Make them Sleep

Country L was not advanced as Country C. The country was still anchored to the traditional agricultural mode of living, with majority of the lands being vast plains that spanned hundred of hectares.

The capital of Country L was situated near the sea, given that the population steer clear of Country M which bordered their country at the eastern side.

The vast tracks of arable land near the border of Country M became useless after the disaster. Hence, it was left open. But the truth was, it was a strategy to monitor the people who will try to sneak inside Country M.

Li Nuxie's group stayed at a two-star inn at the outskirts of the capital. It was a two-storey house facing the eastern part of the city.

"We are tourists and just finished scuba diving," Li Chanying explained when the owner eyed them with suspicion. Everyone would be suspicious if you saw four people knocking on your door in their diving suits.

Whoever roamed around the city wearing suits akin to tights?

Li Chanying has done her homework. Country L was famous for its diving spots at the southwestern part of the country. With that, the owner welcomed the guests with a wide smile.

Li Nuxie and Li Chanying occupied the room opposite to the room of Li Chao and Huang Wensheng.

"What's the next plan, Xiexie?" Li Chanying asked after stripping down in her birth suit. She wrapped a worn out towel around her body.

She cannot be choosy with what she has right now. After all, they were not on vacation. Earlier, she told Li Chao to buy decent clothes for them.

Li Nuxie who also stripped down free fall on the bed, sighing. Her tanned skin was in contrast with the towel which could be older than her. "We move as soon as we change our clothes."

Li Chanying nodded before picking up a promotional flyer and fanned herself. Sweat began to trickle down her temples. She blew air as she occupied the wooden chair near the window.

Meanwhile, Li Chao borrowed a worn-out shirt and shorts from the inn's owner before going to the town proper. He left Huang Wensheng at the inn to look after her sister and cousin. Thinking about it, he chuckled.

Li Nuxie and Li Chanying were both good at martial arts. Instead of protecting them, it can be said that they are the protectors.

At the town proper, Li Chao bought four each of t-shirt, pants, and underwear. He also bought instant noodles and bread. They need to settle for this for the meantime.

-0-

A knock disturbed Li Nuxie's flow of thoughts. She was thinking on how to sneak inside the Country M without being detected but it proved to be difficult with all the security patrolling the borders and the CCTV covering the areas that cannot be patrolled.

She watched from the corner of her eye as Li Chanying walked towards the door and pulled it open. Outside the door, Li Chao has already changed into a blue shirt and pants. It looked cheap on him but it was preferable over the diving suit. His hair was still damp and clung on his temple.

He raised his hand with a plastic bag dangling on it. "Here's the clothes. After you change, let's eat before heading out."

"Got it," Li Chanying took the plastic bag before closing the door.

After changing into the newly bought clothes, they went inside Li Chao and Huang Wensheng's room. The design of the room was the same with the other room. Two wooden chairs facing the window and one queen-sized bed in the middle of the room. There was a small cabinet near the bed. The room was illuminated with a yellow bulb that did not help eradicating the darkness.

The men occupied the bed while the women sat on the wooden chairs. In their hands were steaming plastic bowls of instant noodles.

"This is bad for our health," Li Chanying cannot helped but saying.

Li Nuxie squared her shoulders in a shrug. "Compared to being dead, this is better."

Li Chanying pressed her lips but did not say anything afterwards.

Li Chao and Huang Wensheng continued digging in on their noodles, seemingly unaware of the conversation that took place.

After they finished their noodles, the four people inside the room sat straight. Not an ounce of playful aura remained. Only the sound of the electric fan worse than a tractor can be heard.

"We're going to sneak inside the Country M at midnight," Li Nuxie started.

The other three nodded with Li Chanying pulling out a laptop from its bag. After she entered the password, different black windows popped up, revealing coded letters and numbers.

"Ying, take care of the CCTVs."

"Copy that," Li Chanying said.

"Elder brother, just back me up."

Li Chao just nodded. He always trusted how Li Nuxie put her plans into motion. If his sister told him to just provide back up, he will do just that.

"W-What about me, Elder sister?" Huang Wensheng asked, fidgeting.

Li Nuxie glanced at him, a half-smile was visible on her lips. "Let's use your talent in Forza Horizon."

"Eh?"

Li Chao raised an eyebrow. "You are not thinking what I'm thinking, right? Little sister?"

Li Nuxie snapped her fingers in the air. "Exactly what you're thinking, elder brother."

Aside from the fact that it was not easy infiltrating Country M, there are constant patrol inside the country using a 4x4 vehicle. Those guards who do the rounds are wearing protective gears against radiation.

The 4x4 was also equipped with such protection, reducing the impact by fifty percent.

The risk of doing the job was entitled to a huge salary. However, very few people would exchange their lives for a comfortable living.

"How can you commandeer the vehicle then?" Li Chao cannot helped but asked. "I've heard they're all first class mercenaries," his voice was laced with worry.

Li Nuxie turned her head towards the window. "Chicken. We just make them sleep."