After hearing what Doles said, Shen Muyu did not rush to leave. Instead, she opened the online store. She remembered seeing a car exhaust purification device there before, but she didn't know if it was still available.
"Phew, thankfully it's still here." Because this item was somewhat redundant in the game, the price wasn't high, and Shen Muyu bought it for very little food.
"An equipment not belonging to this vehicle has been detected. Should we install or replace it?"
With a whoosh, the item she had just acquired was installed in the car, and only then did Shen Muyu feel relieved enough to leave and head to her next destination.
After walking for a long time, some low-rise buildings began to appear by the roadside. Unlike the old-fashioned courtyards of Dors, these buildings had a mechanical feel to them.
Unfortunately, probably due to energy conservation, no one turned on their lights even though it was dark. Otherwise, the colorful lights would have given the style a cyberpunk vibe.
"Xiao A, turn off the car lights." When in Rome, do as the Romans do; she should also conserve resources.
The further you go, the denser the buildings become, and all sorts of "people" start to appear on the road, each bearing the marks of mechanical modifications.
On the narrow road, only Shen Muyu's car was traveling, and almost everyone who saw it cast a disdainful look at her.
Wearing her emotional glasses, Shen Muyu naturally knew why, but she couldn't possibly abandon the car; after all, it was her only means of survival.
Although the town doesn't look big, it's a maze of roads with intersections everywhere, and there are no traffic lights yet.
Therefore, Shen Muyu had to frequently yield to pedestrians and constantly stop and drive.
When we stopped again and lingered for too long due to the constant flow of pedestrians, two people dressed in police uniforms approached.
"Knock knock knock~" The inspector knocked on the window next to Shen Muyu. Although he was unwilling, Shen Muyu put on his mask and lowered the window.
"An escapee?" The two men, whose expressions were already grim, instantly darkened their faces.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Shen Muyu asked with a slight smile.
"Do you know how much pollution your high-emission car causes when you start it so often?" As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face, and the inspector could only suppress his dissatisfaction when he saw that Shen Muyu was easy to talk to.
"Don't worry, my car is equipped with the most advanced automotive exhaust purification system on the market, so it will hardly cause any pollution," Shen Muyu explained with a smile.
"Oh?" Seemingly disbelieving, the inspector pulled out a stick-like object out of thin air and walked around the car.
"Yes, it's definitely within the acceptable range," the inspector said to another person as he circled back with the equipment.
"From now on, you must turn off your car when parking for an extended period of time, understand?" The inspector, unable to find a reason, changed his approach again.
"Of course, of course, it's open so that it's convenient for you to check." Shen Muyu blurted out immediately.
"Hmm, you're quite sensible. You're lucky you met us, otherwise you wouldn't be so easy to talk to." The inspector was satisfied with Shen Muyu's attitude, and his expression softened.
Although he's an escapee, at least he didn't cause serious environmental pollution. Maybe he'll come to his senses and join them someday.
"Of course, you seem like a good person." Shen Muyu nodded firmly.
"Okay, be more careful next time. Consider this a reminder: if you do anything else that pollutes the environment, you'll be arrested," the inspector said before leaving with another officer.
"Little A, let's go." Shen Muyu breathed a sigh of relief. This world was quite different from the chaotic and bizarre worlds she had encountered before. Being targeted by the authorities was definitely not a good thing.
After many twists and turns, we finally arrived at our destination. This place was really remote, almost on the edge of the town. There was a river next to us that smelled of fish and stench. I don't know how the people living here can put up with it.
"Knock knock knock~" Shen Muyu put on his mask, got out of the car, and knocked on the door. Just like before, an electronic screen flipped over.
There were still three questions about environmental protection. Shen Muyu answered them all correctly before the back door was opened.
"Hey, fellow kindred spirit." Before Shen Muyu could even ask if the car could drive in, a voice rang out.
The person in front of me looked to be in his fifties or sixties, but he was dressed very elegantly, and his hair looked like it had been carefully styled.
Most importantly, there are no visible signs of mechanization, which, combined with what he just said, suggests he is also an escapee.
"My name is Winsk, bring your car in." Winsk briefly introduced himself and then turned and went back into the yard.
After driving the car inside, Shen Muyu headed towards the small house.
"May I come in?" Shen Muyu asked from outside the door.
"Of course, come on over." Winske smiled and waved, then conjured a cup out of thin air.
"Sorry to bother you." Shen Muyu smiled and sat down next to Wen Sike.
Next to her was a glass of water placed by Winsick. It was called a glass, but it was probably only a mouthful, and there was a layer of white, unidentified substance on the surface of the water.
"I'm sorry, I don't have much left of my allowance this month. You know how ridiculously low our resource allocation is. Just have a sip to moisten your throat." Winske's face showed a hint of unease.
Shen Muyu could see that he was a little embarrassed through his glasses.
"You're too kind. I'm already very touched that you prepared a glass of water for me. This is a gift for you." Shen Muyu smiled and took out two bottles of mineral water from her backpack and placed them on the table.
Anyway, everyone here can conjure things out of thin air, so what she did wasn't anything special.
"Oh! This gift is too valuable, I can't accept it." Winsk waved his hands repeatedly, but couldn't help swallowing.
"This is a gift worthy of you." Shen Muyu smiled and pushed the bottle forward. Judging from Winsik's behavior, the water resources here must be very precious, so her words were not offensive.
"You've really gone to so much trouble." Wen Sike didn't refuse after hearing Shen Muyu's words. He simply waved his hand and put away the two bottles of water. He hadn't seen water so pure and without any impurities for more than ten years.
"You're here to find it, aren't you?" With another reach, Winske held out a key.
"Yes, I wonder what you need me to do to get it for you?" Shen Muyu asked with a smile.
"You gave me something so precious, so of course I have to return the favor." Winske handed the key to Shen Muyu without a care in the world.
Shen Muyu didn't stand on ceremony and simply took the bag and put it away.
"Mr. Winsk, could you tell me about the escapee?" Now that she had the key, Winsk was no longer a test for Shen Muyu, so there was no need to be so reserved. After all, if things didn't go well, she could just slip away.
"Oh?" Winske was clearly surprised that Shen Muyu would ask such a question, but he naturally didn't intend to pry.
People who know too much are likely to come to a bad end, let alone someone who can produce such precious, unpolluted water resources.
"The escapees are actually people like you and me who haven't undergone mechanical modifications." Not knowing what Shen Muyu really wanted to know, Wensike could only offer vague and plausible answers.