"Ah!!!"
Chu Lingyao let out a soft scream, her slender fingers frantically pressing the close door button.
The elevator doors slid shut before Xu An. Watching Chu Lingyao jump up and down inside in panic, she felt an inexplicable sense of amusement.
If this girl didn't have such a foul temper, she'd be quite beautiful. The kind of beauty that was obvious, untainted by hardship, like a meticulously cared-for flower blooming in a garden.
She shook her head and walked towards the entrance, only to bump into Xiao Ai.
"Hello, Xu An," Xiao Ai greeted her with a smile, also seeing Xu An.
The day the lighthouse ascended, Xu An had come to her to renew her rent for another year.
Apart from the first rental, all subsequent renewals only required dealing with Xiao Ai. This further ensured the privacy of the residents and stabilized tenant retention.
"Hello," Xu An nodded. She really couldn't recall the other's name. It always reminded her of her pre-apocalypse smart speaker. Seeing a man with a backpack following Xiao Ai, she guessed he must be a new tenant. She then said, "You're busy, I won't bother you." wap.kanshu伍.net
"Alright, goodbye," Xiao Ai replied.
Anyone who could secure a leisurely administrator job within the light screen was a shrewd individual. Even seeing Xu An with a backpack, Xiao Ai didn't pry into what she was up to.
After bidding farewell to Xu An, she turned her attention back to the man in front of her.
The man wore a large hoodie, his entire face concealed by the hood. Moreover, he kept his head down, making it impossible to see his features unless one made an effort.
"Mr. Chu, I apologize. I'll take you right now, but there's only one vacant room left in the apartment you've chosen."
Chu Yu shook his head and softly said, "It's fine."
Listening to Chu Yu's deep, clear voice, Xiao Ai couldn't help but become curious about the man's appearance, though she didn't deliberately try to see.
She led the way, seemingly remembering something, and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, that young lady just now is your neighbor."
"Oh?"
"What a coincidence, the last room is right next to Xu An's."
Chu Yu had heard the guide call the girl just now "Xu An," and knew it was her name.
Recalling the brief glance he'd stolen, Chu Yu didn't know what he was thinking, but his lips curved upwards slightly.
"That is indeed a coincidence," he said, then fell silent. He followed Xiao Ai upstairs and proceeded with the check-in.
...
"You haven't been to the training room before, have you?"
In response to the man's question, Xu An honestly nodded.
"Then come with me. Our training room is modeled after the official training base, and all the equipment is professional..."
Seeing the man about to continue his introduction, Xu An interrupted him, "When I arrived, I already understood the basic information through the AI."
The man, interrupted, looked regretful. Xu An thought it was fortunate she had cut him off, as she felt he would have continued indefinitely.
The apocalypse had not only robbed them of their ability to survive on land, but it had also impaired the social skills of some people, like Xu An.
She was simply unaccustomed to this kind of incessant talking.
The man, unfazed by Xu An's interruption, continued, "You're training to prepare for the Expeditionary Army competition, right?"
"Are there many participants in the Expeditionary Army?" Xu An didn't deny it.
"Yes, quite a few. Not just men, but many women have registered to compete this time."
The man added, "It's not necessarily for the expedition itself. Many people might simply be coming out to exercise their bodies and engage in some social activities."
Xu An nodded. Indeed, while the lighthouse boasted advanced technology and even streets with numerous restaurants and bars, they were largely deserted.
After all, this was still the early stage of the apocalypse. Even though survival was guaranteed on the lighthouse, the periodic descent every three months served as a reminder to all those seeking comfort and enjoyment.
This was the apocalypse!
Consequently, places of leisure like bars had very few patrons.
Even though many people had wealth, these places still lacked customers.
Therefore, the selection competition for the Expeditionary Army had piqued the interest of many young men and women.
After all, participation, regardless of ranking, entitled one to a daily energy supplement pack.
Compared to the 20 transaction coins for the registration fee, this energy pack was a guaranteed profitable deal.
Xu An only learned about the lighthouse providing energy packs to participants this morning, as the registration for the selection competition had closed at midnight last night.
The officials only announced the provision of supplies after the deadline.
Upon hearing this news, those who had hesitated to register due to the expensive entry fee were filled with regret.
"Our basic training fee here is 300 transaction coins per month. If you wish to hire a personal coach, it will cost an additional 200 transaction coins."
The man continued, "However, we currently have a new promotion specifically for the Expeditionary Army competition, which runs until the day before the competition. It includes a coach and pre-competition practice sessions with other participants, for a total of 999 transaction coins."
Xu An calculated in her mind. There was still over a month until the competition began, but the information provided about the participants was genuinely appealing to Xu An. After some thought, she nodded.
"Alright, then I'll take the 999 package."
It was the first time the man had encountered such a straightforward young lady. Many people he had approached before, mostly those interested in the Expeditionary Army competition, would show interest in this package but then proceed to haggle incessantly, trying to get him to lower the price.
A customer like Xu An, who didn't bargain and didn't require much persuasion, was a first.
His smile widened, "Great! Then you can pay me, and also choose the coach you'd prefer. Have you ever studied any systematic martial arts?"
Hearing how the man addressed her, Xu An was instantly transported back to pre-apocalypse gyms, and goosebumps erupted all over her. She was reminded of those persistent door-to-door salespeople...
"Just call me Xu An," she said, feeling a bit awkward. "I'd like Master Zhou Zihao as my coach."
The man wore an expression of knowing approval, appraising Xu An from head to toe. "Ah, a connoisseur. Have you studied any combat techniques? Zhou Zihao is our star coach for combat techniques. This package is truly worth every coin..."
Seeing the man about to continue, Xu An quickly stopped him. "Where do I pay the transaction coins?"
The man scratched his head sheepishly and led Xu An to a silver-gray wall with a silver-gray recess. He pointed to the recess and said to Xu An.
"Insert your ID card here, then face your face towards the wall. Once the information is collected, the payment will be deducted automatically."
Xu An nodded and did as the man instructed. Just as her information was being collected, a familiar voice sounded from behind her. However, the person only managed to utter "Xu" before falling silent.
Wondering if she had misheard, she turned her head, only to see two familiar backs.