Stronger with More Jobs

Chapter 684 - 292: Surprised or Not, Unexpected or Not!

The biting cold wind swirled the snow on the port ground, spinning it toward the crowd waiting to board the ship.

The massive steel beast, the Ark of Hope.

Like a prehistoric whale lying outside the port of Glazed Light City, its enormous hull shrouded a vast area of sea, with thick anchor chains deeply embedded into the depths of the Ice Sea.

The deck was brightly lit, illuminating the dense, ant-like crowd writhing below as they boarded.

Fang Qingyu’s five-member squad, together with Lin Yu and thirty-seven other Dawn members, formed a sizable group, quietly queueing with their luggage amidst the bustling crowd.

Despite the large number of people.

In front of a super cruise ship accommodating tens of thousands, their small group was inconspicuous, quickly swept forward by the surging crowd.

Chu Kuanglan, carrying a huge tactical backpack, glanced at the majestic outline of Glazed Light City receding behind him, and farther away, the faint shadow of the Steel Great Wall stretching across the horizon. His rugged features rarely showed a hint of sentiment: "Tsk, who would’ve thought we’d be leaving so soon, just days after arriving in the Arctic? Damn... it’s a little hard to say goodbye."

His words were abrupt.

With a rough-around-the-edges honesty, they didn’t seem pretentious in the atmosphere of departure.

Beside him, Lu Jiuyuan, head down checking his phone signal, responded flatly without looking up: "Are you reluctant to leave Sister Wang at the Old Soldiers Tavern, or are you missing the little flower at the maid café?"

"Whoosh!"

Almost the moment Lu Jiuyuan’s words fell.

Fang Qingyu, Wei Banmeng, Jiang Wei, and even Lin Yu and Zhang Meng, who were eavesdropping nearby, all instantly focused their gaze on Chu Kuanglan.

At the Old Soldiers Tavern, Sister Wang, the seasoned and warm-hearted mature waitress.

Their squad had gone drinking a few times, so naturally, they knew her.

But who is this little flower...?

Chu Kuanglan blushed from the sudden attention.

Instinctively, he wanted to wave his hands in denial: "Hey, hey, hey! Old Lu, don’t talk nonsense! Sister Wang and I are just drinking and chatting, pure and simple! Heaven and earth, I swear!"

As he said this, Fang Qingyu and the others, including Lin Yu, all showed an understanding look on their faces.

Then, almost in perfect harmony, they dragged out their tone to give an expressively long:

"Oh!~"

This uniform "Oh" had a significant impact.

Fang Qingyu’s lips curled into a playful smile as he looked at him: "So, you and that little flower girl, are not pure and simple then?"

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, Chu Kuanglan didn’t argue this time.

Instead, he puffed out his chest proudly, showing a candid smile of being caught, even with a touch of pride: "Hey! When luck in romance comes, you can’t stop it!"

Wei Banmeng and Lu Jiuyuan exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise passing through their eyes.

They knew Chu Kuanglan too well; this guy was usually full of tall tales and had no filters.

But as far as Lu Jiuyuan knew, this guy’s emotional history was as clean as a blank sheet of paper, with his so-called first love still in fantasy.

Seeing him like this now, could he be serious this time?

Fang Qingyu was also a bit surprised, collecting his teasing smile as he asked seriously: "Who is this little flower girl?"

Seeing Fang Qingyu’s serious expression, Chu Kuanglan also dropped his playful demeanor, turning to show a rare soft smile: "She’s a local born and raised in the Arctic."

"Her martial artist talent isn’t the best, she’s a year older than me, now a martial artist herself. But... she’s genuinely great, really down-to-earth, smiles with crescent-shaped eyes."

Fang Qingyu and the others listened, nodding slightly.

Although Chu Kuanglan appeared rugged and sometimes talked offbeat, he was actually quite perceptive.

Describing her this way, that girl must be dear to his heart.

Thinking about how they’re about to leave just when Chu Kuanglan seemed to have met someone he fancied.

Fang Qingyu felt a tug in his heart, looking at him with an inquisitive tone: "Old Chu, how about... you stay here?"

Chu Kuanglan heard this and immediately shook his head like a rattle: "No need, absolutely no need!"

His face then bloomed with that slightly foolish yet extremely sincere smile again, his voice loud and full of resolve: "She said a man should go conquer the world! She told me to go without worry, she’ll wait for me here."

Seeing the bright flicker in Chu Kuanglan’s eyes, Fang Qingyu understood and didn’t persuade further.

He merely extended his hand, giving Chu Kuanglan’s sturdy shoulder a firm pat, saying gravely: "Don’t worry, we’ll... be back soon."

The City of Injustice is definitely not the end.

Finally, the team moved with the crowd to the boarding entrance.

The Abyss Hunting badge and identity verification were still the most effective passes.

Fang Qingyu’s five-member squad, leveraging their status, was once again assigned to the luxury suite area on the ship’s top level.

While Lin Yu and other thirty-seven Dawn members could only, as regular passengers, stay in ordinary cabins in the middle level.

Despite the stark contrast in conditions, there was no complaint from anyone.

Being able to board this great vessel and head to the destination under such tight circumstances is already a feat.

The massive Ark of Hope let out a long blast from its steam whistle, slowly departing the port of Glazed Light City.

The ship’s bow cleaved through the ice, releasing a deep cracking sound.

The stern propellers churned the deep blue water, sending up white spray.

After stowing their luggage, Fang Qingyu and his team returned to the ship’s spacious vantage deck once more.

The bitter wind whipped their hair and clothes.

Behind them was the gradually shrinking outline of the port and the steel fortress symbolizing humanity’s front lines.