Chapter 227: A Special Penchant for Collecting Men
He had been the same way when he first met Boss Hart. He could never get full, feeling like no matter how much he ate, it was never enough.
It was because he’d starved for so long—gone so long without a full meal, without a decent one...
When you finally get the chance to eat your fill, of course you can’t help but indulge, even if you know that suddenly eating too much of a good thing is bad for your stomach.
But when you’re faced with delicious food, who can resist? Who even remembers things like that?
Of course you just stuff your face! So, Roman Rowe was completely understanding. He even felt a pang of sympathy and was about to go to the kitchen to make him some noodles.
In his heart, Julian Lynch was a true man. His deeds at the Southwest Base were enough to make his name go down in history.
He heard that Julian had even defeated a mutant plant that was evolving toward the Ninth Rank.
And Julian himself was only an Eighth-rank Superpower User, yet he showed no fear, rising to meet the challenge.
Julian Lynch quickly called out to stop him. "No need, I’m full."
Roman Rowe confirmed, "Really? You don’t have to be polite with me!" He acted like they were old pals.
In reality, this was the first time the two had met, but in his two years at Central Command, Roman Rowe had heard many stories about Julian Lynch.
He’d even had the urge to go see the Southwest Base for himself, but the journey was long, so he gave up on the idea.
Julian Lynch said earnestly, "Really."
Once this breakfast-that-wasn’t-breakfast was over, it was already noon.
Julian Lynch looked at Lily Hart and saw her big, sparkling eyes fixed on him, a faint, unreadable smile on her lips.
He was suddenly taken aback, and he also remembered the second reason he’d come to the lottery shop.
"I heard Boss Hart developed a mini-program for an online supermarket. Is it possible for the Southwest Base to use it as well?"
"Of course." Lily Hart’s tone was simple. ’It was made to be used, after all.’
Lily Hart brought up the QR code for her contact info. "Here, add me as a friend first. I’ll share it with you."
Seemed reasonable enough.
Julian Lynch didn’t suspect a thing and opened his Light Brain to scan it.
Lily Hart saw his profile picture: a vast, barren desert stretching as far as the eye could see.
Towering sand dunes reached for the horizon. In the distance, a lone figure stood atop a dune, gazing out over the endless sea of sand.
It fit his personality perfectly.
’Was the person in the picture him?’
Meanwhile, Julian Lynch saw her profile picture: an adorable cat that seemed to be acting cute for the camera.
They successfully added each other as friends, with Frost Shaw and Roman Rowe standing between them, looking left and right like outsiders.
"Sent," Lily Hart said.
"Mm," Julian Lynch replied subconsciously, his tone extremely curt. Realizing his mistake, he laughed. "Sorry, I’m used to talking to my subordinates."
Lily Hart shook her head. It was nothing.
Soon, it was lunchtime. Leo Colby arrived right on time, strolling in with his hands in his pockets.
The moment he stepped onto the RV’s floor, he sensed something was off. He jerked his head up. "Julian Lynch?"
Julian Lynch looked at him too. Their eyes met, and he laughed heartily. "Didn’t expect to see you here! Leo Colby!"
’Well now, another pair of "old friends?"’
’Living a long life really makes a difference. You end up knowing everyone.’
The two shook hands, both gripping with extreme force. It was hard to tell what emotions were contained within the gesture.
"You’re at Central Command for a meeting?" Leo Colby slung an arm over his shoulder as they both sat down.
"Right," Julian Lynch said. "Elder Shaw called it. Is Central Command really unstable lately?"
Leo Colby sighed and didn’t elaborate, but Julian Lynch understood. There was nothing anyone could do.
"By the way, you know Boss Hart?" Julian Lynch asked, confused.
He was discovering that this woman was incredible. Frost Shaw was someone who loved his freedom above all else; three years ago, Julian had invited him to join the Southwest Base, but he had flatly refused.
The two of them hadn’t spoken for a while because of it. That’s right—that "while" had turned into three years.
’And from the looks of it now, Frost Shaw is working for Boss Hart? And he seems more than willing!’
’Besides, the way Frost Shaw looks at Boss Hart... it’s not entirely innocent. Anyone with eyes could see it.’
"I know her. She’s my boss, too," Leo Colby said frankly.
Julian Lynch was stunned. Frost Shaw was one thing, but Leo Colby was number one on the leaderboard.
’He’d also been... subdued?’
’Boss Hart must have some incredible charisma,’
he thought.
Stan Sterling and Seth arrived as well. They came together and seemed to be getting along quite well, having already become good friends.
When they saw the tough-looking Julian Lynch, both were a bit surprised, and the same thought popped into their heads...
’Has Boss Hart recruited another man?’
The two of them silently compared their own looks and physiques to his, then silently nudged their own status in Boss Hart’s heart back a little.
You could say they were very self-aware.
At Auspice Base, Stan Sterling had been outstanding among the crowd of male favorites. But after coming to Boss Hart’s side...
’The men here are all remarkable in their own ways, each handsome in his own right.’
’Every single one of them, if taken alone, could have been... what’s the word... a celebrity in the civilized era!’
’But she has... seven of them around her. And now one more, making it eight!’
’Too much! This is way too much!’ Seth weakly condemned her in his heart, but then silently sat down in the spot closest to her.
When Julian Lynch recovered from his surprise, he saw two more handsome men come aboard. Only then did he realize.
This small RV was filled with men, every one of them handsome and stylish, except for those two little brats.
’Does Boss Hart have some kind of special hobby? Collecting men?’
’But that’s normal too. Powerful people always have their own little hobbies. And it looks like these men get along... happily?’
Lily Hart glanced back. "Everyone’s here? Don’t just stand there, have a seat."
Stan Sterling, who had just taken a sip of water, choked. ’Why did that phrase suddenly sound so suggestive?’
’Or is it just that I have a dirty mind, and everything sounds dirty to me?’ He glanced at Seth, who was already sitting obediently and waiting for the meal, and sat down beside him.
There had originally been table settings for twelve, but now with Julian Lynch’s arrival, Roman Rowe very conscientiously went to the storage closet to fetch another chair for him.
Lily Hart scanned the lively atmosphere but suddenly thought of Owen Warren, who was at the bathhouse.
’He seems to be all alone, a bit lonely. But these are all High-level Superpower Users. They might be able to tell he’s a zombie.’
’Humans and zombies are like fire and water. Better not to pull that kind of stunt.’
A few of them had just stuffed themselves with breakfast and now had little appetite for lunch. Only Julian Lynch was enthusiastic. "Time to eat again?"
’The treatment for the men Boss Hart collects is pretty great. It’s just eat, eat, eat all day.’
Lily Hart was still full and feeling a bit sleepy. Seeing his enthusiasm, she couldn’t help but ask, "What do you want to eat? We have everything here."
’Even if Roman Rowe can’t make it, I can just buy it directly from the marketplace.’
"Hot pot?" Julian Lynch asked tentatively. ’That requires a lot of ingredients, and the more people, the more you need to eat. Would they have it?’
’If they do... what if I want to stay? But there’s a whole group of people back at the Southwest Base waiting for me.’
’I’d better ask Boss Hart about a potential partnership.’
"Sure," Lily Hart said. She scrolled through the marketplace and, thinking about Julian Lynch’s big appetite, bought a hot pot set for fifteen people.