Chapter 128: The Growing Gang! New Members!

This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation

“Who said it’s just the two of us?” Lin Xian grinned at CC, pointing to the motorcycle behind them. “Hop on.”

“Where are we going?” CC asked, a mix of curiosity and worry in her eyes.

“To meet our big boss.”

Vroom—

Lin Xian started the motorcycle with a swift kick. He glanced at CC. “Just follow my lead and do exactly as I tell you.”

“What do you need me to do?” she asked.

“Not much,” Lin Xian mused. “Our gang members are easygoing. They’ll believe whatever we say. Just stick close.”

Put-put-put-put-put!

The motorcycle sputtered black smoke as they bounced along the rugged dirt road.

Earlier, CC had informed Lin Xian that at 9:11 PM, two garbage trucks would leave the waste processing plant, taking their usual route past the abandoned Time Bank.

Lin Xian mentally noted the time. That meant if they managed to sneak onto the garbage truck by 9:11 PM, they could hitch a ride into New Donghai City and get dropped off near the Time Bank.

Of course, this depended on CC cracking the password in time, bypassing the biometric scanner, and safely unlocking the security door.

This mission could very well be a one-way trip for both of them.

Lin Xian didn’t seem to care; he didn’t place much value on his life.

But CC’s willingness to risk everything for this operation surprised him. It seemed the name VV meant more to her than her own life.

Thump!

A sudden bump nearly sent CC flying off the motorcycle. She quickly grabbed onto Lin Xian, then leaned back to maintain some distance.

“Can you tell me about you and VV?” Lin Xian shouted above the wind’s roar.

“No, I don’t want to talk about it,” CC replied coldly.

“Don’t be so distant,” Lin Xian coaxed with a smile. “Actually, the future you spilled some beans earlier, just not the whole story. Maybe VV is connected to me too.”

“Humph! Nice try,” CC laughed softly. “I would never reveal secrets about VV. Lying will only make me trust you less.”

“I believe you because you mentioned VV’s name, and that was shock enough. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have believed your tale.”

“But even if I were to believe what you said, I wouldn’t divulge more about VV.”

“Alright,” Lin Xian refocused on the road, letting the conversation drop.

Despite the time difference, past and future, CC was sharp enough to catch his lie.

The past involving VV was clearly her most treasured and painful memory. He couldn’t guess the secrets hidden there, but they likely weren’t joyful.

CC obviously held some resentment towards VV. Given her reluctance to discuss it, Lin Xian would have to rely on piecing together future bits of information.

The motorcycle sped onward.

Thump, thump, thump!

Three more bumps had CC clinging to Lin Xian again.

“Can you drive more smoothly?” CC complained.

“Stop clinging so tight!” Lin Xian retorted. “Your hair... it’s tickling my neck.”

“You think I want to?” CC grumbled, pushing herself away once again.

However...

Thump!

Another bump.

Once more, they found themselves pressed together.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” CC scowled.

“You’re so self-centered... What would I gain from this?” Lin Xian muttered.

Thud!

A small fist thumped Lin Xian’s back.

“Why don’t you drive, and I’ll sit at the back?” Lin Xian suggested irritably. “Can you just cooperate a bit?”

CC huffed but remained silent.

“I know someone who looks just like you,” Lin Xian shouted over the wind.

“That’s the oldest pickup line ever.”

“See! That’s what I wanted to say! You know the biggest difference between you two?”

“I don’t want to hear it,” CC cut him off sharply.

“The biggest difference is you’re so self-centered and arrogant!” Lin Xian yelled into the wind. “She was a princess, beloved by the entire city. Yet, she never acted as vain as you! She never assumed every man was out to get her.”

CC, dressed in a sleek black outfit, stepped forward with graceful movements. Her model-like stature cast a long shadow in the setting sun.

She smiled, her eyes forming graceful crescents, and faint dimples appeared. Her delicate features resembled a blooming white pear blossom. She raised her slender right hand and waved to everyone.

“Hello.”

San Pang stood up straight, his nostrils flaring like a steam engine. He stepped forward and firmly shook Lin Xian’s hand, eagerly asking, “Is she your girlfriend?”

“No.”

San Pang sneered, eyeing CC with skepticism. “We don’t welcome women in the gang. This is a joke! Other gangs would mock us! I vote no to her joining.”

Big Cat Face nodded in agreement. He hadn’t expected Lin Xian’s partner to be a woman.

“What’s wrong with women?!” Ah Zhuang stepped forward, his voice rising. “Change is necessary! If we don’t evolve, we’ll become extinct! I vote yes! Let this heroine join!”

“Damn!” Big Cat Face was taken aback, tapping Ah Zhuang on the head. “Where did you pick up such words? That’s not your usual style!”

San Pang glanced at CC, then at her charming smile, and nodded thoughtfully. “I think it’s a good idea.”

Big Cat Face turned and thumped San Pang on the head. “You agree again? Learned to make quick decisions, huh?”

In short...

Two votes in favor, one against.

“Alright.” Big Cat Face nodded reluctantly. “We’re a democracy. So, welcome to the gang! What’s your name?”

“CC.” CC couldn’t help but laugh, looking at Lin Xian. “Your friends are entertaining. Why not call it the Cat Gang instead of the Face Gang?”

“That’s a deep philosophical question,” Lin Xian whispered, joining Big Cat Face, Ah Zhuang, and San Pang in a round of applause.

“Welcome to the gang!”

“Thank you, I’m honored.”

...

“Hmm... this gadget does look like something the waste plant supervisors use.”

In the courtyard of Li Cheng’s residence.

The burly Li Cheng examined the Bluetooth earpiece-like device and handed it back to CC. “You cracked this? You can monitor all the operations at the waste plants in New Donghai City?”

“Yes.” CC explained, “You can track the departure and arrival times of all the garbage trucks, along with their tasks.”

“Tonight at 11:19, a shipment of water-damaged books will be transported to the waste plant,” Lin Xian informed Li Cheng, getting straight to the point. “Boss Li, this is a golden opportunity. While they may not be historical texts, there are many other valuable books and materials. The drone patrols are the same as usual. It’s the perfect time for you to steal the books.”

Li Cheng nodded. Seeing the Bluetooth-like device, he had no doubts about their claims.

“Thank you for this crucial information. What do you need from us? I’ll assist with whatever I can.”

Lin Xian and CC exchanged looks and laid out their plan.

They aimed to infiltrate Waste Plant 221, a facility that Big Cat Face and his crew had long targeted. Two garbage trucks would leave at 9:11 PM, offering an ideal chance to sneak into New Donghai City. If they managed to bypass the security door, the truck would transport them directly to Time Bank, where they could disembark and crack the safe.

All they required was some manpower and a human ladder. Big Cat Face and Li Ning Ning didn’t need to join them on the perilous mission.

Once they were inside, Big Cat Face and Li Ning Ning could head to Waste Plant 314 to pilfer the books.

It was an exchange of information for aid.

This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation

Li Cheng was taken aback by their daring plan to breach New Donghai City, but after witnessing their resolve, he consented.

“See, we’ve got our ladder,” Lin Xian told CC.

CC bit her lip and nodded. “You’re impressive. At first, I doubted you were really Lin Xian... but now, with all these incredible events unfolding, you might actually be him.”

“That’s right.” Lin Xian grinned. “While we should rely on science, phenomena that defy explanation aren’t necessarily unscientific. Maybe the safe and VV in your thoughts are both connected to me.”

“That’s impossible.” CC shook her head confidently. “You’re nothing like VV.”

Not alike?

CC’s words brought Lin Xian back to his thoughts of her and Chu An Qing...

Identical in appearance, different in personality, not the same individual.

If so, what about the middle-aged man with the beard and himself?

Could they be the same?

Same voice, possibly similar in other ways, but not the same person.

What could it mean?

Clones?

Lin Xian shook his head, puzzled.

But he sensed that if he could unravel the mystery between CC and Chu An Qing, he might also discover the secret of his own enigma with the bearded man.

“Let’s go!”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation