Inside The Hollow.
A group of rebels were digging through a ruin.
Through everyone's unremitting efforts, they finally found Sarah, who was trapped beneath the rubble.
At this moment, Sarah was in a sorry state, clutching a communicator in her right hand, her left arm hanging limply.
"Hahaha, it seems even heaven wants me to live."
"Hoshimi Aya, our story isn't over yet."
"Next time, it won't end so easily."
Sarah was carried on the back of a rebel.
"Officer Sarah, the data you ordered us to collect is all here."
A rebel held up a data tablet.
"Very good. Let's leave The Hollow first."
Sarah nodded.
...
Evening.
Wildfire Town.
"Huh?!"
"Proxy, aren't you staying a little longer?"
Caesar listened to Ling and Zhe's words, somewhat surprised.
"No, we're planning to head back."
"If there's a need, we will still come to the Outer Ring."
Ling smiled, as they were already planning to take Hoshimi Aya to a hospital.
"Alright, you are always welcome in the Outer Ring."
"We will keep your lodging reserved too."
"When you want to come back, you can come anytime."
Caesar regained his spirits, showing a bright smile.
"That's right, but it's getting quite late now."
"Why don't you depart tomorrow instead?"
Lucy suggested.
"No need. We have other things to take care of back home this time."
"We'll come back once we're done with our business."
"After all, Perlman's matter hasn't been settled yet,"
Ling said with a smile.
Seeing this, the others didn't press the matter further.
Ling and the others bid a brief farewell to the Sons of Calydon group and drove away.
...
Sixth Street.
Video Store.
When the group returned to the Video Store, it was already close to evening.
"It's not appropriate to go to the hospital at this hour."
"I'll register in advance now, and I can just go directly tomorrow."
"I should also check myself; I feel a bit sore all over after getting hit."
Zhe looked at his phone.
"..."
Hoshimi Aya looked at Zhe's phone, suddenly thinking of something, and made a wronged face.
Her phone was just bought not long ago!!
Damn it, she hadn't even used it for long!
It was gone just like that!
(Conversion: A phone worth over ten thousand was gone after not even a few months of use.)
"Aya, what's wrong?"
"Why the long face?"
Ling looked at Hoshimi Aya's expression, puzzled.
She didn't know why Aya would make such a wronged expression.
"Aya, my phone is gone."
"I only used it for a short while, it was practically brand new, and now it's gone."
Hoshimi Aya said aggrievedly. It cost a lot of money to buy, and she bought such an expensive one so she could stay connected easily elsewhere and not be unreachable.
If she had used it for two or three years and then lost it, so be it.
The problem was she had only bought it a few months ago!
At the time, she adhered to the principle of 'if you buy, buy expensive and buy good,' and she had whined quite a bit when picking out the phone.
Now it was gone just like that. Sarah, you deserve to die!
"Ah?!"
"Just because of that?"
"I thought it was some big deal."
"Just buy a new one and get a new SIM card, that's all."
Ling comforted her.
She really thought it was some major issue!
What was there to be sad about?
"...Uh..."
Zhe suddenly thought of something and fell silent.
If he remembered correctly... the phone Aya bought back then wasn't cheap at all!!
He had to bite the bullet to agree to buy it back then.
Now they had to buy another one?!
"Yeah, Ling, you're the best."
"Then let's go now."
Hoshimi Aya's eyes sparkled. Although she hadn't fully figured out all the functions of that phone, its performance in every aspect was superb.
One word: Great!
The only drawback was that it was a tiny bit expensive.
...
Half an hour later.
Hoshimi Aya happily looked at the new phone in her hand.
Behind her, Ling clutched her heart while looking at the phone's remaining balance, leaning against Zhe in distress.
"Brother, why didn't you remind me?"
"Now we'll have to eat ramen again later."
Ling said heartbrokenly.
She had truly forgotten how expensive Hoshimi Aya's phone was, and this time Hoshimi Aya had picked an upgraded model.
The price was even more [reasonable]!!
"I was just about to remind you,"
"But I didn't expect you to agree so quickly, little sister."
"We still have to go to the hospital for checks tomorrow, and we don't even know how much that will cost yet."
"In the future, we might not even be able to afford ramen, only instant noodles or steamed buns,"
Zhe chuckled awkwardly.
"Hmm?"
"This is... Rain?"
"She messaged me right after I got a new phone?"
Hoshimi Aya looked confused.
Her phone number had just been reissued, so currently, her phone only had Ling's and Zhe's contacts saved.
She hadn't added back the contact information for anyone else yet.
Complete Aya: Rain, how did you know I changed phones?
And that I got the latest model?
Rain:...
I don't think I asked, did I?
I have a few commissions here. Ask Phaethon if he's interested.
I forgot to add the contact info back then.
Complete Aya: OK, got it.
Wait a moment, I'll ask right now.
After sending the message, Hoshimi Aya closed her phone.
"Ling, someone introduced a commission to us."
"She said she wants to talk to you."
Hoshimi Aya turned around, and Ling's spirits immediately lifted as she took Hoshimi Aya's phone.
"Hmm, Rain?"
After speaking, Ling used Hoshimi Aya's phone to chat directly with Rain.
They finally settled on meeting at the Video Store tomorrow for a face-to-face discussion.
...
The next day.
The group spent a large sum of money to give Zhe and Hoshimi Aya a full-body checkup. Hoshimi Aya had no issues.
But Zhe was prescribed quite a bit of medicine.
Sixth Street, outside the Video Store.
"You finally arrived."
Rain looked at the group.
"We just went to the hospital for a checkup,"
"So we weren't at the store."
Hoshimi Aya nodded, explaining.
"That's right. By the way, about the commission..."
"This isn't the place to chat. Let's go inside and talk."
Ling nodded, signaling to go inside to talk, as this wasn't the place for conversation.
Rain nodded in agreement.
...
A few minutes later, Rain left, and Ling held several documents in her hand—these were the few commissions Rain had just handed over.
The prices were all quite fair.
"Very good. I was originally worried that no commissions would come knocking, and now they're here?"
"Brother, get ready."
"Today, we'll knock out these commissions."
Ling pointed at the commissions in her hand.
They were in desperate need of money right now, so they had to grind for a bit.
"Yeah, got it."
"I'll go check Eous's settings first. Little sister, look carefully at the commissions so we don't mess anything up."
Zhe nodded.
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