this scope. The core objective of Dabo Town is singular: I want to firmly control the Baishui River and the Huangshui River, subject to my supervision and management!"

Cheng Ye tapped the two rivers on the map with his fingertips, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

"From now on, no matter who wants to cross these two rivers, even if it's the city lord of a nearby protected city, they'll have to get my permission first!"

(End of this chapter)