To understand how well a city is managed, shopping is the best method, and survival bases are no different.
Because all policies and systems ultimately affect the grassroots and the people, by observing the real situation, one can trace back to the managers' intentions.
Therefore, Mingyue decided that tomorrow she would do nothing but go shopping.
Her proposal was fully supported by Jinxi and Tianshang; shopping is a woman's nature.
Since the apocalypse began, these two words had been far from them. Both had almost forgotten what shopping felt like.
Bu Zhi, Ba Jiu, and others also looked expectant, with longing in their eyes. Only Wen Qingtian wore a bitter expression.
Among the few men, he was the only one who had accompanied women shopping, an experience that would drive a man to despair.
"Brother Wen, you have another mission tomorrow and cannot go shopping with us."
"Okay, okay, that's great! Thank you, Captain!"
Upon hearing Mingyue say he didn't have to go shopping tomorrow, Wen Qingtian, without even asking what the mission was, immediately thanked Mingyue.
"It seems Brother Wen really dislikes shopping. I haven't even told you what to do, and you've agreed so readily."
Mingyue smiled, teasing Wen Qingtian, but her eyes were on Jinxi.
"He, when he used to accompany me shopping, always looked like he had no will to live. It's better to let him do something else to avoid spoiling the mood."
Jinxi gave Wen Qingtian a sidelong glance. Their shopping tomorrow was for a serious purpose.
Besides, this was the apocalypse, and there wasn't much to buy anyway.
He wouldn't have to wait for a long time, nor would he have to carry bags. What was there to be afraid of?
"Sister Mingyue, what are you having Brother Wen do?"
Gong Que's reconnaissance skills were excellent. From Wen Qingtian's anomaly and Jinxi's subtle expression, he sensed that shopping might not be a pleasant task.
So he wanted to follow Wen Qingtian, but for safety, he first asked Mingyue, intending to decide after knowing the mission.
"No need to play tricks. You have no choice. Tomorrow, you will go with him to investigate Yunmeng Mountain.
You've been there before, and Brother Wen can help you become invisible to leave the city, avoiding attention.
Remember, your mission must be kept secret and not exposed."
Mingyue saw through Gong Que's little scheme at a glance, exposed it directly, and dispelled Gong Que's wavering thoughts.
"Sister Mingyue, I'll go to Yunmeng Mountain too. Shopping is boring."
Hearing that Gong Que was going to Yunmeng Mountain with Wen Qingtian, Bu Zhi quickly raised his hand to join them, decisively giving up on shopping.
He was a straightforward guy. Going on an adventure was naturally more appealing than shopping.
Moreover, when they entered the city today, he had already seen that there was nothing to shop for in the base.
There weren't even any shops, and no one could be seen on the streets. Shopping with Mingyue and the others would definitely not be as interesting as going out of the city with Wen Qingtian.
Shi Henian and Ba Jiu also raised their hands with Bu Zhi. They also wanted to see Yunmeng Mountain.
Gong Que had described it as almost mythical, and they all wanted to witness it for themselves and verify if Gong Que had exaggerated.
"You cannot go. Wen Qingtian's invisibility cannot carry so many people. If discovered, those with ulterior motives will target that place, and it will not be worth the loss.
When I say shopping, I mean Jinxi and Tianshang. There's no place for you men.
Shi Henian and Bu Zhi, you two will follow Ji Shiyou tomorrow to the base's administrative department.
Under the name of Mingyue Squad, obtain a base entry and exit permit. It would be best to go to the mission hall and accept an outbound mission for three days later.
As for Ba Jiu, he will follow me. He's not allowed to go anywhere. If your identity is discovered by someone, let's see how you can still be so active."
Upon hearing Mingyue's words, Ba Jiu immediately lowered his raised hand and moved closer to Mingyue, hugging her arm.
His two big eyes blinked at Mingyue, as if asking, "Sister, am I being good?"
"So, we had no part in the shopping from the beginning. But, Sister Mingyue, how do you know so much?
What about accepting missions and entry permits? You've been with us all along, why didn't we know?
Also, why accept an outbound mission for three days later? What's all this about?
Sister Mingyue, you know we're not very bright, can you explain? Otherwise, we really can't keep up with your train of thought.
Brother Ji, you are Sister Mingyue's spokesperson, you must know. If not, can you tell us?"
Bu Zhi was someone who didn't like to think. When he didn't understand something, he wouldn't bother to think and would just ask directly.
Mingyue heard his words and smiled at Ji Shiyou.
She also wanted to know if Ji Shiyou could understand the purpose of her arrangements.
"I'll explain. Mingyue's main purpose for shopping tomorrow, as she said, is to understand how Yuncheng Base is managed.
Another purpose is actually to attract the attention of those people in the base who have ulterior motives.
We will split into three groups, so those people won't discover that Wen Qingtian and Gong Que have secretly left the city for Yunmeng Mountain.
In addition, I will lead Bu Zhi and Henian to obtain entry permits in the name of Mingyue Squad.
And accepting a mission is for us to have a legitimate cover for when we go to Yunmeng Mountain together later.
As for how Mingyue knows about entry permits and accepting missions, I don't know.
But I believe in Mingyue. I'll do as she says and won't ask too many questions."
Ji Shiyou truly understood Mingyue and explained it to everyone, while also subtly showing affection.
Since Wen Qingtian had already said that, everyone felt embarrassed to question Mingyue further. Otherwise, wouldn't it mean they didn't trust Mingyue?
Thus, the meeting adjourned, and they went to wash up and sleep, enjoying the long-lost comfort of soft beds.
In fact, when Mingyue entered the base and registered, she had already activated her Heavenly Sight and Earthly Hearing.
She had surveyed the base's administrative areas and had a clear plan before making these arrangements.
The next morning, after breakfast, Mingyue and the others left the villa in four separate groups.
The reason for four groups was because He Si was also with them. Yesterday, they had registered as a squad, and after the staff recorded it, they were given a supply card.
It stated that they could go to the supply distribution point daily to collect food for nine people.
Mingyue didn't lack food. She had given the card to Bu Zhi to keep. Yesterday, while bathing, He Si saw the card.
Bu Zhi explained its purpose and jokingly said that He Si could collect it daily if he had nothing else to do.
Before joining Mingyue Squad, He Si had wandered in the apocalypse and had a deep attachment to food.
So, after breakfast today, he happily left with the supply card.
Mingyue couldn't stop him because there were no zombies within the base, so there was no danger. She let him go.
Wen Qingtian pulled Gong Que, and they entered a state of invisibility within the villa. The two headed towards the city gate, secretly heading for Yunmeng Mountain.
Ji Shiyou led Shi Henian and Bu Zhi to obtain entry permits. Jinxi, Tianshang, and Mingyue, holding Ba Jiu's hand, remained at the villa.
"Sister Mingyue, there's really nothing to shop for here."
Looking at the empty streets, with houses shuttered and a sense of desolation everywhere, Tianshang sighed.
She had been quite excited last night about shopping. Now, there was only a street, nothing else. What was there to shop for?
"Exactly, shopping should be about buying and buying! I've prepared my crystal cores, but where are the businesses?"
Jinxi swung her handbag, originally intending to experience the thrill of spending money lavishly again. But now, she had money but nowhere to spend it.
"Don't worry, I guarantee that today you will have a blast shopping. But first, we need to find someone."
Mingyue smiled mysteriously and walked off, pulling Ba Jiu along. Jinxi and Tianshang hurried to follow.