Chapter 442: Meat Bun

Jian Changsheng certainly wanted to complete the mission well, but he didn't know what was going on. The defense of the Hongchen Realm was suddenly so strict. As soon as he got off the car, he was labeled a fugitive and was chased all the way...

With such a disastrous start, he couldn't even survive, so where would he find the time to stand firm and find a stronghold?

Chen Ling’s expression was suddenly a bit subtle...

If he wasn't mistaken, Jian Changsheng’s miserable situation had something to do with him.

Chen Ling’s thoughts turned, and he said slowly: "I can help you with the stronghold mission."

"Really?!"

Jian Changsheng raised his head suddenly, his eyes full of surprise.

He immediately walked up, patted Chen Ling on the shoulder, and smiled enthusiastically: "Heart 6, good brother! I knew you wouldn't stand by and watch!"

Chen Ling glanced at him and continued unhurriedly: "However, this isn't for free... you have to do something for me."

Jian Changsheng’s smile froze suddenly. "...What is it?"

"In the warehouse on the second floor of the Hongchen Hotel, there is a sandalwood peace Buddha. Help me steal it out before eight o'clock, and then put it in..." Chen Ling told the two an address.

"Just transport something?" Jian Changsheng thought about it. "That's easy."

Compared to the "ethereal" mission of standing firm and finding a stronghold, a clear mission made Jian Changsheng feel much simpler. At least he knew what he should do, and he agreed without much thought.

"By the way, what is the second mission?"

"It's to find a painting."

"A painting?" A look of surprise appeared on Chen Ling’s face.

"Yeah, they told me to find a copied portrait, but I don't know who has it or where it is, only that it's in the Hongchen main city..." Jian Changsheng’s tone was very resentful, as if he had complained about this mission countless times in his heart. "In such a big city, you want me to find a painting? How is that any different from looking for a needle in a haystack??"

"A copied portrait..." Chen Ling’s brows also frowned involuntarily. "Is that all they said? Is there any more specific direction?"

"No... but the mission said that on the back of that painting, there is a Plum 8 mark."

Plum 8?

Chen Ling was stunned. In his mind, he suddenly remembered the young man he had seen in the Aurora Realm... Wasn't that guy Plum 8? Is this painting something he left behind? Where did he go?

Chen Ling didn't know what had happened to Plum 8, and he couldn't help with this mission... After all, he didn't have time to search the whole city just to find a portrait.

"By the way, can you discuss it with your senior brother... and unseal our ban first?"

Heart 9 finally spoke. He pointed to his nose stained with white ash, his eyes full of helplessness. "Having this thing here really affects my performance."

"Leave this to me."

It was getting late, and Jian Changsheng and Heart 9 immediately set off for the Hongchen Hotel. Chen Ling sat alone in the room, scanned the surroundings, and walked to the open window.

A faint blue hue bloomed from his pupils. Chen Ling’s gaze instantly locked onto the edge of the window, where a pair of imperceptible small footprints extended along the wall to a nearby road.

"Is he there..."

Chen Ling took off the golden mask, his figure flickered, and he flipped out of the window.

……

Morning.

The streets of the Hongchen main city were crowded. Ordinary people busy going to work held briefcases under their arms, walking in a hurry; figures riding bicycles passed directly through the road, flicking the silver bells on the handles, making crisp sounds.

"Extra! Extra! Golden Society Special Envoy becomes friends with Beidou Consortium Chairman! Jointly promoting the prosperity and development of the main city's economy!"

"Huadu Consortium Chairman becomes friends with the Special Envoy! Rose girl group's hot performance ignites the banquet!"

"Actress Lu Aizhen exposed for cheating! The other party is actually her best friend's husband?!"

“……”

Cries of hawkers echoed one after another through the bustling streets. Many figures stopped to buy newspapers, tucking them into their briefcases while eagerly discussing something with each other, their eyes shining with excitement.

Meanwhile, in front of a breakfast shop on the street, a small figure stood on tiptoe, gazing longingly at a steamer of piping hot meat buns, swallowing saliva frantically.

"Little one, want a bun?" the shop owner, wearing a white apron, asked proactively upon seeing this.

"Iya!"

"The big ones are two yuan each, the small ones are one yuan each... Little one, which kind do you want?"

"Iya!!" The Jester reached out directly and pointed at the largest steamer.

"Alright, two yuan it is." The owner skillfully placed a meat bun into a bag, then extended his other hand toward the Jester, as if waiting for something.

The Jester’s bean-like eyes blinked in confusion for a long time before he silently placed his small hand into the shop owner’s palm.

"Iya?"

"..." The shop owner’s expression turned somewhat strange. "Little one, you don't have any money, do you? You can't eat if you don't have money... Go find your parents."

The Jester watched helplessly as the shop owner put the meat bun back. His eyes went blank, and he kept swallowing saliva, his hands gesturing and making "iya-iya" sounds at the owner. The owner, however, waved his hand impatiently and began looking around:

"Whose child is this? Where are the parents? Don't get in the way of our business..."

Seeing that the owner wouldn't give him the bun, the Jester’s face, stained with white ash, was filled with disappointment. He walked dejectedly to the side of the road, crouched down into a ball, and stared longingly at the distant auction house building, lost in thought.

Gurgle—

A thunderous sound erupted from his stomach, causing passing pedestrians to turn their heads in confusion... He hadn't eaten for several days.

"Hello, one meat bun." A plain-looking figure walked up to the breakfast shop and placed two copper coins on the table.

"Coming right up, please wait a moment!"

The shop owner quickly packed a meat bun and handed it to the person. The aroma of the meat and the rising steam made the thunder in the Jester’s stomach even louder. He couldn't help but swallow again, then simply turned his head away, forcing himself not to look.

Just then, a hand extended the meat bun toward him.

The Jester smelled the fragrance right in front of him and opened his eyes in confusion. Seeing the unfamiliar young man before him, his confusion deepened... He stared at that face for a long time, as if he had discovered something, and then sprang up from the ground!

"I... Iya?!" He shouted in a panic and turned to run away.

The young man seemed prepared; he grabbed the back of the Jester’s collar and lifted him directly in front of himself.

"I say... what are you running for?" Chen Ling, who had changed his face, said helplessly. The Jester didn't dare to look at him at all, just kept his head down, silent.

Seeing this, Chen Ling stuffed the meat bun in his hand into the Jester’s arms. The latter was slightly stunned; the rich aroma of the meat immediately stirred his appetite, and the sound from his stomach grew even louder.

He looked up at Chen Ling cautiously.

"You must be starving after sneaking out with me for so long, right?"

Chen Ling looked at his pitiful appearance and let out a long sigh. "Eat... I bought it especially for you."