Chapter 217: Enhancement
Wiping away his tears and snot, Frederick Shaw ran back to the storage room, overjoyed to share the good news with his grandfather.
Elder Shaw wasn’t surprised by Lily Hart’s decision. She had taken Frederick Shaw in, and not only did she not lead him astray, she even taught him how to conduct himself properly.
Moreover, she knew Fred’s true identity, yet she still treated him so well. That alone was a testament to her upstanding character.
He felt completely at ease with Fred staying here. The boy would be well-fed, have plenty to drink, and have his own work to do. It was far better than staying by his side, living in constant fear day in and day out.
After a while, Lily Hart decided the time was right and led Frost Shaw inside to discuss the partnership with Elder Shaw.
They would sell goods to the Central Command at cost plus ten points.
For example, if a bottle of mineral water cost 10 points, it would be sold to the Central Command for 20 points. (This is just an example.)
And the more they bought, the cheaper it would get—the price would drop by 2 points for every thousand bottles purchased.
Elder Shaw was delighted. He hadn’t expected to secure a partnership so easily. Boss Hart was nothing like the other high-ranking officials had described—unreasonable, selfish, and lawless.
She was clearly a good young woman, with a beautiful and gentle smile.
The group exchanged cheerful smiles. Frederick Shaw looked from one person to the next, his heart filled with an unprecedented sense of peace and security.
Elder Shaw stroked Frederick Shaw’s head and said fondly, "Grandpa has to go now. If you miss me, you can..."
He trailed off. ’Going to find me... that’s just not realistic.’
And he couldn’t possibly come to the lottery shop every day; too many eyes were watching him.
Frederick Shaw said with understanding, "It’s okay, Grandpa. When I miss you, I’ll just look toward the Central Command. I know you’re in there. And if you miss me, you can write me a letter!"
Lily Hart added, "Just give the letters to Logan Holland. He knows about the situation."
Elder Shaw nodded with resignation. ’Everyone’s in a difficult position. It’s best not to cause trouble for others... ’
He gazed deeply at Lily Hart, then gave a few heavy coughs before speaking. "Boss Hart, thank you for taking care of Fred for so long."
Lily Hart waved at Frederick Shaw. "Hurry back. We’re shorthanded at the convenience store and it’s going to get busy."
He knew the adults had important business to discuss, so he gave his grandfather a smile, turned, and ran off. Seeing him so full of life, the heavy weight in Elder Shaw’s heart lifted slightly.
Once Frederick Shaw had gone and only the three of them remained in the room, Elder Shaw took a step back and sat down heavily in a chair. "I’m afraid... I can’t hold on for much longer."
Lily Hart’s eyes widened. "But you seem to be in excellent health! You look like you could live to be a hundred..." She stopped mid-sentence as realization dawned.
’He’s talking about the Central Command.’
Right now, the Central Command was like a teetering skyscraper, infested with countless termites gnawing away at its foundations, threatening to collapse at any moment.
"It’s not just The Mysterious Clan causing trouble from the shadows. There are also radical factions stirring up dissent. I think... a major shake-up is coming very soon." Elder Shaw’s eyes were vacant as he stared at the wall.
Frost Shaw and Lily Hart exchanged a glance.
Lily Hart clenched her fists. "What on earth does The Mysterious Clan want? To rule the entire world?"
"You’ve actually hit the nail on the head," Elder Shaw said with a bitter smile.
"Several hundred years ago, The Mysterious Clan controlled most of the world’s resources. They were said to possess superpowers, but then the world’s magnetic field was disrupted. They lost their powers and gradually faded into seclusion."
"But when the apocalypse began, it unexpectedly allowed them to regain their superpowers, making them dozens of times stronger than ordinary superpower users. They claim they’re just taking back what’s theirs."
Lily Hart sneered. "That’s ridiculous. So they want to be the ones in charge, rule the world again, and are throwing the Central Command into chaos to do it."
Frost Shaw asked, "When you mentioned a ’major shake-up,’ you meant..."
"A new leader rising to power," Elder Shaw said flatly, as if he had already foreseen it all.
"And you?" Lily Hart asked, concerned.
Elder Shaw said with an air of resignation, "I will be removed from power. The best-case scenario is that I get to live out my years in peace. The worst..." He didn’t finish, but everyone understood.
He would be imprisoned, used to threaten his formerly loyal subordinates. His military authority would be transferred, and they would use his name to commit all manner of deeds.
That was the last thing he wanted to see happen.
"Then is there anything we can do to help?" Lily Hart asked.
Elder Shaw shook his head. "For now, you should stay out of this. I hope Boss Hart will always maintain her neutral stance. As long as she is around, there is still hope for humanity."
Lily Hart was taken aback.
’I thought he’d say, ’Of course, there is. I need you to provide more supplies, weapons preferably.’ I never expected him to think this way... ’
Her perspective had been broadened.
’My own way of thinking was too narrow.’
The sudden appearance of the lottery shop had undoubtedly given everyone a glimmer of hope.
’Remaining neutral is the best path.’
Lily Hart agreed. "Alright."
Elder Shaw couldn’t stay out for too long. He rose to his feet, and just before leaving, he left them with two words: "Take care." Then, he departed resolutely.
Lily Hart suddenly had a terrible premonition. ’Could that have been the last time I’ll ever see him...?’
"It won’t be," Frost Shaw said, seeing through her pessimistic thoughts. Those three simple words were a comfort, giving Lily Hart a surprising amount of strength.
The two of them walked out, one after the other, and continued their discussion about selling supplies to the Central Command.
As they stepped out of the storage room, they saw that Elder Shaw was already making his way back to the Central Command. The noisy chatter of the customers was as loud as ever.
Suddenly, a cry of excitement erupted from the crowd. "I finally won a prize on a scratch-off!"
A momentary silence fell. The cry had come from a tall, powerfully built woman. Her exposed skin had a dark, yellowish tint, and she looked incredibly sturdy.
She squeezed her way to the prize redemption machine, clumsily inserted the ticket, and waited with bated breath. The surrounding customers were unfazed by the sight, merely a little envious...
’How come other people can win, but I can’t?’
’Useless hands! Don’t let me down!’
Lily Hart watched as well. ’I wonder what this woman won?’
The prize was dispensed. The tall woman carefully shielded it, trying to keep it from prying eyes, but she couldn’t suppress a small gasp of surprise.
Lily Hart leaned in. "What is it?"
The tall woman was so focused that the sudden voice startled her. She instinctively covered the prize, then looked up, her sharp, hawk-like gaze landing on Lily Hart.
’Oh, it’s Boss Hart.’
The tall woman instantly relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief. "Boss Hart, how do I use this prize?"
"Let me see?" Lily Hart leaned closer. Her eyes fell on a black stone with a warm, gentle luster. She knew at once this was no ordinary prize.
Before Lily Hart could even speak, the tall woman exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, what’s happening?"
The black stone dissolved into shimmering motes of light that streamed into the tall woman’s forehead before disappearing completely.
She was dumbfounded. "Wh-wh-what? It’s just... gone?"
Lily Hart guessed it was a prize that benefited the body. ’Maybe it improves physical fitness? Or raises her power level?’
She prompted her, "Do you feel any changes in your body?"
Hearing this, the tall woman shot her a grateful look, then calmed her mind to feel for any changes in her body.
Ten seconds later, her eyes snapped open, shining with a brilliant, boundless light.